1. Indian Army issues tender to procure Anant Shashtra system

The Indian Army has issued a tender of Rs 30,000 Cr to BEL for buying the 'Anant Shastra' air defence missile system. The Army plans to procure five to six systems.

The system was previously known as the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM). The QRSAM  has an effective range of approximately 30 km and can intercept aerial threats at altitudes up to 10 km.

This short-range surface-to-air missile system is designed to provide mobile air defence for troops and armoured formations, capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously.

2. US blocks jet engine for KAAN fighter jet

 The US Congress has blocked the sale of the F110 jet engine for Turkiye’s fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet. The procurement of S-400 by Turkiye and the strained defence relations between the US and Turkiye maybe the reason behind it. The first batch of KAAN will be powered by this engine for the Turkish Air Force. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and its subsidiary TEI are developing the TF35000 engine for the KAAN.

Turkey's Hurjet fighter jet trainer, is powered by the General Electric F404 engine. The F404 also powers the LCA Tejas MK-1A. India has faced delays due to supply chain issues from the US.

Turkiye was removed from the F-35 programme as it had procured the Russian S-400 missile system. Turkiye has since purchased 40 F-16 Block 70 Vipers and 40 Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK. Germany had earlier blocked the Eurofighter sale to Turkiye. It has since approved the procurement.

3. India looks to procure air defence systems from Russia

India is looking to acquire more S-400 or the S-500 air defence systems from Russia, says a report in The Print.

The contract signed in 2018 for five S-400 systems had a follow-on clause for an additional five systems. The follow-on clause means that more systems can be bought at the same price, considering any dollar value escalation and inflation cost.

“The need for more S-400 or S-500 systems is part of the list of capabilities drawn up by the Defence Secretary before Operation Sindoor itself. The S-400 performed very well in Operation Sindoor and has a huge deterrence and punitive capability. Yes, we are looking at procuring more of the same. Or the S-500,” sources in the defence establishment said.

4. Sikorsky to supply 99 CH-53K King Stallions to the US Marine Corps

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, received a $10.855 billion contract from the U.S. Navy to build up to a maximum of 99 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps over five years, the largest quantity order to date for the aircraft. The Marine Corps plans to have 200 CH-53Ks in its service.

The contract combines five separate aircraft orders — defined as Lots 9-13 — into a five-year multi-year procurement, ensuring price predictability and consistent flow of materials from 267 CH-53K suppliers across 37 states, and 17 suppliers from eight countries. 

To date, the U.S. Marine Corps has transitioned one CH-53K fleet squadron, and has CH-53K aircraft flying at one developmental test squadron, one operational test squadron, and one training squadron to support operational requirements.  

5. US is considering supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine

The United States is reviewing Ukraine’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles to aid its fight against Russian forces, Vice President JD Vance said. The Vice President said this while speaking on Fox News Sunday.

“President Donald Trump would make the final determination on whether to authorise the arrangement. We’re certainly looking at several requests from the Europeans,” Vance said.

Tomahawk missiles have a range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles), and would be a powerful asset in Ukraine’s arsenal to retaliate for regular barrages of Russian missile and drones.

6. Multiple drones sighted at several military bases in Denmark

Multiple drones were sighted at several military bases in Denmark, the Danish defence ministry said. The defence ministry said these drones had been observed drones at several of its armed forces locations on the night of September 27.

However, they did not share further details on the matter. Meanwhile, the country’s transport ministry announced that all civilian use of drones would be banned to ensure security while Denmark hosts an EU summit and a meeting of the European Political Community, which is a wider gathering of leaders from across the continent.

The ministry maintained that the move would remove the risk that enemy drones could be confused with legal drones and vice versa, and it said any violation of the ban could result in a fine or two years’ imprisonment.

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.