After a period of uncertainty regarding the production timelines of India's indigenous fighter program, significant clarity has emerged regarding the supply of engines, which has been a primary constraint for the Tejas Mk1A.
In a definitive update, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil has confirmed that General Electric (GE) has formally committed to a distinct and accelerated delivery schedule for the F404-IN20 engines required to power the...
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India and France are reportedly in the final stages of a significant defence contract focused on the procurement of additional SCALP air-launched cruise missiles.
This move follows the weapon's demonstrated effectiveness during the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) precision strikes against hostile infrastructure in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor last year.
Defence sources close to the negotiations indicate that talks are advancing rapidly, with a formal agreement expected soon, highlighting New...
The Tejas Mk1A, India’s advanced light combat aircraft, stands as a significant milestone in the nation's journey towards self-reliance in defence aviation.
With 83 units already on order and approval for an additional 97 aircraft—bringing the potential total to over 180—this platform is set to become the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) light fighter fleet.
However, a critical strategic vulnerability remains: the aircraft’s power source, the GE F404-IN20 engine, is entirely...
In a candid and revealing assessment of India’s indigenous fighter programme, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil has ruled out any contingency plan regarding the engine choice for the Tejas Mk1A.
Speaking in an interview with NDTV Profit, Mr Sunil made it clear that the programme is inextricably linked to the General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engine, with no technical room for a "Plan B."
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No Room for Engine Swaps
When pressed on whether HAL had a...
India’s forthcoming acquisition of fighter aircraft is set to fundamentally alter the way the Indian Air Force (IAF) configures its combat fleet.
According to defence sources, the IAF is on track to secure unprecedented operational flexibility to equip a prospective fleet of 114 new Dassault Rafale fighters with indigenous weaponry.
This move is expected to significantly reduce long-term reliance on foreign munitions while bolstering the nation’s domestic aerospace capabilities.
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The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is optimistic that the landmark agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and US-based GE Aerospace for the domestic production of F414 jet engines will be sealed by the end of March 2026.
Senior officials have indicated that the groundwork is largely complete, with both entities having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and concluded extensive high-level discussions to define the scope of the partnership.
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Deep Technology Transfer: A Core...
A recent photograph of a Tejas Mk1A airframe has sparked significant interest within the Indian defence and aviation communities, offering visible proof of steady manufacturing progress at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The image, shared on the social media platform X by the handle @FighterPiloting, depicts airframe LA-5051 stationed in an outdoor testing facility.
While the aircraft appears to be in an advanced stage of assembly, it is not yet fully finished. If the production...
India is currently in the final stages of cementing a landmark naval defence agreement with Germany, a move poised to fundamentally reshape the nation’s maritime capabilities.
Emerging details regarding the estimated $10 billion (approx. ₹80,000 crore) Project 75(I) programme indicate that this government-to-government pact will go far beyond a standard purchase order.
While the agreement clears the path for acquiring six next-generation conventional submarines, sources suggest these...
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) indigenous fighter training programme has achieved a key logistical milestone with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) formally handing over six Tejas twin-seat trainer aircraft.
These deliveries mark the partial fulfilment of an initial production batch, with two remaining aircraft from this specific lot currently awaiting final transfer.
Originally, these eight trainers were conceptualised as part of an earlier Tejas Mk1 production roadmap, designed to be...
A startling recovery of unexploded ordinance in Punjab has reportedly triggered a discreet but urgent technical inquiry within China’s defence manufacturing sector.
Following the intense aerial skirmishes of May 2025—referred to as Operation Sindoor—Indian security forces retrieved several Chinese-made PL-15E air-to-air missiles that had impacted the ground in a near-pristine state.
Intelligence assessments suggest these advanced weapons, fired by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), failed to...
A significant standoff has emerged between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) regarding the delivery timeline of the new Tejas Mk1A fighter jets.
While the state-owned manufacturer is pushing for an early handover of the aircraft in their current state, the Air Force has refused to induct the jets until they fully meet all operational quality standards.
According to recent reports, high-level discussions are underway to resolve the impasse.
Sources indicate...
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, India’s flagship project to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter, has entered a critical phase of industrial negotiation.
Following widespread media reports suggesting Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had been excluded from the initial development list, HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil clarified the situation in a recent interview.
Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Mr Sunil stated that the current Request for Information...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has projected a substantial domestic requirement for its newly developed Dhruv-NG civilian helicopter, estimating a market potential of 200 to 300 units within India.
Dr D. K. Sunil, the Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, has clarified that the organisation will prioritise fulfilling this internal demand over immediate export opportunities.
This strategic decision underscores a significant pivot for the aerospace giant, which aims to consolidate its...
In a significant move towards strengthening national defence capabilities, India is preparing to equip its fleet of French-origin Rafale fighter jets with indigenous air-to-air weaponry.
Trials for the integration of the Astra Mk1 and the advanced Astra Mk2 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVRAAM) onto the Rafale are scheduled to commence in 2028.
This initiative marks a crucial step in the Indian Air Force’s roadmap to enhance operational flexibility while promoting self-reliance...
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has decided to forgo the traditional public unveiling ceremony for the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet.
While industry observers and defence enthusiasts had anticipated a high-profile event similar to previous aircraft launches, officials state this shift in strategy is intended to accelerate engineering progress rather than a result of any program delays.
The decision reflects a pragmatic approach to meet tight development timelines for the Indian Air...
India’s strategic initiative to develop and deploy an indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet has entered a period of significant speculation.
Emerging media reports indicate that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace giant, may be excluded from the initial development phase of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
This potential shift has triggered extensive debate within defence circles, given HAL’s historical status as the cornerstone of India’s...
In a significant development for global strategic stability, Russia officially activated its first combat regiment equipped with the S-500 ‘Prometheus’ air and missile defence system in December 2025.
The induction marks a critical advancement in Moscow’s efforts to establish a next-generation shield capable of neutralising threats ranging from hypersonic weapons to satellites in near-space.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov announced the deployment, stating that the Prometheus...
The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard are poised to reintroduce the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) to active service, ending a grounding period that lasted over a year.
Following a comprehensive technical review, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully rectified a critical flaw in the helicopter's transmission system.
Operations are expected to recommence in April, marking a significant recovery for India's indigenous aviation capabilities.
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Ending the Longest...
India’s ambition to field a home-grown fifth-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), faces a silent but critical vulnerability that lies deep within its design process.
While the airframe will be manufactured in India and the engines are being developed with indigenous intent, the digital "brain" required to design these complex machines belongs almost entirely to foreign entities.
This uncomfortable reality reveals a strategic gap: while the hardware may be...
The induction of the indigenous Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet into the Indian Air Force (IAF) has reached a critical juncture.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has officially declared that five aircraft are fully manufactured and ready for handover following successful weaponry trials.
However, defence sources indicate that the actual entry of these jets into combat service may face further delays due to pending certification processes and operational clearances required by the IAF...
