Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh was on an important four-day visit to France to advance the mega ₹3.25 lakh crore ($39 billion) deal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets. This visit came immediately after the Indian Defence Ministry issued a formal Letter of Request (LoR) to the French government.Continue reading “IAF Chief in France – Likely Contours of the Rafale Deal”
Category Archives: Military Aviation
Russia Remains a Good Bet for Military Aviation Technologies
Russia showcased the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC)’s Superjet SJ-100, and the turbo-prop Il-114-300 aircraft at the 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 had signed a deal to supply six Il-114-300Continue reading “Russia Remains a Good Bet for Military Aviation Technologies”
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”
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 “
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 “
Make in India Rafale
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”
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”
As Russia Prepares to Celebrate 80th Victory Day Time to Look at the Greatest Soviet Air Aces of WW II
The May 9 Victory Day parade at Moscow’s Red Square marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and the end of WW II. The German Instrument of Surrender was signed in Berlin, late in the evening on 8 May 1945, when it was already 9 May in Moscow. The surrender wasContinue reading “As Russia Prepares to Celebrate 80th Victory Day Time to Look at the Greatest Soviet Air Aces of WW II”
5th Generation Aircraft Choices and Challenges India
India’s AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program 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. The IndianContinue reading “5th Generation Aircraft Choices and Challenges India”