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India's domestically developed Zorawar light tank is turning heads with its unique design philosophy. According to a Japanese defence analyst, the 25-ton Zorawar breaks away from the trend of compact and low-profile Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), prioritizing internal space and battlefield versatility. Compared to the Indian Army's T-90S MBT, which weighs in at 46.5 tons, the Zorawar exhibits some intriguing dimensional differences: Length: The Zorawar is roughly 20 cm longer than the T-90S...

The upcoming Republic Day parade may witness a notable absence: the indigenously developed Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH) and its armed variant, the Rudra. This follows the grounding of the entire fleet after a Coast Guard ALH crashed in Porbandar, Gujarat, on January 5, raising concerns about the helicopter's safety record. ad The crash, which tragically claimed the lives of two pilots and an aircrew diver during a routine training sortie, has prompted a comprehensive safety...

India is actively positioning itself as a key player in the global defence maintenance sector by showcasing its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities, particularly for the Rafale fighter jet, to Indonesia. This initiative comes on the heels of Indonesia's significant investment in the French-made aircraft. ad In February 2022, the Indonesian Air Force signed a landmark $8.1 billion deal to acquire 42 Rafale fighter jets. Air Vice Marshal Sukadis confirmed the deal...

Pakistan's long-held practice of naming its ballistic missiles after historical Afghan invaders, intended as a symbolic taunt to India, has unexpectedly backfired amidst a burgeoning geopolitical dispute with Afghanistan. The controversy erupted when Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, in a surprising turn of events, labelled Mahmud of Ghazni "merely a plunderer" during a televised interview. This statement has ignited a firestorm in Pakistan, where Ghazni is often...

The strategic balance in the Indian Ocean's underwater domain is undergoing a notable transformation, with Pakistan poised to outpace India in fielding submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems by the end of the decade. This development underscores a significant shift in naval capabilities and strategic posturing in the region. The Pakistani Navy currently operates three Agosta-90B-class submarines, also known as the Khalid class, equipped with the French-supplied...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) faces a strategic crossroads as Russia's state-owned United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) confirms the Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet will be showcased at Aero India 2025 next month in Bengaluru. This display reignites the debate surrounding India's potential acquisition of the advanced fighter, a discussion that has simmered since India withdrew from the joint Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program with Russia in 2018. ad India's exit from the...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised to conduct live fire trials of the indigenous HELINA anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) from its Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), "Prachand," marking a significant advancement in India's defence capabilities. The trials, anticipated to commence soon, will demonstrate the integration and operational readiness of the HELINA missile with the LCH platform. ad The HELINA, a derivative of the NAG missile, is a third-generation, fire-and-forget ATGM...

Lockheed Martin, the world's leading defence contractor, is stepping up its efforts to secure a deal with the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its advanced F-16 variant, known in India as the F-21 or F-16 Dash V. In a significant proposal, the company has committed to establishing a production line in India capable of manufacturing three to four F-21 jets per month if India chooses this fighter. ad This production promise holds particular appeal for the IAF, which is currently facing a shortfall...

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a leading research organization under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has announced significant progress in the development of its Dry Kaveri Engine. This engine, which shares 75% commonality with the original Kaveri engine, has overcome many of its predecessor's challenges and is now poised for integration into advanced defence platforms, including the Indian Air Force's (IAF) upcoming unmanned combat aerial vehicles...

In a significant development for India's indigenous fighter jet program, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has expressed strong support for a collaborative approach to developing the engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). While the ultimate goal remains complete indigenous production, the strategy now involves partnering with a foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to design the engine's core, while Indian scientists and engineers focus on developing the low-pressure (LP)...

The Indian Army is set to acquire a significant boost in firepower with the impending procurement of 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) howitzers. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi confirmed this development during his annual press conference ahead of Army Day, stating that the Rs 8,000 crore deal is expected to be finalized by March 2025. "If all goes as planned, we aim to sign the ATAGS contract before the end of this financial year," General Dwivedi announced. This...

India is taking a significant step to expand its defence exports by preparing to officially offer its indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, equipped with the upcoming BrahMos-NG anti-ship missiles, to the Indonesian Air Force. This combined offering aims to address Indonesia's critical need for enhanced maritime surveillance and defence capabilities, given its vast maritime domain. ad Indonesia possesses the world's sixth-largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ), spanning over 6...

The Zorawar light tank, designed specifically for high-altitude warfare, is set for further refinements following extensive trials conducted by the Indian Army. Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi recently provided insights into the next steps for this crucial platform. While the trials, conducted in the challenging terrains of India's northern borders, have been largely successful, General Dwivedi emphasized the need for further improvements based on the Army's recommendations...

Pakistan is poised to significantly enhance its air force capabilities through advanced discussions with Turkey to establish a domestic production facility for the fifth-generation TAI Kaan stealth fighter jet. This move represents a strategic leap for Pakistan's defence capabilities, aiming to produce a local variant of this cutting-edge aircraft. ad This initiative comes alongside Pakistan's ongoing negotiations to acquire 40 Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter jets from China, intended to...

The Indian Navy's recent agreement to acquire 26 Rafale M fighters from France is a significant step not only in strengthening its naval air fleet but also in providing a valuable blueprint for the development of indigenous aircraft like the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF). This deal, valued at approximately $7 billion, presents a unique opportunity for the Indian Navy to learn, adapt, and innovate, potentially leading to a domestically developed fighter that could rival or even...

India's Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) is setting its sights on Southeast Asia, actively pursuing defence cooperation with countries like Vietnam and the Philippines. This strategic move aligns with India's broader ambition to become a major defence exporter and manufacturing hub, leveraging its expertise in shipbuilding and naval engineering. HSL, one of India's largest shipyards, is already engaged in discussions with the Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) regarding submarine refits...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised to secure a significant contract for the supply of its indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopters (LUHs) to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. This contract, expected to be finalized in the second quarter of 2025, marks a major step towards modernizing the Indian military's helicopter fleet, replacing the aging Cheetah and Chetak helicopters that have been in service since the World War II era. ad The LUH, designed and developed by...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has revealed a redesigned version of its CATS Warrior drone, showcasing a full-scale demonstrator with significant modifications aimed at improving performance and stealth. These changes underscore HAL's commitment to advancing India's indigenous drone technology, particularly for the Indian Air Force (IAF). ad One of the most noticeable alterations is the redesign of the air intake. Previous iterations featured a more angular, stealth-focused intake...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking decisive steps to counter the growing threat of swarm drones by initiating the acquisition of specialized "Kamikaze" drone systems. These systems are designed to protect vital installations from attacks by enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The IAF has expressed an initial requirement for 20 such systems to bolster its defences against this emerging threat. The term "Kamikaze" in this context refers to drones designed for one-way missions, where...

Defence analysts are urging the Indian Air Force (IAF) to forge its own path in defining what constitutes a sixth-generation fighter jet. By establishing its own standards, the IAF can tailor its Air Staff Requirements (ASR) to meet specific operational needs, rather than adopting definitions set by global powers like the USA and China. This perspective comes at a time when the global aerospace community is actively debating the characteristics of a sixth-generation fighter. Traditionally...