SOURCE: AFI

In a significant move aimed at modernizing its aging fighter fleet, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has announced plans to procure the Chinese-made FC-31, a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet currently under development for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The FC-31 is expected to replace PAF’s aging F-16 MLU-15 fighter jets, with the transition scheduled to begin by 2030. This procurement, to be carried out in multiple phases, marks a strategic shift in Pakistan’s defense posture as it looks to acquire cutting-edge technology to maintain air superiority in the region.

The FC-31 is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter jet that boasts advanced stealth capabilities, high maneuverability, and the ability to carry a wide array of weapons, making it a formidable platform in the fifth-generation fighter jet category. Originally developed for the PLAN as a deck-based fighter, the FC-31 has undergone significant modifications to meet the operational requirements of the PAF. While primarily designed for carrier-based operations, the air force variant of the FC-31 will be tailored for Pakistan’s specific defense needs.

SOURCE: AFI

Marking a significant breakthrough in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, the Small Arms Factory (SAF) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has developed a unique metal that meets the stringent GOST (Gosstandart) standards used in Russian weapons like the AK-203 assault rifle. This advancement is a crucial step toward achieving the goal of producing fully indigenous AK-203 rifles, marking a milestone for the country’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The SAF, a key production unit under the Ministry of Defence and part of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), played a critical role in this achievement. The factory, along with its metal suppliers, worked tirelessly over six months to develop a metal that would meet the demanding specifications required for the AK-203 rifle, a weapon that has become symbolic of India’s efforts to modernize its military with locally produced arms.

SOURCE: AFI

In response to Canada’s persistent non-cooperation with Indian investigative agencies’ requests for information on Khalistani elements settled within its borders, the Indian government is considering a strategic move to share the same list of wanted extremists with the other Five Eyes countries.

Highly placed sources indicate that this action aims to highlight Canada’s uncooperative stance and exert counter-pressure on the North American nation. The Five Eyes nations include the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, in addition to Canada.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A continues to solidify its standing as a formidable multirole fighter with the latest integration of the Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER). The development, first reported by idrw.org, highlights that the JDAM-ER systems, ordered in 2022, have started arriving from the United States. This addition further enhances the Tejas Mk1A’s already impressive arsenal, which includes advanced smart munitions from various global suppliers, showcasing its versatility and interoperability.

JDAM-ER, a guidance kit developed by Boeing, converts unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions by incorporating GPS guidance. The extended-range variant of JDAM significantly increases the range of the bomb to over 70 km, allowing the aircraft to engage targets from a safer distance. This is particularly advantageous in modern aerial warfare where long-range precision strikes are crucial to mission success. The JDAM-ER will allow Tejas Mk1A to deliver effective strikes with minimal exposure to enemy air defense systems.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is spearheading the development of Project Khusha, a cutting-edge air defense initiative that will employ a tiered approach to counter various aerial threats. Often dubbed the “Desi S-400,” Project Khusha is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing air defense systems, including the Russian S-400 Triumf system, providing a robust, layered defense architecture. This initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to establish a comprehensive, interconnected air defense network capable of neutralizing threats ranging from ballistic missiles to enemy aircraft.

At the core of Project Khusha is a multi-tiered system utilizing three interceptor missiles—designated as M1, Mk2, and Mk3—each tailored for different ranges and target profiles. This tiered approach will allow India to defend against a wide spectrum of aerial threats by engaging targets at multiple distances, providing a layered shield over critical infrastructure and strategic assets.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing its work on an extended-range variant of the Guided Pinaka rocket system, which will have a range exceeding 120 km. Fabrication of this new version is scheduled to begin by mid-2025, with the first test planned for as early as October 2025. This development comes in response to the Indian Army’s request for an expedited program, as the military seeks to enhance its precision-guided rocket artillery capabilities.

The Guided Pinaka system, currently in testing, has a range of 75-90 km and has proven to be an effective and reliable solution for long-range artillery support. It was developed by DRDO to provide the Indian Army with a more accurate and extended-range variant of the unguided Pinaka rockets that had a range of 40 km. Equipped with a guidance system comprising an inertial navigation system (INS) and a GPS, the Guided Pinaka offers greater accuracy and precision, allowing the Army to strike targets with minimal collateral damage.

SOURCE: AFI

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) today marked a significant milestone with the plate cutting ceremony for its advanced trailing suction hopper dredger (TSH) project. This event signifies the commencement of construction on a high-performance vessel destined for a valued foreign client.

GSL has entered into a strategic partnership with the Jan De Nul Group of Luxembourg to build this next-generation TSH dredger. The vessel is designed as a plug-in hybrid, capable of operating autonomously for up to four hours initially. This innovative feature is particularly suited for operations in smaller harbors, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

SOURCE: AFI

The Chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along with a former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, has underscored the need for the development of a 110kN-class engine for India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. This new engine, designed to power India’s 5th-generation fighter jet, will mark a significant leap forward in engine technology, featuring advancements that will not only serve the AMCA but also provide a foundation for future 6th-generation aircraft platforms.

The call for a 110kN engine stems from the need to equip the AMCA with a powerplant that meets the demands of modern air combat, while also ensuring future scalability. The AMCA, envisioned as a 5th-generation fighter, requires an engine that incorporates next-generation technologies, with a focus on thermal reduction measures, stealth features, and superior thrust-to-weight ratios.

SOURCE: AFI

The world of submarine design and development mourns the loss of Academician Igor Dmitriyevich Spassky, who passed away on October 22, 2024, at the age of 98. Renowned as a visionary and a pioneer, Spassky played a pivotal role in shaping the Soviet Union’s, and subsequently Russia’s, submarine fleet.

Born in 1926, Spassky dedicated his life to the design and engineering of submarines. He rose through the ranks to become the head of the Central Design Bureau of Marine Equipment “Rubin,” one of the most prestigious research and development centers in the Soviet Union.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy has opted for the MQ-9B Reaper drones, developed by General Atomics, to bolster its maritime surveillance capabilities, after the indigenously developed TAPAS UAV failed to meet the Navy’s specific operational requirements. Speaking on the subject, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, noted that the MQ-9B drones will be critical in fulfilling the need for comprehensive surveillance across India’s expansive oceanic territories, which the TAPAS was unable to effectively deliver.

The TAPAS UAV (Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance), also known as TAPAS-BH-201, is a part of the Rustom family of drones developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Initially conceived to meet the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) needs of the Indian armed forces, TAPAS was expected to serve as a cost-effective and indigenous alternative to imported platforms.

SOURCE: AFI

In a recent interview with Suno Digital, Ex-Commodore Sajid Mehmood Shehzad HI(M) of the Pakistani Navy has highlighted Indian aircraft carriers as a primary target for the Pakistani Navy in the event of a conflict with India. Shehzad emphasized that these powerful warships would be a priority if they ever approached Pakistani coastal waters.

While acknowledging the challenges associated with targeting aircraft carriers, which are often accompanied by protective carrier strike groups, Shehzad suggested that the Indian Navy might be hesitant to bring them closer to the Pakistani coastline. The Indian Navy is likely to keep its aircraft carriers at a safe distance from the Arabian Sea, reducing the risk of confrontation.

SOURCE: AFI

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has confirmed that, Sandeep Singh Sidhu, one of its employees. Sandeep Singh Sidhu is wanted for promoting terrorist activities in Punjab and is accused in the high-profile assassination of Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a Shaurya Chakra awardee. Sandhu was gunned down outside his home in Bhikhiwind, Punjab, in October 2020. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India, which took over the case in 2021, has linked Sidhu to the banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), implicating him in a larger conspiracy behind the murder.

Sidhu, 43, who currently resides in Abbotsford, British Columbia, works as a superintendent for the CBSA, Canada’s border enforcement and immigration agency. Despite his high-profile role, Sidhu is accused of harboring connections with several terrorist outfits, including Pakistan-based Khalistani operatives. According to an NIA dossier submitted to the Supreme Court of India, Sidhu is accused of promoting separatist activities in Punjab, raising serious concerns about his involvement in global terror networks while working for a key Canadian law enforcement agency.

SOURCE: AFI

BEML Limited, a leading defense equipment manufacturer in India, has secured an order for the design, development, and supply of 20 Datran 1500hp engines for the country’s Main Battle Tanks (MBTs). These advanced engines mark a significant leap forward in military propulsion technology and are set to play a crucial role in enhancing the capabilities of India’s armored forces.

The Datran 1500hp engine is engineered to rival some of the most advanced military propulsion systems globally. With its high power output and sophisticated technology, this engine provides superior acceleration, manoeuvrability, and operational endurance, which are critical factors for MBTs in modern warfare. Datran 1500hp engines are to be first tested on the older Arjun Prototypes before it is cleared for the program and also for the FRCV program.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s ambition to develop its own fifth-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), represents a significant leap in the country’s defense capabilities. The AMCA project is a major step towards building indigenous military technology with cutting-edge features such as stealth, supercruise capability, advanced avionics, and state-of-the-art weapon systems. However, the completion of this ambitious project may take several more years, especially due to the challenges associated with engine development.

In the interim, India may consider the acquisition of Russia’s fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets to bolster its defense capabilities, particularly in response to the growing regional threat posed by China’s and Pakistan’s advancements in military aviation.

SOURCE: AFI

Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Southwestern Air Command (SWAC), conducted a comprehensive review of a frontline Air Force base in the western sector from October 21 to 23, 2024.

A seasoned aviator with a distinguished career, Air Marshal Tiwari has previously served as a test pilot on the indigenously developed Tejas light combat aircraft. During his visit, he revisited the base and, to refresh his flying skills, undertook three sorties on the Tejas.