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India is poised to enter the elite club of nations capable of manufacturing indigenous fighter jet engines, a significant advancement for its defence industry. Currently, this complex technology is mastered only by the permanent members of the UN Security Council: China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US. As India seeks to develop a cutting-edge engine for its next-generation fighter jets, it is fielding offers from several global defence giants, including France's Safran, the UK's...

India's pursuit of self-reliance in defence technology is gaining momentum with the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet program. Prabhulla Chandran VK, director of avionics and weapons systems at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), has revealed that the Tejas Mk2 is projected to achieve an impressive 90% indigenous content by the time it enters production in 2031. ad This ambitious goal will be achieved in stages. The first Tejas Mk2 prototype, slated to take flight in 2026, will already feature...

In a significant move to bolster its naval capabilities and counter China's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific, India has approved the construction of two indigenously designed nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). This decision, made by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks a major step forward in India's quest for strategic deterrence. ad The project, estimated to cost Rs 45,000 crore, will see the submarines built at the Ship...

In a significant move to enhance its military prowess, India has approved the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from US-based General Atomics. The deal, worth an estimated $3 billion, was greenlit by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. This acquisition marks a major step in bolstering India's defence capabilities and deterring potential adversaries in the region. ad The Predator drones, armed with Hellfire missiles, GBU-39B...

The Indian Navy's ambitious Project 75 India (P-75(I)) to acquire six advanced diesel-electric submarines with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) has hit a snag. Both leading contenders, Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Spain's Navantia, have failed to fully meet the Navy's stringent requirements for AIP technology during field evaluation trials, according to sources within the defence establishment. ad The AIP system, which allows submarines to operate submerged for extended...

In a surprising turn of events, Russia has expressed renewed interest in collaborating with India on its ambitious Project 75I submarine program. Igor V. Vilnit, CEO of Rubin Design Bureau, the Russian submarine design firm, recently stated their willingness to partner with Indian industry and the Navy, aligning with India's "Make in India" and "Self-Reliant India" initiatives. This announcement comes after Russia withdrew from the Project 75I tender in 2022. At the time, Russian officials...

In a significant leap forward for India's indigenous fighter jet program, Optics and Allied Engineering Pvt. Ltd. (Optica), based in Bangalore, has revealed a cutting-edge Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) housed in a single sapphire casing, designed for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This development brings the AMCA closer to achieving true fifth-generation fighter capabilities and puts it on par with global counterparts. ad The EOTS is a lightweight, multi-functional...

India is poised to significantly bolster its naval aviation capabilities with the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets from France. While the final price tag remains undisclosed, sources indicate a potential cost of $161 million (€146 million) per jet, marking a substantial increase from the $101 million (€91.7 million) paid for Rafale jets acquired by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2016. This price difference is largely attributed to inflation adjustments over the past eight years. ad...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has expressed reservations about the military utility of the proposed HAL/NAL Regional Transport Aircraft-90 (RTA-90), a civilian aircraft intended for the UDAN program connecting smaller Indian cities. While the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering approving the project, the IAF is concerned about the aircraft's limited cargo capacity and suitability for military operations. ad A senior IAF officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted the...

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of India's Tata Group, is establishing a new manufacturing facility in Casablanca, Morocco, to produce the WhAP 8×8 armored vehicle. This facility, with an annual production capacity of 100 units, is poised to become a key export hub for Tata, serving other African markets with the "Made in Morocco" WhAP 8×8. ad Morocco has already placed orders for 150 WhAP 8×8 vehicles, demonstrating its confidence in the platform's capabilities. This...

In a historic display of naval cooperation, the Indian Navy and the Italian Navy conducted their first-ever joint Carrier Strike Group (CSG) exercise last week. This landmark event saw the INS Vikramaditya, India's flagship aircraft carrier, sail alongside the ITS Cavour, Italy's newest carrier, in a series of complex maneuvers and drills. ad The exercise, which took place off India's west coast, marked a significant step in strengthening bilateral maritime ties between the two nations. A...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) eyeing to extend service life of its aging MiG-21 Bison fighter jets due to ongoing delays in the delivery of Tejas Mk1A aircraft. The delays stem from a shortage of F-404 engines supplied by GE Aerospace, a critical component of the domestically produced Tejas Mk1A. This decision comes as a setback to the IAF's modernization plans, which heavily relied on the timely induction of the Tejas Mk1A to replace the MiG-21 Bisons. Originally slated for complete...

India's domestically developed Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C), known as NETRA, is close to achieving Final Operational Configuration (FOC) after nearly seven years of development and rigorous testing. This milestone, expected by the end of the year, will signify that the system is fully operational and ready to fulfill the Indian Air Force's (IAF) strategic surveillance and defense requirements. ad The NETRA program, spearheaded by the DRDO, received Initial Operational...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced a breakthrough in military camouflage technology. The newly developed system uses a combination of special paint and algorithm-driven multi-spectral stickers to make military assets like tanks, artillery, and missile systems appear as decoys, effectively concealing them from enemy surveillance. ad This innovative technology allows military equipment to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, making it difficult for...

The Indian Army is preparing to retire hundreds of its aging T-72 main battle tanks, opening up the possibility of exporting them to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. However, defence experts are urging caution, warning against the potential for these tanks to be acquired by shell companies and ultimately rerouted to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. ad India currently operates a fleet of approximately 2,500 T-72 tanks, some of which have been in service since the...

In a bid to modernize India's aging fleet of Il-76MD transport aircraft, Russia has proposed an upgrade featuring its Aviadvigatel PS-90 engines. This offer comes as the Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively pursuing plans to overhaul and extend the service life of its 17 Il-76MDs, which currently rely on older Soloviev D-30KP-1 turbofans. ad The IAF's history with the Il-76 platform dates back to 1983, when the Indian government first approved the induction of the Il-76MD. Between 1983 and...

The Indian Army is strategically deploying its attack helicopters, with the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) "Prachand" taking the lead in high-altitude regions, while the recently acquired Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardians are slated for desert operations. This decision comes as the delivery of the first three Apaches has been delayed to December 2024 due to supply chain issues, with the final delivery expected by early 2025. ad The Apaches, renowned for their anti-armor capabilities...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is grappling with a critical shortage of combat aircraft, with its squadron strength plummeting to its lowest point since 1965. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh addressed the issue at his annual press conference, acknowledging the severity of the situation and emphasizing the IAF's commitment to "fighting with whatever we have." ad The IAF's current strength stands at a concerning 31 squadrons, a significant drop from the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, a...

In a significant stride towards self-reliance in defence technology, the Indian Army has successfully completed the comprehensive overhaul of a T-90 Bhishma tank at the 505 Army Base Workshop in Delhi Cantonment. The achievement was marked by a rollout ceremony attended by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, on Monday. This breakthrough, announced in a press release from the Indian Army, highlights the growing capabilities of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is moving swiftly to address its shortage of Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, a crucial component of modern aerial warfare. The IAF plans to procure 12 new AEW&C systems under two distinct programs, significantly enhancing its surveillance and command capabilities. ad One program involves acquiring six more Embraer-based AEW&C aircraft, similar to the three Netra systems already in service. These upgraded systems, designated Mk1A, will feature...