EYE IN THE SKY

India became the first South Asian country to own an Airborne Early Warning&Control System(AWACS), with Israeli Phalcon reaching Jamnagar Airbase on Monday. The Phalcon, Indian nicknamed as Baaz, mounted on Russian Ilyushin-76(IL-76)heavy lift transport aircraft's airframe, left Israel on Sunday. The delivery of the AWACS was delayed due to some last minute technical checkups. The Phalcons will be formally inducted into the Indian Air Force on May 28th by Defence Minister A.K. Antony. Under the tripartite deal between India, Israel and Russia, the remaining two AWACS will be delivered by mid or late 2010.
Aptly described as "eye in the sky", the system will be primarily used for detecting incoming cruise missiles and aircrafts from hundreds of kilometres away. It can direct airdefence fighters during combat operations and helps detect troop buildup across the borders. The system will now serve the IAF frontline fighters like Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Mirage-2000s and Jaguars to provide data on incoming enemy aircraft or missiles much beyond the visual range through a direct link.

Israel in the past few years has emerged as the largest supplier of defence equipment to India. India and Israel are said to be negotiating for the purchase of three more Phalcon AWACS. All the six AWACS will be linked with the country's first military satellite proposed to be launched by the middle of the next year. Phalcon AWACS a potent force multiplier will help maintain air superiority and provide intelligence inputs.

BEING POLITICALLY CORRECT!!!

While flicking through TV channels last night, i came across an interview of Farooq Abdullah with Barkha Dutt on NDTV 24 * 7. The interview was centered around the availability of ministries in the cabinet as Farooq Abdullah, as reports said, was eyeing one. But what was shocking was the humble answer of the National Conference leader who was always outspoken and stentorian to say the least. It is not just him but many political parties and leaders hoping to get on the good side of the Congress. For example, Mayawati, who was till last week talking high and mighty from her high pedestal, atlast conceded defeat and decided to climb out of her throne lest her political career would fall in a state of desuetude. This election saw the revival of a national party and breakdown of dirty politics played by small regional parties. The parties being aware of that are on a self-defensive mode with the Congress acting as oyer and terminer. But the parties have come to realise that they in order to be with the Congress have to, atleast for now, resort to puffery and remain politically correct.

ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY

After UPA got a thumping victory at the polls and Congress emerged as the single largest party, it is time for formation of a new government. With the people's faith restored in the Congress, the party seems to have an aura of strength and confidence which was absent in 2004 elections. The seemingly weak PM is all set to return to power and has already started picking ministers for his cabinet from his party and also Congress's pre-poll allies. But the big question here is that where does it leave RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav? Lalu had left Congress led UPA in midway alongwith LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and joined hands with Mulayam Singh's SP to form the fourth front. After running heavy losses in the elections, Lalu is now regretting his estrangement with Congress, sulking over some comments made by a few Congress leaders and eyeing a cabinet berth. But will the Congress take RJD's chief betrayal in its stride and include him in the Congress? The answer might be no, but if it is yes it is going to be a reluctant one.