Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[SQ8]

Is the standard missile by 2026 the i-derby?

 

[Two banks of the River]

Is the standard missile by 2026 the i-derby?

It has not been bought in very large numbers actually. The aim is to standardise Astra Mk1 as a BVR. It has been certified for Su30 fleet. Production on going for that. Tejas should see trials of this soon. Mig29 and Mirage are also to use this.

Only regarding Rafale and Jaguar no such report as of now.

 

[SQ8]

It has not been bought in very large numbers actually. The aim is to standardise Astra Mk1 as a BVR. It has been certified for Su30 fleet. Production on going for that. Tejas should see trials of this soon. Mig29 and Mirage are also to use this.

Only regarding Rafale and Jaguar no such report as of now.

Would you consider the Astra equivalent in performance to the Mitsubishi AAM-4? Equivalent being a loose term.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAM-4

 

[Two banks of the River]

Would you consider the Astra equivalent in performance to the Mitsubishi AAM-4? Equivalent being a loose term.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAM-4

Irrespective to what the general media says the immediate aim with Astra is to ensure localisation. That it should be better than R77 and R27 types. Its on the similar lines.

Future improvements should make it on line with what NATO countries use. Better batteries, dual pulse motor for longer range, new onboard computer, etc

 

[Two banks of the River]

The 2nd section. An initial order for around 280 missiles is under production, will go to 2 squadrons initially. Later on a bigger order will be given to cover all 12 squadrons of Su30MKI.

 

[Yasser76]

Irrespective to what the general media says the immediate aim with Astra is to ensure localisation. That it should be better than R77 and R27 types. Its on the similar lines.

Future improvements should make it on line with what NATO countries use. Better batteries, dual pulse motor for longer range, new onboard computer, etc

So you are going to integrate an Indian missile with Russian, Israeli and French fire control radars?

Good luck.

 

[SQ8]

So you are going to integrate an Indian missile with Russian, Israeli and French fire control radars?

Good luck.

It is a headache but definitely doable - all really depends on the OEMs of those radars agreeing to do it. It is not in the interest of these suppliers to let it happen but they may see a bigger picture to it.

 

[Two banks of the River]

So you are going to integrate an Indian missile with Russian, Israeli and French fire control radars?

Good luck.

A large sum was paid for specific version of Bars radar used in Su30MKI fleet. So we have kind of control over it. That's why every Indian weapon is testfired first from Su30MKI.

For Tejas fleet the radar used is co-developed using the elm2032 as a base. Therefore here again we have freedom to integrate the weapons as we see fit.

For the RDY2 family of Mirage, that will be different case as we totally depend on the French OEM.

For Mig29 again we have the required access available so as to integrate the weapons as we see fit.

For Tejas MK1A it now seems that 3 out of 4 squadrons will sport local aesa. So problem solved there.

 

[Yasser76]

A large sum was paid for specific version of Bars radar used in Su30MKI fleet. So we have kind of control over it. That's why every Indian weapon is testfired first from Su30MKI.

For Tejas fleet the radar used is co-developed using the elm2032 as a base. Therefore here again we have freedom to integrate the weapons as we see fit.

For the RDY2 family of Mirage, that will be different case as we totally depend on the French OEM.

For Mig29 again we have the required access available so as to integrate the weapons as we see fit.

For Tejas MK1A it now seems that 3 out of 4 squadrons will sport local aesa. So problem solved there.

It is not a case of it being possible or not, but for sure you can expect much more money, testing, delays and problems as opposed to getting a mature system already mated together. That is just obvious to anyone with very basic knowledge.

 

[Two banks of the River]

It is not a case of it being possible or not, but for sure you can expect much more money, testing, delays and problems as opposed to getting a mature system already mated together. That is just obvious to anyone with very basic knowledge.

Say for a platform with radar from X country, we are trying to integrate a new weapon which is also from X country, let the time taken be certain months.

Let's see another condition where for the same platform we have access to update it's software patches to integrate the system with our weapons, the time taken to test and certify it will still be the same.

Integration work with Su30MKI has been certified and squadrons one by one are receiving the missiles. As of now orders are for 288 missiles for 2 squadrons. Another set is under pipeline once the 2 squadrons work is completed.

Ground testing and basic interfacing with Mig29 UPG , Mig29 K and Tejas Mk1 has been happening/happened. Now a certain number of firing tests will be conducted to certify the same.

Work on Mirage is yet to begin.

A single BVR solution replacing numerous different missiles has its own advantages which outweigh the cons and flying different solutions for 6 different things.

An IR version of Astra is under fabrication for testing soon. That system will replace 6 different types of WVR IR Missiles.

The advantages are huge for doing this.

 

[Yasser76]

Say for a platform with radar from X country, we are trying to integrate a new weapon which is also from X country, let the time taken be certain months.

Let's see another condition where for the same platform we have access to update it's software patches to integrate the system with our weapons, the time taken to test and certify it will still be the same.

Integration work with Su30MKI has been certified and squadrons one by one are receiving the missiles. As of now orders are for 288 missiles for 2 squadrons. Another set is under pipeline once the 2 squadrons work is completed.

Ground testing and basic interfacing with Mig29 UPG , Mig29 K and Tejas Mk1 has been happening/happened. Now a certain number of firing tests will be conducted to certify the same.

Work on Mirage is yet to begin.

A single BVR solution replacing numerous different missiles has its own advantages which outweigh the cons and flying different solutions for 6 different things.

An IR version of Astra is under fabrication for testing soon. That system will replace 6 different types of WVR IR Missiles.

The advantages are huge for doing this.

Long response without really answering the issue

 

[Two banks of the River]

Long response without really answering the issue

And the issue is ?

 

[li0nheart]

And the issue is ?

It's this.
Those who are used to getting food directly in mouth without moving a muscle, fails to appreciate the value of doing hard work.
Why should any child learn to walk when there are so many battery operated cars with great safety features available?

On the topic. One can just imagine the importance of the process of mating the missile to different systems. The journey itself is equally important, as much as the destination.

 

[Samar111]

This is how Indian air force should look in the future to counter both Pakistan and China.

750 total fighter jets. Around 42 squadron needed as said by IAF chief.

400- F-35
150- Rafale
200- F-15

All SU-30MKI should be replaced by new version of the F-15.

 

[Trango Towers]

This is how Indian air force should look in the future to counter both Pakistan and China.

750 total fighter jets. Around 42 squadron needed as said by IAF chief.

400- F-35
150- Rafale
200- F-15

All SU-30MKI should be replaced by new version of the F-15.

What happened to tejas?