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...
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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.
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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).
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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...
The Indian Army is moving forward with a significant procurement process for 400 new 155mm/52 caliber Towed Gun Systems (TGS), valued at approximately ₹6,500 crore. This tender is part of a larger plan to eventually acquire nearly 1,500 such units under the Army's Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP).
Amidst intense competition from major Indian defence manufacturers, Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), part of the Kalyani Group, is reportedly gaining an edge with its Bharat-52...
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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
