This checklist of big-ticket defence programmes shows how critical Russian weapons systems are to maintain India’s military primacy in the region.
Sukhoi Super 30 upgrade
With a targeted fleet strength of 272 Su-30 MKI Flankers, the Indian Air Force (IAF) operates the world’s third-largest Sukhoi fleet after Russia and China. The IAF is now gearing up for a $6 billion upgrade known as Super Sukhoi 30. Why is this upgrade critical? The first of the Flankers built to the current specification were delivered to India back in 2004. Since then, a lot of new technology has become available. The modernisation programme will give the first batch, of 44 Sukhois, new sensors, weapons and radars plus improved super manoeuvrability, kinetic performance, range and aircraft availability rate. It could also add some rudimentary stealth capability.
The Super 30 upgrade is being fast-tracked because the PLA Air Force has an even larger fleet of over 400 Flankers – a mix of Russian imports plus Chinese knockoffs. Also, the Chinese Flanker fleet is being bolstered by 24 units of the even more advanced and extremely long range fighter-bomber, the Su-35 Super Flanker. The Su-35 is also known as the “Stealth Killer” for its deadly blend of limited stealth characteristics and super manoeuvrability. In a simulated air combat exercise conducted by the Rand Corporation, the Su-35s shot down the American F-35 in every war gamed scenario.
S-400 missile defence system
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Lessons From Gaza And Lebanon
The ongoing war, loosely called the Gaza War, is actually being fought in two different loosely connected segments; against the Hamas with a spill off in the West Bank and East Jerusalem areas against Palestinian factions and against the Hezbollah in Lebanon with a spill off in Syria. Treating Israel-Hamas War and the Lebanon War as separate entities, RAJ MEHTA explains the lessons from these wars
POSITIVE STEPS TOWARDS POTENTIAL REGIONAL COOPERATION
It has been a whirlwind of diplomatic activity for India recently. India participated in both the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO) summit that took place in Islamabad on October 15-16, and the 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, from October 2224, 2024. These back-to-back summits within a short span of time underscore India's active role in shaping regional and global diplomacy, balancing national interests with multilateral cooperation
THE EAGLE'S EYE TEJAS MK-II RADAR PIERCES VEIL OF THE SKY
The Tejas Mk-II, featuring DRDO's GaN-based Uttam AESA radar, marks a major leap in India's defence, enhancing range, precision, and multi-target tracking capabilities, highlights GIRISH LINGANNA
PRIME MOVER
The indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) has received a boost with its first export order from the Kingdom of Morocco
TRANSFORMATIONAL INDUCTION
The GA-ASI MQ-9B will dramatically enhance the ISR and precision strike capabilities of the Indian armed forces
TACAN PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Navigation systems have evolved significantly since the Viking era, with Tactical Air Navigation TACAN) now widely used for air and sea travel. Post-World War Il, reliable systems became essential for safety and efficiency, as highlighted by DR. SUJAN KUMAR SARASWATI, in this article on TACAN’s operational principles.
AIRBORNE TRACKER
Indigenous efforts towards AEW&C and AWACS platforms need to be stepped up even as international programmes extend the current state-of-the-art for such aircraft, highlights
AFFORDABLE LETHALITY THE INDIAN DILEMMA
India's defence dilemma is now being complicated by the lessons learnt in the Ukraine and Gaza wars because these conflicts are reshaping the way wars are fought in the modern world.
FROM IMPORTS TO SELF-RELIANCE IN ARMS
Self-reliance in Defence Production needs new ideas, new definitions _es and an appropriate methodology, argues AMIT COWSHISH
"THE INDIAN AIR FORCE IS WORKING HARD TO REMAIN A CREDIBLE AIR FORCE"
Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 21, 1984, Air Chief Marshal AMAR PREET SINGH PVSM AVSM took over as the 28th Air Chief of India on September 30, 2024.
