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”
Author Archives: Anil Chopra
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”
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 IndiaContinue reading “77th Republic Day – Uncertain World – India Biding Time and Carving Own Geo-Strategic Place”
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,Continue reading “NATO without USA – Time for Europe to Wake Up”
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 ArmyContinue reading “Seeing China and Pakistan – Indian Army Pushing Own Rocket Force-Need to Understand Pros and Cons”
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 ofContinue reading “As IAF Hits 92 – Atmanirbharta in Military Aviation Most Important”
Air Power Asia 