India’s efforts since 2014 to go self-reliant on major platforms for the armed forces have witnessed mixed results. But the journey has been good till now and more needs to be done for the Intellectual Property creators in the defence sector, argues Lt Gen VK Saxena (Rtd), a former Indian Army Air Defence Director General.
The US Army’s online marketplace for buying drones for military use is expanding rapidly to add 33 nations, even as War Secretary Pete Hegseth pegged the funding for mass production of unmanned systems to meet the American military needs roughly $50 billion.
With the National Cadet Corps (NCC) strength targeted to grow from 1.7 million to 2 million this decade, India’s Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth has called for expanding the infrastructure and training facilities for the cadets, as more girls were joining the largest voluteer youth force in the world.
India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed two contracts worth ₹4,106 crore cumulatively on October 15, 2026, for the acquisition of a dedicated communication satellite capability, GSAT-7C for the Indian Air Force, and Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedoes for the Indian Navy.Â
Adani Defence & Aerospace has won the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) Champion Award 2026 for Export Performance in Defence and Aerospace at the organisation’s eighth annual session in New Delhi on Friday (October 9, 2026). The company manufactures small-calibre ammunition for defence and law enforcement customers in international markets.
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has held the successful flight trial of an indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform (HAPS).
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden live jump of the Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) at one of the highest-altitude drop zones, Nyoma (Mudh Drop Zone). The jump was executed at 16,000 feet above mean sea level (AMSL).
IAF hopeful of plugging gaps in fighter squadron strength with a healthy mix of jets with different capabilities, while inducting 40 to 45 aircraft a year through the LCA, MRFA, AMCA programmes.
Indian Air Chief Marshal AP Singh doesn’t see it necessary to have a separate drone force, as unmanned warfare is already part of existing fighting units.
India’s BrahMos missile exports to fetch $630 million in revenue for its defence industry, with orders from Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia helping weapon sales to the Southeast Asian arms market.
The Indian Army is all set to issue prototype production orders to TASL and Mahindra Defence for light battle tanks, pursuing alongside the DRDO-L&T Zorawar tanks project for high-altitude deployment such as the 2020-2024 Ladakh conflict with China.
During the Belgian state visit to India, Thales and Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), the wholly-owned defence subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement to explore collaboration on both the unguided and laser-guided variants of Thales 70-mm rocket systems, which are already in use by the Indian armed forces.
India’s new 12 GHz counter-drone capability marks a major leap toward advanced electronic warfare, highlighting the need for AI-driven, layered defences against rapidly evolving military drone threats and swarms.
Lieutenant General V. K. Saxena emphasizes the urgent need for reforming India’s defense procurement processes, citing crippling delays that risk obsolescence of critical technology, and introduces measures aimed at streamlining acquisitions.
Rajnath Singh talked to IAF soldiers in Shillong on the critical security threats faced by India and asked them to prepare themselves with technology to perform their role effectively. The Indian defence minister gave the example of Operation Sindoor on how India had prepared to tackle terrorism.
