Defence

New Delhi, 29th April 2025: The Governments of India and France have signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Aircraft (22 Single-Seater and four Twin-Seater) for the Indian Navy. It includes Training, Simulator, Associated Equipment, Weapons and Performance-Based Logistics. It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IGA has been signed by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Armed Forces of France Sebastien Lecornu. The signed copies of the agreement, aircraft package supply protocol and weapons package supply protocol were exchanged by Indian and French officials in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi on April 28, 2025. In line with the Government’s thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the agreement includes Transfer of Technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of production facility for Rafale Fuselage as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors and weapons in India. The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for a large number of MSMEs in setting up, production and running of these facilities. Manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine is a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in maritime environment. The delivery of these aircraft would be completed by 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India. Rafale-Marine has commonality with the Rafale being operated by IAF. Its procurement will substantially enhance joint operational capability, besides optimising training and logistics for the aircraft for both Indian Navy and IAF. The induction would lead to the addition of a potent force multiplier to the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers, substantially boosting the nation’s air power at sea. (Pix & News Courtesy: PIB/MoD, GoI)

New Delhi, 9th April 2025: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence of UAE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at South Block, New Delhi on April 08, 2025. The two leaders expressed happiness on the current defence cooperation through institutional mechanisms, military exercises, exchange of training programmes etc. Both the Ministers acknowledged that defence cooperation needs to be scaled up to match the progress made in other areas such as trade and business, in line with the vision and determination of the two leaders – Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They identified training exchanges as one of the key areas of defence cooperation which would enable understanding of each other’s defence ecosystems and accelerate strengthening of bilateral defence ties. The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the active Coast Guard-to-Coast Guard cooperation and committed to further deepen it by formalising the same through an MoU. They were convinced that close collaboration between the defence industries should be an integral part of the bilateral cooperation. They emphasised on increasing defence industry collaboration and discussed opportunities for enhancing partnership in defence manufacturing. Both the Ministers acknowledged active participation from the two sides in each other’s exhibitions & defence expos, and welcomed India-UAE Defence Partnership Forum which has the potential to result in strategic Joint Ventures and co-production projects benefiting both countries. They also agreed to focus on complementarities for the two countries in the Make-in-India and Make-in-Emirates initiatives. Through a post on X after the meeting, Raksha Mantri stated that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE is of immense priority for India. “In the coming years, we are eager to work closely in areas such as defence cooperation, co-production and co-development projects, innovation and technology. Both India and the UAE are committed to work towards peace and prosperity in the region,” he added. The Defence Cooperation MoU with the UAE was signed in 2003, and an MoU on Defence Industry Cooperation was signed in 2017. India and the UAE have strong bonds of friendship based on centuries-old cultural and economic ties. (Courtesy: PIB/MoD)

Abu Dhabi,21st February 2025: EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, has ended its participation at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) 2025, with an impressive new sales tally of US$ 2.9 Billion (AED 10.65 Billion), and the launch of 46 ground-breaking solutions and services across the air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. IDEX 2025, the largest edition to date, enabled EDGE to showcase its diverse portfolio of 218 advanced solutions, the vast majority of which are UAE made, at its massive 9,000 sqm stand at the landmark defence and technology event. Among the sixteen contracts awarded was a major EUR 500 million deal announced by MAESTRAL, a naval joint venture between EDGE and Fincantieri, for In Service Support (ISS) of the UAE’s naval fleet; a contract by UAE Ministry of Defence to supply aerial munitions at a value of US$1.18 billion; and a US$ 61.8 million contract, also from the UAE Ministry of Defence for the supply of advanced GPS PROTECT anti-jamming systems. At the closing of the event, Hamad Al Marar, EDGE Group Managing Director & CEO, commented: “This has been a very busy week for EDGE, and the support of our main customer and solid commitments and interest from international customers and partners, highlights the tremendous success we continue to enjoy. IDEX 2025 gave us the ideal platform from which we showcased how far we have come and the heights we are aiming for in the future as a global leader in advanced technology for the defence and civilian spheres. “EDGE is firmly committed to playing a pivotal role in the strengthening of the UAE’s indigenous defence offerings, to continuously disrupting the industry, and our own capabilities, with faster development, speedier delivery, and at revolutionary price points. We will grow and excel through partnerships, and we will strive to always remain ahead of the game across air, land, sea and space domains, and in the provision of superior world-class electronic warfare, secure communications, and sovereign cryptography and post-quantum capabilities, for the challenges of tomorrow. We look forward to the next edition of IDEX in 2027, where I am confident EDGE will once again surprise the industry with the huge achievements few considered possible five years ago.”

Taufkirchen, 18th Feb 2025: Oliver Dorre, CEO of HENSOLDT AG and Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, signed a memorandum of understanding(MoU) on intended cooperation in the field of aircraft protection technologies at the Munich Security Conference. “Partnerships are a central element of our corporate strategy, especially in our commitment to deliver our products quickly and reliably to our customers. That’s why this MoU with Saab is another important step in our strategic development. This MoU with Saab is another important step in our strategic development. It is characterised by our positioning as a reliable partner for national and international security and defence programmes and our holistic, cross-domain range of integrated system solutions,” said Oliver Dorre at the signing of the MoU. “This MoU reflects the intensification of the successful cooperation already established in various projects. We are very much looking forward to working with the Saab team to exploit further potential for cutting-edge technologies in a targeted manner, thus contributing to the sustainable expansion of the capabilities of our military customers and partners, including opportunities for local value creation,” Dorre continued. “This agreement with HENSOLDT enables us to explore new opportunities and to leverage our combined expertise in aircraft protection technologies”, says Micael Johansson, Saab President and CEO. “Together, we will deliver innovative solutions that enhance the safety and effectiveness of our customers’ missions.”

Abu Dhabi,18th February 2025: EDGE, advanced technology and defence group and GM Defense announced an agreement to assess projects focusing on light tactical vehicles for customers in the Middle East, Africa, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Under terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), GM Defense, a General Motors subsidiary, would work with NIMR Automotive, an arm of EDGE, on potential opportunities. The MoU signing, which was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to United Arab Emirates Martina A. Strong and Abri du Plessis, NIMR CEO, occurred at the International Defense Exhibition & Conference 2025, taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Khaled Al Zaabi, President – Platforms & Systems, EDGE Group said,“This collaboration reflects a shared vision to unlock new possibilities in defence solutions. By uniting EDGE’s regional insight, operational excellence, and established infrastructure with GM Defense’s technical expertise and industry leadership, we aim to create a powerful synergy that will drive innovative projects and elevate operational capabilities across key markets.” “This strategic agreement marks a significant step towards localising GM Defense’s advanced capabilities and expanding GM’s transformational technologies and investments into new global defence markets,” said GM Defense President Steve duMont. “Together, we are poised to deliver advanced mobility solutions that offer exceptional performance, reliability and quality; enabling our customers to safely accomplish their mission.”

Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, February 16, 2025: Embraer has officially begun the structural assembly of the first C-390 Millennium for Austria. This major step took place during an official ceremony held at the Gavião Peixoto production facility in the presence of a delegation of representatives from the Austrian government. “We’re thrilled to start production of first aircraft for Austria and we look forward to delivering the first aircraft to the Austrian Air Force soon. The C-390 is setting new standards as a medium airlift, truly multi-mission aircraft. It offers an unbeatable combination of the latest technology, reliability, and low operational costs, with unmatched performance”, said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. With a maximum payload of 26 tons, a top speed of 470 knots, and state-of-the-art systems, the C-390 is the best aircraft in its class. Its powerful engines, large cargo hold equipped with a rear ramp and robust landing gear enable it to carry out the most demanding missions, including unpaved runways. A true strategic asset for its end users, the C-390 Millennium can perform a wide range of military and civilian missions such as cargo transport, personnel and vehicles, peacekeeping operations, special operations, humanitarian support, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, air-to-air refueling, and disaster management. The aircraft configured with air-to-air refueling equipment, with the designation KC-390, can operate both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case also by receiving fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings. Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and, most recently the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the C-390 has proven its capability, reliability and performance. The current fleet of aircraft in operation has accumulated more than 16,300 flight hours, with a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in the category. In addition to Brazil, Portugal, and Hungary, the Netherlands announced their choice for the Millennium in 2022. In 2023, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea also selected the C-390, confirming the success of this game-changer platform. In 2024, Sweden, Slovakia and an Undisclosed Customer also opted for the C-390.

Abu Dhabi 16 February 2025: Abu Dhabi has welcomed warships from around the world at the ADNEC Marina in preparation for the eighth edition of the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2025, taking place from 17 to 21 February 2025. Held alongside the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX), NAVDEX 2025 is organised by ADNEC Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Tawazun Council, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. This year’s event will feature an exceptional display of naval fleets from eight nations, including the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Hellenic Republic (Greece), the Republic of Korea (South Korea), and the Republic of India. Commodore Rashed Ibrahim Rashed Al-Muhaisni, Chairman of the Maritime Committee of NAVDEX, said: “We take great pride in being the global focal point for thousands of high-profile figures and decision-makers from around the world, all gathering to participate in IDEX and NAVDEX.” He further explained that this edition of NAVDEX will be the largest and most distinguished since its inception. The event will witness the launch of several warships for the UAE Armed Forces, with the participation of 21 vessels from allied and friendly nations, including newly manufactured ships that proudly showcase the advanced technologies of the Emirati defence industry. He added that participants will have the opportunity to display a variety of vessels of different sizes and demonstrate their capabilities at the NAVDEX live demonstration area a dedicated marine platform, as well as at Mina Zayed, which will host larger ships. This edition marks a transformative leap in both international and local participation, showcasing cutting-edge defence and security technologies. Saeed Al Mansoori, Defence Events Advisor at ADNEC Group, commented: “The current edition of NAVDEX has become a leading platform for showcasing the latest innovations in naval defence and security. ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi has welcomed decision-makers, industry leaders, and innovators to explore new horizons in the future of maritime defence and security.” He also emphasised that the expansion of exhibition space, the notable increase in participating companies, and the display of advanced technologies by various nations reaffirm Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for the defence industry. The event organisers have welcomed the first batch of naval vessels as they passed through the waterway towards the ADNEC Marina, featuring a diverse range of ships in terms of size and purpose. Additionally, Mina Zayed has received several other naval vessels participating in NAVDEX 2025, further expanding the global presence of this significant event. NAVDEX serves as a dedicated platform for the maritime defence and security sector, providing participants with opportunities for strategic collaboration, knowledge exchange, and showcasing the latest maritime technologies. The eighth edition of NAVDEX will also feature NAVDEX Talks, a series of lectures and panel discussions where experts and specialists will explore emerging trends, present real-world case studies, and highlight the latest advancements in naval defence technology. The event offers exhibitors a unique opportunity to display their vessels in a dedicated waterborne exhibition area, where ships can be moored at the temporary marina equipped with floating docks. NAVDEX 2025 will present a carefully curated daily schedule of live demonstrations, many of which will be led by exhibitors themselves, providing an engaging experience for visitors. Guests at the grandstand overlooking the waterfront and adjacent to the exhibition area will have a front-row view of the latest maritime technologies and capabilities in action. NAVDEX 2025 will bring together a distinguished gathering of global industry leaders, decision-makers, influencers, and maritime defence experts, shaping the future of the vital naval defence sector.

Bengaluru, 12 February 2025 : SAMTEL Avionics (SA), a key player in India’s defence technology sector and part of the 50-year-old SAMTEL Group, and HENSOLDT Avionics – a company engaged in the defence and security industry with specific experience in the field of airborne and sensor solutions have signed an MOU today to explore possibilities of establishing a co-production facility in India through an Industrial partnership for the HENSOLDT’s Products – LCR 100, Cavi Sight and Cavi Connect. CAVI SIGHT: HENSOLDT’s Cavi Sight Visual Landing Aid and Video Switching System is a groundbreaking Navigation System for SAR, Police, Firefighter and Military in India. It aims to set new standards for precise and safe landings—particularly for helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The system allows for highly precise landings at remote or hard-to-reach locations—such as in dense forests or urban areas, where narrow landing zones can present a challenge. CAVI CONNECT: Airborne missions and other aircraft operations need a way to exchange two-way data securely with personnel and resources on the ground. With up to four simultaneous data connections, CaviConnect by HENSOLDT enables operators to exchange data between the ground and active aircraft using the LTE (4G) network.     LCR 100: The SferiRec LCR 100 combined lightweight ED-155 flight recorder combines the recording of voice, data and video. It packs into one single box all the acquisition and recording functions that previously had to be spread across different devices. Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Puneet Kaura, MD and CEO, SAMTEL Avionics said, “We are elated to announce this partnership with HENSOLDT Avionics. We look forward to a long-term relationship in the field of innovative avionics solutions which are specifically designed to improve the efficiency and safety of aerial operations.” Mr Eugen Maier, Head of Sales Airborne Solutions, HENSOLDT Avionics commented, “We are confident that these indigenized products tailored for Indian requirements in partnership with SAMTEL has huge potential in both civil and military domain of aviation in India and will increase the safety factors of the platforms manifold. We look forward to a long journey together with SAMTEL.”

Bangalore, 12th Feb 2025: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with an endeavour to integrate various stakeholders of defence R&D ecosystem in the country, is participating in the 15th edition of Aero India during February 10-14, 2025 at the Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru. It will feature indigenously developed state-of-the-art technologies and systems, working models and innovations in all formats, i.e., Indoor Pavilion, Outdoor Displays, India Pavilion and Flying display. DRDO for the first time is showcasing a full-scale model of India’s first 5.5 Gen stealth aircraft Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) equipped with cutting-edge features at the India Pavilion. This Pavilion at Aero India 2025 will showcase India’s commitment to its Make-in-India initiative by displaying indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge technologies ready for the global stage. The pavilion exemplifies the combined strength of India’s private industries, Defence PSUs, start-ups, and DRDO. Apart from this, visitors to this Pavilion will gain insight from 16 other DRDO developed products and technologies being displayed such as Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF); LCA Mk-2 Model; Air Droppable Container (ADC) -150; Advanced Light Weight Torpedo; Kaveri Derivate Aero Engine without afterburner , Naval Anti-ship missile – Medium Range and various other missiles. DRDO indoor pavilion at Hall-D at Aero India is meticulously divided into 9 themes, encompassing core areas of defence innovation. The themes are: ‘Airborne Surveillance Solutions’, ‘Naval Warfare’, ‘Next-Generation Missile Systems’, ‘Supremacy in the Skies – ADA’s 5th Gen Leap’, ‘Unmanned Aerial Systems’, ‘RadarScape: Mapping the Invisible’, ‘Maritime Sentinel: A New Era of Surveillance & Safety’, ‘Sensors Suite for Fighter Aircraft’ and ‘Rakshak’. The Pavilion is displaying over 330 products which are categorised into 14 technology zones. It will provide an in-depth exploration of key defence areas, namely Advanced Materials & Composites; Surveillance & Reconnaissance Technology; Antenna & Microwave Technology; Soldier Support Systems; Combat Aircraft Technology; Corporate Directorates; Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems and Cyber Security; Land Systems & Munitions; Missile Technology; Next-Gen Combat Vehicles & Tactical Mobility; Photonics, Laser and Quantum Technology; Electronic Warfare & Communication; Simulation & Training Technology; and Aero Propulsion Technology. The indoor pavilion is also displaying the products developed under Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme being executed by DRDO. The outdoor segment of DRDO pavilion is designed to demonstrate the real-world application of cutting-edge defence technologies featuring full-scale model of QRSAM Mobile Launcher Vehicle, Akash NG Launcher; Archer UAV 1:1 (Rustom-1); Air Droppable Survival and Rescue Kit (SARK); Emergency Escape Parachute System for Air Crew (EEPSA); Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS); Vehicle Mounted Jammer; Anti UAV (JAU) Entity of Project DHARASHAKTI, and VHF Radar. The demonstration of Dornier aircraft’s midlife upgrade is one of the main highlights of DRDO’s participation at the Aero Show. The upgraded Dornier is showcasing enhanced avionics, better fuel efficiency, advanced radar systems, enhanced manoeuvrability, integrated surveillance systems, and improved electronic warfare capabilities, reinforcing its role as a dependable asset of the Indian Air Force. DRDO will conduct a seminar with the theme ‘DRDO Industry Synergy towards Viksit Bharat: Make in India – Make for World’ at Hall No. 2 on February 11, 2025. The seminar will foster industry engagement, promote self-reliance in defence and provide a boost to defence exports. Members of Academia, Indian Private Industry, StartUps, PSUs, and DRDO will participate in this seminar. Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth will inaugurate the event and will release the Revised Policy for ToT, DRDO Policy for Harnessing Innovative Startups in Defence R&D and Compendium of DRDO Products for Export. During the seminar, Handing Over of Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology (LATOT) to Industries will also take place. At the event, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO Dr. Samir V Kamat will chair a panel discussion on Opportunities for Industries in Defence Export to foster a collaborative environment for enhancing defence exports. Under the banner of Aero India 2025, an Indigenisation & Valedictory event themed as ‘SAMARTHYA’ will be organised on February 12 by Department of Defence Production (DDP), to recognise and felicitate the contributors of Indigenously developed cutting edge technologies. Five DRDO developed products have been recognised to be showcased and Team leader of these products will be felicitated by the Raksha Mantri. The details are: Shri Y Dilip, Director ADE Bengaluru for Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) Dr MSY Siva Prasad, PD RudraM II, RCI Hyderabad Ms M Backialakshmi, CABS Bengaluru for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) Receiver Smt T Sirisha, RCI, for Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range Shri Vishal Dwivedi, CFEES Delhi for Fire Wire for Integrated Fire Detection and Suppression System for BMP, T-72 and T-90. As a prelude to Aero India, DRDO also organised the 15th edition of the Biennial Aero India International Seminar in association with the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) during February 8-9, 2025 in Bengaluru. The theme of the seminar was ‘Futuristic Aerospace Technologies: Challenges in Design Validation’, covering emerging trends in futuristic aerospace technologies and military airworthiness & certification: challenges in design and testing. This seminar provided valuable insights about cutting-edge technologies, a platform to explore collaborative research opportunities and forge strategic partnerships, while advancing the future of aerospace and defence technologies. DRDO’s exhibition at Aero India 2025 is an excellent opportunity for the Indian aerospace community to foster the cause of indigenous development of military systems and technologies with the spirit of self-reliance & national pride. Working towards the vision of Samarth and Shashakt Bharat, DRDO is developing the indigenous capabilities of the country by equipping the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art technologies/equipment, and bolstering the defence sector through collaboration with the private sector.