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...
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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...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has not issued any public updates regarding the highly anticipated delivery of five General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engines, which were scheduled to arrive by the close of March 2026.
With the month now concluded and no official statements released, apprehensions are mounting over the sluggish pace of engine supplies, a factor that is directly bottlenecking India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A project.
According to the established delivery...
India is actively advancing a next-generation airborne weapon system poised to transform the landscape of aerial warfare.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is currently engineering a pod-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) for fighter jets.
This cutting-edge technology will offer pilots a robust active protection shield against hostile incoming missiles.
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Similar to the United States' Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator, this indigenous project seeks to...
In a major push for advanced military technology, the Indian Army has launched a new initiative under the ADITI 4.0 (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX) framework, calling on the Indian defence industry to develop a Ramjet-Powered Supersonic Loitering Munition System.
This move signals a clear transition toward next-generation warfare, focusing on weapons that can outmanoeuvre modern air defence systems and execute swift, highly accurate strikes using domestic research...
India’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, engineered by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has already proven its mettle as the only attack helicopter globally capable of taking off and landing at extreme altitudes of 5,000 metres.
While it currently serves the Indian Army and Air Force in hot-and-high environments, the evolving nature of warfare presents a new challenge: the rapid proliferation of hostile drones.
From inexpensive drone swarms to larger loitering munitions...
In a major stride towards self-reliance under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to design and manufacture a new domestic family of combat vehicle engines.
Ranging from 400 to 1,500 horsepower (HP), these new power packs will upgrade aging Russian-designed equipment and power India’s next generation of homegrown armoured platforms, ensuring enhanced battlefield survival, speed, and tactical versatility.
As a...
Moscow is preparing a new proposal to strengthen India’s multi-tiered air defence shield.
The initiative aims to introduce advanced capabilities specifically tailored to secure the nation's most valuable strategic assets against modern, asymmetric aerial threats, particularly massed drone swarms and precision-guided munitions.
According to reports from RT, the core of this offer is the Pantsir-S1M, a highly mobile, short-range system that utilizes both missiles and guns to eliminate...
India’s quest to develop world-class indigenous aero engines may have found an unexpected opportunity in the United States.
A decommissioned Russian-made Ilyushin Il-78 mid-air refuelling aircraft, which has been converted into a heavy-lift freighter, is currently on the market.
This availability presents a unique chance for India to acquire a dedicated Flying Test Bed (FTB)—a critical asset needed to rigorously test and validate its upcoming powerplants, including the ambitious...
While the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has explored the American F-35 as a potential temporary solution for India’s fifth-generation fighter needs, the Indian Air Force (IAF) remains strongly opposed to the idea.
Recent high-level proposals from Washington have attempted to sweeten the deal, but Indian military leaders remain concerned about losing operational independence.
The primary fear is that American regulations would severely restrict how India could use the advanced jets and fit them...
As India bolsters its aerial shield with the expected arrival of its fourth S-400 missile squadron by mid-2026, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is reportedly developing a novel strategy to counter this growing advantage.
According to recent analyses, Pakistan plans to transform its ageing and retired Chengdu F-7PG fighter jets into fast, unmanned combat drones.
This ambitious initiative aims to create a new method for piercing India's sophisticated, multi-layered air defence network.
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The Distributed Aperture System (DAS) is a cornerstone of modern fifth-generation stealth fighters, turning the aircraft into a highly aware sensor node with a continuous 360-degree field of view.
While India’s upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) takes conceptual cues from the F-35 Lightning II’s AN/AAQ-37 DAS, the two programs are fundamentally different in their design, underlying technology, and strategic intent.
This divergence highlights New Delhi's push towards sovereign...
