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The Indian Navy's plan to procure 12 LCA-Navy Trainer aircraft for deck-based training of its fighter pilots has hit a snag. According to a naval official, the acquisition is facing delays due to the Navy's insistence on rigorous testing and finalization of the aircraft's configuration before clearing it for production. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has manufactured three LCA-Navy aircraft so far, including two trainers and one single-seater variant. These aircraft are serving...

India's indigenous fighter jet programs, the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), are testaments to the nation's ambition for self-reliance in military aviation. However, a key difference between these two aircraft lies in their intake design. While the AMCA embraces Diverterless Supersonic Inlet (DSI) technology, the Tejas Mk2 retains a more traditional design. This difference reflects distinct design philosophies and priorities. ad DSI intakes are a modern innovation...

In an unexpected development, both Nigeria and Botswana have reportedly withdrawn from negotiations with India for the purchase of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. This setback could potentially hinder Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and India's aspirations to expand its defence export market. ad Nigeria's interest in the Tejas was viewed as a key part of its air force modernization efforts. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been actively seeking to replace its aging fleet and...

In a notable shift in military procurement strategy, Bangladesh appears to be turning its attention towards the JF-17 Thunder, a joint venture between China and Pakistan. This comes after earlier considerations of acquiring more advanced Western and Chinese fighters such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale, and J-10CE. The shift in interest was highlighted when Bangladeshi pilots were recently photographed in the cockpits of JF-17 jets during a visit to Pakistan, as reported by various...

Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) are joining forces to establish India's first private sector assembly line for civil helicopters, marking a significant step forward in the country's "Make in India" initiative. The joint venture has shortlisted four locations across India for the facility, with a final decision expected soon. The shortlisted sites are located in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Factors influencing the final decision include...

In an exclusive revelation, a senior official from Safran, the French aerospace giant, has confirmed that the upcoming 110kN thrust engine, a collaborative effort with India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, will boast a completely new core design. This new engine will be distinct from the M-88 engines currently powering the Rafale jets. ad The Safran official emphasized that the 110kN engine will not share any core components...

Russia is making a renewed push to revive the long-stalled Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) project with India. This joint venture, which had previously faltered due to disagreements over engine specifications, is being presented to India once again with a key concession from the Russian side. The MTA project, initially conceived in 2007, was intended to be a collaborative effort between Russia's United Aircraft Corporation and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The goal was to...

The Indian Navy's MiG-29K fighter jet, a cornerstone of its naval air arm, is poised to make a striking appearance at Aero India 2025, taking place from February 10 to 14 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station. This year, the MiG-29K will not only be on static display but will also showcase its impressive upgrades, highlighting advancements in its armament and avionics suite. ad Since its induction in 2010, the MiG-29K has been instrumental in extending India's maritime air power, operating...

The Indian Army is poised to significantly enhance its artillery capabilities with the development of the Pinaka III rocket system, boasting an impressive range of 120 kilometers. This indigenous system, developed by the DRDO, surpasses the current 90-kilometer range of the Russian-origin Smerch system, potentially reshaping the strategic landscape for India's ground forces. ad Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, during his annual press conference, highlighted the future of the Pinaka...

The Indian Navy is facing a critical juncture in its strategic planning as it seeks to maintain maritime dominance and safeguard national security in the increasingly complex Indian Ocean Region (IOR). A key decision revolves around resource allocation between nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. Evidence suggests that the Indian Navy is prioritizing investment in nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) over aircraft carriers as a more cost-effective and strategically advantageous approach...

The Indian Navy has officially retired its fleet of Searcher MK II Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) after 22 years of service, marking the end of an era for these short-range drones in naval operations. A high-ranking official confirmed the de-induction, which reflects a significant shift in the Navy's UAV strategy towards platforms with greater endurance and range. ad The Searcher MK II, with its limited payload capacity and range, was inducted in 2002 when Medium Altitude Long Endurance...

NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT), based in Bengaluru, is developing the Abhimanyu, a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) with the potential to reshape tactical aerial warfare. This innovative unmanned platform is designed to operate as part of a Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) system, offering a cost-effective and expendable solution for a variety of missions, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), kinetic attacks, decoy operations, and Electronic Warfare...

The Philippine Army is reportedly in advanced negotiations with India's BrahMos Aerospace to acquire nine coastal missile batteries, significantly bolstering its defence capabilities. This procurement, as reported by MaxDefense Philippines, is part of the Integrated Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System (ISBASMS) Acquisition Project, a joint initiative of the Philippine Army and Marine Corps. ad The ISBASMS project represents an expansion of the earlier Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile System...

Former Pakistani High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, has stirred controversy with bold assertions about the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) surpassing the Indian Air Force (IAF) in capabilities. In a recent interview, Basit, now a commentator on Indo-Pak relations, claimed that the PAF currently holds an edge over the IAF, a position he believes will be further cemented with the addition of the Chinese J-35A and Turkish TAI TF Kaan fighter jets to Pakistan's arsenal. ad Basit argued that...

A high-ranking Indian Air Force (IAF) official has revealed that India has little interest in acquiring the Russian Tu-160 strategic bomber. Despite the aircraft being indirectly offered, the IAF appears to be deterred by the anticipated high operational costs and the lack of suitable infrastructure within India to support such a fleet. ad The Tu-160, known as the "White Swan" or "Blackjack" by NATO, is one of the world's largest and most powerful strategic bombers. While its advanced...

In a move to bolster its defence capabilities and counter regional security threats, India is set to commission a Russian-manufactured Voronezh radar system at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) campus in Challakere, Karnataka. This powerful over-the-horizon radar, with its impressive 6,000 km range, represents a significant upgrade to India's strategic defence infrastructure. ad Challakere, once known primarily as India's "Edible Oil City," has transformed into a...

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is poised to significantly enhance India's aerial combat capabilities with the Astra Mk2 (Astra-2) missile, set to become the primary Beyond Visual Range (BVR) weapon in the Indian arsenal. This advancement, however, doesn't diminish the importance of the Astra Mk1 (Astra-1), which remains crucial for establishing a robust domestic supply chain for BVR missiles. ad The Astra-2 is currently undergoing rigorous developmental trials...

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has received approval from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to finalize the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, designed specifically for the Indian Navy's aircraft carrier operations. However, ADA officials have expressed optimism about the possibility of adapting the TEDBF for the Indian Air Force (IAF), should there be interest. ad The TEDBF, a 26-ton aircraft optimized for naval operations, could be...

In a significant move to strengthen India's naval aviation capabilities, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to formally approve the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation. This major defence deal, which has already been greenlit by the Ministry of Defence, is anticipated to be a key highlight during PM Modi's upcoming visit to Paris. ad The deal, estimated to be worth $7.2 billion, includes...

A recent audit conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has revealed concerning irregularities in the Indian Air Force's (IAF) procurement process, particularly in the formulation of Aircraft and Systems Qualitative Requirements (ASQRs). The audit report, which was recently presented to Parliament, suggests that the IAF has been tailoring ASQRs to favor specific vendors, compromising the principles of transparency and competition enshrined in the Defence Procurement...