SOURCE: AFI

India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for a missile test scheduled between March 12 and March 13, 2025, in the Bay of Bengal, signaling another step forward in its robust missile development program. The designated test area spans 415 kilometers, sparking speculation about the nature of the missile to be tested. Defense analysts suggest two likely candidates: a short-range variant of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile or the highly anticipated Astra MkIII Gandiva, a very long-range beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) boasting a range of approximately 350 kilometers.

The NOTAM, a standard aviation alert to ensure airspace safety during such exercises, specifies a 415-kilometer corridor over the Bay of Bengal, a frequent testing ground for India’s missile systems. The range falls within the capabilities of both the BrahMos and the Astra MkIII Gandiva, leaving room for speculation about the test’s objectives. The Indian armed forces have remained tight-lipped about specifics, as is typical ahead of such trials, but the designated distance offers clues about the potential systems involved.

SOURCE: AFI

In a bizarre and eyebrow-raising twist, Pakistani media outlet 24 News HD anchor Mian Tahir has claimed to have obtained a secret report submitted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The alleged document, prepared by the Empowered Committee for Capability Enhancement of the IAF—chaired by the Defence Secretary and comprising high-ranking officials like the Vice Chief of Air Staff, Secretary (Defence Production), Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D, Chairman DRDO, DG Acquisition, and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff as Member Secretary—has not been made public in India. Yet, Tahir boldly asserted that this classified report exposes critical vulnerabilities in the IAF, including an alleged admission of its inability to counter Pakistan due to a depleted aircraft inventory.

SOURCE: AFI

In a landmark move for India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem, Belgium-based John Cockerill Defense, the world’s top turret-making company, has signed a joint venture with Indian firm Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics (India) Pvt Ltd to produce turrets for light tanks. This marks the first time the company will establish a manufacturing facility outside Belgium, with the new plant set to be located in Chakan, Pune. The 60:40 joint venture has been chosen by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to supply turrets for India’s Project Zorawar light tank program.

The collaboration is poised to bolster India’s indigenous defense capabilities, aligning with the “Make in India” initiative. The initial focus will be on manufacturing turrets for the 59 light tanks under Project Zorawar, designed for high-altitude operations. However, the joint venture’s ambitions extend far beyond this scope. Thierry Renaudin, Chief Executive Officer of John Cockerill Defense, emphasized the broader potential during a statement in the national capital: “The joint venture that we have is not limited to just the 59 light tanks. Our reading is that the overall demand will be much higher than 350. Moreover, as the joint venture stabilizes, we will look at other programs of the Indian Army—like the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) and the futuristic main battle tank called the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV).”

SOURCE: AFI

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI Flanker and Su-57 Felon, two of Russia’s most prominent fighter jets, offer a revealing side-by-side comparison that underscores both the lineage and limitations of modern Russian aerospace engineering. While the Su-57, Russia’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter, draws clear design inspiration from the Su-30MKI—a 4.5-generation multirole platform tailored for India—it also exposes a deeper narrative: the Russian Aircraft Design Bureau’s apparent inability or unwillingness to break free from the foundational Su-27 architecture of the 1970s.

The Su-57’s lineage from the Su-30MKI is unmistakable. Both aircraft share a canard-delta wing configuration, a legacy of the Su-27’s focus on agility, though the Su-57’s canards are smaller and integrated into its stealth profile. The Felon’s thrust-vectoring nozzles, a defining trait of the Su-30MKI, enhance post-stall maneuverability—a feature prized by Russian designers since the 1980s but less emphasized in Western stealth fighters like the F-22, which prioritize low observability over aerobatics. The Su-57’s wider fuselage and splayed engine nacelles also mirror the Su-30MKI’s layout, adapted to house internal bays and reduce radar cross-section (RCS), estimated at 0.1–1 m² compared to the Su-30MKI’s 20 m².

SOURCE: AFI

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), has unveiled the Jammer Anti-UAV (JAU) system—a sophisticated counter-drone technology designed to neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by targeting their command and control (C2) and navigation links. Capable of spoofing UAV signals to force a crash landing or compel a return to base, the JAU integrates robust Electronic Support Measures (ESM) and Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) capabilities.

The JAU system is engineered to intercept and disrupt the two lifelines of UAV operation: the C2 link, which connects the drone to its operator, and the navigation link, typically reliant on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like GPS or GLONASS. By deploying ESM, the JAU detects and identifies UAV signals across a wide frequency spectrum—commonly 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz for control, and GNSS bands like GPS L1 (1575.42 MHz). Once identified, its ECM suite unleashes targeted jamming to drown these signals with electromagnetic noise, severing the drone’s connection to its operator and disrupting its positional awareness.

SOURCE: AFI

The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has touched down at Wing 6 of the Royal Thai Air Force, bringing with them a fleet of 12 Hawk Mk 132 aircraft. Renowned globally for their breathtaking nine-aircraft formations, the team is set to perform public displays on March 7 and 8, 2025, as part of the celebrations marking the 88th anniversary of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). As SKAT prepares to paint the Bangkok sky with the vibrant hues of the Indian Tricolor, this event promises not only a visual spectacle but also a reinforcement of the deep ties between India and Thailand.

The Suryakiran team, affectionately known as the “Ambassadors of the Indian Air Force,” arrived in Thailand following an invitation from the RTAF to participate in the milestone anniversary festivities. Established in 1996, SKAT has earned a stellar reputation for its precision, daring maneuvers, and vibrant displays, having performed at airshows across India and internationally. The team’s deployment of 12 Hawk Mk 132 aircraft—advanced jet trainers manufactured by BAE Systems and assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)—includes nine for the aerobatic performances and three as spares, ensuring seamless execution of their signature routines.

SOURCE: 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.

SOURCE: AFI

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.

SOURCE: 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.

SOURCE: 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.