India's pursuit of a homegrown jet engine is experiencing a major resurgence.
Recent statements from Dr Ganesan have affirmed that the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is pushing ahead with the next-generation Kaveri engine, widely known as Kaveri 2.0.
This development signals a pivotal moment for the nation's aerospace ambitions, as scientists focus on securing flight certification for the current engine models while...
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Retiring IL-76 and Closed C-17 Lines Highlight the Urgent Need for an Indian Heavy Airlifter Program
India’s strategic air mobility is approaching a critical juncture.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently navigating the gradual phase-out of its older heavy transport planes while facing a hard cap on its modern alternatives.
With future logistical demands only expected to grow, defence planners are shifting their focus toward a pressing requirement: the development of an indigenous heavy-lift aircraft.
The Ageing Backbone: IL-76 'Gajraj'
For decades, a fleet of 17 Soviet-era Ilyushin...
In the realm of military aviation, countries typically align with either Western precision or robust Russian engineering.
India, however, forged an entirely different path with the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, creating what experts often call the “Frankenstein of the skies.”
By marrying a durable Russian airframe and engines with cutting-edge electronics from France, Israel, and India, the Su-30MKI emerged as one of the most distinctive multirole jets in modern warfare.
Today, with a fleet of nearly...
India’s highly anticipated medium-weight fighter, the HAL Tejas Mk2, is advancing toward a critical new phase that will define its combat role within the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has recently proposed providing a limited initial batch of the aircraft to the IAF.
According to defence sources, this move would allow the military to induct a baseline squadron early on, speeding up the process of developing operational tactics and combat guidelines before mass...
As the threat of low-cost aerial attacks and drone swarms escalates globally, India is fundamentally upgrading its air defence capabilities.
Spearheading this shift is the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which is aggressively advancing its Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) programmes, notably the DURGA II and the Mk-II(A) systems.
The introduction of laser weaponry drastically alters the financial dynamics of battlefield defence.
In conventional scenarios, militaries are...
New Delhi's aerospace planners are on high alert. In early 2026, the Indian defence establishment received a stark reality check as China’s sixth-generation fighter jet initiatives transitioned from mere concept art to rigorous, real-world flight testing.
With Beijing rapidly advancing multiple next-generation prototypes across its major aviation hubs, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Ministry of Defence are urgently re-evaluating their combat aviation roadmaps to ensure they do not fall...
India’s prospective involvement in the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is drawing significant international focus as the program undergoes industrial and political shifts.
Speculation regarding New Delhi's participation gained momentum following the 6th India–France Annual Defence Dialogue in February 2026, where India officially signalled its interest.
This move paves the way for a profoundly integrated aerospace alliance between India and France concerning next-generation...
Retired Lieutenant General Raj Shukla, an experienced former Indian Army commander and noted military strategist, has strongly advocated for India to rapidly accumulate inexpensive, long-range strike drones similar to Iran's Shahed models.
Speaking in episode 398 of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, titled "Iran War: 10 Lessons India Must Learn Now," he underscored the necessity of preparing for the shifting dynamics of modern warfare.
He noted that recent global clashes, particularly...
As India accelerates its development of one-way attack (OWA) drones—commonly known as kamikaze or suicide drones—a significant shortfall in the nation's testing capabilities has emerged.
Unlike standard surveillance uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that return to base after a mission, these specialized weapons are built to travel great distances and detonate upon reaching their target.
Driven by recent battlefield successes in operations such as 2025's Operation Sindoor, Indian firms are...
India is at a pivotal moment regarding its national security and border defence.
With immediate neighbours actively expanding their military arsenals—such as China’s formidable People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) and Pakistan's newly formed Army Rocket Force Command (ARFC)—the creation of an Indian Integrated Rocket Force (IRF) is a critical necessity.
First proposed in 2021 by the late Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, this dedicated command would unite non-nuclear...
During a recent visit to the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in Bengaluru, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a definitive message: India must accelerate its pursuit of advanced air power.
While the nation is making steady progress on the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—recently backed by a substantial ₹15,000 crore government sanction for prototype development—Singh emphasised that relying solely...
As the global race to develop next-generation combat aircraft intensifies in early 2026, India is maintaining a careful strategic balance.
While closely monitoring the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)—a joint sixth-generation fighter project between the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy—New Delhi is prioritising its own domestic aviation goals.
Although a full partnership in GCAP is currently unlikely, discussions regarding an observer role are gaining momentum.
The Barrier to Full...
India’s advanced rocket artillery capabilities are increasingly capturing the interest of European militaries as they look for economical solutions to replenish their diminishing armouries.
The Guided Pinaka Mk3, a cutting-edge evolution of India’s domestic rocket family, is currently being presented to several European capitals. These nations are actively seeking budget-friendly alternatives to high-priced Western artillery platforms.
This diplomatic and commercial push follows India's...
India’s growing fleet of Rafale fighter jets is a central pillar of its strategy to maintain dominance in the skies.
The nation already operates 36 of these aircraft under a 2016 agreement, and has recently ordered 26 maritime variants (Rafale-M) for the Indian Navy, with deliveries expected to begin around 2028 to 2029.
Furthermore, the Defence Acquisition Council recently approved the purchase of 114 additional multi-role fighters in February 2026. This massive procurement, estimated at...
India's pursuit of self-sufficiency in cutting-edge military hardware is being hampered by antiquated buying methods and inadequate pay for technical experts.
Speaking at prominent events such as the India Today Conclave, retired Lieutenant General Raj Shukla strongly criticised the current state of India's defence manufacturing framework.
He emphasised that strictly following the Lowest Bidder (L1) procurement rule is actively threatening crucial national initiatives.
The most notable...
The recent intensification of the Iran-Israel conflict has brought the combat effectiveness of Chinese-manufactured military equipment under severe scrutiny.
During a recent episode of the defence programme On Cutting Edge, Carice Witte, founder of the SIGNAL Group (Sino-Israel Global Network & Academic Leadership), informed Colonel Anurag Awasthi that several Chinese-supplied platforms—most notably the HQ-9 air defence system—have significantly underperformed.
According to reports...
India's military airlift capabilities are currently navigating a crucial transitional phase.
As the hunt for a future Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA)—a multi-billion dollar contest drawing contenders like Airbus, Lockheed Martin, and Embraer—is still in its tendering stages, and with the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III no longer in production, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is leaning heavily on its veteran Ilyushin Il-76 fleet.
These massive jets have become an essential stopgap to prevent any...
India's monumental ₹63,000-crore "Super Sukhoi" modernisation initiative for the Indian Air Force (IAF) has reached a major breakthrough.
The indigenous Virupaksha Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, engineered by the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), has transitioned from the drawing board to physical prototype construction.
This advanced sensor is the cornerstone of the strategy to upgrade the...
In a significant move to bolster its long-range precision strike capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is evaluating the acquisition and subsequent domestic manufacturing of Israel’s ROCKS air-launched quasi-ballistic missile.
This development follows a highly successful test firing of the advanced weapon from a frontline Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet.
Successful Test in the Andamans
The initiative gained momentum after the IAF successfully test-fired the missile, known within Indian...
The forthcoming HAL Tejas Mk2, India's new medium-weight combat aircraft, is being developed with substantially enhanced attack capabilities.
Reports indicate that the fighter jet is already being prepared to carry several advanced long-range precision weapons currently utilised by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
During its initial phase, the aircraft is set to be equipped with formidable air-to-ground munitions, including the European SCALP-EG long-range cruise missile and the Israeli Crystal...
