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Top News
- Operation Sindoor: Resolute yet Restrained
- India's Operation Sindoor Sends a Clear Message to Terror and the World – ‘ZERO TOLERANCE’
- Japan and India set forth a defence cooperation consultancy framework, talks on tank and jet engines
- Terrorist Attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir: Unfolding a long surgical war against PAK
- Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari takes over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force
- Air Marshal Tejinder Singh takes over as AOC-in-C Training Command
SP's Exclusive
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October 28, 2013
IAF May Day for MMRCATwenty one months since the Rafale was downselected in the MMRCA fighter competition, a measure of despondency has set in over timelines making the Indian Air Force (IAF) nervous for the first time that there's a good chance the deal won't go through in the current financial year.
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October 28, 2013
HAL scouts partner for new UAV familyWith its order books full across manned platforms, including fighters and helicopters, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has decided to take the big plunge into unmanned air systems, and wants to do it quickly in order to be ready to compete...
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October 28, 2013
Golden 2013 for ALH Dhruv2013 has been a blessed year for the indigenous advanced light helicopter (ALH) Dhruv helicopter. Following the handing over the first weaponised Dhruv variant, christened 'Rudra' to the Indian Army earlier this year, the proven helicopter platform clocked 100,000 flying hours this month-a major psychological boost...
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October 28, 2013
Army for 49 hand-launched UASThe Indian Army is looking for 49 man-portable hand launched unmanned air systems specifically designed for tactical surveillance in the border areas of Jammu & Kashmir. The Army's Udhampur-based Northern Command has floated a tender specifying the need for a system that is capable of over-the-hill reconnaissance and imagery...
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October 28, 2013
IAF receives fourth Boeing C-17The IAF has received its fourth of 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavylift transports, joining the first three already operational at the 81 Squadron 'Skylords' at Hindon Air Force Station on Delhi's outskirts. The C-17 in Indian service recently performed...
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October 28, 2013
DRDO wants special aircraft for snow studiesThe Defence Ministry's Snow & Avalance Studies Establishment (SASE) has floated a tender for a specialised aircraft to undertake survey missions and data gathering. Structured under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)...
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October 28, 2013
IAF, RAFO wargame Jaguar together, grow closerThe Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) have just completed Exercise Eastern Bridge (Al Jisr Al Sharqi) 2013, the third in their series of joint air exercises centred around strike profiles. The exercise was conducted at the RAFO's base in Masirah, Oman.
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October 28, 2013
Avro replacement competition to be delayed?The Indian Air Force has provided a two month extension on responses to the request for information (RFI) on its ambitious 12,000 crore Avro replacement programme that envisages the acquisition of 56 aircraft of the same class.
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October 28, 2013
New national mini-UAV competitionOvercoming planning delays that saw the programme cancelled this year, India's National Programme on Micro Air Vehicle (NPMICAV), a Department of Science and Defence Research and Develoment Organisation (DRDO) joint effort, has finally announced fresh dates for its countrywide competition MICAV2014 competition...
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October 28, 2013
ADA for Telemetry setup at INS HansaIn preparation for the LCA Navy getting back into the skies, perhaps by early next year, the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADA) is looking to fast-track the setting up of a shore-based telemetry facility to work with the test facility setup at the Dabolim airfield for STOBAR training.
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October 28, 2013
First upgraded IAF Mirage 2000 fliesAmidst delays and nervousness over delays in other fighter programmes, the IAF has breathed a sigh of relief over the successful debut flight of its first upgraded Mirage 2000 multi-role fighter at the Istres-Le Tubé air base earlier this month.
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October 28, 2013
HAL for displays, pilot cam & engine alert system for HTT-40Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is accelerating on the HTT-40 programme and has now floated tenders for the proposed aircraft's primary flight display system...
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October 28, 2013
Boeing-Lockheed partnership to compete for new US bomberIn a big announcement that has the US' aerospace industry sitting up and taking notice, Boeing has announced that it will be teaming up with arch rival Lockheed-Martin to compete for the United States Air Force's long-range strike bomber...
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October 28, 2013
Crucial EW trials on Tejas next monthFollowing successful weapon release trials in Jamnagar in July, the Tejas programme is speeding towards another crucial milestone with electronic warfare trials to take place in November.
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October 28, 2013
HAL's IJT delayed againHAL's intermediate jet trainer, the HJT-36, has slipped again and will not meet its December 2013 target for initial operational clearance (IOC), sources involved with the programme have informed SP's.
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October 7, 2013
IAF's first upgraded Mirage 2000 takes offOver two years after the $2.9-billion deal was signed, the IAF's first upgraded Mirage 2000 multirole fighter made its debut flight in its new avatar on October 5 at the Istres air base in France.
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October 7, 2013
DRDO hunts for retractable landing gear for UAVsIn an effort to make its future UAVs more stealthy, the DRDO is looking for a development partner for a retractable landing gear that could be fitted on the Rustom-H and stealth USAV.
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October 7, 2013
Death of acquisitions man makes system nervousThe tragic death of MoD Joint Secretary (Acquisitions) Arun Kumar Bal last week has been unanimously mourned as a deep loss to the Defence Ministry.
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September 16, 2013
DAC approves 6 more C-130Js for IAFThe Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister A.K. Antony has finally approved the purchase of six additional C-130J Super Hercules special mission transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
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September 9, 2013
IAF keen on six more C-17sWith a successful induction of three Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavylift transports into Hindon's 81 Squadron 'Skylords' last week, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is now hoping for an early conclusion of a follow-on deal for six aircraft.
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September 9, 2013
DRDO announces tender for Indian Coast GuardGiven the small number of aviation assets at the Indian Coast Guard's disposal, there's finally some movement towards fleet accretion over and above the 35+ Dornier Do-228 tactical reconnaissance aircraft in service.
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August 21, 2013BREAKING NEWS
IAF lands C-130J-30 Super Hercules at Daulat Beg OldieIn a significant capability demonstration move by the Indian Air Force...
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August 21, 2013
One year of Akash SAM in serviceThe indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM) has completed a year in deployed service with the Indian Air Force. With two active squadrons now in Gwalior and Lohegaon and two more coming up in forward areas of the North East...
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August 21, 2013
IUSAV to be powered by 'dry' Kaveri: AntonyA 'dry' version of the Kaveri turbofan engine will power the Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle (IUSAV). Defence Minister A.K. Antony has informed Parliament about a variant of the Kaveri devoid of reheat/afterburner.
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August 21, 2013
Chinese UAV debuts at AUVSIAs the global unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) scene heats up, this year's Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) in Washington saw participation from India and China, with the latter showcasing a privately developed rotocraft...
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August 21, 2013
India at Russian chopper conference this monthIndia will participate in the third International Russian Helicopters Operators Conference (IRHOC-2013) during the MAKS 2013 air show and exhibition from August 26-28 in Moscow. India is among 40 countries that operate Russian-built helicopters...
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August 21, 2013
Two new Russian helicopters to be unveiled at MAKS 2013The MAKS 2013 show will be an exciting time in the rotorcraft space. Russian Helicopters is all set to showcase prototypes of its latest models including the Mi-171A2, the Mi-28UB and Ka-62. The new combat training helicopter Mi-28UB...
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August 21, 2013
First LCA Tejas Mk.II prototype next year?The first prototype of the LCA Tejas Mk.2 could be rolled out in 2014, it has been revealed. In an exercise to locate and certify line-replaceable units for the evolved Mk.II jet, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has revealed to prospective development partners and suppliers of a hydraulic pump...
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August 19, 2013
LCA Tejas requires a new radomeAs the Tejas speeds towards IOC-II, it appears that a crucial hurdle may slow it down, the platform needs a new radome. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has sent out an expression of interest to vendors to "design, develop and manufacture radome for LCA".
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August 19, 2013
HAL conducting R&D on AESA radarWIn what would mean two separate active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar efforts in country, it has now been learnt that HAL's Strategic Electronic Research Design Centre (SLRDC) in Hyderabad is also kickstarting a programme...
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August 19, 2013
HAL pushes HTT-40 as light attack platformWhile the Defence Ministry ponders over the IAF's recommendation that the HTT-40 basic trainer project be foreclosed, HAL is fighting back. At a recent annual general meeting of the Aeronautical Society of India, which includes influential voices from the veteran communities of the IAF and aerospace industry...
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August 19, 2013
More captive flight tests of ASTRA BVRAAM on Su-30MKIThe indigenous Astra beyond visual-range air-to-air missile has been captive flight tested again on the Su-30MKI, following successful tests in April this year as earlier reported by SP's. The IAF is watching keenly as the ambitious weapon system...
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August 19, 2013
Tejas weapon trials at JamnagarTowards achieving initial operational clearance (IOC-II) by the end of this year, the LCA Tejas was deployed last month to Jamnagar Air Force Station for weapons trials...
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August 19, 2013
IAF impressed with Airbus A400MIn February this year, Airbus Military began a quiet campaign to showcase the A400M airlifter to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The company knew this was a difficult proposition, given that the IAF already has its resources committed to several existing programmes, including the C-130J acquisition, the HAL-UAV multi-role transport...
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August 19, 2013
Navy issues RFP for 9 MRMR aircraftFollowing approval from the Defence Acquisition Council in February this year, the Indian Navy has sent out a long anticipated request for proposal (RFP) to vendors across the world for nine medium-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
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August 19, 2013
HAL for modernisation of IAF Avro fleetWhile an request for proposal (RFP) on the replacement of 59 HS748 Avro transports is currently under evaluation by potential vendors, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced that it is looking to propose a life-extension...
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August 19, 2013
IAF for combat videogame to attract youthIn a first for the armed forces, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to create a realistic high-end air combat videogame with an overt IAF theme, with the intention to attract youth to flying operations in the Air Force.
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August 19, 2013
HAL seeks air ambulance modification for DhruvIn a strong indication that HAL has fresh orders for the Dhruv in hand, it has called for a speedy outsources project to modify the civilian variant of the advanced light helicopter (ALH) for air ambulance operations.
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August 19, 2013
Defence Secretary leads team to RussiaA delegation representing all three armed services and led by Defence Secretary R.K. Mathur will be on an official visit to Moscow, to review bilateral defence projects and speed up decisions.
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August 19, 2013
France cuts Rafale orders, pushes for MMRCAWhile negotiations for the MMRCA trudge on in what France is hoping will be the final leg leading to a contract, the country has whittled down orders on the Dassault Rafale amidst pressure on public spending.
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August 19, 2013
Big US deals to be clearedThe final days of the fiscal could have a marked American flavour, with a few of the US deals in the pipeline for conclusion. The Ministry of Defence is understood to be in the final stage of negotiations for the heavy-lift helicopter and attack helicopter...
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