In this Issue – February 2019

Letter from the Editor

COVER STORY

The Balancing Act
To get the best weapon systems as well as technology, India needs to choose wisely

Interesting Times Ahead
The challenge for the IAF has just begun as competition for the fighters gets underway

Staring at an Abyss
Lack of foresight leaves the IAF without enough combat aircraft squadron

Delays Do No Good
The procurement of carrier-based fighters for the Indian Navy should be fast-tracked

Second Time Lucky
As the second iteration of MMRCA 2.0 contest takes off, the IAF cannot afford a delayed acquisition process

Future to be Unveiled
It’s HAL’s moment to make a mark with its Tejas and AMCA aircraft

Chinooks & Apaches On Their Way
Deliveries to start in March 2019 amid the tussle between the army and IAF over ownership of the Apaches

Makers of India’s Flying Machines
HAL has been at the forefront of meeting Indian armed forces need for helicopters

FEATURE/REPORT

Flights of Fancy
Despite challenges, the third round of UDAN announces connectivity for 235 routes and 69.30 lakh new seats to be added

From Strength to Strength
IAF exercises in 2018 involved many firsts

Robots are Coming
NAM 2019 discusses the role of AI in future battlefield

Of Promises and Controversy
The Army Chief shows an interest to engage with the Taliban during the annual press conference

Rider of the Storm
Recovering from his back injury, Naval Commander Abhilash Tomy is eager to return to the sea as soon as possible

Women Behind Weapons
How the BRAHMOS missiles are made

Futuristic Flight
GA’s SeaGuardian is a sturdy and reliable maritime version of MQ-9B SkyGuardian with exceptional ISR capabilities

A Reliable Partner
Air and space defence corporation ‘Almaz-Antey’ will present a wide range of military and civilian products at the 12th Aero India International Aerospace Exhibition 2019, which takes place in Bangalore on 20-24 February 2019

Block Chain
Indian Army will be getting the latest BRAHMOS Block III variant

More Firepower
Naval variant of BRAHMOS missile has successfully been integrated into the navy’s maritime assets

Indigenous Ingenuity
India will be well prepared for regional dominance in air-to-air combat with the Astra BVRAAM slated for induction this year

INTERVIEW

The Level of Privileged Strategic Partnership That Underlines Indo-Russian Diplomatic Relations Enables us to Develop Joint Research Even in Most Sensitive Fields of Knowledge
Director, FSMTC, Dmitry Shugaev

Not Less Than 140 of 200 Helicopters Shall Be Produced at The Facilities of the Joint Venture in India, Thereby Supporting the Make in India Initiative
Chief Executive Officer, Russian Helicopters, Andrey Boginsky

We have taken a dual approach of making equity and non-equity investments in support of Make in India. We partnered with TASL to establish a JV that is producing aerostructures in India, for the world
Acting managing director, Boeing Defence India and Vice President, India, Boeing Defence, Space and Security, Michael Koch

We have inked MoUs with BDL, BEL, Astra Rafael Company, Defsys, Bharat Forge Limited and Reliance Defence and Aerospace Ltd. We always look forward to jointly developing systems with DRDO, HAL, BEL and BDL
EVP Marketing and Business Development, Rafael, Giora Katz

We have inked MoUs with BDL, BEL, Astra Rafael Company, Defsys, Bharat Forge Limited and Reliance Defence and Aerospace Ltd. We always look forward to jointly developing systems with DRDO, HAL, BEL and BDL
Vice President and Country Head India, MBDA, Loïc Piedevache

The largest project under the Russian-Indian defence cooperation in aviation sector is shipment and licensed production of Su-30MKI, a multipurpose fighter jet
President, PJSC United Aircraft Corporation, Yury Slyusar

India offers exciting business possibilities for GA and its affiliated companies
Director of India Strategic Development for General Atomics, Pratesh Gandhi

Creating an aerospace ecosystem and improving the rate of world-class infrastructure development is critical to the success of this industry
Vice President, customer & account management for Collins Aerospace in Asia Pacific, Jim Walker

HAL Has Established a Manufacturing Facility for Production of Eight Aircraft Per Annum
Chairman and Managing Director, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, R. Madhavan

We Have the Capability for Indigenisation of Critical Mechanical Items Particularly Parts Utilised in Aero Engines, Gear Box and Landing Gear
Chairman, Kalyani Group, Baba Neelkanth Kalyani

For the First Time in India, We Have Created a Knowledge Base in the Area of Air-Launched Missiles
Director general, DRDO BrahMos and CEO & managing director BrahMos Aerospace, Dr Sudhir Kumar Mishra

Our new Engineering Competence Centre Will be a First-of-its Kind in India That Will Focus on Software and Hardware Capabilities in the Areas of Civil as Well as Defence Businesses
Vice president and country director, Thales in India, Emmanuel de Roquefeuil

BOOKS

Books | Critical Gaps
An extract from Maj. Gen. P.K. Mallick’s essay on Cyber and Space Strategy for India

COLUMNS

Big Leap Forward
Lt Gen. Vinod Bhatia (retd)

The Right Direction
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (retd)

Think and Act Ahead
Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha (retd)

A Serious Concern
Gp Capt. Gopal Sharma

Lethal Weapon
Lt Gen. Rameshwar Yadav (retd)

More Power to Fire
Lt Gen. B.S. Pawar (retd)

Forward Thinking
Brig. Ravi Palsokar (retd)

Long Way to Go
Col T.S. Dalal (retd)

First Person
Ghazala Wahab

Bottomline
Pravin Sawhney

 

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