Current Affairs - Defence

India and France have entered into a significant defence collaboration to co-develop a 120-kilonewton jet engine for India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The project involves DRDO from India and Safran from France, with an estimated cost of $7 billion. While the initial batch of AMCA aircraft will use GE-414 engines, the indigenously co-developed engine with France will power future aircraft. The collaboration is expected to ensure 100% technology transfer, boosting India’s defence self-reliance and strengthening bilateral strategic ties. This initiative represents a major leap toward advanced indigenous capabilities in aerospace and defence technology.

The Agni-5 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha, is capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 24, making it one of the fastest strategic missiles in India’s arsenal. The launch was conducted under the Strategic Forces Command and validated all key operational and technical parameters. This speed enables the missile to cover vast distances within minutes, ensuring high precision and deterrence capabilities. Alongside Agni-5, India has also maintained operational readiness of other systems like Prithvi-II and Agni-I, strengthening the country’s layered missile defence and strategic strike capability.

India has approved the purchase of 97 Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets under a ₹62,000 crore deal, marking a major step towards strengthening the Indian Air Force (IAF) and promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. This order comes in addition to an earlier purchase of 83 jets, bringing the total number of Tejas Mark 1A aircraft ordered to 180. The new fleet will replace the ageing MiG-21s, enhancing the IAF’s operational capabilities with modern avionics, advanced radar, and electronic warfare systems. With 65% indigenous content, the deal boosts the Make in India mission, supports HAL, creates jobs, and strengthens India’s defence exports potential.

Assam Rifles entered into a collaboration with IIIT Manipur to promote drone technology specifically for defence and security applications. This partnership involved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at Mantripukhri and the launch of an Advanced Drone Training and Refresher Course. The program was designed to equip Assam Rifles personnel with skills in drone flight operations, proper maintenance, and DGCA-certified training. Such collaborations highlight the growing importance of academic–defence partnerships in advancing indigenous technological capabilities, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring that security forces remain well-trained in modern surveillance and defence tools.

The Sudarshan Chakra Mission envisions India developing a fully indigenous multi-layered air defence system by 2035. This shield aims to protect both strategic military assets and civilian infrastructure from aerial threats, including drones, missiles, and fighter jets. The system will integrate radar networks, AI-driven sensors, missile interceptors, and directed energy weapons, ensuring nationwide coverage. The initiative underscores India’s focus on self-reliance in defence technology, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers, enhancing deterrence against regional adversaries, and safeguarding civilian and critical infrastructure across the country.