1. Indian Army receives the last three Apache helicopters

The Indian army received the last three AH-64E Apache Longbow helicopters on December 16. The helicopters arrived at the Hindon Air Base and were transported by Antonov AN-124 aircraft. These helicopters are assigned to the 451 Army Aviation Squadron, which was raised in March 2024 and is based in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The $600 million deal was signed in February 2020. The first batch of three helicopters was delivered in July 2025 after a 15-month delay caused by global supply chain issues.

Combined with the 22 Apache helicopters with the IAF and the 6 with the Army, India now operates 28 Apache attack helicopters.

2. IAF hosting Exercise AviaIndra 2025 with RFSAF

The IAF is hosting Exercise AviaIndra-2025, a joint exercise with the Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFASF) from 15–22 Dec 2025. The exercise reflects the long-standing Indo-Russian relationship and continues the AviaIndra series, which began in 2014. Personnel from both forces will conduct joint flying operations on Su-30 MKI, Tejas, IL-78, and Mi-17 helicopters, sharing best practices and lessons learnt. It provides an opportunity to enhance bilateral cooperation, mutual understanding, and aerospace synergy, according to a post on X by the Indian Air Force.

3. Indian Navy commissions first Diving Support Craft DSC A20

The Indian Navy proudly commissioned the first Diving Support Craft, DSC A20, at Naval Base, Kochi, on December 16. The Ceremony was presided over by VAdm Sameer Saxena, FOC-in-C (South), and hosted by VAdm Sanjay Sadhu, CWP&A. DSC A20 has been designed and constructed in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). Catamaran-hull, displacement of approx 390 Tons, fitted with state-of-the-art Diving Equipment - the vessel would play a vital role for underwater repairs & inspections, harbour clearances, and critical diving missions in coastal waters. Built indigenously by M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd, the DSC A20 also represents India’s growing maritime strength, niche engineering capabilities, rapid rise of the nation’s private sector, and the potential of AatmanirbharBharat, according to a post on X by the Indian Navy.

4. India and Belgium strengthen defence cooperation

H.E. Mr. Didier Vanderhasselt, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to India, called on Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), Ministry of Defence, in New Delhi on 16th December 2025. Secretary (Defence Production) also welcomed Brigadier General Mario Engels, the first Belgian Defence Attache to India. During the meeting, Dr. Garima Bhagat, Joint Secretary (Land System), was also present. Wide-ranging discussions were held on strengthening Defence Industrial Cooperation with a focus on capacity building & enhancement through defence industrial collaborations on critical technologies, according to a post on X by Defence Production India.

5. Exercise EKUVERIN 2025 concludes

The bilateral military Exercise EKUVERIN, conducted between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF), concluded with a joint validation exercise at Thiruvananthapuram on December 16. The opening ceremony of the 14th edition of the annual bilateral Exercise EKUVERIN was held on 02 December.

This marked the end of two weeks of intensive training focused on Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorist operations in contemporary operational environments. The validation phase was witnessed by Major General RD Sharma from the Indian Army and Brigadier General Abdulla Ibrahim from the Maldivian side, along with observer delegations from both nations. Exercise EKUVERIN reaffirmed the commitment of India and the Maldives towards strengthening military cooperation and enhancing peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region.

6. Airbus delivers H160 Heptor to French Gendarmerie Nationale

The first H160 helicopter for the French Gendarmerie Nationale was handed over to the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) during a ceremony held at the Airbus Helicopters headquarters in Marignane. Ten H160s were ordered in December 2021 by the DGA on behalf of the Ministry of Interior. The Gendarmerie Nationale is one of France's two primary national law enforcement agencies, distinguished by its military status. While the National Police (Police Nationale) operates as a civilian force in urban centers, the Gendarmerie is responsible for public safety in rural and peri-urban areas, covering 95% of French territory.

This delivery is part of the Gendarmerie Nationale’s helicopter fleet renewal programme, which began with the delivery of the first H145 in November. The two helicopters are complementary in terms of missions and capabilities. They also share numerous features, such as the Helionix avionics suite, communications systems, and mission equipment, facilitating maintenance, training, and operational interoperability.

7. Lockheed Martin rolls out first Finnish F-35 fighter

In a ceremony on December 16 at Lockheed Martin's F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, the first F-35A Lightning II for the Finnish Air Force was rolled out by Lockheed Martin. The first aircraft will be delivered to the Finnish Air Force in early 2026, but will initially stay in the U.S. at Ebbing Air Force Base, Arkansas, for pilot and maintainer training. The first jets are scheduled to arrive at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi by the end of 2026. Finland had ordered 64 aircraft in a $9.4 billion deal finalized in early 2022 to replace its aging fleet of F/A-18 Hornets by the end of 2030.

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.