Rolls-Royce has identified India as a key ‘home market’ for its jet engines and naval propulsion systems, reflecting the country’s growing defense-industrial ecosystem. The company plans to invest in local manufacturing, including two Memoranda of Understanding with Indian defense public sector undertakings for engine development for Arjun tanks and advanced combat vehicles, thereby enhancing indigenous capabilities in line with India’s AMCA program. Rolls-Royce aims to leverage its expertise in aero-engine technology to contribute to India’s …

Russia has intensified its marketing efforts for the Su-57E stealth fighter to India, framing it as a long-term strategic platform capable of serving the Indian Air Force (IAF) for up to 50 years. The aircraft’s modular design facilitates the integration of new weapons and technologies, potentially allowing Indian enterprises like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to customize systems independently through unprecedented access to source code. A senior official from Rostec indicated that the overall cost of …

Russia has intensified its marketing efforts for the Su-57E stealth fighter to India, framing it as a long-term strategic platform capable of serving the Indian Air Force (IAF) for up to 50 years. The aircraft’s modular design facilitates the integration of new weapons and technologies, potentially allowing Indian enterprises like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to customize systems independently through unprecedented access to source code. A senior official from Rostec indicated that the overall cost of …

The Indian Army has achieved a remarkable 91% self-reliance in ammunition, successfully indigenizing 159 of 175 variants, significantly reducing dependency on foreign imports amidst global supply chain uncertainties. This pivotal development ensures sustained firepower during prolonged conflicts, bolstering operational readiness while insulating the Army from potential international sanctions. The Ministry of Defence is advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative through collaboration with Defence Public Sector Undertakings and private entities, focusing on critical munitions like advanced rockets …

The Indian Coast Guard has formalized a contract with L&T Precision Engineering & Systems for six Rail-Less Helicopter Traversing Systems (RLHTS) to be installed on Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to enhance indigenous defense production. This innovative RLHTS enables safe helicopter operations without fixed deck rails, utilizing advanced winches and sensors to facilitate movement in challenging maritime conditions. Designed for helicopters weighing up to 12.5 tonnes, the system significantly …

The Indian government has launched a significant initiative with an outlay of Rs 44,700 crore to bolster the domestic shipbuilding sector and enhance global competitiveness. The initiative includes the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) and the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS), designed to provide financial assistance, develop shipbuilding clusters, and modernize existing shipyards. SBFAS aims to support projects worth approximately Rs 96,000 crore over the next decade, while SbDS focuses on infrastructure development and workforce skills, …

The Indian Army issued a Request for Information (RFI) on December 22, 2025, for an advanced Avalanche Rescue System, including man-portable radar and reflectors, to detect and mark multiple buried personnel in real-time amid extreme high-altitude conditions down to -50°C. Published formally on December 23 via platforms like TenderTiger with bids due February 9, 2026, the modular system supports drone mounting and audio-visual alerts, targeting snow-bound frontiers in Ladakh, Siachen, Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Arunachal, and …

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received four competitive bids from Bharat Forge, Ramakrishna Forgings, Mishra Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI) and PTC Industries to establish a 20,000-ton Isothermal Forging Press Facility at its Sukhoi Engine Division in Koraput, with the tendering milestone reported on 22–23 December 2025. The project follows an RFI issued in October 2025 and targets operationalisation around October 2025, creating a critical domestic source for large titanium and nickel-alloy compressor and turbine discs needed …

Unimech Aerospace and Manufacturing Limited announced on December 23-24, 2025, that it has increased its equity stake in Bengaluru-based Dheya Engineering Technologies Private Limited to 30% from 17%, via compulsorily convertible preference shares under a share subscription agreement signed November 11, 2025, with completion targeted by December 31. This deepens their strategic partnership, positioning Unimech as the exclusive 10-year manufacturing partner for Dheya’s indigenous micro gas turbines (MGTs) like DET-60 and DET-500, targeting UAVs, loitering …

India’s indigenous rotary-wing aviation programme marks a significant milestone with the scheduled inaugural flight of the ALH DhruvNG at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This next-generation helicopter features advanced avionics and safety systems, including terrain awareness and collision avoidance systems, enhancing its operational capabilities in diverse environments. With a maximum cruise speed of approximately 250 kmph, the DhruvNG is versatile for various roles such as medical services, disaster relief, and VIP transport. The helicopter’s integration of …

India’s defense industry is experiencing significant growth, bolstered by rising national security concerns and the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which promotes domestic manufacturing and exports. Notably, defense exports have skyrocketed over 34 times since 2014, reaching $2.76 billion in FY25, with private sector contributions of approximately $1.80 billion. Small-cap stocks such as Krishna Defence & Allied Industries and CFF Fluid Control have reported impressive profit growth, outpacing industry averages, with Krishna’s net profits surging by …

Thales has secured a £10 million contract with the UK’s Defence Equipment and Support to develop autonomous remote command centres for the Royal Navy’s mine countermeasures, a project expected to expand to £100 million. This initiative is a key component of the UK’s Strategic Defence vision, enhancing maritime capabilities through autonomous mine hunting technology. The command centres will integrate multiple unmanned systems and utilize advanced software, including AI-driven target recognition for improved operational efficiency. This …

The Indian Army is set to establish one of the world’s largest tactical drone forces by 2027, aiming to deploy between 8,000 to 10,000 drones per corps, enhancing battlefield capabilities significantly. This initiative focuses on integrating unmanned systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike operations, ensuring soldiers remain out of harm’s way. The plan emphasizes indigenous technology and self-reliance, fostering the development of domestically produced UAVs and counter-drone systems. Additionally, specialized training for all soldiers …

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has partnered with IIT Madras through a Memorandum of Understanding to develop an indigenous digital communication system for airborne applications, marking a significant advancement in India’s defense technology capabilities. This collaboration aims to create advanced algorithms for networking and encryption, which are crucial for secure and efficient data exchange in modern military operations. By focusing on self-reliance and reducing dependency on imported systems, this initiative aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat …

On December 29, 2025, the National Test House (NTH), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and DRDO’s Kanpur-based Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to bolster collaboration in research, testing, and training, advancing India’s defence self-reliance. This pact enables sharing of advanced laboratory facilities and instrumentation, mutual support for specialised testing where in-house capabilities are limited, and knowledge exchange among scientific personnel through seminars, workshops, and training …

India is engaging in negotiations for the Transfer of Technology (ToT) and local production of the Javelin Anti-Tank Missile System following the US Department of State’s approval of a $45.7 million Foreign Military Sale. The deal includes 100 missiles and 25 launch units, with a focus on establishing domestic manufacturing capabilities through a partnership between Bharat Dynamics Limited and the Javelin Joint Venture, comprising Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. This strategic move aims to modernize India’s …

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing the development of a sub-15-ton variant of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), named the Advanced Light Towed Artillery Gun System (ALTGS), with internal trials expected by late 2026. This new design aims to provide the Indian Army with a high-mobility artillery solution suited for challenging terrains, featuring a reduced chamber size and a lighter barrel while retaining all-electric drive technology for enhanced reliability. The …

The Ministry of Defence has set a firm 2026 deadline for the Gas Turbine Research Establishment to certify the indigenous Dry Kaveri engine, crucial for the Ghatak UCAV project. This initiative aims to establish a self-reliant defense manufacturing ecosystem, avoiding foreign engine reliance and ensuring timely project execution. The Dry Kaveri, capable of 49 kN thrust, will undergo high-altitude trials in Russia, with the first Ghatak prototype anticipated by late 2029 or early 2030, followed …

DSA Holding has signed a $2 billion Letter of Intent with Innogress Ventures to develop a quantum and deep-tech ecosystem in India, highlighting growing international collaboration in advanced technologies. This initiative includes the establishment of major facilities like the Greater Karnavati Quantum Computing Technology Park and the Indraprastha Quantum Data Center, aimed at fostering innovation in quantum computing, AI, and robotics. The project’s significance lies in its potential to enhance India’s technological leadership and support …

In a strategic bid to enhance ties with India, Russia has proposed its fifth-generation Su-57E stealth fighter, assuring complete technological transparency and the provision of full source code, thereby addressing India’s concerns over foreign-supplied military equipment potentially containing hidden vulnerabilities. This offer stands in stark contrast to the American F-35 program, which limits operator nations’ control over the aircraft’s software. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) emphasizes that the Su-57E can serve the Indian Air Force …

The Indian Army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to acquire 20 Tactical Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) aimed at enhancing its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across plains and high-altitude regions, particularly along the Line of Actual Control with China. This initiative aligns with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat campaigns, promoting domestic defense manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign technology. The RPA program emphasizes modular design and multi-payload capabilities, responding to …

TThe Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, convened on December 26, 2025, but due to incomplete attendance, deferred decisions on nearly 20 major procurement proposals slated for approval, postponing them to a future meeting tentatively around January 15, 2026. The council instead focused on extending the Emergency Procurement (EP) mechanism till January 15, empowering vice chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to fast-track acquisitions up to Rs 300 crore …

Apollo Micro Systems Ltd (AMSL) has secured new defense orders exceeding Rs 100 crore for the supply of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to the Ministry of Defence, set to be executed within four months. This order, part of AMSL’s ongoing business operations, has positively impacted its stock, which surged by 5% to reach an intraday high of Rs 275. With a substantial order book totaling Rs 7,850 crore, AMSL stands out as a leading player …

Indian intelligence reports indicate that Pakistan is rapidly deploying advanced anti-drone systems along the Line of Control (LoC) following India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist infrastructure. Pakistan’s response includes specialized counter-UAS units equipped with the Spider system and the Sufra drone-jamming gun to disrupt Indian drone operations. This escalation reflects a broader shift towards drone-centric deterrence in South Asia, highlighting the urgency of enhancing airspace security amid India’s advancements in drone warfare. The situation underscores …

Chennai-based Big Bang Boom Solutions (BBBS) deployed its indigenous Vajra Sentinel Anti-Drone System at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on December 25-26, 2025, bolstering the capital’s layered air defence against low-cost commercial drones like DJI models. Developed over five years with passive RF sensing, AI-driven classification, and autonomous jamming—cleared by DGAQA on first trials—the system secured ₹200 crore contracts from the Indian Air Force and Army in 2024 under iDEX, with first deliveries in May …