Current Affairs

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Volume - 9
Technology

Business

Event

Achievements

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HAL hands over Light Combat Aircraft Tejas to IAF

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over the first LCA to the Indian Air Force (IAF) during a programme at the HAL
Airport in the presence of Defence Minister M Parrikar, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and HAL Chairman, Dr RK Tyagi. A fly-past
of the LCA marked the occasion.
The IAF has ordered a first batch of 40 LCAs. As and when the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) version gets ready, this new
version will be inducted into the IAF squads. FOC is expected by December 2015, which means IAF will have brand new fourth
generation aircrafts by mid 2016-2018.
The aircraft has a lifetime of about 20 years and IAF can depend on this platform up to 2040-45.
Source : http://www.deccanherald.com/content/454129/hal-hands-over-light-combat.html
T ec
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Cur
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Solar powered airplane to touch Varanasi,

Ahmedabad

Business

5th-gen aircraft, BRAHMOS-NG missile on

Empowered French team likely to visit

agenda as Russian def min heads to New

India for Rafale deal

Delhi
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CURRENT AFF
AIRS
AFFAIRS

AIESL plans to offer MRO services to defence aircraft

Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), which serves civilian planes, now plans to offer its MRO services
to defence aircraft and aims to garner about 20 per cent revenue from the defence sector. Eyeing a 50 per cent
growth in its top line to Rs 750 crore in the next fiscal, the Air India subsidiary also plans to rope in overseas carriers
in its bid to corner a larger market share in the USD 800 million Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)
business in the country. This year, we expect to clock around Rs 500 crore revenue from our MRO business. With
the growth of domestic and International traffic in and around the Asia region. We are hopeful of ramping it (revenue)
up to Rs 750 crore in 2015-16, a senior airline official said. He said the carrier was also looking at providing MRO
services for defence aircraft, adding, we expect an up to 20 per cent revenue to come from this sector by the next
fiscal. The total Indian MRO market currently stands at USD 800 million, which is expected to touch USD 2.5 billion
mark by 2020 and AIESL aims to corner a major share, he said. Air Indias engineering unit along with the ground
handling services were hived off into separate wholly-owned subsidiaries in 2013. These facilities are capable of
maintaining up to 50 wide and narrow body aircraft engines, he said. This certification will help us in securing
business from the foreign carriers as well. The global carriers are mounting more flights to India, particularly after
Air India joined the 27-member global airlines group Star Alliance. So we expect to cater to this demand also, the
official said. AIESL is already approved by overseas aviation regulators to certify aircraft of Etihad and Qatar
Airways, Mihin Lanka, Silk Air, Singapore Airlines and Sri Lankan Airlines, he said. Prime Minister Mr Narendra
Modis Make In India campaign also raises MRO business prospects in the country, which has so far failed to
flourish due to the high costs, he said. Noting that Indian MRO market was around 30 per cent costlier than those
in the neighbourhood like Sri Lanka, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and China, he said, if the government abolishes
service tax and VAT, we will have an edge over these players.
Source: http://www.mid-day.com/
China pushes plan for Earth-moon round trip
Chinas bold plan to land an unmanned spaceship on the moon before returning to Earth %has moved another
step forward with a test craft shifting into lunar orbit to conduct further tests, state media reported on Sunday. The
service module of a lunar orbiter that flew back to Earth in November had been sitting in a position that brought in
into sync with Earths orbit, known as the second Lagrange point. It had separated from the orbiter in November.
The craft, loaded with support systems for operating a spaceship, will collect further data to aid planning of the
2017 Change 5 mission, state broadcaster China Central Television said. Change 5 is being designed to make a
soft landing on the moon and collect at least 2 kilograms (4 pounds) of rock and soil samples before returning to
Earth. If successful, that would make China only the third country after the US and Russia to meet such a challenge.
China has already launched a pair of orbiting lunar probes, and in 2013 landed a craft on the moon with a rover
onboard. None of those were designed to return to Earth. China also has hinted at a possible crewed mission to the
moon. China sent its first astronaut into space in 2003, the only country after Russia and the US to achieve this
independently.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
DGCA issues rules on reducing noise in airports
Complaints about noise pollution near airports may be a thing of past soon with Director General of Civil Aviation
(DGCA) asking airports to conduct noise mapping study and develop an action plan to address the issue. The
aviation regulator has issued rules in this regard; stressing that reducing the effect of aircraft noise is one of the
main priorities of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Given the industrys growth and the presence of
population agglomerations near airports, large parts of population are still affected by aircraft noise, the Civil
Aviation Requirements (CAR) stated regarding noise management of aircraft operations at airports. The DGCA

wants the airport operators and airlines to adopt a balanced approach as suggested by the ICAO to address
aircraft noise which is based on reduction of noise at source, land use planning and management, noise abatement
operational procedures and operating restrictions. Airport operators have been asked to carry out a noise mapping
study around their airports, including the areas directly under the flight paths, to assess the existing noise loads
and the population affected within the various noise contours or maps using an internationally accepted noise
model and actual data. Following this, airport operators should develop a Noise Management Action Plan based
on the outcome of the noise mapping study. The airport operator shall implement the same to reduce the noise
generated from aircraft operations at airports. The operators should also develop a system of monitoring permissible
noise limits prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board or any other
authority in respect to a particular airport.
Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/
DRDO needs to be agile, focused
Many observers within the military and outside are hoping that the defence ministrys decision to sack the DRDO
chief will lead to the reorientation of the agency to do focused, cutting-edge military research. They are hoping that
DRDO will shed the many unnecessary researches and labs and be reshaped on the lines of the Defence Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the US. DARPA has had impressive successes in military research by
having an agile, small and focused team. Reshaping DRDO into a cutting-edge military research agency on the
lines of DARPA has been a demand of the military for years, and recommendations of many expert committees that
have looked at it. Military officers argue that the modernization of DRDO has been held up by a host of factors,
mostly because of lack of political will power. Now that the government has shown its intent to improve DRDO, it
must go the full hog, one senior military officer said. He pointed out that the Mr Vijay Kelkar committee report,
which flowed from the post-Kargil conflict reforms, had recommended that DRDO focus sharply on cutting edge
technology researches. By the time Rama Rao committee report (which looked at DRDO specifically as suggested
by Mr Kelkar committee) came a few years later, the recommendations had been diluted. When we began to
implement Rama Rao committee report, it was further diluted, the officer said. We are now almost back to where
we were originally, he added. Instead, we have been hanging on with projects like LCA (Light Combat Aircraft),
Arjun tank, Kaveri jet engines etc for years, he pointed out. All of them have been running way behind schedule,
have not met the demands of the services and continue to drain the military budget. DARPA has played a key role
in developing a host of military technologies, many of them with dramatic impact on civilian life. Its role is to ensure
that the US military technology remains more sophisticated than that of potential rivals, and prevent technological
surprises. With a few hundred employees, it operates with agility, engaging private sector and quickly cutting its
losses and moving forward. DRDO, in turn, has over 33,000 personnel, including over 7,800 scientists, 13,370
technicians, and 52 laboratories, working on almost everything from juices to nuclear-capable missiles.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
For the sake of Indias security, our defence R&D capabilities need a major shake-up
The Navy is given an aircraft carrier almost a decade behind schedule and billions of dollars over-budget. When
delivered it also lacked any air defence systems, as the PM reportedly found out when he first visited it! The Tejas
fighter aircraft takes 30 years and we are still counting as it is still being putting through its paces by HAL. We have
still to have successfully design an Indian jet engine to power our fighters! India faces some of the biggest challenges
that any nation faces in terms of its security. We have a porous coastline and borders along with the embrace of
several neighbours that are determined to cook up a constant stew of terrorism and keep the country on the boil!
Keeping our country secure is critical for our economic development and growth. But to do so in the current
inefficient way of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) product development and acquisition is unsustainable and
unaffordable! Finally, questions are being asked and solutions being sought to breathtaking amounts of money
being spent on imports over the last several decades, that still leave our forces under equipped and under-prepared.
That the MoD needs a real shake up is stating the obvious. Fundamental changes are required in planning,

procurement and contracting. Most importantly it is the R&D and manufacturing segments that need real restructuring
especially given the Governments Make in India focus. The MoDs Defence Research & Development
Organisation (DRDO) and its doctrine of research need a rethink. The MoDs manufacturing and domestic capability
also need a rethink and re-architecting. The concept of centralised labs like DRDO that are distant from commercial
manufacturing and product companies are a relic of the past. There is no modern technology eco-system where
product development is separate from the manufacturing units, as an ivory tower with little or no accountability!
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
France to send aircraft carrier for exercises in Indian Ocean
France is sending its aircraft carrier to the Indian Ocean for naval exercises, a defense ministry source said on
Tuesday, adding that the ship was ready for military operations if needed. Specialized naval internet website Mer
et Marine reported that the Charles de Gaulle carrier, the flagship of the French fleet, was heading to the Gulf,
where it would join operations against Islamic State in Iraq. The carrier is usually accompanied by an attack submarine,
several frigates and a refueling ship. When asked if the aircraft carrier could be used to fight Islamic State, the
defense ministry source said: Its a military tool. Its purpose is to be used. President Francois Hollande is due to
officially announce the carriers departure on Jan. 14 when he gives his annual New Years address to the military
from the ship in the southern port city of Toulon. France was the first country to join the U.S.-led coalition in air
strikes in Iraq against Islamic State insurgents, who have also taken control of large parts of neighboring Syria
during the course of the three-year-old civil war there. However, it has ruled out striking the group in Syria. It has
about 800 military personnel, nine fighter jets, a maritime patrol aircraft and a refueling plane at its base in the
United Arab Emirates as part of its Chammal Iraq mission, as well as an anti-aircraft warship in the Gulf. It also
operates six Mirage fighter jets from Jordan.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/
HAL Chairman, CM Discuss Aerospace Future
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) chairman R K Tyagi on Wednesday met Chief Minister Mr Siddaramaiah at
his residence and discussed a slew of issues, including the setting up of an aerospace university in the city. An HAL
official told Express that Tyagi and Mr Siddaramaiah mainly discussed how to develop and nurture talent in the
aerospace industry. Bengaluru is becoming the hub of aerospace industry in the country. There is a lot of untapped
potential that needs to be explored. The chairman and the chief minister discussed the involvement of HAL and the
government with respect to exploring this talent. In this regard, there is a possibility of setting up an aerospace
university in Bengaluru, the official said. He added that providing logistical support to companies engaged in
aerospace figured in the talks. The HAL chairman also handed over a cheque for `374 crore HALs sales tax
to Mr Siddaramaiah.
Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/
HAL hands over Light Combat Aircraft Tejas to IAF
Often criticised for numerous missed deadlines, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme has now reached an
important milestone in its journey. HAL handed over the first LCA to the Indian Air Force (IAF) during a programme
at the HAL airport here in the presence of Defence Minister M Parrikar, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and HAL
Chairman R K Tyagi. A fly-past of the LCA marked the occasion. The first LCA presented to the IAF on Saturday is
the Production Series one (PS-1) and Initial Operational Clearance -II version (IOC-II). More aircrafts of the IOC-II
will be delivered to the IAF as and when production takes place. HAL will be able to produce 16 LCAs in two to
three years time, which means IAF can form a squadron (16-18 aircraft) in three years time and base it in Sulur,
Tamil Nadu.The LCA pogramme began in 1983 with a budget of around Rs 560 crore, which has over the last three
decades jumped to nearly Rs 25,000 crore. If all versions of the LCA including the Naval one are considered, the
budget will hit Rs 65,000 crore or 10 billion dollars. LCA frontline Pilot Suneeth Krishna, who flew the aircraft in fly-

past, told Deccan Herald the aircraft is combat and operational ready. The aircraft presented to IAF is a weaponised
version and can be deployed along the international border in actual battle situations. It can handle cold, heat and
mountainous conditions because it has been tested to fly in all these. It is an all-weather aircraft. It is an aircraft that
meets the requirements of any such aircraft in its class. Else, the IAF would not receive it. Krishna also said the
Final Operational Clearance (FOC) version that the IAF wants is being readied and the aircrafts that are now being
given to the IAF will incorporate all elements of the FOC version. The IOC-II aircrafts dont require major structural
changes to become FOC aircrafts. Upgrades mostly in the software of the aircraft and some more weapons
capabilities would be necessary. The design of the aircraft is in our hands completely and so upgrades can be
carried out fairly easily. The design is not with you if you buy imported aircraft and you cant upgrade the same
beyond a point. The ace LCA pilot who has been with the LCA testing programme for almost a decade and a half
when the first test flights commenced in 2001 January says the aircraft is very pilot-friendly. I find it very comfortable
to fly and I think younger IAF pilots will also like flying this aircraft. Flying LCA is fun, a pilots delight. It is a fourth
plus next generation aircraft compared to the MiG-21. The IAF has ordered a first batch of 40 LCAs. As and when
the FOC version gets ready, this new version will be inducted into the IAF squads. FOC is expected by December
2015, which means IAF will have brand new fourth generation aircrafts by mid-2016-2018. The aircraft has a
lifetime of about 20 years and IAF can depend on this platform up to 2040-45.
Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/
HAL Planning to Start Aerospace University
The aerospace sector in the country lacks much-needed skills to meet its current and future demands, according to
Dr R K Tyagi, chairman, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). What we need is around 10 lakh skilled people, and
we must get them as investment worth crores will be made in India in the next few years, he said while speaking
at the second Aerospace HR Round Table held here on Monday. The event was jointly organised by HAL and the
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES). HAL, on its part, is planning to create an aerospace university
with an initial investment of `100 crore, he said. This will ensure academia and industry linkage. Having a degree
is not enough as we need people who are in tune with the industry, Tyagi said. Mr Ashwani Dutt, member of the
Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), in his keynote address, said issues related to human resources must
be handled with utmost care, sensitivity and, if required, with firmness. The theme of the conference was Human
Capital - A Source of Business and Competitive Advantage. Prof Utpal Ghosh, Pro-Vice Chancellor of UPES,
spoke about issued related to the airline industry. HALs HR director Mr V M Chamola and others were part of the
discussion, according to a release issued by HAL.
Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/
India Fast Tracks 5th Generation Fighter Jet Project With Russia
India and Russia on Wednesday agreed to speed up work and iron out hurdles that are holding up the co-production
and co-designing of a 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft. The two nations had in 2012 agreed to jointly design and
produce the next generation fighters. Both countries are scheduled to spend US $5.5 billion each towards the cost
of designing, infrastructure build-up, prototype development and flight testing. But the UPA Government had failed
to operationalised the project. The decision to fast-track the programme was done in a bilateral meeting between
Defence Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, at the 14th Meeting of the
Indian-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation, which took place in New Delhi
on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters after the meeting in New Delhi, Defence Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar said,
We have decided to fast-track many of the issues. However, the 5th generation fighter being built for the Russian
Air Force is already being flight tested in Russia and India has suggested that a fresh Research and Development
(R&D) contract would be a waste of time and resources. Russia has already built five-prototypes in single pilot
version. The Indian version is a two-seater, which will acomodate one pilot and a co-pilot who will function as a
Weapon Systems Operator (WSO). Mr Parrikar has also told Russia that India wants the stealth fighter jet to be
inducted into the Indian Air Force much before 2024-25 - the date that was fixed for delivery. India plans to build as
many as 127 fighters at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited facility in Nashik. The Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft
(FGFA) project is estimated to cost $25 billion. Besides, the two sides have agreed that India will now exchange all

information about flight safety protocols being followed on Russian platforms - fighter jets, helicopters and the
transport planes - flown by the Indian Air Force. This information exchange is crucial given the series of accidents
in the Indian Air Force, including engine problems in Indias mainstay fighter, the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI. Russia had
also earlier contested Indias claim that the pilot seats of the Su-30 ejected automatically during the last crash in
October last year.
Source: http://www.ndtv.com
India must spend 2 pc of GDP on science: Ansari
Vice President Mr M Hamid Ansari has called for an increase in investment in the science sector from the present
one per cent of the GDP to two per cent to ensure rapid progress in science and to be able to compete with China
and South Korea. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the silver jubilee celebration of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for
Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) on Monday, Mr Ansari said the Research and Development (R&D) sector
in the country should be given more funding. The government is the primary investor in R&D now. I urge industries
to come forward and enhance its participation in R&D. Industry funding has been slack and inadequate, Mr Ansari
observed, stating that countries such as China and South Korea were doing much better on this front. Mr Ansari
noted that India produced 1,000 PhDs a year, while the US produced 8,000 PhDs. The number of scientists for
every 1,000 people too was higher in the US and China compared to India. I am, however, glad that the science
output has gone up from 2.5 per cent in 2003 to 3.6 per cent in 2012. I am also happy to note that Indias position
has improved in publications from 15th to 10th position. Even citations have gone up, even if marginally, from 0.5
per cent to 0.75 per cent. We have to keep bettering ourselves, he said. Prof C N R Rao recalled how JNCASR
was established 25 years ago. I received a call from Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar that a committee had agreed to set up
the centre in Bengaluru and that it had Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis support. By 1994, we started off research in
full swing. Rao said. JNCASR is doing well and has earned a global reputation in the first 25 years. In the next 25
years, I dont know what will happen. Women have potential.Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala spoke in an
informal tone, encouraging scientists at the JNCASR to work towards greater success. Women have as much
intelligence as men have. The other day, I presented awards to more than 150 women professionals. They are not
only intelligent but also sincere. They have the potential to become scientists. Chief minister Mr Siddaramaiah
promised full support to JNCASR and other science institutions in the State. Professors Mr K Vijayraghavan, Mr P
Rama Rao and Mr K S Narayan also spoke at the event.
Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/c
Solar powered airplane to touch Varanasi, Ahmedabad
The first round-the-world flight of a only-solar-powered aircraft, expected to start from Abu Dhabi on March 1, will
touch two Indian citiesAhmedabad and Varanasi. The aircraft that a wing span of 72 metres, a little wider than
that of as a Boeing 747 and weighs as much as a car, will circumnavigate the globe, touching 12 countries and
return to Abu Dhabi sometime in August. (The reason for the choice of Ahmedabad and Varanasi has not been
disclosed, but the no Indian could miss the connection of the two cities with the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Narendra
Modi. The first is the capital city of his home state, where he was the Chief Minister for a dozen years and the
second is the constituency he represents in the Parliament.) The aircraft, Solar Impulse 2, of Si2, has been
conceived by two Swiss nationalsbusinessman Andre Borschberg, and psychiatrist and balloonist Bertrand
Piccard. The venture has been funded by a clutch of multinational corporations, notably, Masdar, Abu Dhabis
renewable energy company, Solvay, Omega, Schindler, ABB, Swiss RE, Swisscom and Bayer. The other Indian
connection that Si2 has is that the Andre and Bertrand are being trained in yoga by Mr Sanjeev Bhanot, Director of
Yogalife Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland. Solar Impulse 1 was a prototype aircraft that has flown several stretches
within the United States and Europe since 2010. Si2 is powered by 17,248 monosilicon PV cells that generate 260
kWh a day. Lithium ion batteries that store energy power the night flights. Its stops include Muscat in Oman,
Ahmedabad and Varanasi, Mandalay in Myanmar, Chongqing and Nanjing in China and Hawaii in the United
States, from where it will fly to Phoenix and New York, thence to southern Europe and back to Abu Dhabi. Four

times during this tour the Si2 will fly for more than 100 hours. The aircraft is capable of achieving a maximum
speed of 100 km a hour and the preferred cruising altitude is 8,500 metres. Bertrand Piccard has been
quoted as saying that he was more afraid of living in a world that burns a billion tonnes of oil each hour than
flying solar-powered aeroplanes.
Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/

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Space Technology Yields Rich Spin-offs to Society

Every time you settle back in the comfort of your car seat or flaunt your spanking new sunglasses, remember
to thank cutting-edge space technology. Spin-offs of space technology abound in our daily life, but in most
instances we are blissfully unaware that the little gadgets or techniques that make our lives a lot simpler had
their origins in ideas intended not for us, but for astronauts. An oft-quoted example is that of the ball-point
pen. It was originally thought up to enable astronauts perform the rather simple act of writing in a microgravity environment where ink pens are worthless. Spin-offs of space technology was the topic of the weekly
talk organised by the Institution of Engineers, Thiruvananthapuram chapter, on Wednesday. The speaker, Mr
Abdul Majeed, a former Deputy Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), gave interesting examples
to how space technology by-products have enriched our life. Apart from direct applications such as in space
or military, spin-offs from space technology have paid us very rich dividends. In fact, they have had a tremendous
impact on our lives, Mr Abdul Majeed, who has figured in some of the biggest projects of the Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO), said. Be it transportation, telecommunication, healthcare, education or design
of large systems, space technology has contributed - significantly, he said. Design management is one area
which other government agencies especially, can adapt from space science. Now its almost non-existent in
many of our government departments, he pointed out. The body-hugging form of your car seat is typical of
how space science has enhanced our comfort levels while driving. The seats were originally designed for
NASA spacecraft based on the natural posture a human body assumes in a micro-gravity environment. Or
take scratch-proof sun-glasses. Diamonds are the toughest objects known to man, but they do have a problem;
they are terribly expensive. So to make visors on space suits tougher, space scientists came up with a
diamond-like carbon material. The sunglass industry quickly latched on to it to make the glasses tougher and
scratch-proof! Or, yet again, take key-hole surgery. Another NASA technology originally intended to enable
the best surgeons perform operations on astronauts who are in space. Essentially it has made surgeries
easier and faster, Mr Majeed explained. Likewise, radial tyres saw a vast improvement after Goodyear
developed a tough fibrous material for the parachute shrouds on the Viking lander. Another similar development,
a technology used in the fuel pumps of NASA space shuttles is currently undergoing trials in another sector
- for developing artificial hearts, Mr Abdul Majeed said. Even the now-familiar vehicle tracking systems can
be traced back to the space shuttle missions. ISRO too has made significant, but on a much lower scale,
contributions in spin-offs, he said. The most recent example is CASPOL, a fire-retardant material that can be
employed to prevent fires in buildings and vehicles. The technology had been tested out on PSLV and GSLV
rockets to prevent fuel tanks from catching fire! Unfortunately we havent focussed too much on spin-offs,
said Mr Abdul Majeed. We need to change our methods, forecast future needs and emerging technologies
and identify technologies and processes to be developed for societal needs, he said. Still, if you ask him
what ISROs biggest spin-off is, he will promptly tell you, the contribution to our national pride.
Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/

5th-gen aircraft, BRAHMOS-NG missile on agenda as Russian def min heads to New Delhi
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu will arrive on a three-day visit to hold talks with his Indian counterpart Mr
Manohar Parrikar and review the ongoing cooperation and future prospects in the crucial sector. During the talks, the
Russian side is expected to raise the issue of the much-delayed joint production of a Fifth- Generation Fighter Aircraft
(FGFA) and BRAHMOS-NG (Next Generation) missile. It is also expected to discuss Russian President Vladimir Putins
offer last month to produce the Kamov military helicopters in India, among other things. The question of a possible
lease of a second nuclear submarine from Russia could also come up in the meeting that is being held just days ahead
of US President Barack Obamas visit to the country. Currently, India operates an 8,140-tonne Akula Class submarine
renamed the INS Chakra which was leased in 2011 from Russia for a period of 10 years. The issues would feature as
part of discussions as the two counterparts chair the 13th meeting of the Russian-Indian Inter-Governmental Commission
on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC). The two ministers will review the progress made so far and the future
scope, defence sources said. One of the most important deals in the works between India and Russia at present is the
FGFA. A Russian team was in the national capital last month to discuss the deal and iron out any differences. India has
said that the basic prototype of the plane is already flying and the Indian version had just a few variations, hence a fullfledged R&D contract would be a waste of time and resources, official sources said. Russia is also expected to push for
a key deal for the joint development of a BRAHMOS-NG missile. However, sources said that a tripartite agreement in
this regard is unlikely to be signed between DRDO, NPOM lab of Russia and BrahMos Aerospace. The Russian Minister
will also be visiting the BrahMos aerospace centre in the national capital. The NG missile will have a speed of Mach 3.5
and can carry a payload of 300-kg up to a range of 290-km. In terms of size, it will be about half that of the present
missile, which is around 10-metres long. BrahMos Aerospace, an Indo-Russian joint venture firm set up in 1998, feels
that the new missile could be inducted into service by 2017 and there would be a huge market for it in India and Russia
and among friendly foreign countries. The BRAHMOS missile can be launched from land, air and marine-based platforms.
While the army and navy have already started inducting land and sea-based Brahmos missile systems, the air launch
variant is set for trials soon. India remains Russias largest partner in the military- technical cooperation sphere. Nearly
70 per cent of the weapons and military equipment used by the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy is either Russian or
came from the erstwhile Soviet Union.
Source: http://www.brahmand.com/
DRDO develops mobile lab to screen troops in nuclear scenario
With threat perception of terrorists using weapons of mass destruction increasing, the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) has developed a mobile truck mounted laboratory to screen troops in the field from the after
effects of radiation and initiate remedial measures. The chamber, termed as Mobile Whole Body Counter (MWBC) will
do away with the necessity and the logistic impediment of evacuating soldiers from operational areas to rear echelons.
According to a bulletin issued by DRDOs Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), in case of radiological
and nuclear accidents, some radio-nuclides are released, which contaminate the environment for extended periods of
time due to their long life. Stating that terrorists are fast graduating towards chemical, biological radiological and nuclear
(CBRN) terrorism and since Indian forces are constantly engaged in anti-terrorist and internal security duties in Jammu
and Kashmir, the North-East and Maoist affected areas, the bulletin claims that the chances of use of radiation dispersal
devices (RDD) by terrorists on Army installations are high. Consequently, in order to keep soldiers fighting fit in the event
of use of RDDs by terrorist outfits, each soldier suspected of being affected by radiation will be required to screen for
radioactive contamination. This would help mitigate any panic in the unit concerned as well monitor therapeutic response.
Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
Momentous Year for Indias Defence and Space Science
With the successful test firings of a brand new state-of-the-art Gen-next interceptor missile Prithvi Defence Vehicle
(PDV) along with the first night trials of nuke-capable Agni-I and ship-launched Dhanush missiles besides the launching
of two Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles (GSLVs) and five foreign satellites in the orbit, it was a momentous
year for Indias defence and space science. In 2014, the countrys elite Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had created history in many aspects. The year started with
copy-book test launchings of Prithvi-II ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea on

January 7 and Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Agni-IV from the Wheeler Island test facility off the
Odisha coast on January 20. While it was last developmental trial of 4,000-km range Agni-IV, nearly eleven months
after the test, the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Army successfully conducted the first user trial of the
weapon system from the same test facility in a bid to speed up its induction process. Other indigenously developed
missiles which were put into trials include 700-km range Agni-I, 2,000-km range Agni-II, long range high altitude
interceptor PDV, submarine launched 3,000-km range K-4, Indo-Russian supersonic cruise BrahMos, subsonic
cruise Nirbhay, surface-to-air Akash, beyond visual range air-to-air Astra and shipped launched Dhanush. The
successful tests of indigenously built subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay, submarine launched long range weapon
system K-4, high altitude killer interceptor missile Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) and launch of beyond visual range
air-to-air missile Astra from Su-30 MKI aircraft were significant achievements for the DRDO last year. After a failed
maiden trial in 2013, the Nirbhay missile was successful in its second attempt on October 17. For the first time, the
performance of the missile was closely watched by an Indian Air Force aircraft. DRDO scientists and all technical
staffs involved in the mission celebrated as the missile went up vertically before taking a dive and travelling on the
pre-designated trajectory till the target area. The entire mission was a perfect flight achieving all the mission
objectives. Defence scientists successfully carried out the maiden test of K-4 missile from a pontoon (replica of a
submarine) submerged over 30 metres deep in the Bay of Bengal off the Visakhapatnam coast. After a powerful
gas generator ejected it from the submerged pontoon, the missile rose into the air, took a turn towards the designated
target in Indian Ocean on March 24. However, the DRDO has not admitted it officially as yet. India is the fifth
country in the world to have a submarine launched missile. Similarly, while the Astra missiles were successfully
fired from Su-30 MKI aircraft from a naval range in the western sector on May 4 and June 20, India scripted
success in its first attempt of launching a high altitude missile on April 27. The PDV missile is capable of killing an
incoming missile with a strike range of around 2,000 km in the exo-atmosphere (outside the earths atmosphere)
region at over 120 km altitude. A very few countries in the world have such capability. For the first time, three rounds
of Barak-8 missile, a joint venture of Indian and Israel were also conducted successfully from Negev desert of
Israel on November 10. First night trials of Agni-I and Dhanush missile were also carried out on April 12 and
November 14 respectively proving the capability of the armed forces to launch the missiles from any terrain any
time. Surface-to-air supersonic missile Akash was trialed as many times in February, April, May, June and November
by the army and air force personnel to gauge its performance in different modes. Even as the missile was first time
successfully test-fired in receding ting mode and ripple mode on February 24 and May 28 respectively, faults in its
seeker continued to trouble the mission team as the missile failed to take off in a couple of occasions . On June 27,
India conducted two-round trials of helicopter launched Nag (HeliNa), DRDOs anti-tank guided missile from
Chandipur. While one reportedly failed to give expected results, the other was successful. The trial conducted
during the noon was unsuccessful as the missile failed to hit the target while the second test carried out in the
afternoon was successful meeting all mission parameters. On September 23, three rounds of non-DRDO Russian
missiles were tested successfully targeting tow bodies released from unmanned aerial vehicles flown from Chandipur.
On December 15, the made-in-India first nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant started its sea trials from Vizag.
All systems on board this 6,000-tonne vessel having 83 Megawatt Indian designed and built pressurised water
reactor will be tested and it will be followed by submergence and weapon firing trials. If all trials go as planned, the
submarine can be inducted within the next two years. The first naval prototype of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) NP1
was successfully flight tested off the shore-based test facility (SBTF) at a naval air station in Goa on December 20.
This indigenously designed and developed fourth plus generation combat aircraft to be operated from the decks of
air-craft carriers flown from ski-jump facility of the SBTF at INS Hansa. Amidst high five moments, there were some
bad news for DRDO too. In January, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) served notice to the Ministry
of Home Affairs asking the Director General of DRDO to take steps for protecting Wheeler Island test facility, which
has been facing sand erosion, and its eco system. At the annual DRDO awards function in August, Prime Minister
Mr Narendra Modi had flayed the chalta hai attitude of the DRDO, which is often criticised for delayed projects and
cost overruns. With an aim to make the country a global leader in defence capabilities, he had directed the DRDO
to censure delivery of cutting-edge weapon systems to the armed forces in time. Close on the heels of the comments
from the PM, DRDO stated that it had been facing a shortage of scientists. In a written reply to Lok Sabha during
the winter session, Defence Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar also admitted the fact saying the organisation was
facing a shortage of 2,776 scientists as there has been no enhancement of scientific manpower since 2001.

Ending all speculations, DRDO chief Avinash Chander was given an 18-month extension which allows him to head
the organization till May 31, 2016. This man behind the success of Agni series of missiles who is already on two
extensions was to superannuate on November 30. There were also reports of DRDO readying its home-grown new
tactical short range surface-to-surface missile Pragati for export purposes. Chander said DRDO has committed to
meet three S-Speed, Skill and Scale - besides adding Swadeshi (fourth S) to it. In order to fully explore and
harness the potentiality and make it economically viable, it is essential to create a credible export market for Indian
defence products as outlined by the Prime Minister, he had said. Similarly, ISRO succeeded in its first inter-planetary
Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) making India the only country to achieve this feat in its maiden attempt. The space
agency also tested the atmospheric re-entry of a crew module towards realising its ambition to send humans into
space and successfully launched two Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles and five foreign satellites in the
orbit. The biggest feat came on September 24 when the MOM was successfully inserted in the red planets orbit.
ISRO not only received accolades nationally, but also on global platform. On December 18, the organisation
successfully launched the 42.4 meter tall, 630-tonne, three-stage GSLV Mark-III from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
The experiment also witnessed the largest parachute developed by DRDO in action. The main parachute, which
helped the crew module touch the waters at around 7 metre per second speed, was 31 metres in diameter.
Important ISRO Missions
First inter-planetary Mars Orbiter Mission successful making India the only country to achieve this feat in its maiden
attempt
Two successful launches of GSLVs and five foreign satellites in the orbit
Successful Test of atmospheric re-entry of a crew module with the heaviest launch vehicle GSLV Mk-III towards
realising the ambition to send humans into space
Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/
Obama in India: India keen to jointly develop Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System with US
India and the United States are likely to expedite during US President Barack Mr Obamas visit discussions on joint
production of electromagnetic system to smoothen takeoff and landing of fighter jets on board Indias indigenously
developed aircraft carrier. Officials said India is keen to jointly develop Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System
(EMALS) with the US for the aircraft carrier that is under production in Kochi. Frank Kendall, the US undersecretary
of defence for acquisition, technology and logistics, who is arriving ahead of Obama, will discuss with his Indian
counterparts the possibility of joint production of defence items including EMALS, officials said, adding there is a
possibility that EMALS might be one of the items where chances of joint production are high. India currently operates
two aircraft carriers, one stationed along its eastern coast and the other along the western coast. EMALS is a
system under development by the US Navy using a linear motor drive instead of the conventional steam piston
drive. Kendall, who is visiting India after the Russian defence minister came calling, is expected to give momentum
to the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI), which promotes collaboration in defence technology and
enables co-production and co-development of critical defence system. Besides EMALS, Kendalls discussions will
focus on joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles and systems for the C-130 military transport aircraft built by
Lockheed Martin Corp. Some projects could be announced after the summit meeting of Prime Minister Mr Narendra
Modi and President Obama, officials indicated. India has received five C-130Js built by Lockheed Martin and it has
placed orders for six planes, parts of which will be delivered by 2017 and the jet planes will be delivered by 2017.
DTTI will be a critical aspect of the renewed defence pact that is expected to be signed during Obamas visit. The
India-US defence framework agreement, which expires this year, was signed in the US in 2005 by the then defence
minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee and his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld in the George W Bush administration. The
new framework is likely to enhance the bilateral defence partnership by stepping up joint military exercises and
through more in-depth intelligence-sharing, maritime security, among other issues.
Source: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/

Business
Empowered French team likely to visit India for Rafale deal
A French empowered delegation is likely to visit India this month to carry forward the much- delayed talks for the
multi-billion dollar contract for 126 Rafale fighter aircraft as India looks at the option of buying more Sukhoi-30 MKI
warplanes in case the deal falls through. Recalling his discussions with his French counterpart last month, Defence
Minister Manohar Parrikar said talks are on over the deal. He said French Defence Minister Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian
had intended to send an empowered person for this. Sources said a French delegation could visit India this
month. Talking about the delays in sealing the contract, Defence Ministry sources admitted there were problems
and said India could consider buying more Russian-made Sukhoi-30 planes if the proposed deal with France
collapsed. France, on the other hand, is confident of signing the contract and says differences can be sorted out.
India and France had agreed to fast-track the negotiations in December. The issue came up for discussion during
the delegation- level talks on December 3 between Mr Parrikar and his French counterpart. India had in 2012
selected Rafale combat planes but the final negotiations are still continuing between the Defence Ministry and
Dassault Aviation, maker of the aircraft. The deal with India is a big one for the Rafale company as it will be the first
mega export order for the aircraft. As per the Request for Proposal (RFP), the first 18 jets planes are to be imported
BUSINESS
and the rest
manufactured under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)
Source: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com
Crompton Greaves inks pact with French firm Arelis for aerospace equipment
Crompton Greaves (CG), the Avantha Group company, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
with French enterprise Arelis that specialises in design and manufacturing of high-tech electronic solutions. As per
the agreement, two companies will explore opportunities to manufacture and supply hybrid microelectronics for
high mix-mid volume market and for high runner microelectronics hybrids markets for aerospace and defence,
energies, utilities and telecommunication sectors. With the technology transfer from Arelis on hybrid microelectronics,
CG will be able to indigenously manufacture the components and sub-assemblies for Indian and global markets.
This collaboration derives competitiveness from the strengths of the two companies - Arelis technical knowhow in
aerospace and defence electronics and access to global OEMs and CGs strong manufacturing capability in India
and cost efficient vendor base to localise the production in India. We are proud of this association with CG a key
industrial electronics player. This collaborative agreement creates a great synergy by reinforcing CG electronics
technologies and industrial knowhow while offering to Arelis a huge manufacturing potential and a long established
presence in the Indian market, said Pascal Veillat, chairman of Arelis Group. He added, With already 40% of its
global business abroad especially in Russia, Africa and South East Asia, this tremendous opportunity allows Arelis
to develop a new rapidly growing export market and to demonstrate its industrial competencies from specifications,
design to the complete integration. Laurent Demortier, CEO and managing director, CG, said, This association
with Arelis is in line with CGs growth strategy to expand in high value added defence electronics activities and be
a significant player within the Indian defence sector. CG with its large Indian industrial base and reach will leverage
this coordination.
Source: http://www.business-standard.com/
Exports of aircraft parts surge 67% in April-Dec
Exports of aircraft and spacecraft parts from India have gone up 67 per cent between April and December 2014
against the year ago period. Manufacturers of these hi-tech equipments are largely small and medium enterprises.
Indian manufacturers export various parts of aircraft, helicopters and refurbishments of aircraft to countries like Sri
Lanka, US, UK, UAE, Singapore, Ireland and Turkey. Between April and December last year, exports moved up
past $5 billion against $3 billion in the same period the previous year. Among the major markets, off take by Sri
Lanka went up 151 per cent during the period to $1,656 million from $658 million in the same period the previous

year. According to Engineering Export Promotion Council, Sri Lanka has been importing engineering items from
India and the current increase in exports is due to various reasons including the free trade agreement with India and
some big orders received in the recent past. Exports to US jumped 40 per cent from $289 million to $404 million.
Among the other markets, UK shipments shot up 212 per cent to $294 million, Irelands imports grew significantly
from $0.86 million to $287 million and that to Turkey grew above 550 per cent to $211 million. During the period,
rupee had depreciated only marginally and hence the export growth is mainly due to volume growth. What is
heartening is that they (manufacturers) are mostly small and medium enterprises, which dominate the sector and
are quickly adopting new technology, catering to some of top aircraft and spacecraft manufacturers of the world,
said Mr Anupam Shah, chairman of the EEPC India. Industrial machinery for dairy, food processing and textiles
dominated by the SMEs too witnessed over 13 per cent expansion in exports during the first eight months of the
fiscal to $3.10 billion. EEPC finds that technology-oriented products are now increasing their share in the total
engineering exports, which aggregated $46.59 billion during April-November, growing by close to 20 per cent on an
annualised basis. Exports of hi-tech products like internal combustion engines and parts went up by over 55 per
cent during April-November to $1.07 billion.
Source: http://www.mydigitalfc.com/

Ev
ent
Event
Make in India to be Central Theme of Aero India Show?
Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modis Make in India campaign is likely to take centre-stage at the upcoming Aero
India 2015, which may choose it as its theme. The biennial air show attracts a large number of companies from
around the world. It saw participation from 570 companies, including 274 foreign firms in the 2013 edition. This year
too, a large number of foreign and domestic firms are expected to participate in the exhibition to be held between
February 18 and 22 in Yelahanka Air Force Station. The response for this edition of the show is very good, Mr
Mayaskar Deo Singh, director, Defence Exhibition Organisation of the Ministry of Defence told Express. It is no
longer a domestic event...it is an international airshow and many will be surprised by the response this time, he
said. Defence Exhibition Organisation is conducting the event in association with various other organisations.
According to Air Marshal Mr B K Pandey, former Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, IAF Training Command, investment
that comes as a fallout of offset obligation will be one of the focus areas in the show. Offsets are compensations that
a buyer seeks from a seller for the purchase of goods and services. As per the offset clause, companies that have
signed deals with India are required to source components worth 30 per cent of contract value from Indian suppliers.
IAF has signed several deals in the last few years with foreign firms for trainer aircraft, C17, helicopters and others.
Domestic companies interested in investment that comes in the form of offset clause will tie up with foreign firms,
he said. The reason for emphasising this is that very few technology transfers are happening in this sector, and
due to lack of in-house technology most of the indigenous programmes were either suffering a cost overrun or were
procured from foreign vendors. Indian firms, he says, are not ready to complement offset obligations. The total
offset value is approximately USD 5 billion and is expected to double in the next few years, which is an explosive
growth. The real question to be asked is: are Indian private players ready to complement the offset obligation? The
answer is no. The government must focus on building the base for manufacturing aerospace and defence
components, like the proposed Kalashnikov plant in Gujarat. Otherwise, this sector will not benefit from the Make
in India drive, he added.
Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/

Awar
d
ard
Eight bag Young Scientist Award
As many as eight young scientists from different branches of science have been selected for the Young Scientist
Award instituted by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment (KSCSTE) for the year

2014. The award carries a cash prize of Rs.50,000, a startup research grant, and travel support for a trip abroad to
present the research work at a conference. The awardees include Utpal Manna, School of Mathematics, Indian
Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram; Mr Rajeev N. Kini, School of Physics,
IISER; Reji Varghese, School of Chemistry, IISER; K.N. Uma, Space Physics Laboratory, VSSC; N. Selvaraju,
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Calicut; Santhoshkumar K.S., Polymers
and Special Chemicals Division, VSSC; Binod Parameswaran, Biotechnology Division, CSIR- NIIST,
Thiruvananthapuram; and Vandana Sankar, Agro-processing and Natural Products Division, CSIR-NIIST. The
awards are given to young researchers of Indian origin with Ph.D working in Kerala for the last three years. A press
note issued by the KSCSTE said the awardees for the year 2014 were shortlisted by a committee of experts after
scrutiny of nominations.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com

Achie
vements & Appointments
hiev
MOM Scientists Get Padma Honours
BENGALURU: The list of Padma Shri awardees includes two scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) who played an instrumental role in the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) which reached the red
planet last year. Mr S K Shivakumar, now Director of the ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), joined the space agency in
1976. He played a part in the development of the telemetry system for Chandrayaan - I mission. As Director of
ISAC, he was also overseeing the incorporation of the satellite subsystems and scientific payloads into the structure
at ISAC. The other awardee, Mr S Arunan, also had worked on the Chandrayaan mission before being appointed
Project Director for the Mars Mission. A mechanical engineering graduate from the Coimbatore Institute of Technology,
Mr Arunan hails from a simple family from Tirunelvelli. He led his team through a host of challenges which included
making sure that the spacecraft reached Mars as well as ensuring that the communications channel remained
functional throughout the journey. K Radhakrishnan, the ISRO Chairman during the Mars Mission, was awarded
the Padma Bhushan last year.
Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com
V K Saraswat: The workhorse who also developed Indias missiles
V K Saraswat, who has been appointed a full-time member of the NITI Aayog, has been one of the most high profile
and successful Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chiefs in recent times. From the time
he joined the DRDO in 1972, he has been associated with almost unbroken success in his field of specialisation,
missile propulsion. As a member of APJ Abdul Kalams hand-picked team that worked on the Integrated Guided
Missile Development Programme, Saraswat played a key role in developing a series of missiles at a time when
India faced tight international technology sanctions. He was closely involved in developing the Prithvi ballistic
missile; and each of the five Agni missiles that now form the backbone of Indias land-based nuclear deterrent.
While Saraswat worked on propulsion systems, his contemporary and successor as DRDO chairman, Avinash
Chander, fashioned their guidance systems. They remain closely associated, suggesting DRDO might have a
useful ambassador in the NITI Aayog. Saraswat was also instrumental in modifying existing DRDO missiles into a
controversial, but apparently effective, anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system that seeks to defend Indian cities by
shooting down incoming nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles. Saraswat, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, obtained his
MTech from Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and PhD from Osmania University. He was awarded a Padma
Shri in 1998 and Padma Bhushan in 2013. He retired from DRDO on May 31, 2013.
Source: http://www.business-standard.com/

Government appoints Kiran Kumar Alur Seelin as ISRO chairman

The Centre on Monday evening appointed AS Kiran Kumar, the director of Space Application Centre (SAC),
Ahmedabad, as the chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The government gave Shailesh
Nayak, secretary in the ministry of earth sciences, additional charge as ISRO chairman after K Radhakrishnans
retirement on December 31. Kiran Kumar was one of the two front-runners for the post, the other being M Y S
Prasad, the director of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. As is the convention, the ISRO chairman would
be the secretary of the department of space as also the chairman of space commission. The appointments committee
of the cabinet has approved the appointment of A S Kiran Kumar, director, Space Application Centre, as secretary
department of space, and chairman space commission, on reemployment on contract basis, for a tenure of three
years from the date of assumption of the charge of post, said the official communique from the department of
personnel and training. Kumar, 62, is one of the senior-most scientists serving ISRO. Having superannuated, he
has been on contract, heading the Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad. Credited with developing key components
of Indias Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan missions, Kumar was awarded the Padma Sri in 2014. A Physics graduate
from the National College under Bangalore University, Kumar started his ISRO career with the Space Application
Centre in 1975. He went on to head this institution. He played a crucial role in developing image sensors for
Bhaskara, Indias first remote sensing satellite launched in 1979.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
India gets first woman DGCA
The government has appointed M Sathiyavathy, 1982 batch UT cadre IAS officer, as the DG till January 28, 2017
making her the first woman director general of civil aviation (DGCA). Sathiyavathy, who is currently additional
secretary and financial advisor in the aviation ministry and has a clean image, may, however, remain DG only for a
few months as she is going to be empanelled as secretary later this year. Sathiyavathy will not hold additional
charge as DGCA. She will be full time DG till she is appointed as secretary, said an official. Sathiyavathy will
replace Prabhat Kumar, who has completed his central deputation and will go back to parent UP cadre. The first
challenge Sathiyavathy will face is of taking Indian aviation safety ranking back to its lost top billing. The US Federal
Aviation Administration had last January downgraded the DGCA due to poor regulatory oversight. After this firstever downgrade on Friday, India is now among the 11 category II countries with weak aviation regulatory agencies
that include Bangladesh, Barbados, Ghana, Nicaragua and a Caribbean island nation of 37,000 people, Sint Maarten.
Whats worse, the FAA downgrade means other countries may also express doubts at Indian carriers safety record
and insist on coming here for checks. The FAA has last month reviewed the progress made in strengthening the
aviation safety oversight and is expected to decide on Indias safety ranking by mid-February. As a result of this
international embarrassment caused mainly by a severe shortage of technical staff in the DGCA, Indian carriers
that fly to the US Air India and Jet are not be able to add any more flight there; have a new destination city in
America or enter into code-share with American carriers. Also, foreign aviation authorities can now hold up Indian
aircraft for checks and delay their flights. Sathiyavathys first task as DGCA will be taking Indias aviation safety
oversight back to its top ranking.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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