1. HAL receives third engine from GE for LCA Tejas

HAL has received the third engine from GE for LCA Tejas MK-1A. The fourth engine is expected to arrive by the end of September. GE is expected to deliver 12 engines by the end of this financial year, according to a report by ANI.

The engines are part of a $716 million agreement with General Electric, signed in 2021, to procure 99 F404-IN20 engines. Delivery was affected due to supply chain disruptions, including the failure of a South Korean component supplier. As a result, the schedule was pushed back to March 2025.

India plans to induct a total of 352 Tejas aircraft, combining both Mk1A and Mk2 variants. HAL is on track to meet its delivery targets for this year. The defence firm expects engine supplies to stabilise in the next financial year. Full-scale production is projected to touch 30 aircraft per year by 2026–27, with support from both public and private industry partners.

2. First Lanza 3D radar system for Indian Navy

Spanish defence company Indra, in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited, has successfully delivered and commissioned the first 3D ASR Lanza N aboard an Indian Navy warship. 

The radar has been seamlessly integrated with all systems of this Indian Navy warship. Its acceptance and induction followed rigorous sea trials, during which various naval and aerial platforms were deployed to test performance across a range of radar cross-sections. 

To support ongoing production, a radar assembly, integration and testing facility has already been established at Tata Advanced Systems’ facility in Karnataka, which will accelerate deliveries.

3. US team to head to India for six P-8i aircraft

A US delegation is set to visit India next week for negotiations on selling six more P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to the Indian military, as background contacts continue between the two sides to get bilateral relations back on track after a trade row, according to a report by TheHindustanTimes.

Indian Navy currently operates 12 Boeing P-8i Poseidon aircraft and is looking for six additional aircraft. These planes were bought in two batches, eight under a $2.2-billion deal in 2009 and four more in 2016, to sharpen the navy’s anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities.

The American team, comprising senior officials of the defence department and Boeing, the manufacturer of the P-8 Poseidon aircraft, will visit at a time when senior officials of the Trump administration have repeatedly excoriated India for buying Russian military hardware.

4. India to approve DRDO-Safran 120kN jet engine

India may soon approve a joint project by French firm Safran S.A. and India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), to develop and produce a 120 Kilo Newton engine, which will power India’s twin-engine Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter. 

This comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for indigenous development of jet engines from the ramparts of Red Fort during his Independence Day speech, according to Hindustan Times Report.

The jet engines will be developed in India under Indian IPR with Safran transferring 100% of the technology to DRDO, including crystal blade technology, the people cited above added. These are blades in the engine that are usually constructed from a single crystal using super-alloys, and which are efficient, long-lasting, and also cope better with higher heat and stress. DRDO has the technology, but shaping it for high-powered jet fighter engines presents a different level of challenge.

5. India issues advisory to citizens against joining Russian Army 

India issued a stern advisory cautioning its nationals against joining the Russian Army, amid reports that several Indians who had travelled to Moscow were being pushed into combat roles in the Ukraine war.

“We have seen reports about Indian nationals having been recruited recently into the Russian army. Government has on several occasions over the past year underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and cautioned Indian citizens accordingly," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

The Ministry confirmed that the issue has been raised with the Russian authorities in both Delhi and Moscow, stressing that this practice needs to be ended and our nationals be released.

6. Rajnath Singh flags off IASV Triveni

Rajnath Singh, on September 11, flagged off ASV Triveni – All Women Sailing Expedition Around the Globe

It comprises ten women officers from the Indian Army, Navy & Air Force who will embark on a Tri-Service circumnavigation mission onboard Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni. Covering 26,000+ nautical miles, crossing the Equator twice & rounding the Three Great Capes, the team will brave the world’s toughest oceans, including the Southern Ocean & Drake Passage.

7. Singapore selects Boeing P-8 aircraft

Singapore will acquire four Boeing P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft to strengthen the SAF’s maritime situation awareness and ability to counter sub-surface threats. 

They will replace the existing Fokker 50s, which have been in service since 1993, said the Ministry of Defence in a press release. The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft used for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, maritime domain awareness, and search and rescue. 

India operates 12 P-8i Poseidon aircraft, and Australia operates 12 P-8A Poseidon. Both countries are allies of Singapore.

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.