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 “
Author Archives: Anil Chopra
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”
India’s Booming Civil Aviation – Time to Make Airliners and Manage MRO
On a typical day, Indian airports receive nearly 3,100 domestic and 625 international flights, involving 6,200 aircraft movements, having over 1,115,000 passenger footfalls. The airlines’ passenger load factor is close to 90 per cent. India’s post-Covid-19 civil aviation turnaround has been extraordinary. India has 157 operational airports. Positive attitude, progressive policies, and deep trust amongContinue reading “India’s Booming Civil Aviation – Time to Make Airliners and Manage MRO”
Trends in Military Uncrewed Aerial Systems
Uncrewed aircraft technologies have now matured. The world is at a transition. Dual use (optionally crewed) aircraft are flying in larger numbers. Uncrewed Combat Air Vehicles (UCAV) are being intensively used in combat, with more and more drones being armed with aerial weapons. Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) are taking off and landing by themselves, includingContinue reading “Trends in Military Uncrewed Aerial Systems “
Exercise Tarang Shakti – Largest Multilateral Air Exercise in India
The Phase I of Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Mother-of-all-Exercises “Tarang Shakti” concluded on 14 August at Sulur Air Base, near Coimbatore, in India’s southern peninsula. The ultimate show of multinational synergy on the concluding day was a joint fighter aircraft mission by four Air Chiefs of participating air forces. These included ACM VR Chaudhari, CASContinue reading “Exercise Tarang Shakti – Largest Multilateral Air Exercise in India “
Air Domain Awareness – Time to Get Going
The number of aerial platforms and projectiles is increasing phenomenally. Civil aviation is the fastest growing transportation sector. Military is using very high speed aircraft, long range missiles, including ballistic, many of which are flying at hypersonic speeds. Unmanned systems and drones are the new entrants in this huge expanse of aerospace. LEO space altitudeContinue reading “Air Domain Awareness – Time to Get Going “
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) forContinue reading “The Great MRFA Competition – Mother of All Deals – G2G Best Option”
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 theContinue reading “With MQ-9 Deal Indo-US Military Aviation Ties Move Further Ahead”
Air Power Asia 