SOURCE: AFI

In May 1997, tensions soared in South Asia as an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-25 streaked across Pakistani airspace. The telltale boom of breaking the sound barrier shattered the calm, sending shockwaves through Islamabad and scrambling Pakistani defenses. But their efforts were in vain. The MiG-25, nicknamed “Foxbat” by NATO, was simply too fast and too high.

This wasn’t a random act. The MiG-25, a product of the Cold War era, was a technological marvel. Capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2.5 and soaring over 70,000 feet, it flew comfortably beyond the reach of any Pakistani interceptor at the time. This operational advantage made it the perfect platform for covert reconnaissance missions.

SOURCE: AFI

India and China, both major Asian powers, have a long history of acquiring military equipment from Russia. However, their approaches to the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet program differed significantly. While China opted to reverse-engineer the Su-30MKK (a less advanced variant) and develop its own indigenous versions, India pursued a different path.

India’s Su-30MKI program involved a complex technology transfer agreement with Russia. This agreement allowed India to progressively manufacture the Su-30MKI domestically, with increasing levels of indigenous content over time. The goal was not just to assemble the aircraft but to gain the knowledge and expertise to potentially design and develop future generations of fighter jets.

SOURCE: AFI

The war in Ukraine has seen a rise in the use of small, agile drones, particularly First-Person View (FPV) drones, for reconnaissance and even attacks. While sophisticated air defense systems are ideal, recent media reports suggest a surprisingly effective countermeasure: the humble pump-action shotgun. This article explores why these shotguns are proving surprisingly useful against drones.

FPV drones, often commercially available and easily modified, pose a growing threat to soldiers on the ground. Their small size and maneuverability make them difficult to detect and shoot down with traditional weaponry.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) took a pivotal step towards bolstering its combat capabilities with the inauguration of the Weapon System School (WSS) today at Begumpet. The ceremony was officiated by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).

This significant development follows the IAF’s 2022 decision to establish a dedicated Weapon System Branch (WSB). The WSS serves as a vital training ground for officers entrusted with operating ground-based and specialist weapon systems.

SOURCE: AFI

Report going around claiming the French company Safran has cleared the Kaveri engine for integration with the LCA Tejas fighter jet are misleading. This information actually dates back to 2018, not a recent development.

For clarification, DRDO in its 2017 annual report provided details of the significant progress made with the Kaveri engine that year. Five prototypes underwent a total of 145 hours of testing, including successful completion of critical tests and the first-ever transient test simulating idle to max reheat conditions.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy has taken a giant leap towards self-reliance in munitions with the successful certification of a new, domestically developed explosive. Manufactured by Solar Industries, SEBEX-2 promises to revolutionize the Navy’s arsenal with its superior power.

SEBEX-2 boasts a blast effect exceeding any currently used solid explosive. This innovative formulation packs a punch – it’s reported to be 2.01 times more powerful than a standard TNT explosion! The destructive potential of explosives is measured in TNT equivalence, with higher numbers signifying greater impact. SEBEX-2’s impressive 2.01 rating positions it as a true force multiplier.

SOURCE: AFI

A somber reminder of the inherent dangers faced by Indian soldiers emerged in Eastern Ladakh, where a T-72 tank remains stuck in the strong currents of the Shyok River near Saser Brangsa. This incident underscores the constant risks associated with river crossings undertaken by troops using tanks and BMPs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) across numerous rivers and streams in the region.

Five Indian Army soldiers lost their lives in June 2024 when their T-72 tank met with an accident during a river-crossing exercise near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Leh district. This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of such maneuvers.

SOURCE: AFI

In a surprising turn of events, India has emerged as an aluminum supplier to Russia, the world’s second-largest aluminum exporter. This development, reported by Sputnik based on Indian customs data, marks a first for recent times.

According to the analysis, India exported 44,800 tons of unprocessed aluminum to Russian companies in April 2024, valued at $16.5 million. This shipment is particularly noteworthy given Russia’s well-established position as a major aluminum exporter, with exports valued at $6.5 billion in 2023.