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Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, an entity within the Solar Industries group, has announced its significant entry into the development of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The company plans to design and manufacture both Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) class drones, financing the project independently. ad This initiative, supported notably by the Indian Army, positions Solar Defence as a new domestic player in a field where the...

India has significantly advanced its capabilities in developing long-range radar systems, achieving self-reliance in a field previously dominated by imports from European and other global suppliers. This progress has reportedly positioned India not only as self-sufficient but also as a developer of radar technologies that, in certain aspects, rival or exceed those produced in Europe. This indigenous development places India in direct technological competition with China, potentially...

Air Force Station Naliya, a key Indian Air Force (IAF) facility in Gujarat's coastal region, is preparing to induct the advanced, indigenously developed Tejas Mk1A fighter jet. This move signifies a major upgrade for the base, which will host the first squadron of these modern aircraft, replacing the aging MiG-21Bis fleet. Strategically positioned less than 100 kilometres from the sensitive Sir Creek area near the Pakistan border, the Naliya airbase is crucial for India's western air...

Leading Indian engineering and defence conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has outlined a significant proposal for the domestic development of a powerful 110 kilonewton (kN) thrust jet engine. Jayant Damodar Patil, the head of L&T's aerospace and defence division, stated that L&T, potentially in collaboration with other private Indian firms, has the capability to create this engine, crucial for powering India's future fighter aircraft like the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's state-owned aerospace and defence company, is developing a new supersonic trainer aircraft, the Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42). This initiative aims to provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with an advanced platform for training pilots destined for sophisticated fighter jets. Significantly, HAL is using modern 3D scanning technology to base the new trainer's design on the airframe of its vintage HF-24 Marut fighter, integrating elements...

Godrej Aerospace has marked a significant step in India's indigenous defence manufacturing capability by delivering the initial pair of engine modules for a Kaveri derivative engine. These first two units have been handed over to the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Godrej Aerospace confirmed that the delivery schedule anticipates the remaining six modules of the order to be completed and supplied by...

A significant operational challenge concerning the Indian Army's powerful Russian-origin Smerch rocket systems has recently come to light. Lt Gen PR Shankar (Retd), former Director General of Artillery, revealed in an interview with The Print that the Smerch Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), acquired in 2005 and officially inducted by 2008, could not be fired until 2012 due to persistent technical problems. This four-year gap between induction and operational readiness has sparked...

The Indian Air Force (IAF), a crucial part of India's nuclear deterrent strategy, currently relies on fighter aircraft like the Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and potentially the Rafale to deliver nuclear weapons. However, these aircraft are presently equipped to use gravity-based nuclear bombs, a method requiring them to fly dangerously close to their targets. This approach raises concerns about the safety and success rate of missions, especially against adversaries with modern air defence systems...

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is undertaking a significant restructuring of its fighter aircraft fleet, introducing a mix of Chinese-developed jets. This strategy involves using the JF-17 Block 3 for lower-to-mid-level capabilities, the J-10C for mid-to-upper-level roles, and potentially acquiring the J-35 stealth fighter for top-tier missions. While this approach appears to enhance Pakistan's air power significantly, a closer look suggests the complexities involved might present strategic...

India is intensifying its efforts towards achieving self-sufficiency in crucial aerospace technology, particularly jet engines. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is showing renewed support for the indigenous Kaveri engine project, viewing it as a potential future powerplant for its expanding fleet of Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft. Overseen by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), this initiative aims to eventually substitute the American-made General Electric (GE) F404 engines that...

India's rapidly growing defence export sector has prompted international discussion, highlighted by recent comments from Keji Mao, a Research Associate at Beijing's Pangoal Institution. Mao questioned whether India is positioning itself as a new global "Arsenal of Democracy," following India's announcement of record defence exports for the 2024-25 financial year. Indian defence materials, including ammunition, weapons, components, and complete systems, were reportedly exported to...

The VT-4 main battle tank (MBT), produced by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) and promoted as an advanced armoured vehicle, is facing serious questions regarding its performance and dependability. Reports from Nigeria and Pakistan, two key operators, indicate significant operational challenges and mechanical failures, casting doubt on the tank's effectiveness and the procurement decisions made by these nations. ad Nigeria's military acquired 35 VT-4 tanks under a reported $152...

India has reached a significant milestone in strengthening its naval capabilities with the completion of a new submarine construction complex designed for its next generation of nuclear-powered submarines. Recent reports and satellite imagery confirm that this advanced facility, situated near the Cochin Shipyard, is prepared to begin building the S5-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). These vessels, displacing a massive 13,000 tons when submerged, represent a major...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently highlighted a potential future capability for the Indian Air Force's Su-30 MKI fighter jets. A graphic displayed during an event showed a concept where a single Su-30 MKI aircraft was configured in a 'Heavy Strike Mode', carrying four RudraM-III air-launched missiles, with two mounted under each wing. This configuration suggests a significant enhancement of the aircraft's strike potential. ad The RudraM-III missile is...

The AL-31F engine, manufactured by Russia's United Engine Corporation (UEC) NPO Saturn, is a vital component of India's Su-30 MKI fighter jets, which form a significant part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet. As India plans to operate these aircraft for potentially four more decades, the long-term maintenance and availability of these engines raise important questions about intellectual property rights (IPR), India's technological capabilities, and Russia's differing defence relationships...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing the development of a new submarine-launched Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LACM) designed to strike targets up to 1500 kilometres away. This significant project builds upon the established technology of the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) programme and aims to substantially boost the Indian Navy's underwater offensive power. ad Officials associated with the project confirm that the missile is being...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively working to improve its mid-air refuelling capacity, a critical component for extending the reach and effectiveness of its fighter jets. Following the recent lease of a US-built KC-135 Stratotanker, reports suggest the IAF is now finalising a government-to-government agreement with France to lease an Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft. These moves aim to address immediate operational requirements and overcome long-standing issues...

In a notable development within India's indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) supply chain, Dynamatic Technologies has subcontracted the manufacturing of composite components for the aircraft's front fuselage to Azista Composites. This decision, confirmed in late March 2025, marks a strategic move by Dynamatic, a major manufacturer of Tejas airframe structures, acknowledging its current lack of in-house facilities for producing specialised composite parts. ad Bengaluru-based...

State-owned aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is significantly advancing its production plans for the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior, an unmanned aerial vehicle designed to operate alongside crewed fighter jets. To meet a potential production target of approximately 100 units per year, HAL is actively expanding its collaboration with private sector suppliers. This initiative is driven by the drone's cost-effectiveness and growing interest from the Indian...

India recently showcased its domestically developed Tejas Mk1A and Tejas Mk2 fighter jets to officials from the Armenian Air Force, signalling potential deepening of defence cooperation between the two nations. Representatives from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) provided a detailed presentation in India, highlighting the capabilities of the aircraft. ad This engagement occurs as Armenia seeks to upgrade its air force capabilities. The move...