The Indian Air Force (IAF) is confident that its upcoming upgrades to the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet will provide a decisive edge over potential acquisitions by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), specifically the Chinese J-35A stealth aircraft, according to a recent statement by an IAF official.
The official suggested that while the J-35A incorporates design elements to reduce visibility to radar, it may not possess the true all-aspect stealth capabilities required to effectively...
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India's state-owned aerospace manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), faced sharp criticism from the parliamentary committee on public undertakings this past Thursday, March 27.
The committee delivered a critical report highlighting significant operational shortcomings at HAL, particularly concerning delays in the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program and the recent grounding of the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) fleet.
These issues, the report suggests, stem from...
The history of Indian military aviation includes the significant chapter of the HF-24 Marut, the nation's first domestically designed and built jet fighter. However, its journey was cut short when the decision was made to acquire the British-French SEPECAT Jaguar strike aircraft instead of pursuing upgrades for the Marut.
Recent reflections, including accounts from pilots who flew both aircraft, suggest that the imported Jaguar may have been less suited than the Marut for certain key...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has set specific and ambitious requirements for a new engine being developed for India's future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), tasked with this crucial development, must engineer an engine capable of achieving "supercruise" – sustained supersonic flight without engaging fuel-intensive afterburners.
The IAF mandates this capability at a speed of Mach 1.3 (approximately 1,600 km/h) at an altitude of 12...
The rapid advancements in sixth-generation fighter aircraft development by nations like China and the United States are prompting strategic recalculations globally. Within India's defence circles, a significant debate is emerging regarding potential participation in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), spearheaded by the UK, Italy, and Japan.
A key consideration is whether aligning the engine technology for India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) with the GCAP could...
In a potentially pivotal move for India's futuristic fighter jet program, Russia has proposed a joint effort to develop an advanced flat engine nozzle for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This offer, however, is conditional upon India selecting Russia's new Izdeliye 177S engine to power the aircraft.
The proposal, stemming from talks initiated during the Aero India 2025 exposition and continuing through subsequent negotiations, highlights Russia's keen interest in deepening its...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's leading aerospace and defence company, has issued an urgent Request for Quotation (RFQ) seeking international expertise to tackle unexpected internal noise levels discovered in its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) prototypes.
The RFQ, published in late March 2025 by HAL's Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre (RWR&DC) in Bangalore, invites bids for consultancy services focused on noise reduction within the helicopter.
With a tight submission...
GE Aerospace has initiated a significant step in supporting India's indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme by beginning deliveries of the F404-IN20 engines.
The first engine was formally handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on March 25, 2025. Underscoring its commitment, the US-based company plans to supply an additional 11 engines by the close of 2025.
This steady supply aims to ensure uninterrupted production of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jets at HAL, marking a...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's state-owned aerospace and defence company, has unveiled a concept for a new supersonic trainer aircraft, the Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42). This proposed aircraft draws design inspiration from the HAL HF-24 Marut, India's first indigenously developed jet fighter which first flew in the 1960s.
While HAL intends the HLFT-42 to honour India's aviation heritage and meet the Indian Air Force's (IAF) requirement for modern training jets...
The Indian Army is moving forward with a significant procurement process for 400 new 155mm/52 caliber Towed Gun Systems (TGS), valued at approximately ₹6,500 crore. This tender is part of a larger plan to eventually acquire nearly 1,500 such units under the Army's Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP).
Amidst intense competition from major Indian defence manufacturers, Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), part of the Kalyani Group, is reportedly gaining an edge with its Bharat-52...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received approval from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to lease a single Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft from the French Air and Space Force.
This arrangement, set for a duration of three years, is intended to supplement the IAF's current aerial refuelling capabilities, which are under strain due to issues with its existing tanker fleet, while also allowing personnel to gain experience with the modern A330 MRTT.
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While the lease marks a...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to embark on a significant modernization program for its Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets, the backbone of its combat fleet, beginning in the financial year 2025-26.
A recent report presented to Parliament by the Standing Committee on Defence outlines plans to integrate domestically developed avionics, advanced weaponry, and electronic warfare (EW) systems onto these aircraft.
This initiative aims to sharpen the IAF's operational capabilities while...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's state-owned aerospace and defence company, has formally adjusted the value of its contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) concerning the supply of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1 jets in their Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configuration.
Originally valued at Rs 5,989.39 crore when signed in December 2010, the contract amount has been increased to Rs 6,542.20 crore primarily due to alterations in the delivery timeline.
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In an official...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) marked a significant advancement in India's indigenous military aviation capabilities with the official rollout of the seventh Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A variant on March 25, 2025.
The aircraft, identified by the serial number LA-5039, represents the latest addition to the enhanced Mk1A series being produced for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
This rollout occurred just over twelve months after the maiden flight of the first Tejas Mk1A (serial...
The Indian Ministry of Defence has finalized significant contracts totalling ₹2,500 crore aimed at strengthening the nation's military capabilities. Announced on Thursday, these agreements involve the procurement of the Nag Missile System (NAMIS), a sophisticated anti-tank weapon, and numerous light vehicles for the armed forces.
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A major part of this initiative is a ₹1,801-crore contract awarded to Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL) for the supply of NAMIS. This deal facilitates the...
Significant progress is being made on India's indigenous Tejas Mk2 fighter jet program, with assembly of the first aircraft now reportedly exceeding 60 percent completion. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace and defence company manufacturing the aircraft, is pushing forward to meet a target rollout date by the end of October 2025.
This development represents a crucial step in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) initiative, aimed at providing the Indian Air Force (IAF)...
State-owned aerospace and defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has officially launched its search for a suitable jet engine to power its developmental supersonic trainer, the Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42).
HAL issued a Request for Information (RFI) on March 17, 2025, outlining the core requirements for the powerplant. The document specifies the need for an engine capable of producing a maximum thrust between 95 and 100 kilonewtons (kN) and possessing a...
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has stated that the Zorawar light tank platform possesses a flexible and scalable design. This inherent adaptability means that the current 25-tonne tank, which is undergoing developmental testing under Project Zorawar, could potentially be developed into a more powerful 32-tonne version if required by the Indian Army.
Such a move would allow for significant upgrades in firepower and engine capacity within the light tank category...
Discussions are ongoing regarding the possibility of Ukraine receiving additional Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to strengthen its air capabilities. French President Emmanuel Macron recently suggested that countries currently operating these aircraft could potentially supply them to Kyiv, complementing France's own commitment.
France has already promised a number of its Mirage 2000-5F aircraft to aid Ukraine's defence efforts. However, President Macron's comments open the door for other nations...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is initiating measures to acquire advanced aircraft decoys designed to precisely imitate its key fighter jets, including the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, and the indigenous Tejas. This strategic move aims to bolster the security of frontline airbases by deploying these realistic replicas on forward runways.
The primary goal is to mislead potential adversaries during sudden attacks, thereby providing an essential passive defence mechanism against aerial bombardments and...
