1. AVNL completes overhauling of two T-72 tanks for the Indian Army

In a significant step towards meeting the evolving operational requirements of the Indian Army, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) has completed the overhauling of the first two T-72 tanks under a pilot project undertaken by Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ), a unit of AVNL. The tanks were flagged off on Wednesday, 28 January, at VFJ. According to a post on X by AVNL, the project strategically expands the overhauling capacity beyond the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), another unit of AVNL.

The tanks were flagged off by Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla, PVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, Master General of Sustenance (MGS). The event was attended by Shri Sanjay Dwivedi, IOFS, NDC, Chairman & Managing Director, AVNL; Shri Satyabrata Mukherjee, Director (Operations) and Additional Charge Director (HR), AVNL; Shri Praveen Kumar, Chief General Manager, VFJ; along with senior officers and personnel from the Indian Army and AVNL. This milestone is expected to significantly strengthen AVNL’s capability enhancement efforts in line with the technical specifications and quality standards laid down by the Indian Army.

2. Air India orders 30 more Boeing 737 MAX jets

Boeing and Air India announced that the airline has placed an order for 30 additional fuel-efficient 737 MAX aircraft, taking its total Boeing order book to nearly 200 aeroplanes across single-aisle and widebody families.

Air India finalised the purchase of 20 737-8 aircraft earlier this month, while an order for 10 737-10 jets, previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website, has now been confirmed. Both acquisitions exercise existing options as the airline expands its network to meet rising travel demand.

The 737-8 aircraft will be deployed on high-frequency domestic and short-haul regional routes, leveraging their fuel efficiency, dispatch reliability and range flexibility. The larger 737-10 will help maintain fleet commonality while offering the lowest cost per seat among single-aisle aircraft.

3. India’s Ambassador to South Korea meets Chairman of the National Defence Committee

India’s Ambassador to South Korea, Gourangalal Das, met Sung Il-jong, Chairperson of the National Defence Committee of the National Assembly. The two discussed ways to strengthen defence cooperation and expand defence-industrial collaboration, along with regional and global issues of mutual interest.

4. Singapore to acquire Terrex S5 for TITAN IFV

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has awarded a contract to ST Engineering to acquire the Terrex S5 as the next-generation TITAN Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). The TITAN will feature digitalised systems, advanced vehicle electronics, and an integrated Command and Control (C2) architecture to support networked motorised operations. It will also offer enhanced protection, mobility and firepower, including a 30mm cannon mounted on a Remote-Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS).

MINDEF will work with the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and industry partners to integrate these capabilities. Deliveries of the TITAN IFV are scheduled to begin in 2028.

5. Lockheed Martin to quadruple THAAD interceptor production

Lockheed Martin has signed a framework agreement with the Department of War (DoW) to increase production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors from 96 to 400 units per year. The move builds on an earlier agreement signed this month to accelerate production of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors.

In support of the production ramp-up, Lockheed Martin also broke ground on a new Munitions Acceleration Centre in Camden, Arkansas, on 29 January. The facility will support advanced manufacturing of THAAD, PAC-3 and other systems using robotics and digital technologies. Under the continued partnership with the DoW, THAAD interceptor production is expected to scale up steadily over the next seven years

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.