DefenceTalkIndia is unlikely to buy more than 36 French Rafale fighters as of now, less than one-third of the 126 jets that were envisaged under the now-scrapped $20 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project. But another 20 Rafale jets might be procured at a later stage to make a total of three squadrons, much […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-unlikely-to-go-for-more-than-36-rafale-fighters-at-this-stage-64375/

DefenceTalkhe Indian Air Force (IAF) doesn`t intend to ground its fleet of Sukhoi SU-30MKI combat jets despite a sixth plane crashing in six years, says Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar even as concerns over the frontline fighter continue. The SU-30 fleet has in the past been grounded thrice after accidents but this would not happen again […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-to-investigate-su-30-fleet-after-sixth-crash-64285/

DefenceTalkIndia’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft project, in the works for over three decades, came under severe criticism from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Friday, which said the Mark-I version has several shortcomings and does not meet IAF specifications. Not only that, Indian Air Force (IAF) would be “constrained” to induct the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/indian-auditor-faults-lca-aircraft-project-says-it-fails-to-meet-air-forces-needs-64148/

DefenceTalkIndia’s multi-billion-dollar deal to buy 36 fighter jets from France will cement strategic political ties between the two countries at a time when both are looking to kickstart their economies, experts say. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first trip to France, said Friday he had ordered the 36 “ready-to-fly” Rafale jets as part […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-france-jet-deal-may-fuel-trade-partnership-63812/

DefenceTalkThe Indian Air Force plans to start mounting BrahMos cruise missiles on its aircraft in 2016, BrahMos Aerospace CEO Sudhir Mishra told RIA Novosti Wednesday. The short-range supersonic missile was jointly developed by Russia and India and has been in use by the Indian Navy since 2005. “The missile is scheduled to be adopted in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/indian-air-force-to-use-brahmos-missile-by-2016-63576/

DefenceTalkThirty-two years after the project was sanctioned, the first indigenously-built Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was today handed over by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to the IAF, a red letter day for Indian defence and aerospace sector. The handover signals the start of a process of induction of the fighters, a 4.5th generation aircraft being […]https://www.defencetalk.com/tejas-light-combat-aircraft-handed-over-to-indian-air-force-61999/

DefenceTalkIndia on Monday said France would have to adhere to the conditions specified in the original tender for the $20 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project, even as defence secretary R K Mathur left for Paris amid the deadlock over the mega deal for 126 Rafale fighters. “The RFP (request for proposal) terms have […]https://www.defencetalk.com/original-terms-have-to-be-met-in-rafale-jet-deal-parrikar-61866/

DefenceTalkThe Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Manohar Parrikar handed over the first overhauled Su-30 MKI to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Nasik today. The handing over of the world’s first overhauled SU-30 MKI coincides with 50 years of establishment of Nasik Division of the HAL. The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hal-delivers-first-upgraded-su-30-to-indian-air-force-61851/

DefenceTalkIndia plans to take a final call, one way or the other, on the gigantic $20 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project to acquire 126 French Rafale fighters before Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits France and Germany in April. Sources said the defence ministry is now hopping mad with French aviation major Dassault’s continuing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/indian-rafale-deal-hits-rough-weather-61849/

DefenceTalkThe French and Indian defence ministers agreed to press ahead with negotiations on the sale of 126 Rafale fighter jets to India, both sides said Tuesday, after slow progress cast doubt on the estimated $12 billion deal. Successive deadlines to complete one of the world’s biggest airline contracts have slipped by, leading to reports that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-france-say-will-press-ahead-with-rafale-fighter-jet-deal-61093/