SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has once again demonstrated its aerial prowess on the global stage, captivating aviation enthusiasts and military observers alike with breathtaking low-level passes by its Su-30MKI Flanker jets during the multinational Iniochos-25 exercise in Greece.

Stunning images of the twin-engine multirole fighter thundering through the narrow Vouraikos Canyon in the Peloponnese peninsula have gone viral, showcasing the exceptional skills of IAF pilots navigating one of the world’s most challenging low-flying routes. Held from March 31 to April 11, 2025, at Andravida Air Base, Iniochos-25 provided a platform for the IAF to flex its operational muscles alongside 14 other nations, reinforcing India’s growing stature in global defense cooperation.

SOURCE: AFI

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defence public sector undertaking, would like to bring to the attention of all stakeholders, members of the media, and all forms of publications – including print, digital, websites, blogs, and social media platforms – a matter of serious concern that has recently emerged.

Following the unfortunate accident involving an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) operated by the Indian Coast Guard earlier this year in January, there has been a noticeable increase in speculative, inaccurate, and at times, malicious narratives being circulated about HAL and its products. These stories are often authored by self-styled defence analysts, former pilots, ex-servicemen, and critics who lack full access to factual and updated information. Many of these reports are one-sided, omit HAL’s perspective, and reference outdated issues that have since been resolved in close coordination with our valued customers.

SOURCE: AFI

In a bold move underscoring its commitment to strengthening India’s defense capabilities, the Modi government has secured Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) clearance for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine (M) fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation, a deal valued at over ?63,000 crore. Announced on April 9, 2025, this government-to-government (G2G) agreement for the Indian Navy’s carrier-borne fighter requirement demonstrates the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led administration’s resilience in the face of past political controversies.

In 2019, the Congress Party had accused the Modi government of corruption in the IAF’s purchase of 36 Rafale jets, allegations that failed to gain traction in the Supreme Court of India. Far from being deterred, the government’s latest decision not only bolsters naval aviation but also lays the groundwork for a potential acquisition of 110 additional Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the near future.

SOURCE: AFI

In a rare and concerning incident, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), suspected to be an Indian Army-operated Heron Mk2, crashed within the high-security technical area of Jammu Airport on April 10, 2025, critically injuring an Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel. The UAV struck an IAF control tower, raising questions about operational safety and technical reliability. This marks a significant setback for the Indian Army’s UAV operations, particularly as the Heron Mk2 involved was part of a leased fleet acquired from Israel in 2021 under a pioneering military leasing agreement.

The crash occurred around 2:45 PM IST, when the UAV, believed to be conducting a routine surveillance or training mission, lost control and plummeted into the IAF’s technical zone at Jammu Airport. The impact with the air force tower caused severe structural damage and critically injured an IAF staff member, who was promptly rushed for medical treatment. Preliminary reports suggest the incident may have resulted from a technical malfunction or human error, though a formal investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause.

SOURCE: AFI

Winners of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) ADITI challenges have raised concerns with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over the lack of upfront clarity in project requirements, a recurring issue that complicates development timelines and financial planning. According to sources cited by idrw.org, several startups and vendors involved in these high-stakes defence innovation programs are frustrated by the Indian Armed Forces’ tendency to introduce additional technology demands or altered specifications after contracts are awarded—a practice that disrupts budgets and forces companies to shoulder unexpected costs.

The iDEX framework, launched in 2018 under the Department of Defence Production, aims to foster innovation by engaging startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators to develop cutting-edge solutions for India’s defence needs. The Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme, a flagship initiative, offers grants up to ?25 crore to tackle critical and strategic technologies, such as AI, quantum systems, and anti-drone solutions. However, the promise of streamlined collaboration is being tested by what some winners call a “moving goalpost” problem.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to bolster the defenses of its forward airbases with the acquisition of the Bhargavastra system, an indigenous counter-drone platform developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, a subsidiary of Solar Industries. Featuring 64 guided micro-missiles, this cutting-edge system is designed to neutralize the growing threat of swarm drone attacks, a menace that has increasingly challenged military forces worldwide.

The Bhargavastra system, developed by Solar Defence, addresses this challenge head-on. Unveiled in 2024 and successfully tested in January 2025 at the Gopalpur Seaward Firing Ranges in Odisha, the system is a multi-layered counter-unmanned aerial system (CUAS) engineered to detect and destroy swarm drones with precision and efficiency. At its core are 64 micro-missiles, housed in a canisterized launcher mounted on a 4×4 high-mobility vehicle, enabling rapid deployment across diverse terrains.

SOURCE: AFI

In a strategic push to enhance the combat readiness of its armoured forces, the Indian Army has been overhauling its Russian-origin Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), the T-72 and T-90, at the Army Base Workshop (ABW) in Delhi since October 2024. The initiative, aimed at boosting the lethality, mobility, and protection of these critical assets, underscores India’s focus on modernizing its tank fleet to counter evolving regional threats.

According to highly placed sources in the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the ABW is equipped to overhaul 50 tanks annually, a capacity that is being fully utilized to upgrade both T-72 and T-90 MBTs. “ABW can undertake overhaul (OH) of 50 tanks in a year. Considering the capacity, T-72 tanks and T-90 tanks are being fed to the workshop based on their availability,” a source revealed. This indigenous facility, one of eight base workshops operated by the Indian Army’s Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), is playing a pivotal role in extending the operational life of these tanks, which form the backbone of India’s armoured divisions.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy’s much-anticipated acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets has received the green light from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), marking a significant step toward bolstering its carrier-based aviation capabilities. However, the first batch of these French-built, carrier-capable jets won’t be delivered until late 2025 at the earliest, even if the deal is finalized within the next two to three months. Production bottlenecks and existing backlogs at Dassault Aviation’s facilities in France mean the Navy will face a wait, tempering the urgency of replacing its ageing MiG-29K fleet.

The CCS clearance, granted in early April 2025, paves the way for negotiations to conclude a government-to-government (G2G) contract with France, estimated at over ?50,000 crore ($6 billion). The Rafale-M, a naval variant of the Rafale fighter already in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF), is tailored for operations from the Navy’s aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. With advanced avionics, a reinforced undercarriage, and compatibility with ski-jump takeoffs and arrested landings, the jet promises to enhance the Navy’s strike and air defence capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

SOURCE: AFI

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) has uncovered a significant development in the ongoing analysis of Russian weaponry used in the conflict: an Indian-made component, specifically a clock buffer from Bengaluru-based multinational fabless semiconductor company Aura Semiconductor, has been identified in a Russian weapon system. This marks the first recorded instance of an Indian-origin part being found in Moscow’s arsenal, raising questions about global supply chains and Russia’s efforts to adapt under Western sanctions.

“For the first time, a component made in India — a clock buffer from Aura Semiconductor — was found in a Russian weapon,” HUR announced in a Telegram post on April 7. The discovery is part of a broader investigation that identified nearly 200 new parts and components across six types of Russian weapon systems, highlighting Moscow’s strategic pivot away from U.S.-made technology. As sanctions tighten, Russia appears to be increasingly reliant on alternative sources, with a notable uptick in Chinese components alongside this unexpected Indian find.

SOURCE: AFI

Pakistani Defence YouTube channels are abuzz with reports that Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmad Babar, Chief of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), recently met with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun in Beijing, where he was assured that Pakistan could acquire China’s elusive sixth-generation fighter jets by 2030.

This revelation, if accurate, marks a bold leap in Sino-Pakistani military cooperation, even as Babar’s visit reportedly also aimed to finalize a deal for 40 J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighters. The claims, echoed by Pakistani media outlets, spotlight China’s rapid aerospace advancements—and raise questions about the feasibility of production timelines and Pakistan’s strategic ambitions.