#WATCH | Bengaluru: NDA leaders and workers celebrate their clean sweep in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections. The BJP-JD(S) alliance won all 4 MLC seats (3 by BJP, 1 by JD(S)) in the graduates' and teachers' constituencies, while the ruling Congress drew a blank.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 26, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) i.e. in-principle administrative to various capital acquisition proposals of the Defence Forces at an estimated cost of about Rs 2,12,000 crore. For the Indian Army, approval was accorded for the procurement of High Mobility Vehicles (HMV), Self-Propelled Tracked Gun System, Gun Shot Response System (GSRS), Light Multi Role Helicopters (LMRH), Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), Platform Based Counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS), Unmanned Aerial System Brick Long Range, Surveillance UAV, Integrated Surveillance and Strike System and Long Range Kamikaze Drone System. The HMVs will enhance operational capabilities, logistic support and mobility in challenging terrains. The Self-Propelled Tracked Gun System will provide matching mobility and firepower to mechanised formations. The GSRS will serve as a force multiplier providing real-time situational awareness of the forces. The LMRH will be used by both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force for Reconnaissance and Surveillance, Combat, Search and Rescue of troops, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief etc. The VSHORADS will engage new generation small size aerial threats, while C-UAS will enhance survivability of Tanks in the modern battlefield. The Surveillance and Drone Systems will enhance the surveillance and targeting capabilities of the Indian Army.

The 14-day Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026, being conducted from 19 October to 01 November, brings together troops from the Indian Army’s The Garhwal Rifles and Australia’s 13th Infantry Brigade. Troops from both armies are undertaking intensive training across jungle, island and coastal terrain, including physical conditioning, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism drills, combat swimming and drone manoeuvring. The exercise aims to enhance combat readiness, tactical coordination and interoperability, while strengthening mutual trust and the enduring India-Australia defence partnership.