1. Indian Army to induct 300 more K-9 Vajra howitzers

The Indian Army's firepower is set for a major boost, with the government poised to induct more than 300 K-9 Vajra-T self-propelled tracked artillery guns, according to a report by Times Now. The procurement process has been initiated at an estimated cost of around ₹23,000 crore, making it one of the Army's largest acquisitions. The initial order of 100 guns was placed in 2017 for ₹4,500 crore, with deliveries completed ahead of schedule in 2021. In December 2024, the Ministry of Defence signed a repeat order with Larsen & Toubro for 100 additional 155 mm/52 calibre K-9 Vajra-T self-propelled tracked artillery guns, designed by South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace, at a total cost of ₹7,628.70 crore.

2. Seychelles Coast Guard ship completes refit in India

The Seychelles Coast Guard ship Zoroaster departed India on June 5, following a successful refit undertaken by GRSE (Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers) Limited. Completed ahead of schedule and to the full satisfaction of the Seychelles team, the refit highlights GRSE's commitment to quality, reliability and customer-focused ship repair services.

3. Raksha Mantri approves 250 MW solar power project

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has approved the establishment of a 250 MW Solar Power Project with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Sitapur (Ex-Cantonment), Uttar Pradesh, on approximately 850 acres of vacant defence land. This is the Ministry of Defence's first project of its kind, involving the development of a large-scale solar power generation facility integrated with BESS support on defence land.

4. Barrett developing 6.8×51 mm conversion kit for Mk-22 sniper rifle

Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. announced on June 8 the ongoing development and evaluation of a 6.8×51 mm calibre conversion kit for the Barrett MRAD MK 22 Advanced Sniper Rifle system used by the U.S. Army. The kit is being developed to support the high-pressure, high-performance 6.8×51 mm cartridge employed across the Army's next-generation small arms platforms, including the M7 Rifle, M250 Automatic Rifle and M157 Fire Control system. It is intended to provide warfighters with greater flexibility while leveraging the enhanced terminal performance of the 6.8×51 mm round within the in-service MK 22 sniper system.

5. US conducts self-defence strikes after Apache helicopter downing

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began conducting self-defence strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET (2:30 a.m. IST) on the Commander-in-Chief's orders, in response to the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter the previous day. According to CENTCOM, the operation was a proportional response to what it described as unjustified Iranian aggression. On June 8, two crew members of a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache were rescued by American forces after their helicopter went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters.

6. Diehl Defence to showcase IRIS-T SLS system at Farnborough Airshow

Diehl Defence will showcase the latest development of its highly mobile air defence system, the IRIS-T SLS Mk4, at the Farnborough Airshow. The short-range air defence system is designed to protect manoeuvring forces and critical infrastructure against airborne threats. The fourth-generation system offers an effective range of 12 km and engagement altitudes of up to 6 km.

The IRIS-T SLS Mk4 integrates the radar, command-and-control system, launcher and effectors on a single vehicle, creating an all-in-one solution. Its high mobility and compact design enable rapid redeployment and enhanced operational flexibility.

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.