The Indian armed forces are preparing for a major leap in combat capability in 2026, with the planned induction of a wide array of weapons platforms and systems across the Army, Navy and Air Force. From fighter jets and stealth warships to an indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine and locally manufactured transport aircraft, the coming year is expected to mark one of the most significant phases of military modernisation in recent times, officials familiar with the plans said.

The induction programme reflects India’s dual objectives of enhancing operational readiness amid evolving security challenges and accelerating indigenisation under the broader push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Several long-awaited platforms, delayed by supply-chain disruptions, technological hurdles and the after-effects of the pandemic, are finally expected to enter service, giving the armed forces a long-needed boost.

Among the most closely watched inductions is the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A, which is set to begin joining the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the next financial year. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-run aerospace manufacturer, now plans to deliver at least five LCA Mk-1A fighters by the end of 2025–26. This revised target is lower than the earlier goal of 10 aircraft, reflecting continuing challenges in supply chains, particularly the availability of jet engines.

The IAF has placed two major orders for a total of 180 LCA Mk-1A aircraft, valued at approximately ₹1.1 lakh crore. The first contract for 83 jets was signed in February 2021, followed by a second order for 97 aircraft in September 2025. These fighters are intended to replace ageing MiG-21 squadrons and address the IAF’s declining squadron strength, which has fallen well below the sanctioned level of 42.

Despite the scale of these orders, not a single LCA Mk-1A has been delivered so far. Under the original timeline, the first aircraft was to be handed over in March 2024. Officials say that while delays have been a concern, the induction of even a small number of aircraft next year will mark a critical milestone for India’s indigenous fighter programme.

On the naval front, early 2026 is expected to see the commissioning of one of India’s most strategic assets: the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Aridaman. This submarine will be the third in the Arihant class and a key component of India’s nuclear deterrence architecture. Designed to serve as an undetectable launch platform for nuclear-armed missiles, Aridaman will significantly strengthen India’s sea-based deterrent.

The induction of Aridaman follows the commissioning of INS Arighaat, the second indigenous SSBN, in August 2024 at Visakhapatnam. Together with the first submarine in the class, INS Arihant, these vessels form the maritime leg of India’s nuclear triad, which allows the country to deliver nuclear weapons from land, air and sea. Only a handful of nations—the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China—possess this capability.

INS Arihant, commissioned nine years ago, completed its first deterrence patrol in 2018. Announcing that milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the achievement gave a “fitting response” to nuclear coercion. A fourth Arihant-class SSBN, codenamed S-4*, is also under construction and is expected to enter service in 2027, further reinforcing India’s second-strike capability.

The Indian Navy is also set to induct additional surface combatants under Project 17A, which involves the construction of advanced stealth frigates. Four warships—Taragiri, Mahendragiri, Dunagiri and Vindhyagiri—are scheduled to be commissioned by August or September 2026. These vessels are part of the Nilgiri-class frigates, a follow-on to the earlier Shivalik class, and represent a significant technological upgrade.

Built at a cost of around ₹45,000 crore, the Project 17A frigates feature enhanced stealth characteristics, advanced sensors, modern weapons suites and improved survivability. Three ships of this class are already in service, and the addition of four more will substantially enhance the Navy’s ability to operate across the Indian Ocean Region amid growing maritime competition.

Parallel to these developments, the Navy continues to pursue its long-term vision of becoming fully self-reliant by 2047, when India marks 100 years of independence. Currently, around 60 warships and submarines are under construction at various Indian shipyards, underscoring the scale of the naval modernisation effort.

The Indian Air Force will also take a major step toward indigenisation with the induction of the first India-made C-295 transport aircraft. Under a ₹21,935-crore contract signed in September 2021, Airbus Defence and Space is supplying 56 C-295 aircraft in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).

So far, Airbus has delivered 16 aircraft in fly-away condition from its facilities in Europe. The remaining 40 aircraft are to be assembled in India at a Tata-operated facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. The first C-295 manufactured in India is expected to roll out in September 2026, with the remaining aircraft to be delivered by August 2031.

The C-295 will replace the IAF’s ageing Avro HS-748 fleet and is expected to play a crucial role in tactical airlift, logistics support and disaster relief operations, particularly in remote and high-altitude regions.

In addition to these marquee platforms, the armed forces are preparing to induct a range of missiles, long-range rockets and unmanned systems. These include next-generation Akash surface-to-air missiles, designed to provide improved air defence coverage, as well as various types of drones and loitering munitions for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and precision strikes.

The growing emphasis on unmanned systems reflects lessons drawn from recent conflicts worldwide, where drones have played a decisive role in shaping the battlefield. Indian planners see these systems as force multipliers that can enhance situational awareness and reduce risks to personnel.

Together, the planned inductions in 2026 represent a concerted effort to modernise India’s military capabilities across all domains—land, sea, air and space—while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. While delays and execution challenges remain, officials say the coming year will mark a turning point, translating years of planning, investment and indigenous development into operational capability on the ground.

As regional security dynamics continue to evolve, the success of these inductions will be critical in determining how effectively India can deter threats, safeguard its interests and project stability in its extended neighbourhood.