SOURCE: AFI

In a recent interview with SUNO NEWS HD, Dr. Syed Muhammad Ali, a renowned policy analyst and strategist, raised significant concerns about the potential implications of India acquiring the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet. As discussions around the United States’ offer to sell the advanced fifth-generation aircraft to India gain momentum, Dr. Ali cautioned that such a move could have far-reaching consequences for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the country’s indigenous defense programs. With high procurement costs, infrastructure challenges, and integration hurdles, the F-35 could prove to be a double-edged sword for India’s military aviation ambitions.

Dr. Ali emphasized that one of the most immediate impacts of an F-35 purchase would be the diversion of funds from India’s homegrown fighter jet initiatives. The F-35, with a unit cost ranging from $80 million to over $100 million depending on the variant—excluding lifecycle costs such as maintenance, spares, and upgrades—represents a substantial financial commitment. For a nation already investing heavily in projects like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas variants, the high procurement cost of the F-35 could strain the defense budget.

SOURCE: AFI

In a striking display of technological ambition, India is emerging as a global leader in the development of collaborative drone concepts, a domain poised to redefine modern warfare. At Aero India 2025, held in Bengaluru from February 10-14, the country unveiled two groundbreaking unmanned platforms: the Abhimanyu Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior. These “loyal wingman” drones, designed to operate alongside manned fighter jets, signal India’s intent to master manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T)—a capability that its regional rival, the Pakistani Air Force (PAF), has yet to procure from its traditional ally China or develop domestically.

Developed by Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies, the Abhimanyu CCA stole the spotlight at Aero India 2025. This jet-powered unmanned aerial system (UAS), with a 4-meter (13-foot) wingspan, is tailored for the Indian Navy’s Naval Collaborative Combat Air Vehicle (N-CCAV) program. What sets it apart is its ability to take off and land from aircraft carriers, integrating seamlessly with the Navy’s MiG-29K fighters and the anticipated Rafale-M fleet. With a range of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet, the Abhimanyu is initially focused on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, as well as air-to-surface strikes. Future upgrades promise air-to-air combat capabilities, transforming it into a versatile force multiplier.

SOURCE: AFI

In a groundbreaking revelation, Harsh Vardhan Thakur, Chief Test Pilot at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has announced that the upcoming Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior Loyal Wingman will feature an advanced AI-based voice command system. This cutting-edge capability, already certified and flight-tested, will allow the unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) to receive and execute directives from a manned fighter jet, ushering in a new era of manned-unmanned teaming for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Unveiled as a key highlight at Aero India 2025, the CATS Warrior is poised to redefine aerial warfare with its seamless integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous operations.

The CATS Warrior, developed under HAL’s ambitious Combat Air Teaming System program, is designed to operate as a “loyal wingman” alongside manned fighter jets such as the Tejas, Su-30 MKI, and Rafale. Unlike traditional drones, which require extensive ground control, the Warrior is engineered for autonomy and real-time collaboration with piloted aircraft. According to Thakur, the AI-based voice command system is a game-changer, enabling pilots in the cockpit of a mothership fighter to issue verbal instructions directly to the UCAV, which then executes them with precision.

SOURCE: AFI

In a notable triumph for India’s private defense manufacturing sector, Bengaluru-based SSS Defence has emerged as the lowest bidder (L-1) in the Uttar Pradesh Police’s tender for the procurement of 2,000 assault rifles. The company’s M-72 Assault Rifle, chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, outshone competitors such as Kalyani Strategic Systems and Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) by clearing the technical evaluation phase and offering the most competitive bid. This achievement underscores SSS Defence’s growing prominence in India’s small arms industry and its alignment with the nation’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

The Uttar Pradesh Police tender, floated in March 2024, sought to equip its forces with 2,000 modern assault rifles to enhance operational capabilities in urban and rural security scenarios. After a rigorous evaluation process spanning nearly a year, SSS Defence’s M-72 Assault Rifle was declared the L-1 bidder on February 26, 2025, signaling a landmark win for the private firm. The company, a subsidiary of Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs, has been steadily carving a niche in India’s defense landscape since its foray into small arms production in 2016.

SOURCE: AFI

China’s maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is expanding once again, with the arrival of its next-generation deep-sea research vessel, Dong Fang Hong 03, spotted entering the area in late February 2025. This development follows the entry of its sister ship, Xiang Yang Hong 01, earlier in the month, signaling Beijing’s renewed focus on oceanographic exploration—and potentially strategic surveillance—in waters critical to India and its neighbors. As the Indian Navy keeps a watchful eye, the deployment of these advanced “silent” vessels raises questions about China’s intentions in this geopolitically sensitive region.

The Dong Fang Hong 03, often cited as the world’s largest “silent” research vessel, represents a leap forward in China’s marine technology. Delivered in 2019 to China Ocean University in Qingdao, this 103-meter, 5,000-tonne behemoth is designed for distant-water and deep-sea surveys. Its “silent” designation stems from its low-noise propulsion systems—electric azimuth thrusters and bow thrusters—allowing it to maneuver stealthily while conducting extensive research. With a crew capacity of 100 and specialized equipment for studying deep-sea ecosystems, microbial genetics, and polymetallic nodules, the vessel is a floating laboratory of unparalleled capability.

SOURCE: AFI

In a landmark revelation, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed that the indigenously developed Agni-5 missile, tested with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology under Mission Divyastra in March 2024, is capable of carrying four nuclear payloads, each targeting a distinct location.

This announcement, made in early 2025, puts an end to months of speculation among defence analysts about the missile’s warhead capacity and underscores India’s growing prowess in strategic missile technology. The integration of MIRV into the Agni-5 not only bolsters India’s deterrence posture but also elevates its ability to address multifaceted threats in an increasingly volatile region.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army’s pursuit of modern Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) has hit a rocky patch, with two high-profile foreign systems—the Israeli Spike and the American Javelin—failing to impress in rigorous field trials. The Spike ATGM, procured in limited numbers since 2019, floundered during tests in the scorching Thar Desert, while the Javelin met a similar fate in the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh in September-October 2024.

These setbacks have ignited a firestorm among defence analysts, who are now questioning the Army’s procurement decisions—especially when locally developed ATGMs like the DRDO’s Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) face years of exhaustive trials before induction. As the Army pushes forward with plans to acquire more foreign systems, the contrast between imported failures and indigenous rigor is raising eyebrows and fueling calls for a rethink.

SOURCE: AFI

Air Commodore Nouman Ali Khan, who gained recognition for shooting down an Indian MiG-21 Bison while piloting an F-16 during the 2019 aerial engagement known as Operation Swift Retort, recently shared his insights in an interview with HUM News. When asked about India’s acquisition of the Rafale fighter jets in the last six years, he expressed his views on the regional air power dynamics and the capabilities of modern fighter jets.

The interview took a provocative turn when Khan was asked about India’s Rafale acquisition, a process that began in 2016 and saw 36 jets delivered by 2022, significantly bolstering the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Rafale, a 4.5-generation twin-engine fighter, is equipped with advanced AESA radar, Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles (150 km+), and stealth features, positioning it as a cornerstone of India’s air power against Pakistan and China.

SOURCE: AFI

In an exclusive interview with News18 on February 28, 2025, Russian Ambassador to New Delhi Denis Alipov emphasized Russia’s robust position in India’s military-technical market, even as India broadens its defence cooperation under the Make in India initiative. Alipov highlighted the deep-rooted Indo-Russian partnership, underpinned by decades of joint production and technology transfers, while acknowledging India’s openness to collaborate with various global players. This statement comes at a time when India is intensifying its push for indigenous defence manufacturing and diversifying its procurement sources, a dynamic that Russia aims to navigate with competitive offerings.

Ambassador Alipov underscored Russia’s enduring presence in India’s defence ecosystem, noting that systems of Soviet or Russian origin constitute over 50% of India’s weaponry, rising to 90% in certain sectors like armoured vehicles and fighter aircraft. “We have a very solid presence in this market and are prepared to compete. We have very strong positions in the Indian markets,” he told News18, pointing to Russia’s historical role as a reliable partner before the Make in India program gained momentum.