| SP's Exclusive |
May 16:
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Soon, an unmanned Hansa
The indigenous Hansa general purpose trainer aircraft could soon have an unmanned avatar. Maker of the all-composite aircraft, the Bangalore-based National Aerospace Lab (NAL)...
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May 10:
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Govt clears Pilatus basic trainer deal
After a delay that made the Indian Air Force jittery, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has accorded formal approval to a deal with Swiss firm Pilatus for 75 PC-7 Mk.2 basic trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Read More |
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May 09:
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Exercise Shoorveer Ends
The Indian Army and Air Force have just completed one of their most complex integrated theatre battle concept exercises in the deserts of Rajasthan, Exercise Shoorveer.
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May 07:
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Long-delayed Pilatus deal to be approved soon
The long-delayed deal with Swiss firm Pilatus for 75 PC-7 Mk-II basic trainer aircraft is in line to be approved shortly, with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) examining the contract for final approval.
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April 30:
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Finally, LCA Navy Flies
After several stops and starts, and extremely complex technological hurdles, India's first fighter aircraft, custom-built for carrier operations took to the skies on its maiden flight today.
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Mirage 2000 fleet resumes interim flying operations
The Indian Air Force's fleet of Mirage 2000T/TH multirole fighter aircraft have begun interim flying operations after nearly two months on the ground following two crashes in February and March.
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IAF wants twin-dome simulator for Hawk AJT
The Indian Air Force is looking to procure a twin-dome simulator for conversion, continuity and mission training for aircrew on the Hawk Mk.132 advanced jet trainer fleet.
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April 20:
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IAF scouts for nine new COMJAM/SIGINT aircraft
The Indian Air Force has announced its intention to acquire nine new aircraft for survey, target towing, COMJAM and Airborne SIGINT. Read More |
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April 19:
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Agni-V launched successfully 
India successfully conducted the first test of the Agni-V strategic ballistic missile, out to its service range of nearly 6,000-km early on April 19. Read More |
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April 12:
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IAF Mirage 2000s still grounded
Grounded for over a month—perhaps their longest down time ever—the Indian Air Force is still grappling with putting its Mirage 2000H/TH fighter fleet back in the air. Read More |
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April 10:
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IAF looking for surveillance radars
As part of its mammoth surveillance ramp-up, the IAF has announced its interest in acquiring an unspecified number of surveillance radars to monitor its airfield areas across the country... Read More
Basic trainer deal with Pilatus to be pushed through
In what will be a huge relief to the IAF, particularly Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, who has tried hard to prioritise training infrastructure in view of the ad-hoc arrangements currently on training establishments... Read More |
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April 09:
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Maiden flight of the Second Indigenous AEW&C
India's indigenous AEW&C programme is moving along nicely, with the second prototype taking to the skies this week, just four months after the first prototype flew. Read More
Lockheed-Martin funded student UAV project on course
The "Next Generation Urban Unmanned Air System Development Project" at Delhi Technological University, co-sponsored by Lockheed-Martin, is making healthy progress. Read More |
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March 23:
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Kaveri engine to power India's UCAV
India's troubled Kaveri turbofan engine programme will spin off a modified version that will power India's unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), codenamed AURA when it is complete according to indications emerging from the government this week. Read More |
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March 19:
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Naval LCA refused certification
More bad news for the India's first carrier-borne fighter programme with the Centre for Military Air-worthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) demanding that several major modifications be made to the LCA-Navy... Read More
Tejas LSP-7 finally flies
After a worrying gap of over 16 months without a new airframe getting airborne, the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft programme took a tentative step forward this month with the debut flight... Read More
IAF still wondering why Mirages crashed
The shock loss of two IAF Mirage 2000TH fighter trainers on Feb 24 and March 5 has the Indian Air Force in a bind, and the fleet of almost 50 aircraft remains grounded. Read More
HELINA air-launched ATGM begins trials
The air-launched version of India's Nag anti-armour missile, HELINA (helicopter-launched Nag) is set to begin a crucial round of firing trials towards establishing its capabilities as a potent anti-tank weapon. Read More |
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March 01:
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India to test Agni-V this month
Months of anticipation by India's strategic planners will be satisfied shortly with the indigenous Agni-V ballistic missile ready in all respects for its first ever test. Read More
Indian civil airliner programme runs into rough weather
As if the size and scope of the project wasn't daunting enough, it's already rough weather for India's indigenous civil aircraft development effort, with a turf war now being waged over how the aircraft will be developed, who will oversee the $2-billion programme, and how it will be marketed. Read More |
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February 29:
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DAC approves LCA Navy
The troubled naval variant of the LCA Tejas has had no reason to cheer for long, but will be encouraged by the fact that the government has accorded approval to a limited series production phase... Read More
Govt expands MRMR, approves deal
The Indian Navy's ambitious expansion in air assets moves forward with the government providing an all clear for Navy HQ to proceed with the procurement of nine new MRMR aircraft. Read More
Army scouts for UAV mission simulator
With more unmanned assets to be acquired and plans afoot to broadbase the UAV stream into a cadre in the Indian Air Force. Read More |
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February 21:
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Will India ever operate the F-35?
When the Dassault Rafale was declared the lowest bidder in the highly anticipated MMRCA competition, the U.S. government signaled that it was still "willing to share information" with India on the F-35 Lightning II... Read More
RSH Chopper deal at final stage, vendors jittery
With India's effort to acquire 197 brand new light reconnaisance and surveillance helicopters (RSH) reaching its final stage, the two final contenders are anxious for the final result. Read More
India to order 71 more Mi-17 V5 medium lift helicopters
The significantly delayed seventh limited series production unit of the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas (LSP-7) is expected to make its first flight "any day now" according to members of the programme team. Read More
India opens negotiations with Dassault for Rafale deal
Amidst reports that the procedure employed to arrive the lowest bidder in the MMRCA final leg was "questionable", the MoD's contract negotiation committee (CNC) has formally opened exclusive discussions... Read More |
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February 17:
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Kaveri turbofan programme seeks extension
The Kaveri turbofan engine programme has asked the government for an extension and more funds to overcome a fresh set of technological hurdles that have cropped up in the latest phase of flight tests. Read More |
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February 13:
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Rafale, Eurofighter have one more war left in India
Technically, the MMRCA battle isn't over just yet, though Eurofighter is still working on a counter strategy to break back into the reckoning. However, indications suggest that the Rafale bid was significantly more competitive than the Typhoon's. Read More
Dassault signs MoU with Reliance Industries
Dassault Aviation has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) for joint opportunities in defence and internal security, that will almost definitely involve cooperation in the execution of the MMRCA deal. Read More
MMRCA evaluation manual to be patented
The exhaustive and innovative matrix of procedures that the Indian Air Force and government brought into play to evaluate six relatively disparate fighter aircraft for the MMRCA requirement is to be patented and shared with friendly nations looking to purchase new jets. Read More |
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February 07:
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LCA Navy stalled, Navy Chief unhappy
The LCA Navy, which has missed another window for its first flight with the passage of January, has come in for the first explicit criticism by its customer, the Indian Navy. Read More
Eurojet's final hope in India rests with naval Typhoon?
Eurojet GmbH, the cooperative entity that builds the EJ200 turbofan engine for the Eurofighter Typhoon faces the prospect of never doing direct business with India... Read More
Lockheed-Martin's India outlook for 2012
Still smarting from the disappointment of the F-16IN Super Viper losing out in the MMRCA fighter contest, Lockheed-Martin has a brighter outlook for 2012 and will be hoping that delays don't confound their targets. Read More |
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February 06:
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Delayed decision on new ab initio trainer
By now, the Indian government was expected to have cleared a deal for 75 basic trainer aircraft after it identified Swiss firm Pilatus Aircraft the lowest bidder last year. Read More
Outlook for EADS in India post MMRCA loss
Losing out to Dassault in the massive Indian MMRCA competition has undoubtedly been a blow to the rival European conglomerate, and comes as only the latest in a long list of sharp disappointments... Read More |
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February 01:
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French Rafale wins the MMRCA race
Fifty-four months after the Indian government floated what was without a doubt its largest, most ambitious acquisition effort for combat aircraft ever, it chose the French Rafale to meet its monumental medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA) requirement. Read More
Will AMCA Be India's Last Manned Fighter Jet Programme?
With the amount of energy and focus the government has invested, and continues to invest, in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, some crucial evolutionary efforts get blindsided. Read More |
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January 30:
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Tejas LSP-7 to fly 'any day now'
The significantly delayed seventh limited series production unit of the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas (LSP-7) is expected to make its first flight "any day now" according to members of the programme team. Read More
MMRCA decision delayed?
With a decision on the MMRCA jet competition expected to have been delivered in January, and the month slipping by, there are anxieties now that the decision could drift indefinitely. Read More |
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January 27:
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DRDO tests mini drones
The DRDO has conducted fresh tests of a slew of mini drones being prepared for the armed forces and paramilitary as part of the National Programme on Micro Air Vehicles (NP-MICAV). Read More |
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January 21:
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DRDO UCAV programme moves forward
In a significant boost to India's classified unmanned combat aerial vehicle programme, titled AURA (autonomous unmanned research aircraft), the government is considering bestowing it with "major project" status. Read More |
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January 16:
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HAL scouts for automatic flight control system for LUH
As its 3-ton light utility helicopter (LUH) takes shape, HAL has invited bids from global suppliers to design and supply the automatic flight control system (AFCS). Read More
HAL scouts partner for glass cockpit & digital autopilot for license-built Dornier Do-228
Gauging strong interest in better capabilities on the tried and tested platform, HAL plans to offer its customers a cockpit upgrade for in-service license built Dornier Do-228... Read More |
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January 11:
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NAL struggles to resume flight testing of Saras utility aircraft
After almost three years without a single flight since the March 2009 crash of a prototype in which three IAF test crew were killed, the beleaguered Saras light multirole transport aircraft programme is hoping to take to the air again shortly. Read More
Israel signs $1.1-billion deal with India
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has notified the Tel Aviv stock exchange of a $1.1-billion defence contract with an Asian customer for "intelligence gathering systems, anti-missile defence platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles and other platforms". Read More |
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January 09:
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MICA missile for upgraded Mirage 2000
After getting stuck at the Finance Ministry for months, the weapons package for India's upgraded Mirage 2000s was finally cleared last week... Read More
Agni-V debut test in 2 months
India's most ambitious weapon, the 5,500-km range Agni-V ballistic missile will undergo its much awaited first test in the next two months. Read More |
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January 02:
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MMRCA by third week of Jan
The mother of all Indian deals, the medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA) competition is likely to see a winner announced in the third week of January 2012. Read More
Boeing to Pitch V-22
The Indian military has been impressed by the demonstrated capabilities of the Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey hybrid tilt-rotor aircraft, but has so far stopped short of expressing any overt interest in considering a purchase, despite feelers from Boeing. Read More |
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December 23:
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Prithvi-II failure
A crucial salvo test of the Prithvi-II tactical ballistic missile by the country's Strategic Forces Command had to be aborted on December 21 following a system failure. Read More |
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December 17:
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IAF wants hi-tech war-gaming centre
As part of its expanding role, modernisation and network centric backbone, the Indian Air Force has announced plans to invest in an advanced nationwide war gaming centre...
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December 16:
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India's SLYBIRD MAV maturing fast
The Indian SLYBIRD hand-launched mini unmanned drone is maturing with a series of regular test-flights this year, and the coast clear for the second phase. Read More
LCA Tejas Air Force version faces new hurdles
With final operational clearance for the primary air force version of the indigenously-developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas pushed back a year till December 2014...
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December 03:
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Indian AEW first flight
India's dreams of building an airborne surveillance platform finally takes flight this month. Read More
LCA Navy first flight
After struggling with serious concerns over weight and landing gear issues, India's first fighter intended for carrier operations, the LCA-Navy, is to finally make its first flight this month. Read More
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