SOURCE: AFI

In a landmark decision to strengthen the Indian Navy’s maritime strike capabilities, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a ?63,000 crore government-to-government deal with France to procure 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. The contract, cleared on April 8, 2025, marks India’s largest-ever fighter jet acquisition and is set to enhance the Navy’s operational prowess in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly amid growing Chinese naval activity. However, the deal also raises questions about India’s long-term self-reliance goals and the strategic implications of continued reliance on foreign defense imports.

The contract includes 22 single-seater Rafale-M jets and four twin-seater trainer variants, designed specifically for carrier-based operations. These jets will be deployed on India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, and will complement the Navy’s existing fleet of Russian-origin MiG-29K jets, which currently operate from INS Vikramaditya. The Rafale-M, a 4.5-generation omnirole fighter, is engineered for Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) operations, featuring a reinforced undercarriage, strengthened landing gear, and a corrosion-resistant airframe to withstand the harsh maritime environment. The jets can carry 9.5 tonnes of weapons, including air-to-air, air-to-ground, and anti-ship munitions, making them a formidable asset for both offensive and defensive missions.

SOURCE: AFI

In an era of shifting power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, a Japanese think tank has put forth a bold proposition: India and Japan should jointly develop a long-range tactical strike capability, with a range of 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers, to establish a “shared deterrence” against China’s growing assertiveness. The report underscores that while the United States already wields Tomahawk cruise missiles and strategic bombers capable of striking Beijing, a collaborative Indo-Japanese effort could reshape the regional security architecture, offering a counterweight to China’s military ambitions.

The idea isn’t just a technical suggestion—it’s a strategic call to action. China’s rapid military modernization, from its hypersonic missiles to its expanding naval presence in the East and South China Seas, has rattled its neighbors. For Japan, the threat looms over its Senkaku Islands, contested by Beijing. For India, it’s the simmering tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayas, where the 2020 Galwan clash exposed the fragility of deterrence against a nuclear-armed rival. The think tank’s report argues that a joint long-range strike capability would give both nations the means to hold Chinese military assets at risk, enhancing deterrence without relying solely on the U.S. security umbrella.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 remains one of South Asia’s most debated conflicts, a 17-day clash that left thousands dead, tanks in ruins, and borders redrawn—only to be reset by the Tashkent Declaration. Recently, allegations have surfaced that Pakistani editors have altered the war’s Wikipedia page, introducing “neutral claims” that significantly revise casualty figures, equipment losses, and territorial outcomes.

These edits—purporting to reflect impartial estimates—list Pakistan with lower losses and India with higher ones compared to traditional accounts. But how do these numbers stack up against historical evidence? Let’s dive into the claims and fact-check the narrative.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant step towards self-reliance in aviation technology, India unveiled its first domestically developed Airbus A320 flight simulator at an inauguration ceremony in Pune. The event, presided over by the Minister of State (MoS) for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, marks a milestone in the country’s efforts to bolster its aerospace capabilities and reduce dependence on imported training systems.

The state-of-the-art simulator, designed and built by Indian engineers, replicates the cockpit and flight dynamics of the Airbus A320, one of the most widely used commercial aircraft globally. This indigenous innovation is expected to enhance pilot training programs across India, offering a cost-effective and locally tailored solution for airlines and aviation academies. The facility, located in Pune—a city increasingly recognized as a hub for technological advancement—demonstrates India’s growing prowess in high-tech manufacturing.

SOURCE: AFI

In a move set to redefine India’s maritime landscape, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a titan in defense shipbuilding, has inked a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Ltd. on April 7, 2025. Signed at GRSE Bhavan in Kolkata, this partnership aims to turbocharge indigenous commercial shipbuilding, aligning seamlessly with the Indian government’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) vision. It’s a bold step toward not just meeting domestic needs but also carving a niche in the global maritime market.

This non-exclusive collaboration brings together two powerhouses with complementary strengths—GRSE’s decades of expertise in crafting warships and Swan Defence’s emerging prowess in maritime infrastructure. Together, they plan to design and construct commercial vessels and offshore structures, targeting both national priorities and international clients. The MoU, signed by GRSE’s Chairman and Managing Director, Commodore P.R. Hari (Retd.), and Swan Defence’s leadership, isn’t just about building ships—it’s about building an ecosystem. By pooling infrastructure, refining design capabilities, and streamlining project execution, the duo aims to deliver faster, more efficient solutions to a sector ripe with potential.