The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) indigenous fighter training programme has achieved a key logistical milestone with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) formally handing over six Tejas twin-seat trainer aircraft.
These deliveries mark the partial fulfilment of an initial production batch, with two remaining aircraft from this specific lot currently awaiting final transfer.
Originally, these eight trainers were conceptualised as part of an earlier Tejas Mk1 production roadmap, designed to be...
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A startling recovery of unexploded ordinance in Punjab has reportedly triggered a discreet but urgent technical inquiry within China’s defence manufacturing sector.
Following the intense aerial skirmishes of May 2025—referred to as Operation Sindoor—Indian security forces retrieved several Chinese-made PL-15E air-to-air missiles that had impacted the ground in a near-pristine state.
Intelligence assessments suggest these advanced weapons, fired by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), failed to...
A significant standoff has emerged between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) regarding the delivery timeline of the new Tejas Mk1A fighter jets.
While the state-owned manufacturer is pushing for an early handover of the aircraft in their current state, the Air Force has refused to induct the jets until they fully meet all operational quality standards.
According to recent reports, high-level discussions are underway to resolve the impasse.
Sources indicate...
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, India’s flagship project to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter, has entered a critical phase of industrial negotiation.
Following widespread media reports suggesting Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had been excluded from the initial development list, HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil clarified the situation in a recent interview.
Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Mr Sunil stated that the current Request for Information...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has projected a substantial domestic requirement for its newly developed Dhruv-NG civilian helicopter, estimating a market potential of 200 to 300 units within India.
Dr D. K. Sunil, the Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, has clarified that the organisation will prioritise fulfilling this internal demand over immediate export opportunities.
This strategic decision underscores a significant pivot for the aerospace giant, which aims to consolidate its...
In a significant move towards strengthening national defence capabilities, India is preparing to equip its fleet of French-origin Rafale fighter jets with indigenous air-to-air weaponry.
Trials for the integration of the Astra Mk1 and the advanced Astra Mk2 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVRAAM) onto the Rafale are scheduled to commence in 2028.
This initiative marks a crucial step in the Indian Air Force’s roadmap to enhance operational flexibility while promoting self-reliance...
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has decided to forgo the traditional public unveiling ceremony for the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet.
While industry observers and defence enthusiasts had anticipated a high-profile event similar to previous aircraft launches, officials state this shift in strategy is intended to accelerate engineering progress rather than a result of any program delays.
The decision reflects a pragmatic approach to meet tight development timelines for the Indian Air...
India’s strategic initiative to develop and deploy an indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet has entered a period of significant speculation.
Emerging media reports indicate that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace giant, may be excluded from the initial development phase of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
This potential shift has triggered extensive debate within defence circles, given HAL’s historical status as the cornerstone of India’s...
In a significant development for global strategic stability, Russia officially activated its first combat regiment equipped with the S-500 ‘Prometheus’ air and missile defence system in December 2025.
The induction marks a critical advancement in Moscow’s efforts to establish a next-generation shield capable of neutralising threats ranging from hypersonic weapons to satellites in near-space.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov announced the deployment, stating that the Prometheus...
The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard are poised to reintroduce the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) to active service, ending a grounding period that lasted over a year.
Following a comprehensive technical review, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully rectified a critical flaw in the helicopter's transmission system.
Operations are expected to recommence in April, marking a significant recovery for India's indigenous aviation capabilities.
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Ending the Longest...
India’s ambition to field a home-grown fifth-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), faces a silent but critical vulnerability that lies deep within its design process.
While the airframe will be manufactured in India and the engines are being developed with indigenous intent, the digital "brain" required to design these complex machines belongs almost entirely to foreign entities.
This uncomfortable reality reveals a strategic gap: while the hardware may be...
The induction of the indigenous Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet into the Indian Air Force (IAF) has reached a critical juncture.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has officially declared that five aircraft are fully manufactured and ready for handover following successful weaponry trials.
However, defence sources indicate that the actual entry of these jets into combat service may face further delays due to pending certification processes and operational clearances required by the IAF...
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has quietly introduced its latest 8×8 Wheeled Infantry Combat Vehicle (WhICV), a platform that signals a significant departure from its predecessor, the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP).
While the two vehicles may share a visual lineage, the WhICV is not merely a cosmetic update; it represents a comprehensive re-engineering effort aimed specifically at meeting the rigorous demands of the Indian Army’s future mechanised infantry.
The design choices...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has refuted recent media speculation suggesting it has been eliminated from the development and manufacturing phase of India's ambitious Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
The state-owned aerospace giant maintains that it is yet to receive any formal communication regarding a change in its role from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
This clarification comes in the wake of reports, primarily by The Economic Times...
A recent report by The Tribune India indicates that GE Aerospace has successfully delivered a total of six F404 engines to India, marking a crucial step forward for the indigenous fighter programme.
This latest development involves the handover of one additional engine in January 2026, which adds to the five units that were supplied throughout 2025.
This delivery schedule aligns with previous updates, which had confirmed that the fifth powerplant reached Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)...
In a significant move to enhance its aerial warfare capabilities, Armenia has entered into advanced discussions with India regarding the acquisition of the Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile system.
These negotiations highlight the deepening defence cooperation between Yerevan and New Delhi, occurring against the backdrop of Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan’s official visit to Armenia in early February 2026.
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The primary focus of the talks is the...
In a significant stride towards strengthening India's aerospace capabilities, French aerospace major Safran Aircraft Engines is poised to deepen its industrial footprint in the country.
The move is tied to the forthcoming procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) by the Indian Air Force (IAF), positioning India not just as a buyer but as a critical global hub for Rafale production and maintenance.
Deal Structure and Timeline
The proposed government-to-government agreement...
A major diplomatic breakthrough has reshaped the economic landscape between the United States and India, potentially altering the course of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) future fighter jet procurement.
Following months of negotiations personally led by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two nations have announced a comprehensive trade agreement that reduces US tariffs on Indian goods from 25% (+25%) to 18%.
In return, India has committed to increasing energy...
In a watershed moment for India’s aerospace sector, three private industrial heavyweights have been selected as the final contenders to develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has shortlisted Tata Advanced Systems Limited, a consortium led by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and the Bharat Forge alliance to proceed to the next stage of this critical defence programme.
This development signals a...
Negotiations between India and Russia regarding the potential revival of fighter aircraft cooperation have reportedly reached an "advanced stage of technical consultations."
Central to these discussions is a proposal to manufacture the export variant of the Su-57 stealth fighter, known as the Su-57E, within India.
According to statements attributed to United Aircraft Corporation CEO Vadim Badekha, the roadmap involves licensed production at existing Indian facilities—likely the Hindustan...
