NEW DELHI — Boeing has moved a step closer to delivering the first P-8I aircraft to the Indian navy, with the flight-test program of the long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft now under way. “The Boeing-led team is on track to deliver the first aircraft to the Indian navy in May 2013,” say company officials.

The Indian government faces a dilemma over whether to turn beleaguered Air India over to a private entity or allow the relic of state ownership to limp along in its zombie state. Privatization could be the only way to save Air India, says Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh. A pilot strike that held the government hostage for two months and bled the already cash-strapped airline of nearly 6 billion rupees ($110 million) finally reached resolution July 4. During the strike, the civil aviation ministry seriously considered divesting Air India.

NEW DELHI — India is preparing to install a shield to protect against intermediate-range ballistic missiles and ICBMs in some of the country’s major cities. “The final locations, which have adequate stealth features and protection against enemy sabotage, will soon be determined by the government to install the ballistic missile defense [BMD] system,” a defense ministry official says. A detailed proposal is currently being prepared for approval by the Indian government.