• Uncrewed Vehicles

  India pulls plug on Nishant UAV

  18th November 2015

  In a blow to Indian efforts to field indigenously developed tactical UAVs, the Indian Army is abandoning the two-decade-old Nishant. Phase 1 of the Nishant …

• Naval Warfare

  India stands up first P-8I squadron

  17th November 2015

  The Indian Navy (IN) stood up its first P-8I squadron in a ceremony in southern India on 13 November. In attendance, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar …

• Land Warfare

  Russia seals SAM exports

  13th November 2015

  China will begin receiving its first S-400 Triumf medium-/long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems within 12-18 months, it has emerged from the TASS news agency. Meanwhile, …

• Defence Helicopter

  India’s LCH to receive production go-ahead

  11th November 2015

  India’s indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is set to receive production approval before the end of November, after the project originally commenced in 2006. Having …

• Defence Helicopter

  Boeing to 'Make in India'

  10th November 2015

  Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems have announced a joint venture (JV) to manufacture aircraft aerostructures and collaborate on integrated systems development in India, Boeing announced …

• Digital Battlespace

  NORINCO reinforces China's borders

  10th November 2015

  China’s borders are receiving high-tech protection through a newly introduced integrated C4ISR system. The system is being provided by a subsidiary of China North Industries (NORINCO) featuring radars, electro-optical cameras, …

• Naval Warfare

  Dubai 2015: Boeing eyes three-figure P-8 market

  9th November 2015

  Boeing expects an export market for around 100 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) over the next ten years, while the US Navy will begin basing ‘at …

• Military Logistics

  Expansion of C295 capabilities planned

  2nd November 2015

  Trials will begin next year to add aerial refuelling (AR) and extremely short take-off and landing (XTOL) capabilities to the Airbus Defence and Space (DS) …

• Land Warfare

  ADEX 2015: Doosan develops dynamic duo

  21st October 2015

  Headlining Doosan DST’s armoured vehicle product line-up at the Seoul ADEX 2015 show were two new armoured vehicles. One was the 26.5t Hybrid Bi-Ho, an …

• Land Warfare

  India shortlists K9 SPH

  12th October 2015

  The artillery woes of the Indian Army seem set to be partially resolved after Delhi announced a self-propelled howitzer (SPH) from South Korea had successfully …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Blue Bear looks to India

  12th October 2015

  Blue Bear Systems Research (BBSR) has the Indian Army’s mini UAV programme in its sights, with the company visiting the country to tout its mini-UAV …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  India offers private sector UAV blueprints

  30th September 2015

  India is one of the world’s largest importers of UAVs, but in an effort to boost its domestic industry and spur technological advances, the government …

• Defence Helicopter

  India orders Apache, Chinook helicopters

  30th September 2015

  The Indian Ministry of Defence has ordered 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to enhance India’s capabilities across a range …

• Defence Helicopter

  India clears Boeing helicopter deal

  22nd September 2015

  India has cleared the procurement of 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy lifters for the Indian Air Force.  The country’s Cabinet …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  India orders Israeli MALE UAV

  21st September 2015

  The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to receive ten MALE UAVs from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), according to information released in September. The platform …

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 ...

• 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 ...

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.

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...