NEW DELHI — The U.S., Russian and Swedish aviation companies that have been cut from the race for India’s estimated $11 billion fighter jet program say they are still keeping their options open and will request a debriefing on the decision. French defense company Dassault Aviation’s Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon were the only teams shortlisted for the Indian air force’s (IAF) technical selection for the 126-fighter Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (Mmrca) program, a defense ministry official says.

NEW DELHI — Indian scientists are on the path to develop an airborne missile-intercept system that employs high-powered lasers to destroy missiles during their boost phase. The Laser Science & Technology Center (Lastec) at India’s secretive Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has been building up technologies that can intercept missiles early in their flight.

A fresh round of talks between agitated Air India pilots and management failed yesterday as about 600 pilots continued with their strike for the second day, forcing cancellation of more than 60 flights. Most of the flights canceled Thursday were mainly scheduled out of Delhi and Mumbai. Some 50 flights were either canceled or rescheduled Wednesday. Additional pilots also called in sick to work on Thursday.