1. HAL and GE sign technical agreement on F414 engines

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and GE (General Electric) have concluded a technical agreement for the F414 engines, according to a report by The Economic Times. This paves the way for a formal contract later this year. The GE F414 engines will be manufactured in India with 80 per cent Transfer of Technology (ToT). The engines will power the LCA Tejas Mk-2 and two squadrons of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

2. MDL acquires Colombo Dockyard PLC

Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) has acquired a controlling 51 per cent stake in Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC), marking its first international acquisition and a strategic expansion into the regional shipbuilding market. The transaction, valued at ₹249.5 crore, makes Sri Lanka’s largest shipyard a subsidiary of MDL, the Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence.

3. India and Uzbekistan to conduct Exercise Dustlik-2026

The 7th edition of the joint military exercise Dustlik between India and Uzbekistan is scheduled from 12 to 25 April. The exercise will take place at the Eastern Military District’s Gurumsaray Field Training Area in Namangan, Uzbekistan.

It aims to enhance preparedness for planning and execution of joint special operations focused on neutralising unlawful armed groups. The exercise will also enable both contingents to exchange best practices in counter-terrorism operations, while strengthening military cooperation and improving interoperability between the two armies.

4. Indian Navy to host first edition of Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi

The first edition of the Indian Navy’s biannual Commanders’ Conference 2026 will be held over three days at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi, from 14 to 16 April. The apex-level conference provides a platform for a comprehensive review of the Navy’s operational posture, capability development, and strategic alignment with national security objectives.

This edition assumes added significance in light of swift naval deployments to safeguard India’s energy security amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, alongside the presence of multi-national forces (MNFs) in the Indian Ocean Region. The conference will also reaffirm the Navy’s operational doctrine, inter-services coordination, and technology-driven response mechanisms following ‘Operation Sindoor’.

5. US to block ships entering or exiting Iranian ports

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin implementing a blockade of maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, in accordance with the President’s proclamation.

The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations operating in Iranian ports and coastal areas, including those in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. However, CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.

Chakra Desk

Chakra News is a specialised digital media platform committed to in-depth coverage of India’s defence, national security, geopolitics, and critical technologies.