1. India to Participate in Exercise Bright Star

India will join the upcoming Exercise Bright Star hosted by Egypt, with a contingent of 700 personnel from the three armed forces.

First held in 1980, the exercise is one of the largest tri-service multilateral drills, traditionally co-hosted by Egypt and the United States. The 2025 edition, scheduled from August 28 to September 10, will see participation from 11 nations, similar in scale to the 2023 exercise.

2. Operation Naushera Nar IV: Two Terrorists Killed

Two terrorists were killed on August 28 in the Gurez sector of Bandipora district after alert troops foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control.

According to the Chinar Corps, based on intelligence inputs from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, a joint operation was launched in the area. Troops observed suspicious movement near the LoC and, upon challenging, came under indiscriminate fire from infiltrators. The fire was retaliated effectively, resulting in the neutralisation of two terrorists. The operation remains in progress.

3. Kim Jong Un, Putin to Attend Chinese Military Parade

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will attend China’s military parade on September 3, alongside President Xi Jinping.

The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed that 26 foreign heads of state and government will participate, though no Western leaders are expected—except for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, representing the EU.

The joint appearance of Xi, Putin, and Kim will underscore growing solidarity between China, sanctions-hit Russia, and North Korea, while projecting Beijing’s leadership of the Global South.

4. Indian Army Inducts Airborne FAT

The Indian Army has inducted its first Airborne Field Artillery Tractor (FAT), capable of being air-dropped by transport aircraft.

The Surya Command announced that the FAT was successfully validated during operational trials with the elite ParaBulls of the Shatrujeet Brigade. Powered by a 3,400cc engine, the vehicle is designed to tow artillery guns during airborne operations, significantly enhancing rapid deployment and force projection.

Conceptualised and developed in-house, the Airborne FAT represents a milestone in indigenous innovation, reinforcing the Army’s emphasis on self-reliance, speed, and tactical mobility.

5. New Rifle in 6.5mm Creedmoor for USSOCOM

On August 22, U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) awarded Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) a contract worth up to $92 million for rifles chambered in 6.5mm Creedmoor.

The award covers medium-range gas gun–assault kits, spare parts, training, and engineering support, with the contract running until August 2035. The selected rifle, the MRGG-A, is part of LMT’s MARS-H (Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System-Heavy) family, which traces its lineage to the AR-10 platform.

6. US Air Force Reinstates M18 Pistol

Sig Sauer confirmed on August 27 that the U.S. Air Force has reinstated the M18 pistol following a safety review related to a recent incident at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.

The M18 is the official sidearm of all branches of the U.S. military, including the Marine Corps and Air Force. Sig Sauer stated it continues to work closely with Air Force Global Strike Command to ensure the reliability and safety of the weapon system.

7. Sako Launches ARG Rifle for Defence and Law Enforcement

Finnish arms manufacturer Sako has unveiled its Arctic Rifle Generation (ARG) family of assault rifles, comprising the ARG-40 GP, ARG-40 DI (both 5.56 NATO), and ARG-50 GP (7.62 NATO).

Developed with the Swedish and Finnish Defence Forces, the rifles are tailored for Arctic operations and tested to NATO D14 standards. Based on the AR-15 platform, they feature enhancements for reliability and integration with allied systems, designed as a complete system replacement for northern defence requirements.

8. YFQ-42A Conducts First Flight for US Air Force

General Atomics has announced the first flight of its YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), developed in partnership with the U.S. Air Force.

The jet-powered, semi-autonomous platform is designed for large-scale, affordable production and builds on experience gained with the MQ-20 Avenger and the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station. Equipped with an advanced autonomy core trained over five years of flight testing, the YFQ-42A is intended to provide U.S. warfighters with a decisive edge in future air combat.

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.