Tejas light combat aircraft completes 500th flight test
BANGALORE, MAR 9 (PTI)
‘Tejas’, the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, completed its 500th flight test here today.

The aircraft was successfuly test flown by Gp. Capt. N Harish, the Aeronautical Development Agency said in a statement.

The aircraft flew at 1.4 mach, 12 km altitude and the flight duration was 27 minutes.

“This flight was part of the ongoing flight test programme towards operational clearance of Tejas aircraft,” the statement said.

The 500th flight of Tejas Prototype Vehicle, in IAF colours, was witnessed by Air Marshal A K Nagalia, Deputy Chief of Air Staff, IAF.

Fullscale engineering development activity involving integration of sensors and weapons as well as concurrent limited series production of Tejas aircraft is progressing satisfactorily, according to ADA.

IAF has cleared induction of the first Tejas squadron into operational service. Formal Government approval for Tejas production programme is awaited, it added.

Good Read, some speculations.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2006/03/indias-navy-holding-maritime-patrol-aircraft-competition/index.php

IAF testfires short range missile, tests Lakshya
BALASORE, MAR 9 (PTI)
The Indian Air force today test fired a short range missile procured by it at the Integrated Test Range(ITR) near Chandipur, around 14 km from here, defence sources said.

Pilotless Target Aircraft ‘Lakshya’ was also test flown from the ITR to facilitate the missile testfire at around 11 am, they said.

Lakshya was flown as a support system to gauge the precision control of the short range missile.

A team of officials from Kalaikunda IAF base in neighbouring West Bengal came to Chandipur to undertake the test.

Request for proposal to buy Long Range anti-aircraft issue
NEW DELHI, MAR 8 (PTI)
Government today said a request for proposal to procure Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft has been issued to vendors all over the world.

The vendors include manufacturers of P3C Orion aircraft and Navy International Programme Office, USA, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee informed the Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply, he informed the House that Boeing P8A is a futuristic platform which is under development and at a conceptual stage.

To another question, he said three contracts were signed for the indigenous construction of six French Scorpene Class submarines at Mazgaon Dock Limited, Mumbai on October 6, 2005. The contracts were signed with M/s ARMARIS, France, M/s MBDA, France, and the Defence Public Sector Shipyard, Mazagon Docks Limited.

On the question of export of missiles, the Defence Minister said Government would take appropriate decision at a suitable time for export of missiles to friendly countries.

However, he said the Department of Defence Research and Development has not been contacted by any country on purchase of missiles.

With regard to setting up of a National Defence University and National Institute of Nano-Technology in Punjab, Mukherjee said the Committee on National Defence University has recommended setting up of the university.

Some More,

1. Processor Based Ground Mine

2. TAL

3. Akash

4. L&T MBRLS

5. Torpedo Decoy Launcher

I spoke to Brahmos guys today at defexpo, and what they said with a huge grin on their faces was this, ” it is a co- developed missile and even in hi-hi it does not cross 300km, the range is less then 300km and that is it. the next development is the airlaunched version being fitted to MKI’s. To start with one and maybe later with three.”

posting some bhramos pics I took today.

Govt asked to approve production of nuke submarines

New Delhi, Jan 30 (PTI) Two top former military officials have asked the Governmment to immediately approve the production of nuclear submarines to ensure a guaranteed second strike capability for the Indian armed forces. Noting that India had a declared ‘No First Use’ policy, former Navy Chief Admiral (Retd) Madhvendra Singh and former Army Chief Gen S Padmanabhan have, in separate articles in the forthcoming issue of ‘Indian Defence Review’, asked the government to make nuclear submarines available to the armed forces of the country. “Strategic forces need to be built up to ‘deterrent’ levels against a major power like China. … The nuclear arsenal must, therefore, be enlarged and diversified to include thermo-nuclear weapons. To ensure guaranteed second strike capability, submarines capable of launching thermo- nuclear weapons must be available”, Padmanabhan said. The former Navy chief said “the government should approve, start and fund such a programme at the earliest, as it is vital for the security of the country. The ultimate aim should be to have at least four such submarines so that at least one, if not two, are on patrol at all times”. Singh said any country with a No First Use policy, must have an assured second-strike capability. “Missile silos, airfields and aircraft are easily detected by satellites and are hence easy targets. A nuclear submarine is very, very difficult to detect. Even if detected, it is extremely difficult to target, as it is constantly on the move at speeds of 20 knots or more”, he said.

I really dont see a reason why GW2 visit should be linked to A3 testing. is it a “insult” to the big man if the country he is visiting tests its stuff ? I believe PRC rubbed it in by testing a DF-31 *during* one of the GW2 visits 😀

enough waffling and trying to be apologetic about power – if it is ready test it, else dont talk.

Well diplomacy is wierd, also if the tech is there (which we all know is), tests cant be too far off. its just the gut-less politicians wish not DRDO’s

just my 2 cents