Year 2024 was a good year for Embraer Defense & Security with significant milestones, affirming its position as a leading force in the global defence aviation market. Its flagship military platforms—the C-390 Millennium and the A-29 Super Tucano—are redefining the standards for versatility, performance, and cost-effectiveness. This issue features the portfolio of the Embraer Defense & Security that exemplifies innovation and versatility, delivering advanced solutions across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains to meet the evolving demands of global defence.

Recently China rattled the global aviation community when it flew two 6th Generation stealth aircraft. Although experts are still to pass any judgement on these aircraft, what is clear is that China has usurped everyone including the US and Europe. In his analysis of the same, Air Marshal Anil Khosla (Retd) writes about China’s progress in sixth-generation aviation. China’s unveiling of its sixth-generation fighters, J-36 and J-50, alongside the “White Emperor” at the Zhuhai Airshow, signals its ambition to rival the US in airpower projection. These developments challenge traditional air superiority in the Indo-Pacific and demand a proactive response from India. Advancing indigenous aerospace R&D is no longer optional—it is a strategic imperative. Another article by Air Marshal R.G.K. Kapoor (Retd) further extends these arguments on the Chinese sixth generation stealth fighters and underlines the key question as to whether the Chinese can effectively and efficiently employ these platforms in a highly contested and networked air space where decision making is delegated.

Another article by Manish Kumar Jha talks about the critical gaps in Indian Air Force fleet, prompting the Ministry of Defence to form a committee to address fighter squadron shortfalls and explore Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles. With concerted efforts, investment in indigenous technology, and strategic acquisitions, the IAF can emerge stronger, ensuring that India remains secure in an increasingly complex and volatile world.

India’s pursuit of an indigenous aero-engine continues to dominate discourse, as highlighted by Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, DCAS, who emphasised the necessity of a national mission to achieve self-reliance in this domain. Despite initial progress with the Kaveri engine, challenges persist, especially in meeting the thrust requirements for advanced platforms like the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA. A national focus on R&D and innovative technologies is imperative to secure India’s future in aerospace and defense. The possibilities are discussed at the TDF DRDO Conference where Manish Kumar Jha moderated a session and has penned down insights from the discussions for the magazine.

Amid these challenges, the IAF’s transport fleet is evolving. Joseph Noronha further talks about transformation of the transport fleet in his article. The induction of the Airbus C295MW and ongoing discussions around the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA) reflect efforts to bridge gaps between existing platforms like the C-17 Globemaster III and the C-130J Super Hercules. The significance of transport aircraft extends beyond warfighting, offering strategic value in disaster response, humanitarian aid, and rapid troop deployment.

India’s space sector also marked a milestone with the PSLVC59 mission, launching ESA’s Proba-3 spacecraft—a first in precision formation flying. A report on the mission by Ayushee Chaudhary is included in this issue. All this and more in this issue of SP’s Aviation. Welcome aboard and we wish you many happy landings!