1. Indian Army proposes Rs 250 crore FECA fund

The Indian Army has proposed a Rs 250 crore annual Field Exploitation and Capability Acceleration (FECA) fund per Service Headquarters, which is currently under consideration with the Defence Ministry, according to a report by the Indian Express.

The proposal, first outlined in February by Army Design Bureau Additional Director General Major General CS Mann, has now been further detailed. It aims to create a structured system to test and evaluate new technologies in real conditions, backed by small initial orders to assess performance.

The report noted that there have been several cases where graduates from top institutions invest their savings to build systems, only to see them fail in high-altitude conditions where performance varies. Equipment is often damaged or destroyed, effectively ending a startup’s journey despite its potential.

2. NewSpace Research and Technologies launches Sheshnaag-20 loitering munition

NewSpace Research and Technologies launched its Sheshnaag-20 loitering munition on April 5. The Sheshnaag-20 is canister-launched, electric-powered, and designed for high-tempo operations.

This compact fixed-wing loitering munition is engineered for precision kinetic strikes, ISR, and electronic warfare missions out to 50 km. It carries a 5 kg warhead, reaches speeds of up to 150 km/h, and operates at altitudes up to 6,000 m AMSL (Above Mean Sea Level), making it ideal for rapid deployment against tactical targets.

3. Indian Air Force Chief meets India’s Ambassador to the USA

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, met India’s Ambassador to the USA, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, according to a post on X by the Ambassador.

The Air Chief Marshal is on a visit to the United States to further strengthen the defence partnership and sustain the strong and growing ties between the two Air Forces.

4. TridenTech Engineering tests Wankel engine at NAL

TridenTech Engineering tested its 30 HP (horsepower) Wankel engine at NAL (National Aerospace Laboratory). It is a licensed-built engine with several innovative features aimed at longer endurance, higher reliability, and enhanced performance. The engine is suited for a wide range of UAV applications for the military.

5. Iran claims its new air defence system targeted American aircraft

The assertion came shortly after the United States confirmed that the second crew member of a downed F-15E fighter jet had been rescued.

Tehran, however, said it had struck another US aircraft during the rescue operation. According to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the aircraft was targeted while searching for the missing officer in the southern region of Isfahan, as reported by Fars News Agency.

Reports suggest Iran may have deployed the Third Khordad missile system: a mobile, medium-range surface-to-air defence platform, to target the F-15E Strike Eagle.

According to The New York Times, the system could have been involved in the strike, while experts cited by ABC News pointed to the possible use of passive infrared detection systems. Such systems track aircraft without emitting radar signals, making them far more difficult for US jets to detect and evade.

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.