SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant boost to India’s push for self-reliance in defense, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy are poised to integrate the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) supersonic cruise missile into their Rafale fleets, following a breakthrough agreement with Dassault Aviation. The French manufacturer has acceded to India’s demand for greater integration of indigenous weapon systems, marking a pivotal step in enhancing the Rafale’s role in India’s multi-platform strategy. With trials of the 1.3-ton BrahMos-NG scheduled for 2026 and production planned at a new facility in Lucknow, the missile is set to become a cornerstone of India’s aerial firepower, arming not only the Rafale but also the Su-30MKI and Tejas Mk1A.

The BrahMos-NG, a lighter and more compact version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, weighs 1.3–1.4 tons and measures 6 meters in length with a 50 cm diameter—making it 50% lighter and 3 meters shorter than its predecessor while retaining a 290 km range and Mach 3.5 speed. Developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the missile is designed for multi-platform deployment, including air, land, sea, and submarine launches. Its reduced radar cross-section (RCS) and advanced seeker with AESA radar enhance its stealth and precision, making it a formidable weapon for modern warfare. The IAF has already committed to procuring 400 BrahMos-NG missiles at a cost of 8,000 crore, with deliveries expected within five years of production commencement.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has initiated a significant upgrade to the cockpit of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1, focusing on modifications to accommodate the advanced Right Hand (RH) Console designed for the LCA AF Mk2. This project, detailed in a recent Statement of Work (SOW), aims to enhance the cockpit’s functionality and ergonomics, aligning it with the operational requirements of the next-generation LCA AF Mk2.

The LCA AF Mk2 cockpit is engineered for optimal pilot interaction, providing ample space for the ejection seat while housing controls and displays for primary and secondary systems. The RH Console, a critical component, is designed to integrate the side stick controller and various switches and panels primarily used during ground operations. To evaluate this console’s performance, ADA plans to fabricate and install it in the existing LCA Mk1 cockpit at the Real-Time Simulator (RTS) Facility at the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a landmark development for India’s defense sector, French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation has announced plans to establish a production facility for Rafale fighter jet fuselages in India, alongside Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities for the aircraft’s engines, sensors, and weapons. This initiative, formalized as part of a €7 billion deal signed on April 28, 2025, for 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the Indian Navy, marks a significant step toward India’s vision of self-reliance under the “Make in India” initiative.

The move not only strengthens India-France defense ties but also positions India as a potential hub for Rafale production and maintenance, with implications for regional security and global defense markets. Here’s a detailed look at what this means for India and the broader geopolitical landscape.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant advancement for India’s aerospace and defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully developed and manufactured high-pressure turbine blades (HPTBs) for a small indigenous turbo-fan engine, marking a crucial step towards self-reliance in critical aero engine components.

Published in the Defence Science Journal (Vol. 73, No. 2, March 2023), the study titled “Realization of High Pressure Turbine Blades of a Small Turbo-Fan Engine through Investment Casting Process” details the intricate process behind the creation of aeronautical-grade HPTBs by scientists from DRDO’s Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Hyderabad, and Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bengaluru.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has significantly ramped up the production of the Astra MkI Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), aiming to ensure rapid replenishment capability for the Indian Airforce in the event of a conflict. With a strike range exceeding 110 kilometers, the Astra MkI BVRAAM provides India’s air power with a potent indigenous solution for air dominance at extended ranges.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy have already begun the induction of the Astra MkI into operational service. The Su-30MKI and Tejas Mk1 fighter jets have been cleared to fire the Astra MkI, bolstering their long-range engagement capabilities. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fleet has commenced in-flight trials of the Astra MkI, paving the way for its full operational deployment in the naval aviation wing as well.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a development that has caught the attention of regional defense watchers, flight tracking data has revealed an Indian Air Force (IAF) Ilyushin Il-76MD transport aircraft (registration K12879) landing in Manila, Philippines earlier today. The flight, IFC485, departed to Angeles City, has fueled speculation that it could be linked to the delivery of additional BrahMos supersonic cruise missile systems to the Philippine military.

The flight path, captured by Flightradar24, shows the IL-76 aircraft traversing Southeast Asia before touching down in Manila. While no official announcement has been made yet by either Indian or Philippine defense authorities, the timing and nature of the movement align closely with ongoing defense cooperation between New Delhi and Manila.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Dr. S.V. Ramanamurthy, Director of the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), has confirmed that India is actively pursuing a joint design and co-development model with an international engine manufacturer for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)’s next-generation engine. Speaking on the sidelines of a recent event, Dr. Ramanamurthy emphasized that while global collaboration is on the cards, significant groundwork in advanced technologies is already underway domestically.

“We’ll be going ahead with maybe co-design and co-development with an international engine house,” said Dr. Ramanamurthy, adding that India has already initiated work in parallel on advanced propulsion technologies. “From our side, we have already started R&D work in collaboration with institutes and academia. The advanced technologies are being worked on—those efforts have already been initiated,” he stated.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Dynamics and Aeroelasticity Group within the Airframe Directorate of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the structural integrity and performance of India’s indigenous combat aircraft. The group is tasked with conducting structural dynamic, flutter, and aeroelastic response analyses, as well as coordinating testing activities for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Airforce Mk-1, LCA Airforce Mk-2, and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programmes.

Modern aircraft design demands rigorous analysis to ensure structures can withstand dynamic loads and remain free from vibration and flutter across the entire flight envelope. For the LCA Mk-2, this process is particularly critical due to the inclusion of an additional control surface—a canard—which requires detailed aeroelastic characterization to validate its performance and safety.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Officials from the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) have told idrw.org that the organization is confident in its ability to develop and deliver the Kaveri 2.0 engine within five to seven years, provided that the Indian government approves funding and the Indian Air Force (IAF) backs the program.

Speaking to idrw.org, an official closely associated with the current Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) project revealed that GTRE aims to achieve final certification for the KDE by the end of 2026. Once certified, the engine will be flight-tested on an older LCA-Tejas Mk1 platform as a demonstrator to showcase the maturity of the technology and its potential evolution into Kaveri 2.0.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant leap forward for India’s defense capabilities, DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat has confirmed that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing Laser Directed Energy Weapons (LDEWs) that can be mounted on airborne platforms. This ambitious initiative will bolster India’s ability to neutralize aerial threats with pinpoint precision using energy-based technologies.

This confirmation aligns with earlier revelations by idrw.org, which reported that DRDO is working on megawatt (MW)-class LDEWs intended for integration onto larger aircraft platforms such as the Airbus A320, with the initial focus on developing kilowatt (kW)-class systems for rotary and smaller fixed-wing platforms.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant revelation regarding India’s fifth-generation fighter program, Dr. S.V. Ramanamurthy, Director of the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), has confirmed that the proposed engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) will deliver a maximum thrust of 120 kilonewtons (kN)—not 110kN as widely reported in the media.

This clarification provides new insight into India’s ambitions for its next-generation combat jet, with the upgraded thrust level indicating enhanced performance characteristics such as higher supercruise capability, improved payload capacity, and better agility. Dr. Ramanamurthy’s remarks were aimed at dispelling recurring speculation and outdated figures frequently cited in defense circles and reports.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Indian Air Force (IAF) issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of three High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) under the Make in India initiative, marking a significant step toward enhancing India’s aerial surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

These advanced, solar-powered, unmanned platforms are designed to operate in the stratosphere, providing persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), acting as airborne data relays for other unmanned systems, and supporting Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Communications Intelligence (COMINT) missions. This move underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense technology and positions HAPS as a game-changer for military operations along its borders and in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Noida-based defense startup Veda Aeronautics Private Limited (VAPL) has commenced delivery of its cutting-edge Sureshastra Mk1, a jet-powered, catapult-launched swarm drone, to the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliant defense technology.

Veda Aeronautics is fulfilling a ?300 crore contract awarded by the IAF in August 2023 for 200 units of the Smart Unmanned Munitions System (S-UMS), also known as Sureshastra Mk1. With specifications including a 3.5-meter length, 3-meter wingspan, 90 kg weight, and a range exceeding 150 km, the Sureshastra Mk1 is poised to enhance the IAF’s precision strike capabilities.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Allison Transmission has been chosen to supply its advanced 3040 MX cross-drive transmission for all three Government-funded original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) participating in India’s Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) prototype programme. This landmark selection underscores Allison’s expertise in delivering high-performance mobility solutions for modern military applications.

The FICV programme is a critical initiative to modernise the Indian Army’s armoured fleet by replacing its aging BMP-II Infantry Fighting Vehicles with cutting-edge, domestically manufactured combat vehicles. Designed to enhance operational capability, the FICV aims to deliver superior mobility, firepower, and survivability on the battlefield.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has taken a significant step toward advancing the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Airforce Mk2 programme by issuing a tender for the development of its Iron Bird facility. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to evaluate and simulate the Integrated Flight Control System (IFCS) of the LCA Mk2, a critical component in ensuring the aircraft’s performance, safety, and operational readiness.

The Iron Bird facility serves as a ground-based testbed that replicates the aircraft’s subsystems to simulate real-world flight conditions. By recreating the aircraft’s environment on the ground, the facility enables rigorous testing and validation of systems before they are integrated into the actual aircraft. One of the key subsystems being developed for the LCA Mk2 Iron Bird is the Aircraft Hydraulic System, which plays a vital role in powering flight control surfaces, landing gear, and other critical mechanisms.