Australia has selected Northrop Grumman for formal engagement to develop domestic solid rocket motor production. The initiative will involve local suppliers and aims to build manufacturing capacity to support defence systems and long-range strike capabilities.
Israeli defence firm Rafael is in talks to take over Volkswagen’s Osnabrück plant as production winds down. The site could be repurposed to support Iron Dome components, with some jobs potentially retained.
DRDO has flagged off indigenous Advanced Armoured Platforms under the Vikram VT 21 programme, developed with Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge. The tracked and wheeled vehicles feature a 30 mm crewless turret, modular protection, and are designed for multiple combat roles.
The Australian Government has committed AU$750 million for 268 next-generation Bushmaster vehicles to be built by Thales Australia. Production will begin in 2027, with upgrades to protection, mobility, and modular systems and a left-hand drive version for the export market.
Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin have begun building a new MRO facility to support India’s C-130J fleet, and will provide depot-level maintenance, component repair, structural checks, avionics upgrades and expanded training for engineers and maintainers.
SMPP and KNDS have signed a teaming agreement to offer the KATANA family of precision-guided 155mm artillery ammunition to the Indian Army under the Make in India framework. The companies announced the agreement at Milipol in Paris, outlining plans to support India’s requirements for advanced artillery munitions.
Lockheed Martin held its 11th India Suppliers Conference in Bengaluru, bringing together more than 30 companies and recognizing two Indian firms for their contributions to its global programs, while exploring new defence manufacturing partnerships.
HAL has entered into a contract with GE Aerospace to procure 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support services for its LCA Mk1A fighter-jet programme, with engine deliveries scheduled from 2027 to 2032 in support of 97 aircraft. The engine deal follows a previous contract in 2021 under which HAL ordered 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines for the LCA Mk1A.
Belgium has inaugurated a new large-calibre artillery shell production unit at KNDS Belgium’s facility in Petit-Roeulx-lez-Nivelles on Tuesday, expanding national and European munitions manufacturing capacity amid rising demand for defence production.
Larsen & Toubro and General Atomics-ASI have signed a partnership to manufacture Medium Altitude Long Endurance drones in India for the armed forces, with L&T as prime bidder and GA-ASI as technology partner under the Ministry of Defence’s 87-MALE RPAS programme.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles from the new BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow, marking a major step in the UP Defence Industrial Corridor’s expansion of indigenous missile production.
HAL’s Nashik facility has conducted the first flight of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A and inaugurated new production lines for the fighter and the HTT-40 trainer aircraft. The expansion is intended to increase LCA output to 24 aircraft annually and represents a major boost to India’s indigenous manufacturing capacity.
