The US and Israeli militaries are hammering Iran for over two weeks. There are two reported aims of the campaign, one to replace the hardliners and install a moderate regime, and second to neutralise the Iranian nuclear weapons program. While a large part of the Khomeini regime and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders haveContinue reading “Continuous Air Strikes – Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program Only Partially Dented – Is Special Operations the Way Forward”
Author Archives: Anil Chopra
India’s World-Class Missile and Radar Programs
India has some of the world’s most advanced weapons programs, driven by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and private industry, that are rapidly advancing indigenous defence capabilities and taking India towards self-reliance. Key programs include the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Agni Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), and the two-tiered Ballistic Missile Defence system, placingContinue reading “India’s World-Class Missile and Radar Programs”
Defence of Air Defence Systems
The US lost nearly $2B worth of military equipment in the first 4 days of operations in Iran. Losses include SATCOM terminals, F-15E Strike Eagles, and radar equipment. The chief driver of the cost is a US AN/FPS-132 early warning radar system at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, valued at $1.1 billion, which wasContinue reading “Defence of Air Defence Systems”
Russia Remains a Good Bet for Military Aviation Technologies
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”
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 “