The 18-day space odyssey of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, aboard the Axiom-4 mission, is just a stepping stone towards India’s significant plans for Space. Manish Kumar Jha captures the significance of India’s collaboration with Axiom Space and SpaceX, providing essential know-how in astronaut training and in-orbit operations, paving the way for India’s indigenous human spaceflight capability and eventual construction of an Indian space station by 2035.

The BRICS 2025 summit in Brazil marked a turning point as the bloc expanded its membership to 11 nations and reasserted its role as a counterweight to Western-dominated global institutions. The Rio Declaration emphasised inclusive global governance, multipolarity, and reform of agencies like the UN, IMF, and World Bank. Financially, BRICS is pushing for de-dollarisation and developing payment alternatives through platforms like BRICS PAY. A report by Manish Kumar Jha underscores BRICS’ transformation.

Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Former Chief of the Air Staff details the development of India’s radar and command systems from the 1950s to the IACCS network of today, which seamlessly links surveillance, decision-making, and weapon systems. The article ends with a call to enhance aerospace domain awareness and rapidly induct new-age radar and antistealth capabilities to stay ahead in future conflicts.

In an exclusive interview to us, Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer elaborates on the company’s strategic plans in India, including opening a new office in New Delhi. He reaffirms the company’s commitment to deepen collaboration across defence, commercial aviation, and MRO through localisation and partnerships. Neto discusses their legacy in India with 11 aircraft types currently operating in the country and the potential of the C-390 Millennium in the MTA programme. The CEO expresses willingness to set up a final assembly line if significant orders materialise, reinforcing Embraer’s role as a long-term partner in India’s aerospace ecosystem.

In his article, Rohit Goel offers a comprehensive overview of Rolls-Royce’s Pearl engine family—Pearl 15, Pearl 700, and Pearl 10X—currently powering top-tier business jets like the Bombardier Global 6500, Gulfstream G700, and Dassault Falcon 10X. The article explores each engine’s design breakthroughs, such as advanced compressors, blisked fans, and digital health monitoring, that enhance fuel efficiency, thrust, and environmental performance. The story reinforces Rolls-Royce’s role in shaping sustainable, high-performance propulsion for business aviation.

On the business aviation front, in an analytical feature on India’s Business Aviation outlook, Sanjay Julka dissects the emerging trends, emphasising the role of GIFT City and the rise of structured financing options such as operating leases and export credits. The article explains how regulatory reforms are catalysing interest among Indian corporates in aircraft leasing through domestic entities. We also have a report on the recently held Paris Air Show 2025. The 2025 edition showcased cutting-edge aerospace innovation, sustainability initiatives, and major defence deals. With electric aviation, hydrogen propulsion, and AI-driven systems in focus, the event highlighted Europe’s commitment to decarbonisation. Key industry players unveiled next-gen technologies, reinforcing global momentum towards cleaner, smarter, and more secure air mobility solutions.

All this and more in this issue of SP’s Aviation. Welcome aboard and we wish you safe landings!