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…
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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 include CoreEL’s MD & CEO…
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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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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 Elcom, aligning with the Make in India initiative to ensure at least 60% indigenous content a…
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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 an 83 MW reactor and can launch up to 24 K-15 missiles or K-4 interc…
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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 Indian firms to deliver around 30% indigenous components, supp…
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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, with specialized roles in areas such as radar engineering, avionics, and quantum communication making up less than 5% of the wo…
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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 a critical deterrent amid ongoing maritime tensions in the South China Sea, particularly against Chinese assertiveness. This delivery enha…
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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 Systems, VBAT, known for its vertical take-off and landing capabilities, AI…
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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 partnerships and various programs aimed at…
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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 a dedicated cell for women entrepreneur…
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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 August 2024. Both nations reiterated their commitment to combat terrorism and emph…
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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 stocks depleted during recent conflicts. This move is significant for enhancin…
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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 to Pakistan operatives. Agarwal’s life sentence for cyberterrorism and espionage was…
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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 Vehicles (MIRVs), has faced repeated failures, including a prominen…
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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 the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and uncertai…
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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 growing military-industrial cooperation between Egypt a…
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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 collaboration and technology transfer valued over 100 bi…
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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 ris…
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JPMorgan Chase is initiating a $10 billion investment over the next decade into the US defense and aerospace sectors, focusing on both startups and established suppliers as part of a broader $1.5 trillion plan aimed at enhancing US national security. This initiative aligns with Pentagon priorities such as increasing nuclear submarine production and bolstering missile stockpiles, while engaging with the US Department of Defense to support secure communications and autonomous systems. From an Indian strategic perspective, this substantial capital influx strengthens the US military-industrial com…
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On November 30, 2025, Russia unveiled an upgraded version of the Shahed-136 kamikaze drone, now armed with Soviet-era R-60 heat-seeking air-to-air missiles, posing a new threat to Ukrainian aviation. This modification enhances the drone’s capabilities, allowing it to actively engage fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, complicating Ukraine’s air defense strategies. The operational use of these drones may involve advanced control systems developed since early 2024, which leverage real-time operator control via cellular networks. This development reflects Russia’s strategic focus on evolving d…
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Andro Computational Solutions has secured a multimillion-dollar contract with the US Army aimed at enhancing artificial intelligence (AI) in electronic warfare and signal intelligence. Central to this initiative is the RF-Gen system, designed to produce synthetic radio frequency data for AI training, allowing effective operation under challenging conditions without the high costs associated with field equipment. This collaboration supports Project Linchpin, the Army’s strategic effort to integrate AI tools into its electromagnetic solutions, enhancing operational readiness and effectiveness ag…
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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 growing military-industrial cooperation between Egypt a…
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Bharat Dynamics Ltd. has secured additional orders worth Rs 2,462 crore from the Indian Army, enhancing the nation’s defense capabilities. This follows a previous contract of Rs 2,095.70 crore for INVAR Anti-tank Missiles, aimed at improving the lethality of T-90 tanks, a crucial component of the Indian Army’s armored regiments. The ATGMs are scheduled for delivery over 42 months, while the SAMs will be executed within 12 months. This procurement underscores the Indian government’s commitment to achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing, leveraging the expertise of domestic public secto…
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On November 29-30, 2025, the CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) in Bengaluru entered into a strategic partnership with Solar Defence & Aerospace Ltd (SDAL) to co-develop an indigenous 150 kg class loitering munition UAV (LM-UAV) capable of reaching targets over 900 km away with an endurance of 6 to 9 hours. This initiative utilizes a home-developed 30hp Wankel engine that has received certification for aircraft integration and flight testing, with plans for additional higher-powered engines underway. The loitering munition is designed for enhanced stealth and effectiveness in GPS…
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