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SP's Aviation - ISSUE No 4-2026

Previous Issue

 

Issue Features

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    SPACE | ARTEMIS II
    Transforming the Future of Human Space Exploration
    By Rohit Goel

    After a 10-day journey that took humanity farther from Earth than ever before, the four astronauts of Artemis II splashed down on Earth, completing a mission that validated NASA’s entire deepspace architecture, paving the way for the next generation of human space exploration

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    MILITARY | AIR OPERATIONS
    Lessons from the Iran War
    By Air Marshal R.G.K. Kapoor (Retd)

    How Air Power Shaped the USA/Israel–Iran War and Strategic Lessons from the Conflict

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    MILITARY | MODERNISATION
    Major IAF Boost with Rafale, MTA and AEW&C Deals
    By Manish Kumar Jha

    The scale of acquisitions signals a shift from incremental upgrades to preparing for highintensity, technology-led warfare. If executed well, they could rebuild IAF squadron strength, boost readiness, and strengthen deterrence.

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    OEM | LEONARDO
    Transforming India’s Helicopter Landscape

    In a major push to developing India’s Helicopter Ecosystem, Adani and Leonardo have announced a MoU to build a Helicopter Manufacturing Hub

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    BUSINESS AVIATION | FACT FILE
    Falcon 10X Unveiled
    By Rohit Goel

    Dassault Aviation Redefines the Ultra-Long-Range Business Jet Segment

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    BUSINESS AVIATION | OPERATIONS
    Aircraft Management: The Case for Decoupling
    By Sanjay Julka, CEO Technical, Club One Air

    Why India Needs Specialised Aircraft Management Companies for its Business Aviation Sector

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    BUSINESS AVIATION | OPINION
    Counting Crores – India’s Business Jet Market is About to Boom
    By Alasdair Whyte

    India’s business aviation market holds strong untapped potential, with expectations of significant fleet expansion and broader market development by 2030

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    BUSINESS AVIATION | ATF
    Aviation’s New Fuel Divide
    By Neetu Dhulia

    Differential fuel pricing emerges for the first time, raising questions on cost allocation and the future of business aviation

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    SHOW REPORT | FAERO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN 2026
    Accelerating Market Momentum
    By SP’s Special Correspondent

    With Record participation, AERO Friedrichshafen 2026, Europe’s Leading General Aviation Show, Delivers a Landmark Edition

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    A Word from Editor-in-Chief
    By Jayant Baranwal, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

    The Artemis II mission marks a decisive shift in human space exploration, demonstrating the capability to send astronauts farther than ever before and safely return them to Earth. By validating deep-space systems, mission architecture and crew operations, it lays the groundwork for sustained lunar missions and eventual journeys to Mars, redefining the scope and ambition of future space exploration.

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    NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
    Indian Air Chief Visits Nellis AFB, Cements India-US Strategic Partnership

    Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and USAF Major Matthew Benson, an F-15EX Eagle II Aircraft Pilot Assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Pose for a Photo Before an F-15EX Familiarisation Flight at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada on April 9, 2026.

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    NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
    Joint Statement on GE F414 Engine Coproduction

    GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are pleased to announce significant progress regarding F414 co-production, having reached agreement on technical matters.

  • NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
    GE Aerospace–IAF F404 Depot

    GE Aerospace has signed a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to establish an in-country depot facility for F404-IN20 engines powering the IAF’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft fleet.

  • NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
    IAF Maintenance Conclave 2026

    The Maintenance Command Commanders’ Conclave was held at Vayusena Nagar, Nagpur on April 10-11, 2026, presided over by Air Marshal Yalla Umesh, Air Officer Commandingin-Chief, Maintenance Command.

  • NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
    HAL’s LCH Production Line Inaugurated

    Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), Ministry of Defence, inaugurated the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) structure assembly line and an Automated Storage & Retrieval System (ASRS) at HAL’s new...

  • NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
    MoD–BEL ₹1,950 Crore Radar Deal

    The Ministry of Defence signed a capital acquisition contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of two Mountain Radars, including associated equipment and infrastructure...

  • NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
    KC-390 Completes Global Demo Tour

    Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium completed its most recent world tour, flying over 47,000 nautical miles across 54 flights in 11 countries over 70 days, accumulating approximately 140 flight hours with 100 per cent...

  • NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
    Indonesia Orders Twelve PC-24s

    The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has selected the Pilatus PC-24 to support the Indonesian Air Force’s transport pilot training, air transport, and liaison missions, signing a contract for 12 aircraft...

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    NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL
    Noida International Airport Inaugurated

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated phase I of Noida International Airport at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, developed at an investment of approximately ₹11,200 Crore.

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    NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL
    BCAS–RRU MoU for Aviation Security

    The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) signed an MoU to establish a dedicated indigenous testing centre for evaluating and certifying Full Body Scanners and other security screening equipment used at Indian airports.

  • NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL
    DGCA–GSV MoU for Aviation Training

    The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) signed an MoU to promote quality manpower for the aviation and MRO sector, with the primary initiative being a three-year...

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    NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL
    Pilatus Acquires Air Alliance

    Pilatus has acquired German Air Alliance GmbH, founded in 1993 and an authorised Pilatus Sales & Service Centre since 2014, which provides sales, maintenance, and flight training for the PC-12 and PC-24 in Germany and Austria.

  • NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL
    Korea’s SUM Air Orders ATR 72-600s

    ATR announced that SUM Air, Korea’s newest regional airline, has placed an order for four ATR 72-600 aircraft, with four additional purchase rights, with deliveries from 2028.

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    NEWS DIGEST
    Appointments

    Willie Walsh to Lead IndiGo; Proust Named ATR Engineering Head; Embraer Names New CFO; Deutsche Aircraft Promotes Kuhl.