NEW DELHI — On Oct. 7, an Indian air force (IAF) MiG-21 combat aircraft went down, marking the sixth crash of the fighter for the IAF this year. The aircraft crashed in India’s western state of Rajasthan during a routine sortie around 11.30 a.m. local time while the pilot was preparing to land, a defense ministry spokesman says. The pilot ejected to safety. The IAF first purchased MiG-21s in 1961 and has operated more than 400 of the aircraft. More than 100 of the fighters were lost in crashes from 1993-2002.

NEW DELHI — India is set to ramp up its fighter and transport bases near the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir to augment its military strength along its borders with neighboring countries such as Pakistan and China. The Indian air force (IAF) plans to transform Nyoma — located in eastern Ladakh within 25 km.(16 mi.) of the Sino-Indian border — into a fighter base and augment Kargil base in Indian-administered Kashmir to enable operations by fighter jets and heavy transports, according to Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne.

NEW DELHI — Russia has assured India it is cementing measures to avoid delays in the supply of defense equipment and spares. India has been upset with Russia for not sticking to the delivery schedules of contracted weapon systems, creating roadblocks in the transfer of technology, hiking costs midway through the execution of agreements and failing to provide uninterrupted supplies of spares or regular maintenance.