Indian Defence News

IAF plans to arm MiG-29 UPG jets with ASRAAM, replacing R-73 missiles. The move boosts close-combat capability amid China’s PL-10 and Pakistan’s PL-10E deployments.

India has approved defence procurement proposals worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore, taking the total approvals this year to a record Rs 6.73 lakh crore. The plans cover the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard, including missiles, artillery, transport aircraft and drones. The move aims to boost military strength, improve surveillance and modernise equipment.

The Ministry of Defence has signed two contracts worth Rs 858 crore to strengthen India’s defence capabilities. A Rs 445 crore deal with Russia will supply Tunguska Air Defence Missile Systems to the Indian Army. Another Rs 413 crore contract with Boeing India will support maintenance of P8I maritime aircraft.

India has made it compulsory for military drone suppliers to pass a strict 20-point security test to prevent hidden foreign, especially Chinese, hardware risks. The move follows concerns that some “Made in India” drones may carry unsafe components. The framework checks both hardware and software vulnerabilities, including hacking and GPS spoofing.

The Indian Air Force has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the design and development of ‘Vayu Baan’, a helicopter-dropped targeting drone, marking a significant step in indigenizing aerial strike capabilities.

SC has ruled that women Short Service Commission officers denied Permanent Commission will receive full pension benefits. The court said they will be treated as having completed 20 years of service. It also found bias in how their performance reports were judged. The decision came after petitions, including one by Wing Commander Sucheta Edan.

The Indian Army is creating "Shaurya Squadrons," dedicated drone units for its armoured regiments, following similar initiatives in the infantry, artillery. Inspired by lessons from recent global conflicts, these company-level units will be embedded with tank formations. Each squadron will operate surveillance, attack drones, loitering munitions.

Five Indo-Pacific partners, Indian Navy, US Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force, have begun two-week Exercise Sea Dragon 2026 at Andersen Air Force Base from March 16. The drill deploys P-8I, P-8A and P-1 maritime patrol aircraft to practise advanced anti-submarine warfare.

Sagar Defence Engineering has laid the foundation for the world's first autonomous maritime shipbuilding and systems centre in Andhra Pradesh. Located at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour with direct sea access, the facility will bolster India’s indigenous defence manufacturing and maritime technology.

India has successfully tested the indigenous ADC-150 Air Droppable Container, designed to deliver up to 150 kg of supplies to naval ships at sea. The DRDO and Indian Navy carried out four in-flight release trials from a P-8I aircraft off Goa between February 21 and March 1.