Indian Defence Updates: Major Developments in Military Technology and Regional Security

July 22, 2025 – In a series of significant developments, India’s defence sector has witnessed remarkable progress across land, air, and sea domains, while regional security dynamics continue to evolve.

Bangladesh Air Force Jet Crash

A Chinese-built FT-7BGI fighter jet of the Bangladesh Air Force tragically crashed in Dhaka, resulting in the death of the pilot and injuring 29 students on the ground. The incident has raised concerns over aviation safety and the risks faced by civilians in densely populated urban areas.

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Prime Minister Modi’s Maldives Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the Maldives for two days starting July 25, during which he will inaugurate several development projects, further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

Chinese Hypersonic Missile Advances

China is reportedly developing a hypersonic air-to-air missile with a range of 1,000 km. The missile has recently undergone successful heat resistance testing under extreme conditions, signaling a significant leap in Chinese missile technology.

Border Security and Regional Concerns

Bangladesh has expressed concern over India’s recent installation of anti-limb weld mesh fencing along certain stretches of their shared border, highlighting ongoing sensitivities in border management.

Indigenous Defence Projects and Procurement

HAL CATS Warrior Loyal Wingman: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s CATS Warrior unmanned loyal wingman is set to begin low-speed taxi trials soon.
Armed Drones Procurement: The Defence Acquisition Council is poised to approve the procurement of 87 male armed drones for India’s tri-services under the “Make in India” initiative. Leading global and domestic defence firms are expected to participate.
P76 Submarine: Larsen & Toubro, in collaboration with the Indian Navy, is designing the P76 diesel-electric submarine, expected to be finalized within a year.
Nya Fighter Air Base: India will operationalize the Nya fighter air base in eastern Ladakh by October 2025, making it the nation’s highest fighter-capable airfield.
Apache Helicopters: The Indian Army will induct its first three Apache attack helicopters on July 22, marking a significant boost to its combat capabilities.

Support for Bravery

The Indian Army has announced it will fund the education of a courageous 10-year-old boy who supplied meals to soldiers during a gunfight in Punjab’s Operation Sindhur.

Naval and Aerial Modernization

Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft: The Indian Navy is exploring the development of an indigenous long-range maritime patrol aircraft based on the Boeing 737 ERX platform, while a C295-based medium-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft will serve as a precursor.
Arjun Mark III Main Battle Tank: The DRDO is developing the advanced Arjun Mark III tank, expected to enter service by 2030, featuring AI-enabled targeting, drone coordination, electronic warfare, and semi-to-fully autonomous operations.
AI Command Vessels: The Navy is also developing a 1,500-ton AI-powered combat command vessel to coordinate with unmanned and autonomous systems in future naval warfare.

International Collaboration and Technology Upgrades

PAK DA Stealth Bomber: Russia is seeking India’s partnership in the next-generation PAK DA stealth bomber project, which boasts a 35-ton weapons payload and a 12,000 km range.
Tejas Fighter Upgrades: The Tejas Mk1A, Mk2, and AMCA programs will adopt modular, smartphone-style software architectures, enabling over-the-air updates for rapid capability enhancements.

Nuclear Submarine and Fighter Jet Programs

Project 77 Nuclear Submarines: India’s indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines will introduce manned-unmanned teaming concepts, integrating advanced unmanned underwater vehicles for expanded anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities.
AMCA Program Strategy: Defence experts suggest that a phased approach to the AMCA fifth-generation fighter program, similar to South Korea’s KF-21, could have accelerated development and reduced reliance on expensive foreign tenders.

Conclusion:
India’s defence modernization continues at a rapid pace, with major investments in indigenous technology, international collaboration, and advanced combat systems. At the same time, regional incidents and security concerns underline the need for vigilance and innovation in safeguarding national interests.

This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as new information emerges.