1) Astra Microwave Products secures ₹2,205.23 crore contract from HAL

Astra Microwave Products Limited has secured a ₹2,205.23 crore contract from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to supply 122 Active Antenna Array Units (AAAU) and 121 Interface Frames for the Uttam Radar programme. The company said the order will be executed over a five-year period.

The Uttam AESA is an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar system developed for Indian fighter aircraft. It has been designed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a laboratory under India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

2) Union MoS Defence chairs SANKALP 2026

Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth chaired ‘SANKALP 2026’, a joint indigenisation seminar held by the Indian Air Force and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers in New Delhi on July 30, 2026.

SANKALP stands for Self-reliance, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Native Development, and Knowledge-linked Partnership. The seminar focused on self-reliance in defence and aerospace maintenance. The event also saw the launch of the IAF’s book, SANKALP 2026: Problem Statements of Indian Air Force.

3) General Vishwa Nath Sharma passes away at 96

General Vishwa Nath Sharma, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, former Chief of the Army Staff, passed away at 4:10 am in New Delhi today, July 31, 2026, at the age of 96. The Indian Army posted across social media extending its condolences.
He was the first President’s Commissioned Officer to lead the Indian Army, having been commissioned in June 1950.

4) Navin Fluorine and DRDO join hands to boost domestic Sodium Borohydride production

Navin Fluorine International signed an agreement with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme to develop indigenous bulk manufacturing capabilities for Sodium Borohydride, a critical chemical for defence applications.

According to the DRDO, this collaboration will accelerate indigenous process development for a critical defence material and further strengthen India's defence R&D ecosystem.

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.