News and signals from the defence technology sector. Global coverage, every weekday.https://defencetechsector.comen-ushttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-india-dac-approves-212000-crorehttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-india-dac-approves-212000-croreThe council granted Acceptance of Necessity to capital acquisitions for all three services, with about 82 per cent of the procurement to come from Indian industry. Why it matters: The ministry describes the approvals as in-principle, so the package signals what the forces intend to buy rather than placing orders, with about 82 per cent of the procurements to be made from Indian industry.Sat, 31 Oct 2026 13:09:53 GMTAsia-PacificProcurement and Policyhttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-kongsberg-diu-auv-contract-modificationhttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-kongsberg-diu-auv-contract-modificationThe modification to a prototype Other Transaction Agreement is mainly for the delivery of autonomous underwater vehicles and associated components. Why it matters: Kongsberg says it has signed NOK 1.7 billion of AUV contracts across all markets so far in 2026, and links that growth to what it calls a strategic ambition in undersea warfare.Sat, 31 Oct 2026 13:09:53 GMTNordicsAutonomous and Uncrewed SystemsProcurement and Policyhttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-leonardo-shield-hivemind-proteushttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-leonardo-shield-hivemind-proteusLeonardo engineers will use the Hivemind software development kit to build their own mission autonomy for Proteus, the uncrewed rotorcraft demonstrator developed with the Royal Navy. Why it matters: The agreement has a European airframe maker using a US autonomy toolkit to write its own mission software, which Shield says partners own, in a model Leonardo says it could extend to other rotary-wing programmes.Sat, 31 Oct 2026 13:09:53 GMTEurope & NATOSoftware and AIAutonomous and Uncrewed Systemshttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-sarvam-hq-ids-ai-frameworkhttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-sarvam-hq-ids-ai-frameworkThe memorandum sets up an umbrella framework for AI projects across the Army, Navy and Air Force, with Sarvam's work carried out by a firewalled defence division. Why it matters: If the framework works as Sarvam describes, the three services would build on shared foundation models and infrastructure from a domestic supplier, though neither side has published the agreement's financial terms.Sat, 31 Oct 2026 13:09:53 GMTAsia-PacificSoftware and AICommand and Controlhttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-uk-poland-warsaw-defence-planhttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-uk-poland-warsaw-defence-planThe plan sets out the first phase of cooperation under the UK–Poland Security and Defence Partnership Treaty, from air defence missiles to closer procurement coordination. Why it matters: By tying missile development, cyber resilience and procurement coordination to a treaty framework, the plan gives British and Polish industry a government-level basis for joint work beyond single contracts such as Narew.Sat, 31 Oct 2026 13:09:53 GMTEurope & NATOProcurement and PolicyCyber and Electronic Warfarehttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-commission-second-safe-call-21-billionhttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-commission-second-safe-call-21-billionThe European Commission opened a second call under its Security Action for Europe loan instrument, open to all Member States and with Ukraine cooperation encouraged. Why it matters: The second call extends a loan instrument that, by the Commission's own count, has already disbursed almost €13.5 billion, so the next test is how much of the new €21.3 billion Member States request and what they buy with it.Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:51:30 GMTEurope & NATOProcurement and PolicyCompanies and Fundinghttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-salesforce-to-acquire-rune-technologieshttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-salesforce-to-acquire-rune-technologiesSalesforce said it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Rune Technologies, whose software supports military logistics where connectivity is limited. Why it matters: A large enterprise software vendor is buying tactical-edge logistics software to add to its defence business, with Salesforce saying Rune completes the operational-edge layer of its planned edge-to-enterprise platform.Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:51:30 GMTNorth AmericaCompanies and FundingSoftware and AIhttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-uk-offsets-policy-overseas-defence-contractshttps://defencetechsector.com/news/2026-10-31-uk-offsets-policy-overseas-defence-contractsThe Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury will require overseas suppliers on qualifying contracts to deliver benefits in the UK, with a new central Offset Authority to agree and monitor them. Why it matters: Overseas suppliers bidding for large UK contracts may face an obligation to invest in Britain up to the contract value, and because the MoD applies the policy case by case, the effect will depend on which procurements it selects from April 2027.Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:51:30 GMTEurope & NATOProcurement and Policy