SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army is transforming its border surveillance capabilities with the integration of Satellite Communication (SATCOM)-enabled Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, marking a significant leap in real-time monitoring and situational awareness along the nation’s frontiers. These advanced drones, equipped with cutting-edge technology, are enhancing the Army’s ability to secure India’s borders against infiltration, smuggling, and other threats.

According to defence sources, the SATCOM-enabled RPAs provide uninterrupted, long-range surveillance by leveraging satellite connectivity, overcoming the limitations of traditional line-of-sight communication systems. These drones are equipped with high-resolution electro-optical and infrared sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and advanced data-processing capabilities, enabling them to operate effectively in diverse terrains and weather conditions, including the rugged landscapes along India’s borders with Pakistan and China.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent survey by The Takshashila Institution, published on April 18, 2025, reveals a striking preference among Indians for international technological collaborations over the government’s push for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence and critical technologies. Conducted amid debates over the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fighter jet acquisition strategy and the development of the 5.5-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the survey highlights a public inclination toward partnerships with the United States and Israel, with 45.4% and 20.5% of respondents respectively favoring these nations as key allies.

However, the survey also underscores a troubling trend: Indian private sector companies often prioritize “screwdriver giri”—assembling imported kits—over investing in indigenous research and development (R&D). This preference risks undermining India’s long-term goal of self-reliance in defence, raising critical questions about the balance between collaboration and innovation.

SOURCE: AFI

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is deploying advanced surveillance technologies, including human-detection radars and seismic sensors, to strengthen security along India’s border with Pakistan. This high-tech initiative aims to counter infiltration, smuggling, and tunnel-based threats, addressing vulnerabilities in one of the world’s most sensitive border regions.

According to MHA sources, the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) incorporates a network of cutting-edge tools such as human-detection radars, thermal imaging, high-resolution cameras, and seismic sensors designed to detect underground tunnels. These systems are complemented by micro-Doppler radars, which excel in obscured environments like fog, smoke, or walls, enhancing surveillance capabilities. Floodlighting, smart fencing, and watchtowers every 270 meters further fortify the border, with tech-enabled patrols monitoring riverine stretches.

SOURCE: AFI

A delegation from the United States Military Academy (USMA), West Point, visited the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun as part of a cadet exchange programme aimed at fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between the two prestigious institutions. The visit, which took place recently, highlighted the growing defence ties between India and the United States.

The USMA team, comprising cadets and faculty members, engaged in a series of activities during their stay at the IMA. The programme included interactive sessions, joint training exercises, and cultural exchanges designed to provide insights into the training methodologies, leadership development, and operational ethos of both academies. The visiting team was briefed on the IMA’s rigorous training regimen, which prepares officer cadets for leadership roles in the Indian Army.

SOURCE: AFI

In a recent interview with Pakistani media, Air Commodore Khalid Farooq (Retd) provided an in-depth overview of the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) current aircraft inventory, advanced technologies, and strategic capabilities, asserting a technological advantage over India’s air forces, particularly in first-look, first-shot capabilities. His remarks highlighted the PAF’s modern fighter jets, including the Chinese-made J-10C and the indigenously co-developed JF-17 Thunder Block III, positioning them as superior to India’s recently acquired Rafale jets.

Air Commodore Farooq revealed that the PAF currently operates approximately 400 aircraft, with a significant portion being combat-capable fighter jets. This figure aligns with estimates suggesting the PAF maintains around 418 jets, ranking it sixth globally in combat aircraft numbers, according to posts on X. In contrast, he noted that the Indian Air Force (IAF) possesses around 1,150 aircraft, nearly three times the PAF’s strength, a numerical disparity consistent since the 1965 and 1971 wars. “India has always had more numbers than us… We can never match the numbers, nor do we want to. We match them with passion, better training, and superior technology,” Farooq emphasized.

SOURCE: AFI

In March 2025, the United States Air Force unveiled the Boeing F-47, the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet, under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. Shrouded in secrecy for years, the F-47 promises to redefine air superiority with cutting-edge technology, advanced stealth, and collaborative drone operations. However, the announcement came on the heels of a surprising development in December 2024, when China showcased two sixth-generation aircraft prototypes, the Chengdu J-36 and Shenyang J-50, sparking global speculation and intensifying the U.S. response. This is the story of the F-47, a jet designed to counter Chinese advancements, secure Boeing’s future, and maintain American dominance in the skies.

While specific details about the F-47 remain classified, a 3D render released by the U.S. Air Force offers tantalizing clues. The jet appears to feature a tailless design with canards, reminiscent of the McDonnell Douglas X-36, a late-1990s experimental aircraft acquired by Boeing. The X-36, a scaled-down, unmanned prototype, tested technologies to reduce radar cross-section (RCS) by eliminating vertical stabilizers, enhancing stealth, maneuverability, and range while cutting weight. Its 31 successful flights provided critical data, and the F-47 likely builds on this legacy, adopting a tailless configuration similar to China’s J-36 and J-50 prototypes, which also prioritize stealth.

SOURCE: AFI

India has solidified its position as Armenia’s leading arms supplier, accounting for 43% of the country’s total weapons and ammunition imports between 2022 and 2024, according to a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This marks a dramatic shift from 2016–2018, when India’s contribution to Armenia’s arms imports was nearly zero. With contracts totaling USD 600 million, India has surpassed Russia, Armenia’s traditional supplier, highlighting New Delhi’s growing influence in the South Caucasus and its strategic push to capture markets vacated by Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict.

Armenia’s reliance on India for 43% of its arms imports reflects a deliberate diversification strategy, driven by dissatisfaction with Russia’s reliability as a supplier. Between 2020 and 2024, Russia’s global arms exports plummeted by 64%, with deliveries to Armenia hampered by Moscow’s focus on its war in Ukraine and trade sanctions limiting production capacity. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has publicly criticized Russia for failing to honor arms contracts signed in recent years, prompting Yerevan to seek alternatives.

SOURCE: AFI

A series of provocative posts and videos from the X handle @SophiaNaga, claiming to represent a Naga nationalist, have stirred controversy by alleging Indian security forces’ brutality in response to burning the Indian flag in Nagaland. The account’s narrative, amplified by coordinated posts from other handles, paints a grim picture of oppression, with Sophia Naga claiming, “They came at night, broke my home, kidnapped my husband… tortured my mother,” for her act of defiance.

However, a detailed investigation by D-Intent Data, a digital intelligence firm, labels the campaign as propaganda likely backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), pointing to inconsistencies like a Filipino accent, a suspicious tattoo, and orchestrated social media activity. This article examines the claims, their debunking, and the broader implications for India’s Northeast.

SOURCE: AFI

The 39 Gorkha Training Centre (GTC) in Varanasi, under the aegis of Surya Command, conducted a pioneering 3D Printing and First-Person View (FPV) Drone Development Course, marking a significant step in integrating cutting-edge technology into military training. The course, highlighted in a recent post by @suryacommand on X, created an unparalleled learning environment through a fusion of technology and rigorous training, empowering soldiers with hands-on skills in emerging fields. Participants successfully built and operated a fully functional live FPV drone, honing critical expertise in drone assembly, programming, and real-time flight control.

The 39 Gorkha Training Centre, a historic institution established to train recruits for the 3rd and 9th Gorkha Rifles, has long been a cornerstone of military excellence in India. Known for transforming raw recruits from Nepal and India into disciplined soldiers over 42-week programs, the Centre has recently embraced modern technology to prepare soldiers for evolving battlefield challenges. Building on the establishment of a state-of-the-art 3D Printing Lab in February 2025, the 3D Printing and FPV Drone Development Course represents a forward-thinking approach to military training.