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Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Why Dr AQ Khan still matters
Listen to article This nation dearly misses you, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. You are remembered with deep respect and gratitude for gifting Pakistan the nuclear capability that has enabled the country to stand firm in its strategic defence. Your true worth was once again realised when India reacted like a raging elephant after the Pahalgam terrorist attack on 22 April, hastily accusing Pakistan without presenting any credible evidence. India launched an irresponsible and disproportionate response under a self-declared operation misleadingly named — Sindoor — after a false-flag activity. Civilian areas were targeted through air strikes conducted with drones and fighter jets. Pakistan's government and armed forces exercised the right to self-defence with remarkable professionalism and restraint. In response, the Pakistan Air Force not only defended our airspace but also humbled Indian military arrogance. The so-called superior Rafael jets failed to make an impact, while Pakistan's air defence successfully brought down three aircraft, including a MiG-21, and challenged the capabilities of the Su-30s. This defeat led to a sarcastic reinterpretation of Rafale in India — RAW Fail. India was taken aback by Pakistan's measured yet precise retaliation, which directly hit Indian military installations and air defence targets. The professionalism and precision of the PAF silenced the aggressive posturing of the Indian military, often dubbed the "mad elephant". The United States had to intervene to de-escalate the skirmishes, which were dangerously close to triggering a nuclear confrontation in South Asia. It is because of Dr AQ Khan's contributions that Pakistan today possesses a credible deterrent. His work has empowered the nation to stand tall in the face of external threats and deter aggression through strength. Though Pakistan may not match India in economic size, conventional military strength or war equipment on paper, it remains resolute and capable of defending its sovereignty under any circumstance. All honour and tribute go to Dr AQ Khan — the man who gave Pakistan the power to respond to threats on an equal footing. Let us now compare Pakistan and India in terms of military capability across the three branches — Army, Navy and Air Force — and evaluate their strengths in terms of war equipment and strategic positioning. India stands as the fourth-strongest military power in the world, while Pakistan is ranked 12th. India's total military strength is said to be nearly three times more than Pakistan's. It also possesses much more military arsenal than Pakistan does. Silencing the guns of a hegemonic India became possible when Pakistan declared itself a nuclear power capable of retaliation. This strategic milestone was achieved on 28 May 1998, when Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in the hills of Chagai — a moment now commemorated as Youm-e-Takbeer. At the heart of this historic moment was the unparalleled contribution of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan — the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme. A metallurgist with rare expertise, Dr AQ Khan had a singular mission: to make his homeland invincible. His relentless efforts transformed Pakistan from a security-dependent nation into a nuclear power with credible deterrence. The genesis of this nuclear journey lies in the painful memory of the 1971 war and the dismemberment of the country. It is no coincidence that then Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto — who famously stated, "we will eat grass, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own [nuclear bomb]" — laid the foundation of Pakistan's nuclear ambition. The humiliation of 1971 was a turning point. Pakistan realised that conventional military parity with India would never be enough. Nuclear deterrence was no longer a choice — it had become a strategic necessity. Today, we must ask ourselves: Are we doing enough to honour the sacrifices and genius that made this feat possible? Are we investing in science and technology beyond military applications? Are we preserving our national dignity not only through strength but also through progress? And in the end, we must not forget Dr AQ Khan's heartfelt words: "My biggest regret is working for this nation."
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Business Standard
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Guidance, stock rally may keep Hindustan Aeronautics under pressure
Hindustan Aeronautics' (HAL) performance for FY25 was driven by improved margins and lower provisions. The order book as of March '25 was of Rs 1.8 trillion, with inflows of Rs 1 trillion during FY25. Given more assured engine supply from GE, HAL is optimistic about delivering 12 Tejas Mk1A aircraft during the year. The guidance was for a conservative 8-10 per cent revenue growth. HAL reported a decent set of numbers in Q4FY25, with revenue at Rs 13,700 crore (down 7 per cent Y-o-Y). The operating profit dipped 10 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 5,290 crore, while margins at the operating level dipped 140 basis points Y-o-Y to 38.6 per cent. The net profit margin stood at 29 per cent. Net profit was down 8 per cent Y-o-Y due to reversals of some provisions received during FY24, resulting in higher net profit base in Q4FY24. For FY25, revenue was up 2 per cent to Rs 30,980 crore while operating profit increased 18 per cent to Rs 9,610 crore while margin expanded 370 basis points Y-o-Y, led by lower provisions. Due to lower depreciation and a spike in other income, reported net profit grew 10 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 8,360 crore. Adjusted net profit grew 38 per cent Y-o-Y. The LCA Mk1A programme saw the resolution of engine supply issues from GE. The first F404 engine was delivered in April this year, and successfully integrated. GE committed to delivering 12 engines in CY25, enabling HAL to target 12 LCA deliveries. In FY25, revenue consisted of 23 per cent manufacturing with repair/overhaul or ROH being 70 per cent and rest 7 per cent being exports and design and development (D&D). Given the order book and opportunities, there could be sustained long-term growth. The order book included 156 light combat helicopter (Prachand) (Rs 62,800 crore), 240 AL-31FP engines (Rs 25,500 crore), and 12 Su-30 MKIs (Rs 13,500 crore), alongside ROH (Rs 19,270 crore), D&D (Rs 3,180 crore), and exports (Rs 490 crore) orders. HAL expects annual ROH orders of around Rs 20,000 crore, driven by in-service fleets like the ALH (340+), Su-30s (250+), Jaguars, and Dorniers. Going ahead, the LCA MK1 would be entering the overhaul phase and there are sustained platform additions. HAL will deliver 12 Su-30s under a new contract starting FY27. The Rs 60,000 crore Su-30 avionics upgrade project is in the approval phase, with D&D in FY26 and aircraft orders by FY31. The 156-unit LCH Prachand order will begin delivery in FY28, with execution over 5.5 to 6 years. ALH deliveries are expected to accelerate in FY26. In FY25, HAL reported total provisions of about Rs 2,500 crore. There was an exceptional Rs 804 crore provision allocated for an engine damaged during repairs, classified as a precautionary provision. This was not a write-off but a provisioning with prudent accounting practices. The management said future provisioning is expected to remain stable, with deviations limited to 3-5 per cent. There were no write-backs or reversals of earlier provisions. Key risks include slower-than-expected finalization of large orders, delays in deliveries of key components such as engines, delays in payments and possible competition for the private sector. The execution of Tejas Mk1 delivery will be major monitorable. Given everything, revenue may record a annual growth of 21 per cent over FY25-27, due to manufacturing scale-up. Operating profit margin should remain at 28-30 per cent. Given annual capex of Rs 4,000-5,000 crore and good working capital management, net profit should have mid-teens growth over FY25-27. Return on equity and capital employed should be over 20 per cent.
Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Indian Air Force to conduct large-scale military drills near India-Pak border in Rajasthan
The Indian Air Force is conducting large-scale military drills along the International Border with Pakistan, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued Tuesday said. The development comes amid escalating tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack last month. The drills will begin at 9 pm on Wednesday and conclude at 3 am on Friday. Flights operating from airports close to the border will be suspended during this period. All major frontline fighter jets of the IAF will participate in the drills, sources told The Indian Express. This could include Rafale jets, Mirage 2000s, Su-30s, as well as tankers and AWACS. According to the IAF, it is a pre-planned routine training exercise. It will take place in the area of responsibility of the South Western Air Command, which covers the south-western region of India. Officials added that the drills will test the combat readiness of the crew, platforms, and systems in Rajasthan and surrounding areas. The latest exercise comes close on the heels of another major routine air exercise conducted by the IAF last month. In that exercise—Aakraman—the IAF demonstrated operational readiness through complex missions across the central sector using its frontline fighter jets. Pakistan has also been carrying out Exercise INDUS, as part of which it recently conducted a training launch of a FATAH-series surface-to-surface missile, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), as quoted by local media. This was Pakistan's second missile test since the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Pakistan had claimed it conducted a 'successful' training launch of the Abdali Weapon System, a surface-to-surface missile. Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the top military brass at his residence on April 29, where he was quoted as saying that the armed forces have 'complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response' to the Pahalgam terror attack. He has since held one-on-one meetings with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh to discuss the current security scenario, the overall preparedness of the forces, and India's retaliatory options.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine said it downed fighter jets with drone boats for the 'first time in history,' destroying two $50 million Russian aircraft
Ukraine said it shot down fighter jets with naval drones for the "first time in history." Ukraine's military intelligence service said it downed two Russian Su-30s in the Black Sea on Friday. Ukraine has developed a fleet of naval drones to counter Russia's navy. Ukraine said it shot down two Russian fighter jets with naval drones, describing it as the "first time in history" the technology had destroyed a crewed combat aircraft. A Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) special operations unit said on Saturday that it destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea on Friday by using a missile launched from a naval drone. Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the GUR, then told The War Zone that a second Russian Su-30 was also downed by the missiles from the naval drones in the attack. The Su-30 fighter jets are estimated to cost about $50 million per unit. The GUR shared a video of an aircraft in the sky that appears to have been shot from below, which shows an aircraft-shaped object breaking apart and falling. The GUR said the strike was carried out by a missile launched from a Magura naval drone platform, which can carry missiles that the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence previously said would target Russian aircraft. Budanov told The War Zone that Ukraine used the Magura-7 version of the naval drone and that it used AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missiles. The Su-30 is a multirole fighter that can do both air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks. Ukraine has destroyed others in its fight back against Russia's invasion. The GUR said the jet on Friday "was engulfed in flames mid-air before crashing into the sea" after the attack, which was done in coordination with the Security Service of Ukraine and the Defence Forces of Ukraine. It said the strike happened near Russia's Novorossiysk port in Western Russia. Russia previously moved many of its vessels there from Sevastopol, the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea fleet in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian region of Crimea, as Ukraine damaged so many of its vessels there with attacks. Ukraine has also launched attacks on Novorossiysk. Ukraine has developed a fleet of naval drones that have menaced Russia's navy. They, along with Ukraine's other weaponry, have allowed Ukraine to largely neutralize Russia's Black Sea Fleet without having any real navy of its own. The naval drones have also caused problems for Russia in the skies. Ukraine said in December that it destroyed a Russian helicopter with a naval drone for the first time, saying a Magura was used in that attack too. A spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defence did not immediately respond to a Business Insider request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider
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Business Standard
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Pahalgam attack: IAF conducts 'Exercise Aakraman' amid rising tension
The exercise is taking place at a time when the tension between India and Pakistan has gone up after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday Press Trust of India New Delhi The Indian Air Force (IAF) is carrying out 'Exercise Aakraman' in the central sector with its mainstream fighter aircraft taking part in it, sources said on Thursday. However, this is a "routine exercise", a source said. India's frontline fighter jets include Rafales, Su-30s and other aircraft. Further details are awaited. The exercise is taking place at a time when the tension between India and Pakistan has gone up after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
