Air Chief’s Israel trip may include an F-16 spin
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 25:
The Indian Air Chief may just get to fly an F-16 fighter aircraft. Air Chief S Krishnaswamy could be presented this opportunity when he visits Tel Aviv on September 4 at the invitation of Israel’s Vice Chief of Defence Staff Dan Halutz.
Sources said Krishnaswamy, who holds a test pilot licence and has flown the Mirage-2000 and Sukhoi-30, will visit two Israeli Air Force bases in the course of his trip. This is when he could get his chance to get behind the controls of an American F-16.
Apart from flying, Krishnaswamy will review the progress of the $3-billion PHALCON AWACS deal for which an agreement was signed between India, Israel and Russia last year. India is seeking to fit the PHALCON on three IL-76 transport aircraft, even as Pakistan seeks to buy AWACS from Sweden.
In his capacity as Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, Krishnaswamy may also get a peek at the Soltam 155 howitzer. This is among the guns the Indian Army is currently examining and the contract could be worth Rs 5000 crore.
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=53833
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 25:
The Indian Air Chief may just get to fly an F-16 fighter aircraft. Air Chief S Krishnaswamy could be presented this opportunity when he visits Tel Aviv on September 4 at the invitation of Israel’s Vice Chief of Defence Staff Dan Halutz.
Sources said Krishnaswamy, who holds a test pilot licence and has flown the Mirage-2000 and Sukhoi-30, will visit two Israeli Air Force bases in the course of his trip. This is when he could get his chance to get behind the controls of an American F-16.
Apart from flying, Krishnaswamy will review the progress of the $3-billion PHALCON AWACS deal for which an agreement was signed between India, Israel and Russia last year. India is seeking to fit the PHALCON on three IL-76 transport aircraft, even as Pakistan seeks to buy AWACS from Sweden.
In his capacity as Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, Krishnaswamy may also get a peek at the Soltam 155 howitzer. This is among the guns the Indian Army is currently examining and the contract could be worth Rs 5000 crore.
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=53833