India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody. This biannual exercise is conducted under the provisions of the 2008 bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, which mandates such exchanges on January 1 and July 1 every year.

India has shared the names of 382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani nationals. In return, Pakistan has shared the names of 45 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian nationals.

The Government of India has called for the early release and repatriation of Indian civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing defence personnel from Pakistani custody. Pakistan has been specifically urged to expedite the release of 159 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences. Additionally, India has asked Pakistan to provide immediate consular access to 26 civilian prisoners and fishermen who are believed to be Indian nationals but have not been granted access so far.

India has also called on Pakistan to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners and fishermen in its custody, pending their release and repatriation.

India reiterated its commitment to addressing all humanitarian issues, including those involving prisoners and fishermen in each other’s countries, on a priority basis. In this context, India has also requested Pakistan to complete nationality verification of 80 believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen currently in Indian custody, whose repatriation is delayed due to lack of confirmation.

Since 2014, sustained diplomatic efforts by the Indian government have led to the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners from Pakistan. This includes 500 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners repatriated since 2023.

As repoerted by IDRW, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), has called for a focused national push to develop advanced anti-stealth radar and long-range air defence systems to counter the rising threat of fifth-generation fighter jets. Speaking at the CNN-News18 Defence Townhall on June 28, Dixit underscored the importance of preparing India’s air defence infrastructure to face stealth-enabled platforms like China’s J-20 and FC-31 and the growing risk of Pakistan acquiring similar capabilities.

This statement comes amid rising regional tensions and follows India’s recent operational success in Operation Sindoor, a four-day military engagement with Pakistan after a terror attack in Pahalgam. Dixit emphasized that stealth platforms, including the U.S. F-35, China’s J-20, and Russia’s Su-57, represent a transformation in air combat. These aircraft rely on low radar cross-section (RCS), sensor fusion, supercruise, and network-centric warfare to gain the “first look, first kill” advantage. Their integration with drones and hypersonic systems makes them even more dangerous.

China’s deployment of the J-20 near the Line of Actual Control and the potential export of the FC-31 to Pakistan have alarmed Indian defence planners. Pakistan’s use of Chinese-made YLC-8E anti-stealth radar during Operation Sindoor highlighted the evolving electronic warfare threat landscape.

Drawing lessons from that operation, Dixit stated, “The side that sees first, sees farthest, and sees most accurately prevails.” He stressed that India must accelerate the development of technologies capable of detecting and neutralizing stealth threats before they strike.

India’s current air defence architecture is multi-layered and integrates several indigenous and foreign systems. The Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), developed by Bharat Electronics Limited, plays a key role by fusing data from radars, airborne sensors, and command centers to enable rapid response. It proved critical in managing threats during Operation Sindoor, coordinating systems like Akash, MR-SAM, and the S-400.

Also Read: Complete List of India’s Air Defence Systems as of 2025

The Akash and Akash-NG systems, with ranges up to 80 km, and the Indo-Israeli MR-SAM, with a 70–100 km range, were instrumental in intercepting aerial threats during the operation. The S-400 Triumf system, with a range of up to 400 km, forced Pakistani assets to reposition away from the conflict zone. The Arudhra radar, developed by DRDO with a 300 km detection range and ability to track low-RCS targets, is another important component of the Indian Air Defence network.

To further strengthen this architecture, DRDO recently unveiled Project Kusha, India’s indigenous long-range air defence system equivalent to the Russian S-500. Announced on June 8, 2025, Project Kusha is designed to counter stealth aircraft, hypersonic weapons, and ballistic missiles. Its Long-Range Battle Management Radar (LRBMR) can detect targets over 500 km away and integrates seamlessly with IACCS. The system’s three interceptors—M1 (150 km), M2 (200 km), and M3 (350 km)—will offer layered protection. Project Kusha aims for an 80–90% interception rate and is targeted for operational deployment by 2028–2029.

Also Read: India Accelerates Development of Indigenous S-400-Like Missile System Under Project Kusha

Despite these advancements, Dixit noted that stealth aircraft, with their low RCS, electronic countermeasures, and advanced coatings, remain difficult to detect using conventional X-band or S-band radars. He stressed the need to develop anti-stealth radars operating in lower frequencies like VHF and UHF, which can better detect stealth aircraft albeit with lower resolution.

He also called for integration of multi-band radar systems to create a unified air picture, reducing the limitations of individual frequency bands. Future technologies like quantum radar and passive radar systems—capable of detecting stealth aircraft using ambient radio signals—were also highlighted as essential research areas.

Project Kusha, described by DRDO as a game-changer, supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by relying entirely on indigenous design and development. It also positions India to offer advanced air defence solutions to nations seeking alternatives to Russian and Western systems.

As the nature of aerial warfare continues to evolve, Dixit’s remarks signal a clear strategic directive: India must stay ahead of the curve by advancing its radar technologies and long-range air defence systems to secure its skies against the stealth threats of tomorrow.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is preparing to roll out the first HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) later this year, marking a significant milestone in India’s indigenous aircraft development program. According to HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil, the aircraft is on track for its first delivery to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September 2025, with additional inductions planned in the following years.

Designed by HAL’s Aircraft Research and Design Centre, the HTT-40 is intended to meet the IAF’s long-standing need for a modern, reliable training platform for Stage I basic flight training. It is expected to replace aging aircraft such as the HPT-32 Deepak, offering a cost-effective and robust solution for pilot training.

The HTT-40’s successful flypast at Aero India 2025 has attracted considerable attention, both domestically and internationally. HAL has received a growing number of inquiries from foreign customers interested in the aircraft’s capabilities, signaling strong export potential.

Sunil expressed optimism about showcasing the HTT-40 to prospective buyers in the coming months. HAL’s strategy aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which emphasizes self-reliance in defense manufacturing and aims to position Indian companies as competitive players in the global aerospace market.

With production ongoing at HAL’s facilities in Bangalore and Nashik, the HTT-40 program is poised to enhance India’s military aviation training capabilities while opening new opportunities in the international defense export arena.

India has launched an ambitious nationwide initiative to extract rare earth elements (REEs) from mining waste, after significant quantities of critical minerals were discovered in coal mine dumps. Starting this month, all mining operations across the country—across coal, mineral, and petroleum sectors—have been mandated to conduct tests on overburden, tailings, and other forms of mining rejects for the presence of critical minerals.

This sweeping move follows successful studies conducted at the Sathupalli and Ramagundam open-cast coal mines in Telangana, where 1 kilogram of scandium and strontium was found in every 15 tonnes of clay. The studies were carried out by the government-backed Non-ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC). The supply of these high-value elements from both mines is expected to begin in August, according to N. Balram, Chairman and Managing Director of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

Scandium plays a vital role in aerospace components, fuel cells, and high-performance sports equipment, while strontium is used in alloys, ferrite magnets, vacuum systems, medicines, and even cathode-ray tubes. The government’s focus is to improve resource utilization and turn previously ignored mining waste into strategic assets.

The directive is part of the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), India’s strategic blueprint to reduce import dependence and enhance domestic supply of vital minerals essential for electronics, defense, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.

The exploration drive is being extended beyond mineral-rich zones to include all coal mines and even waste byproducts from the petroleum sector, government sources confirmed. The Centre has already mandated leaseholders of minor minerals to declare the presence of any associated critical minerals as part of its early 2025 reforms.

The initiative also responds to increasing concerns over global supply chain vulnerabilities. With China pausing REE exports, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal recently described the move as a “wake-up call” for the world. India is now actively exploring alternate sourcing avenues in countries like Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.

By unlocking value from waste and diversifying sourcing, India aims to secure its place in the global race for critical mineral independence.

In an exclusive interview with Tarmak Media House, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of Defence Research & Development and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), confirmed that the first flight of the Tejas Mk2, also known as Tejas MkII or LCA Mk2, is expected in the first quarter of 2026. The announcement follows a statement by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director Dr. D.K. Sunil, who stated that the aircraft’s rollout is planned by March 2026.

The Tejas Mk2 represents a major advancement over the Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A variants. Equipped with the powerful General Electric F414 engine, the aircraft features significant upgrades, including enhanced avionics, an indigenous Uttam AESA radar, and advanced electronic warfare systems. These improvements are aimed at boosting operational capability and survivability in a modern combat environment.

Positioned as a medium-weight multi-role fighter, the Tejas Mk2 is designed to bridge the gap between light and heavier fighter classes. The rollout in March 2026 will mark the completion of assembly and ground testing, setting the stage for its maiden flight shortly thereafter.

Dr. Kamat emphasized that the aircraft is undergoing rigorous testing and validation to meet stringent performance and safety benchmarks. Once operational, the Tejas Mk2 is expected to play a critical role in the Indian Air Force’s modernization efforts, gradually replacing aging platforms such as the MiG-21.

With an anticipated order of 240 aircraft, the Tejas Mk2 program is set to become a key pillar of India’s defence sector. It not only enhances the Indian Air Force’s combat edge but also supports the country’s goal of achieving technological self-reliance and fostering industrial growth through indigenous development.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on a 14-day scientific expedition, will interact with Indian school students and ISRO engineers via ham radio this Friday. The event is being organised by the Amateur Radio on International Space Station (ARISS), which enables direct communication between astronauts and students around the globe.

The interaction will be conducted through a telebridge set up at the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru. According to ARISS, the contact is scheduled for Friday, July 4, at 10:17 UTC (3:47 PM IST), using the K6DUE telebridge relay station. The announcement was also shared by ARISS on social media platform X, highlighting the significance of the upcoming communication with Indian participants.

Ham radio, or amateur radio, is widely regarded for its reliability in emergency communication and educational outreach. Licensed operators use it to facilitate scientific and cultural exchanges, especially in settings where traditional communication systems may fail.

Shukla, who is part of the four-member Axiom-4 crew, has been actively involved in several scientific experiments aboard the ISS. On Sunday, he conducted a space microalgae experiment, deploying sample bags and capturing images of various algae strains. The experiment is aimed at exploring microalgae as a sustainable, nutrient-rich food source for future long-duration space missions.

The Axiom-4 team is also engaged in the Neuro Motion VR project, which studies the impact of microgravity on cognitive and motor functions. Astronauts perform VR-based tasks while their brain activity is monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), offering insights into human adaptation during deep-space travel.

In addition, Shukla and the crew are contributing to the Telemetric Health AI study, which combines biometric data and mission analytics to assess cardiovascular and balance systems under spaceflight conditions. The research holds promise for developing advanced, real-time health monitoring systems useful both in space and on Earth.

The upcoming radio contact is expected to inspire students across India to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), while offering a rare opportunity to engage directly with a fellow Indian astronaut currently orbiting Earth.

India is intensifying efforts to develop a powerful bunker-buster version of its Agni missile system, capable of striking deeply buried enemy facilities, command centres, and fortified military infrastructure. The project, led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is receiving renewed momentum amid global attention on the effectiveness of deep-penetration strikes like the recent U.S. operations in Iran.

Unlike the U.S. GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which is air-dropped by B-2 stealth bombers, India’s approach will involve a missile-based delivery system, offering enhanced operational flexibility and lower deployment costs. The new system is expected to use a modified version of the Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), reconfigured for conventional payloads instead of nuclear warheads.

The upcoming missile variant will be capable of delivering a massive 7,500 kg warhead designed to penetrate 80 to 100 metres of reinforced concrete and soil before detonation. This capability is targeted at disabling heavily fortified assets such as enemy missile silos, underground bunkers, and hardened command posts.

According to sources cited by IANS, two versions of the missile are under development. The first will be designed for airburst detonations to strike above-ground military installations like runways and airbases. The second version will feature a deep-penetration warhead to emulate the role of advanced bunker-buster bombs.

Despite the larger payload, the missile is expected to maintain an effective range of around 2,500 kilometres, sufficient for addressing regional threats. It will also reach hypersonic speeds between Mach 8 and Mach 20, significantly increasing its survivability and reducing the chances of interception.

This strategic initiative reflects India’s focus on upgrading its conventional strike capabilities to respond to emerging regional security challenges. With DRDO prioritising technologies that can provide credible deterrence against hardened military targets, the Agni bunker-buster missile is being seen as a vital addition to India’s evolving missile arsenal.