Latest news with #AN-32
India Today
6 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard to get Airbus C-295 aircraft soon
The Indian Air Force is enhancing its capabilities along the borders by phasing out older aircraft and replacing them with modern ones. The vintage Avro transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force will soon be replaced by the new C-295MW tactical transport with the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Coast Guard is also going to induct C-295 aircraft. According to sources, the induction process is set to begin this year. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for the marine version of the C-295 was issued in March 2025 and the Defence Acquisition Council has approved the Acceptance of total of 15 C-295MW aircraft will be procured, out of which nine will be for the Navy and six will be for the Coast Guard. The deadline for submitting commercial bids is December 2025. India signed a deal in 2021 with Spain for 56 C-295MW aircraft. These aircraft are being manufactured in Gujarat's Vadodara. The Indian Air Force has already raised its first C-295 squadron at the Vadodara Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated this facility in the presence of the Spanish President. The project is being executed in partnership with the Tata consortium and Airbus. This marks the first time a private Indian company is developing military aircraft per the agreement, 16 aircraft will be manufactured in Spain and delivered to India, while the remaining 40 are being built in India. So far, the Indian Air Force has received 15 C-295 aircraft. The first Made-in-India C-295 is expected to be delivered by August next C-295 can carry between 5 to 10 tons of cargo, transport up to 70 soldiers or 50 paratroopers with full battle gear. It features a rear ramp for paradropping troops and cargo. Designed for tactical missions, the aircraft is capable of low-level flying and can operate from short runways, taking off in just 670 meters and landing in 320 features make it ideal for operations along the Line of Actual Control with China. It can fly for up to 11 hours at a speed of 480 km/h and comes equipped with an indigenous electronic warfare suite. The aircraft can have 24 stretchers during medical evacuation newer aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster and C-130J Super Hercules do not require replacement, the ageing Avro fleet is being replaced by the C-295MW. Other ageing aircraft such as the AN-32 and IL-76 are also due for AN-32 will begin retiring after 2032, and the IL-76 will serve for a few more years. The Air Force has already issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a new medium transport aircraft to replace the AN-32.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Deccan Herald
19-07-2025
- Business
- Deccan Herald
India's fighter airbase in eastern Ladakh set for October takeoff
New Delhi: India's military infrastructure in eastern Ladakh is set for a major boost with a fighter airbase at Nyoma coming up within a few months and Daulat Beg Oldie, the country's highest military outpost, to get an alternate axis by next year for quick troop movement, defence sources Mudh air base at Nyoma – 50 km from the Line of Actual Control that separates China from India – would be ready by this October, sources will set the stage for the Indian Air Force to operate some of its fighter jets from a base at an altitude of 11,000 ft and is in close proximity to the LAC. .The alternate road link to the DBO below the Karakoram range would take one more year and is likely to be ready by 2026 to provide summer connectivity to the world's highest airstrip through the strategic Sub-Sector will be an alternate axis to the Darbuk-Shyok-DBO (DSDBO) road that runs parallel to the Sasoma-Sasser La-Sasser Brangsa-Gapshan-DBO link will aid movement of troops from Siachen base camp to DBO within a few hours, as against the current option of spending nearly two days on transit during which the soldiers come down to Leh and take the DSDBO route. .Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation, the new road has nine bridges that are currently capable of ferrying vehicles weighing up to 40 of them, sources said, would be converted to Class-70 bridges for the movement of heavy military vehicles including the alternate road link will be operational between March and November currently, sources said a proposal to create a tunnel under the 17,800 ft Sasser pass was being prepared. .If the proposal is approved by the government, it would take about 4-5 years to complete the road, providing all weather access to DBO by two roads.A second route to the DBO is necessary because the DSDBO road comes under direct Chinese observation at several at an elevation of 16,700 ft, DBO is strategically critical to India because of its proximity to over 18,000 ft high Karakoram pass that separates China's Xinjiang province from Ladakh. .To the west of DBO, China is constructing the controversial China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The Karakoram highway connecting Gilgit to Xinjiang is also near DBO, making the outpost strategically of military infrastructure near the LAC received a boost in the wake of the recent India-China border conflict in eastern instance, turning Nyoma into a fighter-base was a proposal that the IAF mooted way back in 2010 after successfully landing an AN-32 transporter, but the idea gained traction in the wake of the recent border tension. .New Delhi focussed on improving its air bases near the LAC after it noticed that the communist country had upgraded all its airfields with longer runways and hardened shelters all along the 3,488 km long disputed ready, the Nyoma air base will support MiG-29 and Su-30 MKI operations besides regular flights of transporters like C-130J and AN-32 carrying troops.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rajasthan jet crash horror: IAF Jaguar goes down in Churu, pilots feared dead in second fatal incident in 3 months
An Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed around 1:25 p.m. on Wednesday near Bhanoda village in Rajasthan's Churu district. The incident occurred in an agricultural field in Ratangarh Tehsil. According to Rajaldesar Police Station SHO Kamlesh, human body parts were discovered near the crash site, indicating the pilots may not have survived. The aircraft's debris was scattered across the farmland, and emergency teams rushed to the location. Further investigation is ongoing, and officials are yet to confirm the identities of the crew or the circumstances leading to the crash. Two pilots onboard during the crash Police authorities confirmed that two pilots were on board the jet at the time of the crash. As search and rescue operations continue, there has been no official update yet on whether either of the pilots managed to eject before impact. The presence of human remains at the site has raised fears of fatalities. The crash site remains cordoned off as officials from the IAF and local administration conduct recovery and examination of the wreckage. More details will be released following a full inquiry into the incident. Recent history of Jaguar crashes raises concerns This incident marks the second crash of a Jaguar fighter aircraft in 2025. In April, a Jaguar jet on a night sortie went down near Suvarda village in Gujarat's Jamnagar district, killing one of the two pilots. That jet was also on a routine training mission when it crashed in an open field roughly 12 kilometres from Jamnagar city. 🚨 IAF Jet Crashes In Rajasthan's ChuruHoping for the safety of Pilot 🙏🏻 Prior to that, in March, two separate IAF aircraft incidents occurred on the same day. A Jaguar crashed shortly after takeoff from Ambala airbase in Haryana due to a technical snag. The crew ejected safely. On the same day, an AN-32 transport aircraft crash-landed in West Bengal's Bagdogra. The cause of that crash-landing remains unconfirmed. Jaguar aircraft, often used for training and ground attack roles, have faced several incidents in recent years. The IAF has not yet commented on whether a technical failure was involved in the latest investigations continue, the Churu crash adds to a growing list of IAF incidents raising concerns over operational safety protocols.
News18
02-05-2025
- General
- News18
In A First, IAF Fighter Jets Land At Night On Ganga Expressway In UP
Last Updated: Participating aircraft included Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, C-130J Super Hercules, AN-32, and MI-17 V5 helicopters. As the roar of fighter jets pierced the night sky above Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur, history was scripted on the tarmac of the Ganga Expressway. For the first time in India, the Indian Air Force demonstrated its might with night landings and take-offs on a public expressway—proving that the country's highways are no longer just roads, but runways of national resilience. India's First Night-Landing-Ready Expressway Airstrip This remarkable feat makes the Ganga Expressway the first expressway in the country to be engineered for both day and night operations of fighter aircraft. Equipped with cutting-edge lighting and navigation systems, this dedicated airstrip enables precision landings even in low-visibility conditions, setting a new benchmark in India's dual-use infrastructure development. The 'touch and go' exercise was conducted in two phases—one in the daytime and the other between 7 PM and 10 PM—to fully test the expressway's night-operational readiness and also to showcase IAF's operational strength, especially amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Participating aircraft included Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, C-130J Super Hercules, AN-32, and MI-17 V5 helicopters. These aircraft conducted low-altitude flypasts, some as low as one metre, before carrying out smooth landings and take-offs. Grit, Precision, And The Sound Of Supersonic Thunder On Friday, a sequence of drills began with an AN-32 transport aircraft executing a ceremonial flyover around 12:41 PM. The aircraft circled the area for about five minutes before landing and later took off around 1 PM. This was followed by the landing of IAF helicopters and fighter jets like Rafale, Sukhoi, and Jaguar, demonstrating the preparedness of the expressway's newly built 3.5-kilometer airstrip. However, after a brief lull, as the darkness enveloped the Saharanpur sky, the sky came alive again with the roar of jet engines. Between 7 PM and 10 PM, fighter aircraft performed low-altitude flypasts and precise landings, guided by the advanced lighting and navigation systems installed on the runway. The powerful visual and sonic display left observers awestruck, reinforcing the strategic capability of India's infrastructure. In a recent post, the UP CM Office highlighted that the expressway, the longest in the state, now features India's first night landing airstrip for fighter aircraft, fortified with 250 CCTV cameras and ready for use in war or disaster scenarios. UP CM's another post on 'X' reads, 'Ganga Expressway is the longest in the state, stretching 594 kilometers. It now hosts the country's first night landing airstrip—3.5 kilometers long—near Shahjahanpur, equipped with 250 CCTV cameras for round-the-clock surveillance. This expressway has been strategically designed to support contingency scenarios like war or disaster, allowing Air Force fighter aircraft to take off and land at any hour." Spanning across 594 kilometers, the Ganga Expressway connects Meerut in western UP to Prayagraj in the east, traversing through 12 districts including Hapur, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj. Once fully operational, it is expected to drastically cut travel time across the state and serve as a major economic corridor. The 3.5-kilometer-long airstrip, located near Kurebhar village in Shahjahanpur district, was constructed keeping in mind national defense needs. The airstrip is part of a broader vision to ensure that India's infrastructure can double up as operational assets for the armed forces in times of crisis or war. What Makes The Ganga Expressway Airstrip Special? Officials said the airstrip on the Ganga Expressway is perhaps the country's first road runway in the country designed to accommodate night landings and take-offs of fighter aircraft. This is made possible by integrating advanced LED-based lighting systems, GPS-guided navigational aids, and tactical runway markings that enable precision in low-light conditions. Built with high-strength concrete and reinforced for durability, the airstrip is capable of handling the impact of heavy military aircraft such as the Rafale and the C-130J Super Hercules. Security has also been prioritized, with over 250 CCTV cameras installed along both sides of the airstrip to ensure continuous monitoring. What further enhances its strategic utility is its convertible design—featuring removable median dividers and a clear runway path free of overbridges or signage—allowing it to seamlessly switch from an expressway to a fully operational airstrip in times of emergency. Strategic Relevance Amid Regional Tensions This display of capability comes at a time of heightened alertness following the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir on April 22. With borders under constant scrutiny, having emergency runways integrated into national highways and expressways is a forward-looking strategy that enhances India's quick-response capabilities during wartime or natural disasters. The exercise demonstrated that even civilian infrastructure can be leveraged for military preparedness, providing redundancy and strategic flexibility to India's armed forces. top videos View all Fourth Airstrip In Uttar Pradesh, But A National First With this development, the Ganga Expressway becomes the fourth expressway in Uttar Pradesh to host a functional airstrip for the Indian Air Force. The other three are the Agra–Lucknow Expressway (Unnao), the Purvanchal Expressway (Sultanpur), and the Bundelkhand Expressway (near Etawah). While these airstrips have previously supported daytime fighter landings, the Ganga Expressway stands apart as the first in India to be specifically constructed for round-the-clock air operations. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Uttar Pradesh, India, India First Published: May 02, 2025, 23:07 IST News india In A First, IAF Fighter Jets Land At Night On Ganga Expressway In UP | Video
