On December 2, 2025, the Defence Laboratory Jodhpur (DLJ) under DRDO handed over the advanced Camouflage Pattern Generation Software Sigma 4.0 (CPGSS 4.0) and a full-scale Multispectral Signature Tank Mock-up to the College of Military Engineering (CME) in Pune, bolstering India’s armed forces’ stealth capabilities. Launched by Lt Gen AK Ramesh, Commandant CME, in the presence of DLJ Director VS Shenoi, the software enables terrain-specific digital camouflage patterns for diverse Indian landscapes like deserts, forests, and mountains, countering visual, infrared, thermal, and radar detection…
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Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) has developed the ARBEL Rifle System, a groundbreaking computerized fire-control technology that significantly enhances shooting accuracy and ammunition efficiency for assault rifles and light machine guns. The system uses advanced sensors and ballistic computations to optimize firing conditions, releasing rounds only when optimal hit probability is identified, improving precision from 23% to 73% in tests. This technology also incorporates counter-drone capabilities, making it highly relevant for modern battlefield scenarios. As of early December 2025, India and…
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India is intensifying its interest in acquiring the advanced S-500 Triumfator-M air defence system from Russia, following the successful deployment of the S-400 during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Discussions are expected during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi on December 4-5, 2025, where India is likely to request additional S-400 squadrons and missile replenishments. The S-500, with superior interception capabilities against hypersonic threats and multi-layered defence support, represents a critical enhancement to India’s air defence strategy. Although geopolitical…
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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, in partnership with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), proposed the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV on December 3, 2025, to fulfill India’s tri-services requirement for 87 drones. This initiative targets the Defence Acquisition Council-approved programme from August 2025, enhancing the Army, Navy, and Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike capabilities amid evolving regional threats. The collaboration supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision through local manufacturing, technology transfer, and integra…
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India is poised to acquire 90 Rafale F4 fighter jets from France, with an option for 24 advanced Rafale F5s, contingent upon the Cabinet Committee on Security’s formal Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). This deal, reflecting the robust Indo-French defense partnership, aims to address the Indian Air Force’s pressing squadron shortfall amidst rising regional threats. The Rafale F4 will feature upgraded electronic warfare capabilities and local production exceeding 70% indigenous content, enhancing India’s self-reliance in defense. The completion of this procurement process by early 2026 could signif…
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced a paid internship opportunity for engineering and science students, starting January 1, 2026, with applications due by December 15, 2025. The internships, available in disciplines like Computer Science, Civil Engineering, and Geoinformatics, are aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students from recognized Indian institutions, requiring a minimum academic performance of 75% or a CGPA of 7.5. Selected candidates will receive a stipend contingent on their presence in the laboratory, reinforcing DRDO’s commitment to fosteri…
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The Indian Navy is set to operationalise its first squadron of MH-60R Romeo helicopters, with a formal commissioning ceremony scheduled for December 2025 at INS Hansa in Goa. This follows a $2.4 billion Foreign Military Sales deal signed in February 2020, with 15 of the 24 helicopters already delivered. The MH-60R, regarded as the most advanced maritime helicopter globally, significantly enhances India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities amid growing concerns over China’s expanding submarine fleet in the Indian Ocean Region. The helicopters are equipped with advanced technologies, including…
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India and Russia are set to sign a landmark agreement for the licensed production of the advanced RD-191M semi-cryogenic rocket engine in India, as confirmed by Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov on December 3, 2025. This deal, coinciding with President Putin’s official visit to India, includes a 100% transfer of technology and will significantly enhance ISRO’s heavy-lift launch vehicle capabilities, especially for the LVM3 and future next-generation rockets. The RD-191M engine, offering 192 tons of thrust, positions India among a select group of nations with such advanced propulsio…
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India has finalized financial terms for the $2-3 billion lease of INS Chakra III, a modernized Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia, ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s visit. The intergovernmental agreement was originally signed on March 7, 2019, per The New Indian Express, committing Russia to deliver the vessel by 2025 after upgrades including Indian communication systems and potential BrahMos missile integration. Delayed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and refits at Severodvinsk, the 10-year lease submarine—likely K-391 Bratsk—is now slated for induction by late 2027…
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On December 2, 2025, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi highlighted the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) program’s strategic imperative during the Indian Navy’s annual press conference at Kota House in New Delhi, indicating imminent government approval as the Aeronautical Development Agency nears Critical Design Review completion by 2026. Developed to replace the aging MiG-29K fleet on INS Vikrant and Vikramaditya, the HAL-produced TEDBF features twin GE-F414 engines, advanced stealth via diverterless supersonic inlets, AESA radar, and multi-role capabilities for STOBAR carri…
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On December 2, 2025, the U.S. Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency announced the selection of over 1,000 companies for the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, a key project designed to establish a multilayered national defense shield inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome. This program, valued up to $151 billion, is expected to enhance U.S. homeland security through advanced technologies, including satellite-based sensors and interceptors. Notable defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing are set to compete under the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense…
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A recently unveiled trimaran-hulled submersible vessel at Guangzhou Shipyard has raised alarms regarding China’s evolving naval capabilities. This 210-foot craft exhibits features that suggest hybrid functionality between surface and submerged operations, potentially enhancing stealth and operational versatility for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The vessel’s appearance, with depth markings and a likely pump-jet propulsor, exemplifies China’s innovative approach amid its naval expansion, posing a strategic challenge to India. Such advancements complicate the Indian Navy’s surveill…
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The Indian Navy is aggressively advancing its indigenous propulsion capabilities with a target operational date of 2029, marking a critical step towards self-reliance under the Make in India initiative. On July 28, 2025, the Navy approved the Indigenous Gas Turbine Marine Engine Development Program, aiming to produce 24-28 MW gas turbine engines suited for destroyers, frigates, and future combatants. This program includes collaborations with Bharat Forge, which has acquired a significant stake in Ukrainian engine maker Zorya-Mashproekt to co-develop marine gas turbines and diesel-electric prop…
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India’s defense technology market, currently valued at $7.6 billion, is projected to reach $19 billion by 2030, driven by a compound annual growth rate of nearly 20%. This evolution marks a shift towards technology-led systems, expected to constitute 50% of the defense market, fueled by over 1,000 startups focusing on advanced areas such as counter-drone technologies and autonomous systems. However, the report indicates a critical shortage of specialized engineering roles, which could hinder critical capabilities in aircraft and unmanned systems, with 40-45% of positions potentially remaining…
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The Indian Navy is pursuing a strategic upgrade for its heavy frigates to enhance stealth capabilities, specifically aimed at countering sea-skimming threats such as advanced anti-ship missiles. Under the ‘Innovations for Defence Excellence’ initiative, the Navy seeks to collaborate with domestic industries to significantly reduce the Radar Cross-Section (RCS) of its future warships, addressing the vulnerabilities posed by low-flying missile threats. This initiative underscores the necessity for advanced materials and design innovations that can effectively obscure radar signatures, particular…
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On December 1, 2025, DRDO successfully conducted a high-speed rocket-sled test of an indigenous fighter aircraft escape system at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory’s Rail Track Rocket Sled facility in Chandigarh, achieving a controlled velocity of 800 km/h. The trial, involving the Indian Air Force, Aeronautical Development Agency, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and full aircrew recovery using an instrumented dummy on the LCA Tejas forebody, marking a breakthrough in pilot safety under extreme combat conditions. Defence Minister Ra…
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The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has reported a significant surge in global arms revenues, reaching a record $679 billion in 2024, driven by escalating conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The data highlights a 5.9 percent increase from the previous year and reflects the growing demand for defense capabilities amid geopolitical uncertainties. Notably, India’s defense revenues grew by 8.2 percent, underscoring its commitment to indigenization and self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Furthermore, the report indicates that nine companies from the Middle East, including pr…
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The Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi has announced that the first batch of four Rafale-M carrier-borne fighter jets will be delivered by 2029, following a contract for 26 aircraft to enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities aboard INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. This decision aligns with India’s strategic objective to modernize its naval fleet amidst growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Concurrently, the Indian Air Force is advancing plans to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets upgraded to the F4 standard, with an initial order for 90 aircraft and an option for 24…
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Russia is intensifying its defense partnership with India, proposing joint development of a fifth-generation fighter jet, the Su-57E, by 2030, as outlined by Dmitry Shugaev of the FSMTC. This initiative aims to enhance cooperation in combat aviation, focusing on producing advanced aircraft and modern air defense systems. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov has emphasized the Su-57E as the world’s best fighter, cautioning against interference from rival nations, while highlighting a potential deal involving 114 aircraft with significant technology transfer and local production capabilities at…
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively pursuing interim fifth-generation stealth fighter capabilities in light of a significant operational gap until the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is realized, projected for the mid-2030s. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has indicated that while the focus remains on defining precise operational requirements, the urgency to secure advanced aerial capabilities has led to discussions about potential foreign contenders, with the Russian Su-57 and American F-35 being noted as primary candidates. The Su-57, in particular, presents strategic…
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Leonardo DRS CEO Bill Lynn, in his final interview before retirement, outlined the company’s strategic evolution into a versatile defense firm with a focus on advanced technologies, highlighting a balanced revenue model across various military branches. He emphasized the growing international demand for U.S. defense equipment, particularly amid geopolitical tensions in Europe and Asia, which presents significant opportunities for Indian defense modernization in areas such as counter-UAS and air defense systems. Lynn’s insights on the competitive landscape suggest that while U.S. exports may in…
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India’s third nuclear missile submarine, INS Aridaman, is nearing commissioning, as confirmed by Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, with expectations for its entry into service early next year. This submarine, part of the Arihant class, follows the commissioning of the second submarine last August. Additionally, the Indian Navy is focused on acquiring six conventional submarines under Project 75I, with negotiations progressing rapidly and a contract likely to be signed within the current financial year. The development of a new class of nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines (SSNs)…
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Hyderabad-based Akin Analytics has secured land in Andhra Pradesh to set up a state-of-the-art drone manufacturing facility as part of the ambitious Drone City project in Orvakal, Kurnool district. Announced on December 2, 2025, this initiative is integral to the state’s plan to develop India’s first and largest Drone City, spread over 300 acres. The project, aligned with Andhra Pradesh’s vision under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and supported by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem including manufacturing, research, testing, and pilot training, expected…
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Ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India for the 23rd Annual Summit, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed discussions on the S-400 air defense system and the Su-57 stealth jet, emphasizing the significance of Russian arms in India’s military inventory. He noted the potential for Indian production of the Su-57, including technology transfers covering critical areas such as engines and advanced materials, while highlighting the successful BrahMos missile collaboration as a model for future defense synergies. Peskov also condemned recent terrorist attacks in Delhi, advocating fo…
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India entered formal talks with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) on December 2, 2025 to acquire the ARBEL, the world’s first fully computerized rifle fire-control system featuring advanced AI-driven targeting and rapid-fire solutions. The ARBEL system, developed for integration with major small-arms platforms, uses sensors and real-time ballistic computations to drastically improve the accuracy and lethality of frontline soldiers operating in complex combat environments. Discussions led by IWI CEO Shuki Schwartz underline robust technology cooperation, with localized production, such as manufact…
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