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AVNL Accelerates 'Bharat' Light Tank with 2026 Prototype Target, Offering a Cost-Effective, Amphibious Alternative to Zorawar
Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), India's state-owned manufacturer of armoured vehicles, is reportedly fast-tracking the development of its "Bharat" light tank. The company is aiming to finalise the tank's design by the end of 2025 and roll out a functional prototype by late 2026. This new platform is a customised version of Russia’s 2S25 Sprut-SD, which will be produced in India under license as part of the 'Make in India' initiative. ad AVNL is positioning the "Bharat" to compete...
How India's Tejas Mk2 Poised to Challenge Gripen E for Global Light Combat Market, Low-Cost and 4.5-Gen Capabilities Key
The international market for fighter jets is experiencing a surge in demand as nations seek capable but affordable 4.5-generation aircraft. In this competitive landscape, India's developmental HAL Tejas Mk2 is being positioned as a direct challenger to Sweden's Saab Gripen E, a long-established leader in the light combat segment. With the Tejas Mk2 prototype scheduled for rollout by the end of 2025 and a first flight planned for 2026, the stage is set for a significant commercial battle...
How Rafale's Spectra EW Suite Proved Decisive Against Pakistani F-16 AMRAAMs during Op Sindoor, Potentially Saving an IAF Su-30MKI
Newly declassified information regarding Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force's (IAF) retaliatory strikes in May 2025, has highlighted the critical role of the Dassault Rafale's electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. According to reports from post-operation analysis, a Rafale fighter successfully used its Spectra EW suite to protect an IAF Su-30MKI strike aircraft from a potential beyond-visual-range missile attack by Pakistani F-16s. Operation Sindoor was launched against Pakistani...
Brazil Eyes India's Tejas and Prachand in Exchange for C-390 Aircraft, Aims to Reduce Western Supplier Reliance amid US Tariffs
Brazil and India are exploring a significant barter arrangement that could see the two nations exchange advanced military aircraft, marking a major step in South-South defence cooperation. According to reports from Brazilian media citing defence ministry sources, Brazil is prepared to acquire India's indigenously-made Tejas Mk1A fighter jets and Prachand Light Combat Helicopters (LCH). In return, India would procure a fleet of C-390 Millennium multi-role transport aircraft from the...
Indian Army Fast-Tracks Emergency Javelin Missile Buy while Aggressively Pushing Indigenous DRDO ATGM Programmes
The Indian Army is moving forward with an emergency procurement of FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) from the United States to address immediate operational needs. This urgent, short-term purchase is happening alongside a determined push to advance India's domestic anti-armour missile programmes. Confirming the acquisition, Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, Director General (Infantry), stated that "twelve launchers and 104 missiles of the Javelin" are being acquired under the...
DRDO's Kusha M3 Hypersonic Interceptor to Boast Just 1,673 kg Weight with 400 km Range, Boosting India’s Rapid Deployment near LAC
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making significant strides in its indigenous long-range air defence system, Project Kusha, with its M3 interceptor missile. According to design specifications, the M3 variant combines a formidable 400 km engagement range with a remarkably low weight of 1,673 kg, enhancing its mobility and rapid deployment capabilities. This development positions the indigenous missile as a lighter, more agile alternative to the Russian 40N6E...
Indonesia Emerges as Potential BrahMos Buyer as Indian Defence Minister Confirms Two New Pacts
India's standing as an exporter of advanced defence systems has been significantly bolstered by a recent announcement from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Speaking at an event in Lucknow on October 19, the minister confirmed that BrahMos Aerospace has secured new export contracts worth approximately Rs 4,000 crore (about $455 million) with two undisclosed countries within the last year. This development follows India's first-ever BrahMos export, a $375 million deal signed with the...
350km Range Astra Mk3 'Gandiva' BVR Missile Set for 2028 Production Clearance; IAF Induction Planned by Early 2030
India is moving steadily toward a major enhancement of its air combat capabilities with the Astra Mk3, a next-generation air-to-air missile. According to new reports, the indigenous missile is projected to complete its development trials and receive clearance for production by 2028, with plans for induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the early 2030s. This advanced weapon, also known as 'Gandiva', is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile designed by the Defence Research and...
India Accelerates 800-km BrahMos Missile Tests with Modified Ramjet Engine and Hybrid Navigation, Readiness Expected by 2027
India is significantly enhancing its military capabilities by fast-tracking the development of an 800-kilometer-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. This powerful conventional weapon, produced by the BrahMos Aerospace joint venture between India's DRDO and Russia, is undergoing critical tests on a modified ramjet engine. According to defence sources, the goal is to have this new precision-strike system fully operational and ready for combat by the end of 2027, reinforcing India's...
Defence Ministry Seeks Atleast 75% Indigenous Content for 114 MRFA Fighter Jets, Flagging IAF's Proposal as "Incomplete"
The Ministry of Defence has returned a key proposal from the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the acquisition of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), labelling the plan "incomplete." According to reports, the ministry has instructed the IAF to hold fresh consultations, primarily with French aviation firm Dassault, to ensure the multi-billion dollar project strictly aligns with India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' policy. ad At the heart of the issue is the government's demand for a substantial...
After Decades of BVRAAM Edge with Russian R-77, How Delays in Meteor Integration on Rafale Leaves IAF Vulnerable to PAF's New PL-15E
In modern aerial warfare between India and Pakistan, the critical "first shot" advantage is dictated by beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs). This technology allows a pilot to engage an enemy aircraft from dozens of kilometres away, long before a visual dogfight can begin. For a brief period, the Indian Air Force (IAF) held this technological edge, but a combination of procurement delays and rapid advancements by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has reversed the situation. The 2019...
Too Long, Too Powerful: Why India Did Not Consider Japan's Advanced IHI XF9-1 Engine for AMCA Mk2 Fighter
The development of a fifth-generation fighter jet is one of the most complex challenges in modern defence, and selecting the right engine is critical to success. India's ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, which aims to deliver a domestically built stealth fighter to the Indian Air Force by the mid-2030s, recently concluded a high-stakes search for its advanced Mk2 variant engine. Among the top contenders was a technologically advanced proposal from Japan. In...
HAL Touts Tejas Mk1A Structurally Ready for Upgrades, But Astra Missile Integration Badly Lags due to Israeli Radar Code
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has affirmed its confidence in the new Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, stating that the aircraft's basic design is complete and fully prepared for future software-based enhancements. However, this optimistic outlook is shadowed by significant delays in integrating India's indigenous Astra Mk1 missile. Reports indicate these challenges stem from software compatibility issues with the aircraft's Israeli-supplied radar, which require a "green light" from the foreign...
India Retrieved At Least 10 Intact Chinese PL-15E Missiles During Op Sindoor, Providing DRDO a Tech Goldmine for Analysis
New details emerging from a reported May 2025 aerial engagement, codenamed "Operation Sindoor," suggest a significant intelligence windfall for India. Defence sources indicate that while the Indian Air Force (IAF) publicly displayed a small number of recovered Chinese-made PL-15E missiles, the actual number retrieved was at least 10 intact or minimally damaged units. These missiles, recovered from Indian territory after being fired by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), provide India's Defence...
DRDO Targets 200km+ Range for Astra Mk-2 to Counter China's PL-15, Eyes Initial 700-Unit Order for Su-30MKI and Tejas
In a significant move to enhance India's air combat capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is reportedly planning to extend the operational range of its indigenous Astra Mark-2 air-to-air missile to over 200 kilometres. According to new proposals under review, this upgrade pushes the missile's range significantly beyond its previous 160 km target. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to place an initial order for approximately 700 units of the upgraded...
Post-Op Sindoor, IAF Seeks Upto 60-Squadron Force with More AWACS and Refuelers to Counter China-Pakistan Two-Front Threat
Following a review of the strategic lessons from Operation Sindoor, a cross-border strike in May 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly proposing a significant expansion of its fleet to counter the combined threat from China and Pakistan. The proposal urges increasing the sanctioned combat strength from the current 42 squadrons to a new benchmark of 55 or even 60 squadrons, aiming to re-establish decisive air superiority in the region. ad This internal push, detailed in assessments...
India's AMCA Stealth Fighter to Pioneer Indigenous Non-Toxic Green Stealth Coating, Boosting Atmanirbhar Bharat with Eco-Friendly Tech
India's ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is set to feature a groundbreaking, indigenously developed non-toxic green coating, marking a significant stride in the nation's push for self-reliance in defence. This innovative technology represents a major leap, combining state-of-the-art military capabilities with environmental responsibility. The adoption of this eco-friendly stealth coating underscores a commitment to sustainable...
India Ascends to World’s Third Most Powerful Air Force, Highlighting Qualitative Edge Over China's Larger But Less Balanced Air Force
In a significant recalibration of global military strength, India has been ranked as the world’s third most powerful air force, surpassing the People's Republic of China. A new comprehensive assessment places India behind only the United States and Russia, highlighting a strategic shift in Asia's defence landscape. The evaluation was conducted by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA), which annually ranks the air capabilities of 103 nations. The ranking is not based...
Why the HAL, TASL, and L&T-BEL Trio Is the Definitive Choice for India's AMCA, a Synergy of Unique Efficiency and Expertise
The selection process for the production partner of India's ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), has reached a critical phase. With seven consortia in contention, the decision will determine the future of the nation's air combat capabilities and its journey toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which leads the aircraft's design, is overseeing a rigorous two-stage evaluation of the bids...
How Tejas Mk1's 17-Year Flight Testing Saga Will Help Tejas Mk2 Achieve Its Goals in Just Four Years, Potentially De-Risking the AMCA's Path
India's journey in developing indigenous fighter aircraft is set to take a significant leap forward with the Tejas Mk2 programme. Drawing from the extensive and lengthy development of its predecessor, the Tejas Mk1, the new aircraft is slated to complete its complex flight development phase in a remarkably short four-year window. This accelerated timeline is not just a milestone for the Mk2 but also serves as a crucial foundation that reduces risks for India's even more ambitious...
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