SOURCE: AFI

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently showcased a dummy scale model of its Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) mounted on a Tatra-based Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) at the Defence exhibition held at Gachibowli stadium, Hyderabad. This display, unveiled follows the historic first test of India’s long-range hypersonic missile on November 16, 2024, from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The successful trial marked India’s entry into an elite club of nations with operational hypersonic technology, and the latest showcase signals DRDO’s intent to operationalize this game-changing weapon system for the Indian Armed Forces.

The November 2024 test of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile was a watershed moment. Designed to carry various payloads over distances exceeding 1,500 km, the missile demonstrated its ability to perform terminal maneuvers and strike with pinpoint accuracy, as confirmed by flight data from downrange ship stations. Launched from a hermetically sealed canister, the missile utilized attitude control thrusters before its solid rocket motor ignited, propelling it to hypersonic speeds—exceeding Mach 5 (approximately 6,200 km/h). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed it as a “historic achievement,” placing India alongside Russia, China, and the United States in the hypersonic race.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s quest to modernize its air defense capabilities has taken a significant step forward with the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a successor to the aging L70 and Zu-23 anti-aircraft guns. According to Lt. Gen. D’Cunha, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), the RFP calls for 220 new artillery systems paired with cutting-edge smart ammunition. With trials slated to begin in July 2025 and a contract expected by May-June 2026, this initiative underscores the Indian Army’s commitment to self-reliance, explicitly ruling out imports and prioritizing indigenous solutions. The inclusion of smart ammunition promises to revolutionize air defense efficiency, marking a leap into next-generation warfare technology.

The L70 (40mm) and Zu-23 (23mm) guns, inducted into service decades ago, have been the backbone of India’s short-range air defense against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones. While reliable in their era, these systems—rooted in Cold War designs—struggle to counter modern threats like stealth aircraft, precision-guided munitions, and swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). With obsolescence looming and maintenance costs rising, the Army recognized the urgent need for a successor that aligns with contemporary battlefield demands.

SOURCE: AFI

In a historic milestone for the Indian Air Force (IAF), Flying Officer Tanushka Singh from Mangaluru is set to become the first woman pilot permanently assigned to the Jaguar fighter squadron. Hailing from a proud military family, Tanushka’s induction into the elite combat unit marks a significant step forward in breaking gender barriers within India’s armed forces. Her journey to the cockpit of the Jaguar, a deep-strike fighter jet, is both a personal triumph and a testament to the IAF’s evolving inclusivity.

Tanushka Singh, who proudly identifies as a “Kudla girl” from Mangaluru, Karnataka, will soon join the ranks of the IAF’s Jaguar squadron, a fleet renowned for its precision strike capabilities. Until now, no female pilot had been permanently assigned to fly the Jaguar, an Anglo-French aircraft that has been a mainstay of the IAF since its induction in 1979. While some women pilots have flown the jet on experiential sorties, Tanushka’s selection as a permanent member of the squadron sets a new precedent.

SOURCE: AFI

As the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) commemorates its 2019 aerial operation dubbed “Swift Retort,” a curious display has surfaced at PAF Base Sargodha, raising eyebrows and questions about the accuracy of its narrative. A board in the briefing room proudly declares that a PAF F-16 shot down an Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30 MKI fighter jet belonging to No. 25 Squadron, known as the “Himalayan Eagles,” during the skirmish on February 27, 2019.

However, this claim crumbles under scrutiny, as No. 25 Squadron does not operate the advanced Su-30 MKI fighter but is, in fact, a transport unit equipped with Antonov An-32 aircraft. This discrepancy shines a spotlight on the perils of misinformation in military propaganda and the complexities of post-conflict narratives.

SOURCE: AFI

After decades of thundering over India’s seas, the Westland Sea King Mk. 42C, a stalwart of the Indian Navy’s helicopter fleet, has officially hung up its rotors. Recently spotted aboard a trailer truck rumbling along a Goan highway, this venerable aircraft is believed to be en route to its final resting place: the Naval Aviation Museum in Dabolim. For a helicopter that once dominated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and troop transport missions, this journey marks the end of an era—and the beginning of a new chapter as a historical exhibit.

The Sea King Mk. 42C, a utility variant of the British-built Westland Sea King family, joined the Indian Navy in September 1986, with six airframes (serial numbers IN555 to IN560) delivered to bolster its rotary-wing capabilities. Powered by twin Rolls-Royce Gnome engines, this helicopter was a workhorse, capable of carrying 28 troops or 22 survivors in search-and-rescue (SAR) roles. Unlike its ASW-focused siblings, the Mk. 42C was equipped with a nose-mounted Bendix RDR 1400C radar, optimized for transport and support missions rather than submarine hunting.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant boost to India’s indigenous fighter jet programs, Bengaluru-based Southern Electronics has developed an advanced side-mounted pilot control grip, engineered to enhance pilot performance and comfort. This cutting-edge system, tailored for the Tejas MkII (Medium Weight Fighter) and slated for integration into the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), has cleared rigorous evaluations by test pilots and received approval for production.

The company recently confirmed to industry sources that it has secured orders from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with deliveries expected soon for integration into the Tejas MkII prototype currently under manufacturing. This development underscores India’s growing expertise in aerospace ergonomics and its commitment to self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

SOURCE: AFI

In a thought-provoking column, Sameer Joshi, founder of NewSpace Research & Technologies Pvt Ltd, has spotlighted the transformative potential of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)—a paradigm shift poised to reshape modern air combat over the coming decades. As nations race to maintain air superiority in increasingly contested skies, CCAs promise to blend human ingenuity with AI-driven robotic assets, offering early adopters a decisive edge. For India, grappling with shrinking fighter squadrons and sophisticated Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) threats from China and Pakistan, this “system of systems” philosophy could herald a new era of affordable, decentralized combat mass. Joshi’s analysis, published on Medium, underscores how CCAs could redefine the Indian Air Force (IAF), amplifying its lethality, survivability, and strategic reach in the fight for command of the skies.

At its core, the CCA concept pairs human pilots with uncrewed, AI-enabled wingmen, harnessing cutting-edge technologies to outpace adversaries. Joshi envisions a future where pilots command swarms of CCAs to scout ahead, jam enemy radars, or strike targets—keeping manned jets like the Tejas, Su-30 MKI, or Rafale out of harm’s way while focusing on high-level decision-making. This collaborative approach departs from today’s reliance on “exquisite, expensive, and scarce” 4th, 4.5th, and 5th-generation platforms, which are ill-suited to penetrate layered A2/AD defenses without risking unsustainable losses.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army is poised to revolutionize its operational capabilities across the northern and northeastern sectors with the imminent induction of the Xploder, a remotely operated unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) developed in-house by Major Rajprasad of the 7 Engineer Regiment. Following rigorous trials over the past two years, this all-terrain platform has met the force’s stringent requirements and is now set for mass production by a private industry partner. “Hundreds of these units will be inducted into infantry, Special Forces, and Corps of Engineers units within the next few months for counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations,” Major Rajprasad announced, heralding a new era of technological preparedness.

The Xploder UGV emerges as a direct response to a persistent threat plaguing the Indian Army: improvised explosive devices (IEDs). “Over the decades, we’ve faced evolving IED challenges from terrorist groups. Many soldiers lost their lives, and a sizeable number were seriously injured during operations in forward areas,” Major Rajprasad explained. “This prompted me to work on a tangible solution to counter it.” The result is a versatile, battle-ready UGV designed to minimize human risk while maximizing tactical impact, a testament to the Army’s push for innovation under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.

SOURCE: AFI

Major General (Retd) G.D. Bakshi, a prominent Indian military commentator, recently stirred debate by asserting that Russia’s Su-57 Felon, while not as stealthy as the U.S. F-35 Lightning II, surpasses China’s J-35A and J-20 fighters in overall capability. Speaking at a defense symposium in New Delhi in February 2025, Bakshi’s remarks challenge prevailing narratives around fifth-generation fighters, spotlighting the Su-57’s strengths—and its shortcomings—in the stealth race. As India weighs options like Russia’s Product 177S engine for its own programs, this assessment prompts a closer look at how these aircraft stack up in the contested skies of modern warfare.

The Lockheed Martin F-35A, with over 1,000 units delivered globally by 2025, is the gold standard for stealth. Its radar cross-section (RCS)—estimated at 0.001-0.005 square meters—owes much to its angular design, radar-absorbent materials (RAM), and internal weapons bays. The AN/APG-81 AESA radar and Distributed Aperture System (DAS) amplify its situational awareness, making it a “flying sensor” that evades detection while striking from beyond visual range (BVR). Bakshi’s concession that the Su-57 isn’t as stealthy aligns with expert consensus: the Felon’s RCS, pegged at 0.1-0.5 square meters, reflects compromises like exposed engine fans, riveted panels, and external weapon hardpoints in early models.