Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[brahmastra]

Indian Refueler Program May Be Rebid

NEW DELHI - India's purchase program for six midair refuelers may be rebid after questions arose regarding bid cost and competitiveness, Indian Defence Ministry sources said.

"The procurement proposal had been progressed in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure-2006 and thereafter referred to the Ministry of Finance, who has expressed certain reservations relating to the competitiveness of the bids and the reasonableness of the price," says a Dec. 14 Defence Ministry release, quoting the official reply of Defence Minister A. K. Antony to India's Parliament.


Though the release does not specify the program is facing serious problems, Defence Ministry sources said that because of objections from the Finance Ministry, the program will be quashed and rebid next year.

Four years ago, a request for proposal was sent to U.S.-based Lockheed Martin and Boeing, EADS and Ilyushin of Tashkent.

Lockheed Martin and Boeing did not respond to the tender, leaving only Ilyushin and EADS in the fray.

Ilyushin's bid was lower than that of EADS but the Air Force favored buying the A330 multirole tanker over the IL-78 of Ilyushin, which it had been using. The matter was referred to the Finance Ministry, which rejected the Air Force request, saying the lowest bidder should be the obvious choice.

 

[sudhir007]

LiveFist - The Best of Indian Defence: PHOTOS: Su-30MKI Over Kolkata For The First Time

 

[Tejas-MkII]

There are 120 MKI in IAF..

Su-30MKI (Flanker-H) multirole fighter | Top Russian news and analysis online | 'RIA Novosti' newswire

 

[sudhir007]

Indian Air Force to rope in UAV?s for surveillance in Maoist-infested areas IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force on Tuesday said that it is planning to rope in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct surveillance in Maoist-infested areas of the country.

Addressing the media in Kolkata, Air Marshal S.K. Bhan, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command, said: “We are getting UAVs, as well. I think, right now, there is one operating in the sector and we are getting more. You see, in the induction plans of Indian Air Force, the additional UAV units are going to be raised and some have to come into the sector.”

Bhan further said that these remotely-piloted vehicles would be best for tracking down the Maoists.

“The purpose of UAV is primarily to be able to do surveillance, to do electronic intelligence about communication, and signal intelligence, and it also has the capability to designate. That means if designated from the air, the aircraft can come and put its weapon on the target, which has laser capability. So, two things happen: one is that it becomes easier for the attacking aircraft, and secondly it becomes much more accurate,” Bhan added.

Maoists have stepped up violence in Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal, which are among the most affected states of the country.

They have attacked schools and police stations, and used landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to disrupt infrastructure development projects.

They have also hijacked passenger trains including the Rajdhani Express, beheaded policemen and suspected informers and attacked employees of mining companies.

The main objective of the Maoists is to prevent the development of infrastructure in remote areas, which so far has remained their exclusive domain.

The rebels claim they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers, and have ignored repeated calls to renounce violence and negotiate and have stepped up their attacks in recent past months, prompting the Government to go after them in a concerted strike.

 

[sudhir007]

HAL?s global projects hit air pockets after aircraft crashes IDRW.ORG

Despite the best efforts of the Indian government to strengthen its domestic defence production capabilities, the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) seems destinedto fail in every project with international collaboration, it has embarked on so far.

Soon after President Pratibha Patil undertook a much-publicised flight
in a combat aircraft
, a Sukhoi-30 MKI jet of the c (IAF) crashed near Jethagaon in Jaisalmer while returning from a regular training mission. This was the second of India’s most advanced fighter jet in less than eight months.

According to sources, the aircraft that crashed was a new machine that had recently been rolled out by HAL and was part of an upcoming squadron in Pune.

This is the second crash of a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter after a fatal accident on April 30 in which an officer lost his life. The fleet was grounded for close to a month after the April crash and sources said that the fighters are likely to stay on the ground till investigators give a go ahead. However they were flying again.

Earlier this year, in July, defence minister AK Antony had said that while there are no serious maintenance problems with the aircraft, the fleet was grounded for three weeks to ascertain the cause of the crash. He also revealed that the reason for the crash was a “likely failure of the fly-by-wire system”.

Antony had maintained that, “The Su-30 is one of the most advanced jets in the world. The IAF is very happy with it. The IAF feels it is one of the best in the world.”

The Su-30 was inducted in 1996 and the IAF fleet currently comprises 98 aircraft. This will rise to 230 by 2015, Antony said. The IAF operates three squadrons (approximately 55 aircraft) of the jet; some were bought in flyaway condition from its Russian manufacturer while state-owned HAL manufactured the others under licence.

The state-owned aerospace major HAL has sharply ramped up its manufacturing capacities and is set to deliver 350 combat jets, trainers and helicopters worth Rs500 billion to the Indian armed forces by 2012.

HAL, from its plants at Bangalore, Nashik and Koraput, is currently engaged in manufacturing some 100 indigenous Dhruv advanced light helicopters, an almost equal number of Sukhoi Su-30 MKI combat jets under licence from Russia, some 60 Hawk advanced jet trainers under license from Britain and a little over 20 indigenous Tejas light combat jets.

While the IAF is desperately short of aircraft for training its flight cadets, with the entire fleet of basic trainers grounded after a series of crashes, advanced training also suffered equally due to unexpected delays in the manufacture of the Hawk advanced jet trainer (AJT) in India….

 

[sudhir007]

SC taunts govt on Prez copter mishap: Rediff.com India News

The recent helicopter incident in which President Pratibha Patil [ Images ] had a narrow escape was enough for the Supreme Court to pooh-pooh government's suggestion for airlifting victims of disasters to safety.

A bench of Justices R V Raveendran and K S Radhakrishnan instead suggested that the government better adopt the Pune model of Bus Rapid Transport system to enable smooth passage for amubulances and fire tenders to rush to the tragedy sites.

"Helicopters are used for carrying VIPs. Unfortunately we have such pilots, who carrying the president, will hit the only building in the airport. Be just practical," the apex court told Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising, who suggested that victims should be airlifted to get over the traffic snarls.

The apex court said the idea of air ambulances as suggested by the government was not practical and financially unviable, as it would amount to having helipads at various high rise buildings which a country like India [ Images ] cannot afford.

The court passed the remarks, while reserving its judgment on the compensation to be awarded to the families of the 59 people who died and 103 victims who suffered injuries in the Uphaar cinema tragedy in the capital in June 1997.

Patil had a narrow escape when the rotor blades of an IAF Mi-17 helicopter, in which she was aboard, hit a shed after landing at the Bhubaneswar airport on December 9.

Justice Raveendran heading the bench said there was a recent media article about the success of the BRT project in Pune, which facilitated smooth uninterrupted passage for ambulances and fire tenders during tragedies and suggested that Delhi [ Images ] adopt a similar model.

"Delhi can make a similar effort to ensure such roads and access to hospitals that are not cluttered with any kind of VIP movements, so that people do not find it difficult to go to hospitals," the apex court observed.

The apex court also disagreed with the suggestion of the government that multiplex theatres/complexes/shopping malls should mandatorily have doctors and other medical facilities like ambulances.

The bench said that this idea too was impractical and instead suggested that training in providing first aid treatment can be mandatory for those manning these multiplex houses and high rise buildings.

The ministry of home affairs, the Delhi Vidyut Board, the Municipal Corporaion of Delhi and the Ansals, owners of the Uphaar Cinema, earlier in the day submitted their written suggestions to prevent recurrence of Uphaar cinema type tragedies.

The apex court said that it would take into consideration the various suggestions, while making its own recommendations to the government on the preventive measures to be taken to avert such tragedies.

 

[RPK]

Flanker buddy refueling a "garuda"

 

[stax]

Is there any independant news thread about the India-Russia 5th generation fighter?

 

[sudhir007]

DEFENSE STUDIES: Saab offers Sea Gripen

 

[gogbot]

Is there any independant news thread about the India-Russia 5th generation fighter?

How much independent news is available on the J-xx.

 

[sudhir007]

IAF to induct more than 150 Sukhois

Silchar (Assam): The Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon induct more than 150 Sukhoi Su-30 MKI combat jets and 80 Mi-17-1V medium-lift helicopters as part of a massive drive to boost its capabilities, a top military commander said on Wednesday.


"We are getting more than 150 Sukhois. There is also a deal on for 80 medium-lift helicopters from Russia, fifth-generation Russian fighters and special helicopters for flying VVIPs like the president and the Prime Minister," IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik told reporters here.

Naik is on a visit to the northeast to oversee facilities and review the airpower capabilities in the region.

He said that irrespective of whether or not there was a threat from its immediate neighbours, India would continue building its airpower capabilities.

"Many more new aircraft would be coming in. There are plans for the next 20 years with India's zone of interest extending from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca. The Indian Air Force should be able to have the capabilities to meet those aspirations," Naik added.

"It doesn't matter what our neighbours (China in this case) do or think. We want to build our own capabilities and make sure we are fully geared up," he pointed out.

The air chief said the eagerly anticipated medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) requirement for at least 126 jets is now in its trials stage.

"That would also be a very valuable addition to the Indian Air Force," Naik said.

The IAF chief said the northeast was a priority area, with the government focusing on upgrading facilities in the region.

"We are upgrading airfields and other facilities here as part of our capability building measures," Naik said.

 

[sudhir007]

Silchar (Assam): The Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon induct more than 150 Sukhoi Su-30 MKI combat jets and 80 Mi-17-1V medium-lift helicopters as part of a massive drive to boost its capabilities, a top military commander said on Wednesday.


"We are getting more than 150 Sukhois. There is also a deal on for 80 medium-lift helicopters from Russia, fifth-generation Russian fighters and special helicopters for flying VVIPs like the president and the Prime Minister," IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik told reporters here.

Naik is on a visit to the northeast to oversee facilities and review the airpower capabilities in the region.

He said that irrespective of whether or not there was a threat from its immediate neighbours, India would continue building its airpower capabilities.

"Many more new aircraft would be coming in. There are plans for the next 20 years with India's zone of interest extending from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca. The Indian Air Force should be able to have the capabilities to meet those aspirations," Naik added.

"It doesn't matter what our neighbours (China in this case) do or think. We want to build our own capabilities and make sure we are fully geared up," he pointed out.

The air chief said the eagerly anticipated medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) requirement for at least 126 jets is now in its trials stage.

"That would also be a very valuable addition to the Indian Air Force," Naik said.

The IAF chief said the northeast was a priority area, with the government focusing on upgrading facilities in the region.

"We are upgrading airfields and other facilities here as part of our capability building measures," Naik said.

IAF to induct more than 150 Sukhois

 

[DeathGod]

"Many more new aircraft would be coming in. There are plans for the next 20 years with India's zone of interest extending from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca. The Indian Air Force should be able to have the capabilities to meet those aspirations," Naik added.

Stratergically If we control these two Straits decisively ( Which will need more of P-8's , atleast 2-4 AC's IMO and a few nuclear submarines) then we would eliminate the threat of any action against us from any of our hostile neighbours. Hope in 2020 we would be able to acheive the inventory strengths needed to maintain a 24*7 presence at these two Straits no matter what the international situation is.

Eagerly waiting for induction of Vikramaditya so that the Straits of Malacca could be patrolled. Also heard that a Su-30 squadron is going to be based in Andaman.

Any ideas about the areas in which P-8 will be deployed?

 

[arya-hind]

good job

we have to do lots of more

so lets keep working

 

[sudhir007]

is it possible to deploy P-8I in Andaman and for 365x24x7 we need around 20 P-8I. We already cancel the order of six medium-range maritime patrol aircraft

http://www.flightglobal.com/article...ls-maritime-patrol-request-for-proposals.html