1. Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, dies in plane crash

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has died in a plane crash while flying from Mumbai to Baramati. According to reports, the Bombardier Learjet 45XR business jet crashed during landing.
The 66-year-old was the nephew of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, and cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule. Sharad Pawar and Sule, who were in Delhi for Parliament’s Budget Session, are expected to depart for Pune. Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife, Sunetra, and sons Parth and Jay.

2. India and the EU sign Security and Defence Partnership

On 27 January, India and the European Union signed a Security and Defence Partnership on the margins of the EU-India Summit. The agreement was signed by EU High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. Alongside this, India and the EU also signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The new partnership responds to an increasingly challenging strategic environment and builds on longstanding cooperation, establishing a comprehensive framework for peace, security and defence collaboration.

3. Wings India 2026 inaugurated in Hyderabad

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu inaugurated Wings India 2026 at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad. The event runs from 28 to 31 January. Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will display the Sukhoi Superjet SSJ-100 and Ilyushin IL-114-300, while Airbus will showcase its A220 airliner for the first time in India.

4. US Congressional Delegation meets India’s Defence Secretary

A US Congressional Delegation led by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers met Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh today. According to a post by PRO Defence Jammu on X, discussions covered a range of issues, including the recently concluded 10-year Major Defence Partnership Framework Agreement and ways to strengthen cooperation in the defence industry.

5. ITBP projects requirement for 564 sniper rifles

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has projected a requirement for 564 bolt-action sniper rifles, according to The Tribune. The rifles would be 8.6 mm calibre with an effective range of over 1,200 m. Currently, the ITBP primarily uses the Austrian 7.62 mm Steyr SSG-69 with a range of about 800 m.

6. Jindal-Taurus JV to supply 5,000 pistols to CAPFs

Jindal Defence Systems Pvt Ltd (JDSPL), a joint venture between the Jindal Group and Brazilian arms manufacturer Taurus Armas, has secured a contract to supply over 5,000 TS-9 pistols to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The TS-9 is a 9×19 mm striker-fired pistol with a 15+1 round capacity, adjustable three-point sights (optional tritium), an ambidextrous magazine release, an accessory rail, and interchangeable backstraps.

7. Adani and Embraer sign MoU for regional aviation in India

Embraer and Adani Defence & Aerospace have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop an integrated aircraft ecosystem in India focused on regional commercial aviation. The partnership will cooperate on aircraft manufacturing, supply chain, after-sales services and pilot training.
Plans include establishing an aircraft production facility in India and increasing local content, supporting the Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) programme and aligning with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the UDAN regional connectivity initiative.

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.