ghostrider883

The journey from Tejas's first flying prototype KH-2001 to LA-5001 took three days short of 15 and half years. Proud day for us Indians!!! After the HF-24 Marut, the Tejas is the first Indian fighter to enter squadron service. The country witnessed today a fine aerobatic display of LA-5001 by the CO,Group Captain Madhav Rangachari,on the eve of the squadron formation ceremony.

No.300 Sqdn, the SHAR sqdn, will re-form on MiG-29K/KUBs, making it the second IN MiG-29 sqdn after 303 Sqdn (which already operates from INS VIkramaditya). The Navy will thus have two fighter squadrons for the first time in its history - "White Tigers"[300] & "Black Panthers"[303] The INS Viraat is not big enough to operate the MiG-29Ks nor is it capable of arrested recovery. The ship is on its farewell tour of major Indian ports(without its air wing) before decommissioning. The author probably meant the INS Vikramaditya and not Viraat. From what I recall, the negotiations were on back in 2005 or 2006 and the sales failure wasn't related to the nuclear tests. At the time, India was already planning to upgrade its existing FRS.51 SHARs with EL/M-2032 Radar, Derby BVR missiles and locally made EW gear. The UK made it clear, from the start, that under their contract with the US, they couldn't sell the AIM-120s, & Blue Vixen Radar was not for export. The aircraft were offered without radars, ready for refitting with EL/M-2032. I presume the British negotiators thought that India would be happy to have a fleet of SHARs all with the same radar & missiles. After months of negotiations, India decided not to buy them, citing as the reason that AIM-120 & Blue Vixen weren't included.

Battle Axes MiG-21MF

IAF helicopter gunships went into action to support the ground forces in flushing out Pakistani terrorists that sneaked into Pathankot Air Force Station, barely 30 kms from the Indo-Pak border. These scumbags were in a hurry to meet their maker and the Indian forces made sure to arrange that meeting. Sadly, seven brave men of our armed forces died hunting those Pakistani animals. Today, our grateful nation bids a tearful farewell to these brave hearts for their ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. 1. Lt. Col. Niranjan E K, National Security Guards Lt Col Niranjan E. Kumar of the National Security Guard was killed this morning during combing operations at the Pathankot air base today. Was a brilliant officer from the NSG's bomb disposal unit, trained recently also by the FBI. He joined the Indian Army in 2004 and demonstrated great proficiency with explosives in ordnance disposal ops while deployed in Jharkhand. Is survived by his wife Radhika and an 18-month-old daughter, his Bengaluru-based father and brother Sarath, a serving officer with the Indian Air Force. The commando officer's mortal remains were flown to Bengaluru today. His last rites will be conducted in Palakkad, Kerala where he traces his origins. Niranjan had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel three months ago. 2. Corporal Gursevak Singh, Indian AF "Garuds" (SF) Married barely two months ago, Garud commando Gursevak Singh had joined duty a week ago and the family Garnala village of Haryana's Ambala district was, in fact, looking forward to his next holiday. Singh, who was hit in the initial burst of gunfire at Pathankot airbase on Saturday, kept fighting even after being hit, but died of his injuries before medical help could arrive. Singh's father is an ex-serviceman while his elder brother is in the Army too. 3. Constable Sanjeevan Singh Rana, Defence Security Corps Constable in the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Sanjeevan Singh Rana, 50, of Siyunh village in Shahpur of Kangra district, died after he was injured critically. He had retired from the Dogra Regiment in 2007 and joined the DSC. He was transferred to the Pathankot air base from Jammu two years ago. 4. Captain (Hon) Fateh Singh,Defence Security Corps Fateh Singh was an ace shooter, who retired from the Army in 2009 and joined DSC. "My brother died a hero's death, like a true soldier. I want to make a memorial for him in the village," Surjit told TOI. Fateh is survived by wife Shoba Rani, two sons and a daughter. One of the sons, Gurdeep Rana, is also serving in the Army. Remembered fondly by his colleagues as “an inspiration” for his skills with the rifle, Singh was a Commonwealth champion shooter, having won multiple medals for the country during the Commonwealth Shooting Championships held in Delhi in 1995. He had won gold in the Big Bore Rifle Three Position and silver in Big Bore Rifle Prone Position. 5. Constable Kulwant Singh, Defence Security Corps Hawaldar Kulwant Singh had never been posted in Punjab, his home state, during his 30 years of service on in the Indian Army and Defence Security Corps (DSC). But just two months before his death in the Pathankot air base attack on Saturday, he had finally got the chance to stay with his family. 6. Constable Jagdish SIngh, Defence Security Corps Constable Jagdish Singh was a cook and was among those in the Defence Security Corps canteen when the assailants began spraying bullets inside the building. Jagdish grappled with one of the terrorists, snatched the AK-47 rifle from his hands and killed him with it, J S Dhamoon, air officer commanding, Pathankot, revealed on Sunday. "Unfortunately, our martyr was killed by another jihadi at the same minute," said Damoon. 7. Constable Mohit Chand, Defence Security Corps Till we have such brave men in our armed forces, evil designs of our neighboring enemies will never succeed. Sincere Respects and Salute to their dedication, courage and selflessness. RIP.