1. India sends medical relief to Venezuela under Operation Amistad

India’s medical relief to Venezuela under Operation Amistad arrived on June 28. Two Indian Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft took off for Venezuela with urgent assistance to support the country's post-earthquake relief efforts. Both aircraft completed a 23-hour flight, covering an aerial distance of over 14,000 km from Delhi to Caracas. They landed at Maiquetía International Airport in Caracas. The assistance includes an Indian Army Field Hospital Unit and over 35 tonnes of relief supplies, medicines, and medical equipment, including two BHISHM Cubes.

2. IAF seeks 40 per cent indigenous content for 96 Rafale jets

The IAF wants 40 per cent indigenous content for 96 Rafale F4 fighter jets, according to a report by The Print. These 96 jets are to be manufactured in India. In the final batch, the indigenous content is expected to be scaled up to 60 per cent. The French government is expected to respond in September, the deadline by which it is obligated to do so. India issued the Letter of Request (LoR) to France in late May to finalise the mega defence agreement worth around ₹3.25 lakh crore for 114 Rafale fighter jets.

3. INS Tarkash docks at Port Victoria in Seychelles

INS Tarkash, a Talwar-class frigate of the Indian Navy, docked at Port Victoria, Seychelles, on June 26 during her ongoing operational deployment to the South Western Indian Ocean Region (SW IOR). INS Tarkash, along with the survey ship INS Ikshak, will participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the National Day of Seychelles on June 29 with a marching contingent and a naval band.

4. Leonardo M-346 and Bayraktar KIZILELMA drone conduct autonomous formation flights

The Leonardo M-346 trainer aircraft and the Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter aircraft have successfully conducted a series of joint autonomous formation flights as part of the K-SWARM programme. The programme aims to design and develop interoperability between crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

5. Romania signs agreement for Rafael SPYDER air defence system

Romania's Ministry of National Defence has signed a strategic agreement with Rafael for the procurement of the SPYDER air defence system under a framework valued at over €2 billion. The agreement includes launchers, interceptors, radar systems, training capabilities, logistics support, extensive industrial cooperation, and local production in Romania. The SPYDER system employs short- to long-range missiles with engagement ranges of 20 km to 80 km.

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.