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For decades, the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) has been the subject of intense debate within India’s defence circles. Often dismissed by critics as a delayed and overweight platform, the reality of the Arjun’s development tells a different story—one of engineering resilience against a backdrop of shifting goalposts and bureaucratic hurdles. Former DRDO scientist Ravi Gupta has provided a comprehensive account revealing that the Arjun was not delayed by technological failure, but by a...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has clarified its strategic roadmap regarding future fighter acquisitions, emphasising that the French Rafale and the Russian Su-57 are not competing for the same spot in its inventory. Instead, defence officials view these two platforms as parallel solutions to distinct challenges: one aimed at rapidly restoring combat mass, and the other at providing an immediate stealth capability to counter regional threats. ad Addressing the Squadron Deficit The primary...

As India’s ambitious 114-jet Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme moves closer to finalisation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing for a significant technological leap. While the current fleet of 36 Rafale jets has already established air superiority, the proposed induction of the Rafale F4 standard promises to revolutionise the IAF’s combat potential. Recent reports indicate that the Defence Procurement Board has cleared the proposal for these additional fighters, positioning...

In a significant move to counter the rising challenge of unmanned aerial threats, the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) has confirmed it is developing a specialised anti-drone ammunition. This new bullet is designed specifically for standard 7.62 mm assault rifles, offering infantry soldiers a practical and affordable tool to neutralise hostile drones. Ankathi Raju, the Chief of ARDE, a premier laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)...

In a landmark development for India’s aerospace sector, French aerospace major Dassault Aviation is set to establish a high-capacity production facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This new assembly line is projected to manufacture up to 24 Rafale fighter jets per year, positioning it as the company's second-largest global manufacturing hub after Merignac, France. This ambitious initiative represents the most significant foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) fighter aircraft programme...

A central criticism of India’s current combat aviation roadmap is both stark and justifiable: the Indian Air Force is still waiting for substantial Tejas Mk1A deliveries, and the next-generation Tejas Mk2 has yet to take to the skies. This delay has caused significant disappointment within the strategic community. Had the Mk1A been inducted on time and the Mk2 programme accelerated, they would have served as a robust alternative to the costly import of Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA)...

The potential acquisition of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), widely speculated to be an expansion of the Dassault Rafale fleet, has ignited intense discussion within India’s strategic community. With an estimated price tag of $36 billion (roughly ₹3 lakh crore), critics argue that such a massive foreign purchase could drain the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capital budget, effectively choking the funding for home-grown projects like the Tejas Mk2 and the fifth-generation Advanced Medium...

In a landmark development for national security, the Ministry of Defence is on the verge of finalising a historic ₹3.25 lakh crore (approximately $36 billion) contract to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets. This acquisition, concluding the long-awaited Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, represents one of the globe's most significant defence procurements in recent history. While the deal aims to arrest the dwindling squadron numbers of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and bolster its...

Following the Indian Air Force’s recent approval to procure Rafael Advanced Defence Systems' 'Ice Breaker' cruise missile, the Indian Navy has reportedly launched its own evaluation of the weapon for its fleet of MH-60R "Romeo" Sea Hawk helicopters. Sources close to the development suggest this acquisition could substantially upgrade the Navy’s ability to neutralise maritime threats from rotary-wing aircraft operating at significant distances from the main fleet. ad Addressing the...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has firmly clarified that its proposed acquisition of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA)—with the French Rafale emerging as the frontrunner—will not compromise the financial or developmental roadmap of India’s indigenous fighter programmes. Defence sources confirm that funding and timelines for the next-generation Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) remain insulated from the import procurement, safeguarding the nation’s long-term goal of...

India’s strategic ambition to produce a world-class fighter jet engine domestically is poised for a decisive leap forward. The long-anticipated co-development agreement between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and French aerospace giant Safran has entered the final stage of government clearance. The proposal is now before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the last hurdle before the commencement of a project vital...

As India continues to aggressively expand its regional and international aviation footprint, Moscow has formally presented its complete portfolio of civil aircraft as a strategic solution for the Indian market. Moving beyond its initial offer of regional jets, Russia is now positioning its next-generation MS-21 narrowbody and the extended-range Tu-214 to meet India's demand for cost-effective trunk and intercontinental connectivity. A Multi-Tiered Approach to Indian Skies Russia’s proposal...

As the Indian Air Force (IAF) advances its proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets to be manufactured domestically, Pakistan is reportedly accelerating a dual-pronged strategy to maintain regional airpower parity. In a direct response to India’s formidable buildup, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is preparing to significantly expand its fleet of Chinese-made J-10CE fighters while fast-tracking the induction of J-35 stealth aircraft. India’s Strategic Push for 114 Rafales The Indian Air...

India’s upcoming fleet of locally manufactured Rafale fighter jets is expected to be delivered in a distinct "F4 Plus" configuration, a standard that reportedly exceeds the baseline F4 model currently being inducted by the French Air and Space Force. Sources indicate that this variant will feature a sovereign, India-specific digital architecture designed to ensure complete operational independence. ad While Dassault Aviation has positioned the F4 standard as a significant generational leap...

In a significant move to bolster its combat capabilities, India is reportedly nearing a historic agreement with France to procure 114 Rafale F4 fighter jets. According to defence officials, this acquisition could eventually expand, pushing the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) total Rafale inventory to nearly 200 aircraft. This strategic expansion aligns with the IAF’s latest proposal to increase its sanctioned strength from 42 to 50 squadrons to effectively manage a simultaneous two-front...

In a significant geopolitical recalibration, India’s potential acquisition of the American F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter appears to be stalling. While Washington has formally offered the platform to New Delhi, a renewed US strategic tilt toward Pakistan, coupled with concerns over operational sovereignty, has prompted Indian defence planners to pivot interest toward Russia’s Su-57E. This shift is increasingly viewed as a pragmatic "bridge" solution to secure air superiority until...

As India negotiates the acquisition of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), likely through a Government-to-Government route for the Dassault Rafale, a critical distinction in software transfer has emerged. While the Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to secure significant operational access to the aircraft's software ecosystem, it will not receive the full "source code" in the traditional sense. Instead, Dassault Aviation is likely to provide API (Application Programming Interface)...

The Dassault Rafale has solidified its position as the premier choice for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) pressing requirement for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA). This preference is largely driven by the fleet’s exceptional serviceability rate, which consistently hovers around 90 per cent. This figure not only exceeds the IAF's internal benchmarks but also outperforms virtually every other frontline fighter in operation today, including the fifth-generation American F-35. ad...

In a key booster for India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) on Friday approved the proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from French aviation manufacturer Dassault. According to defence sources, the proposal will now be taken up for clearance at the next Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Sources further stated that the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is likely to give the...

When the Indian government procured the Rafale fighter jets, policymakers were sold a vision of a potent combat platform that would seamlessly integrate with indigenous Indian weapons. However, the operational reality has revealed a different picture. India has effectively walked into a tightly controlled ecosystem managed by Dassault Aviation, functioning much like a "walled garden" in consumer technology—impeccable in performance but completely locked down internally. With no access to...