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-maintenanceContinue reading “KAAN, KF-21 and AMCA – Three Parallel Fifth Generation Programs”
Author Archives: Anil Chopra
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.Continue reading “F-35 Has Complications. Accelerate AMCA – Private Consortium Approach the Best Way Forward”
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 theContinue reading “Op Sindoor: Indigenous Systems Gave India the Edge – More Needs to Be Done “
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” operationContinue reading “Deep Drone Strikes New Dimension of Conflict – Lessons for India”
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.Continue reading “Make in India Rafale Fuselage – A Strategic Move Forward”
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 theContinue reading “Indo-US NISAR Satellite Launched – Huge Potential to Unlock “
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 andContinue reading “Future is Directed Energy Weapons – India Fast Coming of Age “
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, highlightingContinue reading “As China Accelerates Airpower, India Eyes Su-57 while Pushing AMCA “
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 makeContinue reading “B-2s Strike Iran with Bunker Buster MOAB – Understand Technology and Escalation Dynamics”
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 saidContinue reading “14Th Dalai Lama Turns 90 – Succession Plan – Traditions or Tensions”
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