Page 4 - Defence

AVPL International announces $1 mn R&D investment for defence drones

Drone manufacturing and training firm AVPL International on Friday announced an investment of USD 1 million (about Rs 8.5 crore) towards research and development of defence drones. in April 2025, the company committed USD 12 million to drone training and manufacturing. The new investment aims to accelerate the indigenous development of advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) tailored for India's defence, homeland security, and dual-purpose applications, according to a company statement. "The investment focuses on addressing critical gaps in India's drone ecosystem, such as reducing dependence on imported components, developing intelligent drones with advanced swarm autonomy, and creating indigenous counter-UAS capabilities to protect critical assets. "AVPL's efforts also include high-altitude platforms capable of sustained flight in extreme terrains, with specific attention to the Himalayan region," it said. The investment will also contribute towards enhancing AVPL's manufacturing

SMPP bags orders for jackets and helmets worth ₹300 cr from Indian Army

Defence equipment manufacturer SMPP Ltd has bagged two orders worth Rs 300 crore from the Indian Army, the company said. Under the order, the company will supply bulletproof jackets and advanced ballistic helmets to the Indian Army under the emergency provision, SMPP said in a statement. SMPP will supply 27,700 bulletproof jackets and 11,700 advanced ballistic helmets to the Indian army. The order is valued at over Rs 300 crore," the company said. The bulletproof jackets come with advanced features like dynamic load distribution and quick release system which increase the operational efficiency by enhancing soldier comfort while offering protection against the most lethal armour piercing bullets. The advanced ballistic helmet is the world's first helmet which provides protection from AK-47 fired lethal hard steel core ammunition, as per the company. SMPP has been leading the personal protection market in India with more than 90 per cent market share (as per 1Lattice report) driven

Ghana shows 'clear interest' in defence support from India: MEA secretary

'There is clear interest in having India's support in terms of equipment, training of the personnel, and being able to source equipment from India, which has now become a leader in defence exports.'

Hope US can complete major pending defence sales to India: Pete Hegseth

The US has expressed hope that it can complete several major pending American defence sales to India, as it stressed that Washington and Delhi are mutually aware of the security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday at the Pentagon and said he had a productive conversation on advancing the India-US defence partnership, building on growing convergences of interests, capabilities and responsibilities. According to the Department of Defence (DoD) news article, Hegseth said the US and India are mutually aware of the security concerns in the region, and both nations have the ability to counter that threat together." Hegseth also touched on US efforts to provide India with the tools needed to counter threats in the Indo-Pacific region, the DoD news said. The United States is very pleased with the successful integration of many US defence items into India's inventory," Hegseth said, according to the DoD

Jaishankar discusses bilateral partnership with US State Secy Marco Rubio

Jaishankar shared on X that it was a pleasure meeting Marco Rubio on the sidelines of QFFM, they discussed India-US bilateral partership and shared views on regional and global developments

Germany to raise defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP in 2029

Germany's finance minister on Tuesday vowed to lift the country's defense spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product in 2029 as he presented the new government's spending plans. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition pushed plans through parliament to enable higher defence spending by loosening strict rules on incurring debt even before it took office last month. It acted ahead of the NATO summit starting Tuesday that aims to raise allies' defence spending target from 2 per cent of GDP to 3.5 per cent, plus another 1.5 per cent for potentially defense-related infrastructure. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said Germany's defence spending will hit 2.4 per cent of GDP this year, and we will raise defence spending step by step so that we will reach a NATO quota of 3.5 per cent in 2029. Klingbeil, who is also the vice chancellor, said he will be very vigilant that the money is spent efficiently, for example by aiming for greater cooperation at European level on procurement, ...

DRDO offers 28 indigenous weapon systems to Army for emergency procurement

The forces have been given the option to order from a list of 28 different pieces of equipment, including 14 for the Indian Army, 8 for the Indian Navy, and 6 for the Indian Air Force

Axiscades, Europe's MBDA join hands to set up defence unit Bengaluru

Homegrown Axiscades on Friday said it has signed an agreement with European missile systems major MBDA to set up a defence facility in Karnataka. The pact has been inked through its wholly owned subsidiary Axiscades Aerospace and Technologies to set up the unit at the Aerospace Park near Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, Axiscades Technologies (Axiscades) said in a statement. "The facility will be equipped with test bench laboratories, infrastructure for missile launchers, specialized equipment, and trained technical personnel to support MBDA's advanced systems engineering requirements," it said. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the ongoing Paris Air Show 2025 in France. In May, Axiscades CEO and MD Alfonso Martinez said, "As we approach FY26, our priority is to capitalise on the opportunities in emerging sectors like manufacturing, MRO, chip-to-product and advanced defence technologies, including unmanned warfare, to bring about non-linear, product-led, ...

Navy inducts first anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft INS Arnala

INS Arnala, a diesel-powered indigenous warship with advanced sensors and weapons, was commissioned into the Navy, reinforcing coastal defence and maritime self-reliance

Dassault ties up with RInfra arm to make Falcon 2000 jets in India

Dassault partners Reliance to assemble Falcon jets in Nagpur, marking the first Falcon manufacturing base outside France; DRAL named global Centre of Excellence

India has more nuclear weapons than Pakistan, China far ahead: SIPRI report

A new SIPRI yearbook reveals that India now has more nuclear warheads than Pakistan. But China continues to outpace both South Asian neighbours.

DRDO showcases future-ready defence tech at Indo-Defence 2024 in Jakarta

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is participating in the Indo-Defence 2024 exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, from June 11 to 14, as part of the India Pavilion. The event provides a platform for DRDO to showcase India's cutting-edge defence technologies from its defence R & D powerhouse.In a post on X on Tuesday, DRDO shared information and attached a video showcasing some of its cutting-edge technologies, such as ASTRA MK-I, Remotely Operated Vehicle-Daksh, Low Frequency Dunking Sonar (LFDS-X), Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW & C), Wheeled Armoured Platform (Whap), Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedo, and Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile.Sharing the details, DRDO posted that the India Pavilion, where its technologies are showcased, is located at Hall F-46, JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta.Earlier, in line with the government's vision to establish a robust defence industrial ecosystem with the participation of both public and private sectors, Vehicles .

DRDO transfers nine defence system technologies to 10 industry partners

Technology transfer took place at DRDO's VRDE lab in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, as part of efforts to boost defence manufacturing and private sector participation

RInfra takes flight with ₹5,000 crore bet on aircraft upgrade business

Reliance Infrastructure is looking to turbocharge its defence vertical with a focus on aircraft upgrade programmes, eyeing an opportunity of Rs 5,000 crore over the next 7-10 years, sources said. This strategic foray positions Reliance Infrastructure as India's first private sector company to independently execute a comprehensive aircraft upgrade programme without being the original manufacturer -- a domain traditionally dominated by public sector units and OEMs. According to a company source, the company has already marked a significant milestone by successfully upgrading 55 Dornier-228 aircraft under a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), in collaboration with US-based avionics firm Genesys. Initially awarded a contract for 37 aircraft, Reliance secured a repeat order for an additional 18 units following the successful execution of an earlier contract. The total value of the Dornier upgrade contract was Rs 350 crore, sources said. The upgraded Dornier fleet is operatio

Conditions right to lift defence spend to 2.5% GDP by FY30: Defence secy

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh underscored that FY25 marked the first time in five years that the military modernisation budget was fully exhausted

Operation Sindoor must push India to reorient priorities, alliances

The United States under Donald Trump has turned out to be a superpower with a flexible spine. Far from being supportive, it has ended up re-hyphenating Pakistan with India

Indian Army Postal Service Corps launches Meghdoot Millennium software

Indian Army Postal Service Corps launched Meghdoot Millennium, Army-tailored postal software. The software was inaugurated by Vandita Kaul, Secretary, Department of Posts & Lieutenant General VMB Krishnan, Quarter Master General, on May 27.Sharing an X post, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of Ministry of Defence (Army), said, "Army Postal Service Corps, in step with Indian Army's technological leap, launches Meghdoot Millennium - a real-time, secure, Army-tailored postal software by Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology, Mysuru. The software was inaugurated by Ms Vandita Kaul, Secretary, Department of Posts & Lieutenant General VMB Krishnan, Quarter Master General, on 27 May 2025."The ADGPI called this software a 'digital leap' and shared glimpses of the launch ceremony of the software in the X post.Army Postal Service Corps (APSC), according to the Indian Army's website, enjoys the largest Postal System in the world. APSC works to extend

Andhra CM Naidu seeks Centre's support for solar and defence projects

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday met three Union ministers here and sought the Centre's support for the state's renewable energy initiatives, a defence manufacturing hub proposal and a major water transfer project. In his meeting with Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Prahlad Joshi, Naidu requested for the allocation of rooftop solar capacity under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and urged expediting approval of the proposals submitted by state electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) in January. "Had a fruitful meeting... With the Centre's support, we will reduce energy costs, empower our people, and lead India's clean energy transition," Naidu, a key ally of the NDA, said in a post on X after meeting Joshi. The chief minister has set a target of installing 20 lakh rooftop solar units by 2025. Under the scheme, SC/ST households will receive free rooftop solar systems, while backward caste households will get Rs 10,000 per kWp ...

Army deployed air defence to protect Golden Temple from Pak drones: Lt Gen

Lt Gen Sumer Ivan D'Cunha says Army deployed guns at Golden Temple to counter Pakistani drone threats; operation was cleared after coordination with temple authorities

China launches new military academies as part of army modernisation

China increased its defence budget by 7.2% to about $245 billion to support its military restructuring