AeroIndia2025
SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official speaking to idrw.org at Aero India 2025 has indicated that the IAF is not keen on procuring the Su-57E from Russia. The top brass of the IAF believes that the Su-57E is not a fully developed fifth-generation fighter jet and still has several deficiencies.
Even if the IAF were to consider its acquisition, the entire avionics and radar systems would need to be replaced, negating the benefits of procurement due to the long time required for integration. By the time these modifications are completed, the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is expected to be ready for induction.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has approached Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for a proposal to lease four HJT-36 Yashas Stage-2 trainers for evaluation. These four aircraft will be Limited Series Production (LSP) airframes that have been upgraded to meet the new Yashas standard.
The HJT-36, now officially renamed as ‘Yashas,’ has undergone extensive modifications to enhance its performance. The upgrades primarily focus on resolving departure characteristics and improving spin resistance across the aircraft’s entire flight envelope. These enhancements make the Yashas a more reliable and capable intermediate jet trainer for the IAF’s pilot training program.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant development at Aero India 2025, Russia’s Rostec has revealed that the VK-650V engine has now replaced the French Safran Arrius 2G1 on the Kamov Ka-226T helicopter. This move comes after years of collaboration and negotiations, aiming to localize production in India.
The Ka-226T, originally equipped with the French-made Arrius 2G1 engines, faced delays and complications due to geopolitical tensions and sanctions affecting engine supply. The transition to the VK-650V, a domestically produced engine by Russia’s United Engine Corporation (UEC), marks a pivotal shift towards self-reliance and independence from foreign supply chains.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
At the Aero India 2025 exhibition, a significant highlight was the unveiling of the full-scale model of India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a project that embodies the nation’s ambition for self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The model, crafted by the Hyderabad-based VEM Technologies, was constructed using materials sourced entirely from within India, showcasing the capabilities of both public and private sectors in this critical field.
The raw materials for the AMCA model were provided by MIDHANI (Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited), a public sector unit known for its metallurgical expertise, alongside contributions from several private firms, demonstrating a successful synergy between public and private enterprises.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At Aero India 2025, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) showcased a scaled model of the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), a project designed to meet the future operational needs of the Indian Navy. However, the program faces potential challenges following the Indian Navy’s statement at the Naval Conference, where it expressed its vision for operating a fifth-generation deck-based fighter under Vision 2047. This announcement casts uncertainty over the TEDBF program, which has now been assigned a revised timeline with induction expected to commence only from 2038 onwards.
The idrw.org team at Aero India 2025 sought clarification from both ADA and Indian Navy officials regarding the Navy’s plans for a fifth-generation carrier-based fighter. However, no definitive response was received as discussions between the Navy and ADA on the TEDBF program are still ongoing. Currently, the TEDBF remains categorized as a “minus 5th generation” aircraft, raising concerns about its long-term viability.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s indigenous fighter jet program, two of the country’s leading private sector giants, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Tata Advanced Systems, have emerged as potential manufacturers for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) MkII. This information was provided to the idrw.org team at the Aero India 2025 event, highlighting the growing role of private industry in India’s defense sector.
The Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be responsible for manufacturing the AMCA MkI, the initial variant of the next-generation stealth fighter jet. The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to procure a limited quantity of 40 AMCA MkI units, primarily for early operational capability and evaluation purposes. However, the bulk of the production and induction will focus on the AMCA MkII variant, with an initial order of 80 aircraft. This number is expected to increase by another 80 units in the second phase of procurement.
Continue reading