India to get second AWACS on Thursday

India will receive another Israeli-made Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) on Thursday, giving it the second 'eye in the sky' for enhanced surveillance that would virtually cover the entire nation.

The second AWACS will arrive in Jamnagar in Gujarat and will be deployed in Agra, IAF officials said here today.

With the arrival of the second AWACS, officials said the IAF can keep an eye on both the eastern and western front at the same time.

"After the induction of the third system, we would be able to virtually cover the whole nation at one go," they added.

The system, primarily used for detection of incoming hostile cruise missiles and aircraft from hundreds of kilometers away, can also direct air defence fighters during combat operations against enemy jets. It also helps detect troop build up across the borders.

source:press trust of india

Indian air Force Show Fire Power At Pokhran

In a breathtaking display of rapid air power dominance in a representative battlefield area, Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft blasted away targets by day, dusk and night in a fire power demonstration exercise, Vayu Shakti-2010, at Pokharan, today. The dusk and night phase display is the first ever by the IAF.107 aircraft including frontline fighters – Mig-21 Bison, Mig-27, Mig-29, Mirage-2000, Su-30 MKI, Jaguars; transport aircraft - AN-32, IL-76, Embraer and helicopters – Mi-17 1V, Mi-35 gunships participated in the exercise. Other unseen force multipliers included IL-78 MKI mid-air refuellers, AWACS and UAV.
The day phase displayed the strike capability of ground attack fighter aircraft. The dusk phase displayed the war-waging capabilities of helicopters. The final phase by night showcased two major aspects of air power – counter air operations and counter surface force operations.

President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil was the chief guest at the display. Others who witnessed the exercise included Rajasthan Governor, Smt. Prabha Rau, Defence Minister, AK Antony, Rajasthan Chief Minister, Shri Ashok Gehlot, Minister of State for Defence, Dr MM Pallam Raju, Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh, three Service Chiefs, senior MOD officials, Military Attachés of various countries and other senior members of the Government of India and the armed forces.
A Mig-29 flying low and supersonic at 1250 Kmph leaving in its wake, a deafening sonic boom signalled an explosive start to the proceedings. This was followed by a photo-reconnaissance run by a formation of three Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft. Three waves of fighter fly-past by a combination of Jaguar, Mig-21 Bison, Mig-27, Mig-29 and Mirage-2000 fighters followed before the armament delivery phase.

An array of targets including mock radar sites, tanks, marshalling yards, terrorist camps, runway, BMP (infantry fighting vehicles), blast pens and convoys were selectively destroyed in the precision attacks by IAF pilots using bombs, rockets and missiles. Both, PGMs (precision guided ammunitions) and conventional armament were used in the display.

Besides witnessing obliteration of ground-based targets, CAP (combat air patrol) versus Strike (intruding enemy force) was among the most stimulating sights on display. An adrenaline-pumping aerial combat scenario of 2vs2 (Su-30 MKIs hunting in pair against an intruding pair of Mirage-2000) was demonstrated. Firing of R-73 infrared (heat seeking) air-to-air missiles by Su-30 MKIs on an aerial flare at the end of their simulated encounter was a rare sight to witness.

As daylight transcended into the realm of twilight zone and darkness in the desert expanse, more devastating effect followed with relentless pounding of rockets, bombs and guns blazing from the turrets of fighters and helicopters even as the night sky glowed intermittently with IR flares dispensed by the attacking aircraft.

The other highlights that enthralled onlookers against the desert landscape at dusk included displays by aerobatics team of Surya Kirans and Sarang, skydiving display by Akash Ganga and compositions by IAF’s Symphonic Orchestra.


source:PIB

After fatal crash, IAF grounds 100 MiG-27s

After a fatal crash near Siliguri last week, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has grounded its fleet of nearly 100 Russian-origin MiG- 27 fighters on suspicions of a major engine snag. All five squadrons of the ground attack fighter, deployed primarily in the western and eastern sectors, have been confined to the ground since the February 16 crash in which a Squadron Leader was killed.
Engine trouble is a known problem in the MiG-27 fleet with crashes in the past being attributed to defects in the R 29 engines of the aircraft. More worryingly, the initial probe has pointed to a major flaw in the engine that seems to have occurred during the overhauling of the aircraft by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The entire fleet had also completed an indigenous upgrade programme last year that was executed by HAL.

Raising a red flag on the serviceability of the fleet, Air Chief Marshal PV Naik said the initial probe hinted at a problem during the overhaul stage that went beyond the realm of day-to-day servicing.

No rethink on Arjun tank said DRDO chief

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) dispelled apprehensions that there was a question mark over the capability of the indigenously manufactured Arjun tank.

Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, DRDO chief V.K. Saraswat dismissed reports that the tank was undergoing yet another series of revaluations vis-À-vis the Russian T-90 main battle tanks.

Dr. Saraswat said that half of the 124 tanks ordered by the Army had already rolled out, and there was no rethink about their induction. The comparative evaluation referred to in media reports was nothing but a trial of the tank’s role in the overall arsenal of the Army. “It is a normal process of identifying the role the tank will play in the plans,” he said.

“Let me make it clear, that these are not evaluation trials of the Arjun tank, as those trials, including in summer and winter months, are over and more than 50 per cent of the tanks have now rolled out of the factory for induction.”

Dr. Saraswat also refuted criticism about the performance of made-in-India INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) rifles. He said there were no niggles in the INSAS rifle, a standard issue to the infantry and the paramilitary forces, and felt the complaints, if any, must be local in nature. The feedback from the Army indicated that the troops were satisfied with the rifle.

He said the integration of avionics and sensors on a Brazilian plane to produce an indigenous “eye-in-the-sky” was proceeding apace. The modifications of the Embraer aircraft to fit the surveillance systems were “in fairly good shape” and the AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) could be ready for tests in two years, he said.

MiG-21 plane crashes again; pilot ejects to safety

A MiG-21 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force on Friday crashed near Bagdogra in West Bengal [ Images ] minutes after take-off but the pilot ejected to safety. The pilot, Squadron Leader Rahul Tiwari, had taken off from Bagdogra airbase on the Russian-origin fighter jet. Within minutes, he reported trouble in the aircraft.

The mishap took place at approximately 3.50 pm, seven km away from Bagdogra airfield, Indian Air Force officials said. Soon after the crash, an IAF rescue team on a Chetak helicopter flew to the accident site and rushed the pilot to a nearby military hospital, the officials said. A court of inquiry has been ordered into the incident, they added.

The sources said prime facie, it appears that the jet developed a technical problem soon after take-off. This is the second mishap involving an IAF plane this year.

On Tuesday, a MIG-27 fighter jet had crashed near Hashimara airbase, just a few kilometres away from Bagdogra. However in that incident, the pilot Wing Commander Oswald was killed.

Last year, the Indian Air Force had recorded 11 air mishaps, of which five involved MIG-21 aircraft. The MiG aircraft had earned the sobriquet of a 'flying coffin' in the late 1990s following a series of crashes. However, to prove its worth, the then defence minister George Fernandes had flown in the aircraft in 2003.

IAF radar spots 'flying object', turns out to be its own

A radar at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Nalia taluka of Kutch district spotted a 'flying object' near Indo-Pakistan border but later found it to be one of its own, defence officials said on Monday.

The incident took place around 18.00 hours yesterday when the radars at the Nalia Air Force base, which is near the Indo-Pak border, picked up signals from a flying object in the Indian air space, they said.

"Following this, personnel on the air base were alerted in anticipation of some hostile activity. However, within a few minutes the flying object was identified as one of our own," the officials added.

Nalia is on high alert following inputs of possible terror strike from air.

Intelligence inputs ahead of the Republic Day, on terror groups working to target Indian interests, had warned about Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) acquiring over 50 para-gliding equipments that could be used to carry out air-borne attacks in the country.


source:Express India

Indian Navy boosts its air fleet in $1.5 billion deal

The Navy has started a $1.5 billion overhaul of its ageing Soviet-era fleet of aircraft, seeking to boost its air power in an Indian ocean region where a growing China is threatening its traditional dominance.

The investment is one of the biggest the Indian Navy has made in recent years and reflects New Delhi's urgency to modernise its military, a move that rival Pakistan says could spark an arms build-up and destabilise an already roiled South Asia.

India plans to buy 16 new MIG-29 fighter jets, half a dozen light combat aircraft, unmanned patrol planes and multi-role helicopters.

The Indian Navy is also upgrading its Sea Harrier fighter jets, IL-38 maritime anti-submarine warfare planes and acquiring five Kamov KA-31 patrol helicopters.

"We are acquiring new fighters and helicopters to supplement a new aircraft carrier we are getting soon," Commander PVS Satish, the navy spokesman said in New Delhi on Thursday.

Analysts said the upgrade of the Navy was long due.

"It is almost a matter of time before ships from China arrive in India's backyard," said Brahma Chellaney, professor of strategic studies at New Delhi's Centre for Policy Research.

India and China are locked in a battle to lead Asia. New Delhi fears China is creating an arc of influence in the Indian Ocean region, bolstering claims over what has traditionally been seen as India's backyard.

Indian officials said Pakistan, too, was modernising its navy.

Pakistan's National Command Authority (NCA), which oversees the country's nuclear weapons, said last week India's arms modernisation plans could destabilise the regional balance.

Army to use solar energy at Siachen glacier

The Indian Army is going in for an eco-friendly windmill and solar panel energy at Siachen glacier, the highest battle field of the world, to save the glacier from pollution, as also to cut down on the cost of the fuel and logistic efforts.
The government has sanctioned Rs 3,000 crore for putting into effect the plan for alternate energy at the strategically crucial glacier, which is in the global attention because of the presence of the Indian and Pakistani armies.
“Our effort is to set up windmills and solar panels at the glacier, and other frontier areas in Ladakh region,” General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt. Gen. BS Jaswal told Hindustan Times in an interview, while outlining the Army’s efforts to save the glacier.
This will help the soldiers stationed at the glacier to heat their huts and posts and lighting. The temperatures at the glacier dip minus 40 degree Celsius.
Till date, the soldiers – a brigade strength at Siachen glacier, have been dependent upon kerosene, diesel for running generators to heat their accommodation and lights.
While acknowledging that human presence does cause pollution. Gen. Jaswal said, what is hidden from the public view is the fact that how Army was saving the glacier.
“It is my hope that this year, we should be able to set up windmills and solar panels at the glacier. It will go a long way in helping protect the glacier from pollutants. It would be clean energy.”
The Northern Army Commander already has discussed the project with the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy.
“The presence of troops here is in the national interest. The phenomenon of the ‘glacier melt’ must be considered in terms of the mass of the glacial systems existing in the region in comparison to the quantum of troops present there. The ratio will indicate that the situation is not alarming,” he said, dispelling the fears that because of the Army’s presence the pace of the melting of glacier has speeded up.
“Glacial melting is part of the phenomenon of global warming. We are however, fully seized of the issue of the fragile ecology of the region and have instituted a number of measures to reduce the footprints. Eco-friendly measures adopted by us include pipeline based transmission of Kerosene - oil, greenhouses to grow vegetables and bio digesters."
“As a vision for the future we are identifying our power requirements in the areas of the Ladakh region which can be met through alternate energy sources, such as solar power and wind. We have instituted measures to further reduce the pollution levels on the glacier and have a structured system of waste disposal.”

Chhattisgarh to have air base soon

The Indian Air Force has decided to build an air base in Chhattisgarh, which they consider useful due to its central location, officials said here today.

Air Marshal S Vardhaman in a meeting with Chief Minister Raman Singh and other senior officials in Mantralya discussed various options about choosing the location for the air base, they said.

About 2,500-3,000 acres of land would be needed to build the air base, the officials said.

Centre cancels contract for midair refuellers for fighter aircraft

In a development that could severely hamper the Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) ability, the government has cancelled a $1.5-billion contract for midair refuellers for fighter aircraft. Midair refuellers extend the reach and endurance of the aircraft.

Defence ministry sources said the contract was cancelled after the finance ministry raised several objections to the acquisition. The ministry’s objections, sources in the military said, were due to a lingering L1 (lowest item in a contract) syndrome in the government.

The air force pleaded hard with AK Antony to not cancel the contract after a few years of trial and evaluations, but the defence minister decided not to oppose the finance ministry.

Under the norms of contract of government of India, the cheapest item that satisfies the parameters must be bought.

The air force is upset at the cancellation. When it comes to the military, technological capabilities and sophistication make a huge difference, “but that is immaterial if the finance ministry is to be trusted”, a source in the force said. “For every bit of sophistication, we have to pay a price, and that makes a huge difference in the battlefield,” he said.“It would take us a few years now to select a tanker, unless they force us to buy the Russian tanker,” an IAF officer said.

“We need to break the logjam” on opting for the cheapest, another air force officer said. He pointed out that the contract for the purchase of 12 helicopters for transporting VVIPs, such as the president and the prime minister, was also facing resistance from the finance ministry. The ministry has argued that the deal is far more expensive than what was projected. However, since there is no “L1 trouble” in the chopper deal, it may “finally go through”, the officer said.

The finance ministry had also objected to the acquisition of the costlier Airbus 330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft six years after the air force bought the Russia-made Ilyushin-78. But, sources said, the force justified the buy in a detailed written reply, saying Airbus was technologically superior than Ilyushin-78 and that the overall cost of the European product would be competitive. IAF pointed out that Airbus was fuel efficient and most of its civilian parts could be serviced in India.

source:DNA India

BSF foils infiltration bid along Indo-Pak border

The Border Security Force foiled the first infiltration bid of 2010 by armed militants along the India-Pakistan border in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir in the wee hours of Monday.

During the patrolling of the area, the BSF troops noticed some suspicious movement along the international border near Narianpur border out post in Samba district at approximately 1.15 am on Monday, said a senior BSF official.

Troops lit up the area with search lights and later fired on the infiltrating militants, forcing them back to the Pakistan side, even as they fired some rounds on patrol party, he said. "This was the first infiltration bid of this year," the official said.

There was no injury to the BSF troops. However, due to the thick fog, it was not known whether any militants had been injured in the BSF firing, he said, adding that no recovery was made during the search today morning.

India, Russia close to PACT on next generation fighter

Late last year, a defence ministry delegation to Sukhoi’s flagship aircraft facility in Siberia became the first Indians to set eyes upon the next-generation fighter that is slated to form the backbone of the future Indian Air Force (IAF). In that first meeting, carefully choreographed by Sukhoi, the new fighter, standing on the tarmac waved a welcome to the Indians, moving all its control fins simultaneously.


The effect, recounts one member of that delegation, was electric. The senior IAF officer there walked silently up to the aircraft and touched it almost incredulously. This was the Sukhoi T-50, the first technology demonstrator of what India terms the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). Senior defence ministry sources tell Business Standard that — after five years of haggling over the FGFA’s form, capabilities and work-share — a detailed contract on joint development is just around the corner.

The contract, which Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will sign with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), will commit to building 250 fighters for the IAF and an equal number for Russia. The option for further orders will be kept open. HAL and UAC will be equal partners in a joint venture company, much like the Brahmos JV, that will develop and manufacture the FGFA.

The cost of developing the FGFA, which would be shared between both countries, will be $8-10 billion (Rs 37,000-45,000 crore). Over and above that, say IAF and defence ministry sources, each FGFA will cost Rs 400-500 crore.

Sukhoi’s FGFA prototype, which is expected to make its first flight within weeks, is a true stealth aircraft, almost invisible to enemy radar. According to a defence ministry official, “It is an amazing looking aircraft. It has a Radar Cross Section (RCS) of just 0.5 square metre as compared to the Su-30MKI’s RCS of about 20 square metres.”

[That means that while a Su-30MKI would be as visible to enemy radar as a metal object 5 metres X 4 metres in dimension, the FGFA’s radar signature would be just 1/40th of that.]

A key strength of the 30-35 tonne FGFA would be data fusion; the myriad inputs from the fighter’s infrared, radar, and visual sensors would be electronically combined and fed to the pilots in easy-to-read form.

The FGFA partnership was conceived a decade ago, in 2000, when Sukhoi’s celebrated chief, Mikhail Pogosyan, invited a visiting Indian Air Force officer out to dinner in Moscow. Boris Yeltsin’s disastrous presidency had just ended, and Russia’s near bankruptcy was reflected in the run-down condition of a once-famous restaurant. But, as the IAF officer recounts, the vodka was flowing and Pogosyan was in his element, a string of jokes translated by a female interpreter.

Late that evening Pogosyan turned serious, switching the conversation to a secret project that, officially, did not even exist. Sukhoi, he confided to the IAF officer, had completed the design of a fifth generation fighter, as advanced as America’s F-22 Raptor, which is still the world’s foremost fighter. Russia’s economy was in tatters, but Sukhoi would develop its new, high-tech fighter if India partnered Russia, sharing the costs of developing the fighter at Sukhoi’s plant, Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Organisation (KnAAPO).

Reaching out to India was logical for Russia. During the 1990s — when thousands of Russian military design bureaus starved for funds, and a bankrupt Moscow cancelled 1,149 R&D projects — India’s defence purchases had kept Russia’s defence industry alive, bankrolling the development of the Sukhoi-30 fighter; the Talwar-class stealth frigates; the Uran and Klub ship-borne missiles; and the MiG-21 upgrade.

But co-developing a fifth generation fighter is a different ball game, financially and technologically, and India’s MoD hesitated to sign up. Meanwhile enriched by hydrocarbon revenues, Moscow gave Sukhoi the green light to develop the FGFA, which Russia terms the PAK-FA, the acronym for Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsy (literally Prospective Aircraft Complex of Frontline Aviation).

Today, Russia is five years into the development of the FGFA. In November 2007, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement on co-developing the fighter, but it has taken two more years to agree upon common specifications, work shares in development, and in resolving issues like Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

The prototype that Sukhoi has built is tailored to Russian Air Force requirements. But the IAF has different specifications and the JV will cater for both air forces, producing two different, but closely related, aircraft. For example, Russia wants a single-seat fighter; the IAF, happy with the Su-30MKI, insists upon a twin-seat fighter with one pilot flying and the other handling the sensors, networks and weaponry.

Negotiations have resolved even this fundamental conflict. India has agreed to buy a mix of about 50 single-seat and 200 twin-seat aircraft. Russia, in turn, will consider buying more twin-seat aircraft to use as trainers. But even as both countries narrow their differences, fresh challenges lie ahead: preparing India’s nascent aerospace industry for the high-tech job of developing and manufacturing a fifth-generation fighter.

(This is the first of a two-part series on the IAF’s fifth-generation fighter)

NSG will Increase its capabilities in new year

Having learnt immensely from the anti-terror operations its men conducted during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the National Security Guard (NSG) plans to take a giant leap in terms of weaponry and equipment in 2010. With the “debriefing” of Operation Black Tornado (the name given to the 26/11 operations) having yielded critical information about the way this elite force operates and the kind of improvements that could be made, the NSG’s focus is clearly on upgrading its firepower and communication systems.

Amongst a variety of sophisticated weapons the force is likely to procure in “significant numbers” are the German-made MP5 submachine guns and the Glock 26 and Glock 17 pistols of Austrian make. The NSG will also procure laser aiming devices for the MP5 guns and tactical lights for the Glock pistols.

The New Year will also see the force procure hands-free communication devices, splinter-proof goggles and bulletproof jackets, providing 360-degree, all-round upper torso body protection.

“Much of 2009 was spent in identifying the kind of weapons and equipment we require and seeking clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Most of the procurements will happen in the New Year,” a top NSG official said.

Also, for the around 1,000 commandos of the NSG, the New Year will ring in some good news when they move into pre-fabricated structures at the four newly-created regional hubs at Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

NSG’s tag of being a lean elite force will, however, become redundant in 2010 with the force planning to add 13,000 personnel to it ranks, out of which 10,300 will exclusively be for the two regional centres the force plans to set up at Kolkata and Hyderabad. With 600 acres of land in Hyderabad already identified, the regional centre there is likely to take shape sooner than at Kolkata. On the training front, 2010 may see NSG Black Cats getting training from Germany’s elite counter-terrorism force, the GSG 9 and the French GIGN force.

India wants cornershot guns.

The Indian Army is looking to procure an undisclosed number of "weapon systems for shooting around the corner without exposing the firer or with minimum exposure to the firer" according to a recent Request for Information (RFI). These are presumably for the Special Forces and some infantry units. The request calls for information on weapons that can engage targets effectively beyond 200-metres. The US-Israeli firm Cornershot LLC is currently the only firm with such weapons in its catalogue that would be open to doing such business with the Indian military (the other is an untested specimen from the Pakistan Ordnance Factory, and a third from Iran). The need for engagement beyond 200-metres means the Army will be looking for a cornershot weapon based at least on a 5.7-mm pistol-based, but this isn't specified in the RFI. The National Security Guard (NSG) recently tested a Cornershot pistol weapon and has ordered an undisclosed number for its anti-terror force.



Having learnt lessons from the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, the Army has launched a global hunt for suitable weapon systems `for shooting around the corner' for its troops involved in counter-terrorism operations. These `cornershot' rifles and pistols, with detachable high-resolution video cameras and monitors mounted on them, will help Army special forces like the Para-SF units to effectively tackle terrorists in urban warfare scenarios.


"Such close-quarter combat weapons will help our commandos to observe and engage targets from behind a corner -- for instance, while storming a building or a room -- without exposing themselves to direct fire from terrorists,'' said an officer. "American, Israeli and a few other forces already use such weapons... The front parts of their barrels, mounted with video cameras, can swivel 60 to 70 degree on either side to scan and direct fire around corners,'' he added.

Floating the Request for Information (RFI), the Army's weapons and equipment directorate wants armament companies to submit their proposals by January 30. This comes soon after elite counter-terror force National Security Guards launched the process to acquire cornershot weapons as well as wall surveillance radars to monitor what is the situation inside a room without actually entering it.


"Such new-generation equipment is very effective in neutralising terrorists in situations like 26/11, where commandos had to clear the five-star hotels in room-to-room flushing out operations,'' said the officer. The Army's RFI specifies the cornershot weapons must be able to `engage targets effectively beyond 200 metres' and have day/night vision capability.

While the exact number of the weapons to be acquired is yet to be finalised, officers said transfer of technology to manufacture them indigenously was being sought since "a large quantity'' was required. "The weapon systems should also have image downloading and transmission capability so that the enemy can be located and information shared with other troops to enable the commandos to take the best positions to engage the targets,'' said an officer.


Source:livefist

Deck not ready yet, navy scouts for aircraft

The Indian Navy has invited five global makers of combat planes, including the US-led F-35C Joint Strike Fighter, to participate in a competition for deck-based aircraft that it wants to buy.

Deck-based aircraft for navies have special requirements — like foldable wings because of limited space in carriers and ability for short/vertical take-off and landing.

India’s biggest military hardware supplier, Russia, which was asked for information on the Sukhoi-33, has opted out of the race saying it is phasing out the plane, a navy source told The Telegraph.

But Russia is negotiating with China to sell 50 Sukhoi-33 aircraft for the Chinese PLA Navy’s aircraft-carrier programme.

The first four of 12 Russian-made MiG 29K fighter aircraft contracted for the Indian Navy, however, reached India earlier this month. The aircraft are yet to be assembled because they were delivered in a knocked-down condition.
A MiG 29K deck-based aircraft at an airshow

The MiG 29K are to be based on the INS Vikramaditya, as the Indian Navy has rechristened the Gorshkov carrier for which a re-negotiated price is yet to be contracted.

Essentially, the Indian Navy is now beginning to get the aircraft without the carrier to base them in. So it has fashioned an airstrip that is mimicking the Gorshkov’s flying deck in the INS Hansa, the naval base in Goa, to induct the MiG 29K.

Among the five aircraft for which the Indian Navy has sent Requests for Information (RFI) are the F-18 Superhornet (made by Boeing for the US Navy), Eurofighter Typhoon (EADS supported by a European consortium) and France’s Dassault Aviation for the Rafale.

The Indian Navy had originally not sent an RFI to Sweden’s SAAB but the company expressed interest and was sent a request for the naval variant of the Gripen JAS 39.

The Superhornet, Eurofighter, Rafale and the Gripen are among six aircraft (the other two being the F-16 Super Viper and the MiG 35) contending for the biggest fighter aircraft competition going in the world today — the Indian Air Force’s order for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft that could be worth more than $12 billion.

The Indian Navy’s overt interest in the F-35C Lightning II is a bit of a surprise. The F-35C is the US Navy variant of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme being implemented by Lockheed Martin and is known in the aviation industry as the only fifth-generation aircraft.

The naval variant was rolled out of Lockheed’s plant in Fort Worth, Texas, only in July this year. It is yet to be flight-tested.

Apart from the US, nine other countries are participating in developing the JSF — the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore and Turkey. India has separate agreements with Russia to co-develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) but that is nowhere near the stage of development that the JSF has reached.

The navy officer said the plan was to raise a squadron (between 16 and 20 aircraft) for the aircraft carrier that India is building on its own in Kochi (called IAC for Indigenous Aircraft Carrier). The IAC will be at least eight years in the making (2018).

The deck-based aircraft competition is being thrown open to global makers as a contingency measure because India’s own Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is inordinately delayed.

The Indian Navy’s only aircraft carrier, the INS Viraat, that sails with British vintage Sea Harrier aircraft onboard was refitted after being in the dry dock for nearly two years till November.

Its fleet of aircraft is also depleting fast with not enough back-ups. The navy now has less than a squadron-strength of the aircraft.


source:Times of India

Poor ammo handling kills two airmen in India

In yet another case of mishandling of ammunition, two airmen were killed and at least three others injured when old missiles
exploded while being transported at the Pokhran firing ranges near Jaisalmer on Monday.

The mishap apparently took place when the missile and their propellants, whose shelf-life had expired, were being off-loaded from a truck at the Chandan range.

''The old ammunition had been brought from Gujarat for disposal at the range. IAF has ordered a court of inquiry into the incident,'' said an official.

This comes soon after a young Army officer was killed during a firing exercise at Deolali in Maharashtra after an artillery shell burst near him.

Indian Navy is planning to buy new multi-role aircraft

Looking for an enhanced presence, the Navy is planning to buy a state-of-the-art, multi-role, new generation carrier-based fighter aircraft. And in pursuance of this, the Navy has sent out a request for information (RFI) to some of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers.

The aircraft firms included: the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) for their Eurofighter Typhoon, the Boeing Integrated Defence System (for the F/A-18 Super Hornet), Sweden’s SAAB (who are offering the Gripen JAS 39) and France’s Dassault (for the Rafale).

The new naval aircraft are meant for deployment on the Navy’s third aircraft carrier, which is expected to be commissioned around 2018.

While the Rafale and the F/A-18 are natural choices for naval operations as they were built specifically for carrier-based multi-role operations, the manufacturers of the Typhoon and the Gripen have indicated that their aircraft could be suitably modified for naval carrier-based flying.

All four aircraft (along with the Russian MiG-35 and the American F-16) are already in contention for another mega Indian defence forces’ deal — the $10 billion -$12 billion Indian Air Force’s plans to acquire 126 medium, multi-role combat aircraft.

The Ministry of Defence sources told The Hindu that the Navy has the go-ahead from the government for the purchase. The RFI has not specified the exact number of aircraft that the Navy is keen on acquiring, nor the modalities that will be specified for their manufacture or offset requirements.

Once the manufacturers provided their information, the Navy will send out a request for proposal detailing the Naval Staff Qualitative Requirements that the fighter should possess.

After the receipt of the proposals, the Navy will short list, setting in motion the process of flight evaluation trials, selection, commercial negotiations and finally the acquisition.

The new aircraft, which will be in the 25-30 tonne class, will be in addition to the 16 Russian-manufactured MiG-29Ks that India is acquiring, and the naval version of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas (12-14 tonnes class) which is presently being designed.

The Navy on December 4 received in knocked-down condition, the first of its MiG-29Ks.

While the MiG-29Ks will be on the deck of the 44,570-tonne Kiev class Admiral Gorshkov (to be rechristened INS Vikramaditya), the naval Tejas is earmarked for the 40,000-tonne, indigenous aircraft carrier that is being built at the Cochin Shipyard.

The Navy’s only fighter aircraft now is the British-made Sea Harrier jump jets which are deployed on the Navy’s sole aircraft carrier, INS Viraat.

Official sources said that the Sea Harriers, which were decommissioned by the (British) Royal Navy in March 2006, will be in the inventory as long as the INS Viraat is deployed (could be till 2019)

Youth opting out of corporate jobs for IAF: Antony

HYDERABAD: Defence minister A K Antony said more and more youth were joining the Indian Air Force after opting out of corporate jobs, indicating

willingness and a change in GenNext.

"As many as 40 engineers have left corporate jobs and joined the Indian Air Force this year and the situation indicates changing trends among youth," Antony, who was the chief guest at the passing out parade of 175 combined graduates of IAF in Dundigal Airforce station, told reporters.

Also, the number of women flying officers in the IAF has gone up to 37 as against 20 last year, he said adding six were given pilot training and rest of the women officers were allotted ground duty or administration jobs in the force.

After inspecting guard of honour from new-commissioned officers, Antony said aerospace power has been undergoing many changes and the officers should be geared up to acquire the knowledge of application and exploit it to the optimum.

"The security environment in the region has necessitated the induction of sophisticated and costly equipment in our armed forces. The onus will be on all of you to handle them with care and efficiency," Antony told the officers.

Of the total 175 who graduated today, 105 cadets were trained as pilots, 12 were trained as navigators and 58 were given administration, Air Traffic Control, Accounts and other branches. Air marshal V R Iyer was also present during the function.

India's water power hit by delays

New Delhi: The government seems to be merrily sleeping while India's underwater combat arm sinks deeper and deeper. As it is, the Rs 18,798 crore

Scorpene project to construct six submarines at Mazagon Docks (MDL) has been hit by huge delays and cost escalations.

And now, the government is dawdling through the proposed Rs 30,000 crore programme, called Project-75I, for the second line of submarines. After the Navy pressed the panic buttons for P-75I's quick finalisation, the Defence Acquisitions Council chaired by defence minister A K Antony did meet on Tuesday but not much headway was made.

The identification of a domestic shipyard -- either public or private -- to build the six new-generation submarines is still to take place despite Navy stressing the "criticality'' of fast decision-making.

"It's only after the shipyard is identified that the RFP (request for proposal) or global tender will be issued to submarine manufacturers like Rosoboronexport (Russian), DCNS/Armaris (French), HDW (German) and Navantia (Spain),'' said a defence ministry source.

"MDL is already loaded with the Scorpene project under P-75. So, a new shipyard will have to tie-up with the foreign manufacturer for P-75I. At this rate, it will take five years for P-75I to get going,'' he added.

As per one projection, India will be left with only nine out of its present fleet of 16 diesel-electric submarines -- 10 Russian Kilo-class, four German HDW and two virtually obsolete Foxtrot -- by 2012. The number may dip to just five by 2014-2015.

This when both China and Pakistan are rapidly adding to their underwater muscle. Pakistan is now looking to induct three advanced Type-214 German submarines, equipped with AIP (air-independent propulsion) to enhance their operational capabilities, after inducting three French Agosta-90B submarines. China, of course, already has a staggering 62 submarines, with around 10 of them being nuclear-powered.

With problems dogging the French Scorpene project, Navy is keen that P-75I gets underway parallely as soon as possible. Under it, all the six submarines will have AIP systems, stealth, land-attack capability and ability to incorporate futuristic technologies.

As was first reported by TOI, the Scorpene project, under which the six submarines were to roll out one per year from 2012 onwards as per the contract inked in October 2005, is running well over two years behind schedule.

A major factor for this delay is the jacking up of prices of `MDL procured material (MPM) packages' -- sensors, propulsion and the like -- from around 400 million Euros to 700 million Euros by French company M/s Armaris (DCNS-Thales joint venture). In effect, it's demanding India pay an additional Rs 2,000 crore to it.

Both Project-75 and 75I are part of the 30-year submarine-building perspective programme approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security a decade ago. The basic aim was to acquire indigenous capability in design, development and construction of submarines, with a total of 24 submarines to be manufactured in a phased manner.

sorce:Times of India

Navy for second line of submarines construction

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence in its latest report to Parliament last week mentioned that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had during March 2003 directed that the Navy should not let the force level fall below 140 ships as against the existing force level of 130 ships

Close on the heels of the Parliamentary Standing Committee that took serious note of the shortage of ships and submarines, the Indian Navy on Tuesday pushed the envelope asking the government to identify shipyards to begin construction of the second line of submarines as per plans.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence in its latest report to Parliament last week mentioned that the Defence Acquisition Council(DAC) had during March 2003 directed that the Navy should not let the force level fall below 140 ships as against the existing force level of 130 ships .

“The Committee take note of the shortage of the ships and submarines seriously and would like to recommend that all efforts should be made to expedite the acquisition/ Construction of the ships/submarines so that at least the existing fleet of ships/ Submarines do not fall below the minimum required level,” the Committee report said.

At the latest meeting of the DAC here, the Navy said it is time to start identifying shipyards where six submarines of the French-Scorpene series could be taken up.

Sources in the Ministry said the Navy’s push also comes as its submarine force level is depleting and as per current estimates it is expected to drop to 60 per cent of the current level of 16 odd submarines over the next five-six years and touch 50 per cent by 2020.

sorce:The Hindu