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The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) are set to commence the bilateral air combat exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2026’ at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan, scheduled from September 9 to September 21. The exercise marks a historic milestone in bilateral military ties, featuring the first-ever operational deployment of Japanese fighter aircraft to Indian soil. Japan is deploying its frontline Mitsubishi F-2A multirole fighters—an advanced indigenous platform...

On August 27, 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for a major T-72 and T-90 tank overhaul facility at the Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) in Madhya Pradesh. The ceremony, which was also attended by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, marks a crucial step in maintaining the combat readiness of India's heavy armoured forces. Addressing the event, the Defence Minister highlighted the strategic benefits of establishing this maintenance hub in central India. Because Jabalpur...

The capacity to shoot down an adversary aircraft before it gets close enough to fire back is a game-changer in aerial warfare. This is exactly what beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles achieve, and India's Astra programme is purposely built to secure this critical capability indigenously. The Astra Mk1 has successfully transitioned from testing to active service, while the more advanced Astra Mk2 is currently in development to significantly expand this tactical advantage. ad...

It may seem contradictory that India has finalised a government-to-government agreement to acquire the American Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system, considering it underperformed during high-altitude trials in Ladakh in late 2024. This raises important questions about what happened during those tests and why New Delhi is investing in a weapon system that faced challenges in the exact terrain where it is currently most needed. ad During recent Indian Army evaluations, multiple...

Recent open-source satellite imagery analysis has identified a significantly expanding Chinese surface-to-air missile (SAM) base located directly opposite India's Ladakh sector. According to geospatial intelligence provided by the analyst known as @avmapping, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Force has constructed a comprehensive HQ-16 battalion site under the operational control of the Xinjiang Military Region. The highly detailed imagery reveals numbered firing positions...

Following the combat success of the S-400 Triumf during Operation Sindoor, the Russian government has presented a comprehensive proposal to the Indian Ministry of Defence to supply five additional squadrons of the advanced surface-to-air missile system. Valued at over ₹50,000 crore, this offer is currently under detailed evaluation by Indian authorities. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had previously granted approval for the procurement of these five extra squadrons in March 2026...

The Indian Army has initiated a long-pending major overhaul of its indigenous Arjun Mk-1 main battle tanks. Six years after the first batch was scheduled for deep maintenance, a pilot project has commenced at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi, Chennai, under the state-owned Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL). Under this initiative, two tanks will be completely dismantled, refurbished, and modernised. ad According to defence sources, these two pilot tanks will not merely undergo...

India and the United Kingdom are on the verge of finalising a landmark agreement to jointly develop Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) systems for the Indian Navy. This cutting-edge technology is designated to power four upcoming Landing Platform Docks (LPDs)—massive amphibious assault ships that are expected to displace roughly 29,000 tonnes. This anticipated deal represents the next major achievement in a rapidly expanding bilateral defence relationship that has been steadily...

Just days after India and China held high-level border discussions in Beijing, the Chinese government announced the dismissal of two of its most senior military commanders. Between August 28 and 29, 2026, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress officially removed General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli from the state Central Military Commission (CMC). This move concludes sweeping investigations into suspected "serious violations of discipline and law" that first began...

A recent strategic commentary published in The Diplomat by Pakistani analysts Abdul Moiz Khan and Syeda Saba Batool has argued that the Indian Navy’s ongoing integration of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile across its surface combatants risks destabilising maritime security in South Asia. However, viewing India's naval modernisation purely through an India-Pakistan prism misinterprets New Delhi’s broader strategic posture, which is primarily calibrated to counter dual-front maritime...

The progression of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Tejas Mk1A fighter jet programme heavily depends on the timely arrival of GE Aerospace's F404-IN20 turbofan engines. With August 2026 now over, the defence community is closely monitoring the latest delivery timelines. However, there has been no official announcement regarding the receipt of two engines that were scheduled to be handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) this past month. ad In July 2026, GE Aerospace successfully...

In a major step toward modernising its combat aviation, Uzbekistan has publicly showcased its first batch of six Chinese-built Chengdu J-10CE multirole fighter jets. This development officially makes Tashkent the second international operator of the aircraft after Pakistan, as the Central Asian nation begins phasing out its deteriorating Soviet-legacy fighter fleet. ad The newly inducted aircraft were filmed operating from the strategic Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, commonly referred to as K2...

Prior to 2022, the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missile had not secured a single international buyer. Fast forward to today, and the weapon system has evolved into a highly coveted asset on the global arms market. Following a landmark acquisition by the Philippines, Vietnam has quietly finalized a procurement agreement, while Indonesia is nearing the conclusion of its own deal. With nations like the United Arab Emirates expressing strong interest and even Russia exploring...

As India continues to fortify its multi-layered air defence network with the Russian-made S-400 Triumf and the indigenous Project Kusha (Extended Range Air Defence System), a unique tactical question frequently arises: could these surface-to-air systems be modified to strike ground targets during an emergency? While the short answer is technically yes, the reality is much more complex. Exploring this possibility reveals the intricate mechanics of modern air defence systems and highlights...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently working to manufacture the British MBDA Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) in India to serve as its primary close-combat weapon. This missile is set to become the standard choice for an expanding roster of fighter jets, including the indigenous Tejas Mk1A, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and the MiG-29UPG. While the ASRAAM offers unmatched within-visual-range combat capabilities, its premium price tag may encourage the IAF to look for a more...

As India pushes forward with its homegrown Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, which targets a prototype flight by 2029, a vital strategic question is taking shape: how should the nation approach sixth-generation combat aviation? Recent developments highlight New Delhi's delicate balancing act between the UK-Italy-Japan Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and the French-led Future Combat Air System (FCAS). With China rapidly advancing its stealth fleets and testing...

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has strongly affirmed that traditional manned fighter jets will continue to play a vital role in modern combat, despite the rising prominence of autonomous systems. Addressing the India Defence Conclave hosted by BharatShakti in New Delhi, he rejected the idea that future aerial warfare will be entirely unmanned. He stressed that human presence—often referred to as having a "man in the loop"—remains essential for making complex...

The Indian Ocean Region has become a theatre of intense strategic rivalry, prompting India to rapidly scale up its maritime intelligence and monitoring capabilities. While advanced aerial assets like the MQ-9B SeaGuardian drone offer excellent high-altitude surveillance, they cannot single-handedly cover the entirety of this vast maritime expanse. Spanning from the Strait of Hormuz to the Malacca Strait, the sheer magnitude of the Indian Ocean requires affordable, persistent surveillance...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is grappling with a severe shortfall in its combat aircraft fleet, a challenge that cannot be resolved solely by purchasing new fighter jets. While the IAF is officially mandated to maintain 42 fighter squadrons to successfully manage potential two-front threats, the current strength has plummeted to an estimated 29 squadrons. This critical gap is widening as legacy Soviet-era aircraft, primarily the ageing MiG-21s, are steadily retired. Meanwhile, domestic...

Pakistan recently introduced a new long-range loitering munition, the D-248, officially unveiled by Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) at the Indus Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Expo 2026. According to the manufacturer, this "kamikaze drone" boasts an impressive operational range of up to 3,000 kilometers and can stay airborne for 12 to 14 hours. Because this range surpasses almost every conventional missile currently in Pakistan's arsenal, the announcement has sparked widespread...