NEW DELHI — India will soon release a request for proposals (RFP) for 56 cargo aircraft for its air force to replace its aging fleet of Avros, according to a defense ministry official. The final approval for expanding the cargo fleet of the Indian air force (IAF) at an estimated cost of $2.5 billion was given at a meeting of the Defense Acquisition Council headed by Defense Minister A.K. Antony here July 23.

NEW DELHI — India’s third indigenously developed warship, the INS Sahyadri, has been inducted into the country’s naval forces. The warship, named after the mountain range along the western side of India, is equipped with an array of surface, sub-surface and air defense weapons for maritime security and anti-submarine warfare missions. It was commissioned in Mumbai by Defense Minister A.K. Antony on July 21.

NEW DELHI — The U.S. is showing keen interest in ballistic missile defense (BMD) cooperation with India. “That is an important potential area for our future cooperation ... I think BMD has great strategic importance and, therefore, the two governments should discuss that strategically before they discuss that technically,” said U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, who is visiting India.