SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development for India’s aviation training sector, Austria’s Diamond Aircraft Industries has entered into a joint venture with Tamil Nadu-based Sakthi Group to establish a final assembly line (FAL) for its DA40 NG trainer aircraft in Haryana’s Hisar. The agreement, signed with the Aero Club of India, involves the supply of 200 DA40 NG aircraft to various flying training organizations (FTOs) across India, with 150 of these slated for local assembly.

While this move promises to bolster India’s pilot training infrastructure, it raises serious concerns for the future of the domestically developed Hansa-NG trainer aircraft by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), which has struggled to gain traction due to poor marketing, past performance issues, and now, intensified competition.

SOURCE: AFI

In a stark reminder of the growing menace of cybercrime, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), one of India’s premier aerospace and defense companies, has been duped of $63,000 (approximately Rs 55 lakh) in an online scam. The incident, which unfolded during a procurement deal with a US-based company, has prompted HAL to lodge a police complaint, and a case has been registered under the Information Technology (IT) Act.

The scam came to light after HAL’s Kanpur division initiated a transaction to purchase three fighter aircraft parts from PS Engineering Incorporated, a US-based firm, in May 2024. What began as a legitimate business exchange took a sinister turn when a fraudulent email ID infiltrated the communication chain, leading to the siphoning of funds into a fake account.

SOURCE: AFI

Bharti Airtel, one of India’s leading telecommunications providers, announced a landmark agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet services to India. This partnership aims to bridge the digital divide by delivering broadband connectivity to even the most remote corners of the country, marking a significant milestone in India’s telecom landscape. However, the move has sparked concerns among defence analysts, who warn that the technology could be exploited by non-state actors, terrorists, and insurgents to wage war against the nation, potentially destabilizing India’s security apparatus.

The collaboration between Airtel and SpaceX is poised to revolutionize internet access in India, a country where vast rural and remote regions remain underserved by traditional telecom infrastructure. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, leverages a constellation of thousands of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed internet with low latency, capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, and video conferencing even in areas with little to no terrestrial connectivity. Airtel plans to explore offering Starlink equipment through its retail stores and providing services to businesses, communities, schools, and health centers, particularly in underserved areas.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant stride toward self-reliance in defence technology, the Indian Army’s Fleur-de-Lis Brigade, in collaboration with the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh, has successfully developed and validated a combat-ready Kamikaze First-Person View (FPV) drone equipped with a customized warhead.

The Fleur-de-Lis Brigade, a specialized unit of the Indian Army, partnered with TBRL Chandigarh—a premier DRDO laboratory renowned for its work in ballistics and explosive technologies—to create this bespoke system. The customized warhead, tailored to mission-specific requirements, enhances the drone’s lethality while maintaining a compact and lightweight design. This collaboration has resulted in a combat-ready platform that promises to redefine India’s approach to drone warfare.

SOURCE: AFI

In its latest edition, Air Forces Monthly (AFM), a renowned military aviation magazine published by Key Publishing Ltd in Stamford, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, has shed light on a critical limitation of the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) JF-17 Block-III fighter jet.

The report highlights that the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar equipping the Block-III variant falls short in range, rendering it incapable of independently operating advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) like the PL-15 or the advanced variant of the PL-17.

SOURCE: AFI

Dassault Aviation, the French aerospace giant, has reported a significant milestone in 2024, with its order book swelling to a record backlog of 299 aircraft, valued at €43.2 billion. The surge has been driven primarily by the continued global success of its flagship Rafale fighter jet, a versatile multirole aircraft that has solidified its reputation as a top-tier combat platform.

However, despite the impressive growth, persistent supply chain disruptions and production constraints pose challenges for the company, particularly as nations like India look to expand their Rafale fleets. This article delves into Dassault’s achievements, the hurdles it faces, and the implications for India’s defense procurement strategy.

SOURCE: AFI

In a provocative move that has stirred tensions across the region, several Pakistan-backed defence analysts on the social media platform X have recently called for the establishment of multiple separatist “desks” targeting India. These calls come in the wake of allegations by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) that India was behind a recent train hijack incident reportedly carried out by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

The proposed desks include the Khalistan Desk, Kashmir Desk, Nagaland Desk, Manipur Desk, West Bengal Desk, Junagadh Desk, Tamil Tiger Desk (focused on Tamil land between South India and North Sri Lanka, particularly Jaffna), Naxal Desk, and Badoo Desk—each aimed at exploiting fault lines within India and its neighboring regions.

SOURCE: AFI

In a striking display of India’s growing aerospace prowess, a new poster of the Tejas MkII, the next iteration of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), has been unveiled, highlighting its impressive armament and upgraded design features. The poster, recently showcased, depicts the Tejas MkII loaded with an array of cutting-edge munitions and systems, signaling its evolution into a versatile multi-role fighter capable of meeting the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) diverse operational demands.

The Tejas MkII, an advanced variant of the LCA Tejas, is being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). With enhanced avionics, a more powerful engine, and an increased payload capacity, the MkII promises to bridge the gap between the current Tejas Mk1A and the futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The new poster offers a glimpse into its formidable weaponry and structural upgrades, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of India’s aerial defense strategy.

SOURCE: AFI

In a recent interview with ABN News, Abdul Basit, former Pakistan Ambassador to India, has stirred controversy by advocating for the rejection of the mercy petition of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an alleged Indian spy currently in Pakistani custody. Jadhav, whose death sentence has been stayed pending further proceedings, remains a contentious figure in India-Pakistan relations.

Basit’s remarks come amid heightened tensions following India’s denial of any involvement in the recent Jaffar Express train incident, which some Pakistani narratives have sought to link with Indian interference. Additionally, Basit expressed regret over Pakistan’s decision to engage with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in response to India’s legal challenge regarding Jadhav’s case, arguing that it was a misstep in handling the matter.

SOURCE: AFI

A recently surfaced video has provided a glimpse into the ongoing advancements in India’s indigenous defense technology, showcasing the successful safe ejection trial of the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) from both hardpoints of the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) Archer Short Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Weaponised (SRUAV-W). This milestone marks a significant step forward in the development of the Archer SRUAV-W, a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle designed to enhance India’s battlefield capabilities through precision strikes and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.

The Archer SRUAV-W, developed by ADE under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is an advanced derivative of the Rustom-1 tactical UAV. It has been extensively modified to serve as a weaponized platform capable of carrying out armed missions. The Archer is designed to operate at altitudes of up to 22,000 feet with an endurance of 12 hours, making it a versatile asset for military operations. Equipped with electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) payloads, the UAV can gather real-time, high-quality imagery, providing critical situational awareness on the battlefield.