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COVER STORYMILITARYNavy

INS Udaygiri & INS Kavaratti Depart Ho Chi Minh City

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Udaygiri and Kavaratti

New Delhi: Indian Naval Ships Udaygiri and Kavaratti, under the command of RAdm Alok Ananda, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF), departed Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on 24 Jun 2026 on completion of port call for further deployment in South East Asia region.

FOCEF called on senior functionaries of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the Vietnamese People’s Navy and exchanged perspectives on maritime cooperation, professional collaboration, and regional maritime security. The visit also included a wreath laying ceremony at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh, where FOCEF, accompanied by the Commanding Officers of INS Udaygiri and INS Kavaratti, paid tribute to the enduring legacy of the visionary leader.

As part of the port call, personnel of the Indian Navy and the Vietnam People’s Navy participated in a range of professional interactions and bilateral exercises which provided an opportunity for both navies to exchange operational experiences and reinforce their shared commitment towards maritime security and safe seas. To mark the 12th International Day of Yoga a joint yoga session was also conducted onboard INS Kavaratti.

During the visit, the Ambassador of India to Vietnam was hosted onboard INS Udaygiri along with representatives of the Vietnam People’s Navy, members of the diplomatic community, and other distinguished guests.

India and Vietnam share an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership founded on mutual trust, converging interests, and close people-to-people ties. The port call reaffirms Government of India’s Act East Policy and the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), reflecting India’s continued commitment towards constructive maritime engagement and cooperation with friendly countries of the region.

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Air ForceCOVER STORYForeign Affairs

Airbus delivers first H135 for Canada’s Future Aircrew Program

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Airbus H135 Canada

Fort Erie, Canada: Airbus has delivered the first H135 helicopter for Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, achieving a key milestone in the modernisation of pilot training for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). 

The aircraft, designated the CT-153 Juno for service in the RCAF, will support training the next generation of RCAF pilots, providing a modern, twin-engine training platform equipped with Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite. The H135 was selected by SkyAlyne, the prime contractor responsible for delivering the FAcT program, to meet the evolving training requirements of future RCAF rotary-wing pilots.

It is our collective mission to make sure the RCAF has an unfair advantage in the skies. By working together collaboratively, we – industry, military, and Government – can deliver better work, faster, to make sure the RCAF has the best trained aircrew in the world, and our selection of the CT-153 Juno (Airbus H135) is a core component of that effort,” said Kevin Lemke, General Manager of SkyAlyne. “I extend a personal thank you to the teams across the FAcT Enterprise for their work together to bring the first CT-153 (H135) to the RCAF in just 18 months.

This first delivery is an important step forward for the Future Aircrew Training program and the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots, and it highlights the depth of capability being delivered here in Canada,” said Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada. “It underscores our long-term commitment to supporting Canadian defence with trusted, in-country expertise and strengthens the foundation for the missions and partnerships ahead. We are proud to partner with the RCAF and the Government of Canada in delivering the CT-153 Juno and supporting the critical role it will play for years to come.

The H135 is part of a family with over 1,600 aircraft delivered to 325+ operators globally. There are more than 200 H135 family helicopters delivered or on order for military training missions, having clocked more than 650,000 flight hours. The CT-153 Juno will support the development of core pilot skills including basic ab-initio, advanced IFR, and tactical training. The Airbus Helionix avionics suite additionally supports a seamless transition to larger, more complex aircraft. 

With this delivery, the RCAF will join 12 other militaries around the world who are using the H135 to train their future air crews, including several of Canada’s close allies. Canada’s Juno fleet will be based at 15 Wing Southport with the 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School.

The FAcT program represents a long-term investment by the Government of Canada to modernise pilot training across the RCAF. Airbus Helicopters will continue to support the program through the delivery of reliable, mission-proven platforms aligned with Canada’s operational requirements. The aircraft are completed and delivered from Airbus Helicopters’ industrial facility located in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. They are customised with a number of Canadian developed Supplemental Type Certificates, including modifications to the avionics suite and communications systems, as well as custom development in the cockpit. Deliveries for the remaining aircraft for the FAcT program will continue through 2028.

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