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MORE TEETH TO INDIAN OFFENSIVE AIR POWER

SP’s Aviation

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Issue 6, 2023

The Acquisition of MQ-9B RPAs from the US significantly enhances India’s Defence with Advanced Surveillance and Strike Capabilities

- AIR VICE MARSHAL SANJAY BHATNAGAR (RETD)

MORE TEETH TO INDIAN OFFENSIVE AIR POWER

THE OUTCOME OF THE RECENT STATE VISIT OF PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi to the US has been path breaking. The visit has been extraordinarily successful with several substantive outcomes relating to semiconductors, defence acquisitions, access to critical technology and the Artemis Accord for space cooperation. Both countries have agreed on Technology and defence partnerships among others. In this new chapter on far reaching defence partnership, key takeaways have been the deal to co-produce GE’s F414 combat aircraft engines in India and the deal to procure MQ-9B UAVs. These UAVs will increase India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

India would soon be joining the elite club of other nations operating the MQ-9B including the US Air Force, US Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the French Air Force and the Spanish Air Force.

The modalities of acquisition were cleared ahead of Modi’s visit on June 15, 2023 by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), accordingly the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for acquisition of 31 MQ-9B (15 SeaGuardian and 16 SkyGuardian) High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAV from the US based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) through Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route, at an estimated cost of around $3.1 billion (₹25,000 crore). The AoN included 15 UAVs for the Indian Navy (IN) and eight each for the Indian Army (IA) and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The case for acquisition of HALE class of UAV is being progressed by the Indian Navy as a lead service while the IAF is the lead service for procurement of MALE class of UAVs.

OPERATIONAL EXPLOITATION GLOBALLY

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SP’s Aviation

SP’s Aviation

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.

time to read

1 min

Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation

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.

time to read

1 min

Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation

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.

time to read

1 min

Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation

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

time to read

8 mins

Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation

SP’s Aviation

SWEDEN ORDERS FOUR EMBRAER C-390 MILLENNIUM

Sweden acquired four C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft from Embraer.

time to read

1 min

Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation

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

time to read

3 mins

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

time to read

7 mins

Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation

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.

time to read

6 mins

Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation

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?

time to read

5 mins

Issue 9, 2025

SP’s Aviation

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

time to read

5 mins

Issue 9, 2025

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