Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to accelerate the operational readiness of the HAL Tejas Mk2 by inducting a small batch of aircraft through Limited Rate Initial Production (LRIP) well before full-scale manufacturing begins. Instead of waiting for mass...

India is exploring participation in Europe’s ambitious Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program as part of a long-term strategy to maintain technological parity with emerging sixth-generation combat aircraft. The project—led by Dassault Aviation and Airbus—is designed to field a...

India is quietly advancing a next-generation cruise missile ecosystem that could redefine long-range strike capability across Asia. As of March 2026, the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM) is no longer just a concept. The missile is undergoing...

India’s stealth combat drone program has entered a decisive phase. In March 2026, the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) recommended the procurement of 60 units of the Ghatak UCAV, moving the program to the final stage of approval by the...

India’s evolving plans to acquire the Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter are increasingly being shaped by urgency rather than long-term industrial ambitions. As of March 2026, defence discussions have shifted away from a complex local manufacturing program toward a rapid...

India’s long-term fighter aviation roadmap took a decisive step forward in March 2026 as the country outlined plans to scale its upcoming indigenous 120kN fighter engine for the AMCA into a far more powerful 140kN class propulsion system. Developed...

China’s rapid progress in sixth-generation fighter development is forcing a major strategic rethink in New Delhi. Developments in early March 2026 suggest that Beijing’s next-generation combat aircraft programs have moved beyond conceptual stages and into active flight testing. Defence...

IgMp Bulletin Synopsis: In March 2026, Russia revived discussions around a possible fifth-generation fighter partnership with India by presenting a specialized twin-seat export version of the Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter. The new proposal, informally described as the Su-57E twin-seat variant,...

IgMp Bulletin India’s indigenous stealth fighter program is entering a new strategic phase after New Delhi formally expressed interest in joining the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) ecosystem during the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue held in Bengaluru last...

IgMp Bulletin India’s indigenous jet engine effort has entered a decisive phase in 2026. For decades, the Kaveri engine program was discussed mainly in terms of development hurdles, but the focus has now shifted toward a technological transformation led by...