NEW DELHI — India’s defense ministry is zeroing in on an effort to buy 194 microlight aircraft for training and research. The request for proposals was released in March. One of the contenders is Pipistrel, a Slovenia-based light-aircraft maker. “If Pipistrel gets short-listed, it will set up a microlight field in the ‘go-fly zone’ near Jaipur and initially invest up to €2 million [$2.88 million],” says Vibhooti Singh Deora, CEO of Microlight Aviation Private Ltd. (MAPL).

NEW DELHI — Lockheed Martin could re-enter India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition with its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, if nascent congressional action in Washington is any indication. Two months ago, the Indian government shut U.S. companies out of the $11 billion program, rejecting Lockheed Martin’s offer of the F-16IN Super Viper and Boeing’s bid of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

GIVING SHELTER: The Indian army has received integrated, thermally regulated shelters to protect soldiers against the extreme climatic conditions of the Himalayan region. The shelters, designed and developed by the country’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), are equipped with integrated temperature regulators, biodigestors and air-monitoring systems, says V.K. Saraswat, scientific adviser to the defense minister. The shelters have been designed to withstand earthquakes, winds up to 120 mph and temperatures down to -35C.