SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

At the India Today Conclave 2025, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), made a significant statement about the IAF’s potential response to evolving regional threats, particularly the possibility of Pakistan acquiring fifth-generation fighter jets.

While emphasizing India’s commitment to its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, the Air Chief Marshal hinted at the possibility of an off-the-shelf purchase of foreign fifth-generation fighters as a stopgap measure if the strategic balance in South Asia shifts dramatically.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

In a significant development for India’s defense aviation sector, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has enlisted the expertise of private sector companies to tackle persistent technical issues plaguing its fleet of Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA). Stationed at the prestigious Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad, these aircraft form the backbone of the IAF’s Stage-1 pilot training program. However, recurring equipment malfunctions, particularly engine oil leaks, have raised concerns about the safety and efficiency of this critical training infrastructure. This collaboration with private firms marks a shift toward leveraging domestic industry capabilities to bolster operational readiness, amid a backdrop of stalled procurement plans and audit revelations.

The Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, a Swiss-manufactured turboprop trainer, was inducted into the IAF in May 2013 to address a pressing need for modern basic trainers following the grounding of the indigenous HPT-32 fleet in 2009 due to safety issues. Under a Rs 2,896 crore contract signed in May 2012 with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., the IAF acquired 75 aircraft, which were delivered between 2013 and 2015. Based at Dundigal, these single-engine, tandem-seat trainers have since clocked over 200,000 flying hours, playing a pivotal role in preparing rookie pilots for intermediate and advanced training stages.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

The recent high-altitude trials of the U.S.-made Stryker Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) in Ladakh have stirred significant debate within India’s defense establishment, following a detailed exposé by idrw.org titled “Inside Story: Stryker IFV Falters in Ladakh High-Altitude Trials, Nearly had a Breakdown.” The report highlighted critical operational shortcomings of the Stryker in the rugged, oxygen-scarce terrain of Ladakh, prompting a reevaluation among Army circles.

While some Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Army officials remain inclined to overlook the failure and proceed with procurement after fixes by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, Army sources have revealed to idrw.org that the trial failure report has gained traction across Army groups, leading top-tier Army leadership to reconsider their enthusiasm for the Stryker.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

The impending induction of India’s Astra Mk3, recently christened “Gandiva,” into the Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to reshape the beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) dynamics between India and Pakistan, according to Pakistani defence analyst Squadron Leader (Retd.) Fahad Masood. Speaking to a local defence forum in Islamabad , Masood cautioned that the Astra Mk3’s advanced capabilities could tilt the aerial balance in India’s favor, prompting the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to explore counter-options, including the acquisition of Türkiye’s GÖKHAN and China’s PL-21 BVRAAMs.

Developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra Mk3 Gandiva is a ramjet-powered BVRAAM boasting a range of 340 kilometers under optimal conditions, outstripping its predecessors, the Astra Mk1 (80-110 km) and Mk2 (140-160 km). Powered by a solid fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) system, it achieves speeds up to Mach 4.5 and features a lightweight design (220 kg), enabling integration with fighters like the Su-30 MKI and Tejas. Its high-altitude snap-up/down capability (±10 km) and active radar seeker make it a formidable weapon for engaging targets at standoff distances. Pakistani analysts, including Masood, view its induction—expected by 2027-28 following trials—as a direct challenge to the PAF’s current BVRAAM arsenal, primarily the AIM-120C AMRAAM (range 105-120 km) on its F-16s and the PL-12 (range 100 km) on its JF-17 Thunder jets.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

India’s Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), a 1-ton technology demonstrator, is set to undergo significant design refinements as it transitions from a developmental platform into a full-fledged program for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Originally conceived by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to validate critical technologies for stealth and unmanned flight, the SWiFT UAV has now received the IAF’s approval to evolve into an operational combat system, marking a pivotal moment in India’s quest for advanced aerial capabilities. This development, announced in early 2025, reflects the IAF’s growing commitment to integrating stealth UCAVs into its arsenal to address modern warfare challenges.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

India’s airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) capabilities are set to receive a significant boost with the upcoming Netra Mk1A and MkII programs. These advanced airborne warning and control systems (AWACS), developed under the aegis of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will incorporate state-of-the-art gallium nitride (GaN)-based transmit/receive modules (TRMs) in their active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar plates.

This marks a substantial technological leap over the existing Netra Mk1, which relies on solid-state gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based radar technology developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) in Bengaluru. The transition to GaN-based systems promises enhanced performance, greater efficiency, and superior operational capabilities for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

Aero India 2025, held in Bengaluru from February 10-14, has solidified India’s trajectory toward redefining modern warfare, with the Indian Army unveiling a suite of cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed to target individual soldiers. This strategic pivot, showcased prominently at the airshow, signals a game-changing shift for infantry combat—particularly in the context of a potential conflict with Pakistan, which continues to prioritize larger, less agile UAV platforms. The innovations on display underscore India’s intent to dominate the tactical battlefield, leveraging precision, autonomy, and swarm technology to neutralize threats at the soldier level.

Pakistan’s UAV arsenal, bolstered by Chinese and Turkish collaborations, leans heavily on medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) systems like the Wing Loong II, CH-4, and Bayraktar TB2—platforms optimized for surveillance, precision strikes on fixed targets, and broader operational scopes. While formidable, these larger drones lack the granularity to engage individual infantry effectively in dynamic, close-quarters scenarios. In contrast, the Indian Army’s focus at Aero India 2025 reveals a nuanced approach: small, agile, and lethal drones that promise to transform the infantry battlefield, especially along the volatile Line of Control (LoC).

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

Hyderabad-based VEM Technologies turned heads at Aero India 2025, held at Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru from February 10–14, with the debut of its Chaser loitering munition. Designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Tracking, Attack, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, the Chaser combines advanced sensors, precision strike capabilities, and enhanced maneuverability into a single platform. Showcased as a versatile solution for modern warfare, this indigenous system reflects VEM’s growing stature in India’s defense ecosystem and its alignment with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

The Chaser, displayed in a sleek canister launcher setup, promises to survey, detect, recognize, acquire, and strike a wide range of high-value targets—static or mobile—with minimal collateral damage. With export inquiries already trickling in, VEM Technologies is positioning the Chaser as a global contender in the rapidly expanding loitering munition market.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

India’s push toward self-reliance in defense technology reached a new milestone at Aero India 2025, held in Bengaluru from February 10-14. NewSpace Research and Technologies, a Bengaluru-based aerospace startup, unveiled its Abhimanyu Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)—a jet-powered unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to operate alongside the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fighters. Confirmed by the company during the exhibition, the Abhimanyu is engineered for carrier-based takeoff and landing, positioning it as a critical component of the Navy’s Naval Collaborative Combat Air Vehicle (N-CCAV) program. With this development, India is stepping boldly into the era of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), enhancing its naval air power with a versatile and innovative platform.

Sporting a modest 4-meter (13-foot) wingspan, the Abhimanyu is notably smaller than many CCAs under development globally, such as the U.S.’s XQ-67A or Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat. Yet, NewSpace sees this compact size as an advantage rather than a limitation. The company envisions the Abhimanyu as a stepping stone—a cost-effective, scalable solution that paves the way for more advanced platforms down the line. Its diminutive stature allows a carrier to deploy multiple units, offering tactical flexibility and the ability to overwhelm adversaries through sheer numbers.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

India’s Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, a cornerstone of the Indian Navy’s future carrier-based aviation strategy, is progressing steadily despite swirling speculation about the Navy’s long-term pursuit of a full fifth-generation jet. An official from the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), speaking exclusively to idrw.org, confirmed that the Navy remains fully committed to the TEDBF, classified as a “5th Gen Minus” fighter.

This statement comes amid reports suggesting the Navy might pivot to a stealthier, fifth-generation platform under its Vision 2047 roadmap. Addressing these concerns, the ADA official emphasized that the program is on track, with the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) slated for completion later in 2025, and dismissed any plans to transform the TEDBF into a fully-fledged fifth-generation jet with features like an Internal Weapons Bay (IWB).

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

In a setback for the U.S.-backed Stryker Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), reports have emerged of its underwhelming performance during high-altitude trials in Ladakh, conducted under the supervision of the Indian Army on behalf of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. While official details of the trials remain closely guarded, sources close to the Indian Army have shared revealing insights with idrw.org, painting a picture of significant operational challenges that could impact the Stryker’s prospects in India’s mechanized infantry modernization plans.

The trials, conducted in late 2024, have spotlighted the vehicle’s struggles in the rugged, oxygen-scarce terrain of Ladakh, contrasting sharply with the performance of India’s indigenous Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 in similar conditions.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

India’s aerospace ambitions took a significant step forward with the development of the Hansa-NG (New Generation), an indigenous all-composite light aircraft designed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL). Touted as India’s first aircraft in the CS-VLA (Certified Special Very Light Aircraft) category, the Hansa-NG is poised to revolutionize ab initio flight training, sports flying, and hobby aviation.

However, its journey hit a turbulence recently when the engine manufacturer, Rotax, hesitated to supply its advanced engines, citing potential military applications in UAVs or large drones. While this challenge has been successfully negotiated for now, it underscores the complexities of indigenous aerospace development in a globalized supply chain.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

In a significant revelation, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed that its Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM), a hypersonic glide weapon tested in November 2024, achieved a speed of Mach 10—far exceeding the Mach 6-7 range speculated by many defence analysts post-trial.

The LRAShM, successfully flight-tested on November 16, 2024, from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, was initially hailed as India’s first long-range hypersonic missile, with a reported range exceeding 1,500 kilometers. Developed indigenously by DRDO’s Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO labs and industry partners, the missile combines the blistering speed of a ballistic missile with the maneuverability of a cruise missile. During the trial, tracked by multiple range systems across domains, the missile demonstrated terminal maneuvers and pinpoint accuracy, striking its target with devastating effect.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is doubling down on its commitment to the Tejas MkII program, a cornerstone of India’s indigenous fighter jet ambitions, by advocating for a dedicated private sector-led production line. With the IAF funding 30% of the program’s estimated ?10,000 crore development cost, it is keen to accelerate the jet’s rollout and expand its fleet modernization plans.

Already committed to procuring 120 Tejas MkII jets to replace its ageing Mirage-2000 and MiG-29UPG aircraft starting in 2034-35, the IAF is now contemplating an upfront order for an additional 180 jets—potentially totaling 300 aircraft—if the Ministry of Defence (MoD) greenlights the private sector’s involvement. This bold move signals a transformative shift in India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem, blending public-private collaboration with strategic foresight.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

In a significant step forward for India’s indigenous fighter jet development, the Government of India has approved the manufacturing of an assembly jig tailored for integrating a retractable in-flight refueling probe into the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2, also known as the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF). This approval, announced in February 2025, paves the way for the detailed design and manufacturing of the assembly jig, specifically for the retractable Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) probe module within the front fuselage of the LCA AF Mk2. Following this decision, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has initiated the procurement process, collaborating with the Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to bring this critical component to life.

The assembly jig, a specialized fixture used to align and assemble complex aircraft components with precision, is pivotal for integrating the retractable AAR probe into the Mk2’s front fuselage. Unlike the fixed Cobham-supplied probes on earlier Tejas variants, the retractable telescopic probe—based on a Probe and Drogue system—reduces aerodynamic drag when not in use, improving fuel efficiency and stealth characteristics.