Wednesday
February 19, 2025
Home Blog

Amidst Contracts, Global Aircraft Engine Manufacturers Dominate Aero India 2025

0

By: Suman Sharma

Russian UEC engine: source Author

As India’s aerospace public sector unit – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) faced flak over the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A’s delay owing to delayed engine supplies by the US engine manufacturer GE Aerospace, global engine giants could be seen displaying their cutting-edge propulsion systems at the Bangalore-based biennial airshow-Aero India.

When GE Aerospace was asked about their two-year delay in the 99 F404 IN20 engines which would power the Indian homegrown fighter LCA Tejas Mk-1A, they attributed the delay to the pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, component shortages, and logistical challenges.

For GE Aerospace, meeting the revised March 2025 deadline is crucial—not only to regain the confidence of Indian defence authorities but also to strengthen its strategic foothold in India’s defence market, as their other contract for the F414 engines to power the LCA Tejas Mk-2 and the indigenous fifth generation advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), also has its fate hanging in the balance. The F414 MoU (memorandum of understanding) was signed in June 2023. According to HAL CMD (Chairman and Managing Director) Dr DK Sunil, the F414 contract would have its first meeting at the end of this month in two phases, one of which is about transfer of technology (ToT), as HAL has demanded a 80 percent ToT and the second phase would be about price negotiations.

GE Aerospace Signs Contract with Indian Air Force for T700

GE Aerospace signed a five-year Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to provide a comprehensive sustainment solution for the T700-GE-701D engines powering the IAF’s fleet of AH-64E-I Apache helicopters, at Aero India 2025.

Under this contract, GE Aerospace will be responsible for the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) of the T700 engines as well as flight parts to ensure engine availability to the IAF. The PBL solution is designed to streamline engine sustainment operations, improve turnaround times, and enhance the availability and operational readiness of the Apache fleet.

“We are honored to continue our partnership with the IAF through this PBL contract, which underscores our commitment to deliver reliable and innovative sustainment solutions for critical defence platforms,” said Youngje Kim, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific, Defence Systems for GE Aerospace. “This agreement demonstrates GE Aerospace’s focus on supporting the IAF’s operational needs and mission readiness by ensuring the T700 engines are maintained at the highest level of performance.”

The T700/CT7 family of turboshaft and turboprop engines powers 15 types of military and civilian helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft with more than 130 customers in over 50 countries.

More than 25,000 T700/CT7 engines have been delivered and approximately 130 million total flight hours accumulated. The T700/CT7 design has proven itself in the harshest environments, logging millions of flight hours in hot-harsh combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan.

United Engine Corporation showcases state-of-the-art Russian aircraft and helicopter engines at Aero India

The Russian United Engine Corporation (UEC), a subsidiary of the Rostec State Corporation showcased its latest advancements in aero engine technology at the Aero India airshow. The company highlighted the fifth generation 177S engine, designed for use in fighter aircraft, and the newly developed VK-650V engine, intended for light helicopters. For the first time at Aero India, UEC displayed the VK-650V turboshaft engine, which has received the Type Certificate in Russia and is ready for series production. The engine is designed to power Russian helicopters such as the Ansat and Ka-226T. Its design also allows it to be used on other helicopters and potential future airborne platforms.

A full-scale mock-up of the latest 177S fighter engine was on display at the UEC stand. The innovative design solutions implemented in this new engine ensure a significant increase in thrust while maintaining the same dimensions as the base AL-31FP engine currently in service in India on the Su-30MKI aircraft, which is manufactured locally at HAL Corporation. The 177S engine has a service life of 6,000 hours, with the potential to increase thrust if service life requirements are reduced. The 177S engine features reduced fuel consumption in all operating modes, resulting in lower operating costs.

“UEC, as part of the Rostec State Corporation, is expanding its range of aviation engines for modern aircraft and helicopters, creating new powerplants to meet customer requirements. The 177S engine is classified as a fifth-generation engine and can be installed on both previous and new-generation aircraft without any design modifications. The new VK-650V turboshaft engine can be used on both Russian and foreign light helicopters. We have already received the type certificate confirming that the engine is ready for serial production,” said Mikhail Remizov, UEC Deputy General Director for Strategy, Program-Project Management and Organisational Development.

UEC also presented the AL-55E engine for trainer aircraft. It has been specially developed by UEC for the Indian HJT-36 trainer. This engine has several advantages, in particular its modular design, which simplifies maintenance and repair and reduces operational costs.

The Joint Stock Company UEC (part of the Rostec State Corporation) is the only company in Russia specialising in the development, serial production, and service of engines for aviation, space programs, the oil and gas industry, and energy sectors. Rostec State Corporation is the largest machine-building company in Russia, bringing together over 800 scientific and production organisations across 60 regions of the country. It plays a key role in supplying armaments and military equipment as part of the state defence order.

Collins Initiative 2025: source Author

Safran selects TEAL for the production of LEAP engine turbine parts in India

At Aero India 2025, Safran Aircraft Engines, a world-leading French engine manufacturer specialising in the design, development and production of aircraft engines, and the Bangalore-based Titan Engineering and Automation Limited (TEAL), signed a contract for the production of parts for the LEAP engine’s low-pressure turbine.

This first partnership between the two companies leverages TEAL’s technological expertise and will enhance production capabilities for the LEAP in India. Production of the first parts will start in 2026.

This contract is part of the “Make in India” policy promoted by the Indian government to support the country’s aerospace growth. In this context, Safran Aircraft Engines is developing a complete industrial ecosystem in India, backed by major Indian partners to support the ramp-up of LEAP production, as well as the M88 engine powering the Rafale.

“We are proud to collaborate with Safran Aircraft Engines on this strategic project. This partnership reflects our expertise in the production of complex parts, and strengthens our position as a key player in the aerospace supply chain,” says Sridhar Neelakantan, CEO of TEAL, adding, “We look forward to applying our know-how to the production of the LEAP engine, and to contributing to its expansion in India.”

“We are delighted by this new partnership with TEAL, which marks an important step in our development in India and the setting up of local supply chains,” adds Dominique Dupuy, Purchasing VP at Safran Aircraft Engines, adding, “We look forward to working closely with TEAL, a major partner of our supply-chain in India.”

Safran Aircraft Engines is thus strengthening its footprint in India, a key market where the company already has five production sites in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Goa. A sixth site, dedicated to LEAP engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities, will open in Hyderabad in 2025. India is CFM’s third largest market in terms of the number of engines in service, with 75 percent of the Indian commercial fleet equipped with CFM engines. Today, of the 500 aircraft operated by seven Indian airlines with CFM engines, over 370 are LEAP-powered, and over 2,000 engines are on order are for Indian airlines.

In addition to the announcement of its partnership with TEAL, Safran Electronics & Defence also announced the expansion of its activities in India with the opening of a new production site for electronic cards and aeronautics and defence calculators in Bengaluru, as well as a new research and development (R&D) center in electronics.

These sites will contribute to the international expansion and exports from India of Safran Electronics & Defence in the fields of defence, space, and avionics. They will reinforce the strong ties between Safran Electronics & Defence and its Indian customers and partners by simplifying industrial schemes, especially to accelerate the availability of critical equipment.

“This double investment, a significant step in the development of Safran Electronics & Defence’s industrial and R&D activities in India, aims to enhance the competitiveness and local integration of industrial and technological activities. This project, which aligns with the government’s Make in India program, demonstrates Safran’s commitment to leveraging the skills and talents of the Indian industry while actively contributing to the industrial growth of the country,” reiterated Franck Saudo, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defence.

In Historic Partnership BEL IAI Aerosystems begin operations to support India’s Defence Forces

Heralding a new chapter in Indo-Israeli defence and security cooperation, a landmark joint venture between Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced the commencement of its operations at Aero India 2025. 

The JV is a significant step towards strengthening international collaboration, paving the way for a robust strategic partnership envisaged to provide a single point of contact for extending long-term product support services for India’s defence Forces.

Incorporated on September 25, 2024, BIA is uniquely positioned as the exclusive support entity for post-warranty maintenance of India’s defence systems. This initiative leverages manufacturing capabilities and technological innovations, fostering India’s self-reliance in sync with the ‘Make in India’ vision even while delivering world-class solutions.

Beyond post-warranty maintenance, this collaboration will also lead to the transfer of advanced technological capabilities to India, enabling the development of local expertise in critical defence systems. By establishing a dedicated support infrastructure, the JV will empower India to operate, maintain, and enhance its defence systems independently. The venture’s long-term impact extends to creating job opportunities, upskilling the local workforce, and contributing to the growth of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, reinforcing the nation’s position as a global defence player.

Boaz Levy, President and CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, said: “This collaboration is a historic milestone as it marks the first-ever joint company established by leading defence firms of Israel and India. It reflects the robust and flourishing relationship between the two nations, and we are excited about the significant contributions this venture will bring to India’s defence capabilities. We extend our gratitude to the tri-services for their unwavering partnership.”

“The launch of BEL IAI Aerosystems ushers in a paradigm shift in providing seamless product and life cycle support for MRSAM/LRSAM systems supplied to the tri-services. The JVC reflects the strategic partnership between India and Israel and the commitment of BEL and IAI to jointly provide state-of-the-art weapon systems and life cycle support for the Indian Defence forces”, said Manoj Jain, CMD, BEL.

RTX’s Collins Aerospace launches Powered by Collins Initiative™ 2025 edition at Aero India

Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, announced the launch of its Powered by Collins Initiative™ 2025 edition at Aero India. The initiative invites deep tech small- to medium-sized enterprises to work with a leader in aerospace and defence through targeted collaboration opportunities which represent technologies critical to the industry’s future. This year’s opportunities bring focus to material informatics and quantum-enabled navigation.

Collaboration opportunities represent known needs for active aerospace and defence projects and programs, where collaboration through funded, rapid development demonstration programs can accelerate deployment of solutions for customers. Since its launch in 2023, the Powered by Collins Initiative has worked with companies focused on aerospace and defence as well as companies in adjacent industries.

In addition to this year’s collaboration opportunities, Collins has expanded the program with the launch of the Powered by Collins ecosystem on Switchpitch – an online startup relationship management platform that helps to connect startups with enterprises, investors and technology accelerators.

 “Innovation and Collins’ technology development needs are constantly evolving, and the Powered by Collins Ecosystem serves as a complement to our existing collaboration network, enabling Collins business teams to engage potential solution providers throughout the year. We believe this will unlock even more dynamic collaboration and rapidly provide solutions to meet our customers’ needs,” said Mary Lombardo, Vice President, Advanced Technology for Collins.

Thales and Bharat Dynamics Ltd Agree on Initial Supply of Man Portable Air Defence systems to India

European defence giant Thales and India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will provide a first supply of Laser BeamRiding MANPAD (LBRM) Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) Missiles andlaunchers to the Indian Ministry of Defence. This is a major success, following on fromthe signing of the Partnership Agreement in 2021 between Thales and BDL to work onthe LBRM, with the support of the Indian and UK Governments.

This agreement will improve India’s air defence capabilities to enable them to enhance their national security with a highly accurate and countermeasure-resistant up-to-date technology.

LBRM, manufactured up to 60 percent in India, are short-range, man-portable, air-defence systems and optimised to provide defence against air threats, including fixed-wing fighter ground attack aircraft and unmasking attack helicopters, as well as drones.

This initial supply of High Velocity Missiles (STARStreak) and launchers will be delivered this year and represents the first time that India has received this latest VSHORAD capability. This step confirms the foundation of a long-term collaboration and manufacturing partnership between Thales and BDL. In the spirit of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, this partnership will serve the current and future requirements of the Indian armed forces.

Thales, together with BDL, is committed to the transfer of technology (ToT) of battle proven capabilities to India to equip the Indian armed forces.

This contract represents the first major agreement since the establishment of the India-UK Defence Partnership, a bespoke programme breaking down barriers to trade and offering government-to-government contracting where appropriate, further solidifying the defence and security relationship between the two nations. This contract also reflects Thales’ long-term partnership of 70 plus years with India, serving as a testimony to its continued growth.

BEL delivers 7,000th transmit/receive module to Thales for Rafale RBE2 Radar

In line with the Make in India policy, Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has manufactured the 7,000th T/R (transmit/receive) module for the RBE2 radar on-board the Dassault Aviation Rafale, and delivered it to Thales.

Thales is demonstrating its commitment to the Make in India policy through transfers of technology and production. This transfer has been growing since it was initiated in 2017 and has expanded both in scope and quantities.

Thales is an active stakeholder in the Make in India policy of the Indian Government. In November 2020, the first RBE2 AESA (active electronic scanning array) radar with a front end manufactured by BEL in India was delivered by Thales to Dassault Aviation. Four years later, BEL announced that the 7,000th transmit/receive module has been produced and delivered to Thales.

This Thales-BEL cooperation has been expanded with the start-of-the production of advanced technological microwave modules dedicated to the Rafale SPECTRA EW (Electronic Warfare) suite. AESA RBE2

Specifically developed for Rafale, the RBE2 is the first in-service European AESA radar and has been combat proven on Rafale aircraft operated by the French Air Force and the French Navy. It was developed in close partnership with Dassault Aviation and the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) to meet the requirements of air forces, and uses innovative technologies to combine advanced fire control radar functions and target tracking capabilities. The T/R (transmit/receive) modules are key to the RBE2 radar’s active electronic scanning performance, enabling it to steer the radar beam with the speed of an electronic chip.

Building on Thales’s 50 plus years of expertise with earlier generations of radars for combat aircraft, the RBE2 gives the Rafale a number of key advantages. Compared to radars with conventional antennas, the RBE2 delivers an unprecedented level of tactical situational awareness, faster detection and tracking of multiple targets, and can also implement several radar modes instantaneously. Thales and Bharat Electronics Limited are long-standing partners with several technological collaborations to their credit. The manufacturing of T/R modules by BEL for Thales’s RBE2 radar is a key reference, and the recent delivery of the 7,000th T/R module, a remarkable milestone.

“This achievement not only reflects our collective commitment to; Make in India but also highlights the successful transfer of technology and production, with BEL meeting the highest international standards of industrial excellence. We will continue to develop cutting-edge technologies and strengthen local capabilities in India to further contribute to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision”, said Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO, Thales International.

“We are proud to have successfully delivered the 7000th T/R module for the RBE2 radar to Thales. This marks a significant step in our partnership with Thales and underscores our dedication to enhancing India’s defence capabilities. Through our close collaboration with Thales, we continue to implement world-class industrial practices and develop advanced technological expertise in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative,” said Manoj Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, BEL.

Book Discussion: Devashish Chakravarty discusses his authored-book “Get Hired In 30 Days”.

0

DRDO unveils India’s indigenous ‘Iron Dome’ at Aero India 2025

0

By: Suman Sharma

Suraksha Raksha Kavach: source Author

At the 15th edition of the Bengaluru-based biennial airshow- Aero India, India’s govt-run defence agency Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) launched its homegrown ‘Íron Dome’, called the ‘Rakshak-Suraksha Kavach’, which was showcased for the first time at this year’s Republic Day parade.

The complete system which is still in design stage is awaiting Government sanction, but Project Director of the system Dr PS Pandian said that it could be put together in no time as all systems in the Kavach were indigenous.

The Kavach is intended to secure high-end installations and assets covering a range of 250 kilometers. The Raksha Kavach is a comprehensive, multi-layered defence system developed by the DRDO and it integrates advanced military technologies designed to safeguard India against threats across land, air, and underwater domains. For multi-layered protection against multi-domain threats the Kavach comprises the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile, Airborne Early Warning & Control System, 155mm/52 Cal Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, Drone Detection, Deterrence & Destruction System, a Satellite-Based Surveillance System, Medium Power Radar – Arudhra, Advanced Lightweight Torpedo, Electronic Warfare System – Dharashakti, Laser-Based Directed Energy Weapon Very Short-Range Air Defence System, Indigenous Unmanned Aerial System, V/UHF Manpack Software Defined Radio for Land Forces, Indigenous Secure Satellite Phone and the UGRAM Assault Rifle.

ADA signs MoU for the development of Flight Control Actuators for AMCA programme

In a significant milestone along the sidelines of Aero India 2025, in Bangalore, an MoU (memorandum of understanding) for Development of Flight Control Actuators for the AMCA (advanced medium combat aircraft) programme was signed between the Govt-owned Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), and Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited, Mumba, a part of Godrej Enterprises Group, which includes precision manufacturing along with procurement of aero grade raw materials. This would enable ADA to force multiply the human resource and advantages built in Indian industries and ensure that the timelines of the programmes are met.

The Godrej& Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited., had been associated with ADA for over two decades in developing the components for flight critical DDV based servo actuators and associated functional elements. ADA had nurtured Godrej in developing these state-of-the-art actuators while Godrej established the precision manufacturing technologies, processes and skillset along with the assembly and testing required to build such high precision parts for the actuator assemblies. Godrej have completely developed build to print capabilities for these actuator assemblies and have established the core competence to take this technology further.

Godrej & Boyce is an Aerospace business house, actively engaged in manufacturing of critical systems used for space applications, defence and aircraft sectors for national programmes and global customers. Starting with precision machined components for ISRO in 1985, today Godrej manufactures Liquid Propulsion Engines for ISRO launch vehicles, missile sub systems for defence, engine modules, flight control actuators and hydraulic pumps, tubing, complex fabrication and composite structural parts for aircraft platforms.


HAL’s Mk-1A enthralls Spectators at Aero India 2025

0

By: Suman Sharma

LCA Mark I: source Author

India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A, manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) made its spectacular debut atop the Bengaluru skies at the 15th edition of the biennial airshow Aero India 2025, enthralling the vast audience comprising representatives from 80 nations at the Yelahanka Airbase.

Four Mk-IA aircraft flew in ‘finger four’ formation called ‘Yodha’ formation. The Mk IA second prototype did an amazing aerial display in front of the spectators. The Mk-IA, also called the ‘Alpha,’ is a more capable and significantly upgraded aircraft slated to be a part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the coming months.

The upgrade includes a new sensor suite, new more capable Mission and Digital Flight Control System, new weapons, net centric capability and Astra BVRs apart from Precision guided weapons. IAF has placed an order for 83 aircraft on HAL. The lead aircraft are poised to get Military Type Certificate and enter service.

The Mk-1A is an enhanced version of the Mk-1, which is already in service with the IAF. The LCA program is poised to be a key pillar of India’s air combat capabilities, with the IAF projected to operate around 350 LCAs—including Mk-1, Mk-1A, and Mk-2 variants—over the next decade and beyond.

The LCA Mk-1A induction into service is facing delays over engines from the US-based manufacturer GE Aerospace, on which HAL Chief Dr. DK Sunil said, “We have assured the IAF at multiple meetings that all Mk-1A structures will be ready. Once the engines arrive, production will commence.”

HAL is actively working to resolve the engine supply issue. Two major contracts—one for 97 additional Mk-1As and another for 156 light combat helicopters for the IAF and the Army, valued at $15BN are expected to be finalised within the next three to six months. HAL is committed to deliver all 83 Mk-1As from the first order within three-and-a-half years and aims to complete the upcoming 97-aircraft follow-on order by 2031.

HAL CMD Dr. Sunil announced that the company’s current order book stands at $15 billion, with key contracts including 156 ‘Prachand’ multi-role light combat helicopters and 98 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets. Looking ahead, HAL aims to expand orders to $23 billion by outsourcing sub-assemblies to private players, ramping up production lines, and achieving its target of manufacturing 24 aircraft per year by 2026.

Yashas unveiling: source Author

HAL’s Upgraded Hindustan Jet Trainer (HJT) 36 Unveiled as ‘Yashas’

The flagship jet training aircraft of HAL, Hindustan Jet Trainer- HJT-36, is now renamed as ‘Yashas’ after extensive modifications to resolve departure characteristics and spin resistance throughout the aircraft envelope. Secretary Defence Production, Sanjeev Kumar, unveiled the new name in the presence of Dr D K Sunil, CMD, HAL and senior officers at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru.

“The large-scale changes to the baseline intermediate training platform has led to significant upheaval in its capabilities and hence provided an opportunity for a new name to be given in accordance with the aircraft’s continued relevance as a training system for modern military aviation. In light of this, HJT-36 is named Yashas”, said Dr Sunil.

For induction into service, the aircraft was recently upgraded with state-of-the-art avionics and an ultra-modern cockpit. These will enhance training effectiveness and operational efficiency, whilst providing weight reduction and overcoming obsolescence of imported equipment with Indian LRUs.

Yashas is capable of stage II pilot training, counter insurgency and counter surface force operations, armament training and aerobatics. It is powered by a FADEC controlled AL55I jet engine, providing best in class thrust to weight ratio, optimised thrust management and reliability. Stepped up rear cockpit with drooped nose provides excellent all-around vision and enhanced situational awareness with state-of-the-art glass cockpit with MFDs (multi-functional display and HUD (head up display). The capabilities of HJT-36 are stall and spin, aerobatics, armament carriage up to 1000kg, single point ground refueling and defueling.

The HAL Management Academy (HMA), the nodal training agency of HAL and the Indian Institute of Information Technology Dharwad (IIIT Dharwad) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen industry-academia collaboration in advanced technologies, at Aero India.

The partnership will focus on joint research, internships, and technical education in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Robotics, AR/VR, and Digital Manufacturing, particularly in applications relevant to the aerospace and defence sectors. Under this MoU, HAL officers will have opportunities to pursue higher education programs at IIIT Dharwad, while students will gain hands-on experience through internships at HAL’s various divisions. The collaboration also includes joint workshops, technical paper publications, and faculty exchange programs. 

US-Canada relations under Donald Trump 2.0

2

By: Jai Verma, Research Analyst, GSDN

USA & Canada’s flags: source Internet

The United States are now officially in a Trade War, as new substantial tariffs on both sides will be in place from February 04, 2025 (Tuesday). The US President laid down the order of imposing 25% tariff on Canadian Goods sent to the US and 10% on Canadian energy. A few hours later Justin Trudeau retaliatedtonight I am announcing Canada will be to the US trade action with 25% tariffs against US $1,555 billion worth of American goods that’s nearly a quarter of everything America sends north of the border from Florida orange juice to household appliances, we are considering with the provinces and territories several non-tariff measures including some relating to critical minerals energy procurement and other partnerships.” All this while the two leaders haven’t even spoken to each other since Donald Trump’s inauguration and a potential Trade War has been on the horizon for some time the question is where do things go from here?

Trade Wars and Economic Tensions 

The global trade landscape has taken a hit over, the US president Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs hitting imports from Mexico China and Canada. He’s also suspending the D-Minimis exemption for Chinese Imports, this exemption previously allowed small value shipments under $800 to enter the US duty-free.

  • Why the suspension?

Trump’s Administration cited National Security concerns with China, Mexico and Canada all under scrutiny the US is battling a deadly opioid crisis with fentanyl linked to 75,000 overdose deaths in 2023. Trump believes China and Mexico are supplying the chemicals used to make these synthetic opioids, by tightening trade rules he aims to enhance screening and crack down on illegal drug inflows. Platforms like Sheen and Temu have been shipping products directly to the US consumers without tariffs, therefore removing D-Minimis exemption forces Chinese importers to pay up levelling the playing field for US businesses.

Trump argues that the US has been losing billions of dollars due to unfair trade practices, his message make it in the United States or pay the price. Canada and Mexico retaliated with their own counter tariffs including 25% tax on US$ 30 billion worth of US goods while Beijing is preparing to challenge Trump’s move at the World Trade Organization signalling that more economic retaliation could be on the way.

Stock markets have dropped sharply across the globe amid fears of a full-blown trade War, the US dollar is strengthening while the Mexican peso, Canadian dollar and Chinese yen are falling even cryptocurrencies are affected with Bitcoin down over 4% now. Trump has hinted at tariffs on the European Union claiming unfair trade imbalances but for now the UK is spared.

Long-Term Impact on US-Canada Relations

The Bank of Canada just made its first-interest rate decision since a trade war with the US became a real possibility, they cut their overnight interest rate (a quarter % point) which is great news for borrowing money but they also acknowledged that a storm may be coming.

“We will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens” was Trump’s promised tariffs have the potential to throw Canada’s economy into a tail spin tariff in the case of retracted significant trade conflict it would badly hurt economic activity in Canada. There is still a ton of uncertainty about how this will play out but the Bank of Canada did lay out a worst-case scenario. The Bank of Canada predicts that this would cause a significant decline in the volume of exports from Canada to the US which makes sense because tariffs are just taxes paid for by the businesses doing the buying. So if American companies suddenly have to pay more for the same Canadian goods because there’s a 25% tax on everything. In first case, Canadian might decide to buy less stuff to avoid the tariffs all together.

  • What tariffs do?

The more expensive product make come up with ways of finding something cheaper, efficient and closer to home (decrease anybody’s willingness to buy). If demand starts decreasing for Canadian exports the net value exports could drop too, when less demand for product the price of that product falls as well and Bank of Canada is mentioning that would happen here whether anyone exporting to the US or not.  

The Bank of Canada’s next prediction according to these factors could cause Canada’s GDP to fall pretty significantly they acknowledge that the government could mitigate this by taking some of that tariff money that they start charging and pumping it back into the economy either to businesses or consumers themselves but still this would have a very material effect would have a very severe effect on economic activity. The Bank of Canada has cryptic opting not to give any real indication as a lot of uncertainty and it just didn’t seem very useful to provide guidance and when exactly how that’s going to play out through the economy, the Bank of Canada cutting interest rates when the economy weakens because if lower rates make it cheaper for Canadians to borrow money which makes it more likely that they’ll spend money and that can help stimulate a struggling economy, but it’s not so simple because it’s about higher prices at the same time growth will be weak inflation will be higher because that’s the direct impact of tariffs when commodities like fruits and vegetables get more expensive (inflation).

How will the markets be impacted?

The immediate impacts for his tariffs target Canada, Mexico and China. These are the top three exporters to the United States. Canada sends them oil, gas, aluminium. Mexico sends computers wiring and medical instruments as both Nations send cars and auto parts.

As per 2017 Canadian govt report talks about the interconnected auto manufacturing situation car parts across the US-Canada border six times before a vehicle is finished but what happens when blanket tariffs are in place then each of these transfers attracts an additional fee raising the price of the car multiple times over, and basically destroying the industry in its current form. It’s a similar situation with Mexico raw materials go to the US they are turned into parts then sent to Mexico for assembly and the final cars are then sold back in the US. This system will break too and this is just the automobile sector. The agricultural sector in both Mexico and Canada are intrinsically linked with the US as well

The Canadian agricultural ministry describes a typical American breakfast wheat grown in Canada processed in the US cranberries grown in Canada processed in the US same with oats strawberries and pork this breakfast plate does not work without free trade not in the current prices at the current prices anyway with Trump’s incoming tariffs and then Trudeau’s retaliatory ones the price of this all American breakfast will go through the roof in the short run anyway the us could try and substitute its dependence on Canadian agricultural goods. Maybe Americans can do without the famous Canadian maple syrup but the concern of tropical food from Mexico bananas and tomatoes and the controversial avocados which can’t grow in the American climate not at the same scale 63% of US vegetable imports come from Mexico about 50% of all fruits and nuts as well they come from Mexico. So with the new tariffs Americans should get ready for a less healthy diet or be prepared to shell out far more prices will almost certainly rise and it’s not the exporting countries that will bear them tariffs are paid by importers in the United States the people importing the cars, fruits, wood, oil these are US-based entities they will pay a fee to the US government to sell these products in the US market.

What usually happens is that they pass on the costs to the end consumers the customers the average American people basically it’s a new domestic tax American money will make its way to the government offers just because they want to keep eating (Mexican tomatoes) there are a lot of counterarguments to this one is that people will opt for domestic Goods instead they will buy.

  • American another argument is that the importing companies will take a hit on their profits they will absorb the Tariff costs not pass them on to customers both these arguments rely on a fair retail corporate benevolence think about it why wouldn’t a domestic car company hike their own prices foreign cars just got more expensive an American company can also raise their prices by just a little less than their foreign counterparts
  • The domestic company will start raking in extra profits while still being marginally more competitive than the foreign brand either customer who loses and the second argument about importers absorbing the Tariff costs which company do bet on to do that which company is so kind as to take a profit hit to Shield American customers
  • The last argument in support of tariffs is the US dollar price the US dollar value will surge it’s already happening tariff supporters say this automatically makes foreign Goods cheaper countering the inflationary effects of tariffs this also helps improve trade deficits. Now, this argument also relies on an assumption that the dollar value will rise in proportion to the costs neatly cancelling out any price Rises but really when does anything happen.

So, the dollar value increase will help soften the blow but it probably won’t erase the effects completely meanwhile the dollar rise affects the rest of the world take India for example, the rupee has hit a record low it fell below 87 Rupees to a dollar, this means India’s imports got more expensive and exports became less valuable. Almost every country will experience this without deals to trade bilaterally in local currencies. Many countries are at the mercy of dollar fluctuations but local currency deals come with their own risks.

Trump has threatened tariffs on countries who ditch the dollar BRICS nations could face 100% tariffs he said and this includes India. so all software and service sales to the US could suddenly become uncompetitive so far Donald Trump has just targeted Canada Mexico and China his next Target could be Europe and then possibly the BRICS Nations basically everyone that the US runs trade deficits with everyone exporting things to the United States.  So, until unless the world finds a way to bypass the US, many are in for a rough.

‘Asian NATO’ in Cold Storage: But what about an ‘Economic NATO’?

2

By: Rishya Dharmani, Research Analyst, GSDN

Weapon and Dollar: source Internet

The Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar outrightly rejected calls for an Asian NATO, reaffirming that Indian foreign policy calculus does not count alliance building as a foreign policy tool. Similar responses were made from South East Asian capitals with even the US seemingly reluctant. This development comes even as US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emmanuel had proposed a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) like grouping to resist Chinese “economic coercion”. A prominent reason to eschew coordinated actions is that different security perceptions and dependencies vis-à-vis China preclude harmonised actions resisting predatory policies. For Euro-Atlantic countries, a “quartet of chaos” (Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea) are systemically pushing the envelope on security concerns.

China’s grey zone tactics in geopolitical and geoeconomic spheres entail the use of hybrid coercive diplomacy. Rasmussen Report presented at the 2022 NATO summit sketched an economic NATO highlighting the link between strategic and economic interests in the background of retreating globalisation. It suggested the inclusion of an “economic guarantee” in NATO’s architecture with options including direct and indirect sanctions and import tariffs. Other measures may include blacklisting of firms, especially State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), coordinated WTO action, and favourable market coordination with partner economies.

Rudiments of this policy are already in operation, pursued by different states. Several Western states deny technology and dual-use exports to Russia and China. European Union (EU), China and the US pursue punitive economic sanctions to reign in adversarial nations. Even protectionist measures of the developed world under net zero commitments can be construed as penalising growth for developing countries. When former UK PM Liz Truss suggested an economic NATO to ‘collectively defend our prosperity’, she probably did not have the global south as a target in mind, which is struggling to respond to a disproportionately higher burden of climate change impacts and socio-economic needs of burgeoning populations.

NATO in 1949 had established a Coordination Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (Co Com) to stymie the availability of military-grade technology to Warsaw Pact members. But the marriage of strategic imperatives with economic measures has weaponised trade, something especially milked by China. The flag follows trade as the state of the economy has political and social colours. This is clear in the Ukrainian war, where the Russian war economy is sustaining itself with a little (or a lot) of help from friendly states while the West attempts to weaken it.

China’s grey zone tactics in geopolitical and geoeconomic spheres entail the use of punitive diplomacy. Its irridentist area denial measures in the South China Sea fall short of inviting war but have the region at the edge. It had blatantly used strong-arm tactics using economic coercion when it banned Norwegian salmon imports after the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Chinese dissident Lio Xiaobo. It has pursued retributive measures against countries in the Pacific and in Europe (Lithuania) when they attempted to strengthen ties with Taiwan. Another illustration is Russia’s ‘gunboat diplomacy’ in blocking grain shipments from Odesa port. The isolationist measures of the West to weaken Russian, Venezuelan and Iranian economies are already in operation, albeit with questionable success.

NATO as a collective defence alliance is widely seen as a remnant of Cold War bloc politics, which has no place in an interconnected and interdependent world. But the weaponisation of geo-economical tools is also a reality. Countries, including India, are racing to brace and shield their economies from China Shock 2.0. The infiltration of cheap Chinese exports in electronics, iron and steel, and Electric Vehicles (EVs) is deepening economic chaos across the world as job losses and industrial disruptions amount.

Sophisticated cyber-attacks, surveillance infiltration in technology products (Huawei-5G controversy), and social media manipulation of election results point to a messy cocktail of new-age warfare. Economic NATO is relevant not only for Euro Atlantic engagement with China and Russia but also in India’s neighbourhood. Iran is using Houthis as a proxy to disrupt trade by attacking vessels supposedly affiliated with Israel and the West. China’s String of Pearls threatens India’s territorial integrity; its vast trade imbalance and routing of exports to ASEAN to dump goods is hurting the Indian economy.

While alliance building and camp politics are relics of the past, strategic pluri-laterals like QUAD, Supply Chains Resilience Initiative, and Minerals Security Finance Initiative to redirect control, supply and benefits from resources of future to trusted geographies, lattice-like structures for cooperation proposed by President Biden are key for US to secure partnerships in a world that increasingly seeks strategic autonomy. Decoupling and friendshoring are new foreign policy maxims as there is a reworking of Clausewitz’s dictum to economics is a continuation of war by other means. China is entangling India’s neighbours into coils of indebtedness, siphoning off strategic assets.

An article in Global Times concludes that securitisation of Asia with a NATO-like structure is difficult, ‘economic NATO’ even more so. China’s paranoia at the prospect of facing collective punitive actions for its maritime intransigence in the South China Sea is clear when it called QUAD “ocean froth”. However, as a bulwark, as the largest trading partner to many countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, Pacific – it has deeply institutionalised trade and investment networks. It claims that Europe’s autonomy has been compromised by its dependence on the US for security and economy, while South East Asia, especially ASEAN, values its autonomy and independent foreign policy manoeuvrability as seen most recently in the balancing act between China and Western allies by the new Vietnamese administration.

And yet, China’s dominance in key industries has enabled it to coordinate the use of informational, economic and economic tactics to pursue a rebalancing strategy both at home and abroad. It selectively limits or bans exports of critical raw materials that its adversaries are dependent on – careful not to upset the supply chains, which it yet does not have full control of.

Its “dual circulation” seeks to liven up consumer appetite and boost demand within. The endgame seems to be to create an economic security architecture to bind dependent and client states with its own strategic goals. The three global initiatives, namely, the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI), are constituents of a meta-diplomatic exercise to lay the ideational foundation of the next Great Power. Such partnerships are lucrative to shady autocratic rulers who resist democratising and need a deep-pocketed financier to bail them out of gross economic mismanagement.

Proposals ranging from D10 (G7, Australia, India, South Korea), a German suggestion of the ‘Alliance of Democracies’, Treaty of Allied Market Economies underscore the need for sustained and collective actions against the use of penal economic policies. This goes the other way, too, as Indian companies made windfalls trading with Russian oil bypassing SWIFT. Even as some members of NATO pursue divergent foreign policies, there is no hard and fast rule that an economic Article 5 will constrain legroom for policy motility. India is already navigating its economic goals within strategic bottlenecks created by geoeconomic disruptions by economic mini-laterals. India has a case to balance economic ties with the West while advocating for a more egalitarian economic order- a delicate act since it needs to resist attempts to promote Renminbi within BRICS while pursuing de-dollarisation.

This is why commitments of ‘one for all, all for one’ in the economic sphere seem implausible at the moment for India. But a low-hanging fruit in the context of the Indo-Pacific is rule-based regulatory regimes to foster just multilateral lending practices, responsible AI, and climate-sensitive growth could be the way forward. The non-compete clauses with partner nations, restrictions on procurement from aggressor’s firms (Press Note 3), and export controls are some of the suggested means. While pacts and alliances are a thing of the past, the VUCA world is witnessing disorder and chaos while the currency of multilateralism weakens. The IMEC corridor, if it survives the Israel-Gaza conflict, will be a shot in the arm for India and its partners. The demands of Industrial Revolution 2.0 call for a green-clean-AI transition needing collaboration with concurring states to gain a foothold in global supply chains and evolving strategic reworking of world order.

Whether an economic NATO could be possible in a Trump Presidency is a moot question. Overlapping memberships of mini-laterals in the Indo-Pacific have created mind-boggling geopolitical permutations. For instance, Indonesia is a member of SQUAD, China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and BRICS+, with all three groupings espousing some agenda that is contrary to the other two’s goals. SQUAD strives to maintain the US-steered hegemonic balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, whereas BRICS+ aims to upend it. Despite the US being in a pseudo security alliance QUAD with India, it has threatened 100% tariffs were it to pursue a BRICS currency plan. Another more serious problem is that President Trump considers “tariffs as the most beautiful word in the English language”. He aims to disrupt the liberal internationalist agenda of globalised trade networks and politico-economic collaborations that are the bedrock of US hegemony abroad.

Decades of tangible cooperation and goodwill is wiped off by bombastic tirades and threats of punitive measures on long-term allies – fastening the demise of US preponderance. For US allies and partners, one of the very first acts of the Trump administration to withdraw certain federal aid domestically and internationally questions the rationale of investing in building connections with the US. If there is no systemic stability or long-term returns built into cultivating and maintaining beneficial relationships, any multilateralist idea like economic NATO will remain only a mere idea. As ‘America Comes Home’ and seeks retrenchment and internal balancing to counteract competitor states. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently lambasted China for having “lied, cheated, hacked, and stolen their way to global superpower status, at our (the United States’s) expense”. The so-called Peaceful Rise was just a garb to hide behind the Deng Xiaoping dictum of ‘hide your strength and bide your time’. Having arguably milked the architecture of globalisation to its fullest possible extent, the nature of the China threat, whether limited China capturing global manufacturing spaces or broader seismic shifts with repercussions in the fundamental balance of power, should be probed. The ‘AI Sputnik’ moment of DeepSeek shaking the core of American tech hegemony is a wake-up call that there is a vast gulf between real and reputational economic dominance. By building a foundational LLM model from scratch and using less advanced computing chips – China has planted a volte-face to elaborate sanctions and the technology denial regime of the United States.

The idea of economic NATO sounds like a geoeconomic tool per se but actually is a potent geopolitical counter to disruptive and revisionist forces. By privileging a transactional approach to international relations, the Trump Presidency may do more harm than simply a lame-duck agenda of business as usual. And yet, there are green shoots. A nuanced analysis of Trump 1.0 brings to light, bold cooperative experiments that could if pursued proactively, offer a holistic counterbalance to China’s threat. For countries like India – favourable relations with China and Iran are a must, complicating its participation in any such US-led attempt to ‘punish’ the Russia-Iran-China trilateral. For other US partner states, unilateralist and frankly illegal measures of demanding sovereign territories like Panama, Greenland, or even Canada itself is not only a contravention of international law but irreparably harms the reputational aspect of US leadership.

What, then, are the prospects of an economic NATO? Should we in India be asking more fundamental questions of whether we can afford to openly align against a (group of) country(ies) when we are heavily import-dependent in several critical sectors like oil and natural gas, pulses, solar modules, EV batteries to name a few sunrise focus areas. Instead of relying on ad-hoc and knee-jerk protectionism by eschewing trade deals like CPTPP because they harm nascent domestic industries or even mixing geopolitics with economics (as in economic NATO) – India might mollycoddle and ‘save’ some elements of the Indian economy. But it cannot rely on the friendly umbrella of like-minded countries to trade with as trade and economic policy tools are increasingly weaponised by not even sparing close affiliates. The hard way forward of next-generation political-economic reforms to ignite the animal spirits and strengthen economic resilience and competitiveness is the only way forward which can be supplemented by geo-economic partnerships.

Development and Deployment of Autonomous Weapons in Defence and Security

0

By: Munira Qaiser, Research Analyst, GSDN

Autonomous weapons: source Internet

Autonomous weapons are weapons that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to attack its target, they can make decisions and act on their own without needing any human intervention and decide when to shoot a weapon and which direction to move. These weapons are pre-programmed to kill a particular “target profile” using sensor data such as movements or facial recognition after being deployed into an environment and the moment the algorithm matches; it fires and kills the target. The use of AI development and innovation aimed to create programs like human enhancement and lethal autonomous weapon systems to decrease the overall risk to soldiers. According to the US Congress, “artificial intelligence” refers to a machine-based system capable of making predictions, recommendations, or decisions that affect the real world, based on a set of objectives defined by humans.

The main benefit of autonomous weapons is their ability to perform their task with utter precision that is too with minimum collateral damage and human casualties and do not need any human support to get it done. It is like once it is operated with human help the rest of the task will be carried out on its own without any support. Considering the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in making predictions and informed decisions, along with robotics and autonomics, the future of battlefield tactics for soldiers is poised for significant change.

Yet, these advantages can also present significant challenges and raise concerns, particularly regarding the use of autonomous weapons. On keen consideration, weapons that rely on algorithms to make lethal decisions without human oversight are not just immoral but also pose a serious threat to national and global security.

IMMORAL:  Algorithms cannot understand the worth of human life; therefore, they should never be entrusted with the authority to determine who lives or dies. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres concurs that machines possessing the capability and autonomy to end lives without human intervention are politically unacceptable, morally abhorrent, and ought to be prohibited under international law.

THREAT TO SECURITY: Algorithmic decision-making enables weapons to operate with the speed, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of software. This could have highly destabilizing effects on national and international security, as it introduces risks such as proliferation, rapid escalation, unpredictability, and the potential development of weapons of mass destruction.

LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY: “Who is responsible?” handing over these autonomous weapons always raises this question, if anything goes against the ethics considering their tendency and unpredictable nature then who shall be considered accountable for the use and action of force?

To address these concerns and risks associated with autonomous weapons, there are legal and ethical frameworks to govern their use. As with those efforts, to regulate the use of autonomous weapons International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC) suggests that states should follow certain rules and legal implications to avoid great loss.

Autonomous weapons that are hard to read which implies their designs and effects are too complex to understand, predict and explain should be banned. This encompasses weapons that acquire knowledge about their targets during operation, potentially extending to all autonomous weapons controlled by machine learning algorithms.Top of Form

Autonomous weapons that are intended to attack people directly should be prohibited, both in their use and design.

Lastly, there is a strong need for strict restrictions on designing and usage of autonomous weapons that do not comply with law and other ethical concerns to mitigate the risks mentioned above.

Overall nature of warfare is evolving, with the machines now able to make decisions on the battlefield that were previously solely within the purview of humans. However, this shift does not diminish the importance of human control over using autonomous weapons. International humanitarian law (IHL) mandates that humans must be able to directly intervene in the operation of weapons systems during an attack. This requires ensuring accountability, oversight, and the ability to make nuanced decisions in complex and unpredictable combat situations, thereby safeguarding against potential violations of IHL and ethical considerations.

This perspective is grounded in the idea that humans are fundamentally responsible for the legal and moral obligations regarding the conduct of warfare. The Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Lethal Autonomous Weapons System (GGE) expressed the stance in guiding principles (c) of its 2019 Guiding Principles.


“Human-machine interaction, which can vary in its forms and implementation throughout a weapon’s life cycle, should ensure that the potential use of autonomous weapons systems (AWS) complies with relevant international law, particularly international humanitarian law. When determining the quality and extent of human-machine interaction, several factors should be taken into account, including the operational context and the characteristics and capabilities of the weapons system as a whole.” This quote is from the ‘Report of the 2019 Session of the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems’ by the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, dated September 25, 2019.

Human intervention would involve a variety of actions by an operator, traditionally linked with operating a weapon. These actions could include manually selecting a target, firing a weapon, stopping an attack, or other activities that are legally significant. To take a present-day example, Israel’s Aerospace industry ‘Harpy’ loitering munition automates several tasks that would require direct human intervention. These tasks include assessing potential enemy radiation signatures, aiming the munition at the radiation source, and stopping an attack if circumstances change. These tasks are still carried out as part of the attack process by the operating state through Harpy’s control system software, but not directly by human operators.

The ethical implications of autonomous weapons underscore the urgent need for international cooperation and regulations. The United Nations (UN) emphasizes the necessity of clear restrictions on all forms of autonomous weapons to ensure compliance with international law and ethical standards. These restrictions should encompass limitations on where, when, and for how long autonomous weapons can be deployed, the types of targets they can engage, the level of force they can exert, and the requirements for effective human oversight, intervention, and deactivation.

Despite increasing reports of testing and deployment of various autonomous weapon systems, it is not too late to take action. Over more than a decade, discussions within the United Nations, including in the Human Rights Council, the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, and the General Assembly, have laid the groundwork for explicit prohibition and restrictions. Now, states must build upon this foundation and engage in constructive negotiations to establish new rules that effectively address the real threats posed by these weapon technologies.

In conclusion, the development and deployment of autonomous weapons present profound ethical and security dilemmas that require immediate global attention and regulations. While these weapons offer potential advantages in terms of precision and reduced risk to military personnel, their capacity to make life-and-death decisions independently raises significant risks.

International collaboration is indispensable in establishing clear regulations and prohibitions on autonomous weapons to ensure adherence to international law and ethical standards. Initiatives such as those proposed by the United Nations and the International Committee of Red Cross, aimed at prohibiting certain types of autonomous weapons and imposing strict restrictions on others, are crucial steps forward.

States must take decisive action to tackle these challenges and avert the destabilizing impacts that autonomous weapons could have on global security. Upholding principles of human dignity and accountability in warfare is paramount. It is essential to ensure that technological advancements serve to enhance, rather than endanger, the safety and well-being of all individuals, both on and off the battlefield.

Book Review: Why Kunan Poshpora?

1

By: Komal Verma & Haroon Imtiaz

Book cover of “Why Kunan Poshpora”?: source Authors

Young writers Komal Verma and Haroon Imtiaz from Jammu and Kashmir are set to release their book, “Why Kunan Poshpora”? which presents an alternative perspective on the controversial 1991 mass rape allegations against the Indian Army.

The book, expected to be published in March 2025, challenges long-held narratives and aims to uncover what the authors believe is the real story behind the incident. The duo spent two weeks in Kunan Poshpora, interacting with locals and gathering firsthand accounts.

According to them, many villagers claimed that no cordon-and-search operation took place in Poshpora on the night of February 23-24, 1991. Instead, they allege that militants, disguised as soldiers, were responsible for the crimes—a tactic reportedly used to instil fear and tarnish the Army’s image.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this book is that Komal Verma, an NCC Cadet from Kathua, is making history as she becomes the youngest author from Jammu and Kashmir. She is not only showcasing her exceptional writing skills but is also pursuing her graduation alongside her literary journey. Her initiative, “Sab Khairiyat”, has added a meaningful dimension to this book, highlighting the humanitarian efforts of the Indian Army and fostering dialogue with the people.

This book is a testament to the capabilities of a budding author from Kathua, proving that young minds from the region are capable of producing powerful narratives. Komal Verma’s dedication and courage in taking on such a significant topic reflects the strength and determination of our country’s young women. She stands as an inspiration for all girls across the nation, showing that with passion and perseverance, they too can make a difference.

Global Aerospace Giants bring Cutting Edge Technology to Aero India 2025

2

By: Suman Sharma

Gripen E: source Author

European defence manufacturers are all set to woo the Indian market with their cutting-edge technology on display at the 15th edition of the biennial Indian airshow – Aero India 2025 at Bengaluru.

Saab from Sweden Brings Gripen E

Swedish aerospace and land systems giant – the Saab Group is presenting a wide portfolio of products and systems for the air, land and sea domains at Aero India 2025 at Bengaluru from 10-14 February 2025. Taking center stage will be the Full Scale Replica (FSR) of Gripen E and the Gripen E Cockpit Simulator. On display will also be Carl-Gustaf® M4, to be made in India at the manufacturing facility Saab is establishing in Jhajhar, Haryana.

“We look forward to wide ranging discussions with the Indian Air Force on our Gripen E offer. We will also be engaging with Indian industry for Make in India as well as for discussions on expanding our sourcing from Indian companies which have emerged as suppliers to the world’s foremost aerospace companies,” said Mats Palmberg, Chairman and Managing Director, Saab India.

Adding further Palmberg said, “Aero India 2025 comes at a crucial juncture of global developments, leading to a greater focus on defence capabilities as well as on developing self-reliance along with the need for robust and modern technology. We are fully committed to supporting the Indian government’s Atmanirbhar approach to national defence capability. To that end, Saab is setting up a manufacturing facility for Carl-Gustaf M4 in India, further strengthening production in the country. The facility will support the production of Carl-Gustaf M4 for the Indian Armed Forces as well as components for users of the system around the world. Saab will also be partnering with Indian sub-suppliers and the products manufactured in the facility will fully meet the requirements of Make in India.”

Saab will be showcasing the latest technologies which are changing defence and security planning, deployment and future force readiness. Teams from India, Sweden, South Africa and other countries would be sharing Saab’s wide range of products, solutions, plans and thoughts about how Saab can provide the armed forces of India with products and collaborate with the Indian defence industry.

Products that Saab will be exhibiting at the airshow are:

Gripen E – The world’s most modern fighter, Gripen E, combines exceptional operational performance, a highly advanced networked warfare capability at a whole new level, superior sensor fusion, unique BVR features and an adaptability for new threats that is a decade ahead of any other fighter, making it a true game changer. The Saab offer for the Indian Air Force (IAF) combines cost efficiency with true and extensive transfer of technology.

Carl-Gustaf M4 – is a man-portable multi-role weapon system that provides high tactical flexibility through its wide range of ammunition types. It is extremely light-weight (less than seven kgs), and has improved ergonomics for the gunner which reduces action time and aids accuracy. The new M4 meets the needs of modern conflict environments while offering compatibility with future innovations. The Carl-Gustaf system has been in service with the Indian Army since 1976. Through its wide variety of ammunition, Carl-Gustaf has established itself as the main shoulder launched weapon in the Indian armed forces

AT4CS AST – is a lightweight, man-portable, unguided and fully disposable weapon system. AT4 is optimised for ease of operation and offers maximum versatility and ease of use amongst the family of AT4 weapons. Saab’s AT4 weapon has been selected by the Indian armed forces and will be used by the Indian Army and the IAF.

The Next-Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) system – is the shoulder-launched, Overfly Top Attack, anti-tank missile system that makes it the true tank killer for the infantry which operate dismounted in all environments including built up areas.

Ground Combat Indoor Gunnery Trainer – for ground combat weapon systems, to shape the troops with the best and realistic training which the Indoor Trainer provides by uniting an exact replica of weapons with a close-to-real-life virtual environment.

The AUV62 System – is the latest generation of Saab modular AUV systems. The AUV62-MR for mine reconnaissance has a high-resolution side-looking sonar. It can autonomously search for and identify sea mines with a large area search capability. High-resolution images give excellent situational awareness and data.

Integrated Defence Aids Suite (IDAS) – is a fully integrated end-to-end solution that provides protection for airborne platforms. IDAS includes radar warning, missile approach warning and laser warning sensors. Its advanced sensors coupled with its analysis tool is able to create advance threat libraries to classify the threat. Key benefits include instantaneous response to multiple threats providing an advantage for situational awareness. In India IDAS is so far integrated on the ALH Dhruv helicopter.

Land Electronic Defence System (LEDS) – is an integrated, modular, active protection system combining a laser warning system and effector control, providing armoured combat vehicles with vital situational awareness of laser threats with manual or fully automatic responses against threats.

 r-TWR Deployable – is a deployable, digital tower that provides high availability, mission-to-mission modularity and flexibility. It is mission ready within an hour and can be operated remotely from a secure location at a base or connected to a centralised facility hundreds of miles away, keeping military personnel safe. The r-TWR Deployable can be integrated with various Saab capabilities depending on customer needs. This includes TactiCall Voice Communication System for safe and cyber secure communications, Giraffe 1X lightweight multi-mission surveillance radar with Drone Tracker capability, Sirius Compact passive surveillance for tactical applications and Barracuda camouflage for a reduced multispectral signature.

Carl-Gustaf M4: source Author

Safran To Showcase its cutting-edge Innovations at Aero India 2025

French Safran, a global leader in aerospace, defence, and space technology, is set to make a significant impact at Aero India 2025, by exhibiting its advanced solutions and innovations at its booth located in Hall B, showcasing its commitment to driving technological excellence and fostering partnerships in India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem.

With a rich legacy of engineering excellence, Safran operates across 30 countries and is a leader in designing, developing, and manufacturing state-of-the-art aircraft engines, equipment, and defence solutions. Safran powers both military and civil aviation with its technologies, including LEAP engines developed by CFM International in a (50/50) joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace.

In India, Safran has established itself as a key partner in supporting national security and driving civil aviation growth. The group has a robust footprint with 17 facilities with over 2400 employees, through significant partnerships with Indian defence and aerospace organisations.

Safran has been instrumental in developing and supplying critical technologies for military platforms and has contributed to India’s civil aviation sector by collaborating with Indian industries. The aerospace leader has been the pioneer for engine MRO in India both for helicopter engines and commercial LEAP engines.

Aligned with the ‘Make in India’ vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Safran is a staunch advocate of indigenous manufacturing and technology transfer. With significant investments in India including the establishment of cutting-edge manufacturing and maintenance facilities, Safran is committed to nurturing local talent and advancing India’s aerospace ecosystem.

At Aero India 2025, Safran will reinforce its vision for India’s self-reliance in aerospace and defence by showcasing its comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions. These include advanced jet and turboshaft engine technologies, avionics and Automated Test Equipment, and landing gear systems among other products.

MBDA missiles on a Rafael: source Author

MBDA’s Pitch for Make in India

As part of its strong commitment towards ‘Make in India’, for over five decades, European MBDA Missile Systems Ltd, has been delivering battle-winning capabilities to the Indian armed forces, closely collaborating with a wide Indian industrial ecosystem, including the joint venture with Indian private defence firm – Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Indian SMEs and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) such as Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

MBDA has a crucial advantage in developing and producing state-of-the-art products by encompassing the best skills and technologies from across borders. Their track record of partnership also makes MBDA uniquely suited as a partner for India that can enhance Indian self-reliance and sovereignty – as can be seen from the successful Make in India of over 50,000 MBDA-designed missiles in partnership with Indian industry till date.

Several emblematic complex weapon systems will be showcased during Aero India 2025, beginning with the air domain at the MBDA stand, where visitors will be able to see the different weapon systems that arm India’s Dassault Rafale combat aircraft, especially the Meteor missile system. Widely recognised as a game changer for air combat, this beyond visual range air-to-air missile is powered by a unique rocket-ramjet motor giving it far more engine power, for much longer than any other missile. In other words, its no-escape zone is many times greater than any other air-to-air missile.

Also, in the air domain attendees will be able to view the ASRAAM air combat missile that is delivering India’s Next Generation Close Combat Missile capability. The fastest close combat missile in the world, IAF Jaguar and Tejas fighter jets are the first to gain this vital system for ensuring India’s dominance in air combat.

On the MBDA stand’s maritime domain, a focus will be on Sea Ceptor naval air defence system that is being offered to the Indian Navy for its VL SRSAM requirement through a joint venture. Visitors to Aero India will be able to see the futuristic technologies featured within Sea Ceptor and how they would provide Indian sailors with a Make in India solution that provides the very best defence from air attack, providing robust protection of host platform and escorted shipping.

L&T MBDA Missile Systems Ltd, MBDA’s joint venture with Larsen & Toubro, will also be exhibiting at Aero India 2025, showcasing the work it performs in Coimbatore, delivering Make in India projects in support of Atmanirbhar Bharat for the Indian Air Force. Besides VL SRSAM, other results of the strong local co-operation ability of MBDA in India include the ATGM5 anti-tank missile, proposed as an Indian designed, developed and manufactured next generation battlefield missile to meet the needs of Indian operators.

AT4: source Author

Israel Aerospace Industries to Showcase World Class Missile Systems, Drones

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a world-class aerospace and defence leader will showcase its latest advancements in defence technology at Aero India, demonstrating its commitment to India as a strategic partner and a key market in the defence sector. The company’s presence at the exhibition highlights its nearly 40 years of collaboration with India and its dedication to strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.

IAI’s participation in Aero India 2025 underscores its long-standing relationship with India, reinforcing its deep-rooted collaboration with the country’s defence sector and the Indian armed forces. Over the past year, IAI has made several additional investments in the Indian market, including with its subsidiary AeroSpace Services India (ASI); its partnership with IIT Delhi, demonstrating its commitment to the next generation in India; the launch of its NeuSPHERE Innovation Acceleration Program, enabling collaboration with Indian deep-tech startups and most recently; and the opening of its new HELA Systems facility in Hyderabad, enhancing localised Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities for advanced radar systems and reducing turnaround times for India’s defence forces. These reflect IAI’s ongoing commitment to India’s self-reliance goals under the ‘Make in India’ vision.

At Aero India 2025, IAI will exhibit a diverse portfolio of state-of-the-art defence solutions tailored to meet the evolving challenges of modern warfare. Among the key systems on display are:

  • OptSAR 550 – A dual-payload electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar (EO/SAR) tactical observation system designed for real-time intelligence and reconnaissance missions
  • MCS – A cost-effective digital communication satellite offering robust and secure connectivity for military and government operations
  • Heron TP – A multi-role, medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) remotely piloted aerial system (RPAS) providing superior intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities
  • B767 FRA – A strategic flight refueler aircraft capable of extending the operational range of combat aircraft and enhancing air superiority
  • APUS – A long-endurance quadcopter designed for persistent surveillance, border security, and tactical reconnaissance missions
  • MRSAM– An integrated air and missile defense system providing advanced protection against aerial threats, including missiles, aircraft, and UAVs
  • Oron Aircraft (ELI-3150) – A multi-mission airborne reconnaissance and surveillance system designed for persistent intelligence gathering and situational awareness
  • Eitam Aircraft (ELW-2085) – A conformal airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system equipped with state-of-the-art radar and battle management capabilities

Boaz Levy, President & CEO of IAI says, “India is a long-term strategic partner for Israel Aerospace Industries, and our presence at Aero India 2025 emphasises our dedication to strengthen this relationship. IAI is proud to partner with India’s defence forces, offering state-of-the-art solutions tailored to meet their operational needs. We are committed to further collaboration with the Indian defence industry and government agencies to further enhance its technological security capabilities”, adding, “We look forward to meeting with key stakeholders in India’s defence ecosystem, exploring new partnerships, and presenting our latest technological innovations at the exhibition. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide reliable, cutting-edge defence solutions that address the complex challenges of modern warfare.”

Thales Alenia Space and NIBE Sign Satellite Supply Contract for India’s first private Earth Observation constellation

Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with NIBE Space (a subsidiary of NIBE Limited) concerning the supply of a high-resolution optical satellite, marking the first step in NIBE’s Earth Observation constellation project. This initial contract aims to establish the first operational Earth observation’s capabilities for NIBE in India by 2025.

This achievement reinforces the partnership initiated in 2024 between Thales Alenia Space and NIBE, for the deployment of India’s first private Earth Observation constellation.

“I am extremely pleased that Thales Alenia Space will contribute to developing sovereign Earth Observation capabilities in India,” said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, adding, “Supporting the deployment of India’s first private Earth observation constellation means a lot to our company as this is Thales Alenia Space’s first cooperation on an Indian space program.”

2015-2025: The Decade That Ceded Israel’s Military Might

1

By: Lt Col JS Sodhi (Retd), Editor, GSDN

Israel Defence Forces emblem: source Internet

Robert Atkins famous quote “Don’t fix what’s not broken” has a deep meaning when Israel’s military might is compared between the period 1948-2014 when the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) was the finest professional military in the world, to the decade 2015-2025 in which Israel had to end its wars with Hamas and Hezbollah with ceasefires that lead to the resignation of the IDF’s Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi and its Southern Army Commander Major General Yaron Finkleman on January 21, 2025 clearly indicating defeat for the IDF.

Background of the IDF

After David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948, the first order he passed was the formation of the IDF. The IDF on formation comprised of personnel who had served in the Haganah and the Palmach.

Haganah which was founded in 1920 was the main Zionist paramilitary organisation that operated for the Yishuv (the Jewish settlements) in the British Mandate for Palestine, protecting the Jewish from the attacks by the Arabs.

Palmach, which was founded in May 1941 was the elite strike force of Haganah, capable of operations on land, sea and air that was the secretive and underground, too worked for Yishuv, comprised 2000 personnel.

Both Haganah and Palmach were disbanded on May 26, 1948 when the IDF was officially raised and all the personnel of Haganah and Palmach were absorbed in the IDF.

In the first war that Israel fought immediately after its independence, it was confronted with a four-front attack waged by Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan backed by Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The invading armies of the Arabs had 270 tanks, 150 field guns and 300 aircraft despite an over-whelming numerical superiority, as compared to just three tanks and no aircrafts that the IDF had then.

By the time the 1949 Armistice Agreements were signed between Israel and the warring Arab nations on different days that year, Israel emerged victorious though losing the Gaza Strip to Egypt and the West Bank to Jordan including East Jerusalem.

On July 20, 1949 after the last of the armistice agreements was signed between Israel and Syria, the IDF despite numerous shortages and handicaps, had won the War of Independence for Israel and thereafter the IDF grew from strength to strength in the next nearly-seven decades, to being reckoned as the finest professional military in the world.

The pole position for the IDF amongst the professional global militaries came after immense trials, tribulations, basing their doctrines on sound military foundations and above all, the immense war experience that the IDF gained through numerous wars, conflicts and skirmishes that the IDF was baptised in, soon after its formation in 1948.

In the subsequent three multi-front wars that Israel fought in 1956, 1967 and 1973, the IDF always emerged victorious and managed to take back the Gaza Strip, West Bank and the Sinai Peninsula.

The numerous special missions carried out by the IDF,  be it the “Operation Wrath of God” in 1972 to revenge the killing of the Israeli athletes participating in 1972 Munich Olympics or the successful Raid on Entebbe codenamed “Operation Thunderbolt” launched on July 03-04, 1976 to rescue 104 hostages hijacked onboard an Air France flight between Tel Aviv and Paris, which was diverted to Entebbe International Airport, Uganda, cemented IDF’s position as the finest professional military in the world.

After Hezbollah was formed in Lebanon in 1985 and the Hamas in 1987, the IDF found itself involved in wars with both these organisations in the last 18 years.

After Hamas started administering the Gaza Strip in 2007 which is located on Israel’s southern border, Israel has attacked the Gaza Strip five times in 2008, 2012, 2014, 2021 and 2023. But each time Israel had to end its war with Hamas with ceasefires, the last of which being in January 2025.

On Israel’s northern border too, the IDF had to end its war on the Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006 and 2024 with a ceasefire.

Despite the IDF ending its wars with the Hamas in 2008, 2012 and 2014 and with Hezbollah in 2006 with ceasefires, it took a decision in 2015 that would have far reaching consequences on the credibility of the IDF as the world’s finest fighting force.

For, it was in the year 2015 that the Israeli political and military leadership agreed for the implementation of the Gideon Multi-Year Plan (GMYP) for restructuring the IDF in a massive way that would affect the structure, doctrine and war-fighting priorities of the IDF, with the hope of transforming the IDF into a modern, lean and more combat-effective force. Various implications of the GYMP have been discussed by the Author in his recent article.

As Israel’s 2023-2025 war with Hamas and the 2024 war with Hezbollah will prove, the GMYP proved to a blunder and with both the adversaries, Israel had to end the war on a ceasefire, which eventually led to the resignation of IDF’s two senior-most officers.

The Gideon Multi-Year Plan

In October 2015, the Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot while announcing the GMYP in a press conference, stated it as an extensive five-year modernisation effort that would give the IDF a “completely new look in 2020”.

The salient points of the GMYP that would totally transform the IDF for futuristic combat that disregarded a conventional war scenario, encompassed the following –

  • Vast reduction in manpower and training doctrines
  • Establishing cyber and signal intelligence wings
  • Reduce artillery and armoured brigades
  • Replacing the Division as the cutting-edge combat fighting force by Integrated Battle Groups
  • Achieve cost-cutting in the defence budget

GMYP proved to be a blunder as the above measures failed miserably as has been analysed in detail by the Author in his recent article.

Tnufa

Consequent to the success of implementation of the GMYP in the stipulated five-year period, the IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi on February 13, 2020 announced a new multi-year plan called “Tnufa” which is a Hebrew word meaning “Momentum” in English.

Tnufa envisioned harnessing latest technologies to infuse the most effective firepower to the frontline combat units. The emphasis was on short and swift operations to deal with organisations like the Hamas and Hezbollah, as conventional war threats no longer figured in the IDF discussions and deliberations. Tnufa also revolved around abandoning the historical proclivity of the IDF for offensive operations.

In essence, the IDF had decided to have a defensive mindset as they felt that they would be dealing only with the likes of Hamas and Hezbollah who were “mere terrorist organisations” as they were devoid of air power, naval power and artillery firepower that a conventional military possesses.

This was a grave blunder that further dented the combat prowess of the IDF affected by GMYP as the mindset and mentality of a nation’s armed forces must always be offensive and long exposures to counter-insurgency and fighting with terror organisation impedes and impacts the preparedness of a nation’s military for a conventional war.

Effect of GMYP and Tnufa in IDF’s recent wars with Hamas & Hezbollah

As the result of the GMYP and Tnufa defence reforms which were touted to be Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) for the IDF that were launched in the decade 2015 onwards, the IDF felt fully confident of tackling any threat that Israel was to ever face.

So much was the confidence of the IDF in the recent RMAs that intelligence reports emanating since 2022 warning of a large-scale attack by Hamas was rubbished on the belief that it was not executable given the immense military superiority that IDF enjoyed. So much so, the 40-page document accessed by the Israeli intelligence officials code-named “Jericho Wall” outlined point by point, the way the Hamas attack would attack Israel. It happened exactly as was outlined in “Jericho Wall” on October 07, 2023 and the IDF was unprepared to defend Israel.

Reduction in manpower, change in training doctrines, reduced combat formations, superior confidence, cost-cutting measures and negating conventional war threats that emanated from GMYP and Tnufa had disastrous consequences on October 07, 2023 when at 6.30 am over a 1000 Hamas personnel invaded Israel and killed over 1200 Israeli citizens and soldiers and took 251 hostages.

The ultra-tech “Iron Wall” created as a consequence to the GMYP whose construction commenced in 2016 and was completed in 2021 was breached at 40 places by Hamas and for 20 minutes till 6.50 am when the IDF’s electromagnetic spectrum was jammed, Hamas personnel created bloodbath and mayhem inside 15 miles of the Israeli territory as the IDF was helpless as its communications were jammed.

The 30-foot-tall border wall on its northern border with Lebanon constructed in 2018 too proved ineffective for the Hezbollah attacks that started on Israel soon after the Hamas attack of 0ctober 07, 2023.

The defensive mindset that had set in the IDF due to GMYP and Tnufa had telling consequences and the ground offensive launched by the IDF in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon started meeting with stiff resistance. The Royal United Services Institute, a reputed think-tank located in London, on October 25, 2024 reported Israel losing the war with Hamas and Hezbollah.

Despite the IDF causing total destruction of the 365-square kilometres Gaza Strip and killing all the top leadership of Hamas including Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar and causing immense destruction of southern Lebanon and killing the top leadership of Hezbollah which included Hasan Nasrallah, there was growing discontent by the Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and senior IDF officers with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over huge reverses being suffered by the IDF on both its northern and southern borders and the reluctance to sign ceasefire with both Hamas and Hezbollah.

Unable to take the losses that the IDF was suffering, Yoav Gallant became a bitter critic of Benjamin Netanyahu and in the midst of the Israeli wars with Hamas and Hezbollah was dismissed as the Defence Minister on November 05, 2024. This was the first clear indication that indeed Israel was losing the wars.

Eventually, Israel ended its wars with a ceasefire with both the Hamas and Hezbollah on January 19, 2025 and November 27, 2024 respectively, which ended the 15-month war with Hamas and the 60-day war with Hezbollah.

The resignation of the Chief of Staff of the IDF, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi and its Southern Army Commander Major General Yaron Finkleman on January 21, 2025 cemented Israel’s defeat in its war both with Hamas and Hezbollah.

Never before in military history, has a military chief resigned after his nation has won the war. Military chiefs resign after a war only when their nation gets defeated.

Other Reasons for Israel’s Defeat

There are few other reasons that need deliberation which contributed to Israel’s defeat to Hamas and Hezbollah apart from GMYP and Tnufa that have been discussed in detail above.

Political unrest in Israel:     The political unrest that had started in Israel soon after Benjamin Netanyahu announced judicial reforms in January 2023 that sought to curb the Israeli judiciary’s independence, started escalating as they were perceived to be done with the aim of protecting Benjamin Netanyahu who was facing a slew of corruption charges. As the protests escalated, many reservists refused to join active duty in the IDF. As a result, the IDF faced enormous manpower crunch.

Political leadership needs to understand that a nation’s military is made up from the same civil society and any action that is against the constitution or moral-ethics has a consequence for the nation’s defence forces too, as no nation’s army can be isolated and insulated from its civil society, whatever be the curbs and controls imposed on the uniformed personnel.

Hyped ultra-nationalism for Power:           Benjamin Netanyahu by backing the 2018 Nation-State Law which effectively established the Israeli Arabs as second-class citizens, created deep fissures in the Israeli society. Out of the total Israeli population, 21.1% are Israeli Arabs and 73.2% are Jews. Though this hyped ultra nationalism helped Benjamin Netanyahu to be in power, but it wrecked the Israeli society and Israel started witnessing internal discord. A fractured and divided nation is always an easy prey for its enemies.

Conclusion

If Israel regards Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organisations, then it needs to study the report on how terrorist groups end published by the RAND Corporation, a highly-credible US global policy think-tank, on June 30, 2008 which highlighted that only 7% of the terrorists’ groups ended by using military force whereas 43% ended through political dialogues, 40% through effective policing and 10% after the objectives of the terrorist organisations had been achieved.

And, if Israel envisions Hamas and Hezbollah as conventional war threats, then the IDF needs a relook at the defence reforms undertaken as a consequence of the Gideon Multi-Year Plan and Tnufa and the Israeli political leadership needs to think on reuniting the Israeli society, whatever religion an Israeli citizen may belong to.

Ads Blocker Image Powered by Code Help Pro

Ads Blocker Detected!!!

We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker.

Powered By
100% Free SEO Tools - Tool Kits PRO