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Indian Navy Faces a Costly $3 Billion Choice: Lease a Second Russian Akula Submarine or Boost Indigenous Production
The Indian Navy is currently weighing a critical strategic decision that could shape its underwater combat capabilities for the next decade. Russia has formally offered to lease a second Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) to India in a deal estimated to be worth $3 billion for a ten-year period. This proposal forces the Navy to choose between a short-term enhancement of its fleet and a long-term investment in its growing domestic submarine manufacturing program. The offer...
New AMCA Graphics Reveal Lethal A2A and A2G Capabilities with Advanced IRST and EOTS, Boosting India’s Tactical Edge over Regional Adversaries
Recently released graphics of India's indigenous fifth-generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), have provided a clearer view of its sophisticated sensor suite, confirming its role as a highly capable multi-role stealth aircraft. The new details highlight the integration of an advanced Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) for ground attacks, which will work alongside a powerful Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system for air-to-air combat, significantly enhancing...
Russia Offers Combat-proven Orion MALE Drone with ToT to India's Critical Tri-service ISR Requirements
Russia has put forward its Kronshtadt Orion-E unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as a candidate to fulfil the Indian Armed Forces' urgent need for a new fleet of advanced drones. According to official sources, the proposal is aimed at meeting a critical tri-service requirement for 76 Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) drones to significantly enhance India's intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision attack capabilities. ad A key component of the Russian proposal is a...
IAF's New 97 Tejas Mk1A Order Sees A 17.6% Unit Cost Increase, Reflecting Tech Upgrades and Inflation
In a major boost to India's indigenous military aviation sector, the government is set to acquire 97 additional LCA Tejas Mk1A fighter jets from state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed the new procurement on August 21, 2025, with the deal estimated to be worth approximately ₹66,000 crore. This latest order significantly expands upon a previous contract signed in February 2021, in which the Indian Air Force (IAF) procured 83 Tejas Mk1A...
With Zero Bids, How Unclear Profit Margins and Technical Hurdles Render AMCA Production Unattractive for Private Firms
India's flagship fifth-generation fighter jet program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), faces significant headwinds as private industry has shown no interest in becoming a full development partner. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a division of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has once again extended the deadline for bid submissions to September 30, 2025, after receiving zero proposals from private sector consortiums for the aircraft's critical...
GTRE to Directly Test 49kN Kaveri Derivative Engine on Ghatak UCAV, Bypassing Tejas Testing for Accelerated Clearance
In a significant strategic shift aimed at fast-tracking a critical indigenous defence project, India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) will test its new Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) directly on the Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). This decision bypasses the original plan to use a crewed Tejas light combat aircraft for initial trials, signalling a new approach to accelerate the engine's final clearance. ad The KDE is a locally developed turbofan engine that produces...
No Private Sector Consortium Submitted Bids for Producing AMCA as Expected, Prompting Timeline Extension
The deadline for private companies to express interest in co-developing India's futuristic fifth-generation stealth fighter jet has been extended by a month, following a lack of response from the industry. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the nodal body for the project, has pushed the final submission date for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme from 31st August 2025 to 30th September 2025. This extension was announced through a corrigendum after no private...
IAF to Enhance Air-to-Air Refuelling Training with Its First-Ever Wet-Leased KC-135 Stratotanker from Metrea
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to significantly upgrade its pilot training for mid-air refuelling operations by inducting its first-ever wet-leased tanker aircraft. A contract was signed on March 28, 2025, with the U.S.-based company Metrea for a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, which is scheduled to begin operations in India by October 2025. This landmark agreement will provide crucial training for both Air Force and Indian Navy pilots. Under a "wet lease" agreement, the contractor provides...
IAF Seeks Fast-tracked G2G Deal for 90 Rafale F4 Jets to Counter Threats Exposed During Op Sindoor
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is strongly recommending a direct government-to-government (G2G) agreement with France for the urgent acquisition of 90 additional Rafale F4 fighter jets. This strategic push aims to rapidly address the IAF's critically low number of fighter squadrons, a vulnerability that became evident during a recent military engagement, according to official sources. The proposal seeks to bypass the lengthy global tender process of the long-delayed Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft...
India's AMCA Reveals World's First Internal Fuel Tank Design in Weapons Bay, Boosting Its Strategic Advantage over Regional Adversaries
A recently surfaced video has offered a potential first look at a groundbreaking design feature of India's future fifth-generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The visuals suggest the aircraft will have the unique ability to carry specially designed Internal Fuel Tanks (IFTs) inside its Internal Weapons Bay (IWB), a capability that would provide a significant strategic edge over other advanced combat jets in the region. This innovative feature, a first for any...
ARDE Plans for Domestic Production of Gatling Guns for India’s Multi-layered Air Defence
India is set to enhance its air defence capabilities with a new initiative to develop indigenous Gatling-style rapid-fire guns. The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is spearheading the plan to design these systems for the Indian Army and Air Force, according to its Director, A. Raju. This strategic move aims to create a domestic "hard-kill" solution, also known as a Close-In Weapon...
With GE Resolving F404 Engine Delays, HAL Now Poised to Market Its Cost-effective Tejas Mk1A Fighter for Exports
India's state-owned aerospace and defence company, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is set to aggressively renew its international marketing efforts for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A. This strategic push comes after General Electric (GE) Aerospace committed to an accelerated delivery schedule for the F404-IN20 engines, resolving a two-year delay that had previously constrained production and stalled export discussions. With the critical engine supply chain now stabilising...
DRDO Prepares to Seek CCS Approval for Landmark $7 Billion AMCA Engine Deal with French Giant Safran
In a major move to advance India's self-reliance in military aviation, the government has selected French aerospace leader Safran to jointly develop and produce a high-performance jet engine for the nation's futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The collaboration, valued at approximately $7 billion (Rs 61,000 crore), is a cornerstone of the AMCA program and includes a comprehensive 100% transfer of technology (ToT) to India. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed the...
As Iconic MiG-21 Era Concludes, Indigenous Tejas Fighter to Proudly Assume Its Critical Role in India's Defence
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is marking the end of an era as it prepares to phase out its fleet of iconic MiG-21 fighter jets, with the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas poised to take its place as a cornerstone of the nation's air defence. This strategic shift was highlighted by a symbolic final sortie on a MiG-21 Bison by Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal AP Singh, signalling a confident transition towards self-reliance in military aviation. ad The LCA Tejas...
ADA Releases Structural Assembly Orders for First Prototype of AMCA, Keeping the Ambitious 5th-Gen Fighter Program on Schedule
India's flagship fifth-generation fighter jet program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), has achieved a significant manufacturing milestone. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the lead design agency for the project, has officially begun issuing work orders for the structural components of the first AMCA prototype. This development marks a critical transition for the program from the design board to the factory floor. ad According to official sources, the release of these...
After Years of Negotiations, HAL Prepares for Final Talks on F414 Engine ToT with GE
India is on the verge of finalising a historic agreement with General Electric (GE) Aerospace that will significantly enhance its indigenous military aviation capabilities. A team from the American conglomerate is scheduled to arrive in India shortly to conclude negotiations with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on the transfer of technology for the powerful F414 jet engine, which will equip India's future fighter aircraft. The final discussions are expected to be completed by the end...
India's New Rudram-IV Long-Range Stand-Off Weapon Poised to Give IAF Unstoppable Deep Strike Capability
India is developing a new-generation hypersonic missile, the Rudram-IV, designed to provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with an unprecedented capability to strike high-value targets deep inside enemy territory from a safe distance. This Long-Range Stand-Off Weapon (LRSOW) is being engineered by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and represents a significant advancement in the country's indigenous missile programme. ad The Rudram-IV is the latest and most advanced...
With Its 2100K Turbine Temperature, How India's 120kN AMCA Engine Poised to Leapfrog Chinese WS-15 Engines on J-20
In a major step toward military aviation self-reliance, India has solidified a partnership with French aerospace leader Safran to co-develop a next-generation fighter jet engine. This collaboration with India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) aims to produce a powerful 120 kilonewton (kN) thrust engine destined for the future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mk2 and the naval Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF). The new engine's specifications signal a monumental leap in...
India to Hold Complete IPR for Its Domestically Developed 120kN Jet Engine in Collaboration with Safran
In a landmark development for its aerospace and defence sector, India is moving forward with a plan to develop a new-generation jet engine with 100% Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The powerful 120kN thrust class engine will be developed in collaboration with French aerospace giant Safran, marking a pivotal step in India’s quest for self-reliance in critical military technology. ad The new engine, capable of generating approximately 12 tons of thrust, is being developed primarily to...
Why India Should Fund Ghatak-Based 50-Ton Manned Stealth Bomber Rather Than Acquiring Easily Detectable Tu-160 'White Swan'
A significant debate is emerging within India's strategic circles as defence analysts are advising the government to prioritise the development of an indigenous 50-ton manned stealth bomber over acquiring Russia’s formidable Tu-160M ‘White Swan’. The core argument is that a domestically produced aircraft, evolved from the existing Ghatak stealth drone program, would provide a crucial strategic edge in modern warfare. Such a platform, designed for covert operations deep inside enemy...
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