India’s Kingfisher Airlines has announced plans to resume operations by March even though the country’s aviation authority has refused to renew its operating license, citing the company’s failure to provide evidence of sufficient funding.

NEW DELHI — India’s ambitious modernization of its armed forces is likely to be slowed by the federal government’s decision to slash funding for defense acquisition. A defense ministry official indicates that the government has cut defense spending by about 5% from the allocated 1.93 trillion rupees ($38.6 billion), mainly due to the ongoing economic downturn. “Several key acquisition plans, including the procurement of 126 combat aircraft for the Indian air force, are expected to be pushed for the next financial year,” the official says.

NEW DELHI — The much-awaited test launch of the air version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has been further delayed and now India hopes to undertake the drop trials by December 2013. India had planned to conduct the test launch by December 2012. The development of the missile is already over three years behind schedule.