The Indian Air Force (IAF) has played a pivotal role in Operation Brahma, a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mission launched by India to support Myanmar following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28, 2025. This operation reflects India’s commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy and its ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), positioning it as a first responder to regional crises.
The IAF’s response was immediate, with the first C-130J military transport aircraft departing from Hindon Air Force Station at around 3:00 AM IST on March 29, 2025, just a day after the earthquake. This swift action, carrying approximately 15 tonnes of relief materials, reassured the affected population that help was on the way. The aid, which included essential supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, water purifiers, solar lamps, generator sets, and medicines, was handed over to Yangon’s Chief Minister, U Soe Thein, by India’s envoy to Myanmar, Abhay Thakur.
Despite the challenges, the IAF escalated its efforts throughout the day, conducting multiple sorties to deliver additional aid and personnel. Two C-130J aircraft landed in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar’s capital, carrying an 80-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team with specialised rescue equipment like concrete cutters, drill machines, and trained canines for search-and-rescue operations. These flights also transported further relief supplies, totalling around 10 tonnes on the second aircraft alone. The NDRF team, received by Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur and Myanmar’s Ambassador-at-Large Maung Maung Lynn, proceeded to Mandalay—the city hardest hit by the quake—on March 30 to begin rescue operations. This team is actively engaged in rescue operations, including efforts to assist approximately 170 monks stranded at the U Hla Thein monastery in Myanmar.
Additionally, two IAF C-17 aircraft were deployed, airlifting a 118-member Indian Army Field Hospital unit from Agra to Mandalay. This team, including women and childcare services, established a 60-bed medical treatment center to provide first aid, emergency medical services, and surgical care to earthquake victims. This significant step reassured the affected population that they were not alone in their time of need. Accompanying this unit were an additional 60 tonnes of relief materials, bringing the total assistance delivered by air to over 96 tonnes within the first 48 hours of the operation. By March 30, 2025, five IAF relief flights had landed in Myanmar, showcasing the force’s rapid response capabilities.
The IAF’s swift, relentless and coordinated effort ensured that critical supplies and personnel reached Myanmar within hours of the disaster, reinforcing India’s role as a regional leader in humanitarian relief. The operation continues to evolve, with more aid planned based on Myanmar’s needs, as confirmed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed solidarity with Myanmar’s people during a call with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on March 29. This ongoing commitment gives hope for the recovery and rebuilding of Myanmar.
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India’s strategic environment is shaped by its geographic diversity and its position between two nuclear-armed neighbors, Pakistan and China, with whom it shares contentious borders. The western frontier with Pakistan has been a hotspot due to historical conflicts and ongoing tensions. At the same time, the northern and eastern borders with China, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), have seen escalating friction, exemplified by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
India’s armed forces continuously evolve to address emerging security challenges, especially along its northern borders. Military exercises are a cornerstone of any nation’s defence strategy, serving as a vital mechanism to train troops, test equipment, refine tactics, and project power. In the case of India, a country with a complex geopolitical landscape and diverse security challenges, such exercises are indispensable.
“Exercise Prachand Prahaar,” whose name translates to “fierce strike,” emerges as a significant undertaking by the Indian Armed Forces. It was conducted from March 25 to 27, 2025, in the high-altitude terrain of Arunachal Pradesh and was a large-scale joint military drill. The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability between the Army, Air Force, and Navy while demonstrating India’s capabilities in multi-domain warfare.
Exercise Prachand Prahaar builds upon the foundation laid by Exercise Poorvi Prahar, conducted in November 2024, which focused on the integrated application of aviation assets. The current exercise expanded this concept by validating a fully integrated approach to surveillance, command and control, and precision firepower across all three services, reflecting the evolving nature of joint military operations.
Objectives. India’s military exercises serve multiple purposes, from testing new doctrines to improving service coordination. Exercise Prachand Prahaar had well-defined objectives. The multi-domain exercise tested India’s ability to conduct operations simultaneously on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and in cyberspace. The exercise emphasised seamless integration between the three services, enabling efficient command and control structures. Given the proximity to India’s northern borders, the exercise simulated combat scenarios in challenging mountainous terrain, demonstrating readiness in a high-altitude environment. The exercise incorporated modern warfighting tools such as UAVs, loitering munitions, and electronic warfare systems. Other objectives would be:-
Rapid Deployment & Mobility. Evaluating the efficiency of deploying forces, including Special Forces, artillery units, and air assets in high-altitude environments.
Precision Strikes. Validating the efficacy of long-range rockets, drones, loitering munitions, and fighter aircraft in neutralising simulated enemy targets.
Joint Surveillance & Intelligence. Utilising UAVs, satellites, and reconnaissance aircraft to enhance real-time intelligence-sharing.
Electronic & Cyber Warfare Integration. Testing the resilience of Indian forces in an electronically contested battlefield with cyber threats.
Logistics & Sustainment. Assessing how well the tri-services can sustain long-term operations in challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions.
Highlights of the Exercise.
The exercise commenced with a large-scale deployment of surveillance assets, including long-range reconnaissance aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF), maritime patrol aircraft from the Indian Navy, focusing on domain awareness, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and satellites for real-time intelligence gathering. This phase emphasised situational awareness, allowing for precise target identification and battlefield management.
Once targets were identified, the exercise progressed to a synchronised firepower demonstration. The arsenal employed included Fighter aircraft such as the Rafale and Su-30MKI, which delivered precision airstrikes, long-range rocket systems, and medium artillery from the Indian Army, and attack helicopters like the HAL Prachand, which provided air support. The firepower phase illustrated India’s capacity to conduct joint operations under an electronically contested environment, integrating cyber and electronic warfare techniques.
A critical aspect of the exercise was the demonstration of rapid mobility and logistical efficiency. The armed forces executed airborne insertions of Special Forces to simulate offensive operations in enemy territory. The exercise was conducted in a networked environment with joint command centers ensuring seamless ground, air, and naval communication. Battlefield medical support drills were part of the exercise, reflecting the importance of combat casualty management in high-altitude warfare.
Strategic Implications.
Exercise Prachand Prahaar was conducted in the eastern sector, primarily in Arunachal Pradesh, an area of strategic importance due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The exercise aimed to enhance combat readiness, validate new operational concepts, and assess the capability of Indian forces to conduct joint high-altitude warfare.
The exercise reinforced India’s military preparedness, particularly along its northern borders, where high-altitude operations are crucial. Given China’s assertiveness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the exercise demonstrated India’s ability to mobilise and execute joint operations effectively.
One of the exercise’s most notable outcomes was its emphasis on jointness. As the Indian military transitions towards integration, drills like Prachand Prahaar provide valuable insights into improving inter-service coordination.
The exercise sent a clear strategic message to both regional adversaries and allies. To potential aggressors, it showcased India’s combat readiness and willingness to engage in multi-domain warfare. It reaffirmed India’s role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific region to allies and defence partners.
Exercise Prachand Prahaar provided crucial lessons shaping future defence planning and warfare conduct. The modern battlefield increasingly relies on electronic and cyber warfare, requiring continued investment in network-centric capabilities. Logistics and mobility remain critical, particularly in high-altitude conflict zones. The exercise highlighted India’s strides in defence indigenisation, with systems like the HAL Prachand attack helicopter playing a pivotal role.
Conclusion
Exercise Prachand Prahaar was a landmark military drill reinforcing India’s preparedness for future conflicts. It showcased the Indian Armed Forces’ ability to conduct high-intensity operations across multiple domains, leveraging cutting-edge technology and joint force integration. As India modernises its military and enhances its strategic posture, such exercises will play an increasingly vital role in ensuring national security and regional stability.
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My Article published on the Chanakya Forum Website
on 24 Mar 25.
A recent Indian defence committee has recommended increasing private sector participation in military aircraft manufacturing to enhance the Indian Air Force’s capabilities. The committee, led by the defence ministry’s top bureaucrat, submitted its report to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who has directed that the recommendations be implemented promptly. The report emphasises the need for private companies to work alongside Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to achieve self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing. It suggests implementing short-, medium–, and long-term measures to expedite the production of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) variants, including Mk-1, Mk-1A, and Mk-2, to address delays and strengthen the IAF’s operational readiness.
India’s aerospace and defence sector has undergone significant transformation in recent decades, evolving from a predominantly state-controlled domain to increasingly embracing private sector participation. Fighter jet production, a critical component of national defence, has traditionally been the preserve of public sector undertakings (PSUs) like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). However, with the government’s push for indigenisation, self-reliance, and modernisation under initiatives like “Make in India,” the private sector is emerging as a vital player in this high-stakes industry. This article examines the intricacies of how private companies contribute to India’s defence capabilities and what lies ahead for this evolving partnership.
Historical Context
India’s journey into fighter jet production began in the mid-20th century, heavily reliant on foreign technology and licensing agreements. The 1960s saw HAL commence production of the Soviet-designed MiG-21 under license, marking the start of India’s aircraft manufacturing journey. Over the years, HAL expanded its portfolio, producing aircraft like the Jaguar, Mirage 2000, and Su-30 MKI, all under similar arrangements with foreign OEMs. These efforts established HAL as the cornerstone of India’s defence aviation industry, supported by other PSUs and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The push for Indigenous fighter jet development gained momentum with the HF-24 Marut, designed by German engineer Kurt Tank in the 1960s. However, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program, initiated in the 1980s by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) with HAL as the production partner, represented a significant leap towards self-reliance. The Tejas, inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2016, showcased India’s ability to design and build a modern fighter jet, albeit with substantial reliance on imported components.
Historically, private sector involvement in fighter jet production was minimal. The defence sector’s strategic importance, high capital requirements and restricted access to advanced technology confined manufacturing to PSUs. While effective in establishing a foundational aerospace industry, this PSU-centric model faced limitations in scalability, innovation, and meeting the IAF’s growing demands, setting the stage for private sector inclusion.
A series of progressive policy reforms have driven the shift towards private sector involvement in defence manufacturing, including fighter jets. Launched in 2014, the “Make in India” initiative sought to bolster domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependency, with defence identified as a priority sector. This program encouraged private companies to participate in defence production by fostering a conducive business environment and promoting collaborations with global players.
A pivotal policy change was the liberalisation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in defence. Previously capped at 26%, the FDI limit was raised to 74% under the automatic route in 2020, with provisions for up to 100% on a case-by-case basis for critical technologies. This opened doors for foreign OEMs to invest in India, often in partnership with private Indian firms, facilitating technology transfer and capacity building.
The Strategic Partnership (SP) Model, introduced in the 2017 Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), marked another milestone. Designed to foster long-term collaborations between private Indian companies and foreign OEMs, the SP Model identifies private firms as Strategic Partners in manufacturing major defence platforms, including fighter aircraft. The selection process emphasises financial stability, technical expertise, and manufacturing capabilities to create a robust domestic defence industrial base.
Revisions to the DPP further supported this shift. The DPP 2016 introduced the “Buy (Indian-IDDM)” category—Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured—prioritising equipment with at least 40% Indigenous content. Offset clauses in defence contracts, mandating foreign vendors to invest a percentage of the contract value in India, have also incentivised partnerships with private companies. These policies collectively signal a departure from the PSU monopoly, inviting private sector innovation and investment.
Current Involvement of the Private Sector
The private sector’s role in Indian fighter jet production is multifaceted, spanning manufacturing, supply chain contributions, and support services. While HAL remains the primary assembler of fighter jets like the Tejas, private companies are increasingly integrated into the production ecosystem.
Supply Chain Contributions. In the Tejas program, private firms supply critical components and sub-systems. Dynamatic Technologies, for instance, manufactures the front fuselage of the Tejas, demonstrating the precision and reliability private players can offer. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) contributes to various aerospace projects, leveraging its engineering expertise, while Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) participates in component manufacturing and assembly processes. These collaborations reduce HAL’s burden and enhance production efficiency, paving the way for a more robust and agile production ecosystem.
Offset Obligations. Major defence deals have catalysed private sector involvement. The 2016 Rafale deal with France’s Dassault Aviation, involving 36 fighter jets, included offsets worth billions. Reliance Defence and Engineering partnered with Dassault to fulfil these obligations, producing components and establishing a manufacturing facility in Nagpur. Such partnerships generate business for private firms, facilitating skill development and technology absorption.
Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO). Beyond production, private companies are making inroads into MRO services, which are essential for maintaining fighter jet fleets. TASL has established advanced MRO facilities that service military and civilian aircraft, while Mahindra Defence Systems supports aerospace equipment. These services ensure operational readiness, a critical factor given the IAF’s ageing fleet.
Emerging Technologies. Some private firms are exploring adjacent fields like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Companies like TASL and Adani Defence & Aerospace are developing drones and building aerospace expertise that could eventually support fighter jet programs. While UAVs differ from manned fighters, the technological overlap strengthens the private sector’s aerospace capabilities.
Technology Transfer and Innovation. Technology transfer remains a cornerstone of private sector growth. Collaborations with foreign OEMs provide access to advanced systems, such as radar and propulsion technologies, while joint ventures encourage co-development. Private firms also invest in innovation, exploring additive manufacturing (3D printing) and artificial intelligence to streamline production and reduce costs. Over time, these efforts could lead to fully indigenous fighter jet designs.
Role of MSMEs. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the aerospace supply chain. These firms produce smaller components—fasteners, wiring harnesses, and sub-assemblies—supporting larger private companies and PSUs. By integrating MSMEs, the industry can enhance efficiency and scalability, fostering a broader industrial ecosystem and providing opportunities for growth and innovation.
Key Defence Production Private Companies. Several private companies have shown interest in participating in fighter jet manufacturing, either independently or in collaboration with HAL and foreign OEMs.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has emerged as a leader in India’s private aerospace sector. Its joint venture with Lockheed Martin to produce aero structures, including wings for the C-130J Super Hercules, showcases its manufacturing prowess. Although the F-16 production proposal did not materialise, TASL’s capabilities position it for future fighter jet projects.
Mahindra Defence Systems. Mahindra has leveraged its automotive expertise to enter defence manufacturing, supplying aircraft components and expressing interest in the SP Model. Its partnership with Airbus for helicopter components reflects its ambition to expand into fighter jet production.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T). L&T’s decades-long experience in defence engineering includes contributions to the Tejas and other platforms. Its advanced manufacturing facilities and focus on precision engineering make it a strong contender in aerospace production.
Adani Defence & Aerospace. It aims to enhance India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing. While active in UAVs, avionics, and MRO, it seeks partnerships for fighter jet production but lacks an indigenous fighter aircraft program.
Challenges Faced by Private Companies
Private companies face significant hurdles in entering fighter jet production despite growing involvement.
High Capital Investment. Aerospace manufacturing demands substantial upfront investment in infrastructure, technology, and skilled manpower. The long gestation periods before returns materialise deter many firms, particularly more minor players.
Technological Barriers. Fighter jet production requires mastery of complex technologies—avionics, propulsion, and materials science—that PSUs like HAL have developed over decades. Private companies often lack this expertise, relying on foreign partnerships that may limit technology transfer.
Bureaucratic Procurement Processes. The defence procurement system is notoriously complex, with lengthy tendering, evaluation, and approval stages. This can discourage private firms accustomed to faster commercial cycles.
Competition with PSUs. HAL’s entrenched position and government backing create an uneven playing field. Private companies must compete with HAL’s economies of scale and establish relationships with the IAF.
Quality and Certification. Fighter jets demand uncompromising quality and safety standards. Private firms must navigate rigorous certification processes, such as those mandated by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), adding time and cost.
Future Prospects
The private sector’s role in Indian fighter jet production is set for significant expansion, driven by policy continuity, market demand, and technological advancements. Government initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) foster a stable investment climate, encouraging private firms to engage in aerospace manufacturing. Policy measures like strategic partnerships and increased foreign direct investment (FDI) limits further enhance private sector participation.
Market demand is another key driver. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is undergoing rapid modernisation, with plans to replace ageing aircraft and induct advanced fighters. Additionally, India’s ambition to become a defence exporter presents lucrative opportunities for private companies. Countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa could become potential buyers, bolstering the case for increased private production.
Technological advancements are also reshaping the industry. Additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and advanced materials reduce entry barriers and enable new players to contribute. Collaborations with global aerospace firms can further accelerate technology absorption.
However, for private firms to succeed, key enablers must be addressed. Streamlining procurement processes, enhancing R&D funding, and developing a skilled workforce are critical. Bureaucratic hurdles and financial constraints have historically hindered private participation, but targeted reforms could unlock their full potential. If these challenges are managed effectively, private companies could be pivotal in next-generation fighter projects like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This would strengthen India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and enhance its strategic autonomy in aerospace technology.
Conclusion
The involvement of the private sector in Indian fighter jet production marks a paradigm shift from a PSU-dominated landscape to a collaborative ecosystem. While challenges like capital intensity and technological gaps persist, the opportunities—driven by policy reforms, IAF requirements, and global partnerships—are immense. Companies like TASL, Mahindra, and L&T exemplify the potential of private enterprises to enhance India’s defence capabilities. As the nation strives for self-reliance, the private sector’s role will be pivotal in shaping a robust, innovative, and competitive aerospace industry, ensuring that India’s fighter jets soar not just in the skies but also as symbols of industrial prowess and strategic autonomy.
Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for wider dissemination.
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