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In a landmark event for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the first batch of officers for the newly created Weapon Systems Branch was commissioned at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal near Hyderabad. This historic occasion took place during the Combined Graduation Parade on Saturday, where 204 cadets, including 26 women, were sworn in as flying officers. The parade was reviewed by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, the Chief of the Air Staff. ad The Weapon Systems Branch officers will undergo a...

Bangladesh's renewed pursuit of F-16 fighter jets from the United States appears to be facing headwinds, with indications that the US is unlikely to approve the request. This mirrors a similar situation in 1999 when Bangladesh's initial bid for the American aircraft was declined. According to a report by Intelligence Online, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) recently revived the request during a visit to Washington, highlighting a persistent desire to...

S. Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has highlighted a critical gap in India's aerospace industry: the lack of adequate aerodynamic testing facilities. Speaking at the SAROD 2024 event organized by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Somanath emphasized the urgent need for significant investment to bolster India's capabilities in this crucial area. ad Somanath revealed that India currently relies on foreign facilities for many essential aerodynamic...

India's ambitious Project-76, focused on developing a new class of diesel-electric attack submarines, is gaining momentum with a strong emphasis on indigenous components. The Indian Navy is actively seeking locally developed diesel engines to power these submarines, marking a significant step towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies. ad A private sector company, already experienced in developing industrial diesel engines, is in discussions with the Navy to provide the engines...

Recent tensions in India-Bangladesh relations following the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government have raised concerns about regional security. Bangladesh's acquisition of Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones, and their reported deployment along the India-Bangladesh border for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, has put Indian security forces on high alert. ad While Bangladesh claims the drones are deployed in a defensive role, their presence near the border has...

Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), a leading Indian materials research and development organization, has achieved a significant breakthrough with the development of SN-41, a nickel-based precipitation hardening superalloy. This new material exhibits exceptional properties that promise to revolutionize high-temperature and high-stress applications in critical sectors like aerospace and defence. ad SN-41's robust characteristics make it an ideal choice for industries demanding...

India's defence maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector is poised for a significant transformation, fueled by strategic partnerships between global aerospace giants and domestic firms. Over the next five years, the sector is expected to evolve into a regional hub for military aviation maintenance, propelled by policy reforms, a maturing industrial ecosystem, and a growing emphasis on indigenous capabilities. ad Collaborations between international leaders like Lockheed Martin and...

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is facing a critical juncture as it grapples with an aging fleet of fighter jets while striving to maintain a credible deterrent against the Indian Air Force (IAF). While the IAF is dealing with its own challenges of dwindling squadron numbers and upcoming retirements, the PAF is under pressure to modernize its force and ensure its operational readiness for future conflicts. ad The PAF has traditionally maintained a fleet of around 450 fighter jets to balance...

As the world increasingly embraces artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, international collaboration is becoming essential to drive innovation and address global challenges. Axel Bååthe, Head of The Rainforest, Saab's innovation hub, sees immense potential for collaboration between India and Sweden in these emerging fields. His insights highlight the synergistic opportunities that arise from combining Sweden's strong innovation ecosystem with India's rapidly growing technological...

Tensions appear to be rising between Pakistan and its "all-weather friend" China, as reports emerge that the Pakistan Army is demanding a significant upgrade to its nuclear capabilities in exchange for granting China greater access to the strategically important Gwadar port. This demand has reportedly angered Chinese officials and brought negotiations to a standstill. ad According to Drop Site News, a website specializing in Pakistani affairs, the Pakistan Army is insisting that China...

India is achieving a major milestone in its naval capabilities with the nearing completion of INS Varsha, a state-of-the-art underground base designed to house nuclear submarines. Strategically located near Rambilli in Andhra Pradesh, this facility is expected to be operational within the next two years. ad INS Varsha represents a significant leap forward in India's naval infrastructure. The base is designed to accommodate over 12 nuclear-powered submarines, including the Arihant-class...

Major General S B Asthana recently addressed India's potential acquisition of Russia's Su-57 stealth fighter, emphasizing the critical need for the Indian Armed Forces to maintain a balance of cutting-edge, current, and older military equipment. He highlighted the "30/60/10 rule," which suggests an ideal composition of 30% state-of-the-art systems, 60% current-generation equipment, and only 10% obsolete inventory. This balanced approach, he argued, ensures operational readiness while...

India has reached a significant milestone in its pursuit of advanced missile technology with the successful completion of the final experimental test for the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion-based missile system. Developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this cutting-edge technology is poised to revolutionize India's capabilities in developing long-range air-to-air missiles. ad The final test demonstrated the flawless performance of the...

The future of INS Chakra II, a Russian-made Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine leased to India for ten years, hangs in the balance. Recent satellite imagery reveals the vessel docked alongside Russia's Oscar II-class submarine K-442 Chelyabinsk at the Bolshoy Kamen naval base in Russia's Primorsky Krai. This sighting has ignited speculation about the submarine's fate after its return to Russia in June 2021. ad Originally named K-322 Nerpa by the Russian Navy, INS Chakra II was...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to significantly enhance the defensive capabilities of its Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet with the integration of the indigenously developed Dual Colour Missile Approach Warning System (DC-MAWS). This advanced system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will provide crucial missile detection and warning capabilities, addressing a long-standing gap in the Su-30MKI's defensive suite. ad The DC-MAWS is a cutting-edge system...

India is significantly bolstering its naval capabilities with the approval to construct two indigenously designed nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) at a new submarine facility in Visakhapatnam. This project marks a major step forward in India's long-term vision to strengthen its underwater fleet and enhance its maritime power projection. Construction is set to commence by the end of 2029, with the steel-cutting process marking the official start. ad While the initiation of...

The Indian Navy's planned acquisition of 15 MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones marks a significant step towards enhancing maritime surveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) while optimizing operational costs. These advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are expected to complement the Navy's fleet of 12 P-8I Neptune Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), which have been extensively deployed to monitor the IOR, particularly in response to the growing presence of the Chinese Navy. ad While...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is accelerating the development of its Loyal Wingman program, a crucial initiative aimed at boosting its combat capabilities amidst declining squadron levels. This program, spearheaded by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in collaboration with private sector company NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT), is gaining momentum with the CATS Warrior unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) taking center stage. ad Recent meetings between HAL, NRT, and the IAF have...

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), a leading German maritime company, is aiming to capitalize on the potential P75I submarine contract with India to establish a major shipbuilding hub in the country. The company believes that this hub could significantly reduce the cost of submarine and warship production, potentially by up to 50%, while also creating a global export center for naval vessels. ad TKMS, in partnership with Mazagaon Dockyards Limited (MDL), is competing for the P75I contract...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ambitious plans for its acquisition of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's indigenous 5th-generation stealth fighter jet. Sources indicate that the IAF intends to initially procure two squadrons of the AMCA MkI, powered by the F-414 engine, and four squadrons of the more advanced AMCA MkII, equipped with a new 110kN thrust engine. However, this is just the beginning of a long-term vision that aims to expand the AMCA fleet to at least 300 units...