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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Indian Army officially launched its Digitisation-3 initiative on November 28, 2025, unveiled by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, outlining a 240-page roadmap focused on advancing artificial intelligence, automation, and comprehensive digitisation to establish a data-driven force by 2035. The plan centers on three pillars—digitisation, automation, and AI—highlighting 100 applications, including indigenous counter-drone systems, a Geographic Information System (GIS) for real-time battlefield mapping, and predictive logistics engines to optimize supply chains. Early pilot deployments along the …

CoreEL Technologies India Private Limited announced on December 2, 2025, the acquisition of Lekha Wireless’s Aerospace and Defence Systems (ADS) division, bolstering its military communication portfolio with indigenous IP, specialized engineering talent, and technologies like Tactical SDRs, Mesh Radios, Vehicle SDRs, data links, missile telemetry, and UAV systems. This move, advised by Steer Advisors with undisclosed financials, aligns with surging Indian armed forces demand for secure, product-ready solutions amid Atmanirbhar Bharat’s indigenization push. Key actors …

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 …

Following the success of Operation Sindoor in May 2025, the Indian Armed Forces are rapidly expanding their Heron Mk II drone fleet under emergency procurement. All three services – Army, Air Force, and Navy – have signed contracts for additional Israeli-made Heron Mk IIs, with the Navy joining for the first time, underscoring the UAV’s versatility in multiple operational theaters. India aims to domestically manufacture these drones through partnerships with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and …

India is set to enhance its naval nuclear capabilities with the imminent commissioning of INS Aridhaman, the third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), as confirmed by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. This 83-meter-long vessel has successfully completed its sea trials and will soon join India’s strategic fleet, reinforcing the existing nuclear triad alongside INS Arihant and INS Arighat. With a displacement of 6,000 tonnes and advanced indigenous technologies, INS Aridhaman features …

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has emerged as the sole bidder for the Indian Air Force’s ₹8,000-crore contract to supply six mid-air refuelling aircraft, reaffirming its commitment to meet the Indian government’s 30 percent Make in India mandate. The deal involves converting six pre-owned Boeing 767 commercial planes into advanced tanker aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and refuelling systems. IAI is aligned with Indian requirements on local content, partnering with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and other …

India’s defense technology market, currently valued at $7.6 billion in 2025, is projected to reach $19 billion by 2030, growing at an impressive compound annual growth rate of nearly 20%. This growth is largely driven by advancements in technology-led systems, which are expected to account for approximately 50% of the overall defense market by the end of the decade. However, the sector is facing a significant challenge due to a shortage of advanced engineering talent, …

India has completed the delivery of the third and final batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile batteries to the Philippines, fulfilling a $375 million defense agreement signed in January 2022. The first shipment arrived in April 2024, the second in April 2025, and this final consignment marks the full operational capability of the Philippine Navy’s coastal defense units. The BrahMos missiles, capable of speeds up to Mach 3 and a range of 290 km, provide …

On December 2, 2025, JSW Defence partnered with US-based Shield AI to launch a $90 million military drone manufacturing project in Hyderabad, marking a significant milestone in India’s defense sector. The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art facility at the Electronic Manufacturing Cluster in Maheshwaram, aiming to produce up to 300 advanced VBAT drones annually. This collaboration includes a long-term technology transfer agreement to indigenize the manufacture of Shield AI’s Group 3 Unmanned Aerial …

The Indian government has sanctioned 148 new research and development projects under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to enhance defence manufacturing capabilities, as announced by Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth. This initiative includes the establishment of the DRDO Industry Academia-Centre of Excellence network, which operates 15 Centres focused on critical defence innovation areas. Budget allocations for DRDO have shown a consistent increase, with plans for ₹26,816.82 crore in 2025-26, supporting public-private …

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has called on Nashik entrepreneurs to boost the indigenous production of aircraft components, aiming to achieve 60% self-reliance for its assembly operations, including the Light Combat Aircraft and HTT-40. This initiative, part of the broader Make in India strategy, seeks to integrate local industries, particularly small and women-led enterprises, into HAL’s aerospace ecosystem. Key HAL officials engaged with local entrepreneurs to outline plans for enhancing production capabilities and support structures, including …

India and Poland convened the 11th round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi on December 1, 2025, where they agreed to expedite cooperation in defense, cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) under their Strategic Partnership framework. The talks were co-chaired by India’s MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George and Poland’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Wladyslaw T. Bartoszewski, focusing on implementing the five-year Action Plan (2024-2028) agreed during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Poland in …

India and Russia are set to engage in detailed negotiations regarding the procurement of two to three additional S-400 Triumf regiments, alongside discussions about the S-500 air and missile defence system, which remains exploratory. India is currently the sole operator of the full-specification S-400 system, having received three out of five contracted regiments, with two still pending delivery. The upcoming talks will also address the order of approximately 300 additional S-400 surface-to-air missiles to replenish …

The Bombay High Court on December 1, 2025, acquitted former BrahMos Aerospace scientist Nishant Agarwal of major espionage charges related to alleged spying for Pakistan’s ISI, ruling that prosecution failed to prove he transmitted sensitive missile secrets to foreign agents. While Agarwal had possessed 19 classified BrahMos files on his personal device, including key technical data about the supersonic missile jointly developed by India and Russia, the court held that no evidence demonstrated actual leakage …

A report from the Baloch National Movement alleges that on July 11, 2025, the Pakistan Navy conducted unannounced missile launches near civilian areas in Balochistan, specifically implicating a failed test of the Ababeel missile system. Eyewitness accounts and debris analysis suggest the launches originated from Jinnah Naval Base, raising serious safety and security concerns due to the proximity of populated areas. The Ababeel missile, designed as a medium-range ballistic missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry …

Following significant operational losses during Operation Sindoor, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has shifted its focus from acquiring additional Saab 2000 Erieye AWACS to developing an indigenous surveillance platform under “Project Zarb-e-Samaa,” utilizing the Embraer Lineage 1000E. This strategic pivot aims to enhance survivability against modern threats, especially after the loss of Erieye aircraft to Indian BrahMos missiles. The project, projected to cost between $800 million and $1 billion, faces challenges, including production bottlenecks at …

On December 1, 2025, Egypt received its first batch of K9A1 self-propelled howitzers from South Korea as part of a $1.7 billion deal signed in February 2022, marking a significant advancement in its artillery capabilities. The contract includes 216 K9A1 howitzers and associated vehicles, with local co-production initiated at Military Factory 200, enhancing Egypt’s defense autonomy. Unique among global K9 operators, Egypt’s acquisition includes anti-ship capabilities, bolstering its regional power projection. This milestone underscores the …

On December 2, 2025, the Royal Thai Air Force selected Israel’s Barak MX air defense system in a $107 million contract, a crucial element in Thailand’s military modernization amidst regional security challenges. This advanced missile defense technology will enhance the country’s capabilities against various aerial threats and complements recent acquisitions like the Saab Gripen E/F jets. The deal reflects Thailand’s strategic intent to diversify its defense partnerships and bolster self-reliance, with expectations of fostering industrial …

NATO’s recent exercises in December 2025 at the Ādaži Military Base in Latvia highlighted the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned systems across various military domains. The Digital Backbone Experiment (DiBaX) demonstrated significant advancements in operational scenarios, including reconnaissance and autonomous supply chain operations, focusing on enhancing interoperability and addressing cyber threats. These initiatives, part of NATO’s broader strategy to build a unified digital infrastructure, reinforce the alliance’s capabilities in multi-domain warfare amidst rising …