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A critical plan to strengthen the Indian Air Force (IAF) with 114 new Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) has become a textbook case of how procedural delays in defence procurement can cause costs to spiral, creating a significant financial burden for the nation. The tender, which began in 2007 with an estimated cost of ₹42,000 crore ($10.4 billion) for 126 jets, has now reportedly ballooned to nearly ₹2,00,000 crore ($24.5 billion) for a smaller order of 114 aircraft in 2025. This near...

Indian private-sector defence firm SSS Defence has officially unveiled the Raptor, a modern assault rifle chambered in the .300 Blackout caliber. This new weapon is entirely designed, developed, and manufactured in India, representing a significant advancement in the nation's indigenous arms manufacturing capabilities. The rifle has been specifically engineered to meet the demanding requirements of elite special forces units, focusing on high performance, reliability, user-friendly...

The Indian Air Force (IAF), which began operating its fleet of 36 Dassault Rafale fighters in 2020, now faces a significant strategic decision regarding the platform's future. Planners must choose whether to commit to the soon-available Rafale F4 upgrade for an immediate capability boost or to bypass this interim step and wait for the technologically transformative F5 standard, which is projected to be operational by 2030. The Immediate Option: The Rafale F4 Standard The Rafale F4...

India's ambitious program to develop a domestically produced carrier-based fighter jet, the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), is set to incorporate a highly advanced radar system. The new fighter, being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for the Indian Navy, will be equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar mounted on a swash plate, expanding its field of view to an impressive 100 degrees and placing it among the world's elite naval...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently navigating a significant operational challenge as its fighter squadron strength has fallen to 31, well below the officially sanctioned level of 42. This reduction comes at a time of heightened security concerns in the region, particularly from China and Pakistan, making the need for robust air power more critical than ever. To address this shortfall, a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy is under consideration, which proposes a blend of foreign...

The strategic balance of air power in the Indo-Pacific is facing a significant shift as China officially moves its new Shenyang J-35A stealth fighter into production. The aircraft's public debut and subsequent manufacturing signals Beijing's growing technological prowess, prompting a critical question for Indian defence planners: Can the combat-proven, 4.5-generation Dassault Rafale maintain the Indian Air Force's (IAF) edge against this emerging fifth-generation threat? This analysis...

In a significant move to enhance India's indigenous defence capabilities, the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is partnering with French aerospace giant Safran in a joint venture valued at approximately $7 billion. This collaboration aims to co-develop and produce a new generation of fighter jet engines to power India’s future combat aircraft, marking a critical step towards self-reliance in advanced military propulsion technology. ad The partnership will focus on creating a...

In a significant move towards self-reliance in military technology, India is set to achieve complete domestic production of the Shakti turboshaft engine, which powers a large portion of its military helicopter fleet. French engine manufacturer Safran has agreed to a complete 100% Transfer of Technology (ToT) for its Ardiden 1H1 engine, known in India as Shakti. This development will elevate the engine's current indigenous content of over 70% to full local manufacturing within the next few...

In a move that could signal a major renewal of long-standing aerospace ties, Russia is reportedly preparing to invite India to join its next-generation Il-100 Slon (‘Elephant’) super-heavy military transport aircraft program. This potential offer comes at a critical time for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is facing significant operational challenges with its fleet of aging Soviet-era Il-76 transport aircraft. The invitation, if formally extended, would present New Delhi with a strategic...

State-owned aerospace and defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has shown its intention to develop a light-attack variant of the HJT-36 Sitara intermediate jet trainer. In a statement made in August 2025, HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil confirmed that the company is exploring the transformation of the trainer aircraft into a versatile and cost-effective combat platform. This strategic move aims to fulfill the operational needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and...

India's strategic strike capabilities are set for a major enhancement as the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has formulated a plan to systematically increase the range of the new Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM). According to official sources, the plan involves incrementally upgrading the missile to double its reach from the current 1,000 km to an eventual 2,000 km, marking a significant leap in the nation's indigenous defence technology. ad The Defence Research...

A significant disagreement is brewing over the manufacturing of India's futuristic fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), as a dispute has erupted between the state-owned aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private sector defence firms over the partner selection process. This controversy places the government at a critical crossroads between relying on established experience and fostering a competitive domestic defence industry...

The Defence Ministry has received and started discussions on the proposal from the Indian Air Force for acquiring 114 'Made in India' Rafale fighter jets, which would be built by the French firm Dassault Aviation involving Indian aerospace firms. The proposal, expected to be worth over Rs 2 lakh crore, including the indigenous content of more than 60 per cent, is expected to be taken up for discussion by the Defence Procurement Board headed by the Defence Secretary in the next few weeks...

In a major step to modernize its armoured corps, the Indian Army plans to launch a landmark initiative to pair every Main Battle Tank (MBT) with a dedicated drone for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). The program, set to begin in 2028, will see over 3,000 tanks, including the T-90 Bhishma and the indigenous Arjun fleets, integrated with these unmanned aerial systems, fundamentally changing how India conducts ground warfare. ad This ambitious plan marks a significant...

In a significant push for India's self-reliance in aerospace technology, leading private defence firms Godrej Defence and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have proposed to the Ministry of Defence that the government fund the development of a more powerful variant of the indigenous Kaveri engine. According to sources familiar with the matter, the proposal outlines a plan to create an upgraded Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) equipped with a new afterburner, capable of producing 90 kilonewtons (kN) of...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively modernising its combat doctrine by creating a powerful combination of advanced air defence and next-generation offensive capabilities. A potential deal for Russia's Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighter, when paired with the already inducted S-400 Triumf air defence system, could fundamentally shift the military balance in South Asia towards India. This strategic pairing is poised to create a significant technological and tactical advantage that...

India's long-standing ambition to develop its own fighter jet engine has taken a significant step forward. The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has for the first time publicly displayed a new variant of its Kaveri engine fitted with an afterburner. This development is a critical milestone for India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing and could eventually power key aircraft like the HAL Tejas...

In a clear signal of strengthening military ties, the Egyptian Air Force has formally expressed its interest in learning advanced aerial warfare tactics from the Indian Air Force (IAF). The focus of this collaboration is on long-range penetration strikes, a highly specialised form of offensive air operation. This development comes as a contingent of five IAF Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets landed in Egypt to take part in the multinational military drill, Exercise Bright Star 25. ad A...

The Indian Army is initiating a major modernisation effort to significantly enhance its combat capabilities by acquiring approximately 1,800 next-generation battle tanks. Under a high-priority initiative known as the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program, these advanced armoured platforms are set to replace the Indian Army's aging fleet of Soviet-origin T-72 tanks, which have been in service for over four decades. The new tanks will be defined by their deep integration of cutting-edge...

India has the foundational capability and is poised to indigenously develop sixth-generation fighter jets in the near future, according to a high-level official from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In a recent media interaction, K. Rajalakshmi Menon, Director General of Aeronautical Systems at DRDO, affirmed the nation's readiness to pursue this ambitious goal. This declaration signals India's growing confidence in its aerospace design and manufacturing ecosystem...