Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samudra Pratap, India’s first indigenous pollution control vessel, in Goa. With over 60% indigenous content, this advanced vessel enhances the Coast Guard’s operational capabilities in pollution control, firefighting, and maritime safety. Equipped with modern technology, including pollution detection systems and a helicopter hangar, ICGS Samudra Pratap is designed to conduct extended surveillance across India’s maritime zones. Singh emphasized its role in protecting the marine …

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed that India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme is on track for a prototype rollout by the end of 2028, followed by its maiden flight in early 2029. This announcement was made by DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat during the 25th anniversary seminar of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, where he emphasized the transition to next-generation platforms like the AMCA and LCA Mk2. The …

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh emphasized the critical need for aircraft manufacturers to adhere to delivery timelines for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to maintain operational readiness in a rapidly changing security environment. Speaking at the Aeronautics 2047 seminar, he celebrated the Aeronautical Development Agency’s success with the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas, which has achieved over 5,600 flight trials. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman, Samir V. Kamat, reiterated the importance of …

As India prepares to select a partner for the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) engine, Rolls-Royce has intensified its campaign by underscoring its extensive experience with fifth-generation fighter propulsion, particularly through its role in the F-35 program. The company proposes a model that allows India to hold Intellectual Property (IP) rights for the engine, fostering strategic autonomy and enabling future upgrades and exports without foreign dependencies. Rolls-Royce’s strategy includes leveraging its expertise …

Pakistan’s Hangor-class submarines, derived from China’s Type 039A/B Yuan design and powered by four CHD620 diesel engines instead of German MTU 396 units, are drawing scrutiny over their acoustic performance as they move toward induction from 2026 under an eight-boat, 2015 deal worth about US$5 billion. The first PNS Hangor was launched in Wuhan on 26 April 2024, followed by subsequent boats Shushuk and Mangro in 2025, after delays linked partly to engine supply and …

Indian Navy plans to induct a new warship roughly every six weeks throughout 2026, a cadence reflecting accelerated fleet expansion and deepening indigenisation under the Make in India/Aatmanirbhar Bharat push. Announced in early January 2026, the schedule aims for about 19 new vessels this year, including stealth frigates, anti-submarine ships and support craft, reinforcing blue-water capabilities amid intensifying strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region. This follows 2025’s strong year of operations — …

LAT Aerospace, founded by Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal in early 2025, achieved a breakthrough on January 4, 2026, when its fully electric Lat One v0.1 UAV prototype demonstrated ultra-short takeoff and landing (uSTOL) capabilities in a maiden test flight, lifting off in just 40 meters despite crashing shortly after due to anticipated structural defects confirmed by pre-flight simulations. This milestone validates high-lift designs for 60-minute endurance flights on routes like Mumbai-Pune, with Lat One v0.2 …

India’s Make-in-India C-295 tactical transport programme will see the first Made-in-India C-295 roll out from Tata-Airbus’s Vadodara final assembly line in September 2026, under a ₹21,935-crore contract signed in September 2021 to buy 56 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and replace its ageing Avro fleet, with 40 to be manufactured domestically and delivered by August 2031. The IAF has already received the initial 16 Spain-built C-295s, boosting tactical airlift along northern and island …

India’s fourth Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, designated S4* and expected to be named INS Arisudan, advances the nation’s sea-based nuclear deterrence amid evolving regional security challenges. Launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 16, 2025, at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, the approximately 7,000-tonne vessel features eight vertical launch system cells, enabling it to carry up to 24 K-15 missiles (750 km range) or eight K-4 missiles (3,500 km range) for extended …

A Sukhoi SJ-100-95B Superjet has been spotted at Zhukovsky airfield with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) branding, indicating its preparation for a static display at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad. This development reflects Russia’s renewed engagement with the Indian civil aviation sector, aiming to secure interest for the Superjet amidst shifting global supply chains. However, India’s potential local production hinges on critical decisions regarding the aircraft’s propulsion system, particularly the legacy PowerJet SaM146 engine, which has …

The U.S. government has moved forward with integrating Elon Musk’s Grok artificial intelligence systems into federal operations following multiple agreements in 2025 and early 2026, including a reported $200 million contract signed by the Pentagon under its “Grok for Government” program that gives federal agencies access to advanced Grok models such as Grok 4 for mission planning and internal use. The Department of War, rebranding aspects of the Defense Department’s AI efforts, announced in December …

Indian defence stocks experienced a notable rally, with the Nifty India Defence Index rising nearly 3% and reaching an intraday high of 7,989.80, driven by significant gains from major players such as MTAR Technologies and Solar Industries. This surge reflects heightened investor optimism fueled by global geopolitical tensions and positive domestic developments, including the Indian Army’s contract with NIBE for rocket manufacturing equipment and the Defence Acquisition Council’s approval of capital procurement proposals worth approximately …

North Korea’s recent announcement claims that leader Kim Jong Un has overseen test flights of hypersonic missiles, highlighting an intensified effort to enhance the nation’s nuclear deterrent capabilities. This development comes as North Korea prepares for an important ruling party conference and follows reports from South Korea regarding multiple ballistic missile launches. The significance of these tests lies in their potential to escalate tensions in the region, particularly affecting security dynamics for neighboring countries, including …

DRDO Chief Kamat has outlined a strategic pivot towards drone technology, emphasizing the development of high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) systems and counter-drone capabilities to enhance India’s defense posture by 2026. This initiative seeks to integrate cutting-edge innovations through collaboration with industries and academia, ensuring robust solutions for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) needs across diverse terrains, notably the Himalayas. The focus on unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) aims to advance autonomous strike capabilities, while DRDO’s partnerships …

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) continues to advance Project Dhvani, a hypersonic glide vehicle launched via an Agni-series ballistic missile booster, capable of exceeding Mach 5 speeds and offering an operational range of 6,000 to 10,000 km for enhanced strategic deterrence. Featuring a blended wing-body wave-rider design approximately 9 meters long, low radar cross-section for stealth, ultra-high-temperature ceramic composites enduring 2,000-3,000°C re-entry heat, and precision inertial navigation with satellite guidance, the project builds …

Xinfiniti Aerospace has introduced unmanned versions of the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, building on decades of service in the Indian armed forces. The Unmanned Army Cheetah Autonomous System aims to enhance operational capabilities through manned-unmanned teaming, allowing for safer missions in high-altitude and contested environments. This initiative aligns with India’s strategy to modernize its aging helicopter fleet amid rising maintenance costs and safety concerns. By retrofitting existing airframes and focusing on modular designs, Xinfiniti seeks …