In a major act of relief for struggling Air India, state-run oil marketing companies agreed to extend the airline’s credit limit by two to three months for the purchase of jet fuel, instead of requiring daily payments. “Instead of cash-and-carry, Air India will from now on make payments on the basis of this credit limit of two to three months. So, the tension of making daily payments is now over,” says Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi. Air India has been paying 165 million rupees ($3.6 million) a day for fuel.

NEW DELHI — India’s air force and navy will take the final deliveries of the 123 Hawk advanced jet trainers (AJT) they have ordered by 2016. Defense Minister A.K. Antony says the government signed an agreement in March 2004 with BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce Turbomeca U.K. for procurement of 24 Hawks, with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) building another 42 aircraft under the technology-transfer route.

NEW DELHI — The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking steps to reduce crashes, after having lost 26 fighter aircraft during the last three years, Defense Minister A.K. Antony says. “Six service personnel and six civilians were killed, and 25 civilians were injured in these accidents,” Antony says. Antony says the government has taken steps to reduce crashes, including “increased use of simulators to practice procedures and emergency actions, [and] focused and realistic training with additional emphasis on critical aspects of [the] mission.”