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New details emerging from a reported May 2025 aerial engagement, codenamed "Operation Sindoor," suggest a significant intelligence windfall for India. Defence sources indicate that while the Indian Air Force (IAF) publicly displayed a small number of recovered Chinese-made PL-15E missiles, the actual number retrieved was at least 10 intact or minimally damaged units. These missiles, recovered from Indian territory after being fired by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), provide India's Defence...

In a significant move to enhance India's air combat capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is reportedly planning to extend the operational range of its indigenous Astra Mark-2 air-to-air missile to over 200 kilometres. According to new proposals under review, this upgrade pushes the missile's range significantly beyond its previous 160 km target. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to place an initial order for approximately 700 units of the upgraded...

Following a review of the strategic lessons from Operation Sindoor, a cross-border strike in May 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly proposing a significant expansion of its fleet to counter the combined threat from China and Pakistan. The proposal urges increasing the sanctioned combat strength from the current 42 squadrons to a new benchmark of 55 or even 60 squadrons, aiming to re-establish decisive air superiority in the region. ad This internal push, detailed in assessments...

India's ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is set to feature a groundbreaking, indigenously developed non-toxic green coating, marking a significant stride in the nation's push for self-reliance in defence. This innovative technology represents a major leap, combining state-of-the-art military capabilities with environmental responsibility. The adoption of this eco-friendly stealth coating underscores a commitment to sustainable...

In a significant recalibration of global military strength, India has been ranked as the world’s third most powerful air force, surpassing the People's Republic of China. A new comprehensive assessment places India behind only the United States and Russia, highlighting a strategic shift in Asia's defence landscape. The evaluation was conducted by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA), which annually ranks the air capabilities of 103 nations. The ranking is not based...

The selection process for the production partner of India's ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), has reached a critical phase. With seven consortia in contention, the decision will determine the future of the nation's air combat capabilities and its journey toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which leads the aircraft's design, is overseeing a rigorous two-stage evaluation of the bids...

India's journey in developing indigenous fighter aircraft is set to take a significant leap forward with the Tejas Mk2 programme. Drawing from the extensive and lengthy development of its predecessor, the Tejas Mk1, the new aircraft is slated to complete its complex flight development phase in a remarkably short four-year window. This accelerated timeline is not just a milestone for the Mk2 but also serves as a crucial foundation that reduces risks for India's even more ambitious...

In a significant strategic move to accelerate the development of the indigenous Tejas Mk2 fighter jet, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced plans to outsource crucial testing and development tasks to private Indian companies. A detailed Statement of Work (SoW) has been issued, inviting private sector expertise for a three-year contract focused on Electromagnetic Interference/Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing and the development of the aircraft’s antenna systems...

The Indian Navy is reportedly re-evaluating its submarine acquisition strategy, considering a shift away from procuring three additional French-designed Scorpene-class submarines. Instead, a more ambitious plan to build six advanced German-designed stealth submarines, equipped with next-generation technology, is gaining preference to bolster India's underwater combat capabilities. This potential strategic pivot involves cancelling the follow-on order for Scorpene submarines from Mazagon...

A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official has made a significant proposal for greater collaboration between services, urging the Indian Navy to consider a carrier-based version of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) for its future needs. This suggestion challenges the Navy's ongoing plan to develop its own distinct fighter, the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF). The IAF's position is that creating a naval variant of the fifth-generation AMCA would prevent the duplication of...

The Chief of Staff of the French Army, General Pierre Schill, has expressed significant interest in acquiring Indian-developed long-range rocket systems, loitering munitions, and anti-drone technology. This announcement follows the reported success of these indigenous systems during a recent military engagement with Pakistan, highlighting a major validation for India's growing defence manufacturing capabilities. The high-level discussions, held in New Delhi, signal a potential new chapter...

In a major enhancement to its air combat capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is moving forward with plans to equip its frontline fighter jets, including the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and the indigenous Tejas aircraft, with the highly advanced Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile. European missile manufacturer MBDA has given its approval for the integration, contingent on the use of locally developed Indian radar systems, a move that resolves long-standing technical and...

Recent high-resolution satellite imagery has confirmed the operational status of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) advanced S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems at three strategic locations. The key surveillance radars of the system are clearly visible at airbases in Adampur, Bhuj, and Jodhpur, directly contradicting claims made by Pakistan in May 2025 that its forces had successfully destroyed one of the units. ad During the cross-border military exchanges in May 2025, referred to as...

India is reportedly preparing to advance its long-standing Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme by finalising a deal with France for up to 90 Rafale F4 fighter jets. Sources suggest a decision could be made by the end of 2025, with a formal contract expected to be signed in 2026. The procurement is anticipated to follow a government-to-government (G2G) framework, a direct agreement between the two nations designed to accelerate the acquisition process. This move aims to urgently...

Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), a leading state-owned defence manufacturer, has announced a significant advancement in India's quest for military self-reliance. The company is developing a new, entirely indigenous lightweight tank, named 'Bharat', with the first prototype scheduled to be ready by the end of 2026. The announcement was made during the AeroDefCon 2025 event held at the Chennai Trade Centre. ad AVNL, a Government of India enterprise, is expanding its product line while...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has revealed significant advancements in the development of the RudraM-III, a state-of-the-art hypersonic missile. Designed to be launched from the Indian Air Force's (IAF) frontline Su-30MKI fighter jets, this long-range weapon is set to substantially enhance the country's aerial strike capabilities and promote self-reliance in critical military technologies. ad The RudraM-III is primarily an air-launched anti-radiation missile...

State-owned aerospace and defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is confronting a critical challenge that could define its future in India's military transport sector. As the Indian Air Force (IAF) urgently seeks to replace its ageing fleet of Antonov An-32 and Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, HAL must present viable indigenous designs or risk losing multi-billion dollar contracts to increasingly competitive private Indian firms. ad The IAF is facing a significant shortfall in its...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly re-evaluating its procurement strategy, showing renewed interest in a direct, off-the-shelf purchase of Russia’s Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighter. This potential acquisition is being viewed as a critical interim measure to counter emerging aerial threats in the region, particularly Pakistan’s reported interest in acquiring the Chinese J-35A stealth jet, while India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program progresses towards...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is moving forward with a major proposal to acquire 114 new Rafale fighter jets, a plan that has revived a critical debate about the long-term costs and technological independence of foreign military platforms. While the IAF has reportedly recommended the procurement to the Ministry of Defence, defence analysts are raising serious concerns about India's ability to equip these advanced aircraft with its own indigenous weapons and systems in a cost-effective and...

In a major development for its strategic defence capabilities, India is on track to commission its two newest domestically-built nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) by 2027. The vessels, INS Aridhaman (S4) and its yet-to-be-named sister ship (S4*), will significantly enhance the nation's sea-based nuclear deterrent and second-strike capability, a crucial component of the country's nuclear policy. ad The two advanced submarines are scheduled for a near-simultaneous entry into...