SOURCE: AFI

Airbus is exploring a significant upgrade to its A400M Atlas military transport aircraft, aiming to increase its payload capacity to 40 tons through minor hardware adjustments and certification changes, according to posts on X. This enhancement could position the A400M as a direct competitor to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) aging Ilyushin IL-76 fleet, which is slated for retirement starting in 2035. The upgrade aligns with Airbus’ ongoing pitch for the IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) tender, which seeks 40-80 aircraft to modernize India’s airlift capabilities.

The A400M, currently capable of carrying 37 tons, is a versatile four-engine turboprop airlifter designed for both tactical and strategic missions. The proposed 40-ton payload increase would bring it closer to the IL-76’s 48-ton capacity, making it a compelling option for the IAF, which operates 14 IL-76s procured in the 1980s. However, there is no clarity yet on whether the A400M’s cargo ramp, which has a 32-ton weight limit critical for vehicle transport, will also be modified to accommodate the enhanced payload.

SOURCE: AFI

Dr. DK Sunil, Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), announced at the Paris Air Show that the structural assembly of the first prototype of the Tejas MkII aircraft is currently in progress. Speaking to the Editor of GBP Daily News, Dr. Sunil revealed that the rollout of the prototype is scheduled for 2026, marking a significant milestone in India’s indigenous defense manufacturing program.

The Tejas MkII, an advanced variant of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, is designed to enhance India’s air combat capabilities with improved performance, advanced avionics, and greater payload capacity. Dr. Sunil emphasized HAL’s commitment to meeting the project timeline, underscoring the strategic importance of the Tejas MkII for the Indian Air Force.

SOURCE: AFI

In the wake of Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has initiated a sweeping overhaul of India’s defence procurement process to fast-track acquisitions, improve cash flow to private vendors, and ensure rapid induction of critical military capabilities. Meetings held between the MoD and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) have outlined a roadmap for compressed procurement timelines, digitisation of trials, and incentivisation of indigenous production.

At the heart of the reform is a bold proposal to replace lengthy field evaluation trials (FETs) — which often stretch for years — with simulation-based and digital validation methods. This transition is intended to circumvent procedural bottlenecks and enable faster technical assessments of new systems, particularly for anti-drone systems, smart ammunition, and interoperable platforms like armored vehicles compatible with loitering munitions and guided missiles.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army is intensifying efforts to fast-track the local development of a 155 mm ramjet-powered artillery munition, recognizing its transformative potential as the technology moves toward production globally. This strategic push aligns with India’s broader goal of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has been spearheading a prototype, while private sector companies, already engaged in 155 mm shell production for domestic and export markets, have also submitted compelling proposals to the Army, signaling robust industry participation.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s ambition to become a significant player in the global defence export market hinges on achieving self-reliance in critical technologies, particularly in aero-engines. Defence analyst Ranesh Rajan, in an interview with AFI, emphasized that for the Indian government to prioritize exports of its indigenous fighter jets, such as the Tejas Mk1A and MkII, it must urgently fund the Kaveri 2.0 engine program. This move, Rajan argues, would free India from the constraints imposed by foreign suppliers, notably the United States, which currently holds veto power over international sales of these aircraft due to their reliance on General Electric (GE)-supplied engines.

The Tejas Mk1A, powered by the GE F404 engine, and the forthcoming Tejas MkII, expected to use the more powerful GE F414 engine, are central to India’s defence aviation strategy. However, the dependence on American engines limits India’s ability to independently market these jets globally. The U.S. administration can impose restrictions or block exports to certain countries due to geopolitical considerations, as the engines are subject to U.S. export control regulations. This vulnerability undermines India’s strategic autonomy and its ability to compete in the international defence market, where demand for cost-effective, multi-role fighters like the Tejas is growing.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development for India’s unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capabilities, Bharat Forge Ltd., part of the Kalyani Group, and French aerospace company Turgis Gaillard have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer the AAROK UAV to the Indian Ministry of Defence. The AAROK, a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE)-class unmanned aerial vehicle, is designed to provide high-end reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities at an affordable cost, aligning with India’s growing demand for indigenous and cost-effective defence platforms.

The AAROK UAV has been developed with a clear focus on achieving maximum technological performance with minimal acquisition and deployment costs—a value proposition that makes it particularly attractive for large-scale deployment across multiple services, including the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This UAV platform is expected to offer capabilities such as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), target acquisition, and border patrol duties, potentially reducing the country’s dependency on imported MALE UAVs.

SOURCE: AFI

In a transformative leap for India’s defense capabilities, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has positioned the nation at the forefront of stealth technology with the unveiling of the An?lak?hya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System (MSCS) in November 2024. Professor Anantha Ramakrishna of IIT Kanpur’s Department of Physics boldly claims that India now leads the world in stealth materials, a testament to the country’s burgeoning prowess in defense innovation.

This cutting-edge technology, coupled with parallel advancements in optically transparent stealth materials, marks a pivotal moment for India’s military strategy. However, as India fortifies its own stealth capabilities, it is equally focused on countering enemy stealth systems, ensuring a robust defense against low-observable threats in an increasingly complex regional security landscape.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army has successfully deployed a 4kW Direct Energy Weapon (DEW) system along the Line of Control (LoC) as part of its counter-UAV grid, effectively neutralizing swarm drones deployed by Pakistan forces to target civilian areas and military installations. The induction of this indigenous system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), marks a significant advancement in India’s air defence capabilities amid escalating tensions.

The 4kW DEW system, mounted on a mobile platform, uses focused electromagnetic energy to disable or destroy small drones, including those equipped with surveillance or explosive payloads. Its recent deployment showcased its effectiveness when it successfully took out Turkish-made drones used by Pakistan during a recent conflict, demonstrating India’s ability to counter sophisticated aerial threats at a lower cost compared to traditional missile-based systems. This capability was particularly critical following incidents where swarm drones targeted civilian zones and military outposts, prompting an urgent need for innovative countermeasures.

SOURCE: AFI

The Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) delegation was warmly received today by Mr. Jorge Tamarit Degenhardt, CEO of Eurofighter Typhoon, at the company’s chalet during the Paris Air Show 2025. The meeting, held amidst the global aerospace showcase, focused on key policy issues, the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), and prospects for enhanced collaboration through indigenisation, reflecting India’s growing emphasis on self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Discussions highlighted the potential role of the Eurofighter Typhoon in bolstering India’s aerospace capabilities and meeting its strategic requirements. The Typhoon, a twin-engine, multirole fighter jet developed by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, has been proposed to the Indian Air Force (IAF) under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 110 jets. This tender, part of India’s ambitious plan to modernize its air force and address a critical squadron shortfall, underscores the IAF’s need for advanced 4.5-generation fighters to replace aging fleets like the MiG-21s, Jaguars, and Mirage 2000s.

SOURCE: AFI

Paris, France, June 18, 2025: Spanish defence giant Indra and Indian technology firm AXISCADES Technologies Limited announced a landmark strategic agreement at the Paris Air Show on June 16, 2025, to manufacture advanced aerospace and defence solutions in India. The collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative.

Under the agreement, AXISCADES will produce a range of Indra’s cutting-edge defence systems, including antennas for Tactical Air Navigation Systems (TACAN) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) critical for aircraft navigation. Additionally, the partnership will focus on manufacturing countermeasure systems designed to safeguard aircraft from missile attacks, including threats from Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS). These systems are vital for enhancing the operational safety of India’s growing air force and naval aviation assets.

SOURCE: AFI

In a proud moment for India’s defense sector, Dhanbad-based Weintel Labs Private Limited has successfully delivered indigenous kamikaze drones to the Indian Army, cementing its place as a rising star in the nation’s push for self-reliant defense technology. This achievement not only highlights the growing capabilities of India’s private defense industry but also transforms Dhanbad, traditionally known as the “Coal Capital of India,” into a hub for cutting-edge defense innovation.

The kamikaze drones, also known as loitering munitions, are designed to loiter over a target area, identify threats, and execute precision strikes by crashing into their targets with explosive payloads. These drones are a critical addition to the Indian Army’s arsenal, offering enhanced tactical flexibility for surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeted strikes, particularly in challenging terrains along India’s borders. The development aligns with the government’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, which emphasizes indigenous design, development, and manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign defense imports.

SOURCE: AFI

Pakistan’s military leadership has once again found itself at the center of controversy with outlandish claims about cyber prowess, drawing widespread skepticism and amusement. Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, dubbed “Failed Marshal” by critics, recently asserted that Pakistani cyber hackers made electricity “disappear” across India and opened the spillways of Indian dams on May 10. The statement, met with laughter and derision, contrasts sharply with available data, which shows India’s power grid recorded its highest availability rate in five months on that date, while riverine data indicates dam outflows were among the lowest for May.

Adding to the absurdity, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has made yet another bizarre claim, alleging that Islamabad’s “cyber warriors”—described by him as mere children—successfully switched off floodlights at an Indian cricket stadium during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match. Speaking in the Pakistani assembly, Asif boasted, “India does not understand that all of this is entirely Pakistan’s indigenous technology. Our cyber warriors shut off the lights in India and got an IPL match suspended, opened dam waters…all these cyber attacks were done by our kids only.” The remarks appear to reference the May 8 IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala, which was halted due to a technical power failure, later attributed to regional issues rather than any cyber intrusion.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development for global aerospace technology, India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program is poised to outpace the French Dassault Rafale in the adoption of cutting-edge Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar technology.

While Dassault Aviation has announced that its Rafale F5 variant, slated for introduction in the 2030s, will feature an upgraded GaN-based AESA radar, India’s Tejas MkII and later batches of Tejas Mk1A are set to integrate this advanced radar system as early as 2026. With 912 Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs) compared to the Rafale’s current 838 TRMs, the Indian-made Uttam AESA radar signals a leap forward in India’s defense self-reliance and technological prowess under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy has made a strategic decision to bypass the Astra Mk1 missile, opting instead for the advanced Astra MkII Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) for its newly ordered Rafale M jets and existing MiG-29K fleet. This move, announced on June 15, 2025, positions the Astra MkII as the go-to weapon for air-to-air engagements across both aircraft platforms, reflecting the Navy’s focus on enhancing its aerial combat capabilities.

The decision comes as the Indian Navy prepares to integrate the Rafale M, a naval variant of the French fighter jet, into its carrier-based operations, with deliveries expected to commence in the coming years. Similarly, the MiG-29K, already in service aboard INS Vikramaditya, will undergo upgrades to adopt the Astra MkII. This unified approach aims to streamline munitions across the Navy’s fighter fleet, ensuring compatibility and maximizing operational efficiency.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant boost to India’s indigenous defense capabilities, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to conduct trials of the HELINA anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) with its Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, which has entered the Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) phase.

The integration of this critical weapon system is poised to enhance the Prachand’s anti-armor capabilities, addressing a key requirement for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) as they finalize a landmark deal for 165 Prachand helicopters. Leveraging technology shared with the ALH Rudra Mk-IV, a weaponized variant of the ALH Dhruv, the integration process is expected to be swift, bypassing the need for an extensive trial period.