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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...

Pakistan's Navy (PN) is reportedly evaluating the acquisition of Chengdu J-10CE fighter jets from China, a move perceived as a strategic effort to modernise its maritime defence capabilities. This consideration arises as Pakistan prepares to retire its aging Mirage-III aircraft and potentially counter India's recent steps to enhance its naval air power with the French-made Dassault Rafale M fighter. ad The J-10CE, classified as a 4.5-generation multirole combat aircraft, is being considered...

The Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE-25), an ambitious project by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), represents a significant step in India's journey towards self-sufficiency in aircraft engine technology. This 25 kilonewton (kN) thrust turbofan engine is being developed to power various aircraft, including trainer jets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and potentially light combat or regional aircraft. While the project has achieved considerable technical progress since its inception...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently facing a significant challenge with its combat aircraft numbers falling well below required levels. Officially sanctioned to operate 42 fighter squadrons, the IAF is currently managing with approximately 31 squadrons. Defence analysts express concern that this number could decrease further if decisive steps are not taken soon, leaving the force stretched thin. ad While factors such as delays in aircraft manufacturing and complex international...

India's indigenous military aviation programme marked a significant achievement as the seventh Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft successfully completed its first flight before the close of March 2025. The aircraft, bearing the serial number LA-5039, signifies a notable increase in the production rate by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned manufacturer. This development underscores the accelerating pace of the Tejas Mk1A initiative, vital for the modernisation efforts of the...

GE Aerospace delivered the first F404-IN20 engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on March 25, 2025, marking a key step in the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A programme. This delivery, part of an order for 99 engines, is crucial for India's indigenous fighter jet initiative. However, the engine arrived approximately two years later than initially anticipated, prompting GE to highlight that a five-year gap in orders necessitated the complex reactivation of a dormant production...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is initiating efforts to secure vital technology for its next generation of submarines under Project-76. As this significant naval program approaches final government approval, expected from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in the coming months, DRDO is actively searching for partners to help develop the marine diesel engines essential for these vessels. ad Project-76 represents a major stride in India's naval capabilities...

Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited has revealed the prototype of its latest indigenous weapon system, the Nagastra-3 loitering munition. This advanced system represents a notable advancement in India's domestic defence manufacturing capabilities. Developed under a Project Sanction Order from the Ministry of Defence, the Nagastra-3 falls under the Make-I category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, which supports local design and development. Boasting a target range of 100...

Recent detailed photographs of China's J-20 stealth fighter jet have ignited intense debate online, particularly on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The images, showing features like exposed rivets and panel lines, have prompted discussions among aviation enthusiasts and military analysts worldwide regarding the aircraft's true stealth characteristics and design pedigree. ad The close-up shots quickly went viral, fueling a war of words where users scrutinized the jet's surface...

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...