The Indian Navy is set to enhance its hydrographic survey capabilities with the commissioning of the Ikshak, the third vessel of the Survey Vessel (Large) class, on November 6, 2025, at Naval Base, Kochi. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. with over 80% indigenous content, Ikshak exemplifies India’s commitment to self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Equipped with advanced hydrographic and oceanographic technology, including Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and a helicopter deck, the vessel …

Dassault Aviation has announced the expansion of its engineering centre in Pune, doubling its capacity to over 150 engineers as part of its commitment to India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. This facility plays a pivotal role in supporting the Rafale and Falcon aircraft programmes, aligning with Dassault’s offset obligations linked to the Rafale contract with the Indian Air Force. The expansion underscores India’s growing capabilities in advanced aerospace manufacturing and aims to …

India and Indonesia are nearing the conclusion of negotiations for a significant BrahMos cruise missile deal, with only final approval from Russia pending. This potential contract, a reflection of strengthened defence ties and shared interests in maritime security, follows high-level discussions and visits by Indian officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. The BrahMos missile, known for its advanced capabilities, is expected to enhance Indonesia’s coastal defence and deter external threats. This deal …

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the GSAT-7R satellite on November 2, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, enhancing the Indian Navy’s space-based communications and maritime domain awareness. This satellite, which replaces the GSAT-7 (Rukmini), aims to provide extensive telecommunication coverage across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), an area of increasing Chinese influence. The GSAT-7R was deployed using ISRO’s most powerful rocket, the LVM3, signaling a significant leap in India’s strategic capabilities. …

The Indian Navy is set to integrate the Abhimanyu drone into its carrier fleet by 2026, enhancing its operational capabilities with AI, stealth features, and air-to-air kill capabilities. Developed by NewSpace Research and Technologies, Abhimanyu serves as a loyal wingman for carrier-based fighters, including the MiG-29K and Rafale-M, significantly improving situational awareness and tactical flexibility in the Indo-Pacific region. With AI-driven autonomous operations and a focus on cost-effectiveness, the drone aims to manage complex missions …

Eminent scientist Ankathi Raju has been appointed as the new Director of the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad, where he will oversee significant advancements in India’s missile development programs. Raju brings over three decades of expertise, having played a pivotal role in various projects including the solid fuel ducted ramjet propulsion system and liquid propulsion systems for missiles like Prithvi and Agni. His leadership at the Armament Research and Development Establishment resulted …

Kochi-based startup Fuselage Innovations has secured a ₹1 crore grant under the USHUS Maritime Innovation Support Program, jointly initiated by IIM Kozhikode and Cochin Shipyard Limited in late October 2025. The funding supports the development of their cutting-edge UAV Launch and Recovery System (LARS), designed to enable oscillation-free drone operations from standard cranes in offshore and dynamic maritime environments. This milestone marks significant progress toward deploying indigenous UAV capabilities critical for maritime security and offshore …

India has launched Project PRAGYASHAKTI, an advanced 25-month initiative to unify and enhance its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Managed by DRDO with private industry partners, the project integrates multi-origin EW systems, including American, Russian, French, and Indian technologies, under a common AI-driven software framework. The system’s architecture comprises eight specialized modules for tasks like signal interception, threat detection, jamming, and electronic counter-countermeasures, deployed across airborne, surface, and ground …

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is strategically positioned to capitalize on India’s evolving defense landscape, marked by the recent approval of Rs 79,000 crore in procurements by the Defence Acquisition Council. With over 400 players in the private sector, BEL reported a significant revenue increase of nearly 26% year-on-year, reflecting robust demand across all three armed forces. The company aims to enhance its global footprint, targeting defense exports to soar from $2.8 billion in FY25 to …

On November 5, 2025, Hanwha Aerospace and Milrem Robotics introduced the THeMIS-K, an advanced unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed for the Korean military, showcased at Seoul ADEX 2025. This collaboration merges Hanwha’s remote-controlled weapon systems with Milrem’s versatile UGV platform, emphasizing AI-driven automation in combat and logistics, which is crucial for reducing troop risks. The THeMIS platform’s operational success in various conflict zones underscores its reliability and adaptability, aligning with India’s interest in enhancing defense …