1. India’s MoD signs contract of Rs 1,943 crore for leasing of 2 MQ-9B Sea Guardian Drones

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for the leasing of two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for the Indian Navy for a period of 30 months.

Signed on August 17, 2026, the contract is valued at approximately Rs 1,943 crore. Equipped with advanced sensors and sophisticated payloads, the MQ-9B Sea Guardians will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness and provide persistent ISR coverage across vast areas of the maritime domain, strengthening India’s ability to monitor and respond to developments in the Indian Ocean Region.

2. Indian Army Contingent Departs for India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise: MAITREE-XV 2026

An Indian Army contingent departed for Thailand to participate in the 15th edition of the India -Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV (2026). The exercise will be conducted from 18-31 August 2026 at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Surat Thani, Thailand.

Last edition of the same exercise was conducted at Foreign Training Node, Umroi, Meghalaya in September 2025. Indian Defence Ministry said, the aim of Exercise MAITREE is to foster Military Cooperation between India and Thailand. The Exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing Joint Counter Insurgency/ Terrorist Operations in Jungle and semi-urban Environment under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter. 

3. India’s Army Chief made Honorary General of the Nepali Army

General Dhiraj Seth, India’s Chief of Army Staff, was conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army by the Right Hon’ble President of Nepal, Mr Ramchandra Paudel, at Shital Niwas, Kathmandu, in accordance with the unique and longstanding tradition between the two Armies.

The conferring of the honorary rank reaffirms the deep-rooted and enduring bonds between the two Armies and the close friendship between the two nations.

4. India & Armenia Sign MoU on Defence Production & Innovation

India and Armenia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 17th August to facilitate cooperation in research, development, innovation and shared production within the defence sector, according to India’s Ministry of Defence.

India’s Ministry of Defence posted on X saying, the two sides signed an MoU on cooperation in research, development, innovation and shared production in the defence industry, reaffirming their commitment to expand bilateral defence industrial cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

5. Indian & US Navies Conclude Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise in Kochi

The Navies of India and the United States successfully concluded the 8th Edition of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi. The Indian Navy, in an official release on August 17, 2026, stated that the bilateral exercise focused on sharing operational knowledge and best practices in EOD operations.

The The joint training exercise enhanced the professional competence and skill-sets of the diving teams while fostering greater mutual understanding and interoperability.

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.