New Delhi:

The Sudarshan S-400 air defence missile system achieved a major success in a recent exercise where it ‘shot down’ 80 per cent of the ‘enemy’ fighter aircraft package while forcing others to retreat, aborting their missions.

The exercise was carried out by the Indian Air Force in a theatre where the force has deployed one of its squadrons of the long-range air defence missile system, defence sources told news agency ANI.

The exercise was conducted by the Indian Air Force to showcase full integration of air defence missile system into the force, they said.

During the exercise, real fighter aircraft were flying to test the capabilities of the S-400 weapon system, now called Sudarshan by the Indian Air Force after the mighty Sudarshan chakra of Lord Krishan.

The Sudarshan, ‘locking on and targeting’ in simulated action, could ‘shoot down’ 80 per cent of the ‘enemy’ offensive package.

The other remaining aircraft aborted their mission which was to ‘attack’ their targets within Indian territory and were intercepted by the air defence system.

The Indian Air Force has now fully integrated the system, whose three squadrons have already been inducted and two more are expected to be supplied in 2026.

The Indian side has requested that Russia expedite the delivery of the systems. The Indian side, during a high-level visit to Russia, also requested the Russian side deliver the system.

India and Russia signed an over Rs 35,000 crore deal for five squadrons of S-400. The Indian Air Force, which recently received the indigenous MR-SAM and Akash missile systems as well as the Israeli Spyder quick reaction surface-to-air missile systems, believes the S-400 will be a game changer for it.

The Indian Defence Acquisition Council recently cleared the procurement of the Indian Long Range Surface Air Missile System under Project Kusha. The development came after the project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security.

The Indian Air Force, which recently received the indigenous MR-SAM and Akash missile systems as well as the Israeli Spyder quick reaction surface-to-air missile systems, believes the S-400 will be a game changer for it.

The Indian Air Force has significantly improved its air defence capabilities in recent years.

Air defence systems have been deployed in a big way by the Chinese military across the Line of Actual Control, while India has also deployed its own systems in a big way there.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bengaluru:

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited today handed over the first LCA Tejas twin seater aircraft to the Indian Air Force.

The Bengaluru-headquartered company said the twin seater variant has all the capabilities to support the training requirements of the IAF and augments itself to the role of fighter as well in case of necessity.

Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt was the chief guest during the function wherein the unveiling of the LCA twin seater, handing over of Release to Service (RSD), Signalling out Certificate (SOC) were conducted in the presence of Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, among others.

The LCA Tejas twin seater is a light weight, all weather multi-role 4.5 generation aircraft.

It is an amalgamation of contemporary concepts and technologies, such as relaxed static-stability, quadraplex fly-by-wire flight control, carefree maneuvering, advanced glass cockpit, integrated digital avionics systems and advanced composite materials for the airframe, HAL said.

This adds India to the list of “very few” elite countries who have created such capabilities and have them operational in their Defence Forces, it said, adding, it’s another feather on the cap of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative of the Government of India.

“This historic event today will mark the achievement of a key milestone of producing an LCA twin seater which is designed with a strategic intent of graduating the budding pilots from the twin seater variants to fighter pilots”, HAL said.

HAL has an order of 18 twin seaters from IAF and is planning to deliver eight of them during 2023-24. The remaining 10 would be delivered progressively by 2026-27.

Further, more orders are also expected from IAF, the company said.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

India will get its first Airbus C-295 tactical military transport aircraft this month, an official of the European aircraft manufacturer said on Thursday.

“The first C-295 aircraft will be delivered to the Indian Air Force this month only,” Remi Maillard, Airbus India President and Managing Director, told a press conference in New Delhi.

Mr Maillard was interacting with reporters after Airbus inked a memorandum of understanding with the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to train engineers for the aviation sector.

An Airbus functionary said that Indian Air Force chief Air Marshal VR Chaudhari will travel to Seville in Spain to take the delivery of the first C-295 aircraft.

India had inked an agreement with Airbus for supply of 56 C-295 military transport aircraft in September 2021.

As per the agreement, 40 aircraft will be built at the facility set up by Tata Advanced Systems Limited in partnership with Airbus at Vadodara.

Airbus will supply 16 aircraft in fly away condition from its facility in Spain.

The C-295, having 5-10 tonne capacity, is used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft. It also has a proven capability of operating from short or unprepared airstrips.

Remi Maillard said the aircraft production in India will begin in 2026.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has made “special arrangements” to land Air Force One and nearly 70 VVIP aircraft at the Palam Technical Airport – an airbase – when world leaders begin arriving in India for the mega G20 Summit later this week. Four other airports – identified as “reserved airports” – have been marked for any contingencies, officials said.

“Starting September 7, the Indian Air Force fighter planes will be on standby to keep a close watch on any suspicious activity in the Delhi sky, including of UAVs or drones,” a senior functionary in the government said.

“Contingency arrangements have been made in Lucknow, Jaipur, Indore, and Amritsar as well,” he added.

Dr PK Mishra, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena oversaw the arrangements at Palam Technical Airport.

The four reserved airports were identified at a high-level meeting with officials from the Union Home Ministry, the Intelligence Bureau, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).

“The Air Traffic Control has been directed to be on high alert during the G20 Summit and closely monitor all flights entering Delhi. In case of any emergency situation, flights will be diverted to any of the four other airports that are part of the contingency plan,” another senior official handling G20 security arrangements said.

“The VIPs will land at the technical airport but aircraft and private jets carrying them will be parked at the Delhi airport. Special arrangements have been made to park the Air Force One and a few other important aircraft at the Palam Air Force Station. The station is under the security of the Air Force,” a senior officer from the Ministry of Defence told NDTV.

“All these VVIP aircraft will be parked in Bay-1 and Bay-3 of the Delhi airport as they are very close to the ceremonial lounge,” a senior official explained.

According to him, parking spaces have been identified at the airport, Terminal-1, and the cargo terminal. “Around 18 aircraft will be accommodated at the Palam base,” he added.

“For the G20 Summit, we have already made provisions for the required parking of aircraft at Delhi Airport. Our top priority remains ensuring a smooth and efficient travel experience for all,” he further said.

The Delhi Airport boasts an impressive parking capacity of 72 charter aircraft, along with a dedicated terminal. The DIAL officials maintained that the current flight cancellations were not linked to the availability of parking spaces for aircraft.

“We have received requests from airlines for the cancellation of approximately 80 arrivals and 80 departures as of now. However, we are committed to working closely with airlines to minimize any inconvenience caused to passengers,” stated an official.

“We want to reassure all travellers that the Delhi Airport is fully equipped with ample parking for aircraft. Despite the cancellations, we are pleased to report that the restrictions will not impact international flights. The cancellations only account for approximately six per cent of the normal domestic operations at the Delhi Airport over the span of three days,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have made extensive arrangements for world leaders to travel from the airport to their respective hotels where they would be staying during the Summit.