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.
India’s Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth INR 5,083 crore to enhance the airlift capabilities of the Coast Guard and Navy, including Advanced Light Helicopters and Shtil missiles.
In recent years, China attempted to build an image of a major defence industrial powerhouse that produces cheaper weapons and military systems but more powerful than Western arms. But recent conflicts around the world have exposed the hollow claims of China regarding its military systems like never before.
Afghanistan has hit the Nur Khan air base near Rawalpindi inside Pakistan, the same air base destroyed in Indian air strikes in May 2025 Operation Sindoor that forced Islamabad to make the ceasefire phone call to the Indian Army on the hotline.
India’s DRDO successfully tested the indigenous VSHORADS on February 27, 2026, validating its capability to intercept aerial threats, enhancing the air defense for the country’s armed forces.
The Indian Army has upgraded 96 T-72 tanks with an advanced Thermal Imaging Fire Control System, enhancing night operations and aligning with the Make-in-India initiative through a partnership with Alpha-Elsec.
India’s Navy plans to wet-lease two AW139 helicopters from Global Vectra Helicorp to enhance logistics operations between shore and sea, following issues with its Dhruv helicopter fleet.
India is procuring next-generation Expendable Aerial Targets (EAT NG) to enhance naval air defense training. The initiative aims to improve warship crew skills against anti-ship threats, ensuring stronger maritime security.
India’s Ministry of Defence is seeking proposals for long-range business jets to replace the outdated Embraer Legacy 600 VIP aircraft currently used for transporting high-ranking officials and ministers.
India has requested Dassault Aviation to bid for 114 Rafale aircraft, emphasizing indigenization efforts, with 96 to be manufactured locally, and negotiations expected to conclude by March 2026.
