SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Since 2019, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has undertaken significant upgrades to its Su-30MKI fleet, integrating advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) to counter the evolving capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The incorporation of the Israeli I-Derby ER, a short- to long-range missile with a full-sphere launch envelope including the aft hemisphere, and the indigenous Astra missile has brought the IAF’s air combat capabilities closer to parity with the PAF’s BVRAAM arsenal. These enhancements, driven by lessons from the 2019 Balakot skirmish, reflect India’s strategic push to bolster its aerial dominance amid regional tensions.
The February 27, 2019, aerial skirmish following India’s Balakot airstrike exposed critical gaps in the IAF’s air-to-air combat capabilities. During the engagement, PAF F-16s, armed with AIM-120 AMRAAMs (range approximately 100-120 km), forced IAF Su-30MKIs into defensive maneuvers, as the Russian R-77 BVRAAMs (range around 80 km) carried by the Su-30MKIs lacked the reach to effectively counter the PAF jets. The IAF’s Su-30MKIs successfully evaded multiple AMRAAMs but were unable to retaliate offensively due to the range disparity, highlighting the urgent need for longer-range, more capable BVRAAMs.
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In a significant boost to India’s quest for self-reliance in aerospace technology, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently emphasized the urgent need for Indian-made jet engines to power the nation’s fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Speaking at a defense industry conclave in New Delhi on April 30, 2025, Singh announced that the government will allocate additional funds to accelerate the development of the Kaveri engine program, a long-standing initiative led by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
While Singh did not specify whether the funding will support the ongoing Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) program—intended to power a 13-ton stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) named Ghatak—or the proposed Kaveri 2.0 engine targeting 90kN of thrust, his statement has sparked optimism about India’s aerospace ambitions.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant development for India’s defense aviation sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced that the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, in its Army and Air Force versions, has been cleared for operations. This follows a clarification issued on April 11, 2025, and is based on the recommendations of a Defect Investigation (DI) Committee. HAL has also outlined a time-bound plan for the resumption of operations, worked out in collaboration with the Indian Army and Air Force, signaling a resolution to concerns that had previously grounded the helicopter fleet.
The ALH Dhruv, a multi-role helicopter developed by HAL, has been a cornerstone of India’s indigenous defense manufacturing efforts since its first flight in 1992 and induction into service in 2002. Designed to operate in diverse environments—from high-altitude regions like Siachen to maritime roles—the Dhruv is used by the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, with over 300 units delivered as of early 2025. The helicopter has also been exported to countries like Ecuador, Mauritius, and Nepal, showcasing India’s growing defense export capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a dramatic turn of events, in new revelations, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is grappling with a major shakeup among its top ranks, with two senior officers facing severe repercussions following their involvement in the 2019 Operation Swift Retort. According to a recent screenshot from Military Wiki, out of four key Air Marshals associated with the operation, the third has been jailed, and the fourth has been unceremoniously expelled from the PAF. This leaves only two of the original four still in active service,.
Operation Swift Retort was Pakistan’s military response to India’s airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist camp in Balakot on February 26, 2019, following the Pulwama attack that killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel. On February 27, the PAF launched a counteroffensive, engaging Indian Air Force (IAF) jets in a dogfight over the Line of Control (LoC). The operation resulted in the downing of an IAF MiG-21, with its pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, captured and later released. India claimed to have downed a PAF F-16, a claim Pakistan has consistently denied.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a highly inflammatory post on Facebook, Major General (Retd.) A.L.M. Fazlur Rahman of the Bangladesh Army has called for Bangladesh to invade and occupy India’s seven northeastern states in the event of an Indian attack on Pakistan. Adding to the provocative nature of his statement, Rahman suggested that Bangladesh should initiate discussions with China for joint military actions to achieve this objective. The remarks, which have drawn sharp criticism and raised concerns about regional stability, come at a time of heightened tensions in South Asia.
In his post, Rahman wrote: “If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should invade and occupy India’s seven northeastern states. In my opinion, Bangladesh should start discussions with China for joint military actions in this regard.” The retired general’s comments refer to India’s northeastern region, comprising Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura, often referred to as the “Seven Sisters.” These states are connected to the rest of India by the narrow Siliguri Corridor, making the region geopolitically sensitive.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, India’s issuance of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on April 30, 2025, closing its airspace to all Pakistani-registered, operated, or leased aircraft has laid bare the stark asymmetry in the financial fallout of the ongoing airspace dispute. While India faces minimal losses from its decision, Pakistan’s earlier move to deny Indian flights access to its airspace is costing it dearly—an estimated $300,000 per day—owing to India’s position as the third-largest source of outgoing air traffic globally.
The current crisis began on April 24, 2025, when Pakistan issued a NOTAM closing its airspace to Indian aircraft, following India’s diplomatic offensive in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan’s closure, set to last until May 25, 2025, disrupted over 70 to 80 daily two-way flights from India to Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Central Asia, forcing Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo to reroute flights, incur higher fuel costs, and even cancel routes to destinations like Tashkent and Almaty.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Navy has announced a naval firing exercise scheduled to take place off the coast of Karwar Naval Base in the Arabian Sea on May 7, 2025. The exercise will commence at 08:30 AM IST and conclude at 06:30 PM IST, covering a range of approximately 390km from the base.
According to the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued for the event, the designated firing range extends westward into the Arabian Sea, ensuring a safe distance from the coastline. The exercise is part of routine training operations conducted by the Indian Navy to maintain operational readiness and enhance maritime security capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The UN Security Council could meet “sooner rather than later” to discuss the situation between India and Pakistan. This would be an opportunity to express views and help defuse tensions, the UNSC President said, voicing concern over rising tensions between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours.
“Of course, if a request comes for a meeting, then…I think this meeting should take place because, as we said, maybe it’s also an opportunity to have views expressed and this might help to defuse tensions a bit. We will see,” said Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of May, in response to a question by PTI.
Continue readingSOURCE: NASA
NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are targeting June 2025 for launch of the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite mission. The first mission to carry both L-band and S-band radar, NISAR will scan nearly all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days. The mission will measure changes in the planet’s terrestrial ecosystems, growth and retreat of its ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice, and deformation of its crust.
Launch services will be provided by ISRO, using the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle Mark II rocket that will carry the spacecraft into low Earth orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on India’s southeastern coast.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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The Supreme Court on Friday granted more time to the Jammu and Kashmir government to inform it about the number of Pakistani nationals detained under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan gave six more weeks after the authorities informed that data relating to such prisoners was lost during floods in the union territory.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Terming Pakistan as a “failed state”, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Thursday said relations between New Delhi and Islamabad would never improve until a peoples’ government is elected in the neighbouring country.
Speaking to reporters after a party event at the NC headquarters, he also said the people of Pakistan want friendship with India as he warned that war between the two countries would have dangerous consequences.
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
India’s aviation regulator has allowed Air India to temporarily extend the maximum duty hours and rest period for pilots on long-haul routes to allow the airline to tackle Pakistan’s airspace ban, according to an internal memo and a source familiar with the matter.
The exemption is for about two weeks beginning April 30 and is applicable for Airbus and Boeing long-haul jets, according to the memo, and is meant to cover flights to destinations in the US.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
US Vice-President J.D. Vance has said that the US hopes that Pakistan would cooperate with India to hunt down the Pakistan-based terrorists responsible for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last month.
“Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict,” Vance said on Thursday in an interview on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier” show. “And we hope, frankly, that Pakistan, to the extent that they’re responsible, cooperates with India to make sure that the terrorists sometimes operating in their territory are hunted down and dealt with,” the US Vice-President added.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The IAF on Friday commenced its much-anticipated “land and go” drill on the 3.5-km stretch of the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in the country’s defence preparedness.
What sets this expressway stretch apart is its unique capability to facilitate both day and night landings of fighter jets, making it the first such airstrip in the country. Until now, similar emergency landing drills have been carried out on the Lucknow-Agra and Purvanchal expressways, but those were limited to daytime operations.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Rajasthan Intelligence has arrested a Jaisalmer resident, Pathan Khan, for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), an official release said. As per an official release, authorities stated that the accused Pathan Khan visited Pakistan in 2013 and came in contact with officers of the Intelligence Agency of Pakistan.
A case has been registered against the Pathan Khan under the Official Secrets Act, 1923. In Pakistan, Khan was lured with money and received training for espionage. Even after 2013, he continued meeting Pakistan Intelligence Agency officers by going there and kept sharing sensitive and confidential information related to the Jaisalmer International Border with Pakistan handlers, the press note stated.
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