SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant revelation, India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has confirmed for the first time that the government is actively considering the acquisition of 5th-generation fighter jets from key allies as a short-term measure to bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capabilities. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Singh’s statement marks a strategic shift amid escalating regional tensions and the IAF’s urgent need to address its dwindling squadron strength, currently at 31 against a sanctioned strength of 42.
Singh’s remarks indicate a pragmatic approach to bridge the capability gap while India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, a 5th-generation stealth fighter developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), progresses toward its projected induction by 2035. The AMCA, approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in May 2025, is a twin-engine, all-weather stealth fighter designed for air superiority, ground strikes, and electronic warfare, but its development timeline necessitates interim solutions.
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India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, aimed at developing a 5th-generation stealth multirole fighter for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy, has reached a critical juncture, with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirming that the contract for its development will be awarded within the next three to six months.
Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Singh’s announcement signals a significant push toward realizing India’s goal of joining the elite group of nations with indigenous 5th-generation fighter capabilities, amid growing regional security challenges from China and Pakistan.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In the aftermath of the recent conflict between Pakistan and India, Pakistan reportedly engaged three private satellite imagery companies to conduct a post-battlefield assessment of an Indian Air Force (IAF) air base targeted during the hostilities. However, sources indicate that the lack of significant damage to the base has led to embarrassment within the Pakistani military, resulting in no public release of the assessment reports.
According to defense insiders, Pakistan sought high-resolution satellite imagery from these private firms to evaluate the effectiveness of its military operations against the IAF facility. The move was intended to provide a detailed analysis of the damage inflicted and to bolster Pakistan’s narrative of a successful campaign. However, the imagery reportedly revealed minimal structural or operational damage to the air base, undermining claims of a decisive strike.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to invest approximately ?4,000 crore from its internal funds to develop the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), a 10–12.5-tonne medium-lift helicopter designed to meet the operational needs of the Indian Armed Forces, according to HAL Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Sunil emphasized HAL’s commitment to advancing India’s indigenous defense capabilities, with the IMRH poised to replace aging fleets and enhance military operations across diverse terrains.
The IMRH, a flagship project under India’s “Make in India” initiative, is being developed to serve the Indian Air Force (IAF), Army, and Navy in roles including troop transport, casualty evacuation, anti-submarine warfare, and special operations. With a projected service ceiling of 20,000 feet and the ability to operate in high-altitude environments like Siachen and Ladakh, the IMRH aims to address critical gaps in India’s rotary-wing capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to revolutionize its operational framework with a forward-looking “Unmanned Force Plan,” aiming to integrate 30 to 50 small, medium, and large Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) tailored for specific combat roles within the next three to five years.
Announced by Air Commodore (Operations) Sandeep Singh at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) seminar on “Weaponised Drones: Opportunities and Challenges,” this strategic initiative includes a detailed acquisition roadmap to bolster India’s air dominance amid evolving regional security dynamics. The plan prioritizes the procurement of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs in the short term and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs in the medium term, aligning with India’s broader push for self-reliance in defense technology.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has categorically denied allegations of Chinese involvement in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities, following India’s acknowledgment that China provided intelligence support during a recent conflict between the two South Asian rivals.In a press briefing on Monday, Asif dismissed India’s claims as “baseless” and accused New Delhi of attempting to deflect attention from its own strategic shortcomings.
“Pakistan’s defense capabilities are independent and robust. We have no reliance on external powers for our ISR operations,” Asif stated, emphasizing that Pakistan’s military conducts its intelligence and surveillance activities autonomously. India’s recent acknowledgment of Chinese intelligence support during the conflict, which has not been detailed publicly, has raised eyebrows in the region, particularly given the deepening strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.
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The United States has reportedly advised Pakistan to urgently renegotiate the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India, signaling a potential shift in the decades-old water-sharing agreement that could grant India greater control over the three western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—previously allocated primarily to Pakistan.
This development comes amid escalating tensions following India’s suspension of the IWT in April 2025, triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack, and its subsequent plans to construct canals and dams to divert water from all six rivers of the Indus basin. Pakistan, however, has steadfastly refused to renegotiate, insisting on maintaining the original terms of the 1960 treaty despite India’s growing water shortages and strategic maneuvers.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
In a call to V Narayanan, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian Gaganyatri currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, acknowledged the efforts of team ISRO in ensuring his safe travel to the ISS.
Shukla had called the ISRO chief on July 6 afternoon, ISRO said. During the call, the chairman expressed his keen interest in Shukla’s well-being and inquired about the various scientific experiments and activities being conducted on the ISS.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected a plea of Turkish company Celebi Aviation challenging the revocation of its security clearance by the Union government in the interest of national security. A bench of Justice Sachin Datta declined to interfere with the notification issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on May 15, revoking the security clearance of the Turkish company operating ground handling services at Indian airports.
The Centre’s move was a retaliatory measure against Turkey following its backing of Pakistan during its military response to India after Operation Sindoor. Turkey backed Islamabad and condemned India’s Operation Sindoor, taken up to avenge the killing of 26 people in Kashmir’s Pahalgam terror attack.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Coordination, harmony and love are vanishing due to the authoritarianism and dictatorship of superpowers and there is an atmosphere of conflict across the world, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Sunday while citing the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Iran wars.
Hailing India as the land of the Buddha giving the message of truth, non-violence and peace to the world, Mr Gadkari emphasised the need to ascertain future policy after reviewing and deliberating on international happenings underway.
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Police and maritime security agencies have intensified their search for a suspicious boat, “possibly a Pakistani fishing vessel”, spotted near Revdanda coast in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, officials said on Monday.
The boat was spotted on the Indian Navy’s radar on Sunday night, around two nautical miles off the Korlai coast in Revdanda, an official said. It was “possibly a Pakistani fishing vessel”, but the identity and other details will be ascertained once the boat is intercepted, the official said.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally welcomed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto into the BRICS grouping as a full member during the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday (Indian time) said this while underscoring India’s growing diplomatic stature and its pivotal role in shaping multilateral platforms.
Addressing a special media briefing on the Prime Minister’s participation, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA, Dammu Ravi, said, “The Prime Minister thanked President Lula for his warm hospitality and welcomed the Indonesian President for joining BRICS as a full member.”
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
In a significant development in the ongoing anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, a senior Maoist commander identified as Sodhi Kanna was killed during a joint offensive by security forces in the National Park area, police confirmed on Monday.
The encounter occurred on July 5, following the launch of a large-scale operation a day earlier based on intelligence inputs regarding the presence of senior Maoist leaders and their armed cadres, police said.
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A special court in Jammu on Monday granted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) 10 more days’ remand of the two accused arrested for allegedly harbouring Pakistani terrorists involved in the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April, officials said.
After the expiry of the earlier 10-day remand, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar were produced before the Special NIA Court, which extended their remand to enable the NIA to carry out its investigation in the case, the officials said.
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The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Academy training ship Itsukushima arrived in Chennai on a six-day goodwill visit that aims at further consolidating the deep-rooted maritime cooperation and friendship between both countries.
As it made the port call, the Japanese ship – currently on a three-month deep sea training voyage with new JCG officer candidates – was given a warm ceremonial welcome by the NCC cadets and the Indian Army Band, marking the spirit of Indo-Japan maritime friendship.
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