BREAKING: Indian Govt Clears Deal For 75 Pilatus PC-7 Trainers

[Nirvana]

BREAKING: Indian Govt Clears Deal For 75 Pilatus PC-7 Trainers

You're hearing it first here on Livefist: the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved a deal for 75 basic trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The deal with Swiss firm Pilatus will be signed soon for the PC-7 Mk.2, deliveries of which are to begin 15 months after contract signature, with 24 aircraft to be delivered within 25 months.

Livefist had reported first on the probability that the deal would be cleared this week.

:LMAO: Sometimes Shiv gets a little too excited !!

 

[angeldemon_007]

I hope this is final....

 

[Indian009]

"will be signed soon" - this always scares me

 

[Abingdonboy]

Well better late than never so June 2014 we can expect these birds in India- not terrible news.

 

[Tshering22]

I don't understand why do we always have "may", 'will", "plan to" etc. I wish all of Air India's money (around INR 70,000 crores) is spent on defense and let the stupid airline die... and perhaps be reborn as a fresh private airline.

 

[Abingdonboy]

I don't understand why do we always have "may", 'will", "plan to" etc. I wish all of Air India's money (around INR 70,000 crores) is spent on defense and let the stupid airline die... and perhaps be reborn as a fresh private airline.

Because in politics and, to some extent, foreign purchases nothing is EVER certain until pen is put to paper and contracts have been signed,agreements made and production started there is a whole plethora of things that could go wrong so any politican/beauracratic worth the salt will never commit and put themselves out there unless they are 100% certain and all doubts have been cleared.

 

[IPL5]

IAF procures four simulators for AJT aircraft

Aiming to enhance the training curriculum of its pilots, Indian Air Force has procured four simulators for Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft and more such machines have been contracted by it for simulated training.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister A K Antony said, "IAF has already procured four simulators for Hawk AJT aircraft. Four more (AJT simulators) have been.

Further, eight simulators of IJT aircraft, have also been contracted for."

He told Parliament that acquisition of new platform is part of modernisation and upgradation of IAF's capabilities.

"The new combat aircraft (under various process of acquisition) would be manned by pilots of the existing older fleet, which are planned for replacement by the new aircraft," Antony said.

On steps taken by government to overcome shortage of pilots, he said, "Improvement of job profile of pilots is a continuous process in view the job specific requirements and operational necessity. Besides, the Short Service Commission for flying branch has been modified to make men eligible for induction in this branch."

He said, "Implementation of the recommendations of sixth Central Pay Commission shall also go a long way in attracting youth."

Replying to a question on number of officers inducted in the three services against those who took premature retirement, Antony said in 2011, 593 officers left the armed forces against the total number of 3057 who joined it.

He tabled a three-year report on officers taking premature retirement.

Against the total number of 8314 officers who joined the armed forces from 2009 to 2011, 1663 officers took premature retirement in the same period.

Replying to a question on procuring VIP helicopters, the Defence Minister said choppers are being purchased to replace the ageing Mi-8 aircraft of IAF's Communication Squadron.

"Contract for procurement of AW-101 helicopters was signed with Agusta Westland in February 2010 at a cost of Euro 556,262,026. These helicopters would replace the ageing Mi-8 helicopters of the Air Headquarters Communication Squadron that provides communication services to VVIPs/VIPs including visiting Heads of States/Governments," he said.

In reply to a question on expenditure incurred by government on defence purchases, he said, "The total expenditure on defence purchases by India during the past three years (Revenue and Capital) was Rs 1,97,123.76 crore."

Informing the House on damage caused to the fencing along the Line of Control with Pakistan following an avalanche in February, he said an accurate assessment can only be made after the melting of snow there.

Replying to a question on license to private companies, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said, "25 private companies have been given licenses to manufacture defence equipment from January 2011 till date."

 

[aakash_2410]

Doesn't excite until we keep buying foreign stash!

We're just a biggest "IMPORTER of arms". Nothing to be proud of at all.

It's a scary thought process India still has to rely on Foreign suppliers. :/ Even small country like Iran is self-sufficient.

 

[SamantK]

Someone here said, i do not remember who, that Pilatus is being bought because India cannot build a reliable prop-engine. That is a shame on India.. buy anyways good that pilots will get more training..

 

[Abingdonboy]

Doesn't excite until we keep buying foreign stash!

We're just a biggest "IMPORTER of arms". Nothing to be proud of at all.

It's a scary thought process India still has to rely on Foreign suppliers. :/ Even small country like Iran is self-sufficient.

That's completely different- that is out of nessecity. India is not in the same position so it is able to get the best POSSIBLE tech from anyone from around the world. I agree India should do more to produce more indigenous equipment. But let's be honest it will be a while time before India can (without significant help from others) design and produce an a/c like the C-17, P-8I, C-130J,Rafale or systems like the PHALCON AWACS. It will happen but not today nor next year so for now India NEEDS to get this stuff from abroad because it is so advanced and simply unmatched. Otherwise you would be giving the Indian forces sub-standard indigenous kit and be compromising national security just to say their kit was "Made in India"! For now I have no problem with the title of being the "number one arms importer in the world" because it means India is getting lethal and super-advanced kit that is unmatched in the region and by most beyond it. Not to mention this title comes with perks like most major/non-major arms producing nations doing their best to become friends with India- that is friendship you CAN buy!

 

[arp2041]

i don't understand why MOD take into account each & every complain it gets in defense contracts, i mean look at the trainer deal, swiss firm was selected a year ago, jst because a complaint from the competitor the contract hanged in balance for so long.

 

[Abingdonboy]

i don't understand why MOD take into account each & every complain it gets in defense contracts, i mean look at the trainer deal, swiss firm was selected a year ago, jst because a complaint from the competitor the contract hanged in balance for so long.

Because they want to cover their backs. The Bofors scandal casts a long shadow and everyone in MoD/GoI is wary not to get their fingers burnt again.

 

[arp2041]

Because they want to cover their backs. The Bofors scandal casts a long shadow and everyone in MoD/GoI is wary not to get their fingers burnt again.

so this mean compromising national security to remain Mr. Clean!

 

[Hulk]

I have started hating Mr Antony, for making process clean you cannot make the nation week.

 

[arp2041]

I have started hating Mr Antony, for making process clean you cannot make the nation week.

i agree, i think Mr Antony should look after national security first than for his personal security. I know Bofors scandal brought a government down, but it was not really the scandal which was to blame, it was the cover-up which took place after it. Just because of this one scandal, we have compromised our national security many times over. Bofors cannot be a cover for inefficiency in MOD.