Lessons learned at Steel Knight 25: Operating within and as a kill web
Columnist Robbin Laird visited a major Marine exercise in December, and left with a few key impressions for the future of the Corps.
Air Force
India’s TEJAS Light Combat Aircraft: Three Decades of Development Hurdles
The HAL TEJAS, India’s indigenous light combat fighter, has faced a protracted
journey since its conceptualisation in the early 1980s, often sensationalised
as being "stuck on the ground for 33 years".
This narrative stems from the project’s sanction in 1983 to replace ageing
MiG-21s, yet full operational capability remains elusive even in 2026. While
the aircraft achieved its
Rolls-Royce Charts Multi-Domain Expansion In India With AMCA Engine Co-Development And 10,000-Job Boost
Rolls-Royce has unveiled an ambitious strategic roadmap to significantly expand its operations in India across defence, energy, and civil aviation sectors. This announcement came just a day after Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the company’s commitment to deepening its partnership with India.The initiative includes plans for co-developing an
IAF To Train RAF Pilots In Landmark Instructor Swap
Royal Air Force’S Panavia Tornado fighter jetIndia and the United Kingdom have agreed to deepen military training ties, with Indian Air Force instructors set to train Royal Air Force pilots. This pact emerged from the 19th UK-India Air Staff Talks, which wrapped up on Thursday in New Delhi, as announced in a British High Commission press release.The move builds directly on a milestone in January
Air Force CCA Mission Autonomy Phase Begins With Software From Collins Aerospace And Shield AI
The Air Force is highlighting RTX‘s [RTX] Collins Aerospace and Shield AI as early examples of the potential for the service’s Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA) to adapt new, vendor […]
Space Force Deploys GSSAP Sensor After USSF-87 Launch; Service And ULA Investigating SRM Anomaly
The Space Force launched the USSF-87 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., early Thursday morning aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket–the latter’s second National Security […]
Use of Commercial Technologies Obviates Need for C-17 Re-engining, USAF Says
The use of commercial technologies for upgrades to Pratt & Whitney‘s [RTX] F117 engine for the U.S. Air Force C-17 airlifter by Boeing [BA] obviates the need for a re-engining […]
How to operate drones in a battlespace where GPS can’t be trusted
[Sponsored] Continuation of UAS operations in contested and GPS-denied environments is key.
Russia Pitches Upgraded Il-76MD-90AE With ToT To Meet IAF’s Expanded MTA Heavy-Lift Needs
Russia plans to propose its advanced Il-76MD-90AE strategic transport aircraft, complete with a full Transfer of Technology (ToT) package, to the Indian Air Force (IAF). This offer hinges on potential revisions to the cargo capacity requirements in the forthcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) tender.Sources close to idrw.org indicate that Russia aims to reposition this upgraded Il-76 variant
DAC Clears Massive Rafale Jets Order: 114 Fighters To Bolster IAF With Heavy Indian Build Emphasis
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved a landmark procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, marking one of India’s most ambitious defence acquisitions to date.This decision, taken on 12 February 2026, addresses the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) pressing squadron strength deficit, which has dipped alarmingly below sanctioned levels amid