Fincantieri’s U212 NFS Submarine: Muggiano, Italy — March 2026 — Fincantieri has marked a major milestone in Italy’s naval modernization programme with the keel-laying of the first U212NFS (Near Future Submarine), destined for the Italian Navy.
Indian Air Force Vavy Shakti Exercise: Pokhran/Jaisalmer, February 27, 2026: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday successfully conducted Exercise ‘Vayushakti-26’ at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, delivering a sweeping demonstration of combat readiness, joint operational synergy, and technological prowess across the full spectrum of air operations.
Indian Navy’s INS Anjadip: Chennai, February 27, 2026: In a significant boost to India’s maritime security architecture, INS Anjadip, the fourth vessel under the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) project, was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy at a ceremonial event held at Chennai Port on Thursday evening.
DRDO VSHORADS missile: New Delhi, February 27, 2026: In a major boost to India’s short-range air defence capabilities, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out three consecutive flight-trials of the indigenously developed Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS).
UAEs’ EDGE Group-South Korea’s DAPA agree to deepen strategic partnership: Abu Dhabi / Seoul — March 2026 — The UAE’s EDGE Group and the Republic of Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) have formalised a sweeping new phase of defence collaboration, signing a Defence Industry Cooperation Framework agreement valued at approximately $35 billion.
ST Engineering Qatar MRO Contract: Singapore / Doha — February 27, 2026 — Singapore-based defence and engineering group ST Engineering has secured a major breakthrough in the Middle East after winning a five-year contract worth €315 million (approximately S$470 million) to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for Qatar’s land forces.
India-Israel Defence Cooperation: In a significant elevation of bilateral ties, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday announced the upgradation of India–Israel relations to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity,” underscoring defence and security cooperation as a central pillar of the relationship.
Noida International Airport Inauguration: New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Noida International Airport in Jewar next month, a project that is poised to become the largest airport in India. The airport is being developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with the Uttar Pradesh government allocating ₹750 crore for its first phase.
Indian Air Force Exercise Vayushakti-2026: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will demonstrate its operational prowess at Exercise Vayushakti-26, scheduled to be held on 27 February 2026 at the Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range in Jaisalmer.
Vajra Prahar military exercise: The 16th edition of Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR has commenced at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. Troops from the Indian Army and the United States Army Special Forces are participating in the high-altitude drills.
Milan 2026 Naval Exercise: Organized by the Indian Navy, the exercise brought together 42 ships and submarines and 29 aircraft, including 18 ships from friendly foreign nations. Under the theme “Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration,” MILAN 2026 demonstrated unprecedented scale and strategic unity.
India Seeks Comprehensive Bid for 114 Rafale Fighter jets: New Delhi: India has officially requested Dassault Aviation to submit a detailed bid for the procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) by April 2026. This formal request follows the approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) last month, marking a major step in strengthening the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capability to address its growing squadron shortfall. The MRFA programme, valued at a minimum of (USD 27.52 Billion) ₹2.5 lakh crore, aims to procure advanced Rafale jets, including the F4 and potentially the F5 variants.
LAT Aerospace Acquires Sharang Shakti; New Delhi: LAT Aerospace, backed by Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal, has acquired Gurugram-based defense robotics startup Sharang Shakti. This acquisition represents the first major move by LAT Aerospace to consolidate its technological base as it shifts focus toward building indigenous capabilities in both the defense and civilian aviation sectors.
India-Japan Dharma Guardian Military Exercise: In the serene hills of Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, soldiers from the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force assembled for the 7th edition of Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN. The annual bilateral exercise alternates between India and Japan and stands as a pillar of growing defense cooperation between the two Indo-Pacific partners.
Israel Aerospace Industries’ BlueWhale AUV Delivered to German Navy: Eckernförde: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) have announced the successful delivery of the BlueWhale, a large autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), to the German Navy. This delivery, which took place on February 25, is a milestone in unmanned submarine defense technology and forms part of the German Navy’s “Kurs Marine 2035+” program, aimed at enhancing maritime defense capabilities.
AISATS-CCPL MoU for Cargo Hub at Noida International Airport: Singapore/Greater Noida: AISATS and Continental Carriers Pvt. Ltd. (CCPL) signed an MoU on February 20, 2026, to streamline cargo movement from Delhi’s air freight station to the new air cargo terminal at Noida International Airport. This partnership aims to ensure the efficient and cost-effective transfer of customs-compliant export transshipment cargo, thereby reducing logistics costs for exporters.
AISAT Investment at Noida International Airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh: Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS) has committed to investing ₹4,458 crore at the Noida International Airport in Jewar, marking a significant private sector contribution to the region’s aviation and logistics infrastructure. The investment was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between AISATS and the Uttar Pradesh government on February 22, 2026, during Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit to Singapore.
From its headquarters in Haifa, Israel defense technology company confirmed that the HDTS will significantly enhance operational capabilities and flight safety. The system overlays real-time 3D Synthetic Vision Symbology (SVS) directly into the pilot’s field of view, rendering terrain, obstacles, and mission routes as clear digital constructs — even when the outside world disappears into a brown haze.
Embraer-Adani Defence & Aerospace E175 regional jet assembly line India: In a significant boost to India’s regional aviation ambitions, Adani Defence & Aerospace and Embraer have advanced plans to establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the E175 regional jet in India. The enhanced Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged in New Delhi in the presence of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and India’s Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
Rheinmetall to equip Luchs 2 with CT-025 turret and Oerlikon firepower. German defense giant Rheinmetall has secured a major contract in the mid three-digit million-euro range to supply turret systems, cannons, and simulators for the Bundeswehr’s next-generation Luchs 2 reconnaissance vehicle. Prime contractor General Dynamics European Land Systems signed the agreement in Kaiserslautern in early…
Indra and Leonardo join forces against escalating cyber threats Leonardo-Indra Group Cyber Security Cooperation MoU: Spain’s Indra Group and Italy’s Leonardo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Rome to deepen cooperation in cyber defence across Europe and NATO markets. The agreement aims to accelerate innovation, expand managed cyber defence services, and enhance protection of…
Embraer and Mahindra Group plan to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility in India for the C-390 Millennium, contingent on its selection under the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft program.
Tata Airbus H-125 Helicopter Plant India: On February 17, 2026, a significant chapter in the evolving India-France defence partnership was marked with the virtual inauguration of the final assembly line for the Airbus H-125 Light Utility Helicopter. The event, streamed from Mumbai, saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron joining virtually, with the physical ceremony held at Tata Advanced Systems’ (TASL) facility in Vemagal, Karnataka. Alongside them, key figures from both governments participated, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin, Union Minister of Civil Aviation K. R. Naidu, and Karnataka’s Minister for Large & Medium Industries, Dr. M.B. Patil.
BE Akash Missile Regiments: Bengaluru, February 16, 2026 – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru, inaugurated the state-of-the-art Missile Integration facility at the company’s premises. The occasion also saw the flagging-off of the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat Systems and the unveiling of the Mountain Fire Control Radar, underscoring India’s commitment to indigenising its defence technologies.
India-France Defence Cooperation – Annual Defence Dialogue: Bengaluru | February 15, 2026: India’s Rajnath Singh and France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin, will co-chair the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on February 17, 2026. The dialogue will review the full spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation, with a particular focus on expanding industrial collaboration between the two nations.
India Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi’s Visit to Australia: New Delhi | February 14, 2026: The Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, will embark on an official visit to Australia from February 16 to 19, 2026, in a move aimed at strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and reinforcing strategic convergence between the two Indo-Pacific partners.
Marine Jet Power Waterjet Production Facility: Panaji, Goa | February 13, 2026: In a major boost to India’s maritime indigenisation drive, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Paramesh Sivamani inaugurated a state-of-the-art Waterjet Production & Testing Facility established by Marine Jet Power (MJP) India in Goa.
India Naval Armament Organisation: Mussoorie | February 13, 2026: The Naval Armament Organisation (NAO) has successfully concluded its 24th Officers-in-Charge (OIC) Conference and 7th IT, Project and Infrastructure Meeting (IPIM) at the Institute of Technology Management (ITM), Mussoorie, on February 12–13, 2026.
Pulwama Attack Anniversary: Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to the security personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack of 2019, saying their devotion and courage remain etched in the nation’s collective consciousness.
India Department of Defence Production QA-Industry Conclave: A high-level QA-Industry Conclave themed ‘Traceability, Speed and Trust – Leveraging Technology for Smarter Quality Assurance’ was held in New Delhi on February 13, 2026, placing digital transformation at the centre of India’s evolving defence quality framework.
Vienna, 13 February 2026: The Hellenic Navy has signed a contract to procure ship-based Camcopter S-100 Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) for deployment aboard its Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) Belharra-class frigates — HS Kimon, HS Nearchos and HS Formion.
Solar Defence 125kg Air Dropped Bomb: New Delhi: In a notable boost to India’s quest for defence self-reliance, Solar Defence on Monday unveiled its indigenously developed Air Bomb 125 kg, a precision-guided munition that has successfully cleared a comprehensive series of trials. Developed under the MAKE-II category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, the bomb marks a significant milestone in private sector participation in advanced munitions manufacturing.
India’s Defence Acquisition Council Clears $43 Billion Deal for Rafale Fighters, P-8I Maritime Aircraft: New Delhi: In a major push to bolster India’s air and maritime combat capabilities, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on February 12, 2026, approved capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore (₹360,000 crore) — roughly $43 billion USD at current exchange rates.
New Delhi: In a major boost to indigenous defence manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on February 12, 2026 signed a contract worth ₹2,312 crore (approximately $278 million USD) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the acquisition of eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Indian Navy Combined Task Force 154: Indian Navy has assumed command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) for the first time, marking a significant milestone in India’s expanding role in collaborative maritime security. The development underscores India’s growing commitment to capacity building and cooperative engagement in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
Fincantieri, through its subsidiary WASS Submarine Systems, has secured a landmark contract from the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the supply of MU90 light torpedoes. Valued at more than €200 million, the agreement marks the largest order in the 150-year history of WASS and sets a new record for acquisitions, following a major contract recently signed with the Indian Navy.
Fincantieri, a global leader in high-complexity shipbuilding, has announced a new industrial partnership with Generative Bionics, an Italian company specializing in autonomous humanoid robots. The collaboration aims to develop a humanoid robot designed to work alongside humans in Fincantieri’s shipyards, marking a significant step in the Group’s innovation and robotics strategy.
World Defense Show 2026: India highlighted its growing defence manufacturing strength at the World Defense Show (WDS) 2026 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 8–9. Raksha Rajya Mantri (junior defence minister) Sanjay Seth led a high-level Indian delegation to the event and joined international dignitaries at the opening ceremony.
India’s Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2026: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has uploaded the draft Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2026 on its official website and invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders. The announcement was made by the the Defence Ministry on February 10, 2026.
Olee Space’s AI-powered autonomous laser powered sniper for CUAS operations: Pune-based defence technology firm olee.space has unveiled what it describes as the world’s most compact 2-kilowatt AI-enabled laser sniper system mounted on an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), marking a significant advancement in autonomous ground combat systems. The indigenous platform has successfully completed field testing with key defence stakeholders and is now ready for operational deployment and sale, officials familiar with the programme confirmed.
Saudi Arabia World Defense Show: Saudi Arabia formally opened the third edition of the World Defense Show (WDS) in Riyadh on Sunday (February 8, 2026). The show that concludes on February 12, 2026, is organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), bringing together official delegations, government entities, and leading international defense and security companies.
AAI-Apogee Aerospace Partnership: Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI), a subsidiary of Amphibian Aircraft Holdings (AAH), and Apogee Aerospace Pvt Ltd on February 5 announced a strategic collaboration aimed at establishing amphibious aviation as a strategically important capability for India. The partnership is anchored by the Albatross 2.0 amphibious aircraft platform and reflects a shared vision to position India at the forefront of this niche yet increasingly vital aviation domain.
Fincantieri-WSense Partnership: Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri has announced the signing of a strategic agreement with WSense, an Italian deep-tech company specializing in underwater wireless communication, marking a new phase in the collaboration between the two groups. The agreement aims to strengthen Fincantieri’s capabilities in delivering cutting-edge systems for the underwater domain, a sector of growing importance for security, infrastructure protection, and environmental sustainability.
Airbus Global Services Forecast for Asia-Pacific: Airbus has forecast that the Asia-Pacific aviation services market will reach US$138.7 billion by 2044, underpinned by sustained fleet expansion and rising air traffic demand. According to Airbus’ latest Global Services Forecast (GSF) for Asia-Pacific, including China and India, total services demand in the region is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% over the next two decades.
Elbit Systems to Equip Israel Air Force’s CH53-K Helicopters: The Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) has signed an agreement valued at approximately $130 million (more than NIS 400 million) with Elbit Systems to integrate advanced Israeli-made technologies into the Israeli Air Force’s future CH-53K “Pereh” heavy-lift helicopters. The deal was signed through the Defense Procurement Directorate (DPD) as part of Israel’s preparations to receive 12 new helicopters that will replace the aging “Yas’ur” fleet currently in service.
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), India’s largest shipbuilding and heavy fabrication company, has won a prestigious defence export order from the Government of the Sultanate of Oman to supply a state-of-the-art naval training vessel for the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO).
Indonesia-Leonardo M346 F Trainer Aircraft Deal: Rome / Singapore Airshow 2026, February 4, 2026 – Leonardo, in partnership with PT ESystem Solutions Indonesia and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Republic of Indonesia, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to supply and support the Leonardo M-346 F “Block 20” aircraft for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU).
Tigerair Taiwan has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for four A321neo aircraft, marking the low-cost carrier’s first order for the type. The new aircraft will play a key role in supporting the airline’s network expansion strategy while delivering improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions compared with previous-generation aircraft.
Airbus Centre of Excellence at Gatishakti Vishwavidyala (GSV): Airbus has inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for aerospace studies at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), India’s industry-driven university focused on transportation and logistics, located in Vadodara, Gujarat. The initiative marks a significant step in Airbus’ long-term commitment to strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem through research, innovation, and talent development.
ST Engineering has signed a multi-year engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) agreement with Xiamen Airlines to support the airline’s CFM LEAP-1A engines through their first Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV). The agreement was announced on February 4 by ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business.
Adani Defence – Leonardo Partnership Agreement: New Delhi, February 3, 2026 – Adani Defence & Aerospace (AD&A), the flagship defence and aerospace arm of Adani Enterprises, and Leonardo, a global leader in defence and aerospace, announced a strategic partnership to develop a comprehensive helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India.
Rheinmetall Wins Denmark Order for Supply of Ammuniton: Denmark has commissioned Rheinmetall to supply a wide range of ammunition under a large-volume framework agreement, marking a significant strengthening of the country’s defence capabilities. The agreement was formally signed during a ceremony held on 30 January 2026 and has a duration of seven years.
Singapore – ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business has inaugurated an integrated airframe and nacelle maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service centre at its Singapore facility. This marks the first time ST Engineering has combined both capabilities under a single roof in its global MRO network, offering operators a streamlined, one-stop solution.
India Defence Budget 2026: February 1, 2026, New Delhi: In a decisive move to bolster India’s national security, the Union Budget 2026 has allocated a historic $85.67 billion (₹7.85 lakh crore) to the defence sector, marking the largest-ever budgetary provision for the armed forces. This landmark allocation, a 15% increase from last year, comes in the wake of the “historic success” of Operation Sindoor—a major military operation that demonstrated India’s strategic capabilities and further reinforced the nation’s resolve to enhance its defence infrastructure.
