As the Indian Air Force (IAF) moves closer to finalising its requirements for the Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme, the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is reportedly gaining significant traction as a leading contender.
A recent assessment by Bharat-Shakti indicates that the American platform’s established operational history, combined with the IAF’s extensive familiarity with the type, has placed it in a formidable position against rivals from Brazil and Europe.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided against placing follow-on orders for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet beyond the recently concluded contracts, signalling a strategic shift towards stabilizing current inductions and accelerating the development of the more advanced Tejas Mk2.
Following the recent approval for 97 additional Tejas Mk1A jets, the total order book for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme—comprising earlier Mk1 and Mk1A deals—now stands at 220 aircraft.
This significant...
In a development that signals a pivotal transformation for the global aviation sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).
The agreement, finalised in Moscow on October 27, 2025, authorises HAL to manufacture the Sukhoi Superjet 100—now redesignated as the SJ-100—within India.
This collaboration marks India’s re-entry into comprehensive civil aircraft manufacturing after a gap...
The Indian Army has secured a decisive breakthrough in its quest for strategic autonomy, successfully indigenising 159 of the 175 ammunition variants currently in its stockpile.
This achievement, representing a 91 per cent self-sufficiency rate, drastically lowers the nation's reliance on foreign imports.
The milestone comes at a critical juncture, as volatile geopolitical conditions continue to fracture global supply chains, highlighting the severe risks associated with depending on...
Russia has significantly intensified its efforts to market the Su-57E stealth fighter to India, presenting the aircraft not merely as an immediate purchase but as a long-term strategic platform capable of remaining relevant for half a century.
Vadim Badekha, the Chief Executive Officer of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), has formally articulated that the Su-57E is uniquely positioned to satisfy the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) future combat needs.
He emphasised that the aircraft boasts a...
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has established a strict 2026 deadline for the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to finalise the certification of the indigenous Dry Kaveri engine.
This propulsion system is viewed as the linchpin for the ambitious Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) project.
Senior officials indicate that meeting this timeline is a mandatory condition to secure final sanction from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) before the current financial approval...
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making significant headway in developing a lighter, more agile variant of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).
Sources close to the programme confirm that this new iteration, designed to weigh under 15 tons, is on track to commence internal trials by late 2026.
This development specifically addresses the Indian Army’s requirement for a high-mobility gun system capable of operating in difficult terrain, offering a...
Following the formal notification by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 19 November 2025, confirming that the US Department of State has authorised a potential Foreign Military Sale to India, New Delhi is poised to initiate concluding discussions for the procurement of the Javelin Missile System.
The approved package, estimated at $45.7 million (approx. ₹380 crore), includes 100 FGM-148 Javelin missiles and 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLUs).
Sources indicate that...
The French Army has demonstrated a sustained and serious interest in acquiring India’s indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system.
This attention is particularly focused on the next-generation guided variants currently being advanced by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
French military officials are closely monitoring the development of the Pinaka Mk3 program, which aims to achieve extended ranges of 120–130 km with high-precision guidance, as they...
In a significant move to secure the skies over the nation's capital, India is set to deploy a dedicated, multi-layered air defence architecture informally known as the "Capital Dome".
This ambitious project aims to shield New Delhi from a vast spectrum of aerial threats, ranging from high-speed missiles to low-cost hostile drones, by creating an impenetrable defensive envelope over the National Capital Region (NCR).
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A Multi-Layered Indigenous Shield
According to defence sources, the...
In a significant proposal aimed at securing a major deal with the Indian Air Force, Russia has offered its fifth-generation Su-57E stealth fighter with a guarantee of complete technological transparency.
Vadim Badekha, the Chief Executive Officer of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), has explicitly stated that Moscow is ready to provide India with the aircraft's source code, ensuring the software is free from "backdoors" or "Trojan" viruses that could compromise national security...
India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme is set to revolutionise the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) maintenance operations with a pioneering software-defined architecture.
In a significant technological leap, the stealth fighter will utilise artificial intelligence (AI) and digital diagnostics to secure a fleet availability rate of 75 per cent, drastically cutting down maintenance delays and boosting combat readiness.
Smart Systems for Higher Readiness
Developed by the...
With the first regiment of the S-500 Prometheus now actively deployed for combat duty, Russia has achieved a major milestone in operationalising one of the world's most sophisticated air and missile defence systems.
Designed to neutralise the full spectrum of current and future aerospace threats, the S-500 is engineered to engage targets across all altitudes and speeds. It serves as a vital strategic bridge, connecting tactical air defence with strategic missile defence architectures...
In a decisive move to modernise its combat fleet, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has finalised plans to replace at least two squadrons of its ageing SEPECAT Jaguar deep-penetration strike aircraft with the indigenous Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
According to defence sources, the transition targets Jaguar units currently operating the older DARIN-I and DARIN-II navigation and attack standards, marking a significant step in the IAF’s long-term strategy to phase out legacy platforms in...
Facing an increasing threat from space-based surveillance, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated a critical indigenous project to shield its S-400 Triumf air defence systems from detection by foreign satellites.
The primary objective of this programme is to mask the significant radar and thermal signatures of the missile batteries, which currently make them vulnerable to identification by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites operated by adversaries.
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The Space-Based Threat
Despite...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively advancing its comprehensive 'Super-30' modernisation project, designed to overhaul the capabilities of its Su-30MKI fighter fleet.
Although the formal proposal to upgrade 84 of these aircraft is currently pending final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the IAF has not paused its preparations.
The primary focus of this preliminary work is the creation of sophisticated indigenous software, which will serve as the bridge between...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently deliberating a significant move to equip its upgraded Mirage-2000 fighter fleet with the indigenously developed Astra Mk1 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).
This decision aims to address an emerging capability gap while the force awaits the delivery of next-generation missiles from international partners.
At present, the Mirage-2000 aircraft are armed with the older MICA-IR/RF missiles, which have an engagement range of approximately 80...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to significantly bolster its aerial dominance capabilities with the imminent operational clearance of the indigenous Astra Mk2 beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile.
This clearance is expected to pave the way for a major induction programme, with reports indicating that the Air Force intends to place a bulk order for approximately 400 units of this next-generation weapon.
While initial timelines suggested a later induction, latest open-source...
India has formally delivered the first batch of its indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 to the Royal Moroccan Army, marking a pivotal moment in New Delhi’s defence export strategy and its deepening partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco.
Visuals from the handover ceremony confirmed the presence of at least five WhAP 8×8 vehicles, positioned on both flanks, signalling the commencement of their active service in the Moroccan armed forces.
This delivery follows a...
India is on the verge of finalising major defence export agreements with Indonesia and Vietnam for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with the combined value of the potential contracts estimated at over ₹4,000 crore ($450 million).
According to high-level sources, negotiations with both Southeast Asian nations have concluded, and New Delhi is now awaiting a formal No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Russia to ink the deals.
The BrahMos missile system is manufactured by BrahMos...
