SOURCE: AFI

India’s quest for self-reliance in defence manufacturing is on the cusp of a major milestone, according to Dr. Sameer V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Speaking at a recent industry conclave in New Delhi, Dr. Kamat expressed optimism about the nation’s trajectory, stating, “I estimate that in the next 4–5 years, we will achieve around 90% self-reliance in defence production.” This ambitious projection underscores India’s rapid strides in reducing dependence on foreign arms, a shift driven by a mix of policy reforms, private-sector participation, and DRDO-led innovation.

Dr. Kamat’s remarks come at a time when India, one of the world’s largest arms importers, is aggressively pursuing its “Make in India” initiative to bolster indigenous defence capabilities. Over the past decade, the country has transitioned from relying heavily on imports—particularly from Russia, France, and the United States—to developing homegrown systems like the Tejas fighter jet, Arjun tank, and Pinaka rocket launchers. The DRDO chief’s 90% target reflects confidence in ongoing projects, including advanced missile systems, stealth warships, and next-generation drones, many of which are nearing operational deployment.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has faced a troubling year in 2025, with a series of jet crashes casting a harsh spotlight on its ageing fleet and maintenance practices. The latest incident, a Jaguar twin-seater crash near Jamnagar, Gujarat, on April 2, claimed the life of Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, marking the second Jaguar loss this year after a similar accident in Haryana in March.

These back-to-back crashes, alongside others involving MiG-21s and Mirage 2000s reported earlier in 2025, have raised alarm bells about the IAF’s ability to sustain its operational readiness. While many air forces worldwide continue to operate older aircraft, their crash rates remain notably lower, prompting questions about the IAF’s maintenance department and its oversight mechanisms. Past Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports on Indian crashes offer critical insights into systemic issues that may still persist, urging a thorough relook at how the IAF maintains its fleet.

SOURCE: AFI

Chandrapur, a town near Guwahati in Assam, is set to become a pivotal hub for India’s space ambitions as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) establishes the country’s first space debris monitoring radar under Project Netra (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis). This groundbreaking initiative, announced on April 3, 2025, marks a significant step toward enhancing India’s space situational awareness (SSA) and safeguarding its growing fleet of satellites from the increasing threat of space debris.

Project Netra involves the creation of a comprehensive network of observational facilities, including optical telescopes, radars, and a centralized command center. The radar system in Chandrapur, to be set up on a 200-bigha plot of land at the site of a defunct thermal power plant, will be capable of detecting objects as small as 10 cm in radius at distances up to 2,000 km. This capability will allow ISRO to track space debris in low-earth orbits (LEO), where most of India’s remote-sensing satellites operate, as well as monitor potential threats to assets in higher orbits. ISRO aims to make at least one radar operational within this year, with the full Chandrapur system expected to be commissioned within four years, by 2029.

SOURCE: AFI

As India charts its course toward developing a sixth-generation fighter jet under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, the strategic imperatives of its northern frontier—particularly the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) airbases in the Tibetan Plateau—demand a bold rethink of the platform’s design. To effectively counter China’s growing military presence and execute deep-strike missions against heavily defended targets, India’s next-gen fighter must evolve into a fighter-bomber with a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of around 50 tons. This requirement stems from the need for enhanced payload, range, and survivability, critical for penetrating the PLAAF’s air defense network and neutralizing high-value assets deep inside contested territory.

The Tibetan Plateau, often called the “Roof of the World,” hosts several key PLAAF airbases, such as Hotan, Ngari Gunsa, and Lhasa Gonggar, located between 1,500 and 3,000 kilometers from India’s northern borders. These bases, situated at altitudes exceeding 4,000 meters, serve as launchpads for fighter jets like the J-20 and J-16, as well as bombers like the H-6K, capable of striking Indian targets with standoff weapons. The PLAAF’s deployment in Tibet has grown steadily, bolstered by advanced radar systems, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) like the HQ-9, and an integrated air defense network extending into Xinjiang and beyond. Neutralizing these airbases is vital to disrupt China’s ability to project air power over the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during a conflict.

SOURCE: AFI

India has announced a missile test in the Bay of Bengal, with a designated no-fly zone in effect from April 12 to April 14, 2025, as part of its ongoing efforts to bolster its strategic defense capabilities. The advisory, issued by the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, covers a 1,245 km-long corridor stretching from Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, under the purview of the Indian Tri-Service Theatre Command. The test underscores India’s commitment to advancing its missile technology amid growing regional security concerns.

According to the notice, the no-fly zone will be active daily from 0400 UTC to 0430 UTC (9:30 AM to 10:00 AM IST) on April 12, 13, and 14, 2025. The restricted area spans a significant portion of the Bay of Bengal, ensuring safety for maritime and air traffic during the test window. Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, is a key launch site for India’s missile tests, hosting facilities for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The island has been the launchpad for major systems like the Agni series of ballistic missiles and the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.