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In a significant move to accelerate India's ambition for a fully indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet, the French firm Safran S.A. and the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) are poised to sign a landmark joint venture agreement. This partnership will focus on the co-development of a high-power, 120-kilonewton (kN) class engine, which is the critical next step for the nation's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) MkII program. The collaboration, valued at approximately $7...

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), India’s foremost warship construction facility, has expressed strong confidence in securing a crucial multi-billion-euro deal for six advanced submarines under Project 75(I) before the current financial year concludes in March 2026. This optimism was shared by the company’s Chairman and Managing Director, Capt. Jagmohan, during an earnings conference call on October 28. Capt. Jagmohan stated that the contracts for both the advanced Project 75(I)...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has intensified its efforts to develop a specialized electronic warfare (EW) aircraft designed to disrupt hostile electronic countermeasures and protect valuable strike formations. According to defence sources, this renewed initiative follows the shelving of previous proposals to modify Sukhoi-30MKI fighters into a "Desi Growler"—an indigenous equivalent to the U.S. Navy's EA-18G—which faced significant financial and logistical challenges. ad Currently, the IAF...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively developing a new, highly advanced air defence system known as Project Kusha. This indigenous system is being engineered as a long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) network capable of countering a wide range of aerial threats. The primary goal of Project Kusha is to detect and destroy sophisticated targets, including stealth aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and particularly, Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles...

French aerospace firm Safran Aircraft Engines has given assurances that its next-generation fighter engine, being co-developed with India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), will be designed with the exact physical specifications as the American-made General Electric F414 engine. This strategic decision to match the engine's dimensions—including its length, diameter, and mounting interfaces—will create a "plug and play" powerplant. Such a design would allow the new engine to be...

India's long-standing reliance on foreign military hardware is creating a significant strategic vulnerability, particularly as its primary regional rival, China, aggressively pursues indigenous modernisation. This "buy, not build" approach to defence procurement has been criticized for fostering dependency and failing to deliver platforms engineered to meet India's specific long-term security challenges. The most immediate consequence is visible in the Indian Air Force (IAF). As of late...

In a significant move towards self-reliance in defence, Indian public and private firms have begun indigenously manufacturing critical components for the Arjun Main Battle Tank’s (MBT) engines. This development follows a decision by the original German manufacturer, MTU Friedrichshafen AG, to cease production of spares for the engine model used in the tanks. The German company stated that the production lines for the Arjun's MTU MB 838 Ka-501 diesel engine are now defunct. Citing the...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is pushing to acquire 114 new Rafale fighter jets directly from France, submitting a formal proposal to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This move signals a desire to bypass the long-delayed competitive bidding process, known as the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, in favour of a faster government-to-government deal to address urgent operational needs. This push comes at a critical time. The IAF's combat readiness is strained, with its squadron numbers at...

India has increased pressure on Russia, urging Moscow to provide a firm and achievable delivery timeline for the final two squadrons of the S-400 Triumf air defence system. The original $5.43 billion deal, signed in 2018, has been hit by significant delays, prompting India's Ministry of Defence to warn that a potential $1.1 billion follow-on deal for additional units now hangs in the balance. Sources within the defence establishment report that the ongoing delays, largely attributed to...

In a significant boost to India's defence self-reliance goals, French aerospace giant Safran has proposed to co-develop a next-generation jet engine for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. The offer includes a 100% transfer of technology (ToT) to manufacture the engine entirely in India, promising to establish a complete domestic supply chain and end all foreign dependency for its components. ad This landmark proposal, which follows initial talks with India's Gas Turbine...

India's primary agency for fighter jet development, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), is inviting private industry to assist in developing and integrating three critical sensor systems for the upcoming Tejas Mk2 aircraft. In a recent call for collaboration, the ADA outlined the need for complete support to install, test, and certify the new technologies. This move aims to accelerate the jet's readiness, ensuring its ground integration, flight testing, and airworthiness...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is reportedly considering the original French-Russian PowerJet SaM146 engine for the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SJ-100) aircraft it plans to produce in India. This strategic move would diverge from Russia's current "Russified" version of the jet, which uses the new, domestically-produced PD-8 engine. Sources suggest this decision is aimed at making the aircraft a more reliable and attractive option for India's private airlines, which are often cautious about...

Lockheed Martin is positioning its C-130J Super Hercules as the leading candidate for India's upcoming procurement of up to 80 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA). As the Indian Air Force (IAF) prepares for the landmark tender, the American aerospace company is highlighting the aircraft's proven reliability and the IAF's existing experience with the platform. Roderick M. McLean, Vice President for Air Mobility and Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin, recently emphasized that this familiarity...

New images and footage from Russia, emerging in early November 2025, have provided the first-ever public view of the Sukhoi Su-57 "Felon" stealth fighter with its internal weapons bays open and armed. The demonstration, which comes just ahead of the Dubai Airshow 2025, is seen as a significant signal of the program's increasing operational maturity and Russia's readiness to actively market the jet for export. The new visuals clearly show the aircraft configured for a high-risk mission: the...

In a major advancement for India's defence self-reliance, the Indian Navy is accelerating to equip its carrier-based fighter jets with the indigenous Astra Mk2 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). This advanced, long-range missile will be integrated into the Navy’s existing MiG-29K squadrons and the new fleet of 26 Rafale M fighters, significantly boosting their combat power. ad The Astra Mk2, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is a...

In a significant update on India's defence preparedness and self-reliance goals, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed two major strategic developments on Friday. Speaking at the Defence Investors Summit in Lucknow, the minister announced that India is prepared to procure additional S-400 'Triumf' air defence systems from Russia. In a parallel announcement boosting the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative, Mr. Singh revealed that the nation is "on the cusp" of a...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is making significant strides in developing its next-generation helicopters, the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval variant. An official from the state-owned aerospace company indicated that HAL aims to seek final approval for the IMRH program from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) by March 2026. The CCS, chaired by the Prime Minister, is India's highest authority on defence procurement. This effort is part of a broader strategy to...

India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has maintained a cautious stance on the potential co-production of Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet. In a recent wide-ranging interview, Mr. Singh confirmed that while discussions with Moscow are in progress, no immediate announcement is forthcoming, stating that "talks are ongoing, but no announcement will be made for now." This non-committal position comes as India aggressively pursues its 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India)...

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program has outlined its major procurement initiative to acquire up to 80 new, medium transport aircraft to replace its ageing fleets of Antonov An-32 and Ilyushin Il-76 planes. The program also aims for indigenous manufacturing in line with the "Make in India" initiative with the selected OEM to establish a local manufacturing facility in India in collaboration with a local industry player.. Key Details Objective: The program...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing a critical strategic decision as its fighter squadron strength has fallen to approximately 31, well below the 42 squadrons required to manage potential threats on two fronts. This challenge is compounded by a global market where the cost of advanced fighter jets is escalating rapidly. This situation forces a choice: pursue costly and elusive foreign aircraft or commit fully to the indigenous Tejas Mk2, a platform that promises a more self-reliant and...