SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE-25), a 25 kN thrust turbofan engine under development by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), represents a cornerstone of India’s ambition to achieve self-reliance in aerospace propulsion technology. Designed to power a variety of platforms—including trainer jets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), light combat aircraft, and potentially regional jets—the HTFE-25 is a testament to India’s growing engineering prowess. As of March 26, 2025, the program has made notable strides, though it faces challenges that have tempered its ambitious timeline. Here’s an in-depth look at the HTFE-25, its current status, and the progress of this critical initiative.
Initiated in 2013 by HAL’s Aero Engine Research & Development Centre (AERDC) in Bengaluru, the HTFE-25 is a low-bypass, twin-spool, mixed-flow turbofan engine featuring a three-stage low-pressure (LP) compressor, a five-stage high-pressure (HP) compressor, and air-cooled, high-efficiency turbine blades. With a thrust output of 25 kN (approximately 5,620 pounds), it is versatile enough to power single-engine aircraft weighing up to 5 tonnes or twin-engine configurations up to 9 tonnes. HAL envisions its use in basic, intermediate, and advanced trainer aircraft like the HJT-36 Sitara, as well as emerging platforms such as the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior UAV and High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones.
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India’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is set to repurpose one of its existing Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems as a technological demonstrator. This strategic move aims to accelerate the development of advanced indigenous radar systems for six additional Netra platforms, including the recently approved Netra Mk1A. The initiative, greenlit by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), marks a significant leap in India’s quest for self-reliance in airborne surveillance technology, with cutting-edge Gallium Arsenide (GaS) and Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars at its core.
The Netra AEW&C, mounted on Embraer EMB-145I aircraft, has been a pioneering achievement for India’s indigenous defense ecosystem. The initial Netra Mk1, with its GaS-based AESA radar, provides 240-degree coverage and a detection range of approximately 250-300 kilometers for fighter-sized targets. Two operational Netra Mk1 systems are currently in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF), complemented by a third used for trials and development. It is this third aircraft that CABS plans to convert into a technological demonstrator, serving as a testbed for next-generation radar systems.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with a rapid decline in squadron strength that has left it dangerously overstretched. With an authorized strength of 42 squadrons, the IAF is currently operating at a mere 31—a number that analysts warn could dip further without swift corrective action.
While external factors like production delays and geopolitical complexities play a role, much of the blame lies squarely with the IAF’s own indecision and procrastination. From stalling critical upgrades to the Su-30MKI fleet to hesitating on orders for the indigenous Tejas Mk1 despite its Initial Operational Clearance (IOC), and taking nearly a decade to define requirements for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the IAF’s leadership has contributed significantly to the mess it now faces.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant boost to India’s indigenous fighter jet program, the 7th Tejas Mk1A, bearing the serial number LA-5039, successfully completed its maiden flight before the end of March 2025. This milestone underscores the accelerated pace of the Tejas Mk1A initiative, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) rolling out seven aircraft within the span of a year. A grainy image of LA-5039 circulating on X has sparked enthusiasm among defence enthusiasts, signaling that the program is fast-tracking to meet the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) modernization needs.
The Tejas Mk1A, an advanced variant of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1, represents a cornerstone of India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The first Mk1A, LA-5033, took to the skies in March 2024, and the rollout of LA-5039 just over a year later highlights HAL’s ability to ramp up production despite initial challenges, including delays in engine deliveries from General Electric (GE). The successful flight of LA-5039, completed ahead of the March 31, 2025 deadline, reflects improved coordination between HAL, its supply chain, and international partners.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
On the night of March 29, 2025, a heavily secured flatbed truck was observed transporting an armored vehicle under the cover of darkness, sparking intrigue among defence enthusiasts and analysts. The vehicle, shrouded partially with a blue tarp, was captured in a grainy photograph circulating on social media platforms like X, showing it being moved along a well-lit highway.
While the Indian Army frequently conducts such movements to maintain operational readiness, the unidentified nature of this armored vehicle—distinctly not based on the familiar BMP-II platform—has raised questions about a potential new addition to India’s mechanized forces.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a landmark achievement, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has, for the first time in recent years, fully utilized its allocated capital budget, leaving no funds unspent. This milestone, announced on April 1, 2025, underscores a significant leap in India’s defence preparedness and financial discipline, with every rupee strategically directed toward bolstering the nation’s military capabilities.
The complete allocation of the capital budget has been channeled into modernizing equipment, enhancing operational readiness, and strengthening the Indian Armed Forces. A key focus of this effort has been the promotion of indigenous defence production, aligning with the government’s #AatmanirbharBharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative. By prioritizing homegrown solutions, the MoD has taken substantial steps to reduce India’s dependence on foreign imports, fostering self-reliance in military technology and hardware.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A U.S. court has dismissed Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s assertion that he successfully served a legal summons to India’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval, during the latter’s visit to the United States on February 12-13, 2025. The ruling came after a judge from the Southern District of New York reviewed a letter from Pannun’s lawyer detailing failed attempts to deliver the notice, reinforcing India’s stance that no such service occurred.
Doval, who accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the trip, was staying at Blair House, the U.S. president’s official guest residence, under tight security provided by the U.S. Secret Service. Pannun, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen and leader of the banned Sikhs for Justice group, had hired two process servers and an investigator to deliver the summons, which stemmed from a civil lawsuit he filed in September 2024. The lawsuit accuses Indian officials of orchestrating a failed assassination plot against him, a claim U.S. authorities have linked to an Indian government agent, Vikash Yadav.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday described as “offensive and strongly condemnable” the interim Bangladesh government calling itself as the “only guardian of the ocean” in the region.
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus reportedly urged Beijing to extend its economic influence in his country, mentioning that India’s northeastern states being landlocked could prove to be an opportunity. His remarks, apparently made during a recent four-day visit to China, surfaced on social media on Monday.
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Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Monday announced that it recorded a revenue of Rs 30,400 crore (provisional and unaudited) for the financial year ending March 31, 2025, compared to Rs 30,381 crore in the previous year.
This achievement comes despite a shortfall in the deliveries of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). The LCA deliveries were delayed due to the non-availability of engines, HAL’s Chairman and Managing Director, D K Sunil, said.
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The Congress on Monday said Bangladesh inviting China to encircle India is very dangerous for the security of the Northeast region and alleged that the government is not taking care of the region including Manipur. “Bangladesh is inviting China to encircle India. This attitude of the Bangladesh government is very dangerous for the security of our North East region.
The government is not taking care of Manipur and China has already settled villages in Arunachal,” Congress’ head of media and publicity department Pawan Khera said in a post in Hindi on X.
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A special court here has ordered that 14 properties belonging to Tiger Memon, one of the alleged masterminds of the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, and his family be handed over to the central government. These properties were in possession of the Bombay High Court’s receiver since 1994 following an order of the TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act court.
The 14 properties include a flat in a building in Bandra (West), an office premises in Mahim, an open plot in Mahim, a vacant plot and a flat in Santacruz (East), two flats in a building in Kurla, an office on Mohammed Ali Road, a shop and plot in Dongri, three shops in Manish Market and a building on Sheikh Memon Street, Mumbai. On March 12, 1993, a series of 13 blasts rocked various parts of Mumbai, claiming 257 lives and injuring more than 700 others.
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India must firmly assess each demand of the US through the lens of its own national priorities, development goals, and cultural values amid continuous pressure of America to amend trade policies, think tank GTRI said on Tuesday.
Commenting on the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report 2025, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that many of the proposed changes in areas like agriculture, digital governance, and public health pose serious risks to India’s ability to protect its small farmers, maintain food safety, uphold deeply rooted social norms, and secure its digital future.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams said she plans to visit India soon, and meet with ISRO’s team during her visit.Ms Williams said during NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Post-Flight News Conference that she found India to be ‘amazing’ each time her spacecraft passed by the Himalayas during her extended stay of nine months in space.
“I hope and I think for sure I’m going to be going back to my father’s home country and visiting with people and getting excited about the Indian astronauts who’s going up on the ISRO mission coming up,” she said.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the Naxal issue is now confined to just six districts in the country, from the earlier 12. Shah said the Modi government is building a ‘Sashakt, Surakshit and Samriddh Bharat’ with a ruthless approach to Naxalism and relentless efforts for all-pervasive development.
He said Bharat is determined to uproot Naxalism for good by March 31, 2026. “Taking a giant stride towards building a Naxal-free Bharat, today our nation achieved a new milestone by significantly reducing the number of districts most affected by left-wing extremism to just 6 from 12,” Shah posted on microblogging site X.
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A seek and destroy operation to track down three terrorists, believed to be hiding in a forested area in Panjthirthi-Barota in Kathua following an encounter last night, resumed Thursday with multiple agencies engaged in the effort, officials said. The area was placed under a cordon after the Monday night gunfire between police and terrorists.
The officials said the three terrorists are believed to be from a group that had its first face-off with security forces in the Nursery area near the International Border on March 23. All of the terrorists had managed to escape. Four days later, security forces engaged them in an encounter in a forest area of the Sanyal belt of Kathua when two terrorists were eliminated, and the rest managed to flee. During this exchange of fire, four policemen were also killed and three others injured. With the hiding terrorists changing their locations in the jungle, the security forces have launched a multi-agency operation to track them down.
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