An Indian cruise missile test was terminated March 12 after the missile failed to hit the target and deviated from its course during its first launch. But Nirbhay, India’s first indigenously developed subsonic cruise missile, did successfully meet its basic mission objectives, said India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), which developed the missile.

NEW DELHI — The bribery scandal surrounding India’s purchase of AW101 VVIP helicopters from Finmeccanica subsidiary AgustaWestland seems to have cast a shadow on the purchase of Black Shark torpedoes for the Indian navy from Whitehead Sistemi Subacquei (WASS), another company owned by the Italian defense conglomerate. Though the Indian government says the procurement has proceeded “in a transparent and fair manner,” Defense Minister A.K. Antony says, “The contract for procurement of Black Shark torpedoes has not yet been finalized.”

NEW DELHI — Delivery of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters from state-owned licensed manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to the Indian air force (IAF) is likely to be delayed due to development issues. HAL is currently undertaking the production of 222 Su-30 aircraft. HAL was supposed to start delivery of the all-weather air-dominance fighters to the country’s defense forces by 2015. But now this may not happen “as per schedule,” according to India’s junior defense minister, Jitendra Singh.