A British Royal Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jet remains stranded at Trivandrum International Airport for the fifth consecutive day following an emergency landing earlier this week. Despite continuous repair efforts, technical issues have prevented the aircraft from being cleared for takeoff.
The fifth-generation stealth aircraft made an emergency landing on June 15 due to a mid-air systems failure while en route from Diego Garcia to the Middle East. Since then, teams of technicians and engineers have been working round-the-clock to diagnose and resolve the problem. However, sources indicate that the fault lies within the jet’s complex flight control system, making the repair process both time-consuming and delicate.
In a display of military discipline, the British pilot has refused to leave the aircraft until it is deemed airworthy. Local authorities have provided additional security around the parked jet, which remains under close surveillance due to its sensitive onboard technology.
Airport operations have remained largely unaffected, although authorities have cordoned off the area where the aircraft is stationed.
The presence of the advanced fighter jet has drawn attention from both the public and defence enthusiasts in the region. Indian defence officials are reportedly in close coordination with the British High Commission and the Royal Air Force to facilitate safe repairs and eventual departure.
The British F-35’s extended stay in India highlights both the complexity of modern combat aircraft and the international cooperation required to handle such incidents efficiently.
The Indian Army and Border Security Force (BSF) held the Annual Synergy Conference 2025 at the Western Command headquarters in Chandimandir, reaffirming their commitment to strengthened cooperation and integrated border security. Themed “Ever Westwards,” the conference brought together senior officers from both forces, including Sh Satish S Khandare, ADG HQ Special DG BSF (Western Command), and representatives from the Punjab and Jammu Frontiers.
The high-level meeting centered on enhancing jointmanship and operational coordination, with a special focus on the recent Operation Sindoor. The operation highlighted the need for synchronized responses in high-threat environments, prompting discussions on integrated communication systems, joint logistics frameworks, and the development of robust counter-drone capabilities.
Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, PVSM, AVSM, Western Command GOC, underscored the strategic value of building a Joint Security Force Culture. He stressed that consistent collaboration between the Army and BSF is essential to effectively respond to dynamic border threats and maintain national security.
Key activities during the conference included strategic briefings, field training demonstrations, and a ceremonial exchange of mementos, symbolizing the shared commitment to operational excellence and national defence.
The conference concluded with a renewed pledge to institutionalize joint operational mechanisms and drive continuous improvement in border management and response capabilities across India’s western front.
Pakistan has once again extended the closure of its strategically significant Rahim Yar Khan airbase, which was severely damaged by Indian missile strikes during Operation Sindoor in May. The airbase, which also shares infrastructure with a civilian airport in Punjab province, will now remain closed until at least July 4.
A new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority confirms the extended shutdown of the facility. OSINT analyst Damien Saymon posted the update on X, noting that the airbase, struck in the second phase of India’s military campaign, continues to remain offline weeks after the attack.
Pakistan once again issues a NOTAM for Rahim Yar Khan, the runway struck by India in May 2025 now remains offline estimated till 04 July 2025 pic.twitter.com/M6nE1ONTmL
The missile strike on May 7 was part of India’s Phase 2 retaliation under Operation Sindoor, launched in response to Pakistani attacks on Indian civilian and military targets. In Phase 1, India had targeted terror launchpads and training camps across the border.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had publicly referenced the strike days later at a rally in Bikaner, stating, “Pakistan’s Rahim Yar Khan airbase is still in ICU, not sure when it will reopen,” taking a direct jab at Islamabad’s military infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Rahim Yar Khan is considered one of Pakistan’s more important operational airbases, housing both military and dual-use aircraft. Its continued closure is being seen as a major dent in Pakistan’s aerial defense readiness and has raised concerns about the extent of damage sustained.
The initial NOTAM issued on May 10 cited the closure of the sole runway from 4:00 pm Pakistan time on May 10 until 4:59 am on May 18. This timeline has now been revised multiple times, reflecting the severity of the damage and the challenges in restoring operational capability.
Indian defence analysts suggest that the strike disrupted not just runway operations but also radar, command infrastructure, and parked aerial assets, effectively degrading Pakistan’s air combat and surveillance reach in the region.
The airbase’s prolonged closure also comes at a time of heightened military alert along the Indo-Pak border, with both countries monitoring each other’s deployments and strategic postures amid fears of further escalation.
A major hospital in southern Israel was struck by an Iranian ballistic missile as Tehran launched a new wave of missile attacks across the country. The strike on Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba, reportedly part of a barrage targeting nearby military sites, left extensive damage and led to the evacuation of 200 patients.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it had aimed at a military target close to the hospital, not the facility itself. However, Israel has condemned the strike as deliberate and criminal. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sharren Haskel accused Iran of intentionally targeting the main medical centre for the Negev region.
The Israeli Health Ministry said at least 271 people had been injured across the country in the latest attacks. Meanwhile, Israel retaliated with precision strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, hitting sites including the Arak heavy-water reactor and a facility in Natanz that Israel claims is linked to nuclear weapons development.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the damaged hospital and promised to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. “By the end of this operation, there will be no nuclear threat to Israel,” he declared. Defense Minister Israel Katz added that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “can no longer be allowed to exist” for ordering strikes on civilian targets.
The Iranian government, while denying it targeted civilians, has warned that its response to Israeli aggression will have “no limits.” Tehran has also filed a complaint with the UN nuclear watchdog, accusing Israel of illegal attacks on peaceful nuclear infrastructure.
The Arak reactor, which produces plutonium-capable heavy water, had reportedly been evacuated ahead of the strike. While no radiation leaks were reported, Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful—a claim Israel and the U.S. have long disputed.
The UN and international agencies condemned the hospital strike. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk called for maximum restraint and warned against escalating rhetoric. The World Health Organization and International Committee of the Red Cross reminded all parties that hospitals and medical workers are protected under international humanitarian law.
Meanwhile, the conflict threatens to widen as U.S. President Donald Trump weighs direct military involvement. While the Pentagon has drawn up plans for a possible strike on Iran, Trump has not confirmed whether he will act. “I may do it, I may not do it,” he said on Wednesday. Iranian officials have warned that U.S. intervention would trigger retaliation against American interests in the region.
As the situation escalates, calls for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy grow louder, but the path to peace remains uncertain.
President Donald Trump is expected to make a decision within the next two weeks on whether the United States will take direct military action against Iran, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The announcement comes amid growing tensions in the Middle East, following Iran’s missile attacks on Israel and fears of wider regional escalation.
Delivering a message from the president at Thursday’s briefing, Leavitt said, “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiation that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go in the next two weeks.”
While she declined to disclose details about the nature of communications with Iran, Leavitt confirmed that diplomatic correspondence “has continued,” leaving the door open for a potential negotiated settlement.
Any agreement, however, would require Iran to cease uranium enrichment and abandon any pathway to a nuclear weapon, she added.
Trump, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, remained ambiguous about possible strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, stating, “I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
He criticized Tehran for not engaging diplomatically before “all this death and destruction,” while also signaling that Iranian leaders are now more inclined to negotiate.
Trump has held daily meetings with his national security team in the Situation Room since Tuesday to assess options.
While some of his political allies, such as Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, have advised against war—citing his longstanding stance on avoiding foreign entanglements—others like Senator Lindsey Graham are urging decisive military action, calling Iran a major threat to global security.
Leavitt emphasized that the president continues to prioritize diplomacy, adding, “The president hears all voices across the country, and he makes decisions based on his instincts. And he has always said diplomacy is his first option.”
As speculation mounts over Washington’s next move, Trump’s familiar “two-week” timeline—previously used regarding decisions on Ukraine and other foreign policy matters—has once again set the clock ticking on one of the most volatile crises of his presidency.
In a major escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed it launched a Sejjil-2 medium range ballistic missile at Israeli targets. The strike, part of “Operation True Promise 3,” marks the missile’s first known use in warfare, signaling a shift from proxy confrontations to direct state-level hostilities.
The launch followed Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and energy infrastructure. With the Sejjil’s deployment, Iran has significantly raised the stakes in a conflict that now risks drawing in multiple regional and global actors.
The Sejjil is an Iranian-developed, two-stage, solid-fuel ballistic missile with a reported range of 2,000–2,500 km, and unconfirmed variants possibly capable of reaching up to 4,000 km. Designed and built domestically, the missile uses solid propellant, allowing for quicker launch times and increased mobility compared to Iran’s earlier liquid-fueled missiles.
Capable of carrying a warhead of up to 700 kg, the Sejjil is theoretically designed for both conventional and strategic payloads. First tested in 2008, the Sejjil-2 variant incorporates improved accuracy, survivability, and launch readiness.
Military Significance
Iran’s use of the Sejjil represents a critical advance in its missile arsenal. The missile’s solid-fuel capability reduces launch preparation time, limiting Israel’s early-warning window. Its range covers not only all of Israel but also U.S. military bases across the Middle East.
Military analysts suggest that the Sejjil is specifically designed to penetrate sophisticated air defense systems like Israel’s Arrow and David’s Sling. Its mobility and potential for saturation attacks also make it harder to detect and intercept.
The Target and Aftermath
Iran claims it targeted Israeli intelligence and air force sites. Israel’s military, however, reported intercepting the missile mid-air, with debris causing minor damage to a civilian vehicle. Conflicting narratives emerged over whether a hospital was hit by the blast wave or targeted intentionally. The IDF’s Arrow-3 system reportedly played a key role in neutralizing the threat.
Strategic Implications
The use of the Sejjil missile signifies a turning point in Iran’s military posture, underscoring Tehran’s willingness to directly confront Israel using its most advanced weapons. It also adds pressure on Israeli defense systems already stretched by a series of missile and drone attacks from Iranian proxies in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
The U.S., already on alert, has deployed advanced air defense assets in the region. Washington has not ruled out a direct response if American assets are threatened. Meanwhile, Gulf countries are watching with concern, wary of regional spillover.
Israel’s Air Defense and Countermeasures
Israel’s layered missile defense—comprising Iron Dome, Arrow-2/3, and David’s Sling—remains operational, but intelligence sources suggest that continued large-scale missile attacks could overwhelm these systems. U.S. support has become crucial, with surveillance and radar systems providing real-time data to bolster interceptions.
A Missile Years in the Making
The Sejjil missile program began with a 2008 test of the Sejjil-1, followed by the upgraded Sejjil-2 in 2009. Over the past two years, Iranian media and defense analysts have reported enhancements to range and precision. Until now, the missile had never been used in actual conflict.
Global Reactions
The United Nations is preparing for an emergency Security Council session. The U.S. condemned the attack and reiterated its commitment to Israeli security. Russia and China have called for restraint, while the European Union urged all parties to de-escalate. Oil markets responded sharply, with prices rising amid fears of regional disruption.
What Comes Next?
Israel has signaled that a larger retaliation may follow. Its ambassador to the U.S. warned of a response of “greater magnitude” if attacks persist. The risk of a multi-front war looms, with Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, and Yemeni Houthis all capable of opening new fronts against Israel.
Conclusion
The operational use of the Sejjil marks a dangerous evolution in the Israel-Iran conflict. With both nations possessing advanced missile technology and global powers entangled in the region, the risk of widespread war has never been higher. As calls for restraint grow, so does the urgency for diplomatic engagement—before escalation crosses a point of no return.
In line with the Government of India’s declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has initiated a comprehensive review of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020. The move aims to streamline defence procurement processes and align them with broader national objectives such as Aatmanirbharta, ‘Make in India’, and enhanced defence manufacturing capabilities.
A high-level committee headed by the Director General (Acquisition) has been set up to lead the review. The panel includes senior MoD officials, defence industry representatives, and members of academia. Former IAS officer Shri Apurva Chandra, a 1980 batch officer and ex-DG (Acquisition), has been appointed Principal Advisor to the committee.
The committee has already begun consultations and is inviting detailed suggestions from all stakeholders by July 5, 2025. Inputs can be sent to secy-dap2025[at]gov[dot]in.
The objectives of the review are focused on ensuring timely fulfilment of the armed forces’ operational and modernisation needs while integrating emerging technologies such as AI and advanced surveillance systems into procurement practices.
The review also seeks to simplify acquisition procedures, enhance ease of doing business, and promote indigenously designed systems. The MoD is looking to facilitate joint ventures, encourage foreign direct investment (FDI), and foster private sector participation to position India as a global defence manufacturing and MRO hub.
Key areas for suggestions include procedural changes in categorisation, trial procedures, post-contract management, Fast Track acquisition methods, and clarity in the DAP’s language to eliminate ambiguities.
The initiative reflects a strategic shift towards creating a defence ecosystem that is agile, transparent, and innovation-driven—empowering startups, MSMEs, and private enterprises in India’s defence sector.
In the aftermath of the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI-171, top executives from the airline have confirmed that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved showed no technical or maintenance issues prior to takeoff. Both aircraft and engine systems had cleared all recent inspections, according to statements issued by Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran.
Wilson noted that the aircraft was “well maintained,” with its last major inspection completed in June 2023 and the next scheduled for December 2025. “Both the aircraft and engines were regularly monitored and showed no issues before the flight,” he said. He also announced enhanced safety checks across Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet, with 26 out of 33 Dreamliners already cleared to fly again.
Chandrasekaran added that the right engine was newly installed in March 2025, while the left engine had been serviced in 2023. “There were no red flags or safety concerns. Dreamliners have maintained a strong safety record globally,” he stated.
The executives also defended the professionalism of the crew. The flight was captained by Sumeet Sabharwal, a senior pilot and trainer with over 10,000 hours of flying experience on widebody jets, and assisted by First Officer Clive Kunder, who had clocked over 3,400 hours of flight time.
The crash, which occurred just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, claimed the lives of 241 people on board and 34 individuals on the ground. In response, Air India has temporarily reduced its international widebody operations by 15% to prioritize fleet-wide safety inspections.
Both Wilson and Chandrasekaran urged against premature conclusions about the crash’s cause, emphasizing that detailed investigations are ongoing. Chandrasekaran said black box data will be crucial to understanding what happened, and preliminary findings from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation are expected within a month.
Air India expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed its commitment to the highest standards of passenger safety.
As hostilities between Israel and Iran intensify, the United States has deployed its Boeing E-4B ‘Doomsday Plane’—a high-security airborne command centre designed for nuclear warfare scenarios. The aircraft was seen flying from Bossier City, Louisiana to Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC on Tuesday night, raising global concerns over potential escalation into a wider conflict.
Known officially as the E-4B Nightwatch, the aircraft is engineered to survive nuclear blasts, electromagnetic pulses, and cyberattacks. It serves as an airborne war room for the US President, Secretary of Defense, and Joint Chiefs of Staff during emergencies. It can carry up to 112 personnel, has a range of over 7,000 miles, and can remain airborne for nearly a week with mid-air refuelling.
Source: SORA AI
The plane took off at 5:56 pm ET, flew along the US East Coast, circled near the Virginia–North Carolina border, and landed at 10:01 pm. Its use of the rare callsign “ORDER01” has added to the intrigue, differing from its standard identifiers, prompting speculation that it was deployed as part of heightened readiness operations.
The timing of the E-4B’s flight coincides with increasingly bellicose rhetoric from both sides of the Israel-Iran conflict. Iranian missiles struck multiple locations in Israel on Thursday, including the Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba, causing extensive damage and wounding at least 40 people. Other projectiles hit high-rise and residential buildings near Tel Aviv, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service.
In response, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made a fiery statement, saying Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “cannot continue to exist,” holding him directly responsible for orchestrating attacks aimed at destroying Israel.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has floated the idea of US involvement in Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran’s leadership has warned of severe retaliation should such intervention occur.
While US officials have not confirmed the E-4B deployment was directly tied to the Israel-Iran war, its sudden flight adds to the tension and underscores the seriousness of the ongoing regional crisis. The aircraft’s presence signifies readiness for worst-case scenarios and reaffirms the strategic importance of rapid-response capabilities in volatile global theatres.
North Korea launched more than 10 multiple-launch rockets from the Sunan area near its capital, Pyongyang, on Thursday morning, according to South Korea’s military. The rockets were fired in a north-westerly direction, although specific details about their range or targets have not yet been disclosed.
South Korean military officials stated that the projectiles are believed to be short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), a type of weapon banned under United Nations Security Council resolutions. The international community, particularly South Korea, Japan, and the United States, has long expressed concern over North Korea’s continued missile development and testing activities.
The launches come amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing international diplomatic efforts to curb Pyongyang’s weapons program. South Korea’s military is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with its allies and maintaining a heightened state of readiness.
The latest missile test adds to a series of provocations by North Korea in recent months, as the regime continues to advance its missile capabilities in defiance of global sanctions and diplomatic pressure.
