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Why the BrahMos armed Sukhoi is bad news for India’s enemies
The successful trial of the modified Su-30MKI carrying the supersonic BrahMos-A cruise missile takes India a step closer to acquiring a devastating deep strike weapon.
India has signalled its intent to strike enemy targets with devastating force early on in a conflict. On June 25 a modified Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft carried a Brahmos-A (Air) supersonic cruise missile aloft for the first time, marking an important milestone in the development of the missile ahead of further flights and firing tests.
The twin-seat multirole fighter took off from the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd airport in Bengaluru and conducted a 45 minute sortie with the missile attached to its underbelly. Developed jointly by India's Defence Research & Development Organisation and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, Brahmos-A is a modified variant of its basic configuration. "It features several design refinements, which include a lighter propulsion system (reduced to 2,500 kg from 3,000 kg) as well as redesigned fins and nose cap," reports Janes Defence Weekly.
Strategic strike force
In September 2010 India’s newly constituted tri-services Strategic Forces Command (SFC) submitted a proposal to the Defence Ministry for setting up two dedicated squadrons of aircraft comprising 40 Su-30MKI air dominance fighters. The task of this “mini air force” is to deliver nuclear weapons.
The picture became clearer in October 2012 when the Cabinet Committee on Security green lighted a programme to carry out structural and software modifications on 42 Su-30MKIs and acquire 216 air-launched Brahmos missiles. Until then, the Brahmos – the product of an India-Russia joint venture – was for exclusive use by the Navy.
In March 2015 the SFC received the first of these 42 Sukhois equipped with the air launched version of the supersonic BrahMos. This is the first time that the SFC, which at present depends on the Indian Air Force (IAF) for delivering nuclear weapons under its command, is acquiring its own aerial assets. (1)
Currently, India’s nuclear delivery system is based on land-based ballistic missiles such as the Agni and Prithvi plus the IAF’s nuclear-capable Mirage 2000, Su-30 MKI and Jaguar fighter-bombers. The final element of the nuclear triad, submarine-launched ballistic missile, is still being tested.
Individually, the Su-30 and Brahmos are powerful weapons. But when the world’s most capable fourth generation fighter is armed with a uniquely destructive cruise missile, together they are a dramatic force multiplier.
The BrahMos’ maximum speed of 3700 km per hour speed – literally faster than a bullet – means it hits the target with a huge amount of kinetic energy. In tests, the BrahMos has often cut warships in half and reduced ground targets to smithereens. The Sukhoi’s blistering speed will add extra launch momentum to the missile, plus the aircraft’s ability to penetrate hardened air defences means there is a greater chance for the pilot to deliver the missile on to its designated targets.
Likely targets
Considering that India’s primary enemy is Pakistan and that country’s chief backer is China, against which India has fought two conflicts – losing in 1962 and winning in 1967 – these two countries are the obvious targets.
Against Pakistan, the targets are obvious. A two-squadron attack using most of the SFC’s air assets can within minutes utterly cripple the country’s command and control centres; nuclear power plants, including the Kahuta ‘Death Star’ where the majority of the “Islamic” bombs are manufactured; the Sargodha Central Ammunition Depot west of Lahore where these warheads are stored; ballistic missile bases in Gujranwala, Okara, Multan, Jhang and Dera Nawab Shah; Pakistani Army Corp headquarters in Rawalpindi; the Karachi Port, Pakistani’s only major harbour and its Naval HQ; and ordinance factories that manufacture tanks and fighter aircraft.
The supersonic Brahmos armed with a conventional warhead can theoretically penetrate hardened command, control and communication centres. However, if required the missile’s conventional warhead can be replaced with miniaturised nukes. A pre-emptive nuclear strike will therefore ensure that Pakistan’s offensive capability is effectively neutralised and it is never again a threat to India.
Against China, the Sukhoi-Brahmos one-two punch seems counter-intuitive as Chinese targets are located deep inland or on the coast. However, the Su-30MKI has a maximum range of 3000 km (extendable to 8000 km with in-flight refuelling). Now add the Brahmos’s 300 km reach and India can hit targets 3300 km inside China.
Why the Sukhoi-BrahMos option?
The Su-30MKI is an obvious choice. The SFC does not want untested fighters but the ones which can be relied upon to deliver nuclear-tipped missiles. The aircraft has a titanium airframe strong enough to fly a high-speed terrain following profile. The batch of 42 Sukhois will also have hardened electronic circuitry to shield them from the electromagnetic pulse of a nuclear blast.
Having a dedicated aircraft for the nuclear attack role offers India’s war planners strategic flexibility and increases the odds of success. Because ballistic missiles are used only as a weapon of last resort, they cannot really be deployed at will. Once released, they cannot be recalled and if shot down are not easily replaced.
Fighter aircraft, on the other hand, can perform repeated sorties and be directed to bomb targets as they move. For instance, if Pakistan moves it warheads out of Sargodha depot, which is presumably under constant watch by Indian satellites, the Sukhois can be vectored against a column of Pakistani trucks transporting their nuclear cargo.
The SFC’s mini air force of 42 Sukhois can also launch their missiles against Pakistani targets from within Indian airspace or while flying over international waters, thereby complicating the enemy’s defences. It is a lot easier for India to destroy Pakistani war fighting capability because not only is Pakistan relatively smaller but it has also concentrated its defences in one province, Punjab.
Because heavy modifications were necessary for integrating such a heavy missile onto the Su-30MKI, initially it seemed to make little sense to deploy a single missile. Aviation Week reports that initially even Sukhoi was reluctant to go along. That prompted HAL to go solo, but Aviation Week says Sukhoi eventually came on board, (2) in 2011. The Russian side provided HAL with technical consultancy especially for the modifications to the fuselage in order to accommodate the 9-metre-long missile.
“Work is also underway on a modified lighter and smaller-diameter version of the BrahMos for deployment on the Indian navy's MiG-29K and, potentially, the Dassault Rafale,” says Aviation Week.
And signalling the country’s immunity from western sanctions, DRDO scientists say the 300 km cap on the missile’s range will be removed. The next generation Brahmos is likely to be a longer range weapon. And with the planned increased in speed, the missile will have considerably enhanced kinetic energy despite its smaller size optimised for relatively smaller aircraft such as the MiG-29.
That’s really bad news if you are in the Sukhoi-BrahMos crosshairs.
(This is an updated version of Rakesh Krishnan Simha’s post published in April 2015.)
https://in.rbth.com/blogs/2015/04/2...d_sukhoi_is_bad_news_for_indias_enemies_42687
(1) So, with the new structuring of SFC, the Su-30MKIs will be under their control all the time with deputed IAF personnel. Probably share bases with existing MKI squadrons.
(2) First time I'm reading that the Sukhoi finally decided to re-join the project.
The successful trial of the modified Su-30MKI carrying the supersonic BrahMos-A cruise missile takes India a step closer to acquiring a devastating deep strike weapon.
India has signalled its intent to strike enemy targets with devastating force early on in a conflict. On June 25 a modified Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft carried a Brahmos-A (Air) supersonic cruise missile aloft for the first time, marking an important milestone in the development of the missile ahead of further flights and firing tests.
The twin-seat multirole fighter took off from the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd airport in Bengaluru and conducted a 45 minute sortie with the missile attached to its underbelly. Developed jointly by India's Defence Research & Development Organisation and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, Brahmos-A is a modified variant of its basic configuration. "It features several design refinements, which include a lighter propulsion system (reduced to 2,500 kg from 3,000 kg) as well as redesigned fins and nose cap," reports Janes Defence Weekly.
Strategic strike force
In September 2010 India’s newly constituted tri-services Strategic Forces Command (SFC) submitted a proposal to the Defence Ministry for setting up two dedicated squadrons of aircraft comprising 40 Su-30MKI air dominance fighters. The task of this “mini air force” is to deliver nuclear weapons.
The picture became clearer in October 2012 when the Cabinet Committee on Security green lighted a programme to carry out structural and software modifications on 42 Su-30MKIs and acquire 216 air-launched Brahmos missiles. Until then, the Brahmos – the product of an India-Russia joint venture – was for exclusive use by the Navy.
In March 2015 the SFC received the first of these 42 Sukhois equipped with the air launched version of the supersonic BrahMos. This is the first time that the SFC, which at present depends on the Indian Air Force (IAF) for delivering nuclear weapons under its command, is acquiring its own aerial assets. (1)
Currently, India’s nuclear delivery system is based on land-based ballistic missiles such as the Agni and Prithvi plus the IAF’s nuclear-capable Mirage 2000, Su-30 MKI and Jaguar fighter-bombers. The final element of the nuclear triad, submarine-launched ballistic missile, is still being tested.
Individually, the Su-30 and Brahmos are powerful weapons. But when the world’s most capable fourth generation fighter is armed with a uniquely destructive cruise missile, together they are a dramatic force multiplier.
The BrahMos’ maximum speed of 3700 km per hour speed – literally faster than a bullet – means it hits the target with a huge amount of kinetic energy. In tests, the BrahMos has often cut warships in half and reduced ground targets to smithereens. The Sukhoi’s blistering speed will add extra launch momentum to the missile, plus the aircraft’s ability to penetrate hardened air defences means there is a greater chance for the pilot to deliver the missile on to its designated targets.
Likely targets
Considering that India’s primary enemy is Pakistan and that country’s chief backer is China, against which India has fought two conflicts – losing in 1962 and winning in 1967 – these two countries are the obvious targets.
Against Pakistan, the targets are obvious. A two-squadron attack using most of the SFC’s air assets can within minutes utterly cripple the country’s command and control centres; nuclear power plants, including the Kahuta ‘Death Star’ where the majority of the “Islamic” bombs are manufactured; the Sargodha Central Ammunition Depot west of Lahore where these warheads are stored; ballistic missile bases in Gujranwala, Okara, Multan, Jhang and Dera Nawab Shah; Pakistani Army Corp headquarters in Rawalpindi; the Karachi Port, Pakistani’s only major harbour and its Naval HQ; and ordinance factories that manufacture tanks and fighter aircraft.
The supersonic Brahmos armed with a conventional warhead can theoretically penetrate hardened command, control and communication centres. However, if required the missile’s conventional warhead can be replaced with miniaturised nukes. A pre-emptive nuclear strike will therefore ensure that Pakistan’s offensive capability is effectively neutralised and it is never again a threat to India.
Against China, the Sukhoi-Brahmos one-two punch seems counter-intuitive as Chinese targets are located deep inland or on the coast. However, the Su-30MKI has a maximum range of 3000 km (extendable to 8000 km with in-flight refuelling). Now add the Brahmos’s 300 km reach and India can hit targets 3300 km inside China.
Why the Sukhoi-BrahMos option?
The Su-30MKI is an obvious choice. The SFC does not want untested fighters but the ones which can be relied upon to deliver nuclear-tipped missiles. The aircraft has a titanium airframe strong enough to fly a high-speed terrain following profile. The batch of 42 Sukhois will also have hardened electronic circuitry to shield them from the electromagnetic pulse of a nuclear blast.
Having a dedicated aircraft for the nuclear attack role offers India’s war planners strategic flexibility and increases the odds of success. Because ballistic missiles are used only as a weapon of last resort, they cannot really be deployed at will. Once released, they cannot be recalled and if shot down are not easily replaced.
Fighter aircraft, on the other hand, can perform repeated sorties and be directed to bomb targets as they move. For instance, if Pakistan moves it warheads out of Sargodha depot, which is presumably under constant watch by Indian satellites, the Sukhois can be vectored against a column of Pakistani trucks transporting their nuclear cargo.
The SFC’s mini air force of 42 Sukhois can also launch their missiles against Pakistani targets from within Indian airspace or while flying over international waters, thereby complicating the enemy’s defences. It is a lot easier for India to destroy Pakistani war fighting capability because not only is Pakistan relatively smaller but it has also concentrated its defences in one province, Punjab.
Because heavy modifications were necessary for integrating such a heavy missile onto the Su-30MKI, initially it seemed to make little sense to deploy a single missile. Aviation Week reports that initially even Sukhoi was reluctant to go along. That prompted HAL to go solo, but Aviation Week says Sukhoi eventually came on board, (2) in 2011. The Russian side provided HAL with technical consultancy especially for the modifications to the fuselage in order to accommodate the 9-metre-long missile.
“Work is also underway on a modified lighter and smaller-diameter version of the BrahMos for deployment on the Indian navy's MiG-29K and, potentially, the Dassault Rafale,” says Aviation Week.
And signalling the country’s immunity from western sanctions, DRDO scientists say the 300 km cap on the missile’s range will be removed. The next generation Brahmos is likely to be a longer range weapon. And with the planned increased in speed, the missile will have considerably enhanced kinetic energy despite its smaller size optimised for relatively smaller aircraft such as the MiG-29.
That’s really bad news if you are in the Sukhoi-BrahMos crosshairs.
(This is an updated version of Rakesh Krishnan Simha’s post published in April 2015.)
https://in.rbth.com/blogs/2015/04/2...d_sukhoi_is_bad_news_for_indias_enemies_42687
(1) So, with the new structuring of SFC, the Su-30MKIs will be under their control all the time with deputed IAF personnel. Probably share bases with existing MKI squadrons.
(2) First time I'm reading that the Sukhoi finally decided to re-join the project.
Local_Legend
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Russia Suspends Co-development Of Il-214 Medium Airlifter With India, Ilyushin To Resume On Its Own
Russian Ilyushin has suspended the co-development program with India to build Il-214 medium airlifter under the MTA program and has resumed the development at its own expense.
"The Ilyushin Aviation complex is developing the future medium airlifter for the Russian Aerospace Force at its own expense. A scaled model of the aircraft has been made, and the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) are gearing up for its wind-tunnel tests, using mock-ups of both the PS-90A and PD-14 engines," the company’s press office was quoted as stating by Russian Aviation Monday.
The future aircraft will be powered either by two PS-90As or by a pair of PD-14s, with the latter’s flight tests having started last year.
"The Ilyushin Aviation Complex has designated its future medium military transport aircraft development program as Il-214," the press office concluded.
In January, Ilyushin Director General Sergei Velmozhkin told journalists about the program having been put on hold. According to him, the company expected "to clarify somehow" the future of the program by the middle of the year. There have been no official statements about the cause behind the suspending of the Russian-Indian program.
The Il-214 is designed to carry and air-land troops, their equipment, and cargo. It is to haul 20 tons of cargo at a distance of over 2,000 km. The aircraft is supposed to operate from unpaved and artificial airfields, including those high in the mountains.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/16...a__Ilyushin_To_Resume_On_Its_Own#.V3N9Q1OffHE
Russian Ilyushin has suspended the co-development program with India to build Il-214 medium airlifter under the MTA program and has resumed the development at its own expense.
"The Ilyushin Aviation complex is developing the future medium airlifter for the Russian Aerospace Force at its own expense. A scaled model of the aircraft has been made, and the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) are gearing up for its wind-tunnel tests, using mock-ups of both the PS-90A and PD-14 engines," the company’s press office was quoted as stating by Russian Aviation Monday.
The future aircraft will be powered either by two PS-90As or by a pair of PD-14s, with the latter’s flight tests having started last year.
"The Ilyushin Aviation Complex has designated its future medium military transport aircraft development program as Il-214," the press office concluded.
In January, Ilyushin Director General Sergei Velmozhkin told journalists about the program having been put on hold. According to him, the company expected "to clarify somehow" the future of the program by the middle of the year. There have been no official statements about the cause behind the suspending of the Russian-Indian program.
The Il-214 is designed to carry and air-land troops, their equipment, and cargo. It is to haul 20 tons of cargo at a distance of over 2,000 km. The aircraft is supposed to operate from unpaved and artificial airfields, including those high in the mountains.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/16...a__Ilyushin_To_Resume_On_Its_Own#.V3N9Q1OffHE
GuardianRED
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Honestly Transport command is going the way of the fighters , Having too many types ! (pls correct me if im wrong) why have this?
Local_Legend
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C-17 (3) Heavy Lift - will replace IL 76
Il-76 MD (17) Heavy Lift
Il-78 MKI (6) Tanker
A-50E (3) AEW&C
C-130J (5) Tactical - 6 more to receive .
An-32 (119) Medium Lift ( As IAF exits MTA , some says they selected Ukrains AN 178. )
HS-748 (68) Transport
Do-228 (24) Light transport
Boeing 737 Transport
Embraer 135BJ VIP transport
Embraer ERJ 145 AEW&C
GuardianRED
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So the C295 would replace the Hs478 and Do-228 soon wouldn't this include the An32?
Also the C17 is 10 Aircrafts
Joe Shearer
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But where is the doctrine? What are the ways in which these will be deployed? Are we looking at composite task forces? What proportion will be armour, infantry (obviously mechanised), artillery (self-propelled), and army aviation? Will they keep the attack helicopters with the Air Force? Will ground attack/ combat air support be combined with these other capabilities/ missions?
Are we just buying the latest glittering toys and kidding ourselves that these will fight wars for us?
Local_Legend
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Sorry , my friend . the data is old .
I don't think it will replace DO 288 as they fall in light category . 19 seats. They are produced by HAL under licence . They received an order of 14 from IAF in 2015 . Avro for sure and AN 32 if its going through Make in India policy .
randomradio
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I think they are already testing it.
I've read that each strike corps will have its own dedicated air squadrons. I don't know anything apart from that.
Joe Shearer
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It isn't that simple; surely we all understand that. Whom will the squadrons report to? To the Corps Commander? Will the corps then fight as a corps? Where is the example of having done that before? We know of brigade-level command, of even division-led command; but a full-fledged corps? Can someone, anyone give me an example from south Asia?
If not to the Corps Commander, then to whom? Will these squadrons be allowed to concentrate and to have an impact on the battlefield, or will they be broken up into flights, even into individual units, and put in alongside armour to protect armour - from what? From infantry with MANPADs? From artillery? From opposing armour? From opposing attack helicopters? From ground attack fighters? From strategic bombing? FROM WHAT?
How will drones be deployed side by side with attack helicopters? Will information flow right back up the communication channels, and then flow back to the squadrons?
This simply needs to be digested, new doctrines evolved and thought through, intensive exercises are needed to introduce the elements of network-centricity and matrixed or multiplexed or devolved command structures. Planning needs to evolve; considering that all the elements under discussion can move rapidly and decisively, how will planners evolve their own plans to follow a rapidly-changing battlefield situation?
Sorry, but this sounds like the toy stage to me.
GuardianRED
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So the Order for the C295 isnt confirmed? or is it ?
Local_Legend
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In official briefings at the recent launch ceremony here, company officials mentioned India more that a dozen times in view of the impending replacement of 56 HS-748 transporters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) while Airbus Military Chairman and CEO Domingo Urena-Raso told India Strategic (www.indiastrategic.in) that he expected the number of selected aircraft in this category to be more than 100.
http://www.sldinfo.com/updates-on-the-c-295-in-global-air-forces-mali-and-the-philippines/
This is what I last heard about it , bro . Make in India is the thing I can read between the lines. Otherwise , the numbers will be in two digits max or nil .
http://www.sldinfo.com/updates-on-the-c-295-in-global-air-forces-mali-and-the-philippines/
This is what I last heard about it , bro . Make in India is the thing I can read between the lines. Otherwise , the numbers will be in two digits max or nil .
GuardianRED
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http://www.militaryaircraft-airbusd...ft/OrdersAndDeliveries/AMOrdersDeliveries.pdf
No orders have been placed for the C295 by India!... wasn't this not approved last year?
No orders have been placed for the C295 by India!... wasn't this not approved last year?
randomradio
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The army has been talking about incorporating attack helicopters since the mid 2000s. Naturally, nobody has information in open source.
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indian-army-conducts-battle-exercise-shatrujeet-in-rajasthan-1396215
So they seem to be working something out.
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