Category: Defence

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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New Delhi |  India’s largest tri-services military drill, Exercise Trishul 2025, has reaffirmed the nation’s growing preparedness for multi-domain warfare, integrating land, sea and air operations under a single, coordinated framework. Conducted from October 30 to November 13 across Rajasthan, Gujarat and the northern Arabian Sea, the exercise brought together the Army, Navy and Air Force in a massive display of joint combat capability. According to The Diplomat, the scale, timing and new operational concepts tested during Trishul make it one of India’s most significant drills in recent years. The…

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New Delhi : In a significant boost to high-altitude mobility and operational readiness, the Indian Army has finalized the acquisition of 18 advanced articulated all-terrain vehicles (AATVs), designated BvS10 ‘Sindhu’. The platforms will be manufactured in India by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in partnership with Swedish defence major BAE Systems. According to an official statement from L&T, the contract—valued at approximately ₹245 crore—falls under the “Buy (Indian)” category, mandating over 60% indigenous content. The AATVs will be produced at L&T’s Hazira Armoured Systems Complex in Gujarat. As per defence sources,…

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Mumbai | In a landmark moment for India’s maritime capability, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, the first vessel of the indigenously built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW–SWC). The warship, designed and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, marks a significant addition to India’s coastal defence architecture. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi was the Chief Guest at the commissioning ceremony held at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard. Addressing the event, he said, “Land, sea and air are not separate domains but parts of one unified national security…

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New Delhi  — In a major boost to India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran Electronics & Defence have signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (JVCA) to produce the HAMMER smart precision-guided air-to-ground weapon system within the country. The agreement was formalised in New Delhi on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ defence initiative. Under the JV, a new private limited company will be established with an equal 50–50 partnership between BEL and Safran. BEL will oversee final assembly, quality checks and…

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New Delhi: In a landmark breakthrough for global cryogenic propulsion, ISRO has successfully demonstrated a bootstrap mode start of its CE-20 cryogenic engine—marking what is believed to be the first such achievement in the world for a gas-generator cycle engine without external start-up assistance. The CE-20 engine powers the upper stage of the LVM3, India’s most powerful operational launch vehicle. The engine is already certified for flight at thrust levels between 19 and 22 tonnes and has been fully qualified for human spaceflight under the Gaganyaan programme. Under normal conditions,…

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