• Special Operations

  International interest spreads in C-130J-SOF variant

  15th August 2017

  Lockheed Martin’s proposed C-130J-SOF export variant will be tailored to different international operators’ requirements as interest in the type grows worldwide. According to Lockheed Martin, …

• Naval Warfare

  RDEL launches first two Indian OPVs

  28th July 2017

  Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (RDEL) has launched the first two Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Indian Navy at its shipyard in Pipavav, …

• Land Warfare

  Indian SOEs to upgrade BMP-2 fleet

  26th July 2017

  India is modernising 693 examples of its licence-built BMP-2/2K Sarath infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), with the project valued at around $375 million. The programme, which …

• Land Warfare

  Vietnam orders T-90 tanks from Russia

  25th July 2017

  Vietnam has ordered 64 T-90S/SK main battle tanks (MBT) from Russia, the culmination of months of speculation as the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) sought to …

• Defence Notes

  IAI, KSSL sign MoU

  7th July 2017

  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and India-based Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their joint venture activities. The new …

• Military Logistics

  China preps ‘logistics base’ in Djibouti

  13th July 2017

  Chinese ships and troops departed the port of Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province on 11 July, destined for a new so-called ‘logistics facility’ that Beijing is currently …

• Land Warfare

  India test fires QRSAM

  6th July 2017

  India has successfully test-fired the indigenously-developed Quick Reaction Surface-To-Air Missile (QRSAM) at the Chandipur integrated test range off the Odisha coast, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Guardian sale could signal US policy change

  29th June 2017

  The White House approved the sale of 22 non-weaponised MQ-9B Guardian UAVs to India on 21 June, perhaps signalling a policy shift in terms of …

• Military Logistics

  Cyclone, Mahindra partner on aerostructures parts

  27th June 2017

  Cyclone, a subsidiary of Israel-based Elbit Systems, and Mahindra Aerostructures of India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the production of …

• Defence Helicopter

  Ka-226T helicopter JV registered in India

  23rd June 2017

  Russian Helicopters and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have registered a joint venture (JV) for the production of Ka-226T light helicopters in India, Russian Helicopters announced …

• Digital Battlespace

  Thales to form Indian joint venture

  23rd June 2017

  India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative has chalked up a new success, with Thales and Reliance Defence Limited announcing their intent to form an Indian Joint …

• Defence Helicopter

  Analysis: New Indian naval helicopters dashed again

  26th June 2017

  An Indian Navy (IN) deal valued at over $1 billion for 16 Multirole Helicopters (MRH) was given a quiet burial after being scrapped by the …

• Defence Notes

  Has the US lost the plot in South China Sea?

  23rd June 2017

  As the South China Sea transforms into a spider web of interconnected military facilities designed to lock out uninvited guests, one would have thought that …

• Land Warfare

  India reboots CQB rifle tender

  14th June 2017

  This month the Indian Army launched a supplementary RfI to obtain 44,000 much-needed 5.56mm close-quarter battle (CQB) carbines.These are intended to replace its retired Sterling 1A1 9mm …

• Military Logistics

  Dry dock brings strategic succour to Indian Navy

  22nd June 2017

  A $71 million floating dock (FDNavy-2) built by Larsen and Toubro (L&T;) at its Kattupalli yard near Chennai will considerably improve dry dock slot constraints …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale Follow-On [India]

  Programme background The Indian Air Force has requested the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft. The ask comes shortly after the plane was used successfully ...

• Main battle 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 helicopters - multirole

  Ka-226T- Air Force [India]

  Programme Background India had operated a diverse and antiquated fleet of helicopters to support its high-altitude operations along contested borders with China and Pakistan. Reducing ...

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

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

  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 2017, ...

• 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 helicopters - multirole

  Ka-226T - Army [India]

  Programme Background India had operated a diverse and antiquated fleet of helicopters to support its high-altitude operations along contested borders with China and Pakistan. Reducing ...

• 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 ...

• 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 - mini

  SpyLite [Chile]

  Methodology Quantity required According to the Drone Center, India acquired 600 SpyLite aircraft in 2018-2019. Due to the economic differences between India and Chile, Defence Insight ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Indian-Made MALE UAV [India]

  Background Requirements As of late 2023, the Indian tri-service plan reportedly included the acquisition of 155 indigenously produced MALE UAVs alongside 31 MQ-9B drones from General Atomics (GA-ASI), ...

• 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 ...

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, Military UAS - MALE

  Vijayastra

  Unveiled at Advantage Vidarbha 2026, the Vijayastra is a MALE fixed-wing UAV from Solar Group.  Featuring a twin-boom tail configuration, the UAV has a single engine and ...

• 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 - small

  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 ...

• 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 ...

• Sonobuoys

  AN/SSQ-53G DIFAR

  The AN/SSQ-53G DIFAR is made by Ultra Maritime in the USA, it is marketed at international users of the MH-60 and P-8A.

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  Kopyo-21I

  The Kopyo-21I is a multi-mode radar manufactured by Phazotron NIIR in Russia. It is described by the manufacturer as a fourth-plus generation radar, designed to ...

• 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 ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  9M311

  The 9M311 (NATO: SA-19) is a supersonic surface-to-air missile developed by Russia. It is a two-stage command-guided missile fitted with a 9kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead with ...