Author: Defenceline Webdesk

Red Balloon Aerospace has successfully debuted India’s first indigenous super pressure balloon (SPB), marking a major milestone in near-space technology. The maiden mission, Mission SANA, carried payloads capable of 25–75 cm imaging resolution and operated at altitudes between 20 and 40 kilometres, providing persistent wide-area coverage for telecommunications, disaster monitoring, and strategic observation.The debut mission was launched from Indira Gandhi Stadium in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, using the company’s VISTA platform. The balloon ascended to nearly 25 kilometres into the stratosphere, where it carried payloads from seven national and international partners.These included biological experiment systems, propulsion technology demonstrations, onboard computing platforms, earth…

CIMSEC Recent conflicts in the Middle East highlight how maritime kill chains from ashore impose risk on global shipping. However, Western navies have yet to fully grasp that within these… Source link

WASHINGTON — BAE Systems was awarded the Army’s Soft Kill Active Protection System (APS) program of record, aimed at equipping the service’s ground vehicles with electronic warfare capabilities suited to defeat threats ranging from missiles to drones, the company announced. The soft-kill system — a system that deploys non-kinetic effects — uses BAE’s Rapid Optical Observation and Kill (ROOK) program, which takes down threats by “confusing” or jamming missile systems or drones before they can reach the vehicles, the company said in a release Wednesday.  “Modern ground warfare demands a layered defense, and soft-kill technologies are a critical, complementary component,”…

Within a couple of years of its incubation in 2023, Manus, an autonomous agentic AI start-up, made headlines in December 2025, when Meta announced its acquisition for $2 billion. Although the Chinese authorities rushed to order a probe into the deal, it took four months to finally unwind the transaction. Since the 2020 regulatory crackdown on technology enterprises, Beijing has been closely monitoring and directing the growth of tech startups. Despite that, China had to retroactively unwind the deal after the transaction had been consummated. The belated quashing of the Manus acquisition will create challenges in effectively disentangling the transfer…

The Indian Air Force has signed three contracts with IIT-Bombay to introduce predictive, prognostic, and prescriptive maintenance systems for its Su-30MKI fleet, marking a major step towards indigenous, data-driven aerospace technology.This collaboration will enhance operational readiness, reduce downtime, and strengthen India’s push for self-reliance in defence technologies.The Indian Air Force formalised three contracts with IIT-Bombay on 27 May 2026 to adopt predictive maintenance for the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The signing ceremony was presided over by Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb, AVSM, VSM, Director General (Aircraft), IAF, and Shireesh B Kedare, Director of IIT-Bombay.This partnership is aimed at developing fully indigenous systems…

Dibernardo, et al., MWI One Brigade’s Experiment and What the Army Should Do Next Source link

WASHINGTON ― The loss of Space Force capabilities during Operation Epic Fury in Iran has highlighted the need for the service to invest in disaggregating its ground-based space operations centers and new “tactical” electronic warfare (EW) centers both at home and abroad, according to one of the service’s top budget planners. “We’ve seen in Operation Epic Fury, for the first time, that our space capabilities have been targeted and destroyed,” Brig. Gen. Christopher Fernengel, told the State of Space Industrial Base (SSIB) conference in New Mexico today. “We expect that to happen more, whether that be OCONUS [outside the continental…

A Democratic senator on Thursday requested that an inspector general oversight body designate one of the agency watchdogs to spearhead reviews of the ongoing war in Iran, citing a requirement in federal statute. In her letter, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., pointed to a provision in the U.S. Code mandating that the chair of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency tap an IG to head oversight of a military “overseas contingency operation that exceeds 60 days.” The U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on Feb. 28. “IG quarterly reporting, audits, inspections and investigations related to OCOs have promoted valuable transparency…

As it struggles to ship oil through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is looking for alternative land routes to import and export goods. In March, Iran exported 1.84 million barrels per day (BPD) to Asian customers, mostly China. Although some ships managed to evade the blockade, Iran still cannot transport as much oil as it produces each day.   Iran is turning to railway routes through Central Asia as a safer passage for trade with China. While Iran can transport some of its oil over land by rail through Central Asia, it does not have the capability to transport the same…

Hyderabad-based Zen Technologies has secured the lowest bidder position in a ₹85.21 crore tender floated by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) to supply 81 Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS) for the Indian Army’s Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs).This marks a significant step in strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities and ensuring combat readiness for support platforms.Zen Technologies’ victory in this competitive tender highlights its growing role in India’s defence modernisation drive. The contract involves equipping ARVs, which are primarily used to tow and repair battle-damaged tanks such as the T-72 and T-90, with advanced RCWS.These vehicles often operate in live combat zones,…