Economy

The two organisations signed a Joint Working Arrangement (JWA) on August 25, 2026, creating a structured framework that will bring the Armed Forces, DRDO laboratories, academia and India’s defence industry into closer collaboration. The arrangement is intended to improve the transition of promising technologies from research and experimentation towards capabilities suitable for future military applications.

China features prominently in the proposed collection. In addition to the J-20, J-35, DF-17, DF-41 and Type 055, the requirement includes representations of platforms such as the Fujian aircraft carrier, ZTZ-99A main battle tank, HQ-9 air-defence system, Z-10 attack helicopter and a Chinese submarine type.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies confirmed in May 2026 that S4* had been launched in October 2024 and was undergoing sea trials. The submarine is also expected to eventually receive the name INS Arisudan, although that name has not yet been formally announced by the government.

Designed and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam, Nipun was delivered to the Navy on July 30 after completing extensive outfitting and sea trials. Its induction marks another important step in India’s effort to develop specialised naval platforms domestically.