The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly in the final stages of defining the framework for its long-awaited procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), a critical step that could soon set the massive acquisition project in motion.
Defence sources indicate that once this "Execution Model" is approved, the tender, valued at over $20 billion, will be formally advanced, aiming to bolster the nation's air power through a major 'Make in India' initiative.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking to acquire two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighter jets from foreign sources to strengthen its combat capabilities until the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project becomes operational.
A fighter squadron typically consists of 18 to 20 jets.
The IAF recently made a detailed presentation to the government outlining its future requirements for maintaining an edge over adversaries, defence sources told ANI.
They said the IAF...
In a major development for India's indigenous defence capabilities, private sector giants Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have emerged as the frontrunners to lead the manufacturing of the nation's futuristic fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Their strong positioning highlights a strategic shift towards greater private industry participation in flagship military projects.
The AMCA programme, which recently received...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recommended the urgent acquisition of approximately 60 fifth-generation fighter aircraft to counter growing and advanced aerial threats from China and Pakistan.
According to senior officials, this proposed procurement of at least three squadrons is considered a critical interim measure to ensure India maintains a combat edge in the region.
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This move comes as India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) is reportedly considering offers for two of the world's leading...
In a major enhancement to its armoured warfare capabilities, the Indian Army is set to equip its new, indigenously developed Zorawar light tank with Israel's globally acclaimed Trophy Active Protection System (APS).
This advanced defensive shield will be installed on the initial batch of 59 tanks, which are scheduled to begin army trials in 2025.
The move signals India's strategy to rapidly deploy combat-ready technology to address immediate security challenges, even as its own domestic...
India's withdrawal from a landmark joint venture with Russia to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet represented a major shift in its military aviation strategy.
The project, known as the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) or Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF), was an ambitious collaboration between India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau.
While the program has been shelved by New Delhi, ongoing discussions about India's air power...
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...
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...
