Defence Technology
Weapon profile: Javelin
It is a medium-range, man-portable, shoulder-launched, fire-and-forget anti-tank weapon
 "Weapon profile: Javelin")
Air-breathing missiles are the hypersonic frontier
India inches closer with a new scramjet test
 "Air-breathing missiles are the hypersonic frontier")
Foreign partnerships in defence technology
Cooperation can work for India, with caveats
 "Foreign partnerships in defence technology")
India's first pvt sector micro-missile set for maiden experimental trial
JWALA, India's first private-sector micro-missile, is set for trials after successful solid rocket motor tests, strengthening indigenous counter-drone capabilities
 "India's first pvt sector micro-missile set for maiden experimental trial")
News in brief - Global: Taiwan's AI push, K9 howitzers, drones and missiles
From Taiwan's AI-powered defence systems to Europe's artillery upgrades, countries are strengthening military capabilities with advanced missiles, surveillance drones and new combat vehicles.
 "News in brief - Global: Taiwan's AI push, K9 howitzers, drones and missiles")
News in brief - North America: Husky flight, MQ-25 upgrade, laser weapons
North America sees advances in defence technology, from Canada's Husky tanker and new icebreakers to US Navy drone upgrades, laser weapons and certified engines for autonomous vessels.
 "News in brief - North America: Husky flight, MQ-25 upgrade, laser weapons")
Power arcade: Low-cost interceptors
Below are pictures of advanced drone interceptors and air defence systems as featured in Blueprint October 2026
 "Power arcade: Low-cost interceptors")
MoD to seek steepest arms buying budget hike in at least a decade for FY28
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh says the ministry will seek a 35 per cent increase in FY28 modernisation funding, after fully using allocations and stepping up contracts.
 "MoD to seek steepest arms buying budget hike in at least a decade for FY28")
IG Defence plans trials of India's first private-sector micro-missile soon
The JWALA interceptor is set to move into system-level testing in the coming months after IG Defence successfully test-fired two solid rocket motors
 "IG Defence plans trials of India's first private-sector micro-missile soon")
Indigenous T-SHUL BEAM counter-drone system proves capability at Pokhran
IG Defence says the man-portable system uses directional radio-frequency countermeasures to disrupt command, telemetry, video and navigation links of hostile drones.
 "Indigenous T-SHUL BEAM counter-drone system proves capability at Pokhran")
A new small engine for high-speed items
IIT Madras-incubated D-Propulse has tested a rotating detonation engine that could power smaller, faster missiles and drones, but certification and longer-duration trials remain key challenges.
 "A new small engine for high-speed items")
A delayed takeoff
Concerns remain about India's ability to deploy a MALE UAV soon
India's indigenous Netra AEW&C system receives final operational clearance
India's Indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System was on Thursday accorded Final Operational Clearance, marking a major milestone by paving the way for operational exploitation by the Indian Air Force. Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, SYSM AVSM VM Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, formally declared the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) of the Netra AEW&C system in a ceremony held at the Centre for Airborne Systems here. At the event here, the indigenous Netra (AEW&C) System and the FOC certificate were also unveiled. Speaking on the occasion, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti said, "It is indeed a proud moment to declare the AEW&C's Final Operational Clearance. This is not merely the culmination of an indigenous technology programme, but a celebration of the unique partnership between the Indian Air Force and the scientific community in fulfilling India's quest for Atmanirbharta." Noting that the journey of the AEW&C has been extraordinary, .
 "India's indigenous Netra AEW&C system receives final operational clearance")
India tests edge-native drone swarms that adapt, decide and act
Tashi Network and DroneVerse demonstrate drone swarms that can self-coordinate, redistribute tasks and continue missions despite connectivity loss or battery constraints
 "India tests edge-native drone swarms that adapt, decide and act")
Trump signs orders to speed up US quantum adoption, boost cyber defences
The orders would boost the US 'as the world leader in this very important emerging field,' Trump said at the White House
 "Trump signs orders to speed up US quantum adoption, boost cyber defences")
Statsguru: Defence tech firms spread wings as funding surges and R&D rises
India's defence technology sector has seen a sharp rise in startups and funding, supported by growing investments in indigenous manufacturing and innovation
 "Statsguru: Defence tech firms spread wings as funding surges and R&D rises")
Rekise Marine raises $9.7 mn, led by Nikhil Kamath's firm and Accel
Rekise Marine, the Indian marine robotics company engaged in building autonomous ships and submarines, has raised USD 9.7 million (about Rs 92 crore) in seed funding led by Accel and NKSquared, entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath's investment firm. The round also saw participation from Sameer Brij Verma and Sandeep Singhal, Industrial47 and Singularity AMC, a slew of prominent corporate leaders, alongside the company's founders and several family offices, according to a release. "Rekise Marine raises USD 9.7 million led by Accel and Nikhil Kamath to help build India's autonomous naval fleet," it added. Founded by naval architect Maitrai Maka and created around the belief that autonomy would fundamentally reshape the maritime domain, Rekise develops autonomous surface and underwater vessels through a full-stack strategy that combines vessel design, systems integration and autonomy software developed in-house. Its software platform powers vessels of every class, from small man-portable vessel
 "Rekise Marine raises $9.7 mn, led by Nikhil Kamath's firm and Accel")
Nibe's Vayu Astra-1 completes successful maiden trials for Indian Army
Nibe Limited successfully tested its Vayu Astra-1 loitering munition across varied terrains, showcasing long-range precision strike and high-altitude capabilities
 "Nibe's Vayu Astra-1 completes successful maiden trials for Indian Army")
Pascale Sourisse on why strategic autonomy is more critical now than ever
In a world where peace can no longer be taken for granted, Sourisse, who heads a global defence major, tells Veenu Sandhu why strategic autonomy is more critical now than ever
 "Pascale Sourisse on why strategic autonomy is more critical now than ever")
Hard power, self-reliance underpin strategic autonomy, say experts
India's strategic autonomy hinges on stronger hard power, a scaled-up military-industrial base, and technological self-reliance, panellists said at Business Standard Manthan
 "Hard power, self-reliance underpin strategic autonomy, say experts")