Aerospace Diary

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE  »  MAY 10, 2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS May 10, 2013, 10:30 AM The Indian Naval air arm is set to double its fleet of 217 aircraft in the next decade. The fleet–a mix of 14 models–“has emerged as a mini air force,” said assistant chief of naval staff (Air) Rear Admiral  D.M.  Sudan. On May 11 the Navy will commission the first of three MiG-29K squadrons at its base in Goa. One is for training. The 16 aircraft originally ordered have all been delivered, as have four of a further 29. They will fly from the aircraft carrier  INS  Vikramaditya  (previously  Admiral Gorshkov ), which has taken five years longer than planned to be refitted. Later, they will also fly from the Indian-built aircraft carrier ( IAC -1), which is under construction in Kochi in Kerala. The MiG-29Ks are replacing Sea Harriers that previously received a limited upgrade. The  VTOL  aircraft will b...

AIN Defense Perspective » August 10, 2012 by  Neelam Mathews The naval version of the light combat aircraft (LCA), designed and built in India, needs many changes before it can go to sea. (Photo: MoD) August 10, 2012, 2:05 PM   With India’s first indigenous carrier ( IAC -1) now under construction at the Cochin shipyard, there is speculation surrounding future aircraft carriers, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma told AIN that the design of the second carrier has not been decided. IAC -1 has a ski jump, but it has not been decided yet whethe...