Embraer Defense & Security and India’s Mahindra Group have signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to enhance the C-390 Millennium for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft program. This partnership aims to localize production and establish India as a regional manufacturing hub, reflecting a commitment to self-reliance and enhancing defense capabilities.
India is advancing towards replacing its MiG-21 fleet by launching the Tejas Mk1A, domestically developed Light Combat Aircraft, on October 17, 2025. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s growing self-reliance in defense, targeting increased production and exports while incorporating private industry into the supply chain, enhancing capability and efficiency.
The Indian Army has signed a INR 130.58-crore contract with JBM Auto Limited for 113 electric buses and 43 fast chargers, marking a significant move towards sustainable mobility. This initiative, part of the Prime Minister’s e-Drive, will reduce fossil fuel reliance and support India’s ‘Net Zero’ goals, enhancing the Army’s logistic efficiency.
Naval Group France and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited have renewed their MoU to enhance collaboration on exporting Scorpene-class submarines, reaffirming the Indo-French partnership in naval technology. Signed on October 16, 2025, the agreement supports India’s defense manufacturing ambitions, promoting self-reliance and innovation while positioning India as a global submarine hub.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) has laid the keel for a new Acoustic Research Ship (ARS) for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This cutting-edge vessel will enhance India’s underwater research capabilities, supporting acoustic studies and oceanographic data collection, with advanced operational features and a 30-day endurance.
The Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard conducted their inaugural joint scuba diving expedition, “Forging Bonds Beneath the Waves,” from October 8, 2025, off Maharashtra’s Vijaydurg coast. The initiative, involving 20 divers, aimed to enhance cooperation, operational coordination, and marine conservation, showcasing the unity and teamwork between India’s air and maritime forces.
On October 16, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an Advanced Night Vision products factory in Nimmaluru, Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of INR 360 crore. This facility aims to enhance India’s defense production capabilities, create skilled employment, and solidify self-reliance by manufacturing vital electro-optical systems for the armed forces.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi emphasized the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity in India’s maritime operations at a seminar on October 16, 2025. He highlighted the vulnerabilities posed by digital systems and cited recent cyberattacks affecting global shipping. Tripathi urged that cybersecurity must be integral from the design stage to ensure national and economic security.
Rolls-Royce has partnered with Bharat Forge to manufacture fan blades for its Pearl 700 and Pearl 10X engines, enhancing local capabilities in India. The agreement, signed near Berlin, reinforces their strategic collaboration and commitment to India’s Make in India initiative, aiming to double local supply chain sourcing by 2030.
On October 16, 2025, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the nation’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities, setting ambitious targets for production and exports by 2029. He emphasized the importance of youth, innovation, and technology, particularly AI, in achieving these goals, and inaugurated the School of Defence and Aerospace Technology for advanced skill development.
The Indian Army has contracted Thales, UK, for the Light Weight Modular Missile (LMM) System, enhancing air defense capabilities. This advanced, lightweight missile targets aerial threats, including drones, with high accuracy and an operational range exceeding six kilometers, crucial for challenging terrains. The acquisition reflects India’s focus on modernizing military capabilities.
India’s Ministry of Defence has signed a INR 659.47 crore contract for advanced Night Sights for SIG 716 assault rifles, enhancing soldiers’ effectiveness in low-light conditions. This initiative promotes indigenisation, supports local industries, and aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, strengthening India’s defence capabilities and operational readiness.
On October 15, 2025, Indian Army’s Para Brigade commandos demonstrated their skills to army chiefs from United Nations’ Troop Contributing Countries in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The event aimed to showcase the capabilities of the Indian troops to international military leaders. A video glimpse of the display is available online.
India has revoked a tax exemption for missile parts, reverting to prior duties on small-range missile components amid an investigation involving Adani Defence, which allegedly evaded USD 9 million in import taxes. This policy shift creates uncertainty in the defense sector, highlighting the government’s need for stricter oversight and clearer regulations.
India’s DRDO has successfully tested the Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) through a jump from 32,000 feet, marking a significant advancement in high-altitude aerial delivery systems. Designed for elite forces, the MCPS ensures operational independence with advanced features, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense technology.
