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In a significant move to enhance the nation's air defence capabilities, India's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister, has officially approved the acquisition of six advanced Netra Mk2 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The project, valued at approximately ₹19,000 crore, will provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a critical edge in airborne surveillance and battle management. The new systems will be integrated onto pre-owned Airbus A321...

In a major strategic proposal, Russia has offered to equip the Indian Air Force's (IAF) fleet of Su-30MKI fighter jets with the advanced AL-41 engine, the same powerplant used in its fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter. According to defence sources, the proposal includes licensed production of the engine in India, aiming to significantly enhance the capabilities of the IAF's primary combat aircraft. The plan suggests that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would manufacture the new...

In a major development for India's military aviation programme, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has confirmed an upcoming collaboration with the French engine manufacturer Safran to jointly develop and produce a new jet engine. This engine is slated to power India's futuristic fifth-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The revelation, made at the ET World Leaders Forum, marks a critical step forward in India’s long-standing goal of achieving self-reliance in...

India's Tejas Mk2 programme, a crucial step in modernising the nation's air power, is fundamentally linked to its choice of the American General Electric (GE) F414 engine. While discussions occasionally arise about alternative powerplants like the Eurojet EJ200 or the French Safran M88, experts indicate that switching engines at this stage would be a complex, costly, and time-consuming process that could severely delay the fighter jet's deployment. ad The Tejas Mk2 is being developed as a...

India's domestically developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A is emerging as a highly advanced asset for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Equipped with stealth characteristics, a state-of-the-art radar system, and long-range missiles, the aircraft is positioned to offer a significant tactical advantage over established fighters in the IAF's fleet, such as the French Mirage-2000 and the Russian-made Su-30MKI, particularly in beyond-visual-range combat. The Tejas Mk1A is engineered around...

The Indian Navy is actively evaluating advanced submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM) from European and Russian suppliers to equip its submarine fleet with a crucial long-range strike capability. This move comes as the indigenous SLCM program, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), faces a timeline that extends towards the end of the decade, creating a need for an interim, proven system. ad Recent reports indicate that European consortium MBDA has offered...

The Dassault Mirage-2000, a highly respected and proven combat aircraft in the Indian Air Force (IAF) since its induction in 1985, is facing an uncertain future. Despite its celebrated service history, including pivotal roles in the 1999 Kargil War and the 2019 Balakot airstrike, the fleet of around 50 aircraft, known as 'Vajra' in India, is not receiving the advanced weaponry being integrated onto other frontline jets, raising questions about its role in the nation's future air defence...

India is poised to significantly enhance its strategic defence capabilities with the upcoming induction of its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman. The 7,000-tonne vessel is in the final phase of extensive sea trials and is anticipated to be formally commissioned into the Indian Navy by the end of 2025. The successful completion of these trials will mark a major step forward in strengthening India’s nuclear triad and ensuring a robust, sea-based nuclear...

In a major boost to India's military self-reliance, India and Russia have entered into a significant agreement to manufacture small aircraft piston engines on Indian soil. The deal, which was reportedly finalised in July 2025, is set to directly support the nation's rapidly expanding fleet of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and loitering munitions. While the specific engine models to be produced under this agreement have not been publicly disclosed, the partnership reinforces the...

India's domestically developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), the 'Prachand', is slated for a significant capability enhancement that will expand its operational role from a ground-attack specialist to a versatile aerial platform designed to hunt and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This strategic upgrade for the helicopter, which is being procured in large numbers for the Indian Army (90 units) and the Indian Air Force (66 units), aims to address new and evolving threats on the...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is undertaking a significant technological challenge by adapting its Pralay surface-to-surface ballistic missile to be launched from an aircraft. This ambitious project aims to integrate the five-ton, nine-meter-long missile with fighter jets like the Indian Air Force's Su-30 MKI, a move intended to greatly enhance the nation's tactical strike capabilities. If successful, India would join an exclusive group of nations with the...

A landmark engine technology deal between the United States and India, crucial for the nation's next generation of fighter jets, is facing uncertainty following cautionary remarks from a key adviser to US President Donald Trump. Peter Navarro's recent statements have ignited concern within India's defence establishment over the future of the General Electric (GE) F-414 engine agreement, a cornerstone for the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programs. The controversy...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly evaluating the acquisition of Russia’s advanced R-37M Vympel long-range air-to-air missile. According to news agency reports, this move is a key part of India's strategy to significantly enhance its air combat capabilities and secure a decisive advantage over the air forces of neighbouring China and Pakistan. ad Known by its NATO designation AA-13 'Axehead', the R-37M is among the world's most capable long-range air-to-air missiles. It is...

Recent trade disputes between India and the United States have brought a critical aspect of India's military modernisation into sharp focus: its dependence on American jet engine technology. This reliance on the U.S.-made General Electric (GE) engines for the indigenous Tejas fighter jet program is now being seen as a significant strategic vulnerability, prompting renewed and urgent calls to fast-track the development of India's own Kaveri 2.0 engine. ad Defence analysts argue that to...

A new analysis of military procurement costs has sparked a debate on India's future air power strategy. The discussion centres on a compelling comparison: the cost of a single, fully-equipped Dassault Rafale fighter jet is roughly equivalent to that of one Russian Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber. This financial parallel raises a critical question for the nation's defence planners: should India invest in versatile tactical fighters or acquire long-range strategic bombers to enhance its...

India's top defence scientist has affirmed that the development of hypersonic weapons will provide the nation with an unstoppable capability for retaliation, fundamentally strengthening its strategic deterrence. Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), highlighted that the extreme velocity of these missiles makes them immune to interception by any existing air defence system. ad Dr. Kamat explained that hypersonic missiles, which travel at...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is in discussions to equip its domestically developed Tejas Mk1A and upcoming Tejas Mk2 fighter jets with the formidable SCALP-EG long-range cruise missile. This strategic move follows the missile's reportedly outstanding performance when launched from Rafale jets during a recent military mission, codenamed "Operation Sindoor." The initiative aims to significantly broaden India's deep-strike capabilities by arming a larger portion of its fleet, a critical...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to formally launch one of the world's largest military aviation procurements by seeking initial government approval for the acquisition of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA). A proposal for the 'Acceptance of Necessity' (AoN), the first step in the capital procurement process, is expected to be presented to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) within the next two months, signalling a renewed urgency to modernise the nation's air defence...

India's advanced, domestically developed Tejas Mark 2 fighter jet program has achieved a major milestone by moving from the design board to the physical prototyping stage. The head of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) confirmed that the aircraft's design has been finalised, and the manufacturing of its structural components has commenced, setting the stage for its first flight by the end of 2026. ad This development is a significant step forward in the nation's efforts to enhance its...

Recent images have revealed a significant design evolution in India's ambitious fifth-generation fighter jet programme, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The updated graphics show a redesigned housing for the aircraft's Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, which has been moved to a central position on the fuselage. This modification is a critical step forward, aimed at improving the aircraft's stealth capabilities and the operational efficiency of its sensors. ad The AMCA is...