Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[Windjammer]

IAF trainer crashes near Tambaram, pilots safe

A trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed this morning near Urapakkam on the outskirts of the city this morning. The two pilots ejected to safety and have been taken to a nearby hospital.

The aircraft, a Kiran MK II from the IAF station at Tambaram was returning to base after a routine flight when in developed a technical snag. It then plunged into the Ayyanchery lake. The pilots were rescued from roof of a house in the adjoining VPK Nagar.

The Hindu : Cities / Chennai : IAF trainer crashes near Tambaram, pilots safe

 

[Archie]

HAL need to step up the Production of Sitara
Though they claim that they will Deliver first Batch of 12 aircrafts in 2013 out of the total order for 76 aircrafts
But i dont think Indian airforce can wait
coz already there are Plans to retire 55 of the 135 Kirans once Sitara starts entering service and any delay will mean a shortage of Intermediate Jet Trainers

 

[sudhir007]

C-17s for India

Contract for 10 C-17s; Initial engine contract; Initial maintenance contract; Program cost. (Feb 2/12)

In November 2009, reports surfaced that India was negotiating to buy 10 C-17A Globemaster III heavy transports for its air force. A Defense News article added that:

“The C-17’s advantages include its easier handling (compared with the IL-76) and ability to operate from short and rough airstrips, added the sources…. The Indian military needs to do three things: augment its ability to quickly lift larger numbers of troops as it views possible threats on its border with China; strengthen its presence on the Pakistani border; and fight terrorism and low-intensity warfare, said a senior Defence Ministry official. India needs to triple its lift capacity, said the official.”

New jets with 77.5 tonnes of lift capacity, instead of the IL-76’s 50 tonnes, will help India get there. The government was serious enough to file a formal DSCA request in April 2010, worth up to $5.8 billion. Now, that has taken the next steps, and become the largest-ever foreign sale of C-17s – with the potential to grow further…
Contracts and Key Events

Feb 2/12: Contract. Boeing in Long Beach, CA receives a $1.78 billion firm-fixed-price contract for 10 C-17s, as a Foreign Military Sales requirement for the Indian Air Force. Work will be performed in Long Beach, CA, and is expected to be complete by July 28/14. The ASC/WLMK at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH acts as India’s FMS agent (FA8614-06-D-2006, DO 0009).

The wide difference between Antony’s Dec 12/11 statement and this contract is a good reminder that the purchase contract doesn’t cover everything. As one example, India can expect to pay another $380 million or so for the 40 F117 engines that will equip these planes. They will be installed under this contract, but are not bought under it. Other “Government Furnished Equipment” from both India and the USA also factors into the total program cost, as do initial support contracts in many cases. Based on USAF total costs, Antony’s $4+ billion figure also includes support contracts – a Sept 27/11 C-17 support contract totaled up to $469 million, for an undisclosed period.

 

[Jason bourne]

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[Shaurya]

IAF to induct latest Russian military choppers Mi-17V5 on February 17

NEW DELHI: In 10 days from now, India will formally induct the latest Russian military helicopters, Mi-17V5, into its service when Defence Minister AK Antony hands over the keys to the Indian Air Force.

India bought 80 of these choppers from Russia in 2008 for $1.34 billion, and the first lot of 21 of these helicopters has been delivered to the IAF since October last year. Six more of these choppers will join the fleet by end of March.

The IAF will use these helicopters for troops movement, special forces heli-borne operations, supplies, search and rescue, and casualty evacuation. "The formal induction of the Mi-17V5 will take place at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad near here on Feb 17," an IAF officer told IANS here Monday.

Once all the 80 helicopters are delivered by 2014, India may place an order for 59 more of these choppers at a cost of $1 billion.

Even as the defence ministry inducts these advanced military transport helicopters, the the home ministry too has decided to buy six of these for logistics in Maoist-affected districts of the country. The IAF plans to base the first lot of these choppers at its Bhatinda base in Punjab and in Srinagar base in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Mi-17V5 is designed for cargo lift weighing about five tonnes, but can also carry 36 troopers. The helicopter has advanced multi-function cockpit display and upgraded engines.

The two engines of Mi-17V5 generate 2,200 horse power, about 300 hp more than the Mi-17IV variant. The upgraded engines can be started without much hassle by pilots at high altitude areas of over 6,000 metres or 21,000 feet.

IAF to induct latest Russian military choppers Mi-17V5 on February 17 - The Economic Times

 

[hendersonmyrose]

Good news, we should buy more, its the need of hour.

 

[Hobo1]

Will IAF be showcasing their SU30 MKI at the Singapore Airshow.

 

[White Lightning]

India began a large-scale upgrade Sino-Indian border against the Chinese Air Force Base



Times of India reported that India will launch a massive nationwide program to upgrade Air Force base in the first stage in the 42 months to upgrade 51 air bases in 30, the second phase of the remaining Air Force Base, Navy, Army, Coast Guard to upgrade the airport, which focuses on the northeast border of China’s regional base.

 

[Shaurya]

India began a large-scale upgrade Sino-Indian border against the Chinese Air Force Base



Times of India reported that India will launch a massive nationwide program to upgrade Air Force base in the first stage in the 42 months to upgrade 51 air bases in 30, the second phase of the remaining Air Force Base, Navy, Army, Coast Guard to upgrade the airport, which focuses on the northeast border of China’s regional base.

TOI let paperwallas woke up quite late, this has been announced earlier...

 

[RPK]

IAF-Afghan 'ties' : North News - India Today

An Afghanistan air force team is in India, not for a war exercise but for a duel on the cricket field. Much like Afghanistan's national cricket team, its air force is trying to find its feet. It can learn a few tricks in both the fields from the more experienced Indian air warriors. The visitors from Kabul, it seems, have a special connect with the IAF. A girls' team from Afghanistan had earlier taken part in the IAF-sponsored Subroto Cup.

 

[Abingdonboy]

KOLKATA: In keeping with the government's policy to upgrade military infrastructure in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country, the newly acquired multi-purpose Mi-5 V5 helicopters have been stationed at the IAF's base at Bagdogra in north Bengal. These helicopters were inducted into the IAF last week in Delhi.

The first batch of helicopters was received and inducted into the Eastern Air Command at Bagdogra by Air Vice Marshal KS Gill, Senior Officer Administration, EAC.

These helicopters are an upgraded version of the Mi-17 choppers already in use by the Indian Air Force. They have highly automated avionics, multi-functional displays, sophisticated navigation systems and a range of weapons that can be used during combat mode. Their powerful engines will enable the armed forces to react quickly in high altitudes.

"The new helicopters have special night vision capabilities that enable them to carry out low-altitude operations even when it is pitch dark. The weather radar on board gives it all-weather capability. For several years now, the Special Forces have been practicing night operations in difficult terrain the the North East. These helicopters will be ideal for such operations, even if they are carried out in high altitude terrain," an official said.

Bagdogra is one of the most crucial air bases in the eastern part of the country due to its strategic location. It is located close to the narrow 'chicken neck' region that connects the North East to the rest of the country. The role of the air base will be crucial in the case of an attempt to cut off the North East from the remaining part of the country.

Apart from defensive purposes, the air base has an important role to play during disasters - natural or otherwise. After the earthquake in Sikkim, all air operations were conducted from Bagdogra. Mi-17 choppers had to be brought in from Assam then as Bagdogra only had the smaller Chetaks and Cheetahs.

New choppers for Bagdogra base - The Times of India

 

[RPK]

Chindits: IAF Conducts Ex ‘Pralay’ In Northeast

IAF Conducts Ex ‘Pralay’ In Northeast
The IAF’s Eastern Air Command commenced Exercise codenamed “Pralay’ on 29th February 2012 in the Brahmaputra and rest of the Eastern region of India. The exercise involves joint Army Air operations by the IAF’s Eastern Air Command and Eastern Command of the Indian Army.

This is an annual exercise aimed at testing the combat potential of the Air Force in various roles such as Air Defence, Ground Support operations, Counter Air Operations, Electronic Warfare, Joint Operations with the Army including special operations by day and night. SU-30, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, Bison, Mi-17, AN-32, C-130J, AWACS, Flight Refuelling aircraft as well as remotely piloted aircraft from the Army are taking part in the exercise.

It also includes conduct of Special Forces operations and night operations in conjunction with ground forces during the exercise. The entire spectrum of Air Operations by aircraft under dense air defence environment is being practiced both by day and night. The exercise also includes facets of network centric operations, electronic warfare as well as information warfare.

Apart from war fighting in the skies various ground contingencies related to Air Force Operations are being tested. Lessons learnt from this exercise would be incorporated in future operational strategies. Eastern Army Command is actively taking part to train the forces in joint operations.

 

[Paan Singh]

Sukhoi gets special shelters at Lohegaon

‘All-weather maintenance structures will provide protection to the aircraft’

The coming summer might be relatively cooler for Sukhoi aircraft fleet at city's Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Lohegaon. The station, a home to two squadrons of the country's frontline fighter, has installed All-Weather Maintenance Shelters for the aircraft parked at the station which will protect them from harmful ultraviolet rays of direct sun. So far, the aircraft would be covered by canvas while parked on the tarmac.

Speaking to The Indian Express, an IAF officer said, "Maintenance shelters have been installed at IAF Lohegaon station and have been in place now for about a month or so. The metal-fibre structures are capable of accommodating one aircraft each." Two squadrons of Sukhoi-30 MKI, fighter No. 30 squadron - Rhinos and No. 20 squadron - Lightenings, are stationed at the IAF Lohegaon Station. Third squadron, No. 31 squadron - Lions, was relocated to Jodhpur in September. Maintenance shelters have also been erected at other IAF bases where Sukhois are stationed. The light weight structures are such that even if they fall, the aircraft systems are not damaged.

Sections of the media had reported that the IAF decided to put the maintenance shelters in the aftermath of the Sukhoi-30 MKI crash near Pune. Media reports had also suggested that the crash was a result of exposing the air dominance fighter to harmful ultraviolet rays which resulted in damaging the aircraft's critical systems but the officials rubbished the reports saying the process was initiated about a year ago. A quick search revealed that the IAF had started the process for shelters in December 2010, a year prior to the Pune crash.

"One cannot put two plus two in such cases. If UV rays are to be given a thought, then they are more direct when the aircraft is flying at higher attitudes. The plan has been under consideration for quite some time. In fact, we had made such shelters a part of the original project when we were drafting the contract for Hawk aircraft," said an IAF officer.

Commenting on the development, Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale, former vice-chief of air staff said, "Today, technological advancements are such that paints, coatings on the aircraft protect the machine to a great extent as against earlier ones. However, in the longer run, this is certainly a step in the right direction given that the structures provide protection to the aircraft from all types of environment besides human comfort and avoiding direct heating of sensors due to direct sunlight."

 

[ptltejas]

MiG-29K

 

[White Lightning]

Mil Mi-17V5 Helicopter to be Inducted into the Indian Air Force on 17 February 2012



Mi-17 V5 helicopter would be inducted into the IAF on 17 February 2012. This helicopter falls in the category of armed helicopter, with substantial and effective firepower with the latest and more powerful engines that will greatly enhance its payload carriage capability at higher altitudes.