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The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received approval from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to lease a single Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft from the French Air and Space Force. This arrangement, set for a duration of three years, is intended to supplement the IAF's current aerial refuelling capabilities, which are under strain due to issues with its existing tanker fleet, while also allowing personnel to gain experience with the modern A330 MRTT. ad While the lease marks a...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to embark on a significant modernization program for its Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets, the backbone of its combat fleet, beginning in the financial year 2025-26. A recent report presented to Parliament by the Standing Committee on Defence outlines plans to integrate domestically developed avionics, advanced weaponry, and electronic warfare (EW) systems onto these aircraft. This initiative aims to sharpen the IAF's operational capabilities while...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's state-owned aerospace and defence company, has formally adjusted the value of its contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) concerning the supply of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1 jets in their Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configuration. Originally valued at Rs 5,989.39 crore when signed in December 2010, the contract amount has been increased to Rs 6,542.20 crore primarily due to alterations in the delivery timeline. ad In an official...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) marked a significant advancement in India's indigenous military aviation capabilities with the official rollout of the seventh Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A variant on March 25, 2025. The aircraft, identified by the serial number LA-5039, represents the latest addition to the enhanced Mk1A series being produced for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This rollout occurred just over twelve months after the maiden flight of the first Tejas Mk1A (serial...

The Indian Ministry of Defence has finalized significant contracts totalling ₹2,500 crore aimed at strengthening the nation's military capabilities. Announced on Thursday, these agreements involve the procurement of the Nag Missile System (NAMIS), a sophisticated anti-tank weapon, and numerous light vehicles for the armed forces. ad A major part of this initiative is a ₹1,801-crore contract awarded to Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL) for the supply of NAMIS. This deal facilitates the...

Significant progress is being made on India's indigenous Tejas Mk2 fighter jet program, with assembly of the first aircraft now reportedly exceeding 60 percent completion. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace and defence company manufacturing the aircraft, is pushing forward to meet a target rollout date by the end of October 2025. This development represents a crucial step in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) initiative, aimed at providing the Indian Air Force (IAF)...

State-owned aerospace and defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has officially launched its search for a suitable jet engine to power its developmental supersonic trainer, the Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42). HAL issued a Request for Information (RFI) on March 17, 2025, outlining the core requirements for the powerplant. The document specifies the need for an engine capable of producing a maximum thrust between 95 and 100 kilonewtons (kN) and possessing a...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has stated that the Zorawar light tank platform possesses a flexible and scalable design. This inherent adaptability means that the current 25-tonne tank, which is undergoing developmental testing under Project Zorawar, could potentially be developed into a more powerful 32-tonne version if required by the Indian Army. Such a move would allow for significant upgrades in firepower and engine capacity within the light tank category...

Discussions are ongoing regarding the possibility of Ukraine receiving additional Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to strengthen its air capabilities. French President Emmanuel Macron recently suggested that countries currently operating these aircraft could potentially supply them to Kyiv, complementing France's own commitment. France has already promised a number of its Mirage 2000-5F aircraft to aid Ukraine's defence efforts. However, President Macron's comments open the door for other nations...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is initiating measures to acquire advanced aircraft decoys designed to precisely imitate its key fighter jets, including the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, and the indigenous Tejas. This strategic move aims to bolster the security of frontline airbases by deploying these realistic replicas on forward runways. The primary goal is to mislead potential adversaries during sudden attacks, thereby providing an essential passive defence mechanism against aerial bombardments and...

India's ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) initiative, aimed at developing a 5.5-generation stealth fighter jet, is drawing global interest not just for its advanced technology goals but also for its notably economical development budget. With an initial funding allocation of ₹15,000 crore (around $1.8 billion) approved for the Full-Scale Engineering Development (FSED) phase, which includes building five prototypes over ten years, the AMCA project appears positioned as...

The Baltic nation of Estonia, strategically located near Russia, is actively seeking to upgrade its air defence infrastructure and has expressed significant interest in collaborating with Indian defence firms, particularly concerning advanced radar systems. This initiative aligns with Estonia's plan to replace its current air defence radars by 2027 and complements a wider European Union (EU) trend of increasing military investment, as highlighted recently by Jonatan Vseviov, Secretary...

GE Aerospace reached a significant point in its enduring association with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) this week, delivering the first F404-IN20 engine on Tuesday, March 25. This engine is the initial unit from a total order of 99, destined to power India's domestically developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, enhancing the nation's air power capabilities. ad Shawn Warren, General Manager of Combat & Trainer Engines at GE Aerospace, acknowledged the importance of this event...

In a major development for India's indigenous defence capabilities, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has invited private Indian companies to participate in manufacturing the country's futuristic fifth-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Through an Expression of Interest (EOI) issued earlier this year, HAL is seeking four partners to form a Joint Venture (JV) dedicated to producing major assemblies of the aircraft. ad This strategic move aims to...

India's journey towards developing advanced unmanned combat aircraft has reached a significant point, as work has officially begun on the full-scale prototype of the Ghatak stealth drone. The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is spearheading this effort to create a 13-tonne Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) intended to significantly enhance the Indian Air Force's (IAF) pilotless strike...

Godrej Aerospace, a significant contributor to India's defence manufacturing sector, has formally indicated its strong interest in collaborating with the DRDO's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) on the development of a new engine for the country's future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The company highlighted its relevant experience gained from manufacturing key sections of the Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE), which is considered an important step in India's efforts to create...

A promotional video released by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Pakistan Day, intended to honour the nation's resilience, has inadvertently drawn attention to the force's continued strategic focus on the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet. The video, combining national pride with displays of military capability, contained a segment suggesting the Su-30MKI remains a central element in the PAF's planning and training. ad During the video, a scene depicted a briefing session...

India has made a significant stride in its quest for defense self-sufficiency with the development of the DATRAN 1500, a domestically produced engine designed to power Main Battle Tanks (MBTs). This engine, a collaborative project between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), positions India as a serious contender in the competitive global market of high-performance armored vehicle propulsion systems. ad The DATRAN 1500 is...

The Indian Navy's plan to acquire 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter jets from France has raised questions about whether this is the most expensive fighter jet deal for India on a per-unit basis, potentially exceeding the 2016 purchase of 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). While the Rafale M deal, estimated at ₹60,000 crore (approximately $7.2 billion), is a significant investment for India's naval capabilities, a direct comparison with the previous deal reveals a more complex...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is seeking to significantly modernize its fleet through the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, a program aiming to procure 114 advanced fighter jets. Among the contenders, Boeing's F-15EX Eagle II is gaining attention, boosted by a recent endorsement from a respected former IAF officer. ad Group Captain MJ Augustine Vinod, a retired IAF officer with over 3,000 flight hours on aircraft including the Mirage 2000, MiG-21, and Kiran, has publicly advocated for...