India's oldest aerospace & defence trade magazine, is now in its 52nd year!! We cover all matters on the above topics from India/worldwide.
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Joined August 2018
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All the best dear Sunny and best wishes for the future!!! Happy Diwali 💥💥💥💥💥💓💓💓💓💓
Professional update
After nearly eight years, I have finally signed off from ThePrint @ThePrintIndia
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to @ShekharGupta for being a mentor, guiding me, challenging me and helping me evolve as a journalist. He will always remain a reporter’s editor, someone who understands the craft, pushes you to do better and never lets you settle. It is like a new day everyday.
I also want to thank my beloved critics and supporters alike. You both have helped me question, sharpen and improve my work every single day.
Journalism is a constant learning process and I have been fortunate to have you to keep me on my toes.
I joined ThePrint on 26 December, 2018 and the last eight years have been nothing short of fantastic.
I have had the privilege of working with some wonderful colleagues, many of whom have been an integral part of this journey. A special thank you to @BhardwajAnanya , @BhadraSinha, @dgupta_moushumi, @Janki_H_Dave and @NPDay, who continue to be part of ThePrint, and to @RuhiTewari and @YPRajesh among several others, who have since moved on.
As I turn the page, I do so with immense gratitude for the journey and everyone who made it special. Thank you for reading this and for being a part of my journey. God bless
IAF: "13,629 FEET. A NEW HEIGHT IN AVIATION HISTORY".
An Indian Air Force Il-76MD has scripted history with a successful landing at Nyoma, marking the highest-altitude landing ever achieved by the aircraft anywhere in the world.
Wonderful Varun 💓🤗
Space is no longer just a force multiplier—it is becoming a battle-winning capability.
Honoured to speak on the Future of SATCOM at the Indian Army’s Space Seminar 2026.
#IndianArmy #SATCOM #SpaceWarfare #LEO #DefenceTech
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight-test of the indigenously developed quasi-ballistic missile ‘Pralay’ from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha on November 5, 2026.
The missile has been indigenously developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, along with other DRDO laboratories, while Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), one of its Development-cum-Production Partners, has produced the system.
Well recapped 👍👍👏👏
🇮🇳✈️ IAF CHIEF'S FULL ROADMAP: HONEST ON DELAYS, CLEAR ON THE FUTURE
📌 WHAT: Air Chief Marshal AP Singh walks through nearly every major IAF programme: fighters, AWACS, tankers, drones & helicopters
🏢 WHO: Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force
📅 WHEN: Interview with Vayu Aerospace Review, released in 6 parts, late Oct 2026
🎯 WHAT IS THIS?
A rare, no-sugarcoating update from the top on where IAF modernisation really stands: what's moving, what's stuck and what's coming next.
1️⃣ SU-30MKI UPGRADE
• The fleet's backbone gets new EW, radar, navigation, mission systems, comms, cockpit displays & weapon control
• Most of the new systems will be Indian
• AoN done; file with Dept of Defence Production, now awaiting CCS approval
• Smart move: development on all systems has already begun, so no time lost waiting
2️⃣ TEJAS MK-1A
• 180 ordered: 83 (2021) + 97 (2025)
• CAS admitted the delays openly, saying he won't pretend otherwise
• 1st-contract deliveries hadn't begun at the time of the interview
• Why: late engine supply + design work still needed to fully meet IAF requirements
• His line: neither is a reason to compromise
• Fixes: HAL engine & support deal (Nov 2025); 2nd batch due Sep 2027 to Sep 2033
• Will get Indian UTTAM AESA radar + Swayam Raksha Kavach EW suite
3️⃣ AEW&C: EYES IN THE SKY
• AEW&C Mk-1A & Mk-2 both in progress, with Indian mission systems
• Longer radar range & better avionics than today's Netra
• Mk-2: 6 A321s with DRDO CABS systems; all 3 contracts now signed
• Deliveries only from 2032–33, so IAF is also eyeing Indian & foreign options to fill the gap
4️⃣ AIR REFUELLERS
• Stopgap: wet-leased tanker since Dec 2025, shared with Navy for training
• 6 new tankers: AoN Feb 2024, contract expected shortly, deliveries 2028–30
• More tankers already at pre-AoN stage
5️⃣ LCA MK-2 & AMCA
• Mk-2 in design & development, with IAF shaping it
• AMCA: new ADA-led model (May 2025), private & public firms compete equally
• 5 prototypes, then series production; induction next decade
• Big idea: Indian-designed jets can be armed & upgraded on India's terms
• Future core: LCA, Su-30MKI, MRFA & AMCA, mostly Indian designs
6️⃣ DRONES & UNMANNED
• MQ-9B: 31 tri-service (Oct 2024), 8 for IAF, arriving 2029–31
• Tri-service MALE drone case moving, with a Make in India push
• 64 Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft by DRDO's ADE (AoN cited as Aug 2025)
• Plus HAPS, loitering munitions, swarms & counter-drone systems
• All feed one ISR network for a real-time battle picture
7️⃣ HELICOPTERS
• LCH Prachand: 156 contracted Mar 2025 (90 Army, 66 IAF); IAF induction from 2028
• LUH Mk-1: joint case for 6 Army + 6 IAF, once pending design work is done
🧠 OUR ANALYSIS
This was refreshingly candid. The thread running through it all is ownership: what India designs, India controls. Fighters and drones have a clear path. The weak spots are AEW&C and tankers, where real capability is still years away. The roadmap is set; now it all comes down to delivery.
❓ WHAT WE DON'T KNOW
• When CCS clears the Su-30 upgrade
• Exact first Mk-1A delivery date
• Tanker type & vendor
• RPSA design basis
🎙️ Interview : @ReviewVayu
#IndianAirForce #APSingh #TejasMk1A #Su30MKI #AMCA #AEWandC #MQ9B #DefencewithIndia
The Hellenic Ministry of National Defense today signed a contract to acquire three KC-390 Millennium with options for an additional three aircraft, produced by Embraer through a government to government agreement between Greece and Portugal.
As part of this landmark agreement, the Hellenic Air Force will receive its first KC-390 Millennium in 2027, enhancing its airlift and air-to-air refueling capabilities "while strengthening interoperability with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and allied forces. Greece will also benefit from European synergies in training, support and logistics"
"The NGCs will be equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities, including advanced missiles, weapons and sensor suites, enabling them to undertake missions across the air, surface and sub-surface domains"
Big!!!
India's Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth Rs 53,866.50 crore with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the acquisition of eight Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs) for the Indian Navy.
Under the contracts, GRSE will construct five corvettes, while GSL will construct the remaining three.
VAYU magazine?😍
#WATCH | Delhi: Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit says, "Our priorities shall be summed up in one word: VAYU.
V for Vigilance, Victory and Readiness - Every squadron, every radar, every air defence unit, along with each and every Air Warrior, must be ready to respond at a moment's notice. Restoring our combat strength towards the sanctioned level will also be my foremost task.
A for Aatmanirbharta - The Tejas Mk1A and II, the AMCA, Indian sensors and Indian weapons are our highest priority. We will fight with Indian solutions, and we will hold them in numbers that meet sustainment and operational demands. Our responsibility is to fight and win, but most importantly, it is to deter conflict through credible air power.
Y is for Yukti - Our ingenuity and innovation in doctrine, procedures and technology: networked, AI-enabled command and control; layered counter-drone defence; responsive maintenance, force protection, resilience and use of near-space as operational domains for the Air Force, are all areas which will be constantly monitored and progressed.
U is for Unity of Effort - In step with the vision of JAI — Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation — we will plan and fight as one along with our Army, our Navy and our National Agencies. Air power delivers most when it is integrated from the very first plan."
Farewell!
Last day in office for Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force who retires today.
Our little tribute to CAS in office-- instead of the paeans being showered extensively across all quarters, we have chosen to focus on "United colours of CAS turbans"!
Here's a collage of various colours he has worn over the years while in office--some official and some at events!
We will miss his energy and here's wishing CAS best wishes for the future!
@IAF_MCC
Excerpts from Part 6 (the final) of the interview
Our recently conducted interview with Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force
Status of LCH Prachand and LUH
LCH Prachand: On 28 March 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed two contracts with HAL, for 156 LCH Prachand helicopters. Of these, 90 are for the Indian Army and 66 for the IAF. The helicopters are planned to be inducted into the IAF from 2028 onwards, in line with the contracted schedule.
LUH: The Indian Army is processing a joint case with the IAF for the procurement of LUH Mk-1 helicopters, six each for the Army and the IAF. The procurement will be processed once certain design and development activities have been completed, so that the helicopter meets all the requirements for service.
Both programmes show the progress India is making towards self-reliance in helicopters. The IAF will continue to work closely with HAL and all stakeholders to ensure that these platforms reach our units as planned and are fully ready for operations.
Excerpts from Part 5 of the interview
Our recently conducted interview with Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force
On UAV/UAS and UCAVs
Unmanned systems have become an integral part of modern air power, and the IAF is building a comprehensive unmanned portfolio that spans persistent surveillance, strike and expendable effectors. The MQ-9B is one important element of that portfolio. A tri-Service contract for 31 aircraft was finalised in October 2024, eight of which will be operated by the IAF, with deliveries expected between 2029 and 2031. Several other programmes are moving forward alongside it.
A tri-Service case for MALE RPAs is in progress. The programme is expected to give a major boost to Make in India in this class of RPA.
The IAF plans to acquire a Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft through a DRDO design and development project. The Defence Acquisition Council accorded Acceptance of Necessity on 5 August 2025 for the design, development and procurement of 64 RPSA, to be developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment.
High Altitude Pseudo Satellites: Design and development projects under the Make-I category for both fixed wing and air-ship based High Altitude Pseudo Satellites are being followed up.
The IAF is also pursuing multiple cases for long range loitering munitions, swarm capabilities and counter-UAS systems, which are at various stages of the procurement cycle.
All of these platforms feed a wider ISR architecture that brings together satellites, UAVs, RPAs, airborne platforms and ground based systems. The architecture converts raw signals and imagery into actionable intelligence and builds a single operational picture in real or near real time. It will be further strengthened by the planned induction of high-endurance airborne platforms to complement our signals and imagery intelligence capability.
