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In a landmark military operation on 3 January 2026, United States forces successfully executed 'Operation Absolute Resolve', resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The three-hour mission, which involved a massive coordination of over 150 aircraft and special operations units, has drawn international attention not only for its political implications but for the total collapse of Venezuela’s air defence network. Once touted as one of the...

India’s upcoming medium-weight fighter, the Tejas Mk2, is undergoing a significant design evolution with the decision to adopt an external podded gun configuration. This move represents a departure from the internal cannon layout seen in the earlier Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A variants. Engineers have opted to remove the fixed internal gun to create vital space within the airframe, which will now be utilised for a new multipurpose internal station. This shift highlights a strategic focus on...

India is reportedly considering a strategic partnership with France to secure a viable engine option for the locally manufactured Sukhoi SJ-100-95B Superjet. According to industry sources, the propulsion system has emerged as the defining factor for the programme’s success, with Indian operators expressing concern over the long-term efficiency and supportability of existing options. The discussions centre on the PowerJet SaM146 turbofan, a powerplant originally developed by PowerJet, a...

In a strategic move to ensure the operational availability of its deep-penetration strike fleet, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated discussions with the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) to acquire its remaining stock of grounded Jaguar combat aircraft. This development is the latest step in a broader global effort by the IAF to secure essential spares for the Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar, ensuring the fleet remains combat-ready through its planned service life until 2035. ad Global Hunt for...

The Indian Navy is rapidly moving to replace the radar systems on its MiG-29K fighter jets with indigenous alternatives following a significant security breach that has exposed severe performance issues with the Russian-made equipment. A high-profile data leak in October 2025 revealed that the Zhuk-ME radars, intended to be the "eyes" of the fleet, are suffering from critical failures in India's humid maritime environment. This revelation has prompted defence officials to look towards the...

In a significant boost to India’s aspirations for a state-of-the-art indigenous fighter ecosystem, Safran CEO Olivier Andries has confirmed the capabilities of the new turbofan engine being co-developed with India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). Mr Andries revealed that the joint propulsion system will possess a scalable thrust envelope of 120–140 kN. This crucial clarification not only solidifies the propulsion roadmap for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme...

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed a concrete timeline for India's most ambitious aviation project to date. Dr Samir V Kamat, the Chairman of DRDO, announced that the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter—is scheduled to roll out its first prototype by the end of 2028. This major milestone will be followed by the aircraft's maiden flight in early 2029. These critical updates were shared during the...

As India approaches a critical decision on selecting an international partner to co-develop a high-powered engine for its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), British aerospace major Rolls-Royce has intensified its campaign. The company is now explicitly highlighting its direct involvement in fifth-generation fighter propulsion to counter the strong position held by French competitor Safran. While reports suggest that the Indian Ministry of Defence may be leaning towards Safran for the...

Amid evolving regional security dynamics, Russia has renewed its proposal to supply the Indian Armed Forces with the S-350 Vityaz air defence system. According to defence sources close to Rostec, this latest offer is significantly sweetened by the inclusion of comprehensive Technology Transfer (ToT) provisions. Moscow is positioning the system not as a standalone solution, but as a critical "force multiplier" designed to protect and supplement India's existing S-400 Triumf regiments. A...

India is on the verge of cementing a pivotal defence agreement with the United States, with the technology transfer deal for General Electric (GE) F414 engines expected to be formally signed by March 2026. According to sources close to the development, negotiations for the prospective USD 1.5 billion contract have been concluded, establishing a framework for an unprecedented 80 per cent Transfer of Technology (ToT). This agreement represents a cornerstone of India’s aerospace ambitions...

The timeline for India’s ambitious Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2 programme has received a major boost following a confident assertion by the country’s top defence scientist. Dr Samir V Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has officially stated that the indigenous fighter jet is expected to make its maiden flight between June and July 2026. This significant update was shared during the latest episode of Raksha Sutra, the Ministry of Defence’s...

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...