SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
After the resounding success of the BrahMos-A air-launched cruise missile from the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Su-30MKI fleet, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the IAF are moving ahead with plans to further expand this potent strike capability. As per information obtained by idrw.org, work will begin later this year to upgrade an additional 20 Su-30MKI fighters to be capable of carrying the 2.5-ton BrahMos-A missile.
Currently, around 40 Su-30MKIs have been modified with hardened wings and reinforced undercarriage to accommodate the heavy BrahMos-A missile, which significantly extends the IAF’s stand-off strike capabilities. These specially modified aircraft have been at the forefront of India’s deterrence posture, capable of delivering precision strikes at long range against high-value land and maritime targets.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In what could mark another significant milestone in the growing defence partnership between India and the Philippines, both nations are reportedly close to concluding a deal for the sale of the Akash 1S surface-to-air missile system to the Philippine Marine Corps. This will be the second major defence export from India to the Southeast Asian country after the landmark sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system in 2022.
According to reliable sources cited by idrw.org, negotiations over pricing and technical terms are progressing positively, and an official announcement regarding the deal is expected in the near future. The acquisition will significantly boost the Philippines’ air defence capabilities amid rising regional tensions in the South China Sea.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Following the spectacular battlefield performance of Indian-made loitering munitions such as Nagastra-1, developed by Solar Industries, during recent clashes with Pakistani forces, India’s private defence manufacturers are setting their sights on the global export market. With the systems proving their effectiveness in real-world combat scenarios, international interest in Indian-origin loitering munitions is expected to surge in the coming months.
Sources have told idrw.org that the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has directed several private sector manufacturers to ramp up their export outreach, aiming to capture at least 10% of the global loitering munition market. The MoD sees this as a key segment where Indian defence firms can emerge as strong players due to a combination of combat-proven systems, competitive pricing, and indigenous development free from Chinese components.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In the recent escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian Air Force (IAF) reportedly devised a strategic plan to strike the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) key military infrastructure, including the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra, a critical hub for Pakistan’s air defense capabilities. The operation, aimed at neutralizing PAF’s operational strength, also involved targeting multiple PAF bases across Pakistan. This article explores the context, objectives, and implications of the IAF’s planned strikes, drawing on available information while maintaining a neutral and factual tone.
India and Pakistan have a history of military confrontations, with air forces playing a pivotal role in conflicts and skirmishes along their shared border. The recent clashes, reportedly sparked by cross-border incidents and retaliatory actions, saw both nations’ air forces engaging in high-stakes operations. The IAF, equipped with advanced fighters like the Rafale and Su-30 MKI, has consistently aimed to maintain air superiority, while the PAF relies on its fleet of F-16s, JF-17s, and other assets to counter Indian moves.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant development following the recent flare-up of hostilities between India and Pakistan, the international intelligence community has turned its attention to the wreckage of a Chinese-made PL-15 air-to-air missile. The missile, reportedly fired by Pakistan during an aggressive aerial engagement with India last week, was recovered in India’s Punjab region.
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance—comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—along with France and Japan, has expressed keen interest in analyzing the debris. This incident, part of the escalating India-Pakistan conflict, offers a rare opportunity to glean insights into one of China’s most advanced military technologies.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has confirmed significant progress in the development of the Tejas Mk2, India’s next-generation Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The first prototype is currently under manufacturing, with the maiden flight now scheduled for the first quarter of 2026 (April–July), marking a slight delay from the previously anticipated timeline of Q4 2025. This update, announced by HAL and corroborated by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), underscores India’s commitment to bolstering its indigenous defense aviation capabilities.
The Tejas Mk2, also known as the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), is a 4.5-generation multirole combat aircraft designed to address the shortcomings of the Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A while meeting the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) stringent requirements. Featuring a larger airframe, close-coupled canards, a more powerful General Electric F414-INS6 engine, and advanced avionics, the Mk2 is poised to replace aging IAF aircraft such as the SEPECAT Jaguar, Dassault Mirage 2000, and Mikoyan MiG-29. The aircraft will boast an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, an integrated Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, and the ability to carry indigenous weapons like the Astra air-to-air missile and BrahMos-NG air-to-ground missile.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defense public sector undertaking, announced on May 16 that it expects to deliver up to 12 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of 2025. The announcement, made during an earnings call, follows the commencement of engine deliveries from General Electric (GE) Aerospace, with the first LCA Mk1A aircraft slated to roll out within the next couple of months.
HAL’s management expressed confidence in meeting the delivery timeline, citing the resolution of key supply chain bottlenecks, particularly the long-delayed delivery of GE engines. “With the engines now arriving, we are on track to roll out the first LCA Mk1A in the coming months and aim to deliver up to 12 aircraft to the IAF by the end of this year,” a senior HAL official said during the earnings call. The company’s Bengaluru facility has ramped up production to meet the ambitious target, leveraging lessons learned from the earlier LCA Mk1 program.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a first formal acceptance of Indian airstrikes, has confirmed that the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi was hit during the night between May 9 and May 10, when India launched its missile strikes on multiple Pakistani airbases.
Sharif made this statement during his speech at the grand ceremony titled “Youm-e-Tashakur” (Thanksgiving) on what Islamabad claims is a “sham celebration” on the success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and Marka-e-Haq against India.
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
India is considering plans to dramatically increase the water it draws from a major river that feeds Pakistani farms downstream, as part of retaliatory action for a deadly April attack on tourists that New Delhi blames on Islamabad, according to four people familiar with the matter.
Delhi “put in abeyance” its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which governs usage of the Indus river system, shortly after 26 civilians in Indian Kashmir were killed in what India called an act of terror. Pakistan has denied involvement in the incident, but the accord has not been revived despite the two nuclear-armed neighbours agreeing a ceasefire last week following the worst fighting between them in decades.
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
Turkey-based Celebi, which provides airport ground handling in India, has launched a legal challenge to New Delhi’s decision to overturn its security clearance, arguing that “vague” national security concerns were cited without reasoning.
Amid growing public anger in India about Turkey’s stance on Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict, the Indian government on Thursday revoked Celebi’s security clearance in the “interest of national security”. Celebi Airport Services India, in a May 16 filing seen by Reuters, asked the Delhi High Court to set aside that decision, arguing it would impact 3,791 jobs and investor confidence, and was issued without any warning to the company.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday issued a clear warning against Pakistan’s alleged plans to fund terrorism using taxpayers’ money and international aid. Addressing troops at a military base in Gujarat’s Bhuj, Rajnath Singh claimed that the Pakistan government intended to give Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the UN-designated terrorist and chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
“Pakistan will spend tax collected from citizens to give Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the head of the Jaish terrorist organisation, even though he is a UN-designated terrorist,” Rajnath Singh said.
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
Air India has lobbied Indian officials to halt rival IndiGo’s (INGL.NS), opens new tab leasing tie-up with Turkish Airlines (THYAO.IS), opens new tab, citing business impact as well as security concerns sparked by Istanbul’s support for Pakistan, according to a source and a document seen by Reuters.
Amid growing public anger in India against Turkey’s stance on Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict, Indians have been cancelling holidays. The Indian government on Thursday revoked security clearance of Turkish ground handling service firm, Celebi, citing national security.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Walter Ladwig, a senior lecturer in International Relations at King’s College London and a leading London-based security expert, on Friday said that Operation Sindoor represents a significant shift in India’s counter-terrorism strategy and emphasised that the operation sets a new baseline for how India is likely to respond to future terror attacks, particularly those with credible links to Pakistan.
He further noted that India is no longer relying on diplomacy.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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The Supreme Court on Friday rapped the petitioners who claimed 43 Rohingya refugees including women and children were dropped in the Andaman sea for deportation to Myanmar and said “when country is passing through a difficult time, you come out with fanciful ideas”.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh also questioned the authenticity of materials placed before it by petitioner Mohd Ismail and others and refused to stay any further deportation of Rohingyas saying similar relief was denied by the court.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
The Manipur government has extended the services of 10,500 Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel for one more year, officials said here. Manipur government’s Home Department’s Joint Secretary, Mayengbam Veto Singh, said on Friday that the state government recognises the roles played by the VDF personnel as a major component of manpower of the Manipur Police in providing security to the general public.
He added that as per terms and conditions of service of VDF, engagement of VDF would be initially for one year and extendable from time to time as per the requirement of the situation and the state government from time-to-time extended the period of engagement of VDF personnel after verification of requirement and posting.
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