Defence Monitor

Indian Air Force

‘We are ever ready for such tasks’: IAF officers on dispatching relief materials to disaster-hit Nepal

‘We are ever ready for such tasks’: IAF officers on dispatching relief materials to disaster-hit Nepal

Ghaziabad, Aug 27 (IANS) As India sent nearly 40 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, medicines and food packets to flood-ravaged Nepal from the Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad, Indian Air Force officers who are overseeing the delivery said the force and the airbase are "ever ready" to undertake such relief operations. A day before, India dispatched 10 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) materials and essential medicines to Nepal in the wake of devastating flash floods in the Himalayan nation. Speaking to IANS, AOC Hindon Airforce Station, Air Commodore Rajiv Dobhal said: "We are ever ready for such tasks. We…
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‘Honour to serve people’: India thanks Venezuela for acknowledging Operation Amistad

‘Honour to serve people’: India thanks Venezuela for acknowledging Operation Amistad

New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) India on Wednesday said that the humanitarian assistance following the devastating June 24 twin earthquakes in Venezuela was an "honour" and reflected the enduring friendship between the two nations. In a statement posted on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that it was an honour for India to serve the people of Venezuela through Operation Amistad. India had launched 'Operation Amistad' to support Venezuela following devastating twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 on June 24 that claimed over 2,900 lives and caused widespread destruction across the country. Indian Army had…
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India, Oman discuss enhancing interoperability, joint training and professional exchanges in Air Force

India, Oman discuss enhancing interoperability, joint training and professional exchanges in Air Force

Muscat, July 3 (IANS) Air Vice Marshal SK Taliyan of the Indian Air Force and Air Commodore Khalid Mohammed Abdullah Al Abri of the Royal Air Force of Oman on Friday held discussions on enhancing interoperability, joint training and professional exchanges between the two countries. "The 11th Indian Air Force and Royal Air Force of Oman Air Staff Talks were held at Muscat in Oman, from July 1 to 2. The talks were co-chaired by Air Vice Marshal SK Taliyan of the Indian Air Force and Air Commodore Khalid Mohammed Abdullah Al Abri of the Royal Air Force of Oman,"…
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India, Italy Air Chiefs discuss strengthening defence cooperation and military engagements

India, Italy Air Chiefs discuss strengthening defence cooperation and military engagements

New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, held a meeting with Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, Lieutenant General Antonio Conserva, in New Delhi on Monday, discussing ways to further strengthen defence cooperation and enhancing military-to-military engagement. The two officials also discussed issues of mutual interest. "Lieutenant General Antonio Conserva, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, called on Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, during his official visit to India," the Indian Air Force (IAF) posted on X. "The visit featured discussions…
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India sends two IAF planes with relief support to quake-hit Venezuela under Operation Amistad (Lead)

India sends two IAF planes with relief support to quake-hit Venezuela under Operation Amistad (Lead)

New Delhi, June 26 (IANS) India on Friday launched 'Operation Amistad' to support earthquake-hit Venezuela, dispatching two Indian Air Force (IAF) planes carrying field hospital unit and more than 35 tons of relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment. Announcing the launch of Operation Amistad on X, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar expressed India's commitment to support the people of Venezuela in this difficult time. "Operation Amistad underway! Two IAF C17s took-off today for Venezuela with urgent assistance to support their post-earthquake relief efforts. The assistance contains an Indian Army Field Hospital Unit and over 35 tons of relief supplies,…
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Bharat Dynamics bags Rs 1,348 crore order from HAL

Bharat Dynamics bags Rs 1,348 crore order from HAL

New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) Bharat Dynamics has won an order worth Rs 1,347.71 crore from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the manufacture of military hardware, including helicopter-mounted missile launchers, the defence PSU informed the stock exchanges on Wednesday. The order includes Helina Launchers and Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) worth Rs 1,109.37 crore and Counter Measures Dispensing System LRUs valued at Rs 238.34 crore. The contract will be executed in 24 to 60 months, Bharat Dynamics said in its filing with the stock exchanges. Helina (Helicopter-launched NAG) is an indigenous, third-generation "fire-and-forget" anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) developed by India's Defence…
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IAF to develop indigenous Kamikaze one-way attack drones

IAF to develop indigenous Kamikaze one-way attack drones

New Delhi, June 16 (IANS) The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched a project to develop indigenous long-range Kamikaze drones with Indian industry, a Defence Ministry official said on Tuesday. The IAF has issued a limited tender to select Indian companies for One-Way Attack Unmanned Aerial Systems (OWA-UAS), the official said in a statement. The Kamikaze drone project will be handled by the 5 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Sulur near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, that has been designated as the nodal agency for the key task. Kamikaze drones, also known as loitering munitions or suicide drones, are one-way, self-sacrificing…
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Foreign Secy Vikram Misri highlights indigenisation as key pillar for Rafale deal

Foreign Secy Vikram Misri highlights indigenisation as key pillar for Rafale deal

Nice, June 15 (IANS) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Sunday highlighted indigenisation as a key pillar of the Rafale fighter jet deal with France, reaffirming India's commitment to defence self-reliance and strengthening domestic manufacturing under the 'Make in India' initiative. The Foreign Secretary made these comments during a special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs on the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nice, France. While answering questions regarding the Rafale aircraft at the briefing, Misri noted that "the discussions are ongoing between both nations regarding the Rafael aircraft. India Airforce operates Rafael; the discussion between the two…
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All set for AMCA flight testing centre ground breaking in Andhra’s Puttaparthi

All set for AMCA flight testing centre ground breaking in Andhra’s Puttaparthi

Amaravati, May 14 (IANS) Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh’s Sri Sathya Sai district is set to witness ground breaking of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) flight testing centre on Friday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will attend the event, which will also mark the launch of multiple defence, aerospace and drone manufacturing projects in the state. A key highlight of the event will be the AMCA exhibition and technology showcase. AMCA is India’s indigenous 5th generation stealth fighter programme, being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Aeronautical Development…
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India and Armenia discuss enhancing bilateral air power ties

India and Armenia discuss enhancing bilateral air power ties

New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal, A P Singh held a meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia Lt Gen Edvard Asryan in New Delhi on Tuesday, with discussions focused on enhancing operational cooperation, interoperability and strengthening bilateral air power ties. "Lt Gen Edvard Asryan, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia on an official visit to India, called on Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force. Discussions focused on enhancing operational cooperation, interoperability and strengthening bilateral air…
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