Defense

During the meeting, the delegation welcomed the Government’s decision to redeploy nearly 65,000 former Ordnance Factory employees into regular Government service. Representatives described the move as a significant step that provides long-term service security to employees affected by the restructuring and corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board.

The framework is designed to accelerate the delivery of critical defence systems, platforms and technologies emerging from India’s research ecosystem. According to the Ministry of Defence, the revised structure will help faster production and induction of DRDO-developed technologies into the Armed Forces. This makes the reform significant because battlefield capability depends on timely access to reliable systems, tested equipment and mission-ready technology.

The project gained fresh strategic importance during the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit in July 2026. The joint statement recorded that the two Prime Ministers were satisfied that an agreement had been reached in principle on the remaining technical details of the UNICORN project. Both sides also expressed expectation for early conclusion of the project and agreed to explore further defence equipment and technology projects.

For the Indian Army, the approvals include the Anti-UAV Electronic Warfare System AKASH TARANG, Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile systems, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile weapon systems, Very Short Range Air Defence Systems, Active Protection Systems for tanks and jet-based kamikaze drone systems.

In his illustrious service career, the Air Marshal has held several Command and Staff appointments including a diplomatic appointment as the Defence and Air Attaché at the Embassy of India in Washington DC, USA with concurrent accreditation to Canada.

Commissioned in the fighter stream of Indian Air Force on 16 December 1989, the Air officer is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Higher Air Command and Post Graduate from the ‘Royal College of Defence Studies’, London (UK). He is a Pilot Attack Instructor’ who has over 3000 Hr of flying experience on various aircraft like Apache, MiG-21, Jaguar, Mig-29, Su-30 and Rafale.

Commissioned into the 47 Armoured Regiment in June 1989, the General Officer brings to this appointment over thirty-seven years of distinguished service, spanning command, staff and instructional appointments at every significant level. Immediately prior to assuming command, he served as Chief of Staff, Headquarters Eastern Command, where he made substantial contributions to operational preparedness, organisational effectiveness and institutional cohesion.

In recognition of his meritorious service, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2007, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.

On promotion to Lieutenant General, he commanded a Corps in Northern Command. He later served as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Southern Command, where he contributed significantly to capability development, force restructuring and overall operational preparedness. On elevation as Army Commander, he served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar was commissioned into 74 Armoured Regiment in December 1988. The General Officer has had an illustrious and distinguished military career spanning over four decades