The Indian Air Force (IAF) is navigating a critical period of modernisation, facing the urgent task of replacing its ageing fleets of Jaguar, Mirage-2000, and MiG-29 fighter jets.
To maintain its combat edge, a growing consensus suggests that the current commitment to procure 120 indigenous Tejas Mk2 aircraft may be insufficient, with compelling strategic arguments favouring an expanded order of at least 200 units.
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A primary concern for the IAF is its declining number of fighter...
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In a significant move to strengthen India's indigenous military manufacturing, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited has joined the competition for a major Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract.
The company, an arm of the industrial explosives giant Solar Industries, is vying to produce 87 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones for the Indian Armed Forces, a project valued at approximately ₹20,000 crore.
This development highlights the growing capabilities of India's private sector in...
Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer has presented a strategic proposal to the Indian Air Force (IAF), suggesting its C-390M Millennium aircraft as a common platform for both its future Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) and its next-generation Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) requirements.
This offer provides a potential solution to the significant hurdles the IAF faces in acquiring additional ERJ-145 jets for its Netra Mk1A surveillance program, as the aircraft has been out of...
The Astra Mk1, India's premier indigenous beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), has become a vital asset for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this missile, with its range of up to 110 km, currently equips frontline fighters like the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and the Tejas Mk1A.
However, to counter evolving regional threats, including stealth aircraft and advanced electronic warfare, a proposal is gaining traction for the...
In a major strategic shift, India's Ministry of Defence is restructuring its plan to acquire 114 new fighter jets.
The revised approach aims to address the immediate operational needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF) by splitting the procurement between advanced 4.5-generation aircraft and new 5th-generation stealth fighters.
This move is designed as an interim measure to bolster air power while awaiting the development of India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
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The...
India's first domestically produced Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), the Astra Mk1, represents a major milestone in the nation's journey towards self-sufficiency in critical defence technology.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) over nearly two decades, the project has overcome significant hurdles to deliver a potent weapon, though concerns persist over its slow integration across the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter fleet.
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The initiative...
India's Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) has outlined a strategic plan to design, develop, and induct a family of indigenous engines for its armoured vehicles by 2030.
This ambitious project, spearheaded by the premier DRDO laboratory, aims to produce engines ranging from 600 to 1500 horsepower (HP), a move that could end the nation's critical dependence on foreign suppliers for its main battle tank fleet.
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The initiative is a major step towards achieving...
In a landmark move for India's military aviation ambitions, the government has reportedly approved a substantial allocation of approximately ₹61,000 crores for the development of a new engine for its futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
This decision signals a major push to equip the Indian Air Force with a domestically produced fifth-generation stealth fighter.
However, the significant financial commitment to a new engine, expected to be developed with foreign collaboration...
In a major move to boost the combat effectiveness of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) has formally invited Indian companies to co-develop and produce an advanced radar system for the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet.
LRDE, a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), issued the call for partnership on July 18, 2025, marking a critical step in the aircraft's "Super-30" modernisation program.
The project...
The Indian Navy has initiated a crucial procurement process to equip its most advanced conventional submarines with heavyweight torpedoes (HWTs), a move essential for bolstering India's underwater combat capabilities.
Italian defence firm Leonardo, through its subsidiary Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS), has emerged as a strong contender with its Black Shark torpedo, competing primarily with France’s Naval Group.
The tender is for an initial 48 torpedoes, but the long-term plan...
India has laid down strict conditions for the potential acquisition of new Russian fifth-generation jet engines to upgrade its formidable Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet.
According to official sources, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have communicated to Moscow that any agreement must involve a minimum of 80% Transfer of Technology (ToT), a significant increase over previous arrangements.
Furthermore, India is insisting that Russia conduct the final development...
A crucial Indian Navy programme to acquire six advanced submarines, known as Project-75I, is facing significant uncertainty as the price for the chosen vessel has escalated dramatically.
The per-unit cost of the German-engineered U-214NG submarine has reportedly climbed to approximately $1.3 billion, a steep rise from the initial 2021 estimate of $800 million.
This price increase has pushed the total projected cost for the six submarines to nearly ₹70,000 crore (approx. $8.4 billion)...
India's pursuit of self-reliance in critical defence technology is set to take another major step forward, as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is exploring the development of a more powerful jet engine for its next generation of unmanned aircraft.
The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a premier DRDO laboratory based in Bengaluru, has proposed creating a new 10-kilonewton (10kN) class turbofan engine to power advanced military drones.
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This proposed engine...
In a significant move to bolster its aerial combat strength, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is pursuing a crucial upgrade for its fleet of Mirage-2000 fighter jets. The plan involves equipping the aircraft with the indigenous Astra Mk2, a state-of-the-art Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM).
This initiative, which requires collaboration with the original French manufacturer Dassault Aviation, aims to resolve a critical capability gap in long-range engagements and ensure the veteran...
In a significant development for India's indigenous defence capabilities, U.S. aerospace leader General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) will provide expert consultation to India's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) for its advanced drone program.
The collaboration will focus on the design and development of a new Indian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
The Aeronautical Development Establishment, a key laboratory under the Defence...
Recent reports of a potential agreement valued at approximately $7 billion (around ₹61,000 crore) between India and French aerospace leader SAFRAN has sparked a significant debate within the nation's defence community.
The deal focuses on the joint development of a powerful new jet engine for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter program.
While the partnership is being hailed as a major step towards modernising the Indian Air Force, it has also...
In an era of rapid military modernisation across its borders, India's strategic planners are considering the future of the nation's air power.
A key proposal gaining traction is the development of a sixth-generation combat aircraft, not as a conventional fighter, but as a long-range strategic strike bomber.
This forward-thinking approach aims to address significant threats, particularly from China's advanced missile systems, and ensure the Indian Air Force (IAF) can maintain its...
Following the successful validation of its naval variant, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is now preparing to test a land-based, truck-mounted version of the Vertical Launch Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM).
This new system is designed to provide a highly mobile air defence shield for the Indian Army and Air Force, with initial trials anticipated to take place in late 2025 or early 2026.
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The VL-SRSAM system is an advanced adaptation of the...
In a significant advancement for India's indigenous defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced the successful completion of all field trials for its powerful 30-kilowatt (30kW) laser-based anti-drone system.
Following these conclusive tests, the advanced technology is now ready to be transferred to private Indian companies for large-scale manufacturing, a move set to substantially enhance the nation's self-reliance in futuristic warfare...
India's Ministry of Defence has initiated a major overhaul of its military procurement process, aiming to slash the time taken to acquire critical arms and equipment to under two years.
A high-level committee is currently reviewing the existing procedures to eliminate long-standing bottlenecks that have historically delayed the modernization of the country's armed forces.
The review, which focuses on the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, has identified three primary areas...
