1. JSW Defence–Shield AI commence construction of UAS facility

JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd. has begun construction of its next-generation Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) facility at EMC Maheshwaram, Hyderabad. The company has entered into a strategic partnership with Shield AI, a leading US defence technology firm, to manufacture the Group 3 UAS, VBAT, under a long-term Transfer of Technology (ToT) licensing arrangement.

Under the partnership, the JSW Group will invest about USD 90 million to establish a global compliance programme, set up a manufacturing facility for licensed technologies, and train manpower. The investment will support a local supply chain and an advanced Indian facility for manufacturing, assembling and testing V-BAT. Production is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026.

2. DRDO conducts high-speed test of fighter aircraft escape system

The DRDO has successfully conducted a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system at a precisely controlled velocity of 800 km/h, validating canopy severance, ejection sequencing and full aircrew recovery. The test was conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh, according to the Defence Ministry.

3. Indian Navy to receive first Rafale-M in 2029

Addressing the annual press conference ahead of Navy Day celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram, the CNS announced that the Navy’s first four Rafale-Marine aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2029.

The bilateral agreement for 26 carrier-capable jets was finalised with France in April, with deliveries commencing five years from signing. The package includes weapons, spares and support equipment, and the aircraft will be based on INS Vikrant. “We have signed contracts for 83 capital cases worth around ₹84,000 crore. We hope to get the first set of four Rafale for the Indian Navy by 2029,” the Navy Chief said.

4. Exercise EKUVERIN-2025 begins

The opening ceremony of the 14th edition of Exercise EKUVERIN between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force was held on 2 December in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The two-week exercise aims to enhance interoperability for Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism operations in semi-urban, jungle and coastal terrain. ‘Ekuverin’, meaning ‘Friends’ in Dhivehi, reflects the growing defence cooperation and mutual commitment of India and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean Region.

5. Indian Joint Secretary meets UK Director Strategic Programmes

Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Shri Amitabh Prasad met Mr Shimon Fhima, Director Strategic Programmes at the UK Ministry of Defence. The meeting focused on strengthening India–UK defence cooperation and exploring deeper strategic collaboration, the Ministry of Defence said.

6. IAF airlifts Para Field Hospital to Sri Lanka

An IAF C-17 Globemaster airlifted a Para Field Hospital, equipment and 73 medical personnel from Agra, landing in Colombo at 1745 IST on 2 December to support relief operations. Mi-17 helicopters continued missions, airlifting over 8 tonnes of relief material and evacuating 65 survivors, including foreign nationals, critically ill patients and a pregnant woman.

Sri Lanka continues to reel from the impact of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, which made landfall on the island’s eastern coast on 28 November.

7. War Department seeks industry capability to produce 300,000+ drones

The War Department has issued a request for information to assess industry’s capability to produce more than 300,000 drones quickly and at low cost in an effort led by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to advance the “drone dominance” agenda, according to SoldierSystems.net.

On 6 June, President Donald J. Trump signed the “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” executive order, outlining plans to boost the United States’ commercial and military drone capacity, including mass delivery of inexpensive, American-made lethal drones to military units. Hegseth followed up in July with the “Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance” memorandum detailing how the department would execute the president’s directive.

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.