SOURCE: AFI
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has marked a significant achievement in its collaboration with Thales Group, delivering the 7,000th transmit/receive (T/R) module for the RBE2 radar system used in the Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jets. This milestone underscores BEL’s role in the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Indian government, enhancing local manufacturing capabilities in high-tech defense sectors.
The journey began in November 2020 when BEL, for the first time, contributed the front end of an RBE2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar to Thales, which was then delivered to Dassault Aviation. Fast forward four years, and BEL has now produced and delivered an impressive 7,000 T/R modules, showcasing a substantial leap in production capacity and technological prowess.
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Lockheed Martin has expressed optimism regarding the potential sale of the F-35 Lightning II to India following a recent announcement by former U.S. President Donald Trump supporting the move. A company spokesperson stated:
“We are encouraged by the recent announcement by President Trump to provide the F-35 to India. We look forward to working closely with both governments on upcoming strategic procurements, including the fighters.”
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At Aero India 2025, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) showcased a scaled model of the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), a project designed to meet the future operational needs of the Indian Navy. However, the program faces potential challenges following the Indian Navy’s statement at the Naval Conference, where it expressed its vision for operating a fifth-generation deck-based fighter under Vision 2047. This announcement casts uncertainty over the TEDBF program, which has now been assigned a revised timeline with induction expected to commence only from 2038 onwards.
The idrw.org team at Aero India 2025 sought clarification from both ADA and Indian Navy officials regarding the Navy’s plans for a fifth-generation carrier-based fighter. However, no definitive response was received as discussions between the Navy and ADA on the TEDBF program are still ongoing. Currently, the TEDBF remains categorized as a “minus 5th generation” aircraft, raising concerns about its long-term viability.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At Aero India 2025, the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system for the Tejas MkII program was officially showcased, marking a significant advancement in indigenous sensor technology. According to officials who spoke with idrw.org, flight trials for the IRST system have been successfully conducted, and an industry partner has been selected for its production. The system will be incorporated into the Tejas MkII prototype, which is planned for rollout later this year.
The IRST system is a wide Field-of-View (FOV) airborne surveillance system based on a passive infrared (IR) sensor, capable of automatically searching, detecting, and tracking multiple airborne threats at long ranges within a wide scan volume. Unlike radar, which can be jammed or detected, the IRST system operates passively, making it a crucial tool for stealth operations and counter-air missions.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s indigenous fighter jet program, two of the country’s leading private sector giants, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Tata Advanced Systems, have emerged as potential manufacturers for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) MkII. This information was provided to the idrw.org team at the Aero India 2025 event, highlighting the growing role of private industry in India’s defense sector.
The Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be responsible for manufacturing the AMCA MkI, the initial variant of the next-generation stealth fighter jet. The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to procure a limited quantity of 40 AMCA MkI units, primarily for early operational capability and evaluation purposes. However, the bulk of the production and induction will focus on the AMCA MkII variant, with an initial order of 80 aircraft. This number is expected to increase by another 80 units in the second phase of procurement.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defence company, is set to roll out the prototype of the much-anticipated Tejas MkII later this year, between November and December. However, in a departure from tradition, HAL has decided to forego the usual pomp and circumstance associated with such milestones. Sources speaking to idrw.org at Aero India 2025 confirmed that there will be no rollout ceremony, and neither media nor VVIPs will be invited to the event.
The decision to avoid fanfare reflects HAL’s focus on the operational readiness and performance of the Tejas MkII rather than on the ceremonial aspects. The rollout will be a technical milestone to prepare for the rigorous testing phases ahead.
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In a significant step towards enhancing India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has transferred the technology for the Su-30 Brake Parachute system to Ordnance Equipment Factory (OEF), Hazratpur. This pivotal Transfer of Technology (ToT) was officially handed over during the Aero India 2025 event in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The ceremony saw the Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, presenting the technology to OEF Hazratpur’s General Manager, Amit Singh.
The Brake Parachute system is an essential safety feature for fighter jets, engineered to decelerate aircraft during landing, thus preventing runway overruns. This system is particularly vital for ensuring safe stopping distances in both normal and emergency scenarios, especially for high-speed jets like the Su-30MKI. With this technology transfer, all fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force operating in India will continue to benefit from indigenously designed and developed Brake Parachutes, underscoring the nation’s commitment to reducing dependency on foreign suppliers for critical defense components.
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At Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru, ideaForge Technology Limited, a global leader in drone technology, unveiled a new range of advanced UAV platforms, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing India’s defense and industrial capabilities. The newly introduced UAVs—NETRA 5, SWITCH V2, Tactical UAV (Concept), and Logistics UAV (Concept)—showcase ideaForge’s dedication to delivering indigenously developed solutions that meet the evolving needs of defense forces and industries across a wide range of demanding missions.
Aero India, as one of the premier aerospace and defense exhibitions in the country, served as the perfect stage for ideaForge to present these groundbreaking aerial innovations. The new range of UAVs reinforces ideaForge’s mission to push the boundaries of drone technology, providing secure, reliable, and highly effective platforms for surveillance, logistics, and tactical operations. These UAVs are designed to meet the challenges of modern warfare and industrial needs, offering enhanced operational efficiency without compromising on equipment security.
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Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has taken a significant step in advancing soldier mobility by showcasing its latest innovation—a Passive Exoskeleton. Developed in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this cutting-edge system is designed to assist soldiers in carrying heavy combat loads across challenging terrains.
The Passive Exoskeleton, a product of collaboration between TASL and DRDO, is designed to address one of the most persistent challenges faced by soldiers – the physical burden of carrying heavy combat loads over rugged and demanding terrains.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant development, officials from Rostec, the Russian state-owned defense conglomerate, have confirmed to idrw.org that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) existing facility in Nasik could be rapidly converted for the production of the Su-57, Russia’s advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft, should India choose to move forward with the plan.
The Nasik facility, which has a proven track record in manufacturing the Su-30MKI for the Indian Air Force (IAF), is currently capable of producing the Su-57. The facility was instrumental in assembling nearly 220 Su-30MKI aircraft for the IAF, and Rostec officials have stated that many of the tools and machinery used for the Su-30MKI program are directly compatible with the Su-57, streamlining the transition to Su-57 production.
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At a recent defense technology event, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) introduced a game-changing innovation in unmanned aerial warfare: the Advanced Loitering System (ALS). This long-range, autonomous suicide drone is designed specifically for high-altitude operations and deployment from forward landing grounds, offering a significant tactical advantage to the Indian Armed Forces.
The ALS 250 is tailored for deployment in strategic regions where terrain and operational demands require specialized equipment. With a range of over 250 kilometers, this system can operate effectively at altitudes above 10,000 feet, making it ideal for high-altitude areas like the Ladakh region along India’s border with China. The rugged, high-altitude terrain presents unique challenges for traditional systems, but the ALS has been engineered to overcome these obstacles.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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