Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed it had foiled a plan by Ukrainian and British intelligence to entice Russian pilots into stealing a MiG-31 fighter jet armed with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile for US$3 million (S$3.9 million), according to state media reports on Tuesday. The FSB said the stolen jet was intended to be flown toward a NATO airbase in Constanta, Romania, where it could have been intercepted or shot down by air defenses. RIA news agency cited the FSB as saying Ukraine and the UK had allegedly planned a large-scale “provocation” using the aircraft. Ukrainian military intelligence was said to have attempted to recruit Russian pilots with the promise of money to carry out the theft.

RIA quoted the FSB as stating that “the measures taken have thwarted the Ukrainian and British intelligence services’ plans for a large-scale provocation.” State television aired images of messages and recordings from a man claimed to be working for Ukrainian and British intelligence, offering both US$3 million and citizenship to a Russian pilot willing to fly the MiG to Europe.

Russia’s Kinzhal missile is air-launched, hypersonic, and capable of maneuvering at very high speeds to evade air defenses. Moscow has repeatedly accused the UK of being a key adversary, blaming London for fueling the Ukraine war and supporting Ukrainian intelligence operations inside Russia. Reuters could not independently verify the FSB’s account.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

China’s induction of its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marks a major milestone in its ongoing naval modernisation. Entirely designed and constructed domestically, the Fujian reflects a significant technological leap within the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The commissioning ceremony, held on November 5 in Hainan and overseen by President Xi Jinping, underscored China’s determination to transform its navy into a globally deployable force capable of sustained power projection. Unlike its predecessors, the Liaoning and Shandong, which were based on Soviet-era designs, the Fujian is a fully indigenous creation. At approximately 80,000 tonnes, it is China’s largest and most advanced warship to date.

Equipped with modern electrical and propulsion systems, the carrier achieves greater energy efficiency and seamless integration across its combat and control systems. Its launch represents the PLAN’s evolution from relying on foreign technology to developing its own advanced designs. A defining feature of the Fujian is the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), a technology previously exclusive to the United States. Replacing the ski-jump ramps of earlier carriers, EMALS allows for the rapid launch of heavier aircraft with larger payloads, significantly enhancing operational flexibility. This system enables the deployment of radar aircraft, stealth fighters, and reconnaissance drones that would otherwise be constrained under the STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery) system, increasing sortie rates and combat capability.

The Fujian is expected to operate J-35 stealth fighters, KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft, and upgraded J-15 fighters, collectively providing comprehensive air combat, strike, and surveillance capabilities. The J-35 extends detection and interception range, while the KJ-600 strengthens early warning and battle management, enhancing the PLAN’s situational awareness and offensive reach across vast ocean areas. With three carriers now active, China possesses the world’s second-largest carrier fleet, after the United States. The Fujian allows China to deploy carrier strike groups simultaneously across the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean, securing strategic sea lanes and enabling rapid responses to multiple regional contingencies. Its induction also signals China’s ambitions to safeguard maritime interests far beyond its coastal waters.

The carrier’s advanced electrification includes an integrated Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) system powering EMALS, radar, communications, and weapons. This system improves energy management and prepares the ship for future technologies, such as directed-energy weapons or electromagnetic railguns, while supporting extended missions and high-tempo operations. For India, the Fujian introduces significant strategic challenges. The Indian Navy currently operates two carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, both using the STOBAR system, which limits aircraft payloads and sortie frequency compared to EMALS. This gives the Fujian a clear operational advantage in both strike capability and air wing flexibility.

China’s expanding naval presence, supported by strategic ports like Gwadar in Pakistan and Djibouti in East Africa, enables sustained operations far from home waters. Combined with the Fujian’s range and endurance, this could impact navigation and sea-lane security in the Indian Ocean, which are crucial for India’s energy and trade routes. The PLAN’s formation of carrier strike groups integrating the Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian demonstrates its ability to coordinate complex maritime operations. The presence of these groups in the Indian Ocean could compel India to accelerate its naval modernisation, expand carrier-based unmanned systems, and expedite the development of its third carrier, INS Vishal.

Currently, India’s carrier air component relies on MiG-29K fighters and Ka-31 helicopters, which face operational limits under STOBAR. The future Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) could help bridge the gap, but its deployment is still years away. In the meantime, the Fujian further widens the near-term capability differential.

Strategically, China’s Fujian represents a qualitative shift toward sustained power projection, supporting Beijing’s long-term goal of a global navy by the mid-2030s, capable of safeguarding sea routes, protecting overseas interests, and participating in international operations. For India, an effective response requires strengthening partnerships with like-minded navies, including those of the U.S., Japan, and Australia, to maintain regional stability.

The entry of the Fujian signals a new era in Asian naval competition, highlighting the urgent need for India to enhance carrier capabilities, integrate next-generation aircraft, and invest in advanced shipborne technologies. As China continues to build a true blue-water navy, India must balance deterrence and diplomacy with robust modernisation to preserve strategic equilibrium in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Indian Express.

India is poised to further strengthen its aerial strike and defence capabilities with the acquisition of an additional batch of Meteor Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles for the Indian Air Force’s Rafale fleet. The deal, estimated at around ₹1,500 crore, is expected to boost India’s long-range combat effectiveness and reinforce its deterrence posture in the region. The Defence Ministry is nearing final approval for the procurement from European missile manufacturer MBDA. Once sanctioned, the purchase will further enhance the Rafale’s status as the only IAF platform currently capable of deploying the Meteor — a missile acclaimed for its extended range and exceptional precision.

Developed through a European consortium led by MBDA, the Meteor missile is equipped with an active radar seeker and ramjet propulsion, offering sustained power and a range of up to nearly 200 kilometres. This technology enables Indian Rafales to engage adversaries before being detected, giving them a significant tactical edge over aircraft using conventional BVR systems.

India’s 36 Rafale jets, acquired under the 2016 France-India agreement, are already armed with Meteor, SCALP, and MICA missiles. The upcoming naval variant, the Rafale-M — intended for aircraft carrier operations — is also expected to integrate the Meteor, ensuring interoperability between the Air Force and Navy.

The decision to procure more Meteors was influenced by operational lessons from ‘Operation Sindoor’ earlier this year. During the mission, Rafales and Su-30MKIs carried out successful deep-strike operations against enemy and terrorist targets inside Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force attempted a counterattack using Chinese-origin PL-15 BVR missiles but failed to achieve meaningful results.

Intelligence inputs have since indicated Pakistan’s growing dependence on Chinese BVR systems such as the PL-15 and PL-21. To maintain its superior air combat reach, India plans to expand its Meteor arsenal as part of a broader strategic deterrence initiative. The Meteor’s advanced networking capabilities also enable Indian Rafales to share target data mid-flight, improving situational awareness and coordination.

India is expediting development of its indigenous Astra missile family, designed by DRDO. The Astra Mk-2, currently in integration trials with the Su-30MKI and soon with the TEJAS Mk-1A, boasts a strike range exceeding 200 kilometres — narrowing the gap with international systems. Approximately 700 Astra Mk-2 missiles are expected to be inducted in upcoming phases.

The Meteor will continue to serve as the Rafale’s primary long-range air dominance weapon, complemented in the future by indigenous technologies such as next-generation anti-radiation missiles. Together, the Meteor and Astra series will enable the Indian Air Force to maintain unmatched aerial reach, precision engagement, and strategic control across multiple theatres. By bolstering the Rafale fleet with additional Meteor missiles and advancing indigenous weapons programs, India aims to sustain a decisive edge in beyond-visual-range warfare — ensuring readiness, deterrence, and dominance in regional airspace for years to come.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from indian defence news.

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), the Pakistan-based militant group, has recently taken a significant strategic turn by establishing its first-ever women's wing, known as "Jamaat-ul-Mominaat." This new unit is reportedly under the leadership of Sadiya Azhar, who is the sister of JeM's chief, Masood Azhar. Notably, Sadiya Azhar's husband, Yusuf Azhar, was killed during India's Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when Indian forces struck JeM’s headquarters in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

This development marks a strategic shift for JeM, which has traditionally refrained from involving women in combat or operational roles. The recruitment drive for Jamaat-ul-Mominaat started on October 8, 2025, at the Markaz Usman-o-Ali center in Bahawalpur. The group is focusing its recruitment efforts on the wives of JeM commanders as well as women from economically vulnerable backgrounds enrolled at JeM’s various centers across Pakistan-controlled territories, including cities like Karachi, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Haripur, and Mansehra.

Experts believe this move signifies JeM's intent to expand its operational and ideological reach, including into India, where they plan to use online networks for recruitment and psychological warfare. The new women's wing is reportedly active in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of southern India. They are utilizing social media, WhatsApp groups, and madrasa networks as conduits to spread their narrative and recruit women. The group's propaganda features religious imagery of Mecca and Medina and emotionally charged content aimed at attracting educated and urban Muslim women.

The decision to incorporate women into JeM’s structure follows a heavy blow to the group during Operation Sindoor, which destroyed their headquarters and killed several members of Masood Azhar’s family. Along with Sadiya Azhar’s husband, other family members were reportedly killed in the operation, making this a deeply personal and symbolic development for JeM’s leadership.

While women have been deployed in combat roles by various terrorist organizations like ISIS, Boko Haram, and Hamas, JeM had largely avoided this tactic until now. The formation of this female brigade indicates a possible shift toward using women in more active roles including potential suicide attacks, psychological operations, and recruitment strategies.

This evolution in JeM’s tactics underscores a broader trend where militant groups enhance their reach and adaptability by utilizing women in operations previously limited to men. It also raises concerns for security agencies in India and the region who must now confront a new dimension of threat that involves female operatives engaged in both physical and psychological warfare.

Jamaat-ul-Mominaat is expected to play a critical role in JeM’s future operations, serving not only as a recruitment and propaganda tool but potentially expanding the group’s capacity for disruptive activities both within Pakistan and across the border into India. This shift reflects the resilience and adaptability of such groups in response to counter-terrorism pressures.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

On September 3, China held its largest military parade to date in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event featured tens of thousands of soldiers, along with hundreds of aircraft, ground vehicles, and advanced weaponry. More than just a show of military might, the parade was intended as a symbol of deterrence, national solidarity, and a display of Xi Jinping’s authority in a period of global uncertainty. Andrea Heng discussed the significance of the event with Dr. Mustafa Izzuddin, Senior International Affairs Analyst at Solaris.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

On May 18, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel would relax its blockade to allow limited food supplies into Gaza, following the military’s declaration of “extensive ground operations” in both the northern and southern regions of the enclave. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman provide the latest updates from Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

India's military operations chief is set to meet with his Pakistani counterpart to discuss the next steps following the ceasefire. After some initial violations, there were no reports of explosions or projectiles overnight. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman provide the latest update with insights from Dr. Christopher Snedden, a political scientist and author.
Disclaimer: This Video is taken from CNA.