India’s October 2025 Defence Roundup: Tejas MK1A, Rudram-3, FUFA, AMCA, and More.

India’s defense ecosystem is moving fast, with new jets, smarter missiles, and deeper global partnerships coming together at the same time. From the first Tejas MK1A handover to the Indian Air Force, to DRDO’s next-gen unmanned combat programs, and the AMCA’s new iron bird, the past week packed in milestones that matter. These updates also include high-stakes diplomacy, key import deals like the Martlet missile, and regional moves by neighbors that shape the military balance. Here’s a clear, reader-friendly breakdown of 18 headlines that set the tone for the months ahead.

If you want the quick context, this snapshot covers developments around October 9–10, 2025. Expect news on indigenous aircraft and weapons, training ties with the UK, better submarine rescue protocols with Australia, and a few signals from Kabul, Islamabad, Ankara, Dhaka, and Athens. You will also see what India is doing to counter drones, protect its pilots, and improve ship and aircraft systems on the ground before they even fly. for your first view.

Boosting Air Power with Indigenous Tech Innovations

India’s focus on building at home is paying off in air power, long-range strikes, and secure systems. These steps reduce import needs, shorten response times, and give planners more control over upgrades and costs.

First Tejas MK1A Fighters Handed Over to IAF

The first two Tejas MK1A fighters will be handed over to the Indian Air Force on October 17 at HAL Nashik. Multiple reports point to the ceremony as a major step in moving from development into regular production and induction. For background and confirmation, see reporting on the handover timing from The Hindu, a program brief from idrw.org, and coverage of the same event by Republic World.

What the MK1A brings:

• Improved avionics and radar, supporting advanced sensors and weapons.

• Better maintainability, reducing downtime and improving sortie rates.

• Expanded weapons integration, helping squadron-level missions across roles.

Early handovers help the IAF ramp up squadron strength faster, which is essential for air defense and patrol tasks. HAL’s Nashik line will be central to keeping deliveries on schedule.

Rudram-3 Hypersonic Missile Set for Su-30 Tests

India’s Rudram-3, an air-launched hypersonic missile, is ready for testing on Su-30 aircraft. With a range of about 550 to 600 km, it allows standoff strikes on high-value targets such as radar sites and critical infrastructure. Hypersonic here means very fast, several times the speed of sound, which shortens enemy reaction time and complicates interception.

Key advantages:

• Standoff safety for pilots, since launches happen far from enemy air defenses.

• Counter-radiation capability, giving it an anti-radar role to blind enemy defenses.

• Operational flexibility, as it supports pre-emptive and suppression missions.

Once proven on the Su-30 platform, this will add significant punch to the IAF’s long-range strike options.

DRDO Finalizes FUFA UCAV Design and Airframe

The Futuristic Unmanned Fighter Aircraft, or FUFA, has crossed a major phase. DRDO has finalized the configuration, completed the preliminary design review, and moved into wind tunnel testing. The integrated flight control computer is in advanced development, and industry partners have started detailed airframe design work under a turnkey contract.

Why this matters:

• Unmanned combat can take on dangerous missions, reduce risk to pilots, and increase sortie rates.

• Manned-unmanned teaming potential lets UCAVs operate alongside fighters, acting as loyal wingmen or strike assets.

• Faster iteration cycles, since UCAVs can often be upgraded and tested quickly compared to manned platforms.

The groundwork now will shape future combat aviation and tactics for the IAF and Navy.

AMCA Program Advances with New Iron Bird Facility

The Aeronautical Development Agency is setting up an advanced iron bird test facility for the AMCA program, with the target of full operational status within 30 months. An iron bird is a ground-based test rig that simulates the aircraft’s complete systems such as flight controls, hydraulics, avionics interfaces, and mission computers.

What this unlocks:

• Flight control law validation and redundancy checks before any prototype flies.

• Early system integration, catching issues on the ground where fixes are simpler.

• Faster certification pathways, since many risks get resolved ahead of first flight.

This is the kind of behind-the-scenes investment that shortens timelines and improves safety for advanced fighters.

SAKSHAM Anti-Drone Grid and Abhay Decoy Enhancements

The Indian Army has fast-tracked procurement of the indigenous SAKSHAM counter-drone grid from Bharat Electronics Limited. The system integrates radar sensors and AI-driven data fusion to build a real-time air picture up to 10,000 feet above the tactical battlefield. It supports both soft-kill options, like jamming, and hard-kill measures to physically bring down hostile drones.

Why it matters:

• Layered defense against drones that can spot, spoof, or strike.

• AI-aided fusion improves tracking and response times across teams.

• Scalable coverage for bases and mobile formations.

On the Air Force side, Anadrone Systems delivered its Abhay decoy drone to the armed forces three months early. Decoy drones are used to confuse and overwhelm enemy air defenses, creating false targets and opening windows for real strike assets to get through. This helps with suppression of enemy air defenses and reduces risk to frontline aircraft.

GTRE’s New Facilities for Small Engine Controls

DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment has set up advanced control system test facilities for small engines in Bengaluru. This supports propulsion work for drones, cruise missiles, and other compact platforms.

Benefits:

• Improved reliability for small engines that operate under harsh conditions.

• Faster development cycles, since more testing moves in-house.

• Better integration with avionics and flight control systems.

These building blocks make unmanned and missile programs more robust over time.

Strengthening Ties: Key International Defence Deals

India is deepening cooperation with like-minded partners to bring in technology, training, and capability upgrades. These deals also align well with India’s Indo-Pacific priorities.

UK-India Pacts for Naval Propulsion, Training, and Martlet Missiles

India and the UK signed an implementing arrangement worth about 330 million dollars for collaboration on electric propulsion for naval ships. Electric propulsion can improve efficiency, reduce acoustic signatures, and support higher onboard power needs, which suits next-gen sensors and weapons.

Training collaboration also took a smart turn. The Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force agreed on a cooperative training arrangement where IAF flying instructors will serve as trainers for the RAF. This exchange builds interoperability, shares best practices, and raises flight training standards on both sides.

On the equipment front, the UK signed a 468 million dollar deal to supply Martlet lightweight multirole missiles to India. Martlet is laser-guided, can be shoulder-fired or launched from tripods, vehicles, helicopters, or naval mounts, and reaches targets up to 6 km away. It is designed to engage light armored vehicles and low-flying aerial threats like drones and helicopters. For India, this fills an important gap in short-range, precision, multi-platform effects.

India–Australia MoU on Submarine Rescue Operations

India and Australia signed a memorandum of understanding on submarine search and rescue cooperation. Submarine emergencies demand quick, coordinated responses with specialized gear and teams. This MoU improves shared readiness, standardizes procedures, and lets both navies tap into each other’s rescue systems if needed. It also adds another layer to the growing India–Australia naval partnership in the Indo-Pacific.

Regional Geopolitics: Messages, Moves, and Concerns

Diplomacy, deterrence, and regional defense choices shaped the week’s headlines. Some moves tilt toward stability, others highlight new risks.

India Reopens Full Embassy in Kabul Amid Taliban Assurance

India has upgraded its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy, restoring full diplomatic presence with the Taliban-led government. Alongside this, the Taliban foreign minister signaled that Afghanistan will not allow its soil to be used for anti-India activities, which reads as a pointed message toward Pakistan-based groups.

What this could mean:

• Better consular and security coordination for Indian projects and personnel.

• Improved intelligence sharing on cross-border threats.

• Space for humanitarian and infrastructure engagement if conditions allow.

While the situation remains complex, a full embassy gives India more options on the ground.

US Clarifies No New AMRAAMs for Pakistan; PAF Eyes Underground Bases

The United States denied reports that Pakistan would receive new AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. The 41 million dollar contract, Washington clarified, is for maintenance and spare parts for Pakistan’s existing AMRAAMs.

At the same time, reports say the Pakistan Air Force is exploring underground air base facilities to protect aircraft after 11 of its air bases were hit during the May 2025 conflict, often referred to as Op Sindoor. Hardened or subterranean shelters complicate targeting but also demand significant investment. If pursued, this could signal a long-term shift in PAF basing strategy.

Turkey Pitches Air Defense to Bangladesh; Greece Eyes BrahMos Against Turkey

Turkey has pitched its Hisar-O+ (around 45 km range) and Siper (100+ km range) surface-to-air missile systems to the Bangladesh military. These systems cover medium to long-range air defense and have seen deployment with Turkish forces.

Across the Aegean, Greek media is urging quick procurement of BrahMos cruise missiles to counter Turkey’s growing naval power. For India, BrahMos exports support strategic ties and demonstrate faith in Indian-made systems. The Greece-Turkey angle shows how Indian technology can shape calculations well beyond South Asia.

Reported Radar Glitches in MiG-29K Fighters on INS Vikrant

A Ukrainian defense website reported a cyber leak that exposed internal Russian documents on problems with the Zhuk radar on India’s MiG-29K fighters and the Resistor-E radar complex aboard INS Vikrant. The report claimed serious operational issues. Analysts have cautioned that the source could carry anti-Russian propaganda bias, so these claims need independent verification.

Potential implications if confirmed:

• Higher maintenance demands for carrier air wings.

• Interim workarounds or upgrades to sustain sortie rates.

• Closer vendor engagement for fixes and technical audits.

Given the stakes for naval aviation, any radar reliability issues would get top priority.

Quick Reference: This Week’s 18 Highlights

• First two Tejas MK1A jets to IAF on October 17 at HAL Nashik.

• US denies new AMRAAMs to Pakistan; contract covers support only.

• India upgrades Kabul mission to full embassy.

• Taliban says Afghan soil will not be used for anti-India activity.

• India–UK sign 330 million dollar pact on naval electric propulsion.

• IAF instructors to train with the RAF.

• UK signs 468 million dollar deal to supply Martlet missiles to India.

• India and Australia sign MoU on submarine search and rescue.

• Turkey pitches Hisar-O+ and Siper air defense systems to Bangladesh.

• PAF looks at underground bases after air base losses in May 2025.

• Greek media urges immediate BrahMos buys to counter Turkey.

• Indian Army fast-tracks SAKSHAM anti-drone grid from BEL.

• Anadrone delivers Abhay decoy drone three months early.

• GTRE establishes control system test facilities for small engines.

• Rudram-3 hypersonic missile ready for Su-30 testing, 550–600 km range.

• DRDO finalizes FUFA configuration; PDR done; wind tunnel testing on.

• ADA sets up advanced AMCA iron bird, operational in 30 months.

• Ukrainian report flags radar issues on MiG-29K and INS Vikrant, with noted bias caveats.

Conclusion

From the Tejas MK1A handover to the Rudram-3 test plan, India is stacking real capability where it counts. DRDO’s FUFA and the AMCA iron bird show how much work is happening before the first flights, which saves time and risk later. On the international side, the UK and Australia partnerships add training depth, naval propulsion know-how, and practical rescue capacity at sea. Regional moves, from Kabul signals to Greek interest in BrahMos, remind us that technology and diplomacy move together.

The next five years could bring a sharper, more self-reliant Indian toolkit, with exports and joint development projects growing in parallel. If you follow defense and geopolitics, now is a good time to watch how these programs cross the finish line. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for the next set of updates.