SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

At Aero India 2025, a senior Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) official speaking to idrw.org confirmed that each prototype of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) will initially cost around ?1,000 crore (approximately $115.12 million). However, the cost is expected to decrease significantly as the aircraft enters serial production around 2034.

HAL has planned to develop five AMCA prototypes, which will be used for developmental flight trials and weapons testing. The first prototype is expected to be rolled out by the end of 2027, with its maiden flight planned for 2028. Subsequent prototypes will be manufactured at a similar cost to support testing and evaluation.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

At the Aero India 2025 show, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased a significant advancement in naval surveillance technology with the introduction of the ‘Shyen’ sensor suite, designed to modernize the Indian Navy’s Dornier Do 228 maritime patrol aircraft.

The ‘Shyen’ suite is a comprehensive package that includes a maritime surveillance radar, an electronic support measures (ESM) system, an electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) system, and a software-defined radio (SDR) for communications. This suite enhances the aircraft’s capabilities in maritime domain awareness and threat detection.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

In a significant development in India’s ongoing evaluation of advanced infantry combat vehicles (ICVs), the US-made Stryker, manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, encountered challenges during high-mobility trials conducted in the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh.

The trials, aimed at assessing the vehicle’s suitability for operations in one of the world’s most challenging environments, revealed critical shortcomings in the Stryker’s performance, primarily due to its underpowered 300-horsepower (hp) engine. Responding to feedback from the Indian Army, General Dynamics has announced plans to upgrade the Stryker with a more powerful 600hp engine, with re-trials scheduled once initial testing of the upgraded vehicle is completed.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

In a significant development for India’s maritime security capabilities, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is reportedly on the verge of clearing a long-pending deal for the procurement of six additional Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.

This decision comes after sustained diplomatic pressure from the Trump administration, which has been pushing India to increase its purchases of US-made defense equipment as part of a broader strategy to strengthen bilateral defense ties and counterbalance China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The deal, initially cleared by the US nearly four years ago, had been delayed due to concerns over escalating costs but is now moving forward, driven by strategic imperatives and the Indian Navy’s operational needs.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

At the ongoing Aero India 2025, the Indian Air Force’s Tejas Mk1A has been showcased with the Dual Pylon configuration for the ASRAAM Close Combat Missile (CCM) for the first time. This development, as confirmed by idrw.org, marks an important step in enhancing the Tejas Mk1A’s weapon integration capabilities, further boosting the aircraft’s operational potential.

The new Dual Pylon configuration has been designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and it represents a significant improvement in terms of the Tejas Mk1A’s weapons flexibility. The ASRAAM missile, which is primarily used for close-range combat, will be mounted in this new configuration to optimize the Tejas Mk1A’s strike capabilities.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

At Aero India 2025, BrahMos Corporation made waves by showcasing the BrahMos-NG Air-Launched Anti-Radiation Missile for the first time. This new variant, currently under development for the Indian Air Force (IAF), promises to bring advanced capabilities to India’s fleet of fighter jets, with enhanced range, speed, and precision. According to sources close to the program, this next-generation missile could significantly boost the IAF’s strike capability against radar and communication systems.

The BrahMos-NG is a smaller, lighter variant of the world-renowned BrahMos missile, renowned for its supersonic speed and devastating precision. The NG version, weighing in at just 1.3 tons, retains the impressive Mach 3.5 speed, capable of delivering a highly effective strike against targets up to 300 km away. The missile’s small size and powerful performance make it a perfect fit for integration into various fighter jet platforms, providing a flexible solution for IAF’s operational needs.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

In a significant development, officials from Rostec, the Russian state-owned defense conglomerate, have confirmed to idrw.org that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) existing facility in Nasik could be rapidly converted for the production of the Su-57, Russia’s advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft, should India choose to move forward with the plan.

The Nasik facility, which has a proven track record in manufacturing the Su-30MKI for the Indian Air Force (IAF), is currently capable of producing the Su-57. The facility was instrumental in assembling nearly 220 Su-30MKI aircraft for the IAF, and Rostec officials have stated that many of the tools and machinery used for the Su-30MKI program are directly compatible with the Su-57, streamlining the transition to Su-57 production.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

At a recent defense technology event, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) introduced a game-changing innovation in unmanned aerial warfare: the Advanced Loitering System (ALS). This long-range, autonomous suicide drone is designed specifically for high-altitude operations and deployment from forward landing grounds, offering a significant tactical advantage to the Indian Armed Forces.

The ALS 250 is tailored for deployment in strategic regions where terrain and operational demands require specialized equipment. With a range of over 250 kilometers, this system can operate effectively at altitudes above 10,000 feet, making it ideal for high-altitude areas like the Ladakh region along India’s border with China. The rugged, high-altitude terrain presents unique challenges for traditional systems, but the ALS has been engineered to overcome these obstacles.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

In a significant development at Aero India 2025, Russia has offered India the advanced engine powering its latest stealth fighter, the Sukhoi-57, for the upgrade program of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) existing Sukhoi-30MKI fleet. The proposal has the potential to enhance the performance of the IAF’s largest fleet of fighter jets, bringing them closer to cutting-edge stealth and operational capabilities.

Currently, the Sukhoi-30MKI fleet is powered by the AL-31 engine, which is renowned for its performance and reliability. However, the AL-41 engine used in the Sukhoi-57, Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, offers a significant leap in terms of power, thrust, and overall efficiency. The AL-41 engine boasts improved thrust-to-weight ratio, better fuel efficiency, and enhanced maneuverability, making it a suitable upgrade for the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, which has been a backbone of the IAF’s fleet for over two decades.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

At Aero India 2025, a significant milestone in India’s defense technology was unveiled with the showcase of an Indigenous Very High Frequency (VHF) Radar system. Operating within the VHF band (30 to 300 MHz), this radar is designed to detect very low observable (VLO) aircraft—such as stealth fighters—that are engineered to evade conventional radar systems. This advanced system enhances India’s radar capabilities, providing a key advantage in countering modern aerial threats.

The VHF radar’s range has been confirmed to idrw.org as an impressive 400 km, a considerable achievement for a truck-based mobile VHF radar system. The ability to detect aircraft at this range enables it to provide early warning and surveillance capabilities over a vast area, significantly strengthening air defense networks. This range is particularly valuable for monitoring and tracking aircraft in both defensive and offensive operations.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

At Aero India 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled a scaled model of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar under development for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s ambitious 5th-generation fighter jet program. This marks an important milestone for the AMCA program, highlighting the significant advancements in India’s radar and avionics technology, as it moves closer to developing its next-generation stealth fighter.

The AMCA’s AESA radar, a critical component for modern combat aircraft, features Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs). These modules are noted for being smaller than those in the Virupaksha AESA radar, which equips the Su-30MKI fighter jets with approximately 2,400 TRMs. However, the AMCA radar’s TRM count exceeds that anticipated for both the Tejas Mk1A and the forthcoming MkII, indicating a significant upgrade in radar technology.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

For the first time, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has revealed the specifications of its newly developed Heavyweight Torpedo (HWT), showcasing a scale model of the torpedo at Aero India 2025. This advanced torpedo is being developed in collaboration with the Naval Group and is expected to be integrated into India’s Kalvari-class submarines as part of a recent deal between the two entities.

The Heavyweight Torpedo (HWT) is a state-of-the-art weapon designed to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet. With its remarkable range, speed, and endurance, the torpedo promises to strengthen the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare abilities.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

In a groundbreaking reveal at Aero India 2025, the Indian defense startup Tonbo Imaging is set to introduce Wavestrike, a High Power Microwave (HPM) based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). This innovative system is designed to offer new strategic capabilities in electronic warfare, showcasing India’s advancements in defense technology.

Wavestrike utilizes HPM to disrupt or disable electronic systems, offering a non-lethal option for neutralizing threats. This can range from jamming communications to disabling UAVs or other electronic devices over a significant area.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

In a move that underscores India’s growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing, Rajnath Singh, India’s Defence Minister, visited the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)’s state-of-the-art LCAMK1A production facility in Bengaluru today. This visit marks a significant milestone in India’s indigenous defense capabilities, as the country inches closer to meeting the requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and enhancing its aerial defense systems.

During the visit, Rajnath Singh was shown seven newly built aircraft at different stages of production. These included three LCA MK1A fighter jets, two trainer variants, and two aircraft in the final stages of testing. The event highlights the rapid strides India has made in building advanced fighter jets with indigenous technologies.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

The Indian defense community was recently captivated by the first publicly available picture of the Archer-NG Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) going through taxi trials, a significant step toward its much-anticipated debut. This marks a major milestone in the development of the Archer-NG, which is set to become a cornerstone of India’s advanced UAV capabilities.

The Archer-NG is a weaponized MALE UAV designed to perform both intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) missions and precision strike operations. With a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 1,750 kg and the ability to carry a 300 kg (660 lb) payload, it is designed to offer long-endurance, high-speed, and high-performance capabilities, making it a highly versatile platform in modern warfare.