SP's Aviation - ISSUE No 8-2025
Previous Issue
INDIAN ARMED FORCES CHIEFS ON OUR RELENTLESS AND FOCUSED PUBLISHING EFFORTS
The insightful articles, inspiring narrations and analytical perspectives presented by the Editorial Team, establish an alluring connect with the reader. My compliments and best wishes to SP Guide Publications.
— General Upendra Dwivedi, Indian Army Chief
"Over the past 60 years, the growth of SP Guide Publications has mirrored the rising stature of Indian Navy. Its well-researched and informative magazines on Defence and Aerospace sector have served to shape an educated opinion of our military personnel, policy makers and the public alike. I wish SP's Publication team continued success, fair winds and following seas in all future endeavour!"
— Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Indian Navy Chief
Since, its inception in 1964, SP Guide Publications has consistently demonstrated commitment to high-quality journalism in the aerospace and defence sectors, earning a well-deserved reputation as Asia's largest media house in this domain. I wish SP Guide Publications continued success in its pursuit of excellence.
— Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Indian Air Force Chief
Issue Features
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INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL | CAS MESSAGE
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh
It is a heartening to know that SP Guide Publications is releasing its special edition of SP’s Aviation on the occasion of 79th Indian Independence Day.
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INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL | ISRO
India’s Space Odyssey: From Milestones to the Space Frontier Plans
By Manish Kumar JhaIndia’s space success is well documented with ambitious plans for deep space, planetary exploration, human habitats, and commercial outreach by 2040–47. What is next is the expansion of the Indian space industry and the role of private players. For ISRO, now is time to bridge the gaps.
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EXCLUSIVE
INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL | CHAIRMAN DRDO
DRDO’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile is Among the First in the World
A hypersonic boom, which could set forth Extended Trajectory-Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM) up to Mach 8-10, to next-gen AESA, to applying quantum sensing to the anti-submarine warfare, DRDO is proving true to the R&D within its name. In an Exclusive interaction, Samir V. Kamat, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO, speaks with Manish Kumar Jha on the full and comprehensive range of military technology development, some of them futuristic and ground-breaking for India.
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INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL | UNMANNED SYSTEMS
India’s Tryst with Combat Drones
By Air Marshal Anil Khosla (Retd)With indigenous initiatives like the DRDO’s Archer and HAL’s CATS Warrior, alongside procurements of MQ-9B Sea/Sky Guardians, India is positioning itself as a significant player in unmanned warfare, reshaping its military doctrine for the future
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INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL | UNMANNED SYSTEMS
Indigenous UCAV ‘CATS’ Warrior
By Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Once operational, the CATS Warrior is expected to mark a significant milestone in India’s indigenous defence and aerospace capabilities
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INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL | 5TH-GEN AIRCRAFT
IAF to Address Squadron Gaps, Interim Solution to Acquire Fifth-Generation Jets
By Manish Kumar JhaIt is widely noted that the IAF needs to urgently plug a growing capability gap as the thrust comes amid thinning squadron strength. Could there be an interim solution to fill the void?
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INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL | MILITARY MRO
India’s Defence MRO Sector — Flying Strong
By Swaati KetkarFrom building joint ventures with global OEMs to developing indigenous component manufacturing, India is reclaiming its capability to maintain, upgrade, and extend the life of its defence assets on Indian soil, with Indian hands, and for Indian missions
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INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL | OPERATIONS
Balancing India’s Aviation Boom with Experience
By Sanjay JulkaIndia’s aviation boom reflects its economic ambition, but growth without seasoned expertise risks safety and efficiency
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INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL | AIRLINE PERSPECTIVE
Freedom in the Skies
Simran Singh Tiwana, CEO of Star Air on how the airline is bringing Independence to everyday Indians
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INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL | HUMAN RESOURCES
Airline vs Charter Flying in India and South Asia: A Pilot’s Perspective
By Sarthak BaranwalThe decision between flying for a commercial airline or a charter/private operator isn’t simply about the aircraft or salary—it’s a lifestyle choice that affects everything from job security and schedule predictability to long-term growth and work culture.
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INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL
From Editor-in-Chief
By Jayant Baranwal, Publisher & Editor-in-ChiefAs we celebrate our 79th Independence Day, I think it will only be appropriate to share my thoughts as follows. We aspire to become a global power and therefore its prudent to adopt dynamic and flexible foreign policies coupled with strategic decisions that respond to changing times in the interest of our nation. Engaging constructively with all international players will be the key towards ultimate goal of our country emerging as a powerful economy.
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HALL OF FAME
Felix Baumgartner (1969 - 2025)
By Joseph NoronhaFelix Baumgartner jumped out of the capsule at 38,969.4 m. His exit was perfect, but after passing through the sound barrier, and still hurtling towards earth at Mach 1.25, he went into a flat spin.
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INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL | LAST WORD
Diplomacy Must ‘Trump’ Tariffs
By Rohit GoelThe ongoing tariff tit-for-tat between India and the United States is fast becoming more than a trade dispute and now threatening to spill over into high-stakes sectors like aerospace and defence
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NEWS DIGEST
Alay Parikh to Lead Business Development for Boeing Defense and Services in India
Boeing has appointed Alay Parikh as Director of business development for its defence and services business in India, reinforcing the company’s commitment to strengthening operations and accelerating growth in the region.
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NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
DRDO Conducts Successful Flight-Trials of Precision Guided Missile-V3
In a major boost to India’s defence capabilities, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out flight-trials of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3.
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NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
X-37B Spaceplane Set for Eighth Mission
The Boeing built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) is preparing to launch its eighth mission (OTV-8) from Florida’s Space Coast, with liftoff scheduled no earlier than August 21.
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NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL AVIATION
Cathay Pacific Orders 14 More Boeing 777-9
Boeing and Cathay Pacific announced the Hong Kong-based carrier is ordering 14 more 777-9 passenger jets, bringing its order book to 35 of the world’s largest twin-engine airplane.
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NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL AVIATION
FLYGABON Receives First ATR 42-600
Afrijet Business Service, operating as FLYGABON, the leading airline in Central Africa, has taken delivery of its first brand-new ATR 42-600, becoming the operator of the youngest ATR fleet on the continent.
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NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL AVIATION
Airlink and Azorra Finalise Lease of 10 New Embraer E195-E2s
Airlink and Azorra have finalised a lease agreement that will see the Johannesburg-headquartered airline acquire 10 new Embraer E195-E2 twin-engine passenger aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for later this year.
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