1. India–Armenia hold discussions to enhance defence cooperation

Joint Secretary (DIP), Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, India, Shri Amit Satija, held a meeting with Mr Georg Mantashyan, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, and Mr Aram Jivanyan, Chairman of the Military Industry Committee, on 6th November in Yerevan, according to a post on X by Defence Production India.

The discussions focused on avenues of industrial cooperation and collaboration in areas of mutual interest, further strengthening the India–Armenia defence partnership.

2. President Xi attends commissioning of Fujian aircraft carrier

President Xi Jinping attended the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony of the Fujian—China's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults—on November 5 in Hainan Province, according to a report by Xinhua.

Xi, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, boarded the aircraft carrier to inspect the vessel at a naval port in Sanya City. The Fujian was launched in June 2022 and named after Fujian Province.

3. T-155 Panter Wheeled Howitzer enters service with Turkish Army

Within the administrative responsibility of the General Directorate of Military Factories, and under the main contracting of ASFAT—with ASELSAN, BMC, and MKE as subcontractors—the prototype qualification and inspection acceptance processes have been completed under the 8x8 T-155 TTA Panter Howitzer project. The first system has now entered the inventory of the Turkish Land Forces Command, according to a post on X by ASFAT.

4. TAI and BAE Systems sign MoU for uncrewed systems

Turkish Aerospace announced that it has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with BAE Systems to collaborate on the development of uncrewed air systems.

Under the agreement, both parties will pursue joint opportunities in the field of future uncrewed air systems.

5. Poland and Romania deploy counter-drone systems

Poland and Romania are deploying a counter-drone system to defend against Russian drones, following a series of incursions into NATO airspace in recent months that exposed the alliance’s vulnerabilities and heightened regional tensions.

The American-made Merops system, small enough to fit in the back of a midsize pickup truck, can detect and engage drones using artificial intelligence to navigate even when satellite and electronic communications are jammed.

6. Germany to field miniature anti-drone missile

Germany is set to develop and deploy a miniature missile designed to counter drones cost-effectively, with lawmakers approving a funding proposal on November 5, according to DefenseNews.com.

Dubbed SADM (Small Anti-Drone Missile), it will be integrated onto Rheinmetall’s Skyranger 30 anti-aircraft vehicles to complement the primary weapon—the onboard cannon. The new missile, named DefendAir, will be produced by MBDA.

Chakra Desk

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