8 June 2025.*DEFENCE UPDATE* 1. *IAF Conducts Large Scale Combat Drills Near India-Pakistan Border*: The Indian Air Force is carrying out major exercises near the southern sector of the India-Pakistan international border in Rajasthan from June 7th to 8th, involving advanced fighter jets like Rafale, Su-30, and Mirage 2000. 2. *Pakistan Falsely Claims Indian Su-30 Damaged by Fatah Missiles*: Pakistan has claimed, using satellite imagery, that an Indian Su-30 was damaged by Fatah missiles, but the imagery actually shows a MiG-29 undergoing maintenance and an engine testing area, not a combat-damaged Su-30. 3. *IAF Strike on Pakistan's Bholari Airbase Destroys AWACS and Four Jets*: Recent reports confirm that an Indian BrahMos missile strike at Pakistan’s Bholari Airbase destroyed a hangar, resulting in the loss of a Pakistani AWACS aircraft with its crew and four fighter jets, including three F-16s recently acquired from Jordan. 4. *Chinese HQ-9 Failed at Walton Base Against Harop Drones*: The Chinese HQ-9 air defense system deployed at Pakistan’s Walton Airport failed to intercept Israeli-origin Harop drones used by the Indian Air Force. 5. *First Image of ATAGS Howitzers Deployed in Armenia*: The first operational image of India’s Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) howitzers deployed in Armenia has surfaced on social media, highlighting their export and deployment. 6. *DRDO HPM System Induction in 18 Months*: The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) high-power microwave (HPM) system, designed for anti-drone operations, is in advanced development and will be inducted within 18 months. 7. *Indian Army Equipping Military Trucks with Cope Cage for Anti-Drone*: The Indian Army has started integrating 16 ft by 9 ft anti-drone wire mesh “cope cages” on logistics vehicles to protect against drone threats. 8. *Pakistani Delegation Seeks US Air Defence Systems & Radar*: Following Indian Air Force strikes, a Pakistani delegation is lobbying the US administration to acquire advanced American radar and air defense systems. 9. *Chinese Netizens Question Govt Decision to Supply J-35A to Pakistan*: Chinese social media users are criticizing and questioning the government’s decision to supply the J-35A stealth fighter to Pakistan, especially since it hasn’t been inducted into Chinese forces yet. 10. *Big Bang Boom Solutions Unveils CNIDARIA AQUA Tether*: Chennai-based Big Bang Boom Solutions has introduced the CNIDARIA AQUA Tether, a non-lethal vessel immobilization system for use in naval and coast guard operations. 11. *New Image Emerges of Chinese 6th Generation J-36*: A new, clear image of China’s 6th generation J-36 stealth aircraft has appeared online, showing a dual-cockpit layout and three ventral weapons bays. 12. *AVNL Starts Modifying BMP-2 Turrets for BMP-2M Upgrade*: Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) has begun upgrading 693 BMP-2 vehicles to the BMP-2M standard, enhancing night-fighting capability, targeting systems, and fire control. 13. *Tejas Mark 2 Rollout Set for 2025*: The Tejas Mark 2 fighter jet is on track for its prototype rollout by November 2025, with a first flight expected by April 2026, featuring a frontal radar cross-section one-fourth that of the Tejas MK1 and high indigenous content. 14. *ADA to Finalize Production Partner for AMCA Within 6 Months*: The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will select a production partner for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) within six months, using a competitive public-private partnership model. 15. *DRDO Chief Confirms Project Kusha Equivalent to Russian S-500 System*: The DRDO chief has announced that Project Kusha, a surface-to-air missile system, will match the capabilities of Russia’s S-500, with the first prototype expected in 12 to 18 months and induction by 2028.