1. Indian Armed Forces to procure Heron MK-II drones

Indian armed forces have signed up for additional satellite-linked Heron Mk II drones under emergency procurement following the successful use of these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during Operation Sindoor, according to a report by The Print. The number of drones to be procured is not mentioned.

Heron Mk II drones have an endurance of 45 hours and can fly over 1,000 km without refuelling. The Herons and other classes of drones were used extensively during Operation Sindoor to not only document the strikes on 7 May, but also subsequently during the operation.  

2. Indian Army test fires Brahmos missile

The Indian Army successfully carried out a combat missile launch of the BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile from a test range in the Bay of Bengal.  The launch was executed through a precisely coordinated effort involving a BrahMos unit of the Southern Command and elements of the Tri-Services Andaman and Nicobar Command.

The mission achieved all operational objectives under simulated battle conditions, reaffirming the operational readiness of the Army’s BrahMos units and their capability to undertake real-time precision strike missions to meet emerging battlefield challenges, an MoD release stated.

3.India testing a missile on December 11

India is testing a missile on December 11 in the Bay of Bengal. The missile is sea-launched. The maximum length of the region is 1050 km, as confirmed by Damien Symon in his post on X.  The name of the missile is not known.

4. Indian Navy hopes to sign deal for submarines with Germany

The Indian Navy is hoping to conclude contract negotiations and sign the mega deal for six new conventional diesel-electric submarines with better stealth features this fiscal, in what will be a culmination of a nearly 30-year journey, according to a report by The Print. 

India and Germany are collaborating on the Project 75(I) submarine program, which will involve Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and India's Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) constructing six advanced conventional submarines in India. This deal, valued at approximately ₹70,000 crore, represents India's largest defence procurement and will significantly enhance its naval capabilities with German technology like air-independent propulsion (AIP), which increases underwater endurance and stealth. 

5. Taiwan to start test flights of delayed F16V jets

Test flights for delayed F-16V fighter jets for Taiwan are due to start this month, with 54 of the 66 aircraft ordered now in production, the head of the island’s air force said on December 1.

The United States in 2019 approved an $8 billion sale of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, a deal that would take the island’s F-16 fleet to more than 200 jets, but the project has been hit by issues, including software problems.

6. Trump warns Israel not to interfere in Syria

US President Donald Trump warned Israel on December 1 against destabilizing Syria and its new leadership, days after a deadly operation by Israeli forces in the south of the country.

"It is vital that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria's evolution into a prosperous State," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

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.