1. India signs Rs 661 crore BrahMos deal for Navy warships

On October 6, the Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 661.50 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace for Fire Control Systems and launchers for Indian Navy ships. The contract was signed under the Buy Indian IDDM category and includes a minimum of 68% indigenous content. The BrahMos system is the Navy's primary surface to surface missile system for maritime strike operations and can engage land and sea targets at extended ranges. 

2. SAREX 2026 begins with 30 countries participating

The Indian Coast Guard is conducting the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise, SAREX 2026, from October 7. The exercise includes 32 international observers from 30 countries and involves 15 Coast Guard ships, aircraft and helicopters, along with assets from the Indian Navy, IAF and civil agencies. A mass rescue operation involving a passenger aircraft carrying 228 people ditching at sea will be simulated during the exercise. 

3. Ukraine launches nearly 900 drones at Russia as Moscow prepares fresh strikes

Ukraine launched nearly 900 drones towards Russian regions, occupied Crimea and the Sea of Azov, according to Russia's Defence Ministry. More than 700 drones were reported over the Moscow region, while Russian authorities said most were intercepted. A fuel depot in the Moscow region was reportedly hit and two people were killed. The strikes came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia was preparing a major aerial attack. 

4. Russia launches fresh wave of strikes across Ukraine

Russia launched a fresh wave of strikes on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine on October 7. Ukrainian officials reported damage to buildings and warehouses in Kyiv, while a separate strike damaged an industrial facility in Dnipro. Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had carried out large scale strikes using precision weapons launched from land, sea and air, along with drones, targeting military industrial facilities and infrastructure. 

5. GE Aerospace ships four F404-IN20 engines for Tejas in September

GE Aerospace shipped four F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in September 2026 for the Tejas fighter programme, according to a GE Aerospace spokesperson. The latest shipment takes the total number of engines delivered to HAL to 14. The F404-IN20 engines power the Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft. 

6. Houthi attacks hit Saudi airports as Yemen conflict escalates

Yemen's Houthi forces launched missile and drone attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia and Aden on October 7. Saudi authorities said they intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, while Houthi forces claimed attacks on King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport. Houthi attacks also targeted Aden International Airport, forcing an incoming flight to divert to Jeddah. 

Savio Rodrigues

Savio Rodrigues is a Research Analyst at Escape Velocity MediaWorks Pvt Ltd and writes for Chakra News on Defence, Geopolitics, National Security. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Mumbai.