1. Indian Coast Guard accepts delivery of two Dornier Do-228

In line with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, the Indian Coast Guard accepted delivery of two state-of-the-art Dornier Do-228 aircraft on 19 January from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at TAD Kanpur. The induction took place in the presence of the Deputy Director General (Aviation), Coast Guard Headquarters, according to a post on X by the Indian Coast Guard.

Equipped with advanced sensors and modern avionics, including a glass cockpit, mission management system and specialised role equipment, the aircraft will significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s maritime surveillance capability and operational reach. With over 75% indigenous content, the aircraft are fitted with critical mission systems developed within the country, reinforcing India’s self-reliance in defence aviation.

2. Indian Navy signs contract for three Non-Propelled Barges

A contract for the construction and delivery of three 200-tonne bottom-opening non-propelled barges has been concluded with M/s Suryadipta Projects Private Limited, Thane (an MSME shipyard), on 16 January 2026. These barges are described as proud flag bearers of Make in India, according to a post on X by the Indian Navy.

Built under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the Government of India, the barges will be constructed in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). Through this contract, the Indian Navy has demonstrated its commitment to encouraging and strengthening MSME shipyards, contributing to the growth of the domestic shipbuilding ecosystem in line with Maritime India Vision 2030.

3. India and UAE sign letter of intent for strategic defence partnership

India and the United Arab Emirates signed a letter of intent for a strategic defence partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for a visit lasting a little over three hours, which nonetheless yielded several significant outcomes and announcements.

These included four additional agreements, among them one on space collaboration, another for the purchase of 0.5 million metric tonnes per annum of LNG by HPCL from ADNOC Gas over a ten-year period, and a letter of intent for the development of the Dholera Special Investment Region in Gujarat. Other announcements included a decision to double bilateral trade to USD 200 billion by 2032, the establishment of a supercomputing cluster in India, and cooperation on the development and deployment of large nuclear reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) to strengthen civil nuclear ties.

4. Airbus delivers 25th A400M to French Air Force

Airbus has delivered the 25th A400M military transport aircraft to the French Air and Space Force, marking the halfway point of France’s total order as the manufacturer continues efforts to sustain the programme.

The aircraft, manufacturer serial number MSN142, has joined the French fleet at Air Base 123 Orléans-Bricy. France has 50 A400Ms on order, making it the second-largest customer for the turboprop military airlifter.

The delivery comes at a time when the A400M programme remains under pressure due to a lack of new orders. Airbus has logged 178 aircraft sold, largely to partner nations. Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Spain account for 152 aircraft, led by Germany with 53 orders, followed by France with 50, Spain with 27 and the United Kingdom with 22. The A400M competes with Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium for the Indian Air Force.

5. France orders six VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems

France’s Armament General Directorate (DGA) has awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group for the production of six VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems, which are scheduled to be operated by the French Navy from 2028.

The VSR700 will be delivered in an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) configuration, comprising a surveillance radar, an electro-optical system and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver.

A dual-use uncrewed aerial system, the VSR700 is based on the crewed Cabri G2 helicopter from Hélicoptères Guimbal. The naval military variant was developed and tested under the French Navy and DGA’s SDAM (Système de drone aérien de la Marine) programme, in cooperation with Naval Group. The system and its mission suite have been extensively tested over land and at sea. Often deployed alongside a crewed helicopter, the VSR700 is designed to extend a vessel’s intelligence-gathering capabilities and conduct long-endurance surveillance missions.

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.