India’s HAL has issued an RFP to BAE Systems for the license production of 20 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft, meant to replace the HJT-16 Kiran Mk II aircraft of the IAF’s Surya Kiran aerobatics team.
Why fighter operating costs matter
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The IAF evaluation of the six competing aircraft for the MMRCA contest took into account the issue of life-cycle cost, which could be loosely understood to mean cost of ownership over the period of operation of the aircraft. This was because it was felt that the true cost of owning a fleet of aircraft was not reflected in the purchase price alone.
French drive hard bargain on Indian MMRCA: Report
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A recent French media report offers insight into the French position in the negotiations with the Indian defense ministry on the MMRCA fighter aircraft purchase by the IAF. Here’s an edited translation of the report and an analysis of what it could mean.
Discount sale on at Qatar Airways
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The middle-eastern airline has launched a three-day discount sale on tickets for trips to over 100 destinations for the next six months, starting midnight of September 04, 2012, local time, everywhere.
Saab to invest $38 M in Pipavav
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The two companies have signed an MOU, which covers an investment by Saab of approximately MSEK 250 through a suitable structure, according to a statement.
IAF’s 1st C-17 comes together
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The forward, aft and center fuselage and the wing assembly of the first C-17 of the IAF were assembled at Boeing’s Long Beach facility today.
Gripen operational cost lowest of all western fighters: Jane’s
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The study conducted by IHS Jane’s Aerospace and Defense Consulting, compared the operational costs of the Gripen, Lockheed Martin F-16, Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault’s Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and the F-35 aircraft.
Gorshkov air trials to begin mid-July
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Interestingly, the fighters involved will include a Russian MiG-29K and a MiG-35 prototype, which was part of the Indian Air Force tender for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA).
South Korea to join India, China, Japan on anti-piracy escort
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South Korea has indicated an interest in joining the Escort Convoy Coordination exercise run by the navies of India, China and Japan to protect merchant shipping in the Gulf of Aden against piracy. The original tri-nation coordination began last January and in the first two instances, the Chinese, and then the Indian navies provided their…
DCNS, Pipavav in strategic partnership
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This strategic partnership is likely in furtherance of the DCNS-Pipavav joint bid to supply the Indian Navy with Landing Platform Dock (LPD) vessels.
Coast Guard inducts slick new hovercraft
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H-187 is the first of a line of twelve Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) designed and built by Griffon Hoverwork Limited (GHL), UK.
Top Gun Saraswat
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DRDO head, Dr. V.K. Saraswat, took a backseat ride in the Swedish Saab’s Gripen C/D aircraft on the sidelines of the Aerospace Forum held at Linköping, Sweden, last week.
Teg, INS
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The Talwar-class stealth frigate, Teg, was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Yantar Shipyard at St. Petersberg, today. Here’s the brochure issued at the ceremony.
Images: Teg to join Indian Navy
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The Talwar-class (Krivak-III) frigate, Teg, will be commissioned into the the Indian Navy at Yantar shipyard at Kaliningrad by Vice Admiral K.N. Sushil on Friday. This will be the first to carry the sea launched BrahMos cruise missile, instead of the Klub-N missile and will be commanded by Captain Rakesh Kumar Dahiya.
Indian VIP helo buy under cloud
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The deal for the purchase of 12 AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters for VIP transportation is under scrutiny by the Indian defense ministry after reports surfaced that the company may have employed agents to facilitate the contract.
