In a significant strategic pivot following the loss of the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) contract, Lockheed Martin has announced a plan to substantially upgrade its F-35 Lightning II fighter.
The proposal aims to create a "fifth-generation plus" aircraft, offering a powerful yet more affordable alternative to true sixth-generation jets.
Speaking at Bernstein’s Strategic Decisions Conference on May 28, 2025, Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet stated that the enhanced...
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Fifteen months after its official establishment, the Indian Army's first squadron of Apache attack helicopters remains grounded, creating a significant gap in the nation's combat readiness along its western border.
The 451 Aviation Squadron, raised in March 2024 at Jodhpur, is yet to receive a single one of the six AH-64E Apache helicopters ordered from American aerospace giant Boeing, with the delivery now delayed indefinitely.
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The original agreement, a deal worth approximately $600...
In a major boost to India's aerospace and defence manufacturing sector, French aviation giant Dassault is reportedly in advanced negotiations to produce the wings for its Rafale fighter jets in India.
This development comes shortly after a landmark agreement was signed to manufacture the aircraft's complete fuselage locally, signalling a deepening of industrial partnership as Dassault competes for a major Indian Air Force contract.
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The move follows the formalisation of four Production...
India stands at a critical juncture in its decades-long ambition for self-reliance in defence technology, with the future of its advanced fighter jet programs hinging on the development of a powerful, indigenous engine.
According to analysis from defence experts, including former Indian Air Force (IAF) officer Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat (Retd), the domestically developed Kaveri engine is a story of partial success but falls short of powering the nation's next-generation aircraft, forcing a...
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is creating a sophisticated new defence system, named the "Optonic Shield," to protect the nation's vital assets from a range of modern ground and aerial threats.
This advanced system is designed to provide comprehensive situational awareness and help military commanders formulate effective strategies.
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The core of the Optonic Shield is a smart, network-operated tracking system that uses electro-optical technology. It features...
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is in advanced preparations for the second flight test of its indigenously developed Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM).
This upcoming trial is a crucial step towards the operational deployment of the missile and the fulfillment of a planned procurement order valued at approximately ₹14,000 crore by the Indian Armed Forces.
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The missile successfully completed its inaugural test on November 12, 2024, from the...
Following the reported failure of its missile systems to penetrate India’s air defence shield during recent conflicts, Pakistan has approached China to acquire advanced hypersonic weapon technology.
According to sources, this move aims to counter India's increasingly robust and multi-layered defence network, with Pakistan intending to present any acquired technology as an indigenous development.
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In recent skirmishes between the two nations, Pakistan reportedly launched its Fatah-I and...
Brazilian aerospace leader Embraer has presented a major proposal to establish a final assembly line for its C-390 Millennium transport aircraft in India.
However, this ambitious plan, which aligns with the 'Make in India' initiative, is conditional on a significant commitment from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to purchase between 40 and 80 aircraft.
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This strategic offer comes as the IAF seeks a modern replacement for its ageing fleet of Antonov An-32 planes under its Medium Transport...
Recent military tensions and aerial clashes have brought a critical aspect of India's defence strategy into sharp focus: the need for advanced long-range missiles.
Experts argue that developing standoff weapons capable of hitting targets 500 to 800 kilometres away is essential for India to maintain a credible deterrent against Pakistan and counter the threat of state-sponsored terrorism.
This strategic necessity became evident during the 2019 Balakot airstrike. While Indian Air Force (IAF)...
Global aerospace and defence giant Lockheed Martin is promoting its F-21 fighter jet as a strategic pathway for India to eventually acquire the premier F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter.
The proposal was detailed by CEO Jim Taiclet, who also revealed plans for a significantly upgraded F-35 variant that would offer capabilities approaching the next generation of fighter jets at a fraction of the cost.
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Speaking at the Bernstein 41st Annual Strategic Decisions Conference on May 28, Taiclet...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is advancing a two-part strategy to significantly boost its long-range precision strike capabilities.
The plan involves the domestic production of the proven Israeli Rampage missile alongside the development of an air-launched version of the indigenous Pinaka-IV rocket system, aiming to enhance both immediate operational readiness and long-term self-reliance in national defence.
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Localising a Proven Weapon
Following the reported effective use of the...
A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official has stated that Pakistan's potential acquisition of the Chinese-made J-35A stealth fighter jet is unlikely to significantly alter the region's strategic balance.
According to the official, the introduction of these fifth-generation aircraft into the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) would not provide a decisive advantage or enable successful cross-border aerial raids into Indian territory.
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The official suggested that the number of J-35A jets Pakistan might...
Japan has officially offered its state-of-the-art IHI XF9-1 engine to India for co-development and domestic manufacturing, positioning it as a powerful contender to be the heart of the nation's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The proposal makes Japan the fourth country to enter the high-stakes competition to supply the engine for India's futuristic 5.5-generation stealth fighter, joining established aerospace leaders from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
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The...
India is advancing its aerial surveillance and defence capabilities with the development of a next-generation Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS), known as the Netra Mk1A.
This strategic initiative is designed to counter emerging regional threats, particularly Pakistan's reported plans to acquire the J-35A stealth fighter jet from China.
The new system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), represents a significant upgrade to India's airborne...
In a major boost to India's military capabilities and its push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an advanced, indigenous Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pod for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Su-30MKI fighter jets.
This new system is designed to significantly improve the aircraft's ability to survive in heavily contested airspace.
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The Su-30MKI, which forms the backbone of the IAF's fighter fleet, will now be...
In a landmark development for India's defence manufacturing sector, the government has opened the door for private companies to compete for the production of the nation's futuristic fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Industrial giants Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) are now positioned to challenge the long-standing dominance of the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for this prestigious contract.
This...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly evaluating two new advanced Israeli missile systems to enhance its capacity for deep-strike missions, which involve hitting high-value targets located far within enemy territory. This move comes after the reported operational success of the Rampage air-to-surface missile.
The systems under consideration are the 'Wind Demon' from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the 'ICE BREAKER' from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, both designed to offer...
Recent analysis following a reported military exchange in May 2025 has highlighted significant vulnerabilities in Pakistan's air defence network.
According to reports from Pakistani defence analysis platform Quwa, older variants of India's BrahMos cruise missile successfully penetrated deep into Pakistani airspace during a mission dubbed "Operation Sindoor," raising alarms about the effectiveness of Pakistan's current defensive capabilities.
In the reported conflict, India is said to have...
India's indigenous defence capabilities are set to achieve a new milestone as its next-generation air-to-air missile, the Astra Mk3, officially named 'Gandiva', prepares for a critical phase of extensive live testing.
Powered by a state-of-the-art propulsion system, this Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) is engineered to engage targets from an impressive distance of up to 350 kilometres, significantly enhancing the combat potential of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
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Named after...
India's indigenous artillery firepower is set for a major enhancement as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has laid out an ambitious timeline for developing and inducting next-generation Pinaka rocket systems.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, the DRDO Chairman, announced that the Pinaka Mk3, with a 120 km range, will be ready for army induction within three years, while the formidable 300 km range Pinaka Mk4 is planned for induction within five years.
This accelerated plan is a...
