1. India successfully test-fires Advanced Agni missile

India successfully flight-tested an Advanced Agni missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targeted Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) capability from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The missile accurately delivered multiple payloads to different targets across the Indian Ocean Region, reaffirming India’s credible strategic deterrence and indigenous technological capability. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Army, and industry partners for strengthening the nation’s defence preparedness.

2. DRDL laboratory tests scramjet combustor

DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) achieved a major breakthrough in India’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile programme with the successful long-duration test of an actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor in Hyderabad on May 9. The indigenous scramjet engine clocked over 1,200 seconds of run-time, validating advanced supersonic air-breathing propulsion technologies. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh termed the achievement a strong foundation for India’s hypersonic missile capability.

3. Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd) appointed next CDS

The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani as the next Chief of Defence Staff. He will also serve as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, and will assume office after General Anil Chauhan completes his tenure on May 30, 2026.

A highly decorated officer with over four decades of service, Lieutenant General Raja Subramani has been serving as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat since September 2025. He earlier served as Vice Chief of the Army Staff and GOC-in-C, Central Command, and commanded key operational formations along the Western and Northern fronts.

4. SSS Defence delivers G-72 SMG to Punjab Police

SSS Defence delivered its G-72 SMG to the Punjab Police. The G-72 is a 9×19 mm submachine gun featuring a delayed roller blowback operating mechanism and three firing modes: safe, semi, and auto. The weapon weighs 2.9 kg. Earlier, the company had delivered 2,000 M-72 assault rifles to the Uttar Pradesh Police.

5. 10th India–Australia Defence Policy Talks held in New Delhi

The 10th edition of the India–Australia Defence Policy Talks took place in New Delhi on May 8, 2026. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, while the Australian side was headed by Bernard Philip.

The discussions reaffirmed the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides welcomed recent advancements in bilateral defence cooperation. The establishment of the annual India–Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in 2025 has further enhanced consultations and reflected growing strategic trust between the two countries.

6. India and UK hold DESG and IOWG meetings

The India–UK Defence Equipment Sub-Group (DESG) and Industry Oversight Working Group (IOWG) meetings were held in London on May 7–8, reinforcing bilateral defence cooperation and the broader strategic partnership between the two countries.

The DESG meeting was co-chaired by Garima Bhagat and Shimon Fhima. The IOWG meeting was co-chaired by Ashish Srivastava and Stuart Cole.

Chakra Desk

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