Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[Screaming Skull]

Russia to complete overhaul of 63 Indian Mig-29 jets in 2013​

18/09/2009

MOSCOW, September 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will finish upgrading MiG-29 fighters in service with the Indian air force in 2013, a Russian defense industry source has said.

Russia's MiG company signed last year a contract with the Indian Defense Ministry to upgrade over 60 MiG-29 fighters, in service since the 1980s.

"The implementation of the contract started last year, and it will be fulfilled in 2013," the source told RIA Novosti on Thursday.

According to the source, during the upgrade the MiG-29s will be fitted with advanced avionics, new multi-functional Zhuk-ME radars, a new weapon control system, as well as revamped engines.

The service life of the aircraft will be extended from 25 to 40 years.

The official said the first four Indian MiG-29 fighters are being modernized and flight-tested in Russia and the remaining aircraft will be overhauled in India with the aid of Russian experts.

The contract stipulates the construction of MiG consignment depots and service centers in India, along with simulators for pilot training.

Russia to complete overhaul of 63 Indian fighter jets in 2013 | Top Russian news and analysis online | 'RIA Novosti' newswire

 

[ISRO2]

LEH: For the first time-ever, the Indian Air Force today landed an AN-32 transport aircraft at the Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground in eastern
Ladakh, just 23 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

The touchdown by the medium lift transport aircraft signifies India's capability to move its troops quickly to the forward areas, whenever required.

The IAF move comes in the wake of reports of recent Chinese intrusions into the Indian side of the LAC, including airspace violations by their helicopters and painting Mandarin letters on rocks in red.

The AN-32 aircraft, flown by Shaurya Chakra awardee Group Captain S C Chafekar and carrying Western Air Command (WAC) chief Air Marshal N A K Browne and Northern Army Commander Lt Gen P C Bhardwarj, landed at Nyoma at 0625 hours, WAC spokesperson Flt Lt Priya Joshi said in New Delhi.

Nyoma ALG is situated at an altitude of 13,300 feet above sea level and is the third such ALG opened by IAF in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir in the last two years.

The ALGs opened earlier were Daulat Beg Oldi, the world's highest airfield at 16,200 feet, in May last year and Fuk Che in November that year.

The IAF had, before this AN-32 landing, used Nyoma airstrip only for helicopter operations. Only recently, the IAF took up work to convert it into an ALG for transport fixed-wing aircraft operations by laying a compacted airstrip, IAF officials said.

"After deliberating on all aspects and carrying out aerial and ground reccees, it was concluded that Nyoma could be developed for fixed wing operations as well," Joshi said.

An Engineer Regiment of the Army's 14 Corps executed the task of developing the ALG to standards required for fixed wing operations.

"The successful landing of a fixed wing aircraft at Nyoma marks the culmination of joint effort by the IAF and Army to enable the IAF to operate in the inhospitable terrain of Leh-Ladakh region in support of the Army," she said.

"The joint development of Nyoma, braving the extremely difficult working conditions and hostile weather, is yet another step towards enhanced jointmanship between the two services," she added.

Joshi said Nyoma was developed with an aim to connect the remote areas of Ladakh region to the mainland.

"This would also ensure that movements in the area continue when the road traffic gets affected, during the harsh winters besides enabling improved communication network in the region, facilitating economical ferrying of supplies as well as promotion of tourism to the general area," she added.

IAF opens new airstrip in Ladakh nearer to China border - India - NEWS - The Times of India

sir its a alot good news. i think it will little bit solve problem of landing troops. In 3years our infrastructure would be ready. Till then landing troops by this solution is better. Very good news indeed. Sir am watching AN-32 landed in nyoma on tv news. Feels proud that atleast our troops can get to border fast when they needed. Thank you sir for wonderful news.

 

[BSF]

The next thing you know,,, we put up a few MKi's over there.

We need more airstrips in the eastern sector...Arunanchal and Assam

 

[ISRO2]

The next thing you know,,, we put up a few MKi's over there.

Yes sir. MKI's too can be landed there as AN-32 bigger in size than MKI. i think more airstrips will be reopened. On some work going on. 3 years is deadline sir. Chidambram warned that work should get completed within 3years. Work is going on rapidly to build infrastructure on border sir.

 

[Screaming Skull]

IAF An-32 at Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground, Ladakh​

​

Courtesy: LiveFist

 

[gogbot]

IAF An-32 at Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground, Ladakh​

​

Courtesy: LiveFist

This wasn't quite what i imagined in my head.
I expected there to be less sand.
and a building of two

 

[Screaming Skull]

Indian Air Force seeking a basic trainer​

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009

BANGALORE: Worried over the non-availability of a basic trainer to train its flight cadets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has written to a number of overseas manufacturers who have designed and manufactured basic turbo trainers, asking for information on their aircraft.

The move comes in the wake of the IAF’s recent grounding of its 125-strong Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) designed and manufactured ab initio Hindustan Piston Trainer-32 (HPT-32) fleet, after one of these aircraft crashed, killing two instructors during a routine flight from the Air Force Academy at Dundigal.

Though HAL has already issued a request for information to a number of global manufacturers — including Embraer (for their Tucano), Pilatus (for the PC-21), Raytheon (T-6 Texan), Finmeccanica (M-311), Grob Aircraft Company (G-120TP) and Korea Aerospace Industries (KT-1) — seeking a partner to jointly develop a turbo prop replacement for the HPT-32, the grounding of the fleet has meant that the IAF has to fast track the process to acquire a basic trainer.

Senior officials in the Ministry of Defence said the IAF had no choice but to look overseas for a trainer themselves, since waiting for HAL to design and manufacture a basic turbo trainer — to be called the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 — will mean waiting for at least six to seven years before it can be inducted.

Non-availability

The non-availability of a basic trainer for that many years will badly hurt the training of rookie flight cadets, aggravating the already existing shortage of pilots. The IAF hopes its move will help it start training flight cadets within a year of signing a contract.

The IAF’s letter to the same trainer aircraft manufacturers does not specify any air staff qualitative requirements, only stating that they are looking for information on a basic turbo trainer. The number of aircraft required is 150.

However, though no deadline has been given for the responses, officials said the IAF wants to evaluate, select and sign a contract by the middle of 2010. A few manufacturers have already responded and even made presentations. The IAF’s move means that they and not HAL will now select the basic trainer.

Other options

But with officials explaining that even if the IAF were to select and buy a readily available basic trainer today, it would only be delivered in two or three years, the Air Head Quarters is evaluating whether to ‘buy,’ ‘buy and make,’ or to tide over the crisis of not having a basic trainer by taking a few aircraft on lease.

Sources said a few companies had offered to lease out trainer aircraft and train IAF instructors on them until new aircraft were procured.

The Hindu : National : Indian Air Force seeking a basic trainer

 

[sudhir007]

NEW DELHI - India's homegrown Medium Lift Helicopter project has been grounded as state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) has failed to find global partners to co-develop the helicopter.

HAL has broken off negotiations with Eurocopter of France and Mil Design Bureau of Russia. One of the companies was to have been awarded the contract for co-development of the program.

Sources in the Indian Defence Ministry said the Medium Lift Helicopter program is already delayed and cannot be delayed further. As such, they say, a procurement is to be made from the global market, though the HAL project also will stay.

HAL has been looking for global partners to co-develop the 10-metric-ton helicopter for use by the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force. The state-owned company has been negotiating with Eurocopter and Mil Design Bureau for two years, but no vendor has received a final selection.

An official from HAL, however, said the project is still on, adding that the technical and financial details offered by Eurocopter and Mil Design Bureau could not be synchronized with HAL requirements. The official gave no details.

Indian defense forces need to deploy a medium-lift, 10-ton helicopter to replace aging Russian-made Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters. There is a total demand of more than 350 Medium Lift Helicopters by the three wings of the Indian defense forces, with a major requirement from the Indian Navy.

The Navy asked the Defence Ministry in March to purchase medium-lift helicopters from the overseas market, citing delays in HAL's co-development project.

HAL took up the Medium Lift Helicopter program nearly five years ago, and the program is still in the drawing-room stage. Further delays in the procurement of the helicopter will affect the combat worthiness of the Indian Navy, said a senior Navy official.

The Navy wants the medium-lift chopper for combat and rescue missions, while the Army and Air Force want the helicopters mainly for logistics purposes.

Last year, HAL bagged an order for 187 Light Observation Helicopters, while the remaining order for 197 copters was floated globally. Sources in the Defence Ministry said HAL is on a global hunt to find partners to speed up that program, so that the Army can take delivery of the helicopters by 2014.

But the Light Observation Helicopter program also is delayed, as the Defence Ministry canceled the procurement process for 197 helicopters at the final stage, in which Eurocopter emerged as the front-runner against Bell Helicopter of the United States. However, following Bell's complaints on issues of transparency in the procurement process, the government decided to cancel the contest and seek fresh bids.

The Army and Air Force need new light helicopters to replace about 300 aging Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. HAL is developing the 3-metric-ton Light Observation Helicopter and the program is on track, said a HAL official.

India Medium-Lift Helo Program Faces More Delays - Defense News

 

[sancho]

NEW DELHI - India's homegrown Medium Lift Helicopter project has been grounded as state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) has failed to find global partners to co-develop the helicopter.

HAL has broken off negotiations with Eurocopter of France and Mil Design Bureau of Russia. One of the companies was to have been awarded the contract for co-development of the program.

Sources in the Indian Defence Ministry said the Medium Lift Helicopter program is already delayed and cannot be delayed further. As such, they say, a procurement is to be made from the global market, though the HAL project also will stay.

HAL has been looking for global partners to co-develop the 10-metric-ton helicopter for use by the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force. The state-owned company has been negotiating with Eurocopter and Mil Design Bureau for two years, but no vendor has received a final selection.

An official from HAL, however, said the project is still on, adding that the technical and financial details offered by Eurocopter and Mil Design Bureau could not be synchronized with HAL requirements. The official gave no details.

Indian defense forces need to deploy a medium-lift, 10-ton helicopter to replace aging Russian-made Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters. There is a total demand of more than 350 Medium Lift Helicopters by the three wings of the Indian defense forces, with a major requirement from the Indian Navy.

The Navy asked the Defence Ministry in March to purchase medium-lift helicopters from the overseas market, citing delays in HAL's co-development project.

HAL took up the Medium Lift Helicopter program nearly five years ago, and the program is still in the drawing-room stage. Further delays in the procurement of the helicopter will affect the combat worthiness of the Indian Navy, said a senior Navy official.

The Navy wants the medium-lift chopper for combat and rescue missions, while the Army and Air Force want the helicopters mainly for logistics purposes.

Last year, HAL bagged an order for 187 Light Observation Helicopters, while the remaining order for 197 copters was floated globally. Sources in the Defence Ministry said HAL is on a global hunt to find partners to speed up that program, so that the Army can take delivery of the helicopters by 2014.

But the Light Observation Helicopter program also is delayed, as the Defence Ministry canceled the procurement process for 197 helicopters at the final stage, in which Eurocopter emerged as the front-runner against Bell Helicopter of the United States. However, following Bell's complaints on issues of transparency in the procurement process, the government decided to cancel the contest and seek fresh bids.

The Army and Air Force need new light helicopters to replace about 300 aging Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. HAL is developing the 3-metric-ton Light Observation Helicopter and the program is on track, said a HAL official.

India Medium-Lift Helo Program Faces More Delays - Defense News

HAL clearly has way too many projects going on (LCA, LCH, LOH, MMRCA, FGFA, MTA and all the upgrades) and nearly all projects are delayed. Not good for our forces!

 

[RPK]

fullstory


IAF strengthening air defence radars along LAC with China

New Delhi, Sep 25 (PTI) The Indian Air Force (IAF) is strengthening its air defence in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China by putting in place a series of special mountain and light-weight radars.

Western Air Command (WAC) chief Air Marshal N A K Browne told reporters here today that different types of radars would be put in place along the 667-km LAC with China, the air defence of which is WAC's responsibility.

"The Air Force is keenly examining the option of special type of radars, which we call the mountain radars and we are also looking at Low Level Light Weight Radars (LLLWR). So there is a definite plan," Browne said to a question on the future air defence systems along the LAC.

The IAF's move comes close on the heels of reports of recent incursions by Chinese military helicopters into Indian airspace.

 

[Gabbar]

Radars in Ladakh, Sukhois in Punjab​

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy two squadrons of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters in Punjab and install mountain radars in Ladakh close to the border with China.

The move to strengthen defences comes after reports of ground and air incursions by the Chinese army, which India and China have played down.

The two Su-30 squadrons will boost India's ability to counter any threat, a senior officer told DNA.

The IAF is also deploying Sukhois in the north-east. One squadron was recently deployed in Tezpur, Assam, andone more is expected soon.

Two SU-30 MKI squadrons are to be based in Jhabua, and the IAF already has two such squadrons in Bareilly.

New radars will be installed along the Line of Actual Control, the name given to the border with China, said Air Marshal NAK Browne, who heads the Western Air Command.

The air force is examining the option of special mountain radars and low level light weight radars (LLLWRs), he said.

The IAF has ordered 19 LLLWRs from Israel, three of which have been delivered.
Parrying questions about the reported airspace violations by China, Browne said: We need to engage everyone and also keep our gun powder dry."

On Air Chief Marshal PV Naik's remarks that IAF's fleet was one-third of China's, Browne said: "We are extremely well-balanced."

 

[BSF]

Radars in Ladakh, Sukhois in Punjab

We need Sukhoi's in Leh and Sikkim.

 

[sudhir007]

 

[ejaz007]

Indian Air Force MiG 29 Fighters Upgradation to be Completed by 2013
Dated 20/9/2009


Russia will complete the upgradation of Indian Air Force's 60 MiG-29 fighters by 2013 which will extend their service life by another 15 years. "The implementation of the contract signed between India and Russia started last year, and it will be fulfilled in 2013," a defense source was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

Under the contract signed last year, Russia's RAC MiG aircraft corporation will upgrade over 60 MiG-29 fighters, in service with the IAF since the 1980s and service life of the aircraft will be extended from 25 to 40 years. The contract also stipulates the construction of MiG consignment depots and service centers in India to resolve the problem of timely supply of spares and after sale services, as well as flight simulators for pilot training.

The upgrade MiG-29s will be fitted with advanced avionics, new multi-functional Zhuk-ME radars, a new weapon control system, as well as modernized RD-33 engines. According to defense official quoted by the agency, first four Indian MiG-29 fighters are being modernized and flight-tested in Russia and the remaining aircraft will be overhauled in India with the Russian technical assistance.


Indian Air Force MiG 29 Fighters Upgradation to be Completed by 2013 | India Defence

 

[sudhir007]

FinMin opposes IAF choice for refuelling aircraft


The Indian Air Force’s plan to acquire six new refuelling aircraft to give its fighters extended reach has hit a roadblock with the Finance Ministry questioning the selection of the European Airbus 330 MRTT aircraft that costs almost twice as much as its Russian built competitor.
While two aircraft—the Airbus 330 MRTT and the Russian IL 78—had taken part in the global tender taken out in 2006 to provide six refuellers, the Air Force had recently selected the European platform after technical trials. This, despite the fact that India already has a fleet of six IL 78 tankers ordered from Uzbekistan in 2002.
However, the Finance Ministry is said to have objected to the selection as the Airbus 330 MRTT deal would cost upwards of Rs 8,000 crore against the estimated budget of Rs 5,000 crore set by the Defence Ministry. On the other hand, the fleet of Russian built IL-78 would cost only Rs 4,800 crore.
The Finance Ministry has pointed out that India already has a fleet of the IL 78 refuellers, making it easier to induct a larger number of the aircraft. Financial advisers have also pointed out that the IL-78 fleet currently in service with the Air Force is relatively new as the last aircraft was inducted as late as 2004. This, analysts say, rules out the argument that a modernised platform is needed by the Air Force.
The Air Force, on the other hand, is fed up of constant delays in spare parts as well as quality issues with Russian built aircraft. The Russian aircraft, officers say, also did not meet all requirements set in the tender. Senior officials have pointed out that not only does the Airbus aircraft have a larger range but also the ability to carry extra fuel along with a passenger or cargo load.
While the IAF is very keen on acquiring refueling aircraft at the earliest given the threat environment and the need to deploy fighters on extended missions, the Finance Ministry’s objection is likely to delay the final signing of the contract.