Daily pill of Defence - 6 April 2008

LCA to fly at Berlin Air Show-2008
ILA press release

ILA2008 likely to set new records:

- Over 1,000 exhibitors from more than 40 countries expected.
- Partner country India announces its largest presentation abroad.
- Over 300 aircraft expected.

The partner country at the ILA2008 is India, which has announced its largest-ever presentation at any foreign aerospace show.
....
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) of this year’s partner country, India, intends to display its single-engined HJT-36 “Sitara” jet trainer, the light military and civil helicopter “Dhruv” and the “Tejas” light combat aircraft for the first time in Europe.
....
The Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO will be making its first appearance at the ILA with a review of its wide-ranging work. (read more)

Related Report: IDRW.org

Agni-III ready for retrial on April 27
Hemant Kumar Rout, Newindpress

After the successful test-fire of Agni-I missile by the Army, defence scientists are all set to testlaunch the indigenously developed sophisticated long-range ballistic missile Agni-III in the last week of April. (read more)

'Top' Kashmir militant arrested
BBC

Police in Indian-administered Kashmir say they have arrested a top leader of a leading militant group. Junaid-ul-Islam is the third in the hierarchy of the Hizbul Mujahideen and was its spokesman for 15 years. (read more)

See Also: The Hindu

Mastermind of 2005 IISc attack nabbed
Times Now

A man arrested by Uttar Pradesh police along with 5 other militants in February 2008 has admitted to have masterminded the 2005 Bangalore IISc attack. Sabauddin has also revealed to the Bangalore police that it was another man, Abu Hamza who carried out the attack. (read more)

See Also: Times of India - Deccan Herald - Hindustan Times - Sify News

Update on HAL's programmes
Shiv Aroor, Livefist

ALH Dhruv - A new ALH Mk III, with the Shakti engine, will be equipped with a second generation vibration system and glass cockpit. The Home Ministry has placed an order for six ALHs.

Hawk Trainer - HAL will deliver 14 Hawks this year. By end of April or early May, the first Indian Hawk will be rolled out.

HJT-36 IJT - The IJT will be inducted into the IAF by 2009 end.

Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) - The first trial run will be done in December 2008.

MRTA - HAL has tied up with Ilyushin for the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft, a 60-tonne class aircraft. The $600 million cost of development would be on a 50-50 basis.
(read more)

Ignore the comments, read the text. Related News - HAL's revenues topped US$ 2 billion, up by 11%.

Related stories: CNN Money - The Hindu - Domain-b - Economic Times

Dengue Cure discovered in Ayurveda
Newsline

A recent research done by scholars of Burdwan University in the suburbs of Kolkata has shown that the berries of a wild weed used in Ayurvedic formulation can help to eradicate mosquitoes spreading dengue and act as a resistant to synthetic insecticide. (read more)

See Also: Reuters - Canada.com - Science Daily

Pakistan gets Swedish early warning aircraft
Xinhua

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Thursday got first of the five airborne early warning and control system aircraft it ordered from the Swedish Saab, according to a PAF statement. The Saab 2000 Erieye aircraft for the PAF will be put through trials before being delivered to the PAF in 2009, according to officials. (read more)