NEW DELHI — India is increasing the budget for its planned defense fiber-optic network by 52.3 billion rupees ($952 million), for a total of 130 billion rupees ($2.3 billion), to keep up with cost growth on the project. “The cost estimate of the project escalated due to [a] change in specifications and other requirements emanating from the users, which includes the network for [the] army, navy and air force,” a government official says.

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.

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.