In yet another incident raising questions over Air India’s operational safety, a San Francisco–Mumbai flight via Kolkata was forced to deboard all passengers early Tuesday after a technical fault was detected in the aircraft’s left engine.

Flight AI180 had landed in Kolkata at 12:45 am as per schedule, but before it could proceed to Mumbai, ground engineers flagged a glitch in the left engine, prompting an extended delay. According to reports, after nearly five hours of waiting on the tarmac, passengers were finally asked to deplane at around 5:20 am. The pilot addressed the cabin, citing flight safety as the primary concern behind the decision.

Visuals from the airport showed ground staff conducting inspections around the left engine of the aircraft, which remained stationed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.

The incident has added to growing unease over Air India’s technical preparedness and fleet maintenance standards. It comes just five days after a catastrophic crash involving Air India flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport. That aircraft lost control seconds after takeoff and collided with the BJ Medical College hostel building, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The lone survivor was identified as British national Vishwas Kumar Ramesh.

The recent string of mishaps has prompted aviation analysts and regulatory authorities to take a closer look at Air India’s maintenance practices, especially after its recent fleet expansions and international route additions under the Tata Group’s ownership. Passengers, meanwhile, continue to express concern over safety, punctuality, and transparency — three critical aspects that are now in sharper focus than ever.

An Air India Express flight operating from Delhi to Ranchi was forced to return to the national capital shortly after takeoff on Monday evening following a suspected technical issue, the airline confirmed.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was originally scheduled to land at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport at 6:20 PM. However, soon after departure, the crew detected a possible technical irregularity and decided to divert back to Indira Gandhi International Airport as a precautionary measure.

Following a thorough inspection on the ground, the aircraft was cleared and resumed scheduled operations. “One of our flights returned to Delhi after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue. Post inspections and clearance, the aircraft continued scheduled operations,” an Air India Express spokesperson stated.

In a separate incident earlier in the day, Air India flight AI315 from Hong Kong to New Delhi — a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner — also returned to its origin due to a technical concern. The aircraft landed safely at Hong Kong International Airport around 1:15 p.m. local time after initially taking off at 12:20 p.m. and reaching an altitude of 22,000 feet before initiating its descent.

These back-to-back events follow a tragic accident involving another Air India flight last week, in which a Boeing aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London, killing 241 of the 242 people onboard.

These developments mark yet another challenge for Air India, which is in the midst of a fleet modernization effort, and for Boeing, which continues to grapple with global scrutiny over safety and reliability concerns.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is all set to spotlight India’s cutting-edge aerospace and defence technologies at the Paris Air Show 2025, reinforcing the country’s growing stature as a global defence innovator. In a statement shared on social media platform X, DRDO announced that its participation will underscore India’s emphasis on self-reliance, strategic capability, and international collaboration.

At the prestigious event being held from June 16 to 22 at Le Bourget, France, DRDO will display an array of indigenous advancements including next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), state-of-the-art avionics, and various homegrown defence systems. Among the highlights is the Astra Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, designed to engage fast-moving, supersonic targets in all-weather conditions. The Astra Mk-I, now integrated with Indian Air Force’s SU-30 Mk-I aircraft, is one of the missile systems being inducted to enhance India’s aerial combat readiness.

The showcase will also include the Tejas Mk-2, an upgraded version of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which demonstrates India’s progress in advanced fighter jet manufacturing. Another significant exhibit is the Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) ‘Swathi’, developed jointly with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), capable of accurately detecting and tracking enemy artillery fire.

DRDO will also highlight its Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C), a “system of systems” designed to detect and track enemy aircraft and UAVs, providing a force-multiplying advantage. Additionally, HELINA, a third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile for helicopters, will be part of the exhibit, demonstrating India’s capability in precision strike weapons.

Enhancements to the Dornier aircraft, under the SHYEN project, will also be showcased. These upgrades improve mission performance through better payload integration and mid-life avionics improvements.

DRDO’s participation at the Paris Air Show not only marks a significant stride in India’s global defence diplomacy but also reinforces its commitment to self-reliance under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The event provides an opportunity for India to explore defence cooperation, technology exchange, and industrial partnerships with leading global players in aerospace and defence.

Subedar Sandeep Kumar of the Indian Army’s 16th Battalion, The Jat Regiment under the Gandiv Division, secured a silver medal in the 35 km race walk event at the Austrian Race Walking Championship held in Innsbruck on June 9. Clocking an impressive time of 02:38:45, the Olympian and Commonwealth Games medalist reaffirmed his status as one of India’s premier endurance athletes.

Kumar’s journey began in the farmlands of Haryana, where he grew up helping his family and occasionally wrestling at local competitions. His life took a dramatic turn after joining the Army, where he was introduced to the sport of race walking at the Jat Regiment Center. The Army’s structured coaching and training infrastructure helped him progress swiftly, culminating in a national record in the 20-km race walk (01:20:16) in 2021 and a berth at the Tokyo Olympics. His story reflects findings from a 2020 Sports Authority of India study, which highlighted that military athletes enjoy a 40% higher success rate due to enhanced discipline and access to facilities.

Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, Army Commander of the South Western Command, congratulated Kumar on his stellar performance, describing it as a testament to the Indian Army’s commitment to sports excellence. The championship also witnessed another Indian Army athlete, Naib Subedar Ram Baboo of the Sapta Shakti Command, clinch the bronze medal, reinforcing the military’s growing influence in international athletics.

These achievements challenge the prevailing belief that elite sports talent primarily emerges from civilian academies. Kumar’s and Baboo’s medals underscore the Army’s significant role in identifying and nurturing talent from rural India, transforming them into international champions through rigorous training, mentorship, and opportunity.

Surg Rear Admiral Vivek Hande, Senior Consultant (Medicine) at the Office of the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), wrapped up a 10-day operational tour of the Ladakh Corps Zone, aimed at assessing and reinforcing medical resilience in extreme high-altitude conditions. The visit, which took place from June 7 to June 16, included a series of engagements with field medical teams and research centers, culminating in a significant visit to the Siachen Glacier.

Rear Admiral Hande inspected several military hospitals and forward-deployed field medical units, paying special attention to logistics, patient care standards, and the adaptation of medical infrastructure to the harsh Himalayan terrain. A major stop was the High Altitude Medical Research Centre in Leh, where he evaluated ongoing research initiatives. Notably, the center’s acclimatization protocols have resulted in a 30% reduction in acute mountain sickness incidents, according to a 2019 report from the Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

The highlight of the tour was his inspection of the Siachen Glacier, where he directly interacted with medics and soldiers posted in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments. The glacier, where temperatures routinely drop to -50°C, accounts for the majority of non-combat casualties in the region due to its extreme weather. Rear Admiral Hande praised the exceptional morale and professionalism of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) personnel who operate under these challenging conditions, emphasizing the indispensable role of medics in sustaining operational effectiveness at such altitudes.

In addition to medical concerns, the visit also touched on the environmental impact of long-term military deployment in the glacier zone. Data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department indicates an annual temperature rise of 0.2°C since 2007, contributing to accelerated glacier melt. To mitigate ecological damage, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has deployed cold-resistant bacteria to aid in the natural decomposition of waste, part of a broader effort to preserve the fragile ecosystem.

Rear Admiral Hande’s visit underscores the Indian Armed Forces’ focus on enhancing medical preparedness in remote and high-risk zones, while balancing operational needs with environmental responsibility. His interactions and assessments are expected to inform future medical strategies and innovations tailored to the unique demands of high-altitude warfare.

India marked a major milestone in quantum technology on June 16, 2025, as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and IIT Delhi successfully demonstrated quantum entanglement-based free-space quantum secure communication over a distance exceeding one kilometre. Conducted through the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Delhi, the achievement positions India at the forefront of secure communication technologies critical for future warfare and strategic applications.

Using a free-space optical link on the IIT Delhi campus, the experiment achieved a secure key rate of approximately 240 bits per second with a quantum bit error rate of less than 7%. This effort is part of the project titled ‘Design and development of photonic technologies for free space QKD,’ sanctioned by the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM), DRDO.

The demonstration was led by Professor Bhaskar Kanseri’s research team and witnessed by top officials including DRDO’s DG (MED, COS & CS), Directors of SAG and DFTM, the Dean (R&D) of IIT Delhi, the DIA-CoE Director, and DRDO scientists. The entanglement-assisted approach used in this experiment offers higher security than traditional methods, ensuring that any interception attempt disturbs the quantum state and is detectable by the system.

Quantum communication holds transformative potential across sectors such as defence, banking, and telecommunications, offering fundamentally unbreakable encryption. Free-space Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is particularly valuable as it avoids the need for fiber-optic infrastructure, enabling secure communication even in difficult terrains and urban environments.

India had previously demonstrated an intercity quantum link between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj in 2022 using underground dark optical fiber and followed it with a 100-km quantum key distribution experiment via optical fiber in 2024. These continuous advancements underline the rapid strides being made under DRDO’s 15 Centres of Excellence established across top academic institutions for next-generation defence research.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and IIT Delhi for this significant leap, calling it a game-changer in future warfare and national cyber security. Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, along with IIT Delhi Director Prof Rangan Banerjee, also extended their appreciation to the research team for pushing the boundaries of quantum communication technology.

In a proud moment that highlights tradition, service, and national pride, the Navad family from Bengaluru has earned a rare distinction — having one member each in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This milestone was formally marked at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, where Anmol Navad, the youngest in the family, was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Indian Army. With this, the Navads now stand as one of the few families in India with representation across all three branches of the armed forces.

A Family Rooted in Service

The head of the family, Air Commodore Vasant Navad, currently serves in the Indian Air Force and is posted at the Integrated Defence Staff in New Delhi. His elder son, Aryan Navad, serves as a naval aviator in the Indian Navy. With Anmol’s recent induction into the Army, the family has achieved a complete trifecta — a living symbol of India’s tri-service strength and unity.

Speaking about this remarkable feat, Air Commodore Navad emphasized the growing relevance of synergy among the three services, particularly in the era of integrated operations. He noted that modern warfare requires seamless coordination across domains — land, sea, air, space, and cyber — and the family’s presence across all branches reflects this evolving strategic vision.

Anmol’s Journey to the Army

For Lieutenant Anmol Navad, the choice to serve in the Army was deeply personal and inspired by the examples set by his father and brother. He described his father as his inspiration and his brother as a constant source of strength and guidance. Their influence shaped his desire to serve the nation in a unique and challenging way.

Anmol, who will be joining the Infantry Regiment, is also an avid runner and squash enthusiast. He credits long-distance running for helping him push his limits, and remembers the grueling Bhadraj trek during his training at IMA as a defining moment in building resilience and mental toughness.

A Tradition That Runs Deep

The legacy of service in the Navad family goes beyond the present generation. Anmol’s maternal grandfather was an officer in the Territorial Army and a recipient of the President’s Medal, adding another layer to their rich tradition of military service.

Reflecting India’s Defence Structure

The Indian Armed Forces are divided into three main branches — the Army, Navy, and Air Force — each with a distinct role in protecting the nation’s sovereignty. The Army secures the land borders, the Navy protects maritime interests, and the Air Force defends the skies. The Navads’ presence in all three services serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of jointness and inter-service cooperation in today’s security landscape.

A Story of National Inspiration

The Navad family’s rare accomplishment is more than just a personal achievement — it is a national inspiration. It showcases the values of discipline, unity, and unwavering commitment to the country. Their story is a beacon for aspiring youth and families across India, proving that with dedication and courage, one can serve the nation in diverse and meaningful ways.

As India adapts to new security challenges and strives for integrated military capabilities, the example set by the Navads offers a glimpse into the future — one where service, sacrifice, and inter-service synergy are more important than ever.

‘Achal’, the fifth Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) in a series of eight being built by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard, was ceremoniously launched today in Goa. The vessel was launched by Smt. Kavita Harbola in the presence of Additional Director General Anil Kumar Harbola, Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard).

Designed and built under dual-class certification from the American Bureau of Shipping and Indian Register of Shipping, FPV ‘Achal’ reflects India’s growing emphasis on indigenous defence production. Over 60% of the ship’s components are sourced domestically, aligning with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Measuring 52 meters in length and 8 meters in breadth, the vessel displaces 320 tons and is powered by a controllable pitch propeller (CPP) based propulsion system, enabling a top speed of 27 knots.

With core operational roles including protection, monitoring, control, and surveillance, ‘Achal’ is equipped to guard offshore assets and island territories. It will significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s operational readiness along India’s western seaboard.

The Rs 473-crore project has also provided a boost to the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem, creating jobs and supporting numerous MSMEs involved in the supply chain.

The launch ceremony was attended by GSL Chairman and Managing Director Shri Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, senior officials from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and representatives from the shipbuilding industry.