The year that was and the year that will be, according to our reporters
2025 was a year of change, both for the defense community and for Breaking Defense. Let’s catch you up.
Air Force
IAF Chief Urges ADA To Meet Delivery Timelines For Operational Readiness
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, the Chief of the Air Staff, has urged the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to adhere strictly to delivery timelines for key projects.Speaking in Bangalore, he emphasised the critical need to maintain the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational readiness amid a rapidly evolving security landscape. This call came during the inauguration of the two-day national seminar
IAF Commemorates 25th Anniversary of TEJAS First Flight
The Indian Air Force marked a significant milestone on Sunday by commemorating the 25th anniversary of the TEJAS Light Combat Aircraft’s (LCA) historic first flight. This event underscores India’s strides in indigenous aerospace development and self-reliance in defence manufacturing.In a social media post, the IAF highlighted the enduring partnership that birthed this fighter jet. It
ADA Issues SoW For AMCA Rear Fuselage Design, Boosting India’s Stealth Fighter Push
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has issued a formal Statement of Work (SoW) for the detailed design and engineering of the rear fuselage of India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), marking a pivotal advancement in the program.This core structural segment demands precision engineering due to its integration with critical systems. The tender emphasises end-to-end responsibility,
IAF Accelerates Indigenous DEAD Loitering Munitions Post-May Ops Sindoor Success
The Indian Air Force has accelerated efforts to develop indigenous loitering munitions tailored for Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (DEAD) missions, following their proven effectiveness in the brief May 2025 conflict with Pakistan, known as Operation Sindoor.This push comes after the successful deployment of Israeli-made HAROP systems, which neutralised key Pakistani air defence assets of
India Performed Creditably During Operation Sindoor, Says Stimson Centre Analyst Christopher Clary
India performed creditably in the May 2025 India-Pakistan war, according to Christopher Clary, a Fellow at the Stimson Centre’s South Asia program. The report confirms that India struck deep into Pakistan with missiles and drones while mounting a robust defence against similar Pakistani assaults.Pakistani air defences disrupted or intercepted certain Indian strikes, yet Pakistan revealed
150 aircraft, cyber effects and ‘overwhelming force:’ How the Venezuela operation unfolded
“Failure of one component of this well-oiled machine would have endangered the entire mission,” Gen. Dan Caine said of Operation Absolute Resolve.
Pak’s Asim Munir Unleashes Fierce Anti-India Tirade
Asim Munir, Pakistan’s newly appointed Chief of Defence Forces, delivered a strongly worded address to tri-service officers, warning India against any future aggression. He said that ‘Severe and intense’ response should be expected by India.Munir declared that India should harbour no delusions, as Pakistan’s response to provocation would prove even more swift, severe, and intense. This rhetoric
IAF Strategically Shelves Standalone C-130J Buy for Special Forces, Eyes Massive MTA Tender Instead
Brazil’s Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraftThe Indian Air Force has abandoned its plan to procure six additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft via a direct foreign military sale, opting instead to integrate these requirements into the forthcoming Medium Transport Aircraft tender.This shift consolidates the service’s tactical airlift needs under a single, expansive programme
Troops Comfort Ltd Signs MoU With Adidas To Develop High-Performance ‘PT Footwear’ For The Indian Armed Forces
Troop Comforts Limited, a wholly-owned Defence Public Sector Undertaking under India’s Ministry of Defence, has entered into a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global sportswear giant Adidas.This collaboration focuses on developing high-performance Physical Training (PT) footwear tailored specifically for the Indian Armed Forces. The partnership leverages Adidas’s cutting-edge