The Indian Defense Industry had a number of highs in 2019, from the airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan, to the appointment of Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) and several bilateral defense relations with other countries.

These are the key innovations that upgraded India’s 2019 defense mechanism:

Balakot airstrikes:

Balakot attack was the Indian defense industry’s biggest event in 2019. The day after Prime Minister Modi dedicated the National War Memorial near India Gate to the country, the Indian Air Force carried out airstrikes in Balakot and demolished terrorist camps run by Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terrorist organizations as a response to the Pulwama attack that killed as many as 44 CRPF personnel.

Creating the Defense Staff Chief:

This year the government established the position of the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) in the rank of four-star General in its landmark decision. The CDS also heads the Militarian Affairs Department (DMA) which will be established and serves as its secretary within the Ministry of Defence.

As proposed by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999, the Chief of Defense Staff will be the single-point Government’s military advisor. The CDS is responsible for the trimming of weapons and the restructuring of the armed forces ‘ service.

Rafale Fighter Jets Induction:

For the Indian armed forces, this was yet another success. The much talked about Rafale Jet to Indian Air Force on the 87th day of the air force was received by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. By May 2020, the Rafale fighter jets are to be seen in India.

The Fighter Jet Rafale will give India a lead over neighboring countries in aerial defense, as the Fighter Jets will be able to transport a range of powerful missiles and weapons.

In September 2016 India and France signed the Rafale Fighter Jets contract. The agreement was made for 36 fighter jets.

‘ Desi Fighter ‘ Tejas induction:

This year, the CEMILAC military aviation regulator also authorized the induction of the desired Tejas fighter into the Indian Air Force, which was a great boost for the Indian defense industry. The Tejas multi-role fighter jet with a single seat has been designed to replace MiG-21s by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It’s HAL’s second supersonic fighter jet.

The IAF currently has approximately 40 Tejas Mark-1 fighter jets and will shortly get a jet variant of about 83 Mark 1A. The Tejas Mark 2 is anticipated to be ready for series production between 2025 and 2026 when these first 123 are delivered.

Defense Cooperation Pacts With Other Countries:

In 2019, India has also signed numerous defense-cooperation agreements in order to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in defense with countries such as the United States, France, Russia, Ukraine, Japan and South Korea. The nation will also address with these countries’ counter-terrorism, Indo-Pacific and the South China Sea. For the Indian defense sector, this is a great boost.