Move Over Pentagon, Egypt Unveils World’s Biggest Defense HQs, “The Octagon”! With Top Militaries Sitting Together in Single Building Complex, Should India Have Put All Military and MoD Together?

Egypt just inaugurated “The Octagon”, a massive new State Strategic Command Headquarters spanning 22,000 acres in the New Administrative Capital. Surpassing the U.S. Pentagon in both land size and floor area, it serves as the central command hub for the Egyptian Armed Forces. The complex includes eight interconnected octagonal buildings that house central commands, logistics,Continue reading “Move Over Pentagon, Egypt Unveils World’s Biggest Defense HQs, “The Octagon”! With Top Militaries Sitting Together in Single Building Complex, Should India Have Put All Military and MoD Together?”

How the Sukhoi Design Bureau Overtook the Great Mikoyan Design Bureau

During the Cold War, the Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) design bureau held a monopoly on frontline fighters (like the MiG-21 and MiG-29), while the Sukhoi Design Bureau (Sukhoi) specialized in strike aircraft. Sukhoi seems to have surpassed the legendary MiG pack due to the massive success of the Su-27 “Flanker” family. Mikoyan’s financial struggles following the SovietContinue reading “How the Sukhoi Design Bureau Overtook the Great Mikoyan Design Bureau”

F15 Eagle the Great Combat Platform But Couldn’t Match the Sales of the Smaller Brother F-16 Fighting Falcons

Nearly 50 years after being introduced, and having seen many upgrades, the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Falcon continue to compete for sales. Latest variants of both have been vying for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) (MRFA) (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft). Both have very creditably served the home country’s US Air Force (USAF) and have been inContinue reading “F15 Eagle the Great Combat Platform But Couldn’t Match the Sales of the Smaller Brother F-16 Fighting Falcons”

Perceived SSM and Drone Successes – Can Countries Really Cut Fighter Aircraft Inventories?

Iran with a much inferior air force and highly depleted fighter aircraft assets could force the world’s greatest air powers of the USA and Israel, with top end fighters, to the negotiating table within a little over a month. Iran had primarily used ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones. There are others who are arguing thatContinue reading “Perceived SSM and Drone Successes – Can Countries Really Cut Fighter Aircraft Inventories?”

Tanker Fleets Dominated by the West – Time for Russia and India to have their Own

USA led Western economic sanctions after the beginning of the Ukraine War included limiting Russian crude oil price to $60 per barrel. Since this did not work, the West imposed sanctions targeting the tankers used to ship Russia’s oil. But Russian oil exports actually increased, as Moscow found alternatives. China and India began buying RussianContinue reading “Tanker Fleets Dominated by the West – Time for Russia and India to have their Own”

Russian Systems Get Showcased – BrahMos and S 400 – The Clear Winners of OP Sindoor

As “Op Sindoor”, the India–Pakistan conflict, has been put on a temporary pause, it is time to reflect on what happened. For the first time after the “Battle of Britain”, and the 1950 Korean War, two near-peer air forces were engaged in an air campaign. This was also the first conflict between two nuclear powers.Continue reading “Russian Systems Get Showcased – BrahMos and S 400 – The Clear Winners of OP Sindoor”

How US Airpower Dominance Paved the Way to Capture Venezuela’s Maduro

The United States military and law enforcement officials captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores, in a high-stakes military operation on January 3, a mission carried out by the US Army’s Delta Force and backed by extensive use of American airpower. After months of growing military pressure on Maduro, President Donald TrumpContinue reading “How US Airpower Dominance Paved the Way to Capture Venezuela’s Maduro”

Global Aggressor Fighter Aircraft Squadrons – IAF’s CoBRA a Unique Blend

After the Balakot air strikes and the more recent Op Sindoor, aerial engagements remained a subject of intense debate and continue to do so. Aerial engagements have hogged maximum news headlines since aviation began. Baron von Richthofen, or the Red Baron, was a fighter pilot with the German Air Force during World War I. HeContinue reading “Global Aggressor Fighter Aircraft Squadrons – IAF’s CoBRA a Unique Blend”

Su-35s for Iran How Does it Change Dynamics with Israel

Iran has purchased Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, amid Western concerns about Iran and Russia’s growing military cooperation. Ali Shadmani, the deputy coordinator of the Khatam-ol-Anbia Central Headquarters, who was quoted by media, did not clarify how many jets were purchased or whether they had already been delivered to Iran. “Whenever necessary, we make military purchases to strengthen our air, land, and navalContinue reading “Su-35s for Iran How Does it Change Dynamics with Israel”

Pakistan Pushing for J-35 Fifth Generation Aircraft – Way Ahead India

Midst of Op Sindoor, Pakistan once again announced that it will start acquiring around 40 Chinese fifth-generation fighter J-35A, as early as August 2025. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reportedly finalized the logistics and financing details of the J-35 fighter jet deal during his visit to China immediately after Op Sindoor. Can China fast-track the production and deliveries of an aircraft which has just begun production remains aContinue reading “Pakistan Pushing for J-35 Fifth Generation Aircraft – Way Ahead India”