MULTI ROLE FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit appointed new Chief of Air Force, replacing Amar Preet Singh
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the new Chief of the Indian Air Force. He succeeds Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh after a long and distinguished career. Dixit has flown various aircraft and logged over 3,500 hours of flying. He is recognized for promoting indigenous aircraft projects, particularly the LCA Tejas. Air Marshal Dixit is expected to further advance the government's Aatmanirbharta initiative.
Israel was prepared to shoot down FlyDubai plane after attack on captain: Report
Israel was prepared to shoot down a FlyDubai passenger jet carrying more than 150 Israelis after the captain was attacked in the cockpit and the aircraft plunged 14,000 feet, CBS News reported. Israeli fighter jets were scrambled as authorities assessed whether the plane had been hijacked before it turned towards Saudi Arabia.
Israel would have shot down FlyDubai plane if... Report reveals how it would have responded to a 9/11-like situation
FlyDubai flight FZ1073 faced a serious incident when the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe. The aircraft plunged rapidly before passengers intervened to subdue the attacker and land safely. Israel activated its emergency protocols during the event, scrambling fighter jets in case of a hijacking threat. The alleged attacker, Hammam al-Hammami, had a history of radicalization concerns before joining FlyDubai.
"We possess necessary capabilities": IAF Chief AP Singh on countering Chinese 5th-gen aircraft challenge, urges push for AMCA
Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh addressed concerns about Pakistan potentially acquiring Chinese fifth-generation aircraft. He emphasized that India possesses the capabilities to respond effectively to such threats. Historical context suggests that advanced platforms alone do not guarantee success for Pakistan against India.
India may finalise 114 Rafale fighter jet deal with France by current financial year: IAF chief
India is planning to finalize a significant multi-role fighter aircraft deal by the end of this financial year. The proposed acquisition involves purchasing 114 Rafale fighter jets to enhance the Indian Air Force's capabilities. Current negotiations are focused on price and other important issues related to the procurement. The Chief of Air Staff emphasized the need for increased air power and self-reliance in manufacturing capabilities.
IAF chief hints at foreign fifth-gen fighter option if AMCA is delayed, cites Russia's Su-57 offer
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has indicated that India could examine foreign fifth-generation fighter options if the indigenous AMCA programme is delayed. Russia has offered its Su-57 fighter, although Singh said no decision has been taken. The IAF is also seeking to expand its fighter fleet as squadron strength remains below the authorised level.
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Smit Machchhar: Indian national and former SpiceJet pilot who saved Flydubai passengers
An Indian national and former SpiceJet pilot was captain of the flydubai flight that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a reported cockpit confrontation. Smit Machchhar, who joined flydubai in 2022, was injured but reportedly regained control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 before it landed safely in Tabuk with around 174 passengers onboard.

US Navy awards $24.4 billion to accelerate production of Standard Missile-6
The US Navy has secured a deal worth up to $24.4 billion with Raytheon to ramp up production of Standard Missile-6 interceptors over five years. The Pentagon says the agreement will increase SM-6 inventory, strengthen vulnerable supply chains and give defence contractors greater certainty to expand factories and workforce. The deal is part of Washington’s broader push to accelerate critical munition production.

Taiwan bolsters defences against China as first batch of F-16V fighter jets to arrive
Taiwan is set to receive its first two F-16V fighter jets from a delayed US order for 66 aircraft, strengthening its air force amid rising Chinese military pressure. The $8 billion Lockheed Martin deal, approved in 2019, will expand Taiwan’s F-16 fleet beyond 200 jets. Delivery has faced software and other production-related delays, raising concerns over US arms commitments.

Embraer C-390 Millennium explained: Key specifications and capabilities of the Brazilian military transport aircraft
Embraer-Mahindra C-390 Millennium: The military transport aircraft is being considered for India’s Medium Transport Aircraft programme, with Nagpur proposed as the site for a potential final assembly line. The aircraft can carry up to 26 tonnes of cargo and support troop transport, airborne operations, medical evacuation, aerial refuelling, search and rescue, firefighting and other missions.

Who is Smit Machchhar? Indian flydubai captain who saved 174 passengers' lives after co-pilot stabbed him inside cockpit mid-air during flight
Who is Smit Machchhar? Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot flying for flydubai, is being credited with saving 174 people on board Flight FZ1073 after his co-pilot allegedly stabbed him and tried to force the plane into a crash mid-flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Cabin crew entered the cockpit during the struggle as the aircraft lost altitude sharply, and the plane later stabilised and diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Who is Captain Smit Machchar?

Flydubai pilot called ‘terrorist’ after attempting to crash Israel-bound plane; what we know so far
One of the pilots of an Israel-bound flydubai flight tried to kill his co-pilot before the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, a passenger's mother told AFP. Yasmin Abukasis, whose daughter Miryam was on the flight to attend a service for her brother killed in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, said her daughter told her by telephone after landing that everyone "thought they were going to die". "She said one pilot tried to kill the other pilot with a knife.

Bloodshed at 34,000 feet: Indian pilot braves stabbing to help Dubai flight land safely
An Indian pilot helped thwart an alleged hijacking attempt aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv after the co-pilot reportedly attacked him in the cockpit. The Boeing 737 MAX 8, carrying around 174 passengers, diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely after passengers and other pilots intervened.

Screams, panic and a sudden plunge to 14,000 feet in seconds: Inside Flydubai flight FZ1073’s terrifying video
The Boeing 737 left Dubai International Airport for Ben Gurion Airport on September 30. About two and a half hours into the flight, something went wrong. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft suddenly losing altitude.

His father flew Mirage 2000 for Indian Air Force, son faced 3 years of auditions. Rani Mukerji's co-star shares unusual Bollywood journey
Tahir Raj Bhasin gained limelight with his debut film, the 2014 Rani Mukerji-starrer Mardaani. Despite playing an antagonist, the actor became a fan favourite and gained critical acclaim for his performance as Karan Walt Rastogi in the crime drama. Bhasin recently recalled how, despite coming from a family full of Air Force officers, he walked a different path.

Flydubai incident: Pilot stabbed, plane plunged thousands of feet, fighter jets scrambled. What happened on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight?
Flydubai hijacking video: A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a reported confrontation between the pilots. Passengers described screams, blood in the cockpit and an alleged stabbing, while the aircraft briefly transmitted a hijacking code and plunged thousands of feet. Israeli authorities scrambled fighter jets as the incident unfolded.

India's fighter jet engine efforts get a big boost: Desi Kaveri engine clears key step in Russia, ready for integration with stealth UCAV ‘Ghatak’
India's Kaveri dry engine has completed high-altitude and flight trials in Russia, recording 48.5 kN of peak dry thrust against its target of 46 kN. Developed by DRDO, the engine is intended for India's planned Ghatak stealth UCAV.

US Navy sets its eyes on F/A-XX 6th Gen fighter as Boeing wins the award: here’s a look at the other similar jets in the making and which country is ahead; cost, specifications and features
Boeing’s F/A-XX will replace the US Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and operate alongside the F-35C. Here’s a look at its expected range, cost and design, and where China’s J-36, GCAP and FCAS stand in the sixth-generation fighter race.

US awards $21 billion missile contract to RTX’s Raytheon as it looks to replenish stocks amid ongoing conflict with Iran
The US has moved to significantly increase production of AMRAAM missiles after awarding Raytheon a multiyear agreement valued at $20.7 billion. The weapon is used by fighter jets for air-to-air engagements and by NASAMS for ground-based air defence. The planned expansion includes higher annual output, but the full contract value remains dependent on funding from Congress.

LCA Mk2, AMCA first flight dates confirmed: Defence Secretary reveals timeline for India’s next-gen fighter jets
India's LCA Mk2 medium weight fighter prototype is expected to fly by September 2027. The country's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA, is targeted for its first flight in September 2028. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh provided clear timelines for these military aircraft programs. Test flights are set to occur between June and September next year. These developments are crucial for enhancing India's air combat capabilities against regional threats.

Embraer says Mahindra will be its partner for IAF's 60 transport plane tender, to partner with Adani for commercial planes
Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer has partnered with Indian Mahindra Group for the Indian Air Force's transport aircraft programme. The partnership will involve offering Embraer's KC-390 jet as a solution to replace older aircraft. Embraer has highlighted the KC-390's superior performance compared to the C-130J offered by Tata-Lockheed Martin. The company plans to expand its supply chain and maintenance operations from India to support global requirements.

‘Reverse engineered from UFOs’: Does US military have a triangular aircraft with anti-gravity technology called ‘TR-3B Black Manta’? Here’s the truth
Recently, numerous reports emerged from Tehran and Zahedan about sightings of a mysterious triangular object illuminated by bright lights. This has sparked online chatter about a potential clandestine craft known as the TR-3B Black Manta. Given former President Donald Trump's past remarks on advanced weaponry, public interest in secret military technologies has surged.

F-35s, Rafales and F-16s descend on Jodhpur as 40+ countries join India’s Tarang Shakti
Kicking off its second edition, the multinational air exercise 'Tarang Shakti' has commenced in Jodhpur, with over 40 countries, including France, the UAE, and Australia, marking a significant show of global military unity. From September 26 to October 12, India will demonstrate its Rafale and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, building on the momentum from a previous tactical air combat exercise held nearby.

US F-35 stealth fighters to join IAF’s Tarang Shakti exercise in India for first time
The Tarang Shakti 2026 exercise in India will feature six US F-35 stealth fighter jets, a landmark event as they engage in their first multinational combat exercise with the Indian Air Force. Approximately 40 countries will be involved as participants or observers, showcasing various high-tech aircraft. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force remains focused on resolving delays related to the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet deliveries.

From fabrics to fighter jets: Raymond moves into fighter aircraft assembly
Raymond Ltd has announced an expansion into aircraft structures with its subsidiary JK Maini Global Aerospace. The subsidiary won a tender to assemble wing and centre-fuselage structures for a fighter aircraft programme. This strategic move aims to enhance the company's capabilities without substantial investments in new infrastructure. The programme will enable the subsidiary to establish credentials for larger aerospace projects.

US stealth fighter F-35 among global air assets to headline Exercise Tarang Shakti in Jodhpur
The Indian Air Force announced that seven foreign nations—including the US, France, Germany, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the UAE—will participate in the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti at Jodhpur Air Force Station from September 26 to October 12. Marking its first participation in the multilateral air exercise, the US multi-role stealth fighter F-35 will feature alongside India's Rafale, Su-30 MKI, and Tejas aircraft in joint tactical maneuvers aimed at enhancing global interoperability.

US F-35 jets likely to join India’s Tarang Shakti air exercise in Jodhpur
India’s second edition of Tarang Shakti, its premier multinational air exercise, will be held at Jodhpur’s Air Force Station from September 26 to October 12. The US Air Force’s fifth-generation F-35 fighter is likely to participate, which would mark its debut in Tarang Shakti, though the IAF has not officially confirmed the aircraft’s participation. The exercise will bring multiple foreign air forces together for joint tactical manoeuvres, with India’s frontline platforms also expected to take part.

IAF chief led ‘Eagle One’ Tejas formation flight as Japan air chief flew twin-seater during Veer Guardian 2026
In a significant demonstration of military collaboration, the Indian Air Force Chief led a Tejas formation flight with Japan Air Self-Defense Force Chief Masahiro Morita as a passenger. This sortie underscored the increasing interoperability and professionalism between the two nations' air forces, showcasing India's indigenous defense aviation capabilities and reinforcing defense ties through operational understanding.

Japan Air Force chief flies LCA Tejas during Veer Guardian 2026, calls it symbol of India’s technological innovation
Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) Chief General Takehiro Morita on Sunday described India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas as a symbol of the country's technological innovation and the 'Make in India' initiative after flying the fighter aircraft during the ongoing Indo-Japan bilateral air exercise 'Veer Guardian-2026'.
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