1.   MoD issues RFP for AMCA project to shortlisted bidders

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on May 27 issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the mega indigenous fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project to three shortlisted bidders: Larsen & Toubro-Bharat Electronics Limited, Tata Advanced Systems, and Bharat Forge-BEML, according to a post on X by ANI.

 2.  India and Romania hold defence cooperation meeting

The 2nd Meeting of the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) between India and Romania was held in New Delhi on May 26. The two sides reviewed ongoing defence cooperation and finalised a Bilateral Defence Cooperation Plan covering cyber defence, military medical cooperation, joint training, capacity building, and defence industrial collaboration. The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Dr Amit Telang and Romania’s Deputy Chief of the Department for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations, Lieutenant General Engineer Liviu-Mihail IANCU.

3.   IAF engaged in firefighting operations in Kasauli

The Indian Air Force is engaged in firefighting operations in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. Since May 27, it has been assisting civil authorities in combating the raging forest fire, including through night operations. IAF helicopters continue intensive Bambi Bucket operations, lifting water from Sukhna Lake to douse flames in the affected areas. In over 15 shuttles, more than 40,000 litres of water have already been dropped over the fire zone. Despite challenging conditions, crews have undertaken sustained day-and-night operations and remain steadfast in efforts to contain the blaze.

4.  Honeywell delivers three engines for HTT-40 trainer aircraft

US firm Honeywell has overcome supply chain bottlenecks and delivered the first batch of engines for the indigenous HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft. The company delivered three TPE331-12B turboprop engines for the HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40) aircraft being built by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited). The Honeywell TPE331-12B is a single-shaft turboprop engine selected to power the indigenous HTT-40 for the Indian Air Force.

  5. Israeli Air Force receives first Boeing KC-46 ‘Gideon’

The Israeli Air Force received its first Boeing KC-46 ‘Gideon’ tanker aircraft on May 27. Israel had procured eight such aircraft. The US approved the sale of up to eight KC-46s to Israel, and the US Department of Defense awarded Boeing a USD 930 million contract in August 2022 to deliver the first four aircraft before the end of 2026. The KC-46s will replace the Israeli Air Force’s ageing Boeing 707 tankers. Interestingly, India is set to procure six KC-767 MMTTs (Multi Mission Tanker Transport) from Israel, which are based on the Boeing 767 platform, though unlike the brand-new KC-46s, these are not newly built aircraft.

Chakra Desk

Chakra News is a specialised digital media platform committed to in-depth coverage of India’s defence, national security, geopolitics, and critical technologies.