SOURCE: AFI

Declassified US intelligence reports from the 1980s and 1990s, released amid widespread outrage over the recent Pahalgam terror attack, have raised alarming concerns about the potential for a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. The documents, published by the National Security Archive on April 22, 2025, suggest that while the likelihood of war between the two South Asian rivals remains low, a “miscalculation or irrational response” could escalate a conventional conflict into a nuclear exchange, with catastrophic consequences for the region and beyond.

The release of these reports coincides with heightened tensions following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 23, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. India has attributed the attack to Pakistan-based terror groups, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh vowing a “loud and clear” response. The attack is believed to have been triggered by provocative rhetoric from Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, who recently reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the “liberation” of Kashmir, calling it the country’s “jugular vein.”

SOURCE: AFI

In a development that significantly enhances India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, a Bombardier Global 5000 jet operated by the Research and Analysis Wing (RA&W) has been spotted actively flying missions near the western border. What makes this platform particularly potent is its integration of an advanced Israeli Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system that allows it to peer deep into Pakistani territory — capturing high-resolution images of targets more than 150 km inside the border.

The Global 5000, a long-range business jet manufactured by Bombardier, has been extensively modified for electronic and radar surveillance roles. It is used by RA&W’s Aviation Research Centre (ARC), which operates a small but highly specialized fleet of airborne intelligence assets. The aircraft is capable of flying at altitudes above 45,000 feet, giving it a wide field of view and extended radar horizon.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960, a World Bank-brokered agreement between India and Pakistan, has long been a cornerstone of water-sharing arrangements in South Asia. However, recent speculation about India’s potential withdrawal from the treaty, following heightened tensions over terrorism and border disputes, has brought renewed focus on its implications for Pakistan, particularly its agriculturally vital Punjab province. A detailed analysis of the canal network in Pakistani Punjab, as highlighted in a recent post by X user VatsRohit (@KesariDhwaj), underscores the region’s dependence on the Chenab and Jhelum rivers and the potential consequences of any disruption in water flow under the IWT.

Pakistani Punjab, the country’s most populous and agriculturally productive region, relies on an intricate network of canals to sustain its economy. This network, one of the largest irrigation systems in the world, irrigates millions of hectares of farmland, supporting crops like wheat, rice, and sugarcane that form the backbone of Pakistan’s food security. According to VatsRohit’s post, the canal system is primarily fed by the Chenab and Jhelum rivers, two of the three western rivers (along with the Indus) allocated to Pakistan under the IWT. Run-off from the eastern rivers (Ravi and Sutlej), controlled by India, also contributes to the system, though to a lesser extent.

SOURCE: AFI

On April 23, 2025, a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed 26 lives, marking a significant escalation in cross-border terrorism. Amid questions about the Indian military’s response, defense analyst Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval ) provided a detailed account on X of how an unarmed Israeli-made Heron drone (registration 4XUMI) played a pivotal role in the rapid response to the attack. Coupled with coordinated ground operations, the drone’s swift deployment underscores India’s evolving counter-terrorism capabilities, despite challenging terrain and operational constraints.

The attack began at 14:50 on April 23, targeting tourists in Pahalgam, a popular destination in Jammu and Kashmir. Iyer-Mitra notes that an unarmed Heron drone, already on a mission 200 km away, was diverted within 15 minutes to the attack site. Flying at a speed of 270 kmph, the drone reached the area by 15:30, just 40 minutes after the attack commenced. Equipped with advanced sensors, including heat signature detectors, it began intensively scanning the area to locate the terrorists.

SOURCE: AFI

On April 23, 2025, a video clip surfaced on X, posted by user @sdhrthmp, showing an Indian Army Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv in flight, prompting speculation and questions about its operational status. The post noted that the entire ALH fleet, numbering around 330 across the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, has been grounded for three to four months following a fatal crash in January 2025, with no clear timeline for their return to service.

The sighting of an ALH in action, as captured in the clip, raises intriguing questions: Has the fleet been partially cleared for operations, or is this an isolated case tied to urgent missions like the recent Pahalgam terror attack?

SOURCE: UNI

In a dramatic escalation of tensions following the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan announced on April 24, 2025, the suspension of the 1972 Shimla Agreement and the closure of its airspace to all Indian-owned and Indian-operated airlines. The decision, reported by The Economic Times, comes as a retaliatory measure against India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), expulsion of Pakistani military attachés, and other diplomatic actions in response to the attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. T

The Pahalgam attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), targeted civilians at Baisaran meadow, killing 25 Indians and one Nepali national. Indian intelligence linked the attack to LeT commander Saifullah Kasuri, with evidence suggesting Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit, vowed a strong response, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh promised a “loud and clear” retaliation.

SOURCE: AFI

On April 16, 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence (AFAD) signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) for “comprehensive co-operation” on South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae, a 4.5-generation fighter jet developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). This agreement, which includes UAE participation in KF-21 exercises and visits to South Korean operational units, signals the UAE’s keen interest in potentially acquiring the aircraft, even amidst its existing commitment to 80 Dassault Rafale F4 jets.

The UAE’s engagement with the KF-21, alongside reported interest in Turkey’s TF Kaan fighter, underscores a growing trend of Gulf nations diversifying their defence portfolios through partnerships with emerging aerospace powers. For India, which is developing its 5.5-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), this development highlights the critical need to secure international partners early to ensure export success and global competitiveness.

SOURCE: AFI

In a gripping post on X, Amardeep Singh, founder of Gurgaon-based ArmoryShield, has spotlighted the transformative yet perilous role of drones in modern warfare. From capturing wedding videos to delivering packages, drones have become ubiquitous. However, their darker side is reshaping global conflicts, as seen in the Ukraine-Russia and Hamas-Israel wars.

Singh warns that small, affordable drones are rewriting the rules of warfare, rendering traditional air power less dominant and exposing nations to an invisible, cost-effective enemy. “Warfare has changed. Forever,” he declares, urging India to confront this escalating threat head-on.

SOURCE: AFI

In a move that has raised eyebrows in New Delhi, Turkey has donated its former TCG Volkan (P343) missile boat to the Maldives Coast Guard, marking a significant step in Turkey-Maldives defense cooperation. According to a report by TurDef, the transfer, announced on April 15, 2025, will see the Maldives receive its largest vessel to date, a development that some analysts interpret as a subtle message to India amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) .

The TCG Volkan (P343), a Do?an-class fast attack craft, has been in service with the Turkish Navy since its commissioning on May 12, 1981. Designed by the renowned German shipbuilder Lürssen, the Do?an class represents a significant chapter in Turkey’s naval history. Of the four vessels in the class, TCG Do?an (P340) was constructed in Germany, while the remaining three, including TCG Volkan, were built in Turkey, showcasing Turkey’s growing shipbuilding capabilities during the late 20th century .

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development that could escalate diplomatic tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, Pakistan is reportedly considering withdrawing from the historic Shimla Agreement of 1972. This potential move comes in response to India’s recent steps to unilaterally modify its commitments under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), citing repeated Pakistani obstruction in project clearances and growing geopolitical hostility.

The Shimla Agreement, signed on July 2, 1972, between India and Pakistan following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, laid the groundwork for peaceful resolution of disputes through bilateral dialogue. One of its core principles was the commitment by both nations to resolve issues through peaceful means without altering the Line of Control unilaterally.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant boost to India’s indigenous defense technology sector, Bengaluru-based NextLeap Aeronautics Pvt Ltd and Dheya Technologies and Aerospace have announced a strategic partnership to design and develop advanced turbojet-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for military and civilian applications. This collaboration, unveiled in April 2025, aligns with the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative and aims to reduce the country’s reliance on imported UAV systems while enhancing its capabilities in modern warfare and surveillance.

NextLeap Aeronautics, founded in 2019, is a privately funded enterprise specializing in sustainable air transportation and advanced defense technologies. The company has gained recognition for its innovative work in developing high-performance UAVs, including multirotor, fixed-wing, and hybrid Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) platforms. Dheya Technologies and Aerospace, a key player in aerospace engineering, brings expertise in system integration, propulsion technologies, and high-performance engineering solutions to the partnership. Together, the two firms aim to create cutting-edge turbojet UAVs tailored to meet the evolving needs of the Indian armed forces and civilian sectors.

SOURCE: AFI

On April 22, 2025, a devastating terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam claimed at least 26 lives, primarily tourists, in one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, cut short his trip and rushed back to Delhi to address the crisis. Notably, his aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER, avoided Pakistani airspace on the return journey, opting for a longer route through the Gulf and Central Asia.

This decision, a departure from his outbound flight which traversed Pakistan, has sparked speculation: is this a routine security measure amid heightened tensions, or the opening move in a potential standoff with Islamabad? As India points fingers at Pakistan-based terror groups, the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) deployment of a Saab Erieye AEW&C and reported military movements near the border add fuel to an already volatile situation.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant move to bolster India’s defense export ecosystem, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has introduced a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for granting export authorizations, further liberalizing and streamlining processes to enhance efficiency and facilitate global trade. Announced on April 15, 2025, the updated SOP focuses on reducing timelines for export permissions, particularly for Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (FOEMs) seeking items for repair or replacement, and expands the list of non-lethal items eligible for expedited business development approvals from 9 to 15. This reform underscores India’s ambition to achieve $5 billion in annual defense exports by 2025, reinforcing its position as a reliable supplier in the global defense market.

The revised SOP introduces measures to expedite export permissions for FOEMs, addressing a critical bottleneck in the defense supply chain. Previously, exporting items for repair, replacement, or maintenance required multiple layers of scrutiny, often delaying timelines and impacting contractual obligations. The new guidelines simplify the consultation process by leveraging digital platforms and standardizing documentation, ensuring that authorizations are granted within 30-45 days compared to the earlier 60-90 days.

SOURCE: AFI

QuBeats, an innovative Indian startup in the quantum technology space, is making waves with its cutting-edge work on GPS-denied and spoofed positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) solutions, aimed at bolstering India’s defense capabilities. Led by founder Rajat Sethi, a distinguished alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and MIT, QuBeats is collaborating closely with the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to mitigate risks in multiple GPS-denied scenarios, a critical need in modern warfare where electronic jamming and spoofing threaten traditional navigation systems.

Sethi’s journey—from a Punjabi refugee family displaced during the 1947 partition to a trailblazer in quantum-based electronic warfare (EW) technology—underscores the startup’s mission to secure India’s strategic edge through indigenous innovation.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant stride toward enhancing India’s maritime defense capabilities, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) marked a key milestone on April 22, 2025, with the signing of the Second Reading acceptance documents (D448) for INS Vela, the fourth Kalvari-class submarine under Project-75.

The ceremony, held at MDL’s headquarters in Mumbai, saw Cmde S B Jamgaonkar (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding & Heavy Engineering) at MDL, and Rear Admiral R. Adhisrinivasan, Chief Staff Officer (Technical) of the Indian Navy, formalize the agreement in the presence of senior officials from both organizations. This development brings INS Vela closer to full operational commissioning, reinforcing India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) amid rising geopolitical tensions and China’s growing naval footprint.