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: Strategic Affairs
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 “
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”
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”
Mediterranean QUAD: Will India Join 3+1 Grouping To Counter “Islamic NATO”? Can UAE Join In Amid Saudi Rift? OPED
UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is scheduled to visit the Indian capital, New Delhi, amid flaring tensions in the Middle East. In Iran, the United States is mulling an attack on the Islamic Republic amid raging protests in the country and possibly even removing the Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, from power. TensionsContinue reading “Mediterranean QUAD: Will India Join 3+1 Grouping To Counter “Islamic NATO”? Can UAE Join In Amid Saudi Rift? OPED”
Rajnath Singh in Moscow – Time-Tested Indo-Russia Defence Partnership
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Moscow on Sunday night on a 3-day visit. The Minister was received by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar and Russian Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin. Rajnath Singh’s trip comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia in October. During that visit, PM Modi attended the 22nd India-Russia SummitContinue reading “Rajnath Singh in Moscow – Time-Tested Indo-Russia Defence Partnership”
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”
China’s Threatening Exercises around Taiwan – Dummy Run For Invasion – But Taiwan No Walk Over
China encircled Taiwan in massive military display. Chinese military rehearsed blockade of island’s north and south and carried out 10 hours of live-firing drills around the threatened island. Taiwan said that China was simulating strikes on US-made weapons. USA and Europeans condemned China’s drills. Earlier in December 2025, the US NDAA for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 authorized up to $11.1 billion for Taiwan under the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative. Largest US arms package for Taiwan includes HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, JavelinContinue reading “China’s Threatening Exercises around Taiwan – Dummy Run For Invasion – But Taiwan No Walk Over”
India & Israel – The Unshakable Aerospace Bond – Scope for More Cooperation
The possible Turkey-Pakistan–Saudi Arabia alliance became a major geopolitical development after reports emerged that Ankara was in advanced talks to join the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September 2025. This pact treats any aggression against one member as an attack on all, mirroring NATO‘s Article 5. The trilateral bloc, if materialized, would combine Saudi Arabia’s massive financial resources, Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal & largeContinue reading “India & Israel – The Unshakable Aerospace Bond – Scope for More Cooperation”
Air Power Asia 