1 . Indian Army orders MAPSS drone from NewSpace Research & Technologies

The Indian Army has placed a ₹168 crore order to acquire the MAPSS (Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System) from NewSpace Research & Technologies on January 8. MAPSS is an electric and solar-powered UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), according to a report by The Print. The drone will complement the Indian Army’s existing in-service MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) UAV fleet.

MAPSS has evolved from NewSpace Research’s HAPS (High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite) programme. A contract for HAPS for the Indian Navy was signed on March 14, 2024, under the iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence) initiative. Delivery of HAPS platforms for the Indian Navy is expected around 2027.

2. German Ambassador to India meets Defence Secretary

The German Ambassador to India, Dr Philipp Ackermann, met Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh on January 8. The two discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment.

The meeting assumes added significance as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to visit India from January 12–13. The visit could see India and Germany signing a deal for six Type-214 submarines, valued at around $8 billion. The submarines would be jointly built by Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited under Project-75.

3. Chief of Naval Staff reviews operational readiness of Eastern Command

Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), embarked on units of the Eastern Naval Command, Poorvi Beda, at sea on January 8 to review their operational readiness.

During the embarkation, the CNS witnessed a series of advanced operational drills conducted in a multi-threat environment, including complex fleet manoeuvres, weapon firings, and flying operations. He was also briefed in detail on the operational preparedness of platforms and personnel, highlighting the Eastern Fleet’s ability to operate effectively across the full spectrum of maritime operations.

4. Pakistan offers JF-17 jets to Saudi Arabia as loan repayment

Pakistan is reportedly planning to offer JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. If the deal materialises, it would amount to repayment of approximately $2 billion in loans through fighter aircraft. Bangladesh has also been offered the JF-17, with the Bangladesh Air Force Chief and a high-level delegation currently visiting Pakistan.

The JF-17 Thunder, also known as FC-1 Xiaolong or Joint Fighter-17, is a fourth-generation, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft jointly developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). The aircraft is manufactured at PAC’s Kamra facility and is in service with Nigeria and the Myanmar Air Force. Azerbaijan is the latest customer, with a contract reportedly valued at $4.6 billion.

5. Northrop Grumman to develop Kratos Valkyrie CCA for US Marine Corps

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract to develop the Kratos Valkyrie Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for the US Marine Corps. The programme is part of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR) CCA project. Under the contract, Northrop Grumman will provide the advanced mission kit and open-architecture software for the XQ-58A Valkyrie.

The XQ-58A Valkyrie is an autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft developed by Kratos Defense. It has a range of up to 5,666 kilometres and can reach speeds of Mach 0.86, with a service ceiling of up to 45,000 feet (approximately 13,716 metres).

6. Lockheed Martin delivers 191 F-35 fighter jets in 2025

Lockheed Martin delivered 191 F-35 fighter jets in 2025, surpassing the 142 aircraft delivered in 2024. The F-35 is a single-seat, single-engine, fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft and is currently in service with twelve nations, with nearly 1,300 aircraft delivered worldwide.

Türkiye, which was removed from the F-35 programme on July 27, 2019, following its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system, has expressed interest in rejoining the programme. However, Türkiye’s return faces opposition from Israel due to Israeli components used in the F-35. Meanwhile, on December 16, 2025, the first of 64 F-35A fighters ordered by Finland in December 2021 was delivered.

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.