India to remain top buyer of Russian combat aircraft: report

September 30th, 2009 MOSCOW - Russia's MiG aircraft maker said it has successfully tested four MiG-29 jets due to be delivered to India. "During the tests Sep 28-29, the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB fighters conducted several take offs and landings on the deck of the (Admiral Kuznetsov) aircraft carrier in the Barents Sea," the company said Tuesday.

May 27th, 2009 MOSCOW - Russian arms exports are expected to increase by $700-$800 millon in 2009 despite the global credit crunch and considerable fall in arms purchase by India and China, state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said Wednesday. "Rosoboronexport sells an additional $700-800 million (worth of weaponry) every year.

May 5th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Indian Air Force (IAF) has summoned Russian experts to inspect its fleet of frontline Sukhoi Su-30MKI combat jets following the crash of one of the aircraft after a 12-year accident-free record. The fleet will remain grounded till the experts sound the all-clear, an official said Tuesday.

May 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - A day after a frontline Sukhoi Su-30 combat jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in the first such accident since the plane was inducted 12 years ago, the entire fleet was temporarily grounded Friday for a thorough inspection of the aircraft's airframe and systems. 'The aircraft did not take to the skies today (Friday) and thorough checks are being conducted,' an IAF officer said, requesting anonymity.

April 28th, 2009 COLOMBO - The Sri Lankan government Monday said it was ending its combat operations against Tamil Tiger guerrillas. An official statement said the security forces would end the use of heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons that could cause civilian casualties.

April 23rd, 2009 MOSCOW - The Russian government has allocated an initial $64 million to part finance a joint project with India to develop a new military transport plane, a defence industry official said Thursday. Russia and India signed an intergovernmental agreement on the joint development of a multi-role transport aircraft (MTA) in 2007.

April 20th, 2009 SEATTLE - US aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company Monday said it has delivered a 737-800 aircraft to Air India, the 25th of the total 68 planes ordered by the Indian flagship carrier. 'We continue to work closely with Air India on its fleet restructuring based upon the airline's high utilisation of our airplanes,' Boeing India president Dinesh Keskar said.

March 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - The first indigenous aircraft carrier that will be ready for induction into the Indian Navy by 2015 will be named INS Vikrant, after the first aircraft carrier that was imported in the 1960s and played an important role in the 1971 war with Pakistan. 'The decision to name this aircraft carrier after INS Vikrant is taken as the force has golden memories of this aircraft carrier, which retired in 1997 after 36 years of eventful service,' sources at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) told IANS.

February 17th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Indian Air Force (IAF), struggling to maintain its operational capabilities with an ageing and depleting strength of combat aircraft, will see its fighter squadrons rising from the current 32 to 42 by 2022, parliament was informed Wednesday. 'With the planned induction of Su-30, Jaguar, medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and the light combat aircraft (LCA) during 2007-22, the strength at the end of the 11th, 12th and 13th plan periods is expected to increase to 35.5, 35 and 42 squadrons respectively,' Defence Minister A.K.

February 12th, 2009 BANGALORE - After the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) plans to develop a medium combat aircraft (MCA) with 'stealth features' and an unmanned combat aircraft vehicle (UCAV). The Aeronautics Development Agency (ADA) of the DRDO, which developed the LCA with the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, will develop the MCA with the Indian Air Force.

February 8th, 2009 MOSCOW - Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker Monday opened a representative office in India's capital New Delhi, the company said in a statement. Sukhoi, which is part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), is the manufacturer of the famed Su family of combat aircraft, as well as the new Superjet-100 passenger airliners.

February 2nd, 2009 MOSCOW - Russia will showcase its MiG-35 advanced jet fighter, a contender for an Indian combat jet order, at an upcoming air show in India, an official from Russia's state arms exporter has said. Aero India-2009, which will be held in Bangalore Feb 11-15, is one the largest aerospace shows in the Asia-Pacific region, hosting leading manufacturers, vendors and suppliers from 35 countries.

January 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Heating up the race for the contract to supply 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force, Gripen, a Swedish firm, has proposed to India transfer of technology to become 'an independent manufacturer' of its own fighter jets. Looking forward to the trials for the medium multi-role combat aircraft, the Swedish manufacturer of Gripen, SAAB International has favoured 'extensive transfer of technology' well in excess of 60 percent requirement to boost India's indigenous capabilities in this regard.

January 21st, 2009 ASTRAKHAN - Russia's first fifth-generation warplane, being developed in collaboration with India, will make its maiden flight before the end of this year, the deputy prime minister in charge of arms procurement has said. 'We expect the plane to take to the skies no later than the end of this year,' Sergei Ivanov told a news conference after a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission.

January 16th, 2009 BANGALORE - The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to conduct trials in April-May of six different medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMCA) being considered for its order of 126 fighters, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said Saturday. 'The technical evaluation of the MMCA is almost complete.