SP's Exclusive
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May 18, 2013
MiG-21: 50-year journeyThe venerable Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 continues to be the backbone of the Indian Air Force's air defence force, since its arrival in 1963. Sprinkled across squadrons mostly in the West and South West...
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May 18, 2013
IAF for 6 more C-130Js, type crosses million flight hours globallyThe Indian Air Force (IAF) cannot wait to get its next six Lockheed-Martin C-130J Super Hercules medium transport aircraft, a deal that is in its final stages of confirmation. Coming as a boost to C-130J customers worldwide...
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May 18, 2013
IAF for new assault rifleThe Indian Air Force is looking for a modern assault rifle for its special units (Garud), that should be compact, foldable, easy to carry, handle, operate, simple to maintain and with high range.
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May 18, 2013
IAF for shoulder-fired weapon simulatorThe Indian Air Force (IAF) is scouting for an indigenously developed and built shoulder-fired weapon simulator for the in-service 9K38 IGLA for training purposes.
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May 18, 2013
Indian Army for SR-UAVIn an effort to augment its fleet of tactical surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Indian Army is on the lookout for an unspecified number of short range UAV (SR-UAV).
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May 18, 2013
Indian Navy for 5 new Fleet Support ShipsIn line with expanding responsibilities, a sharp increase in number of vessels over the next few years, and a larger mandate in the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Navy has announced an effort to acquire five new fleet support...
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Breaking News:
May 15, 2013
Indian Navy's first P-8I to land at Arakkonam todayThe Indian Navy's first P-8I, manned by an Indian Navy flight crew, lands in Arakkonam today. The first of eight Boeing Defense P-8Is...
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May 13, 2013
Indian Navy MiG-29K Squadron commissionedThree years after they began arriving in the country, the Indian Navy's MiG-29K/KUB shipborne multi-role fighters finally have a home squadron: INAS 303 'Black Panthers' at INS Hansa, Dabolim..
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Breaking News:
May 6, 2013
MMRCA negotiations "back on track"After weeks of being stalled, commercial negotiations for the MMRCA are back on track and in full flow, top sources confirm.
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Breaking News:
March 12, 2013
Mixed success: Nirbhay maiden test stars well, ends with abortThe much anticipated maiden test of India's long-range cruise missile, Nirbhay, ended mostly in disappointment today, with the programme...
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March 6, 2013
HAL to present UAV vision to Home SecretaryHAL will shortly be making a presentation to Home Secretary R.K. Singh on a proposed national plan on UAVs for internal security threats and cross-border terrorism. HAL recently carved out a separate UAV wing...
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March 6, 2013
Missile export push by DRDO?After Defence Minister A.K. Antony's push for the BrahMos to be inducted by the Russian armed services, India's DRDO has renewed efforts to draw up a robust export plan for some of its systems...
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March 6, 2013
DRDO to outsource SATCOM data-link for Rustom-IIIn an effort to speed up the Rustom-II MALE UAV programme, the Dehradun-based Defence Electronics Application Establishment (DEAL) has called for quotations on the development of a SATCOM datalink...
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March 6, 2013
IAF for more Embraer Legacy jetsThe Indian Air Force is in the process of drawing up a requirement for additional Embraer ECJ135 Legacy jets for VVIP transport. In addition to the four already in service with the Delhi-based Communication Squadron...
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March 6, 2013
Home Ministry for drones for anti-Naxal opsThe Home Ministry is expected shortly to float a requirement for surveillance UAVs specifically for anti-Naxal operations. While a requirement already exists, sources indicate that a fresh qualitative requirement...
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March 6, 2013
M777 deal to be signed soonA long-delayed deal for 145 M777 ultra-light howitzers is to be signed shortly between New Delhi and Washington. India first expressed interest in the BAE Systems gun over 7 years ago in January 2006.
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March 6, 2013
Mahindra-Telephonics pitches OceanEye radar for MRHThe new Mahindra-Telephonics joint venture company is pitching the APS-143C(V)3 OceanEye maritime surveillance radar for the Indian Navy's Multirole Helicopter (MRH) in the event that the Sikorsky S-70B Sea Hawk...
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March 6, 2013
LCA Navy may fly again by mid-yearThe LCA Navy, which has been on the ground for many months now since a short spate of just four flights starting in April last year, could take to the skies again later this year with major modifications underway...
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Breaking News:
March 5, 2013
As losses mount, Russia to revamp rotorcraft strategy in IndiaOnce a dominant force in the Indian military helicopter space, Russia is a dwindling force now. With a series of crucial defeats...
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Breaking News:
March 5, 2013
Nirbhay cruise missile to be tested on March 10?The secretive Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile could be tested for the first time on March 10 at the Integrated Test Range off Odisha's coast.
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March 5, 2013
Army, CPMF, Police forces evince interest in NAL SlyBird MAVWhile the ADE Imperial Eagle gets set for customer trials, a corresponding development, the SlyBird MAV by the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) has already garnered a reputation for itself as a field ready platform...
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Breaking News:
March 4, 2013
DRDO weighs unmanned rotorcraft developmentDespite deep interest in unmanned rotorcraft for several different kinds of operations—from maritime operations off a ship's deck to urban...
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March 4, 2013
Defence Budget cuts could impact modernisation?The nominal hike of just five per cent in the Indian defence budget to Rs. 2,03,672 crore brings the country's defence budget to its lowest percentage of GDP in the last three decades...
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March 4, 2013
IMRH parameters to be frozen by 2014HAL has its hands full, as a result of which the all-important Indian Mult-irole Helicopter (IMRH) programme has taken a back-seat. However, with conceptual development between HAL and...
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March 4, 2013
Imperial Eagle MAV ready for user trialsThe Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has unveiled the hand-launched fixed-wing mini UAV Imperial Eagle, and invited potential users to give the platform a test.
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March 4, 2013
Beretta PX4 and ARX-160 on offer to Indian ArmyThe legendary Beretta of Italy is expanding its presence in the Indian market in a big way, and demonstrated this with a sizeable presence at the recent Aero India show in Bangalore.
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March 4, 2013
Indian interest in V-22 Osprey intensifiesThe Indian armed forces appear ready to consider the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey as a possible future platform. What began as a preliminary interest in the world's only operational tilt-rotor aircraft...
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March 4, 2013
The Rs 12,000 crore Avro replacement programme will be a 2-horse race?Waiting in the wings for an urgent replacement are the IAF's vintage HS-748 Avro transports, built under license by HAL's transport...
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March 4, 2013
Iron Fist 2013Among a sombre national mood following the twin blasts in Hyderabad that killed 16 people, the Indian Government put on display the country's might over Pokhran in a fire power demonstration designated 'Iron Fist'.
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March 4, 2013
Delayed IJT irks Air ForceA storm may be brewing over HAL's intermediate jet trainer, with the IAF and HAL in stark divergence over the state of the troubled programme. The HJT-36 Sitara is to achieve initial operational clearance (IOC)...
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March 4, 2013
After 4 year lull, Saras to fly againAfter the tragic crash of its second prototype in March 2009, in which the three-member IAF test crew was killed, the NAL Saras light transport aircraft, is expected to take to the air again this month.
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March 4, 2013
Rustom-H first flight in 11 monthsWith the Rustom-1 firmly in flight test towards proving itself as a tactical surveillance drone, the higher performance Rustom-H long-endurance surveillance platform is now close to being ready for a first flight.
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March 4, 2013
IIT's Unmanned Mini-Copter MaturesIIT Kanpur has long been a institution of excellence when it comes to aerospace engineering. The institute's facilities and faculty are involved in several programmes of national importance—from aircraft to missile...
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March 4, 2013
Eurofighter fights to re-enter MMRCA competitionWhile respecting the Indian Government's decision to eliminate the Typhoon and progress negotiations with Dassault Aviation for the Rafale, the Eurofighter consortium is staying on the sidelines prepared...
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March 4, 2013
Pinaka MBRL test-firedAn advanced version of the operational Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system (MBRLS) has been tested a number of times over the last few weeks on the country's east coast ranges.
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March 4, 2013
Fourth UK-built Hovercraft joins Indian Coast GuardH-190, the fourth dozen air cushion vehicles (ACVs) or hovercraft designed and built by UK's Griffon Hoverwork Limited (GHL), has joined service with the Indian Coast Guard, and was commissioned...
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March 4, 2013
HAL flags MMRCA tech transfer challengesIt has always been known that the MMRCA would provide one of the most complex technology transfers in Indian defence contracting history in terms of the scope of transfer and what the vendor is required to provide.
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March 4, 2013
Astra test-firing from Su-30MKI this year2013 has been christened 'Astra Year' by DRDO in light of expectations that the Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile will finally see a flight test firing from an IAF aircraft.
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March 4, 2013
BrahMos-A final integration this yearAfter years in integration, the BrahMos-A air-launched version, will complete integration with an IAF Su-30MKI this year in time for a first test-firing by December 2013 or early 2014.
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March 4, 2013
IAF Su-30MKIs in trouble?The Iron Fist fire power demonstration over the Thar Desert last month has spelt bad news for the Su-30MKI. Things started off on a bad note on February 19 when a Su-30MKI crashed during a night bombing and...
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March 4, 2013
Finally, Indo-French SR-SAM programme takes offAfter years in discussions, the Indo-French 'Maitri' short-range surface-to-air missile (SR-SAM) programme is ready to be concluded. During the recent visit of French President Francois Hollande...
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March 4, 2013
Light Copter Buy Delayed?One of India's most crucial purchases—197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters (RSH)—for the Army and IAF is likely to be delayed indefinitely according to reports.
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March 4, 2013
Critical Review of LCA TejasThe LCA Tejas showed off some of its operational prowess at the recent Iron Fist fire power demonstration over the Thar Desert—the platform was fielded after the IAF expressed keenness in seeing the aircraft perform...
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March 4, 2013
In a first, Army orders 20 Cheetal coptersAfter years of diffidence, the Indian Army has ordered 20 Cheetal helicopters from HAL in a deal worth Rs. 418 crore. The choppers will be delivered over the next four years. "HAL will also provide training to the pilots and...
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March 4, 2013
Committee to supervise VVIP copter probeA 30-member committee comprising members of the two houses of Indian Parliament will look into the AgustaWestland AW101 VVIP helicopter deal, even as the CBI begins a full-fledged investigation into the acquisition...
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March 4, 2013
AgustaWestland fall-out over other deals?The VVIP helicopter controversy could impact or delay other ongoing acquisition programmes of the Indian armed forces, already nervous by the potential repercussions. It so happens that the Indian Navy...
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February 8, 2013
Fifth-Gen flavour at Aero IndiaAt Aero India 2013, it’s hard to miss the fifth generation flavour in the air. They may not be big jets on the flightline, not yet at least, but they finally have a shape and form.
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February 8, 2013
Unmanned: The Future of Air WarsExtensive global experience shows that reconnaissance and observation helicopters need to be capable of fulfilling various roles – personnel transport, escort and armed missions, casualty evacuation and observation.
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February 8, 2013
India To Be Offered US Navy’s Future UAS?Northrop Grumman will for the first time highlight the MQ-4C Triton long endurance unmanned air system at Aero India 2013. The underdevelopment system is being created under the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance...
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February 7, 2013
India: Rotorcraft CentralIn case you didn’t notice, Aero India 2013 isn’t really a fighter show. Then again, all comparisons with the 2011 show are unfair considering that the MMRCA competition is no longer technically, a competition.
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February 7, 2013
The IAF’s ‘Generation’ DreamFour years ago, in February 2009, the world got its first glimpse of India’s secretive next-generation fighter aircraft effort. Typically christened with the anodyne ‘Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft’ (AMCA) working title...
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February 7, 2013
Ahead of fire demo, Tejas breezes through icy testAhead of the Iron Fist fire power demonstration in Rajasthan shortly where the LCA Tejas will be seen breathing fire for the first time as part of a cooperative exercise with other aircraft in IAF inventory...
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February 6, 2013
Aerospace sector key enabler of economic growthAs Aero India 2013 dawns, there is a general sense that the tumult and buzz of the show's last two iterations just won't be there. This would perhaps be true if the only indication of a show's success was the number of fighter jet...
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Breaking News:
February 3, 2013
IAF gets first lot of brand new Pilatus trainersIn a major fillip to strained training regimes, the IAF has just received the first lot of its brand new Pilatus PC-7 MkII basic stage-1 trainer aircraft.
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February 1, 2013
Rolls-Royce pitches engine for HAL's Light CopterWhile Aero India 2011 was tinged with turmoil for Rolls-Royce—it had decided shortly after the show to withdraw from a competition to re-engine the IAF's Jaguar strike aircraft—it is back at Aero India 2013...
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Breaking News:
February 1, 2013
India gifts Do-228 aircraft to SeychellesDays ahead of Aero India, in a sign of increasing regional cooperation and power projection, the Indian government today handed over...
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January 31, 2013
Lockheed Martin to focus on C-130J at Aero IndiaWith a deal for six additional C-130J Super Hercules nearly concluded, Lockheed Martin keeping its focus almost solely on the platform at Aero India 2013. An IAF C-130J will be on display at the show this year.
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January 31, 2013
Boeing debuts ScanEagle UAV at Aero IndiaWhile Boeing will have the largest aircraft once again at Aero India 2013, with a USAF C-17 Globemaster III—the first C-17 for the IAF entered flight test earlier in January—it will be debuting a smaller aircraft...
