1. Trump not ready to supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine

US President Donald Trump appeared to downplay the prospects of Ukraine getting the missiles, which have a range of about 995 miles (1,600 kilometers), following the call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 16

"We need Tomahawks for the United States of America, too," Trump said. "We have a lot of them, but we need them. I mean, we can't deplete our country." Putin warned Trump during the call that supplying Kyiv with the Tomahawks "won't change the situation on the battlefield, but would cause substantial damage to the relationship between our countries," according to Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser.

2. Cochin Shipyard to launch three vessels

Cochin Shipyard will launch three vessels, including an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) for the Indian Navy, on October 18.

The other two vessels to be launched are the Hybrid Electric Methanol-Ready Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) and India's largest Trailer Suction Hopper Dredger, DCI Dredge Godavari.

3. First LCA Tejas MK-1A produced at Nashik to take first flight

The first LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force, produced by the facility at Nagpur, is scheduled to fly on October 17 in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It is not confirmed whether the IAF will receive the first LCA Tejas MK-1A on October 17.

HAL said that it had created a third assembly line for LCA Mark 1A. The facility also has the second production line for HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft and has been licensed to produce the Su-30MKI and MiG series fighter jets in the past.

On August 19, the defence ministry had approved the purchase of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force for Rs 62,000 crore. This was the second major order for the Mark 1A jets. The first, placed in 2021, was for 83 aircraft worth around Rs 48,000 crore. With the new order, HAL has 180 jets on order for the Air Force.

4. Naval Group and Mazagon Dock extend MoU to strengthen submarine export cooperation

On October 16th, Naval Group France and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) signed an extension of their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen cooperation for the joint export of submarines to a mutually friendly country.

This renewed MoU builds upon the original agreement signed in July 2023, reaffirming the longstanding Indo-French partnership in the field of submarine design, engineering, and advanced naval technology. The extension underscores the shared vision of both firms to jointly explore and develop opportunities for exporting India-built, latest generation of Scorpène-class submarines to international partners.

5. We will have no choice but to go in and kill them: Trump warns Hamas

President Donald Trump on October 17 warned Hamas, "we will have no choice but to go in and kill them" if internal bloodshed persists in Gaza.

The grim warning from Trump came after he previously downplayed the internal violence in the territory since a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect last week in the two-year war.

Trump later clarified he won't send U.S. troops into Gaza after launching the threat against Hamas.

6. Chief of staff of  Yemeni rebels’ military dies in Israeli airstrike

An Israeli airstrike targeting the top leaders of Yemen's Houthi rebels in August killed the chief of staff of its military, officials said on October 16, further escalating tensions between the group and Israel even as a ceasefire holds in the Gaza Strip.

The Houthis have acknowledged the killing of Maj. Gen. Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Ghamari, who had been sanctioned by the United Nations over his role in the country's decade-long war.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said al-Ghamari died of wounds he suffered in the attack and had joined "his fellow members of the axis of evil in the depths of hell."

7. Saudi Arabia in talks with US for defence pact

Saudi Arabia is discussing a defence deal with the Trump administration similar to a US-Qatar pact last month that pledged to regard any attack on the Gulf state as a threat to American “peace and security,” according to a report by Financial Times.

The kingdom hopes a deal can be sealed when its day-to-day leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, visits the White House in November, amid expectations it will be “robust” and include enhanced military and intelligence co-operation, people familiar with the matter said.

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.