• Defence Notes

  Ukraine targets Indian contracts worth billions

  24th January 2017

  Ukraine wants to expand its footprint in the Indian defence sector, eyeing projects worth at least $10 billion and projecting itself as a cheaper alternative …

• Land Warfare

  Pinaka in new test firing

  25th January 2017

  India’s Ministry of Defence has announced a new test firing of the Guided Pinaka rocket by the DRDO, on 24 January. The test saw the …

• Land Warfare

  Indian Spike buy ahead

  20th January 2017

  The Indian Army is on the verge of acquiring the Israeli Spike anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems to equip its infantry battalions and mechanised units. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Raytheon Stinger targets new Apaches

  16th January 2017

  Both Qatar and India have selected the Raytheon Stinger air-to-air missile system for their new Apache AH-64E aircraft, Shephard has confirmed. Under the multi-nation contract …

• Defence Helicopter

  Russian Helicopters co-production with China and India

  15th January 2017

  It is anticipated that China and India are set to expand their industrial cooperation with Russian Helicopters by organising co-production of new models. A framework …

• Land Warfare

  M777 Howitzers ordered for India

  13th January 2017

  BAE Systems has been awarded a $542 million contract by the US government to manufacture and deliver 145 M777 ultra-lightweight howitzers to the Indian Army, …

• Naval Warfare

  India launches second Scorpene

  11th January 2017

  At a time when the Indian Navy (IN) is grappling with declining undersea warfare capabilities the government owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) will launch …

• Digital Battlespace

  EW Singapore: Indian AEW programme faces trouble

  11th January 2017

  India’s home-grown airborne early warning (AEW) programme utilising three Embraer 145 aircraft, the first of which was supposed to be inducted by the end of …

• Training

  MilSim Asia: NetSim software demoed

  16th January 2017

  TETCOS, a software company based in India, will be demonstrating its network simulation/emulation software NetSim at MilSim Asia 2017 in Singapore. The NetSim simulator models …

• Land Warfare

  Azerbaijan boosts air defence

  18th January 2017

  Azerbaijan is building up its air defence capabilities with a new surface-to-air missile system and has plans to buy further equipment. The MoD has revealed …

• Land Warfare

  Russia to field more SAM

  19th January 2017

  Russia’s Air and Space Forces (RuSAF) has announced plans for introducing more surface to air missile (SAM) systems into its inventory this year. They are …

• Defence Helicopter

  Ka-226T production for India moved to Siberia

  4th January 2017

  Russian Helicopters has announced plans to set up a second production line for the Ka-226T at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (U-UAP) in eastern Siberia. It …

• Digital Battlespace

  France aims for air-to-ground precision

  11th January 2017

  The French DGA has awarded Safran a contract for the provision of guidance kits for its air-launched bombs. Under the contract, awarded on 29 December, …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Spain nears Predator B club membership

  10th January 2017

  Spain has moved a step closer to joining the Predator B club following an announcement by the US Department of Defense (DoD) of a more …

• Defence Helicopter

  Russian Helicopters' after-sales approach in Asia

  13th January 2017

  Russian Helicopters’ marketing has been targeting the after-sales sector in Asia, where it sees a good potential for growth, Shephard has learnt. The business of …

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]

  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 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 - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Indian-Made MALE UAV [India]

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

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

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

  FWD-200B1

  Unveiled in May 2024, the FWD-200B is an Indian fixed-wing, MALE drone developed by Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace. In 2025, an updated configuration of ...