India’s ambition to field a home-grown fifth-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), faces a silent but critical vulnerability that lies deep within its design process.
While the airframe will be manufactured in India and the engines are being developed with indigenous intent, the digital "brain" required to design these complex machines belongs almost entirely to foreign entities.
This uncomfortable reality reveals a strategic gap: while the hardware may be...
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The induction of the indigenous Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet into the Indian Air Force (IAF) has reached a critical juncture.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has officially declared that five aircraft are fully manufactured and ready for handover following successful weaponry trials.
However, defence sources indicate that the actual entry of these jets into combat service may face further delays due to pending certification processes and operational clearances required by the IAF...
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has quietly introduced its latest 8×8 Wheeled Infantry Combat Vehicle (WhICV), a platform that signals a significant departure from its predecessor, the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP).
While the two vehicles may share a visual lineage, the WhICV is not merely a cosmetic update; it represents a comprehensive re-engineering effort aimed specifically at meeting the rigorous demands of the Indian Army’s future mechanised infantry.
The design choices...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has refuted recent media speculation suggesting it has been eliminated from the development and manufacturing phase of India's ambitious Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
The state-owned aerospace giant maintains that it is yet to receive any formal communication regarding a change in its role from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
This clarification comes in the wake of reports, primarily by The Economic Times...
A recent report by The Tribune India indicates that GE Aerospace has successfully delivered a total of six F404 engines to India, marking a crucial step forward for the indigenous fighter programme.
This latest development involves the handover of one additional engine in January 2026, which adds to the five units that were supplied throughout 2025.
This delivery schedule aligns with previous updates, which had confirmed that the fifth powerplant reached Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)...
In a significant move to enhance its aerial warfare capabilities, Armenia has entered into advanced discussions with India regarding the acquisition of the Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile system.
These negotiations highlight the deepening defence cooperation between Yerevan and New Delhi, occurring against the backdrop of Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan’s official visit to Armenia in early February 2026.
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The primary focus of the talks is the...
In a significant stride towards strengthening India's aerospace capabilities, French aerospace major Safran Aircraft Engines is poised to deepen its industrial footprint in the country.
The move is tied to the forthcoming procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) by the Indian Air Force (IAF), positioning India not just as a buyer but as a critical global hub for Rafale production and maintenance.
Deal Structure and Timeline
The proposed government-to-government agreement...
A major diplomatic breakthrough has reshaped the economic landscape between the United States and India, potentially altering the course of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) future fighter jet procurement.
Following months of negotiations personally led by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two nations have announced a comprehensive trade agreement that reduces US tariffs on Indian goods from 25% (+25%) to 18%.
In return, India has committed to increasing energy...
In a watershed moment for India’s aerospace sector, three private industrial heavyweights have been selected as the final contenders to develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has shortlisted Tata Advanced Systems Limited, a consortium led by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and the Bharat Forge alliance to proceed to the next stage of this critical defence programme.
This development signals a...
Negotiations between India and Russia regarding the potential revival of fighter aircraft cooperation have reportedly reached an "advanced stage of technical consultations."
Central to these discussions is a proposal to manufacture the export variant of the Su-57 stealth fighter, known as the Su-57E, within India.
According to statements attributed to United Aircraft Corporation CEO Vadim Badekha, the roadmap involves licensed production at existing Indian facilities—likely the Hindustan...
A significant development in India’s indigenous defence capabilities has emerged following confirmation from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The agency is set to extend the range of the Astra Mk1 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) from its current 110 km to approximately 160 km.
This enhancement is poised to reshape the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) procurement strategy, potentially removing the necessity to import the French-made MICA NG missile.
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A New...
Following the confirmed performance upgrades of the Astra air-to-air missile family, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is reportedly turning its attention to the Rudram-1, India’s primary anti-radiation missile.
Fresh reports indicate that scientists are exploring methods to significantly extend the missile's strike range, potentially pushing it close to the 300 km mark by leveraging the same advanced propulsion technology used in the Astra program.
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Building on the...
In a major boost to India’s maritime strategic capabilities, construction work for the country’s next-generation S5 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) has officially commenced.
The S5, which will form the backbone of India’s future sea-based nuclear deterrence, is being built at the same Ship Building Centre (SBC) complex that previously delivered the Arihant-class follow-on vessels, often referred to as the S-4 and S-4* platforms.
According to defence sources, this...
In a significant milestone for indigenous defence sustainment, the Indian Navy and domestic industry have successfully stabilised the performance of the MiG-29K fighter fleet’s Zhuk-ME radar, effectively resolving chronic reliability issues that had plagued the platform for over a decade.
This breakthrough follows the quiet lapse of the original Russian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certification in 2019.
The expiration of this vendor agreement, rather than hindering operations...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has introduced a significant design update to its HLFT-42 Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) programme, marking a decisive shift in the aircraft's aerodynamic configuration.
The most notable modification is the complete redesign of the air intakes, moving away from the earlier concept inspired by the HF-24 Marut to a configuration that closely mirrors the Tejas Mk2.
This strategic realignment aims to enhance aerodynamic efficiency, lower development risks...
India’s pursuit of a modernised fighter fleet has reached a potential turning point, with Russia confirming that negotiations for the Su-57 stealth aircraft have moved into a critical new phase.
Speaking to the press at the Wings India 2026 air show in Hyderabad, Vadim Badekha, the Chief Executive Officer of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), revealed that discussions with New Delhi are now in a "deep technical stage," signalling a move beyond general interest toward concrete...
India’s regional aviation landscape is poised for a significant transformation following a strategic announcement by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).
In a move to bolster domestic civil aviation capabilities, the two entities have formalised a plan to introduce the SJ-100 Superjet to the Indian market.
The initiative will commence with the import of fully assembled aircraft for testing, eventually leading to the assembly of...
As India moves closer to finalizing what could be the largest single fighter aircraft acquisition in the world, the Rafale programme is poised to reach historic financial and strategic heights.
Negotiations are currently advancing for the procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), a deal estimated to exceed $35 billion.
When aggregated with the Indian Air Force’s previous induction of 36 jets and the imminent order of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the Indian Navy, the total...
Recent media reports linking the performance upgrades of the Indian Air Force’s Astra air-to-air missile to Chinese PL-15 technology have highlighted the rapid spread of unverified narratives.
Speculation has suggested that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved the Astra’s new capabilities by reverse-engineering propellant from a Chinese PL-15E missile allegedly recovered on Indian soil.
However, defence officials and scientists have firmly rejected these...
In a development that could redefine the standards for mobile heavy artillery, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. (KSSL) has confirmed the successful creation of a 155mm/52-calibre artillery gun mounted on a 4×4 wheeled chassis.
Cited as a world first, this engineering feat integrates the firepower of a long-range heavy howitzer with the agility of a compact vehicle—a combination previously viewed as structurally unfeasible.
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Breaking the Weight Barrier with Hybrid Recoil
The primary...
