The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, approved a nearly ₹63,000-crore deal for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets from France for the Indian Navy, official sources confirmed. The contract is expected to be concluded later this month. It includes 22 single-seater jets that can operate from aircraft carriers and fourContinue reading “26 Rafale for Navy – Add IAF’s 114 and “Make-in-India-for-the-World””
Category Archives: Technology
Can Armed, Stealthy UAVs Replace Fighter Jets or Best Augment Them
Elon Musk has suggested that fighter jets be replaced by drones. However, some say that drones would need to have the same electronics as fighter jets, which would make them expensive. Clearly, more and more tasks are being gradually shifted to drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are not likely to replace fighter jets anytime soon. However, drones willContinue reading “Can Armed, Stealthy UAVs Replace Fighter Jets or Best Augment Them”
Lessons from Operation Sindoor: Key Areas of Military Modernisation
India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, without qualification, acknowledged some tactical errors on Day 1 of the Indian Air Force (IAF) campaign of Op Sindoor. He was giving an interview to two international media houses. In what is seen clearly as a deliberate and calculated interview, on the sidelines of the Shangri-LaContinue reading “Lessons from Operation Sindoor: Key Areas of Military Modernisation”
Protecting Under Sea Cables – New Strategic Challenge and Imperative
A cut in the Red Sea cable on September 08, disrupted internet services across India, Pakistan, and the Middle East. The outage also affected the UAE, where networks like Etisalat and Du slowed down. It shows how much of the global internet relies on undersea cables. The problem came from two major cables: the SMW4Continue reading “Protecting Under Sea Cables – New Strategic Challenge and Imperative”
Military and Security Developments in China – India Needs to Build Conventional Capability
As China seeks to achieve “national rejuvenation” by its centenary in 2049, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders view a modern, capable, and “world-class” military as essential to achieving its revisionist aims (changing the current status quo) and overcoming what Beijing sees as an increasingly turbulent international environment. This is the guiding principle charting China’s national, economic, and military strategy. It is thus importantContinue reading “Military and Security Developments in China – India Needs to Build Conventional Capability”
India’s DRDO Tests A laser Weapon – Understand the Dynamics of Directed Energy Weapons
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday, April 13, 2025, announced the successful trial of the in-house developed Mk-II(A) Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system. It thus demonstrated having mastered the technology for disabling missiles, drones, and smaller projectiles. The success has put India in the exclusive and limited club of nations, whichContinue reading “India’s DRDO Tests A laser Weapon – Understand the Dynamics of Directed Energy Weapons”
India’s Deepening Military Aviation’s French Connection
The primacy of air power in future military operations has once again been re-established in the Ukraine conflict, West Asian showdowns, and most recently during Op Sindoor. Indian Air Force (IAF) is down to 29 fighter aircraft squadrons vis-à-vis the authorized 42.5. The last MiG-21 “Bison” squadron is being decommissioned this September. The LCA Mk1A is still mired by delays and will enter IAF serviceContinue reading “India’s Deepening Military Aviation’s French Connection”
Indian Strategic Missiles Pushing Ahead With Precision and Reach
Speaking at an event in Bengaluru last Sunday, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Marshal A.P. Singh disclosed new details about India’s strikes against Pakistan during their unprecedented standoff in May this year. For the first time since the conflict, Singh publicly confirmed that the IAF had shot down five Pakistani fighter jets, along with aContinue reading “Indian Strategic Missiles Pushing Ahead With Precision and Reach”
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 “
AI 171 – Automation Failure or Human Error Aircrew – Don’t Create Fall Guys
Allegations of human error is “deeply insensitive,” says the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) after the preliminary report on Air India flight 171 crash was released. In an official statement, the ICPA called the accusations and allegations against the pilots and flight crew a “gross violation” and “disservice to the profession.” “In the aftermath ofContinue reading “AI 171 – Automation Failure or Human Error Aircrew – Don’t Create Fall Guys”
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