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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed a significant capability leap in India’s indigenous air combat arsenal. The Astra Mk2 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) now boasts a validated strike range of 240 kilometres. This development was announced by Perina Devi, a senior official at DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), during an interaction with India TV. This confirmation marks a critical milestone for the programme...

In a significant development for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) upcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) procurement, US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has announced major upgrades to its bid. The company has confirmed that the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft offered to India will feature a newly developed range-extension capability and an open architecture design, aimed at meeting New Delhi's requirements for long-range logistics and domestic defence production. ad Extended Reach for...

As India advances its negotiations for the procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), clarity is emerging regarding the "Make in India" component of the deal. While recent reports have highlighted an initial indigenous content figure of approximately 30 per cent for the first India-made Rafale jets, defence officials and industry insiders clarify that this is merely a starting point. The ultimate objective is to scale localisation to over 60 per cent by the conclusion of the...

In a major development for India’s private defence manufacturing sector, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. (KSSL), a subsidiary of the Kalyani Group, has released comprehensive design details for its new Light Tank project. The platform, engineered specifically for high-altitude warfare and rugged terrain, marks a rapid advancement in indigenous armoured vehicle technology, having moved from concept to detailed design in just one year. ad Advanced Firepower and Crew Protection The centrepiece...

The Pakistan Navy, long the smallest and most fiscally restricted branch of the nation’s armed forces, is undergoing a significant strategic pivot. Shaped by the enduring legacy of its 1971 defeat—where Indian naval operations Trident and Python severely crippled its fleet—the naval establishment is moving away from direct conventional competition. Instead, it is embracing an asymmetric doctrine centred on unmanned systems to counter the widening disparity with the Indian Navy. ad A...

The anticipated arrival of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force appears to be facing yet another setback, with emerging reports suggesting that the revised delivery target for March may effectively be missed. Defence journalist Snehesh Alex Phillips, reporting for The Print, has indicated that the programme is grappling with continued delays, making a March handover highly improbable. This potential slippage adds to a growing list of missed timelines that have plagued the...

As European nations accelerate their pursuit of sixth-generation combat aircraft, a critical debate is unfolding within India's strategic community. While the allure of cutting-edge technology is undeniable, the central question for New Delhi is less about capability and more about financial viability, return on investment, and the potential opportunity costs. With the Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) estimated to cost between $108 billion and $130 billion, and the UK-led...

For Indian aviation enthusiasts and defence observers, the wait for definitive proof is finally over. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has publicly confirmed that its fleet of Dassault Rafale fighters is fully equipped with the lethal Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs). This confirmation came in the form of high-resolution imagery captured during today’s Republic Day flypast over Kartavya Path, effectively putting an end to months of suspense regarding the weapon system's...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully put to rest lingering speculation regarding its aerial fleet during the 2026 Republic Day celebrations, as the Rafale fighter jet bearing the tail number BS-022 took to the skies over Kartavya Path. This public display served as definitive proof refuting claims made by Pakistani defence sources the previous year, which alleged the aircraft had been shot down during aerial skirmishes. ad The controversy stems from May 2025, following the heightened...

The Tejas Mk2 programme has achieved a significant, albeit understated, milestone with the completion of the aircraft’s rollout and the commencement of internal trials. This development was confirmed by Group Captain V. N. Jha (Retd), a former Joint Director at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in a statement to News One. His confirmation serves as the most definitive official signal to date that the indigenous medium-weight fighter is steadily advancing towards its...

India’s indigenous Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is establishing itself as a premier airborne sensor on the global stage. Senior defence officials have confirmed that the system has not only matched but, in several critical performance metrics, exceeded the capabilities of some of the most renowned AESA radars currently operational worldwide. Director General of Electronics and Communication Systems at DRDO, Mr B.K. Das, stated that India has firmly established a...

India’s ambition to become a significant exporter of fighter aircraft has received a substantial boost following a firm commitment from US aerospace major General Electric (GE). The company is set to supply 20 F404-IN20 engines annually starting from the 2026–27 financial year, with an initial batch of five engines scheduled for delivery before the end of March 2026. This stabilisation of the supply chain addresses the primary bottleneck that had previously hampered both the induction of...

In a significant strategic shift, India’s forthcoming mega-contract with France for the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets is set to encompass far more than the mere delivery of aircraft. The deal, estimated to be worth nearly $40 billion (approx. ₹3.25 lakh crore) under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, will now include the full financial and technical scope for integrating a comprehensive suite of Indian-made weaponry directly onto the Rafale platform. This move...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively evaluating the German-manufactured Taurus KEPD 350E cruise missile as a primary deep-strike weapon for its indigenous Tejas fighter fleet. This development follows the operational lessons learned during the intense border conflict in May last year, often referred to in defence circles as Operation Sindoor, where long-range precision strikes proved decisive. While the French-origin SCALP-EG missile delivered exceptional combat results during the May...

In a significant statement regarding India’s future air combat capabilities, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh has suggested that the country should collaborate with friendly nations to fast-track the development of sixth-generation fighter jets. Speaking at a seminar on Wednesday, January 21, the Air Force Chief emphasised that while self-reliance remains a core priority, the sheer complexity and speed of modern aerospace advancements necessitate strategic international partnerships. ad A Call...

As President Donald Trump settles into his second term at the White House, a significant friction point is emerging in Indo-US relations. India’s determined shift towards European defence platforms—specifically French fighter jets and jet engine technology—threatens to provoke a diplomatic backlash from a US administration that views military sales as a barometer of political loyalty. Despite the risk of angering Washington, New Delhi has doubled down on its partnership with Paris. By...

As of January 2026, the long-standing ambition of the United Arab Emirates to acquire the F-35 Lightning II has effectively reached a dead end. While no formal cancellation order has been issued from Washington, senior officials in Abu Dhabi have made it clear that they do not intend to restart negotiations, irrespective of future political shifts in the White House. This development leaves the UAE Air Force, known for its pursuit of cutting-edge technology, facing a significant void in...

In a significant development for India’s aerospace ambitions, the Sukhoi Design Bureau has confirmed that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) already possesses nearly half of the industrial infrastructure necessary to manufacture the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet. This technical validation strengthens the proposal for a potential "Make in India" production line, suggesting that domestic manufacturing could commence without the need for building facilities entirely from scratch. ad...

For decades, the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) has been the subject of intense debate within India’s defence circles. Often dismissed by critics as a delayed and overweight platform, the reality of the Arjun’s development tells a different story—one of engineering resilience against a backdrop of shifting goalposts and bureaucratic hurdles. Former DRDO scientist Ravi Gupta has provided a comprehensive account revealing that the Arjun was not delayed by technological failure, but by a...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has clarified its strategic roadmap regarding future fighter acquisitions, emphasising that the French Rafale and the Russian Su-57 are not competing for the same spot in its inventory. Instead, defence officials view these two platforms as parallel solutions to distinct challenges: one aimed at rapidly restoring combat mass, and the other at providing an immediate stealth capability to counter regional threats. ad Addressing the Squadron Deficit The primary...