1. Indian Army and US Army Special Forces begin Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026

The opening ceremony of the 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026 was held today. The 21-day joint training exercise will conclude on16 March.

This is the premier Special Forces exercise between the Indian Army and the United States Army and it is being conducted at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. The exercise aims to deepen defence cooperation, enhance interoperability and joint operational readiness, and facilitate the exchange of advanced special operations tactics, techniques, and procedures in mountainous terrain. Through intensive and realistic training scenarios, both contingents will further strengthen mutual trust and operational synergy.

2. Indian defence delegation meets Kenyan Chief of Defence Forces

An Indian defence delegation led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad called on Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Charles Kahariri, and Principal Secretary for Defence, Dr Patrick Mariru. The delegation briefed them on the key outcomes of the 4th India–Kenya Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting. Discussions focused on expanding and deepening bilateral defence cooperation.

3. India–Japan Exercise Dharma Guardian 2026 begins

The opening ceremony of the 7th edition of Joint Military Exercise Dharma Guardian 2026 between India and Japan was held today at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, Uttarakhand. The exercise is scheduled from 24 February to 9 March 2026.

Designed to promote the exchange of best practices, tactics, and operational procedures, the exercise aims to further enhance interoperability and deepen professional cooperation between the two armies. Dharma Guardian 2026 highlights the steady expansion of the India–Japan defence partnership and their shared commitment to regional peace, stability, and security.

4. Indian Air Force looking to Russia for Su-30MKI upgrade

Even as the Indian Air Force’s plan to upgrade 84 Su-30MKI fighters under the Super Sukhoi programme awaits clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security, the service is exploring a parallel upgrade of a similar or larger number of aircraft with Russia to sustain operational readiness, according to a report by The Indian Express.

A Russian team has recently visited Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Nashik facility, signalling deeper engagement between the two sides. This parallel engagement with Moscow is intended to offset long execution timelines associated with the HAL-led upgrade, which is expected to take at least seven years once it receives approval.

5. Indian Navy leases one AW139 helicopter

The Indian Navy has leased vertical-lift capacity from the growing Indian civil aviation sector, hiring helicopters to operate from two bases, one each on the western and eastern seaboard. Contracts were signed late last year with a leading private sector helicopter operator, and as of early February, one AW139 in utility configuration had commenced operations on the eastern seaboard, according to a report by Vertical Mag.

The move follows a 2021 attempt to lease 24 helicopters along with ground support equipment and maintenance support, including performance-based logistics and training of aircrew and maintainers. That programme, aimed at sub-five-ton helicopters operating integral to the fleet air arm, failed to take off. In the meantime, the Navy and Coast Guard have each inducted 16 Advanced Light Helicopter Mark 3 Maritime Role (ALH Mk3MR).

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.