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India Shifts Naval Focus Towards Hybrid Aircraft Carriers with Advanced Drone Swarm Capabilities as IAC-2 Approval Nears
The Indian Navy is currently navigating a crucial transition in its maritime strategy, opting for practical combat readiness over sheer size. As the Ministry of Defence prepares to potentially approve the second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2) in 2026, planners have moved away from the idea of a massive 65,000-tonne supercarrier. Instead, the focus has pivoted towards a versatile, hybrid aviation platform. This new approach embraces modern combat philosophies, prioritising drone...
India and Indonesia Expect to Finalize BrahMos Coastal Defence Deal Next Fiscal Year Amid Growing Maritime Disputes with China
Indonesia is on the verge of officially securing a landmark procurement of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from India. Recent statements from the Indonesian Ministry of Defence indicate that negotiations are effectively complete, paving the way for a formal contract signing expected early in the upcoming 2026–2027 fiscal year. Valued at an estimated $300 million to $350 million, this acquisition focuses on the coastal defence variant of the formidable weapon system. ad The...
Indian Army to Receive Final Batch of Dhanush Howitzer Order Later This Year, Eyes 300 Additional Units for Future Defence
India’s domestic military manufacturing is approaching a significant achievement, with the Indian Army expecting the final delivery of its initial Dhanush artillery guns by the end of 2026. The 2019 contract for 114 of these 155mm/45-calibre weapons is being fulfilled by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), a state-run entity formed from the corporatisation of the former Ordnance Factory Board. The handover of the last 30 units will officially conclude the first major...
WhAP 8x8 Production in TASL's Morocco Facility Accelerates With 20 Additional Hulls For Royal Moroccan Army
Manufacturing operations for the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8 are rapidly expanding at the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) plant located in Berrechid, near Casablanca. Metlonics Morocco, a local subsidiary of the Indian firm Metlonics, recently confirmed the fabrication of 20 new vehicle hulls at the 20,000-square-metre site. This milestone underscores the deepening defence partnership between India and Morocco, highlighting a successful push towards localized production of...
Indian Army Operationalises Seventh Pinaka Regiment, Boosting Long-Range Artillery Capabilities Along Key Frontiers
The Indian armed forces are continuously enhancing their artillery strength. Recently, the Army made its seventh regiment of the domestically built Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system fully functional. Preparations are also in full swing to ready another regiment before this year concludes. This expansion highlights a strategic push to reinforce long-distance strike abilities along India's northern and western borders. Defence establishment insiders confirm that the seventh Pinaka...
CEMILAC Certifies MIDHANI’s Superalloys for AL-31FP Engines, Boosting Domestic Defence Manufacturing for Su-30MKI
In a major leap for India’s aerospace sector, Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) secured official clearance from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) in early 2026 for its domestically manufactured aerospace superalloys. These critical materials are essential for producing the AL-31FP turbofan engines that power the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets. This certification significantly bolsters the country's self-reliance, insulating...
Evaluating the Ghatak UCAV: India's Unmanned Answer to Chinese Stealth Fighters and Advanced Air Defences
As aerial warfare rapidly shifts towards stealth and autonomy, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing a strategic response: the Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). With neighbouring China expanding its fleet of 5th-generation J-20 fighters and investing heavily in next-generation drone technologies, the Indian Air Force (IAF) requires a decisive, asymmetric advantage. The Ghatak—meaning "deadly" in Hindi—promises to deliver exactly that. By...
Extended 800 km BrahMos-A Variant to Begin Flight Trials in Late 2026, Targeting Squadron Service by 2028–29
BrahMos Aerospace is fast-tracking the creation of an advanced air-launched BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missile capable of reaching targets up to 800 kilometres away. This new variant will maintain the same 2.5-ton weight and 6-metre length as the existing model. Internal sources confirm that final integration and flight testing are scheduled to wrap up by the end of 2026. This timeline sets the stage for mass production to begin before 2030, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) aiming to have...
Despite 2022 CCS Approval, Why Indigenous Tejas Mk2 Fighter Continues to Miss Crucial First Flight Timeline
In September 2022, India's aerospace sector celebrated a major leap forward when the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) officially greenlit the Tejas Mk2 project. Also known as the Medium Weight Fighter, this 4.5-generation jet received a substantial financial allocation of Rs 9,000 to 10,000 crore to cover its design, prototype manufacturing, and extensive flight testing phases. The Indian Air Force (IAF) ultimately plans to induct over 200 of these advanced jets to replace its ageing...
LCH Prachand to Gain Fire-and-Forget Precision Strike Capabilities with HELINA Anti-Tank Missiles and Air-Launched Loitering Munitions
India's domestically built Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), the "Prachand", has achieved a crucial milestone by advancing past its initial flight certifications into a comprehensive weaponisation stage. Designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), this development marks a significant leap forward for the aircraft. The Prachand was specifically engineered to meet the unique demands of high-altitude warfare, drawing directly on the strategic lessons learned during the 1999...
Indian Army Plans to Upgrade Half of T-72 'Ajeya' Fleet, Extending Service Life to Around 2040 as Next-Gen FRCV Phases In
The Indian Army has initiated a major overhaul of its armoured divisions, deciding to extensively modernise approximately 1,200 of its estimated 2,400 to 2,500 T-72 'Ajeya' main battle tanks. This move guarantees that a massive segment of its current tracked fleet will remain battle-ready for decades to come. The decision serves as a vital bridge while the military slowly phases in its ambitious Rs 57,000-crore Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) programme, which aims to eventually procure...
DRDO Validates RudraM-III Integration on Su-30MKI, Captive Trials Confirm Structural Integrity for Heavy Standoff Strikes
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has marked a major milestone in India’s domestic defence initiatives by successfully conducting captive flight tests of the RudraM-III missile on the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI. This critical air-to-surface weapon integration overcomes the complex aerodynamic and structural hurdles of outfitting a frontline fighter with an exceptionally heavy payload. Consequently, this success firmly establishes a foundation for India to...
India to Procure More Heron Mk2 Drones for Tri-Services Deployment, HAL and Elcom in Talks for Local Production
India is rapidly accelerating the acquisition of additional Heron Mk2 drones from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) through emergency procurement channels. This decisive action follows the strategic military insights gained during the May 2025 "Operation Sindoor" conflict, which underscored the critical need for continuous, long-range aerial surveillance to safeguard national borders. ad Historically utilised by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, this advanced unmanned aerial vehicle...
Several Indian Defence Startups Race to Build Affordable Shahed-136 Class Long-Range Loitering Munition for Domestic and Global Markets
India's defence manufacturing sector is actively developing long-range "kamikaze" drones, often called loitering munitions, that rival the renowned Iranian Shahed-136. Several private enterprises are creating these home-grown weapons to supply both the Indian armed forces and international buyers. Solar Industries India Limited, already well-known for producing the Pinaka rocket system, is a prominent player in this space. They are engineering a strike drone with an impressive operational...
DRDO to Utilise 80-90% Carbon Prepreg Composite in Ghatak Drone Airframe For Ultimate Stealth Capabilities and Boost Payload
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on a highly advanced structural design for India's upcoming Ghatak stealth drone. Sources close to the project indicate that this 13-tonne flying-wing Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) will rely extensively on modern materials. Specifically, an estimated 80 to 90 percent of its outer shell will be constructed from carbon-fibre prepreg composites, providing the foundation for its radar-evading capabilities. ad Designing...
IAF May Extend Mirage-2000 Service to 2039 to Ensure Seamless Transition to Tejas Mk2 and Rafale
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly reconsidering the 2035 retirement schedule for its highly dependable Mirage-2000 fighter jets. Military sources suggest that the phase-out of these aircraft might be pushed back by up to four years, allowing them to remain on active duty until 2038 or 2039. This potential delay is not due to any shortcomings in the aircraft's performance or outdated technology. Instead, it is a strategic measure to ensure a smooth transition. As the IAF awaits the...
India’s Naval Ambitions in the French FCAS Programme May Face Severe Weight Restrictions Due to Current STOBAR Based Aircraft Carrier
India has conveyed its intent to participate in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a cutting-edge European aerospace initiative originally established by France, Germany, and Spain. During recent diplomatic discussions, including the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru this February, New Delhi proposed co-developing this sixth-generation fighter network alongside Paris. While this collaboration promises a massive technological leap for the Indian Air Force and...
Indian Air Force Eyes Additional MRSAM Units to Strengthen Multi-Tiered Air Defence Against Evolving Aerial Threats
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking significant steps to fortify its ground-based airspace protection by planning the acquisition of three to five new squadrons of the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system, locally designated as "Abhra." This anticipated follow-on order from the Ministry of Defence is a crucial component of India's broader strategy to comprehensively upgrade its national air defence infrastructure. ad Currently, the IAF operates nine active MRSAM squadrons...
IAF Identifies Critical Software Glitch in Tejas Jet after February 7 Incident, Prepares Entire Fleet for Systems Upgrade
A recent probe into the February 7 runway excursion involving a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Tejas fighter jet has pointed to a software error in the aircraft's onboard computer as the primary cause. This revelation comes after the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted comprehensive inspections across its entire fleet of these indigenous light combat aircraft to pinpoint the exact reason behind the emergency. ad During the incident at a forward airbase near India's western border, the...
Rolls-Royce Pitches Modular "Orpheus" Engine Family Co-Development for India's Trainer and Unmanned Aircraft
Aerospace giant Rolls-Royce has offered to partner with India to jointly create a new generation of small and medium turbofan jet engines. This proposed collaboration centres on the British company’s innovative "Orpheus" engine framework. The move aligns closely with New Delhi’s ongoing "Make in India" initiative, which seeks to boost domestic defence manufacturing and establish deeper technological alliances. ad Developed in a record-breaking 18 months through advanced digital...
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