1. India, France to sign a deal for SCALP cruise missiles

India and France are eyeing a Euro 300 million deal to procure a significant number of SCALP cruise missiles, according to a report by ANI. The SCALP, also known as Storm Shadow, is manufactured by MBDA, and it was used in Operation Sindoor to strike terror targets. The missile has a range of more than 250 km and is carried by Rafale jets of the Indian Air Force. The number of missiles acquired is not known, but could be a large number, as the Indian Air Force is likely to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets.

2. Raksha Rajya Mantri inaugurates India pavilion at World Defence Show 2026

Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth inaugurated the India Pavilion at the World Defence Show 2026 in Riyadh on February 9 —marking a significant milestone in India’s global defence engagement. The inauguration took place in the presence of Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC). The India Pavilion showcases India’s growing indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and underscores the nation’s commitment to Atamannirbhar Defence and global industrial partnerships.

3. Sweden offers Gripen-E fighter jet to India

Sweden's SAAB has offered the Gripen-E fighter jet to the Indian Air Force. SAAB’s Gripen had participated in the MMRCA and MRFA tenders of the Indian Air Force.

Mikael Franzen, Chief Marketing Officer, Gripen, and Vice President of Business Area Aeronautics at the Swedish group,  has said at the Singapore Air Show that the Gripen will fit perfectly in the IAF together with Rafale and Tejas.

The Gripen E is the latest version of SAAB’s Gripen series fighter jets, which is powered by General Electric F414G engine and is capable of carrying the 150 km Meteor missile, which is carried by the Rafale jets of the Indian Air Force.

4. INSV Kaundinya flagged off from Oman

Echoing centuries of maritime exchange across the Indian Ocean, the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel INSV Kaundinya was ceremonially flagged off from Muscat, symbolising shared maritime heritage and the enduring partnership between India and Oman.

The ceremony was graced by Commodore Abdullah Al Hajri, Royal Navy of Oman, Yousef bin Issa Al Zadjali, Chief of HR Department - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commodore Amit Srivastava, Indian Navy & members of the diplomatic corps as well as the Indian community in Oman. INSV Kaundinya recently completed her historic maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, retracing ancient sea routes that connected India and Oman for centuries, reviving a living maritime legacy of the Indian Ocean world.

The flag-off from Muscat stands as a celebration of maritime tradition, cultural exchange, and enduring friendship, highlighting the deep historical bonds and growing strategic partnership between India and the Sultanate of Oman, according to a post on X by the Indian Embassy in Oman

5. Indian Army hands over 50 vehicles to Nepali Army

The Indian Army handed over 50 military utility vehicles to the Nepali Army at the India-Nepal border. The vehicles will be formally presented by the Ambassador of India to Nepal during a ceremony in Kathmandu.

This initiative reflects the Indian Army’s steadfast commitment to enhancing the capacity-building efforts of the Nepali Army and underscores the enduring bond of friendship, trust, and close cooperation shared between the two Armies.

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.