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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing a critical challenge with its fighter squadron strength dwindling to 31, significantly below the sanctioned number of 42. To address this gap, India is pursuing the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program to acquire 114 new jets. However, with the total cost estimated at a staggering ₹2,00,000 crore ($24.5 billion), a serious debate has emerged within India's defence circles about the country's procurement strategy and the high price of leading...

Germany is making a strong push to supply its A400M Atlas military transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), positioning the advanced platform as a key asset for India's strategic airlift needs. The proposal was prominently featured during bilateral talks in New Delhi on September 3, 2025, between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This offer signals a significant deepening of Indo-German defence ties and aims to build on...

A major international collaboration to build a sixth-generation fighter jet, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), has formally closed its doors to new partners, finalising its core structure between the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan. This development has sparked a significant debate in global defence circles, as it follows an earlier invitation from the UK to India to join the ambitious project. With the offer now off the table, questions are mounting over whether India made a...

During the brief but technologically intense India-Pakistan conflict of April 2025, codenamed "Operation Sindoor," India successfully neutralized a critical threat to its premier air defence system, the S-400 Triumf. While Pakistan attempted to target the S-400 batteries using high-resolution intelligence from Chinese reconnaissance satellites, India employed a sophisticated counter-strategy combining advanced space surveillance with rapid ground-based deception, rendering the satellite...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has laid out a crucial roadmap to significantly modernize its fleet, with the goal of inducting at least 10 to 11 squadrons of fifth-generation stealth fighters by 2040. This ambitious plan, which aims for these advanced aircraft to constitute 25% of the total fleet, is critically dependent on the timely development and production of the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). ad The push for modernization comes as the IAF grapples with a severe...

According to a report in The Print, India is reportedly in advanced stages of negotiation with France to procure 114 new Rafale fighter jets, with a formal agreement potentially being signed within the next year. This landmark defence contract, valued at an estimated $22 billion, is poised to substantially upgrade the Indian Air Force's (IAF) combat fleet while significantly promoting the government's "Make in India" policy in the defence sector. ad The proposed acquisition framework...

The Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has officially confirmed that software integration issues were the main reason for the unsuccessful test-firing of the Astra Mk1 missile from the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet in March 2025. This acknowledgement clarifies the challenges facing India’s indigenous combat aircraft program as HAL prepares for a crucial retest this month, which is vital for clearing the advanced jet for delivery to the Indian Air Force (IAF). ad The March trial, which...

India's ambitious four-decade-long quest to develop a homegrown fighter jet engine, the Kaveri, was severely hampered by chronic underfunding, according to new details released by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The project, initiated in 1986 to power the nation's future fighter aircraft, has received a total of just $239 million over its entire lifespan. This figure stands in stark contrast to...

Following the recent India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025, reports suggest Pakistan is seeking to acquire China's next-generation PL-17 long-range missile. This move comes after its currently equipped PL-15E air-to-air missile failed to achieve any confirmed kills against the Indian Air Force (IAF), exposing limitations in its performance when faced with India's advanced electronic warfare capabilities. The situation has created a new strategic challenge, prompting the Indian defence...

The Indian Army's artillery modernisation has encountered a significant obstacle, as the induction of the Sharang artillery gun has been suspended due to serious quality defects. The Army has halted the acceptance of the remaining 141 guns from the state-owned enterprise Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) after discovering critical issues with the already delivered units, raising concerns about manufacturing standards and operational readiness. ad The Sharang project...

India's push for self-reliance in the defence sector is poised to take a monumental leap forward, with the Ministry of Defence preparing to finalise a contract worth approximately Rs 66,000 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The agreement is for the procurement of 97 additional Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). According to HAL's Chairman and Managing Director, DK Sunil, the landmark deal is anticipated to be officially signed in...

In a significant strategic proposal, Russia is actively encouraging India to become a central partner in the production and global export of its Su-57E stealth fighter. The offer, which goes well beyond a standard procurement deal, aims to establish India as a manufacturing hub, potentially revitalizing the fifth-generation fighter program that has been hampered by slow sales and international sanctions. Moscow is reportedly prepared to send a technical team to India to further discuss...

A critical plan to strengthen the Indian Air Force (IAF) with 114 new Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) has become a textbook case of how procedural delays in defence procurement can cause costs to spiral, creating a significant financial burden for the nation. The tender, which began in 2007 with an estimated cost of ₹42,000 crore ($10.4 billion) for 126 jets, has now reportedly ballooned to nearly ₹2,00,000 crore ($24.5 billion) for a smaller order of 114 aircraft in 2025. This near...

Indian private-sector defence firm SSS Defence has officially unveiled the Raptor, a modern assault rifle chambered in the .300 Blackout caliber. This new weapon is entirely designed, developed, and manufactured in India, representing a significant advancement in the nation's indigenous arms manufacturing capabilities. The rifle has been specifically engineered to meet the demanding requirements of elite special forces units, focusing on high performance, reliability, user-friendly...

The Indian Air Force (IAF), which began operating its fleet of 36 Dassault Rafale fighters in 2020, now faces a significant strategic decision regarding the platform's future. Planners must choose whether to commit to the soon-available Rafale F4 upgrade for an immediate capability boost or to bypass this interim step and wait for the technologically transformative F5 standard, which is projected to be operational by 2030. The Immediate Option: The Rafale F4 Standard The Rafale F4...

India's ambitious program to develop a domestically produced carrier-based fighter jet, the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), is set to incorporate a highly advanced radar system. The new fighter, being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for the Indian Navy, will be equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar mounted on a swash plate, expanding its field of view to an impressive 100 degrees and placing it among the world's elite naval...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently navigating a significant operational challenge as its fighter squadron strength has fallen to 31, well below the officially sanctioned level of 42. This reduction comes at a time of heightened security concerns in the region, particularly from China and Pakistan, making the need for robust air power more critical than ever. To address this shortfall, a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy is under consideration, which proposes a blend of foreign...

The strategic balance of air power in the Indo-Pacific is facing a significant shift as China officially moves its new Shenyang J-35A stealth fighter into production. The aircraft's public debut and subsequent manufacturing signals Beijing's growing technological prowess, prompting a critical question for Indian defence planners: Can the combat-proven, 4.5-generation Dassault Rafale maintain the Indian Air Force's (IAF) edge against this emerging fifth-generation threat? This analysis...

In a significant move to enhance India's indigenous defence capabilities, the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is partnering with French aerospace giant Safran in a joint venture valued at approximately $7 billion. This collaboration aims to co-develop and produce a new generation of fighter jet engines to power India’s future combat aircraft, marking a critical step towards self-reliance in advanced military propulsion technology. ad The partnership will focus on creating a...

In a significant move towards self-reliance in military technology, India is set to achieve complete domestic production of the Shakti turboshaft engine, which powers a large portion of its military helicopter fleet. French engine manufacturer Safran has agreed to a complete 100% Transfer of Technology (ToT) for its Ardiden 1H1 engine, known in India as Shakti. This development will elevate the engine's current indigenous content of over 70% to full local manufacturing within the next few...