The Tejas Mk2 programme has achieved a significant, albeit understated, milestone with the completion of the aircraft’s rollout and the commencement of internal trials.
This development was confirmed by Group Captain V. N. Jha (Retd), a former Joint Director at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in a statement to News One.
His confirmation serves as the most definitive official signal to date that the indigenous medium-weight fighter is steadily advancing towards its...
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India’s indigenous Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is establishing itself as a premier airborne sensor on the global stage.
Senior defence officials have confirmed that the system has not only matched but, in several critical performance metrics, exceeded the capabilities of some of the most renowned AESA radars currently operational worldwide.
Director General of Electronics and Communication Systems at DRDO, Mr B.K. Das, stated that India has firmly established a...
India’s ambition to become a significant exporter of fighter aircraft has received a substantial boost following a firm commitment from US aerospace major General Electric (GE).
The company is set to supply 20 F404-IN20 engines annually starting from the 2026–27 financial year, with an initial batch of five engines scheduled for delivery before the end of March 2026.
This stabilisation of the supply chain addresses the primary bottleneck that had previously hampered both the induction of...
In a significant strategic shift, India’s forthcoming mega-contract with France for the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets is set to encompass far more than the mere delivery of aircraft.
The deal, estimated to be worth nearly $40 billion (approx. ₹3.25 lakh crore) under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, will now include the full financial and technical scope for integrating a comprehensive suite of Indian-made weaponry directly onto the Rafale platform.
This move...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively evaluating the German-manufactured Taurus KEPD 350E cruise missile as a primary deep-strike weapon for its indigenous Tejas fighter fleet.
This development follows the operational lessons learned during the intense border conflict in May last year, often referred to in defence circles as Operation Sindoor, where long-range precision strikes proved decisive.
While the French-origin SCALP-EG missile delivered exceptional combat results during the May...
In a significant statement regarding India’s future air combat capabilities, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh has suggested that the country should collaborate with friendly nations to fast-track the development of sixth-generation fighter jets.
Speaking at a seminar on Wednesday, January 21, the Air Force Chief emphasised that while self-reliance remains a core priority, the sheer complexity and speed of modern aerospace advancements necessitate strategic international partnerships.
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A Call...
As President Donald Trump settles into his second term at the White House, a significant friction point is emerging in Indo-US relations.
India’s determined shift towards European defence platforms—specifically French fighter jets and jet engine technology—threatens to provoke a diplomatic backlash from a US administration that views military sales as a barometer of political loyalty.
Despite the risk of angering Washington, New Delhi has doubled down on its partnership with Paris.
By...
As of January 2026, the long-standing ambition of the United Arab Emirates to acquire the F-35 Lightning II has effectively reached a dead end.
While no formal cancellation order has been issued from Washington, senior officials in Abu Dhabi have made it clear that they do not intend to restart negotiations, irrespective of future political shifts in the White House.
This development leaves the UAE Air Force, known for its pursuit of cutting-edge technology, facing a significant void in...
In a significant development for India’s aerospace ambitions, the Sukhoi Design Bureau has confirmed that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) already possesses nearly half of the industrial infrastructure necessary to manufacture the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet.
This technical validation strengthens the proposal for a potential "Make in India" production line, suggesting that domestic manufacturing could commence without the need for building facilities entirely from scratch.
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For decades, the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) has been the subject of intense debate within India’s defence circles.
Often dismissed by critics as a delayed and overweight platform, the reality of the Arjun’s development tells a different story—one of engineering resilience against a backdrop of shifting goalposts and bureaucratic hurdles.
Former DRDO scientist Ravi Gupta has provided a comprehensive account revealing that the Arjun was not delayed by technological failure, but by a...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has clarified its strategic roadmap regarding future fighter acquisitions, emphasising that the French Rafale and the Russian Su-57 are not competing for the same spot in its inventory.
Instead, defence officials view these two platforms as parallel solutions to distinct challenges: one aimed at rapidly restoring combat mass, and the other at providing an immediate stealth capability to counter regional threats.
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Addressing the Squadron Deficit
The primary...
As India’s ambitious 114-jet Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme moves closer to finalisation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing for a significant technological leap.
While the current fleet of 36 Rafale jets has already established air superiority, the proposed induction of the Rafale F4 standard promises to revolutionise the IAF’s combat potential.
Recent reports indicate that the Defence Procurement Board has cleared the proposal for these additional fighters, positioning...
In a significant move to counter the rising challenge of unmanned aerial threats, the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) has confirmed it is developing a specialised anti-drone ammunition.
This new bullet is designed specifically for standard 7.62 mm assault rifles, offering infantry soldiers a practical and affordable tool to neutralise hostile drones.
Ankathi Raju, the Chief of ARDE, a premier laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)...
In a landmark development for India’s aerospace sector, French aerospace major Dassault Aviation is set to establish a high-capacity production facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
This new assembly line is projected to manufacture up to 24 Rafale fighter jets per year, positioning it as the company's second-largest global manufacturing hub after Merignac, France.
This ambitious initiative represents the most significant foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) fighter aircraft programme...
A central criticism of India’s current combat aviation roadmap is both stark and justifiable: the Indian Air Force is still waiting for substantial Tejas Mk1A deliveries, and the next-generation Tejas Mk2 has yet to take to the skies.
This delay has caused significant disappointment within the strategic community. Had the Mk1A been inducted on time and the Mk2 programme accelerated, they would have served as a robust alternative to the costly import of Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA)...
The potential acquisition of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), widely speculated to be an expansion of the Dassault Rafale fleet, has ignited intense discussion within India’s strategic community.
With an estimated price tag of $36 billion (roughly ₹3 lakh crore), critics argue that such a massive foreign purchase could drain the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capital budget, effectively choking the funding for home-grown projects like the Tejas Mk2 and the fifth-generation Advanced Medium...
In a landmark development for national security, the Ministry of Defence is on the verge of finalising a historic ₹3.25 lakh crore (approximately $36 billion) contract to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets.
This acquisition, concluding the long-awaited Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, represents one of the globe's most significant defence procurements in recent history.
While the deal aims to arrest the dwindling squadron numbers of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and bolster its...
Following the Indian Air Force’s recent approval to procure Rafael Advanced Defence Systems' 'Ice Breaker' cruise missile, the Indian Navy has reportedly launched its own evaluation of the weapon for its fleet of MH-60R "Romeo" Sea Hawk helicopters.
Sources close to the development suggest this acquisition could substantially upgrade the Navy’s ability to neutralise maritime threats from rotary-wing aircraft operating at significant distances from the main fleet.
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Addressing the...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has firmly clarified that its proposed acquisition of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA)—with the French Rafale emerging as the frontrunner—will not compromise the financial or developmental roadmap of India’s indigenous fighter programmes.
Defence sources confirm that funding and timelines for the next-generation Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) remain insulated from the import procurement, safeguarding the nation’s long-term goal of...
India’s strategic ambition to produce a world-class fighter jet engine domestically is poised for a decisive leap forward.
The long-anticipated co-development agreement between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and French aerospace giant Safran has entered the final stage of government clearance.
The proposal is now before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the last hurdle before the commencement of a project vital...
