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Putting Asia’s aviation and military power into perspective, an initiative of Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd)
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The Great MRFA Competition – Mother of All Deals – G2G Best Option
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently revealed its intent to conduct an open tender for the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project, aiming to procure 114 jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is poised to be one of the largest defence procurement projects in recent years. The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for…
With MQ-9 Deal Indo-US Military Aviation Ties Move Further Ahead
India has just approved the lease of two additional General Atomics MQ-9 unmanned aircraft for the Indian Navy. The approval was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and is being seen as a significant boost to India’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities along its borders and across the…
77th Republic Day – Uncertain World – India Biding Time and Carving Own Geo-Strategic Place
As India prepares for its 77th Republic Day, it is all set to welcome European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa as the chief guests. Republic Day is not merely a national celebration, but it is a tribute to the day the Indian Constitution came into force, shaping India…
NATO without USA – Time for Europe to Wake Up
Give me Greenland or else… President Trump has threatened Europe and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Trump the disruptor is being viewed by some as a “Bull in the China shop.” The world is being made and unmade by President Trump. At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, he took jabs at NATO, Canada,…
Seeing China and Pakistan – Indian Army Pushing Own Rocket Force-Need to Understand Pros and Cons
Learning lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, and India’s Operation Sindoor, and also that China has its PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) for long, and Pakistan has recently started a force on similar lines, Indian Army proposes to have its own rocket and missile force. Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, during the Army…
As IAF Hits 92 – Atmanirbharta in Military Aviation Most Important
Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to celebrate its 92nd anniversary. It has just wrapped the mother-of-all-exercises the “Tarang Shakti”, the greatest multi-lateral exercise ever in India. Earlier IAF conducted exercise “Vayu Shakti” in February, and participated in tri-services “Bharat Shakti” exercise in March 2024. The aerospace industry accounts for nearly 40 percent of…
Russia and India Exploring More Options for Make in India Defence
India and the Soviet Union, and now Russia, have time-tested relations since India’s independence in 1947. In 1951, the USSR exercised its veto power on the Kashmir dispute in support of India. The Soviet Union declared its neutrality during the 1959 border dispute and the Sino-Indian War of October 1962, despite strong Chinese objections. The…
Can Russian Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon’ be an Interim Fifth-Generation Aircraft for India
China has recently unveiled two sixth-generation fighter jets. Also, Pakistan has left the “cat-among-the-pigeons” by announcing plans to acquire 40 J-35 stealth fighters from China, marking the first export of Beijing’s fifth-generation jets to a foreign ally. It could mean induction by around 2029. That will change the entire air dominance dynamics in the sub-continent.…
Trump’s Board of Peace – Challenges and Opportunities India
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair initially proposed placing the Gaza Strip under international administration in August 2025. United States President Donald Trump presented a similar plan in late September 2025, which was partially accepted by both the Israeli government and Hamas the following month. Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” (BoP) was to be an…
Modernization Priorities of Military Aviation & Make in India Options and Realities
For many decades after independence, Indian Armed Forces imported military hardware from long-term friend and strategic ally Soviet Union and Russia. Also France became a significant source for military aviation supplies to India. From the 1990s, Israel, and since 2008, the United States (US) have also been important sources. India continues to be one of…
The Evolving Great Game in Arctic – Strategic Implications
The still less explored Arctic region is known to be a rich repository of unexploited natural resources, especially gas and oil and marine life. It has also for long been considered as the next great-power flash point. Russia remained a dominant power. But with NATO expanding northward, Russia was forced to greatly increase its military…
Pahalgam Attack Global Condemnation – India Unfolding Punishing Response
The gruesome massacre of innocent holiday makers at Pahalgam, killing at least 28 people and injuring several others, has been condemned by all major world leaders including US President Trump and Russian President Putin. Israel has shown solidarity. That it happened at a time when US Vice President JD Vance was in India, indicates the…
Pakistan Suspending Shimla Agreement –Advantage India?
Pakistan-backed terrorists killed nearly 28 innocent holidaymakers at Pahalgam on 22 April in a Hamas-style terror attack. Links to Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Pakistan Army were established early. Indian masses were angered and sought appropriate revenge. A slew of measures were announced by the Indian Government. India put the 1960 Indus Water Treaty…
Russia Pushed into Chinese Arms – Implications for India
Russia and China are two giant neighbours that occupy the largest landmass of Asia. Traditionally they have been two antagonist societies but often chose marriage of convenience. Their relations in the post-World War II era have been vacillating between extremes. By literally nudging Russia to invade Ukraine, and then confronting it strongly, the West pushed…
In a world of ‘might is right’: Could Japan, South Korea go nuclear?
Ukraine voluntarily renounced its vast Soviet-era nuclear arsenal after independence, transferring all nuclear warheads to Russia by 1996 in exchange for security assurances via the 1994 Budapest Memorandum from the US, UK, and Russia, but now deeply regrets this decision following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 invasion, which it calls broken promises.…
Mediterranean QUAD: Will India Join 3+1 Grouping To Counter “Islamic NATO”? Can UAE Join In Amid Saudi Rift? OPED
UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is scheduled to visit the Indian capital, New Delhi, amid flaring tensions in the Middle East. In Iran, the United States is mulling an attack on the Islamic Republic amid raging protests in the country and possibly even removing the Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, from power. Tensions…
Rajnath Singh in Moscow – Time-Tested Indo-Russia Defence Partnership
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Moscow on Sunday night on a 3-day visit. The Minister was received by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar and Russian Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin. Rajnath Singh’s trip comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia in October. During that visit, PM Modi attended the 22nd India-Russia Summit…
Tanker Fleets Dominated by the West – Time for Russia and India to have their Own
USA led Western economic sanctions after the beginning of the Ukraine War included limiting Russian crude oil price to $60 per barrel. Since this did not work, the West imposed sanctions targeting the tankers used to ship Russia’s oil. But Russian oil exports actually increased, as Moscow found alternatives. China and India began buying Russian…
Need for Healthy Mix of Public Private Participation in India’s Defence Production
Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence is the flavour of the season in India. India’s defence manufacturing sector is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of the country’s strategic and economic ambitions. The government policies and initiatives are driving “Design” or certainly Make-in-India. Over 5,000 items are in the Positive Indigenisation List (PIL), 75 percent defence capital budget…
Russian Systems Get Showcased – BrahMos and S 400 – The Clear Winners of OP Sindoor
As “Op Sindoor”, the India–Pakistan conflict, has been put on a temporary pause, it is time to reflect on what happened. For the first time after the “Battle of Britain”, and the 1950 Korean War, two near-peer air forces were engaged in an air campaign. This was also the first conflict between two nuclear powers.…
As Russia Prepares to Celebrate 80th Victory Day Time to Look at the Greatest Soviet Air Aces of WW II
The May 9 Victory Day parade at Moscow’s Red Square marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and the end of WW II. The German Instrument of Surrender was signed in Berlin, late in the evening on 8 May 1945, when it was already 9 May in Moscow. The surrender was…
The Indian Air Force Bids Adieu to Iconic MiG-21
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is finally all set to retire its MiG-21 fleet in September 2025 after over 60 years of glorious service. India was among the three major operators after the Soviet Union and China (licensed variant Chengdu J-7). The iconic MiG-21 protected the Indian skies through all major conflicts. Its retirement is…
Challenges of Russia India China (RIC) Grouping and Way Forward
India is still amidst the aftermath of “Operation Sindoor”, in which they watched China very actively supporting its strongest ally Pakistan with hardware, intelligence and command and control, and global narrative building. China and India have continued to have military showdowns on their borders every few years. US-led NATO is most openly supporting Ukraine against Russia. Adversary of USA, China has been tacitly backing Russia. In its desire not to antagonise USA, India has chosen a neutral…
Su-57 the Only Fifth Generation Interim Choice for India
A British F-35B fighter jet that had made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala nearly three weeks back has been finally moved to a hangar for assessment and potential repairs. The current plan is to attempt repairs locally with a team of UK specialists. If repairs are not feasible, the aircraft will be dismantled and transported…
China’s Threatening Exercises around Taiwan – Dummy Run For Invasion – But Taiwan No Walk Over
China encircled Taiwan in massive military display. Chinese military rehearsed blockade of island’s north and south and carried out 10 hours of live-firing drills around the threatened island. Taiwan said that China was simulating strikes on US-made weapons. USA and Europeans condemned China’s drills. Earlier in December 2025, the US NDAA for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 authorized up to $11.1 billion for Taiwan under the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative. Largest US arms package for Taiwan includes HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, Javelin…
India & Israel – The Unshakable Aerospace Bond – Scope for More Cooperation
The possible Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia alliance became a major geopolitical development after reports emerged that Ankara was in advanced talks to join the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September 2025. This pact treats any aggression against one member as an attack on all, mirroring NATO’s Article 5. The trilateral bloc, if materialized, would combine Saudi Arabia’s massive financial resources, Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal & large…
Nyoma Airfield in Ladakh – Operational Status and Strategic Significance
India has fully operationalized the Changthang Nyoma (Mudh) airbase in Ladakh, making it fit even for fighter aircraft. Nyoma is a Tehsil under Leh district, a principal village of southern Ladakh, with a population of under 1,000. This tehsil borders the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China on the south and the east. The eastern border, a Line of Actual Control (LAC) resulting from the 1962 war with China, runs along…
Chinese Working on Ejectable Cockpits for High Supersonic Flight – Time India Made Ejection Seats
China is reportedly developing ejectable cockpit systems for high-supersonic aircraft, with research papers and potential visual evidence of related test aircraft emerging. This technology aims to improve crew safety during high-speed flight and is linked to the development of advanced hypersonic and supersonic aircraft, potentially for both military and civilian applications. The research points to a modular escape system designed to detach from the…
Russia Needs Skilled Workforce – Old Friend India, Best to Make Good Shortages
Since the war with Ukraine, Russia is grappling with a major labour shortage in its industrial hubs and plans to bring in up to one million foreign workers, including Indians. The shortfall could widen to 3.1 million workers by 2030, says Russian Labour Ministry. To address the gap, the ministry wants to increase the quota for qualified foreign workers…
China Continues Testing to Bridge Nuclear Gap with USA – India Needs to Act
President Donald Trump explained that resuming nuclear weapon testing was needed as many countries like China, Russia, North Korea and Pakistan, are conducting nuclear tests, and it’s ‘appropriate that the US also does it’. Meanwhile, during China’s September 03, 2025 parade to celebrate 80th anniversary of its victory against Japan, China showcased the considerably expanding and modernising nuclear arsenal. For the past five years, China has been engaging in…
5th Generation Aircraft Choices and Challenges India
India’s AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program is considered urgent due to the country’s declining fighter squadron strength, the modernization of rival air forces, and the need to maintain a technological edge in air combat. The program aims to replace aging aircraft and introduce a fifth-generation fighter, addressing both operational and strategic requirements. The Indian…
How US Airpower Dominance Paved the Way to Capture Venezuela’s Maduro
The United States military and law enforcement officials captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores, in a high-stakes military operation on January 3, a mission carried out by the US Army’s Delta Force and backed by extensive use of American airpower. After months of growing military pressure on Maduro, President Donald Trump…
Hindustan Aeronautics and United Aircraft Sign MoU for Sukhoi SJ-100 Production in India – Means What
India’s Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and Russia’s PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Sukhoi Superjet100 (SJ-100) production in India. It was signed in Moscow, Russia on October 27, 2025. Under the agreement, HAL will have the right to produce the aircraft for domestic customers in India. The MoU was signed by officials from the two companies. HAL has long co-operated with Russian industry to produce military aircraft such as Mikoyan MiG-21, MiG-27,…
Global South Friend Brazil – Embraer Betting Big in India for C-390 Millennium
Embraer, a global aerospace leader, began a bold new chapter in the world’s fastest growing aviation market India, as it inaugurated its brand-new India office at the prestigious WorldMark 4 building in Aerocity, New Delhi. This visionary move proposes to participate in India’s aerospace and defence sector by partnering with Indian industry. The ceremony saw…
Indian Government’s Strategy to Reduce Key Foreign Dependencies
India has some major import dependencies that include energy, electronics, and critical minerals. While India has a large agricultural sector, it also imports significant amounts of agricultural commodities like pulses. India needs certain fermentation-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Economically, China is the largest supplier of imports to India, followed by countries like Russia and the…
The Air Chief is Mincing No Words – Time for the Nation to Get Fighter Aircraft Act Right
In the customary annual press interaction ahead of 93rd Air Force Day, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh dwelt at length on the very successful “Operation Sindoor”, and the capability-building plans of Indian Air Force (IAF). After retirement of the MiG-21 fleet, the IAF is down to 28 squadrons. The first LCA Mk1A has still to…
Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) to Power 6th Generation Fighters
The Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program is a U.S. Air Force (USAF) initiative to develop advanced, adaptable jet engines with features like enhanced fuel efficiency, increased thrust, improved thermal management, and better survivability for future combat aircraft, such as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, now also known as the F-47. Pratt & Whitney…
IAF’s MiG-21 Flies into History – Leaves Great Legacy Behind
As the sun sets on one of the most iconic fleets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the MiG-21 flies into history, it is nostalgic times for a few generations of pilots, engineers, and other air warriors who were hands-on and rubbed shoulders with this great machine. The IAF finally winds down the last…
Whose Chicken Neck and Whose Vulnerabilities
Bangladeshi National Citizen Party’s leader Hasnat Abdullah has rhetorically threatened to cut off India’s north-eastern states by cutting off India’s Chicken’s Neck, i.e. the Siliguri Corridor, while downplaying India’s contribution in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The Siliguri Corridor is the narrow land strip linking India’s northeast to the mainland. For decades, the Siliguri Corridor…
Nuclear Revolution! India Plans Big For Small Modular Reactors; Here’s How SMRs Can Boost Submarines, Satellites, Lunar Missions
The Adani Group is reportedly in talks with the Uttar Pradesh government on a public-private partnership to build Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as India opens its nuclear energy sector to private investment. It plans to build eight Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with a capacity of 200 megawatts (MW) each at yet-to-be-identified sites in the state.…
World Needs Skilled Workforce – India Best to Make Good Shortages – Win-Win for Both
Since the war with Ukraine, Russia is grappling with a major labour shortage in its industrial hubs and plans to bring in up to one million foreign workers, including Indians. The shortfall could widen to 3.1 million workers by 2030, says the Russian Ministry of Labour. To address the gap, the ministry wants to increase…
As Putin Arrives in New Delhi – High Expectations on Military Aviation Programs
Russian President Vladimir Putin is all set to visit India on December 05, 2025 for a bilateral summit. The visit is very significant as it will reaffirm and strengthen the “special and privileged strategic partnership” amid a challenging global geopolitics and increasing Western pressure on India. This visit, the 23rd annual summit, will be Putin’s…
Turkey-Pakistan Strategic Closeness – Implications & Challenges India
Turkey’s support to Pakistan during Op Sindoor is well known and was flagged by India during the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Tianjin, China, in early September. Turkey has provided Pakistan with defence hardware, including uninhabited aerial systems (UAS) and drones. Pakistani engineers and technicians have been working at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI),…
China Opens ‘Arctic Express’ Shipping Route – Need to Push Indian Maritime Corridors
Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang province of China launched the world’s first China–Europe Arctic Express in September, achieving the “Polar Silk Road” vision with a record 18-day transit. The container vessel “Istanbul Bridge” set off from Beiyi Container Terminal on its maiden voyage to Felixstowe, the largest container port in the United Kingdom. This new route…
USA NDAA 2026 Acknowledges Gaps and Emphasis on Regaining Technology Superiority – Ideas India?
The FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 18, 2025, after it was passed with wide margins by the US House of Representatives and US Senate. The passage marked the 65th consecutive time the NDAA received approval, making it one of the most enduring pieces of…
Su-57 and GCAP Goading India – What are Best Fifth Generation Options India
Russia’s Su-57 “Felon” fifth-generation stealth fighter once again enthralled spectators at the recent Dubai Airshow. As India prepares to host President Putin, defence cooperation has moved to the centre. Expectations around Putin’s visit are high. Su-57 collaboration and five additional S-400 systems are expected to be the starred points of discussion. It could mean the…
IAF Becoming a Future Ready Force Imbibing Next-Gen technologies
Wars in Ukraine, West Asia, and closer home, “Op Sindoor” have been dominated by use of air power. Aerospace has become the most preferred means of prosecution of war and has seen the fastest evolution since WW II. Recent wars have highlighted the importance of cheaper drones, air defence systems, and innovative exploitation of platforms…
Rafale F4/F5 Getting Closer to the Make in India Deal
A suspected leak from France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces a few days back suggests that India intends to procure 90 Rafale F4 multirole fighter aircraft, with an additional option for 24 next-generation Rafale F5 variants for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF had also reportedly moved a case for possible purchase of 114…
Global Aggressor Fighter Aircraft Squadrons – IAF’s CoBRA a Unique Blend
After the Balakot air strikes and the more recent Op Sindoor, aerial engagements remained a subject of intense debate and continue to do so. Aerial engagements have hogged maximum news headlines since aviation began. Baron von Richthofen, or the Red Baron, was a fighter pilot with the German Air Force during World War I. He…
Putin Visit – Significant Outcomes – Global Signalling of Reinforced Strategic Autonomy
As the world remains mired in wars, sanctions, and Trump tariffs, India and Russia played cool and moved substantially forward on constructive engagement in multiple disciplines. Bonhomie and mutual respect was displayed when Prime Minister Modi received President Putin at the base of the aircraft ladder and then drove him in his “made-in-India” Toyota Fortuner while Putin’s high security, specially flown-in, “Aurus Senat limousine” remained standing by. Putin’s…
Putin’s Visit to New Delhi – Hopes and Realities of Military Aviation Deals
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on December 4-5. The visit is part of the annual bilateral summit which started in 2000, and there have been 22 such summits alternatively in India and Russia. The visit is set to reinforce “special and privileged strategic partnership”, and exchange views on regional and global issues amid increasing Western pressure on India. This…
2026 outlook: India set to rise amid a turbulent world
As we come to the end of the year 2025, we have seen the ongoing trend of chaos, conflict, and, at times, confusion in the geopolitical arena. The war in Ukraine continues, with a possible closure in 2026. Much to European angst, Vladimir Putin, the “Wizard of the Kremlin”, continues to stand steadfast and call the shots in his own…
As India Pakistan Tensions Heighten – Let us look at the Air Power
The dust has still to settle, and the blood continues to boil as India unfolds a slew of harsh responses after the gruesome massacre of innocent holiday makers at Pahalgam. Practically all world leaders have condemned the attack and stand in solidarity with India. UN Security Council has passed a resolution, albeit made milder by Pakistan’s iron-brother China. This will not be allowed…
Su-35s for Iran How Does it Change Dynamics with Israel
Iran has purchased Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, amid Western concerns about Iran and Russia’s growing military cooperation. Ali Shadmani, the deputy coordinator of the Khatam-ol-Anbia Central Headquarters, who was quoted by media, did not clarify how many jets were purchased or whether they had already been delivered to Iran. “Whenever necessary, we make military purchases to strengthen our air, land, and naval…
World Class Russian Missiles – Continued Interest of India
New Delhi. “Op Sindoor”, the four day India-Pakistan conflict, saw great play between the missile systems of the two countries. The Indian side was armed mainly with Russian, French, Israeli and Indian missiles. Pakistan with American and Chinese missiles. Missiles have become more accurate; the effective operational ranges have become larger; no escape zones have increased; they have become more autonomous; and can operate in heavy electronic countermeasures environment. In…
Pakistan Pushing for J-35 Fifth Generation Aircraft – Way Ahead India
Midst of Op Sindoor, Pakistan once again announced that it will start acquiring around 40 Chinese fifth-generation fighter J-35A, as early as August 2025. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reportedly finalized the logistics and financing details of the J-35 fighter jet deal during his visit to China immediately after Op Sindoor. Can China fast-track the production and deliveries of an aircraft which has just begun production remains a…
USA vs Chinese Air Power – Is China Catching Up?
China has just become the first country to fly what it calls a sixth-generation fighter aircraft. China’s PLA Air Force (PLAAF) is already good and improving quickly, but it is yet not a match to the air combat capabilities of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), according to the Pentagon’s 2024 annual report on Chinese military power. The report mentions that China…
HAL to Make 12 More Su-30 MKI – What it means For Atmanirbharta
A ₹13,500 crore ($1.5 billion) contract for procurement of 12 Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft along with associated equipment was signed between Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on 12 December 2024. The aircraft would have an indigenous content of 62.6 percent. The percentage has got enhanced due to indigenisation of many components to be manufactured by Indian defence industry. In a…
USA Chooses Boeing F-47 as Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter – What it means for the World
Unveiling the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) air superiority fighter at the White House on March 21, an aircraft that has been shrouded in secrecy for years, President Trump said, “It’s something the likes of which nobody has ever seen before.” Present in the Oval Office were Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and Lt. Gen. Dale White, the Air Force’s military deputy for acquisition,…
Rise of The Samurai – Japan is seriously boosting its Aerospace to counter China
Pacific military balance is tilting in China’s favour, says the new “Defence of Japan 2025” White Paper, a Defence Ministry annual document. Tokyo released the paper in early July with findings that the international community is facing its greatest risk of conflict since World War II. The paper pointed to Russia, China and North Korea as primary regional security threats. The report also found…
AEW&C an Important Combat Asset to Rule the Sky – Time to Push Forward India
An airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system is an airborne platform designed to detect aircraft, ships, vehicles, missiles and other incoming projectiles at long ranges, as well as performing command and control of the battle-space in aerial engagements by informing and directing friendly fighter and attack aircraft. AEW&C units are also used to carry out aerial surveillance over…
China Dominating Lithium the Strategic Mineral that’s Critical for Modern Technologies – Way Ahead India
Lithium is a strategic mineral that’s critical for modern technologies, and it’s in high demand globally. Lithium is used in batteries for electric cars, laptops, smartphones, and power tools. Lithium batteries are used in military equipment for power in weapons systems, electronics, and propulsion. They are more relevant because they are lightweight, have a long storage life,…
Are AEW&C Conceding Space to Satellites in View of Long-Range Missiles?
War in Ukraine and the Indo-Pakistan “Op Sindoor” have demonstrated an environment of “Aerial Denial”. This has happened because of ground-based mobile air defence systems with considerably long-range engagement capabilities and very long air-to-air missiles (AAM) with high no-escape zones. This has meant preventing the adversary aircraft from not only crossing into own territory, but keeping a farther distance…
India can learn from Israeli Air Force’s Continued Dare-Devil Raids
Israel Air Force has just de-classified the mission, codenamed “Operation Many Ways,” how in 3 hours 120 elite Israeli forces raided and destroyed alleged underground Iran-funded missile manufacturing facility in Syria. The mission was carried out on September 8 in 2024. Iran’s construction of the “Deep Layer” facility reportedly began in late 2017. Earlier Israel has carried out many other, now famous…
26 Rafale for Navy – Add IAF’s 114 and “Make-in-India-for-the-World”
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, approved a nearly ₹63,000-crore deal for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets from France for the Indian Navy, official sources confirmed. The contract is expected to be concluded later this month. It includes 22 single-seater jets that can operate from aircraft carriers and four…
What Delhi can learn from Beijing in fighting air pollution
The peak Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi for November 2025 was 764, reaching this level around November 13, 2025. The peak AQI in Beijing in 2025 so far was 236 on November 5. The average AQI for Beijing in 2025 has been around 77; the same for Delhi has been 129. Both Beijing and…
Can Armed, Stealthy UAVs Replace Fighter Jets or Best Augment Them
Elon Musk has suggested that fighter jets be replaced by drones. However, some say that drones would need to have the same electronics as fighter jets, which would make them expensive. Clearly, more and more tasks are being gradually shifted to drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are not likely to replace fighter jets anytime soon. However, drones will…
Rafale Orders Explode! India Eyes Becoming Production Hub For French Jets After ‘Biggest Ever’ IAF Deal
French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on November 17, 2025, and announced that Ukraine will acquire up to 100 Dassault Rafale warplanes over the next 10 years. Kyiv seeks to bolster its defences against Russia’s invasion. Air defence systems, munitions, and drones were also included in the…
Lessons from Operation Sindoor: Key Areas of Military Modernisation
India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, without qualification, acknowledged some tactical errors on Day 1 of the Indian Air Force (IAF) campaign of Op Sindoor. He was giving an interview to two international media houses. In what is seen clearly as a deliberate and calculated interview, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La…
If America Thins Down, How Will Europe Alone secure itself Against Russia
The world is gradually becoming multipolar. US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine has yet to be made public, but it is already quite clear that he expects Europe to play a far bigger role in the continent’s future security and contain Russia. In fact, he doesn’t even consider Russia as an adversary and…
China the Fastest Growing Maritime Power – Time to keep a Track and Act
In 1980s Deng Xiaoping, and later by subsequent leaders of the People’s Republic of China, the country has been opening up to the world, developing on the basis of a market economy with “Chinese characteristics”. The economic growth and consequent trade required the country to once again look to the sea. Without ceasing to be…
Protecting Under Sea Cables – New Strategic Challenge and Imperative
A cut in the Red Sea cable on September 08, disrupted internet services across India, Pakistan, and the Middle East. The outage also affected the UAE, where networks like Etisalat and Du slowed down. It shows how much of the global internet relies on undersea cables. The problem came from two major cables: the SMW4…
Morale in the Boots – Xi’s Continuous Purge of PLA Generals – Corruption or Insecurity?
The purge saga in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues. The latest names of senior military officials, as tweeted by Jennifer Zeng, a writer, reporter & China expert, who reportedly have been removed from their posts are, Wang Haijiang, Commander of the Western Theatre Command; Wang Peng, Minister of the Training and Administration Department of…
Military and Security Developments in China – India Needs to Build Conventional Capability
As China seeks to achieve “national rejuvenation” by its centenary in 2049, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders view a modern, capable, and “world-class” military as essential to achieving its revisionist aims (changing the current status quo) and overcoming what Beijing sees as an increasingly turbulent international environment. This is the guiding principle charting China’s national, economic, and military strategy. It is thus important…
India’s DRDO Tests A laser Weapon – Understand the Dynamics of Directed Energy Weapons
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday, April 13, 2025, announced the successful trial of the in-house developed Mk-II(A) Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system. It thus demonstrated having mastered the technology for disabling missiles, drones, and smaller projectiles. The success has put India in the exclusive and limited club of nations, which…
PM Modi’s Visit to Sri Lanka – Rejuvenating an Important Relationship
Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a significant two-day official visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, his first overseas trip after securing a historic third term. The visit reinforced India’s Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP) and strategic focus on the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). During the visit, Modi and newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara…
China Nuclear Arsenal 2025 – Working to Catch Up with USA – India Needs to Keep Watch and Act
China’s nuclear arsenal has undergone significant modernization and expansion in recent years. The country is estimated to possess approximately 600 nuclear warheads, with more in production, to arm futuristic land-based ballistic missiles, sea-based ballistic missiles, and bombers. The country is constructing 320 new silos for its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), including the liquid-fuelled DF-5B equipped…
Pahalgam Attack Need for All out Response – Never Forget Never Forgive
The gruesome massacre of innocent holiday makers at Pahalgam killing at least 28 people, and injuring several others has been condemned by all major world leaders including US President Trump and Russian President Putin. Most world leaders have condemned the attack. Israel has shown solidarity. That it happened at a time when US Vice President JD Vance was in India, indicates the audacity of the…
Russia India China (RIC) Grouping Challenges and Opportunities
The fresh Trump tariffs which have specifically targeted BRICS countries, and India in particular, have once again made India suspect of the USA and its so-called pro-India geostrategic stance. There has been a flurry of visits exchanged between the Indian Foreign Minister and the NSA to Moscow and China, and there have been reciprocal visits. Pakistan Army Chief Munir has been invited to the USA twice in a…
India’s Deepening Military Aviation’s French Connection
The primacy of air power in future military operations has once again been re-established in the Ukraine conflict, West Asian showdowns, and most recently during Op Sindoor. Indian Air Force (IAF) is down to 29 fighter aircraft squadrons vis-à-vis the authorized 42.5. The last MiG-21 “Bison” squadron is being decommissioned this September. The LCA Mk1A is still mired by delays and will enter IAF service…
India China Thaw – Are Dragon-Elephant Set to Tango Again
As Prime Minister Modi gets set to go to China, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is here in India between August 18 and 19. Are the two “Asian Giants” actively working to mend their strained bilateral relations, signalling a push towards normalising ties and fostering greater stability between the two? A series of high-level bilateral engagements have been unfolding. Rebuilding bilateral relations, which…
BRICS in the Time of Trump Tariff Madness
BRICS is today one of the world’s leading blocs that has overtaken the G7 on most indicators. As US President Donald Trump runs amok like a bull in the China shop, BRICS countries are brewing a heavy blowback against Trump. Trump has chosen the BRICS countries for a special dose of steep tariffs alongside his…
The Wittty Vriti Show: Independence Day Special Pod cast Air Marshal Anil Chopra
In this Independence Day special episode of “The Wittty Vriti Show”, she brings an exclusive conversation with Air Marshal Anil Chopra, a distinguished veteran of the Indian Air Force. From sharing his remarkable journey as a fighter pilot to insights on India’s strategic defense, the evolution of iconic aircraft, and the sacrifices of military families,…
Russian BrahMos and S 400 – Big Winners of OP Sindoor says Air Chief
Speaking at the “Katre Memorial Lecture,” a function organised by the Air Force Association at Bengaluru, the Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, AP Singh made a specific mention of the deterrent capability of the S-400 Air Defence system, and the accuracy of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles that had a game changer role in Op Sindoor.…
Indian Strategic Missiles Pushing Ahead With Precision and Reach
Speaking at an event in Bengaluru last Sunday, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Marshal A.P. Singh disclosed new details about India’s strikes against Pakistan during their unprecedented standoff in May this year. For the first time since the conflict, Singh publicly confirmed that the IAF had shot down five Pakistani fighter jets, along with a…
KAAN, KF-21 and AMCA – Three Parallel Fifth Generation Programs
Fifth-generation fighter aircraft have been the flavour of all discussions on South Asia. A British Royal Navy F-35 fighter jet was stuck in Thiruvananthapuram, India for 37 days after a mid-air emergency forced it to land on June 14. It finally flew back to the UK on July 22. It put into question the logistic-maintenance…
F-35 Has Complications. Accelerate AMCA – Private Consortium Approach the Best Way Forward
The AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program in India is considered urgent due to the country’s declining fighter squadron strength, the modernization of rival air forces, and the need to maintain a technological edge in air combat. The program aims to replace aging aircraft and introduce a fifth-generation fighter, addressing both operational and strategic requirements.…
Op Sindoor: Indigenous Systems Gave India the Edge – More Needs to Be Done
Operation SINDOOR emerged as a calibrated military response to an evolving pattern of Pakistan’s asymmetric warfare, one that increasingly targeted unarmed civilians along with military personnel. The terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam in April 2025 served as a grim reminder of this shift. India’s response was deliberate, precise, and strategic. Without physically crossing the…
Deep Drone Strikes New Dimension of Conflict – Lessons for India
Ukraine achieved its longest-range attack into Russia on Sunday, 01 June, hitting targets on four strategic military bases nearly 4,000 kilometres away from Ukrainian territory, and hitting around 40 Russian warplanes. Thirteen of these were reportedly destroyed, and others damaged. Ukrainian President Zelensky claimed that 117 drones were used in the so-called “Spider’s Web” operation…
Make in India Rafale Fuselage – A Strategic Move Forward
In a big boost to Make-in-India, Dassault Aviation of France and India’s Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will partner for Rafale aircraft fuselage manufacturing at a dedicated facility in Hyderabad. The key structural sections of the aircraft to be manufactured in India include the central fuselage, rear section, lateral rear shells, and the front section.…
Indo-US NISAR Satellite Launched – Huge Potential to Unlock
NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR), the first joint satellite of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), will be launched by ISRO’s GSLV-F16 on July 30, 2025, at 17:40 hrs IST from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota. It is a unique Earth observation satellite and the…
Future is Directed Energy Weapons – India Fast Coming of Age
India successfully tested the Mk-II (A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) on April 13, 2025, at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool. This 30 kW (kilowatt) laser weapon is designed to neutralize drones, UAVs, and other aerial threats, placing India in a select group of nations with this capability. The DRDO (Defence Research and…
As China Accelerates Airpower, India Eyes Su-57 while Pushing AMCA
A British F-35B fighterjet that made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala nearly four weeks ago is finally being repaired by a team of UK specialists. If that fails, the aircraft will be dismantled and transported—likely in a C-17 Globemaster. The incident was closely observed by global and Indian security establishments, highlighting…
B-2s Strike Iran with Bunker Buster MOAB – Understand Technology and Escalation Dynamics
US President Donald Trump described US military strikes on three nuclear sites as a “spectacular military success” and added that the facilities were “completely and totally obliterated.” He was addressing the world from the White House on Saturday evening. Trump warned Iran that the US could go after additional targets if Iran does not make…
14Th Dalai Lama Turns 90 – Succession Plan – Traditions or Tensions
The exiled spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, has announced that his office, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, has sole authority to recognise the next Dalai Lama. On Wednesday, four days ahead of his 90th birthday, he posted a statement to X discussing the future of the Tibetan spiritual leadership, particularly his succession plans. He said…
China-Iran Strategic Closeness – Challenges and Choices India
Iran is still recovering from the 12-day conflict with Israel and the June 22 attack on its nuclear facilities by the United States Air Force and Navy. The conflict has brought the Middle East to the brink of a new regional order, the one through which Israel tried to assert itself as an unrestrained military…
AI 171 – Automation Failure or Human Error Aircrew – Don’t Create Fall Guys
Allegations of human error is “deeply insensitive,” says the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) after the preliminary report on Air India flight 171 crash was released. In an official statement, the ICPA called the accusations and allegations against the pilots and flight crew a “gross violation” and “disservice to the profession.” “In the aftermath of…
The Houthis and the Red Sea Crisis – Unfolding Action and Options India
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the Indian Navy (IN) has deployed ten ships in that (Gulf of Aden) region because we got a double problem. We have a piracy problem, and we’ve got a missile drone problem. In the last few days, actually, one of our ships extinguished a fire and rescued…
Multiple Origin Fleets – Complexities for IAF – Time to Rationalise
At the time of independence, Indian Air Force (IAF) inherited some of the aviation assets left by the British including Hawker Tempest and Spitfires. India also procured more British aircraft like the Hawker Hunter, the Gnat, Devon, and Vickers Viscount. The USA was reluctant but offered some helicopters. The French offered fighter aircraft in the…
Beyond Range and Payload: The Importance of Aircraft Endurance
It is usually observed that the comparison of the aircraft is made upon their technical specifications or their weapon package, but there’s another factor as critical as any other, the endurance of an aircraft. The ability of an aircraft to be successful in combat depends upon endurance to some extent it depends on other factors…
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