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Stavatti Aerospace, a U.S.-based aviation company led by CEO and Chief Designer Chris Beskar, has put forward a proposal to India for its SM-39 Razor aircraft concept. Marketed as a next-generation fighter, Stavatti claims the SM-39 offers advanced capabilities at a competitive price point, suggesting a unit cost of $85 million and a total program cost of $3.3 billion. Despite having never produced an aircraft, the company is promoting the SM-39 to potential international clients...

India's upcoming Tejas Mk2 fighter jet programme is incorporating significant technological advancements, highlighted by a new system architecture designed to accommodate frequent software upgrades. An official from the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the lead design agency, stated that this enhanced capability will markedly improve the aircraft's operational effectiveness. The Tejas Mk2 will feature sophisticated mission computers and processing units specifically engineered to...

The United States Department of Defence is interested in inviting key international partners, notably India, to participate in its Next-Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) program. This potential collaboration is part of a wider US strategy to involve trusted allies in major defence projects, aiming to enhance supply chain diversity and foster international cooperation to meet evolving security demands globally. ad For India, which has a growing defence relationship with the US, this...

Despite recent statements from senior Indian officials dismissing the possibility of an active F-35 offer, US aerospace major Lockheed Martin is reportedly arranging a high-level presentation of its F-35 fighter jet for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Ministry of Defence (MoD). Information attributed to a Lockheed Martin India official indicates that senior executives from the company's US headquarters are expected to travel to India for the briefing, with scheduling currently underway...

Pakistan is reportedly planning a significant expansion of its attack helicopter fleet by acquiring more Z-10ME helicopters from China, a move seen as a direct response to India's substantial procurement of its domestically produced Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand. In a notable development, Pakistan is also exploring options for assembling the Chinese helicopters locally and potentially equipping them with advanced Turkish weapon systems to enhance their combat effectiveness. ad...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on a new technology called an "Ejectable Rocket Ignition System." This innovative project aims to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Pinaka MkIII, the next version of India's domestically produced multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system. The development is being led by DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) located in Pune, showcasing India's continued efforts to advance its defence...

India's domestically developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the Tejas Mk-1A, is approaching a significant phase as it undergoes final evaluations, including additional weapons firing and electronic warfare (EW) system trials. These tests are crucial to confirm the aircraft meets the stringent operational requirements set by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Sources familiar with the programme suggest the IAF is expected to induct the first fully compliant Tejas Mk-1A aircraft early in the 2025-26...

The Indian Army is initiating a major upgrade for its T-90 Bhishma main battle tanks, seeking collaboration with the nation's private defence industry to develop and install advanced, autonomous anti-drone systems. This initiative aims to significantly bolster the protective capabilities of the T-90, a cornerstone of India's armoured forces, against the increasing threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the modern battlefield. ad India currently operates a large fleet of over...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the nation's primary agency for military research and development, has initiated a crucial phase in strengthening the country's aerial strike capabilities. Captive flight trials for the indigenously developed Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) precision-guided bomb have begun, utilizing the Indian Air Force's (IAF) dependable Jaguar strike aircraft. This development signifies a major step towards providing the IAF with a...

Destroyers, known for their speed, agility, and powerful armaments, are crucial warships for protecting naval fleets and projecting maritime power. However, a current assessment of global naval strengths reveals a significant challenge for India. As of late March 2025, India operates 13 destroyers, placing it numerically far behind the United States (81), China (50), and Japan (42), and tying it with South Korea (13). ad The Indian Navy's destroyer force comprises four classes: the modern...

A recently released computer-generated video has sparked considerable interest within India's defence circles, offering a glimpse into the potential future of aerial warfare integration. Shared on March 28 by Harsh Vardhan Thakur, the Chief Test Pilot at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the imagery depicts India's indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand operating in coordination with HAL's Warrior Loyal Wingman unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This visualization suggests a...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is confident that its upcoming upgrades to the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet will provide a decisive edge over potential acquisitions by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), specifically the Chinese J-35A stealth aircraft, according to a recent statement by an IAF official. The official suggested that while the J-35A incorporates design elements to reduce visibility to radar, it may not possess the true all-aspect stealth capabilities required to effectively...

India's state-owned aerospace manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), faced sharp criticism from the parliamentary committee on public undertakings this past Thursday, March 27. The committee delivered a critical report highlighting significant operational shortcomings at HAL, particularly concerning delays in the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program and the recent grounding of the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) fleet. These issues, the report suggests, stem from...

The history of Indian military aviation includes the significant chapter of the HF-24 Marut, the nation's first domestically designed and built jet fighter. However, its journey was cut short when the decision was made to acquire the British-French SEPECAT Jaguar strike aircraft instead of pursuing upgrades for the Marut. Recent reflections, including accounts from pilots who flew both aircraft, suggest that the imported Jaguar may have been less suited than the Marut for certain key...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has set specific and ambitious requirements for a new engine being developed for India's future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), tasked with this crucial development, must engineer an engine capable of achieving "supercruise" – sustained supersonic flight without engaging fuel-intensive afterburners. The IAF mandates this capability at a speed of Mach 1.3 (approximately 1,600 km/h) at an altitude of 12...

The rapid advancements in sixth-generation fighter aircraft development by nations like China and the United States are prompting strategic recalculations globally. Within India's defence circles, a significant debate is emerging regarding potential participation in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), spearheaded by the UK, Italy, and Japan. A key consideration is whether aligning the engine technology for India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) with the GCAP could...

In a potentially pivotal move for India's futuristic fighter jet program, Russia has proposed a joint effort to develop an advanced flat engine nozzle for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This offer, however, is conditional upon India selecting Russia's new Izdeliye 177S engine to power the aircraft. The proposal, stemming from talks initiated during the Aero India 2025 exposition and continuing through subsequent negotiations, highlights Russia's keen interest in deepening its...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's leading aerospace and defence company, has issued an urgent Request for Quotation (RFQ) seeking international expertise to tackle unexpected internal noise levels discovered in its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) prototypes. The RFQ, published in late March 2025 by HAL's Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre (RWR&DC) in Bangalore, invites bids for consultancy services focused on noise reduction within the helicopter. With a tight submission...

GE Aerospace has initiated a significant step in supporting India's indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme by beginning deliveries of the F404-IN20 engines. The first engine was formally handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on March 25, 2025. Underscoring its commitment, the US-based company plans to supply an additional 11 engines by the close of 2025. This steady supply aims to ensure uninterrupted production of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jets at HAL, marking a...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's state-owned aerospace and defence company, has unveiled a concept for a new supersonic trainer aircraft, the Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42). This proposed aircraft draws design inspiration from the HAL HF-24 Marut, India's first indigenously developed jet fighter which first flew in the 1960s. While HAL intends the HLFT-42 to honour India's aviation heritage and meet the Indian Air Force's (IAF) requirement for modern training jets...