SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a strategic move to expand its global footprint in the defense sector, Bharat Forge Limited, through its wholly owned subsidiary Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), has entered into a joint venture with Spain’s Duma Engineering Group S.L. The agreement, signed on March 27, 2025, aims to establish a new defense technology company in Spain, focusing on the development of advanced technologies, product platforms, and solutions for the defense sectors of India, Europe, and other export markets. This collaboration marks a significant step for Bharat Forge as it seeks to leverage international partnerships to bolster its position in the global defense industry.
Under the terms of the joint venture, KSSL will hold a 90% stake in the new company, while Duma Engineering will own the remaining 10%. The partnership is designed to combine Bharat Forge’s expertise in defense manufacturing with Duma Engineering’s engineering capabilities, creating a synergy that can address the evolving needs of modern defense forces. The new entity will focus on developing cutting-edge defense technologies and product platforms, catering to a wide range of markets, including India and Europe, with an eye on export opportunities in other regions.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant boost to India’s defense manufacturing capabilities, Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) has operationalized a massive new facility in Jejuri, near Pune, dedicated to the production of advanced indigenous artillery systems. The state-of-the-art 3 lakh sq. ft. plant, inaugurated on April 2, 2025, is set to become a cornerstone in India’s journey toward self-reliance in defense production, aligning with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The facility will primarily focus on fulfilling orders from India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the indigenously developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), a cutting-edge 155mm howitzer designed to enhance the Indian Army’s artillery firepower and safeguard the nation’s vast borders.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a recent statement that has sparked global discussions, Keji Mao, a Research Associate with the India Program at the Pangoal Institution in Beijing, has lauded India’s burgeoning role in the global defense industry, posing the question: “Is India becoming the ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ in the world?” Mao’s comments come on the heels of India’s record-breaking defense exports for the financial year 2024-25, which saw a wide range of Indian defense products—spanning ammunition, arms, subsystems, systems, parts, and components—reaching around 80 countries. Notably, the United States, Israel, and Germany have emerged as the biggest importers of defense systems from India, signaling a significant shift in global defense dynamics.
India’s defense exports for FY 2024-25 reached an all-time high of ?23,622 crore (approximately US$2.8 billion), marking a 12.04% increase from the previous year’s ?21,083 crore. This growth reflects a broader trend of India’s rising prominence in the global arms market, a trajectory that has been accelerating since the government opened up the defense sector to private players in 2014. The private sector contributed ?15,233 crore to the export tally, while Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) saw a remarkable 42.85% growth, contributing ?8,389 crore. The export approvals also surged, with 1,762 authorizations issued in FY 2024-25—a 16.92% increase from the previous year—indicating a robust pipeline for future exports.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian military’s Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) fleet, grounded following a series of crashes, including a fatal incident in Gujarat earlier this year, is unlikely to take to the skies for at least another three months. This development comes as investigators work to pinpoint the root cause of a critical component failure that has led to the grounding of the workhorse fleet, a vital asset for the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
The ALH, designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, has been under scrutiny following a January 5 crash off the coast of Porbandar, Gujarat. The incident involved a Coast Guard ALH, which suffered a swashplate assembly failure, leading to the deaths of two pilots and an aircrew diver. The crash was one of several in recent years, with the ALH fleet experiencing around 15 accidents over the past five years, raising serious concerns about its safety record.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Armed Forces have taken a significant step toward enhancing their operational capabilities by opting to lease a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker from Metrea, an American military logistics firm. This decision, formalized through a wet lease agreement signed by the Indian Ministry of Defence, introduces a critical capability to extend the range of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) C-17 Globemaster III and the Indian Navy’s P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
The primary rationale behind selecting Metrea’s KC-135, equipped with refueling booms, lies in addressing a long-standing limitation in India’s aerial refueling infrastructure and unlocking the full potential of these strategic assets.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Chinese-made VT-4 main battle tank (MBT), touted as a third-generation-plus armored platform, has encountered significant operational and reliability issues in both Nigeria and Pakistan, raising questions about its effectiveness and the decision-making processes behind its procurement. Recent incidents, including the destruction of a Nigerian Army VT-4 during combat and persistent mechanical failures in both countries, have cast a shadow over the tank’s reputation and its manufacturer, China North Industries Corporation (Norinco).
In a recent clash with a local Muslim terrorist group, likely linked to Boko Haram , a Nigerian Army VT-4 tank was destroyed in battle. This incident marks a significant setback for Nigeria, which acquired 35 VT-4 tanks as part of a $152 million contract signed with Norinco, with the first batch delivered in April 2020. The tanks were intended to bolster Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts in the volatile northeast, where armored vehicles play a critical role in combating heavily armed militants.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a remarkable display of innovation and technical prowess, teams from India’s premier technical institutes have clinched the top positions in the final round of the Swarm Rescue Challenge 24-25, a prestigious international competition jointly organized by the Centre Interdisciplinaire d’Études pour la Défense et la Sécurité (CIEDS) of France and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The event, which concluded on April 1, 2025, saw teams from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and IIT Hyderabad dominating the leaderboard, securing first, second, and third places respectively.
The Swarm Rescue Challenge, now in its 2024-25 edition, is a cutting-edge competition that tasks participants with developing advanced drone swarm controllers for search-and-rescue missions. Open to students from select institutions, the Indian leg of the challenge included teams from IIT Madras, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Jodhpur, and Hyderabad Central University. In parallel, a similar event was held in France under CIEDS, with plans for the winning teams from both countries to convene post-finals, fostering a global exchange of ideas.
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South Korean defence giant Hanwha Aerospace said on Thursday it has signed a 371.4 billion-won ($253.6 million) deal to export homegrown K9 self-propelled howitzers to India. Under the agreement, the company will deliver the K9 howitzers to the Indian Army by September 2030, in cooperation with Mumbai-based company Larsen & Toubro, according to Hanwha Aerospace. The deal aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military, the company added, reports Yonhap news agency. This agreement follows a 2017 contract, under which Hanwha supplied 372.7 billion won worth of K9 howitzers to India by 2020.
Hanwha Aerospace said this additional contract reflects the K9’s proven reliability in meeting the Indian Army’s operational needs. The company’s strong performance under the first contract also helped solidify its reputation as a trusted partner in India’s defence market, it added. Hanwha Aerospace expects the latest deal to further expand sales of the K9 howitzer beyond Europe and into Asia. The K9 has already been adopted by countries such as Romania and Poland, said the report.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Navratna defence public sector undertaking Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a contract with the Indian Air Force, valued at Rs 593.22 crore, for providing maintenance services for the Akash missile system to kick off the new financial year 2025-26.
The BEL had also supplied the IAF with the Akash missile system for which it has won the maintenance contract.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday claimed that China had taken over 4,000 square kilometre of Indian territory and that reciprocal tariffs or import duties imposed by the US would “completely devastate” the Indian economy, as he demanded answers from the government over these issues.
The BJP hit back at Gandhi over his remarks during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, saying “not an inch of land” had been given to China under BJP rule and it was under Congress rule that China had occupied Indian territory.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The commerce ministry is analysing the impact of 26 per cent reciprocal tariffs or import duties imposed by the US on India, a senior government official said on Thursday. According to the official, the universal 10 per cent tariffs will come into effect on all imports into the US from April 5 and the remaining 16 per cent from April 10.
“The ministry is analysing the impact of the announced tariffs,” the official said, adding there is a provision that if a country would address the concerns of the US, the Trump administration can consider reducing the duties against that nation.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s scheduled visit to Bastar in Chhattisgarh, the Maoists have expressed their willingness to engage in peace negotiations. Reportedly, a spokesperson of the Maoist central committee issued a pamphlet, printed in Telugu language, in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur. He conceded that 400 of their “comrades had been killed over the past 15 months”.
The spokesperson affirmed that they are prepared to enter peace talks, provided the government is ready to cease ongoing operations against them (Maoists).
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
India’s Operation Brahma is in full swing, providing critical rescue and relief efforts in Myanmar following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake. The local community has expressed deep gratitude for India’s swift aid and support during this crisis.
A Myanmar local, Hussain, spoke to ANI and expressed gratitude for India’s efforts in Myanmar. He said, “We felt great relief when you arrived. You (Indians) are very hardworking people. We are very happy and at peace. We have benefited greatly from the arrival of the NDRF. May God shower blessings upon India and its leadership.”
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The 4th edition of the bilateral joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) amphibious exercise between India and the US, ‘Tiger TRIUMPH 2025, commenced in Vishakhapatnam on Wednesday.In a statement posted on X, the Indian Army’s Southern Command stated, “The 4th edition of Exercise #TigerTriumph25 commenced in #Visakhapatnam. Focused on enhancing joint response capabilities, the exercise fosters expertise exchange and operational readiness in the Indian Ocean Region. Key participants include the #AmphibiousWarriors of #IndianArmy, Indian Navy Ships, the US Army’s 1-5 IN “Bobcats”, Arctic Wolves, and the US Marines’ 1st Battalion.
The opening ceremony of the exercise was held onboard the Indian Navy’s INS Jalashwa (L41) on April 1. The exercise reflects the deepening convergence of US-India strategic maritime interests and the countries’ defence partnership, according to the joint statement. The present edition is aimed at further enhancing interoperability and combined joint all-domain operations during large-scale HADR operations.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Ahead of the April 5 talks between Kuki Zo and Meitei groups called by the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi, the Kuki leadership based in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district has set three pre-conditions, including no cross movement between Meitei and Kukis in the areas where the other community is in majority.
Kuki Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlianthang Thanglet said the three conditions were set during a consultation meet organised at Kangpokpi by the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) on Tuesday.
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