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.
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’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India’s Ministry of Defence is seeking proposals for long-range business jets to replace the outdated Embraer Legacy 600 VIP aircraft currently used for transporting high-ranking officials and ministers.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.
The Indian Army is seeking to boost its drone interception capabilities by procuring an autonomous aerial weapon that can detect and physically destroy hostile unmanned aerial vehicles, including coordinated swarms. Initiating the procurement process, the Indian Army has issued a Request for Information for the drone interception system that would be integrated into the Akashteer indigenous, automated air defence control and reporting system.
The Indian Air Force’s Tejas Mk1 Light Combat Aircraft experienced a recent crash, the third since its induction, prompting extensive fleet inspections and inquiries into the incident while awaiting new aircraft deliveries.
India’s air force has reached a compromise with the Defence Ministry for contract exemptions to expedite the delivery of 180 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets while ensuring essential technologies remain uncompromised.
India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight program advanced with a successful qualification test of the drogue parachute on February 18, 2026, demonstrating the country’s capabilities in aerospace engineering and design.
NASA has contracted Vast for the sixth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, planned for summer 2027. The mission aims to enhance commercial space efforts and facilitate scientific research.
India’s Ministry of Defence signed a INR 2,312 crore contract with HAL for eight Dornier 228 aircraft, enhancing the Coast Guard’s capabilities and promoting indigenous defense manufacturing.
The Indian Coast Guard successfully dismantled a sophisticated oil smuggling syndicate in a coordinated sea-air operation, intercepting three vessels off Mumbai and highlighting India’s enhanced maritime security capabilities against international crime.
