🚨Does India have choice in burning $35 billion on 114 Rafale fighters? Many hard questions about India’s costliest ever combat aircraft deal. @VishnuNDTV & I on the new episode of the #CtrlAltDefence# podcast:

What ppl typically believe: Western aircraft are better are EW, radar & BVR. Soviet/Chinese aircraft are better with WVR & maneuverability. Reality of Chinese vs European 4th gen aircraft: Rafales are better at WVR & maneuverability. J-16s are better at EW, radar & BVR. Hence, why PLA would generally want to keep engagement @ longer range, utilize its LR AAM & EW to hit Rafales before they can pick that up.

The IAF needs 36 to 40 new fighters every year just to hold squadron strength Older platforms are retiring. The 114 Rafale deal is targeted for this financial year. Indigenous output and fifth generation options cannot lag A single advanced jet on the other side does not change the balance overnight. Sustained shortfalls do Capability is built in annual increments, not announcements.

Pakistan is looking at a fifth generation fighter with Chinese help Indian Air Chief called it a cause of worry Not a crisis Capability still exists on this side Integration matters more than the platform label Experience from recent operations shows systems, training and numbers decide outcomes India is also moving on Rafale numbers and indigenous production The balance is watched closely because technology gaps close slowly and reopen quickly Worry is useful Complacency is not.

Former Greek PM Alexis Tsipras: We talk about a "strong Greece." But what does a strong Greece really mean? Does it mean spending billions so that we have Rafale fighter jets, or does it also mean investing in strong communities on the islands that face Türkiye? What will actually protect us if there are no people left living on those islands? If those islands are abandoned, do we really think we can defend them only with powerful weapons and military equipment?

Six US F-35 stealth fighters trained with the IAF in India — but their cockpits and sensitive systems remained off-limits. The twist? India did something similar with its Su-30 MKIs during Red Flag 2008. So what did the IAF learn from the F-35 — and could it help against China’s J-20? @prasadaditi Watch: #F35# #IndianAirForce# #IAF# #TarangShakti# #Su30MKI# #USAirForce# #Rafale# #Tejas# #J20# #IndiaUS#

France is winning brownie points in the Middle East: 1) TotalEnergies is helping several countries (notably Iraq) to ship crude oil throughout the Strait of Hormuz (sure, this is a private company, but I doubt TTE has not consulted the French government about it). 2) Paris is sending soldiers and kit to Yanbu to help the Saudis against missile attacks from the Houthis 3) France deployed Rafale fighter jets over the United Arab Emirates early in the conflict, ostensibly to protect the little-known navy base it operates in Abu Dhabi