SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG


In a strategic move to enhance the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) air-to-air combat capabilities, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is contemplating establishing two separate production lines for the Astra Mk-II Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVR-AAM), which is poised to become the IAF’s primary weapon of choice for its fighter fleet.
According to sources cited by idrw.org, the missile, featuring a dual-pulse rocket motor and a range of 160 km, is in its final phase of user trials and is expected to be cleared for production and operational use in 2026. This development marks a significant step in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with the Astra Mk-II set to arm key platforms like the Su-30MKI, Rafale, MiG-29K, and Tejas Mk-1A.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG


In the wake of the recent skirmish between India and Pakistan, operational lessons have brought renewed focus on the need to enhance India’s stand-off strike capabilities across platforms. While the French-origin SCALP cruise missile, fired from IAF’s Rafale fighter jets, achieved notable success during strikes on Pakistani airbases, the Su-30MKI fleet faced a limitation due to the restricted number of air-launched BrahMos-A cruise missiles available for operational use.
However, this scenario may soon shift dramatically, as Russia has formally offered the stealthy Kh-69 cruise missile for integration on India’s Su-30MKI fighters. According to sources familiar with the development, the offer comes amidst a broader push by Moscow to deepen its defence collaboration with New Delhi and enhance the combat versatility of India’s frontline multi-role fleet.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Kaveri Engine Derivative (KDE) program, a cornerstone of India’s push for indigenous aerospace propulsion, is poised for a significant boost with additional funding from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This financial support, expected to be approved soon, aims to accelerate the development of the KDE, including the testing of a new afterburner being developed by BrahMos Aerospace Corporation. The funding will also facilitate the integration and testing of the engine on an older Limited Series Production (LSP) Tejas aircraft, laying the groundwork for future enhancements and broader applications.
The KDE, a non-afterburning variant derived from the original Kaveri engine developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is designed to power the DRDO Ghatak stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). Recent advancements have seen the dry variant achieve a stable thrust of 49-51 kN, with the addition of a BrahMos-developed afterburner targeting an additional 29 kN, potentially pushing the total thrust to around 78-80 kN. This upgrade is a critical step toward meeting the thrust requirements for advanced platforms, including potential integration into manned fighters like the Tejas Mk1A.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI


In a significant step toward strengthening the Indian Air Force (IAF) and advancing India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Indian government is poised to approve a ?67,000 crore ($7.8 billion) deal for the procurement of 97 additional Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets in the financial year 2026-27. This landmark contract, expected to be finalized by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), will further cement the role of the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas as the backbone of the IAF’s fighter fleet.
According to MoneyControl, The deal, which follows a ?48,000 crore contract signed in February 2021 for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets, will bring the total number of Tejas variants ordered by the IAF to 180, significantly enhancing its combat capabilities. The Tejas Mk-1A, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a modern multirole fighter equipped with advanced avionics, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile capabilities, making it a critical asset for replacing ageing aircraft like the MiG-21, Jaguars.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI


In a significant boost to India’s defence and space technology sectors, Bengaluru-based space startup Pixxel has signed a new agreement under the Ministry of Defence’s iDEX SPARK grant scheme to develop advanced hyperspectral and mid-wave infrared (MWIR) payloads for the Indian Air Force (IAF). These cutting-edge payloads, designed for airborne and space-based imaging systems, are poised to enhance India’s security-grade imaging capabilities for both strategic and operational purposes, particularly in monitoring enemy airbase activities.
The agreement, announced on June 12, 2025, underscores India’s growing emphasis on leveraging indigenous technology to strengthen its defence infrastructure. Pixxel’s hyperspectral and MWIR payloads are expected to provide the IAF with advanced tools for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), with potential applications in tracking takeoffs and landings of enemy aircraft at airbases. While these systems offer significant advantages, they also come with certain limitations that highlight the complexity of modern aerial surveillance.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI


The impending induction of the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system into the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army is set to significantly bolster India’s air defence grid, particularly against the aerial threats posed by Pakistan and China. With a proposed acquisition worth Rs 25,000-30,000 crore for three regiments, this indigenous system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), promises to enhance India’s ability to counter a range of airborne challenges along its contested borders.
The QRSAM, designed as a short-range surface-to-air missile system with a 30 km range and the capability to engage targets up to 10 km in altitude, addresses critical gaps in India’s layered air defence network. Its primary strength lies in its mobility, mounted on an Ashok Leyland 8×8 truck, allowing it to operate on the move with search, track, and fire capabilities during brief halts. This agility is a significant upgrade over static systems, enabling rapid response to low-flying threats such as drones, helicopters, and fighter jets—tactics increasingly employed by Pakistan and China in border skirmishes.
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In a landmark policy shift, the Indian government has announced that all major defence projects will now be awarded through competitive bidding or tendering, moving away from the earlier practice of nomination-based contracts. This transformative decision, aimed at fostering transparency and inclusivity, is set to create a level playing field for India’s domestic private sector, which has long sought equal opportunities alongside public sector defence companies. The announcement was made by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in an exclusive interview with NDTV Profit, signaling a new era for India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
“We will provide visibility to the domestic industry regarding upcoming contracts and ensure a level playing field for the private sector by mandating competitive bidding for all our projects,” Singh told NDTV Profit. This policy change aligns with India’s broader vision of promoting self-reliance in defence production under the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives, while fostering greater competition and innovation in the sector.
Continue readingSOURCE: AP


A chartered spaceflight for India, Poland and Hungary’s first astronauts in decades has been delayed indefinitely because of leak concerns at the International Space Station.
NASA said Thursday that it wants to monitor the cabin pressure on the Russian side of the orbiting lab before accepting visitors. Officials stressed that the seven astronauts currently at the space station are safe and that other operations up there aren’t affected.
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Pakistan’s record on terrorism is “very clear” and the Pahalgam attack is only the recent example of cross-border terrorism, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal’s remarks at his weekly media briefing here came in response to a query on the recent comments made by a top US general on Washington’s ties with New Delhi and with Islamabad.
“We have to have a relationship with Pakistan and with India. I do not believe it is a binary switch that we can’t have one with Pakistan if we have a relationship with India,” US Army General Michael Kurilla, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), had said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI


Describing Indian and Canada as “vibrant democracies”, the external affairs ministry on Thursday said New Delhi believes the forthcoming meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries on the sidelines of the G7 Summit will offer an important opportunity to exchange views and explore pathways to reset bilateral ties.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a query during his weekly media briefing.
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A British agency that investigates civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents on Thursday said it will be deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian-led investigation into the plane crash in Ahmedabad.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it has “formally offered its assistance” to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in India. It said it would have “expert status” in the Indian investigation because UK citizens were on board the plane.
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At least five MBBS students, one PG resident doctor and the wife of a superspecialist doctor of the BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad were killed and over 60 medical students injured when an Air India plane crashed into the college complex, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) claimed.
The search operation at the crash site is still going on and many are feared buried in the debris, FAIMA national vice president Dr Divyansh Singh said. “Bodies that have been found were totally charred,” he added.
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In the wake of an immigration crackdown by the Trump administration in California’s Los Angeles, India on Thursday said its consulate in San Francisco is closely monitoring the situation, even as it advised Indian nationals in the region to take “suitable” safety precautions.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during his weekly media briefing also said the consulate remains in “close touch with our community members for their welfare”.
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India on Thursday strongly condemned the vandalisation of the ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh by a mob and termed the violent attack a “disgrace” to the memory and inclusive philosophy espoused by the poet.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a query on the reports on the vandalisation that took place earlier this month.
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday searched multiple locations linked with the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror organisation in Punjab and Haryana. A total of 15 locations were searched in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Kapurthala, Rupnagar districts of Punjab and Sirsa in Haryana in connection with the January 2025 grenade attack at a police post in Amritsar district of Punjab, the NIA said in a statement.
A host of incriminating materials, including mobiles/digital devices and documents, were seized during the searches, and are being examined for further clues to the terror syndicate of BKI, it said. “BKI has been engaged in a criminal conspiracy to recruit and train India-based associates, and to provide funds, weapons and explosives to the field operatives of the terror outfit through their associates and acquaintances based abroad, including in Pakistan. The conspiracy is aimed at carrying out large-scale terror acts on Indian soil,” the probe agency said.
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