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Indian Air Force News & Discussions

Shorn of planes, IAF stutters in training rookie pilots

Chethan Kumar, Bangalore, April 22, 2012, DHNS:

Lack of infrastructure may compel air force to look outside

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) ab initio pilot (basic pilot) flying training being in limbo has given rise to a lot of questions over its ability to meet future requirements.

It has also opened up new avenues for some flying training institutes in the country.
The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), under the Civil Aviation Ministry, is one such institution that is trying to make the best out of the IAF’s deficiencies.
Sources in the IAF said that IGRUA had made a proposal more than once and that even the IAF had sent its team to evaluate the proposal.

IGURA Director, Air Marshal (retd) V K Verma said: “We made our first proposal in 2009 when the IAF decided to ground its basic trainer HTP-32 Deepak. Subsequently, we made another proposal.”

On both occasions, the IAF had sent a team to study the proposal but “they have not got back to us on the same,” Verma said.

The Parliamentary public accounts committee (PAC) had recently observed that the IAF was falling short of trained pilots by 15-31 per cent every year.

The PAC had made the observation in the backdrop of the Centre initiating the process of finalising the multi-million dollar deal to procure126 medium multi-role combat aircraft. The committee had asked: “Who will fly these aircraft”?

While acknowledging the shortage of training infrastructure, a retired IAF officer said: “Assessing the present situation, even if the trainer aircraft deal is finalised it will not be before 2015 that the induction of the first batch of the aircraft will begin. So, the IAF has to come up with other options to keep the numbers healthy.”
However, with the Kiran fleet of aircraft being the only option, the IAF has reduced the number of basic flying hours for a rookie pilot to 25 hours from the earlier 80 hours. The IAF hopes that by doing so, it can train more people with limited resources — a move that has not gone down well with some.

Air Marshal (retd) B K Pandey told Deccan Herald: “This (reduction in flying hours) short cut will not serve the IAF in the long run, as it would mean that the instructor has only those many hours to assess the various parameters that the IAF looks for in a pilot.” But Pandey, who has also served as the chief of the IAF Training Command here, said the IAF could look to outsourcing the basic training. By doing so, the IAF can even keep the Kiran fleet intact for more years.

Asked if such an option would be open to the IAF, Pandey asserted: “ This is not the first time they are doing this.”

Navy interested in outsourcing


The Indian Navy, whose pilots also begin their ab initio training with the IAF has also been a victim of the crisis, reports DHNS.

According to Verma, the IGRUA had even sent a proposal to the Navy. “Responding to our proposal the Navy, just about two weeks ago, sent its team to study and evaluate the proposal,” he said.

Shorn of planes, IAF stutters in training rookie pilots
 
India Wants New Airborne Jamming Aircraft

The Indian air force (IAF) has called for information to support the acquisition of nine new special-mission aircraft for communications jamming, signals intelligence and surveillance.

The IAF has spent two years writing its detailed requirements in a request for information that has gone to companies in countries that include the U.S. and Israel. The acquisition would fill airborne special-mission requirements currently serviced by a small fleet of Gulfstream III SRA electronic-intelligence (elint) jets operated by the country’s external intelligence agency, RAW. The IAF requires seven aircraft to be hard-wired for communications jamming, surveillance and target-towing missions (three with jamming equipment installed), and the other two specifically for signals-intelligence (sigint) duties.

While no company has officially confirmed, those expected to show interest in the IAF requirement include Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Raytheon and L-3 Communications. Vendors are expected to supply detailed product proposals to the IAF by May 24. A final contract could be worth close to $3 billion, with a 30% offset clause. The IAF keeps its elint/comint/sigint aircraft at the base in New Delhi, and the new aircraft will add to that fleet, which includes aging Boeing 707-based aircraft. With infiltrations of militants from Pakistan and a live border dispute with China that frequently involves diplomatic skirmishes over territorial claims, the IAF aircraft requirement is part of a larger drive to ramp up surveillance and interception systems.

The IAF’s request for information, which contains a great degree of detail on specific requirements, stipulates that the system needs to be based on aircraft powered by twin turbofan engines with low noise and vibration levels, with a hot-and-high capability in all roles, certified for deployments at air bases up to 3,300 meters (10,000 ft.) above mean sea level. Sources say the air force is looking for a business jet platform with an optimum cruise speed of Mach 0.75-0.80 and a minimum range of 2,500 nm.

The new aircraft need to sport microprocessor-based high-performance aerial survey camera systems with camera magazines, gyro-stabilized mounts, cockpit displays and automatic GPS-controlled photo flight systems. For the jamming role, the IAF requires aircraft to have space to accommodate up to five operators with workstations and other related equipment.

Apart from standard profiles, the jamming/electronic countermeasure (ECM) systems on board need to be able to deceive adversary C4I2 systems by introducing false information into the enemy’s communications network and degrade enemy communications. The bidding sigint systems are required to consist of electronic support measures to intercept, identify, fingerprint and locate the source of electromagnetic emissions from radars, ECM systems, SIFF/IFF interrogators (1030 mhz), transponders (1090 mhz), Tacan/DME interrogators signals (1025-1150 mhz) and communication signals.

India Wants New Airborne Jamming Aircraft

The Indian air force (IAF) has called for information to support the acquisition of nine new special-mission aircraft for communications jamming, signals intelligence and surveillance.

The IAF has spent two years writing its detailed requirements in a request for information that has gone to companies in countries that include the U.S. and Israel. The acquisition would fill airborne special-mission requirements currently serviced by a small fleet of Gulfstream III SRA electronic-intelligence (elint) jets operated by the country’s external intelligence agency, RAW. The IAF requires seven aircraft to be hard-wired for communications jamming, surveillance and target-towing missions (three with jamming equipment installed), and the other two specifically for signals-intelligence (sigint) duties.

While no company has officially confirmed, those expected to show interest in the IAF requirement include Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Raytheon and L-3 Communications. Vendors are expected to supply detailed product proposals to the IAF by May 24. A final contract could be worth close to $3 billion, with a 30% offset clause. The IAF keeps its elint/comint/sigint aircraft at the base in New Delhi, and the new aircraft will add to that fleet, which includes aging Boeing 707-based aircraft. With infiltrations of militants from Pakistan and a live border dispute with China that frequently involves diplomatic skirmishes over territorial claims, the IAF aircraft requirement is part of a larger drive to ramp up surveillance and interception systems.

The IAF’s request for information, which contains a great degree of detail on specific requirements, stipulates that the system needs to be based on aircraft powered by twin turbofan engines with low noise and vibration levels, with a hot-and-high capability in all roles, certified for deployments at air bases up to 3,300 meters (10,000 ft.) above mean sea level. Sources say the air force is looking for a business jet platform with an optimum cruise speed of Mach 0.75-0.80 and a minimum range of 2,500 nm.

The new aircraft need to sport microprocessor-based high-performance aerial survey camera systems with camera magazines, gyro-stabilized mounts, cockpit displays and automatic GPS-controlled photo flight systems. For the jamming role, the IAF requires aircraft to have space to accommodate up to five operators with workstations and other related equipment.

Apart from standard profiles, the jamming/electronic countermeasure (ECM) systems on board need to be able to deceive adversary C4I2 systems by introducing false information into the enemy’s communications network and degrade enemy communications. The bidding sigint systems are required to consist of electronic support measures to intercept, identify, fingerprint and locate the source of electromagnetic emissions from radars, ECM systems, SIFF/IFF interrogators (1030 mhz), transponders (1090 mhz), Tacan/DME interrogators signals (1025-1150 mhz) and communication signals.
 
Press Information Bureau English Releases


Working of Hal
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been consistently getting excellent rating for its performance with respect to benchmarks set in the company`s memorandum of understanding with the Department of Public Enterprises. However, there have been delays in some projects in current range of production by HAL due to rework of Jigs supplied by the OEM in respect of Hawk; delay in establishing the facilities for complex engine components and radar software in respect of SU-30 MKI aircraft; delay in certification of Shakti engine by the OEM in respect of ALH; changes in Standard of Preparation (SOP) in respect of LCA and delay in engine development by the OEM in respect of IJT.
In respect of Hawk, SU-30 MKI aircraft and ALH, the issues have been addressed. In respect of LCA and IJT development efforts are on.
An Expert Group under the Chairmanship of Shri B.K. Chaturvedi, Member Planning Commission was constituted in October, 2011 to review the organizational structure of HAL. Other Members of the Expert Group are as under-
Air Chief Marshal (Retd) F H Major
Shri PrakashApte, Ex-Director, ISM, Bangalore
Shri Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC Limited
Shri Ajay Shankar, Ex-Secretary, DIPP, Government of India
Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Ex-DG, CSIR
AS(DP), Department of Defence Production
Chairman, HAL, Bangalore.
Its terms and conditions include, inter-alia, to recommend measures to restructure or create new business/profit centers in the company with a view to enhance efficiency and also to suggest changes in the Board structure of the company. The Expert Group is yet to submit its recommendations
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM PallamRajuin written reply to Shri P. Lingam and Shri GurudasDasgupta inLok Sabha today.
PK/NN

Integrated Satellite Based Platform
There are no plans for moving the command systems of the Armed Forces entirely on Integrated Satellite platforms.

The Naval Satellite is planned to be launched in 2012-13.

A dedicated communication satellite for Air Force is planned to be launched in 2013-2014.

A Tri-services Defence Communication Network (DCN) is being progressed as per the Defence Procurement Procedure. The DCN envisages a network of optical fibre cables, satellite earth stations and transportable and portable satellite terminals with high security features.

The design of these systems have features that enable conduct of simultaneous real time networked operations from multiple sites to cater for contingencies and failures, as well as hardware redundancies for fail safe operations This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony in written reply to Shri Manish Tewari in Lok Sabha today.


(Release ID :82794)

Upgradation of Aircraft
The Indian Air Force (IAF) undertakes upgrades of its fighter aircraft to enhance their combat potential and to ensure their operational relevance.

IAF has undertaken upgrade of MiG-21 and MiG-27 aircraft. Contracts have also been signed to upgrade the MiG-29, Mirage-2000 and Jaguar aircraft.

Contract for upgrade of MiG-29 was signed with RAC `MiG` at a cost of US$964 Million. The upgrade is planned to be completed by 2016.

Contract for Mirage-2000 upgrade has been signed with M/s Thales and M/s Dassault Aviation, France at a cost of 1470 Million Euros and with M/s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a cost of Rs.2020 crores. All the aircraft are scheduled to be upgraded by mid-2021.

The Contract for upgrade of Jaguar Aircraft has been signed with M/s HAL at a cost of Rs.3113.02 crores. The aircraft are planned to be upgraded by December 2017.

This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony in written reply to Shri Ramesh Bais and Shri PC Mohan in Lok Sabha today.

PK/NN  
(Release ID :82793)

Modernisation of Air Force
Replacement or upgrade of defence assets that complete their technical life is a continuous process and steps are taken to ensure that the required level of operational preparedness is maintained at all times.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) Long Term Perspective Plan (LTPP) envisages procurement of aircraft and equipment for the next 15 years (2012- 2027). This plan lays down the roadmap for capability-building and enhancement of the combat potential of the IAF.

Some of the major contracts signed during the last three years include procurement of Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft, Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, Medium Lift Helicopters, Intermediate Jet Trainers and Hawk Advanced Jet trainers as well as various types of Radars, Airborne Weapon Systems and Air Defence Missile Systems. IAF has also undertaken upgrade of its MiG-29, Mirage-2000 and Jaguar fleets to maintain their operational capabilities. The Budget allocation for Capital procurements for 2012-13 is Rs.30,514crore.

Under the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), the `Buy and Make`, `Buy and Make (Indian)` and `Make` Categories provide adequate scope for participation by domestic industry in defence procurements.

This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony in written reply to Shri N. PeethambaraKurup and others in Lok Sabha today.

PK/NN  
(Release ID :82787)
 
India’s MiGs Had 482 Accidents in 30 Years: Study


NEW DELHI — Dubbed “flying coffins” or “widow makers” in the air force, India’s aging collection of Soviet-era MiGs have long been unpopular with air force pilots.

New figures unveiled May 2 show why. India’s Defense Minister A.K. Antony said there had been 482 accidents in the last 30 years resulting in the deaths of 171 pilots and 39 civilians.

The MiG fleet is now 873 strong. New Delhi’s acquisitions began in 1966 with MiG-21 interceptors, and the next two decades saw the induction of the high-speed MiG 25, ground-attack MiG27 and the fourth-generation MiG-29 fighter jets into the country’s air force.

Experts say a majority of the accidents involved India’s single-engine MiG-21, a combat airplane that has been flown by some 50 countries since it was developed by then Soviet Union in the 1950s.

“A total of 171 pilots, 39 civilians, eight service personnel and one air crew lost their lives in these accidents,” the defense minister told parliament in reference to the period from 1971 to April 19 this year. The accidents were blamed on “human error and technical defects.”

Antony in February said that the air force would start phasing out its mainstay MiG-21s, which make up 40 percent of its total fleet, beginning in 2014.

Recurring crashes involving the single-engine MiG-21 inspired Bollywood film “Rang De Basanti” (Color It Saffron) in 2006 and sparked a spirited campaign in 2003 by relatives of a killed pilot for the war jets’ scrapping.

India plans to replace its MiGs with 123 modern aircraft in a deal worth$12 billion.

France’s Dassault Aviation in January won the right to enter exclusive negotiations to sell its Rafale planes. Price negotiations are currently underway between the French firm and India.


India’s MiGs Had 482 Accidents in 30 Years: Study | Defense News | defensenews.com
 
Since induction 482 MiG aircraft accidents look place in India: Report

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, May 2, IRNA -- 482 MiG aircraft accidents took place since Financial Year (FY) 1971-72 to FY 2012-13 (till 19th April 2012).

A total of 171 pilots, 39 civilians, 8 service personnel and 1 aircrew lost their lives in these accidents.

The causes of accidents were both human error and technical defects, said an official release issued here quoting the information given by Minister of Defence A K Antony in a written reply in Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament) on Wednesday.

The MiG series aircraft were inducted starting from MiG-21 in 1960s/1970s to MiG-29 in 1980s.

A total of 872 MiG aircraft of various types were purchased from 1966-1980.

These aircraft were purchased as per rules/procedures of that period.

At present the procurement of capital equipment is carried out as per Defence Procurement Procedure.

The training of initial batches of pilots for MiG series aircraft was carried out in erstwhile USSR, followed by training for the rest of the pilots in India.

The procurement cases involving Russian origin MiG-21 Bis& MiG-27 aircraft involved Transfer of Technology (ToT) and license production by HAL.

Defence Minister had told the Parliament on March 19 that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has lost 33 fighter aircraft, including three Sukhoi-30MKI, in mishaps since 2008 and 26 defence personnel were killed in these crashes.

'During last three years-2008-2011, and current year up to March, 33 fighter aircraft including one Jaguar, two Mirage 2000, three Sukhoi-30 and 27 MiG-series and 10 helicopters have crashed,' he had said in a written reply to a question on crashes of IAF aircraft.

Meanwhile, India has become the largest importer of arms during 2007- 2011 and accounted for 10 per cent of the global arms imports as compared to China`s share of 5 per cent.

Tabling a report on year-wise expenditure on foreign procurement of arms, Antony said, Rs 10,166.08 crore was spent in 2007-08, which rose up to Rs 13,411.91 crore in 2009-10. During 2010-11, the expenditure touched Rs 15,443.01-crore mark.

2160**1420
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 80109362
 
Sukhoi Su-30SM: An Indian Gift to Russia’s Air Force

Russian_Sukhoi-Su-30M_Flanker-H_230312.jpg



Russia’s Defense Ministry has ordered 30 heavy Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter planes. Given that the same model has been exported to India for more than 10 years, this choice seems both logical and pragmatic.

The Defense Ministry and the Irkut Corporation, an affiliate of the United Aircraft Corporation, have signed a supply contract for 30 Su-30SM multirole fighter aircraft, a Defense Ministry spokesman told journalists Thursday, March 22. “Under the contract, Irkut Corporation will build for Russia’s Ministry of Defense 30 planes of this type by 2015,” he said.
 
So far HAL has manufactured 30 Lakshya-1 UAVs and has delivered to IAF (15), Indian Navy(05) and DRDO (10) during the period from 2006- 07 to 2011-12.

The present cost of each Lakshya is Rs.4.53 crores.

At present there is no proposal to sell Lakshya to other countries.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr MM PallamRajuin a written reply to Shri Ashok Kumar Rawat in Lok Sabha today.

PK/NN
(Release ID :83707)

Delivery of Equipment by Hal
The government has taken cognizance of the complaints of Indian Air Force regarding the delayed delivery of equipment by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).IAF has expressed concerns over the deliveries of some of the products of HAL. There have been delays in some projects in current range of production by HAL due to rework of Jigs supplied by the OEM in respect of Hawk; delay in establishing the facilities for complex engine components and radar software in respect of SU-30 MKI aircraft; delay in certification of Shakti engine by the OEM in respect of ALH; changes in Standard of Preparation (SOP) in respect of LCA and delay in engine development by the OEM in respect of IJT.

The government continuously monitors the performance of the company and takes steps to address the issues. In respect of Hawk, SU-30 MKI aircraft and ALH, the issues have been addressed. Inrespect of LCA and IJT development efforts have been intensified.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr MM PallamRajuin a written reply to Shri Anto Antony in Lok Sabha today.

PK/NN
(Release ID :83702)

Medium Lift Helicopters
Indian Air Force has adequate number of Medium Lift Helicopters like Mi-8, Mi-17 and Mi-17 IV to meet its operational requirements.

Six Mi-17 helicopters have been modified with the approval of the Government for the use of VIPs as they have been designed for better performance at high altitude and high temperatures during summer months.

This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A K Antony in a written reply to Shri Bal Kumar Patel in Lok Sabha today.

PK/NN
(Release ID :83716)

LIST OF CONTRACTS WITH 30% OFFSET CLAUSE
S. No.
Name of Scheme
Offset amount
(in US dollars)
Date of signing of contract
AIR FORCE
1
MPR
5,406,000
16.10.2007
2
Mig-29 Upgrade
308,271,669
07.03.2008
3.
Mi-17 V-5 Helicopters (MLH)
405,070,000
15.12.2008
4.
Medium Altitude EO/IR recce System for Jaguar Aircraft
21,086,031
06.02.2009
5.
P-IV (HAROP) System
44,310,000
13.02.2009
6.
C-130 J-30 ac FMS Case
219,000,000
06.03.2009
7.
Low Level Transportable Radar (LLTR)
34,750,000
29.07.2009
8.
AW 101 WIP Helicopter
224,140,000 (Euro166,878,608)
08.02.2010
9.
Sensor Fuzed Weapon
102,540,000
15.11.2010
10.
C-17 Aircraft (VHETAC - FMS Case)
1,091,700,000
14.06.2011
11.
Mirage-2000 Upgrade
592,810,000
(Euro 441,367,882)
29.07.2011
12.
MICA IR and RF Msl
386,400,000
(Euro 287,690,000)
31.01.2012
Total = US $ 3,435,483,700
 
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