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The present security scenario along our northern frontiers is at an uneasy "no war no peace" status, Chief of Air Staff <keyword id="50922" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-Chief-Marshal">Air Chief Marshal</keyword> <keyword id="7858995" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="rks-bhadauria">RKS Bhadauria</keyword> said on Tuesday, referring to the prolonged border row with China in eastern Ladakh. In an address at a conference, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said the <keyword id="15141" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> has responded to the situation with rapidity and is fully resolved to counter any "misadventure" in the region. "The present security scenario along our northern frontiers is at an uneasy no war no peace status. Our defence forces are prepared for any eventuality as you are aware," the Chief of Air Staff said. Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said the recent induction of Rafale jets along with previous acquisitions of C-17 Globemaster aircraft as well as Chinook and Apache helicopters have provided the IAF with substantial tactical and strategic capability enhancement. "Air power will be a crucial enabler in our victory in any future conflict. It is, therefore, imperative that IAF obtains and maintains technological edge over our adversaries," he said at the conference on energising the Indian aerospace industry. Five French-made multi-role Rafale fighter jets were inducted into the IAF on September 10. The fleet has been carrying out sorties in eastern Ladakh in the last couple of weeks. The <keyword id="43924" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="IAF-chief">IAF chief</keyword> also said that the raising of two squadrons of light combat aircraft Tejas and integration of some indigenous weapons on Su-30 MKI combat jets in a very reduced time frame have been the "most promising" development, reflecting the country's capabilities to develop indigenous military hardware. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/google-doodle-celebrates-zohra-sehgal-everyones-favourite-dadi-an-indian-royal-and-doctor-who-star/articleshow/78377815.cms">Google Doodle celebrates Zohra Sehgal — Everyone's favourite dadi, an Indian royal and Doctor Who star</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/super30-alumni-founded-startup-wants-to-take-forward-the-legacy-of-his-alma-mater/articleshow/78377011.cms">Super30 alumni founded startup wants to take forward the legacy of his alma mater</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-infosys-central-bank-of-india-dhfl-anuh-pharma-shalby-balaji-telefilms-and-others/articleshow/78376167.cms">Top stocks to watch— Infosys, Central Bank of India, DHFL, Anuh Pharma, Shalby, Balaji Telefilms and others</a>

India-China border at 'no war no peace' status, says IAF chief

The CBI arrested former Air Force Chief SP Tyagi over alleged irregularities in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal worth 3,700 crores. 
 
He was arrested along with his cousin Sanjeev Tyagi and lawyer Gautam Khaitan after hours of questioning. 
 
Tyagi, who retired in 2007, was questioned by the CBI extensively in the past in this case. 
 
All the 3 have been arrested on the allegations of accepting illegal gratification for exercising influence through corrupt and or illegal means, the CBI said. 
 
The former air chief has been accused of abusing his official position by corrupt means. 
 
This is the first high-profile arrest made by acting CBI chief Rakesh Asthana, who is in the headlines because of a row between the government and the opposition over his appointment a week ago. 
 
Asthana was given charge of the chopper deal investigation earlier this year. 
 
On January 1, 2014, India had scrapped the contract with Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland for supplying 12 AW-101 VVIP choppers to the IAF over alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of paying kickbacks of Rs 423 crore by it for securing the deal. 
 
The CBI in the initial investigations into the AgustaWestland scam had found that former IAF chief SP Tyagi was indeed bribed by middlemen+ around the same time - 2004-2005 - that his cousins were given money, highly placed sources said. 
 
The CBI was looking into former IAF chief's investments in property and banks, especially after 2004-05, to ascertain the money trail in the VVIP helicopter scam. 
 
It had got Letters Rogatory (judicial requests) issued to multiple countries to gather more leads and evidences in this case. 
 
Sources said the agency had identified the alleged 'briber giver' (AgustaWestland), bribe takers (cousins of S P Tyagi), middlemen (Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa), bribe amount and to some extent the bribe route. It is now looking to establish where the money went after reaching Tyagi's cousins (Julie, Docsa and Sandeep). 
 
The Enforcement Directorate had in April this year summoned Tyagi in connection with its money-laundering probe in the Rs 3,600 crore .

CBI arrests ex-Air Force Chief SP Tyagi in VVIP Chopper Scam

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will fly a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet on October 8 from a French airbase in Paris to gain first-hand experience of the aircraft, official sources said on Thursday. Singh is scheduled to travel to Paris on October 7 on a three-day visit, primarily to receive the first of 36 Rafale fighter jets. The ceremony to hand over the first Rafale jet will take place on October 8, the foundation day of the Indian Air Force, the sources said. After receiving the aircraft, the defence minister will take a sortie in the aircraft, they said. Top military brass of France as well as senior officials of Dassault Aviation, the makers of Rafale, will also be present at the handing over ceremony. In July 2017, the then IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa, flew a Rafale jet at the Saint-Dizier airbase during his visit to France. On October 9, Singh is scheduled to hold extensive talks with top defence brass of the French government on ways to further deepen defence and security cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France in August during which both the sides resolved to further enhance the already close defence ties between the two countries. Sources said a high-level team of the Indian Air Force is already in Paris to coordinate with French officials on the handing over ceremony. India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore. The aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons and missiles. The IAF has already completed preparations, including readying required infrastructure and training of pilots, to welcome the fighter aircraft. The sources said the first squadron of the aircraft will be deployed at Ambala air force station, considered one of the most strategically located bases of the IAF. The Indo-Pak border is around 220 km from there. The second squadron of Rafale will be stationed at Hasimara base in West Bengal. A number of IAF teams have already visited France to help Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale, incorporate India-specific enhancements on-board the fighter aircraft. The Rafale jets will come with various India-specific modifications, including Israeli helmet-mounted displays, radar warning receivers, low band jammers, 10-hour flight data recording, infra-red search and tracking systems among others. The Congress raised several questions about the deal, including on rates of the aircraft, and alleged corruption but the government has rejected the charges. The IAF spent around Rs 400 crore to develop required infrastructure like shelters, hangers and maintenance facilities at the two bases. According to the deal, the delivery of the jets was to be completed in 67 months from the date the contract was signed.

Rajnath Singh to fly Rafale sortie on October 8 in Paris

NEW DELHI: When the <keyword id="6376012" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tejas">Tejas</keyword> light combat aircraft tears into the sky over Bangalore on Friday, its sonic boom will finally herald a major milestone in the long, tortuous developmental saga of the homegrown supersonic fighter. 
 Having clocked almost 2,420 flight tests since its prototype first flew in January 2011, the lightweight multirole Tejas fighter will finally zoom past the initial operational clearance (<keyword id="6354733" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="IOC">IOC</keyword>) mark on Friday. For long wary of <keyword id="508910" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="The-Fighter">the fighter</keyword> being prematurely thrust down its throat, even the IAF will clap this time. 
 "This Tejas Mark-I is much better than a MiG-21 'Bison' on several counts, including weapon-carrying capability and range. But the fighter's full capabilities will emerge only in the Tejas Mark-II version, with a more powerful engine, radar and weapons, which is slated to be ready by December 2018," said a top <keyword id="194542" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="IAF-officer">IAF officer</keyword>. 
 But that is in the future. Friday will mark the actual IOC - which basically signifies the fighter is fully airworthy in different conditions, from extremely low temperatures of high-altitude areas to the searing heat of deserts - of the Tejas Mark-I. It will not be the specious one that the combine of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), <keyword id="139969" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Aeronautical-Development-Agency">Aeronautical Development Agency</keyword> (ADA) and <keyword id="139970" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Hindustan-Aeronautics-Ltd">Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd</keyword> (HAL) passed off as IOC-I in January 2011. 
 
 
 
The Tejas Mark-I fighter, however, will be ready to go to battle only in 2015 once it gets the final operational clearance (FOC), after integration of all weapons and other systems to ensure it can fi re 23mm guns, rockets and BVR (beyond visual range) missiles as well as undergo air-to-air refuelling. As of now, the Tejas can let loose only close-range R-73 air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground laser and unguided bombs. 
 It's a no-brainer that India needs to have its own <keyword id="6500558" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="Indigenous">indigenous</keyword> fighter in an era where the supremacy of airpower in shaping modern-day battles is unquestioned, and foreign imports can be choked in times of emergencies. 
 But the way the LCA project has meandered over the years, since it was fi rst approved in August 1983 at a paltry cost of Rs 560 crore to replace the ageing MiG-21s, has tested everyone's patience. So much so that TOI in April 2003, just before then PM <keyword id="47100" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Atal-Bihari-Vajpayee">Atal Bihari Vajpayee</keyword> named it "Tejas", had suggested it be christened "Jet-Ayu" - 'Ayu' being the Hindi word for age, and 'Jatayu', the bird king who fought Ravana in vain to prevent him from abducting Sita. 
 
Down to just 34 fighter squadrons, IAF is of course still fl ying the obsolete MiG-21s. Due to the huge delay in the LCA project, it still has around 250 MiG-21s in its combat fleet, having further staggered their already long-delayed retirement by at least another five years. Not only has the LCA been in the making for 30 years, with deadlines being missed time and again, its overall developmental cost has also zoomed up to Rs 17,269 crore. This includes the Kaveri aero engine, sanctioned in 1989 at a cost of Rs 2,839 crore, which flopped miserably. 
 Consequently, while the first lot of Tejas will be powered by the American <keyword id="45528" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="GE">GE</keyword>-404 engines, the Mark-II ones will have the more powerful GE F-414 engines. Over and above the developmental cost, each Tejas will cost around Rs 210-250 crore. So, the induction of 160 Tejas - 120 for IAF, 40 for Navy - will cost another Rs 35,000 crore. 
 
However, defence scientists pooh-pooh all this talk of high costs. 
 "A fourth-generation-plus fighter, Tejas will still be among the cheapest fighters in its class in the world. It's not easy to develop a digital fl y-by-wire supersonic fighter from scratch, especially when India faced international sanctions for several years after the Pokhran-II nuclear tests," said a <keyword id="9662" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Scientist">scientist</keyword>. 
 Though late in coming, the Tejas is certainly critical for the IAF to meet its lightweight fighter requirements. While the heavyweight fighter category is taken care of by the Sukhoi-30MKIs, the medium range is to be met by the proposed almost $20 billion MMRCA (medium multirole combat aircraft) project to acquire 126 <keyword id="6381048" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rafale">Rafale</keyword> fighters. 
 "The MMRCA and Tejas squadrons are very critical for us to maintain our deterrence capability. Otherwise, our force levels will go down rapidly," says <keyword id="483998" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="IAF-Chief-Air-Chief-Marshal">IAF chief Air Chief Marshal</keyword> NAK Browne.

Tejas: A Rs 50,000 crore bird for India

<ul><li>Indian Air Force: A Cut Above was launched in July this year to inspire youth to join the IAF. </li><li>The game competes against nine other titles which have millions of downloads. </li><li>Voting for the ‘Best Game 2019’ awards is live now. </li></ul>Google has picked Indian Air Force’s video game to compete in the ‘Best Game 2019’ awards under the ‘Users’ Choice Game’ category. The IAF had launched a video game earlier this year in an attempt to attract and encourage the youth to join the airforce. The game ‘Indian Air Force: A Cut Above’ was launched on July 31 this year by the then Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa. The Indian Air Force <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1196613234771390464">took to Twitter</a> to urge its fans to vote for the IAF video game. The voting is currently underway, and it will go on for the next six days. <div type="twitter" handle="IAF_MCC" handlename="Indian Air Force" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/798477907316207617/dMQAtlFj_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1174" retweetcount="224" status="IAF's Video game- 'Indian Air Force: A Cut Above' has been selected by #Google to compete for 'Best Game-2019' in '… https://t.co/0LKca7MpEq" createdat="1574129801000" id="1196613234771390464"></div>

 Tough competition ahead In the Users Choice Game <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/uservoting/Games%20-%20Best%20Of%202019%20User%20Voting%20Page?id=mc_bestof2019_uv_games_page">category</a>, the IAF video game is competing against nine other titles, including Call of Duty: Mobile, Angry Birds Dream Blast, RAID, Stick Cricket and more. Some of these games have racked up millions of downloads, so the IAF video game certainly has its task cut out. It is worth noting here that this is not the first video game made by the IAF. In 2014, the IAF had launched a game called ‘Guardian of the Skies’. The new IAF game is the sequel of sorts of the 2014 game, featuring improved graphics and technology. What is the IAF video game about? In the IAF video game, you play the character of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who had downed a PAF F16 in the aftermath of the <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-s-carries-out-laser-guided-strike-at-jaish-terror-camp-in-pakistan-sources/story-YDssaREtqFG0ZsAaSvIDgJ.html">Balakot airstrike</a>. In the ensuing dogfight, he crossed into Pakistani territory where his MiG-21 Bison was hit by a missile. He was captured by Pakistan and later released. A biopic is also being made on his incredible journey, and gamers can now impersonate him in the game, which can inspire the youth to join the forces.

Indian Air Force’s video game goes up against Call of Duty and Angry Birds in Google’s competition

Bengaluru, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria flew the home-grown <keyword id="158152" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Light-Combat-Helicopter">Light Combat Helicopter</keyword> (LCH) over this aerospace city for an hour, an official said on Friday. "Bhadauria flew the twin-seater LCH for a hour, taking off around noon from our airport in the city's eastern suburb, with our deputy chief test pilot Wing Commander (Retd) S.P. John," a Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (<keyword id="68124" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="HAL">HAL</keyword>) official told IANS here. The Air Chief, who is in the city to unveil the 59th annual conference of the Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine, undertook the sortie in the HAL-made LCH for the first time, as a co-pilot, dressed in a fighter pilot suit. Designed and developed by the city-based state-run defence behemoth (HAL), LCH is the world's multi-role lightest attack helicopter, with a highest flight ceiling. "The LCH has been certified by the relevant agency for induction into the IAF and the <keyword id="6354416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army">Indian Army</keyword> soon," said the official. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had approved the proposal for initial batch of 15 LCHs. The IAF issued Request for Proposal (RFP) for 15 limited series production of the helicopter, including 5 for the Army. Bhadauria, who took over as the <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> (IAF) in September 2019, also flew the HAL-made Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas on May 27, 2020 when it was inducted into the IAF's 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets) at the Sulur air base near Coimbatore in the neigbhouring Tamil Nadu state. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/mumbais-massive-power-cut-last-month-may-have-been-the-work-of-hackers/articleshow/79318282.cms">Mumbai’s massive power cut last month may have been the work of hackers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/vodafone-idea-shares-jump-after-selling-stake-in-indus-towers-for-3760-crore/articleshow/79316662.cms">Vodafone Idea soars nearly 5% on fund infusion from Indus Towers stake sale</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/pubg-mobile-india-was-supposed-to-launch-today/articleshow/79315462.cms">PUBG Mobile India was rumoured to launch today — but there is no official update from the company</a>

Indian Air Force chief flies HAL's home-grown Light Combat Helicopter ahead of its induction into the armed forces

Defence minister Rajnath Singh landed at Merignac Airport in the southwestern French town of Bordeaux on Tuesday for the handover ceremony of the first Rafale combat jet acquired by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The minister, who earlier held wide-ranging talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, said his visit was aimed at "expanding the strategic partnership" between India and France. In Bordeaux, Singh will begin with a tour of Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation's plant before a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first Rafale combat jet. Arrangements have also been made for a traditional Indian Shastra Puja, or weapons' worship which forms part of Dussehra celebrations and this year also marks Air Force Day - IAF's 87th anniversary. "Greetings to all IAF personnel and their families on the 87th IAF Day," Singh said in a tweet. "The IAF is the shining example of exemplary courage, fortitude, determination and impeccable service to our nation. These men and women in Blue have the ability to touch the sky with grit and glory," he said. After the handover ceremony, the minister is scheduled to fly a sortie in the Rafale jet following a brief Shastra Puja conducted by him, which will conclude with the traditional breaking of a coconut before the new aircraft. "Raksha Mantri will participate in the Rafale fighter aircraft handing over ceremony at Merignac along with French minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly," a ministry of defence spokesperson said. "He will also perform the Shastra Puja on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami and fly a sortie in the Rafale fighter aircraft," the spokesperson said. Members of the top military brass of France as well as senior officials of Dassault Aviation will also be present at the ceremony. India had ordered 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a deal worth Rs 59,000 crore in September 2016. While the formal handover ceremony takes place this week, the first batch of four Rafale jets will fly to their home base in India by May 2020. All 36 jets are expected to arrive in India by September 2022, for which the IAF has been reportedly undertaking preparations, including readying required infrastructure and training of pilots. The Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft able to operate from both an aircraft carrier and a shore base. The manufacturers describe it as a fully versatile aircraft which can carry out all combat aviation missions to achieve air superiority and air defence, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence. "In the defence sector, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is our longest standing export customer and has been flying Dassault aircraft since 1953. The acquisition contract for 36 Rafale signed in 2016 and the modernisation of the Mirage 2000 I/TI are a continuation of this historic partnership," Dassault Aviation said in a statement. The Rafale jets intended for India are expected to come with certain bespoke modifications for the IAF and have been awaited as a crucial enhancement to India's Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft fleet. The first Rafale jet will come with tail number RB 001, with RB denoting the initials of Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Bhadauria who played a key role in striking the deal for the jets in his previous role as IAF deputy chief.

Rajnath Singh arrives for Rafale handover ceremony in France

As it prepares to induct a <keyword id="10112494" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="second-batch-of-rafale-jets">second batch of Rafale jets</keyword>, the <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> has sent a team of officials to France to oversee the logistical issues and review the training of a hand-picked group of pilots at the Saint-Dizier air base there, officials said on Thursday. The second batch of four <keyword id="6381048" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="rafale">Rafale</keyword> jets is expected to arrive in India in the next four weeks. The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of these aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. Several teams from the IAF have visited France since January to oversee the progress of the Rafale project including integration of India-specific enhancements and weapons systems, the officials said. The IAF's Rafale project management team has an office in Paris headed by a Group Captain-rank officer. The team is tasked with overseeing the production timelines as well as coordinating training of the crew. A team of experts headed by assistant chief of air staff (projects) reached France earlier this week to coordinate logistical issues as well as training of pilots and technicians, said the officials. The first batch of Rafale jets was finally inducted into the IAF on September 10. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on October 5 said the induction of all 36 Rafale jets will be completed by 2023. Ten Rafale jets have been delivered to India so far and five of them stayed back in France for imparting training to IAF pilots. Known for their air-superiority and precision strikes, the Rafale jets are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 year after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia. The newly inducted fleet has been carrying out sorties in eastern Ladakh where Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a bitter border row for over five months. A group of IAF pilots is currently undergoing training on Rafale jets at the Saint-Dizier airbase in eastern France. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/pnb-yes-bank-central-bank-of-india-idbi-and-six-more-indian-banks-are-the-worst-performing-bank-stocks-in-asia-pacific/articleshow/78679569.cms">10 out of 15 worst-performing bank stocks in Asia-Pacific are Indian — PNB, YES Bank, Central Bank of India, IDBI among them</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/whatsapp-google-amazon-and-facebook-under-the-scanner-for-data-protection-violations-as-supreme-court-calls-on-rbi-and-npci-to-investigate/articleshow/78678174.cms">Whatsapp, Google, Amazon and Facebook under the scanner for data protection violations as Supreme Court calls on RBI and NPCI to investigate</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/chinese-president-xi-jinping-tells-marine-troops-to-be-on-high-alert-and-prepare-for-war/articleshow/78675715.cms">Chinese President Xi Jinping tells marine troops to be on ‘high alert’ and ‘prepare for war’ as tensions in the South China Sea continue to grow</a>

Indian Air Force to induct more Rafale fighter jets — team heads to France for preparations

More than 500 Air Warriors were inducted in the <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> as part of the major changes that <keyword id="6355075" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="IAF">IAF</keyword> is going through in its operational philosophy. 

	At a Combined Passing-out Parade at Air Force Station, Tambaram on October 23, 2015, 548 Air Warriors were inducted into IAF, a Defence release today said. 
 

	"The Air Warriors went through a rigorous and intensive training curriculum at the two premier institutes of the base, namely, the Mechanical Training Institute and the Workshop Training Institute, before passing out," it said. 
 <keyword id="3114416" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Air-Vice-Marshal-AK-Gupta">Air Vice Marshal AK Gupta</keyword>, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Eng B), who reviewed the parade, said that with the induction of the state-of-the-art aircraft, equipment and weapon system, IAF was witnessing major changes in operational philosophy, it said. 

	IAF today was on the path of transforming itself into a strategic force of great calibre, he was quoted as saying. 
 

	He urged the Air Warriors to make sustained efforts towards continuous enhancement of their technical knowledge and skills by keeping themselves abreast with the latest changes besides asking them to maintain exemplary conduct at all times, it added. 

	 
	 
	(Image credits: Indiatimes)

548 Air warriors inducted into IAF

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image">Marina Lystseva via the youngsterA test flight of the Russian variant of the FGFA.</div></div>India's co-development of a fifth-generation fighter with Russia has not progressed quite as smoothly as the top brass in the Indian Air Force (IAF) had hoped.
The Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) was meant to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/india-is-bankrolling-russias-t-50-2014-6">radically upgrade</a> India's air strength through the combination of Russian expertise and Indian financing.
Instead, the IAF has been publicly slamming the development of the next-generation fighter. According to <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/russia-can-t-deliver-on-fifth-generation-fighter-aircraft-iaf-114012100059_1.html">the Business Standard</a>, the IAF has been lambasting the FGFA since at least last December over a series of design flaws. India's also not happy about a perceived unequal split of work between the two countries, in addition to mushrooming expenses, and inadequate engines for the plane. 
In January, the IAF took criticism of the FGFA a step further when the deputy chief of air staff complained that its engines and stealth capabilities - key components of a fifth-generation fighter - were far from adequate. 
The IAF's complaints may have less to do with the plane itself than with India's internal politics.
India's Air Force <a href="http://in.rbth.com/blogs/2014/01/24/gunning_for_the_pak-fa_what_the_iaf_really_wants_32535.html">cannot dictate</a> military procurement. Under India's system, the Air Force relies on the Ministry of <keyword id="6354810" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Defense">Defense</keyword>'s civilian bureaucracy to dictate policy. So, the IAF's public criticism of the fighter could be a way to pressure the Ministry into formulating a more equitable and efficient procurement policy, at least when Russia's involved. 
Likewise, India also has <a href="https://medium.com/war-is-boring/the-indians-hate-their-new-russian-made-stealth-fighter-d89b9ce721de">plans to purchase</a> French Rafale fighters. The Air Force could also be trying to secure a better financial deal with Russia over the next-generation fighters while still having money left over to purchase jets from France. 
Regardless of the IAF's actual views on the FGFA, military cooperation between Russia and India is likely to continue - Russia currently supplies India with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/india-is-the-worlds-largest-arms-importer-2014-6">75% of its arms imports</a>.
As Mark Kronenberg, a vice president of international business development for Boeing Defense, told <a href="http://aviationweek.com/awin/india-concerned-about-fgfa-work-share-russia">Aviation Week</a>: "if you look at the India-Russia relationship, it goes back to 1962. I don't think that relationship will ever go [in] reverse." 
The co-venture between Russia and India to develop a fifth-generation fighter has been in the works <a href="http://aviationweek.com/awin/india-concerned-about-fgfa-work-share-russia">since 2010</a>. The Russian T-50 variant of the FGFA has had some success, while the Indian variant is expected to begin <a href="http://in.rbth.com/economics/2014/02/07/russia_fulfils_fgfa_obligations_with_india_-_alexander_kadakin_32917.html">extensive flight testing</a> in India in 2014.

India And Russia Are Trying To Build A Next-Generation Fighter Jet Together, And It's Not Going Well

<ul><li><keyword id="15141" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> (IAF) will participate in the sixth edition of <keyword id="3243" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Varuna">Varuna</keyword> exercises with <keyword id="162534" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="French-Air-Force">French Air Force</keyword> (FAF) from July 1-14. </li><li>It is set to be the largest-ever air exercise conducted between the two countries </li><li>It is important for IAF as Rafale fighters are set to arrive in India this year. </li></ul>The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be in France from July 1-14 to participate in its biggest joint air exercise with the country. The Air Force’s contingent for the exercise is named the <keyword id="7796625" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Garuda-Contingent">Garuda Contingent</keyword>. This is the sixth edition of the air exercises between IAF and the French Air Force (FAF). It is an important opportunity as IAF can gain experience in operating its current fleet of <keyword id="1055772" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sukhoi-Su-30">Sukhoi SU-30</keyword> fighters with the Rafales. Indian government had ordered 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, and the first delivery is expected this year. The Garuda contingent will include a large number of its own assets including 10 Sukhoi SU-30 fighters, an Ilyushin IL-78 aerial refuelling tanker, an Ilyushin IL-76 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and 150 Indian Air Force (IAF) officers. Indo-French defence cooperation on high The Indian and French Naval forces also took part in the Varuna naval exercise in May. The naval exercise were also the largest-ever they took part in. Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and French aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle, were the highlights of the exercise, which was conducted in two phases. In 2018, India and France signed a strategic pact allowing each others navies and naval facilities. The pact also allows them to open up naval bases for warships. Garuda is the name Indian Air Force uses for its bilateral air exercises with France. Indian army conducts military exercises with France under the name Shakti. The fourth edition of the Varuna exercises took place in 2014 in Jodhpur, India. The event was attended by French Air Chief General Denis Mercier. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-army-is-setting-up-integrated-battle-groups-along-the-pakistan-border-which-will-be-self-sufficient-to-fight-a-war/articleshow/69884097.cms">Indian Army is setting up ‘Integrated battle groups’ along the Pakistan border which will be self-sufficient to fight a war</a>

France and India come closer after Rafale deal, to conduct largest-ever air exercises

<ul><li>"Action has been initiated" against <keyword id="8181189" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="pakistani-drones-smuggling-arms">Pakistani drones smuggling arms</keyword> and ammunition into India, said <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> (IAF) Chief — Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria. </li><li>He stated that the drone smuggling is a space violation issue and the necessary steps will be taken. </li><li>Three consignments of weapons, ammunition, narcotics and counterfeit currency were seized by the Punjab police in September. </li></ul>Drones smuggling arms and ammunition across the border is the new threat that India faces from its neighbour Pakistan, according to the new Indian Air Force (IAF) chief — Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria. "Small drones are a new threat and some procurements are already in process to tackle the issue. It is a space violation issue and necessary action has been initiated in this aspect," stated Bhadauria at the annual Air Force Day press conference. The heightened security on the Indo-Pak border means that terrorists have had to shift their smuggling routes to Punjab to deliver weapons, ammunition, narcotics and counterfeit currency. So far, three such consignments have been caught by the Punjab police. They believe that the packages are being airdropped into the state by Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF) and Khalistan Zindabad Force terrorists, with help from the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) this side of the border. <div type="image" title="drones" msid="71440585" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Drones recovered near the Indo-Pak border over the last around one month&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

 Inquiry by the <keyword id="6362387" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-investigation-agency">National Investigation Agency</keyword> (NIA) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is already looking into the multiple cases of drones being used by Pakistan to smuggle arms into India. According to Pakistani Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, these drones are GPS-enabled and can carry upto 10 kilograms. The first consignment was caught on 12 September 2019 where the police seized four AK 56 rifles, two AK 47 rifles with 180 rounds, six magazines and 11,000 bullets. The second consignment was much larger. On 22 September 2019, the police recovered five AK 47 rifles with 16 magazines and 472 rounds, four Chinese-made point 30 bore pistols with eight magazines and 72 rounds, nine hand grenades, five satellite phones, two mobile phones and two wireless sets along with ₹1 million (₹10 lakh) in counterfeit currency. They were found in the possession of KZF terrorists. The latest consignment which was seized on 24 September 2019, consisted of four AK 47 rifles, 10 magazines and 200 cartridges. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/military-defense/article/a-nuclear-war-between-india-and-pakistan-would-result-in-125-million-deaths-global-cooling-and-mass-starvation/articleshow/71417075.cms">A nuclear war between India and Pakistan would result in 125 million deaths, global cooling and mass starvation</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/military-defense/news/india-has-called-paks-nuclear-bluff-twice-ex-army-officers/articleshow/71427011.cms">India has called Pak's nuclear bluff twice: Ex-Army officers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/pakistan-issued-its-most-explicit-threat-of-war-against-india-yet-as-the-2-nuclear-powers-clash-over-kashmir/articleshow/71296226.cms">Pakistan issued its most explicit threat of war against India yet as the 2 nuclear powers clash over Kashmir</a>

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