News Analysis India

Tag: Aircraft

  • Gujarat govt spends Rs 20 crore on maintenance of aircraft bought for Rs 198 crore in 2019

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government reported to the state Assembly on Friday that it has spent Rs 20.8 crore for operation and maintenance in over two years on a new aircraft that the government purchased for Rs 198 crore in November 2019.

    Minister of Civil Aviation Balvantsinh Rajput was responding to starred questions posed by Congress MLAs Imran Khedawala and Arjun Modhwadia. In two years leading up to December 31, 2022, the state government reported spending a total of Rs 36 crore on the operation and maintenance of the two airplanes and a helicopter it owns.

    For the operation and maintenance of the twin-engine Bombardier Challenger 650, which was purchased in November 2019 for Rs 197.90 crore, the government paid two private agencies Rs 20.80 crore for a two-year period, ending December 31, 2022. As of January 31, 2023, the aircraft had travelled 183 times, it stated. The Minister said that between January 31, 2023, and the end of the second year, 486 journeys were made using the state’s two airplanes and one helicopter.

    In two years, the government spent Rs 7.4 crore on the chopper and Rs 8.04 crore on the operating and upkeep of the older jet. The CM and other dignitaries were given access to the posh Bombardier Challenger 650. According to civil aviation department authorities, it can transport 12 passengers and has a flying range of about 7,000 km, which is far higher than the outdated Beechcraft Super King aircraft that had been in operation for 20 years.

    House resolution seeks tough action against BBC docuThe Gujarat Assembly on Friday passed a resolution urging the Centre to act against BBC for tarnishing the image and popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with its documentary on the 2002 riots in the state. 

    The two-part series by the BBC titled ‘India: The Modi Question’ misrepresents the events of 2002 in a malicious and low-level attempt to tarnish India’s image globally, BJP MLA Vipul Patel said in the House while moving the resolution. 

    The documentary claims to have probed certain aspects of the riots, which took place after the Godhra train-burning incident when Modi was the state CM. The documentary was banned in India soon after its release.  Patel’s resolution was supported by BJP MLAs Manisha Vakil, Amit Thaker, Dhavalsinh Zala and minister Harsh Sanghavi. ENS

    AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government reported to the state Assembly on Friday that it has spent Rs 20.8 crore for operation and maintenance in over two years on a new aircraft that the government purchased for Rs 198 crore in November 2019.

    Minister of Civil Aviation Balvantsinh Rajput was responding to starred questions posed by Congress MLAs Imran Khedawala and Arjun Modhwadia. In two years leading up to December 31, 2022, the state government reported spending a total of Rs 36 crore on the operation and maintenance of the two airplanes and a helicopter it owns.

    For the operation and maintenance of the twin-engine Bombardier Challenger 650, which was purchased in November 2019 for Rs 197.90 crore, the government paid two private agencies Rs 20.80 crore for a two-year period, ending December 31, 2022. As of January 31, 2023, the aircraft had travelled 183 times, it stated. The Minister said that between January 31, 2023, and the end of the second year, 486 journeys were made using the state’s two airplanes and one helicopter.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In two years, the government spent Rs 7.4 crore on the chopper and Rs 8.04 crore on the operating and upkeep of the older jet. The CM and other dignitaries were given access to the posh Bombardier Challenger 650. According to civil aviation department authorities, it can transport 12 passengers and has a flying range of about 7,000 km, which is far higher than the outdated Beechcraft Super King aircraft that had been in operation for 20 years.

    House resolution seeks tough action against BBC docu
    The Gujarat Assembly on Friday passed a resolution urging the Centre to act against BBC for tarnishing the image and popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with its documentary on the 2002 riots in the state. 

    The two-part series by the BBC titled ‘India: The Modi Question’ misrepresents the events of 2002 in a malicious and low-level attempt to tarnish India’s image globally, BJP MLA Vipul Patel said in the House while moving the resolution. 

    The documentary claims to have probed certain aspects of the riots, which took place after the Godhra train-burning incident when Modi was the state CM. The documentary was banned in India soon after its release.  Patel’s resolution was supported by BJP MLAs Manisha Vakil, Amit Thaker, Dhavalsinh Zala and minister Harsh Sanghavi. ENS

  • Defence services saw indigenous push in 2022

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The armed forces in the year 2022 witnessed commissioning and inductions of warships, aircraft and submarines with a conspicuous stamp of indigenous content. The commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Cochin Shipyard Limited in September showcased the country’s growing prowess of indigenous manufacturing. With 76% indigenous content, the 262.5 m long and 61.6 m wide ship is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment/systems, designed for a crew of around 1,600 officers and sailors.

    The carrier is capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Aircraft Navy.

    Another indigenous combat platform Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’, designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was inducted into the Indian Air Force in Jodhpur in October 2022. The LCH is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat Helicopter which has potent ground attack and aerial combat capability. It possesses modern stealth characteristics, robust armour protection and formidable night attack capability. Onboard advanced navigation system, guns tailored for close combat and potent air to air missiles make the LCH especially suited for the modern battlefield. It is capable of operating from high altitude terrain and carrying out precision strikes at high altitude targets.

    Army, Navy, Air Force and even the Indian Coast Guard inducted major aerial platforms designed and built in India. Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 325, operating the indigenously built Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk-III, was commissioned into the Indian Navy at INS Utkrosh, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Command in May 2022. The unit was the second ALH MK III Squadron commissioned into the Indian Navy. The state-of-the-art multi role helicopter has been developed and manufactured by HAL.

    The ALH Mk-III helicopters feature state-of-the-art equipment including advanced RADAR as well as Electro optical sensors, Shakti engines, full glass cockpit, high-intensity search light, advanced communication systems, automatic identification system as well as search-and-rescue homer. This feature enables the helicopter to undertake maritime reconnaissance as well as carry out search and rescue at extended ranges while operating from ships, both by day and night.

    The Indian Navy saw inductions of the Missile Destroyers and Frigates having been designed and developed by the Indian Navy’s inhouse Department of Naval Design and manufactured in Indian shipyards. Two frontline warships of the Indian Navy — ‘Surat’ and ‘Udaygiri’ — at Mazagon Docks Limited, Mumbai were commissioned in May. ‘Surat’ is the fourth Stealth-Guided Missile Destroyer of P15B class, while ‘Udaygiri’ is the second Stealth Frigate of P17A class.

    Project 15B class of ships are the next-generation stealth guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy which are follow-on class of the weapon intensive P15A (Kolkata Class) Destroyers. P17A Frigates are warships that are follow-on class of the P17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates with improved stealth features, advanced weapons & sensors and platform management systems. Y-12705 (Mormugao), the second ship of Project 15B, was delivered to the Indian Navy in November, while fifth Stealth Frigate ‘Taragiri’ of P17A was launched in September.

    76% indigenous content in INS VikrantThe commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant by the PM Narendra Modi at Cochin Shipyard Limited in September showcased the country’s growing prowess of indigenous manufacturing. The ship has 76% indigenous content

    NEW DELHI:  The armed forces in the year 2022 witnessed commissioning and inductions of warships, aircraft and submarines with a conspicuous stamp of indigenous content. The commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Cochin Shipyard Limited in September showcased the country’s growing prowess of indigenous manufacturing. With 76% indigenous content, the 262.5 m long and 61.6 m wide ship is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment/systems, designed for a crew of around 1,600 officers and sailors.

    The carrier is capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Aircraft Navy.

    Another indigenous combat platform Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’, designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was inducted into the Indian Air Force in Jodhpur in October 2022. The LCH is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat Helicopter which has potent ground attack and aerial combat capability. It possesses modern stealth characteristics, robust armour protection and formidable night attack capability. Onboard advanced navigation system, guns tailored for close combat and potent air to air missiles make the LCH especially suited for the modern battlefield. It is capable of operating from high altitude terrain and carrying out precision strikes at high altitude targets.

    Army, Navy, Air Force and even the Indian Coast Guard inducted major aerial platforms designed and built in India. Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 325, operating the indigenously built Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk-III, was commissioned into the Indian Navy at INS Utkrosh, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Command in May 2022. The unit was the second ALH MK III Squadron commissioned into the Indian Navy. The state-of-the-art multi role helicopter has been developed and manufactured by HAL.

    The ALH Mk-III helicopters feature state-of-the-art equipment including advanced RADAR as well as Electro optical sensors, Shakti engines, full glass cockpit, high-intensity search light, advanced communication systems, automatic identification system as well as search-and-rescue homer. This feature enables the helicopter to undertake maritime reconnaissance as well as carry out search and rescue at extended ranges while operating from ships, both by day and night.

    The Indian Navy saw inductions of the Missile Destroyers and Frigates having been designed and developed by the Indian Navy’s inhouse Department of Naval Design and manufactured in Indian shipyards. Two frontline warships of the Indian Navy — ‘Surat’ and ‘Udaygiri’ — at Mazagon Docks Limited, Mumbai were commissioned in May. ‘Surat’ is the fourth Stealth-Guided Missile Destroyer of P15B class, while ‘Udaygiri’ is the second Stealth Frigate of P17A class.

    Project 15B class of ships are the next-generation stealth guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy which are follow-on class of the weapon intensive P15A (Kolkata Class) Destroyers. P17A Frigates are warships that are follow-on class of the P17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates with improved stealth features, advanced weapons & sensors and platform management systems. Y-12705 (Mormugao), the second ship of Project 15B, was delivered to the Indian Navy in November, while fifth Stealth Frigate ‘Taragiri’ of P17A was launched in September.

    76% indigenous content in INS Vikrant
    The commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant by the PM Narendra Modi at Cochin Shipyard Limited in September showcased the country’s growing prowess of indigenous manufacturing. The ship has 76% indigenous content

  • IAF jets scrambled after ‘bomb threat’ onboard China-bound Iranian passenger jet over India

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets were scrambled to intercept an aircraft with its origin in Iran and headed to China, which was moving towards New Delhi airspace.

    According to sources, inputs were received at 9:20 am by Delhi Police about a bomb threat on board a Mahan Air flight headed to Guangzhou in China from Tehran in Iran.

    It triggered an alert and permission was not granted for the plane to land in Delhi and the plane was instructed by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to divert to Jaipur. Reportedly the pilot refused to divert the plane following which Indian Air Force jets were scrambled to intercept and escort the plane.

    The aircraft was headed to China as its final destination, had entered Indian airspace when the alert from Indian Air Traffic Control was shared with the plane. Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jets from Punjab and Jodhpur airbases were scrambled to intercept the plane, sources told ANI.

    Data from Filghtradar24 showed the plane reducing altitude over the Delhi-Jaipur airspace for a brief period before it was seen making its way out of Indian airspace.

    According to ATC sources, Mahan Air requested for immediate landing at Delhi airport but Delhi ATC directed it to head to Jaipur Airport. The pilots of the Iranian carrier did not do so and eventually left Indian airspace.

    The nature of the bomb threat is still unclear. The plane was seen continuing on its flight path towards China. 

    NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets were scrambled to intercept an aircraft with its origin in Iran and headed to China, which was moving towards New Delhi airspace.

    According to sources, inputs were received at 9:20 am by Delhi Police about a bomb threat on board a Mahan Air flight headed to Guangzhou in China from Tehran in Iran.

    It triggered an alert and permission was not granted for the plane to land in Delhi and the plane was instructed by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to divert to Jaipur. Reportedly the pilot refused to divert the plane following which Indian Air Force jets were scrambled to intercept and escort the plane.

    The aircraft was headed to China as its final destination, had entered Indian airspace when the alert from Indian Air Traffic Control was shared with the plane. Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jets from Punjab and Jodhpur airbases were scrambled to intercept the plane, sources told ANI.

    Data from Filghtradar24 showed the plane reducing altitude over the Delhi-Jaipur airspace for a brief period before it was seen making its way out of Indian airspace.

    According to ATC sources, Mahan Air requested for immediate landing at Delhi airport but Delhi ATC directed it to head to Jaipur Airport. The pilots of the Iranian carrier did not do so and eventually left Indian airspace.

    The nature of the bomb threat is still unclear. The plane was seen continuing on its flight path towards China. 

  • 75 aircraft including 5 Rafale to feature in ‘grandest flypast ever’ during R-Day celebration

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: As a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav commemorating 75 years of India’s independence, the “grandest flypast ever” with 75 aircraft will take place over Rajpath in Delhi during Republic Day celebrations, said Air Force PRO Wing Commander Indranil Nandi on Monday.

    These 75 aircraft will also include five Rafale.

    “The grandest flypast ever to take place over Rajpath during the Republic Day parade with 75 aircraft including the planes from IAF, Army, and the Navy. This is in line with the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations,” the IAF public relations officer (PRO) said.

    “Five Rafale to fly over the Rajpath in the Vinaash formation,” he added.

    17 Jaguar fighter aircraft will fly in the shape of ’75’ to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

    Navy’s MiG29K and P-8I surveillance aircraft will also fly in the Varuna formation, the PRO informed.

    India will celebrate its 73rd Republic Day on January 26 this year, honouring the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent republic after the Constitution came into effect. As part of the celebrations, an annual Republic Day parade is held in Delhi’s Rajpath.

    Meanwhile, a contingent of five Central Asian nations – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, who will be chief guests for Republic Day 2022 celebrations, has arrived in Delhi to participate in the event. (ANI)

  • Government clears procurement of 56 transport aircraft from Airbus for IAF; 40 to be manufactured in India

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: In a major decision, the Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday approved the procurement of 56 twin-turboprop C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force to replace its ageing Avro fleet.

    Sixteen aircraft will be procured from the Airbus Defence and Space in a flyaway condition while 40 will be manufactured in India by the aerospace major as part of a consortium with Tata, according to the defence ministry.

    “Today, Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from M/s Airbus Defence and Space SA, Spain for the Indian Air Force,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

    The C-295MW aircraft is a transport plane of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF.

    “Sixteen aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of the signing of the contract and forty aircraft will be manufactured in India by TATA consortium within 10 years of the signing of the contract,” the ministry said. It said the aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.

    “This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. All 56 aircraft will be installed with indigenous electronic warfare suite,” the ministry said.

    It said the project will give a boost to the aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread over the country will be involved in the manufacturing of parts of the aircraft.

    A large number of detail parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of aero structure are scheduled to be manufactured in India.

    “The programme will act as a catalyst in employment generation in the aerospace ecosystem of the country and is expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3000 indirect jobs and an additional 3000 medium skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man-hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India,” the ministry said.