1. Joint Secretary (IC) meets Belgian delegation

Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Shri Amitabh Prasad met Ambassador William Asselborn, Director Asia & Oceania, MFA Belgium, and Belgian Ambassador to India, Mr Didier Vanderhasselt on November 8. He also welcomed Brigadier General Mario Engels, the first Belgian Defence Attache to India. Wide-ranging discussions were held on strengthening Defence Cooperation, with a focus on capacity building and capability enhancement, according to a post on X by the Ministry of Defence.

2. Newly minted CDF Asim Munir warns India

Field Marshal Asim Munir, appointed as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Pakistan, said India should not be in any “delusion,” asserting that Pakistan's response in case of any aggression will be “even more swift and intense.” He made the remarks while speaking to officers of the armed forces at a ceremony held at Pakistan Army Headquarters (GHQ) to honour him on being appointed the country’s first CDF on December 8.

3. Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI-2025 in full swing

The 10th edition of the India–Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise, GARUDA SHAKTI, commenced on 3 December at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, and is in full swing, according to a post on X by the Indian Army.

The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and facilitate the exchange of best practices in mission planning and execution of counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous terrain. Key focus areas include heliborne operations, combat shooting, and the employment of drones and C-UAS systems, further strengthening the defence partnership between India and Indonesia.

4. Japanese Coast Guard delegation visits Indian Coast Guard Regional HQ

A six-member Japan Coast Guard delegation led by Rear Adm. Kawagoe Koichi visited Indian Coast Guard Regional HQs (West) in Mumbai on December 8 and interacted with the Coast Guard team led by DIG Bibhuti Ranjan, TM, Chief of Staff, according to a post on X by the Indian Coast Guard.

The interaction reaffirmed the JCG–ICG commitment to strengthening cooperation on maritime safety, security, and environmental protection in the Indo-Pacific. Both sides welcomed the growing partnership, rooted in shared values and mutual trust, and expressed confidence in further deepening this strategic cooperation and the exchange of good maritime practices.

5. MQ-28 drone fires AIM-120 AMRAAM, destroys target

Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully executed a force-integrated, air-to-air autonomous weapon engagement from an MQ-28 Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The mission involved an MQ-28 Ghost Bat teaming with an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail and F/A-18F Super Hornet to destroy a fighter-class target drone.

The MQ-28, E-7A, and F/A-18F launched from separate locations. Once airborne, an E-7A operator took custodianship of the MQ-28, ensuring safety and engagement oversight. The F/A-18F teamed with the MQ-28 in combat formation to provide sensor coverage. After the Super Hornet identified and tracked the target, targeting data was shared across all three platforms. The MQ-28 then adjusted position, received authorisation from the E-7A, and successfully destroyed the target using a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM missile.

Chakra Desk

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