Defense

The Army is working on a 10-year modernisation plan for its Aviation Corps and aims to induct at least 350 helicopters, including the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter and the battle-proven Apache. The long-pending plan includes increasing the surveillance features of the choppers already in the Aviation Corps’ inventory, with the induction of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).

While the factory in Amethi was formally inaugurated in March, orders are yet to be placed as they had to go through the acquisition process of negotiating technical and commercial terms. The Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited joint venture for production of AK 203 assault rifles is likely to get the go-ahead at an acquisition meeting later this month and will move to the next stage of signing of the contract to start manufacturing.

INS ‘Mysore’ (D60) is the second ship of the Delhi-class guided missile destroyers and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on June 2, 1999. One of the largest warships designed and built in India, she displaces 6,700 tonnes and is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots (about 55kmph). A press statement issued by the embassy noted that Indian naval ships have been frequently visiting Qatar in the framework of the deep-rooted friendly ties and multi-faceted and growing co-operation between India and the State of Qatar”.

The aircraft—the first of 36 ordered by India—was received by defence minister Rajnath Singh on a day the Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 87th founding day. Singh, who arrived in Paris on Monday, later travelled to Bordeaux in south-western France to the Mérignac facility of Dassault Aviation SA, the maker of the Rafale, for the formal handover event. He was joined by French defence minister Florence Parly and several senior officials. After the handover, Singh also flew a sortie in the aircraft.

The participating contingents, comprising 45 members each, marched in together at the Shivneri Drill ground of the station. The parade was commanded by Major MS Negi, who is part of the participating Indian contingent. The Marine troops of Maldivian National Defence Force represented the Maldivian contingent, while a battalion of the MAHAR regiment represented the Indian side.

The IAF has said Pakistan’s “false claim” of shooting down a Sukhoi-30MKI was an attempt to cover up for the loss of its own aircraft, an American-made F-16, which Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman had shot down before the Russian-origin MiG-21 Bison that he piloted fell to enemy fire. Wing Commander Varthaman was awarded the Vir Chakra for shooting down the Pakistani F-16.

The army is examining an internal proposal to turn this historically significant and India’s easternmost inhabited area into the next summer destination, said officials. It is through this place, Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, eight kilometres south of the LAC, that one of Brahmaputra’s tributaries, Lohit, enters India and meanders into the Lohit valley, dividing its west and east banks. Though sparsely populated, the Kibithu sector, with its tall mountains running along the banks of the river, is home to the largely Meyor inhabited Dong village, where the sun rises between 3.30 am and 4 am during summer.

“We will have to restart the process of procuring the avian radars, but they will definitely be procured. Initially, we had few choices among the vendors. But now, there will be more choices with many indigenous players in the market,” a senior IAF officer, who didn’t want to be named, instructed LiiStudio.

The 155 mm/39-caliber howitzers, which can be sling-loaded to helicopters and swiftly deployed to high-altitude areas, are likely to be inducted by the year-end, the first officer said. India ordered 145 howitzers from the United States for $750 million in November 2016.

MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the 36 Rafale jets being procured by India at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. “India will get new capabilities with Rafale aircraft which the country never had before. Both Scalp and Meteor missiles will be game changer for Indian Air Force,” MBDA’s India chief Loïc Piedevache told PTI here.