Amid procurement controversy, Air Force pilots train on Rafale jets

New Delhi: Three Rafale fighter jets are engaged in an exercise with the Indian Air Force in Gwalior and Agra, amid a raging controversy over the Rs 58,000-crore deal to procure 36 of them by the government.

Officials said around 100 French aviators, one Atlas A-400M military transport aircraft, one C-135 refuelling plane and an Airbus A310 cargo aircraft have also come to India along with the Rafale jets on a four-day visit.

They said a batch of IAF pilots have got an opportunity to train on the Rafale jets. The aircraft landed in India on Saturday after visiting Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore.

India had inked 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 delivery of the jets is scheduled to begin from September 2019.

The Congress has raised several questions about the deal including alleged inflated rate of the aircraft but the government has rejected the charges.

In a statement, the French embassy in the national capital said that joint flights and exchanges between the French and Indian Air Forces will be conducted as part of the four-day tour by the French contingent.

"This mission in India is yet another illustration of the depth of the Indo-French strategic partnership, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year, and the great trust that prevails in the relations between our respective armed forces, it said.

It said operational aim of the 'Mision PEGASE' is to reinforce France's presence in the region of strategic interest and deepen its relations with its main partner countries.

The French contingent is here days after it participated in 'Operation Pitch Black', a multilateral air exercises which took place in Australia recently. The Indian Air Force was also part of the mega exercise.

"This mission succeeds a major exercise in Australia, where our aircraft have carried out joint drills with those of the Indian Air Force," the French Embassy said.

A senior IAF official said the visit of the Rafale jets as well as other aircraft will further boost cooperation between the two forces.

Dailyhunt

3 Rafale jets parked in India for 3 days

 

Three Rafale jets of French Air Force are in India for past two days, giving Indian Air Force pilots an opportunity to fly the metal birds, which would enter the country's service next year.

The aircraft were on their way back home after participating in Exercise Pitch Black in Australia last month. They landed at Agra and Gwalior base of the IAF on Saturday.

Along with the combat jets, one Atlas A-400M military transport aircraft, one C-135 refuelling aircraft, and one Airbus A310 cargo aircraft too have come as a part of the detachment.

The aircraft are in India as a part of Mission Pegase of the French Air Force to reinforce France's presence in this region of strategic interest and deepen its relations with its main partner countries, says the French Embassy in a statement.

The mission succeeds a major exercise in Australia, where French aircraft carried out joint drills with those of the Indian Air Force.

Joint flights

"During the three-day stopover at the Air Force Stations of Gwalior and Agra, joint flights and exchanges between the French and Indian Air Forces will be conducted," says the statement. The fighters will fly out on Tuesday.

"This mission in India is yet another illustration of the depth of the Indo-French strategic partnership, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year," it adds.

India purchased 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a Rs 59,000 crore government-to-government deal. The first aircraft is expected in India next year.

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ISRO to launch its first fully owned overseas satellite ground station at North Pole

Bengaluru, Sep 4: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to set up its first fully owned overseas satellite ground station near the North Pole.

This would bolster the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) operations which are critically important in times like disaster management but also for the armed forces, said a report in The Times of India.

A scientist told the daily, "The plan will take some time to materialise as it involves huge logistical challenges, international approvals and co-operation," adding that hardware installation would be tougher at the North Pole considering the extreme weather conditions.

Meanwhile, the agency was supposed to establish a second data reception antenna at Antarctica Ground Station for Earth Observation Satellites this year, but will now do it the next year.

Earlier in 2016, China launched its first fully owned overseas satellite ground station near the North Pole. China has previously built ground satellite facilities in numerous foreign countries, mostly in Africa and South America, which are all joint ventures.

Meanwhile, ISRO is readying for 19 launches, including the Chandrayaan-2 mission, starting from this month. All launches will be conducted within seven months, starting from this September to March next year.

source: oneindia.com

Army Chief Questions Officers Filing Individual Cases Over AFSPA

 

Army chief Bipin Rawat has reportedly raised questions as to why officers and soldiers were filing cases in their individual capacity in the Supreme Court challenging any dilution of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).

Addressing colonel-level officers in New Delhi, the Army chief was quoted by sources cited by The Indian Express as saying:

Army chief Bipin Rawat, as quoted by sources The Army was fighting these cases, the government is aware of these cases, and AFSPA is a very strong law which provides protection to the soldiers. Now, if these guys (the petitioners) lose the case, what will happen?

This comes in the context of as many as 700 Army personnel having moved the top court asking for AFSPA and the protections it offers to them to remain intact.

During his address, Rawat also asserted that moral turpitude will invite strict punishment, including imprisonment and dismissal, reported The Tribune.

Among others things raised by the Army chief during the interaction were the procurement of weapons, the issue of Non-Functional Upgrade (NFU), equivalence with civilian officers, military service pay and the restructuring of the army headquarters.

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Visit of Chief of the Air Staff to Myanmar and Malaysia

Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff is on an official visit to Myanmar and Malaysia from 03-08 Sep 2018.  The visit will be beneficial for enhancing the strong camaraderie and partnership that the nations and their Air Forces share. Presently, the areas of cooperation include exchanges in military training course, mutual visits by subject matter experts and joint air exercises.

During the visit, CAS is scheduled to visit various operational establishments and interact with senior functionaries of the Myanmar and Malaysian Air Forces. The main focus would be to share ideas, enhance mutual engagement and promote understanding.

The visit of the Indian Air Force Chief would provide further impetus towards increasing defence cooperation between the Air Forces and pave the way for greater interaction in future.