1. Indian Army delegation participates in SOF Week 2026

An Indian Armed Forces delegation, led by Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command and the senior-most serving Special Forces officer of the Indian Armed Forces, participated in SOF (Special Operations Forces) Week 2026, held in Tampa, Florida, from May 18 to 21.

The event brought together Special Operations Forces personnel, defence leaders and industry partners from over 70 nations. In a landmark first, the Indian Army participated in the prestigious CAPEX Capability Demonstration in Tampa, showcasing the professionalism and operational excellence of Indian Special Forces in counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, high-altitude and jungle warfare operations.

2. French Delegation for General Armaments visits DRDO Headquarters

A delegation led by Patrick Pailloux, Delegate General for Armaments, DGA France, visited DRDO Headquarters on May 20. He held discussions with Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman, DRDO. The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between India and France in advanced defence technologies.

3. Indian Army’s Shatrujeet Brigade hosts high-level delegation from the Russian Army

The Indian Army’s Shatrujeet Brigade hosted a high-level nine-member delegation from the Russian Army, reaffirming the enduring military partnership, mutual trust and deep-rooted defence cooperation between India and Russia.

The visiting delegation was briefed on the Brigade’s illustrious heritage, specialised combat roles, elite training standards and advanced operational capabilities. The interaction provided valuable insight into the Brigade’s operational ethos, professional excellence and readiness across the full spectrum of airborne and special operations.

4. High Commissioner-Designate of India to Bangladesh meets Chief of the Army Staff

Dinesh Trivedi, High Commissioner-Designate of India to Bangladesh, called on General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, on May 22. The interaction focused on strengthening India-Bangladesh defence ties, border security and enhancing military-to-military engagement.

5. UK F-35B fighter carries SPEAR 3 missiles

The F-35 Joint Program Office and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence completed the first test flight of four Selective Precision Effects at Range Capability 3 (SPEAR 3) missiles aboard a fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II test aircraft.

The flight, conducted by the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and piloted by Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Nick Baker of the Air and Space Warfare Centre, marks a major milestone in the integration of the SPEAR 3 missile, the UK’s next-generation precision strike weapon.

The SPEAR 3 is designed to provide an advanced network-centric weapon system and will become the UK Ministry of Defence’s primary air-launched precision surface-attack weapon.

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.