As India advances its domestic aerospace capabilities, a common misunderstanding often arises when comparing the upcoming Tejas Mk2 to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
It is essential to recognise that these two aircraft serve completely different purposes. The Tejas Mk2 is designed as a 4.5-generation Medium Weight Fighter (MWF). In contrast, the AMCA will be India’s first true fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Instead of viewing the two projects as competitors, the Tejas Mk2...
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The Indian Army is currently looking for a specialized vehicle designed to quickly move and set up field artillery guns. This new requirement indicates a shift towards advanced, remote-controlled vehicles to support artillery operations.
Based on the initial details, the proposed vehicle will feature a 4x4 off-road design, an electric motor of 10 kilowatts, and the ability to pull loads up to 4,000 kg.
When fully loaded, it is expected to travel at speeds of 8 to 10 km/h, cover a distance...
Even if India officially seals the highly anticipated ₹3.25 lakh crore ($39 billion) agreement for 114 Rafale fighter jets by the close of this year, the project will span well over a decade.
Based on standard aerospace manufacturing cycles and defence procurement norms, the final domestically built jet may only be completed between 2038 and 2041.
This mega-deal aims to urgently address the Indian Air Force's (IAF) declining combat strength, which has currently dropped to roughly 29...
A few weeks following his retirement in June 2026 as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff for the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor shared a sharp review of India's homegrown Tejas Mk2 fighter jet programme. His comments have sparked major debates among defence experts.
During an interview on NDTV's Ctrl Alt Defence, Kapoor was questioned about the future of the Tejas Mk2. The aircraft is a 4.5-generation medium-weight fighter that is anticipated to join the IAF in large numbers...
India is actively pursuing the creation of a domestic 120-kilonewton (kN) turbofan engine to power its ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
This project has become one of the most critical technology initiatives in the nation's defence sector.
Currently, two global aerospace giants—France’s Safran and the United Kingdom’s Rolls-Royce—are competing for the partnership. However, their pitches go far beyond simply supplying a powerful engine...
The Airbus A400M Atlas has reportedly withdrawn from the competition for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.
This development narrows the options for India as it looks to modernise its ageing airlift fleet, which currently relies heavily on Soviet-era Antonov An-32s.
While the A400M is widely recognised as a highly capable platform, its massive size, premium price tag, and past engine complications presented significant hurdles for the Indian defence...
As the Indian Air Force (IAF) moves forward with the ambitious Rs 3.25 lakh crore Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme to acquire 114 new combat jets, France's Dassault Rafale has emerged as a prominent contender.
While public and media discourse has primarily focused on the number of jets, domestic manufacturing clauses, and technology transfer, an equally crucial factor must take centre stage: contractual autonomy.
To ensure true strategic independence, India must secure the...
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has spent several years designing, testing, and building components for its Supersonic Target (STAR) missile.
Despite these ongoing efforts, this domestically produced, ramjet-powered system has yet to complete an officially confirmed flight test.
Consequently, a crucial programme meant to strengthen India's military capabilities remains in the testing phase, while other newer projects using similar technology are making faster...
The question of whether India prematurely cancelled its indigenous Kaveri fighter engine programme is gaining fresh attention.
Former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, has argued that the Kaveri project should not be dismissed as a complete failure, suggesting that an additional decade of focused development could have yielded significant operational results.
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This perspective is highly relevant today as India actively searches for a new 120 kN-class engine to...
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is rapidly expanding its influence within India's aerospace sector.
After securing a major agreement with Dassault Aviation in June 2025 to manufacture Rafale fighter jet fuselages in Hyderabad, the company is now reportedly in talks to host the jet's final assembly line.
However, this growing footprint has sparked an important debate within India's defence industry.
TASL is currently one of three private entities shortlisted for the Rs 15,000 crore...
The true measure of a modern air defence network goes beyond its ability to shoot down targets; it hinges on how efficiently it manages its interceptor stockpiles.
Procuring an endless supply of long-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) is neither practical nor financially viable.
Instead, a robust layered architecture is required so that high-cost interceptors are reserved for major threats, while more affordable countermeasures deal with cheap drones and lower-tier targets.
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India’s...
Recently, questions have emerged regarding India's decision to purchase American MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones.
This debate follows significant drone losses experienced by the United States during conflicts involving Iranian and Houthi forces.
Sceptics suggest that instead of allocating extensive defence budgets to foreign equipment, New Delhi should focus on creating a home-grown drone that meets India's unique military needs.
In October 2024, India finalised a $4...
Recent reports indicating that India is exploring entry into the French-led Future Combat Air System (FCAS)—a sixth-generation fighter jet programme—have sparked discussions among aviation experts.
Former American fighter pilots view this as both a major strategic chance and a high-stakes technological risk for New Delhi.
This follows the Indian Ministry of Defence's recent confirmation to a Parliamentary Standing Committee that efforts have been officially initiated to join the advanced...
Former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd.), has strongly advocated for an indigenous approach to replacing the IAF's ageing British-origin BAE Systems Hawk Mk-132 advanced jet trainers.
Highlighting India's growing aerospace capabilities, Bhadauria stated that the nation is now fully equipped to design and manufacture its next-generation jet trainer domestically, eliminating the need to rely on foreign suppliers for this critical platform.
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The former Air...
New details have surfaced regarding the intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May 2025.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar disclosed to Parliament in July 2025 that American Vice President JD Vance alerted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 9 about a fast-approaching, large-scale strike by Pakistan.
Prime Minister Modi also shared that Vice President Vance had attempted to reach him several times while he was in a meeting with army officials before they finally...
In a major shift for its aerospace industry, the Indian government has handed over the production of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—the country's upcoming 25-tonne class fifth-generation stealth fighter—to an industry consortium led by the private sector.
Beyond meeting the needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF), this newly selected group is also officially authorised to market and export the advanced jet on the world stage.
Historically, India's defence manufacturing has focused...
Following the events of Operation Sindoor, India has accelerated the development and testing of its advanced air and missile defence shields.
In 2026, the country marked major progress with three critical interceptor systems: the AD-1, AD-2, and Project Kusha. These successful trials highlight New Delhi's commitment to creating a homegrown, multi-tiered defence grid.
This integrated network is designed to protect the nation from a wide array of aerial threats, including hostile fighter...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) to acquire approximately 150 Stage-III advanced jet trainers, preparing to eventually replace its long-serving BAE Hawk Mk-132 fleet. This major procurement will shape the future of India's aviation sector.
The competition currently centres on two indigenous pathways: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) newly proposed HLFT-42 supersonic trainer, and a twin-seat trainer variation of the existing Tejas fighter...
Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, has cautioned against buying Russia's Su-57 fighter jets as a temporary solution for India's fifth-generation combat needs.
He believes that a small, short-term procurement could easily snowball into a massive fleet, thereby threatening the survival of India's own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) initiative.
The AMCA project, which received a ₹15,000 crore clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security in March 2024, is...
Discussions regarding Pakistan's possible purchase of China's advanced J-35 stealth fighter jet have recently shifted focus. Instead of questioning whether the sale will eventually happen, experts are now asking when Beijing will decide the timing is strategically appropriate.
Recent commentary from strategic analysts, such as Yang Xiaotong writing for The Diplomat, indicates that China's reluctance might not just be about manufacturing limits or keeping its technology secret. Instead, a...
