Indian Air Force

HAL will try to deliver around 6-8 LCA Tejas-FOC variant aircraft this year, Madhavan told The Hindu. He further added that they can deliver the entire quota of LCA Tejas this year provided certain crucial systems are delivered from Israel on time. Commenting on the Tejas MK-1A order by the Indian Air Force (IAF), he said that once the aircraft is configured with specific operational enhancements, it will take flight by the middle of this year which will be followed by 20-24 months of rigorous testing and evaluation.

In what can be touted as a potential blockbuster addition to the arsenal of birds flown by the Indian Air Force (IAF), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to release designs for the fabrication of Tejas Mark 2 prototype. With this, the Indian Government’s aim to push for defence indigenisation has received a shot in the arm as the Indian Air Force  approved comprehensive design review (CDR) for Tejas Mark 2 program on November 15, 2021.

The tragic incident happened on December 8, 2021, when a military helicopter crashed near Nilgiri hills in Tamil Nadu, costing 14 lives including Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other military personnel. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhary went to the official residence of the Defence Minister and made the presentation. A tri-service inquiry was ordered after the crash to probe the reasons of this accident.

The highly advanced surface-to-air missile system has the ability to restrict hostile Chinese and Pakistani air-borne operations within their own borders. The S-400 has the capability to neutralise any aerodynamic target within 400 km range, be it cruise missiles or aircrafts, thereby providing a secure defence bubble to military bases and crucial national assets.

However, India's second main defence partner, the United States, had expressed its disapproval towards the S-400 missile deal between India and Russia and tried to threaten India to impose sanctions pertaining to its Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) law. Amid this opposition, in early December, foreign secretary Harsh V Shringla had announced that Russia had started deliveries of the surface-to-air long-range missile system.

The decision was made as the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) fell vacant following the demise of India's first CDS Gen Bipin Rawat in the ill-fated IAF helicopter crash on December 8. The Centre placed in an old system under which Gen Naravane will be taking charge till the appointment of the new Chief of Defence Staff is made.

The entire lot of 36 cutting edge Rafale fighter jets will be inducted in the Indian Air Force (IAF) by early next year. The Hindustan Times is reporting that the remaining six Rafale multi-role jets will be more advanced, coming with country-specific enhancements including long range air-to-air missiles, frequency jammers and advanced communications.

The government has signed a contract for procurement of two Fixed Base Full Mission Simulators (FBFMS) for Jaguar Aircraft from HAL for IAF with five years Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC) at a combined total cost of Rs 357 crore. These simulators would be installed at Air Force Stations in Jamnagar and Gorakhpur. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self Reliant India), India is continuously growing in its power to indigenously design, develop and manufacture advanced cutting-edge technologies and systems in the Defence Sector.

Chaudhari visited the Air Force Station at Leh and Indian Air Force deployments at forward areas in the Northern Sector on Saturday, the force said. He took stock of the operational readiness of units and interacted with the personnel stationed at the airbase and units on deployment.

Addressing the force on the occasion of the 89th Air Force Day, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari exhorted the Air Warriors that they must demonstrate to the nation that the country's territory will stay secure. "When I look at the security scenario that we face today, I am acutely conscious that I have assumed command at a crucial time.