The Indian Air Force plans to enhance its MiG-29 fleet by arming them with Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM), increasing combat capabilities against adversaries like China and Pakistan.
The Indian Army is seeking vendors to supply 50 AI-enabled gunnery simulators for T-90 tanks, aiming to enhance training efficiency, reduce costs, and replicate diverse combat scenarios in a simulated environment.
The Indian Army has received 2,000 ‘Prahar’ Light Machine Guns from Adani Defence, enhancing domestic arms production and reducing reliance on imports, with significant manufacturing capabilities established in Madhya Pradesh.
On March 27, 2026, India’s Defence Ministry approved INR 238,000 crore in military procurements, including S-400 missile systems and aircraft, enhancing the capabilities of the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
BonV Aero has partnered with Israel’s ParaZero Technologies to exclusively market the DefendAir counter-drone system in India, enhancing security against aerial threats without disrupting communication systems.
On March 27, 2026, India’s Defence Ministry signed two military contracts totaling INR 858 crore for the Russian Tunguska missile system and inspection of the American P-8I aircraft, enhancing defense ties.
SMPP Limited has secured an additional order for 10,000 bulletproof jackets, increasing its total to 50,000 for Indian paramilitary forces, highlighting its commitment to defense manufacturing and timely delivery.
Indonesia has finalized a $350 million agreement with India to purchase a BrahMos cruise missile battery for coastal defense, marking India’s second export contract for the supersonic missile.
Indian firm Paras Defence and Space Technologies secured an INR 80.28-crore contract from DRDO for developing high-precision optical systems for air defense, with an 18-month project timeline.
Dassault Aviation and Hical Technologies signed a contract on March 9, 2026, to produce high-precision control systems for the Rafale fighter aircraft, enhancing India’s role in global aerospace manufacturing.
Since 2022, Ukraine has become the largest arms importer due to its war with Russia, while India, the second-largest, is reducing its foreign dependency by boosting domestic production amidst ongoing regional tensions.
Airbus inaugurated its India Technology Centre in Bengaluru on March 6, 2026, enhancing its engineering, digital services, and procurement capabilities, which align with its ‘Make in India’ initiative for growth.
India’s defence exports are projected to reach INR 29,000 crore this fiscal year, with a target of INR 50,000 crore by 2030. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized self-reliance amidst global uncertainties.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday (March 5, 2025) lost two of its officers who were the crew on board an ill-fated Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft that crashed soon after take off in Assam. The IAF said in a tweet on Friday (March 6, 2026) that Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash in Assam.
India plans to acquire five additional S-400 air defence systems from Russia and 13 Pantsir-S1 systems amidst heightened regional threats, following successful prior operations demonstrating their effectiveness in air defence.
