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France has presented its final price offer to India for the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets, just before Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval's visit to Paris. This development signals significant progress in the ongoing negotiations for a deal crucial to bolstering the Indian Navy's maritime capabilities. Defence sources have confirmed that the final offer, which includes a substantial price reduction, follows intensive negotiations between the two...

Mumbai, India – The Indian Navy is set to bolster its underwater capabilities with the addition of Vagsheer, the sixth and final Kalvari-class submarine under Project 75. Officials have confirmed that the submarine, constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, is in the final stages of trials and is expected to be commissioned this December. This marks a significant milestone in India's ambitious naval modernization program. ad The Kalvari-class submarines are...

In a move to further decolonize the Indian military and instill a stronger sense of national identity, the Armed Forces are undergoing a significant transformation. This initiative involves a shift towards embracing indigenous military strategies and traditions, moving away from colonial-era practices. One of the key changes is the incorporation of ancient Indian military wisdom into the curriculum for officers. ad Instead of solely focusing on Western military thinkers, texts by Indian...

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a significant step towards modernizing its air defense capabilities with the release of a Request for Information (RFI) for six Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems. This move signals India's commitment to enhancing surveillance and threat response mechanisms in the face of evolving security challenges. ad The MoD is seeking proposals from registered Indian vendors for these sophisticated systems, which are designed to provide...

The Indian defence landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with a new generation of startups leading the charge in developing cutting-edge technologies for modern warfare. No longer reliant solely on traditional weaponry, India is embracing innovations like AI-powered drones, robotic swarms, and advanced surveillance systems, positioning itself at the forefront of this technological revolution. ad This shift is exemplified by companies like NewSpace Research and Technologies...

India could become a global leader in Rafale fighter jet operation by 2040, potentially surpassing even France, according to projections by Dassault Aviation. This ambitious forecast comes as India steadily expands its Rafale fleet, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) already operating 36 jets and the Indian Navy set to acquire 26 Rafale M naval variants. ad Dassault, the French aerospace manufacturer, believes India's Rafale numbers could swell to 176 if the IAF selects the jet for its...

India's defence capabilities could be facing significant challenges following a recent Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian factory crucial for the production of engines used in Indian military aircraft and warships. The Motor Sich enterprise in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine, a vital manufacturer of Ivchenko Progress AI-20DM turboprop engines that power the Indian Air Force's (IAF) An-32 transport aircraft, was reportedly targeted yet again. This follows a previous strike on the same facility...

India appears to be distancing itself from Russia's Su-75 Checkmate fighter jet program, citing financial constraints and developmental uncertainties. A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the IAF is not actively considering the Su-75, primarily due to the significant financial burden it would place on India. The Su-75 Checkmate, a single-engine stealth fighter developed by Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau, was unveiled at the MAKS 2021...

The Indian Army is preparing for a comprehensive evaluation of companies vying to build the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV), a critical program aimed at replacing the aging T-72 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) by 2030. With an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) already in place for the procurement of 1,700 FRCVs, the competition is expected to be fierce, attracting both domestic and international players. ad A key aspect of the evaluation process will be a special audit conducted by the Indian Army...

Morocco – In a landmark move for India's defence industry, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), a Tata Group company, is set to establish India's first overseas defence manufacturing plant in Casablanca, Morocco. This significant development marks a major step in India's push to become a global defence exporter and strengthens its strategic ties with Africa. The state-of-the-art facility will primarily produce the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), an 8x8 amphibious infantry combat vehicle...

The Indian Army is significantly bolstering its artillery capabilities with plans to dramatically increase the range of its Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launch (MRLS) systems. According to Lt Gen Adosh Kumar, Director General of Artillery, efforts are underway to extend the system's reach by up to four times its current range, placing it among the top rocket systems worldwide. ad Currently, the standard Pinaka rocket has a range of 38km, while the Guided Extended Range version reaches 75km...

In a major push for self-reliance and modernization, India is opening the production of 155mm artillery ammunition to the private sector. This move, announced by Lt Gen Adosh Kumar, Director General of Artillery, signifies a significant step in India's ambitious artillery modernization plan. Previously, the production of this crucial ammunition was limited to a single agency, creating potential bottlenecks and vulnerabilities in the supply chain. Now, under the 'Make in India' initiative...

In a move to enhance surveillance capabilities, the Indian Army has placed a significant order for nearly 700 Trinetra drones. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a modified version of a design originally developed by the American startup, Skydio, and are currently utilized by both the US Department of Defense and the Ukrainian military. The Trinetra drones have been adapted for Indian conditions by AeroArc, an Indian firm based in Coimbatore. Arjun Aggarwal, AeroArc's managing...

Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has delivered a powerful message urging a shift in India's approach to defence research and development. Speaking at the Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture 2024, Dr. Kamat highlighted the detrimental effects of risk aversion and intolerance of failure on innovation within the sector. "If there is a failure, immediately you get a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report saying that you...

Indonesia is actively considering the acquisition of submarines from India as part of its strategy to enhance its naval capabilities and protect its maritime interests. This potential deal signals a growing defence cooperation between the two nations, both of whom seek to maintain stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Manjeet Kripalani, Executive Director at Gateway House, a Mumbai-based think tank, highlighted the potential for Indian start-ups to play a key role in this...

In a move to expedite indigenous production and meet the requirements for the upcoming Tejas MkII Light Combat Aircraft, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is poised to outsource nearly half of the manufacturing for the GE 414 engines to the private sector. This was confirmed by the newly appointed chairman and managing director of HAL, DK Sunil, in an interview with ET. ad Sunil revealed that India is on the cusp of finalizing a deal with the US to acquire advanced fighter jet engine...

India is reportedly evaluating Armenia's request to procure the Pralay tactical ballistic missile amidst escalating tensions with Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. This move follows Armenia's approach in June seeking the Pralay to counter Azerbaijan's acquisition of the Israeli LORA long-range missile system, allegedly deployed against Armenia during the 2020 conflict. ad As a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), India faces restrictions on exporting missiles...

India's planned acquisition of 31 MQ-9 Reaper drones from the US, despite its ongoing development of the indigenous Tapas UAV, underscores the complex realities of India's defence modernization efforts. While striving for self-reliance in defence technology, India also faces immediate security challenges, particularly from neighboring China, necessitating the acquisition of proven and capable systems. ad Technical limitations, especially concerning engine capabilities, have plagued the...

Azerbaijan's recent acquisition of JF-17C (Block-III) fighter jets from Pakistan has significantly altered the military balance in the South Caucasus region, leaving Armenia in a vulnerable position. This move has placed increasing pressure on Armenia, a close ally of India, to bolster its air defence capabilities. The JF-17C, a joint venture between Pakistan and China, is a modern, multi-role combat aircraft capable of undertaking a wide array of missions. Its induction into the...

Even as the Indian Army strives to modernize its fleet of utility helicopters, the aging Cheetah, Chetak, and Cheetal helicopters, alongside the Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), continue to serve as a vital lifeline for troops stationed in the challenging high-altitude regions of Ladakh, including the Siachen glacier. ad The indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to replace the Cheetah and Chetak, is progressing but behind schedule...