Defence National

President Murmu Flies In Rafale Fighter From Ambala

By BPN News Desk October 29, 2025

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday took a sortie in a Dassault Rafale fighter jet from Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana. This was her second flight in a frontline combat aircraft, following her earlier sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI from Tezpur in April 2023. Significance Of The Sortie The flight makes President Murmu the first […]

Op-Eds Opinion

A Squadron Boost or a Logistics Burden? The Case for Buying Qatar’s Typhoons

By BPN News Desk October 12, 2025

Unverified reports that India may be eyeing Qatar’s Eurofighter Typhoon jets have triggered a wave of speculation. With the Indian Air Force facing a squadron strength far below the sanctioned 42, the idea of acquiring nearly new fighters from Doha sounds tempting. But the question remains—would these jets be a quick fix or a long-term […]

Op-Eds Opinion

The Su-57 is More Than a Fighter — It’s a Classroom for AMCA

By BPN News Desk September 23, 2025

India’s Air Force is at a critical juncture. The backbone of its current fighter fleet — Jaguars, MiG-29s, and Mirage-2000s — is ageing fast. Rafale has plugged some of the gaps, while the Su-30MKI continues to be the workhorse. But one truth is unavoidable: India has no stealth fighter capability today, and AMCA, its indigenous […]

Op-Eds Opinion

Why 114 Rafales Are India’s Biggest Defence Signal Since Pokhran II

By BPN News Desk September 13, 2025

India has had a few inflection points that quietly, firmly reset how the world reads New Delhi’s intent. Pokhran II in 1998 was one such moment. A three-decade later echo could arrive if the proposal to build 114 Rafales in India moves from paper to production. This is not only a purchase plan. It is […]

Defence National

IAF Eyes More Rafales After Operation Sindoor

By BPN News Desk September 13, 2025

The Indian Air Force is considering strengthening its fleet after the successful execution of “Operation Sindoor.” It is evaluating the option of acquiring more Rafale fighter jets to counter the shortfall in squadron numbers. MRFA Programme Under Review The additional jets are expected to come under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme. A

Op-Eds Opinion

Grounded by Silence: How India’s Information Vacuum Hurt Dassault

By BPN News Desk July 7, 2025

Operation Sindoor was supposed to be a defining moment for Indian airpower. With deep-penetration strikes, the use of BrahMos cruise missiles, and long-range drones evading Pakistani air defences, the mission was a resounding tactical success. Among the many aircraft involved, the French-built Rafale fighter jet was presumed to have played a key role, striking targets […]