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<ul><li>The move is first step to open negotiations, said Pakistan PM Imran Khan. </li><li><keyword id="7371588" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Abhinandan-Varthaman">Abhinandan Varthaman</keyword>, the Indian pilot, was captured in Pakistan when his plane was shot down during after a dogfight. </li><li>India had pressed for immediate release for the pilot.</li></ul>Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday said it will release Indian pilot, <keyword id="200145" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Abhinandan">Abhinandan</keyword> Varthaman, held in Pakistan custody as a gesture of peace on Friday. Addressing the Pakistan Parliament, Khan said the move was a ‘first step’ to open negotiations with India, coming just days after the two countries engaged in an air battle for the first time since 1971, sparking fears of hostilities spiralling out of control. Varthaman, who was flying a Mig-21, was shot down after an aerial face-off between Pakistan and India earlier this week, in the wake of air strikes by India on a terror camp in Pakistan. The Indian government had pressed for immediate release for the pilot and had been under public pressure to bring him back after he went missing in action following in an aerial encounter between the forces of the two countries. International pressure for both India and Pakistan had been fierce to de-escalate tensions. US president Donald Trump earlier in the day <a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/donald-trump-says-us-has-some-reasonably-decent-news-on-reducing-indo-pak-tensions-3594051.html">hinted</a> that he had some ‘reasonably attractive' news that the heightened tension between the two countries might end soon. On Wednesday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs had held meetings with a Pakistani envoy and handed over Pakistan documents containing details of Jaish-e-Mohammed's involvement in the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, which killed over 40 CRPF security personnel.

Pakistan says it will release captured Indian pilot as a ‘peace gesture’

<ul><li><keyword id="15141" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="indian-air-force" source="Orion">Indian Air Force</keyword> is filling up 80 apprenticeship posts at the <keyword id="53780" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-force-station" source="Orion">Air Force Station</keyword> in Ojhar (Nashik).</li><li>The last date to apply for the opportunity is February 19.</li><li>Selected candidates will get a stipend of ₹7,700 per month, as per the rules of government of India.</li></ul>Indian <keyword id="6354954" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-force" source="Orion">Air Force</keyword> (IAF) is inviting applications for 80 apprenticeship posts at the Air Force Station in Ojhar (Nashik) through Air Force apprentice training written test for the courses commencing on April 1. The last date to apply for the opportunity is February 19. Selected candidates will get a stipend of ₹7,700 per month, as per the rules of government of India. These are the vacancies — <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Trade/Post </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">No. of vacancies </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Machinist </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sheet Metal </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Welder (gas and electric) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Carpenter </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mechanic </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">9 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Electrician Aircraft </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">24 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Painter </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fitter </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">26 </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> Eligibility criteria Candidates must have scored more than 50% marks in 10+2/equivalent examinations. Must have industrial institutes of training (ITI) certificate with 65% aggregate marks. Selection procedure A written and practical exam on respective trade would be conducted between March 1 and March 3. Declaration of the merit list will be released on March 17. Interested candidates can apply on the official website of <a href="https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/">Apprentice India</a>. Candidates can seek more information <a href="http://www.davp.nic.in/WriteReadData/ADS/eng_10802_38_2122b.pdf">here</a>. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/drdo-apprentices-recruitment-2022-checkout-stipend-eligibility-criteria-and-other-details/articleshow/89609939.cms">DRDO Apprentices Recruitment 2022: Checkout stipend, eligibility criteria and other details</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/twitter-wants-good-bots-to-self-identify-with-labels/articleshow/89637443.cms">Twitter wants good bots to self-identify with labels</a>

Indian Air Force is hiring 80 apprentices — Checkout eligibility, last date, stipend and other details

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/military-defense/finally-indian-army-is-going-modern-with-its-ammo/articleshow/57407027.cms">Indian Army </a>has asked the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/politics/finance-minister-arun-jaitley-gets-defence-ministry-after-manohar-parrikar-heads-to-goa/articleshow/57618660.cms">Defence Ministry </a>to approve raising 370 new platoons (around 18,000 personnel) of the Defence Security Corps (<keyword id="6437612" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="DSC">DSC</keyword>). These personnel would be imparted with better training with weapons like AK-47 assault rifles and light-machine guns (LMGs). 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/india-has-signed-defence-deals-worth-over-2-billion-with-israel/articleshow/58065210.cms">India has signed defence deals worth over $2 billion with Israel</a> 
 
This is needed to strengthen the security for military camps and establishments across India. 
 
A tri-service committee, chaired by former Army Vice-Chief Lt-General Philip Campose (Retd), had recently submitted a report on alleged gaping holes in the security infrastructure of defence installations in the country. The report, apparently, has been made after an extensive audit last year. 
 
However, the government has not yet begun implementing the committee’s recommendations, even though there have been several terrorist attacks on military bases like <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/politics/Indo-Pak-foreign-secretaries/articleshow/51990712.cms">Pathankot</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/law-order/crime/Uri-terror-attack-There-could-be-2-points-from-which-terrorists-entered-the-army-camp-Probe-on/articleshow/54408445.cms">Uri </a>and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Fierce-gunbattle-underway-in-Jammu-four-militants-killed/articleshow/55681771.cms">Nagrota</a> in the recent past. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/shot-9-times-crpf-commandant-wakes-up-from-coma/articleshow/58029639.cms">Shot 9 times, CRPF commandant wakes up from coma</a> 
 As per the <keyword id="43909" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Defence-ministry">Defence Ministry</keyword>, it has issued "broad guidelines" based on the recommendations to the Army, Navy and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/IAF-jets-touch-down-on-the-longest-ever-Agra-Lucknow-Expressway-in-a-grand-opening-ceremony/articleshow/55541954.cms">IAF </a>headquarters. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/this-is-what-will-happen-to-indias-oldest-warship-ins-viraat/articleshow/57267472.cms">This is what will happen to India’s oldest warship-INS Viraat</a> 
 
It was a recommendation of this committee that the DSC be revamped. As of now, it consists of over 64,500 jawans that arw re-employed after they retire from the armed forces. 
 
The Army seems to have agreed to this recommendation, which is why it has asked for equipping each of the 370 new platoons (a full platoon has a junior commissioned officer and 55 other ranks) with at least two LMGs and a light 2.5-tonne vehicle, along with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/military-defense/indian-army-has-less-life-protecting-equipments-than-pakistan-sri-lanka-and-bangladesh/articleshow/56136012.cms">bullet-proof jackets</a>, headgear and night-vision devices. 
 
As per an <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/army-seeks-new-corps-of-18000-men-to-secure-camps/articleshow/58119599.cms">ET </a>source, the initial cost for raising these 370 platoons will be around Rs 1.3 crore. 
 
(Image source LiveMint)

Army asks defence ministry for 18000 new personnel to secure camps and military establishments

<ul><li><keyword id="691827" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Foreign-Secretary-of-India">Foreign Secretary of India</keyword> VK Gokhale makes the first official statement from India after the air strikes across the Line of Control</li><li>India calls the strike by the Air Force as 'pre-emptive, non-military' attack on terror camps</li><li>The attack by <keyword id="15141" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> has come days after a terror attack by Jaish-e-Mohammad operatives killed 40 Indian security personnel in Kashmir</li></ul> India's first official statement on the air attack across the Line of Control has come from the country's Foreign Secretary VK Gokhale. "Credible intel was received that JeM was planning more suicide attacks in India. In the face of imminent danger, a preemptive strike became absolutely necessary," Gokhale said in the first government address after the Indian air strike on Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. Top commanders were eliminated in the strike, he added. Indian Air Force fighter jets dropped 1,000 kilos of bombs across the Line of Control with <keyword id="3001" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan">Pakistan</keyword> before returning, said several media reports suggested earlier in the day. He also called the attack 'non-military' and that it was targeted specifically at Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps. "We avoided civilian casualties with the selection of the camp, which is located deep inside forests, Gokhale said. Gokhale's statement mentioned the attack by terrorists in Pulwama, Kashmir on February 14 that killed over 40 Indian troopers. However, he did not clearly say that this attack from the Indian side was retaliatory. Gokhale refused to take any questions from the journalists present at the briefing. India responded to a similar attack by Pakistan-based terrorists in 2016 with the surgical strikes by the army. At that time, the first briefing was addressed by the army chief. However, India has a struck diplomatic tone by letting the top foreign ministry official take the stage. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-air-force-drops-payload-across-the-line-of-control/articleshow/68163111.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Indian fighter jets drop a ton of bombs across the Line of Control</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/water-wars-india-decides-to-stop-indus-water-supply-to-pakistan/articleshow/68099006.cms">Water wars: India decides to stop Indus water supply to Pakistan</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-pushing-for-pakistan-inclusion-on-fatfs-terror-financing-blacklist/articleshow/68108197.cms">Despite Indian efforts, Pakistan avoids being blacklisted for terror financing</a>

It was a 'pre-emptive, non-military' attack on 'terror camps', India says

An attack helicopter (AH) is a rotary wing platform with the primary role of engaging targets on the ground such as armored infantry or moving armored vehicles. There heavy armament can include weapons such as auto canons, heavy machine guns, unguided rockets, and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM's) like Hellfire and air to air missiles. Apart from the US and Russia, no other country is known for its large inventory of attack helicopters. 
 
 <keyword id="43853" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Indian-military">Indian military</keyword> is having around 390 helicopters with it but only 30 out of them are attack helicopters and rest are the utility and transport helicopters. The reason behind this can be understood by the fact that the <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> (IAF) maintains a fleet of around 250 ground attack aircrafts which more or less serves the same basic purpose of giving close air support to the ground troops. Traditionally India is not known for the love of attack helicopters. Even back in those days, India was using Mil MI-4 and Bell 47G-2 which were utility helicopters for troop movement and rescue operations. 
 
 
The Need 
 
 As of now, Indian Air Force deploys around 20 Mil Mi-35, 7 HAL Rudra and 3 HAL Light combat Helicopters (prototypes). It was the Kargil war of 1999 which fueled the need for helicopters that can operate at such high-altitude conditions with ease. Restricted maneuverability of Mil Mi-35 with high payloads led India to the develop the HAL Light Combat Helicopter and HAL Rudra for multi-role high-altitude combat operations and this can be used by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army's <keyword id="812305" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Aviation-Corps">Aviation Corps</keyword>. On 26 May 2009, the <keyword id="2910012" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Ministry-of-Defense">Indian Ministry of Defense</keyword> invited bids for 22 combat helicopters and 15 heavy-lift helicopters in a deal worth US$2 billion. In 2011, the American AH 64-D Apache Block3 had emerged as the winner ahead of the Russian Mi-28N defense deal for 22 Attack Helicopter and CH47-F Chinook won it for the heavy lift category. IAF is planning to deploy indigenously developed HAL Light Combat Helicopter for its combat operations along with the AH64-D Apache, however the HAL-LCA is in the nascent stage of development and the AH64-D's are yet to be delivered. 
 <keyword id="1376569" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="The-Boeing">The Boeing</keyword> AH-64 Apache is considered as the best attack helicopter which creates havoc in the battlefield. The Boeing AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin turbo shaft attack helicopter with a powerful anti-armour weapon system. The Apache is equipped with state of the art electronic technology and fire control systems. The Apache can be loaded with 16 AGM-114 Hellfire Missiles, 76 70mm folding-fin aerial rockets or a combination of both – in addition to 1,200 30mm rounds for its M230 automatic cannon. There can be the use of fixed and rotary wing aircraft in operations against insurgents and this weapon system can be a force multiplier with the IAF in these special missions. Some experts are however opposing the requirement for the attack helicopters quoting that India has thousands of miles of mountainous borders to defend and attack helicopters are bound to be under-utilized in the mountains with their full payload. Another concern is that the heavy firing of the daytime at low levels can bring down any attack helicopter even with the best armour plantings. With their height ceilings and limited weapon systems, attack helicopters can perform their best in the plains but it is the mountains where it has to face the severest test as a credible force multiplier. Lessons from Vietnam remind that more than 5000 helicopters were lost against a not so powerful enemy. However, technology and weaponry has moved far ahead since then. 
 
The indigenous development 
 
Whatever the debate is, Indian military knows the best. After the Kargil war, India is engaged in developing a rotary weapons platform and has successfully produced the HAL Rudra, which is an armed version of HAL Dhruv. Rudra is equipped with Forward Looking Infra Red and Thermal Imaging Sights Interface, a 20 mm turret gun, 70 mm rocket pods, ATGM's and Air-to-Air Missiles. Total 27 are there, 20 with army aviation corps and 7 with IAF. 
 
In 2006, HAL announced its plan to design and build LCH. The Indian Air Force is to acquire 65 LCHs and Indian Army is to acquire 114 LCHs. It surpasses the Boeing AH 64-D Apache in terms of range(700kms) and service ceiling(6500mts), however when it comes to the terms of weapon system, it is more like the Eurocopter Tiger and AW 129 Mangusta. Given its service ceilings and range it is well suited for the mountainous terrains with the prospects of further developments. India will go for the full scale production of the HAL LCH's only after 2016 and the prototypes are being tested now. These improvements in the Indian defense manufacturing sector not only fits the “Make in India” program but also takes us a step closer towards the self-sufficiency in defense procurements. 
 
Image credits: Indiatimes (Representation Image)

Dusk and Dawn of the Indian Attack Helicopters

<ul><li><keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> fighter jets reportedly dropped 1,000 kilos of bombs across the <keyword id="44759" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Control">Line of Control</keyword> with Pakistan.</li><li>The payload was allegedly dropped in the Muzaffarabad sector.</li><li>The strike comes in the wake of heightened tensions between the two countries </li></ul>Indian Air Force fighter jets dropped 1,000 kilos of bombs across the Line of Control with Pakistan before returning, said several media reports. Several media reports claimed that the IAF strike was carried out by a group of Mirage 2000 fighters at around 3.30 a.m. Sources in the Indian forces told Indian news agencies the strikes were aimed at terror launch pads, and the Indian Prime Minister was taking stock of the security situation in the wake of the strike. In the wee hours of Wednesday, Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson Asif Ghafoor tweeted that Indian aircraft had violated the LOC and “released a payload” in haste before returning. Following this, Pakistan air force immediately “scrambled.” In a statement Foreign Secretary of India VK Gokhale has said the move was a "pre-emptive, non-military" attack on <keyword id="36979" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Terror-camps">terror camps</keyword>. The payload was allegedly dropped near Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the Muzaffarabad sector. The strike comes in the wake of heightened tensions between the two countries following a suicide bomb attack on India’s security personnel in Pulwama, Kashmir on February 14 that killed over 40. Pakistan-based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed the terror strike. With IANS

Indian fighter jets drop a ton of bombs across the Line Of Control: Reports

<keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> has always been a major part of the defence forces, thanks to the modern technology that it uses. However, the force is now under threat from China and Pakistan’s constantly and rapidly modernising air forces, revealed a top US think-tank. It also underlined that resolving this "crisis" should be Indian government’s top priority. 
 
"Despite being a world-class combat arm, the IAF's falling end strength and problematic force structure, combined with its troubled acquisition and development programs, threaten India's air superiority over its rapidly modernising rivals, China and Pakistan," said the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 
 
The report, titled "The Manifold Travails of the Indian Air Force" has been written by Ashley Tellis, a top American expert on India and South Asia, whose counsel is sought by governments in both the countries. The report argues that India needs this air dominance for deterrence stability in southern Asia and also for preserving the strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific region. 
 
"Resolving India's airpower crisis, therefore, should be a priority for New Delhi," said the report. 
 
It added that as of early this year, IAF's fighter force is weaker than the numbers suggest, while drawing attention to many of its frontline aircraft are obsolete. 
 
Comparing China and Pakistan’s air forces to that of India, it said that they have about 750 advanced air defense/ multirole fighters as compared to IAF's 450-odd equivalents. 
 
"The IAF's desire for 42 45 squadrons by 2027 some 750 800 aircraft is compelling, if India is to preserve the airpower superiority it has enjoyed in southern Asia since 1971," the report said. 
 
While concluding, Tellis said that IAF's likelihood of reaching its 2027 goal with a high proportion of advanced fighters seems poor. 
 
<a href="http://media.indiatimes.in/media/content/2015/May/su-30-mki_1432196760_725x725.jpg">Image source</a>

Indian Air Force under threat from China and Pakistan, says US think tank

Defence Minister <keyword id="6363133" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Manohar-Parrikar">Manohar Parrikar</keyword>, currently on his second visit to the US in eight months, will be visiting the Boeing’s facility in Philadelphia on August 31 to get an update on the CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters being manufactured for India. 
 In order to scale up Indian Air Force capabilities, the government had last year placed order for 15 <keyword id="1984220" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chinook-helicopters">Chinook helicopters</keyword> along with 22 AH-64E Apache Longbow attack helicopters, also being manufactured by Boeing. 
 
The order is valued at over US $2.5 billion. Alongside, the private sector in India will benefit as the deal will bring around $600 million into the defence and aerospace sector as offset for the deal. 
 
The Chinook helicopters are slated to be inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2019. 
 
The US is currently the biggest supplier of weapons and military equipment to India, having won orders worth over $13 billion during the last seven years. 
 
The induction of Apache attack and Chinook heavy lift helicopters will prove to be a game changer for the capabilities of the Indian Air Force.

How US-made Chinook and
Apache helicopters will add more firepower to Indian Armed Forces

The induction of <keyword id="6381048" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="rafale">Rafale</keyword> into Indian Air Force (IAF) today is expected to be a pivotal turning point that will augment the capabilities of Indian Defense Forces. Certainly a game changer by all means, Rafale aircraft in the Indian Air Force will mean the country winning a prime place among the countries that boast of superior fighting aircrafts. When compared with the air power of Pakistan and many other South Asian countries, Rafale will lift up India’s competence significantly though comparing with China’s air strength will be a long way to go. Here are the top characteristics of Rafale that will explain why Rafale is different from Indian fighter aircrafts. The need we confront For about twenty years, India has been viewed to be disadvantaged in terms of long-range arms and sensors vis-a-vis PAF. Rafale will change this fate and bestow on the IAF the crucial edge with far better weapons and sensors. Two F16s need to combine together to counter-challenge a single /Rafale in the air. Since the American Jets have superior radar and missiles, two Su 30MKI need to be knotted to fight one of PAK F16. What India will achieve with Rafale? The weapons package that Rafale will get for India will capacitate India with the ability to engage Pakistani jets from a long distance without the risk of being tracked. In addition, the air-to-ground SCALP missile can precisely track down any target on the Pakistani territory with ease. The precision long-range ground attack missile can attack the specific target accurately. Since Rafale has a range of more than 300 kms, Indian aircrafts will not need to cross the LOC since the operations similar to Balakot can be conducted from within the Indian airspace. Rafale features beyond visual range air to air missile that is the best today. The aircraft can take out the enemy aircraft from a range of more than 100 kms. There is no escape zone of more than 60 km, the missile can easily overtake those of the American origin. What is special about the Rafale aircraft supplied to India? Already countries like France and Egypt have been operating Rafale jets, those that have been supplied to India are more sophisticated and highly customized to meet the specific needs that IAF has today. The pilots can significantly benefit from the helmet mounted sights and targeting systems and can shoot off the weapons with lightning speed. Rafale can easily take off from high altitude air bases like Leh on a cold start in order to carry out quick deployment AMRAAM presently with Pak in a highly accurate manner. The towed decoy system can thwart the incoming missile attacks. Upon the induction of Rafale into the IAF, France will provide industrial support for about 50 years. The future ahead of Rafale in IAF India has plans to acquire not less 36 more Rafale jets. The infrastructure necessary to accommodate them is now ready and a deal to purchase 36 more will cost the country considerably lesser since the specific enhancements required by India have been already paid for.

What is special about the Rafale aircraft supplied to India?

India has finally decided to take forward its negotiations with Russia about the mega projects that were stalled in the past. 
 
As per TNN sources, the talks about jointly developing a futuristic fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and upgrading the existing <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Sukhoi-wants-Tata-to-manufacture-parts-for-SSJ100/articleshow/51026262.cms">Sukhoi</a>- 30MKI jets into 'Super Sukhois' with advanced avionics and weapons have begun amidst India and Russia. 
 
However, India and France are also close to inking a deal worth 7.8 billion euro deal for 36 Rafale jets, but the defence ministry has acknowledged that these 36 fighters will not be enough for India’s air combat power which is on a down track. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Defence-Manufacturing-Is-India-Inc-ready/articleshow/50738348.cms">Defence Manufacturing: Is India Inc. ready?</a> 
 As of now, the <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> just has 33 fighter squadrons, which includes 11 obsolete MiG-21 and MiG-27 squadrons that are up for retirement. However, to safeguard the border from the evil intentions of China and Pakistan, IAF requires at least 42 jets. 
 
The defence ministry is also considering a "multi-pronged strategy" so that it can up its airpower. This includes introducing the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Made-in-India-light-combat-aircraft-Tejas-inducted-in-Air-Force/articleshow/53002316.cms">home-made </a>light combat aircraft, called <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/10-things-you-should-definitely-know-about-the-brand-new-Made-in-India-fighter-jet-Tejas/articleshow/53007047.cms">Tejas</a>, and look out for a second line of producing fighter jets in the country, including the American F/A-18, F-16, and Swedish Gripen-E. 
 
Talking of these 5th-generation fighters, the final R&amp;D design contract is almost ready to be inked, for the Indian "perspective multi-role fighter", which is a variant of Sukhoi T-50 or PAK-FA, the Russian single-seat FGFA. 
 
"Apart from resolving technical and cost issues, Russia has also agreed to allow IAF test pilots to fly its prototypes now," a source told <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-pushes-talks-with-russia-for-5th-generation-fighters-and-super-sukhois/articleshow/53147669.cms">TNN</a>. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Defence-minister-considering-purchases-worth-Rs-1-lakh-crore/articleshow/52882935.cms">Defence minister is considering purchases worth Rs 1 lakh crore</a> 
 
The first contract was signed in 2007, which was then followed up in 2010 with a $295 million preliminary design contract. 
 
The contract involves producing 127 such fighters in India would cost about $25 billion. 
 
"The technical requirements should be finalised this year, with the contract being inked next year," said the source. 
 
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tYyuEbZJlH4/TlC4v-GJZqI/AAAAAAAAAOI/vwT5Y3WCu7A/s1600/SU-30MKI_Super+Sukhois_1.jpg">Image source</a>

India begins final talks with Russia over fighter jets and Super Sukhois

The <keyword id="15141" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> left the sky of <keyword id="48396" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pokhran">Pokhran</keyword> smoky and lit up with a mega exercise ‘<keyword id="7334968" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vayu-Shakti-2019">Vayu Shakti 2019</keyword>’ on Saturday involving several fighter jets and attack helicopters in a ‘fire’ demonstration. 
	<div type="Slideshow" msid="68048489" hostid="261" title="IN PICS: Indian Air Force puts on display a ‘fire power’ demo, featuring fighter jets and choppers" firstImageMsid="68048649" slideCount="6"></div>

IN PICS: Indian Air Force puts on display a ‘fire power’ demo, featuring fighter jets and choppers

Prime Minister <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Narendra+Modi+">Narendra Modi</a> on Saturday visited the strategic <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=pathankot">Pathankot Air Force base</a> for a first-hand assessment of the situation in the aftermath of the terror attack last Saturday. 
 
Security forces had yesterday declared the sprawling Air Force station fully sanitised after a massive combing operation spanning over three days. 
 
"The combing operation at the Air Force station is over," a senior IAF official said, adding the entire area has been sanitised. 
 
 Six terrorists, believed to owe allegiance to Pakistan-based <keyword id="119193" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jaish-e-Mohammed">Jaish-e-Mohammed</keyword> were gunned down by the security forces after a four-day gun battle. Seven security personnel also lost their lives. 
 The operation to ensure that no terrorist was hiding was carried out jointly by Army, NSG and IAF's <keyword id="1545467" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Garud-Commandos">Garud commandos</keyword>. 
 
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had also visited the base on January five. 
 
Pakistan Prime Minister <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Nawaz+Sharif+">Nawaz Sharif</a> had called up Modi and promised action against the perpetrators of the brazen attack. 
 
During his visit, the Prime Minister is also likely to undertake an aerial survey of the Indo-Pak border areas, official sources said. 
 
Elaborate security arrangements are in place in Pathankot for Modi's visit and media has been stationed near the entrance of the air base. 
 
 
During his visit to the strategic facility on January 5, Parrikar had admitted to "some gaps" that led to the attack. The perpetrators were believed to have infiltrated the Indian territory from a spot near Bamiyal village in Pathankot located close to the international border. 
 
(Image credits: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Pathankot air base

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">REUTERS/Danish IsmailA civil-defence team member removes the wreckage of an Indian air force MiG-21 Bison aircraft after it crashed in Soibugh in Budgam district of Kashmir, August 24, 2015. The pilot of the aircraft ejected safely, according to local media reports.</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>India and Pakistan have been trading blows since a February 16 terror attack in Kashmir killed 40 India troops, but updated battle damage reports indicate India may have totally blown a surprise attack. </li><li>India sent some of its best jets and pilots to bomb a suspected terrorist training camp in Pakistan and new satellite imagery shows they missed.</li><li>After the strike, India burst into celebration and taunted Pakistan, but there's no evidence India accomplished anything at all. </li><li>India and Pakistan are bitter rivals that frequently mock each other, so this could be a black eye for India. </li></ul>India and Pakistan have been trading blows since a February 16 terror attack in Kashmir killed 40 India troops, but updated battle damage reports indicate India's retaliation fell well short of achieving anything.Following the terror attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country's blood boiled, and blamed Pakistan for harboring the terror group that had struck.Modi unleashed his military to strike back at Pakistan as they saw fit, in what one expert called an "abdication of political power."India's military retaliation took the form of a surprise strike in the dead of night with Mirage 2000 jet fighters breaching Pakistan's airspace and bombing just miles from the country's military academies. Immediately after the bombing, Indian forces claimed they had killed 300 members of the terror group with 2,000-pound bombs, and Indians around the country broke into celebrations.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/history-and-background-of-india-pakistan-tensions-dispute-over-kashmir-2019-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India and Pakistan came to blows over Kashmir again, but the 70-year conflict is about much more than a border dispute</a>Pakistan, for its part, said India missed and had been chased off. One soundbite from Pakistan's <keyword id="6354810" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="defense">defense</keyword> minister, in which he blamed the nighttime for a delayed response, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pakistan-clings-to-nukes-after-embarrassing-air-strikes-by-india-2019-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brought intense mockery from the vindicated Indian side. </a>But new evidence suggests that Pakistan was right, and India had outright failed to hit anything worthwhile.<h2>No damage</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Planet Labs Inc./Handout via REUTERSA satellite image shows a madrasa near Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, March 4, 2019. Picture taken March 4, 2019.</div></div></div>Images from Planet Labs, which show details as small as 72 cm, don't show the alleged terrorist training site as having sustained any damage at all.Reuters reporters last Tuesday and Thursday toured the area and interviewed people in the surrounding area and found no evidence of anyone being killed or hurt. "It does appear there was a strike in the vicinity of the camp, but it looks like it largely missed," Omar Lamrani, a military analyst at Stratfor, a geopolitical consulting firm, told Business Insider.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/satellite-photos-no-damage-at-pakistan-site-india-hit-with-airstrikes-2019-3">New photos offer more evidence that India's airstrikes on Pakistan didn't hit anything</a>Some Indian officials said the munitions entered through the roof and detonated inside, but according to Lamrani, that "doesn't pass the smell test."Indian officials told Reuters that they used 2,000-lb Israeli-made SPICE 2000 glide bombs in the attack. According to Lamrani and other experts, there's simply no way that bomb could hit its target and cause such little damage. Instead, Pakistan showed craters just a few hundred yards short of the camp with rubble potentially from Indian missiles. For whatever reason, India missed its big attack by a hair.<h2>India's best?</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30878">Public Domain</a>GWALIOR AIR FORCE STATION, India -- An Indian air force Mirage 2000 taxis into position following a Cope India 2004 sortie</div></div></div>India's Mirage 2000 fleet carries the country's nuclear weapons, meaning the aircraft are prioritized and have some of the best reliability rates in the fleet. Often, countries put their better pilots in nuclear-capable aircraft to ensure mission readiness. "I think they were trying to go with some of their most capable precision-guided munitions," said Lamrani, adding that the pilots were "probably some of their best.""But I'm a bit stumped as to why they missed," he continued. "It could be simply a pilot error, but it could speak to the status of the Indian air force."A <a href="https://theprint.in/defence/iafs-balakot-strike-lasted-21-mins-used-1000-kg-israeli-bombs-fed-with-gps-coordinates/198325/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">source told India's The Print</a> that strong winds caused the Indian jets to cross into Pakistan's actual airspace to drop the bombs, but that also strains reason. Bombs dropped from altitude always face strong winds.Ultimately, nobody is sure how India blew a surprise attack that seemed to legitimately catch Pakistan off guard. <h2>Aftermath</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">India's Press Information Bureau/Handout via REUTERSIndia's Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute as he stands next to the coffins containing the remains of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed after a suicide bomber rammed a car into a bus carrying them in south Kashmir on Thursday, at Palam airport in New Delhi, India, February 15, 2019.</div></div></div>Since the attack, fighting continued and saw the loss of an Indian fighter jet to Pakistani forces. Pakistan released the captured pilot and offered an olive branch by saying it would help India investigate the terror incident.But India has only made more unsubstantiated claims of victories. India said it downed a Pakistani jet, but has yet to produce any evidence.Nationalism is on the rise in both India and Pakistan, bitter rivals who fought three wars since 1947. Each country has online militias bent on stoking nationalism, pushing politicians to hardline responses, and goading each other on military matters.As the world looks on and hopes the nuclear nations can deescalate the fighting, India may have to accept the humiliation of a failed strike. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-kim-jong-un-scariest-dictators-2016-1">Here's how North Korea's Kim Jong Un became one of the world's scariest dictators</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

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