SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet of Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, renowned as one of the world’s most advanced combat platforms, has encountered significant operational challenges in 2025, with multiple emergency landings reported, including two within a single week. According to sources from Aviation Focus International (AFI), many of these incidents have been attributed to heat-related malfunctions, raising concerns about the helicopters’ performance in India’s extreme environmental conditions, particularly during high-temperature operations.

This week alone, two Apache helicopters were forced to make precautionary landings in farmlands due to onboard technical issues. On June 6, 2025, an Apache made an emergency landing in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after developing a technical fault during a routine training sortie. The landing gear and fuselage sustained minor damage, but both pilots emerged unscathed, and the helicopter was later flown back to the Sarsawa airbase after ground checks. Just days later, on June 13, 2025, another Apache landed in a field near Halet Village, Nangalpur, in Punjab’s Pathankot district, following a cockpit warning indicating a technical glitch. The crew was safe, and no ground damage or injuries were reported. IAF personnel from the Pathankot airbase, where the 125 Helicopter Squadron “Gladiators” operates the Apaches, promptly responded to assess and recover the aircraft.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s strategic push towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing is steering its air force away from acquiring advanced foreign fighter jets like the U.S.-made Lockheed Martin F-35 or Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57E, according to Mumin Chen, a professor at the Graduate Institute of International Politics at National Chung Hsing University. Speaking to international media, Chen emphasized that India’s current priorities center on bolstering domestic fighter jet programs, particularly the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which is poised to become the cornerstone of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) future capabilities.

The F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation stealth fighter renowned for its advanced sensors and network-centric warfare capabilities, has long been speculated as a potential addition to the IAF’s fleet. Similarly, Russia’s Su-57E, an export variant of its fifth-generation stealth fighter, has been offered to India as part of longstanding defence ties. However, Chen argues that India’s commitment to its indigenous programs, driven by the “Make in India” initiative, makes the procurement of these foreign platforms unlikely in the near term.

SOURCE: AFI

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defence public-sector undertaking, is grappling with a critical manpower shortage that threatens its operational efficiency and ability to meet growing project demands. According to G. Syam Nath, former Executive Director (Joint Ventures & Outsourcing) at HAL, the organization’s workforce has dwindled to half its previous strength, even as the complexity and volume of projects have surged. This alarming reduction in staffing, coupled with a lack of employee-friendly policies, has left HAL’s junior and mid-level staff overburdened, fatigued, and increasingly disheartened.

The manpower crisis at HAL is stark. Despite the rising number of high-profile projects—ranging from the production of advanced fighter jets like the Tejas to helicopters and aero-engines—the organization’s workforce has not been adequately replenished. Nath highlights that even when combining junior and mid-level staff as a single cluster, the staffing levels remain woefully insufficient. Employees at these levels are stretched thin, leading to burnout and declining morale, which could jeopardize HAL’s ability to deliver on critical defence contracts.

SOURCE: AFI

The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), located in Kamra, Pakistan, is a pivotal institution in the country’s defense ecosystem, operating under the full ownership and sponsorship of the Ministry of Defence Production. Unlike India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which functions as a civilian public-sector undertaking, PAC is a military-owned entity with its corporate leadership directly appointed by the Air Headquarters of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). This structural distinction underscores PAC’s deep integration into Pakistan’s military framework, serving as a cornerstone for its aerospace capabilities.

PAC’s strategic significance has made it a focal point in regional military dynamics. Notably, it was reportedly marked as a potential target for strikes by the Indian Air Force (IAF) before Pakistan requested a ceasefire, highlighting its critical role in Pakistan’s defense infrastructure. The complex is not merely a maintenance hub but a key facility for the assembly and sustainment of PAF’s combat aircraft.

SOURCE: AFI

Tensions within the Pakistani military establishment are reportedly simmering following the recent conflict with India, where the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) took a leading role while the Pakistani Army played a secondary role. The designation of the Line of Control (LoC) as a ceasefire line after the conflict has left the Army feeling sidelined, with growing discontent over General Asim Munir’s promotion to Field Marshal. Defence analyst Ranesh Rajan has warned that Pakistan may be planning a Kargil-like incursion to internationalize the Kashmir issue, especially as India has signaled its reluctance to engage in bilateral talks.

The Pakistani Army’s limited role in the recent conflict, dubbed Operation Bunyan Marsoos by Pakistan in response to India’s Operation Sindoor, has sparked frustration among its ranks. According to posts on X, the PAF’s prominence in countering Indian airstrikes overshadowed the Army’s contributions, leading to perceptions that the Army “had little to show” for its efforts. The conflict, which ended with a ceasefire on May 10, 2025, saw India claim significant success in targeting nine terrorist launchpads and damaging 11 PAF airbases, while Pakistan’s claims of downing 5–6 Indian fighter jets and conducting retaliatory strikes remain unverified.