India, Italy unveil military cooperation plan 2026-27, deepen defence ties

NEW DELHI, April 30: India and Italy on Thursday resolved to develop a defence industrial framework for co-production of military hardware even as the two sides explored the possibility of co-developing critical technologies needed by India’s coastal defence force.

The decision to bolster bilateral defence and strategic ties was reached during talks here between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto. The two sides unveiled a bilateral military cooperation plan 2026-27 outlining the military engagements between the armed forces of both the countries.

"We discussed a wide range of regional and global issues including the current situation in West Asia. We also discussed the avenues to further develop mutually beneficial defence industrial cooperation under India's Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and Italy's defence cooperation initiative," Singh said in a social media post.

The two sides unveiled a bilateral military cooperation plan 2026-27 outlining the military engagements between the armed forces of both the countries.

"We discussed a wide range of regional and global issues including the current situation in West Asia. We also discussed the avenues to further develop mutually beneficial defence industrial cooperation under India's Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and Italy's defence cooperation initiative," Singh said in a social media post.

Parallelly the Indian Coast Guard held a discussion with the Italian shipyard Fincantieri for future projects, with emphasis on advanced design features, including resilient hulls for higher sea states, enhanced bollard pull, integrated firefighting systems, and hybrid/electric propulsion.

The talks between the coast guard and one of the world’s biggest shipyards explored modular ship design for versatile and multi-role platforms with rapid operational adaptability too.

The two sides also deliberated on indigenous development and co-development of niche technologies such as dynamic positioning systems, advanced thrusters, Al-enabled decision support, counter-unstaffed aerial systems and next-generation green propulsion.

Under the broader framework of defence ties, India and Italy have been looking at boosting cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region with an aim to increase interoperability and cooperation.

The two sides have been exploring avenues for enhanced partnerships and dialogue among public and private stakeholders, focusing on technology collaboration, co-production and co-development of defence platforms and equipment.

The two coordinated meetings involving the ministerial delegations and Fincantieri come more than two years India and Italy signed an “agreement of cooperation” in defence, which among other things seeks to promote “co-development, co-production and setting up of joint ventures” between Indian and Italian companies.

2 Air Force pilots killed in Sukhoi Su-30 crash in Assam

NEW DELHI, Mar 6: Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots - Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar - were killed after a Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a training mission.

Confirming the deaths, the IAF said both officers sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

“The IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the Indian Air Force said in a statement.

The Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat airbase on Thursday evening before losing contact with ground control. Defence officials earlier said communication with the Russian-origin fighter jet was lost at around 7.42 pm.

"An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7.42 pm. Further details are being ascertained. Search and Rescue mission has been initiated," said IAF.

The aircraft subsequently crashed in Karbi Anglong district, about 60 kilometres from Jorhat. Earlier reports had said the jet went missing shortly after take-off, prompting search and rescue operations to locate the aircraft and its two pilots.

Defence Acquisition Council clears proposal to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets

NEW DELHI, Feb 12: Defence Acquisition Council has cleared a proposal to buy 114 Rafale fighter ‌jets from France’s Dassault Aviation.

The clearance comes days before French President Emmanuel Macron’s scheduled visit to India for the Artificial Intelligence Summit.

Around 18 aircraft are likely to be acquired in fly-away condition to meet the Indian Air Force’s immediate operational requirements, while the remaining jets would be manufactured in India, according to an official.

Following the DAC’s clearance, Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will have to give the final approval.

The procurement would take the total Rafale fleet in the country to 176 aircraft, with the Indian Air Force already operating 36 Rafale jets and the Indian Navy having placed orders for 26 naval variants last year.