MilMat: Sukhois back to flying soon; terminally ill boy gets ‘wings'

Bengaluru, November 14: The Indian Air Force (

) has cleared the Sukhois for flying after the entire fleet was grounded for thorough checks last month. The fighters will begin their operations next week, following a series of technical reviews both by IAF and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd officials.

Around 200 Sukhois were grounded following last month's crash of a fighter near Pune. It wasn't clear whether the operations would begin immediately. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said in Delhi that the Court of Inquiry findings are being finalised now, and the aircraft will be back in action soon.

IAF presents ‘wings' to terminally-ill boy

The IAF presented ‘wings' to a terminally ill boy on Thursday. IAF Chief Arup Raha met the 14-year-old-boyChandan at Air Force Station Ambala. The Chief also met the boy's father Girish Mandal.

"The boy wanted to become a pilot and his wish was brought to our notice. The Chief was keen to meet the boy and present the ‘wings," an IAF official told OneIndia. The boy underwent a special training at the flight simulator followed by a familiarisation with the aircraft cockpit.

Meanwhile, Admiral Bernard Rogel, Chief of Naval Staff, French Navy, called on IAF Chief today. The meeting was held at Air Headquarters in New Delhi.

Parikkar at naval base

India's recently-appointed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar received his first ceremonial guard of honour today. Ministry of Defence officials said that the minister was received by Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, Flag Officer Commanding In Chief, Western Naval Command and Rear Admiral BS Parhar, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area on Friday at the Naval Air Station -- INS Hansa.

India has built a state-of-the-art Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) in Goa which has begun operations. The SBTF is likely to be officially inaugurated by Parrkikar soon. Light Combat Aircraft naval variant will undertake flight trails from this facility as well.

IAF job fair in Delhi

The Indian Air force Placement Cell (IAFPC) went live today at the Air Force Auditorium, Subroto Park in New Delhi. The two-day affair is organised by the IAFPC to provide placement opportunity to IAF personnel who have quit service.

IAFPC has had Memoranda of Undertaking (MoUs) with ICICI Bank and Monster.com for providing placement opportunities to the highly skilled Air Warriors. The IAFPC also has a tie up with the Confederation of Indian Industry for promoting retired air warriors into the corporate world.

Honorary rank for Army Chief

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh was conferred the title of Honorary Rank of General of Nepal Army by Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav on Thursday. The event held at the Rastrapati Bhawan in Kathmandu was part of a long-standing tradition between Nepal and India.

Both countries confer the honorary title on each other's Army chiefs. The Army Chief also called on Nepali Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. Indo-Nepal military cooperation and matters of mutual interest were discussed.

[MilMat or Military Matters will bring to you aerospace and defence happenings in brief on a regular basis. MilMat is compiled by OneIndia Defence Desk.]