The Indian government has moved decisively to address the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fighter squadron shortage, with the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently granting approval for the procurement of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
This monumental decision, estimated at approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore, signals a strategic shift from a simple purchase to a comprehensive force development partnership with France.
While the headline figure of 114 aircraft is significant, defence planners...
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The Indian government’s recent approval for the acquisition of 114 Dassault Rafale fighters is set to trigger a major transformation in the nation’s aerospace manufacturing sector.
Following the Defence Acquisition Council’s (DAC) clearance of the proposal—estimated to be worth over ₹3.25 lakh crore—industry focus has shifted to the industrial implications of the deal.
Reports indicate that Safran Aircraft Engines is preparing to establish a local assembly line for the M88 turbofan engine...
India’s air defence network is poised for a significant tactical upgrade as the Indian Air Force (IAF) actively supports a proposal to acquire the Russian Pantsir-S1 system.
This procurement is not intended to operate as a standalone defensive measure but is specifically aimed at creating a specialised security perimeter around India’s high-value S-400 Triumf batteries.
The move underscores a growing recognition of the vulnerabilities that long-range strategic assets face in modern...
Russia has significantly escalated its pitch to the Indian Air Force (IAF), moving beyond a standard fighter jet sale to offer a comprehensive "future combat" ecosystem.
According to recent reports and statements from officials at Rostec, Moscow is proposing a bespoke, locally manufactured variant of the Su-57 Felon—often referred to as the Su-57MKI—that would be intrinsically linked with the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B (Hunter) stealth drone.
This proposal represents a fundamental shift in air...
India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy in armoured warfare has reached a significant inflection point.
While the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) finalises the DATRAN 1500—the most powerful indigenous tank engine to date—engineers are already looking past conventional diesel technology.
Reports indicate that the laboratory is initiating ambitious programmes to develop hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid-electric propulsion systems, aiming to future-proof India’s...
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has formally approved a critical procurement plan to rapidly restock India’s long-range air defence arsenal, following the extensive expenditure of interceptors during the intense aerial engagements of 2025.
In a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the acquisition of 288 missiles for the Russian-origin S-400 Triumf system.
The deal, estimated at ₹10,000 crore, is aimed at restoring...
In a significant boost to India’s indigenous fighter programme, US aerospace major GE Aviation is reportedly finalising plans to establish a dedicated Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility within the country.
This facility will specifically service the GE F404-IN20 engines that power the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) growing fleet of Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
The strategic move comes at a critical juncture as the IAF prepares to induct a substantial number of...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is scheduled to conduct a thorough evaluation of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A programme this coming May.
This critical review will serve as the deciding factor for the commencement of deliveries for the indigenous fighter jets, which have faced significant delays.
According to recent reports, the assessment aims to verify the project's current standing before the Air Force formally agrees to accept the aircraft.
The IAF currently has 180 of...
India’s indigenous air combat capabilities are on the verge of a significant transformation. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing to issue production clearance for the Astra Mk2 air-to-air missile later this year.
In a development that has exceeded initial expectations, the missile has demonstrated capabilities far superior to its original design parameters.
While the Astra Mk2 was originally conceptualised to strike targets at a distance of 160 km, updated...
The long-standing acquisition of the S-400 Triumf air defence system by the Indian Air Force (IAF) is entering its concluding stage.
Russian officials have confirmed that the fourth squadron is scheduled to arrive in India by late May or early June of this year, with the fifth and final squadron to follow in November.
This timeline heralds the imminent completion of one of India’s most significant strategic procurements in decades—a $5.43 billion (approx. ₹40,000 crore) deal originally...
India’s decades-long effort to modernise its fighter fleet appears to be reaching a critical turning point, according to a new assessment by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
The UK-based think tank indicates that New Delhi is close to awarding a major contract that would finally fulfil the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) long-standing requirement for Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRFA).
Recent reports suggest the government is poised to approve a deal with French...
In a landmark decision that redefines India’s aerospace landscape, state-owned giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been excluded from the race to manufacture the country’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The shortlist for this prestigious project is now restricted to three major private sector conglomerates: Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Larsen & Toubro, and Bharat Forge.
This exclusion marks a significant departure from...
In the high-altitude expanses above Leh, the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand has already established a formidable presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
However, military planners are now preparing to enhance this platform with a new class of weaponry. By the end of the decade, the roar of the Prachand’s rotors may be the prelude to a far quieter but deadlier threat for hostile armour.
Sources indicate that the Indian Army Aviation Corps has...
India’s prolonged quest to procure a modern fleet of 3-ton utility helicopters has shifted into a high-stakes competition following the effective suspension of the Ka-226T joint venture with Russia.
In a major move that redefines the procurement landscape, Adani Defence and Aerospace has formed a strategic partnership with the Italian aerospace giant Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland).
Announced in early February 2026, this collaboration aims to manufacture the AW109 TrekkerM helicopter...
India has showcased its indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the Tejas Mk1A, to Greece as a potential solution for the Hellenic Air Force's (HAF) fleet modernization requirements.
During a significant diplomatic visit to New Delhi in February 2026, the Greek Minister of National Defence, Nikolaos-Georgios S. Dendias, was given a comprehensive presentation on the fighter jet.
This briefing has sparked serious dialogue regarding future defence aviation collaboration between the two...
Swedish aerospace major Saab AB has renewed its pitch to the Indian government with an ambitious proposal that extends well beyond the simple sale of fighter jets.
The company has offered to help establish what it terms the world’s most advanced aerospace industrial ecosystem in India.
This plan encompasses a comprehensive range of capabilities, including multi-layered design, local manufacturing, long-term maintenance, and technology integration, all centered around the induction of the...
In a significant boost to its aerial combat capabilities, India’s Tejas Mk1A fighter jet has successfully validated a new twin-missile launcher designed to carry the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM).
The milestone, achieved following rigorous flight trials conducted last year, marks the finalisation of a critical weapons integration programme led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
This upgrade substantially sharpens the aircraft’s dogfighting edge while highlighting...
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—India’s ambitious stride into the realm of fifth-generation stealth fighters—has recently dominated defence headlines.
Much of the discourse has focused on reports that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been excluded from the initial prototype and development phase.
Instead, major private conglomerates such as Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Bharat Forge have emerged as the frontrunners to partner with the Aeronautical...
The Defence Ministry is likely to approve a Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal this week to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets from France for the Indian Air Force, according to reliable sources.
The clearance is scheduled to take place ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's forthcoming official visit to Delhi.
After the Defence Ministry’s approval, the deal will eventually need clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the proposal...
A pivotal development has emerged regarding one of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) most significant defence modernisation projects.
D.K. Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has confirmed that the final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for the comprehensive upgrade of 84 Su-30MKI fighter jets is expected shortly, likely within the next few months.
Technical Specifications Finalised
According to the HAL Chief, the substantial...
