The Indian Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth Rs 4,666 crore for the procurement of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes, reinforcing the commitment to modernize the armed forces under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The contract includes over 4.25 lakh CQB carbines from Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd, aimed at enhancing the infantry’s combat capabilities, while the procurement of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes for Kalvari-class submarines from WASS …

Lotus Advance Technologies Pvt Ltd has secured a significant contract worth ₹26.8 crore from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) of THL 20 turret guns fitted on the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) fleet, marking a pivotal development in India’s defense sustainment ecosystem. This award underscores Lotus’s role as the exclusive MRO partner for the THL 20 system, a capability strengthened through its collaboration with KNDS France. By fostering indigenous MRO …

In a pivotal development for India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) acquisition, Russia’s Rostec has proposed the Su-57E stealth fighter as a significantly more cost-effective alternative to the French Rafale, claiming potential procurement costs could be nearly half that of the Rafale package, which is valued at over $24 billion for 114 jets. This offer includes full technology transfer and access to the aircraft’s source code, allowing the Indian Air Force (IAF) enhanced operational autonomy to …

China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy successfully tested the YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile from the Type 055 destroyer Wuxi, showcasing its advanced capabilities, including near-vertical descent and Mach 6 speeds. This missile significantly extends the PLA Navy’s anti-access/area-denial range beyond 1,000 km, posing increased challenges to naval defenses in the Indo-Pacific, particularly for India amid China’s assertive maritime expansion. The urgency for India to develop indigenous hypersonic countermeasures and enhance QUAD interoperability is underscored, as these …

Recent developments at Shanghai’s Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard have revealed that China is advancing its military capabilities with a mobile electromagnetic catapult system designed for drone launches. This modular system, capable of deploying low-observable combat drones weighing up to 2 tons, enhances the People’s Liberation Army’s airpower projection in contested areas, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and in the Pacific. The technology allows for rapid drone deployment without the need for fixed …

Belrise Industries and Israel’s Plasan Sasa signed a three-year strategic agreement on December 18, 2025—publicly disclosed around December 22—to co-develop and localize the ATEMM (All-Terrain Electric Mission Module), a modular electric platform enhancing payload, survivability, and off-road mobility for Indian armed and paramilitary forces. This partnership, aligning with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, shifts India-Israel defense ties from imports to co-production, integrating Belrise into Plasan’s global supply chain for cost-effective exports. From an Indian …

DRDO’s Laboratory for Electro-Optics and Radar Development (LRDE) completed the techno-commercial evaluation of the Multi-Mode Firefinder (MMFD) radar programme on December 27, 2025, shortlisting key Indian partners Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Alpha Design Technologies, ICOMM Tele Limited, and AMPL for financial bidding and production phases. This milestone, confirmed via open-source reports and tied to recent LRDE/MMFD-PUR/25-26 tenders closing January 1, 2026, advances indigenous AESA radar tech for air defence, artillery fire …

In a significant advancement for India’s defense capabilities, the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has issued an Expression of Interest for the development of a High-Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (HALE-RPAS). This initiative aims to identify an Indian Development Cum Production Partner, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering indigenous unmanned aviation technology. The HALE-RPAS is envisioned as a crucial asset for persistent surveillance and intelligence gathering, enabling India to reduce reliance on foreign systems …

Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, has dealt a significant blow to the country’s arms export narrative by revealing that no binding arms sale deal was made with Libya, only a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This admission highlights a recurring issue in Pakistan’s defense diplomacy, where an estimated 80% of announced MoUs fail to materialize into actual contracts. The fragmented political landscape in Libya complicates potential defense procurements further, underscoring the gap between political signaling …

India has approved the lease of two additional MQ-9 drones from General Atomics for the Indian Navy, enhancing its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in strategically important regions. This decision, cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council, signifies a substantial boost to India-US defense cooperation, with significant contributions from aerospace expert Vivek Lall. The previous lease of two MQ-9 aircraft in 2020 has already proven critical for India’s maritime and border security operations. This development …

Russia has announced the active service deployment of its nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system, marking a significant development amid ongoing peace negotiations concerning the Ukraine conflict. The Oreshnik, which can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, was first utilized against Ukraine in November 2024 and is touted by President Putin for its advanced capabilities, including multiple warheads that can travel at speeds reaching Mach 10. This announcement comes as U.S. President Trump engages with Ukrainian President …

Bangladesh is finalizing a significant defense deal with Turkey, involving the acquisition of six T129 ATAK attack helicopters and the Hisar-O+ medium-range air defense system, as part of its Forces Goal 2030 modernization initiative. This agreement, aiming for completion by the 2025-26 fiscal year, enhances Bangladesh’s tactical aviation and air defense capabilities while strategically diversifying its military partnerships. The deal includes comprehensive support such as training and technology transfer, potentially complicating India’s air superiority in …

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced an ambitious ₹18,000 crore investment in research and development aimed at enhancing India’s self-reliance in defense aviation over the next decade. This strategic commitment will focus on advancing aircraft programs like the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), along with significant funding for indigenous jet engine development and unmanned aerial systems. Key elements include the integration of advanced materials, artificial intelligence, and green aviation technologies, supporting …

The Indian tri-services have successfully deployed the indigenous ARKA man-portable air defence system (MANPADS), a significant upgrade in Very Short-Range Air Defence capabilities, replacing old Soviet-era units. Produced under a Transfer of Technology agreement with Russia’s Rosoboronexport, the ARKA system emphasizes local assembly and aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Recent contracts, including a 260 crore deal for launchers and missiles, address urgent air defence needs against low-flying threats. This rapid deployment showcases Adani …

The Indian government has greenlit significant upgrades to its military assets, including the overhaul of T-90 Bhishma tanks and mid-life upgrades for Mi-17 helicopters, aimed at enhancing operational readiness amid ongoing border tensions. The T-90 overhaul will extend the life of four regiments by up to 20 years, utilizing domestic expertise, while Mi-17 upgrades will ensure combat readiness across various services. Key procurements include loitering munitions for precision strikes, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles for air …

The Indian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to the indigenous Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) programme, seeking Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval to accelerate its development. This initiative, a “5-minus” generation fighter, will leverage advanced technologies from the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project and aims for a collaborative manufacturing approach with major private players and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. With plans for over 80 TEDBF jets, potentially expanding with future aircraft carriers, the …

Following the success of “Operation Sindoor,” the Indian Army is considering acquiring additional Ultra-Light Howitzers (ULH) and modernizing its existing fleet of M777 artillery. The M777 155mm guns demonstrated exceptional mobility and precision in high-altitude combat, reinforcing the strategic need for lightweight artillery in mountainous regions. Plans include upgrading to 52-calibre barrels, enhancing range from 24 to 40 km and potentially exceeding 70 km with advanced projectiles. This initiative aligns with India’s Field Artillery Rationalisation …

Negotiations between India and the United States for acquiring six additional Boeing P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft stalled on December 29, 2025, over a nearly 50% price escalation from the 2021 approval of $2.42 billion to approximately $3.6 billion. The US attributes the hike to global supply chain disruptions, inflation, and trade tensions including new tariffs on Indian exports, but Indian officials have rejected the terms, prioritizing cost-effective deals amid budgetary constraints and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. …

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has advanced the development of India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) by initiating the critical design phase for its rear fuselage, inviting capable industry partners for collaboration. This move signifies a pivotal transition to detailed engineering, wherein selected partners will undertake comprehensive design responsibilities, including structural layout and stress analyses, while ensuring stealth integration and low observability. The project emphasizes national interest, as all intellectual property generated will remain …

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved a substantial defence procurement proposal worth approximately Rs 79,000 crore (about $8.8 billion) to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This comprehensive package includes key acquisitions such as Astra Mk2 air-to-air missiles, loitering munitions for artillery regiments, low-level lightweight radars, long-range guided rockets for the Pinaka multiple launch rocket system, and integrated drone detection systems. The …

Adani Group is set to invest Rs 1.8 lakh crore in 2024 to enhance India’s defense manufacturing capabilities, focusing on unmanned and autonomous systems, advanced guided weapons, and AI-enabled operations. The company has established itself as India’s largest private-sector defense entity, with successful deployments in military operations, including the induction of Drishti 10 UAVs into the Navy and Army. Its developments in counter-drone technology and AWACS platforms position it as a key player in the …

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced IS 19445:2025, the first dedicated standard for bomb disposal systems, aimed at enhancing national security by addressing critical gaps in the country’s security preparedness. Developed at the behest of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the standard establishes comprehensive evaluation guidelines for bomb disposal systems, which include bomb blankets, baskets, and inhibitors, essential for mitigating risks from explosives. It promotes uniformity in manufacturing and testing, ensuring that …

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided not to pursue additional orders for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet beyond the recently contracted 97 units, focusing instead on the operationalization of its current fleet and the development of the more advanced Tejas Mk2, which is projected to become the backbone of the IAF’s medium-weight fighter fleet by the 2030s. Senior IAF officials indicated that while there are no plans for further Mk1A orders due to delays …

On December 28, 2025, reports revealed that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is advancing its AI-driven military logistics through the Joint Logistic Support Force to enhance operational capabilities near India’s borders. This system features real-time tracking via smart depots and multi-domain sensing, optimizing resource allocation for high-altitude exercises. The integration of civilian logistics firms and technologies such as drones and automated supply apps indicates a significant enhancement in PLA sustainment capabilities, potentially increasing risks for …

Recent developments indicate that China is advancing its naval capabilities with the preparation of loyal wingman drones for trials aboard the Type 076 amphibious assault ship, Sichuan, following its initial sea trials. These low-observable drones, designed for enhanced combat operations, aim to augment the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) ability to project air power in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly concerning Taiwan and disputed maritime territories. The integration of advanced technologies like electromagnetic catapults signifies a …