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India Stresses Missile Development
Feb 9, 2009 Aviation Week
By Neelam Mathews
India has become a major consumer, producer and developer of advanced technology. With indigenous defense programs coming to fruition, partnerships with key global contractors, a clever use of offsets (DTI October 2007, p. 22) and billions of dollars slated for procurement, India and its leading scientific agency, the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO), are becoming world-class players in the development and application of advanced technology.
India has been upgrading its military capabilities in recent years, driven by its growing economy and challenges ranging from border conflicts with Pakistan and China to terrorism. One area in particular, aerospace, is returning major dividends to air, ground and naval forces as measured by advances in force projection, striking power and deterrence.
The DRDO will spend $10 billion over the next seven years on strategic and tactical missiles, including the Astra air-to-air missile, BrahMos supersonic cruise missile (DTI December 2007, p. 17), Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM), Nag antitank guided missile and the Shourya surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
Missile research got a boost when the Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL)—part of DRDO—developed the Akash in the 1990s and added technology upgrades last year that increased its range. The Indian Air Force (IAF) placed an order with government-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) and its partners for two squadrons of Akash SAMs, which have a range of 30 km. (18 mi.). The delivery timeline is 36 months.
“The order will be cleared by 2011,” says Prahlada, chief controller of the DRDO, who uses one name. “This is the first time [an indigenous] SAM for air defense has been ordered. This has also convinced the army to look at Akash.” (An interview with Prahlada appeared in DTI January/February 2006, p. 40.)
Shourya surface-to-surface missile is designed to provide India with a second-strike capability.Credit: AP/WIDE WORLD FILE PHOTO
A long-range SAM (70 km.) is in the pipeline through a joint development program with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) that started last year. The program involves DRDO labs in Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad. IAI will contribute most of the technology.
Having successfully test-fired the Agni-3 surface-to-surface missile (range 3,000 km.), DRDO is looking at the Agni-5, which has derivative technology for larger payloads and longer range. The Agni-5 will be a solid-fuel ballistic missile with multiple warheads. Two of its three stages will be made of composites. Its range will be over 5,000 km. The first flight-test version is expected by 2010.
The missile is being developed for deterrence, not as an offensive weapon, says V.K. Saraswat, who oversees research and development on missiles and strategic systems at DRDO. “The Agni-3 and Agni-5 will have countermeasures, reentry maneuver capabilities and stealth.”
Sixty percent of Agni-5 subsystems will be similar to those in the Agni-3. The rest of the missile will have advanced technologies such as a locally developed ring-laser gyroscope and accelerometer for navigation and guidance.
The recent test-firing of the new Shourya ballistic missile was another success for DRDO. Shourya, developed for use by the army, is designed to provide a credible second-strike capability. Its range is reportedly 600 km. DRDO has not said if it can carry nuclear warheads, but the missile reportedly has high maneuverability and an anti-missile intercept capability.
DRDO has completed two unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs, Lakshya and Nishant. It is developing Rustom, a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV that can fly at 9,000 meters (30,000 ft.) for 24 hr., and cover 350 km. (220 mi.) at 225 kph. (140 mph.). Payloads will include electro-optic sensors, synthetic aperture and maritime patrol radar, and electronic and communication intelligence. Rustom will fly in the next two years, Prahlada says.
Meanwhile, the long-delayed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) will be phased into service in 2012, says Defense Minister A.K. Antony. The first two squadrons will be equipped with the GE F404 engine, which many experts claim is too small for LCA. Plans are to eventually replace the engine (see interview with IAF chief Fali Homi Major, p. 54).
Working prototype of the Zhuk-AE antenna will be on display in a MiG-35 at Aero India.Credit: MIG
India is a major market for Russian arms, so manufacturers are lining up to exhibit at Aero India in Bangalore. Visitors to the show (Feb. 11-15) will have a chance to see the MiG-35 prototype that made its debut there two years ago. This time the aircraft will have a working Zhuk-AE advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, not a mock-up.
The MiG-35 is competing in the IAF tender for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). The order, estimated at around $10 billion, could give a significant boost to MiG Corp. The company, recovering from Algeria’s cancellation of MiG-29SMT deliveries, recently received 15 billion rubles (about $456 million) in subsidies from the government, and installed a new CEO, Mikhail Pogosyan, from rival Sukhoi.
Despite the fact that the MiG-35 inherited the airframe of the MiG-29, designers say it will be a new aircraft with 50% greater range and doubled weapons load. The all-dimensional thrust-vector control, demonstrated on a MiG-29OVT prototype, is an option. But the main innovation will be the AESA radar developed by Phazotron-NIIR of Moscow. The Zhuk-AE was developed for the MiG-35. Unlike other Zhuks with slot-array antennas, the AE is a multifunction X-band radar with an active phased-array antenna. It tracks and engages air and ground targets, making the MiG-35 a multirole aircraft.
The radar to be shown in Bangalore has a smaller antenna array than planned for a serial product—600 mm. in diameter and only 680 transmit-receive modules instead of 1,064. More space in the nose is needed to accommodate the larger antenna array. Phazotron will decrease the size of the radar amplifier and other equipment, while MiG reduces the size of subsystems in the nose.
With the current small antenna array, the Zhuk-AE detects enemy fighters at 130-140 km. Increasing diameter and the number of modules boosts detection to 250-280 km.
The final version will be installed in two MiG-35s that are going to India for tests in March 2010. But Indian pilots may test the radar earlier—at Aero India they will have a chance to make a demo flight in the MiG-35 with the Zhuk-AE prototype.
Rafael is supplying the Spyder-SR missile system.Credit: RAFAEL ADVANCED DEFENSE SYSTEMS
In an attempt to win the MMRCA tender, Russian manufacturers are ready to transfer all MiG-35 technologies, including the Zhuk-AE radar, for licensed production in India. According to the tender requirements, the winner will deliver only four assembled aircraft. The others are to be manufactured locally.
India and Israel have also launched high-profile programs. Israel is, in fact, India’s second-largest arms supplier.
Two programs are underway between IAI and India: building the Airborne Early Warning (AEW) platform for the Il-76 (started in 2004), and development of the medium-range SAM system (MRSAM) for the IAF, which began in January. The first phase of the $1.2-billion AEW program covers production of three aircraft (the first is due to be delivered in March 2009). India is considering three more worth about $1.1 billion, or opting for the more compact and efficient Conformal AEW configuration similar to the one used by Israel (DTI September 2008, p. 22) and Singapore.
The $1.4-billion MRSAM program is a derivative of the $480-million naval long-range air-defense system (Barak 8) launched in 2006. Both will provide low-, medium- and high-altitude defense at ranges exceeding 70 km. Unlike command-to-line-of-sight missiles, the new system will engage multiple targets—up to 200—simultaneously.
IAI’s Missile & Space Div. is the prime, and will award about $350 million in subcontracting work to India.
Another contract was for Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Spyder-SR (short-range) air-defense system. The $260-million program could lead to as many as four battalions of short- and medium-range missiles.
Spyder uses standard air-to-air missiles (Rafael’s Python 5 and Derby) fired from mobile ground launchers. Fielding the missiles in India opens opportunities for introduction of Rafael’s air-to-air weaponry to the navy and air force. Derby missiles are already used on Indian Sea Harriers, while upgrades could be in the offing for Jaguar and Mirage 2000 fighters. Rafael’s missiles are part of the weapon packages proposed by competitors in the MMRCA program.
With David Eshel in Tel Aviv and Maxim Pyadushkin in Moscow.
Feb 9, 2009 Aviation Week
By Neelam Mathews
India has become a major consumer, producer and developer of advanced technology. With indigenous defense programs coming to fruition, partnerships with key global contractors, a clever use of offsets (DTI October 2007, p. 22) and billions of dollars slated for procurement, India and its leading scientific agency, the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO), are becoming world-class players in the development and application of advanced technology.
India has been upgrading its military capabilities in recent years, driven by its growing economy and challenges ranging from border conflicts with Pakistan and China to terrorism. One area in particular, aerospace, is returning major dividends to air, ground and naval forces as measured by advances in force projection, striking power and deterrence.
The DRDO will spend $10 billion over the next seven years on strategic and tactical missiles, including the Astra air-to-air missile, BrahMos supersonic cruise missile (DTI December 2007, p. 17), Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM), Nag antitank guided missile and the Shourya surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
Missile research got a boost when the Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL)—part of DRDO—developed the Akash in the 1990s and added technology upgrades last year that increased its range. The Indian Air Force (IAF) placed an order with government-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) and its partners for two squadrons of Akash SAMs, which have a range of 30 km. (18 mi.). The delivery timeline is 36 months.
“The order will be cleared by 2011,” says Prahlada, chief controller of the DRDO, who uses one name. “This is the first time [an indigenous] SAM for air defense has been ordered. This has also convinced the army to look at Akash.” (An interview with Prahlada appeared in DTI January/February 2006, p. 40.)
Shourya surface-to-surface missile is designed to provide India with a second-strike capability.Credit: AP/WIDE WORLD FILE PHOTO
A long-range SAM (70 km.) is in the pipeline through a joint development program with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) that started last year. The program involves DRDO labs in Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad. IAI will contribute most of the technology.
Having successfully test-fired the Agni-3 surface-to-surface missile (range 3,000 km.), DRDO is looking at the Agni-5, which has derivative technology for larger payloads and longer range. The Agni-5 will be a solid-fuel ballistic missile with multiple warheads. Two of its three stages will be made of composites. Its range will be over 5,000 km. The first flight-test version is expected by 2010.
The missile is being developed for deterrence, not as an offensive weapon, says V.K. Saraswat, who oversees research and development on missiles and strategic systems at DRDO. “The Agni-3 and Agni-5 will have countermeasures, reentry maneuver capabilities and stealth.”
Sixty percent of Agni-5 subsystems will be similar to those in the Agni-3. The rest of the missile will have advanced technologies such as a locally developed ring-laser gyroscope and accelerometer for navigation and guidance.
The recent test-firing of the new Shourya ballistic missile was another success for DRDO. Shourya, developed for use by the army, is designed to provide a credible second-strike capability. Its range is reportedly 600 km. DRDO has not said if it can carry nuclear warheads, but the missile reportedly has high maneuverability and an anti-missile intercept capability.
DRDO has completed two unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs, Lakshya and Nishant. It is developing Rustom, a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV that can fly at 9,000 meters (30,000 ft.) for 24 hr., and cover 350 km. (220 mi.) at 225 kph. (140 mph.). Payloads will include electro-optic sensors, synthetic aperture and maritime patrol radar, and electronic and communication intelligence. Rustom will fly in the next two years, Prahlada says.
Meanwhile, the long-delayed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) will be phased into service in 2012, says Defense Minister A.K. Antony. The first two squadrons will be equipped with the GE F404 engine, which many experts claim is too small for LCA. Plans are to eventually replace the engine (see interview with IAF chief Fali Homi Major, p. 54).
Working prototype of the Zhuk-AE antenna will be on display in a MiG-35 at Aero India.Credit: MIG
India is a major market for Russian arms, so manufacturers are lining up to exhibit at Aero India in Bangalore. Visitors to the show (Feb. 11-15) will have a chance to see the MiG-35 prototype that made its debut there two years ago. This time the aircraft will have a working Zhuk-AE advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, not a mock-up.
The MiG-35 is competing in the IAF tender for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). The order, estimated at around $10 billion, could give a significant boost to MiG Corp. The company, recovering from Algeria’s cancellation of MiG-29SMT deliveries, recently received 15 billion rubles (about $456 million) in subsidies from the government, and installed a new CEO, Mikhail Pogosyan, from rival Sukhoi.
Despite the fact that the MiG-35 inherited the airframe of the MiG-29, designers say it will be a new aircraft with 50% greater range and doubled weapons load. The all-dimensional thrust-vector control, demonstrated on a MiG-29OVT prototype, is an option. But the main innovation will be the AESA radar developed by Phazotron-NIIR of Moscow. The Zhuk-AE was developed for the MiG-35. Unlike other Zhuks with slot-array antennas, the AE is a multifunction X-band radar with an active phased-array antenna. It tracks and engages air and ground targets, making the MiG-35 a multirole aircraft.
The radar to be shown in Bangalore has a smaller antenna array than planned for a serial product—600 mm. in diameter and only 680 transmit-receive modules instead of 1,064. More space in the nose is needed to accommodate the larger antenna array. Phazotron will decrease the size of the radar amplifier and other equipment, while MiG reduces the size of subsystems in the nose.
With the current small antenna array, the Zhuk-AE detects enemy fighters at 130-140 km. Increasing diameter and the number of modules boosts detection to 250-280 km.
The final version will be installed in two MiG-35s that are going to India for tests in March 2010. But Indian pilots may test the radar earlier—at Aero India they will have a chance to make a demo flight in the MiG-35 with the Zhuk-AE prototype.
Rafael is supplying the Spyder-SR missile system.Credit: RAFAEL ADVANCED DEFENSE SYSTEMS
In an attempt to win the MMRCA tender, Russian manufacturers are ready to transfer all MiG-35 technologies, including the Zhuk-AE radar, for licensed production in India. According to the tender requirements, the winner will deliver only four assembled aircraft. The others are to be manufactured locally.
India and Israel have also launched high-profile programs. Israel is, in fact, India’s second-largest arms supplier.
Two programs are underway between IAI and India: building the Airborne Early Warning (AEW) platform for the Il-76 (started in 2004), and development of the medium-range SAM system (MRSAM) for the IAF, which began in January. The first phase of the $1.2-billion AEW program covers production of three aircraft (the first is due to be delivered in March 2009). India is considering three more worth about $1.1 billion, or opting for the more compact and efficient Conformal AEW configuration similar to the one used by Israel (DTI September 2008, p. 22) and Singapore.
The $1.4-billion MRSAM program is a derivative of the $480-million naval long-range air-defense system (Barak 8) launched in 2006. Both will provide low-, medium- and high-altitude defense at ranges exceeding 70 km. Unlike command-to-line-of-sight missiles, the new system will engage multiple targets—up to 200—simultaneously.
IAI’s Missile & Space Div. is the prime, and will award about $350 million in subcontracting work to India.
Another contract was for Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Spyder-SR (short-range) air-defense system. The $260-million program could lead to as many as four battalions of short- and medium-range missiles.
Spyder uses standard air-to-air missiles (Rafael’s Python 5 and Derby) fired from mobile ground launchers. Fielding the missiles in India opens opportunities for introduction of Rafael’s air-to-air weaponry to the navy and air force. Derby missiles are already used on Indian Sea Harriers, while upgrades could be in the offing for Jaguar and Mirage 2000 fighters. Rafael’s missiles are part of the weapon packages proposed by competitors in the MMRCA program.
With David Eshel in Tel Aviv and Maxim Pyadushkin in Moscow.
