SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is laying the groundwork for a transformative leap in unmanned warfare, with plans to develop a supersonic Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) boasting a massive 4-ton internal weapons bay (IBW) capacity and supercruise capability.
This ambitious vision, revealed through sources cited by idrw.org, complements the IAF’s ongoing commitment to kick-start the Aeronautical Development Establishment’s (ADE) proposed Ghatak UCAV—a 13-ton stealth platform with a 1.5-ton IBW. Together, these initiatives signal the IAF’s long-term strategy to field advanced, low-observable UCAVs capable of dominating future battlefields, though the supersonic variant remains a distant goal, potentially 10-15 years away.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The recent tragic crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar strike aircraft, which resulted in the death of one pilot and the serious injury of another despite ejection, has brought renewed scrutiny to the aging Jaguar fleet and, significantly, the Martin-Baker Mk9 ejection seats they utilize. The incident has amplified existing concerns regarding the maintainability and support for these decades-old life-saving systems.
The Mk9 ejection seats were specifically designed in the late 1960s for the Sepecat Jaguar program. Sources within the defense establishment, as reported by idrw.org, indicate that fewer than 140 of these seats are currently operational within the IAF. Compounding the issue, the IAF is reportedly facing significant challenges in maintaining these critical systems due to widespread supply chain closures affecting the availability of necessary spares.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced a new initiative to address the limitations of low-level radar and communication coverage, which are often constrained by the radio line of sight (LOS) in challenging terrains. The IAF outlined its requirement for a portable system utilizing aerostat technology—or a similar solution—to provide low-level coverage over a range of 80-120 kilometers, equipped with radar, radio communication, and data connectivity capabilities.
This system is designed to enhance situational awareness and communication in areas where traditional ground-based systems struggle, such as mountainous regions or border areas with dense foliage, ensuring the IAF can maintain a robust air defense network across India’s diverse landscape.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant advancement for India’s defense technology landscape, Bangalore-based Prime Toolings has showcased its innovative Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE), a cutting-edge propulsion system designed for short-range missiles. This development, unveiled in early 2025, positions the company at the forefront of next-generation aerospace engineering, promising to enhance India’s missile capabilities with a technology that offers superior efficiency, compactness, and performance. Prime Toolings claims that their RDE could revolutionize short-range missile systems, aligning with India’s growing emphasis on indigenous defense solutions and self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
A Rotating Detonation Engine represents a paradigm shift in propulsion technology. Unlike traditional jet or rocket engines that rely on deflagration (subsonic combustion), an RDE harnesses continuous detonation waves—supersonic combustion events that travel around an annular chamber. This process generates thrust more efficiently by maintaining constant volume combustion, potentially offering up to 25% greater fuel efficiency compared to conventional engines. The result is a lighter, more compact powerplant capable of delivering higher speeds and longer ranges without the complexity of moving parts like compressors or turbines.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF), tasked with securing one of the world’s most contested airspaces, operates a dizzying array of fighter jets—MiG-21s, MiG-29s, Su-30MKIs, Jaguars, Mirage 2000s, Rafales, and soon Tejas Mk1A and MkII—spanning seven distinct types from Russian, French, British, and Indian origins. This multi-vendor patchwork, while historically driven by geopolitical and technological needs, has become a logistical and operational albatross.
With a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons but only 31 operational as of April 2025, and a spate of crashes exposing maintenance woes, the IAF must pivot toward commonality: a streamlined fleet of three to four jet types, sharing engine linkage and covering low, mid, and high-end roles. This shift would enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and bolster combat readiness without the burden of managing 7-8 aircraft types for overlapping missions.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), Russia’s premier tank manufacturer and part of the Rostec state corporation, has unveiled a new modification of the T-90 tank, incorporating combat experience from the Special Military Operation (SMO). This latest iteration marks a significant departure from traditional tank design by eliminating the rotating turret—a feature long associated with Soviet and Russian main battle tanks since the introduction of the T-64.
According to UVZ’s press service, future tanks must retain powerful cannon armament, but the concept of a rotating turret is being abandoned due to its limitations on battlefield effectiveness and survivability. The company highlighted that modern combat scenarios have demonstrated that shifting fire between multiple targets, especially while on the move, is no longer a critical requirement for tank operations. Instead, the focus is shifting towards improving protection and firepower in a more static and controlled manner.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Hyderabad-based Dvipa Defence, a rising name in India’s small arms manufacturing sector, is set to deliver 10 units of its indigenously developed Ugram assault rifles (7.62x51mm) to the Border Security Force (BSF) for trials, as reported in posts on X dated April 4, 2025. This development marks a significant milestone for the company and the Ugram rifle, which has been positioned as a fully homegrown solution to meet the operational needs of India’s armed forces and paramilitary units. The trials with the BSF are a crucial step toward potential induction, reflecting India’s broader push for self-reliance in defense production.
The Ugram, meaning “ferocious” in Sanskrit, was first unveiled in January 2024 by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, in collaboration with Dvipa Defence (then known as Dvipa Armour India Pvt Ltd). Developed in a record-breaking 100 days, the rifle was designed to meet the Indian Army’s General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs), offering a 7.62x51mm caliber platform with an effective range of 500 meters and a weight of under 4 kg. Its 20-round magazine, rivet-free design, and ability to fire in both single and full-auto modes make it a versatile contender, comparable to modern AK- and AR-type rifles globally.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Having secured the mega 156 Light Combat Helicopter deal for the Indian Army and Air Force, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is looking to outsource work worth around Rs 25,000 crore to the private sector firms. The Cabinet Committee on Security on Friday cleared the mega Rs 62,500 crore deal, and the contract between the Defence Ministry and the HAL was signed on the same day. “We are going to follow the Light Combat Aircraft manufacturing model in this programme as well.
The HAL would soon be issuing tenders for involving the private sector in a big way in the Light Combat helicopter (LCh) project,” defence officials told ANI. In the LCA project also, different sections of the aircraft like fuselage, wings etc have been given to different private sector companies like Larsen and Toubro and Vem Technologies, they said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, the leader of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and an ally of the ruling BJP in Tripura, has termed India’s decision to relinquish control over the Chittagong port in 1947 as the nation’s “biggest mistake.” Advocating for a strategic sea route, he emphasized the role of indigenous communities in securing ocean access for India’s northeastern states.
His remarks were in response to Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, who, in a recent address, claimed that his country serves as the “guardian of the ocean” (Bay of Bengal) and pointed out that India’s seven northeastern states are landlocked.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
In a significant demonstration of India-US military cooperation, troops from both nations conducted an intensive joint training phase at the Duvvada Firing Range from April 2 to April 4 as part of Exercise Tiger Triumph 2025.
According to a release, the exercise reaffirmed the growing synergy between the two militaries, enhancing interoperability, tactical coordination and operational preparedness in combat and humanitarian assistance scenarios.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The Nagaland government is currently awaiting a response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding a proposed meeting with an all-party delegation to discuss the longstanding Naga Political Issue and the ongoing concerns surrounding the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a public event, Rio informed that he had recently proposed, during a state assembly session, that an all-party team meet Shah to apprise him of the political sensitivities and implications linked to the Naga issue and the FMR policy, which allows border-area residents to move freely between India and Myanmar.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
The Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Chennai on Friday withdrew the non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against Vipul Joshi, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of ideaForge Technology Limited. Vipul Joshi failed to appear in court on April 1, 2025 and could not complete the necessary bail process, due to which this warrant was issued.
The Magistrate Court had earlier ordered that all the accused would have to appear in court by April 1, 2025 and deposit a bail of Rs 25,000 and two sureties, but when the matter came to court, it was found that the accused officials presented such sureties who had nothing to do with the company. When Joshi appeared in court, the warrant was cancelled. Along with him, other company officials Ankit Mehta, Mr. Rahul Singh and Mr. Somil Gautam were also present in the court. Now the next hearing of this case will be on April 28, 2025.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The head of Myanmar’s military government, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, on Sunday visited the field hospital deployed by India in Mandalay as Indian Army doctors and personnel continued to render yeoman service to quake-affected people.
The hospital set up under ‘Operation Brahma’ has so far treated over 800 patients, and performed more than 20 life-saving surgeries, officials said. Senior General Min extended his heartfelt appreciation to the government and people of India for their timely and compassionate assistance in this time of great need, they said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Security forces on Sunday recovered arms and ammunition from a forest area in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. “In a joint search operation, police and the Army recovered a substantial cache of war-like stores in the Kandi forest belt of Kupwara,” an official said.
The recoveries included a machine gun, seven hand grenades, 90 cartridges, a China-made binocular, two solar-powered mobile chargers, clothes, and a sleeping bag of foreign origin, according to the officials.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
PDP’s leader of the House in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Waheed Ur Rehman Para, has written a letter to Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, questioning allowing three private members’ resolutions on restoration of statehood in the concluding phase of the Budget session that is scheduled to commence on Monday after a 12-day recess.
He also demanded reinstating his Martyrs’ Day resolution to push for a public holiday on July 13 in the memory of 22 men who fell to the bullets of the Dogra king’s soldiers outside the Srinagar central jail on that day in 1931.
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