On Tuesday, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved 10 major acquisition proposals totaling Rs 1,44,716 crore. Most of this budget, 99&#37, will support indigenous products under the Buy (Indian) and Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) categories. The approval includes the procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs), which are advanced tanks with superior capabilities for mobility, protection, and real-time awareness. The DAC also approved Air Defence Fire Control Radars for tracking aerial targets and Forward Repair Teams (Tracked) for in-field repairs by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited. Additionally, three proposals were greenlit to boost the Indian Coast Guard's (ICG) abilities, including Dornier-228 aircraft and advanced patrol vessels. The meeting ended with a tribute to the late ICG DG Rakesh Pal, who passed away on August 18, 2024. The Defence Minister and DAC members honored his significant contributions with a moment of silence.

IAF’s Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla has been announced as the prime astronaut for the Indo-US space mission. He will be only the second Indian after Rakesh Sharma to be part of a space mission. Mission paved its way after PM Modi, Joe Biden signed a joint statement in June 2023, envisioning a joint ISRO-NASA effort to the ISS. A National Mission Assignment Board has recommended two 'Gaganyatris' as the prime, backup Mission Pilots for this mission. These include Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla (Prime), Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (Backup). The recommended 'Gaganyatris' will commence their training for the mission in the first week of August, informed ISRO. Notably, PM Modi bestowed astronaut wings upon Shubhanshu Shukla after his name was revealed for the Gaganyaan Mission on Feb 27, 2024. The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first human space flight program, for which extensive preparations are underway at various ISRO centers. Apart from Wing Commander Shubhanshu, Group Capt Prashanth Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap Shukla will also join mission.