Following development and certification of three different light helicopters, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is graduating to the 13t medium-lift Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army to replace rugged Mi-17s.
Chief designer G. Shamnath, of the Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre at HAL, announced at Aero India 2021, ‘These [Mi-17] legacy helicopters to be phased out by 2028 offer a huge replacement market.’
The IAF requires 250, the army 170 and the navy 123, Shamnath said.
‘We understand we are up against well-entrenched and serious global players…We are clear about our task. We
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The missile programmes form part of a broader effort to strengthen Canadian air-combat readiness as the RCAF transitions from the CF-188 to the F-35A and rebuilds its operational weapons stocks.
While a potentially accelerated acquisition timeline could strengthen the RAAF’s long-range air combat capability, Canberra’s continued reliance on US missile production is also put under the spotlight in parallel to its push to build a sovereign industry.
Demand signals for counter-drone technology are strong and the market is becoming crowded, but is this really the beginning of a new phase of warfare or will commentators be talking about something else 10 years from now?
Total annual drone spending has increased nearly sixfold since the start of the decade, from $2.9 billion in 2020 to $16.3 billion in 2028, with Europe leading the rise.
The US Air Force is seeking additional contractors to support communications upgrades for the B-52, while multiple Stratofortress modernisation programmes continue to experience delays, cost growth and technical challenges.
Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026 revealed the growing scale of the UK’s uncrewed ambitions, with companies showcasing new CCA, autonomous wingmen and surveillance drones, while sovereign production emerged as a key factor for multiple programmes.
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