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India’s military procurement framework is preparing for a significant overhaul as the Ministry of Defence finalises the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2025. A high-level committee, tasked with reviewing the existing DAP 2020, has proposed a series of industry-friendly reforms designed to speed up modernisation and deepen the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative. ad Committee Recommendations The review committee, established in June 2025 under the chairmanship of the...

The Tejas Mk2 programme is marking a significant shift in how the Indian Air Force (IAF) approaches indigenous fighter acquisition. Moving away from its traditional position as a strict buyer, the IAF is stepping into the role of an active co-developer. This strategic pivot aims to ensure the aircraft enters operational service within a tight four-year window following its maiden flight. With the first flight anticipated in roughly 2026, the target is to have the aircraft joining squadrons...

In a significant move to address the Indian Navy’s looming underwater capability gap, Russia has proposed the transfer of three refurbished Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines to India. The offer, reportedly valued at under $1 billion, aims to provide an interim solution for the Navy’s depleting fleet while the ambitious Project 75I (P-75I) continues to face procedural delays. A Strategic Stopgap The proposal comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi in...

As the Indian Air Force (IAF) deliberates on its critical requirement for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), defence analysts are warning that the service risks repeating a costly historical error. The proposed acquisition, likely favoring the Dassault Rafale, bears striking similarities to the Mirage-2000 upgrade programme of the late 2000s—a venture that promised modernisation but ultimately delivered diminishing returns due to chronic delays. The Ghost of the Mirage Upgrade The...

In a period marked by rapid diplomatic and industrial activity, India is significantly accelerating its ambition to establish itself as a global hub for aerospace manufacturing. Following a historic agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia, the Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer has advanced its discussions to set up local production lines for both its military and commercial aircraft in India. This move is seen as a strategic response to New Delhi’s recent pact with...

India and Russia are reportedly nearing the finalisation of a significant agreement for the Pantsir-S1M short-range air defence (SHORAD) system. This development comes as the Indian Army accelerates its ambitious Carrier Air Defence Tracked (CADET) programme, which seeks a versatile tracked vehicle to serve as the foundation for its future mobile air defence units. With the Army actively scouting for a chassis capable of integrating diverse weapon configurations, the Russian Pantsir system...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) appears to be moving decisively towards a government-to-government (G2G) procurement of 114 Dassault Rafale fighters, signaling a strategic shift away from prolonged competitive tendering. As reported by Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retired) in the EurAsian Times, the French-origin fighter has maintained a formidable lead in the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) race, largely because it offers the IAF a critical advantage: the avoidance of the logistical nightmare...

A prominent American national security analyst has delivered a scathing review of the Chinese-made HQ-9B air defence systems used by Pakistan, describing them as a "Frankenstein’s Monster" of mismatched technologies. The assessment follows reports that the system suffered a catastrophic failure against Indian military assets, specifically the S-400 Triumf and BrahMos missiles, during the recent hostilities. A Patchwork Platform Exposed Brandon J. Weichert, the senior national security...

India’s ambitious Project 75I was originally envisioned as the natural successor to the Scorpène-class submarines currently being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project 75. The blueprint was logical: six advanced conventional submarines, manufactured in India with increased indigenous content, Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) capabilities, and a seamless technological bridge to the future Project-76 programme. However, recent developments indicate that the...

Russia has commenced a comprehensive modernisation programme for its flagship S-400 Triumf air defence system, integrating hard-won operational lessons from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These critical upgrades, focused on countering modern aerial threats such as suicide drones, cruise missiles, and electronic warfare, are expected to feature prominently in the remaining two S-400 regiments scheduled for delivery to India. Lessons from the Battlefield The conflict in Ukraine has served...

In a calculated move to secure undisputed beyond-visual-range (BVR) dominance, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is fast-tracking the acquisition of MBDA’s Meteor air-to-air missiles. This procurement drive is specifically aimed at equipping its future-ready fleet, comprising the second batch of Tejas Mk1A fighters, the upgraded Su-30MKI ‘Super Sukhoi’, and the next-generation Tejas Mk2. With operational requirements expected to surge dramatically over the coming half-decade, IAF planners are...

Following the successful conclusion of the landmark contract to supply 31 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones to the Indian Tri-Services, US aerospace major General Atomics (GA) is now targeting India’s next major requirement in unmanned aviation: Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). According to sources familiar with the matter, General Atomics officials have expressed a strong interest in offering the Gambit-2, an advanced unmanned combat platform, to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The company is...

In a significant endorsement of India’s aerial dominance during May’s Operation Sindoor, a leading Russian military analyst has validated the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) record-breaking long-range interception of a Pakistani AWACS aircraft. Alexei Mikhailov Petrenko, a Moscow-based defence strategist, stated that the downing of the Saab 2000 Erieye at a distance of 314 kilometres by an S-400 'Triumf' battery is not only credible but consistent with the system's proven performance in the...

In a frank evaluation that may prompt serious discussions within the Indian military establishment, Jack Watling, a leading expert on land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), has advised India to urgently re-evaluate the combat resilience of the Russian S-400 air defence system. His comments come amidst growing evidence from the Ukraine conflict regarding the system's performance against modern, high-intensity aerial threats. Speaking to The Hindu, Watling, who has...

A Parliamentary committee has heavily criticised the state-run aerospace major, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), for significant delays in obtaining international civil aviation certifications for its helicopters. In a report tabled in Parliament on December 12, the Committee on Public Undertakings (CPU) highlighted that these delays have resulted in a financial loss of over ₹108 crore and severely impacted India’s ability to export indigenous rotary-wing aircraft. ad A Decade-Long...

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has officially launched a crucial phase in the development of India’s next-generation airborne surveillance capabilities. The Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), DRDO’s nodal laboratory for such complex systems, has released its first open tender for the Netra Mk2 Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&CS) programme. This tender invites Indian private aerospace companies to design and manufacture the "Metallic Hood"—the...

The high-altitude deserts of Ladakh have historically served as the ultimate testing ground for military equipment, where the combination of thin air and rugged landscapes quickly distinguishes effective machinery from the inadequate. During September and October 2024, the Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle, manufactured by the U.S. firm General Dynamics Land Systems, underwent critical trials in this challenging environment under the supervision of the Indian Army. While the tests were...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has significantly revised its delivery targets for the indigenous HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft for the current financial year. The state-owned aerospace major now expects to hand over only three aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by March 2026, a sharp reduction from the originally planned 12 units. The delay is primarily attributed to persistent supply chain bottlenecks affecting the delivery of TPE331-12B turboprop engines from the US manufacturer...

In a significant development that has reignited strategic debates across South Asia, the United States formally approved a $686 million sustainment package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet on 8 December 2025. The deal, notified to Congress by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), is officially framed as a necessary measure to maintain the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) interoperability with US and allied forces. However, defence analysts in New Delhi view the package not merely as routine...

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making rapid progress on the indigenous Virupaksha radar, a critical component of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) ‘Super-30’ modernisation programme. Designed to upgrade the formidable Su-30MKI fleet, this advanced sensor is being specifically tuned to detect stealth aircraft at long ranges, addressing the growing proliferation of fifth-generation fighters in the Asian region. ad Advanced Technology for Superior Detection The...