1. Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR 2025 begins

The opening ceremony of the 8th edition of the biennial joint military Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR between the Indian Army and the British Army was held at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan. The exercise will run from 17 to 30 November 2025, according to a post on X by the Indian Army.

Exercise Ajeya Warrior aims to enhance interoperability and operational readiness, enabling both armies to conduct joint company-level operations in semi-urban terrain.

2. IAF ALH makes precautionary landing near Bareilly

An IAF ALH on a routine training mission carried out a safe precautionary landing near Bareilly due to an in-flight technical snag. The helicopter landed safely, with prompt emergency actions by the aircrew. No damage or injuries were reported, and a recovery team was launched.

3. India–UAE enhance defence cooperation

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay held a bilateral meeting with his UAE counterpart, Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, on the sidelines of the Dubai Air Show 2025. He highlighted deeper engagement through institutional mechanisms, defence exhibitions, training cooperation, and encouraged joint research, co-development, and co-production to strengthen defence ties.

4. MDL lays keel for second MPV for Denmark

Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) laid the keel for the second Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) under its export order on 17 November. The ceremony was conducted by Mr Biju George, Director (Shipbuilding), in the presence of the owner and Class representatives. The keel of the first vessel was laid on 2 April.

MDL and Danish firm Navi Merchants signed a contract on 15 December 2023 to build six MPVs. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2026. The MPVs are designed to handle cargo and undertake special-purpose missions.

5. Ukraine signs Letter of Intent for 100 Rafale fighters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a Letter of Intent to procure 100 Rafale fighters at Vélizy-Villacoublay Air Base near Paris, according to The Aviationist.

This follows Ukraine’s agreement on 22 October to procure 150 Saab Gripen-E jets. If both programmes proceed, Ukraine would become the largest operator of Rafale and Gripen-E fighters.

6. F-22 Raptor controls MQ-20 Avenger drone

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris Technologies conducted a flight test demonstrating Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming between an F-22 Raptor and a GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger unmanned jet. The effort integrated L3Harris’ BANSHEE Advanced Tactical Datalinks and Pantera software-defined radios via Lockheed Martin’s open radio architectures, enabling data sharing from the F-22.

Two L3Harris software-defined radios supported the demonstration—one installed in the MQ-20 Avenger and the other integrated into the F-22. Through the Pilot Vehicle Interface tablet and the F-22’s GRACE module, the system provided end-to-end communications, allowing the F-22 to command and control the MQ-20 in flight.

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.