Indian Air Force

HAL Pushes Back on IAF Concerns: Ready for Tejas Mk-1A Deliveries?

HAL Pushes Back on IAF Concerns: Ready for Tejas Mk-1A Deliveries?

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) recently highlighted progress on its Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets via social media. They asserted that five aircraft are prepared post-weapons trials. HAL urged the Indian Air Force (IAF) for swift induction. This comes amid ongoing debates over production timelines and quality. HAL aims to ramp up output to 24 jets annually to address IAF shortages. The official HAL account (@HALHQBLR) emphasized the jets' completion of missile firings. It also highlighted the bomb releases. This positions them for handover in the current fiscal year. The progress comes despite past delays tied to engine supplies and certifications. These…
Read More
Future of Indian Defence: Innovations for 2026

Future of Indian Defence: Innovations for 2026

India’s defence forces are entering 2026 with one of their most ambitious modernisation phases. This phase is driven by big-ticket inductions and indigenous platforms. There is also a sharper focus on multi-domain warfare. Each arm, from the Army to the Air Force, is set to plug critical gaps. The Navy and BSF will also boost deterrence on both land and maritime frontiers. ​ 2026: The Big Picture The 2025–26 defence budget includes a higher capital outlay. It also contains a strong ‘Make in India’ thrust. These factors are pushing indigenous fighters, missiles, warships, and surveillance systems into frontline service. Key…
Read More
Putin Visits India: New S-400 Air Defence Deals to fast track

Putin Visits India: New S-400 Air Defence Deals to fast track

India’s air defence capability may receive a fresh upgrade. Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to arrive in New Delhi. Moscow indicates its readiness to offer two to three additional S-400 air defence regiments to the Indian Air Force. The proposal is expected to be a key topic in the high-level discussions during his visit. This will reinforce defence cooperation as a central pillar of India–Russia ties. Sources said Russia’s defence firm Rostec has already initiated preliminary talks for a new S-400 contract. It has assured New Delhi that future deliveries will strictly adhere to the committed timeline. This adherence is…
Read More
Farewell to The MiG-21: India’s Trusted Warbird for Over Six Decades

Farewell to The MiG-21: India’s Trusted Warbird for Over Six Decades

MiG-21 (Mikoyam-Gurevich) is a supersonic jet fighter and interceptor aircraft. Designed by the Soviet Union it is set to retire after 62 years of service for the Indian Air Force (IAF). It played a crucial role in the 1965 and 1971 wars. It was also significant in the 1999 Kargil war, 2019 Balakot Strikes, and 2025 Operation Sindoor. The Grand Farewell The decommissioning ceremony was held at Chandigarh Air Force station from where the first flight took place in 1963. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was invited as the chief guest. He described MiG-21 as a mighty machine and a national…
Read More
Big Boost to Indian Air Defence HAL to Deliver 97 Advanced LCA Mk1A Aircraft

Big Boost to Indian Air Defence HAL to Deliver 97 Advanced LCA Mk1A Aircraft

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The contract is for the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A. This includes 68 fighters and 29 twin seaters. The contract also includes associated equipment for the Indian Air Force. The cost is over Rs. 62,370 crore (excluding taxes) on September 25, 2025. The delivery of these aircraft would commence during 2027-28 and be completed over a period of six years. The aircraft will have an indigenous content of over 64%. There will be 67 additional items incorporated. These are over and above the previous…
Read More
L&T and BEL Join Forces for the Indian Air Force’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Program

L&T and BEL Join Forces for the Indian Air Force’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Program

Mumbai: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) are now strategic partners. They aim to support the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme of the Indian Air Force. The consortium will participate in the Expression of Interest notice issued by the Government of India’s (GoI) Aeronautical Development Agency. They will submit a response in the coming weeks.  The partnership will leverage L&T’s expertise in developing strategic defence and aerospace platforms. BEL brings its experience in defence electronics and systems. Together, they will jointly contribute to India’s 5th-generation fighter aircraft.  The collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing India’s defence…
Read More
Swift IAF Response: Helicopter Rescue Missions in Jammu

Swift IAF Response: Helicopter Rescue Missions in Jammu

The Indian Air Force continues to demonstrate its commitment to national service. It launches extensive relief and rescue missions. These efforts respond to the rising water levels and devastating floods. The floods are caused by incessant rains in the Jammu region and northern Punjab. Rapid Deployment of IAF Assets Helicopter Fleet in Action: Five Mi-17 helicopters and one Chinook helicopter were promptly pressed into service from nearby bases in the Northern Sector, ensuring maximum rescue capability and operational reach. Additional helicopters remain on standby to join the rescue efforts. Also read: Kishtwar Cloudburst Sparks Flash Flood, Bodies Recovered, Yatra Suspended…
Read More
Vir Chakra Conferred on Nine IAF Pilots for Operation Sindoor Success

Vir Chakra Conferred on Nine IAF Pilots for Operation Sindoor Success

Ahead of India's 79th Independence Day, government honoured armed forces heroes with gallantry awards. Nine Indian Air Force pilots hit Muridke and Bahawalpur targets during Operation Sindoor. They will receive the Vir Chakra, India's third highest wartime gallantry award. Names of the nine IAF officials have been confirmed. They include Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Group Captain Manish Arora, and Group Captain Animesh Patni. Other officials include Group Captain Kunal Kalra and Wing Commander Joy Chandra. Squadron Leader Sarthak Kumar and Sidhnat Singh are part of the group. Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik and Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh Thakur are part…
Read More
5 Pakistani Jets, AEW&C Downed from 300 km in Operation Sindoor

5 Pakistani Jets, AEW&C Downed from 300 km in Operation Sindoor

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Amarpreet Singh confirmed the toll of Pakistani Air jets. These were shot during Operation Sindoor conducted on May 6-7. This happened after the April 22, Pahalgam terror attack. This is the first official statement. It comes from a high-ranking Indian official. It concerns the number of Pakistani Air jets shot during the cross-border anti-terror operation. Record Breaking Surface to Air Kill Achieved in Operation Sindoor “We have five confirmed kills. One large aircraft could be either an ELINT aircraft or an AEW&C aircraft. This aircraft was taken on at a distance of about 300 kilometres.…
Read More
Successful flight-test of Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile from Su-30 Mk-I

Successful flight-test of Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile from Su-30 Mk-I

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a successful flight-test. They tested the indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile (BVRAAM) ‘Astra’. It was equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker. The test took place from the Su-30 Mk-I platform off the coast of Odisha on July 11, 2025. During the tests, two launches targeted high-speed unmanned aerial targets. These targets were at different ranges and target aspects. The launches also took into account various launch platform conditions. In both the cases, the missiles destroyed the targets with pin-point accuracy. https://videopress.com/v/KG9xK9xC?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true DRDO & IAF…
Read More