• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Tapas in user configuration has a long road ahead

  2nd March 2018

  Delayed by over five years, and even seemingly confused over whether to call it Tapas or Rustom II, the Indian Defence Research Development Organisation’s (DRDO) MALE …

• Military Logistics

  DIMDEX 2018: DND's search for treasure continues

  13th March 2018

  Naval logistics forms the backbone for any naval force deployed persistently overseas, removing much of the requirements for vessels to leave stations for lengthy trips …

• Defence Notes

  India publishes ambitious defence roadmap

  28th February 2018

  India released its ‘Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap - 2018’ (TPCR-2018) document in late February, outlining the equipment and technology that the country’s armed forces …

• Defence Notes

  ICAN condemns surge in nuclear arms investments

  7th March 2018

  Global nuclear tensions helped boost investments in atomic weapons production by around $81 billion in 2017, campaigners said on 7 March, urging investors to blacklist …

• Land Warfare

  Indian Army buying more BMP-2s, updating tank fleet

  22nd February 2018

  India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the acquisition of 156 BMP-2/BMP-2K IFVs on 20 February, which will be licence-produced by the state-owned Ordnance Factory Board …

• Defence Helicopter

  Heli-Expo 2018: MD softly, softly on 6XX

  28th February 2018

  Despite an aggressive timeline for MD Helicopters' 6XX attack helicopter to be market-ready this year, certification delays have hindered this process with the aircraft now …

• Digital Battlespace

  RAF launches advanced video imaging satellite

  1st March 2018

  The UK Air Force has significantly advanced its satellite intelligence capabilities with the successful launch of the Carbonite-2 satellite terminal.  Providing the service with detailed …

• Land Warfare

  Indian howitzer production begins

  20th February 2018

  The US Army’s Watervliet Arsenal has begun work on a $50 million order to manufacture 145 howitzer cannon systems for the Indian Army, the US …

• Defence Helicopter

  EO/IR Special Report: Asia Pacific helicopter optics market flourishes (video)

  17th February 2018

  Owing to improved defence budgets and a consequent increase in demand, the military helicopter EO/IR market in Asia Pacific is growing admirably. The buying power …

• Land Warfare

  India scurries to buy thousands of small arms

  16th February 2018

  The Defence Acquisition Council’s (DAC) approval on 13 February for procurement of small arms worth more than $2.2 billion for the Indian military is being …

• Digital Battlespace

  EO/IR Special Report: Hensoldt expands Asia footprint

  20th February 2018

  When Airbus Group took the decision to concentrate on its core aviation-related business lines, a number of divisions were cut free to fend for themselves.  …

• Training

  HAL’s Hawk I flies with RTOS

  12th February 2018

  Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully completed the first flight of its Hawk I training aircraft with its newly developed Real Time Operating System (RTOS), …

• Defence Notes

  Singapore Airshow 2018: Boeing's Asia defence market expanding

  13th February 2018

  Boeing is upbeat about its opportunities in the Asia-Pacific for a long list of military products, including offering the KC-46A Pegasus and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet …

• Defence Notes

  Two IAF pilots killed in plane crash

  15th February 2018

  The Indian Air Force (IAF) said two of its pilots were killed on 15 February after their plane crashed in a remote northeastern state. The …

• Land Warfare

  Iraq receives first T-90 tanks from Russia

  21st February 2018

  The first batch of Russian-made T-90S/SK MBTs ordered by the Iraqi MoD have been delivered.  Images posted on social media on 15 February showed the …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Tanks

  T-90S Licensed Production

  The HVF is expected to be able to produce 120 T-90S each year, suggesting deliveries under this contract will be completed by 2023. Due to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-9B (Tri-Service) [India]

  Programme Background Inception & The Indian Navy In 2016, reports suggested India was looking to acquire the MQ-9A Reaper. The two parties developed this requirement, and in June ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  MH-60R Seahawk (India)

  Programme Background On 25 February 2020, a letter of acceptance for 24 MH-60Rs, worth approximately $2.12 billion, was signed by India and the US in Delhi. ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  V-Bat [India]

  Programme Background Make In India The 'Make In India' is an initiative by the Indian government to grow the domestic manufacturing industry. In the context of ...

• Transport

  C295 (India)

  Programme Background India's Defence Acquisition Council has approved the Indian Air Force bid for the supply and production of 56 C295 transport aircraft to replace ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Eurodrone (Forecast) [India]

  Programme Background India's Application As announced by a joint statement around the 7th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) on 25 October 2024, Germany accepted India's application to join ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Next Generation Destroyers [India]

  India has begun developing its Next Generation Destroyers programme, also known as Project 18. The project for the Indian Navy is expected to replace the ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Next Generation Destroyers [India]

  India has begun developing its Next Generation Destroyers programme, also known as Project 18. The project for the Indian Navy is expected to replace the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Data links

  Data links | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C295 MPAs [India]

  In February 2024, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 15 maritime patrol aircraft for about $3.5 billion. The Indian ...

• Fighter - multirole, Trainer

  MRCA - Multi Role Combat Aircraft (Trainer) [India]

  Programme Background Launched years ago, the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme is notorious internationally of the serpentine nature of Indian military procurements. Under the ...

• AEW&C

  Airbus A330 AWACS (India)

  Programme Background India is planning to increase its AEW&C; capabilities with indigenous radar systems. IAF has requested to procure six Airbus 330 airliner to host ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Next Generation Corvettes [India]

  India's Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR) 2018 contains a requirement for seven Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs), with deliveries starting in 2023. The corvette programme ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  SPOT V3

  The SPOT V3 is a fixed-wing UAV developed by the Indian firm CDSpace Robotics. Designed for ISR tasks, the platform is VTOL capable and meets ...

• Aircraft carriers

  Vikramaditya Class

  INS Vikramaditya is India’s only functional aircraft carriers following the retirement of INS Viraat in 2016. India bought the ex-Russian carrier and upgraded it to ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Netra 5

  Launched at Aero India 2025, the Netra 5 is a rotary-wing UAV manufactured by ideaForge. It can host a 900g EO/IR camera and drop a ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Abhimanyu

  The Abhimanyu is a concept UAV from NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT). Its development has been partly funded by the Indian MoD's Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Zolt

  The Zolt is a concept UAV showcased by ideaForge at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru. The UAV, intended for ISR missions, has anti-jamming communications, AI-enabled ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Yeti

  Unveiled at Aero India 2025, the Yeti is a concept cargo-carrying UAV take-off from small areas at up to 6.5km altitudes. Its payload can be configured ...

• AEW&C, ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  EMB-145 (R-99)

  The Embraer EMB-145 is a modified version of the ERJ-145 regional jet. The aircraft, available in both AEW&C; and Maritime Patrol configurations is in service ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Super Dvora Mk 1/Mk 2

  The Israeli Navy has operated the Super Dvora-class fast attack craft since 1989. Vessels are also in service with Eritrea (four boats), India (three boats), ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Switch V2

  The Switch V2 was commercially launched at Aero India 2025; it is a fixed-wing, VTOL-capable ISR and mapping drone from ideaForge.  Compared to the original ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  CMS (Vikrant-Class)

  The Combat Management System abroad INS Vikrant is developed by TATA Power's Strategic Engineering Division, the Indian MoD's Weapon and Electonic System Engineering Establishment and ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  HF SDR

  Bharat Electronics Limited's High-Frequency Software-Defined Radio (HF SDR) was unveiled at the Aero India 2023 exhibition. The transceiver operates in the HF band and features ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  FWD-200B

  Unveiled in May 2024, the FWD-200B is an Indian fixed-wing, MALE drone developed by Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace. = With a payload capacity of ...

• Frigates

  Talwar Class (Project 11356)

  India’s Talwar-class (Project 11356) frigates for the Indian Navy have been built in Russia based on the old Soviet Navy’s Krivak-class frigates and delivered to ...

• EO/IR systems

  Front Sector Optronics (FSO)

  The Safran Front Sector Optronics (FSO) is an out-of-production EO system for Rafale fighters. It was used for air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.  It had an infrared search and track thermal ...

• Multipurpose missiles

  9M119 Svir

  The 9M119 Svir (NATO reporting name AT-11 'Sniper') is a Soviet laser beam riding, guided anti-tank missile designed to be fired from 125mm antitank guns. ...