Featured News

IAF Tenders Technical Area Maintenance at Sulur Air Base to Support Expanding Tejas Mk1A and Other Fleets
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recently released a tender for the upkeep of the technical zone at Air Force Station (AFS) Sulur. While this might look like standard facility upkeep, it marks a crucial financial commitment to one of India’s most vital military aviation centres. Serving as the primary base for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and a critical maintenance hub, Sulur is essential for keeping various aircraft fleets combat-ready. ad Situated in Tamil Nadu, AFS Sulur stands...
Will Russia Support or Oppose India's Astra Mk1 BVRAAM Export for Indonesia's Su-30 Fleet?
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July 2026 visit to Jakarta, India and Indonesia secured a historic $630 million defence package that promises to change the landscape for Russian-made fighter jets worldwide. A key part of this agreement between Bharat Dynamics Limited and Indonesia's Republikorp is the unprecedented export of India’s home-grown Astra Mk1 Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). Designed to arm the Indonesian Air Force's Su-30 and Su-27 fleets, this milestone...
Four Decades of Safran M53: How M53-P2 Engine Powered IAF Mirage 2000 Modernisation Ahead of Late 2030s Phaseout
Safran Aircraft Engines recently joined hands with the French military to celebrate a major milestone: the 40th anniversary of the M53 turbofan engine. To honour the powerplant that has driven the iconic Mirage 2000 fighter jet since its inception, a special flypast took place over Safran’s Villaroche plant, followed by a landing at the Melun-Villaroche airfield. This event highlighted four decades of reliable service for one of the most successful military jet engines produced by France...
How Indian Navy's Future TEDBF Will Leverage AMCA Tech to Command Carrier-Based Drone Warfare by 2038
The Indian Navy is setting the stage for a revolutionary leap in maritime air operations. The upcoming Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) is being engineered from its inception to lead unmanned combat aerial vehicles, signalling a transformative era for carrier strike groups. Defence officials confirm that Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) is integrated as a fundamental capability from day one, rather than being treated as a retroactive upgrade. ad The "Mothership" of Naval Aviation When...
As China’s J-20 Stealth Fleet Approaches 500 Jets, India Looks Beyond 114 Rafales to AMCA and Layered Defence Strategy
The swift growth of China’s Chengdu J-20 stealth aircraft arsenal is drastically altering the security dynamics across Asia. Current open-source intelligence and defence analysts observe that China's production is surging, with the J-20 fleet already surpassing 350 operational jets by early 2026 and rapidly approaching the 500 mark. Manufacturing rates at Chengdu's expanded facilities are estimated at over 100 aircraft per year. This makes the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)...
How Geopolitical Constraints Prevent India from Supplying BrahMos Missiles to Taiwan
As India rapidly expands its defence exports across the Indo-Pacific—recently securing BrahMos missile agreements with the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia—some observers have questioned whether New Delhi might eventually offer the system to Taiwan. While supplying this advanced weapon would theoretically bolster Taipei's deterrence against a potential Chinese invasion, the political and diplomatic realities surrounding the BrahMos programme make such a transfer exceptionally unlikely...
From S-400 Radar Risks to AMCA Ambitions: The Real Reasons India and U.S. Aren't Talking F-35 Deal
Conversations regarding India potentially purchasing the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II have recently re-emerged, driven by tightening defence ties between New Delhi and Washington. Even though the United States has never officially closed the door on selling the stealth fighter to India, one massive hurdle continues to stall any real progress: the Indian Air Force's active use of the Russian-built S-400 Triumf air defence system. ad While it is easy to compare India’s situation to that...
Assessing the Strategic Viability of South Korea's KF-21 Boramae for IAF MRFA If Rafale Deal Fails?
The South Korean KF-21 Boramae has swiftly proven itself as a highly capable entrant in the modern combat aviation market, officially receiving its combat-ready airworthiness certification in June 2026. Given that it is powered by the American General Electric F414 engine—the exact same powerplant chosen for India’s upcoming Tejas Mk2 and the early variants of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—an interesting hypothetical scenario arises: could the KF-21 step in as a viable...
How AMCA Engine Program Signals Shift to Decentralized Aerospace Ecosystem, Evolving HAL's Role into Specialized Manufacturing
India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) initiative is more than just the creation of a fifth-generation stealth fighter; it signals a major shift in the nation’s aerospace strategy. In a departure from past indigenous fighter projects, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is not taking the lead on the AMCA prototype or the joint development of its future 110–120 kN engine. This move reflects a calculated decision by the government to spread responsibilities across various...
India’s LRLACM System Gains Superior Tactical Mobility and Salvo Firepower Using the New 8×8 Super Stallion
In a major boost to India’s deep-strike capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) on June 15, 2026. Conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, the latest trial was highlighted by the debut of a cutting-edge canisterised launch system mounted on an 8×8 high-mobility vehicle. This upgrade represents a massive leap forward in how the missile will be deployed and...
DRDO Advances Indigenous Safety-Arming Systems for Mass-Producing Kamikaze Drones and Precision Bombs
A recent tender issued by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for a domestic "Safety-Arming Mechanism Assembly" points to a major leap in India's military manufacturing capabilities. While the procurement might look ordinary, it signals that the nation is laying the groundwork to mass-produce next-generation smart weapons, including kamikaze drones, lightweight precision munitions, and glide bombs. ad Although the tender details are highly technical, defence experts...
Why Russia is Likely to Back India's BrahMos Export to the UAE? Strategic Benefits and the CAATSA Sanctions Buffer
India's ambition to supply the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is gaining momentum, and defence experts believe Russia will back the move rather than block it. Because the missile is a joint creation of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, Moscow's green light is legally required for any foreign sale. However, a combination of strategic, political, and financial reasons indicates that Russia...
France Equips Rafales With 68mm Laser-Guided Rockets Against Drones, Is It Time for India to Follow?
France has approved a new, cost-effective way for its Dassault Rafale fighter jets to shoot down enemy drones. The system, known as LADAC (Lutte Anti-Drone sur Avion de Chasse), uses 68mm laser-guided rockets made by Thales. These Aculeus-LG rockets are fired from TELSON 12 JF pods and are guided by the aircraft’s TALIOS targeting pod. Recently completing its accelerated test campaign in July 2026, this upgrade provides a much cheaper method for destroying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)...
How New Made-in-India Hawk-I-2700 GaN AESA Radar Promises 350 km Detection Range for Su-30MKI Jets
Recently showcased at the Aero India 2025 exhibition, the Hawk-I-2700 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar marks a major milestone for India's private defence industry. Developed by the Chennai-based electronics firm Data Patterns, this advanced multifunction fire-control system is emerging as a powerful candidate for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) upcoming "Super Sukhoi" upgrade. The new system aims to replace the older Russian-built N011M Bars radars currently equipped on the...
How Expanding SSBN Patrols Strengthen India’s Second-Strike Capability Without Altering No First Use, As Credible Deterrence Evolves
Recent global assessments suggesting that India might have deployed nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) on routine patrols have sparked discussions about a potential shift in the nation's nuclear stance. However, according to retired Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharma, a former commander of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), these assumptions misread both India’s strategic doctrine and the fundamental role of sea-based nuclear deterrence. ad In a detailed interview, the former...
How Institutional and Material Flaws Delayed India's Jet Engine Dreams for Decades, and How New Strategy Aims to Fix Them
India’s prolonged quest to build its own military jet engine has returned to the spotlight following a candid analysis by former DRDO Chairman Dr. V.K. Aatre in a recent discussion with Wing Commander (Retd.) Julie Rosy. Their assessment makes it clear that the setbacks of the Kaveri engine project were not simply engineering mishaps, but symptoms of profound institutional and structural weaknesses within India's defence and aerospace ecosystem. ad The Kaveri initiative, originally meant to...
Why BrahMos Missile Remains Nearly Impossible for Modern Air Defences to Intercept, Explains Former BrahMos CEO
According to Dr. Sudhir Mishra, former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BrahMos Aerospace, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile stands as one of the hardest projectiles to intercept globally. This is largely due to its distinct blend of extreme velocity, low-level flight patterns, minimal radar visibility, and its ability to shift direction during the final stages of its strike. ad In an interview with Sputnik India, Dr. Mishra highlighted that the weapon was purpose-built...
Russia Positions Joint Production of Product 177S Engine for India’s AMCA Mk2 while Offering Local Su-57E as Interim Solution
India's quest for an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme is a cornerstone of its aerospace ambitions. As New Delhi works to reduce its reliance on foreign combat jets, Russia is stepping in not as a rival, but as a strategic technology partner. Moscow is actively proposing a comprehensive package that includes advanced propulsion systems, such as the new Product 177S engine, and local manufacturing of the Su-57E stealth...
How Japan’s Advanced XF9-1 Engine Tech Could Transform India’s AMCA Mk2 Stealth Fighter Programme
As India pushes forward with its ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, finding the right powerplant for the next-generation fighter remains a critical hurdle. While the initial AMCA Mk1 jets will be powered by American GE F414 engines, New Delhi is actively seeking a more powerful, 110kN-class engine for the stealthier, more advanced AMCA Mk2. In this high-stakes search, Japan has emerged as a formidable contender by offering to co-develop and manufacture its...
Will India's Chosen AMCA Private Sector Consortium Benefit from Joining European 6th-Gen Programmes? Pros, Cons, and a Phased Approach
In a historic shift for India’s defence manufacturing sector, the Ministry of Defence has exclusively invited private companies to bid for the production of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The government recently issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to three major private consortiums: Tata Advanced Systems, an L&T-BEL-Dynamatic partnership, and a Bharat Forge-BEML-Data Patterns group. Valued at ₹15,000 crore, this project deliberately bypasses state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics...
Back
Top