SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
A nearly intact Chinese-made PL-15E Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), discovered approximately 100 km inland in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district, has been secured for detailed analysis by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its associated laboratories. The find, the third such debris of the PL-15E recovered in recent days, includes critical components like the propulsion system, datalink, inertial reference unit, and active radar seeker, offering a rare opportunity to study China’s advanced missile technology.
The missile’s near-intact state has also attracted international attention, with the United States, South Korea, and Japan reportedly expressing interest in sending teams to India to examine the debris, highlighting its global strategic significance.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Debris believed to be from an S-125 Pechora Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) was discovered near a dargah in Street No. 4 of the Beed Talab area in Bathinda, Punjab, following intense air defence operations on the night of May 8, 2025. According to the Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw.org), the debris is likely from an S-125 Pechora SAM deployed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to neutralize a swarm of Pakistani drones targeting Indian military installations in Punjab and Jammu. The find adds to the growing list of armament debris recovered amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, highlighting the critical role of India’s air defence systems in countering cross-border threats.
The debris, found in a residential area of Bathinda, was identified by local residents near the dargah on Street No. 4, prompting a swift response from security forces. Preliminary assessments by idrw.org suggest it belongs to the S-125 Pechora, a Soviet-era SAM system still in service with the IAF for low- to medium-altitude air defence. The missile, known for its reliability against low-flying targets, was reportedly engaged to intercept Pakistani drones launched as part of a broader assault on Indian targets, including bases in Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jammu.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
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As tensions between India and Pakistan continue to simmer following Operation Sindoor, sources close to the Indian Air Force (IAF) have clarified that the advanced S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ air defence system is being selectively used against high-value targets, particularly Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft, rather than engaging low-cost threats like drones or Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), as speculated on social media. The S-400’s sophisticated radar systems, deployed over Punjab and Jammu, have played a pivotal role in deterring PAF aircraft, forcing them to launch payloads from ineffective distances and significantly limiting their operational success.
Contrary to social media speculation that the S-400 was primarily used to neutralize Pakistan’s drone and missile attacks on May 7-8, 2025, IAF sources emphasize that the system’s high-cost interceptors—priced at $1–2 million per missile—are reserved for “targets of interest,” such as PAF fighter jets like the J-10C or F-16, which pose significant threats to Indian airspace. “The S-400 is not designed to engage low-cost drones or MLRS, which can be effectively countered by systems like the Akash, L-70, or integrated counter-UAS grids,” a source stated. Instead, the system’s primary role has been to create a defensive umbrella that deters PAF aircraft from approaching Indian territory.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is poised to become a pivotal hub for India’s defense manufacturing with the upcoming inauguration of a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile production unit. Built as a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the BrahMos missile is a cornerstone of India’s defense arsenal, known for its speed, precision, and versatility.
The new facility, set to be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 11, underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense production and the strategic importance of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) appears to have suffered a significant strategic and tactical miscalculation in its recent attempted aerial strike — a misjudgment that cost it dearly. Banking heavily on overwhelming Indian air defenses through coordinated drone swarm attacks, the PAF’s strategy aimed to create temporary windows of vulnerability in India’s Integrated Air Defence ecosystem. However, far from achieving its objectives, the operation only served to expose Pakistan’s poor understanding of India’s layered air defense network and resulted in a devastating blow to its strike capability.
At the heart of the failed operation was the assumption that swarming low-cost drones — acting as decoys or reconnaissance elements — could saturate Indian Air Defence (AD) systems, forcing them to expend interceptors and exhaust radar bandwidth. In theory, this could have temporarily blinded or distracted the IAF and Indian Army Air Defence elements, creating exploitable gaps for PAF’s manned aircraft and standoff platforms to deliver their payloads of cruise missiles and air-to-ground munitions.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Sources close to the Indian Air Force (IAF), speaking to Air Force India (AFI), have confirmed that no pilots were lost during the large-scale ‘Operation Sindoor,’ a retaliatory strike conducted on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation, which involved an estimated 80-90 aircraft, saw the deployment of advanced weaponry, including the air-launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and SCALP cruise missiles. However, IAF officials refrained from confirming whether all air assets involved in the operation remained intact, fueling speculation amid conflicting claims from Pakistan.
The operation was launched in response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, primarily tourists, in Indian-administered Kashmir. Indian authorities attributed the attack to Pakistan-based terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), prompting a swift and coordinated military response. According to IAF sources, ‘Operation Sindoor’ was executed with precision, targeting terror camps in locations such as Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, and Muzaffarabad, among others, within a 25-minute window. The operation utilized Rafale jets equipped with SCALP (Storm Shadow) cruise missiles for deep-strike missions and HAMMER precision-guided munitions for medium-range targets, alongside the BrahMos air-launched variant deployed from modified Su-30MKI fighters.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Recent cross-border strikes targeting militant infrastructure deep within Pakistan’s Punjab province have sent a resounding message, not just to the terror networks operating with impunity but also to the highest echelons of Pakistan’s military establishment. For General Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff, these developments should serve as a serious wake-up call regarding the growing impatience of neighboring states with Pakistan’s duplicity on terrorism.
Historically, Pakistan’s Punjab province has been portrayed as a relatively secure heartland, far from the volatility of the tribal regions or Balochistan. However, the presence of key leadership and logistical support systems for various extremist outfits in Punjab has long been an open secret. Recent precision strikes that reportedly hit key facilities linked to terror networks within this region challenge the very notion of a “safe haven” and expose vulnerabilities previously deemed off-limits.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian aerospace industry is poised for a significant milestone as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) prepares to roll out the first Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) from its Nashik Division, marking the operational debut of HAL’s third LCA production facility.
Fitted with a Category-B (CAT-B) engine, the aircraft is expected to undertake its maiden flight in June 2025, ahead of its delivery to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, the first Tejas Mk1A equipped with the newly delivered General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engine is undergoing final design and development activities, signaling steady progress in India’s indigenous fighter program.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s quest for deeper integration of indigenous weapons into its fleet of Rafale fighter jets has hit a roadblock, as Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of the Rafale, has shown reluctance to share access to the aircraft’s source code, according to sources close to idrw.org. While Dassault has agreed to assist in integrating Indian-made weapons into the Rafale M (operated by the Indian Navy) and Rafale F3 (operated by the Indian Air Force), its hesitation to provide the source code—critical for seamless integration of indigenous avionics and weaponry—has ignited a broader debate over technological sovereignty, intellectual property rights, and strategic autonomy in an era of shifting global alliances.
The source code in question governs the Rafale’s advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, specifically the Thales RBE2, and its modular mission computer (MMC), which together form the electronic backbone of the jet. These systems manage the aircraft’s sensor fusion, weapon systems, and mission-critical operations, making access to the source code essential for India to integrate its own weapons, such as the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), Rudram anti-radiation missile, and other indigenous avionics. Without this access, India’s ability to customize the Rafale for its specific operational needs remains limited, forcing reliance on French systems and hindering its push for self-reliance under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army has bolstered its arsenal with the introduction of SkyStriker suicide drones, designed and manufactured in Bengaluru, as part of Operation Sindoor. The operation, launched on Wednesday, targets “loitering munition” aerial vehicles to enhance military capabilities post-Balakot, sources confirmed to The Times of India.
These drones, developed through a collaboration between Bengaluru-headquartered Alpha Design and Israel’s Elbit Security Systems, are engineered to locate, acquire, and strike operator-designated targets with precision. With a range of 100 km, each SkyStriker drone carries a 5 kg or 10 kg warhead and operates silently, leveraging electric propulsion for minimal acoustic signatures during low-altitude missions.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Indian authorities have recovered yet another nearly intact debris of a Chinese-made PL-15E Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) on Indian soil, marking the third such find in recent days. Discovered in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, this debris is particularly significant as it includes critical components such as the propulsion system, datalink, and inertial reference unit, alongside the missile’s seeker section. The recovery follows heightened military tensions with Pakistan, with the debris believed to be linked to a failed Pakistani Air Force (PAF) attempt to target Indian Air Force (IAF) assets near the Line of Control (LoC).
The latest PL-15E debris, bearing serial numbers consistent with previously recovered fragments (P15E12203023 and P15E12203039), was found in a rural area of Hoshiarpur. Unlike the earlier finds, which included a seeker section and a nearly intact missile, this debris is notable for its well-preserved propulsion unit, datalink system, and inertial reference unit. These components are critical to the missile’s long-range targeting and mid-course guidance capabilities, offering valuable insights into the PL-15E’s design and performance.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a decisive response to Pakistan’s aggressive drone incursion over Jammu last night, the Indian Army’s upgraded L-70 air defense guns, modernized by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), neutralized the majority of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched across the Line of Control. The successful interception underscores the technological prowess of India’s indigenous defense upgrades, particularly the revamped L-70 gun system, which has emerged as a critical asset in countering modern aerial threats.
Originally a Swedish-designed 40mm anti-aircraft gun from the 1940s, the L-70 has been transformed by BEL into a state-of-the-art air defense system tailored for 21st-century warfare. The upgradation program replaces the gun’s outdated hydraulic drives with all-electric drives, enhancing reliability, precision, and maintenance efficiency. These electric drives enable faster response times and smoother operation, crucial for tracking and engaging agile targets like drones.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fighter fleet maintenance, has been placed on high alert following India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The heightened state of readiness entails mandatory overtime for HAL staff, with engineers and technicians prepared for immediate deployment to ensure the operational readiness of IAF’s fighter aircraft during this period of intensified conflict with Pakistan.
According to sources within HAL, the company has implemented additional shifts, including one from 7 PM to 11 PM, and is ready to operate around the clock if required. “Our staff critical for maintenance have been told to be prepared for any requirement, and some have been asked to volunteer in case there’s a requirement for travel,” an HAL source told The Times of India. This level of preparedness mirrors the company’s efforts during the 1999 Kargil conflict, when technicians worked tirelessly for weeks to keep the IAF’s fleet combat-ready.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant development amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, Babasaheb Neelkanth Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge Limited, revealed that the Indian government has called major defence equipment manufacturers to Delhi for a high-level meeting next week. The announcement, made in response to queries about whether Bharat Forge has been asked to ramp up production, underscores the urgency of bolstering India’s defence capabilities following recent cross-border hostilities.
“We have been called to Delhi next week, our team is going. Cannot say more,” Kalyani stated during a media interaction, as reported by CNBC TV18. His cryptic response has fueled speculation about the government’s plans, particularly in light of Pakistan’s recent drone and missile attacks on Jammu and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor, which destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 6-7, 2025.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
As the India-Pakistan conflict intensifies following India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, 2025, Indian naval assets equipped with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile have reportedly moved closer to Karachi, Pakistan’s largest port city and economic hub. Sources indicate that the Indian Navy’s deployment, approximately 600 nautical miles from Mumbai, signals a strategic positioning to counter potential Pakistani aggression. Defence analysts warn that, should the current conflict escalate, any naval action involving BrahMos-armed vessels could result in “destruction beyond what one could imagine,” given the missile’s devastating capabilities. However, such an outcome remains contingent on further escalation, which both nations are under international pressure to avoid.
The repositioning of Indian naval assets follows a series of aggressive exchanges sparked by India’s retaliatory airstrikes targeting nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, in response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
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