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Of the total approved procurements, nearly 82 per cent will be sourced from Indian industry; for the Army, the DAC approves procurement of a self-propelled tracked gun system

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the Ministry of Defence’s apex decision-making body, on Monday approved major proposals for the procurement of new UAVs, artillery guns, next-generation warships and a new type of helicopter for the Indian Armed Forces.

The meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), or in-principle approval, for capital acquisition proposals worth an estimated Rs 2,12,000 crore.

Of the total approved procurements, nearly 82 per cent will be sourced from Indian industry.

For the Army, the DAC approved the procurement of a self-propelled tracked gun system. The Indian Army currently operates the K9 Vajra artillery gun, which moves on tank-style tracks and can traverse rough terrain.

The DAC also approved separate requirements for a new light multi-role helicopter (LMRH) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Army. The helicopter will be used for reconnaissance and surveillance, combat operations, search and rescue of troops, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Sources said it would be a twin-engined helicopter.

A major focus of the DAC meeting was on drones, which played a significant role in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May last year. The DAC approved a counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) for defensive operations to tackle enemy drones. For offensive operations, the list includes an unmanned aerial system described in military terminology as a “brick long-range” system. A “brick” framework refers to modular, rugged and highly compact components or payloads.

The DAC also approved a surveillance UAV, an integrated UAV system capable of conducting surveillance and carrying out strikes, and a “kamikaze” drone designed to destroy itself upon impact.

The DAC cleared the Army’s requirements for a very short-range air defence system (VSHORADS) and high-mobility vehicles (HMVs).

The Ministry of Defence said, “HMVs will boost operational capabilities, logistic support and mobility in challenging terrain.” The VSHORADS will be used to engage new-generation, small-sized aerial threats, while the C-UAS will improve the survivability of tanks on the modern battlefield. The surveillance and drone systems will enhance the Army’s surveillance and targeting capabilities, it added.

The Navy also received approval for the Active Offboard Decoy System (AODS) and a next-generation destroyer, a warship that will be built using modern techniques and have a displacement of more than 10,000 tonnes. The AODS will strengthen the effectiveness of the Navy’s anti-missile defences, particularly against modern anti-ship missiles deployed by adversaries.

The platforms, which will be designed and built indigenously, will feature modern warfare capabilities and enhance the Navy’s combat strength.

For the IAF, the DAC approved air defence systems and a mobile X-band Doppler weather radar system aimed at improving its air defence and war-fighting capabilities. The radar system will provide high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas.

An AoN is the first step in the defence acquisition process. It is followed by the issuance of requests for proposals, trials and contract negotiations before final contracts are signed.

The CBI Special Court in Haryana, Panchkula, has framed charges against Lieutenant Colonel Rahul Arvind Pawar, and his trial is scheduled to commence on December 10

Lieutenant Colonel Rahul Arvind Pawar, who was investigated by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly accepting a bribe, is set to face trial in a disproportionate assets case.

The CBI Special Court in Haryana, Panchkula, has framed charges against him, and his trial is scheduled to commence on December 10.

The court observed that the FIR in the disproportionate assets case was registered against Lieutenant Colonel Pawar on the complaint of a CBI inspector for allegedly “acquiring assets disproportionate to the known sources of income” to the tune of Rs 31.09 lakh during the check period from December 1, 2021, to August 20, 2022. During this period, he was posted as Senior Barracks Store Officer with the Military Engineering Services (MES) at Ambala Cantonment.

The CBI registered the disproportionate assets case on May 24, 2023, following Pawar’s arrest on August 20, 2022, for allegedly accepting a bribe. Cash and incriminating documents were also recovered from his residences in Ambala Cantonment and Pune.

Pawar joined the Army in 2001 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2014. In December 2021, he was posted as Senior Barracks Store Officer at the office of the Commander Works Engineer (CWE), Ambala, where he was responsible for tender-related work. Subedar Major Pradeep Kumar was posted there as a clerk.

According to the CBI chargesheet in the bribery case, Pradeep Kumar allegedly misused his official position to ensure that Dinesh Kumar and Pritpal Singh, both electrical goods contractors, received most of the orders issued by the MES in Ambala. He allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 5 lakh from Dinesh Kumar, director of M/s Mahagouri Electrical Pvt. Ltd., for himself and his senior officers.

On August 20, 2022, the CBI caught Pradeep Kumar red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 22.48 lakh from Dinesh Kumar and Pritpal Singh. He had allegedly collected Rs 5 lakh for himself, Rs 9.42 lakh for Lieutenant Colonel Pawar and Rs 8.06 lakh for a Colonel who was also posted at CWE, Ambala Cantonment.

After apprehending Pradeep Kumar, CBI officers asked him to call Pawar. He did so and informed Pawar that the bribe amount had been received. He also confirmed that the money would be delivered to Pawar’s residence. Pawar allegedly agreed and provided his residential address.

Following these instructions, Pradeep Kumar delivered Rs 17.48 lakh to Pawar’s residence. The CBI officers subsequently caught Pawar red-handed with the bribe money. According to the agency, the amount also included the share allegedly meant for the Colonel.

When CBI officials asked Pawar to call the Colonel and inform him that the bribe had been accepted on his behalf, Pawar refused. The agency’s team subsequently visited the Colonel’s residence, but he was not there. When contacted, the Colonel said he was in Delhi and subsequently switched off his phone.

During the investigation, the CBI found that the Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Zone, had conducted procurement for CWE, Ambala, at its request through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). On July 14, 2022, two bids were awarded to M/s Mahagouri Electrical Pvt. Ltd., for Rs 1.90 crore and Rs 1.69 crore, respectively.

Payments of Rs 5.20 lakh, Rs 79.96 lakh and Rs 1.30 crore were subsequently made to M/s Mahagouri Electrical for the supply of items, excluding GST. A bribe of Rs 22.48 lakh was paid in connection with these payments, the CBI stated in its chargesheet.

The CBI filed a chargesheet against Pawar, Pradeep Kumar, Dinesh Kumar and Pritpal Singh.

However, the ED found that Rs 20 lakh of the bribe had allegedly been paid on behalf of M/s Mahagouri Electrical, while Rs 2.48 lakh had allegedly been paid on behalf of M/s PEE JAY Enterprises in connection with a contract valued at Rs 58.48 lakh.

In addition to Pawar, Pradeep Kumar, Dinesh Kumar and Pritpal Singh, the ED named M/s Mahagouri Electrical, Himanshu Jain, proprietor of M/s PEE JAY Enterprises, and Parveen Jain, the firm’s beneficial owner, as accused in its prosecution complaint.

In his statement to the ED, Dinesh Kumar claimed that it was common practice among Commander Works Engineer offices of the MES for contracts to be awarded after the payment of commissions ranging from 30 to 40 per cent, even when the lowest bidder was selected through the GeM portal.

INSIDE THE CAPITAL

The Indian Navy’s ship-building efforts have new targets which aim to match global levels of technology. The force has moved onto making bigger, more capable warships equipped with latest sensors and warfighting arsenal.

On Monday, the Ministry of Defence okayed a project to make four of the ‘next generation destroyers’. A ‘destroyer’ is a classification of a warship in naval parlance. Various parameters like its size and firepower are used as benchmarks to decide a classification.

In the past few months, this is the third such ship-building programme of the Navy looking at future wars which envisage each warship to counter multiple threats. These could range from tackling small autonomous boats at sea to firing long-range BrahMos missile onto targets at land or at sea.

The Navy wants warships that project power and sustain operations far from the coast. The three programmes are at very different stages of progress.

Next-generation destroyer

It is an ambitious programme. The Ministry of Defence yesterday granted an ‘acceptance of necessity’ – an in-principle approval. This would be followed by inviting bids, cost negotiations followed by contract signing. Each of the four warships could be about 10,000-plus tonnes. The design is expected to use a new powerful propulsion system. The ships will have advanced sensors, better stealth, new combat management systems and a much larger missile carrying capacity for long-range land-attack and anti-air missiles.

India has about 13 warships classified in naval parlance as ‘destroyers’, against more than 50 that China has. India latest ‘destroyers’ are the ‘Visakhapatnam-class’. Each about 7200 tonnes in size, meaning the ‘Next generation destroyers’ denote a jump in the size of the ships being planned. Officials explained “technology is changing and the changes will reflect in the next project”.

Landing Platform Docks

Earlier this month, the Navy asked domestic ship makers to send in commercial and technical bids for producing four specialised warships called the Landing Platform Docks (LPDs).

Inviting bids is called ‘request for proposals’ (RFP) – a process under the procurement system of the Ministry of Defence. It is a formal business document to invite shipyards to bid.

Each of the LPDs will be 30,000-tonnes plus, and represent a quantum jump over existing capacity, size and firepower of warships doing similar roles. These will be the biggest combat ships made indigenously after the INS Vikrant, the 45,000-tonne aircraft carrier.

Indian Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar had earlier this month said “an RFP has been issued for four making four last week to the shortlisted ship yards”.

In naval parlance, LPDs carry out amphibious operations. Once inducted, Indian Navy’s LPD’s will also be providing command infrastructure, fire support, and coordinate UAV’s and unmanned under sea vessels. The almost Rs 50,000-crore project represents a strategic evolution of expanding prowess.

It can influence land battle through a viable capability to transport and land ashore a combined arms force and to sustain their operations ashore. It will have a capability to transport and deploy forces ashore, ability to arrive quickly in area and sustain operations at sea for prolonged durations.

Each LPD will have a length of 220 meters. Each LPD will have 60 officers and 525 sailors and can embark 900 fully equipped Army troops, besides vehicles, tanks, artillery.

Amphibious capability includes specialised craft needed to reach the shore, two heavy lift helicopters, 12 helicopters for special operations. An LPD can also support other warships with workshop facilities.

Indian LPDs are expected to be powered by an electric- powered engine planned under an India-UKs defence industrial collaboration on co-designing, co-creating and co-producing of such a power plant. The path-breaking India-UK engine making effort was announced in Oct last year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met in Mumbai.

British firm GE Vernova will be part of the programme. It has partnered with the state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) to establish India’s first maritime land-based testing facility.

Next-generation frigate

This is follow-on to existing Nilgiri-class stealth frigates. A ‘frigate’ is smaller in size than a ‘destroyer’. The Navy issued an RFP in September 2026 for making seven frigates worth around $ 8 billion.

Notably, this is the first major warship being made through competitive bidding, doing away with past practice of nominating a public sector shipyard to make it. Technical bids are due in January 2027.

Competition could bring down cost and open up opportunities beyond the traditional public-sector ship-builders. These ships are expected to carry weapons like the BrahMos and have latest stealth features.

Says India had maintained a firm position after the 2020 border clashes, making it clear that normal relations could not resume without a resolution of the issues arising from the confrontation

Twenty-five rounds of talks between Indian and Chinese military commanders helped achieve disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), but a return to normal bilateral relations hinges on maintaining peace along the border and addressing the widening trade imbalance, former Foreign Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said.

Speaking at a conversation with Asia Society president and CEO Kevin Rudd on ‘Asia’s Geopolitical Future’, Shringla said India had maintained a firm position after the 2020 border clashes, making it clear that normal relations could not resume without a resolution of the issues arising from the confrontation.

“What struck me was the sort of firmness with which this issue was dealt with on the Indian side. We did not relent to the fact that until and unless there is a proper resolution of the issues that transpired in 2020, we would not be able to go forward with a normal bilateral relationship,” he said.

The disengagement process was concluded in October 2024 following detailed negotiations between military commanders on the ground, he said, adding that the decision to keep the process at the military level helped prevent escalation.

“We did not escalate the situation at the capitals. We did not involve… direct talks between diplomats and leaders. We actually tossed that to the commanders on the ground,” Shringla said, describing the 25 rounds of discussions as instrumental in working out a mutually satisfactory disengagement.

He reiterated that peace and tranquillity in the border areas remained central to India’s approach towards China. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position, Shringla said the maintenance of peace along the border was essential for the development of bilateral relations.

The two countries had since made some progress towards stabilisation, with the resumption of direct flights, the easing of visa restrictions, the reopening of border trade at certain points and the restoration of pilgrimage arrangements, he said.

However, Shringla cautioned against equating these steps with full normalisation, stressing that sustained efforts to prevent another border confrontation and greater reciprocity in market access were essential to moving the relationship forward.

He cited the widening trade imbalance as a major concern, noting that bilateral trade stood at around $150 billion, while Indian exports to China accounted for only about $20 billion.

“This is the trade deficit that is growing,” he said, while pointing to a 36 per cent spurt in Indian exports during the previous quarter as a positive development.

“There are structural issues that need to be addressed,” he said, adding that both sides needed to work towards a more balanced economic relationship.

Shringla described the current state of ties as one of “a certain level of stabilisation”, but said much more needed to be done to manage friction and prevent differences from escalating into disputes.

“We need to see how we can manage any friction so that situations don’t develop into disputes and both sides can move towards a process of normalisation that, I think, existed before 2020,” he said.

The discussion also touched on India’s economic and strategic challenges in its relationship with the United States, particularly over tariffs and Washington’s pressure on New Delhi to reduce its purchases of Russian oil.

Shringla said India had faced tariffs exceeding 50 per cent at one point under US President Donald Trump’s administration before an interim arrangement brought them down to 18 per cent. However, he warned that uncertainty over sanctions and other trade measures could undermine the benefits of any bilateral trade agreement.

“The question really is that can we conclude a deal and then find suddenly that our tariffs are not what we concluded, but it’s 100 per cent more or 50 per cent more or 20 per cent more,” he said.

He cited the US sanctions framework targeting countries buying Russian oil, along with investigations into forced labour and excess industrial capacity, as factors adding to uncertainty for Indian exporters.

On energy security, Shringla said India had diversified its sources of supply, increasing purchases from the US and countries such as Nigeria, Australia, Brazil and Guyana. However, he warned that an abrupt halt to Russian oil imports would have serious consequences for domestic inflation and global energy markets.

India had accounted for a substantial share of Russian oil purchases in recent years, he said, adding that stopping imports of more than two million barrels a day could create significant supply pressures.

“If you were to stop purchase of Russian oil, you would have a serious energy situation in your hands,” Shringla said, warning that energy prices could rise sharply, affecting inflation and global energy security.

It follows Shatrujeet Kapoor’s retirement on October 31

The Centre on Tuesday gave the additional charge of ITBP DG to Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) chief Sanjay Singhal following Shatrujeet Kapoor’s retirement on October 31.

An order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that Singhal will hold the charge of the Director General (DG) of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) “till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders”, whichever is earlier.

Kapoor, a 1990-batch IPS officer and a former Haryana DGP, served the ITBP for about 10 months after taking charge in January.

In 2024, Kapoor was sent on leave by the Haryana government following a controversy over the death of 2001-batch IPS officer Y Puran Kumar who was serving as an inspector general in the state.

While officiating at an ITBP regimental event in Rajasthan’s Alwar district on October 22, Kapoor said that a faceoff between Indian soldiers and the Chinese PLA troops was “continuing” at various locations in Arunachal Pradesh.

He also praised the role of the ITBP’s ‘Shaurya’ commandos during the incident.

The ITBP, raised in 1962, guards the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control with China.

Singhal is a 1993-batch IPS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre.

The LAC is a live border with China, where the threat is of intrusions and encroachments by the PLA

Lt Gen Pradeep Bali Retd

The recent statements about the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China by the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) can at best be described as unusual. Speaking at a felicitation ceremony of this Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), in Alwar, he mentioned about faceoffs at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh and the stellar role being played by commando outfits of this force. Interestingly, he also stated that “the ITBP was raised as a mountain guerrilla force” and that now “a specialised high-altitude mountain fighting force is being set up, which will be different from the army.”

President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and others meet the flydubai crew members, including Indian Captain Smit Machchhar who got injured in an attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai plane, in Dubai. (@DXBMediaOffice/X via PTI Photo)

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and fellow flydubai crew members in recognition of their courageous efforts to ensure passenger safety during an attempted mid-air attack aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.

The medals were presented by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, who commended the crew’s actions and sense of responsibility, Dubai Media Office said in a statement on Tuesday.

Machchhar and the flydubai crew members received the award at the presidential reception.

The incident occurred on September 30 aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people on board.

Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot with a crash axe, typically kept in the cockpit for use in emergencies, seriously injuring him. The motive for the attack remains unclear.

The co-pilot, who was identified by Israeli officials as an Omani national, stabbed Machchhar and sent the jet plunging nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.

Machchhar was covered with blood on the floor when he managed to draw on “the last moments of his energy” to click open the release on the cockpit door.

That allowed passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot and enable a second pair of flydubai pilots who were on board to land the jet in Tabuk.

The Omani co-pilot was taken into custody, while Machchhar was initially treated at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for treatment.

The crew successfully neutralised the mid-air cockpit attack, safeguarding passengers and ensuring the aircraft’s safe landing in Saudi Arabia.

The crew members thanked His Highness the President and expressed their pride in receiving the honour, which reflects His Highness’ recognition of the values of service, dedication and commitment, the statement said.

The ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and several officials.

The First Class Order of Zayed II is a high-level civil decoration of the United Arab Emirates conferred by the UAE President to honour individuals, diplomats, officials, and crew members for distinguished service, courage, or contributions to strengthening bilateral and international relations.

China’s ‘Eyes In The Sky’ Multiply As KJ-3000 Production Nears, Leaving India Facing An AEW&C Numbers Challenge

India’s ‘Sahastra Shakti’ Laser Weapon Strengthens Air Defence Against Emerging Drone Threats

DRDO’s Airborne Laser Project Advances Towards Next-Generation Directed Energy Capability

Aadhaar made mandatory for ex-servicemen to avail ECHS facilities, other benefits

India-China face-offs along LAC nothing new, says ex-Army chief Naravane

Dividing fighter assets across theatre commands not an option, says Indian Air Force Chief

India eyes top 5 shipbuilding nations by 2047, seeks stronger ties with South Korea

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Fresh satellite imagery has provided one of the clearest indications yet that China’s next-generation KJ-3000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft could be moving towards serial production, potentially giving Beijing a further boost in its growing airborne surveillance network, Times of India reported.

Images captured on 5 October show four KJ-3000 aircraft at the Xi’an-Yanliang aviation complex. Three aircraft were photographed near facilities operated by Xi’an Aircraft Company, while a fourth was observed at the nearby China Flight Test Establishment.

The presence of four aircraft at a single location has prompted assessments that the program may be progressing beyond the prototype phase and towards low-rate or serial production. While some analysts have urged caution, noting that the aircraft could still be previously identified prototypes gathered together at the same site, the imagery nevertheless highlights the rapid pace at which China continues to expand its airborne command-and-control capabilities.

Also known as the KJ-20, the KJ-3000 is based on the Y-20B strategic transport aircraft and is powered by indigenous WS-20 turbofan engines. The aircraft is distinguished by its large circular radar dome mounted above the rear fuselage, an aerial refuelling probe above the cockpit, and an extensive suite of sensors and communications equipment designed to support long-range surveillance and battle-management missions.

The aircraft first emerged publicly in late 2024 when low-quality photographs surfaced online. More detailed imagery followed in 2025, revealing additional design features and confirming ongoing flight testing. The Pentagon’s 2025 assessment of Chinese military developments also noted the aircraft’s initial flight, underlining the significance of the project.

The KJ-3000 is intended to overcome limitations in China’s existing fleet of larger AEW&C aircraft. Only four KJ-2000 platforms, which were based on the Russian Il-76MD airlifter, were ultimately completed. The new aircraft offers China a domestically produced alternative that is free from reliance on foreign airframes and engines.

Beyond self-reliance, the larger Y-20B platform is expected to provide improvements in endurance, altitude performance, power generation and mission flexibility. The aircraft’s size allows it to carry more advanced sensors, additional operators and greater computing capacity, making it better suited to long-duration command-and-control missions across vast areas of the Indo-Pacific.

China already fields one of the world’s largest AEW&C fleets. More than 70 such aircraft are believed to be in service across the People’s Liberation  Army Air Force and the People’s Liberation Army  Navy.

The backbone of that fleet is the KJ-500, a smaller platform based on the Y-9 transport aircraft, itself derived from the Soviet-era An-12 design. The KJ-500 has been produced in substantial numbers and forms the core of China’s airborne surveillance coverage.

The expanding Chinese inventory stands in sharp contrast to India’s much smaller airborne early warning capability. Despite years of investment, the Indian Air Force currently operates only six AEW&C aircraft, a figure widely regarded as insufficient for maintaining continuous surveillance across both its northern and western sectors simultaneously.

India’s first dedicated capability came through the Israeli-developed Phalcon system mounted on Russian-built Il-76 aircraft. Under a 2004 agreement involving Israel and Russia, three aircraft were acquired.

The first Phalcon entered service in 2009, with the remaining two inducted over the following years. Equipped with a rotating radar dome providing full 360-degree coverage, the aircraft significantly enhanced India’s airborne surveillance reach. However, a fleet of just three aircraft has always limited operational availability and persistence.

In parallel, India pursued an indigenous solution through DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems. The resulting NETRA MK-I program was developed using the Brazilian Embraer EMB-145 platform and incorporated an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array radar housed within a dorsal radome.

Unlike the Phalcon, the NETRA MK-I offers approximately 240-degree coverage. The first aircraft flew with its mission systems in 2011, while the Indian Air Force received deliveries in stages during 2017, 2019 and 2023.

The platform has since undergone further refinement. On 25 June 2026, DRDO received Final Operational Clearance following the integration of additional electronic support measures and radar warning receivers. The aircraft have already gained operational experience during both the Balakot air strikes and Operation Sindoor.

As of October 2026, the Indian Air Force operates three Phalcon aircraft and three NETRA MK-I platforms. Despite these assets, the service is widely assessed to require at least 18 AEW&C aircraft to adequately support its operational commitments.

India’s next major step is the NETRA MK-II program. This effort centres on six Airbus A321 aircraft acquired from Air India, which are being transformed into larger and more capable airborne surveillance platforms.

In July 2026, DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems signed an agreement with AI Engineering Services Limited to prepare the aircraft for military conversion. A separate contract appointed Adani  Defence Systems and Technologies as the development-cum-production partner responsible for mission systems integration.

Under the program structure, Airbus Defence and Space will return the modified aircraft after conversion work, allowing Indian teams to install and test the indigenous surveillance equipment and associated mission systems.

The Indian Air Force is also looking beyond the six NETRA MK-II aircraft. In January 2026, it issued a request for information covering six additional AEW&C platforms.

The requirement calls for aircraft capable of operating for at least ten hours, with either extended endurance or aerial refuelling capability, high-altitude performance and full 360-degree radar coverage.

For India, the challenge is no longer solely technological. While indigenous programs continue to advance, China’s ability to field large numbers of airborne surveillance platforms is increasingly creating a numerical advantage.

As Beijing expands a fleet already exceeding 70 AEW&C aircraft and prepares to introduce the more capable KJ-3000, New Delhi faces mounting pressure to accelerate acquisitions and indigenous development efforts if it is to narrow the gap in airborne situational awareness and command-and-control capacity.

Agencies

India has taken a significant step towards the future of air  defence with the successful demonstration of the  Defence Research and Development Organisation’s indigenous 30-kilowatt Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) MK-II(A), known as Sahastra Shakti.

Designed to neutralise hostile drones and aerial swarms through concentrated laser energy, the system represents far more than a technological achievement. It highlights India’s growing ability to counter rapidly evolving aerial threats while reducing dependence on traditional missile-based interception systems.

The demonstration underscores the changing character of warfare, where relatively inexpensive unmanned aerial vehicles, loitering munitions and coordinated drone swarms are increasingly challenging conventional air defence networks. As conflicts around the world have shown, drones can threaten military installations, critical infrastructure, radar sites and forward-deployed forces at a fraction of the cost of traditional aircraft.

Against this backdrop, Sahastra Shakti offers India a new layer of protection within its air defence architecture. Unlike conventional weapons that rely on kinetic interceptors, the laser system uses focused energy to engage targets at the speed of light. This allows operators to detect, track and destroy hostile drones within seconds, significantly reducing response times against fast-moving or massed aerial threats.

The DEW MK-II(A), or Sahastra Shakti, incorporates a 30-kilowatt laser generated through six 5-kilowatt sources and is capable of engaging targets at ranges of up to five kilometres. The system is designed to neutralise fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, swarm drones, surveillance sensors and antennae through structural thermal damage or by blinding hostile sensors.

Targets can be engaged instantaneously at the speed of light after detection and tracking through radar or an integrated electro-optical/infrared system. Each engagement consumes only a small amount of fuel-equivalent energy, making it a highly economical alternative to conventional interceptor missiles. 

Mounted on heavy-duty multi-axle military trucks, the weapon can be rapidly deployed to operational areas. Successfully demonstrated at the National Open-Air Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, the system places India among a select group of nations possessing operational high-power laser weapon capabilities for counter-drone and air-defence missions.

The DRDO-developed system demonstrated its ability to neutralise hostile drones and aerial swarms using a concentrated laser beam. The successful trial marks an important milestone in India’s wider directed-energy weapons programme and reflects years of indigenous research into high-energy laser technologies.

The strategic value of such systems extends well beyond drone destruction. Directed-energy weapons are increasingly viewed as an essential component of future air defence networks because they provide precision engagement with minimal collateral damage. Laser weapons can target sensitive areas of an aircraft or drone, disable onboard sensors, damage electronics or structurally weaken the platform without the need for explosive warheads.

An equally important advantage is cost efficiency. Traditional air defence missiles are often expensive and can cost substantially more than the low-cost drones they are tasked with intercepting. In contrast, a laser weapon primarily consumes electrical power for each engagement, making it a potentially economical solution against large-scale drone attacks and saturation tactics.

The emergence of drone swarms has become a particularly serious concern for military planners worldwide. Swarms can overwhelm conventional defences by approaching a target simultaneously from multiple directions. Systems such as Sahastra Shakti are being developed specifically to address this challenge by providing rapid and repeated engagements without concerns associated with missile inventory depletion.

Reports from previous DRDO demonstrations have indicated that the system can track and engage unmanned aerial vehicles while employing advanced electro-optical tracking and beam-directing technologies. Such capabilities are essential for defending high-value military installations, air bases, ammunition depots and strategic infrastructure against increasingly sophisticated airborne threats.

The weapon’s mobility further enhances its operational value. Mounted on a mobile platform, the system can be rapidly deployed to vulnerable locations and integrated with existing surveillance and air defence assets. This flexibility is particularly important given the evolving threat environment along India’s land borders and maritime approaches.

The weapon also forms part of DRDO’s broader Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System family, which is designed to provide layered protection against emerging aerial threats.

The DEW MK-II(A) also reflects India’s determination to master critical technologies that are currently possessed by only a small group of countries. High-energy laser weapons require expertise across several advanced disciplines, including beam control, thermal management, target tracking, electro-optical systems and power generation. Successful integration of these technologies demonstrates substantial progress in India’s indigenous defence-industrial capabilities.

From a strategic perspective, the successful demonstration signals India’s intent to develop layered and technologically advanced air  defence systems capable of addressing both current and future threats.  The development also carries long-term significance for future battlefield operations.

With Sahastra Shakti, India has demonstrated that directed-energy weapons are moving from experimental concepts towards practical operational systems. The successful 30-kilowatt laser trial therefore represents not only a breakthrough in counter-drone capability but also a broader step towards strengthening national airspace security through indigenous, high-precision and cost-effective defence technologies.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)