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The Indian Navy is rapidly moving to replace the radar systems on its MiG-29K fighter jets with indigenous alternatives following a significant security breach that has exposed severe performance issues with the Russian-made equipment. A high-profile data leak in October 2025 revealed that the Zhuk-ME radars, intended to be the "eyes" of the fleet, are suffering from critical failures in India's humid maritime environment. This revelation has prompted defence officials to look towards the...

In a significant boost to India’s aspirations for a state-of-the-art indigenous fighter ecosystem, Safran CEO Olivier Andries has confirmed the capabilities of the new turbofan engine being co-developed with India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). Mr Andries revealed that the joint propulsion system will possess a scalable thrust envelope of 120–140 kN. This crucial clarification not only solidifies the propulsion roadmap for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme...

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed a concrete timeline for India's most ambitious aviation project to date. Dr Samir V Kamat, the Chairman of DRDO, announced that the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter—is scheduled to roll out its first prototype by the end of 2028. This major milestone will be followed by the aircraft's maiden flight in early 2029. These critical updates were shared during the...

As India approaches a critical decision on selecting an international partner to co-develop a high-powered engine for its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), British aerospace major Rolls-Royce has intensified its campaign. The company is now explicitly highlighting its direct involvement in fifth-generation fighter propulsion to counter the strong position held by French competitor Safran. While reports suggest that the Indian Ministry of Defence may be leaning towards Safran for the...

Amid evolving regional security dynamics, Russia has renewed its proposal to supply the Indian Armed Forces with the S-350 Vityaz air defence system. According to defence sources close to Rostec, this latest offer is significantly sweetened by the inclusion of comprehensive Technology Transfer (ToT) provisions. Moscow is positioning the system not as a standalone solution, but as a critical "force multiplier" designed to protect and supplement India's existing S-400 Triumf regiments. A...

India is on the verge of cementing a pivotal defence agreement with the United States, with the technology transfer deal for General Electric (GE) F414 engines expected to be formally signed by March 2026. According to sources close to the development, negotiations for the prospective USD 1.5 billion contract have been concluded, establishing a framework for an unprecedented 80 per cent Transfer of Technology (ToT). This agreement represents a cornerstone of India’s aerospace ambitions...

The timeline for India’s ambitious Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2 programme has received a major boost following a confident assertion by the country’s top defence scientist. Dr Samir V Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has officially stated that the indigenous fighter jet is expected to make its maiden flight between June and July 2026. This significant update was shared during the latest episode of Raksha Sutra, the Ministry of Defence’s...

A Sukhoi SJ-100-95B "Superjet" has been observed at the Zhukovsky airfield near Moscow sporting a unique livery that includes the branding of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian national flag. This distinct visual update indicates that the aircraft is being prepared for a static display at the upcoming Wings India 2026 exhibition in Hyderabad. The sighting has generated significant interest within the aviation community, interpreted as a clear signal of Russia’s renewed...

In a major development for India’s conventional deterrence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the development of a new Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), designated as the BM-04. This regulatory clearance marks a pivotal transition for the programme, moving it from the conceptual design phase into full-scale hardware realisation and developmental trials. Bridging the Tactical Gap The BM-04 is...

Following the decisive operational success of Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (DEAD) missions during the conflict in May 2025, known as Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is fast-tracking plans to institutionalise this capability. The force is actively pursuing the development of indigenous loitering munitions specifically engineered to dismantle hostile air defence networks, aiming to replicate and expand upon the tactical advantages gained during the recent operations. ad...

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a strict directive to the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), mandating the final certification of the indigenous Dry Kaveri engine by 2026. This deadline represents a critical juncture for India's ambitious Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) programme, signalling a firm policy shift towards synchronising propulsion readiness with airframe development to prevent the delays that have historically plagued national aerospace projects...

Rolls-Royce is poised to significantly widen its industrial footprint in India, unveiling a strategy that places the co-development of a next-generation combat aircraft engine at its heart. Sashi Mukundan, Executive Vice President of Rolls-Royce India, has confirmed that the British aerospace major is planning a "big investment" to establish India as its third global "home market," following the UK and the US/Germany. The primary focus of this strategic push is the indigenous development...

A senior official from BrahMos Aerospace has expressed unwavering confidence in the operational longevity of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, predicting that the weapon system will remain virtually impossible to intercept well into the next decade. According to the official, the probability of a single BrahMos missile being shot down will remain negligible through mid-2035 and potentially up to 2040. This assessment stands despite the rapid proliferation of advanced air defence...

As global conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East evolve into prolonged, industrial-scale wars of attrition, a significant shift is occurring in the global arms trade. Europe and Israel are increasingly viewing India not merely as a buyer of military hardware, but as a crucial manufacturing base capable of sustaining their war efforts. This transition is driven by urgent necessities regarding industrial capacity, cost efficiency, and the strategic safety of India’s geographic location. ad...

In a landmark stride toward military self-reliance, the Indian Army is set to become the world’s first armed force to operationally deploy ramjet-powered artillery shells for its 155 mm guns. This initiative, part of India’s broader Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) campaign, is being developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. The innovation promises to extend the range of conventional artillery shells by 30 to 50 per cent while maintaining their...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has quietly shelved its proposal to procure six additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft through a direct foreign military sale, marking a significant pivot in its procurement strategy. Instead of expanding its existing fleet of 12 tactical airlifters via a standalone deal, the service has decided to consolidate its requirements under the upcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) tender. This massive programme, estimated to be worth over $5 billion, envisages the...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has reportedly reached a critical decision point regarding its future fighter fleet. Following a series of strategic reviews throughout 2025, the requirement for the Tejas Mk2—a medium-weight fighter jet—has solidified well beyond initial estimates. While earlier projections suggested a procurement of around 120 aircraft, sources indicate that the IAF has now communicated a firm necessity for at least 220 to 250 airframes over the next decade and a half. Senior...

In a significant development for India’s defence exports, officials from the Hellenic Army General Staff met with representatives of the Tata Group on 12 December 2025 to discuss the potential induction of the WhAP 8×8 armoured vehicle. The primary focus of the meeting in Athens was to arrange a temporary deployment of the vehicle to Greece, enabling the Greek Army to conduct rigorous technical and operational trials. The proposed evaluation aims to test the Tata Wheeled Armoured Platform...

India and Russia have formally commenced diplomatic and technical consultations regarding the acquisition and domestic manufacturing of the R-37M very long-range air-to-air missile (VLR AAM) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). These discussions mark a significant step towards bolstering the long-range interception capabilities of the IAF's frontline Su-30MKI fleet. According to defence sources, Moscow has proposed a comprehensive package that includes the immediate off-the-shelf supply of the...

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the Indian Army to procure the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR), a system also referred to as Pinaka-III. This approval marks a pivotal shift in India’s artillery capabilities on the western front, enabling the Army to deliver precise, high-volume strikes at ranges previously covered only by expensive missiles. By extending the reach of the indigenous Pinaka system to 120 km, India is set to...