The Pakistan Navy has launched its fourth Hangor-class submarine, named Ghazi, at the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group in China, marking a pivotal advancement in its maritime capabilities. This submarine is part of an agreement for the construction of eight Hangor-class vessels, with four being built in China and the remaining four at Karachi Shipyard under a technology transfer arrangement. Equipped with modern sensors and advanced weapon systems, these submarines are set to enhance Pakistan’s naval …

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on December 18, 2025, nearing completion of the country’s first fully indigenous full-spectrum bistatic Radar Cross Section (RCS) measurement facility at its Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru. This advanced setup, covering VHF (30–300 MHz), UHF (300 MHz–1 GHz), and L-band (1–2 GHz) frequencies, enables precise testing of Radar Absorbent Materials (RAM) and stealth coatings under operational conditions, reducing dependence on foreign ranges. Crucial for validating low-observable …

General Atomics is pitching its advanced Gambit-2 loyal wingman unmanned combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) as of December 17, 2025, building on the recent MQ-9B SeaGuardian contract signed in November 2025 for 31 drones. The stealthy, Mach 0.85-speed platform, designed for high-intensity air-to-air combat, offers integration with India’s indigenous Astra Mk2 and Mk3 missiles, enabling it to team with Tejas Mk2, Rafale, and future AMCA fighters for extended missile capacity and contested …

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to expedite a government-to-government procurement of 114 Dassault Rafale fighters, prioritizing immediate delivery to address its critical operational readiness concerns, as it currently operates at only 31 of the sanctioned 42 squadrons. This strategic shift aims to avoid logistical complexities associated with introducing new aircraft types. Recent reports indicate plans for 90 Rafale F4 variants and 24 Rafale F5 fighters, which promise advanced capabilities. Notably, Safran’s establishment of …

The Indian Army has successfully inducted the final three Boeing Apache AH-64E attack helicopters, completing the procurement of six units that will enhance the capabilities of the 451 Army Aviation Squadron based in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This acquisition, part of a $600 million contract with Boeing signed in February 2020, marks a significant leap in India’s aerial combat capabilities, particularly in night warfare and high-threat environments, thanks to the Apache’s advanced fire-control radar and weaponry. The …

The Indian Navy commissioned Diving Support Craft (DSC) A20 on December 16, 2025, at Naval Base Kochi under the Southern Naval Command, marking the 11th indigenous vessel inducted this year and bolstering underwater operational readiness in the strategic Indian Ocean region. Presided over by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, the catamaran-hulled craft—built by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, Kolkata, under a 2021 Ministry of Defence contract—displaces 390 tonnes and features advanced diving systems, underwater …

During Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi’s visit to Brazil from December 9 to 12, a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Navy, the Brazilian Navy, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to facilitate information exchange on the maintenance of Scorpene-class submarines and other naval vessels. This visit aimed at bolstering maritime cooperation and defense industry collaboration, included high-level discussions with senior Brazilian officials, including the Defence Minister. Admiral Tripathi’s engagement highlights the …

The Indian Navy commissioned its second MH-60R anti-submarine helicopter squadron, INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’, at INS Hansa in Goa on December 17, 2025, in a ceremony presided over by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. This milestone enhances the Navy’s maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and search-and-rescue capabilities on the western seaboard, with the squadron declared fully operational and ready for immediate fleet deployment. Admiral Tripathi highlighted the complex maritime environment amid geopolitical shifts and …

The LCA Tejas Operators Conference (OPCON) 2025 concluded on December 15 at Air Force Station Naliya, bringing together aircrew, engineers, and industry partners to review operational feedback and discuss future upgrades for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft. Chaired by Air Vice Marshal Kesavan Nair Harisankar, the event highlighted the Tejas platform’s growing maturity in independent operations and its critical role in advancing India’s self-reliance in defense aviation. Participants focused on integrating advanced weapon systems, including …

On December 15, 2025, during Vijay Diwas ‘At Home’ celebrations at Army House in New Delhi, attended by President Droupadi Murmu and 73 foreign envoys, the Indian Army unveiled the indigenously developed Vajraka All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), reinforcing Atmanirbhar Bharat in defense. Produced by the 510 Army Base Workshop in Meerut following extensive field trials, this 1000cc all-wheel-drive vehicle conquers narrow, rugged mountain tracks with 40-degree inclines, carrying four personnel for logistics, casualty evacuation, and rescue …

DRDO has accelerated preparations for imminent flight trials of the 120 km-range Pinaka Mk-III rocket system, building on the Guided Pinaka’s proven success, as the Indian Army advances a ₹2,500 crore ($300M) fast-track procurement proposal for Defence Acquisition Council approval announced December 12, 2025. Developed by ARDE Pune with partners like Solar Industries, Munitions India, BDL, and L&T, the 300mm-caliber Mk-III promises

The Indian Army has fast-tracked procurement of the indigenous SAKSHAM counter-UAS command-and-control system, developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), following a ₹776 crore order announced on December 12, 2025, as reported on December 15. Approved under the Fast Track Procurement route since October 2025 and accelerated post-Operation Sindoor’s drone swarms earlier this year, SAKSHAM integrates AI-driven sensors for real-time detection, tracking, and neutralization of threats up to 3,000 meters in the Tactical Battlefield Space. From …

China has begun construction of its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Type 004, at the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Group, as revealed by satellite imagery analysis. This significant advancement in naval capabilities allows China to enhance its power projection across the Indo-Pacific, particularly amid ongoing border tensions with India. The supercarrier is expected to displace over 110,000 tons and could be operational by the early 2030s, potentially housing 90-100 aircraft. This development heightens regional security concerns …

NATO member states have successfully tested Astrolight’s POLARIS laser communication terminal, demonstrating its undetectable and jam-proof capabilities in maritime scenarios. This system is designed to facilitate stealthy ship-to-ship communication in contested environments, ensuring secure links that are impervious to sensors, even in adverse weather conditions. From an Indian strategic perspective, this advancement highlights the pressing need for Indo-Pacific navies to bolster their defenses against increasing electronic warfare threats, particularly GPS jamming that could disrupt operations …

French defense firm Thales has unveiled its Sonar 76Nano, a miniaturized sonar system intended for underwater drones, demonstrating its capabilities for the UK Royal Navy. This development emphasizes the growing focus on autonomous underwater systems within NATO navies, particularly for anti-submarine warfare and infrastructure protection in the North Atlantic. As India navigates similar underwater threats in the Indian Ocean, the advancement of compact sonar technologies underlines the necessity for accelerated research and development in indigenous …

The US Space Force issued a Small Business Innovation Research solicitation on December 15, 2025, seeking advanced high-G propulsion systems, enhanced seekers, and low-SWaP interceptors for space-based platforms to neutralize ballistic missiles during their boost phase below 120 kilometers altitude within 180 seconds. This effort, part of President Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative aiming for full operation by 2028, targets rapid acceleration exceeding 6 km/s using dual-pulse motors and thrust vector control, with recent …

On December 16, 2025, China’s Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation conducted the maiden flight of the Y-30, a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft from the Xi’an airfield, designed to bolster the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s logistics with a planned payload of around 30 tonnes. Featuring a high-wing layout, T-tail, straight wings with winglets, six-bladed propellers, wide fuselage, rear loading ramp, and heavy-duty landing gear for short or unprepared runways, the Y-30 bridges the gap between the …

Sisir Radar, a space technology startup, is poised to launch India’s first private L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite by 2026, focusing on high-resolution imagery for defense, intelligence, and commercial applications. The satellite, designed and built indigenously, promises to deliver exceptional 0.75-meter resolution all-weather imagery, significantly enhancing capabilities for national security and disaster management. With $7 million raised in Series A funding, the company plans to transition from prototypes to operational missions, marking a significant …

BEML Limited has secured a significant contract worth approximately Rs. 110 crore from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the supply of engines, marking a notable development in the Indian defense manufacturing sector. This order, part of BEML’s routine business activities, underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing indigenous manufacturing capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers for critical defense components. Following a strong inflow of orders in December, which also included a Rs. 157 crore …

On December 15, 2025, Hyderabad-based Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group inaugurated its new Rs 100-crore DeepTech facility, Arrobot Citadel Campus, spanning 25,000 sq ft near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, and unveiled six indigenous UAV and autonomous defence products: RV Astra, RV Maya, RV Lakshya, RV Rudra, RV Indra, RV Yodha, and RV Drishti. These jet-powered loitering munitions, decoy and target drones, tethered surveillance systems, and more boast ranges over 300 km and speeds up to 650 …

Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies has received regulatory approval on December 4, 2025, to establish India’s first private high-thrust rocket engine test facility in Andhra Pradesh, specializing in Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) propulsion systems. Founded in 2024 by CoinDCX co-founder Neeraj Khandelwal alongside former ISRO scientists Devakumar Thammisetty, Pawan Kumar, and Prashant M, the startup emerged from stealth in October 2025 with plans for an 80-tonne Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) engine, following …

The Indian Navy is poised to enhance its operational capabilities significantly with the commissioning of its second squadron of MH-60R Romeo helicopters, INAS 335 (Ospreys), on December 17 at INS Hansa in Goa, in the presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. This induction marks a pivotal moment in the Navy’s modernization efforts, providing a versatile multi-role platform capable of addressing various threats, including anti-submarine warfare and surface attacks. The MH-60R helicopters, …

French aerospace giant Thales awarded SFO Technologies, the flagship of Kochi-based NeST Group, a landmark contract on December 15, 2025, to manufacture high-value, complex wired structures for the RBE2 AESA radar in Dassault Aviation’s Rafale fighter jets. This first major order for India-produced components—designed to endure extreme conditions—bolsters the Make in India initiative, advancing localization of critical sub-systems post the Indian Navy’s 26 Rafale order. SFO’s expertise in precision machining, wiring, electronics, and systems integration, …

China’s CH-7 stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), also known as Caihong-7 or Rainbow-7, successfully completed its maiden flight in late December 2025 at an airfield in northwest China, validating its core aerodynamic design, autonomous taxiing, takeoff, landing, and flight control systems. Developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the high-altitude, high-speed, long-endurance flying-wing drone features a 27.3-meter wingspan, maximum takeoff weight of 8-10 metric tons, cruise speed …

On December 9, 2025, Turkish defense firm CTech announced the operational deployment of its SkyARX Ku-20 Qx satellite communication terminals to support UAVs recently supplied to an equatorial Asian nation, likely Indonesia given its recent acquisitions of Turkish drones like Bayraktar TB3 and Anka models. The four-axis stabilized system overcomes the “keyhole effect” of geosynchronous satellites, ensuring stable, secure transmission of video, imagery, and commands for long-range missions in challenging equatorial conditions. Turkey’s growing defense …