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In a major boost to India's indigenous military aviation sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has secured its largest-ever single contract, valued at approximately Rs 66,500 crore. The state-owned aerospace giant signed the landmark agreement with the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday to supply an additional 97 LCA Tejas Mk1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF). ad Dr. D.K. Sunil, the Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, described the event as a "red-letter day" for the...

In a major strategic initiative to modernise its fleet and address a significant shortfall in its fighter squadrons, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is seeking a comprehensive, two-part acquisition plan. This strategy involves acquiring Russia's fifth-generation Su-57E stealth fighters and simultaneously pursuing a large deal for France's 4.5-generation Rafale jets. The plan aims to create a powerful blend of stealth, versatility, and proven combat capability to maintain a strategic edge...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to play a pivotal role in the landmark project to develop a new 120 KiloNewton (kN) thrust jet engine for India's futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). According to D.K. Sunil, the General Manager of Design at HAL, the state-owned aerospace giant will be a significant partner in the initiative, which is being spearheaded by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in collaboration with French engine manufacturer Safran. While the...

In a recent military flare-up, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully neutralized a technologically advanced Chinese-made HQ-9B air defence system used by Pakistan. The incident, part of a broader Indian military action named "Operation Sindoor" on the night of July 7-8, 2025, has cast a spotlight on the significant gap in operational capabilities between Indian and Pakistani forces. Confirmation of the strike by a retired high-ranking Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officer has ignited...

India is reportedly engaged in discussions with Russia for the potential acquisition of the Su-57E, the export version of Russia's fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. This development, which could include local assembly, signals a significant step in bolstering the Indian Air Force's (IAF) technological edge. The strategic importance of this potential deal is magnified by the prospect of integrating the aircraft with the air-launched variant of the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missile, a...

A recent proposal from French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation, offering to produce Rafale fighter jets in India with 60% indigenous content, has ignited a critical debate on the country's defence ambitions. The offer is part of the tender for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, a mega-project to acquire 114 new jets. While a 60% "Made in India" component appears significant, strategic analysts argue that it falls short of securing India's long-term...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning a transformative shift in its aerial warfare doctrine, aiming to integrate a formidable fleet of 300 to 400 unmanned stealth aircraft by the 2040s. This strategic initiative, which will comprise approximately 20 squadrons, is being pursued separately from the IAF's existing goal of maintaining 42 squadrons of manned combat jets. The plan outlines a sophisticated, multi-layered force structure featuring a mix of loyal wingman drones, autonomous...

The head of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has confirmed that the Indian government is firmly committed to securing an 80% Transfer of Technology (ToT) in the landmark deal with GE Aerospace for the co-production of F414 jet engines in India. This stringent requirement is a non-negotiable part of the ongoing discussions, highlighting India's determined push towards achieving self-reliance in critical military and aerospace technology. ad This high-profile agreement, a key outcome of...

In a major step towards strengthening its naval power, India's Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing a new 200-megawatt (MW) nuclear reactor to propel its next generation of submarines. This powerful reactor is slated for installation in the upcoming S-5 class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and the six planned Project-77 class nuclear attack submarines (SSNs), representing a quantum leap in the country's indigenous defence capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat...

In a significant boost to India's indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, the homegrown Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar has demonstrated performance metrics that are approximately 25% superior to the combat-proven Israeli EL/M-2052 radar. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Uttam radar is slated for integration into the Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), marking a major step towards self-reliance in critical military...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning a major capability enhancement for its fleet of 36 Rafale fighter jets by upgrading them to the state-of-the-art F4.1 standard. This strategic initiative is set to be executed indigenously in India, ensuring the existing aircraft are aligned with the advanced configuration offered by Dassault Aviation for India's prospective Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 jets. The move aims to create uniformity across the entire Rafale fleet...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing a critical challenge with its fighter squadron strength dwindling to 31, significantly below the sanctioned number of 42. To address this gap, India is pursuing the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program to acquire 114 new jets. However, with the total cost estimated at a staggering ₹2,00,000 crore ($24.5 billion), a serious debate has emerged within India's defence circles about the country's procurement strategy and the high price of leading...

Germany is making a strong push to supply its A400M Atlas military transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), positioning the advanced platform as a key asset for India's strategic airlift needs. The proposal was prominently featured during bilateral talks in New Delhi on September 3, 2025, between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This offer signals a significant deepening of Indo-German defence ties and aims to build on...

A major international collaboration to build a sixth-generation fighter jet, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), has formally closed its doors to new partners, finalising its core structure between the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan. This development has sparked a significant debate in global defence circles, as it follows an earlier invitation from the UK to India to join the ambitious project. With the offer now off the table, questions are mounting over whether India made a...

During the brief but technologically intense India-Pakistan conflict of April 2025, codenamed "Operation Sindoor," India successfully neutralized a critical threat to its premier air defence system, the S-400 Triumf. While Pakistan attempted to target the S-400 batteries using high-resolution intelligence from Chinese reconnaissance satellites, India employed a sophisticated counter-strategy combining advanced space surveillance with rapid ground-based deception, rendering the satellite...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has laid out a crucial roadmap to significantly modernize its fleet, with the goal of inducting at least 10 to 11 squadrons of fifth-generation stealth fighters by 2040. This ambitious plan, which aims for these advanced aircraft to constitute 25% of the total fleet, is critically dependent on the timely development and production of the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). ad The push for modernization comes as the IAF grapples with a severe...

According to a report in The Print, India is reportedly in advanced stages of negotiation with France to procure 114 new Rafale fighter jets, with a formal agreement potentially being signed within the next year. This landmark defence contract, valued at an estimated $22 billion, is poised to substantially upgrade the Indian Air Force's (IAF) combat fleet while significantly promoting the government's "Make in India" policy in the defence sector. ad The proposed acquisition framework...

The Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has officially confirmed that software integration issues were the main reason for the unsuccessful test-firing of the Astra Mk1 missile from the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet in March 2025. This acknowledgement clarifies the challenges facing India’s indigenous combat aircraft program as HAL prepares for a crucial retest this month, which is vital for clearing the advanced jet for delivery to the Indian Air Force (IAF). ad The March trial, which...

India's ambitious four-decade-long quest to develop a homegrown fighter jet engine, the Kaveri, was severely hampered by chronic underfunding, according to new details released by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The project, initiated in 1986 to power the nation's future fighter aircraft, has received a total of just $239 million over its entire lifespan. This figure stands in stark contrast to...

Following the recent India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025, reports suggest Pakistan is seeking to acquire China's next-generation PL-17 long-range missile. This move comes after its currently equipped PL-15E air-to-air missile failed to achieve any confirmed kills against the Indian Air Force (IAF), exposing limitations in its performance when faced with India's advanced electronic warfare capabilities. The situation has created a new strategic challenge, prompting the Indian defence...