SOURCE: AFI

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility, long a cornerstone of India’s aerospace manufacturing, is poised to become the nerve center of the country’s fighter jet programs. Already being repurposed to manufacture the indigenous Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the facility is now being considered for the production of the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

Adding another layer of intrigue to Nashik’s evolving role, Russia’s Rostec has expressed a keen interest in utilizing the same plant for the local production of the Su-57E, Russia’s export variant of its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, should India opt to procure it with local manufacturing rights. While the decision on acquiring the Su-57E remains under deliberation, the Nashik facility is undeniably emerging as a hotbed of India’s fighter jet ambitions.

SOURCE: AFI

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program, spearheaded by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has been a cornerstone of India’s indigenous defense manufacturing journey. As the Indian Air Force (IAF) continues to integrate the Tejas Mk1A into its fleet, questions about the platform’s evolution have naturally arisen. In a recent interaction, Anantha Krishnan M, a seasoned defense journalist with close ties to HAL, offered intriguing insights into the potential for a Tejas Mark 1B variant, shedding light on the flexibility and adaptability that come with indigenous production.

When asked about the possibility of a Tejas Mark 1B, Krishnan’s response was both nuanced and optimistic: “It will happen. It might happen.” He pointed out that the introduction of advanced technologies, such as the indigenous Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, could serve as a catalyst for designating a new variant as LCA Mk1B. The Uttam radar, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), promises to enhance the Tejas’ situational awareness and targeting capabilities, making it a logical upgrade for future batches.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s defense forces rely heavily on their transport aircraft fleet to ensure rapid deployment of troops, equipment, and humanitarian aid across diverse terrains and in challenging conditions. The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates a fleet of aging Soviet-era Ilyushin Il-76 and Antonov An-32 aircraft, which have served as the backbone of its medium and heavy-lift capabilities for decades.

However, with these platforms nearing the end of their operational lives and facing maintenance challenges, the need for modern replacements is urgent. India stands at a crossroads where it can either procure foreign designs or invest in indigenous solutions.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant milestone for India’s naval self-reliance, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) marked the commencement of production for the first Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system for the Indian Navy’s Scorpene-class submarines. The production plate cutting ceremony took place today at MDL’s facilities in Mumbai, presided over by Mr. Biju George, Chairman and Managing Director of MDL. He was joined by representatives from the Indian Navy and other senior MDL officials, underscoring the collaborative effort behind this ambitious project.

The ceremony signals the start of construction for the AIP plug, a critical enhancement designed to boost the underwater endurance of the Scorpène-class submarines under Project 75 (P-75). This indigenous AIP system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with Indian industry, will be integrated into the submarines during their scheduled normal refits, beginning with INS Kalvari in September 2025.

SOURCE: AFI

In a pointed diplomatic exchange, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called on his Dutch counterpart, Ruben Brekelmans, to cease supplying weapons and military technology to Pakistan, a nation India accuses of sponsoring terrorism. The request, made during a high-level meeting in New Delhi on March 18, 2025, underscores India’s growing concerns over the Netherlands’ role as a significant arms supplier to Pakistan, particularly in the naval domain.

The Netherlands, a key member of the European Union, ranks among Pakistan’s top three weapons suppliers globally, trailing only China and Turkey. Over the years, Dutch defense exports to Pakistan have included advanced naval platforms such as minehunters and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), bolstering the Pakistan Navy’s capabilities. These transactions, facilitated by Dutch shipbuilder Damen and involving former Royal Netherlands Navy assets, have drawn sharp scrutiny from India, which views Pakistan’s military buildup as a direct threat to regional stability.

SOURCE: AFI

In a recent development that underscores the complexities of international defense relations, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly expressed frustration to U.S. President Donald Trump over what he perceives as unequal treatment in the distribution of advanced military technology. According to reports, Erdogan complained that while the United States has offered its cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighter jets to India, Turkey remains excluded from the F-35 program, a sore point in U.S.-Turkey relations that has lingered since Turkey’s expulsion from the program in 2019.

For Turkey, a NATO ally since 1952, participation in the F-35 program was seen as both a strategic necessity and a marker of its standing within the alliance. Turkey initially planned to acquire at least 100 F-35A jets, with its industry playing a significant role in the global supply chain, producing critical components like parts of the airframe.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army’s T-72 Main Battle Tank (MBT), a stalwart of its armoured formations, has recently been spotted with significant defensive enhancements, as seen in the latest images circulating online. These upgrades include canopy slat or cage armour, ball-and-chain protection around the turret and rear, and additional armour tiles over the engine block. These modifications signal a pragmatic response to evolving battlefield threats, particularly in the context of modern anti-tank warfare and lessons learned from recent global conflicts.

One of the most visible upgrades in the latest images is the addition of canopy slat or cage armour over the turret. Often referred to as “cope cages” in military circles, this type of armour consists of a metal framework or slatted structure mounted above the tank’s turret. The primary purpose of slat armour is to disrupt the fusing mechanisms of top-attack munitions, such as ATGMs like the FGM-148 Javelin or kamikaze drones, which rely on shaped charges to penetrate the thinner top armour of tanks.

SOURCE: AFI

In a candid assessment of the challenges facing India’s indigenous aerospace industry, Prateek Dhawan, co-founder of DG Propulsion, has called for a concerted effort by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to establish a comprehensive supply chain for turbojet engine development in the country.

Speaking on the sidelines CNN-News18 Interview, Dhawan highlighted the critical gaps in India’s supply chain ecosystem that hinder the development of advanced components necessary for turbojet engines. He urged the MoD to encourage startups and foster a competitive environment that would not only enable firms like DG Propulsion to enhance engine development but also position India as a global player in the turbojet engine market—both for domestic needs and exports.

SOURCE: AFI

The Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur (DLJ), a premier facility under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is spearheading an innovative project to design and develop a Special Coating System (SCS) tailored for airborne surfaces. Renowned for its expertise in creating cutting-edge defence technologies for airborne applications, DLJ is now inviting techno-commercial bids from reputed firms specializing in paints, resins, and polymers to collaborate on this critical development contract. The SCS, a thick multi-layer paint system, is poised to enhance the durability and performance of aircraft surfaces during subsonic and supersonic flights, marking a significant step forward in India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities.

The SCS is envisioned as a high-performance coating system designed to withstand the extreme conditions encountered by airborne platforms, such as fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and reconnaissance aircraft. With a total thickness of 1.3–1.4 mm, the system comprises multiple layers—including a primer and a top coat—applied through a combination of manual and automated spray coating processes. This thickness ensures robust protection while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency, a critical requirement for aircraft operating at high speeds and altitudes.

SOURCE: AFI

Pakistan marked a modest milestone in its aerospace ambitions on March 18, 2025, as a scaled-down model of the KAAN fighter jet, named “IQBAL,” completed its first successful flight in Islamabad. Fully designed by a Pakistani team, the model was intended as a collaborative nod to Turkey’s TAI TF KAAN, a fifth-generation stealth fighter under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

However, the achievement has been met with derision from the Indian defense community, which mocked the IQBAL as a poorly crafted remote-controlled (RC) toy rather than a serious scale representation of an advanced fighter jet.