As India confronts a dynamic and technologically advancing regional security landscape, strategic planners are looking beyond current modernisation projects towards the development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft.
This new programme is being envisioned as a long-term replacement for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) formidable Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet, which is expected to face operational challenges against future threats by the late 2030s.
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The Su-30MKI, with a fleet size of over 270...
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The Ministry of Defence is re-evaluating the role of private companies in India's prestigious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
The move is a direct response to concerns from a major private industry partner that the currently assigned work is too limited to justify the significant financial investment required.
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The AMCA is India's ambitious initiative to design and manufacture a 5th-generation stealth fighter jet, placing the nation in an elite group of countries with...
India's pursuit of advanced military aviation technology is set to take a major leap forward as the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) prepares to finalise a partnership with a global manufacturer for the joint development of a powerful new jet engine.
The agreement, expected by the end of 2025, will pave the way for a 120-kilonewton (kN) thrust engine designed to power the nation's futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
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The GTRE, a key laboratory under the Defence...
India's indigenous military aviation sector is poised for a significant advancement, with the first prototype of the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet scheduled for its official rollout by the end of 2025.
State-owned manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is on a firm timeline to commence full-scale production of the advanced aircraft by early 2029, aiming to deliver an initial order of 120 jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by 2034.
This ambitious schedule highlights the nation's push...
India's indigenous long-range air defence system, 'Project Kusha', is being developed to match the capabilities of Russia's next-generation S-500 "Prometey" system, DRDO chief has confirmed.
This ambitious project aims to provide the Indian Armed Forces with a powerful shield against advanced aerial threats, including stealth fighters, hypersonic missiles, and low-orbit satellites, with deployment scheduled to begin by 2028.
In a significant clarification, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of...
India has launched a major initiative to replenish its military arsenal with a new generation of advanced weaponry, following a recent successful military engagement against Pakistan.
The Indian Ministry of Defence has given the green light for the large-scale procurement of long-range loitering munitions, advanced artillery shells, and sophisticated beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles, according to official reports.
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This strategic procurement drive is a direct result of the...
The Indian Air Force's (IAF) fleet of sophisticated AH-64E Apache helicopters is facing scrutiny over its performance in India's demanding environmental conditions.
A series of emergency landings throughout 2025, including two within a single week this month, has raised concerns about the fleet's reliability, with many incidents reportedly linked to heat-related technical issues.
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The operational challenges were starkly highlighted by two recent events.
On June 13, 2025, an Apache crew...
India is deliberately choosing to advance its own domestic fighter jet program instead of purchasing high-profile foreign aircraft like the American F-35 or the Russian Su-57, according to an academic analysis.
This strategic direction is driven by the nation's foundational policy of achieving self-reliance in the defence sector.
Mumin Chen, a professor at Taiwan's National Chung Hsing University, told international media that India’s primary focus is on the successful development of its...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the cornerstone of India's indigenous military aviation industry, is facing a severe workforce shortage that poses a direct threat to its production schedules for critical national defence projects.
According to an assessment by a former senior official, the state-owned enterprise's employee numbers have been cut in half over the years, even as its project pipeline has expanded with complex and high-priority platforms.
This growing gap between manpower...
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing preparations for a landmark test of a new hypersonic cruise missile, according to recently released tender documents.
The procurement details offer a rare insight into the progress of the highly secretive Project ET-LDHCM, which stands for "End-to-End Test of Long-Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile," signalling a critical phase in India’s ambition to develop next-generation strategic weapons.
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Hypersonic missiles...
In a significant advancement for India's indigenous defence capabilities, the Solar Group has officially presented the complete, vehicle-mounted version of its Bhargavastra counter-drone system.
Mounted for the first time on a versatile 4x4 light truck, the system is designed to provide the Indian armed forces with a highly mobile and rapid solution to neutralize hostile drone activities across difficult landscapes.
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The Bhargavastra system successfully underwent rigorous testing at the...
The Indian government is reportedly evaluating the acquisition of one to two additional squadrons of the Russian-made S-400 'Triumf' air defence system.
This potential expansion comes as India continues to strengthen its air defence capabilities along its borders with China and Pakistan, while simultaneously pushing forward with its ambitious indigenous missile program, 'Project Kusha'.
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This strategic consideration builds upon a foundational 2018 agreement with Russia, valued at $5.43...
A leading Indian defence technology company is urging the armed forces to adopt advanced "hard-kill" anti-drone systems, which physically destroy aerial threats, to counter a new generation of autonomous and jam-resistant drones.
Ashok Atluri, the head of Hyderabad-based Zen Technologies, stressed the necessity of these systems following recent border escalations that have tested India's air defence capabilities.
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The call to action comes in the aftermath of recent India-Pakistan conflict...
India's ambition to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet has reached a major milestone, with eleven of the nation's leading private and public sector companies expressing interest in building the aircraft.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which leads the project, has received responses from corporate giants including the Tata Group, Infosys, and Larsen & Toubro for the design and engineering of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
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This overwhelming industry...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is confronting a significant shortfall in its fighter jet capacity, operating with only 30 squadrons against a government-sanctioned strength of 42.5.
This gap comes at a critical time, as regional adversaries China and Pakistan are enhancing their air power with advanced fifth-generation stealth aircraft, altering the strategic landscape in South Asia.
To effectively address this growing challenge and boost its domestic defence capabilities under the...
Recent reports from defence circles indicate that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) may have granted Chinese engineers access to modify its fleet of European-made Saab 2000 Erieye surveillance aircraft.
The primary objective of this collaboration is reportedly to make the advanced Swedish system compatible with Pakistan's Chinese-manufactured JF-17 and J-10CE fighter jets, a move that has sparked serious concerns about the potential for technology theft and the security of sensitive Western...
India's domestically developed light tank, the Zorawar, is scheduled to commence its first phase of rigorous user trials with the Indian Army in July 2025.
This critical evaluation stage will be instrumental in finalizing the timeline for the tank's planned induction into service by 2027, marking a significant step in bolstering India's military capabilities in high-altitude border regions.
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The development of the 25-tonne tank is a direct response to the strategic requirements for an...
In a major leap for India's military capabilities, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is being upgraded to achieve near-hypersonic speeds.
BrahMos Aerospace, the joint venture between India and Russia, is developing an enhanced ramjet engine designed to propel the missile beyond Mach 4.5, significantly increasing its speed and lethality.
Sources confirm that ground trials for this powerful new engine have already commenced.
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The BrahMos is already a critical asset in India's armed...
In a major move to enhance its military firepower and advance its self-reliance goals, India will equip its entire fleet of Rafale fighter jets with three domestically developed weapon systems.
The Indian Air Force's (IAF) 36 Rafales and the Indian Navy’s newly ordered 26 Rafale Marine aircraft will be integrated with the Rudram-I anti-radiation missile, the Astra Mk1 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, and the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW).
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This decision marks a significant...
In a significant proposal aimed at bolstering India's military aviation capabilities, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Defence has put forward a "National Consortium" model to manufacture the country's futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Arun Ramchandani, the Executive Vice President of L&T Defence, suggested that a collaborative approach between public and private sector firms is the most efficient path to developing India’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet and...
