Politics
Geopolitics
GAINING MOMENTUM AGAINST THEATRISATION
The idea of Theatrisation of Indian forces seems to have gone on pause because of the consistent and seemingly logical resistance of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
4 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
HOW INDIA'S AIR POWER IS SHAPING THE NEXT ERA OF TECHNOLOGY AND SELF-RELIANCE
Rolls-Royce has been involved with the IAF (then the Royal Indian Air Force) since 1933, when the Bristol Jupiter engines powered the Westland Wapiti, marking the first aircraft of the IAF's No. 1 Squadron. Since that time, we have consistently collaborated with India to enhance its air power. ABHISHEK SINGH, Senior Vice President (India and South East Asia, Business Development & Future Programmes (Defence), writes about this chequered association
2 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
ENHANCED STRATEGIC F'LEXIBILITY
As it prepares for emerging threats in modern warfare, the Indian Air Force (IAF) needs to urgently invest in force multipliers to enhance its capability against adversaries like China and Pakistan. This includes buying and, if possible, locally producing flight refuelling aircraft (FRA) under the 'Make in India' initiative. A Special Report
10+ min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
INDIA'S 114 RAFALE GAMBITS: A POWER PLAY IN ASIAN SKIES
The successful implementation of the 114 Rafale acquisition programme could serve as a template for future defence procurements, demonstrating effective integration of immediate operational requirements with long-term industrial development objectives. The combination of rapid capability acquisition through initial flyaway deliveries and sustained indigenous manufacturing development represents a sophisticated approach to contemporary defence procurement challenges, argues GIRISH LINGANNA
10+ min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
INDIA'S DRONE REVOLUTION SHAPES THE NEXT ERA OF DEFENCE
UAVS enhance the operational capabilities of air defence systems significantly beyond conventional boundaries. ANANT BHALOTIA, Founder and CEO, Anadrone Systems Pvt Ltd, outlines the exciting possibilities
3 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
SOLVING THE INDIAN AIR FORCE'S FIGHTER DILEMMA
With the IAF now facing a two-front air threat, there is no escaping the fact that it needs new aircraft and missiles in greater numbers
10+ min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
MBDA CELEBRATES INDIAN AIR FORCE DAY 2025
As a steadfast partner in the defence of India's skies, MBDA proudly joins in celebrating Indian Air Force Day 2025. LUDOVIC DUMONT, General Delegate, India, MBDA outlines this endurinmg relationship
2 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
THINKING AFRESH
The Indian Air Force is trying a new approach to address its shortfall of mid-air refuellers
7 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
STRENGTHENING AIR POWER THROUGH PLATFORMS, SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIPS
Boeing Defence India is dedicated to facilitating the modernisation and operational readiness of India's defence forces. The company is investing in the improvement and establishment of on-base MRO facilities, along with fostering partnerships throughout the ecosystem. NIKHIL JOSHI, Managing Director, Boeing Defence India, outlines the company's exciting plans
3 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
A VISION FOR INTEGRATED CREWED AND UNCREWED AIRCRAFT
The combination of crewed and uncrewed systems transcends mere technological considerations; it encompasses strategic elements as well. DR VIVEK LALL, Chief Executive, General Atomics Global Corporation, outlines the exciting developments in this sphere
3 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
LEONARDO M-346 THE FUTURE ALREADY HERE
The M-346 is more than just a multi-role jet, a complete system to train the fighter pilots of tomorrow.
4 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
"OUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING THE FOURTH-LARGEST AIR FORCE IN THE WORLD HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARY"
Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 93rd anniversary on October 8, 2025, a day dedicated to honouring the valour, dedication, and professionalism of the nation's air warriors. The celebrations, held at Air Force Station Hindan, highlighted India's growing air power and the remarkable achievements of the IAF over more than nine decades.
6 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
THE MIG-21: THE STORY OF LEGACY OF PRIDE AND PAIN
The decommissioning of MiG-21 in Chandigarh on September 26, 2025, brought to a close an illustrious chapter of more than six decades in the history of the Indian Air Force. SHUBHANGI PALVE reports that 60 countries across four continents have flown it, that even after more than 70 years since its first flight, few nations still rely on it, that it is one of the most widely produced combat aircraft in history, that it was the first supersonic fighter in India's fleet, and that India went on to become the second-largest operator of the MiG-21
10+ min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
VISION 2040: HAL'S STRATEGIC ROADMAP FOR THE INDIAN AIR FORCE
HAL's strategic initiatives are reshaping the company into a heavyweight advanced technology solutions provider through the design, development, and manufacturing of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms. To align with the future strategic framework of the Indian Air Force, HAL is concentrating on several critical platforms that will enhance its airpower capabilities.
6 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO GLOBAL DEFENCE INNOVATION
SM Group is a trusted Indian manufacturer of advanced defence equipment, offering specialised protection solutions for armed forces, police, and security agencies.
4 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE TOGETHER
In an era where interests and trends shift, one product defies the odds: C-130J Super Hercules is a superstar. ROD MCLEAN Vice President and General Manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions business on why the aircraft is so unbeatable
3 min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
SU-57 FOR INDIA?
JOSEPH P CHACKO makes a strategic, technical and programmatic assessment of the Russian fifth-generation aircraft for the Indian Air Force
10+ min |
October 2025
Geopolitics
AXIOM-4 AND BEYOND: ALL SET FOR GAGANYAAN MISSION
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's successful return from space and his subsequent return to India have set the ball rolling for the Indian human spaceflight programme, with the Gaganyaan manned mission scheduled to lift off in 2027
10+ min |
September 2025
Geopolitics
INDIA'S CHINA CALCULUS AND THE POK QUESTION
India's strategic necessity in dealing with China and Pakistan is to compartmentalise challenges without diluting resolve. Improving relations with China should be an investment in bandwidth to settle the western question, and formalising the LoC as the international border with Pakistan remains the least risky path.
9 min |
September 2025
Geopolitics
HYPE VERSUS REALITY: THE INDO-US MILITARY RELATIONS
All the tall talks about a \"defining relationship\" between India and the United States notwithstanding, the fact remains that in the eyes of officialdom in Washington, India does not fit into the strategic interests of the United States in the way Australia, Japan, and South Korea do in Asia.
10 min |
September 2025
Geopolitics
THE SU 57 CONUNDRUM
Revolutionising Su-57! Why India Is The Only Country That Can Boost The Fortunes Of Russia's Stealth Fighter
5 min |
September 2025
Geopolitics
FORGING AN IMPENETRABLE SKY SHIELD
The Sudarshan Chakra represents the beginning of India's air defence evolution. As threats continue evolving, the system must adapt and expand to maintain effectiveness through continuous technology development, regular system updates, and periodic capability assessments
10+ min |
September 2025
Geopolitics
THE UNMANNED VANGUARD
The utility of Unmanned Ground Vehicles makes them a vital addition for the Indian armed forces, but their pace of adoption needs to be accelerated.
10 min |
September 2025
Geopolitics
HOW INDIA GOT ITS WAY ON KISHANGANGA
Retired civil servant, Subash Chandra Garg, 1983 batch Indian Administrative Service officer from the Rajasthan cadre, has released his seventh book—No Minister!
10+ min |
September 2025
Geopolitics
RESHAPING COMMUNICATIONS
Software-Defined Radios are indispensable on the modern battlefield and are being inducted in large numbers by the Indian armed forces,
8 min |
September 2025
Geopolitics
SHIELDING INDIA'S LIFELINES
From energy grids, pipelines, hospitals, data centres, airports, rail hubs, cultural and religious sites, military bases, to nuclear plants, India's critical infrastructure is the new target of visible and invisible enemies, seeking to paralyse the arteries of the nation. The Sudarshan Chakra Mission seeks to blend mythological inspiration with modern science in creating not only a military shield but a comprehensive national protection grid to confront the increasingly asymmetric forms of modern warfare head-on.
10+ min |
September 2025
Geopolitics
A MISSILE WITH A MESSAGE
India's Agni-5 missile represents a critical development in the country's strategic defence capabilities, as it is a direct response to the complex security environment India is currently facing and reflects significant advancements in missile technology
9 min |
September 2025
Geopolitics
INDIA - BRAZIL PARTNERSHIP
While headlines these days are dominated by how the U.S. President Donald Trump's unpredictable and essentially personal diplomatic pursuit is bringing India and China much closer, a relatively underreported but steady development is taking place simultaneously.
4 min |
September 2025
Geopolitics
NAVIGATING STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT WITH CHINA
ABHAY KRISHNA points out that while India currently trails China in overall national power, it has significant strategic potential in specific domains to exploit selective and important Chinese vulnerabilities
6 min |
August 2025
Geopolitics
SKILLED TO PERFORM
As Indian industry moves away from the support and upgrade of legacy Russian origin defence equipment and towards the indigenous design and development of advanced defence equipment with sophisticated Western technologies, it must have access to a skilled workforce capable of producing such advanced defence equipment at high rates. This will be especially relevant in areas such as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of defence equipment.
4 min |