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”
Category Archives: Defence & Security
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 “
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”
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 “
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”
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”
Air Power Asia 