Indian Air Force looking for BVRAAMs

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is scouring the global arms market for new Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missiles. It now operates Russian R-27 (NATO: AA-10 Alamo) and R-77 (AA-12 Adder) missiles on its MiG-29 and Su-30 fleet.

India deploys 2 Su-30MKI squadrons to Pakistani border

Strengthening its presence along the sometimes tense border with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force will deploy two squadrons of its Su-30MKIs to Jodhpur for two years. This marks the first Su-30MKI deployment near the border.

Indian C-17 deal flies into storm

India's purchase of Boeing's C-17 transport has run into trouble with the Indian Defence Ministry wanting the United States to disclose the comparative prices at which the aircraft has been sold to other nations. It contends that the price being quoted for 10 aircraft is too high.

Indian AF to buy 65 indigenous Light Combat Helos

The Indian Air Force will buy 65 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) from state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. with deliveries scheduled by 2013-2014. The LCH is a two-engine, 5.5-ton helicopter and will carry air-to-air missiles, 20mm guns, unguided rockets and cluster bombs, grenade launchers and anti-radiation missiles.

Embraer unveils Indian EMB-145 AEW&C aircraft

In a ceremony held at its Brazilian headquarters, Embraer has unveiled the first of three EMB 145 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft destined for the Indian Air Force. The aircraft will now carry out ground and flight tests with delivery scheduled in the second half of 2011

Indian Air Force set to form Tejas squadron

India has begun preparations to form the IAF's first Tejas Light Combat Aircraft squadron by standing up 45 Sqn "The Flying Daggers". The MiG-21 unit will stand up at Bengaluru before moving to Sulur in Tamil Nadu, southern India.

Indian Jaguar re-engining tender runs into turbulence

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) plans to fit its SEPECAT Jaguar fighter planes with new engines seem to be in trouble with Rolls Royce indicating it may pull out of the tender, leaving Honeywell as the sole bidder. India plans to re-engine about 60 of its fleet of Jaguars.

India selects Israel's Derby AAM for Tejas

India will sign a contract with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd to supply the Derby air-to-air missile for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. The Indian Air Force has ordered 40 Tejas planes and according to the government’s plans 160 additional jets are to be produced including 60 for the Navy

IAF to phase out all of its MiG-21FLs next year

In the wake of increasing mishaps involving its older fighters, the Indian Air Force will completely retire the oldest variants of the MiG-21 in it's inventory. With newer aircraft entering the fleet, the MiG-21FL (Type 77) would all be retired from next year, leaving its MiG-21bis (Type 75) variants to soldier on.

C-130J to be inducted into IAF; first American built aircraft in 40 years

Marking the entry of an American into the Indian AF in four decades, the first of six C-130J transports will be inducted into IAF service at the Hindon air base. The IAF sees the C-130J as a bridge between capabilities of its Il-76 and An-32 transports and for carrying out Special Forces operations.

Eurofighter Typhoons arrive in Bangalore for Aero India

Two Eurofighter Typhoons of the Italian Air Force have arrived to participate in the Aero India airshow at Yelahanka Air Base in Banagalore. Eurofighter is one of the six companies which has pitched in the running for India's lucrative 126-plane fighter contract.

Russia tests upgraded MiG fighter jet for India

Russia's MiG corporation has announced that the first of six Indian AF MiG-29s being upgraded in Russia has made its first test fight. India has awarded the MiG corporation a contract to upgrade all of its 69 operational MiG-29s with 63 aircraft to be upgraded in India to MiG-29UPG standard

Indian AF MiG-21 crashes on routine sortie, pilot survives

Following the loss of two similar aircraft in 2010, an Indian AF MiG-21 "Bison" fighter has crashed while on a routine sortie with the pilot successfully ejecting. Reports indicate that the aircraft had engine issues before the crash in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district.

Troubled Tejas edges toward service

More than two decades after it was conceived and with its share of critics, the long-delayed Tejas light combat aircraft is finally approaching Indian air force service on its way to replace the IAF's ageing MiG-21s. Despite criticism, the programme is arguably not about producing a world-beating light fighter aircraft, but to serve as a learning foundation for future projects.

India's first C-130J on its way to Aero India

With plans to make its public debut at the Aero India, the Indian Air Force's first C-130J tactical transport has left Georgia on its way to India. India has acquired six stretched-fuselage C-130J-30s, with another six expected to be ordered later this year.

Boeing withdraws from Indian midair tanker tender

In a surprising move, Boeing has withdrawn from the midair tanker tender floated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). A company executive has stated that it is unable to determine its ability to participate in future international competitions until the USAF's KC-X decision is made.

India accuses Pakistani aircraft of violating border agreement

Two low flying Pakistani aircraft on Wednesday flew close to the international border in the Jammu sector, triggering an air defence alert by the Indian Air Force. Though the aircraft were flying in Pakistani territory, India says it breaches an agreement between the countries barring fixed-wing aircraft flying within 10 km of the border.

India in the hunt for new tankers

Due to its current fleet of tankers experiencing serviceability issues, the Indian Air Force is in the market for a new fleet of six new tankers. Bidders from Israel Aircraft Industries, Boeing, EADS and Russia's Rosoboronexport are putting forward bids for this tender.

India to order 42 more locally produced Su-30MKIs

Already the backbone of the Indian Air Force, it is expected that the IAF is to order 42 more locally produced Sukhoi Su-30MKIs from Hindustan Aeronautics. The IAF has previously ordered 180 Su-30MKIs with 105 already delivered.

Tejas LCA to be inducted into Indian Air Force

After a long and sometimes difficult gestation, India's indigenous Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) is set to be inducted into the Indian Air Force. The types Final Operational Clearance in IAF service is expected by the end of 2012