India

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of an Integrated Air Defense Weapon System (IADWS) for an estimated cost of $1.867 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on February 7, 2020.

Russia says it has started the production of a batch of S-400 missile defense systems for India under a deal the two countries reached two years ago, despite threats of sanctions made by the United States against New Delhi over the purchase of the advanced Russian systems.

India’s military is seeking to extend its use of drones for intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance.

The statement comes days after Indian Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh highlighted the requirement of three aircraft carriers for the Navy to overcome critical capability voids during a naval commanders’ conference in New Delhi.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, leading an official delegation which includes over 50 businessmen, is expected to hold discussions with his Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, on all areas of bilateral military and military-technical cooperation.

India launched the project to develop Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Astra missiles in 2004, at a budget of Rs. 995 crores (approximately $138.4 million).

India is set to launch its biggest war games in disputed Arunachal Pradesh, near the Chinese border.

India has launched its second Moon Mission, Chandrayaan-2 into lunar orbit successfully. The spacecraft, initially slated to be launched on 15 July, had to be abandoned 53 minutes before take-off due to a “technical snag” in the engine’s cooling system.

The former British ambassador to the U.S. believed President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal was an act of “diplomatic vandalism” against his predecessor Barack Obama, according to newly leaked diplomatic cables.

The 2.5-ton air-launched version of the BrahMos (BrahMos-A) missile, named after India’s Brahmaputra River and Russia’s Moskva River, has an operational range of around 300 km. It can be dropped from 500 to 14,000 metres.