LCA Tejas

On last ten years of DRDO

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday inducted Tejas Mk-1 FOC aircraft into the recently resurrected No 18 Sqn, the “Flying Bullets” at Air Force Station Sulur, marking yet another important step towards enhancing the operational capability of the Air Force. The Squadron is the first in the IAF to induct this platform. This is also an important milestone in the country’s indigenous fighter aircraft program and a significant boost to the ‘Make In India’ initiative.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited recorded a turnover of over Rs. 21,100 crores (provisional and unaudited) for the financial year ended on March 31, 2020 (corresponding figure for the previous year was Rs. 19,705 crores). The Company has posted a revenue growth of around 7% during 2019-20 for the second year consecutively, post listing as compared to 3.8% during 2017-18.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is taking lead role in organizing the 11th biennial edition of DefExpo-2020 in coordination with MoD to be held at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from February 5-9, 2020.   Besides providing huge logistic support, HAL will showcase its prowess in defence and aerospace centered on the theme ‘Digital Transfor

Three of latest acquisition of Indian Air Force will make their debut in the republic day parade this year. The US made attack choppers Apache and transport helicopter Chinook will participate in the fly past where as the French fighter jet Rafale will be showcased as part of IAF’s tableau, an official said.

The under development naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft –Tejas made its maiden carrier landing on INS Vikramaditya today at 1000 hrs, a statement said.

Clearing doubts over the Indian Air Force’s support for under development Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Bhaduria on Thursday said that air force will give its full support to the project.

ACM Bhaduria, took over on September 30, was addressing annual press conference ahead of Air Force Day on October 8.

 A seminal achievement was accomplished in the quest for technologies related to operation of indigenous fighter aircraft from aircraft carriers. On 29 September, 2019, LCA Naval Prototype-2 launched off the ski jump at 1621 hours and then subsequently “trapped” at 1631 hrs on the arresting gear site (both locations situated at Shore Based Test Facility INS Hansa, Goa).

Shri Rajnath Singh has scripted history by becoming the first Raksha Mantri to fly the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’.

During his day-long visit to Bengaluru, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited Centre for Airborne Systems, DRDO, where he was shown several indigenous products of various DRDO labs.

Today is a golden letter day in the history of Indian Naval Aviation.

India’s quest to successfully design and develop an indigenous gas turbine engine that can meaningfully power military and civilian aircraft has been on for well over half a century. And indications are that this quest is still a bridge that isn’t going to be crossed too soon. A day-long seminar held in Bengaluru - India’s aerospace capital - highlighted the many failures, the inadequacies and the various steps that have been taken to cobble together an engine programme.

There were some rumours that India would take its light combat aircraft (LCA) to the Paris International Airshow, but that remained rumours. Meanwhile, India’s belligerent neighbour Pakistan showcased two aircraft – JF-17 Thunder and the ATR Reconnaissance aircraft, the former had some impressive aerial displays too.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today reviewed the progress of research and development activities in the area of defence technologies at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Headquarters.

Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC took over as  Vice Chief of the Air Staff  (VCAS) today.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has produced 16th LCA as per the target till March 31, 2019.  The customer flights are expected to be completed by the end of this month.  HAL has order for 40 LCAs (16 fighters each in IOC and FOC and 8 trainers) from IAF.  The aircraft was inducted into IAF squadron ‘Flying Daggers’ on July 1, 2016.

Rafale controversy, though not new to high profile defence procurements, has generated unprecedented and avoidable acrimony and bitterness among various stakeholders, be it political parties or different wings of the same Government! later is far more damaging for the nation; while politicians are what they are and will be politicians, any persistent disharmony within various wings of the government can have far-reaching and damaging consequences for the nation! Before attempting to find a solution, it is pertinent to analyse and understand the problem. 

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has taken a lead role in organizing the entire Aero India -2019 to be held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru from February 20 to 24, 2019.  Besides providing huge logistic support, HAL will showcase its prowess in defence and aerospace centered on the theme ‘Innovate, Integrate and Lead’.

Why not go for MiG-35?

By Rohit Srivastava

Fighter programme - India needs consistent strategy

By M Matheswaran

The recently concluded 2018 edition of the ‘Zhuhai Air Show’ in China proved to be an exemplary demonstration of China’s aerospace industry’s high-tech competence and maturity in design, development and manufacturing of aircraft, drones, weapons, and sensors. While the Indian media provided very scant or no coverage, China watchers across the world were deeply impressed with the airshow. The Zhuhai airshow is held every two years and is part air-show and part arms-expo for new weapon systems developed by defence contractors.