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India's national auditor, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), has issued a sharply critical report concerning Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) management of its Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (RUAV-200) project. The audit reveals significant shortcomings in how the program was planned and carried out, leading to wasted funds and missed opportunities in the crucial defence drone market. ad The recent CAG report focused on Project 3 (Rotary UAV Development) highlights a key...

Recent reports surrounding the first flight schedule for India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2 have caused some confusion, following statements reportedly made by the head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Some interpretations suggested a maiden flight could happen very soon. However, reliable sources have stepped in to clarify the situation, confirming that the advanced fighter jet program remains on its previously established timeline. ad The confusion...

The Sukhoi Su-30 family, a powerful twin-engine fighter jet developed in Russia, serves numerous air forces globally. Russia has successfully exported versions like the Su-30SM to several nations. However, India, despite manufacturing an advanced variant known as the Su-30MKI under license, has been unable to sell this aircraft to other countries. This situation arises from a combination of contractual limitations tied to intellectual property, technological dependencies, national strategic...

India's long-held ambition to develop its own jet engines for fighter aircraft faces a critical juncture, prompting calls to involve the nation's burgeoning private defence industry in reviving the indigenous Kaveri engine project. The move aims to address the immediate engine requirements for the Tejas Mk1A aircraft and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers like General Electric (GE). ad The Kaveri engine program, initiated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Gas...

India's push for self-reliance in critical defence technology has received a significant boost, with major private conglomerates including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Godrej Aerospace, and the Kalyani Group committing to support the development of a powerful new jet engine within the country. This 110kN thrust engine is intended to power India's future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The initial plan aims for this complex project to be spearheaded domestically, without direct involvement...

India is firmly on track to join a select group of nations capable of developing their own fifth-generation fighter aircraft, with officials confirming the first indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is projected for induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) by 2035. Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), affirmed this timeline during recent public statements. ad The AMCA initiative represents a major step in India's ambition for...

For decades, the Indian Armed Forces have displayed unwavering resolve and resourcefulness in battle. However, the integration of air power with armoured operations faced a significant hurdle: a shortage of dedicated attack helicopters. Despite the capabilities of the Mi-35 Hinds and AH-64E Apaches, their limited numbers—approximately 20 combined—fell short of India's extensive operational demands, especially along its disputed borders. Now, this is changing with a significant expansion of...

India is set to significantly enhance its strategic defence capabilities with the development of the K-5 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM). This advanced weapon system is expected to greatly strengthen India's nuclear deterrence. The K-5 missile is projected to have a range of over 5,000 kilometres when carrying a substantial payload, potentially extending beyond 8,000 kilometres with a lighter one. This capability will equip India's nuclear-powered submarines with the power to...

India is reportedly preparing to enter negotiations later this year for a significant purchase of 110 additional Rafale fighter jets directly from the French government. According to reports from The Print, this potential multi-billion-dollar government-to-government (G2G) agreement aims to rapidly bolster the Indian Air Force (IAF), which currently faces a shortage of fighter squadrons. ad This move signifies a shift away from the stalled Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) procurement...

A former Royal Air Force (RAF) instructor, with experience training Indian pilots, has suggested that the Indian Air Force (IAF) should contemplate retiring its fleet of SEPECAT Jaguar strike aircraft, primarily citing safety concerns associated with the ageing platform. Tim Davis, speaking candidly to Indian media, provided an in-depth look at the aircraft, which India continues to operate decades after it was phased out by other user nations. ad Mr. Davis noted the Jaguar served the UK...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) faces a significant operational challenge, raising concerns about its preparedness to defend against potential threats from both China and Pakistan simultaneously. Defence analyst Shashank Singh, associated with Caravan magazine and Yale University, recently detailed the extent of this challenge, describing it as a "very, very serious" situation stemming from multiple factors including reduced squadron numbers, aging aircraft fleets, shortages in essential support...

Adani Defence and Aerospace has firmly established its presence in the international ammunition market, securing substantial multi-year export orders for products manufactured at its state-of-the-art facility in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. This development positions India more prominently within the global defence supply chain, leveraging advanced manufacturing to meet rising international demand while maintaining capacity for national requirements. The complex, inaugurated in February 2024, is...

A potential offer from the United States to supply India with the advanced F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jet, first announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in February, appears to be facing significant challenges. Nearly three months after the high-profile suggestion aimed at strengthening U.S.-India defence ties, no formal proposal has been submitted. Meanwhile, indications suggest the Indian Air Force (IAF) is prioritising the acquisition of additional French-made Dassault Rafale...

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is actively assessing potential replacements for its long-serving Northrop F-5FM Tiger II jets, marking a significant step in its ongoing fleet modernization program. Facing the need to retire these decades-old aircraft, Brazil is considering distinct proposals from India and Pakistan, pitting the Indian-made Tejas Mk1A against the Pakistani-Chinese jointly developed JF-17 Block III. ad The FAB's modernisation drive aims to enhance its capabilities to meet...

India's primary defence research agency, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has taken a significant step towards enhancing the nation's infantry firepower by revealing the initial prototype of a new 6.8mm assault rifle. Developed by the Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a key DRDO laboratory, this weapon represents a potential indigenous solution for the Indian Army's long-standing quest for a modern small arms system. ad Showcased in...

India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has announced significant plans for the jet engine intended for the nation's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The establishment confirmed that the 110kN (kilonewton) thrust engine will feature a core design allowing for future enhancements. ad This design approach means the engine can be developed into more powerful versions, potentially reaching thrust...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced an ambitious project to create and test a powerful 300-kilowatt (kW) laser weapon system, named "Surya," by 2027. This development represents a significant advancement in India's efforts to acquire sophisticated next-generation defence technologies. The proposed system is a type of Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), which uses concentrated energy, like high-power lasers, for military purposes. Such weapons offer...

India's programme to develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), envisioned as a 5.5-generation stealth fighter, is facing increased scrutiny as leading global aerospace nations push forward with highly advanced sixth-generation fighter projects. Amid this rapidly evolving technological landscape, Air Marshal S.B.P. Sinha (Retd.), a former Deputy Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has asserted the continued importance of the AMCA, highlighting that it was designed specifically to...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing for a significant capability boost for its Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets through the 'Super-30 Program'. This initiative aims to upgrade 84 of these frontline aircraft beginning in 2026. Central to the upgrade is the installation of the domestically developed Virupaksha Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which uses advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, along with a state-of-the-art digital cockpit. This program highlights India's...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is conceptualizing a major advancement in its aerial warfare capabilities with plans for a future supersonic Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). This forward-looking project aims for an aircraft capable of sustained supersonic flight (supercruise) and carrying a substantial internal weapons load of up to 4 tons, according to informed sources. ad This long-term vision complements the IAF's more immediate focus on the Ghatak UCAV program. The Ghatak, currently...