In a landmark decision that redefines India’s aerospace landscape, state-owned giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been excluded from the race to manufacture the country’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The shortlist for this prestigious project is now restricted to three major private sector conglomerates: Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Larsen & Toubro, and Bharat Forge.
This exclusion marks a significant departure from...
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In the high-altitude expanses above Leh, the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand has already established a formidable presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
However, military planners are now preparing to enhance this platform with a new class of weaponry. By the end of the decade, the roar of the Prachand’s rotors may be the prelude to a far quieter but deadlier threat for hostile armour.
Sources indicate that the Indian Army Aviation Corps has...
India’s prolonged quest to procure a modern fleet of 3-ton utility helicopters has shifted into a high-stakes competition following the effective suspension of the Ka-226T joint venture with Russia.
In a major move that redefines the procurement landscape, Adani Defence and Aerospace has formed a strategic partnership with the Italian aerospace giant Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland).
Announced in early February 2026, this collaboration aims to manufacture the AW109 TrekkerM helicopter...
India has showcased its indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the Tejas Mk1A, to Greece as a potential solution for the Hellenic Air Force's (HAF) fleet modernization requirements.
During a significant diplomatic visit to New Delhi in February 2026, the Greek Minister of National Defence, Nikolaos-Georgios S. Dendias, was given a comprehensive presentation on the fighter jet.
This briefing has sparked serious dialogue regarding future defence aviation collaboration between the two...
Swedish aerospace major Saab AB has renewed its pitch to the Indian government with an ambitious proposal that extends well beyond the simple sale of fighter jets.
The company has offered to help establish what it terms the world’s most advanced aerospace industrial ecosystem in India.
This plan encompasses a comprehensive range of capabilities, including multi-layered design, local manufacturing, long-term maintenance, and technology integration, all centered around the induction of the...
In a significant boost to its aerial combat capabilities, India’s Tejas Mk1A fighter jet has successfully validated a new twin-missile launcher designed to carry the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM).
The milestone, achieved following rigorous flight trials conducted last year, marks the finalisation of a critical weapons integration programme led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
This upgrade substantially sharpens the aircraft’s dogfighting edge while highlighting...
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—India’s ambitious stride into the realm of fifth-generation stealth fighters—has recently dominated defence headlines.
Much of the discourse has focused on reports that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been excluded from the initial prototype and development phase.
Instead, major private conglomerates such as Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Bharat Forge have emerged as the frontrunners to partner with the Aeronautical...
The Defence Ministry is likely to approve a Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal this week to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets from France for the Indian Air Force, according to reliable sources.
The clearance is scheduled to take place ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's forthcoming official visit to Delhi.
After the Defence Ministry’s approval, the deal will eventually need clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the proposal...
A pivotal development has emerged regarding one of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) most significant defence modernisation projects.
D.K. Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has confirmed that the final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for the comprehensive upgrade of 84 Su-30MKI fighter jets is expected shortly, likely within the next few months.
Technical Specifications Finalised
According to the HAL Chief, the substantial...
After a period of uncertainty regarding the production timelines of India's indigenous fighter program, significant clarity has emerged regarding the supply of engines, which has been a primary constraint for the Tejas Mk1A.
In a definitive update, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil has confirmed that General Electric (GE) has formally committed to a distinct and accelerated delivery schedule for the F404-IN20 engines required to power the...
India and France are reportedly in the final stages of a significant defence contract focused on the procurement of additional SCALP air-launched cruise missiles.
This move follows the weapon's demonstrated effectiveness during the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) precision strikes against hostile infrastructure in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor last year.
Defence sources close to the negotiations indicate that talks are advancing rapidly, with a formal agreement expected soon, highlighting New...
The Tejas Mk1A, India’s advanced light combat aircraft, stands as a significant milestone in the nation's journey towards self-reliance in defence aviation.
With 83 units already on order and approval for an additional 97 aircraft—bringing the potential total to over 180—this platform is set to become the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) light fighter fleet.
However, a critical strategic vulnerability remains: the aircraft’s power source, the GE F404-IN20 engine, is entirely...
In a candid and revealing assessment of India’s indigenous fighter programme, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil has ruled out any contingency plan regarding the engine choice for the Tejas Mk1A.
Speaking in an interview with NDTV Profit, Mr Sunil made it clear that the programme is inextricably linked to the General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engine, with no technical room for a "Plan B."
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No Room for Engine Swaps
When pressed on whether HAL had a...
India’s forthcoming acquisition of fighter aircraft is set to fundamentally alter the way the Indian Air Force (IAF) configures its combat fleet.
According to defence sources, the IAF is on track to secure unprecedented operational flexibility to equip a prospective fleet of 114 new Dassault Rafale fighters with indigenous weaponry.
This move is expected to significantly reduce long-term reliance on foreign munitions while bolstering the nation’s domestic aerospace capabilities.
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The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is optimistic that the landmark agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and US-based GE Aerospace for the domestic production of F414 jet engines will be sealed by the end of March 2026.
Senior officials have indicated that the groundwork is largely complete, with both entities having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and concluded extensive high-level discussions to define the scope of the partnership.
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Deep Technology Transfer: A Core...
A recent photograph of a Tejas Mk1A airframe has sparked significant interest within the Indian defence and aviation communities, offering visible proof of steady manufacturing progress at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The image, shared on the social media platform X by the handle @FighterPiloting, depicts airframe LA-5051 stationed in an outdoor testing facility.
While the aircraft appears to be in an advanced stage of assembly, it is not yet fully finished. If the production...
India is currently in the final stages of cementing a landmark naval defence agreement with Germany, a move poised to fundamentally reshape the nation’s maritime capabilities.
Emerging details regarding the estimated $10 billion (approx. ₹80,000 crore) Project 75(I) programme indicate that this government-to-government pact will go far beyond a standard purchase order.
While the agreement clears the path for acquiring six next-generation conventional submarines, sources suggest these...
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) indigenous fighter training programme has achieved a key logistical milestone with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) formally handing over six Tejas twin-seat trainer aircraft.
These deliveries mark the partial fulfilment of an initial production batch, with two remaining aircraft from this specific lot currently awaiting final transfer.
Originally, these eight trainers were conceptualised as part of an earlier Tejas Mk1 production roadmap, designed to be...
A startling recovery of unexploded ordinance in Punjab has reportedly triggered a discreet but urgent technical inquiry within China’s defence manufacturing sector.
Following the intense aerial skirmishes of May 2025—referred to as Operation Sindoor—Indian security forces retrieved several Chinese-made PL-15E air-to-air missiles that had impacted the ground in a near-pristine state.
Intelligence assessments suggest these advanced weapons, fired by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), failed to...
A significant standoff has emerged between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) regarding the delivery timeline of the new Tejas Mk1A fighter jets.
While the state-owned manufacturer is pushing for an early handover of the aircraft in their current state, the Air Force has refused to induct the jets until they fully meet all operational quality standards.
According to recent reports, high-level discussions are underway to resolve the impasse.
Sources indicate...
