SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Russia, which is yet to deliver the final two squadrons of the S-400 air defence system to the Indian Air Force (IAF), is now keen to offer India the Transfer of Technology (ToT) for the system. This proposal aims to enable India to locally manufacture S-400 components for replenishment and inventory expansion.
India had placed an order for five S-400 squadrons in 2018 under a $5.43 billion contract. So far, three squadrons have been delivered and fully operationalized, with deployments in the northern and eastern sectors. These squadrons have already participated in aerial defence exercises, enhancing India’s ability to counter airborne threats. However, the remaining two squadrons are still awaited, and their delivery timeline remains uncertain due to geopolitical and logistical challenges stemming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development aimed at bolstering the Indian Army’s air defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to propose an innovative Self-Propelled Air Defence Gun Missile System (ADGM-SP) based on the Light Tank Zorawar platform. This move comes as the Army seeks to enhance protection for its mechanised formations, including tanks and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), against aerial threats. The DRDO’s proposal, if accepted, could see the rollout of a prototype within 18 months, though full production clearance might take over four years, according to an official familiar with the program speaking to idrw.org on March 1, 2025.
The proposed ADGM-SP system integrates a twin 30mm gun configuration with the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), a man-portable air defence missile, creating a hybrid platform capable of engaging a wide spectrum of aerial targets—drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. Mounted on the Light Tank Zorawar chassis, a 25-ton platform developed by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for high-altitude operations, this self-propelled system promises mobility, firepower, and adaptability tailored to India’s diverse operational theatres.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has officially begun the development of external fuel tanks, or ‘drop tanks’, for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) AF Mk2. These tanks are pivotal in extending the aircraft’s operational range, offering strategic flexibility in mission profiles.
Drop tanks are auxiliary fuel containers that can be attached to an aircraft to significantly increase its fuel capacity and, consequently, its range. The ability to jettison these tanks during flight provides pilots with the option to lighten the aircraft for enhanced manoeuvrability or in emergency scenarios.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing missile manufacturing in India, ushering in an era of precision, adaptability, and rapid innovation, according to G.A. Srinivasa Murthy, Director of the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL). Speaking in late February 2025, Murthy revealed that DRDL, a key arm of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) based in Hyderabad, is harnessing AI to streamline missile production, with around 20 projects currently underway.
Highlighting a recent milestone, he noted that just two months prior—in December 2024—DRDL successfully manufactured a hypersonic missile, a feat made possible by AI-driven advancements. This integration of AI not only accelerates development but also ensures missiles remain upgradeable to meet evolving technological and battlefield demands.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s state-owned aerospace giant, is forging ahead with plans to bring its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) to the civil aviation market. The company has initiated the type certification process for the civil variant of the LUH with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). According to HAL’s Chairman and Managing Director, D.K. Sunil, flight testing for this version is slated to commence in mid-2026, marking a significant step in expanding the helicopter’s reach beyond its military origins.
The LUH, originally developed to meet the Indian armed forces’ requirements for a versatile light helicopter, is now poised to take on established competitors in the civil sector—most notably the Airbus H125, which will soon be produced locally through a joint venture between the Tata Group and Airbus Helicopters in Bangalore. This emerging rivalry pits HAL’s homegrown innovation against a globally renowned platform, setting the stage for a competitive showdown in India’s nascent civilian helicopter market.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Hyderabad-based Zen Technologies Limited has solidified its position as a trailblazer in military training simulation with the grant of its third patent for the T-90 Tank Simulator. Announced on March 3, 2025, this latest achievement—the patent for the Containerized Driving Simulator System (T-90 DS)—marks another milestone in the company’s relentless pursuit of innovation. With a validity extending to March 24, 2042, the patent underscores Zen’s growing influence in delivering cutting-edge training solutions for armored vehicle crews, aligning with India’s push for self-reliance in defense technology.
This third patent for the T-90 tank simulator joins Zen’s earlier patented systems: the Basic Gunnery Simulator (BGS) and the Crew Gunnery Simulator (CGS), both designed to enhance the skills of T-90 tank operators. Beyond the T-90 platform, Zen Technologies holds three additional patents for simulator variants tailored to the T-72 and BMP-II tanks, showcasing its versatility and expertise across India’s armored fleet. Together, these innovations position Zen as a leader in simulation-based training, a critical domain for modern armed forces seeking cost-effective, high-impact alternatives to live vehicle exercises.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant leap forward for India’s next-generation aerospace and defense (A&D) ecosystem, Delhi-based research and development startup Zoid Tech has announced a breakthrough achievement. Their cutting-edge AI-based Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Detection System has successfully cleared the Single Stage Composite Trials (SSCT) and earned acceptance for induction by the Indian Navy. This milestone underscores the growing prowess of Indian startups in delivering advanced, indigenous solutions to meet the nation’s defense needs while positioning India as a contender in the global A&D market.
The FOD Detection System, developed as part of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative under the Indian government’s Make in India program, has undergone rigorous research and testing at INS Garuda, the Indian Navy’s premier air station in Kochi. INS Garuda, a hub for naval aviation training and operations, provided the ideal proving ground for Zoid Tech’s innovative technology, which promises to redefine how FOD—potentially hazardous debris on runways and operational areas—is detected and managed.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India’s push toward self-reliance in defense technology reached a new milestone at Aero India 2025, held in Bengaluru from February 10-14. NewSpace Research and Technologies, a Bengaluru-based aerospace startup, unveiled its Abhimanyu Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)—a jet-powered unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to operate alongside the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fighters. Confirmed by the company during the exhibition, the Abhimanyu is engineered for carrier-based takeoff and landing, positioning it as a critical component of the Navy’s Naval Collaborative Combat Air Vehicle (N-CCAV) program. With this development, India is stepping boldly into the era of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), enhancing its naval air power with a versatile and innovative platform.
Sporting a modest 4-meter (13-foot) wingspan, the Abhimanyu is notably smaller than many CCAs under development globally, such as the U.S.’s XQ-67A or Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat. Yet, NewSpace sees this compact size as an advantage rather than a limitation. The company envisions the Abhimanyu as a stepping stone—a cost-effective, scalable solution that paves the way for more advanced platforms down the line. Its diminutive stature allows a carrier to deploy multiple units, offering tactical flexibility and the ability to overwhelm adversaries through sheer numbers.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India’s Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, a cornerstone of the Indian Navy’s future carrier-based aviation strategy, is progressing steadily despite swirling speculation about the Navy’s long-term pursuit of a full fifth-generation jet. An official from the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), speaking exclusively to idrw.org, confirmed that the Navy remains fully committed to the TEDBF, classified as a “5th Gen Minus” fighter.
This statement comes amid reports suggesting the Navy might pivot to a stealthier, fifth-generation platform under its Vision 2047 roadmap. Addressing these concerns, the ADA official emphasized that the program is on track, with the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) slated for completion later in 2025, and dismissed any plans to transform the TEDBF into a fully-fledged fifth-generation jet with features like an Internal Weapons Bay (IWB).
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Christopher Clary, a political scientist at the University of Albany, recently highlighted a troubling trend for India’s air power, drawing on data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Military Balance. Between 2014 and 2024, China bolstered its fleet by adding 435 fighter and ground attack aircraft, while Pakistan expanded its own by 31. In stark contrast, India’s fleet shrank by 151 aircraft over the same period, raising concerns about its aerial combat readiness amid growing regional tensions.
India’s fighter jet strength, once a formidable force, has been eroded by the retirement of aging Soviet-era aircraft like the MiG-21, outpacing new inductions. With the Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operating 31 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, the gap in capability is evident. Clary’s analysis underscores the urgency for India to reverse this decline, particularly as its neighbors strengthen their military aviation capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant boost to India’s defense capabilities, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) handed over the 49th Weapon Locating Radar (WLR-Plains), known as Swathi, to the Indian Army on March 05, 2025. Developed indigenously in collaboration with the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), this milestone underscores BEL’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology well ahead of schedule.
The Swathi WLR is a sophisticated radar system designed to detect and track incoming artillery shells, mortars, and rockets, while simultaneously pinpointing the location of enemy weapons. Tailored for operations in plains terrain, it provides the Indian Army with a critical tactical advantage by enabling rapid counter-battery fire. The system’s indigenous development highlights India’s growing prowess in defense electronics and radar technology, aligning with the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been strategically evolving its fighter fleet with a long-term vision of operating an all-5th generation fighter force by 2047. This ambitious modernization plan aligns with Pakistan’s national defense objectives and aims to maintain regional air superiority. PAF’s roadmap involves three key 5th generation fighter jet programs, each playing a crucial role in achieving this transformation.
At the heart of PAF’s future plans is Project Azm, a homegrown 5th generation fighter jet program spearheaded by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP). First announced in 2017, Project Azm aims to develop an advanced stealth fighter jet featuring next-generation avionics, advanced sensor fusion, and indigenous weapon systems. While progress on the program remains classified, Pakistan has been collaborating with China and Turkey for technology transfer and expertise.
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SEC DRVAN INNOVENTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED a Hyderabad-based drone startup, is rapidly emerging as a key player in India’s defence and aerospace sector. With a sharp focus on Aerial Target Systems and Long-Endurance Surveillance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), the company is driving innovation through strategic collaborations with leading foreign, national, and international firms. These partnerships have enabled SEC DRVAN Innoventions to develop advanced, next-generation solutions tailored to modern defence needs.
The startup is gearing up for a significant milestone with its participation in the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2025, set to take place in Abu Dhabi. IDEX is one of the world’s premier platforms for showcasing cutting-edge military technologies, and SEC DRVAN Innoventions plans to unveil its latest products at the event. This debut on the global stage highlights the company’s ambition to elevate UAV capabilities, meet critical defence requirements, and strengthen international ties in the aerospace and defence industries.
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Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd, a subsidiary of Solar Industries, has secured a ?239-crore contract from the Ministry of Defence to supply multi-mode hand grenades, reinforcing its role as a key player in India’s defense manufacturing sector. Under the agreement, the company is tasked with delivering these critical defense products within a year, further bolstering the nation’s security capabilities.
The multi-mode hand grenades, known for their versatility, can operate in both offensive and defensive modes, making them a vital asset for the armed forces. This contract highlights the growing reliance on indigenous firms to meet the defense needs of the country, aligning with the government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives aimed at achieving self-reliance in defense production.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
As of January 31, a total of 144 fishermen from Gujarat remain in Pakistani jails, the state government informed the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. In the one year from February 1, 2023, to January 21, 2024, Pakistan released 432 Gujarat fishermen. However, no fishermen have been released since then.
The number of arrests of Gujarat fishermen by Pakistan has drastically decreased, the government said. Between February 1, 2023, and January 31, 2024, only nine Gujarat fishermen were detained by Pakistani authorities. In the following year, 13 fishermen were arrested, marking a slight increase.
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