Author: Defenceline Webdesk
India is advancing its stealth fighter and combat drone programs with the Defence Research and Development Organisation developing a specialised version of the ASTRA MK-2 air‑to‑air missile, reported Zee News.This new variant incorporates folding fins, enabling it to fit inside the internal weapons bays of future stealth platforms such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft and the Ghatak unmanned combat aerial vehicle.The project has been prioritised because stealth aircraft rely on carrying weapons internally, as external carriage increases radar visibility and undermines stealth advantages. By redesigning the ASTRA MK-2, India aims to preserve stealth while ensuring sufficient weapon capacity for…
Steve Blank, The Cipher Brief Drones in Ukraine and in the War with
MILAN — Finland has signed a €547 million ($642 million) contract with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace to procure 112 additional K9 self-propelled howitzers, accelerating its artillery expansion. Finnish authorities announced the government-to-government deal on Thursday, expected to bring its total K9 inventory to over 200 systems, making Finland the second-largest European operator behind Poland. The platforms, along with associated spare parts, are scheduled to be delivered to the Finnish Army from 2028 onwards and will undergo national modifications before entering service. The K9 is a 155mm/52-cal. armored combat vehicle designed for long-range precision fires, which according to Hanwha is capable…
A Chilean Air Force KC-135 provides in-flight refuelling for USAF F-35 Lighting II aircraft near Chile. Credit: U.S. Southern Command via X. The US and Chilean Air Force (FACh) have conducted their first-ever air-to-air refuelling of two US F-35A Lightning II jets using a Chilean KC-135 Stratotanker. This operation took place on 4 April 2026, as the F-35A Demonstration Team was en route to participate in the Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE) expo in Santiago, Chile. Discover B2B Marketing That Performs Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms. Find out more The F-35s departed from Eglin Air Force Base,…
India’s plan to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France has not advanced significantly in the past two months, despite initial momentum following approval by the Defence Acquisition Council on 12 February 2026.Hopes were high that French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India soon after would accelerate the process, but the deal did not move forward. The next step was expected to be clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security, yet the proposal has not reached that stage, sparking debate about the reasons for delay.The Indian Air Force is under pressure due to a shortage in its fighter fleet. While…
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WASHINGTON — The Navy today unveiled plans to inactivate the Los Angeles-class attack submarine Boise, which hasn’t operated at sea in over a decade and has been plagued with a series of maintenance delays. The decision to mothball the Boise aligns with a broader, “data-driven initiative” that aims to enhance the composition of the Navy’s fleet, and guarantee that funds are “invested in capabilities that directly contribute to maintaining a decisive warfighting advantage,” the Navy said in a news release. “This strategic move allows us to reallocate America’s highly-skilled workforce to our highest priorities: delivering new Virginia and Columbia-class submarines…
Kraus Hamdani Aerospace’s K1000ULE long-range, long-endurance UAS. Credit: Kraus Hamdani Aerospace/PRNewswire. Kraus Hamdani Aerospace (KHA) has secured a $270m contract from US Air Forces Central (AFCENT) to provide rapid deployment of its K1000ULE uncrewed aerial system (UAS). The agreement, structured as a single-source indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, will support US forces operating across the Middle East, where uncrewed systems have become a key element in defence strategies. Discover B2B Marketing That Performs Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms. Find out more The K1000ULE is a fully electric UAS designed for long-range and long-endurance missions, which, according to KHA, can be operated by a two-person team. …
The Indian Space Research Organisation has successfully concluded the second Integrated Air Drop Test, known as IADT-02, as part of the ongoing preparations for the Gaganyaan mission.This critical exercise was carried out on 10 April at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre located in Sriharikota.The primary objective of this specific system is to guarantee the secure recovery of the crew module. This module serves as the specialised capsule designed to house astronauts during human spaceflight operations, particularly during the high-stakes phases of atmospheric re-entry and the final landing on Earth.Official confirmation of the achievement was shared by Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union…
Vandiver, S&S Trump is considering punishing some NATO members for not supporting U.S. efforts in Iran Source link