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In a significant geopolitical recalibration, India’s potential acquisition of the American F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter appears to be stalling. While Washington has formally offered the platform to New Delhi, a renewed US strategic tilt toward Pakistan, coupled with concerns over operational sovereignty, has prompted Indian defence planners to pivot interest toward Russia’s Su-57E. This shift is increasingly viewed as a pragmatic "bridge" solution to secure air superiority until...

As India negotiates the acquisition of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), likely through a Government-to-Government route for the Dassault Rafale, a critical distinction in software transfer has emerged. While the Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to secure significant operational access to the aircraft's software ecosystem, it will not receive the full "source code" in the traditional sense. Instead, Dassault Aviation is likely to provide API (Application Programming Interface)...

The Dassault Rafale has solidified its position as the premier choice for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) pressing requirement for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA). This preference is largely driven by the fleet’s exceptional serviceability rate, which consistently hovers around 90 per cent. This figure not only exceeds the IAF's internal benchmarks but also outperforms virtually every other frontline fighter in operation today, including the fifth-generation American F-35. ad...

In a key booster for India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) on Friday approved the proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from French aviation manufacturer Dassault. According to defence sources, the proposal will now be taken up for clearance at the next Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Sources further stated that the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is likely to give the...

When the Indian government procured the Rafale fighter jets, policymakers were sold a vision of a potent combat platform that would seamlessly integrate with indigenous Indian weapons. However, the operational reality has revealed a different picture. India has effectively walked into a tightly controlled ecosystem managed by Dassault Aviation, functioning much like a "walled garden" in consumer technology—impeccable in performance but completely locked down internally. With no access to...

In a significant move to strengthen India's indigenous fighter capabilities, GE Aerospace has renewed its commitment to accelerating the delivery of F404 engines for the Tejas LCA Mk1A program. This assurance comes immediately after a high-level strategic visit by Dr D.K. Sunil, Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to the GE Aerospace manufacturing facility in Lynn, Massachusetts. ad Accelerating Production for the Indian Air Force Last week, HAL’s top leadership, led by Dr...

The Indian Ministry of Defence is reportedly nearing a decision on a colossal ₹3.25 lakh crore (approximately $40 billion) procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets. While this potential contract is being heralded as a decisive solution to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) dwindling squadron strength, defence analysts warn it may severely undercut the indigenous Tejas Mk2 programme, disrupting the nation's long-term industrial strategy. ad The Indigenous "Bridge" Under Threat The Tejas Mk2 was...

A recent report by the French defence aviation portal avionslegendaires.net has claimed that India and France are finalising a comprehensive "super contract" that significantly exceeds the scope of the original Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) requirement. According to the report, the proposed government-to-government deal for 114 fighter jets is not merely for the production of standard aircraft but involves a multi-phased evolution of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) combat capabilities...

In a major push for India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) initiative, the German government has formally extended its support to Airbus for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program. Germany is advocating for the selection of the Airbus A400M Atlas, offering a localized production roadmap that would see up to 85% of the aircraft built within India. A Strategic Partnership for Local Manufacturing Under the proposed agreement, Airbus intends to...

In a strategic move to fortify its national airspace, India is advancing plans to procure approximately 280 additional S-400 interceptor missiles. This significant replenishment effort has paved the way for an intensified industrial alliance between New Delhi and Moscow. While a formal contract is pending, high-level discussions have already begun regarding the domestic assembly and potential partial manufacturing of these missiles within India. Local Integration and Testing Exploratory...

In a significant advancement for India’s indigenous defence technology, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have successfully developed ramjet-powered artillery shells that can extend the striking range of standard 155 mm guns by approximately 50 per cent. This major breakthrough allows existing artillery systems to engage targets at distances previously reachable only by expensive missiles, all without compromising the projectile’s lethality. A Technological...

The Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, has firmly stated that the Indian Army prioritises domestically manufactured solutions for its future infantry mobility needs. While the American-made Stryker armoured vehicle remains a potential candidate, the General emphasised that indigenous platforms will take precedence if they meet the military's operational standards. ad Preference for 'Atmanirbhar' Solutions During a recent evaluation of modern wheeled armoured combat vehicles...

In a significant move to strengthen its airspace security, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly assessing the acquisition of the Russian S-500 "Prometheus" air defence system. Defence sources indicate that India is looking to procure two squadrons of this advanced platform to complement its existing fleet of five S-400 "Triumph" batteries. Officials clarified that this potential purchase is not intended to replace the S-400—which proved its combat worthiness during Operation Sindoor in...

The Indian government has commenced preliminary groundwork for the highly anticipated acquisition of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) to bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) combat capabilities. According to defence officials familiar with the developments, the initial discussions are heavily focused on determining the scope of indigenous content and local manufacturing integration. While the tender is open to global contenders, France’s Dassault Aviation has emerged as the...

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is in the final stages of approving a landmark production contract for the indigenous Anant Shastra air defence system. Also known as the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), the system is poised to become the backbone of the Indian Army's mobile air defence network. According to defence sources, the MoD aims to formally clear the deal—estimated at approximately ₹30,000 crore—by the end of March 2026. This move transitions the system from its...

In a significant stride towards strengthening India's maritime security, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), European aerospace major Airbus, and the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS)—a laboratory under the DRDO—have initiated the joint development of a specialised variant of the C-295 transport aircraft. This new platform is being tailored specifically for the Indian Navy's Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) requirements, alongside a modified configuration for the Indian Coast...

India is making decisive strides in strengthening its nuclear triad with the progression of the S-5 class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) programme. This initiative marks a monumental leap in the nation's underwater strategic capabilities. According to recent reports, construction on these next-generation vessels commenced in late 2025, establishing the S-5 class as the future backbone of India’s credible second-strike capability. ad A Quantum Leap in Tonnage and Stealth The...

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a massive breakthrough that shifts India’s hypersonic programme from experimental research to the production of combat-ready weapons. On January 9, 2026, at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad, scientists successfully conducted a ground test of a full-scale, actively cooled scramjet engine for over 12 minutes. This event is not merely a laboratory success; it is a decisive turning point...

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has officially accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the acquisition of six Boeing 767 aircraft, paving the way for their conversion into Multi-Mission Tanker Transport (MMTT) platforms. This critical approval, valued at approximately ₹9,000 crore, marks a definitive move to address the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) persistent shortage of aerial refuelling capabilities. The programme involves procuring pre-owned Boeing 767 airframes from the global civil...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated a strategic move to significantly increase its requirements for Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles (ALBMs). This decision highlights a major shift in India’s conventional deterrence strategy, placing a renewed focus on long-range, high-speed precision strike capabilities. According to defence officials familiar with the force planning, this revised requirement is a direct response to the evolving security dynamics in the region, specifically the rapid...