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India Set to Negotiate for 110 More Rafale Jets via Direct G2G Deal, Bypassing Stalled MRFA Tender Complexities for Faster Squadron Fillup
India is reportedly preparing to enter negotiations later this year for a significant purchase of 110 additional Rafale fighter jets directly from the French government. According to reports from The Print, this potential multi-billion-dollar government-to-government (G2G) agreement aims to rapidly bolster the Indian Air Force (IAF), which currently faces a shortage of fighter squadrons. ad This move signifies a shift away from the stalled Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) procurement...
Time for Jaguar phase-out? Ex-RAF expert suggests India consider retiring venerable Jaguar jets on safety grounds
A former Royal Air Force (RAF) instructor, with experience training Indian pilots, has suggested that the Indian Air Force (IAF) should contemplate retiring its fleet of SEPECAT Jaguar strike aircraft, primarily citing safety concerns associated with the ageing platform. Tim Davis, speaking candidly to Indian media, provided an in-depth look at the aircraft, which India continues to operate decades after it was phased out by other user nations. ad Mr. Davis noted the Jaguar served the UK...
Expert warns IAF needs 60 squadrons for two-front defence readiness, far exceeding current depleted 31 squadron strength
The Indian Air Force (IAF) faces a significant operational challenge, raising concerns about its preparedness to defend against potential threats from both China and Pakistan simultaneously. Defence analyst Shashank Singh, associated with Caravan magazine and Yale University, recently detailed the extent of this challenge, describing it as a "very, very serious" situation stemming from multiple factors including reduced squadron numbers, aging aircraft fleets, shortages in essential support...
Adani's Advanced Kanpur Facility Enters Global Stage, Securing Multi-Year Export Commitments for Artillery and Small Arms Ammunition
Adani Defence and Aerospace has firmly established its presence in the international ammunition market, securing substantial multi-year export orders for products manufactured at its state-of-the-art facility in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. This development positions India more prominently within the global defence supply chain, leveraging advanced manufacturing to meet rising international demand while maintaining capacity for national requirements. The complex, inaugurated in February 2024, is...
US F-35 Proposal for India Faces Headwinds as IAF Signals Preference for More Rafale Jets and Indigenous AMCA
A potential offer from the United States to supply India with the advanced F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jet, first announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in February, appears to be facing significant challenges. Nearly three months after the high-profile suggestion aimed at strengthening U.S.-India defence ties, no formal proposal has been submitted. Meanwhile, indications suggest the Indian Air Force (IAF) is prioritising the acquisition of additional French-made Dassault Rafale...
Brazil Evaluates India's Tejas Mk1A against Pakistan's JF-17 Block III for Crucial Contract to Replace Ageing F-5 Jets
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is actively assessing potential replacements for its long-serving Northrop F-5FM Tiger II jets, marking a significant step in its ongoing fleet modernization program. Facing the need to retire these decades-old aircraft, Brazil is considering distinct proposals from India and Pakistan, pitting the Indian-made Tejas Mk1A against the Pakistani-Chinese jointly developed JF-17 Block III. ad The FAB's modernisation drive aims to enhance its capabilities to meet...
DRDO Unveils 6.8mm Assault Rifle Prototype, Potentially Challenging Imported SIG716 and Stalled AK-203 Deal for Indian Army's Small Arms Inventory
India's primary defence research agency, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has taken a significant step towards enhancing the nation's infantry firepower by revealing the initial prototype of a new 6.8mm assault rifle. Developed by the Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a key DRDO laboratory, this weapon represents a potential indigenous solution for the Indian Army's long-standing quest for a modern small arms system. ad Showcased in...
GTRE Confirms Core Upgradability in 110kN AMCA Engine, Enabling Future Evolution to 125-145 kN Thrust for 6th-Gen Fighter
India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has announced significant plans for the jet engine intended for the nation's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The establishment confirmed that the 110kN (kilonewton) thrust engine will feature a core design allowing for future enhancements. ad This design approach means the engine can be developed into more powerful versions, potentially reaching thrust...
DRDO Plans to Develop 300kW 'Surya' Directed-Energy Laser Weapon with 20km Range by 2027, Designed to Neutralize Modern Aerial Threats
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced an ambitious project to create and test a powerful 300-kilowatt (kW) laser weapon system, named "Surya," by 2027. This development represents a significant advancement in India's efforts to acquire sophisticated next-generation defence technologies. The proposed system is a type of Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), which uses concentrated energy, like high-power lasers, for military purposes. Such weapons offer...
Critical Urgency Stressed for India's AMCA Development as Relevance Window Narrows with Accelerating 6th-Gen Programs Globally
India's programme to develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), envisioned as a 5.5-generation stealth fighter, is facing increased scrutiny as leading global aerospace nations push forward with highly advanced sixth-generation fighter projects. Amid this rapidly evolving technological landscape, Air Marshal S.B.P. Sinha (Retd.), a former Deputy Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has asserted the continued importance of the AMCA, highlighting that it was designed specifically to...
IAF to Equip 84 Su-30MKI with Indigenous Virupaksha GaN-based AESA Radar Starting 2026, Countering Stealth Threats from China-Pak
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing for a significant capability boost for its Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets through the 'Super-30 Program'. This initiative aims to upgrade 84 of these frontline aircraft beginning in 2026. Central to the upgrade is the installation of the domestically developed Virupaksha Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which uses advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, along with a state-of-the-art digital cockpit. This program highlights India's...
IAF Envisions Twin-Engine Supersonic Stealth UCAV with Massive 4-ton Weapon Capacity and Supercruise Capability by 2040
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is conceptualizing a major advancement in its aerial warfare capabilities with plans for a future supersonic Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). This forward-looking project aims for an aircraft capable of sustained supersonic flight (supercruise) and carrying a substantial internal weapons load of up to 4 tons, according to informed sources. ad This long-term vision complements the IAF's more immediate focus on the Ghatak UCAV program. The Ghatak, currently...
From MiG-21s to Rafales, IAF Confronts Multi-Vendor Logistical Burden of Seven Jet Types, Eyes Radical Shift Towards Streamlined Commonality
The Indian Air Force (IAF), responsible for safeguarding some of the world's most complex airspace, is confronting significant challenges stemming from its highly diverse fleet of fighter jets. Operating seven different aircraft types sourced from Russia, France, the UK, and India – including MiG-21s, Su-30MKIs, Mirage 2000s, and Rafales – has created substantial logistical hurdles. This variety, a result of decades of varied procurement strategies, impacts maintenance, training, and...
Rostec's UVZ Introduces Radical T-90 Modification Without Rotating Turret, Overcoming Critical Vulnerabilities Identified in Modern Warfare Scenarios
Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), a key Russian tank producer operating under the state-owned Rostec corporation, has revealed a significantly altered version of its T-90 main battle tank. Developed using insights gained from recent combat experiences, including the conflict in Ukraine, this new variant represents a major design evolution by removing the rotating turret, a standard feature on Soviet and Russian tanks since the T-64 model. ad According to statements from UVZ, the necessity for future...
Sri Lanka Opts for $49M Israeli Kfir Upgrade, Strategically Rejecting India's Tejas Mk1A and Chinese JF-17 Fighter Jets
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has formally decided to modernize its current fleet of Kfir fighter aircraft through a US$49 million agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This strategic choice involves upgrading five existing jets (models C2, C7, and TC2) and means the rejection of proposals for new aircraft, specifically India's Tejas Mk1A and the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder. The overhaul aims to bring the selected Kfirs close to the advanced 'Block 60' standard, featuring...
Despite Securing CCS Approval for Rafale-M Carrier Jets, Indian Navy Confronts a Lengthy Wait for Delivery from 2030
The Indian Navy's plan to acquire 26 Rafale-M fighter jets has moved forward significantly with approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). This decision aims to enhance the Navy's aircraft carrier capabilities. However, industry experts anticipate that the first of these French-made jets will not arrive before late 2030, even if the purchase agreement is signed in the coming months. Production limitations and existing orders at Dassault Aviation in France mean the Navy faces a...
Pak Media Claims Chinese Assurance of Secret 6th-Gen Fighters by 2030, Analysts Question Ambitious Timeline Amid Complex Production Challenges
Recent reports circulating on Pakistani defence-focused YouTube channels suggest a significant development in Sino-Pakistani military relations. These sources claim that during a recent meeting in Beijing, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun assured Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, that Pakistan could potentially receive China's highly secretive sixth-generation fighter jets by the year 2030. ad This purported assurance, if verified, would represent a major...
How IAF Pioneering "Wolf Pack" Strategy to Address Two-Front War Challenges, Leveraging Network-Centric Warfare and Manned-Unmanned Teaming
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively developing an innovative operational strategy called the "Wolf Pack" to enhance its air combat capabilities. This forward-thinking approach combines advanced technology with new tactics, creating a connected battlefield system. The concept centres around advanced manned fighter jets, termed the "Wolf," leading a coordinated group—the "Pack"—comprising various manned and unmanned aircraft, helicopters, and advanced munitions. Still under development as...
How Indo-Japanese 3,000 km Tactical Strike Capability based on Agni & Type-12 Can Counter China's DF-26 Missiles and A2/AD Strategy
A Japanese strategic analysis group has proposed a significant strengthening of defence ties between India and Japan, suggesting the joint development of a tactical strike system with a range of 2,000 to 3,000 kilometres. This initiative, outlined in a recent report, aims to create a "shared deterrence" capability designed to counter China's increasing military power and influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The report notes that while the United States possesses long-range strike options...
How HAL's Nashik Plant only Needs 20-30% New Tooling for Su-57E 5th-Gen Fighter Production, Leveraging Existing SU-30MKI Lines
Producing Russia's advanced Su-57E stealth fighter jet at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) Nashik facility could require remarkably little new investment, according to a senior official from Rostec, Russia's state-owned defence and technology corporation. The official stated that the existing infrastructure used for manufacturing Su-30MKI aircraft means only 20-30% new tooling would be necessary to adapt the plant for the fifth-generation fighter. ad This potential efficiency stems...
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