India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are quickly becoming home to one of the biggest networks of Rafale fighter jets in the world.
This growth presents significant chances for both nations to work together on repairing, maintaining, and supplying these aircraft over the long term.
Currently, the Indian Air Force flies 36 Rafale jets, and the Indian Navy is preparing to bring in 26 Rafale Marine fighters. Additionally, India is discussing the purchase of 114 more planes under the...
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Modern warfare is rapidly moving away from traditional, static defence lines.
As the Indian Army restructures into highly agile and self-sufficient Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) to ensure faster mobilisation, military strategists are pointing to a critical requirement: a 40-kilometre deep unmanned "kill web."
By integrating intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), loitering munitions, drone swarms, and electronic warfare, this conceptual network is designed to systematically...
The Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), a prominent Kochi-based laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), recently floated a tender to procure NAVEM-A Mk1 viscoelastic isolation mounts.
This Request for Proposal (RFP), which was published in July 2026 with an estimated value under ₹1 crore, aims to improve the acoustic stealth and survivability of future Indian Navy warships.
The desired isolation mounts are designed to handle heavy...
India is actively pursuing the creation of a domestic 120-kilonewton (kN) turbofan engine to power its ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
This project has become one of the most critical technology initiatives in the nation's defence sector.
Currently, two global aerospace giants—France’s Safran and the United Kingdom’s Rolls-Royce—are competing for the partnership. However, their pitches go far beyond simply supplying a powerful engine...
India's upcoming Tejas Mk2 Medium Weight Fighter (MWF) is set to feature a significantly higher proportion of locally made components compared to its predecessors.
By the time it reaches full-scale manufacturing, the programme aims to achieve an impressive 82% to 85% indigenous content by value.
This jet is being developed to replace the Indian Air Force's ageing fleets of Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 fighters, marking a monumental step in the nation's push for self-reliance in...
The Airbus A400M Atlas has reportedly withdrawn from the competition for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.
This development narrows the options for India as it looks to modernise its ageing airlift fleet, which currently relies heavily on Soviet-era Antonov An-32s.
While the A400M is widely recognised as a highly capable platform, its massive size, premium price tag, and past engine complications presented significant hurdles for the Indian defence...
As the Indian Air Force (IAF) moves forward with the ambitious Rs 3.25 lakh crore Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme to acquire 114 new combat jets, France's Dassault Rafale has emerged as a prominent contender.
While public and media discourse has primarily focused on the number of jets, domestic manufacturing clauses, and technology transfer, an equally crucial factor must take centre stage: contractual autonomy.
To ensure true strategic independence, India must secure the...
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has spent several years designing, testing, and building components for its Supersonic Target (STAR) missile.
Despite these ongoing efforts, this domestically produced, ramjet-powered system has yet to complete an officially confirmed flight test.
Consequently, a crucial programme meant to strengthen India's military capabilities remains in the testing phase, while other newer projects using similar technology are making faster...
Recent reports indicate that the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are planning their next major aerial surveillance project.
Moving past the current Netra Mk2, they are aiming to develop a heavy Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) system, tentatively known as the Mk3, slated for the 2030s.
Although the government has not yet given official approval, this future aircraft holds a central place in India's long-term defence strategy...
India is moving closer to a historic milestone in its domestic aerospace sector. Between January and March 2027, the government is expected to announce the winning private industry partner that will help build the first prototypes of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The Ministry of Defence recently issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to three pre-selected groups competing for this landmark contract.
The final contenders are Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a partnership...
The question of whether India prematurely cancelled its indigenous Kaveri fighter engine programme is gaining fresh attention.
Former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, has argued that the Kaveri project should not be dismissed as a complete failure, suggesting that an additional decade of focused development could have yielded significant operational results.
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This perspective is highly relevant today as India actively searches for a new 120 kN-class engine to...
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is rapidly expanding its influence within India's aerospace sector.
After securing a major agreement with Dassault Aviation in June 2025 to manufacture Rafale fighter jet fuselages in Hyderabad, the company is now reportedly in talks to host the jet's final assembly line.
However, this growing footprint has sparked an important debate within India's defence industry.
TASL is currently one of three private entities shortlisted for the Rs 15,000 crore...
The true measure of a modern air defence network goes beyond its ability to shoot down targets; it hinges on how efficiently it manages its interceptor stockpiles.
Procuring an endless supply of long-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) is neither practical nor financially viable.
Instead, a robust layered architecture is required so that high-cost interceptors are reserved for major threats, while more affordable countermeasures deal with cheap drones and lower-tier targets.
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India’s...
Recently, questions have emerged regarding India's decision to purchase American MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones.
This debate follows significant drone losses experienced by the United States during conflicts involving Iranian and Houthi forces.
Sceptics suggest that instead of allocating extensive defence budgets to foreign equipment, New Delhi should focus on creating a home-grown drone that meets India's unique military needs.
In October 2024, India finalised a $4...
Recent reports indicating that India is exploring entry into the French-led Future Combat Air System (FCAS)—a sixth-generation fighter jet programme—have sparked discussions among aviation experts.
Former American fighter pilots view this as both a major strategic chance and a high-stakes technological risk for New Delhi.
This follows the Indian Ministry of Defence's recent confirmation to a Parliamentary Standing Committee that efforts have been officially initiated to join the advanced...
Former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd.), has strongly advocated for an indigenous approach to replacing the IAF's ageing British-origin BAE Systems Hawk Mk-132 advanced jet trainers.
Highlighting India's growing aerospace capabilities, Bhadauria stated that the nation is now fully equipped to design and manufacture its next-generation jet trainer domestically, eliminating the need to rely on foreign suppliers for this critical platform.
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The former Air...
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has revised the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development phase of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter.
In a move to update its commercial agreements, the agency has replaced the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) with the State Bank of India's Marginal Cost of Funds-based Lending Rate (SBI MCLR).
This new benchmark will now govern interest calculations for financial adjustments...
New details have surfaced regarding the intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May 2025.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar disclosed to Parliament in July 2025 that American Vice President JD Vance alerted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 9 about a fast-approaching, large-scale strike by Pakistan.
Prime Minister Modi also shared that Vice President Vance had attempted to reach him several times while he was in a meeting with army officials before they finally...
India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully developed a new set of home-grown technologies for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2 Medium Weight Fighter, as highlighted in the company's recent annual report.
Key advancements include an optical fuel-level sensing system and an advanced RS422 data acquisition system, which manages the aircraft's electrical units and overall health monitoring.
This breakthrough marks a strategic shift for HAL, moving from relying on foreign...
In a major shift for its aerospace industry, the Indian government has handed over the production of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—the country's upcoming 25-tonne class fifth-generation stealth fighter—to an industry consortium led by the private sector.
Beyond meeting the needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF), this newly selected group is also officially authorised to market and export the advanced jet on the world stage.
Historically, India's defence manufacturing has focused...
