SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In an exclusive interview with idrw.org, a senior official from the Indian Air Force (IAF), speaking under the condition of anonymity, underscored a strategic shift towards the development of a 6th generation fighter jet. The official highlighted that any initiative to create such advanced aircraft would necessitate a design from scratch, marking a significant leap from current capabilities.

The conversation pivoted around the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), currently in development by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). The official suggested that the operationalization of the AMCA, which is expected to make its first flight by 2028, would provide the perfect juncture for the IAF and ADA to begin conceptualizing the next generational leap. “Once AMCA starts flying, that could be the right time for the IAF and ADA to brainstorm on the development of the 6th gen fighter jet,” the official remarked, indicating that the lessons learned from the AMCA’s development would be invaluable.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Army’s ambitious ?6,500 crore tender for 400 155mm/52 caliber Towed Gun Systems (TGS), with a long-term requirement of nearly 1,500 units, has set the stage for a fierce competition among India’s leading defense manufacturers. Among the contenders, Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), a subsidiary of the Kalyani Group, is emerging as a frontrunner with its Bharat-52 artillery system.

Industry insiders suggest idrw.org that KSSL’s ability to scale up production and offer the gun at a significantly lower cost—potentially half that of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)—could tip the scales in its favor, outpacing rivals like Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and others.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has secured MoD’s Permission to lease one Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) from the French Air Force, according to information provided to idrw.org. The lease, spanning three years, aims to alleviate pressure on the IAF’s ageing fleet of six Ilyushin Il-78 aerial tankers while offering operational experience with the advanced A330 MRTT platform.

However, ambiguity surrounds the delivery timeline, with idrw.org yet to receive clarity on when the leased aircraft will arrive in India. This strategic move not only addresses immediate capability gaps but also aligns with the IAF’s long-term goal of procuring six A330 MRTTs—a platform repeatedly favored by the IAF but stalled by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over high procurement costs.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has taken a significant step in the development of its Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42) by issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for a jet engine to power this ambitious supersonic trainer aircraft. Released on March 17, 2025, the RFI outlines stringent performance criteria, calling for an engine with a maximum thrust of 95-100 kN (kilonewtons) and a total technical life of 6,000 hours. This move signals HAL’s intent to equip the HLFT-42 with a powerplant capable of meeting the rigorous demands of modern pilot training while potentially laying the groundwork for India’s broader aerospace ambitions.

According to details emerging from industry sources , the RFI specifies an engine with a maximum thrust of 95-100 kilonewtons (kN) and a total technical life of 6,000 hours. maximum Mach Number at1.8 and will be able to operate at Up to 18 km (60,000 feet).

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The long-standing uncertainty surrounding the engine supply for India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A has finally been resolved, bringing relief to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). According to aerospace journalist Anantha Krishnan M, the GE F404 engines, critical to powering the new Mk1A variant—affectionately dubbed “LCA Alpha”—are on their way to India.

This development, detailed in a report by Tarmak Media House (TMH) on March 21, 2025, puts an end to months of speculation, debate, and concern over the “missing power plant” that had threatened to derail the ambitious indigenous fighter program.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed that its 25-ton Zorawar Light Tank, currently undergoing developmental trials under Project Zorawar, is designed with scalability in mind, paving the way for a potential 32-ton variant if the Indian Army seeks greater firepower and upgrades in the light tank category. This flexibility underscores DRDO’s forward-thinking approach, ensuring the platform can adapt to evolving operational needs while maintaining its core design integrity.

The Zorawar, developed in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), was unveiled in July 2024 as a 25-ton light tank tailored for high-altitude warfare, particularly along India’s northern borders in Ladakh and Sikkim. Optimized for agility and air-transportability, it currently features a 105mm turret from Belgium’s John Cockerill and a Cummins engine delivering a power-to-weight ratio exceeding 35 hp/tonne.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Godrej Aerospace, a key player in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, has expressed a strong desire to join the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in developing a fifth-generation fighter jet engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. Having already manufactured critical modules for the Kaveri Derivate Engine (KDE)—a stepping stone in India’s indigenous aero-engine journey—the Mumbai-based firm sees this as a natural progression. Maneck Behramkamdin, Assistant Vice President and Business Head of Godrej Aerospace emphasized the company’s readiness, highlighting how its existing expertise positions it as a vital partner in this ambitious endeavour.

Speaking to industry stakeholders in February 2025, Behramkamdin underscored the continuity between current capabilities and future demands. “As far as manufacturing is concerned, I can speak yes. This is a stepping stone for the learning for the industry,” he said. “The 5th generation engine would be much technologically advanced, but as far as manufacturing is concerned, it will be the same.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a premier laboratory under India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has officially commenced work on the development of the 13-ton Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), a stealth platform designed to bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) autonomous strike capabilities.

While ADE has initiated the process of acquiring critical systems for the first full-scale prototype, the program remains in limbo awaiting funding approval from the Indian government. This milestone follows the successful validation of key technologies through the Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT) Technology Demonstrator (TD) program, paving the way for Ghatak’s evolution into a larger, combat-ready system.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have put forth an ambitious proposal to develop a next-generation Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS) tailored for pilots of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter.

This cutting-edge initiative, currently under discussion with the Indian Air Force (IAF), aims to equip AMCA pilots with an intuitive interface that integrates vast amounts of flight, tactical, and sensor data, significantly enhancing situational awareness, precision, and safety. The move signals India’s intent to leapfrog existing technologies and establish a self-reliant ecosystem for advanced avionics as the AMCA prepares to enter production in the coming decade.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s Tejas MkII program is gearing up for a significant milestone. Major developmental trials of the advanced fighter jet are slated to take place for the first time at the Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Challakere, Karnataka. According to a report by idrw.org, the outdoor testing facility will become the new hub for the MkII’s rigorous evaluation process, marking a shift from the traditional testing grounds at HAL Bangalore Airport, which anchored much of the Tejas Mk1 program.

The Chitradurga ATR, sprawling across thousands of acres in Karnataka’s semi-arid terrain, is purpose-built for testing and evaluating aircraft under diverse conditions. Sources cited by idrw.org indicate that after initial trials at HAL’s Bangalore facility—where foundational assembly and preliminary checks will occur—the Tejas MkII will be relocated to the ATR. This move aims to streamline the testing phase, enabling faster turnaround times and a higher sortie rate per day. To support this transition, test pilots and ground crew from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will also shift to the ATR, ensuring hands-on maintenance and operational continuity for the aircraft.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Navy has outlined an ambitious long-term vision to operate its fleet of aerial refuelling aircraft, a strategic move aimed at enhancing operational independence and supporting its growing aviation assets. According to a naval official speaking to idrw.org, the Navy intends to issue a separate Request for Information (RFI) shortly to kickstart this initiative.

With its fighter jet fleet projected to expand from the current 45 units to nearly 150 over the next two decades, the Navy seeks to reduce its reliance on the Indian Air Force (IAF) for mid-air refuelling capability.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a key player in India’s defence manufacturing sector, has secured a significant export deal with Morocco for its Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), a versatile 8×8 armoured vehicle. The agreement, which includes both exporting the WhAP and establishing local production in Morocco, has received a further boost with the Royal Moroccan Army unveiling plans to develop multiple variants based on the WhAP baseline.

These include configurations with 105mm and 120mm cannons, as well as a specialized medical variant, signaling a deepening partnership between TASL and Morocco’s defence ecosystem.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Dr SV Ramana Murty, Director of the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has made a significant announcement regarding the funding required for the development of an advanced engine for India’s AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) fighter jet program. Speaking on the technological demands of the project, Dr Murty emphasized that the engine, aiming for a thrust class of 110-120kN, would necessitate an investment of around USD 4.5 billion.

The new engine will incorporate advanced features like improved thrust-to-weight ratio, enhanced fuel efficiency, higher durability, and possibly elements of stealth technology, all of which are crucial for the performance of a modern combat aircraft.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Amid ongoing delays in the supply of General Electric’s (GE) F404 engines for the Tejas Mk1A program, a senior official from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), speaking to idrw.org on condition of anonymity, has clarified that the company has no plans—nor is it considering—replacing the current F404 engine with alternative options.

Despite the supply chain bottlenecks, HAL and the Indian Air Force (IAF) remain aligned in their commitment to the F404, with expectations that GE’s deliveries will stabilize and pick up pace from 2026 onwards. The decision underscores the technical and logistical complexities involved in switching engines, which could further delay the induction of the Tejas Mk1A into IAF service.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to achieve a significant milestone in its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program, as its Nashik plant prepares to roll out the first Tejas MK1A from its newly established third production line. According to the latest updates, this rollout is expected by late April 2025, slightly delayed from the originally anticipated timeline of March 2025. The development underscores HAL’s ongoing efforts to enhance production capacity and meet the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) growing demands for advanced indigenous fighter jets.

Sources indicate that the first Tejas MK1A from this production line is nearing completion, with final assembly and testing phases well underway. The aircraft is projected to be fully ready by the end of April 2025, marking a pivotal moment for HAL’s Nashik facility, which has emerged as a key hub in the Tejas manufacturing ecosystem. While the rollout was initially slated for late March, minor adjustments in the production schedule have pushed the timeline by a month, reflecting the complexity of integrating advanced systems into the MK1A variant.