2026 - internationaldefencenews.com

October 18, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
Procurement & Contracts

HAL plans first 12 LUH handovers in 2027–28

India’s Indigenous LUH Nears Certification Ahead of Initial Military Induction — HAL is preparing to introduce its domestically developed Light Utility Helicopter into military service, with an initial production...

October 18, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
New Product Launches

CATS Warrior and redesigned Hunter set for HAL showcase

India’s HAL Prepares New Loyal-Wingman and Stealth Strike Concepts — HAL plans to highlight advances in its CATS programme during Aero India 2027, including an expanded CATS-Warrior Phase-II design....

October 18, 2026
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Land Platforms
R&D

Zorawar light tank faces fresh requirements, delaying rollout

Zorawar Light Tank May Require Major Redesign to Meet Army Protection Demands — The Indian Army is seeking improved armour and survivability for the indigenous Zorawar light tank, creating...

October 17, 2026
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Air Platforms
R&D

Su-57E export pitch includes local production in buyer nation

Moscow Seeks Indian Partnership for Su-57E With Local Assembly Option — Russia has presented India with a broad Su-57E fighter proposal combining aircraft procurement, domestic manufacturing and technology cooperation....

October 17, 2026
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Combat Service and Support Equipment
R&D

New defence logistics grid to link India’s three services

India Builds Unified Military Supply Network to Strengthen Joint Operations — The Department of Military Affairs is developing a common logistics structure to help India’s three armed services manage...

October 17, 2026
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Communication and Electronics
R&D

New DRDO ELINT system targets radar and drone threats

India Develops Lightweight ELINT Equipment to Detect Enemy Radars and Drones — DRDO is advancing a compact electronic intelligence capability intended to improve the Indian Armed Forces’ awareness of...

October 16, 2026
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Unmanned Systems
Procurement & Contracts

US invests $247.8M in MQ-9B maritime surveillance drones

General Atomics has secured a $247.8 million order to supply four MQ-9B unmanned aircraft systems to the US Coast Guard. The procurement will expand the service’s aerial surveillance resources,...

October 16, 2026
Admin
Unmanned Systems
Procurement & Contracts

KNDS MX-10 order expands France’s kamikaze drone fleet

The French Directorate General of Armaments has activated an additional procurement option for KNDS France’s MX-10 Damocles loitering munition, seeking to increase production capacity and provide more systems to...

October 16, 2026
Admin
Missile & Missile Defence
R&D

$300M investment boosts Lockheed’s Texas missile production

Lockheed Martin is committing $300 million to expand and modernise its missile production operations in Grand Prairie, Texas. The project will bring the facility’s overall footprint to roughly 735,000...

October 16, 2026
Admin
Naval Platforms
R&D

AI takes on staff duties aboard South Korean Pohang-class ship

MakinaRocks, a South Korean physical AI developer, has supplied an artificial intelligence-based digital assistant for use aboard a Pohang-class naval vessel. The system is designed to help sailors retrieve...