Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[Windjammer]

NEW DELHI: In the last three years, the Indian Air Force has lost 29 fighter planes including 12 MiG-21s in crashes in which six pilots lost their lives, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.

The aircraft lost in the crashes were 12 MiG-21s, 8 MiG-27s, 4 Su-30MKis, 2 Jaguars, 2 Mirage-2000s and 1 MiG-29, defence minister AK Antony said in reply to a written question.

"In these accidents, a total of six pilots and six civilians have lost their lives. Apart from loss of lives, 39 civilian properties were damaged. Compensation paid for the loss of lives of pilots and for civilians who were are killed or injured was Rs 60 lakh and Rs 40.4 lakh respectively," he said.

Answering another query, the minister said the IAF was short of 515 pilots but the available strength was sufficient to meet its operational requirements.

"The strength of pilots as on 1st March, 2013 is 3410 against the sanctioned strength of 3925. Based on the planned induction of new aircraft and weapon systems in the 12th Plan, about 440 pilots are required to be inducted into the IAF per annum," Antony said.

Answering another query, the minister said 12,634 acres of defence land is under encroachment and the CBI has registered cases against retired Army officers for criminal conspiracy in dealings related to defence land in Pune and Mumbai.

To a query on the DRDO, he said a total of 443 scientists have resigned form the premier defence research agency during the last five years.

IAF lost 29 fighter planes in past 3 years, AK Antony says - The Times of India

 

[Dash]

Giant C-17 aircraft to add strategic muscle from June

NEW DELHI: From June onwards, India will finally begin to add some real strategic airlift muscle. IAF's capability to swiftly transport combat troops and war-fighting equipment to distant battlefronts will be hugely bolstered with the induction of the gigantic C-17 Globemaster-III aircraft.

Under the largest defence deal inked with the US till now, the 10 C-17 aircraft contracted for $4.1 billion in mid-2011 will begin to touch down in India in June. All 10 will be placed at the Hindon airbase, on the outskirts of New Delhi, by June 2015. "IAF pilots and technicians are being trained in batches in the US to operate the aircraft, even as the infrastructure comes up in Hindon," said an official.

Defence minister A K Antony on Monday told Lok Sabha that the C-17s were "capable of conveying combat units and their equipment" with a load of 70 tonnes to a distance of 4,200 km "in a single hop". With a 40-tonne load, the range can be extended to 9,000 km.

"This coupled with a short turnaround time and modern avionics allows the C-17s to be deployed rapidly to any place within our areas of interest. The procurement of C-17 aircraft will enhance the strategic airlift capability of IAF," Antony added.

The use of "our areas of interest" is significant since, as per the defence establishment, India's "primary areas of geo-strategic interest" stretches from Persian Gulf right across to Malacca Strait. India is likely to go in for another six C-17s after the first 10 as a follow-on contract, much like it is now ordering another six C-130J 'Super Hercules' tactical airlift aircraft after inducting the first six from US in a $1.2 billion contract.

While the first six C-130Js in the 77 'Veiled Vipers' Squadron are based at Hindon, like the C-17s will be, the next six will be located at Panagarh in West Bengal to take care of the eastern sector with China. The new mountain strike corps to be raised by the Army, at cost of Rs 81,000 crore over the 12th (2012-2017) and 13th plans (2017-2022), will also be headquartered in Panagarh.

Both the rugged C-17s and C-10Js can land even at small forward airbases on semi-prepared runways, which will be crucial for India to counter China's massive build-up of military infrastructure all along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control, which includes an extensive rail and road network as well as five fully-operational new airbases in Tibet.

The four-engine C-17s, for instance, are capable of transporting tanks and troops after taking off from a mere 7,000 feet airstrip. At present, IAF has just a dozen Russian-origin IL-76 'Gajraj' aircraft, with its medium-lift fleet comprising 103 Russian AN-32 aircraft and the six C-130Js. The C-17s and the C-130Js will come into play with India progressively upgrading "advanced landing grounds" along the border with China, especially in eastern Ladakh.

Giant C-17 aircraft to add strategic muscle from June - The Times of India

 

[fatman17]

IAF has lost 29 fighters since 2010, says Antony

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has lost 29 combat aircraft and six pilots in accidents since 2010, Defence Minister A K Antony told parliament on 11 March. He said the accidents involved 12 Mikoyan MiG-21s, eight MiG-27s, four Sukhoi Su-30MKIs, two SEPECAT Jaguars, two Dassault Mirage 2000Hs, and one
Defence Weekly
14 Mar 2013

 

[air marshal]

Russia to deliver first 10 Su-30MKI fighter jet engines to India

Russia's Ufa-based engine-maker will deliver the first 10 of 920 AL-31FP engines for the Su-30MKI Flanker-H to India before the end of March, the manufacturer said.

The contract with India , the largest one with a foreign client in post-Soviet history, was signed in October 2012, and engine deliveries are to be completed by 2022.

Under a 2000 general contract for licensed manufacturing of 140 Su-30MKI air superiority fighters and AL-31FP engines, India had an option of buying an additional number of aircraft engines.

In 2007, the Indian Air Force ordered an additional 40 MKIs. As of January 2013, the IAF had 157 Su-30MKIs in service and it plans to have a fleet of 272.

The Ufa engine manufacturing association is Russia's largest aircraft engine producer.

It produces aircraft engines for Su and MiG family fighters and spare parts, as well as engines for automobiles, gas pumps and turbines, and provides maintenance and support services.

Russia to deliver first 10 Su-30MKI fighter jet engines to India : Rest of the World, News - India Today

 

[RPK]

IAF Negotiating for 10 PS-90A-76 Engines for AWACS
Posted by vkthakur on Saturday, March 23, 2013 (EST)
The IAF is finalizing a deal with Russia's United Engine Corporation (UEC) for an additional 10 PS-90A-76 turbofan engines to power the IL-76TD based AWACS aircraft, an indication that an additional 2 AWACS are being ordered.

IAF Negotiating for 10 PS-90A-76 Engines for AWACS

 

[Srinivas]

Marcel Mämpel explains the helicopter-mounted laser obstacle warning system pitched for the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

 

[selvan33]

IJT Delays, options for IAF

With 85 aircrafts on order, HAL has failed to supply even one IJT -36 LSP aircraft to Indian Air force, Maintaining more than three decade old Kiran Trainer aircrafts which have reached retirement age is turning out to be a Hercules task for air force personnel, HAL with a dedicated team in place to sort out issues which IJT -36 is facing, has made no progress on the aircraft.


IJT -36 still needs a lot of testing and still needs to clear spin test, other issues faced by the aircraft are controls, engine issues and weight of the aircraft. Russian AL-55I is also suffering from weight issues and has failed to provide required thrust; failure of Russian AL-55I resulted into crash of one of the IJT-36 Prototype. Russian help has been sorted in fixing issues with AL-55I engine and it seems HAL will rope in BAE to help fix issues with IJT-36.



IAF on other hand has put follow-on order for 37 more Pilatus PC-7 Mk 2 aircraft that will take the total planes with IAF to 112, additional planes will be used in Stage-II along with Kiran aircrafts, but it seems to be temporary fix. If HAL is not able to fix issues of IJT-36 aircraft IAF will have to look for other options. options include import of IJT from abroad , Russian have been pushing YAK-130 from some time now , other option will be to upgrade Pilatus PC-7 Mk 2 to carry weapons for training pilots , or operate Pilatus PC-7 Mk 2 and Bae Hawks in Stage-II .

Defence Minister A.K. Antony in Aero India 2013 set 2015 as the deadline for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. to deliver the intermediate jet trainer (IJT) to the Air Force.HAL has promised IOC for aircraft by end of this year, we can only hope HAL gets its act right and is able to fix the aircraft in time, scrapping the project will only highlight utter lack of failure of India’s premier Aeronautics company in developing a very basic aircraft for countries air force.
IJT Delays, options for IAF | idrw.org

 

[Yeti]

Six Indian MiGF-29 fighter planes have been upgraded in Russia and the remaining 63 will be upgraded in India, an official from the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG said at the aerospace exhibition LIMA 2013 on Saturday, March 30.

He said the modernisation is carried out in two stages. At the first stage, six planes were flown to Russia, accompanied by an Indian project team, which will then teach specialists in India.

Three of the six planes have already gone back home. The other three are being upgraded at Nizhny Novgorod’s Sokol, which is part of MiG. They will be handed over to India before the end of the year.

At the second stage, the remaining 63 fighter planes will be upgraded in India by Indian specialists.

The modernisation programme was launched in 2009 in cooperation with India’s HAL.



Russia upgrades six MiG-29 planes for India, 63 to be upgraded in India | Russia & India Report

 

[Srinivas]

156 air warriors inducted into Indian Air Force

Stressing the development of professional skills, Chief Non Technical Training Officer (CNTTO) Air Commodore Pawan Mullick of Head Quarter Training Command, said they can be developed only through continuous learning during different stages of training.

Air Commodore Mullick was addressing after reviewing the Passing out Parade of 156 Airmen of Non Technical Training Institute (NTTI), who were inducted into the Indian Air Force as full fledged Air Warriors, at Sambra.

He reminded the newly inducted airmen about the great tradition of IAF to render selfless service in the defence of our nation, amply demonstrated during war as well as in peace.

The reviewing officer said that ample opportunities are available in the IAF to improve one’s individual profile and growth in service depending on merit, self resolve and commitment.

Air Commodore Mullick also advised them to channelise their zeal and enthusiasm in right direction, be highly disciplined and take pride in being an Air Warrior. Group Captain Stanzin Thinless, Station Commander of Air Force Station, Belgaum, received the Reviewing Officer. Trophies were presented to meritorious airmen.

Among the prize winners, Air Craftsman Digvijay Singh Solanki topped the General Service Training, Leading Air Craftsman (LAC) Satyam Pal was adjudged as Best All Rounder and best in Accounts Asst Trade. Whereas LAC Abdul Malik was declared Best in Admin Assistant Trade.

156 air warriors inducted into Indian Air Force - The New Indian Express

 

[sudhir007]

Mirage 2000 at night

 

[kaykay]

IAF gears up for red flag exercise starting from 14 july....sending 8 mkis,2 super hurcules,2 IL-78s,1 IL-76 with over 150 personal.
IAF gears up for US air combat exercises - The Times of India

 

[DacterSaab]

^^ no AWACS?????

 

[Capt.Popeye]

^^ no AWACS?????

No, and there seems to be a reason for that

 

[sancho]

IAF gears up for red flag exercise starting from 14 july....sending 8 mkis,2 super hurcules,2 IL-78s,1 IL-76 with over 150 personal.
IAF gears up for US air combat exercises - The Times of India

The article is pure BS, why would IAF send 2 of 6 IL 78 to an exercise? Why would they send the C130s? Over 150 personal???
Remember at the first Red Flag exercise we send MKIs 1 x Tanker and 1 x Transporter only and even if we take more cargo or personal, we would take the C17 and a tanker, instead of C130s with it's limited range.

Also:

IAF was then still not fully familiar with operating in an AWACS (airborne warning and control systems) environment.

That is no longer the case. The force now has its own Israeli Phalcon AWACs, which are tremendous force-multipliers in modern day air combat.

Again nonsense, because it were technical reasons that limited MKIs from beeing linked with NATO AWACS, the same will be the case now as well, since we have own datalinks in the MKI as well as the A50 Phalcon.

^^ no AWACS?????

Of course not, we only have 3 x AWACS and a huge airspace, there is no need to limit our defence capability only for an exercise.

 

[RPK]

Indian MiGs: flights under way : Voice of Russia


This week saw the beginning of the modernization of Russia’s MiG-29 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. The first six such planes will be upgraded at the Sokol plant located in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod. Shortly after, another 63 aircraft will be modernized at Indian enterprises. The modernization is aimed at extending the service life of the MiGs, purchased by India in the early 1990s. The upgraded aircraft are expected to be in service in the next ten years.
Negotiations on the supplies of the then-most advanced MiG-29s to the Indian Air Force started in the mid-1980s. A total of 80 such planes were delivered to India between 1985 and 1995. India’s top brass saw the delivery as a response to Pakistan purchasing the US-made F-16A fighter jets at the time. This is why New Delhi attached paramount importance to clinching a deal with Russia on supplying MiG-29s to India.
The modernization will see MiG-29s turn into MiG-29UPG aircraft, in line with a 900-million-dollar contract that was signed in 2009. Thanks to the modernization program, the warplanes’ service life is expected to stand at 40 years.
The program also envisages making the upgraded planes’ equipment compatible with the MiG-29K/KUB deck-based fighters that are supplied to India in accordance with an agreement on the modernization of the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier. The maiden flight of the upgraded MiG-29UPG fighter took place in February 2011.
The modernization program’s further goal is to upgrade the MiG-29UPG so that it can comply with the technical characteristics of the MiG-29k and MiG-29KUB fighters that are currently supplied to the Indian Navy.
Equipped with air-to-surface guided weapons, the MiG-29’s modernized version will also have air-refueling equipment on board, something that will enable to expand the aircraft’s operating range to 1,500 kilometers.