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In a move that could significantly reshape the landscape of international defence collaboration, the United Kingdom and Italy have voiced their support for inviting India to join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). This ambitious initiative, which already includes Japan, aims to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet by 2035. ad This isn't the first time India has been approached to participate. Two years ago, the UK extended an initial invitation for India to join the Tempest...

In a recent diplomatic overture, Pakistan has reportedly approached the United States with a proposal aimed at de-escalating regional tensions through missile program controls. According to some posts on X, Pakistan has offered to halt its own missile development program if the U.S. can persuade India to do the same. The proposal suggests a mutual cessation of missile development between India and Pakistan, with the United States acting as a mediator or facilitator. This would theoretically...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is facing yet another setback in the delivery schedule for India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A. The first two F-404 engines from General Electric (GE) Aviation, crucial for the aircraft's performance, are now expected to arrive in March 2025, highlighting the persistent challenges within the global aerospace supply chain. ad These engines were initially slated for delivery much earlier, with the first batch anticipated in March 2024...

Some defence analysts have criticized the Indian Army's decision to prioritize lighter towed artillery systems over the indigenously developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) for high-altitude warfare. They argue that the ATAGS, with its superior range and firepower, could provide a significant advantage in mountainous terrain, surpassing any comparable Chinese artillery systems. ad The ATAGS boasts a 155mm/52-caliber gun with an extended chamber size, enabling it to achieve an...

India's growing fleet of nuclear submarines is set for a major upgrade with the integration of Conformal Flank Array Side Array Sonar systems. This advanced technology will significantly boost the detection and tracking capabilities of India's nuclear attack submarines (SSNs), allowing them to better identify and evade potential threats in the depths of the ocean. ad Flank array sonars are a type of side sonar system that employ hydrophones strategically positioned along the submarine's...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is developing the Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42), a potential replacement for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Hawk Mk132 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs). The HLFT-42 is designed to bridge the training gap between current AJTs and the induction of advanced 4.5+ and 5.5 generation fighter jets like the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) and Tejas Mk2. ad The HLFT-42 is envisioned as a 4.5+ generation fighter trainer, capable of simulating the...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has broadened its ambitions for the Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, initially conceived to replace its aging An-32 transporters. The IAF now aims to utilize the MTA program to also phase out its Il-76 heavy transport aircraft within the next seven years. This strategic shift has significantly influenced the program's dynamics, particularly regarding the participation of public and private sector entities. ad Surprisingly, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics...

India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is not just another 5th generation fighter jet; it's being designed with an eye on the future, incorporating emerging technologies that place it firmly in the 5.5 generation category. But what exactly does that mean, and how does the AMCA aim to surpass its contemporaries? ad While the concept of a 5.5 generation fighter isn't universally standardized, it generally refers to an aircraft that builds upon the core capabilities of 5th generation...

In a major boost for India's defence capabilities, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to deliver 419 Indian Multi-Role Helicopters (IMRH), significantly enhancing the capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Army, and Indian Navy. This ambitious procurement plan includes 353 IMRH units for the IAF and Army, and 66 deck-based variants specifically designed for naval operations. ad The IMRH program, spearheaded by the IAF in close coordination with the Indian Army, aims to...

Air Marshal Anil Khosla recently highlighted the complex considerations India faces in its pursuit of fifth-generation fighter aircraft. He emphasized key factors such as life cycle cost, technology transfer, alignment with the "Make in India" initiative, delivery schedules, aircraft performance, and compatibility with existing Indian systems. ad India's quest for a fifth-generation fighter is complicated by the limited number of suppliers. With China out of the picture due to geopolitical...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is on the cusp of a major evolution, transitioning into the Indian Air & Space Force (IASF) with the integration of 52 cutting-edge satellites designed to significantly enhance the nation's surveillance and warfare capabilities. This ambitious initiative, as revealed to Sputnik India by leading experts, underscores India's commitment to leveraging space technology for national security and its emergence as a major player in the global space arena. ad This...

A former IL-76 navigator, Vaidya, has weighed in on the potential acquisition of the F-35A by the Indian Air Force (IAF), asserting that even a limited number of these advanced fighters could significantly undermine the confidence of pilots flying China's J-20 and J-35A stealth fighters. ad "An F-35, despite end-user agreements and other operational conditions, will be enough to tilt the balance decisively in the IAF's favor across the border," Vaidya stated. He also dismissed the readiness...

In a major leap forward for India's indigenous aerospace capabilities, the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has announced that the Kaveri engine has been cleared for inflight testing. This marks a pivotal moment in the Kaveri engine project, which has navigated a challenging path since its inception in the late 1980s. ad Initially intended to power the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, the Kaveri engine...

The Indian Army is set to bolster its artillery firepower with an order for 100 additional K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers, bringing the total to 200 units, with plans for another 100 in the near future. While the K9 Vajra, a product of collaboration between Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and South Korea's Hanwha Defence, has proven its worth, this procurement raises questions about a missed opportunity to revive a wholly indigenous alternative, the Bhim self-propelled howitzer. ad The K9 Vajra...

Larsen & Toubro (L&T), a major Indian conglomerate, has announced its readiness to accelerate the production of submarines under the Project-75I program by constructing them concurrently at two shipyards. J.D. Patil, CEO and Managing Director of L&T, stated that the company is prepared to undertake this ambitious approach should the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Navy require it. ad L&T, in partnership with Spain's Navantia, has submitted a bid for the Project-75I program...

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to test an export variant of its Pralay tactical ballistic missile with a capped range of 290 km. This modification is designed to comply with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) guidelines for non-member countries, facilitating India's growing defence export ambitions. Armenia has emerged as a potential customer for this advanced missile system. ad The standard Pralay missile boasts a range of 150-500 km, making it a...

The Indian Army is taking a significant step towards modernizing its armored forces with the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program. This ambitious initiative aims to replace the ageing T-72 tanks with a modern, indigenously developed main battle tank (MBT). To ensure the success of this program, the Army is actively courting private sector companies and promising a financially viable production plan, learning from the challenges faced during the Arjun MBT program. ad A key concern for...

India and Vietnam are nearing the finalization of a major defence deal for the acquisition of the BrahMos missile system, valued at approximately USD 700 million. Sources suggest that the agreement could be signed within the next two months, as both nations are actively working to finalize procedural and technical details. ad According to sources, the Vietnamese Defence Ministry has already reviewed and discussed the initial techno-commercial proposal shared by BrahMos Aerospace (BAPL)...

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a leading laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is tapping into the expertise of retired defence personnel to advance its aeroengine development efforts. Under the Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR)-Technical scheme, GTRE plans to engage retired personnel from the Army, Air Force, or Navy to assist in crucial material characterization and testing activities. ad These experienced professionals will...

The Indian Army is poised to significantly enhance its artillery capabilities with the procurement of 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) from Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). These indigenously developed 155mm/52-caliber howitzers are expected to be deployed primarily along the Western front, near the border with Pakistan, reflecting a strategic focus on countering potential threats in that region. ad The ATAGS boasts an impressive range of 48 km, placing...