SOURCE: AFI
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to make a significant impact at the Paris Air Show 2025, one of the world’s premier aerospace and defence exhibitions. With a robust lineup of indigenous technologies, DRDO will highlight India’s growing prowess in defence innovation, showcasing advanced systems such as the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C), HAL Tejas Mk-2, Astra, BrahMos, Pralay, Varunastra, Rudram-I, and more. This display underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative and its ambition to emerge as a global leader in defence technology.
The Paris Air Show, scheduled for June 2025 at Le Bourget, France, will serve as a global stage for DRDO to demonstrate its technological advancements across multiple domains. The following systems are among the highlights expected to draw significant attention:
- Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System: DRDO’s AEW&C, including the NETRA and AEW&C Mk-II, represents India’s strides in airborne surveillance. Equipped with indigenous active phased array radars, these systems provide real-time situational awareness, capable of detecting aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles at extended ranges. The AEW&C Mk-II, an advanced iteration, will showcase enhanced radar capabilities and integration with India’s air defence network, making it a critical asset for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- HAL Tejas Mk-2: The Tejas Mk-2, or Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), is a significant evolution of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program. Featuring a more powerful General Electric F414 INS6 engine, canards, and an increased payload capacity with 11 weapon stations, the Tejas Mk-2 is designed to replace older IAF fighters like the MiG-29, Mirage 2000, and Jaguar. With 55% of its first prototype already manufactured as of February 2025, the Tejas Mk-2 is on track for its first flight by early 2026, with induction planned for 2028–29. A scaled model of the aircraft will be a key attraction, highlighting its advanced avionics, indigenous weapons integration, and 82–90% indigenous content.
- Astra Missile: The Astra Mk-1, a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), has proven its mettle with a successful direct hit on a flying target from a Tejas aircraft in March 2025. With a range of over 100 km, the Astra is a cornerstone of India’s air combat capabilities. Its radio frequency (RF) seeker, also used in systems like the Akash-NG and QRSAM, will be showcased, emphasizing DRDO’s advancements in missile guidance technology. The Astra’s integration with the Tejas Mk-2 further enhances its appeal as a fully indigenous weapon system.
- BrahMos Missile: The BrahMos, a supersonic cruise missile developed in collaboration with Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, remains a flagship of India’s missile arsenal. The air-launched version, compatible with the Su-30 MKI and under development for the Tejas as BrahMos-NG, offers precision strikes at ranges up to 300 km. DRDO will also highlight the hypersonic BrahMos-II, with a planned range of 1,000 km and speeds of Mach 8, positioning it as one of the fastest cruise missiles globally. Its display at Paris will underscore India’s leadership in high-speed missile technology.
- Pralay Missile: The Pralay, a solid-fuel, short-range tactical ballistic missile, is designed to replace the older Prithvi missile. With a range of 150–500 km and advanced guidance systems, including X-band SAR radar similar to that on BrahMos-I, Pralay offers precision strikes against high-value targets. Its compatibility with universal vertical launch modules (UVLM) makes it versatile for land and naval applications, and its showcase will highlight India’s growing missile capabilities.
- Varunastra Torpedo: Developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), the Varunastra is an advanced heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo powered by 250 kW silver oxide-zinc batteries. Featuring wire-guided active-passive acoustic homing and GPS/NavIC satellite guidance, it is a critical asset for the Indian Navy. Its display at the Paris Air Show will emphasize India’s advancements in naval warfare technology, particularly for anti-submarine operations.
- Rudram-I Missile: The Rudram-I, part of DRDO’s New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (NGARM) series, is an air-to-surface missile designed to suppress enemy air defences by targeting radar and communication systems. With a range of up to 150 km, it is compatible with IAF platforms like the Su-30 MKI and potentially the Tejas Mk-2. Its showcase will highlight India’s focus on developing specialized weapons for electronic warfare and air superiority.
DRDO’s participation at the Paris Air Show follows its successful showcasing of technologies at Eurosatory 2024, where systems like the Pinaka rocket launcher and Tejas aircraft drew international interest. The 2025 event provides an opportunity to engage with global defence industries, attract potential export partners, and demonstrate India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing. With private sector companies like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Forge likely to join the India Pavilion, the exhibition will also highlight the collaborative ecosystem driving India’s defence innovation.
The display of these systems aligns with India’s broader defence modernization goals, including achieving a 42-squadron IAF strength by 2035 and fully indigenizing its fighter fleet by 2042. The Tejas Mk-2, for instance, is a key component of this roadmap, with its high indigenous content and integration of homegrown weapons like the Astra and BrahMos-NG. Similarly, the AEW&C and Rudram-I reflect DRDO’s advancements in airborne surveillance and electronic warfare, critical for network-centric operations along India’s borders with Pakistan and China.
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