The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd) as the next Chief of Defence Staff and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as the next Chief of the Naval Staff. Both officers will assume charge following the retirement of the current incumbents at the end of May 2026.
India has conducted a successful test of an Advanced Agni missile equipped with a MIRV system and separately completed a long-duration scramjet combustor test linked to its hypersonic cruise missile development programme, according to the Ministry of Defence and DRDO.
The Finnish Army will conduct the Karelian Sword 26 exercise in southeastern Finland from 22 to 29 May 2026 with around 10,000 personnel, including reserve units and allied troops and has designated hashtags to follow the exercise on social media.
Sweden is conducting the Aurora 26 military exercise with NATO allies and Ukraine, focusing on the defence of Gotland and the Baltic Sea region. The drills involve 18,000 personnel and test allied reinforcement, logistics and drone warfare cooperation.
Saab has introduced the HEAT 758 anti-tank round for the Carl-Gustaf system and the Bolide 2 missile for the RBS 70 NG air defence system. The new weapons were unveiled during demonstrations in Sweden, with deliveries of Bolide 2 planned from 2027.
Germany is preparing 24 new centres to assess young volunteers for military service as Berlin expands the Bundeswehr under new conscription measures linked to NATO goals and the Ukraine war.
Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS De Ruyter arrived in Kochi during an Indo-Pacific deployment alongside a senior Dutch naval delegation. The visit includes talks with the Indian Navy, training exchanges, shipyard visits and a PASSEX exercise.
The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory has tested a new digital messaging system called AIM designed to help military forces coordinate sensors, uncrewed systems and weapons more quickly during battlefield “find and strike” operations.
The European Commission has opened applications for founding members of a new EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance aimed at improving European drone and counter-drone capabilities. The initiative will bring together industry, innovators and military users from Europe and Ukraine.
MBDA has signed an agreement with the Indian Air Force to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Mid-Life Overhaul facility for MICA missiles in India. The Indian Air Force will operate the facility with MBDA providing tools, training and technical support.
Germany plans to expand defence cooperation with Greece, focusing on joint procurement and maritime defence. Talks also addressed EU policy, regional tensions with Turkey, and security issues in the eastern Mediterranean.
The UAE has signed a contract with Embraer for up to 20 C-390 Millennium aircraft, including 10 firm orders and 10 options, in the largest international order placed for the aircraft by a single country and marks its first sale in the Middle East market.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stressed that the United States and Germany have shared military interests after the announcement of plans to withdraw U.S. 5,000 troops from bases in Germany over the next year. Officials stress cooperation will continue, while Europe may take on greater security responsibility.
India has conducted the first salvo launch of the NASM-SR anti-ship missile from a helicopter off Odisha. The test involved two missiles fired in quick succession and demonstrated targeting and guidance systems developed by DRDO.
Northrop Grumman has delivered the 70th E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to the U.S. Navy. The aircraft provides airborne early warning and battle management capabilities and is also in service with Japan, with ongoing upgrades to meet operational needs.
Australia has selected Northrop Grumman for formal engagement to develop domestic solid rocket motor production. The initiative will involve local suppliers and aims to build manufacturing capacity to support defence systems and long-range strike capabilities.
India and Sri Lanka conducted IN–SLN DIVEX 2026 in Colombo, focusing on deep-sea diving and underwater operations. The exercise involved INS Nireekshak and Sri Lankan Navy divers, improving coordination in rescue and salvage missions.
The Indian Navy has received the stealth frigate Mahendragiri, the sixth Project 17A vessel, built at Mazagon Dock in Mumbai. The warship is equipped for multi-mission operations and reflects ongoing naval modernisation and domestic shipbuilding efforts.
The U.S. Pentagon has signed agreements with eight technology companies to deploy artificial intelligence tools on classified networks. The move covers sensitive systems and aims to support military operations, intelligence work, and internal functions.
The UK has tested its new Skyhammer interceptor missiles in Jordan to counter drone threats. The system, developed by Cambridge Aerospace, is part of a new defence contract, with deliveries to UK forces expected to begin in May.
