Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, has urged the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to strictly adhere to delivery schedules for critical projects to ensure the Indian Air Force (IAF) remains operationally ready amid evolving security challenges. He made these remarks in Bangalore during the inauguration of the two-day national seminar, ‘Aeronautics 2047’, organized by ADA at the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS).

The seminar also commemorates 25 years of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS program, a milestone Air Chief Marshal Singh congratulated ADA for achieving. He stressed that delays in inductions could impact IAF preparedness in an increasingly dynamic geopolitical environment. Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of DRDO, emphasized the need to develop indigenous technologies to reduce import dependence, aligning with the vision of a developed India by 2047.

The event brought together experts from industry, academia, and the aerospace sector to discuss innovations in aircraft manufacturing, digital production methods, aerodynamics, propulsion, flight testing, and digital twin technologies. Sessions also addressed certification, avionics integration, flight control, maintainability, AI in design, and precision manufacturing of aircraft components.

A significant focus was on the evolution of the TEJAS aircraft, designed entirely by ADA, which has completed over 5,600 successful flights with contributions from over 100 government labs, academic institutions, and industries. The TEJAS incorporates advanced technologies like carbon composites, fly-by-wire systems, glass cockpits, and digital utility management, establishing India’s capabilities in indigenous fighter development.

Future variants, including TEJAS MK-1A, MK-2, and naval versions, are under development to meet operational requirements with upgraded avionics, enhanced mission systems, and improved indigenous content. Currently, 38 TEJAS aircraft—32 fighters and six trainers—are inducted across two IAF squadrons. The seminar also includes an exhibition by PSUs, industries, and MSMEs, showcasing indigenously developed aerospace products and reflecting the growing domestic manufacturing ecosystem.

Air Chief Marshal Singh’s emphasis on timely delivery aligns with India’s strategic priorities, particularly amid rising border tensions and regional security challenges. Dr Kamat’s focus on self-reliance underscores Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives, fostering technological sovereignty and reducing foreign dependency.

‘Aeronautics 2047’ serves as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and forward-looking R&D in aeronautics. The TEJAS program exemplifies successful indigenization, program management, and operational reliability, setting the stage for advanced variants and naval adaptations, positioning India for aerospace leadership by 2047.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

Operation Sindoor has transformed military strategy and reinforced India’s firm stance against cross-border terrorism. Experts hail it as a landmark operation that highlighted India’s military capability, technological edge, and resolute determination. In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, India conducted precise strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir on 7 May. These operations compelled Islamabad to seek a ceasefire after its escalation attempts failed. By effectively neutralising Pakistani airbases, India signaled zero tolerance for terrorism, marking a strategic shift from surgical strikes to a doctrine of assured kinetic retaliation. Retired Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, an authority in counter-insurgency, noted that modern warfare increasingly relies on air defence as a primary instrument of power.

Despite changing regional dynamics—including unrest in Nepal, developments in Bangladesh under Muhammad Yunus, and closer India-Afghanistan ties—Pakistan continues to support terrorism. Dhillon attributed the Pahalgam attack to Pakistan’s internal crises, including political paralysis, military corruption, economic collapse, and diplomatic failures. He warned that India, now the world’s fourth-largest economy and a military powerhouse, would respond even more decisively in any future “Operation Sindoor 2.0,” encompassing military, economic, political, and diplomatic measures.

Operation Sindoor set global precedents by engaging two nuclear powers without ground incursions. Unlike the 1971 war, which involved territorial capture and 93,000 prisoners, this operation avoided crossing the Line of Control or international borders. India’s air defences neutralized Chinese radars, aircraft, missiles, drones, F-16s, and AWACS, signaling a new era of warfare dominated by air, electronic, cyber, and space capabilities. Future conflicts are expected to target critical infrastructure—airlines, railways, power grids, and banks—while kinetic, cyber, and space operations converge in rapid, precise strikes.

Narrative warfare on social media and traditional platforms will complement kinetic operations. Dhillon emphasized the need for a centralized Integrated Information Centre to manage perception transparently. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy of targeting terrorists, their organizations, and sponsoring states alike underscores India’s unified national interest.

India’s operations exemplify surgical precision and minimal collateral damage, setting high ethical standards for counter-terrorism. Precision weapon selection reflects moral responsibility. Former High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria described Operation Sindoor as the most intense India-Pakistan confrontation of the 21st century. It showcased India’s conventional and technological superiority through drones, loitering munitions, electronic warfare, and layered air defences under the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), strengthened by indigenous capabilities and global partnerships. Cross-border terrorism is now treated as an act of war, demanding a forceful response beyond diplomacy.

This approach reflects “Integrated Deterrence,” combining military readiness, diplomatic pre-emption, economic leverage, and information dominance. Linking the Pahalgam attack to the retaliatory strikes demonstrated a predictable kinetic response, evolving from restraint to assured action. Bisaria traced this doctrine’s evolution: pre-2008 reliance on diplomacy and internal security, 2016 surgical strikes, 2019 Balakot airstrikes, culminating in 2025’s doctrinal shift.

India maintains deterrence while controlling escalation, targeting only terror sites amid global conflicts such as those in West Asia and Ukraine. This shift from victim to responder in nuclear South Asia has global implications, emphasizing the need for robust international media engagement to counter disinformation. Operation Sindoor decisively punished Pakistan’s proxy war, reaffirming India’s capability, resolve, moral authority, and strategic maturity. It also highlighted India’s focus on indigenous defence, with defence exports rising to ₹23,500 crore, enhancing self-reliance and strategic autonomy.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian defence news.

US President Donald Trump has expressed that he is unconcerned about China’s military drills around Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said he has a good relationship with President Xi Jinping and had not been informed about the drills, adding that such naval exercises have been occurring in the area for the past 20 years.

The drills, which began on Monday, follow a recent announcement of one of the largest US arms sales to Taiwan. China described the exercises as a warning against “Taiwan independence separatist forces” and foreign interference, including 10 hours of live-fire drills in sea and air zones surrounding the island. The Chinese Eastern Theater Command has deployed destroyers, frigates, and fighter-bombers to test “sea-air coordination” and “integrated containment capabilities.”

Taiwan’s defense ministry reported detecting 130 Chinese military aircraft on Tuesday, 90 of which crossed the “median line,” an unofficial border China does not recognize. The ministry also noted the presence of over a dozen Chinese navy vessels, with Taiwan responding by deploying aircraft, ships, and coastal missile systems. Taiwan’s presidential office criticized the drills, calling them a challenge to international norms. President Lai Ching-te stressed that Taiwan would act responsibly to avoid escalating conflict while ensuring national security.

Experts suggest that the drills are aimed more at sending a message to the US, Trump, and Japan than at Taiwan. Susan Shirk, former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, said the exercises express China’s displeasure over the US arms sales, which now include offensive weapons capable of striking the Chinese mainland. Concerns have been raised that Trump’s transactional approach to foreign policy might reduce America’s commitment to Taiwan in exchange for economic benefits.

Alexander Neill of the Pacific Forum noted that China’s exercises demonstrate operational capability and that while Trump is correct that such drills have increased over two decades alongside China’s military modernization, his personal rapport with Xi is unlikely to influence China’s actions regarding Taiwan.

China has long vowed to “reunify” with Taiwan, including the potential use of force, and has increased military pressure in recent years. The US, while officially recognizing Beijing, remains Taiwan’s largest arms supplier, recently approving an $11 billion weapons package. China responded with sanctions against US defense firms and warned that attempts to contain it through Taiwan will fail. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that national reunification of Taiwan remains a historic mission and vowed to counter perceived provocations and US arms sales.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from BBC.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the Defence Ministry’s highest procurement decision-making body, is expected to convene today to approve several major indigenous projects for India’s armed forces. Among the key proposals is a domestically developed integrated air defence weapon system intended to shield the Delhi-NCR region from aerial threats.

To strengthen the Indian Army’s drone warfare capabilities, the council is likely to consider the procurement of approximately 850 loitering munitions. The Indian Navy has also submitted a proposal to acquire a substantial number of medium-range surface-to-air missile systems from Indian manufacturers to enhance the protection of its warships. Another significant item on the agenda is a decision on leasing two Sea Guardian MQ-9B high-altitude long-endurance drones from the United States for about three years. India has already signed a separate agreement to purchase 31 of these drones, with deliveries expected to begin in 2028.

For the Indian Air Force, the ministry is expected to approve the development and induction of a large batch of Astra Mark-2 air-to-air missiles, capable of striking targets beyond 200 km, along with a specific number of Meteor air-to-air missiles. The Army has also proposed an indigenous upgrade programme for 200 T-90 battle tanks through a defence public sector undertaking.

The meeting is also likely to examine a proposal for the acquisition of a significant number of Israeli-made Spice-1000 air-to-ground missiles for the Air Force. Additionally, the case for procuring six aerial refuelling aircraft — with Israel Aerospace Industries as the only vendor — is expected to be discussed. Finally, the DAC, comprising senior defence ministry officials and top military leadership, may approve the development of 120-kilometre-range Pinaka rockets. These extended-range rockets would be compatible with the existing launchers used for the 45 km and 80 km variants.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The United States’ confiscation of a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker represents a significant escalation, denounced by Caracas as “international piracy.” Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine the underlying strategic signal the Trump administration is sending to Latin America in the context of China’s expanding influence, alongside Ross Feingold, Head of Research at Caerus Consulting. They assess whether this aggressive move qualifies as a justified national security action, whether it accomplished its intended objectives, and how neighbouring countries have responded in the immediate aftermath.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

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.