SOURCE: AFI

For much of its 75-year history, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has predominantly relied on single-engined fighter jets to form the backbone of its aerial fleet. From the F-86 Sabre in the 1950s to the modern JF-17 Thunder, the PAF has favored lightweight, cost-effective, and agile single-engine platforms. The only notable exception was its operation of the twin-engined Shenyang F-6, a Chinese copy of the Soviet MiG-19, which served from the 1960s to the 1980s.

However, recent developments indicate a significant strategic shift as the PAF plans to integrate twin-engined 5th-generation fighter jets like China’s J-35A and Turkey’s TAI KAAN, while also pursuing an indigenous 5th-generation fighter under the PFX program. This departure from tradition reflects evolving regional threats, technological ambitions, and a desire for greater operational flexibility. Below, we explore the reasons behind this pivot.

SOURCE: AFI

The Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT-36), recently renamed Yashas by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has undergone a significant transformation, not just in nomenclature but in its core design philosophy. The most striking upgrade is the complete overhaul of its cockpit layout, which now features a state-of-the-art glass cockpit with multi-functional displays (MFDs) and a heads-up display (HUD)

. These modern upgrades, showcased alongside the older cockpit layout, reflect HAL’s commitment to enhancing the aircraft’s role as a pivotal platform in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) advanced pilot training programs. Beyond aesthetics, the Yashas integrates cutting-edge avionics and Indian-made Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), addressing obsolescence issues, improving weight management, and reinforcing India’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

SOURCE: AFI

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence, has announced the acquisition of additional orders valued at Rs. 577 crore since its last disclosure on February 20, 2025. The latest contracts, secured as of March 6, 2025, encompass a diverse range of advanced defense and communication systems, reinforcing BEL’s pivotal role in India’s indigenous defense ecosystem.

The major orders include cutting-edge airborne electronic warfare (EW) products, an advanced composite communication system for submarines, Doppler weather radars, train communication systems, radar upgradation projects, as well as spares and related services. These additions bring BEL’s total order inflow for the current financial year (FY25) to an impressive Rs. 13,724 crore, highlighting the company’s robust growth trajectory and its expanding footprint in both defense and civilian sectors.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development for India’s defense procurement landscape, Russia has entered the fray for the Indian Army’s requirement for wheeled infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) by offering its advanced BTR-22 8×8 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). The BTR-22, designed to meet modern battlefield demands, promises to deliver a blend of mobility, protection, firepower, and electronic warfare capabilities, positioning itself as a contender against both foreign competitors like the U.S.-made Stryker and India’s indigenous Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP).

With India’s strategic need for versatile wheeled ICVs to enhance its mechanized infantry operations, particularly in challenging terrains like Ladakh, Russia’s offer underscores its intent to deepen defense ties with India amidst a highly competitive procurement process.

SOURCE: AFI

At a recent event on Saturday, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) AP Singh sought to clarify a widely circulated video from February that showed him reprimanding officials of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Labeling the exchange as “friendly talk,” ACM Singh expressed frustration over how the private conversation was leaked and misrepresented in the public domain, calling it “ridiculous” and asserting that his intention was to appeal to the conscience of his HAL colleagues rather than to criticize them publicly. His remarks aim to dispel the controversy and reaffirm the collaborative relationship between the IAF and HAL, two pillars of India’s defense ecosystem.

The controversy originated from a video that surfaced in February, capturing ACM Singh in what appeared to be a stern exchange with HAL officials. In the leaked footage, he was heard stating that he had “no confidence” in the state-owned aerospace company, a comment that triggered widespread speculation and debate. The clip, devoid of context, quickly went viral on social media, fueling narratives of tension between the IAF and HAL at a time when both are engaged in critical projects like the Tejas Mk1A fighter program and the development of the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT-36 Yashas).

SOURCE: AFI

Pakistan’s military has positioned its newly developed Fatah-II Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM) as a direct challenge to India’s formidable Russian-made S-400 “Triumf” air defense system, signaling a significant escalation in the regional arms race. Unveiled with its first test launch in December 2023 and further validated through a training launch in May 2024, the Fatah-II is touted by Pakistani officials as a “solution” to penetrate modern air defenses and strike high-value enemy targets.

With a range of 400 kilometers, cutting-edge avionics, and a unique flight trajectory, the missile is designed to neutralize critical assets such as bridges, military bases, communication hubs, command and control centers, and even air defense installations like the S-400 itself. As of March 3, 2025, this development underscores Pakistan’s intent to counter India’s growing defensive capabilities, raising questions about the evolving balance of power in South Asia.

SOURCE: AFI

In a testament to India’s growing prowess in global defence manufacturing, Philippine soldiers are now equipped with advanced Kavro helmets produced by Kanpur-based MKU Limited. This development, spotlighted in early 2025, marks a significant milestone in the deepening defence collaboration between India and the Philippines, showcasing the reach of India’s “Make in India” initiative. The deployment of these cutting-edge ballistic helmets underscores not only MKU’s technological innovation but also the Philippines’ trust in Indian defence solutions to enhance its military capabilities.

MKU Limited, headquartered in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has carved a niche as a global leader in ballistic protection, supplying smart solutions to over 230 forces across 100 countries. The Kavro series, a flagship offering under MKU’s protection division, represents the pinnacle of modern combat helmet design. Philippine soldiers are primarily equipped with two variants: the Kavro ACH-125T Advanced Combat Helmet and the Kavro HCH-133B Lightweight High-Cut Ballistic Helmet, tailored for standard infantry and special operations units, respectively.

SOURCE: AFI

HTL Limited, a subsidiary of HFCL Limited, has recently been awarded a significant contract worth Rs. 44.36 crore by the Indian Army for the supply of Tactical Optical Fiber Cable Assemblies (TFOCA). This development underscores the growing importance of advanced communication systems in modern warfare and highlights HTL Limited’s role as a key player in India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem. The TFOCA systems, known for their rugged durability and superior optical performance, are designed to ensure reliable and rapid deployment of communication networks in harsh battlefield environments, a critical requirement for the Indian Army’s operational readiness.

In today’s digitized battlefields, seamless and secure communication is a cornerstone of military success. Tactical Optical Fiber Cable Assemblies (TFOCA) are specialized systems designed to provide high-speed, interference-free data transmission in the most demanding conditions. Unlike traditional copper-based systems, fiber optic cables offer greater bandwidth, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and enhanced security, making them ideal for military applications such as battlefield command and control, surveillance, and real-time data sharing between units.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army is confronting a critical shortfall in its anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) capabilities, a deficiency that threatens the operational readiness of its infantry and mechanized infantry battalions. According to a report by The Print, the Army’s existing inventory of second-generation ATGMs—already considered outdated—falls drastically short of requirements, with a 50 percent deficit in launchers and an alarming 85 percent shortfall in missiles. Sources cited in the report noted that a few years ago, the Army faced a gap of 68,000 missiles and 850 launchers, a number that has since increased as the lifecycle of the current stock nears completion.

This shortage has significant implications for India’s defense preparedness, particularly in the context of its volatile borders with Pakistan and China, where armored threats remain a persistent concern. “Such deficiencies have direct operational implications for the infantry and mechanized infantry battalions operating these systems,” a source told The Print, underscoring the urgency of addressing the gap.

SOURCE: AFI

Retired Pakistani Brigadier Masood Ahmed Khan has sparked a wave of mockery and skepticism after claiming that Pakistan will become the “fourth country” in the world to operate fifth-generation fighter jets once it acquires the Chinese J-35A. In a recent statement, Khan boasted that the J-35A’s arrival would not only cement Pakistan’s status among global military powers but also render it superior in the region, forcing the Indian Air Force (IAF) to “sit out” of any potential conflict over Kashmir. However, his assertions have been widely debunked and ridiculed, given the extensive list of countries already operating the American F-35 Lightning II, a proven fifth-generation stealth fighter.

Khan’s claim that Pakistan would join the United States, Russia, and China as the fourth nation with fifth-generation jets conveniently overlooks the reality of the F-35’s global proliferation. The Lockheed Martin F-35 is currently in service with over a dozen countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Israel, and Singapore, alongside the U.S. itself. This list, comprising NATO allies and key Indo-Pacific partners, far exceeds Khan’s tally of three, exposing his statement as either a gross miscalculation or deliberate exaggeration.