SOURCE: AFI

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a critical contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the avionics upgrade of the Dornier-228 transport aircraft, marking a significant leap in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational capability. This upgrade project showcases India’s strides toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing, as the avionics sub-systems have been indigenously designed and developed, reflecting a strong push for “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” in defense technology.

The Dornier-228 fleet, originally equipped with basic avionics systems, will receive a comprehensive upgrade that includes state-of-the-art avionics designed to improve operational efficiency, safety, and mission capabilities. Some of the major enhancements include:

SOURCE: AFI

A high-level delegation from Guyana, led by Brigadier General Omar Khan, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Forces, visited Kanpur to explore potential defense collaborations with India’s Troop Comforts Ltd. (TCL). Hosted on the premises of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), the visit aimed to showcase the state-of-the-art products developed by TCL for military applications, highlighting India’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and quality standards in defense equipment.

Under the leadership of Mr. Abhishek Kumar, DGM/M&E, the TCL team displayed a range of products that demonstrate India’s progress in high-quality troop comfort solutions. These include protective gear, advanced uniforms, and modular equipment designed to enhance soldier safety and operational comfort across challenging environments.

SOURCE: AFI

DCX Systems, a leading provider of advanced electronic solutions, has secured a substantial international order worth Rs 460.30 crore from Lockheed Martin USA. This significant contract underscores the company’s growing global footprint and its ability to meet the stringent quality and delivery standards of top-tier defense contractors.

The order entails the supply of critical electrical assemblies, which will be integrated into Lockheed Martin’s advanced defense systems. This win builds upon the company’s previous collaboration with Lockheed Martin, where it successfully executed a Rs 16.53 crore order during FY24.

SOURCE: AFI

At the Airshow China in Zhuhai, the United Engine Corporation (UEC), a part of the Russian state corporation Rostec, is making waves by presenting a fifth-generation engine for operational-tactical aviation to an international audience for the first time. The press release highlights that UEC’s showcase includes not only the latest fifth-generation engine but also an updated line of engines from the renowned AL-31F/FN family, as well as the new SM-100 engine. Vladimir Artyakov, First Deputy Director General of Rostec, emphasized that this marks a significant debut for these advanced propulsion technologies on the global stage.

The AL-31F/FN engine family has been a cornerstone for various fighter jets and remains an essential component of UEC’s engine line. Originally developed by Salyut for the Chengdu J-10, the AL-31FN variant offers enhanced thrust, reaching up to 12.7 tonnes-force. This variant incorporates a redesigned gearbox, repositioned from the top to the bottom of the engine, which optimizes its configuration for the J-10 platform. Subsequent upgrades to the AL-31FN series have bolstered its performance, with the Series 3 variant increasing thrust output to an impressive 13.7 tonnes-force.

SOURCE: AFI

Japan has recently proposed forming a security alliance—often referred to as an “Asian NATO”—with the United States, India, and other key Indo-Pacific nations to counter China’s growing influence and assertiveness in the region. The idea has stirred debate within Indian strategic circles, raising important questions about India’s role in regional security, the benefits and risks of a more formalized military alliance, and the impact of such an alliance on India’s complex relationship with China.

The idea of an “Asian NATO” refers to a formalized regional security pact, akin to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which would commit member countries to collective defense against threats, primarily from China. Although the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) comprising India, Japan, Australia, and the United States serves as a security forum, it is not a formal military alliance and avoids direct defense commitments. Japan’s proposal aims to go further, potentially establishing a structured alliance for joint defense and coordinated military strategies across the Indo-Pacific.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force are expected to initiate the termination of their transportation contracts with Uber, citing security and data privacy concerns, according to sources within the defense sector. The contract, originally aimed at providing affordable transportation services to the family members of defense personnel, has come under scrutiny due to fears surrounding data access and potential security vulnerabilities.

The primary reason for reconsidering the contracts with Uber stems from data security concerns. Sources report that defense officials are concerned about the personal data of service members and their families becoming accessible to third parties. In particular, there is an apprehension that this data could be susceptible to breaches by hackers who might target sensitive personal and locational information, raising the specter of security risks.

SOURCE: AFI

With recent delays in the supply of F-404 engines from General Electric (GE) Aerospace, India’s Tejas Mk1A program is facing potential delivery setbacks. This has raised questions about the feasibility of switching to the more advanced GE F-414 engines, currently planned for the Tejas Mk2. While the F-414 offers higher thrust and performance benefits, integrating it into the Tejas Mk1A airframe would require extensive modifications.

This article explores the technical feasibility, dimensional differences, and challenges of retrofitting F-414 engines into the Tejas Mk1A.

SOURCE: AFI

The Dassault Rafale, widely regarded as one of the most advanced multirole fighters in the world, is celebrated for its exceptional blend of agility, versatility, and low observability. Since its conception, stealth—often referred to as “low observability”—has been an integral design requirement for the Rafale. Former Dassault Aviation Vice President Bruno Revellin-Falcoz famously highlighted that the Rafale C’s frontal sector radar cross-section (RCS) is comparable to that of a sparrow, underscoring the focus on minimizing its detectability. This focus on stealth is evident in the aerodynamic construction of the Rafale’s airframe, its radar-absorbent materials (RAM), and the low observable characteristics built into its M88 engines, making it a formidable platform in both air superiority and ground strike missions.

From the outset, Dassault envisioned the Rafale as a highly survivable aircraft capable of operating in hostile environments with minimal risk of detection. This necessitated the incorporation of stealth features into the Rafale’s design, primarily to reduce its radar cross-section (RCS) and limit the potential for radar-based detection. France prioritized this capability due to the changing nature of modern warfare, where advanced radar and missile systems posed increased threats. By minimizing RCS, the Rafale could operate with greater freedom and flexibility, avoiding enemy radars while performing reconnaissance, ground strikes, or air combat missions.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant milestone for India-Russia defense cooperation, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to induct the guided-missile frigate Tushil on December 9 at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. This highly anticipated induction, reported by Sputnik India, marks the arrival of the first of four advanced frigates under construction for the Indian Navy, strengthening India’s maritime capabilities amid evolving strategic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Tushil frigate, an advanced stealth ship equipped with state-of-the-art weapons systems, is part of Project 11356, a collaborative effort between Russia and India to enhance the Indian Navy’s surface combatant fleet. These guided-missile frigates are designed for multi-role functionality, capable of executing air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat missions with agility and precision. The frigate’s Russian name, Tushil, aptly signifies “protector” in Sanskrit, symbolizing its intended role in safeguarding India’s maritime borders and interests.

SOURCE: AFI

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Kazakhstan’s UKTMP JSC have formed a joint venture, IREUK Titanium Ltd., to produce high-grade titanium slag from ilmenite deposits in Odisha. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen India’s titanium value chain and boost the domestic production of titanium pigment and sponge.

The joint venture is a significant milestone in India’s journey towards technological self-reliance and industrial growth. It aligns with the DAE’s Platinum Jubilee year, marking a new era of international cooperation and innovation.

SOURCE: AFI

Amid a wave of incidents targeting Hindu temples in Canada, Hindu Canadians are voicing their anger and organizing to protect their religious spaces and communities from further defacement and intimidation. The tensions have ignited calls for a boycott of Khalistani-affiliated businesses that are suspected of supporting anti-Hindu actions and fostering division within Canada’s diverse immigrant population.

Following recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canadian cities, there has been a growing movement among Hindu Canadians to identify businesses and individuals associated with Khalistani support and influence. This comes after an attack on a prominent Hindu temple that has stirred fear, frustration, and resolve within the Hindu community. Many feel that Hindu Canadians are being unfairly targeted due to their opposition to Khalistani demands, which call for a separate Sikh state thousands of kilometers away.

SOURCE: AFI

Jayem Automotives Private Limited has been selected to integrate an advanced, indigenously developed 600HP V8 diesel engine into the WhAP 8×8 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), a move that marks a significant leap forward for India’s armored vehicle capabilities. This powerful V8 engine, developed jointly by the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) and Ashok Leyland, will replace the current Cummins engine, bringing enhanced power, torque, and performance tailored for demanding military operations.

The new 600HP V8 diesel engine boasts a 90-degree crank configuration, delivering an impressive 1,505 Nm of torque. This power upgrade not only surpasses the current Cummins engine used in the WhAP 8×8 but also enhances the APC’s overall agility, speed, and reliability in challenging terrains. This level of power and torque is a substantial boost, especially beneficial for an 8×8 platform designed to handle a variety of missions, from troop transport to reconnaissance and fire support.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant advancement for India’s unmanned vehicle capabilities, Combat Robotics India has developed a versatile simulator named “Astra,” tailored for Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), Marine Vehicles (both surface and underwater), and Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Supported by the Technology Development Fund (TDF) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra simulator has been handed over to DRDO’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), marking a new chapter in India’s indigenous defense technology development.

The Astra simulator is designed to offer a realistic and immersive training environment for operators of unmanned systems across multiple domains—ground, marine, and aerial. This multi-platform capability enables personnel to train and test unmanned vehicles in diverse scenarios without the logistical and safety challenges of real-world deployment. With its advanced simulation software, Astra allows operators to experience conditions that closely mirror actual field environments, thus improving proficiency, decision-making, and operational readiness.

SOURCE: AFI

In a notable development for China’s naval aviation, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has officially unveiled the J-15T, a catapult-capable variant of the J-15 carrier-based fighter jet. The J-15T, which is believed to be based on the Russian Su-33 Flanker-D, introduces advancements in avionics, radar, and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, and is powered by China’s indigenous WS-10 engines. However, despite the enhancements, the J-15 remains beset by longstanding issues stemming from its design origins and current carrier limitations.

The J-15T retains the core airframe design of the Su-33, a Soviet-era naval fighter originally developed for Russia’s Kuznetsov-class carriers. China acquired the Su-33 design by purchasing a prototype from Ukraine, an acquisition that enabled its engineers to reverse-engineer the platform and adapt it for the PLAN’s requirements. This approach, while cost-effective, has introduced limitations and challenges that have hampered the J-15’s performance.

SOURCE: AFI

Star Air, India’s largest private regional carrier and a part of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG), has unveiled an ambitious fleet expansion plan. The airline aims to reach a fleet size of 25 aircraft by 2027, significantly enhancing its domestic connectivity and reinforcing its commitment to the government’s UDAN initiative.

As part of this expansion, Star Air will be inducting two Embraer E175 aircraft in FY25, followed by four more in FY26. These fuel-efficient and passenger-friendly aircraft will enable the airline to serve underserved regions, making air travel more accessible to a larger population.