India’s premier self-propelled artillery initiative has crossed a significant threshold, with the 155mm/52-caliber K9 Vajra-T tracked howitzer now boasting over 82 percent indigenous content at the work package level.
Spearheaded by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), this progress highlights the rapidly expanding capabilities of India’s domestic defence manufacturing sector in producing highly advanced military equipment.
This milestone signifies a smooth shift from simply assembling licensed designs...
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In a major step to reinforce the combat readiness of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Russia has successfully delivered a dozen new material kits to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
These essential components will be utilised at HAL’s Nashik facility to manufacture 12 additional Su-30MKI fighter jets.
The production stems from a ₹13,500 crore contract formalised between HAL and the Ministry of Defence on December 12, 2024.
With the arrival of these foundational kits, HAL is on track to...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has restarted negotiations with the Russian government regarding a potential partnership to deliver a new Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA). This move signals a fresh attempt to revive an aviation partnership that had previously stalled.
According to HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. D.K. Sunil, the two parties are currently examining ways to offer a joint proposal for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) forthcoming MTA Request for Information (RFI).
The...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has assured that the supply chain challenges regarding Israeli radar and electronic warfare (EW) systems for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A are firmly under control.
Despite the ongoing geopolitical instability in West Asia, HAL's Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. DK Sunil, expressed confidence that the project's technological requirements are being managed effectively.
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The advanced Tejas Mk1A utilises the Israeli-designed EL/M-2052...
While India has made impressive strides in domestic shipbuilding, weaponry, and system integration, its reliance on overseas suppliers for naval vessel propulsion remains a significant weak point.
In recent discussions with the parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence (SCOD), Indian Navy officials pointed out that relying on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for vital marine engines severely limits the nation's journey toward total self-sufficiency in the defence sector.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director, Dr D.K. Sunil, has confirmed that the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fleet will soon resume flight operations after a nearly two-month grounding.
This positive development comes after engineers successfully resolved a software issue connected to the aircraft's braking system, clearing the entire fleet of 34 grounded jets to return to the skies.
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Addressing the media in New Delhi on Thursday, Dr Sunil stated that the...
The Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Dr. D.K. Sunil, recently announced that General Electric (GE) Aerospace has readied the sixth F404-IN20 jet engine for shipment to India.
Following a period of global supply chain disruptions, GE has assured the Indian aerospace manufacturer that a batch of 20 additional engines will be delivered between June and December 2026.
This delivery is part of an initial $716 million contract signed in 2021 for 99 engines...
India’s state-owned aerospace manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has invoked a penalty clause against American firm GE Aerospace due to ongoing delays in supplying F404-IN20 engines.
These engines are essential for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A fleet.
This rare enforcement action highlights HAL’s commitment to holding global suppliers to their agreements as severe supply chain breakdowns continuously hinder India's fighter production.
Notably, reports reveals...
US-based aviation giant GE Aerospace has officially handed over its sixth F404-IN20 engine to India's state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
While this marks a necessary step forward for the indigenous Tejas Mk1A fighter jet project, the delivery volume remains well below expectations.
By the close of the financial year on March 31, GE had supplied only six engines, missing its revised target of 11 units for the period.
This development was confirmed following inquiries into the...
In a major step toward modernising its armoured capabilities, the Indian Army is looking to develop home-grown loitering munitions that can be deployed directly from the 81mm smoke grenade launchers of its main battle tanks, specifically the T-72, T-90, and Arjun models.
This requirement was recently unveiled under the 14th edition of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 14), an initiative spearheaded by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) to foster domestic technology...
The pace of India's indigenous aero-engine programs is set to increase significantly.
The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has initiated a proposal to transform two Su-30MKI fighter jets into dedicated flying testbeds (FTB).
This move will provide crucial real-world flight evaluation and streamline the certification process for homegrown engine technologies.
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Under this new initiative, the chosen...
India has reached a major milestone in its quest to build a High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has moved the project from the drawing board to the full-scale development stage using the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) framework.
This upcoming 6-ton class "hunter-killer" drone is being designed to match the capabilities...
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing Project Kusha, officially known as the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS).
This domestic programme is fast emerging as a powerful, indigenous alternative to the Russian S-400 Triumf.
Sources indicate that the system has been fundamentally designed to eliminate reliance on foreign suppliers, delivering similar operational ranges while offering unmatched benefits in terms of national sovereignty, lower costs, and...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are scheduled to hold a crucial review meeting in New Delhi this month to address the ongoing delays in the Tejas Mk1A programme.
With the project trailing over two years behind its original schedule, this high-level assessment will be instrumental in establishing a realistic timeline for the fighter jet's formal induction into military service.
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During the talks, senior officials will evaluate HAL's progress on several...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is making a strategic transition by selecting the European ASRAAM over the Israeli Python-5 as the standard close combat missile (CCM) for its Tejas Mk1A fighter jets.
This move does not reflect a lack of confidence in the Python-5, which has already proven its mettle during successful test firings from the indigenous 4.5 generation light combat aircraft.
Instead, the shift is a deliberate choice influenced by the aerodynamic needs of the aircraft, the desire for...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is approaching a major milestone in modern combat with the upcoming introduction of the Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).
Recently cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council for a projected four squadrons, this 13-ton stealth drone carries an estimated price tag of ₹600 crore (around $63 million) per unit.
Interestingly, this acquisition cost is remarkably similar to the IAF's newest manned fighter, the Tejas Mk1A, which is currently valued between...
In a major victory for India's indigenous defence manufacturing, Bengaluru-based semiconductor startup FermionIC Design—founded in 2020 and led by CEO Gautam Kumar Singh—has successfully qualified its microchips for the Indian Air Force’s upcoming Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
This cutting-edge radar, known as the Virupaksha AESA, is a central component of the sweeping "Super Sukhoi" upgrade for the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft.
By relying on locally designed chipsets...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has released a compelling visual testament to the manufacturing progress of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A programme.
Recent images from HAL's facilities display an impressive lineup of 18 single-seater Tejas Mk1A fighter jets resting on the tarmac.
This display showcases the growing industrial momentum behind the Indian Air Force's (IAF) crucial fleet upgrade, which currently includes a contracted order for 83 jets and an...
The Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), previously designated as the AURA project, has rapidly evolved into a cornerstone of India’s future military aviation strategy.
In a landmark decision in March 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of four squadrons—translating to roughly 60 to 80 units—for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
This major clearance underscores a strategic pivot towards deploying stealth-enabled, autonomous drones for frontline combat...
In a significant boost to India's pursuit of self-reliance in military aviation, Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) has successfully formulated approximately 50 percent of the specialised alloy systems needed for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) engine.
This upcoming 120kN high-thrust powerplant is slated for the AMCA Mk-2 stealth fighter and is being co-developed through a strategic joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Gas Turbine Research...
