IAF sets up aerospace control base

[jaison]

yes defenitely i agreeour country has to have expertise in design,fabrication,management,testing........home designed planes also means easy upgrading.........my point is that if talks fail we will go for licenced production and thus replacement of an-32s wont be delayed........for long

 

[nitesh]

This is a really good news:

India to get network centric capability by 2010-11: Naik- Airlines / Aviation-Transportation-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

16 Aug, 2008, 1740 hrs IST, PTI
NEVADA : Rubbing shoulders with its counterparts from the US and the NATO in one of the most modern war games, the Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to move rapidly towards developing network centric warfare (NCW) capability in the next few years.

Su-30 MKI supersonic fighter jets, IL-76 heavylift transport aircraft and IL-78 air-to-air refuellers of the IAF are pitted against the NATO F-16s and F-15s in the network-centric operations--the toughest test for flying machines and men--over the Nevada desert in their first appearance in the fortnight-long peace-time air exercise, 'Red Flag' currently in progress.

Being the world's most advanced exercise, 'Red Flag' provides participating air forces the best opportunity to test their mettle in a simulated war game that envisages all air battle scenarios in a network-centric environment.

"NCW is vital. You cannot survive today for long against a good adversary without the NCW capability," said IAF vice chief Air Marshal P V Naik, who was here to witness the IAF participation in 'Red Flag'.

He said the Indian armed forces will have this capability by 2010-2011. "At present we do not have it, we are just about network-enabled. But we are in the process of developing this capability."

The backbone of the IAF's NCW system would be a fibre optic-based network called Air Force Network (AFNET), on which would be riding the Integrated Air Command and Control Systems (IACCS), Naik said. (MORE) PTI Corr NCB VSC SDG 08161641 DEL NNNN

 

[nitesh]

outlookindia.com | wired

Pak Air Force modernisation not a threat, but worrisome: Major

JAISHREE BALASUBRAMANIAN< KUALA LUMPUR, AUG 21 (PTI)

The Indian Air Force does not see the reported modernisation and upgrading of neighbouring Pakistan's Air Force as a threat, but it is "worrisome", India's Air Chief Marshal F H Major said here today.

"India does not see it as a threat, but it is worrisome, especially with the situation there now," Major said adding, India was the only "stable country" in that part of world.


The IAF Chief was here to visit Malaysian bases where Indian Air Force personnel are training their Malaysian counterparts to handle SU-30 MKM aircraft.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force is in the process of inducting the aircraft. A few SU-30 MKM have been inducted and the rest would join within another year.

Asked about the IAF's preparedness, Major told PTI that the "operational preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces today is capability-based and not threat-based". The entire Armed Force is operationally ready to fight all spectrum of warfare "at all times", he added.

Referring to the ageing fleet of MiGs, Major said "all MiG-21s would be phased out by 2011 except the 120 MiGs which have been upgraded and are called Bison".

The Bisons would be used till 2025, which means that they would be in service for almost 60 years.

The Bisons were upgraded with Russian help but the systems onboard are India, French and Israeli. "We have expertise in India to do it," the Air Chief said adding, the SU-30 MKI used by India had most of their onboard systems done indigenously.

"It speaks a lot about the technology in India today," Major said.

 

[jaison]

outlookindia.com | wired

Pak Air Force modernisation not a threat, but worrisome: Major

JAISHREE BALASUBRAMANIAN< KUALA LUMPUR, AUG 21 (PTI)

The Indian Air Force does not see the reported modernisation and upgrading of neighbouring Pakistan's Air Force as a threat, but it is "worrisome", India's Air Chief Marshal F H Major said here today.

"India does not see it as a threat, but it is worrisome, especially with the situation there now," Major said adding, India was the only "stable country" in that part of world.


The IAF Chief was here to visit Malaysian bases where Indian Air Force personnel are training their Malaysian counterparts to handle SU-30 MKM aircraft.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force is in the process of inducting the aircraft. A few SU-30 MKM have been inducted and the rest would join within another year.

Asked about the IAF's preparedness, Major told PTI that the "operational preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces today is capability-based and not threat-based". The entire Armed Force is operationally ready to fight all spectrum of warfare "at all times", he added.

Referring to the ageing fleet of MiGs, Major said "all MiG-21s would be phased out by 2011 except the 120 MiGs which have been upgraded and are called Bison".

The Bisons would be used till 2025, which means that they would be in service for almost 60 years.

The Bisons were upgraded with Russian help but the systems onboard are India, French and Israeli. "We have expertise in India to do it," the Air Chief said adding, the SU-30 MKI used by India had most of their onboard systems done indigenously.

"It speaks a lot about the technology in India today," Major said.

i had great respect for indian technology and this multiplied it exponentially

 

[nitesh]

India builds military air bases close to Tibet

HONG KONG, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- In the strategic direction of Bhutan and central Nepal, the Indian air force has built three major military airports, sufficient to provide deterrence over the central part of Tibet.

These airports include the Bagdogra -- Avantipur -- Air Base, where at least 16 MiG-21FL fighters and An-32 transport aircraft are based. The airport is equipped with mound-structured hangars, each accommodating two MiG-21 fighters. The Bagdogra Airport is also only 310 miles from the border with China and is the home base of the Indian air force No. 8 Squadron.

In this region, the Hashimara Air Base is one of the better-equipped military airports with large, full-fledged facilities. There are 18 MiG-27ML attackers based here, and during a confrontation with China, these could hit targets deep in Tibet through the Bhutan-Nepal corridor. The No. 22 Squadron of the Indian air force is stationed at this airport. In addition, a simple runway also has been built at Cooch Behar.

India and China have been following very similar paths in the construction of airport facilities and SAM-2 ground-to-air missile positions, as they are the students of the same Soviet Union professor. Nonetheless, the Chinese air force is ahead of the Indian air force in the construction of underground airport facilities. All along its western border with China, especially in the area north of New Delhi, India has been building a series of airports and military bases in an obvious effort to strengthen its defenses against its increasingly powerful neighbor.

There are three military airports in the central part of the border area, two of which are large air bases. Along the western part of the border there are 11 airports that could lend support to the Indian air force in the event of an attack upon Tibet. These include airports at Patna, Bihta, Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Bareilly and Adampur.

At the Bakshi-Ka-Talab Air Base near Bareilly, observers have spotted nine Su-30K fighter aircraft. Under normal circumstances, three or more MiG-25R aircraft are stationed here, for use by the No. 102 Reconnaissance Squadron in operations along India's western border with China. This airport, which belongs to the Indian air force's No. 35 and No. 102 squadrons, has extensive facilities including reinforced aircraft hangars and is located no more than 370 miles from the Indian-Chinese border.

There is another large air base not far away at Ambala, with 35 reinforced aircraft hangars. Less than 250 miles from the border with China, it is the closest attack base to Tibet. The Indian Air Defense Force's No. 5 Squadron is based here, with a fleet of Jaguar attackers. There are also at least two SAM-2/3 surface-to-air missile positions at this base.

At nearby Chandigarh, at least 13 reinforced aircraft hangars and one SAM-3 missile position have been built. This is an airport primarily for military transport aircraft as well as Mi-17/Mi-8 helicopters belonging to the No. 3 Air Base warehouse. There are at least two IL-76 transport aircraft, 13 AN-32 transport planes and one heavy-lift Mi-26 helicopter fielded at this airport. This deployment suggests the Indian military is highly aware of the need to airlift troops to the Tibet region should a conflict erupt between the two countries.

Latest Headlines, Top News, Entertainment, Health, Science and Sports News - UPI

 

[nitesh]

India builds military air bases close to Tibet

HONG KONG, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- In the strategic direction of Bhutan and central Nepal, the Indian air force has built three major military airports, sufficient to provide deterrence over the central part of Tibet.

These airports include the Bagdogra -- Avantipur -- Air Base, where at least 16 MiG-21FL fighters and An-32 transport aircraft are based. The airport is equipped with mound-structured hangars, each accommodating two MiG-21 fighters. The Bagdogra Airport is also only 310 miles from the border with China and is the home base of the Indian air force No. 8 Squadron.

In this region, the Hashimara Air Base is one of the better-equipped military airports with large, full-fledged facilities. There are 18 MiG-27ML attackers based here, and during a confrontation with China, these could hit targets deep in Tibet through the Bhutan-Nepal corridor. The No. 22 Squadron of the Indian air force is stationed at this airport. In addition, a simple runway also has been built at Cooch Behar.

India and China have been following very similar paths in the construction of airport facilities and SAM-2 ground-to-air missile positions, as they are the students of the same Soviet Union professor. Nonetheless, the Chinese air force is ahead of the Indian air force in the construction of underground airport facilities. All along its western border with China, especially in the area north of New Delhi, India has been building a series of airports and military bases in an obvious effort to strengthen its defenses against its increasingly powerful neighbor.

There are three military airports in the central part of the border area, two of which are large air bases. Along the western part of the border there are 11 airports that could lend support to the Indian air force in the event of an attack upon Tibet. These include airports at Patna, Bihta, Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Bareilly and Adampur.

At the Bakshi-Ka-Talab Air Base near Bareilly, observers have spotted nine Su-30K fighter aircraft. Under normal circumstances, three or more MiG-25R aircraft are stationed here, for use by the No. 102 Reconnaissance Squadron in operations along India's western border with China. This airport, which belongs to the Indian air force's No. 35 and No. 102 squadrons, has extensive facilities including reinforced aircraft hangars and is located no more than 370 miles from the Indian-Chinese border.

There is another large air base not far away at Ambala, with 35 reinforced aircraft hangars. Less than 250 miles from the border with China, it is the closest attack base to Tibet. The Indian Air Defense Force's No. 5 Squadron is based here, with a fleet of Jaguar attackers. There are also at least two SAM-2/3 surface-to-air missile positions at this base.

At nearby Chandigarh, at least 13 reinforced aircraft hangars and one SAM-3 missile position have been built. This is an airport primarily for military transport aircraft as well as Mi-17/Mi-8 helicopters belonging to the No. 3 Air Base warehouse. There are at least two IL-76 transport aircraft, 13 AN-32 transport planes and one heavy-lift Mi-26 helicopter fielded at this airport. This deployment suggests the Indian military is highly aware of the need to airlift troops to the Tibet region should a conflict erupt between the two countries.

Latest Headlines, Top News, Entertainment, Health, Science and Sports News - UPI

 

[nitesh]

The Hindu : Karnataka News : Air Force to acquire ATC simulator

Air Force to acquire ATC simulator

Ravi Sharma

BANGALORE: Having to take on a much larger and busier role in monitoring and controlling air traffic at a number of its airports where civilian flights operate cheek-by-jowl with military airplanes, the Air Force is acquiring a state-of-the-art integrated radar and air traffic control (ATC) simulator.

The 360 degree seamless visual system is expected to be operational by 2010.

Senior officers told The Hindu that the simulator will not only help the Air Force train its air controllers at a fast pace (and not on the job as is being done now), but will also allow officers and airmen who undertake ATC duties go through periodic refresher courses. It will facilitate training without blocking equipment that is being used for ATC duties. To be located at the Air Force Academy at Dundigal (Andhra Pradesh), the simulator and the building it is to be housed in is expected to cost around Rs. 30 crore.

Ministry of Defence sources told The Hindu that the products of six companies have been listed for technical evaluation. The competing vendors being CMC, Tata Power, Jupiter Aviation, Alpha Design Technologies, Varisis Advanced Engineering and Software Technologies and Pet Aviation Systems. All of them have tied up with foreign partners.

 

[nitesh]

The Hindu : Karnataka News : Air Force to acquire ATC simulator

Air Force to acquire ATC simulator

Ravi Sharma

BANGALORE: Having to take on a much larger and busier role in monitoring and controlling air traffic at a number of its airports where civilian flights operate cheek-by-jowl with military airplanes, the Air Force is acquiring a state-of-the-art integrated radar and air traffic control (ATC) simulator.

The 360 degree seamless visual system is expected to be operational by 2010.

Senior officers told The Hindu that the simulator will not only help the Air Force train its air controllers at a fast pace (and not on the job as is being done now), but will also allow officers and airmen who undertake ATC duties go through periodic refresher courses. It will facilitate training without blocking equipment that is being used for ATC duties. To be located at the Air Force Academy at Dundigal (Andhra Pradesh), the simulator and the building it is to be housed in is expected to cost around Rs. 30 crore.

Ministry of Defence sources told The Hindu that the products of six companies have been listed for technical evaluation. The competing vendors being CMC, Tata Power, Jupiter Aviation, Alpha Design Technologies, Varisis Advanced Engineering and Software Technologies and Pet Aviation Systems. All of them have tied up with foreign partners.

 

[nitesh]

Seminar on indigenisation and modernisation of Indian Air Force

August 26th, 2008 - 9:28 pm ICT by ANI


New Delhi , August 26 (ANI): The Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday that in the face of rapid technological advancements and induction of new generation equipment in Indian Air Force, indigenisation and modernisation of maintenance infrastructure has assumed a very significant role.

IAF is on look out for modern repair facilities right from tools, testers, automation in repairs to material handling equipment for keeping it a highly vibrant and agile force.

Indigenisation of weapon system and modernisation of maintenance facilities are closely inter-related and form the guiding principle for self reliance, self sufficiency and reduction of dependency on sources abroad. The industry has a very significant role to play in this regard.
The IAF vision for indigenisation is not limited to only a one-to-one replacement of imported items, but aims at improving upon operational efficiency and reliability through re-engineering, ab-initio design and technology enhancement.

IAF is more than willing to extend full support to the entrepreneur or established industry in their contribution towards indigenisation and modernisation. At the same time, IAF is endeavoring to expand the range of indigenisation to include complex and high cost items, which may generate substantial business for the industry.

It is now for the industry to make use of this opportunity to collaborate and consolidate their gains. In the longer run, the growth and additional opportunities would far outweigh the difficulties involved in the process, and in doing so, industry would not only be finding new avenues but, will also contribute towards the national objective of self-reliance.
Emerging industries within India have carved a niche for research and development and production of international quality products in the recent years. The cherished mission of IAF to make it self reliant is feasible only with the support and participation of Indian industry and in fact, today Indian industry has matured to take on this demanding role. IAF has joined hands with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), for bringing the industry and IAF on a common platform to interact and initiate a strategic alliance.
To explore the indigenisation and modernisation opportunities in IAF and to make it a reality, a two day international level seminar, named INDAIR 2008, is organised at Vigyan Bhawan on August 26 27.

The seminar and exhibition is jointly sponsored by Maintenance Command, IAF and CII. The event have participation of reputed manufacturers of weapon systems, both foreign and indigenous, dignitaries from MoD and IAF, academicians, QA agencies and CII officials.

The theme of the seminar is Strategic partnering of IAF and Industry on modernisation and indigenisation. The event would provide an impetus to the process of indigenisation and modernisation of production, maintenance and inventory management infrastructure in IAF, with a focus on Base Repair Depots (BRDs) and Equipment Depots (EDs).

This would benefit the industry as well and provide a trigger for their growth and an opportunity to participate in production and maintenance of Defence weapon system of the country.
The seminar is inaugurated by Defence Minister A.K. Antony and key note address delivered by the Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major PVSM AVSM SC VM ADC. Air Officer Commanding in Chief Maintenance Command Air Marshal Gautam Nayyar VSM delivered the theme address.
Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh inaugurated the exhibition depicting the industry potential and IAF needs for the indigenisation and modernization of its maintenance infrastructure. (ANI)

Seminar on indigenisation and modernisation of Indian Air Force

 

[nitesh]

Now LCH is made on cheetah's body? serious misreporting

India to carry out test flight of LCH soon- Airlines / Aviation-Transportation-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

India to carry out test flight of LCH soon
31 Aug, 2008, 0954 hrs IST, PTI

NEW DELHI: India's first indigenously-developed Light Combat Helicopter will be test flown later this year, in a major step aimed at giving a boost to the country's fighting capabilities in the Himalayas. State-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has completed development of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and it will test fly the chopper by the year-end.

If the test flight goes smoothly, the LCH, built on the platform of a Cheetah body would be the second big feather in HAL's cap after the Advanced Light Helicopter. The LCH is expected to fill vital gaps in India's security as the armed forces lack a helicopter gunship which can operate in extreme high altitude above 9,000 feet.

The indigenous development of such a helicopter comes as IAF has recently floated international tenders for the purchase of 22 advanced helicopter gunships. Besides Eurocopter which is part of the defence and aviation consortium EADS, the other major contenders for this competition are Boeing's AH-54D, Augusta Westland's AW-129 Mangustu and Russia's MI-28N NightHunters.

Top HAL officials said work on the project was going on as per schedule. The aerospace major had taken five years to design the Advanced Light Helicopter 'Dhruv' but it completed the design of the LCH within 16-17 months. The helicopter will be equipped with helmet-mounted targeting systems, electronic warfare systems and advanced weapons systems.

 

[nitesh]

guys check this:

http://www.drdo.com/dpi/SAsiaDefnStraRev_.pdf

 

[nitesh]

domain-b.com : Indian Air Force, Airports Authority of India partner for airspace management


Indian Air Force, Airports Authority of India partner for airspace management news

02 September 2008

New Delhi: With congestion growing in India's airspace, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) have decided to lend a helping hand to each other across the country for facilitating more flexible usage of airspace.

The defence and civil aviation bodies have set up the Joint Regional Air Traffic Coordination Centre (JRATCC) at Chennai airport, and the Indian Air Force now plans to replicate this to other parts of the country.
In a statement to a news agency, Air Chief Marshal Fali H Major said that the JRATCC is the nodal agency for coordination between civil and IAF air traffic control (ATC) units within Chennai. The agency facilitates the use of civilian and military airspace when not in use by the designated agency. However, 'restricted' and 'danger areas' that were earlier under IAF control will continue to be managed by the IAF.

Air Chief Marshal Major said that exclusive airspace is needed by the IAF for training and operational preparedness, but given the exponential growth of civil aviation in India, some of this airspace is being made available for use by civil aviation when IAF aircraft are not using it. This is done under the concept of flexible use of airspace. Additionally, he said that around 30 airfields were being shared with the AAI.
Earlier in the year, the Ajay Prasad Committee had recommended flexible use of airspace as a measure to optimise both military and civil aviation needs. The committee had been established to come up with a master plan for the next generation of futuristic air navigation services, and both the defence ministry and the IAF had accepted the committee's recommendation pertaining to flexible use of airspace.

 

[nitesh]

Pune to get 3rd Sukhoi sqn-Pune-Cities-The Times of India



Pune to get 3rd Sukhoi sqn
14 Sep 2008, 0628 hrs IST, Rajesh Korde,TNN

PUNE: The multi-role strike fighter squadrons of Sukhoi 30MKI, which had moved out of Lohegaon Air Force station have now returned in style &#8212; after a successful Red Flag excercise in the US. In the next few months, the fleet will be enforced with a third squadron, making it one of the strongest airbases in the western region.

Although the squadrons returned from Jodhpur a few weeks ago Saturday's comeback was more apt following the multinational air exercise in the US.

The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of South Western Air Command (SWAC), Air Marshal K.D. Singh said that the Lohegaon Air Force base will get a new Su-30 MKI squadron by Dec 2009. Currently, the Lohegaon Air Force base has two squadrons of Su-30 MKI, 'Lightnings' and 'Rhinos'.

The Su-30 MKIs will roll out from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited factory at Nasik. Recently, the Jaguar Squadron was shifted and located to Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat for strategic reasons. "Pune was primarily developed as a base for the Sukhois and a lot of investment has gone into this," said another Air Force officer.

On Saturday afternoon a batch of four Sukhoi 30 MKIs arrived, flying side-by-side, then peeling off one by one, signalling their arrival after a successful mission at Exercise Red Flag at Nellis US Air Force base in Nevada.

The team comprised eight Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, two IL-78 mid-air refuellers, one IL-76 heavy-lift aircraft and about 250 air warriors (90 among them were officers). They pitted their skills against American F-15s and F-16s, as well as French Rafale fighters and South Korean F-15K jets.

Air Marshal K.D. Singh welcomed the IAF's top-gun pilots as Sukhois returned to Pune from Abu Dhabi &#8212; their last stopover &#8212; while the other aircraft went back to their respective units. Also present was NDA Commandant Air Marshal T.S. Randhawa, who is the Commodore Commandant of the no 20 squadron (Lightnings).

An elated group leader Wing Commander George Thomas said, "It was a great training opportunity for IAF to integrate our assets in an adverse environment thousands of miles away along with a country (USA) which is technologically quite advanced."

"Each mission was done to perfection. The main thrust of the exercise was on training. The threat environment was tailored to what your needs are &#8212; air, ground, space and water," he said.

It was a triumphant return for the Indian Air Force (IAF) team, which impressed the mighty US in this two-week exercise, indicating that more such wargames could be in the offing on a regular basis. It was one of the rare occasions in the 33-year-old history of the Red Flag that an invitation was extended to a non-NATO nation and the first time the IAF participated.

Air Marshal Singh said: "We would like to have more such exercises. But it's a decision taken at the government level."

Giving details about the exercise, Wg Cmdr Thomas said, "During this phase, a present-day air campaign was replicated, in which opposition forces or the 'Aggressors' F-16 and F-15s, were threats to the Blue Land (IAF) and its forces.

"The tasks are carried out by 'Strike Packages' comprising Su30s flying along with the US Air Force, French Air Force and Korean Air Force.

"The main challenge during the exercise for the team IAF was to adapt to the USAF network and also carry out 'Stand Alone' tasks simultaneously. Our young IAF pilots (average age: late 20s) have done this with amazing dexterity," he said.

The exercise was preceded by two weeks of work-up training at the Mountain Home Air Force Base of the US. The IAF flew over 200 sorties with the USAF.

On its return, the contingent also made a week-long stopover at Al Dafra, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and participated in an air exerice with Mirage 200-9 and F-16 aircraft of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence.

 

[nitesh]

outlookindia.com | wired

India to have a 'Red Flag' war game of its own soon

NEW DELHI, SEP 18 (PTI)

India will soon have an advanced air war game in a multi-national setting on the lines of the US' Red Flag exercise in which the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated this August for the first time.

"Yes, we are working towards having a multi-national air force gaming, which will be quite advanced, providing the best of air battle scenarios," IAF's vice chief Air Marshal P V Naik told reporters here today.

The proposed war game would be held on Indian soil and would have a distinct Indian name, he said, replying to queries on the sidelines of an IAF team's debriefing on the Red Flag exercise here.

The team comprising 91 officers and 156 personnel below officer rank had returned home from the US late last week and are in the process of compiling their experiences at the Red Flag exercise for future reference.

Naik said India went on to participate in the exercise on the invitation from the US Air Force and it was a rarity that a non-NATO country's air force was participating in the exercise that followed NATO standard operating procedures.

However, the Indian contingent "seamlessly integrating" into the US Air Force' operating procedures impressed the Red Flag staff members.

Though the IAF's ability to adapt to new operating environment quickly was at full display at Red Flag, Naik said India's participation at the world's only exercise with near warlike, large force engagement scenarios would be done once in five years.

"The Red Flag happens every quarter in a year, but IAF participating in it was an expensive affair. The Red Flag being a complex exercise, extensive preparation too is needed, which actually unsettles the regular training rhythm of IAF pilots," Naik said.

"The process of IAF participation in the Red Flag this August started in February 2007 with the USAF Chief General T Micheal Moseley extending an invitation for participation in the coveted exercise," the IAF vice chief added.

The IAF had joined the US, French and South Korean air forces for Red Flag held at the Nellis USAF Base in Nevada State.

Of all the air forces that participated in the exercise, the IAF had the distinction of being the only air force to have about 95 per cent serviceability of all its platforms, be it the eight Su-30 multi role, air superiority, strike fighters, two IL-78 air-to-air refuellers or the lone IL-76 heavy lift transport aircraft.

Red Flag also provided opportunity to the IAF to test its capability to deploy a trans-continental task force of fighters, refuellers and transport aircraft, Group Captain D Chaudhary, IAF's Gwalior-based Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) Commandant and the team leader for the exercise.

"Yes, IAF does possess the capability for deploying troops and force projection in battle grounds far away from India's mainland if necessary," Naik said to a question.

The IAF pilots also gained experience on the USAF's F-16s when the two sides did some half-a-dozen exchange flying with their pilots trying out the Su-30 MKI aircraft.

"Of course, the exchange flying sorties were done in non-sensors mode and it was done at USAF base Mountain Home in Idaho State during the work up phase just before the actual Red Flag exercises," Wing Commander G Thomas, commanding officer of the Pune-based 20 Squadron, said.

While the French brought their latest Rafale aircraft, the South Koreans brought their F-15s and the US both their F-15s F-16s to the Red Flag.

Incidentally, F-16 of Lockheed Martin, a US aerospace major, and French Rafale are contenders for IAF's requirement of 126 multi-role combat aircraft.

On their return journey, the IAF team also stopped at Al Dhafra near to Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates to participate in the 'Desert Eagle' exercise with the UAE air force.

The Su-30s exercised with the UAE's Mirage-2000s and F-16s during Desert Eagle, the first time India and UAE air forces were exercising together.

"The invitation for Dese rt Eagle had come while the IAF team to Red Flag was on its way to the US. So during the return journey, the IAF team was exposed to the UAE air force's exercise too," Naik said.

 

[nitesh]

Sukhois on way to US denied overflight by Iran

19 Sep 2008, 0000 hrs IST, Rajat Pandit ,TNN

India&#8217;s top-notch Sukhoi-30MKIs were inadvertently caught in the middle of the bitter US-Iran feud when Tehran refused permission to the fighter jets to fly over its territory on way to the US in July to take part in Red Flag air combat exercise.

This has come to light now after the IAF contingent of eight Sukhois, two IL-78 mid-air refuellers and an IL-76 heavy-lift aircraft, along with 91 officers and 156 airmen, returned to India last week after the gruelling world-famous wargames at the Nellis US Air Force base in Nevada.

Sources said IAF&#8217;s &#8216;&#8216;initial routing plan through Iran&#8217;&#8217; went completely haywire after Tehran refused permission to its aircraft to overfly its territory just a few days before they were scheduled to take off from Pune and other airbases on July 7. &#8216;&#8216;Iran made it very clear that if you are flying to the US, you cannot fly over our country. This sent the IAF team scrambling to chart out an alternate route and arrange more visas for the entire team,&#8217;&#8217; said a source.

The &#8216;&#8216;new routing&#8217;&#8217; saw the IAF contingent taking &#8216;&#8216;an awkward, circuitous path&#8217;&#8217;, with the Sukhois and other aircraft first heading for Qatar (Doha) and then flying over Egypt before finally heading north to Turkey (Corlu).
After a stopover at Corlu on July 11, they crossed the Mediterranean to land at the French airbase Mont De Marsan before finally reaching the US mainland on July 17 after hopping through Lajes (Portugal) in a mind-boggling 19,212-km journey, interspersed by mid-air refuelling over the high seas.

India, of course, is caught right in the middle of the ongoing bitter spat between Iran and the US, with the latter accusing the former of trying to covertly make atomic bombs under the cover of its civilian nuclear programme.

Both US and Israel have not ruled out the possibility of pre-emptive military strikes to destroy Iran&#8217;s nuclear facilities. In fact, the Israeli Air Force had even held an exercise over the Mediterranean in June, which was widely believed to be the simulation of a strike against Iranian nuclear installations.

This could have spooked Iran into denying permission to the Indian fighters, wary as it is of the ever-growing strategic embrace between India and the US, which has seen the two hold as many as 50 joint combat exercises in the last seven years to build &#8216;&#8216;interoperability&#8217;&#8217;.

India&#8217;s long-standing ties with Iran, in fact, took a big hit when New Delhi voted against Tehran in the IAEA board of governors&#8217; meetings in September 2005 and March 2006.

But while India remains opposed to the further spread of nuclear weapons, it wants the Iranian nuclear issue to be resolved through peaceful diplomacy, holding that the IAEA framework provides the best forum to address technical aspects of the issue.

Since then, India has tried to mend fences with Iran, even hosting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on a brief visit in April after strongly rebuffing a call by the US to ask Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment programme.

So, in addition to the realistic war scenario and network-centric environment at the Red Flag wargames, the IAF contingent - which followed almost the same route on its way back - also got a dose of geopolitics in the bargain.

Sukhois on way to US denied overflight by Iran-India-The Times of India