Author: Defenceline Webdesk

The Diplomat author Mercy Kuo regularly engages subject-matter experts, policy practitioners, and strategic thinkers across the globe for their diverse insights into U.S. Asia policy. This conversation with Pekka Virkki – co-founder of Mission Grey, journalist specializing in international power dynamics, and author of the newly published book “Autopsy of Post-Finlandization: The Roots of the European Appeasement of Russia (Ibidem 2026)”– is the 511th in “The Trans-Pacific View Insight Series.” Examine the strategic nexus of the Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, and the Baltic Sea. They are global chokepoints demonstrating the return of the strategic seas. While their roles in…

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India’s civil aviation sector is witnessing a significant development with reports that Indian airlines have expressed interest in acquiring up to 200 Russian aircraft, specifically the Il‑114‑300 turboprop and the Sukhoi SJ‑100 regional jet. Vadim Badekha, the head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), revealed in an interview with TASS that India was the first country to show serious interest in these platforms.He noted that during the Wings India air show, both aircraft were showcased, and Indian carriers indicated demand for between 100 and 200 units.Badekha further stated that production of the first SJ‑100 in India could begin within three years,…

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India has firmly rejected any suggestion of third-party involvement in resolving its boundary dispute with Nepal. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that bilateral mechanisms already exist to address all aspects of the issue, and that nearly 98 per cent of the India-Nepal boundary has been demarcated. The statement came in response to remarks made by Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who recently suggested that China and the United Kingdom should be involved in discussions, citing the historical context of British India’s departure from the region.External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that the matter is strictly bilateral and that no…

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The GTK Boxer armoured vehicle. Credit: Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG Throughout Europe, the geopolitical landscape has become increasingly volatile, prompting a significant shift in military procurement strategies. The resurgence of tensions, particularly in Eastern Europe, is accelerating modernisation efforts aimed at enhancing the operational readiness and effectiveness of military land vehicles. Evolving threats, including hybrid warfare, have necessitated a re-evaluation of existing military assets, driving demand for vehicles that offer improved survivability, mobility, and interoperability. NATO has been central to this modernisation drive. The alliance’s emphasis on standardisation ensures that military vehicles across different nations can operate seamlessly together, improving…

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India’s space regulator has taken a decisive step toward commercialising satellite infrastructure by inviting private firms to establish and operate ground stations within the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), one of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s most important facilities.The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has issued an expression of interest (EoI) seeking up to three Indian companies to set up and run satellite ground stations inside the NRSC campus at Shadnagar, located on the outskirts of Hyderabad.The initiative is designed to seed a private “Ground Station as a Service” (GSaaS) ecosystem in India. This would enable commercial…

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The Indian Navy’s deployment during Operation Sindoor was one of its largest in decades, with 36 frontline warships, multiple submarines, and the INS Vikrant carrier battle group forward-positioned in the Arabian Sea.This posture forced the Pakistan Navy to remain confined to its harbours, raised shipping risks, and imposed economic costs while showcasing India’s tri-service combat readiness.Following the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025, the Indian Navy moved with remarkable speed to establish a forward deployment in the Northern Arabian Sea. Within days, submarines, surface combatants, and carrier assets were placed on operational readiness.Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi described this…

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