10 June 2025.*DEFENCE UPDATE* 1. *Pakistan to Hike Defence Spending by 18%*: Despite mounting external debt of $87.4 billion, Pakistan is expected to sharply increase its defence budget by 18% in the upcoming fiscal year. 2. *India’s Older BrahMos Missiles Hit Pakistani Airbases*: Recent strikes on Pakistani airbases were carried out using India’s older BrahMos missiles (Block 1 and Block 2 variants from 2005 and 2010), raising Pakistani concerns about the more advanced Block 3 and under-development Block 4 variants. 3. *800 km BrahMos LR Missile Induction by 2027*: BrahMos Aerospace has announced a multi-phase trial schedule for its 800 km-range BrahMos LR variant, aiming for induction into Indian service by 2027. 4. *India Recovers 8 PL-15E Missile Debris after Aerial Clash*: India has recovered debris from eight PL-15E missiles following an aerial clash with Pakistan, with one missile’s seeker still functional and under examination by DRDO. 5. *MoD to Approve ₹30,000 Crore QRSAM Order*: The Ministry of Defence is expected to approve the procurement of three regiments of Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM) worth ₹30,000 crore for the Indian Army, to be deployed along western and northern borders. 6. *Six Netra MK1A AWACS to Counter Stealth Threats*: Six new Netra MK1A airborne early warning aircraft will feature Gallium Nitride-based radar technology, enhancing detection of stealth aircraft at extended ranges. 7. *DRDO Advances Su-30MKI with Wingtip ECM Pods*: Indian Air Force Su-30MKI jets will receive advanced, indigenous wing-mounted electronic countermeasure (ECM) pods developed by DRDO, replacing the Russian SAP-518 pods and improving survivability in contested airspace. 8. *Kalyani Can Produce 50,000 Artillery Shells Monthly*: Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited has announced a production capacity of up to 50,000 artillery shells per month to meet Indian Army requirements. 9. *BEML to Manufacture Advanced Combat Vehicles*: BEML has signed technology transfer agreements with DRDO to manufacture unit maintenance vehicles, unit repair vehicles, and full trailers for 70-ton tank transporters, supporting the Indian Army’s armoured corps. 10. *Goa Shipyard Lays Keel for 4th NGOPV*: The keel for the fourth Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) for the Indian Navy has been laid at Goa Shipyard Limited, marking progress in naval fleet expansion. 11. *GRSE Signs MoU with Sweden’s Berg Propulsion*: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) has signed an MoU with Sweden-based Berg Propulsion for local manufacturing of marine propulsion systems in India. 12. *Indian Army Seeks Upgraded FPV Drone*: The Indian Army has initiated a program to develop an upgraded First Person View (FPV) drone tailored for operational needs, collaborating with domestic defence firms. 13. *QuBeats Wins ₹25 Crore Grant for GPS-Free Navigation*: Quantum tech startup QuBeats has secured a ₹25 crore government grant to develop an indigenous quantum positioning system for the Indian Navy, enabling accurate navigation without GPS. 14. *Armenia Eyes Indian-Made Su-30 Fighters*: In response to Azerbaijan’s acquisition of Chinese JF-17 jets, Armenia is reportedly considering Indian-made Su-30 fighters, which are compatible with Indian munitions like Astra and BrahMos missiles. 15. *Ghatak UCAV Advances with Air Superiority Variant*: The Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) program is progressing with a new air superiority variant capable of carrying air-to-air missiles in its internal bay, enabling combat air patrol missions and airspace security; a prototype is under development pending final funding.