SOURCE: AFI

In a landmark achievement for India’s burgeoning defense sector, Bengaluru-based startup Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) has announced its first international export order for 35 units of the FWD 100 ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) autonomous aircraft. This deal, signed with a Sub-Saharan nation whose name remains undisclosed, marks the first time an entirely indigenous Indian autonomous aircraft has penetrated the international market.

The FWD 100 ISR, a sub-variant of the previously successful FWD 200B, is a testament to India’s growing prowess in aerospace innovation. Designed, developed, and manufactured at FWDA’s state-of-the-art facility in Electronic City, Bengaluru, this aircraft is a beacon of India’s capability to produce world-class defense technology.

SOURCE: AFI

India is in the final stages of negotiations for the export of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to a foreign country, with a formal contract expected to be signed later this year. While Indonesia was widely speculated to be the second customer after the Philippines, recent media reports suggest that the deal in progress is with a different nation.

The land-based version of the BrahMos missile has recently attracted attention from several Middle Eastern countries. Sources indicate that the evolving geopolitical situation has prompted multiple nations to explore neutral suppliers like India for advanced weaponry, reducing their dependence on traditional arms suppliers.

SOURCE: AFI

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has expressed skepticism over China’s claims regarding its sixth-generation fighter aircraft, asserting that such platforms are still in the developmental stage globally. Speaking on the matter, CDS Chauhan highlighted that multiple countries are actively pursuing sixth-generation programs, but none have yet reached full operational capability.

“My understanding of a sixth-generation aircraft is that there is no globally accepted definition of what constitutes one. Essentially, a sixth-generation aircraft is a platform that integrates both manned and unmanned teaming. It acts as an aerial command post capable of controlling two to three similar assets,” said CDS Chauhan.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant boost to India’s drone technology sector, Bengaluru-based startup Scandron introduced the CargoMax 20KHC at the Aero India 2025 air show. This drone, heralded as India’s most powerful cargo drone to date, marks a new chapter in the country’s push for self-reliance in aerospace and defense technologies.

The CargoMax 20KHC is not just another drone; it’s a fully autonomous aerial logistics platform designed to carry an impressive payload of 200 kilograms. Its primary applications are targeted at defense logistics, commercial logistics, and disaster relief operations, showcasing its versatility across various sectors.

SOURCE: AFI

Officials from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have confirmed that the first HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40) Stage I Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be rolled out from the Nashik plant in September 2025. The production of the HTT-40 is currently underway at both the Nashik and Bangalore plants, as the company gears up for the delivery of this crucial training aircraft.

The HTT-40 is designed to serve as a primary training aircraft for IAF pilots, offering them a reliable and cost-effective platform for basic flight training. The aircraft features advanced avionics, a robust airframe, and a powerful engine, ensuring high performance and safety for trainee pilots. The Stage I configuration will be the initial variant of the HTT-40, with further developments anticipated in the future.

SOURCE: AFI

At the ongoing Aero India 2025, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled its cutting-edge AIR LORA Deep Stand-Off Air-Launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM), an advanced weapon system designed to meet the growing demands of modern aerial warfare. IAI officials confirmed to idrw.org that the AIR LORA is now available for India, offering an unprecedented level of precision and operational flexibility for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The AIR LORA missile, a member of the combat-proven LORA family, is designed to strike high-value, well-protected targets with exceptional accuracy. This includes command centers, air force bases, critical infrastructure, and naval vessels in densely populated littoral regions. AIR LORA is tailored to address modern battlefield challenges, providing a powerful solution for long-range precision strikes.

SOURCE: AFI

At Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru, a Hubballi-based startup, Astr Defence, unveiled its innovative ‘Chakra Trap’, a handheld hard-kill system designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system offers a unique, non-electronic solution for neutralizing hostile drones by physically capturing and disabling them, setting it apart from conventional counter-UAV technologies.

CEO of Astr Defence, Ankush Koravi, explained that the Chakra Trap uses a grenade-based projectile that deploys a high-tensile net to entangle the propellers of drones, rendering them inoperable. This mechanism provides a reliable method of neutralizing drones, particularly in environments where traditional soft-kill systems, such as jamming, fail to be effective.

SOURCE: AFI

During his visit to Aero India 2025, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), was briefed on the capabilities of the H125 reconnaissance-class helicopter at Air Force Station, Yelahanka. The H125 is a product of a joint venture between TATA and Airbus, and it plays a significant role in advancing India’s defense capabilities in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which focuses on strengthening self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

The H125 is a multi-role, light utility helicopter designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and various tactical operations. Its flexibility makes it an ideal choice for missions in diverse terrains, particularly in challenging and remote areas where heavier aircraft cannot operate efficiently.

SOURCE: AFI

At Aero India 2025, Sergey Bogdan, one of Russia’s most skilled test pilots, made headlines not only for his remarkable display of the Su-57 fighter jet but also for an intriguing revelation. The renowned pilot, known for his role in the development and demonstration of advanced Russian military aircraft, claimed that Hollywood’s blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick had “stolen” one of his signature aerial maneuvers—without giving him any credit.

The maneuver in question is a dramatic, high-stakes aerial dogfight tactic, where one aircraft performs a spiral descent while the other attempts to shoot ahead. Bogdan explained that he first demonstrated this maneuver at the Maks Airshow in Moscow, during a dogfight demonstration, showcasing the aircraft’s ability to execute extreme angles of attack, rapidly decelerate, and transition to low speeds.

SOURCE: AFI

At Aero India 2025, Safran Helicopter Engines unveiled its latest breakthrough, the Aravalli engine, developed as part of the SAF-HAL joint venture. This new engine has been selected to power the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), a next-generation, 13-ton multi-role helicopter designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to fulfill the diverse operational needs of the Indian Armed Forces. Additionally, a naval variant, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH), which weighs 12.5 tons, is also under development specifically for the Indian Navy.

Named after the Aravalli mountain range in north-west India, the Aravalli engine continues a longstanding tradition by Safran of naming their helicopter engines after mountains, peaks, and lakes, further cementing the significance of this new development in both the technological and cultural context. The name reflects the engine’s capabilities, symbolizing high performance, strength, and reliability — key attributes that will be essential for the Indian military’s operations.