India has officially initiated the ₹65,000 crore "Super Sukhoi" modernisation programme, taking a major step by issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to equip its Su-30MKI fighter fleet with advanced indigenous anti-jamming and anti-spoofing multi-constellation GPS antenna systems, according to Times Now. The upgrade aims to provide reliable navigation capability even in intense electronic warfare conditions by enabling simultaneous connectivity with NaVIC, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo and GAGAN satellite networks.
The Ministry of Defence has limited the bidding process to Indian companies, seeking technically competent and financially strong Indigenous Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or suppliers. The Directorate of Projects, Su-30, representing the President of India, stated that non-OEM bidders must submit certification proving authorised access to equipment and spare parts from the OEM. The move aligns with India’s Defence Acquisition Procedure policy focused on boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports.
The Indian Air Force currently operates nearly 260 Su-30MKI fighter jets, most of them produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under licence from Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau. As the backbone of the IAF’s combat fleet, ensuring these aircraft remain operational in contested environments is considered vital. Electronic warfare threats such as jamming and spoofing can disrupt or manipulate navigation signals, but the new antenna system is intended to counter both by leveraging multiple satellite constellations simultaneously.
The technology will integrate with India’s indigenous NaVIC navigation network developed by ISRO, ensuring sovereign and uninterrupted navigation coverage over India and surrounding regions. It will also support GAGAN, the satellite-based augmentation system jointly developed by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India, improving navigation precision and compatibility with global systems like WAAS and EGNOS.
The technical requirements outlined in the RFP are extensive. The antenna must operate throughout the Su-30MKI’s flight range, including altitudes up to 21 km, speeds of Mach 1.5, and manoeuvres between -2g and 9g. It should be capable of suppressing single jamming sources by up to 85 decibels and multiple simultaneous threats by up to 80 decibels, placing it among high-end military anti-jam solutions.
Under the contract, 300 antenna units, 50 field-level testers and 10 base-level testers will be delivered. Before fleet-wide installation, certification trials will be carried out on two aircraft. IAF personnel will also undergo specialised training at the 9 TETTRA School, the Air Force’s advanced avionics and technical training centre.
The programme is expected to be completed within two years of contract finalisation. Bids are due by 22 June 2026, while technical evaluations will begin the following day. The anti-jamming navigation upgrade forms part of the broader “Super Sukhoi” enhancement initiative, which also includes the indigenous Virupaksha AESA radar based on Gallium Nitride technology, upgraded electronic warfare systems, and self-protection jammer pods. Collectively, these improvements are intended to keep the Su-30MKI combat-ready for future network-centric warfare scenarios and extend its operational relevance into the 2050s, while strengthening India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Economic Times.
Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh, a senior officer of the Indian Army, held key engagements with top United States Special Operations Forces (SOF) leaders during SOF Week 2026, held in Tampa, Florida. The interactions focused on strengthening defence cooperation and enhancing collaboration between the special forces of both nations.
SOF Week 2026 brought together military leaders, defence officials, and security experts from across the globe to discuss evolving security challenges and advancements in special operations capabilities. The event is considered one of the most significant international platforms for special operations communities.
During his meetings, Lt Gen Singh reportedly discussed avenues to improve operational coordination, training exchange programmes, and interoperability between Indian and US special operations units. The conversations also included insights into counter-terrorism strategies and modern warfare tactics.
Officials from both sides emphasized the importance of adapting to emerging security threats, including hybrid warfare and rapidly changing conflict environments that require highly agile and technologically advanced forces. India’s participation in the event reflects the growing defence partnership between New Delhi and Washington, particularly in the area of special operations and strategic military cooperation. Over the years, both countries have expanded joint exercises and defence dialogues aimed at improving preparedness and mutual understanding.
SOF Week 2026 also provided a platform for showcasing advancements in special operations technology and sharing best practices among participating nations. The engagements by Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh underline India’s continued focus on strengthening global defence ties and enhancing the capability of its elite military units in line with modern operational requirements.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ssbcrack.
Fear and confusion have gripped Datta Khel tehsil in North Waziristan as hundreds of families continue to abandon their homes amid concerns of an imminent large-scale military operation. According to The Express Tribune, residents are leaving both day and night, while roads remain blocked, markets are closed, and essential supplies are quickly running out.
Locals report that movement in and out of Datta Khel has been tightly restricted for several days, bringing everyday life to a standstill and heightening anxiety among civilians. People from multiple villages have begun relocating to safer areas, often carrying only basic belongings as they rush to avoid possible conflict.
Eyewitnesses described disorderly scenes during nighttime evacuations, with women, children, and elderly individuals traveling in overcrowded vehicles or walking long distances in extreme heat. Many displaced families said they were unable to collect their belongings before fleeing. One resident shared that widespread fear has forced people to escape without knowing where they will settle next. Elderly and ill individuals are particularly affected, with many struggling to move while children show signs of trauma due to sudden displacement. Women are also reportedly experiencing severe emotional stress during the evacuation.
Locals have questioned why civilians continue to bear the brunt of repeated security operations despite a strong security presence in the region. A trader criticized the ongoing disruption, saying poor families are repeatedly forced to rebuild their lives after every wave of conflict. Tribal elders have also condemned the silence of elected representatives, accusing them of abandoning people during crises. They pointed out that communities in Waziristan have faced repeated displacement over the past two decades due to militancy and military operations.
Government officials state that the heightened security measures are based on intelligence about militant activity in Datta Khel and are necessary for public safety. However, recurring operations have deepened mistrust and psychological distress among residents, who are now calling for peace, stability, and urgent humanitarian assistance.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, speaking on Tuesday at a seminar titled “Security to Prosperity” organized by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), highlighted lessons from Operation Sindoor and presented a broader strategic outlook for India in an evolving global order. Referring to the recent operation, he called it a significant example of unified national action, combining military precision, information management, diplomatic messaging, and economic strength. He said it successfully targeted terror networks and challenged long-held strategic assumptions.
He particularly justified the 88-hour halt in hostilities, describing it as a deliberate and calculated use of “smart power” rather than a limitation. According to him, it reflected precise decision-making on when and how to transition from military action to strategic advantage. Discussing global geopolitics, he noted that earlier expectations of globalisation making war obsolete have proven wrong. Instead, economic systems, supply chains, and technology have become tools of geopolitical pressure. He pointed to semiconductors, contested maritime routes like the Strait of Hormuz, and rising global defence spending as evidence of intensifying power competition.
He argued that the world has shifted from a belief that prosperity reduces conflict to one where power is actively used to shape prosperity itself. Dwivedi stressed that security and economic growth are now deeply interconnected and cannot be treated separately. He stated that security is not just a support for prosperity but its essential starting point. For India, this means aligning national power to ensure peace, growth, and strategic advantage.
He also highlighted the rapid pace of technological change in warfare, noting that innovation cycles have shortened dramatically. He warned that delays in scaling new technologies make them strategically irrelevant. Calling for stronger integration across defence innovation systems, he urged the development of a robust ecosystem involving government, private industry, and academia, especially in areas like AI, cyber, quantum technology, space systems, autonomous platforms, and advanced materials.
He further identified dependence on foreign technology and supply chains as a major strategic weakness. According to him, future conflicts will be decided by whoever controls the technology ecosystem, making self-reliance in critical sectors essential. Concluding his address, he quoted Atal Bihari Vajpayee, emphasizing that peace comes from capability and resolve, not weakness. He ended by urging urgency, stating that while India is progressing, the key question is whether it is moving fast enough in a rapidly changing world.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has called for speeding up India’s development of advanced UCAVs to support fighter jets, aiming for operational capability by 2030 in line with global “loyal wingman” programs like those in the US and Australia. He stressed that the DRDO’s Ghatak stealth UCAV project should be fast-tracked and envisioned future missions where Tejas fighters coordinate with multiple drones carrying roles like surveillance, electronic warfare, and precision strikes, controlled directly by pilots. Highlighting manned–unmanned teaming, he urged a joint effort between DRDO, HAL, and private industry to urgently build this capability. He also noted that unmanned warfare is the foundation of future robotic warfare. The Ghatak UCAV is designed for stealth deep-strike missions and could target high-value enemy assets while reducing risk to pilots. The programme has already received initial approval for procurement of 60 units.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Wikipedia.
Amid rising tensions in the U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict, airlines are diverting flights away from major Middle East routes that connect Asia and Europe. This shift raises the question: could new aviation hubs emerge beyond established centers like Dubai and Doha? How might this affect ticket costs, cargo transport, and the broader landscape of global air travel? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore these issues with Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Principal Consultant and Commercial Aviation Lead at Frost & Sullivan.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Whether it is issuing military threats toward Colombia and Cuba, suggesting the takeover of Greenland from Denmark, or capturing oil tankers in European and Caribbean seas, Donald Trump’s actions are forcing global leaders into constant crisis management. His renewed brand of American imperialism is reshaping international politics at a rapid pace. Jonathan Freedland discusses this shifting global landscape with Pulitzer Prize–winning author Anne Applebaum, examining what lies ahead in a world being rapidly transformed by the decisions of the US president.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
The United States’ confiscation of a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker represents a significant escalation, denounced by Caracas as “international piracy.” Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine the underlying strategic signal the Trump administration is sending to Latin America in the context of China’s expanding influence, alongside Ross Feingold, Head of Research at Caerus Consulting. They assess whether this aggressive move qualifies as a justified national security action, whether it accomplished its intended objectives, and how neighbouring countries have responded in the immediate aftermath.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
On September 3, China held its largest military parade to date in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event featured tens of thousands of soldiers, along with hundreds of aircraft, ground vehicles, and advanced weaponry. More than just a show of military might, the parade was intended as a symbol of deterrence, national solidarity, and a display of Xi Jinping’s authority in a period of global uncertainty. Andrea Heng discussed the significance of the event with Dr. Mustafa Izzuddin, Senior International Affairs Analyst at Solaris.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
