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In a significant development for India’s indigenous aviation capabilities, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised to receive the fifth General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engine by the second week of December 2025. Sources close to the supply chain have confirmed that this delivery marks a pivotal moment in stabilizing the production line for the Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Boosting Indigenous Production The arrival of this engine is a critical step in overcoming recent...

In a significant strategic pivot, India has reportedly opened fresh deliberations regarding the acquisition of the Sukhoi Su-57 ‘Felon’, Russia’s flagship fifth-generation fighter jet. This renewed interest comes as the Indian Air Force (IAF) seeks to bolster its long-range strike capabilities and stealth profile. Defence sources indicate that New Delhi is currently evaluating the potential purchase of at least two squadrons of the heavy fighter, with discussions also extending to a...

Despite the Indian Navy initiating aircraft carrier operations in 1961—more than half a century before China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)—the significant advantage of decades of operational experience has been effectively nullified. This shift in maritime power dynamics became undeniably clear last week when the PLAN commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian. While China inducted the 80,000-tonne vessel, equipped with a sophisticated, locally developed Electromagnetic...

In a significant development for the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, France has indicated a willingness to move beyond standard "off-the-shelf" solutions, offering to co-develop a bespoke, operationally tailored Rafale fighter for the Indian Air Force (IAF). However, this deepening strategic partnership faces a critical hurdle: the IAF’s firm demand for access to the aircraft’s proprietary source codes to enable the independent integration of indigenous weapons systems. ad A...

The race to shape the future of the Indian Navy’s maritime power has intensified, with major European defence contractors from the United Kingdom and France presenting rival proposals for India’s third aircraft carrier. As New Delhi aims to operationalise a three-carrier strike group by 2035, BAE Systems and Naval Group are actively vying to co-develop the 65,000-ton supercarrier, tentatively named INS Vishal. This strategic contest comes at a critical juncture. The Indian government is...

In a significant stride towards bolstering India’s self-reliance in missile technology, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has initiated the selection process for a pivotal industrial partner. The organisation has released a Request for Information (RFI) to appoint a 'Development-cum-Production Partner' (DcPP) for its ambitious Liquid Fuel Ramjet (LFRJ) engine programme. This advanced propulsion system is a critical building block for the country's upcoming line of...

In a potential milestone for India’s defence manufacturing sector, Rolls-Royce has revealed its readiness to transfer complete technology, including Intellectual Property (IP) rights, for the indigenous production of tank engines in India. The British engineering giant has partnered with two Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and is currently awaiting final approval from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to operationalise the agreement. ad A Major Shift in Defence Manufacturing...

In a significant shift in force protection strategy, the Indian Army has begun deploying low-tech physical barriers to counter high-tech threats at forward air bases. Along the western frontiers and specific sectors in the east, military helicopters and aircraft are now being shielded by mobile "anti-drone cages" designed to intercept explosive-laden unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). ad A Shift in Ground Defence The sight at forward air bases in Northern India has changed dramatically in...

The development of India’s indigenous aerial combat capabilities is poised for a significant leap as the Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) gears up to commence critical testing of the Uttam Mk2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. This advanced sensor system will serve as the primary eyes for the highly anticipated Tejas Mk2 fighter aircraft, which is on schedule to initiate flight testing in 2027. According to emerging reports, the Uttam Mk2 has formally...

In a significant development for the global aerospace defence sector, Russia’s United Engine Corporation (UEC) has officially released detailed specifications for its new engine family: the Izdeliye 177S and its advanced successor, the Izdeliye 177. These afterburning turbofan engines have been designed to power 4++ generation fighters and upcoming 5th-generation stealth platforms, marking a critical step in Russia's efforts to maintain aerial competitiveness. ad Two Distinct Paths for...

In a definitive move to secure underwater supremacy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Indian Navy is set to acquire six advanced Type 214 diesel-electric submarines from Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in August 2025 under the ₹43,000-crore Project 75I (P-75I) programme, this acquisition represents a generational leap in sub-surface warfare. These vessels, to be constructed jointly with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited...

The Indian Navy is set to achieve a pivotal advancement in the modernisation of its surface fleet by officially initiating the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) process for its futuristic Next Generation Destroyers (NGD). Internally known as the Project-18 or P-18 class, these vessels represent a bold step towards securing maritime superiority in the coming decades. Vice Admiral Sanjay J. Vatsayan, the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, addressed the media during a recent naval commanders'...

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has appointed the global management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to formulate a sweeping restructuring plan for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by March 2026. This move comes as India’s premier aerospace major and newest Maharatna PSU struggles to manage an unprecedented order book of ₹2.52 lakh crore, which has severely strained its existing production infrastructure. According to defence sources, BCG was formally engaged in September...

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has transcended its reputation as merely the fastest weapon in its class to become a symbol of uninterceptable precision. Following the decisive 'Operation Sindoor' in May 2025, where the missile system reportedly evaded China's most sophisticated export-grade air defence networks, the BrahMos Aerospace pavilion has emerged as the most frequented Indian exhibit at the Dubai Airshow 2025. According to senior representatives from BrahMos Aerospace, the...

Despite Moscow’s persistent offers of "deep technology transfer" to entice India back into the Su-57 Felon programme, defence experts and insiders are now firmly dismissing the proposal as outdated and strategically unnecessary. In exclusive interactions with defence analysts, it has become clear that the argument for the Su-57—that it would accelerate India’s own fifth-generation capabilities—no longer holds water. Experts assert that by the time any potential Su-57 deal could be...

As discussions regarding Indo-Russian defence cooperation intensify, reports suggest that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) may repurpose a significant portion of its Nashik production line to manufacture the Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter. A recent technical assessment by a Russian delegation, presented to Indian officials, claims that HAL already has 50% of the necessary infrastructure to produce this fifth-generation jet. This proposal positions the Nashik facility, currently the hub...

In a landmark achievement for India’s indigenous defence capabilities, the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) has reported a major breakthrough in propulsion technology. The Chennai-based DRDO laboratory confirmed that its jointly developed 600 HP high-power-density diesel engine successfully delivered a peak output of 675 HP during recent validation trials, surpassing its initial design specifications by a significant margin. ad Surpassing Expectations The...

The Indian Air Force’s future combat capabilities are set for a major technological leap as the Tejas Mk2 program integrates a significantly advanced radar system. The 4.5-generation multirole fighter will feature the "Uttam Mk2," an upgraded version of the indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. This new iteration incorporates a mechanical "swashplate" mechanism, a critical innovation that physically repositions the radar antenna. This allows for a field of view (FOV)...

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is the undisputed backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF), with a massive fleet of over 260 jets dedicated to air superiority and strike missions. This formidable platform is now set for a revolutionary transformation under the "Super Sukhoi" upgrade programme. The initiative centres on reducing the aircraft’s Radar Cross-Section (RCS) using indigenous radar-absorbent material (RAM) technology. Recent trials have shown that this upgrade could significantly lower the...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently navigating one of the most precarious periods in its history. Grappling with a depleted combat strength that has fallen to approximately 31 squadrons—well below the sanctioned strength of 42 needed for a two-front war—the force finds itself at a strategic crossroads. In an attempt to reverse this decline, the IAF has drafted a procurement plan that resembles an ambitious, albeit disjointed, wishlist: additional Rafale jets for immediate impact, the...