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A leading defence analyst has cast serious doubt on the potential acquisition of either the American F-35 or the Russian Su-57 fighter jets by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, a senior fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), argues that procuring either aircraft would be a detrimental move for India's air power. Instead, he strongly advocates for prioritizing the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. ad Mitra highlights significant...

The Indian Navy is pushing for the acquisition of six additional Boeing P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft to bolster its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This renewed effort comes amidst growing concerns over the increasing presence of the Chinese navy in the region and a renewed push from the United States for greater defence cooperation. ad India currently operates a fleet of 12 P-8I aircraft, deployed on both its eastern and western...

There is ongoing debate among defence experts regarding India's potential acquisition of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. A key point of contention revolves around the level of control India would have over the aircraft's systems. Some analysts argue that India should follow Israel's lead and demand full access to the fighter's source code and AESA radar system to ensure compatibility with indigenous weapons and communication systems. ad The F-35A, while a highly advanced stealth...

Pakistan is embarking on a significant naval endeavor with the development of the Jinnah Class Frigates (JCF), marking its first foray into the indigenous design and construction of a frigate-sized warship. This ambitious project leverages the expertise gained from the MILGEM project, a collaborative effort with Turkey that saw the delivery of four Babur-class corvettes to the Pakistan Navy. ad The MILGEM project has been crucial in bolstering Pakistan's shipbuilding capabilities. The...

In a strategic shift, the Indian Navy has decided to replace its aging aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, with the upcoming Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2), rather than expanding to a three-carrier fleet as previously planned. This decision marks a significant change in the Navy's force structure and has ignited debate regarding India's naval capabilities and strategic priorities. ad The Indian government has overruled the Navy's long-held desire for a three-carrier fleet, which was...

Following the recent loss of an MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in the Bay of Bengal, General Atomics has swiftly moved to replace the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), ensuring continued surveillance capabilities for the Indian Navy. The original drone crashed on September 18th 2024 due to a power failure, rendering it unsalvageable. ad The incident occurred during a routine surveillance mission. A technical malfunction led to a loss of power, preventing the drone's systems...

In a move aimed at bolstering India's air power, the government has earmarked a substantial Rs 48,614 crore in the upcoming defence budget specifically for the acquisition and development of advanced aircraft and aero engines. This investment underscores a commitment to modernizing the Indian Air Force (IAF) amidst concerns over its dwindling fighter squadrons. The allocation reflects a two-pronged strategy: procuring cutting-edge aircraft and fostering self-reliance in critical engine...

In the race to supply India's Air Force (IAF) with its next generation of fighter jets under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, Saab is emphasizing the Gripen E's advanced capabilities and rapid delivery timeline. Saab asserts that the Gripen E is uniquely positioned to meet India's defence needs, offering superior technology and a swift integration process. ad Kent-Åke Molin, head of the Gripen India campaign, highlights the Gripen E's strengths, stating, "Gripen’s exceptional...

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) plan to acquire 110 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) could become significantly more expensive than initially anticipated. A Ministry of Defence (MoD) official has indicated that opting for the advanced Rafale F4 configuration, as opposed to earlier variants, may drive the total cost to around $27 billion, considerably exceeding the allocated budget of $20 billion. ad This potential cost increase is linked to several factors. Firstly, the UAE's recent purchase...

India has significantly bolstered its air defence capabilities with the acquisition of a new VHF (Very High Frequency) radar system developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). This advanced radar, featuring an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna, is designed to detect and track stealth aircraft, including those employing advanced stealth technologies like China's J-20 fighter and the potential J-35A that Pakistan is reportedly considering. This new system provides crucial...

In a major boost to India's indigenous fighter jet programs, General Electric (GE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are close to finalizing a deal for 99 F414-GE-INS6 engines. The deal, estimated to be worth $1.5 billion, represents a significant increase from the 2010 agreement, reflecting both inflation and a substantial rise in the level of technology transfer (ToT) from 56% to 80%. This enhanced ToT is a key factor in the increased value, as it allows HAL to gain greater...

In a major boost to India's national security, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed the successful deployment of the Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. This significant advancement, known as "Mission Divyastra," substantially enhances India's nuclear deterrence capabilities. ad During a press conference, Singh emphasized the strategic importance of this development, stating, "Agni-V with MIRV...

India's recent decision to award the entire Project-75I submarine contract to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has raised concerns about potential monopoly-related challenges and delays. Under this project, MDL will construct all six German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS)-designed submarines, solidifying its position as the primary builder of conventional submarines in India. While this approach streamlines production in the near term, it may have unintended consequences for the...

India's reliance on Russian technology for its Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet has exposed a significant contrast in military technology independence compared to China. While India faces strict limitations on modifying its aircraft due to Russian oversight, China has successfully reverse-engineered and upgraded similar Russian jets with domestically developed technology. ad India, a long-standing partner of Russia in defence procurement, operates one of the largest Su-30MKI fleets outside of...

India's latest defence budget has allocated significant funding for the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program and the development of the Remotely Stealthy Powered Autonomous Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (RSPA UCAV), also known as Ghatak. This investment underscores India's commitment to modernizing its naval aviation capabilities and bolstering its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in the face of China's growing influence. ad The budget statement explicitly mentions that...

Redon Systems, a Hyderabad-based defence technology startup, has announced a groundbreaking advancement in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) deployment with its new Multi-Barrel UAV Launcher (MBUL). This innovative system is poised to revolutionize military operations with its ability to rapidly launch a swarm of 16 UAVs for both precision strikes and coordinated attacks. ad The MBUL system, mounted on a 6x3 wheeled vehicle, utilizes a pneumatic barrel system to launch up to 16 loitering...

Russian state-owned media outlet Sputnik recently published a feature article praising the capabilities of the Sukhoi Su-57, Russia's fifth-generation fighter jet. The article, celebrating 15 years of Su-57's first flight, claims the aircraft surpasses its Western counterparts, including the American F-35, in several key areas. ad Sputnik describes the Su-57 as a multi-role fighter designed for both air-to-air combat and ground attack missions. It highlights the aircraft's stealth...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing mounting pressure from the United States to select either Lockheed Martin's F-21 or Boeing's F-15EX fighter jet for its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) competition. This pressure comes amidst ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries, with the US implying concessions in exchange for an Indian purchase of American fighters. However, the IAF has reservations about both aircraft due to concerns about their technological capabilities in the...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has achieved a significant milestone in the development of its Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) with the successful completion of engine ground runs for the CATS-Warrior full-scale demonstrator. This breakthrough paves the way for upcoming taxi trials and eventually the much-anticipated maiden flight of this advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). ad Sources indicate that HAL is preparing to initiate taxi trials in the coming weeks. This critical...

The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a leading laboratory of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is enhancing the Archer Short-Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SRUAV) with the domestically developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW). This integration will transform the Archer SRUAV into a potent platform for precision strikes against enemy airfields. ad The SAAW is a long-range, precision-guided munition specifically designed to neutralize airfield...