Defence forces all set to participate in National Day Parade of France

August 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India's arms imports are expected to touch $30 billion by 2012 even as the domestic defence market is poised to grow to $700 million in five years, according to an industry lobby report. The report submitted to the defence ministry by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) said: "India's arms imports alone would rise to $30 billion by 2012." "The Defence Offset Facilitation Agency (DOFA) and the armed forces in consultation with India Inc should work out a comprehensive strategy to ensure that defence imports happen at extremely competitive rates," Assocham president Sajjan Jindal said.

July 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Defence Minister A K Antony said on Monday that the Central Government is committed to provide state of the art equipment to the armed forces to meet any possible security challenge to the country. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour, Antony said defence procurement procedure is being simplified to expedite the process of self-sufficiency of defence forces.

July 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Monday said India would like to build its partnership with France in nuclear energy, defence and other areas. Before leaving for France and Egypt on a four-day visit, Dr.

July 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Prime Minister, Dr.Manmohan Singh, left for the French capital, Paris, today to be the Chief Guest of Honour at France's National Day celebrations on July 14th. He is the first Indian leader to be bestowed this honour, as France does not have a tradition of inviting foreign heads of state to be chief guests at their Bastille Day or National Day celebrations.

July 11th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will be chief guest at the French National Day Celebrations in Paris on July 14.

July 10th, 2009 NEW DELHI - As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh goes to Paris Monday, France is moving ahead rapidly to implement its bilateral civil nuclear pact with India. French company Areva is close to finalising a contract for two nuclear reactors to be set up in Maharashtra.

July 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A 270 personnel contingent of the Indian Armed Forces comprising marching columns and a combined military band from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force left here today for Paris to participate in the French National Day. Yesterday, the first batch comprising 130 personnel left for Paris.

June 27th, 2009 HYDERABAD - A ceremonial Passing out parade was held today at Air Force Academy, Dindigul, near Hyderabad, where 173 cadets passed out from the premier defence academy as flying officers. The Chief of the Army staff, General Deepak Kapoor reviewed the parade and handed over the wings to the graduates who completed training as pilot officers.

April 21st, 2009 NEW DELHI - China will display its nuclear-powered submarines for the first time in history during a fleet parade to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Navy. The Chinese navy's missile destroyer 115 Shenyang is docked at Qingdao Port for an international fleet review.

March 22nd, 2009 CHENNAI - President Pratibha Patil Saturday urged defence forces to combat terrorism with modern methods, a statement issued here said. 'Terrorism is a major challenge to us and we have suffered on its account.

February 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - In limbo for nine years, the project of setting up the Indian Nation Defence University (INDU) has got a fresh impetus as the government has zeroed in on Binola village near Gurgaon in Haryana as the location for the institution, the minister of state for defence said. The Prime Minister's Office has approved the acquisition of the land at Binola village, near Gurgaon, along national highway number 8 at the earliest for setting up the university, which will institutionalise strategic thinking in the country.

January 25th, 2009 CHENNAI - Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala unfurled the national flag on the Marina Beach here and took salute at the parade Monday, in a function marked by the absence of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who was in hospital with back pain.

January 25th, 2009 RAIPUR - Chhattisgarh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan took the salute at the Republic Day parade held here Monday and praised the commitment of the security forces battling Maoist insurgency in the state.

January 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Gaily caparisoned elephants have traditionally carried bravery award winning children during the Jan 26 Republic Day parade but a pachyderm going berserk during the event last year has prompted the defence ministry to ban the lumbering giants from the pageant this time around, an official said Wednesday. Instead, the children will ride down the parade route in open military vehicles.

January 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Gaily-decorated elephants that have been the darling of cheering crowds each year on the Republic Day parade will be missing this time as organisers have decided to pull them out to cut down on time. 'Over a period of time the parade has become very monotonous and repetitive, so we have decided to omit the elephants to try and make the parade concise and compact,' a defence ministry official told IANS.