Business
SP’s Aviation
ROLLS-ROYCE OPENS ITS LARGEST GLOBAL CAPABILITY CENTRE IN BENGALURU
Rolls-Royce has inaugurated its largest Global Capability and Innovation Centre (GCC) at Manyata Embassy Business Park in Bengaluru, further strengthening its long-term presence in India.
1 min |
Issue 9, 2025
SP’s Aviation
MOD SIGNS CONTRACT FOR PROCUREMENT OF 97 LCA MKIA AIRCRAFT
Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, including 68 fighters and 29 twin seaters, along with associated equipment, for Indian Air Force, at a cost of over 62,370 crore (excluding taxes), on September 25, 2025.
1 min |
Issue 9, 2025
SP’s Aviation
PILATUS HANDS OVER THE FIRST PC-12 PRO
Following on from the launch of the new model in spring 2025, the very first customer, Dion Weisler, recently took delivery of his brand-new aircraft and personally flew it home from Switzerland to Australia.
1 min |
Issue 9, 2025
SP’s Aviation
“IAF - A SELF-ASSURED, CAPABLE AND GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE AEROSPACE POWER
On the occasion of the 93rd Indian Air Force Day, Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, engaged in an in-depth conversation with Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief of SP's Aviation, and shared his insights on specific issues concerning the Indian Air Force
8 min |
Issue 9, 2025
SP’s Aviation
SWEDEN ORDERS FOUR EMBRAER C-390 MILLENNIUM
Sweden acquired four C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft from Embraer.
1 min |
Issue 9, 2025
SP’s Aviation
FROM BRAZIL TO BHARAT: EMBRAER'S COMMITMENT TO INDIA'S AIR POWER
Currently, nearly 50 Embraer aircraft — spanning 11 different types — operate in India across defense, commercial, and business aviation sectors. All are supported by Embraer's established service and support network in the country
3 min |
Issue 9, 2025
SP’s Aviation
CHARIOTS OF THE BATTLEFIELD – COMBAT HELICOPTERS
As warfare enters the era of multi-domain operations, combat helicopters are evolving with artificial intelligence, stealth, and manned-unmanned teaming, ensuring they remain relevant and strategically decisive in the battles of the future
7 min |
Issue 9, 2025
SP’s Aviation
INDIAN AIR FORCE – POST OPERATION SINDOOR
Operation Sindoor highlighted the evolving nature of modern warfare, underlining the need for doctrinal shifts and operational reforms. The focus now lies on integrating new technologies, strengthening joint capabilities, and adapting strategies to ensure readiness for future multi-domain challenges.
6 min |
Issue 9, 2025
SP’s Aviation
IAF - TARGET '42 SQUADRONS'
While the IAF's roadmap through Tejas Mk-1A / Mk-2, MRFA, and AMCA is conceptually sound, blending indigenous development with foreign procurement to manage risk and speed, the implementation may drag beyond the timeline. What is to be done?
5 min |
Issue 9, 2025
SP’s Aviation
THE IAF'S MIG-21: FAREWELL TO A LEGEND
For over three decades, from the 1970s to the 2000s, the MiG-21 was the backbone of the IAF, even as more advanced jets like the Mirage 2000, the MiG-29 and the Su-30 MKI were acquired
5 min |
Issue 9, 2025
SP’s Aviation
DIPLOMACY MUST 'TRUMP' TARIFFS
The ongoing tariff tit-for-tat between India and the United States is fast becoming more than a trade dispute and now threatening to spill over into high-stakes sectors like aerospace and defence
3 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
DRDO'S HYPERSONIC CRUISE MISSILE IS AMONG THE FIRST IN THE WORLD
A hypersonic boom, which could set forth Extended Trajectory-Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM) up to Mach 8-10, to next-gen AESA, to applying quantum sensing to the antisubmarine warfare, DRDO is proving true to the R&D within its name. In an Exclusive interaction, Samir V. Kamat, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO, speaks with Manish Kumar Jha on the full and comprehensive range of military technology development, some of them futuristic and ground-breaking for India.
7 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
FELIX BAUMGARTNER (1969-2025)
Felix Baumgartner jumped out of the capsule at 38,969.4 m. His exit was perfect, but after passing through the sound barrier, and still hurtling towards earth at Mach 1.25, he went into a flat spin.
3 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
INDIA'S DEFENCE MRO SECTOR — FLYING STRONG
From building joint ventures with global OEMs to developing indigenous component manufacturing, India is reclaiming its capability to maintain, upgrade, and extend the life of its defence assets on Indian soil, with Indian hands, and for Indian missions
4 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
INDIA'S SPACE ODYSSEY: FROM MILESTONES TO THE SPACE FRONTIER PLANS
India’s space success is well documented with ambitious plans for deep space, planetary exploration, human habitats, and commercial outreach by 2040-47. What is next is the expansion of the Indian space industry and the role of private players. For ISRO, now is time to bridge the gaps.
6 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
INDIA'S TRYST WITH COMBAT DRONES
With indigenous initiatives like the DRDO's Archer and HAL'S CATS Warrior, alongside procurements of MQ-9B Sea/Sky Guardians, India is positioning itself as a significant player in unmanned warfare, reshaping its military doctrine for the future
6 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
MILITARY: DRDO CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL FLIGHT-TRIALS OF PRECISION GUIDED MISSILE-V3
In a major boost to India's defence capabilities, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out flight-trials of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3.
1 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
IAF TO ADDRESS SQUADRON GAPS, INTERIM SOLUTION TO ACQUIRE FIFTH-GENERATION JETS
It is widely noted that the IAF needs to urgently plug a growing capability gap as the thrust comes amid thinning squadron strength. Could there be an interim solution to fill the void?
3 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
CIVIL AVIATION: CATHAY PACIFIC ORDERS 14 MORE BOEING 777-9
Boeing and Cathay Pacific announced the Hong Kong-based carrier is ordering 14 more 777-9 passenger jets, bringing its order book to 35 of the world's largest twin-engine airplane.
1 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
BALANCING INDIA'S AVIATION BOOM WITH EXPERIENCE
India's aviation boom reflects its economic ambition, but growth without seasoned expertise risks safety and efficiency
4 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
FLYGABON RECEIVES FIRST ATR 42-600
Afrijet Business Service, operating as FLYGABON, the leading airline in Central Africa, has taken delivery of its first brand-new ATR 42-600, becoming the operator of the youngest ATR fleet on the continent.
1 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
AIRLINK AND AZORRA FINALISE LEASE OF 10 NEW EMBRAER E195-E2S
Airlink and Azorra have finalised a lease agreement that will see the Johannesburg-headquartered airline acquire 10 new Embraer E195-E2 twin-engine passenger aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for later this year.
1 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
X-37B SPACEPLANE SET FOR EIGHTH MISSION
The Boeing built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) is preparing to launch its eighth mission (OTV-8) from Florida's Space Coast, with liftoff scheduled no earlier than August 21.
1 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
AIRLINE VS CHARTER FLYING IN INDIA AND SOUTH ASIA: A PILOT'S PERSPECTIVE
AS INDIA'S AVIATION SECTOR CONTINUES TO SURGE, PILOTS today face more diverse career options than ever before.
3 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
INDIGENOUS UCAV 'CATS' WARRIOR
Once operational, the CATS Warrior is expected to mark a significant milestone in India's indigenous defence and aerospace capabilities
3 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
ALAY PARIKH TO LEAD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR BOEING DEFENSE AND SERVICES IN INDIA
BOEING HAS APPOINTED Alay Parikh as Director of business development for its defence and services business in India, reinforcing the company's commitment to strengthening operations and accelerating growth in the region.
1 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
FREEDOM IN THE SKIES
Simran Singh Tiwana, CEO of Star Air on how the airline is bringing Independence to everyday Indians
2 min |
Issue 8, 2025
SP’s Aviation
DEFENDING INDIAN SKIES
During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched multiple attacks on India’s military installations and airfields, using missiles, rockets and drones. However, Pakistan's every single projectile was intercepted by Indian Armed Forces and brought down before it could reach the intended target.
7 min |
Issue 7, 2025
SP’s Aviation
PEARL ENGINE FAMILY – POWERING THE LEADING BUSINESS JETS
Power, Efficiency, and Innovation is how the Rolls-Royce Pearl Engine Series deliver the ultimate propulsion systems for modern business jets
7 min |
Issue 7, 2025
SP’s Aviation
INNOVATION, DEALS, AND SUSTAINABLE SKIES
From major commercial deals to cutting-edge defence, digital security, and space ventures, Paris Air Show 2025 displayed the unfolding of Aviation's next chapter and shifting focus of global aerospace
6 min |