Russia just showcased the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC)’s Superjet SJ-100, and the turboprop Il-114-300 aircraft at Wings India 2026, in Hyderabad. India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) had earlier signed a MoU with UAC to make the near 100-seat SJ-100 regional jet in India. Russian aviation giant UAC has signed a deal to supply six IlyushinContinue reading “Russia Remains a Good Bet for Military Aviation Technologies”
Author Archives: Anil Chopra
Op Sindoor: IAF Hits Wide and Deep – In Just 90 hours Sets a New Normal
India launched “Operation SINDOOR” in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam to destroy the terroristbackers of the attack. Pakistan attempted a weak response using drones and shelling to hit Indian military and civilian targets, including religious sites. India responded by striking military targets across the length and depth of Pakistan to denudeContinue reading “Op Sindoor: IAF Hits Wide and Deep – In Just 90 hours Sets a New Normal”
China’s Military Aviation Support to Pakistan – Need to Watch India
China–Pakistan cooperation was very visible during “Op Sindoor”. Nearly 80 percent of Pakistani military hardware is of Chinese origin. Pakistan is the leading recipient and showcase of Chinese armaments. Over the years, China has supplied nearly $20 billion worth of arms to Pakistan. China supplies aircraft, ships, submarines, tanks, missiles, drones, and many other systems. China has a footprint in Pakistan’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs. The greatest cooperation is in aviation systems.Continue reading “China’s Military Aviation Support to Pakistan – Need to Watch India”
Indian Navy Signs for 26 Rafale-M – Significant Commonality with IAF Rafale
India has signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France for the purchase of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy (IN) that includes 22 single-seat and 4 twin-seat versions. The IGA was signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of Armed Forces of France Sebastien Lecornu remotely. The signed copies of the agreement,Continue reading “Indian Navy Signs for 26 Rafale-M – Significant Commonality with IAF Rafale”
LCA the Flagship of Atmanirbharta – Need to Succeed Quickly
The IAF Chief expressed serious concerns with the sluggish pace of Tejas production. “Technology delayed is technology denied,” said Air Chief Marshal AP Singh while speaking at the 21st Subroto Mukerjee Seminar. Only 40 aircraft have been handed over in 10 years, averaging just four a year. Further, the deliveries of Tejas LCA Mk1A haveContinue reading “LCA the Flagship of Atmanirbharta – Need to Succeed Quickly “
The “Nuclear Umbrella” and Changing Nuclear Weapons Security Dynamics
An unreliable American nuclear umbrella means more countries want the nuclear bomb. For long, Europe and some other Asian countries were banking on US security guarantees. Ukraine had denounced nuclear weapons after the Soviet Union imploded, but after the Russian invasion of February 2022, and Russian threats to use a tactical nuclear weapon, Ukraine isContinue reading “The “Nuclear Umbrella” and Changing Nuclear Weapons Security Dynamics”
IAF’s Significant Global Air Reach
Indian Air Force (IAF) is now routinely exercising and demonstrating the long operational range of its fighter aircraft through missions deep into the neighbouring seas and the Indian Ocean. The global reach of its transport aircraft has been seen and appreciated during the Covid-19 pandemic and the support provided in various calamities and evacuations. ThisContinue reading “IAF’s Significant Global Air Reach “
Make in India Rafale
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.Continue reading “Make in India Rafale”
Time for Atmanirbharta in Civil Aviation
MoCA, AAI & FICCI had organized WINGS INDIA 2026, Asia’s largest event on Civil Aviation (Commercial, General and Business Aviation) at Hyderabad end January 2026. The Theme was “Indian Aviation: Paving the Future – From Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation and Safety to Sustainability”. India has the fastest-growing civil aviation sector,Continue reading “Time for Atmanirbharta in Civil Aviation”
Impact of Defence Space Capabilities on National Security
Space has already emerged as the next great frontier, where geostrategic play is quickly unfolding. Space impacts all activities on planet Earth. More importantly, all major powers are not only building capabilities to harness the great potential of space but also evolving means to secure assets and dominate the domain. India is a significant playerContinue reading “Impact of Defence Space Capabilities on National Security”
Air Power Asia 