PM salutes the Air Force personnel, on Air Force Day

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has saluted the Air Force personnel, on Air Force Day.
"I salute our air force personnel on Air Force Day. They have always served India with great courage and determination. Contribution of our Air Force is monumental. They are always at the forefront, be it in protecting skies or in times of disasters", the Prime Minister said.

Read the rest of this entry

Air Marshal BBP Sinha Takes Over as the New Administrative Head of Indian Air Force

Photo Credit: tafssp.com

Air Marshal BBP Sinha took over as the new Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA) of IAF at Air Headquarters, New Delhi today. Prior to the present appointment, he was Director General (Works & Ceremonials) at the Air Headquarters. He was commissioned in the Administration branch of the IAF in June 1979. 

During his career spanning more than 35 years, he has held many important appointments which include Chief Administrative Officer at two major flying bases, Principal Director (Pay, Pension & Regulations) at Air Headquarters, Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration (SOA) at HQ Western Air Command, IAF. 

He is a recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM). He was also commended by the Chief of the Air Staff in 2001 and twice by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the years 1994 and 1997. 

It is a matter of pride for the IAF that his sibling Air Marshal SBP Sinha is also serving at Air Headquarters as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS). 

He is married to Mrs. Divya Sinha and blessed with two sons.  - PIB

Read the rest of this entry

RIL, Dassault may join forces to Produce Wings for the Rafale

The Indian Air Force (IAF) selected the Dassault Rafale as its new multi-role fighter after a lengthy selection process in early 2012. The competition was fierce and the French Manufacturer was delighted to have been selected as the preferred bidder. Shortly after this Rupees 60,000 crore deal was announced by the IAF, Dassault signaled that a deal with Mukesh Ambani owned Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) that would be highly beneficial as far as local manufacturing of the advanced fourth-generation fighter’s components was concerned. Now, many months after the intent, RIL and Dassault are likely to collaborate on the manufacture of the multi-role fighter’s wings.

The IAF has a deal for a total of 126 fighters with 18 of them to be brought in fly-away condition from France. However, the remaining 108 planes will be manufactured in India and this is where RIL comes in. Looking forward to high-quality local manufacturing with no compromise in quality the French and Indian industry giants are planning to set up an Rs 1,000-crore facility for producing the wings of the combat aircraft and it is most likely to come up in Bangalore. The plan is that RIL would create factories and an assembly line similar to the facility in Southern France. Also, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) paving the way for a private company in the air superiority and air combat sector is a landmark development.

Dassault originally wanted RIL to be in charge of the actual manufacturing of the aircraft in India. However, this proved to be a roadblock as the IAF tender had specified Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the executioner of the aircraft’s assembly in India. However, with clearance from the MoD and the IAF, RIL is keen to begin production of the advanced fourth-generation fighter’s wings.

Summary:

Private players in the Indian Defence Industry haven’t been allowed too much of freedom by the government. However, with the MoD and IAF clearing the way for RIL’s entry into this sector, things seem to be changing for the better. A joint manufacturing plant set up by RIL and Dassault would mean greats news symbolizing the same.

Read the rest of this entry