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Focuses on the challenges facing the Indian air force (IAF) in its efforts to modernize. Disbanding or `number plating' of a number of fighter squadrons; Upgrading of existing aircraft and facilities; Projected costs of modernization; Concerns over the United States' sale of F-16s to Pakistan; Indian air force's desire to improve the man-machine ratio; Trade benefits of a cooperative effort with the United States.

The article reports on the decision of India to purchase Boeing P-8 Poseidon long-range maritime reconnaissance and antisubmarine warfare aircraft. The decision came when the country was struck by terrorist attacks from the sea in November 2008 and it opens the door to a major advance in its maritime patrol capabilities. India's navy is to receive the first of eight P-8I aircraft within 48 months of the formal contract signing.

The article reports that the losing performance of the fighter plane F-15Cs in simulated air-to-air combat against the Indian air force this year is being perceived by some, both in the U.S. and overseas, as a weakening of American capabilities, and it is generating taunts from within the competitive U.S. fighter community. The Cope India exercise also seemingly shocked some in Congress and the Pentagon who used the event to renew the call for modernizing the U.S. fighter force with stealthy F/A-22s and F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

Reports on talks between Indian and Russian aerospace officials regarding military aircraft sales. Russians' offer of 20 Su-30 aircraft on credit; Disagreement over the rupee-rubble exchange rate; Indian air force's preparations for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's reception of MiG-29s; India's plan to acquire 15 attack helicopters; Order for SS-150 Prithvi battlefield support missiles.

The article reports that the Indian Navy is on a fast-track acquisition of a multi-mission aircraft to replace its eight aging Tu-142s. Thus far, discussion of the acquisition program seems to be centered on range and endurance issues. The Indian government has accepted proposals to build eight maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare patrol aircraft from Lockheed Martin Corp., Boeing Co., Alenia Aeronautica SpA, Ilyushin, Dassault, Embraer Corp., Antonov and Tupolev. If a U.S. winner is selected, the transaction will be subject to U.S. export rules.

The article reports that while celebrating delivery to the U.S. Navy of the first F/A-18E/Fs equipped with a stealth and small-target-detecting radar, Boeing Co. officials said that Switzerland, Japan and India are looking at both the advanced fighter and some variant of its classified advanced radar for a future fighter purchase. More surprisingly, Navy officials say they are planning for the possibility of their own additional fighter production because of the expectation, not yet confirmed, that operational introduction of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will slip. They believe there is a realistic chance of obtaining export license approval to sell the aircraft with some version of the new APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar that is just now being delivered to the Navy. In an associated program, the Air Force has developed an AIM-120C-6 Amraam missile with a warhead tailored to strike small, slow targets head-on.