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”
Category Archives: Technology
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”
Multiple Origin Fleets – Complexities for IAF – Time to Rationalise
At the time of independence, Indian Air Force (IAF) inherited some of the aviation assets left by the British including Hawker Tempest and Spitfires. India also procured more British aircraft like the Hawker Hunter, the Gnat, Devon, and Vickers Viscount. The USA was reluctant but offered some helicopters. The French offered fighter aircraft in theContinue reading “Multiple Origin Fleets – Complexities for IAF – Time to Rationalise”
Beyond Range and Payload: The Importance of Aircraft Endurance
It is usually observed that the comparison of the aircraft is made upon their technical specifications or their weapon package, but there’s another factor as critical as any other, the endurance of an aircraft. The ability of an aircraft to be successful in combat depends upon endurance to some extent it depends on other factorsContinue reading “Beyond Range and Payload: The Importance of Aircraft Endurance”
Next Gen Aero Engines
The most important thing that drives all future civil aerospace engine design is engine efficiency, which has a direct impact on specific fuel consumption, operating costs, and environmental issues. New propulsion means for autonomous systems is another area of interest to the civil aviation world. All top engine makers are unveiling new technologies to burnContinue reading “Next Gen Aero Engines”
British Roadblock in Tejas way to Argentina, and how New Delhi likely to fix it
Carrying an aspiration to score the maiden export success of its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has so far entered into multiple races, and multiple venues, opening doors for various potential customers to judge the capability and compatibility of the platform to fulfill their air defence requirements, either on long-term or interimContinue reading “British Roadblock in Tejas way to Argentina, and how New Delhi likely to fix it”
Air Power Asia 