SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
As the Indian Air Force (IAF) grapples with a critical shortfall in fighter squadrons and evaluates options for its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter is emerging as a compelling contender. Recent developments in Russia’s production capacity and engine technology, coupled with a robust offer for co-production in India, position the Su-57E as a viable interim solution to bridge the gap until India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) enters service in the mid-2030s.
However, challenges related to engine readiness, payment mechanisms, and potential sanctions under the US’s Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) could complicate this opportunity, raising questions about the Su-57’s fit for India’s fifth-generation fighter requirements.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India, issued a Request for Information (RFI) to procure a significant number of Light Specialist Vehicles (LSVs) for the Indian Armed Forces, particularly the Indian Army.
The RFI, aimed at both domestic and international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and vendors, outlines the Indian Army’s need for LSVs to support deployment along Northern Borders, particularly in high-altitude areas like Ladakh, where tensions with both Pakistan and China remain high. The document is structured in three parts: operational and technical requirements, vendor selection criteria, and response methodology.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a bold move to assert its dominance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India has established a pivotal military base on the remote Agalega Island, part of Mauritius, located near one of the world’s busiest maritime waterways—the Mozambique Channel. Inaugurated in February 2024, this base, equipped with a 3,000-meter airstrip and a deep-water jetty, is designed to host large military aircraft like the Boeing P-8I Poseidon and naval warships, transforming Agalega into a launchpad for operations across the farthest reaches of the Indian Ocean.
This strategic outpost, often overlooked due to its isolation, holds immense geopolitical significance as India counters China’s expanding influence through its “String of Pearls” strategy with its own “Necklace of Diamonds” approach. As U.S. Navy Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan prophesized over a century ago, “Whoever controls the Indian Ocean will dominate Asia. The destiny of the world will be decided on its waters.” Today, this prophecy resonates more than ever.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A leaked document from the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), a Chinese state-owned defense company, has shed light on a recent arms deal with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). According to the document, Pakistan has acquired 240 PL-15E beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVR-AAMs) as part of a larger defense procurement package. However, the document clarifies that the PL-15E variant supplied to Pakistan has a capped range of 145 kilometers, contrary to claims in Pakistani media that the PAF had procured the PL-15 variant used by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), which boasts a range exceeding 200 kilometers.
The leaked document details a loan of CNY 10,136,650,000.00 (approximately USD 1.4 billion) from CATIC to the PAF for the procurement of 20 J-10CE fighter jets, the 240 PL-15E missiles, 10 KWS-10B spare power plants, and one flight management system (FMS), along with associated stores and services. The deal, executed on a seller’s credit basis, highlights China’s continued role as a key defense supplier to Pakistan.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
On May 2, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted historic day-and-night landing and takeoff drills on a 3.5-kilometer airstrip along the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. This marked India’s first expressway airstrip equipped for 24/7 fighter jet operations, featuring advanced lighting, CAT II Instrument Landing System (ILS), and reinforced pavement.
The exercise, involving Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, C-130J Super Hercules, AN-32, and MI-17 V5 helicopters, comes amid heightened tensions with Pakistan following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. This article explores the strategic purpose of these night landing exercises, particularly whether they enable India to maintain counterstrike capabilities against Pakistan even if its airfields are preemptively targeted.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a disturbing escalation of espionage activities, Pakistani intelligence agents, impersonating Indian Navy officers, have been reported making phone calls to officials at the INS Kadamba naval base in Karwar, Karnataka, and the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to extract sensitive information about India’s aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, as well as other warships, including INS Subhadra.
These incidents, reported in early May 2025 by Public TV English and Organiser, follow closely on the heels of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arresting three individuals in February 2025 for leaking classified details about INS Kadamba and INS Vikramaditya. The Pakistani operatives have also allegedly attempted to honeytrap Indian Navy personnel, prompting the Indian Navy to issue strict directives against sharing sensitive information. This article examines the nature of these espionage attempts, their strategic implications amid India-Pakistan tensions, and India’s response to safeguard its naval assets.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a surprising move, the Indian government has terminated the tenure of Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian as Executive Director (India) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with immediate effect, six months before the completion of his three-year term. The decision, announced on April 30, 2025, by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), comes days before a critical IMF board meeting scheduled for May 9, 2025, to review a proposed $1.3 billion climate resilience loan to Pakistan—a move India strongly opposes.
The abrupt recall, detailed in a Times of India report, has sparked speculation about underlying tensions, including disagreements over IMF datasets and allegations of impropriety related to Subramanian’s book promotion.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
In a major boost for its capabilities amid tensions with Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack, the Indian Army has received new supplies of the Russian-origin Igla-S missiles. The Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS) are an important part of the air defence protection of the Indian Army, and the new supplies of the Igla-S missiles have been received as part of a contract inked under the emergency procurement powers given by the Centre to the forces.
The new supplies of the Igla-S air defence missiles have been received by the Indian Army a couple of weeks ago and are being provided to the forward formations for taking care of the threat from enemy fighter aircraft, choppers and drones on the borders, defence sources told ANI.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The Ordnance Factory Chanda in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district on Friday cancelled the leaves of all its employees “in the interest of national security and operational urgency.” A circular issued by the deputy general manager of the factory said as per the directions received from the chairman and managing director, Munitions India Limited (MIL), “all kinds of leave” stand cancelled with immediate effect.
All employees should report for duty without fail and ensure uninterrupted attendance and contribution in line with national requirements “during this critical period”, it added.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Days before the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, intelligence agencies had flagged the potential targeting of tourists especially those staying in hotels on the outskirts of Srinagar in the foothills of the Zabarwan range, officials said on Saturday.
This prompted a heightened security presence in these areas with top police brass camping in Srinagar to oversee combing operations around Dachigam, Nishat and adjacent areas.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Pakistan has banned the use of its ports by Indian flag carriers, hours after New Delhi imposed fresh punitive measures, including a ban on import of goods and entry of Pakistani ships into its ports, against Islamabad.
India on Saturday imposed a ban on the import of goods coming from or transiting through Pakistan and also the entry of Pakistani ships into its ports even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country is committed to take “firm and decisive” action against terrorists and their backers.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
The Indian government on Sunday blocked the X accounts of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former Pak Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan. The official X handles of both have been withheld following their anti-India and malicious content regarding the current tense situation.
India has already blocked the official X handle of the Government of Pakistan and also the X account of the country’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif. The X account of Pakistan Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar was withheld in India, days after he had claimed that India was planning to carry out a military strike, citing “credible intelligence”.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
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India is committed to deepening its engagement with Africa by leveraging its own strengths, rather than viewing the region through the lens of competition with China, said Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during a press conference following the state visit of Angolan President Joao Lourenco.
“China has a very strong presence not just in Angola but across Africa, but we have to also understand our strengths. There are certain areas where India can do very well. There are certain areas, perhaps China is already doing well, but not necessarily the competition,” Ravi said.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
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UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy said that United Kingdom stands with people of India against the terrorism.
Nandy, who was in India, said that UK’s relationship with India is “very long” and “very deep” “Our Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, was very pleased to be able to send his condolences directly to Prime Minister Modi and to send our condolences to the families of the victims of these appalling attacks. The UK stands with India against terrorism, always in whatever form. We know the Indian nation is hurting because of those attacks, and our relationship with India is very long and very deep. When you’re hurting, we’re hurting, and I was pleased to be able to join in that minute’s silence to show our respect and our support for India’s fight against terrorism,” Nandy told ANI.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
In a counter-espionage operation, Punjab Police arrested two persons for their alleged role in leaking sensitive information and photographs of army cantonment areas and air bases in Amritsar.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav on Sunday said Amritsar Rural Police arrested Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih on Saturday. Preliminary investigation revealed their links to Pakistani intelligence operatives, established through Harpreet Singh alias Pittu currently lodged in Amritsar Central Jail, the DGP said.
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