1. Raksha Mantri visits DRDO Headquarters on DRDO Foundation Day

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) Headquarters in New Delhi on the occasion of its 68th Foundation Day on January 1. The Raksha Mantri lauded Team DRDO for bolstering India’s indigenous capabilities by equipping the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art technologies and platforms.

The weapon systems developed by DRDO played a decisive role during Operation Sindoor, serving as a testament to the professionalism and commitment of the organisation towards safeguarding national interests.

2. Indian Army seizes drone carrying ammunition in Poonch

The Army on January 1 recovered a consignment suspected to have been dropped by a drone along the Indo-Pakistan border in Poonch district.

Officials said the incident took place early in the morning in an area between Rangar Nallah and the Poonch River in the Chakkan da Bagh belt of Khari village.

The Army recovered a bag containing dozens of ammunition rounds and a yellow tiffin box suspected to be an improvised explosive device. A bomb disposal squad examined the bag to assess any potential threat.

3. Hellenic Army looking to test Tata WHAP 8×8

The Hellenic Army is looking to test the TATA WHAP 8×8 armoured vehicle. On December 12, 2025, a meeting was held between the General Staff of the Hellenic Army and representatives of TATA regarding the temporary availability of an 8×8 wheeled Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle for testing.

The TATA WHAP 8×8 was first showcased at the DEFEA 2025 defence exhibition in Athens in May 2025. Morocco became the first foreign operator of the WHAP 8×8, with the first lot handed over to the Royal Moroccan Army on December 24, 2025.

4. Indian Army to be the world’s first to use ramjet-powered artillery shell

In a development underlining the ongoing Atmanirbharta drive, the Indian Army is poised to become the world’s first army to use ramjet-powered 155 mm artillery shells. This is expected to result in a range increase of 30–50 per cent while retaining lethality, according to a report by The Week.

A major thrust area for the Indian Army’s artillery has been the development of longer-range, more precise rockets and munitions with enhanced accuracy.

A ramjet-assisted 155 mm artillery shell, technology already in use in missiles, is being developed by IIT Madras in collaboration with the Indian Army, with the Army Technology Board having already sanctioned the project.

5. Defence Ministry paves way for IAF to acquire AEW&C systems and mid-air refuellers

The Defence Ministry has paved the way for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to acquire six Boeing 767-based mid-air refuellers from Israel and 12 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems supported by platforms from Brazil and France, according to a report by The Hindustan Times.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also cleared the purchase of 36 additional Meteor air-to-air missiles for Rafale fighters from France. This follows earlier approval for 280 long- and short-range missiles for the S-400 air defence system from Russia.

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.