New Delhi – India’s defense research agency on Feb. 23 announced plans to develop electronic warfare technologies to help paramilitary and police forces across the country. G. Elangovan, the Chief Controller Research and Development (Avionics) at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), says a department for Low Intensity Conflict (LIC) was introduced for internal security due to rising incidents of violence in India.

New Delhi – An Indian air force Mirage 2000 combat jet crashed in central India on Feb. 24. Both pilots ejected safely. Engine failure is suspected to be the cause of the crash, an IAF officer said. The crew was on a routine flight-training sortie. India last year signed a $2.4 billion deal with Dassault Aviation to upgrade 51 Mirage 2000s in the IAF fleet. The first set of aircraft are already in France for the project. The IAF has ordered an inquiry into the accident.

India’s debt-crippled Kingfisher Airlines canceled more flights last week as efforts to find a solution to its financial woes hit a roadblock. Despite approval from the country’s central bank, the airline’s consortium of 16 lenders, which includes the State Bank of India (SBI), has not agreed to extend further loans to the beleaguered airline. India’s Civil Aviation Ministry has categorically refused a government bailout like the one extended to state-run Air India.