1. Exercise CINBAX-II concludes

The closing ceremony of the second edition of joint military Exercise CINBAX-II 2026, between the Indian Army and the Royal Cambodian Army, was held on 16 May at the Techo Sen Phnom Thom Mreas Prov Royal Cambodian Air Force Training Centre in Kampong Speu Province, Kingdom of Cambodia. The exercise underscored joint coordination in the planning and execution of coordinated tactical operations in a sub-conventional, semi-urban environment. Over the course of 14 days, both contingents displayed a high degree of professionalism and commitment while carrying out tactical drills, culminating in a validation exercise.

2. High Commissioner of Canada to India meets Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh

High Commissioner of Canada to India, Christopher Cooter, met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. Both sides discussed the next steps towards strengthening India-Canada defence cooperation as a follow-up to the state visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to India in February 2026.

3. Two EA-18G Growlers collide at Idaho air show

Two EA-18G Growlers collided during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on 17 May. The fighters belonged to VAQ-129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Each jet carried a pilot and an electronic warfare officer; all four ejected successfully, with one aircraft exploding two miles away from the crowd. The base was locked down, the show featuring the Thunderbirds as headliners was cancelled, and the crews were reported stable after medical checks. A US Navy investigation into the high-risk formation flying mishap is underway.

4. Norway cancels export of NSM missile system to Malaysia

Norway has blocked the delivery of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) system, along with launcher components destined for Malaysia’s littoral combat ship programme under the terms of a 2018 deal. The purchase had been planned as part of the Southeast Asian nation’s wider naval modernisation efforts. Norway’s foreign ministry said exports of some of Oslo’s “most sensitive” defence technologies would be limited to its “allies and closest partners.”

5. Eurofighter Typhoon armed with BAE Systems APKWS rockets

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has equipped its Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 combat aircraft operating in the Middle East with AGR-20A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rockets for the counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) role, according to a report by Janes. QinetiQ announced on 17 May that integration of the BAE Systems Inc. APKWS aboard the Typhoon had proven successful and that the system was now being employed operationally in the Middle East.

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.