DAC meet: Purchase of additional MI-17-V and Akash Missiles Cleared

[samlove]

Defence ministry’s top acquisition council, which met here this evening under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, also cleared a Rs 6,966 crore deal for the purchase of 48 Mi17-V5 helicopters from Russia.

Further, approval was given for the purchase of seven additional squadrons of Akash missiles for the air force and eight Chetak helicopters for the navy. However, the DAC did not take a decision on the navy’s proposal to acquire over 100 utility helicopters. Neither did it take a decision on going ahead with P75I submarine tenders worth over Rs 60,000 crore.

DAC also cleared a Rs 490 crore proposal for the army to acquire 102 short-span bridges that would be carried on 8X8-wheel trucks besides 120 pieces of anti-tank mine trawls from Russia for the T72 and T90 tanks.

The future acquisition of these items would be from Indian companies, defence sources said. DAC also cleared a Rs 6,966 crore proposal to acquire 48 Mi17-V5 choppers from Russia.

The hardy, medium-lift choppers have been a huge asset for the air force. The top body for defence acquisitions also cleared IAF’s proposal to set up four new ATC radars at Rs 228 crore. Three of these radars would be based in the crucial eastern sector, the sources said.

Further, purchase of an additional seven squadrons of Akash missiles worth Rs 4,790 crore was cleared for air force. The navy’s proposal to acquire eight Chetak helicopters from state-run HAL, too, was cleared. The force also got the clearance for nine tugs at Rs 300 crore. Go-ahead was also given to navy for dockyard repair facility for radars and Electronic Warfare System at Rs 235 crore

 

[Makaramarma]

India has so far purchased 151 Mi-17V-5, another 48 will take the total of Mi-17V-5 to 200 Helicopters.

Why the hell are we not making them in India. These beasts are excellent machines and are cheap too.

For enthusiasts ,

http://helicopters.axlegeeks.com/compare/24-71/Bell-BOEING-V-22-Osprey-vs-Kazan-Mi-17

 

[Hindustani78]

DAC clears additional M-17 helicopters and Akash systems for the Air Force, worth over Rs. 13,000 cr. - The Hindu


The government cleared the purchase of 48 additional Mi-17 V5 helicopters and seven squadrons of Akash short range Surface to Air Missiles for the Air Force. These were part of the projects worth over Rs. 13,000 crore cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday.

While the four squadrons of 48 Mi-17’s from Russia would cost Rs. 6,966 crore, the Akash missiles will be indigenously built by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for Rs. 4,790 crore. The Air Force had previously ordered 139 M-17 helicopters in two batches. BEL will build four Air Traffic Control (ATC) radars at Avantipur, Bhita, Panagarh and Purnia for Rs. 228 crore.

The Navy which is critically short of helicopters will get eight Chetak utility helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for Rs. 322 crore. BEL will set up two dockyard maintenance facilities for Revathi surveillance radars and electronic warfare systems.

For the Army the DAC has cleared 102 short span mobility bridges for Rs. 490 crore under Make in India and 120 Anti-Tank Trawls, used to clear landmines, for T-72 and T-90 tanks to be procured from Russia. Additional units will be manufactured in India.

On the Rafale fighter deal, the DAC was briefed by the negotiation committee -- set up to work out the direct purchase contract for 36 aircraft -- on the progress of talks so far and was inturn asked to continue the process. “The negotiation committee briefed the DAC about the progress made so far. DAC has given the go-ahead to them,” said a defence ministry official without getting into the specifics.

 

[Hindustani78]

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 23

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/90-older-mi-17s-to-get-electronic-warfare-suite/578891.html

The Air Force is upgrading the older variants of its Mi-17 helicopters by equipping them with electronic warfare (EW) suite to increase their capability to operate effectively in a hostile environment.

According to IAF sources, 90 of these medium-lift helicopters — 56 Mi-17 and 34 Mi-17 1V variants — will be upgraded by No.3 Base Repair Deport in Chandigarh in collaboration with state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The IAF approached BEL in this regard last month.

The move to upgrade the older series comes in the backdrop of a project to retrofit the latest version, the Mi-17 V5 that entered services a few years ago, with similar EW equipment. Last year, BEL was also approached to equip some Mi-17s with advanced navigational aids.

The EW suite comprises of a radar warning receiver (RWR), a missile approach warning system (MAWS) and a counter measure dispensing system (CMDS). The RWR detects radio waves emitted by radars and electronic surveillance equipment whereas the CMDS enables the crew to imitate counter measures or evasive action against enemy radars and missiles by firing chaff or flares.

The MAWS is meant to alert the crew about any incoming ground or air-launched missile and also cue the CMDS to trigger. Mi-17 helicopters are used for special operations as well as close air support, logistic supplies and troop movement, requiring them at times to operate at low altitudes and slow speeds, thereby making them vulnerable to missile attacks.

The Air Force expects the programme to upgrade the 90 helicopters to be completed in 48 months. This includes training an initial batch of pilots, flight engineers and flight gunners to operate the new systems.