Category: Defence

New Delhi: India and France have sealed a landmark pact to jointly develop a cutting-edge fighter jet engine—an agreement that grants India complete control over the intellectual property of a high-thrust powerplant vital for the country’s future air combat fleet. Valued at more than ₹61,000 crore (about $7 billion), the partnership marks the first time a major Western nation has agreed to share the deepest layers of jet engine technology, including sensitive hot section metallurgy. The engine, expected to generate 110–130 kN thrust, will power India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat…

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New Delhi: India has issued its strongest warning yet to defence manufacturers worldwide, cautioning that any delay in equipment delivery will result in immediate contract cancellation. The message comes from Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, who stressed that accountability will now be strictly enforced across all procurement channels. Speaking at the National Security Summit in New Delhi on 28 November, Singh said the Ministry of Defence will no longer tolerate missed timelines—whether the vendor is domestic or foreign. Under the current emergency procurement guidelines, equipment must be delivered within one…

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New Delhi: India has officially launched Mission Sudarshan Chakra, an ambitious programme that aims to build a next-generation, multi-layered national air-defence and counter-drone shield by 2035. The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeks to secure major cities, vital military hubs, and key national infrastructure against emerging aerial threats. Designed as a fully integrated defensive and offensive system, Mission Sudarshan Chakra focuses heavily on indigenisation, aligning with Make in India and IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) principles. The mission will consolidate India’s air-defence assets into a single, technologically…

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New Delhi: The recent TEJAS fighter jet crash at the Dubai Air Show, which led to the tragic loss of IAF Wing Commander Namansh Syal, is a sobering reminder of the dangers inherent in military aviation. However, this unfortunate incident must not trigger unfair criticism of the Indian Air Force, the pilot, or Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The crash occurred during a high-risk, low-altitude aerobatic manoeuvre, a routine but inherently dangerous component of international air displays. Aviation experts note that such demonstrations push aircraft to their absolute limits. Despite the…

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New Delhi: The contest to partner with India on its most ambitious naval project—the INS Vishal supercarrier—is heating up, with the UK’s BAE Systems and France’s Naval Group emerging as the leading contenders. Both European defence majors are pushing hard to secure the prestigious co-development contract for the roughly 65,000-ton carrier that will elevate India’s maritime power projection capabilities well into the 21st century. The INS Vishal programme is central to India’s long-term goal of fielding three fully operational carrier strike groups by 2035, a move that will significantly bolster…

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New Delhi: India is set to launch one of its largest-ever fighter aircraft upgrade programmes, with the government moving toward approval of a massive modernisation push for the Indian Air Force’s frontline Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet. According to defence sources, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is expected to clear upgrades for an initial tranche of 84 aircraft out of the IAF’s current inventory of 259 Su-30MKIs. The ₹63,000-crore project—popularly known as the “Super Sukhoi” or “Super-30” upgrade—is designed to enhance the jet’s combat performance, survivability, and weapons integration while extending…

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New Delhi: The Union government has initiated a fast-track procurement of nearly 300 S-400 air-defence missiles from Russia to replenish the arsenal significantly depleted during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The acquisition, valued at over ₹10,000 crore, is expected to be cleared within the current financial year following approvals from the cost negotiation committee and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). According to defence establishment sources, the missiles—sourced from Russia’s state-run arms exporter ROSOBORONEXPORT—will restore the operational depth of the S-400 systems that played a decisive role in neutralising Pakistani…

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New Delhi: French aerospace giant Safran has indicated that the final assembly of Rafale fighter jet engines and critical components may be shifted to India, contingent on additional orders from the Indian Air Force (IAF). This would mark the first time Safran establishes such an assembly line outside France, representing a major step in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities. Speaking at the inauguration of a new maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility for LEAP engines in Hyderabad, Safran CEO Olivier Andries reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to India’s aerospace sector. The…

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New Delhi | Indonesia’s Defence Minister Syafrie Syamsuddin is set to arrive in New Delhi in the last week of November for a high-level meeting with India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The visit is expected to significantly advance the proposed BrahMos missile partnership, marking a major step forward in India’s expanding defence export programme. According to senior defence officials, the upcoming talks hold strategic importance as both nations have been engaged in sustained military-level dialogue over recent months. Indonesia has already expressed strong interest in acquiring the BrahMos supersonic cruise…

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New Delhi | The Ministry of Defence has intensified efforts to finalise India’s long-awaited Theatre Command structure, aimed at transforming the country’s warfighting model through deeper integration of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The framework is being prepared under the supervision of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), led by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan. Officials confirm that the frequency of meetings between the DMA and the three services has been increased to ensure detailed discussions on every operational and structural point. The ministry aims to…

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