News for 'squadron'

Why BrahMos is crucial in a war with China

Why BrahMos is crucial in a war with China

Rediff.com1 Oct 2020

In any conflict with China, the unmanned BrahMos could be advantageously used in the opening stages for pinpoint strikes on heavily defended targets -- such as air bases, headquarters, key roads and railways or logistics dumps -- which are too dangerous for manned fighter aircraft to attack.

On a wing and a prayer

On a wing and a prayer

Rediff.com26 Oct 2005

India's wheelchair cricketers look towards BCCI president Ganguly

India's wheelchair cricketers look towards BCCI president Ganguly

Rediff.com5 Aug 2020

If BCCI helps them then the blind, deaf and wheelchair cricketers will all get benefited.

Is this how India is funding the stand-off with China?

Is this how India is funding the stand-off with China?

Rediff.com10 Feb 2021

Has the army confronted China, equipping itself with emergency purchases that have been largely paid for by pensioners, asks Ajai Shukla.

When Nehru sought US assistance during 1962 Indo-China war

When Nehru sought US assistance during 1962 Indo-China war

Rediff.com14 Oct 2015

Former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had sought American assistance and wrote to the then US president John F Kennedy to provide India jet fighters to stem the Chinese tide of aggression during the 1962 Sino-India war, according to a new book.

'IAF has much less combat jets than sanctioned strength'

'IAF has much less combat jets than sanctioned strength'

Rediff.com4 Oct 2013

The Indian Air Force is operating with "much less" aircraft than its authorised strength of 42 combat squadrons and in case of any further delay in the proposed 126 fighter jet deal, the force levels in the service will "go down rapidly", its chief NAK Browne said on Friday.

How Parrikar Broke the Rafale Logjam

How Parrikar Broke the Rafale Logjam

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

'It was Parrikar's sharp insights into finance and international systems that stood out when India --at his suggestion -- decided to procure the Rafale combat jets from France.'

The real scandal about the Rafale

The real scandal about the Rafale

Rediff.com7 Aug 2018

'The air force continues to be short of planes.' 'So, more than a decade after the last selection round got under way, the same process is about to start again for the same kind of aircraft, naturally with the same likely bidders,' points out T N Ninan.

IAF chief complains about delay in trainer jet delivery

IAF chief complains about delay in trainer jet delivery

Rediff.com22 Apr 2015

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha on Wednesday expressed concerns over the delays in delivery schedules of 'Tejas' Light Combat Aircraft and intermediate jet trainer 'Sitara', both being developed indigenously, and their impact on operational capability.

How can we take on the Chinese with our defence budget?

How can we take on the Chinese with our defence budget?

Rediff.com28 Jul 2020

Among the handful of countries with large defence budgets and armed forces, India is matched only by Saudi Arabia in the level of its import dependence. For revenge to be served cold, go beyond import bans and correct these long-term failures -- if we're up to it, notes T N Ninan.

Uncertainty over future of IAF's Jaguars

Uncertainty over future of IAF's Jaguars

Rediff.com30 Jan 2019

Will the IAF pay $2.4 billion to refit 80 Jaguars with powerful Honeywell engines?

Harbhajan rescued by Indian Air Force

Harbhajan rescued by Indian Air Force

Rediff.com19 Jun 2013

India cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who was stranded in Joshimath due to incessant rains while on a pilgrimage, was rescued and taken to safety by the Indian Air Force.

Sky's the limit for the Indian Navy!

Sky's the limit for the Indian Navy!

Rediff.com8 Nov 2013

The Indian Navy is on its way to becoming a major air force, with the fleet air arm having achieved several landmarks this year, reports Ajai Shukla.

Copter scam puts defence agents back in spotlight

Copter scam puts defence agents back in spotlight

Rediff.com13 Feb 2013

With the latest AgustaWestland helicopter import scandal, it is time to re-examine the role of the ubiquitous but ostensibly banned defence agents, middlemen, intermediaries, brokers, consultants, weapon merchants or reps as they are variously known, says Rahul Bedi

49 years after its greatest triumph, navy starved of funds

49 years after its greatest triumph, navy starved of funds

Rediff.com5 Dec 2020

The navy finds itself fighting for relevance, with navy planners lamenting that its share of the budget has dropped dramatically.

Are we ready to fight the wars of the future?

Are we ready to fight the wars of the future?

Rediff.com16 Mar 2018

'We must look at the entire question of military preparedness anew, taking into account the new realities,' says Vice Admiral Premvir Das (retd).

IAF helicopter crash: 'Why are the Gods so angry?'

IAF helicopter crash: 'Why are the Gods so angry?'

Rediff.com25 Jun 2013

"Why are the Gods so angry that they are even killing the saviours who are rescuing the sea of humanity in Uttarakhand," an IAF squadron leader blurted, when he got the news of the helicopter crash.

Tejas jets of Flying Daggers 45 join IAF

Tejas jets of Flying Daggers 45 join IAF

Rediff.com1 Jul 2016

Indian Air Force on Friday raised its first squadron of the home-grown Light Combat Aircraft Tejas with the induction of two aircraft into the force at the Aircraft System Testing Establishment in Bengaluru.

Is the Rafale deal BJP's Bofors moment?

Is the Rafale deal BJP's Bofors moment?

Rediff.com1 Oct 2018

'So far there is no clear money trail nor an indisputable smoking gun.' 'But that doesn't mean there aren't disturbing questions and a strange resistance by the government to reveal the price, which only adds suspicion to concern,' observes Karan Thapar.

Effective deterrence cornerstone of defence policy: Prez

Effective deterrence cornerstone of defence policy: Prez

Rediff.com18 Dec 2012

A force that can be deployed any time to protect sovereignty of the country is essential for effective deterrence which is the cornerstone of country's defence policy, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Tuesday.

Army chopper crashes at Siachen; both pilots safe

Army chopper crashes at Siachen; both pilots safe

Rediff.com13 May 2013

An army helicopter, on air maintenance operations, crashed Monday morning in the icy heights of Siachen glacier but both the pilots survived the accident and were being evacuated for treatment, army sources said.

The Rafale Deal: The Real Loss to India

The Rafale Deal: The Real Loss to India

Rediff.com22 Nov 2018

'The greatest loss from replacing the 126 Rafale proposal with the 2016 contract for 36 Rafales might not be the extra money paid, but the opportunity that India's aerospace industry lost of obtaining access to critical aviation technologies and manufacturing skills.'

India inducts home-made Akash missile system

India inducts home-made Akash missile system

Rediff.com10 Jul 2015

The missile system can target aircraft up to 30 km away, at altitudes up to 18,000 metres. It has the capability to neutralise aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles.

How can we be a regional power with this defence budget!

How can we be a regional power with this defence budget!

Rediff.com6 Feb 2018

'At 1.58% of GDP, the defence budget is one of the lowest since the Chinese aggression of 1962.' 'The government of the day has lost sight of the fact that defence of the country is as important as its growth,' says Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd).

India to buy 5 VVIP jets from Embraer

India to buy 5 VVIP jets from Embraer

Rediff.com19 Sep 2003

Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer on Friday said it has signed an agreement with the Indian government for the sale of five 'Legacy' executive jets for VVIP use.

Survivors gather at Pearl Harbour, 75 years later

Survivors gather at Pearl Harbour, 75 years later

Rediff.com8 Dec 2016

Thousands observed a moment of silence and watched jets streak across the clear blue sky at a ceremony at Pearl Harbor marking the 75th anniversary of the attack that plunged the United States into World War II and left more than 2,400 service people dead.

India's Sukhoi-30 fighters are back in action

India's Sukhoi-30 fighters are back in action

Rediff.com14 Nov 2014

India's frontline combat aircraft Sukhoi-30 fleet was on Friday cleared for flying after being grounded for nearly a month following a crash near Pune.

Bollywood gives you 9 lessons in History

Bollywood gives you 9 lessons in History

Rediff.com17 Sep 2019

There will be as many as 9 historicals coming up in the next 15 months!

Prince William's role as search and rescue pilot to end

Prince William's role as search and rescue pilot to end

Rediff.com27 Mar 2013

Prince William's role as a RAF Sea King pilot may end as Britain's search-and-rescue helicopter service which he is part of will be taken over by a US firm after privatisation.

IAF planning to get more Embraer jets for ferrying VIPs

IAF planning to get more Embraer jets for ferrying VIPs

Rediff.com4 Mar 2013

The Indian Air Force is planning to procure more Embraer business jets for its Delhi-based communication Squadron for ferrying VIPs.

Another IAF officer commits suicide in Jodhpur

Another IAF officer commits suicide in Jodhpur

Rediff.com9 Dec 2012

Less than a fortnight after the alleged suicide by a woman Squadron Leader of the Indian Air Force in Jodhpur, another IAF officer was found hanging in his room on Sunday.

Jodhpur: Woman IAF officer commits suicide

Jodhpur: Woman IAF officer commits suicide

Rediff.com28 Nov 2012

29-year-old squadron leader Anandita Das, hailing from Kolkata, was posted at the Jodhpur Air Force Station and living in the officers' quarters with her husband, who is also an IAF officer.

Indian Air Force is 'in a crisis', says US think tank

Indian Air Force is 'in a crisis', says US think tank

Rediff.com28 Mar 2016

The report authored by Ashley Tellis, the top American expert on India and South Asia, states that the IAF's fighter force is weaker than numbers suggest.

Under-production Sukhoi aircraft crashes near Nashik

Under-production Sukhoi aircraft crashes near Nashik

Rediff.com27 Jun 2018

There were no casualties, police said, adding both the pilots ejected safely before the plane hit ground.

India-Japan aim to curtail China's maritime footprint

India-Japan aim to curtail China's maritime footprint

Rediff.com4 Jul 2020

The India-Japan joint naval exercises are a strategic signal for China, observes Dr Rajaram Panda.

Black box of IAF's crashed Sukhoi-30 jet recovered

Black box of IAF's crashed Sukhoi-30 jet recovered

Rediff.com28 May 2017

The identity of the missing pilots has not been disclosed and the worst is feared.

Tejas to officially replace MiG-21 FL

Tejas to officially replace MiG-21 FL

Rediff.com12 Dec 2013

The indigenously developed light combat aircraft 'Tejas' would officially replace the MiG-21 FL fighter jet, Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said on Thursday.

96-year-old Marshal's moving farewell to President Kalam

96-year-old Marshal's moving farewell to President Kalam

Rediff.com28 Jul 2015

It was indeed a poignant moment to see an uniformed Arjan Singh rising out of his wheelchair and using a walking stick to march up to President APJ Abdul Kalam's coffin

Why the West is worried about India's Tejas

Why the West is worried about India's Tejas

Rediff.com23 Apr 2016

The Sri Lanka Air Force and Egypt has also shown some interest in procuring the Tejas.

Solution soon on Army, IAF spat over choppers: Antony

Solution soon on Army, IAF spat over choppers: Antony

Rediff.com9 Oct 2012

The issue between the Army and the Indian Air Force for controlling attack helicopters was a "family problem" and the government was in the final stages of finding a solution for it, Defence Minister A K Antony said in New Delhi on Tuesday.