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The Indian Army is preparing for a comprehensive evaluation of companies vying to build the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV), a critical program aimed at replacing the aging T-72 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) by 2030. With an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) already in place for the procurement of 1,700 FRCVs, the competition is expected to be fierce, attracting both domestic and international players. ad A key aspect of the evaluation process will be a special audit conducted by the Indian Army...

Morocco – In a landmark move for India's defence industry, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), a Tata Group company, is set to establish India's first overseas defence manufacturing plant in Casablanca, Morocco. This significant development marks a major step in India's push to become a global defence exporter and strengthens its strategic ties with Africa. The state-of-the-art facility will primarily produce the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), an 8x8 amphibious infantry combat vehicle...

The Indian Army is significantly bolstering its artillery capabilities with plans to dramatically increase the range of its Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launch (MRLS) systems. According to Lt Gen Adosh Kumar, Director General of Artillery, efforts are underway to extend the system's reach by up to four times its current range, placing it among the top rocket systems worldwide. ad Currently, the standard Pinaka rocket has a range of 38km, while the Guided Extended Range version reaches 75km...

In a major push for self-reliance and modernization, India is opening the production of 155mm artillery ammunition to the private sector. This move, announced by Lt Gen Adosh Kumar, Director General of Artillery, signifies a significant step in India's ambitious artillery modernization plan. Previously, the production of this crucial ammunition was limited to a single agency, creating potential bottlenecks and vulnerabilities in the supply chain. Now, under the 'Make in India' initiative...

In a move to enhance surveillance capabilities, the Indian Army has placed a significant order for nearly 700 Trinetra drones. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a modified version of a design originally developed by the American startup, Skydio, and are currently utilized by both the US Department of Defense and the Ukrainian military. The Trinetra drones have been adapted for Indian conditions by AeroArc, an Indian firm based in Coimbatore. Arjun Aggarwal, AeroArc's managing...

Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has delivered a powerful message urging a shift in India's approach to defence research and development. Speaking at the Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture 2024, Dr. Kamat highlighted the detrimental effects of risk aversion and intolerance of failure on innovation within the sector. "If there is a failure, immediately you get a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report saying that you...

Indonesia is actively considering the acquisition of submarines from India as part of its strategy to enhance its naval capabilities and protect its maritime interests. This potential deal signals a growing defence cooperation between the two nations, both of whom seek to maintain stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Manjeet Kripalani, Executive Director at Gateway House, a Mumbai-based think tank, highlighted the potential for Indian start-ups to play a key role in this...

In a move to expedite indigenous production and meet the requirements for the upcoming Tejas MkII Light Combat Aircraft, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is poised to outsource nearly half of the manufacturing for the GE 414 engines to the private sector. This was confirmed by the newly appointed chairman and managing director of HAL, DK Sunil, in an interview with ET. ad Sunil revealed that India is on the cusp of finalizing a deal with the US to acquire advanced fighter jet engine...

India is reportedly evaluating Armenia's request to procure the Pralay tactical ballistic missile amidst escalating tensions with Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. This move follows Armenia's approach in June seeking the Pralay to counter Azerbaijan's acquisition of the Israeli LORA long-range missile system, allegedly deployed against Armenia during the 2020 conflict. ad As a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), India faces restrictions on exporting missiles...

India's planned acquisition of 31 MQ-9 Reaper drones from the US, despite its ongoing development of the indigenous Tapas UAV, underscores the complex realities of India's defence modernization efforts. While striving for self-reliance in defence technology, India also faces immediate security challenges, particularly from neighboring China, necessitating the acquisition of proven and capable systems. ad Technical limitations, especially concerning engine capabilities, have plagued the...

Azerbaijan's recent acquisition of JF-17C (Block-III) fighter jets from Pakistan has significantly altered the military balance in the South Caucasus region, leaving Armenia in a vulnerable position. This move has placed increasing pressure on Armenia, a close ally of India, to bolster its air defence capabilities. The JF-17C, a joint venture between Pakistan and China, is a modern, multi-role combat aircraft capable of undertaking a wide array of missions. Its induction into the...

Even as the Indian Army strives to modernize its fleet of utility helicopters, the aging Cheetah, Chetak, and Cheetal helicopters, alongside the Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), continue to serve as a vital lifeline for troops stationed in the challenging high-altitude regions of Ladakh, including the Siachen glacier. ad The indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to replace the Cheetah and Chetak, is progressing but behind schedule...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has reached a crucial milestone in its ambitious Next Generation Main Battle Tank (NGMBT) project, with the design now approaching the critical design review (CDR) stage. This development comes three years after the initial preliminary design review, marking significant progress in the development of this cutting-edge tank intended for the Indian Army's Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program. ad The NGMBT, designed to meet the...

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to significantly expand the capabilities of its Abhyas High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT), transforming it from a simple target drone into a versatile weapon system for the modern battlefield. Initially designed to simulate enemy aircraft for missile testing, the Abhyas boasts a range of 100 km, can fly at speeds up to 0.5 Mach, and offers 45 minutes of endurance. The DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment...

The Indian Navy is set to significantly enhance its Rafale pilot training capabilities as it moves forward with plans to acquire two Rafale Simulation Centers. This strategic investment comes alongside ongoing negotiations for the purchase of 26 Rafale M fighter jets, which includes a mix of single-seater and two-seater variants. ad While the two-seater Rafale M models offer valuable training opportunities, their inability to operate from aircraft carriers presented a challenge for the...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the cornerstone of India’s aerospace industry, is on the cusp of a major transformation. The Indian government is considering elevating HAL's status from “Navratna” to the prestigious “Maharatna” category. This move is expected to significantly enhance HAL’s operational autonomy and financial capabilities. ad The proposed upgrade to Maharatna status would grant HAL greater flexibility in its capital expenditures, allowing it to make substantial...

The Indian Army is gearing up to bolster its presence in the challenging terrains of Ladakh with the deployment of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand Attack Helicopter by 2025. This strategic move is prompted by the limitations of the Apache helicopters, which, while formidable in countering armored threats in desert environments, struggle to maintain their full operational capabilities in high-altitude regions. ad The LCH Prachand, indigenously developed and designed specifically...

Following a delay of over half a year, the Indian Army is poised to receive its inaugural batch of three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing in December. A defence source revealed, "The manufacturer has informed us of manufacturing delays due to supply chain issues. The initial batch of three Apaches is now slated for December delivery, with the remaining three to follow a few months later." The original timeline had earmarked three helicopters for delivery in May and another...

India's unexpected mass order of Tejas Mk1A in 2021 may be the reason behind GE's inability to meet engine delivery timelines. This unexpected demand necessitated the delivery of almost 99 more F404-IN20 engines, a variant specifically designed for the Tejas Mk1 program, leaving GE scrambling to adjust its production capabilities. GE officials, speaking anonymously, revealed that the company had not anticipated such a large order after the initial procurement of 40 Tejas Mk1 jets. By 2013...

Dassault Aviation, a global leader in the aviation industry, is taking strategic measures to enhance its supply chain resilience and boost its global competitiveness. CEO Eric Trappier outlined the company's plan, which includes diversifying sourcing channels, investing in advanced technologies, and mitigating potential sub-contractor inefficiencies. ad Given the complex global landscape marked by supply chain disruptions and the potential for sub-contractor inefficiencies, Dassault...