1. INS Sunayna arrives at Male under IOS Sagar initiative

Indian Navy’s INS Sunayna, deployed under the IOS SAGAR initiative, arrived at Male on April 6. It marked the first port call of her operational deployment. Notably, two MNDF personnel are also part of the multinational crew embarked on board. During transit to Male, the international crew undertook intensive training in seamanship, small arms firing, and damage control drills, reflecting a strong emphasis on collective readiness, operational interoperability, and maritime cooperation.

IOS SAGAR, with an international crew from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs), is on deployment to the South East Indian Ocean Region, reinforcing India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). The ship was ceremonially flagged off from Mumbai on April 2 by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth. This initiative reflects the enduring vision of “One Ocean, One Mission,” further strengthening maritime ties between India and its maritime neighbours.

2. Indian Army releases document on Unmanned Aerial Systems

The Indian Army released a document titled ‘Indian Army’s Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems and Loitering Munitions’ on April 6. It provides long-term visibility of capability requirements. Released by Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), the roadmap aims to guide industry, academia, and R&D towards priority areas, fostering indigenous innovation and strengthening India’s drone ecosystem in line with Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

3. Keel Laying and Plate Cutting ceremonies for  Fast Patrol Vessels at MDL

The keel laying ceremony for Fast Patrol Vessel-4 (FPV-4) (Yard 16504), along with the plate cutting ceremony for FPV-7 (Yard 16507) under the 14 FPV project (Yard 16501–14) for the Indian Coast Guard, was held at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, on April 6.

These FPVs are being equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, including AI-based predictive maintenance systems and multipurpose drones. The indigenous content includes gearboxes by Triveni, Mysore, and water jets by MJP India. The water-jet propelled FPVs, with an approximate displacement of 340 tonnes, are designed for coastal security and law enforcement duties.

4. Fourth India–Kyrgyzstan JWG meeting held

The fourth India–Kyrgyzstan Joint Working Group meeting, co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Dr Amit Telang and Chief of International Military Cooperation Colonel Rustam Asylbekovich Ormokoev, was held in New Delhi on April 6. Discussions focused on enhancing joint training, technical exchanges, and defence industrial partnership.

5. Elbit Systems signs contract with Greece for PULS rocket system

Elbit Systems announced on April 6 that, further to its December 16, 2025 announcement, it has been awarded a contract worth approximately $750 million (€650 million) as part of an agreement between the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense. The contract covers the supply of Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS) artillery rocket systems to the Hellenic Armed Forces.

The contract will be executed over four years, with an additional ten-year follow-on support period. It includes PULS launchers and a comprehensive munitions package comprising training rockets, operational precision-guided rockets of various ranges, and loitering munitions. The PULS system is capable of launching unguided rockets, precision-guided munitions, and missiles, and is adaptable to existing wheeled and tracked platforms, reducing maintenance and training costs.

6.  AH-64E Apache launches Anduril Altius-700 drone

The AH-64E Apache attack helicopter launched Anduril’s Altius-700 at Yuma Proving Ground during Concept Focused Warfighting Experiment 26 (CFWE26). The Altius family of launched effects combines extended range and payload capacity with multi-domain launch capability, enabling new operational concepts across mission sets.

This follows earlier launches of the Altius-600 from UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters since 2020, with the Altius-700 offering enhanced range, loiter time, and payload capacity.

7. THAAD interceptor IR seeker found intact in Syria

An advanced imaging infrared seeker from the U.S.-made Lockheed Martin Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor appears to have been recovered largely intact in Syria. This could represent a significant intelligence compromise, potentially allowing adversaries to gain insights into THAAD’s capabilities, which is currently being heavily employed in the conflict with Iran. A video of the recovered seeker was posted by Qalaat Al Mudiq on X.

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.