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HAL provided the clearest official update on the programme during its investor interaction on May 15, 2026. Asked whether HTT-40 deliveries would begin in FY2026-27 or FY2027-28, company management replied that deliveries would start in FY2026-27.
India supplied Sri Lanka with 24 L70 air-defence guns between 2000 and 2006. According to Herath, India has subsequently provided free maintenance support for 18 of those weapons. The proposed arrangement will extend similar support to the remaining six guns.
Peskov made the comments during a virtual interaction with Indian journalists on September 8, ahead of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi.
Dronathon 2026 will focus on surveillance and reconnaissance, autonomous operations, swarm technologies and electronic warfare. Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems will also form a major part of the programme as armed forces increasingly confront the challenge posed by small, low-cost and expendable drones.
Known as the Compact Trans-Horizon Communication System, or CTCS, the indigenous system has been developed by DRDO’s Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory in Dehradun. It is designed to provide beyond-line-of-sight digital connectivity between tactical locations, particularly in hilly and remote regions where conventional terrestrial communication links may be difficult to establish.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on September 8 that a Senior Highest Military Commander-Level Flag Meeting was held at Wacha on the Indian side on September 6, followed by a meeting at Damai on the Chinese side on September 7. According to the MEA, this was the first meeting under the mechanism in the eastern sector.
The meeting on September 8 was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary for International Cooperation in India’s Ministry of Defence, and Brigadier General Abdellah Athmani, Chief of the 2nd Bureau of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces.
The IAF will field a mixed fighter package comprising the indigenous LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale. Japan will participate with the Mitsubishi F-2A, giving the exercise a diverse combination of aircraft with different operational roles, sensor suites and combat doctrines.
Speaking at the event, Singh said India and Sri Lanka share deep cultural and civilisational ties that have provided a durable foundation for bilateral relations. He also acknowledged the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening people-to-people links between the two countries.
The Shakti, also known as the Ardiden 1H1, was co-developed by HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines and has become one of the central powerplants supporting India’s indigenous military helicopter fleet. HAL officially lists the engine on the Dhruv Mk III and Mk IV, while the weaponised Rudra is powered by two Shakti engines. The Light Combat Helicopter, now known as LCH Prachand, also uses twin Shakti engines producing about 1,032 kW each.
