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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is setting an ambitious pace for its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, aiming to procure 114 advanced fighter jets with a significantly higher production rate than initially anticipated. Sources indicate that the IAF is pushing for the production of 24 aircraft per year, a substantial increase from the previously considered rate of 10-14 units annually. This accelerated timeline, while aimed at rapidly bolstering India's defence capabilities, is expected...

Dr. S. Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, recently sparked a nationwide debate with his remarks on India's contrasting achievements in rocket and aircraft engine development. While celebrating ISRO's success in building indigenous rocket engines, he highlighted the continued reliance on foreign technology for fighter jet engines, raising the question: Can ISRO's expertise bridge this gap? ad Dr. Somanath emphasized ISRO's comprehensive engine development program, encompassing a wide range of...

Russia has revived its offer to supply India with heavy bomber aircraft, this time including the advanced Tu-160M "White Swan," according to veteran defence journalist Sandeep Unnithan. This comes nearly two decades after Russia initially proposed the Tu-22M3 to the Indian Navy, a deal that ultimately fell through due to high costs. ad The Tu-160M is a modernized version of the iconic Tu-160 strategic bomber, boasting significant upgrades in avionics, navigation systems, and weaponry...

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing powerful 190-MW nuclear reactors, a crucial step towards realizing the Indian Navy's ambitious submarine programs and potentially paving the way for a domestically-built nuclear aircraft carrier. These reactors will power the upcoming P-77 nuclear attack submarines (SSN) and the S5 class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), significantly boosting India's naval capabilities. ad While the Indian Navy has long aspired to build a...

Brazil is reportedly in advanced discussions with India to acquire the Akash-NG (Next Generation) Air Defence system through a government-to-government agreement. This potential deal, which includes provisions for local manufacturing within Brazil, signifies a major step in strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations. ad Developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Akash-NG...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) continues its commitment to honoring its rich history with the upcoming addition of two iconic aircraft to its Heritage Flight: the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hindustan Trainer 2 (HT-2). This expansion of the Heritage Flight, based at Air Force Station Palam in New Delhi, will provide a captivating glimpse into India's aviation journey. Established in 1988 as the Vintage Aircraft Flight, and renamed Heritage Flight in 2020, this unique unit serves as a living...

India's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has received an overwhelming response to its tender for the manufacturing of crucial structural assemblies for its next-generation fighter aircraft programs: the Tejas Mk-2, Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Over a dozen private sector companies, many already contributing to the Tejas Mk1A program, have expressed keen interest in expanding their role in India's rapidly growing defence aerospace...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director, Sunil Kumar, has confirmed that the highly anticipated deal with GE Aerospace for the procurement of F-414 engines for the Tejas Mk2 program has been postponed to mid-2025. While initially expected by the end of 2024, the deal, crucial for powering India's advanced light combat aircraft, is now likely to be finalized by March 2025. ad Despite the delay, Kumar reassured stakeholders that both HAL and GE Aerospace are...

A Pakistani defence analyst has sparked debate by suggesting that India is developing a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with the potential to target Western countries. Prof. Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal of Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad claims that the alleged "Surya" ICBM could have a range of 10,000 to 12,000 kilometers, bringing even the United States within striking distance. ad Jaspal's comments, made to World Echo News, highlight anxieties in Pakistan about...

A leading Indian defence expert is advocating for a significant deepening of India-Israel defence collaboration, suggesting that India could become a major manufacturing hub for Israeli arms. Bharat Karnad, Senior Fellow in National Security Studies at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi, proposes a model where Israel's defence industry focuses on research and development, while India takes on the bulk production of critical defence equipment. This partnership, he argues, would...

India is significantly bolstering its naval power with the development of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) that will also function as guided missile submarines (SSGNs). This ambitious program, a collaboration between the Indian Navy and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is set to enhance India's strategic deterrence and maritime dominance. ad A key feature of these advanced submarines will be their ability to launch a new generation of long-range cruise...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is accelerating the development of its SWiFT stealth UAV program, a move driven by the need for unmanned aircraft capable of operating effectively in modern, contested airspace. This initiative reflects a strategic shift towards integrating advanced stealth technology into the IAF's unmanned aerial capabilities. ad Recent conflicts have exposed the vulnerabilities of traditional UAVs, which are easily detected and neutralized by modern air defence systems. The...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is forging ahead with production of the Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft despite delays in the delivery of GE F-404 engines. Facing a potential production bottleneck, HAL, under the leadership of Chairman and Managing Director Mr. D.K. Sunil, has adopted an innovative "engine-agnostic" approach to keep the Tejas Mk1A program on track. According to a HAL official, the company is building Tejas Mk1A airframes and equipping them with Category B F-404...

Israel's recent acquisition of 25 F-15 fighter jets from Boeing for $5.2 billion has sparked a debate in India: could the Indian Air Force (IAF) secure a better deal by opting for the F-15 over the Dassault Rafale in its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender? Israel's deal translates to a per-unit cost of approximately $208 million for each F-15, inclusive of infrastructure, logistics, and training. This figure is significantly lower than the estimated $236 million per unit cost of the...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to significantly enhance its combat capabilities with the planned upgrade of 84 SU-30MKI fighter jets under the "Super Sukhoi" program. The Ministry of Defence is nearing the finalization of this ambitious project, which aims to transform the SU-30MKI into a near fifth-generation platform. The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) granted approval for the upgrade on November 30, 2023, with an estimated budget of ₹63,000 crore. The proposal is now awaiting...

Delays in the supply of F-404 engines from General Electric (GE) Aerospace have cast a shadow over India's Tejas Mk1A program, raising concerns about potential setbacks in aircraft delivery. This has ignited a debate about the feasibility of transitioning to the more powerful GE F-414 engines, currently earmarked for the Tejas Mk2. While the F-414 promises enhanced performance, integrating it into the Tejas Mk1A would necessitate significant modifications. ad F404 vs. F414: A Comparative...

In a move aimed at bolstering operational readiness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seeking environmental clearance to construct additional ammunition storage facilities in the strategically crucial Ladakh region. This initiative focuses primarily on forward areas in Eastern Ladakh, a region that has witnessed heightened tensions with China in recent years. ad The proposals, submitted between April and July, highlight the "urgent necessity" to...

As the recent Israel-Hamas conflict casts a shadow over the future of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), India is increasingly focusing on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as a crucial trade route. And within this strategic shift, Armenia is emerging as a pivotal partner for India, offering a secure and reliable passage for goods bypassing potentially problematic routes through Azerbaijan. ad This development comes as Iran's Ambassador to Armenia...

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a lighter version of its Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), aiming to provide the Indian Army with a more agile and readily deployable artillery solution. This new Towed Gun System (TGS) is being designed with a reduced chamber capacity of 23 litres and a lighter barrel, ensuring it falls under the 15-ton weight limit mandated by the Army. ad This move comes in response to the Army's increasing need for...

The Indian Army is looking to significantly enhance its logistical capabilities with the introduction of heavy-lift cargo drones, capable of transporting 1-2 tons of supplies. This ambitious plan aims to overcome the challenges of supplying troops stationed in remote and inaccessible areas, particularly along the challenging Himalayan border. ad Currently, the Army utilizes cargo drones with payload capacities ranging from 5kg to 250kg. These have proven effective in transporting light loads...