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A Sukhoi SJ-100-95B "Superjet" has been observed at the Zhukovsky airfield near Moscow sporting a unique livery that includes the branding of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian national flag. This distinct visual update indicates that the aircraft is being prepared for a static display at the upcoming Wings India 2026 exhibition in Hyderabad. The sighting has generated significant interest within the aviation community, interpreted as a clear signal of Russia’s renewed...

In a major development for India’s conventional deterrence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the development of a new Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), designated as the BM-04. This regulatory clearance marks a pivotal transition for the programme, moving it from the conceptual design phase into full-scale hardware realisation and developmental trials. Bridging the Tactical Gap The BM-04 is...

Following the decisive operational success of Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (DEAD) missions during the conflict in May 2025, known as Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is fast-tracking plans to institutionalise this capability. The force is actively pursuing the development of indigenous loitering munitions specifically engineered to dismantle hostile air defence networks, aiming to replicate and expand upon the tactical advantages gained during the recent operations. ad...

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a strict directive to the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), mandating the final certification of the indigenous Dry Kaveri engine by 2026. This deadline represents a critical juncture for India's ambitious Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) programme, signalling a firm policy shift towards synchronising propulsion readiness with airframe development to prevent the delays that have historically plagued national aerospace projects...

Rolls-Royce is poised to significantly widen its industrial footprint in India, unveiling a strategy that places the co-development of a next-generation combat aircraft engine at its heart. Sashi Mukundan, Executive Vice President of Rolls-Royce India, has confirmed that the British aerospace major is planning a "big investment" to establish India as its third global "home market," following the UK and the US/Germany. The primary focus of this strategic push is the indigenous development...

A senior official from BrahMos Aerospace has expressed unwavering confidence in the operational longevity of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, predicting that the weapon system will remain virtually impossible to intercept well into the next decade. According to the official, the probability of a single BrahMos missile being shot down will remain negligible through mid-2035 and potentially up to 2040. This assessment stands despite the rapid proliferation of advanced air defence...

As global conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East evolve into prolonged, industrial-scale wars of attrition, a significant shift is occurring in the global arms trade. Europe and Israel are increasingly viewing India not merely as a buyer of military hardware, but as a crucial manufacturing base capable of sustaining their war efforts. This transition is driven by urgent necessities regarding industrial capacity, cost efficiency, and the strategic safety of India’s geographic location. ad...

In a landmark stride toward military self-reliance, the Indian Army is set to become the world’s first armed force to operationally deploy ramjet-powered artillery shells for its 155 mm guns. This initiative, part of India’s broader Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) campaign, is being developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. The innovation promises to extend the range of conventional artillery shells by 30 to 50 per cent while maintaining their...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has quietly shelved its proposal to procure six additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft through a direct foreign military sale, marking a significant pivot in its procurement strategy. Instead of expanding its existing fleet of 12 tactical airlifters via a standalone deal, the service has decided to consolidate its requirements under the upcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) tender. This massive programme, estimated to be worth over $5 billion, envisages the...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has reportedly reached a critical decision point regarding its future fighter fleet. Following a series of strategic reviews throughout 2025, the requirement for the Tejas Mk2—a medium-weight fighter jet—has solidified well beyond initial estimates. While earlier projections suggested a procurement of around 120 aircraft, sources indicate that the IAF has now communicated a firm necessity for at least 220 to 250 airframes over the next decade and a half. Senior...

In a significant development for India’s defence exports, officials from the Hellenic Army General Staff met with representatives of the Tata Group on 12 December 2025 to discuss the potential induction of the WhAP 8×8 armoured vehicle. The primary focus of the meeting in Athens was to arrange a temporary deployment of the vehicle to Greece, enabling the Greek Army to conduct rigorous technical and operational trials. The proposed evaluation aims to test the Tata Wheeled Armoured Platform...

India and Russia have formally commenced diplomatic and technical consultations regarding the acquisition and domestic manufacturing of the R-37M very long-range air-to-air missile (VLR AAM) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). These discussions mark a significant step towards bolstering the long-range interception capabilities of the IAF's frontline Su-30MKI fleet. According to defence sources, Moscow has proposed a comprehensive package that includes the immediate off-the-shelf supply of the...

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the Indian Army to procure the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR), a system also referred to as Pinaka-III. This approval marks a pivotal shift in India’s artillery capabilities on the western front, enabling the Army to deliver precise, high-volume strikes at ranges previously covered only by expensive missiles. By extending the reach of the indigenous Pinaka system to 120 km, India is set to...

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a premier nodal agency under India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has initiated high-level internal research into a sixth-generation tailless fighter jet. This ambitious undertaking aims to define the technological parameters for the future of India’s aerial warfare capabilities, focusing heavily on stealth, adaptability, and network-centric operations. ad While currently classified as an in-house initiative, these...

The year 2026 is poised to become a definitive turning point in the roadmap for India’s defence modernisation. A host of long-awaited acquisition programmes and strategic capability initiatives are expected to either secure formal government clearances or advance to the crucial contract-signing phase this year. Collectively, these impending decisions will shape the operational posture of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Navy, and air-defence wings well into the 2040s. Furthermore, they will...

A fresh diplomatic row has erupted following claims by the Chinese government that it played a decisive role in brokering peace during the India-Pakistan conflict of May 2025, known as Operation Sindoor. While Beijing attempts to position itself as a peacemaker, Indian citizens and defence analysts have taken to social media to dismantle this narrative. The online backlash suggests that the ceasefire was not the result of Chinese diplomacy, but rather a consequence of the catastrophic...

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has formally granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of over 36 additional Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This approval serves as a definitive endorsement of the missile's strategic value and signals the government’s intent to address immediate inventory requirements, even as negotiations for a separate, long-pending follow-on contract continue. By decoupling this specific procurement...

In a significant stride towards bolstering the Indian Army’s armoured capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has officially cleared financial support for the indigenous development of a high-performance 1,350 horsepower (HP) engine for the T-90 ‘Bhishma’ Main Battle Tank (MBT). Operating under the robust MAKE-I (Government Funded) procurement framework, the initiative aims to deliver a complete indigenous power pack, including the engine and essential automotive peripherals. To...

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has officially cleared a ₹9,000 crore project to acquire six mid-air refuelling tankers, moving the Indian Air Force (IAF) a step closer to modernising its fleet with the Boeing 767 platform. This acquisition will be executed through a collaborative effort between Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This decision represents a strategic pivot towards more efficient, multi-role refuellers designed to meet India’s...

In a landmark development for Indian naval self-reliance, the nation’s fourth ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), designated as S4*, has begun its sea trials, setting a new benchmark in domestic defence production. The vessel has achieved an indigenous content ratio of nearly 80 per cent, the highest figure recorded among the four nuclear-powered platforms developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme to date. This accomplishment underscores the increasing maturity of...