SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace organisation, is gearing up to showcase exciting advancements at Aero India 2025, which will be held in Bengaluru. Among the highlights will be the unveiling of progress on the ambitious Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior, a loyal wingman program backed by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The CATS Warrior, which debuted nearly four years ago, has undergone significant design refinements based on inputs from the IAF and industrial partners. According to sources close to idrw.org, a scaled model of the platform has already been tested extensively, with further improvements made to its aerodynamics and capabilities.
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is urging Indian drone startups to take on an ambitious project: the development of swarm drones that can collectively function as a static early warning radar system to monitor incoming aerial threats. This cutting-edge initiative aims to leverage advances in drone technology and artificial intelligence to create an innovative, resilient, and deployable defense mechanism.
The concept involves using multiple drones equipped with small radar sensors to form an interconnected “wall” in the air. These swarm drones would collaborate to create a real-time radar array capable of detecting and tracking incoming aerial threats, such as missiles, drones, or low-flying aircraft.
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India and Italy have taken significant steps to deepen their defence and industrial cooperation, with both nations agreeing to negotiate a defence industrial roadmap and other key agreements. These developments were highlighted in the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29, which lays out a vision for bilateral cooperation over the next five years.
The roadmap aims to foster collaboration between the two countries’ defence sectors. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is set to be negotiated between the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Italian Industries Federation for Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AIAD). The agreement will serve as a platform to explore joint ventures, technology transfers, and co-development opportunities in the defence sector.
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The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a premier research and development laboratory under DRDO, is currently on the lookout for highly skilled UAV pilots to join its team.
The organization is seeking individuals with extensive experience in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations to contribute to the design validation flight trials of various UAVs currently under development.
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Indian manufacturers of trinitrotoluene (TNT), a critical ingredient in artillery shells, tank ammunition, and certain types of mines, are experiencing unprecedented demand, driving prices to historic highs. With global conflicts in Europe and the Middle East fueling the need for ammunition, TNT prices have surged to ?8.5 lakh per tonne, up from the usual ?5.5 lakh per tonne, according to industry sources.
The surge in demand for 155mm artillery shells, widely used in howitzers such as Bofors guns, has directly impacted TNT prices. As 155mm ammunition becomes a staple in ongoing conflicts, the need for TNT—a key explosive material—has spiked dramatically. Tank shells and other munitions, which also rely heavily on TNT, have further amplified this trend.
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The Indian Navy’s fifth Scorpene-class stealth submarine, INS Vagir, commissioned in January 2023, was recently involved in a minor collision with a fishing vessel near the Goa coast. According to sources quoted by idrw.org, the incident occurred while the submarine was transiting from Karwar Port to Mumbai Port for routine operations.
The collision reportedly took place when INS Vagir surfaced approximately 400-500 meters ahead of a wooden fishing vessel. Despite the submarine’s sensors not detecting any nearby vessels at the time, the fishing boat trailing behind the submarine failed to execute evasive maneuvers, leading to the collision.
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An Indian private defence sector delegation is set to visit Brazil to explore avenues for joint development of advanced aerospace and defence weapon systems. This significant step aims to deepen cooperation between the two countries in the defence sector, leveraging their complementary capabilities and shared interests.
The Indian delegation will visit several key Brazilian defence facilities, including the headquarters of Embraer, a leading aerospace company known for its aircraft manufacturing and technological expertise. Discussions are expected to focus on Joint development of weapon systems for mutual benefit.
Co-manufacturing opportunities in aerospace, including fighter jets and transport aircraft. Exploring maintenance solutions for shared platforms like the Scorpène-class submarines, which both countries operate.
SOURCE: AFI
The development of India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter, has reached a critical stage, with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chief announcing key timelines. Speaking on the program’s progress, the Chief revealed that the development trials for AMCA are expected to be completed by 2034, and the fighter jet should achieve induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) by 2035.
This milestone will mark a transformative moment for India’s defense sector, as the AMCA will position the nation among an elite club of countries capable of designing and manufacturing advanced stealth aircraft indigenously. Currently, only a handful of nations, including the United States, Russia, and China, operate such cutting-edge technology.
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The CEO of Pakistan’s Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS) has recently made bold claims about the capabilities of their newly developed Shahpar-III unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). According to the CEO, the Shahpar-III features an impressive wingspan of 67 meters, can operate at altitudes above 35,000 feet, and boasts an endurance of 30 hours with a range of 2,500 kilometers. Additionally, it reportedly has six hardpoints and can carry a payload of 500 kilograms, including up to eight weapons. The UAV is said to be entirely developed locally within two years.
While these specifications, on paper, appear to position the Shahpar-III as a game-changing platform, they raise questions about their feasibility and real-world performance, especially given Pakistan’s historical dependence on foreign partners such as China and Turkey for UAV technologies.
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The Kargil War of 1999 between India and Pakistan remains one of the most significant and controversial conflicts in the history of South Asia. While the war’s outcome has been well-documented, the question of Pakistan Army casualties during the conflict continues to be a topic of debate, with conflicting figures presented by different sources over the years.
Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, a noted Pakistani-Swedish political scientist and historian, shed light on the divergence in casualty figures provided by prominent Pakistani leaders. According to him, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto claimed that around 3,000 Pakistani soldiers died during the Kargil War. In contrast, her political rival and another former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, estimated the figure at 2,500 soldiers.
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Guyana has shown a keen interest in bolstering its defense capabilities and is currently in discussions with Indian defense companies to procure a range of equipment, including Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), arms, ammunition, and other critical systems. The move reflects the South American nation’s commitment to modernizing its defense infrastructure amidst evolving security challenges, particularly in its maritime domain.
Guyana, with its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Atlantic Ocean, relies heavily on effective maritime patrols to safeguard its natural resources, especially oil and gas reserves. To enhance its maritime security, the country is engaging with Indian manufacturers known for producing high-quality and cost-effective patrol vessels tailored to coastal and offshore operations.
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During the Cold War, the SR-71 Blackbird, a top-secret reconnaissance aircraft, represented the pinnacle of American aerospace engineering and a critical tool for intelligence gathering. However, a shocking incident involving a Soviet pilot in the 1970s led the US Air Force to implement an unusual requirement for SR-71 pilots: they had to be married.
This rule was not just a procedural formality but stemmed from deep concerns about loyalty and the security of sensitive military assets.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a laboratory under India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has successfully completed studies on a 3D thrust vectoring nozzle system. Designed for potential integration into both manned and unmanned fighter jets, this system allows for thrust manipulation in all three axes—pitch, yaw, and roll—providing aircraft with enhanced manoeuvrability and agility.
GTRE’s latest development offers a strategic leap forward in India’s aerospace capabilities, promising operational advantages in air combat scenarios and potentially aiding in the nation’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development within Indo-French defence relations, France has extended its expertise and advanced technologies to support the Indian Navy’s ambitious submarine acquisition programs under Project-76 and Project-77. Project-76 envisions the acquisition of 12 next-generation conventional diesel-electric submarines, planned in two phases with six submarines in each phase, while Project-77 focuses on developing nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) to bolster India’s strategic deterrent capabilities. France’s willingness to provide its cutting-edge pumpjet propulsion technology for both programs underlines its commitment to a deeper, long-term defence partnership with India.
Project 76 aims to elevate the Indian Navy’s conventional submarine fleet through the induction of advanced diesel-electric submarines with enhanced stealth and operational capabilities. France has been keen to support India in this endeavour, offering expertise honed through decades of experience with its own Barracuda and Scorpène-class submarines. In particular, France has proposed its pumpjet propulsion technology, a quieter alternative to traditional propellers, which significantly reduces acoustic signature and enhances underwater stealth. This technology is particularly advantageous for conventional submarines, as it allows them to operate undetected in hostile waters, providing a critical edge in India’s underwater warfare capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively exploring options to refurbish its fleet of Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopters in collaboration with Russia, according to Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff. As one of the largest and most powerful helicopters in the world, the Mi-26 plays a crucial role in the IAF’s logistics and operational capabilities, especially for transporting large equipment, and heavy cargo, and providing relief during disaster situations. However, ageing airframes and the need for modernization have made refurbishment essential to extend the operational life of these helicopters.
JSC Russian Helicopters, the Russian company responsible for the Mi-26’s manufacturing and servicing, is working closely with the IAF to determine the optimal approach for refurbishment. Air Chief Marshal Singh noted that specialists from JSC Russian Helicopters have invited IAF officials to assess their facilities in Russia as part of a comprehensive plan to refurbish the Mi-26 fleet. This visit will allow India to evaluate the capabilities of JSC Russian Helicopters’ maintenance infrastructure and collaborate on a tailored refurbishment program for the Indian fleet.
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