SOURCE: AFI

In modern warfare, the ability to neutralize advanced enemy air defense systems is a critical determinant of battlefield success. As adversaries deploy increasingly sophisticated integrated air defense systems (IADS), including long-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and radar networks, the need for platforms that can penetrate these defenses, strike high-value ground assets, and minimize risk to expensive assets has become paramount.

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is addressing this challenge through the development of the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior—a loyal wingman drone designed to complement advanced manned platforms like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The CATS Warrior is not just a force multiplier; it represents a paradigm shift in how India plans to tackle enemy air defenses in a cost-effective and low-risk manner.

SOURCE: AFI

On the morning of May 10, 2025, a dramatic video captured by residents near the Line of Control (LoC) in India showcased the Indian Air Force’s Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system successfully intercepting a Pakistani Fatah-1 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). The footage, which has since gone viral across social media platforms, highlights India’s robust air defense capabilities amid escalating tensions with Pakistan. This incident, part of a broader military exchange following India’s Operation Sindoor, underscores the effectiveness of the indigenously developed Akash SAM in countering advanced regional threats.

The video, reportedly filmed by local residents in the Sirsa region of Haryana, captures the moment an Akash missile streaks into the sky and intercepts a Pakistani Fatah-1 missile mid-air. The footage shows a bright explosion as the incoming projectile is neutralized, preventing it from reaching its intended target, speculated to be a strategic location near New Delhi. The interception occurred around 12:15 AM on May 10, 2025, as part of Pakistan’s retaliatory Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos, launched in response to Indian airstrikes on Pakistani airbases the previous day.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant move to enhance its maritime security, India has revived a long-pending proposal for the indigenous construction of 12 specialized warships designed to detect, track, and destroy underwater mines. These mines, often laid by enemy forces to choke harbors, disrupt ports, and cripple shipping and maritime trade, pose a severe threat to India’s naval operations and economic lifelines. According to defense ministry sources, the procurement case for these 12 advanced Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs) for the Indian Navy, estimated at Rs 44,000 crore, is set to be presented soon before the Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, for the grant of “Acceptance of Necessity” (AoN).

Following the AoN approval, the Ministry of Defence will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) through an “open tender” process, inviting Indian shipyards to submit their techno-commercial bids. This aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, ensuring that the MCMVs are built domestically. However, sources caution that the timeline for delivery remains lengthy. “It will take at least 7-8 years, if not more, for the first MCMV to roll out after the contract is inked,” a defense ministry source revealed, highlighting the complexity of designing and constructing such specialized vessels.

SOURCE: AFI

In a powerful display of public support for India’s self-reliance in defense technology, the hashtag #FundKaveriEngine has surged to the top of X trends across India, amassing significant traction with thousands of posts. As of May 26, 2025, the campaign, which calls for increased funding and prioritization of the Kaveri engine program, has captured the attention of defense enthusiasts, analysts, and citizens alike, highlighting the strategic importance of developing indigenous aero-engines for India’s fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Kaveri engine program, led by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has been a critical yet challenging endeavor since its inception in 1989. Initially intended to power the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, the program faced setbacks due to thrust deficiencies and weight issues, leading to its delinking from the Tejas in 2008. Despite these challenges, recent progress, including the Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) achieving 46-49kN of thrust and clearance for inflight testing in 2024, has reignited hope in the program’s potential.

SOURCE: AFI

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has confirmed its readiness to manufacture 24 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets per year starting in 2027, contingent on the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) clearing additional orders for 97 units of the advanced light combat aircraft, in addition to the 83 units ordered in 2021. This ambitious production ramp-up underscores HAL’s commitment to bolstering India’s indigenous defense capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

To achieve this enhanced production capacity, HAL has activated a third production line at its Nashik plant, which will contribute an additional 8 units per year to the existing capacity of 16 units from its two Bangalore facilities. This strategic expansion strengthens HAL’s ability to meet the IAF’s growing demand for the Tejas Mk1A, an advanced variant of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) featuring improved avionics, radar systems, and weapon capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent report by a prominent European think tank has underscored the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) overwhelming strategic advantage over the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the context of precision strikes and airbase targeting. The analysis, focusing on the IAF’s performance in a recent conflict with Pakistan, highlights the IAF’s ability to cripple key PAF airbases in the first wave of a potential war, potentially neutralizing Pakistan’s air operations for an extended period. The report emphasizes the IAF’s precision cruise missile capabilities, particularly with systems like the BrahMos and SCALP, and points to Pakistan’s geographical limitations as a critical vulnerability.

According to the think tank, the IAF’s ability to target and disable PAF runways, hangars, and critical infrastructure has demonstrated a decisive edge in modern warfare. During the recent conflict, the IAF executed coordinated precision strikes on 11 of Pakistan’s 13 major airbases, using a combination of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, SCALP air-launched cruise missiles, and other precision-guided munitions like HAMMER and Crystal Maze. These strikes, part of Operation Sindoor launched on May 7, 2025, targeted key PAF bases, including Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Rafiqui (Shorkot), Murid (Chakwal), Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian (Kasur), Bholari, Jacobabad, Sargodha, Skardu, and radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot. The operation inflicted significant damage, with reports confirming the destruction of runways, command centers, radar installations, and high-value assets, including an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and long-endurance UAVs.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant move toward modernizing its battlefield capabilities, the Indian Army has initiated the procurement process for battlefield reconnaissance drones, signaling a continued shift toward leveraging advanced technologies for enhanced situational awareness and precision warfare.

The procurement aims to equip frontline units with tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capable of providing real-time surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance data in complex operational environments. This step is aligned with the Army’s broader transformation agenda focused on network-centric warfare and battlefield transparency.

SOURCE: AFI

The iconic 84mm Carl Gustaf rocket launcher, a battlefield staple for decades, has received a game-changing upgrade with the introduction of the FURY Thermal Imaging-Based Fire Control Sight. This cutting-edge targeting system elevates the Carl Gustaf to new heights of lethality, enabling day and night operations, automatic target tracking, and a significantly higher first-hit probability. With the FURY Sight, precision meets power, redefining the capabilities of this versatile weapon system for modern warfare.

The FURY Sight integrates advanced high-definition (HD) thermal imaging with auto-target tracking, providing soldiers with unmatched situational awareness and precision in any operational environment. Whether engaging targets in broad daylight, pitch-black darkness, or adverse weather conditions, the FURY Sight ensures operators can detect, track, and neutralize threats with confidence. Its intuitive design and rugged construction make it a reliable companion for troops facing the complexities of today’s battlefields.

SOURCE: AFI

In a biting display of mockery, an image gifted by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Army Chief General Asim Munir has become the subject of widespread ridicule, exposing an embarrassing blunder. The framed artwork, presented during a formal ceremony on May 24, 2025, purportedly depicting Pakistan’s military prowess, was revealed to be a photoshopped image originally sourced from a 2019 Chinese military drill, highlighting a clumsy attempt to project strength amid recent battlefield setbacks.

The image in question, prominently featuring a fiery scene of artillery rockets lighting up the night sky, was identified as a photograph of a PHL-03 long-range multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) firing during a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) 74th Group Army exercise. The original photo, published by China Military Online on August 20, 2019, was credited to editor Li Jiayao and captioned “Artillery battery fires rockets at night – Ministry of National Defense.” A corresponding post on X from the same day further confirmed the image’s origin, noting the PLA’s 74th Group Army’s involvement. However, the version gifted to General Munir had been altered, with Pakistani military insignia and branding superimposed to falsely suggest it depicted a Pakistani operation.