First Anniversary of Balakot Air Strikes

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 26 FEB 2020 8:28PM by PIB Delhi

On the first anniversary of Balakot air strikes, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff flew a five aircraft mission at Srinagar Air Base along with aircrew from Squadrons that had participated in the operations on 26^th and 27^th February last year. The CAS flew a MiG-21 Type 69 aircraft along with the Commanding Officer of 51 Sqn, Gp Capt Kamran Nazeerin a formation comprising of one MiG-21, two Mirage-2000s and two Sukhoi-30 MKIs.

26 February 2019 was a momentous day as it bore testimony to the professionalism and operational preparedness of men and women of the IAF who successfully executed a very complex mission and achieved their objectives under extremely challenging conditions.

On this day, the IAF salutes the spirit, tenacity and sacrifice of its brave Air Warriors and assures the Nation of its unstinted resolve.  The IAF stands shoulder to shoulder with other Defence Services   in discharge of its sacred duty of defending the nation’s sovereignty and integrity.

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AB/THANGA/JAI

ON THE WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

47 Squadron of Indian Air Force Celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 16 FEB 2020 3:50PM by PIB Delhi

No. 47 Squadron of Indian Air Force currently stationed at AF Station, Adampur, completed 60 years of its glorious service to the nation. To commemorate the occasion, Diamond Jubilee celebrations were organised at Air Force Station Adampur on 14-15 February 2020. On this historic occasion, the aerial display by the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team, IAF vintage Flight, Air Devils and performance by the Air Warriors Drill Team enthralled the audience. A large number of serving officers, dignitaries and veterans were part of the celebrations.

The Squadron was formed on 18 December 1959 at Air Force Station Halwara. It has operated Toofani, MiG-21 FL and MiG-29 fighter aircraft. The crest of the unit is a figure of a kneeling ‘BLACK ARCHER’ with a drawn bow, depicting poised readiness. The motto of the unit, “Karmani Vyapurutham Dhanuhu” is translated as “My bow is always stretched for its task”.

The Squadron took part in both 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars and won numerous accolades. The Squadron continues to maintain its operational edge and has actively participated in Op Safed Sagar, Op Parakram and the operations post Balakot Strike in Northern sector. The Black Archers are the proud recipients of the Presidents Standards in 2009 and are ever ready to face any challenge, to achieve greater heights in service to the nation.     

Production of Tejas Fighter Planes

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 05 FEB 2020 3:47PM by PIB Delhi

In addition to 40 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas aircraft [20 in Initial Operation Clearance (IOC) and 20 in Final Operation Clearance (FOC) version with 16 fighters & 4 trainers in each], Government has planned to manufacture improved 83 LCA Mk-1A aircraft with enhanced capabilities for Indian Air Force (IAF).

The production of 16 fighters in IOC has been completed in March, 2019 and the production of 16 fighters in FOC and 8 trainers has been undertaken by HAL.

Several new features have been included in LCA Mk1A aircraft to enhance the combat capabilities in terms of avionics, radar, weapons, air to air refuelling etc.Flight testing of Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft has been planned to be completed by 2022.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri S. Muniswamy in Lok Sabha today.

ABB/SS/Nampi/Savvy

Defence Production Policy

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 05 FEB 2020 3:48PM by PIB Delhi

Draft Defence Production Policy was placed in public domain and is not yet finalised.

In DPP-2016, under Government funded Make-I category, development of prototype of defence products/platforms projects not exceeding development cost of Rs.10 Crore and procurement cost of Rs.50 Crore are reserved for MSMEs. Similarly, under industry funded Make-II category of development of prototype of defence products/platforms, projects not exceeding development cost of Rs threecrore and procurement cost of Rs50 crore are reserved for MSMEs.  The iDEX initiative is also aimed at supporting MSMEs, Start-ups, Individual Innovators etc. by providing them grants/funding and other support to carry out R&D. Under the iDEX scheme, a maximum of Rs.1.5 crore funding is available to a participant for development of a prototype.To ensure timely payments to MSME vendors, Trade Receivables electronic Discount System (TReDS) has been implemented in Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). Defence Investor Cell has been opened in Department of Defence Production (DDP) to address the issues being faced by industries especially MSME vendor.

As per data furnished by 79 companies in Defence and Aerospace sector, so far (i.e. till December, 2019), FDI inflows of over Rs1,834 crore have been reported in Defence and Aerospace sector after 2014.  FDI is allowed in Defence sector under automatic route upto 49% and above 49% through government route wherever it is likely to result in access to modern technology or for other reasons to be recorded.

The parameter used in estimating self-reliance is to enhance the share of procurement from Indian vendors in the overall procurement plan.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh Vermain Lok Sabha today.