1. Pakistan added to the AIM-120 C8 AMRAAM contract

The United States Department of War (DoW)/Department of Defense (DoD) quietly added Pakistan to a list of buyers for the Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120C8/D3 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).

The AIM-120C8 is the export variant of the AIM-120D, the current mainstay AMRAAM variant used by the United States. The AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM has a range exceeding 160 kilometres (approximately 99 miles) under optimal launch conditions. Raytheon (RTX) began testing the C8/D platform in 2023, and the variant has seen orders from a large and evidently growing assortment of U.S. allies and partners. 

Pakistan currently operates the AIM-120C-5 missile, which has a range of 105 kilometres. The missile was used in the Balakot airstrike response named Operation Swift Retort. The missile was fired from an F-16 of the Pakistan Air Force, which downed the IAF MiG-21 Bison.

2. India and Russia begin Exercise INDRA

India and Russia begin the army edition of Exercise INDRA 2025 at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. The Exercise INDRA refers to a series of bilateral military exercises between India and Russia, conducted regularly since 2003 to enhance defence cooperation and interoperability across land, sea, and air domains.

The series includes joint naval exercises (INDRA Navy), joint land exercises (INDRA Army), and joint air exercises (Avia Indra), covering all three major branches of the military. 

The exercise will last until October 15, and its main objective is to practice cooperation between the two countries' units in the fight against international terrorism, including refining counterterrorism tactics.

3. India-Australia to conduct Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025

The fourth edition of the Joint Bilateral Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND between India and Australia will be conducted from 13–26 October 2025 at the Irwin Barracks, Perth, Australia, said in a post on X by the Indian Army. The first edition of the exercise took place in 2022.

The exercise aims to further strengthen the operational capabilities of both armies in undertaking joint company-level operations in urban & semi-urban terrain, under the United Nations mandate, reflecting the shared commitment towards global peace and security.

4. Sikorsky unveils Nomad family of drones

Sikorsky has unveiled its Nomad future family of drones, which combines a twin propeller design, combining the versatility of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing airplane.

The Nomad aircraft can take off, hover, and land vertically, plus cruise on the wing for extended periods. Nomads are operated via Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy technology and predominantly use hybrid-electric propulsion, while larger variants will feature a conventional drivetrain.

“We use the term ‘family’ to point to a key attribute of the design; its ability to be scaled in size from a small Group 3 UAS to the footprint equivalent of a Black Hawk helicopter,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “The resulting Nomad family of drones will be adaptable, go-anywhere, runway-independent aircraft capable of land and sea-based missions across defence, national security, forestry, and civilian organizations. Nomads are a force multiplier, complementing the missions of aircraft such as the Black Hawk to retain the strategic advantage in the Indo-Pacific and across broader regions.”.

5. Want to know Ukraine’s plans for Tomahawk missile: Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he would want to know what Ukraine planned to do with U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles before agreeing to supply them because he does not wish to escalate Russia's war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested that the U.S. sell Tomahawk missiles to European nations, which would then be sent to Ukraine.

Tomahawk missiles have a range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles), putting Moscow in the range of Ukraine's arsenal, which they were to be granted to Kiev.

6. Israel marks the October 7 anniversary as talks for a ceasefire in Gaza are held

Israel marked the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023,   attack on October 7, as Hamas and Israeli negotiators held indirect talks to end the two-year war in Gaza under a US-proposed peace plan.

Two years ago, to the day, at the close of the Jewish festival of Sukkot, Hamas-led militants launched an assault on Israel, killing 1200 people, making it the deadliest day in the country's history.

Palestinian fighters breached the Gaza-Israel border, storming southern Israeli communities and a desert music festival with gunfire, rockets, and grenades.

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.