Bhopal-based Aryavart Technologies has successfully delivered the first batch of its indigenously designed, developed, and flight-tested ARYA-5001 tactical UAV to the Indian Air Force on December 26, 2025, bolstering the nation’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Featuring up to 4 hours of endurance, a cruise speed of 180 km/h, and 20 kg payload capacity, the UAV excels in long-range surveillance with electro-optical/infrared sensors and mapping cameras, while supporting multi-role operations like precision cargo drops, logistics in …

L&T Precision Engineering and Systems (L&T PES) has achieved a breakthrough with successful flight trials of its Chanakya Swarm Autonomy Framework on December 25-26, 2025, demonstrating decentralized operations of multiple fixed-wing UAVs in coordinated flocking, collision avoidance, and surveillance missions. This indigenous technology enables heterogeneous swarms to function as a cohesive unit, boosting operational resilience against electronic warfare threats along India’s borders with China and Pakistan. From an Indian strategic viewpoint, Chanakya aligns with Atmanirbhar …

Images released on December 25, 2025, revealed that China has retrofitted the cargo ship ZHONG DA 79 with approximately 60 modular missile launchers, advanced phased-array radars, and a Type 1130 close-in weapon system, effectively transforming it into a formidable surface combatant. This development illustrates China’s strategy of using its extensive merchant fleet to enhance naval capabilities at minimal costs, posing a significant threat to maritime security in contested regions like the Indian Ocean and South …

An image has emerged of China’s Type 076 amphibious assault ship, Sichuan, showcasing a navalized loyal wingman drone, indicative of advancements in the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Commissioned recently, the 44,000-ton vessel’s capabilities, including an electromagnetic catapult, signal a significant enhancement in China’s amphibious warfare and drone operations, potentially escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific. This development poses challenges to regional stability, particularly for India’s maritime interests in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea, …

Lieutenant General A V S Rathee, General Officer Commanding of the Konark Corps, recently reviewed the initiatives at the Konark Corps Technology Centre, highlighting its crucial role in enhancing personnel skills and fostering indigenous capabilities essential for future conflicts. He commended the Centre’s commitment to integrating advanced technology and promoting innovation, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by reducing dependency on external resources. The focus on grassroots innovation is expected to expedite capability enhancements, ensuring …

The Indian Army is set to enhance its operational capabilities significantly by establishing a drone force comprising 8,000 to 10,000 units per corps by 2027, integrating drones across all military arms and services. Specialized training centers will be established at 19 key institutions, ensuring soldiers master various drone classes for missions such as surveillance and offensive operations. With a focus on indigenous technology and initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive scheme, the Army aims for self-reliance, …

India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme is set to enhance the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational capabilities through a groundbreaking AI-driven self-monitoring system aimed at achieving a fleet availability rate of 75%. This innovative approach, developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency, shifts maintenance from a reactive to a predictive model, utilizing sensors and digital diagnostics to preemptively address technical faults. Coupled with ‘Digital Twin’ technology and augmented reality training for technicians, the AMCA not …

The French Army is closely monitoring India’s advanced Pinaka Mk3 multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system as it seeks urgent replacements for its aging long-range artillery units. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Pinaka Mk3 aims to achieve precision strikes at ranges of 120-130 km, addressing operational gaps due to the depletion of French artillery stocks amid ongoing military support to Ukraine. As France evaluates this system, which has proven its effectiveness …

India is advancing negotiations for the Transfer of Technology (ToT) and local production of Javelin anti-tank missiles following a $45.7 million Foreign Military Sale approved by the US. The procurement includes 100 Javelin missiles and 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units, aligning with India’s strategic push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing. A Memorandum of Understanding between Bharat Dynamics Limited and the Javelin Joint Venture aims to explore domestic production capabilities, enhancing India’s anti-armour combat readiness while …

India has successfully tested the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from the INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal, marking a significant enhancement to its naval nuclear capabilities. This missile, with a range of approximately 3,500 kilometers, allows Indian nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to target deep within adversarial territories while remaining in secure waters, thus bolstering India’s second-strike capability in alignment with its no-first-use doctrine. The K-4’s capabilities surpass those of its predecessor, the …

Pune-based Belrise Industries has formed a strategic partnership with Israel’s Plasan Sasa to jointly manufacture electric vehicle components for military use in India. The collaboration aims to adapt Plasan’s All-Terrain Electric Mission Module (ATEMM) platform to meet the specific operational requirements of the Indian Armed Forces, enhancing their mobility and survivability. This partnership not only signifies a step towards indigenizing advanced defense technologies but also positions Belrise within Plasan’s global supply chain, promoting cost-effective production …

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is progressing with its ‘Super-30’ initiative to modernize the Su-30MKI fleet, focusing on creating indigenous software to integrate advanced systems and enhance combat capabilities. While awaiting Cabinet Committee on Security approval for the upgrade of 84 aircraft, the IAF is proactively developing essential software modules to avoid delays post-approval, emphasizing the integration of the indigenous Virupaksha AESA radar and the adaptation of flight control systems. Additionally, the IAF is exploring …

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Defence, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hyderabad-based Astra Microwave Products Limited (AMPL) on December 23, 2025, to jointly design, develop, and manufacture advanced electronic modules, subsystems, and systems for defense electronics and aerospace. Exchanged between BEL’s Director (Marketing) Suresh Kumar KV and AMPL’s Joint Managing Director Dr. MV Reddy in the presence of BEL CMD Manoj Jain, the pact targets critical domains …

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will chair the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting today, December 26, 2025, in New Delhi, marking the year’s final and most critical session to fast-track emergency procurements amid border tensions and Operation Sindoor’s lessons. Key attendees include Chief of Defence Staff, three service chiefs, Defence Secretary, and DRDO chief, focusing on Navy’s Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MR-SAM, 70km range by Bharat Dynamics), IAF’s Astra Mk-2 air-to-air missiles (200km range for Su-30MKI/Tejas), …

India’s maritime surveillance capabilities are facing a significant setback due to the prolonged grounding of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv fleet, impacting both the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. The Indian Coast Guard has reported a regression in operational capacity to 1980s levels, severely limiting its ability to conduct vital surveillance and rapid response missions. The situation escalated following a tragic crash of an ALH Mk-III, leading to a complete fleet grounding and raising …

India has emerged as the world’s third-largest military power in 2025, as per the Lowy Institute’s Asia Power Index, trailing only behind the United States and China. This achievement is largely attributed to Operation Sindoor, which showcased indigenous weapon systems and anti-drone capabilities. The Indian government aims to increase defense exports to Rs 30,000 crore by March 2026, with a long-term target of Rs 50,000 crore by 2029, reflecting a significant shift from being an …

The Indian Armed Forces are set to optimize approximately 46,000 acres of unused defense land for green energy projects over the next three to five years, focusing on initiatives such as solar and biogas plants, afforestation, and floriculture. Collaborating primarily with NTPC Green, the first pilot project will establish a solar plant in a designated state, as part of a broader strategy to generate carbon credits and support sustainability efforts. The initiative aims to ensure …

Hanwha Group’s Philly Shipyard is set to play a crucial role in the construction of nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy, signaling a strategic alignment with U.S. defense initiatives. This move is part of a broader effort by South Korea to support U.S. shipbuilding, highlighted by a recent trade agreement promising a $150 billion investment and reduced tariffs on Korean car imports. Hanwha plans to enhance its capabilities by recruiting experts in Virginia-class submarine design …

DRDO has successfully completed the user evaluation trials of the indigenous Next Generation Akash-NG missile system on December 23, 2025, at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, marking a key milestone for its induction into the Indian Armed Forces. During the trials, witnessed by senior DRDO scientists and Indian Air Force representatives, the missiles intercepted aerial targets across varied ranges and altitudes, including near-boundary low-altitude scenarios and long-range high-altitude engagements, validating the system’s operational …

India has successfully tested the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from its indigenously developed nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arihant, in the Bay of Bengal, with an impressive range of 3,500 km. This test, which has yet to be officially confirmed by the Ministry of Defence, underscores India’s strategic deterrence capabilities and enhances its second-strike capability while aligning with its “No First Use” doctrine. The K-4 missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, …

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing a next-generation air-launched loitering cruise missile for the Indian Air Force, reported on December 23-24, 2025, with a 250 km range to bolster precision strikes. Key features include man-in-the-loop Lock-Confirm-Kill capability for real-time visual confirmation via live feeds from loitering over targets, modular payloads for diverse missions, and hybrid INS-GPS guidance for land and sea engagements, minimizing collateral in urban or contested zones. Aligned with Atmanirbhar …

Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, successfully demonstrated its compact anti-jam Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT) technology on December 22, 2025, at the U.S. Army’s All-Domain Persistent Experiment in White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The modular CMOSS Mounted Form Factor card, paired with an external antenna, fused military-code GPS and sensors to deliver precise navigation for ground vehicles amid dense jammers and spoofers, ensuring resilient performance in GPS-denied environments. India, drawing lessons from Operation …

India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, convenes on December 26, 2025, to approve a major overhaul of four T-90 Bhishma main battle tank regiments, as reported on December 23. This life-extension program targets aging tanks by resetting engines, gun barrels, and mechanical systems to modern standards, extending operational life by up to 20 years while prioritizing cost-effective indigenization over new acquisitions. Key actors include the Indian Army’s Corps of Electronics …

CoreEL Technologies India Private Limited, a Bengaluru-based provider of advanced electronic systems for aerospace and defence, raised USD 30 million in Series B funding on December 23, 2025, led by ValueQuest Scale Fund with strong support from 360 ONE Asset, which led its prior Series A in December 2023. The funds will scale manufacturing capacity, bolster research and development, advance product engineering, and enable participation in major domestic and international defence programmes, following the December …

Enord Pvt. Ltd., an AI-on-Edge drone technology startup founded in January 2021, secured a landmark multi-crore contract on December 21, 2025, from the Indian Army’s School of Artillery in Deolali, Nashik, under the Emergency Powers Revenue 2025 mandate. The deal covers over 700 indigenous VR Drone Training Simulators for deployment across 19 Category-A units in three phases, with full rollout by Q2 2026 (April-June). These high-fidelity systems enable immersive FPV flying, ISR mission rehearsals, and …