In a major upgrade to its air defense architecture, India has finalized a government-to-government agreement with Russia to procure the advanced Container-S (29B6) over-the-horizon (OTH) radar system. This strategic acquisition is aimed at enhancing India’s long-range surveillance and early warning capabilities, particularly in the face of growing regional security challenges.

The Container-S radar is a high-frequency OTH radar system capable of detecting stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, and hypersonic vehicles at ranges exceeding 3,000 kilometers. With a wide 240-degree surveillance arc and altitude coverage of up to 100 kilometers, the radar operates in a bistatic configuration, making it more resistant to electronic jamming and cyber attacks.

The acquisition is expected to work in tandem with India’s existing air defense systems, such as the Russian-made S-400 Triumf, which recently proved its effectiveness in intercepting aerial threats during the May 2025 cross-border strikes.

Part of the wider India-Russia defense cooperation framework, the deal also opens the door to potential future negotiations for the Voronezh-class OTH radar system. Defense experts believe the Container-S radar will significantly bolster India’s ability to detect low-observable threats—stealth aircraft and drones—at stand-off distances, giving it an edge in modern, multi-domain conflict scenarios.

Though the Ministry of Defence has yet to disclose deployment details, sources suggest that the radar may be stationed in strategically vital locations to provide early warning and situational awareness across key theaters. The move reflects India’s ongoing commitment to technological modernization and strategic deterrence amid evolving geopolitical threats in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Agniveer Sanjeev Saini, a young soldier from Tijara serving in the Indian Army, was martyred while performing his duty in Jammu. The news of his sacrifice has cast a shadow of grief over the entire region, deeply affecting the local community and his loved ones.

Sanjeev Saini, son of Ramesh Saini, was known for his dedication and sense of duty. His mortal remains were brought to Ahimsa Circle in Tijara by fellow soldiers of the Indian Army, where locals gathered in large numbers to pay their respects to the fallen hero. His final journey is set to begin shortly from Ahimsa Circle, where he will be given a ceremonial farewell with full military honors.

The atmosphere in Tijara is one of profound mourning. Tributes have poured in from across social media, with countless people expressing their sorrow and pride in Sanjeev’s ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

As Tijara bids farewell to its brave son, Agniveer Sanjeev Saini will be remembered as a symbol of courage, commitment, and patriotism.

In a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik presented the Governor’s Citation to the 31st Battalion of the Assam Rifles, acknowledging their exceptional service in operational duties and community engagement. The honor underscores the battalion’s pivotal role in maintaining security and fostering trust among local populations in the region.

The Assam Rifles, established in 1835, is India’s oldest paramilitary force and has long played a crucial dual role in counter-insurgency operations and development outreach across the Northeast. The 31st Battalion was particularly lauded for its close coordination with the district administration and its people-centric initiatives, reinforcing its identity as the “Sentinels of the North East.”

During the event, Governor Parnaik presented the framed citation to the battalion’s representatives, praising their professionalism and dedication. He also highlighted the force’s broader contributions, such as mentorship and empowerment programs for local youth, including UPSC coaching and pre-recruitment training initiatives that have opened new avenues for aspirants in remote areas.

The recognition comes amid a period of challenging weather in the state, with the India Meteorological Department having issued a red alert for heavy rainfall just days earlier on May 30. Despite such conditions, the Assam Rifles have continued to uphold their duties with unwavering resolve, exemplifying their motto, “Service Before Self.”

Governor Parnaik also recalled the historical significance of the force, noting their valor in both World Wars and their current deployment along the India-Myanmar border since 2002. The Governor’s Citation serves as a testament to the enduring legacy and continued relevance of the Assam Rifles in safeguarding India’s northeastern frontier.

The Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington inaugurated its 81st Staff Course today, launching a comprehensive 45-week program aimed at equipping military officers with the skills required to confront the complexities of contemporary and future warfare. The course includes 500 officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with 45 officers representing 26 friendly foreign nations.

Lieutenant General Virendra Vats, Commandant of DSSC, addressed the gathering in a grand auditorium adorned with national flags of participating countries. In his inaugural speech, he emphasized the urgent need for military leadership to adapt to technological advancements, hybrid threats, and the shifting geopolitical landscape. “The future of warfare demands seamless integration and jointmanship among our forces,” he said, stressing the role of DSSC in fostering tri-service synergy and preparing officers for leadership roles within theaterised command structures.

The curriculum focuses on national security strategy, operational art, effective communication, and modern conflict doctrines, aligning with India’s military modernization and integration efforts. Officers will be trained to lead in a battlefield environment that increasingly involves multi-domain operations—spanning land, sea, air, space, and cyber warfare.

The presence of international officers underscores India’s growing emphasis on military diplomacy, especially in the Indo-Pacific, where evolving security dynamics call for closer cooperation among partner nations. The course serves as a platform for shared learning, mutual respect, and enhanced interoperability.

As the 81st Staff Course begins, it marks another milestone in India’s pursuit of a future-ready military leadership. The diverse cohort is expected to emerge with a holistic understanding of global security challenges, ready to contribute to both national defense and international stability.

Recent online claims suggesting that Srinagar Airport sustained damage during the India-Pakistan conflict have been categorically debunked following a detailed analysis of satellite imagery. The widely circulated image, which alleged that a structural column at the airport had been hit during hostilities, was proven false. A comparison between pre- and post-conflict satellite visuals revealed no damage, suggesting the image was either digitally altered or misrepresented.

This misinformation episode is the latest in a series of false narratives emerging amidst the heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan since May 2025. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has highlighted the growing use of digital platforms as tools for narrative warfare, where manipulated or emotionally charged content is used to deepen divides and influence public perception.

Similar instances include previously debunked images falsely showing India’s Narendra Modi Stadium in ruins, which The Guardian exposed on May 28, 2025, as part of a wider trend labeled a “digital frontier in warfare.” These images, often generated or enhanced using artificial intelligence, are circulating widely across social media and messaging platforms in both countries.

Following the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, the Indian government launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Amid the operation, civilian flight services were suspended at key northern airports including Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, and Amritsar. Srinagar Airport came under direct control of the Indian Air Force for operational reasons, but contrary to viral claims, no structural damage occurred.

Pakistan’s state-run media had earlier claimed successful strikes on 15 Indian air bases, including Srinagar. India responded by dismissing the assertions as part of a “malicious misinformation campaign,” a characterization supported by independent fact-checkers and updates compiled on Wikipedia tracking the 2025 conflict.

Reports from CSOHate.org on May 16, 2025, detail how online actors in India described their information campaigns as part of a broader strategy of “electronic warfare,” designed to counteract enemy propaganda with a mix of verified content and psychological operations.

With a ceasefire declared on May 10 and Pakistani airspace reopened for commercial traffic, experts stress the importance of combating disinformation that threatens peace-building efforts. The false reports about Srinagar Airport underline the urgency of enhancing media literacy and monitoring digital content during times of conflict. As of June 2, 2025, Srinagar Airport remains fully intact and operational under tightened security protocols, with no confirmed physical damage.

In the wake of rising regional tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor, Russia has extended a renewed offer to India for its Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighter jets. The proposal, reported by the Indian Defence Research Wing, emphasizes technology transfer, deep localization, and alignment with India’s Make-in-India defence initiative.

Sources within Russia’s defence conglomerate Rostec confirmed that the deal includes provisions for co-production of the Su-57E in India, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility identified as the preferred manufacturing site. This facility, having already produced over 220 Su-30MKI jets under license, possesses the necessary infrastructure and experience to support production of the stealth aircraft.

The Su-57E offered to India would include key upgrades tailored to Indian Air Force (IAF) needs, such as integration with a Gallium Nitride-based AESA radar and an Indian-developed mission computer, aligned with India’s Super-30 modernization program. Russia is also willing to allow India access to source codes, enabling custom modifications and deeper cooperation with Indian private and public sector defence firms.

In addition to long-term localization, Russia has proposed supplying 20 to 30 Su-57E aircraft directly off the shelf to accelerate the IAF’s fifth-generation fighter capability. Full integration of Indian systems and components into the production line is expected to take approximately three to four years.

This move is seen as a significant opportunity to enhance interoperability between the future Su-57E fleet and India’s existing Su-30MKI aircraft, especially in deploying indigenous air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. Analysts note that such a collaboration could position India as a major hub for advanced stealth fighter production in the region.

The Su-57E, Russia’s only operational fifth-generation stealth jet, is designed for radar evasion, features supercruise capabilities, and is equipped with long-range R-37M air-to-air missiles capable of engaging targets up to 400 kilometers away. The offer comes at a time when India is intensifying its push for indigenous defence production and advanced aerial warfare capability in response to regional security challenges.

Recent satellite imagery of Pakistan’s Bholari Airbase reveals ongoing repair efforts at a hangar that suffered significant damage during Indian airstrikes carried out in May under Operation Sindoor. The imagery, captured in early June 2025, shows the hangar’s damaged roof now covered with tarpaulin, indicating preliminary steps toward restoration.

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The hangar, believed to house a Saab 2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft, was among several key assets targeted in the Indian Air Force’s coordinated assault on Pakistani military infrastructure. The attack, part of a broader campaign involving Rafale jets equipped with SCALP cruise missiles and AASM Hammer munitions, left a 60-foot-wide hole in the hangar’s roof and reportedly killed five Pakistan Air Force personnel stationed at the base.

Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and aimed at dismantling Pakistan-backed terror networks. The Indian Armed Forces struck six airbases—including Bholari, Mushaf, Nur Khan, and Sargodha—as well as terror training camps in Muzaffarabad, Bahawalpur, and Muridke. Before-and-after imagery released by Indian authorities confirmed the destruction of air defense radars, ammunition depots, and command centers.

Commercial satellite analysis firms such as Kawa Space and MizazVision have corroborated the extent of the destruction. Images revealed runway craters, damaged air traffic control infrastructure, and destroyed radar systems across targeted locations. While Pakistan managed to repair runway damage at Mushaf Airbase within 24 hours, the tarpaulin-covered structure at Bholari indicates that repair at this site is still in its early phase.

The loss or degradation of surveillance platforms like the Saab 2000 may temporarily weaken Pakistan’s air monitoring capabilities, especially near the Line of Control. Defense analysts suggest this could affect regional stability if either side perceives a shift in aerial dominance.

Pakistan has not officially acknowledged the repair work underway at Bholari, but the visual evidence points to efforts to restore operational readiness amid ongoing tensions. Operation Sindoor marks one of the most extensive Indian aerial campaigns since the 1971 war, highlighting a significant escalation in the use of precision airpower to counter cross-border threats.