SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG


The Indian aerospace industry is poised for a significant milestone as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) prepares to roll out the first Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) from its Nashik Division, marking the operational debut of HAL’s third LCA production facility.
Fitted with a Category-B (CAT-B) engine, the aircraft is expected to undertake its maiden flight in June 2025, ahead of its delivery to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, the first Tejas Mk1A equipped with the newly delivered General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engine is undergoing final design and development activities, signaling steady progress in India’s indigenous fighter program.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG


India’s quest for deeper integration of indigenous weapons into its fleet of Rafale fighter jets has hit a roadblock, as Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of the Rafale, has shown reluctance to share access to the aircraft’s source code, according to sources close to idrw.org. While Dassault has agreed to assist in integrating Indian-made weapons into the Rafale M (operated by the Indian Navy) and Rafale F3 (operated by the Indian Air Force), its hesitation to provide the source code—critical for seamless integration of indigenous avionics and weaponry—has ignited a broader debate over technological sovereignty, intellectual property rights, and strategic autonomy in an era of shifting global alliances.
The source code in question governs the Rafale’s advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, specifically the Thales RBE2, and its modular mission computer (MMC), which together form the electronic backbone of the jet. These systems manage the aircraft’s sensor fusion, weapon systems, and mission-critical operations, making access to the source code essential for India to integrate its own weapons, such as the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), Rudram anti-radiation missile, and other indigenous avionics. Without this access, India’s ability to customize the Rafale for its specific operational needs remains limited, forcing reliance on French systems and hindering its push for self-reliance under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG


The Indian Army has bolstered its arsenal with the introduction of SkyStriker suicide drones, designed and manufactured in Bengaluru, as part of Operation Sindoor. The operation, launched on Wednesday, targets “loitering munition” aerial vehicles to enhance military capabilities post-Balakot, sources confirmed to The Times of India.
These drones, developed through a collaboration between Bengaluru-headquartered Alpha Design and Israel’s Elbit Security Systems, are engineered to locate, acquire, and strike operator-designated targets with precision. With a range of 100 km, each SkyStriker drone carries a 5 kg or 10 kg warhead and operates silently, leveraging electric propulsion for minimal acoustic signatures during low-altitude missions.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI

Indian authorities have recovered yet another nearly intact debris of a Chinese-made PL-15E Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) on Indian soil, marking the third such find in recent days. Discovered in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, this debris is particularly significant as it includes critical components such as the propulsion system, datalink, and inertial reference unit, alongside the missile’s seeker section. The recovery follows heightened military tensions with Pakistan, with the debris believed to be linked to a failed Pakistani Air Force (PAF) attempt to target Indian Air Force (IAF) assets near the Line of Control (LoC).
The latest PL-15E debris, bearing serial numbers consistent with previously recovered fragments (P15E12203023 and P15E12203039), was found in a rural area of Hoshiarpur. Unlike the earlier finds, which included a seeker section and a nearly intact missile, this debris is notable for its well-preserved propulsion unit, datalink system, and inertial reference unit. These components are critical to the missile’s long-range targeting and mid-course guidance capabilities, offering valuable insights into the PL-15E’s design and performance.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI


In a decisive response to Pakistan’s aggressive drone incursion over Jammu last night, the Indian Army’s upgraded L-70 air defense guns, modernized by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), neutralized the majority of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched across the Line of Control. The successful interception underscores the technological prowess of India’s indigenous defense upgrades, particularly the revamped L-70 gun system, which has emerged as a critical asset in countering modern aerial threats.
Originally a Swedish-designed 40mm anti-aircraft gun from the 1940s, the L-70 has been transformed by BEL into a state-of-the-art air defense system tailored for 21st-century warfare. The upgradation program replaces the gun’s outdated hydraulic drives with all-electric drives, enhancing reliability, precision, and maintenance efficiency. These electric drives enable faster response times and smoother operation, crucial for tracking and engaging agile targets like drones.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI


Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fighter fleet maintenance, has been placed on high alert following India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The heightened state of readiness entails mandatory overtime for HAL staff, with engineers and technicians prepared for immediate deployment to ensure the operational readiness of IAF’s fighter aircraft during this period of intensified conflict with Pakistan.
According to sources within HAL, the company has implemented additional shifts, including one from 7 PM to 11 PM, and is ready to operate around the clock if required. “Our staff critical for maintenance have been told to be prepared for any requirement, and some have been asked to volunteer in case there’s a requirement for travel,” an HAL source told The Times of India. This level of preparedness mirrors the company’s efforts during the 1999 Kargil conflict, when technicians worked tirelessly for weeks to keep the IAF’s fleet combat-ready.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI


In a significant development amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, Babasaheb Neelkanth Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge Limited, revealed that the Indian government has called major defence equipment manufacturers to Delhi for a high-level meeting next week. The announcement, made in response to queries about whether Bharat Forge has been asked to ramp up production, underscores the urgency of bolstering India’s defence capabilities following recent cross-border hostilities.
“We have been called to Delhi next week, our team is going. Cannot say more,” Kalyani stated during a media interaction, as reported by CNBC TV18. His cryptic response has fueled speculation about the government’s plans, particularly in light of Pakistan’s recent drone and missile attacks on Jammu and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor, which destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 6-7, 2025.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI


The Indian Army shot down more than 50 Pakistani drones during a large-scale counter-drone operation along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Borders (IB) on Wednesday night, sources confirmed to ANI. The operation was launched after Pakistan made failed attempts to send multiple swarm drones into Indian territory across different locations.
The Indian Army Air Defence units responded swiftly and targeted the drones in areas including Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and Pathankot. “Yesterday night, when Pakistan made failed attempts to send swarm drones all across various places along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Borders (IB), over 50 drones were successfully neutralised during a large-scale counter-drone operation conducted by Indian Army Air Defence units in the areas of Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and Pathankot areas,” sources told ANI.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS


Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, India has shot down Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 as well as two JF-17 aircraft after Pakistan tried to attack multiple locations in Jammu and Punjab, government sources said.
Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan made attempts to target several locations in India; however, Indian air defence guns shot down the intruding drones. India also shot down Pakistan’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) inside its Punjab province, sources said, adding that it fell on their side.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI


A day ahead of a crucial meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, India on Thursday hinted that it could communicate its view to the global financial body on its bailout package for Pakistan.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India’s executive director at the IMF will put forward the country’s position during the meeting of the board of the global body on Friday. “I’m sure that our executive director will put forward India’s position,” he said at a media briefing.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS


After its drones and low range missiles fired to target defence installations were neutralised by the alert troops in Jammu, Samba, R.S. Pura and other places, terrorists aided by Pakistan troops made an unsuccessful infiltration attempt in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district on the International Border.
A BSF Spokesman said that a major infiltration bid from across the International Border was foiled around 11 p.m. on Thursday evening. The intruding terrorists were forced to withdraw back into the Pakistan side of the border, the Spokesman added.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI


In a boost to India’s maritime capabilities, ‘Arnala’, the first in a series of eight indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWCs), was delivered to the Indian Navy on Thursday.
‘Arnala’, the first of the eight ASW-SWCs (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft), indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, was delivered to the Indian Navy on May 8, 2025 at M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
)

Delhi airport has said that operations are normal and some flights have been impacted due to changing airspace conditions and heightened security. In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has put in place enhanced security arrangements.
In a post on X, DIAL said operations remain normal at the airport while some flights are impacted due to changing airspace conditions and heightened security.”Please check with your airline for the latest updates. We urge everyone to rely only on official sources and avoid sharing unverified information. We’re working closely with all stakeholders to minimise any inconvenience,” DIAL said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
)

The government on Thursday advised OTT platforms to discontinue streaming of Pakistan-origin content, including web-series, films and podcasts, with immediate effect. The advisory by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting comes in the wake of strikes by Indian armed forces on terror sites in Pakistan to avenge the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.
“In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect,” the advisory issued by the ministry said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
)

The Supreme Court on Thursday said if Rohingya refugees in the country were found to be foreigners under Indian laws they will have to be deported.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and N Kotiswar Singh referred to a top court’s order and remarked the identity cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) may not be of any help to them under the law.
Continue reading