Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[Tejas-MkII]

From all the above post we have below points to note about:

About LCH:

1.It would be ready in 2 weeks,so may be end of december or start of january.

2.Its weight get reduced (580 Kg),mention in ajai shukla blog.

About SARAS:

1.HAL will build 30-35 NAL SARAS aircraft.

About ALH:

1.There is no cancellation of extra orders.

About IJT:

1.IAF want about 250 AC (according to wiki) and ET to believe order will be around 1.5 bil$ ,so possibly its a order for all the 250 AC.

And also IAF is going for 75 Basic trainer.


PS: I am not sure but is it BAROBORA effect or what

 

[marcos98]

Centre okay with Boeing aircraft to replace ageing IL-76 fleet

Keen on replacing the ageing Russian IL-76 transport aircraft in the Indian Air Force (IAF), the ministry of defence has approved in principle the purchase of the US-based Boeing’s C-17 heavy-lift Globemaster III. The deal is worth over $2 billion.

“The C-17s have been short listed after IAF carried out a thorough study on its capability to take-off and land on short runways with heavy loads. The defency ministry has sent a letter to the US administration seeking a formal offer for these machines,” highly placed sources on conditions of anonymity told FE. This development comes ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the US.

Sources said the C-17 deal was discussed and cleared at a recent meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by defence minister AK Antony. The deal, likely to be inked in few months, will be discussed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the US.

Initially, the IAF will place an order for 10 C-17s through the US government’s foreign military sales (FMS) route, and may later go in for a follow-on order, sources said. “For an FMS contract, the US administration, after receiving a letter of request from the MoD, will seek Congressional approval before making a formal offer.”

“If accepted, the aircraft should be inducted in about three years after the contract is signed,” sources added.

Most of IAF’s transport aircraft were acquired in the 1980s and the air force is keen to acquire new generation aircraft to replace and augment its fleet.

The US ambassador in New Delhi
, while pitching for robust India-US military ties, has reportedly said, “America is ready to support India’s drive to modernise its armed forces.”

India has ordered for six C-130J aircraft (from Lockheed Martin) for its special forces operations and these aircraft will be based at the Hindan air base in Ghaziabad.

C-130J Super Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft made by Lockheed Martin capable of carrying 20 tonne or 92 fully armed airborne troops.

C-17 Globemaster is a larger Boeing-made military transport aircraft capable of carrying 75 tonne or 135 troops.

With Asia becoming a global economic engine, India’s interests have surpassed her own boundaries to regions stretching from the Straits of Hormuz to the Straits of Malacca, the northern Indian Ocean Region, and to central Asia. The IAF plans to replace and augment nearly 100% of its fighter, transport, and helicopter fleets due to…

age and performance deficiencies.”Demands on the airlift fleet are growing due to enhanced national and international commitments that will only increase in the future,” said a senior IAF officer.

According to the former Air Chief Fali Homi Major, “… with India emerging as a global economic power, it is necessary that the IAF enhance its capabilities to fulfill new responsibilities. And, to meet these new security challenges, the IAF needs strategic reach, there is a necessity to build up our strategic assets …”…

 

[marcos98]

Ukraine to start modernization of Indian An-32 in December

Ukraine will start modernization of military cargo planes for the Indian Air Force in December, a Ukrainian defense sector source told Interfax. The first Indian Antonov An-32 will arrive in Kyiv in December for the pilot modernization project, he said.

If India is satisfied with the modernization, the process will become extensive, at the 410th Kyiv Civil Aviation Plant.It is planned to increase the plane's service life to 40 years and the payload from 6.7 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes. Cockpit noise will also be reduced.

The Indian Air Force and Spetstekhnoexport, a subsidiary of Ukrspetsexport state company, signed the contract of some $400 million in June, following the Ukrainian victory in the December 2007 tender. In all, 105 An-32 will be repaired and modernized. Ukraine's Motor Sich will modernize the An-32 engine. Ukraine presents the An-74 patrol jet at the Indian tender for Coast Guard aircraft.

/www.kyivpost.com

 

[beckham]

Netas using arms deals to settle scores: Barbora

NEW DELHI: Air Marshal P K Barbora has again ventured into a territory which nobody donning a uniform has dared, attacking the political class

The armed forces have long talked about how politics often overrides national security in hushed tones but no one has dared to bell the cat publicly while still serving.

But then, Barbora has always been somewhat of a flamboyant character, whether it was undertaking unheard of combat manoeuvres on his MiG-21s in his younger days or declaring as the Western Air Command chief last year that his force was capable of hitting "5,000 targets'' in Pakistan after the 26/11 terror attacks.

Coupled with this dash of flamboyance comes the unsettling ability to speak his mind publicly even if it's politically incorrect or unpalatable. Even as he expressed regret for hurting some sentiments with his candid `personal' views on why women cannot be inducted as fighter pilots just yet, the IAF vice-chief did some plain speaking yet again on Thursday.

This time, he attacked the proclivity of political parties to use defence procurement deals to settle political vendettas as well as the half-hearted steps taken to open the defence sector to the private sector and foreign direct investment (FDI).

First, Air Marshal Barbora clarified it was his "personal opinion'', not that of IAF or the defence ministry, that pre-conditions like not having children for some specified time would have to be imposed on women who want to become fighter pilots since over Rs 11 crore is spent on training each fighter pilot.

"I am quite confident, as I mentioned before, that in the not too distant future, we hope to see women flying fighters in some form of combat roles... (But) it has to be a step-by-step approach,'' he said.

Then, during an international conference on "Energising the Indian Aerospace Sector'', Air Marshal Barbora launched an attack on the culture of "irresponsible politics'' which "impinges very badly'' on the country's defence preparedness.

"The internal politics over the years is such that whatever defence requirements are cleared by the government, they are opposed by the opposition parties. And the same happens when roles change and the opposition sits in government,'' he said.

The tendency to score political points by referring defence deals struck by an earlier government to the Central Vigilance Commission brings modernisation of armed forces to a grinding halt. "Everyone looks at each other with suspicion,'' he said.

Seeking "pardon'' for "saying things which must be said'', Air Marshal Barbora then held that India should be "bold enough'' to allow more FDI in the defence sector as well as bolster the role of the domestic private sector in the arms manufacturing business.

It was in May 2001 that the defence industry sector was opened up to 100% private investment, with up to 26% FDI, with the aim of establishing a strong defence-industrial base. Till then, the defence sector was strictly the public sector's preserve.

But the policy has not shown much results since then, with the armed forces continuing to import around 70% of their military hardware and software from countries like Russia, Israel, France, UK and now, increasingly the US.

Even Pakistan does much better on the defence exports front, said Air Marshal Barbora. While defence PSUs like Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd are "pleased'' at producing just doors and undercarriages for European Airbus aircraft, China has taken huge strides and is making the "whole damn thing'', he added.

The IAF vice-chief did not stop at that. He even asked private companies to learn the art of `reverse engineering' in military technologies, which China has mastered and exploits to the hilt. "Has anyone ever had the courage to ask China why are you doing it? No one cares a hoot. If you can't make it yourself, you should at least know how to do reverse engineering,'' he said.

__________________________________________________________________________

 

[marcos98]

Thales wins Indian Air Force low-level radar deal

DUBAI – Thales has won a contract to supply the Indian Air Force 19 low-level transportable radar systems based on the Ground Smarter (GS) 100 sensor, the defense company announced at the air show here.

Thales will build six of the 19 radars at its Limours facility, southwest of Paris. Under a technology transfer agreement, its local partner Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) will build the remaining 13 units in India, the French defense company said Nov. 15.

Each low level transportable radar system comprises the GS 100 radar, operational and communications shelters, an energy subsystem, mobility subsystem and quarters for personnel.

“This contract reinforces our position in the Indian region as a major supplier of air defense radars,” said Richard Deakin, Thales senior vice president and head of the air systems division. “BEL is a leading supplier of defense electronics systems and subsystems and plays a leading role in a number of major Indian defense programmes.”

The GS 100, based on the SR3D radar platform, is a mobile, modular and multifunctional sensor designed to track complex target manoeuvres at very low altitudes, Thales said.

The sensor can detect and track targets up to a range of 180 km. The SR3D platform is also used in the Ground Master 400 long range radar, launched into the market in 2007.

No financial details were given. The international competition for the radar was launched in 2003.

 

[RPK]

Upgradation of MIG-29 squadrons

The government signed a contract for upgradation of MiG-29 aircraft with M/s Russian Aircraft Corporation (RAC MiG) on 7 March 2008. The MiG-29 aircraft upgrade is planned in two phases namely Design & Development (D&D) phase in Russia and series upgrade in India. Upgrade of six aircraft in D&D phase commenced from August 2008. The series upgrade for the remaining aircraft is expected to be carried out in India from June 2010 onwards. The cost of the upgrade of the MiG-29 aircraft is 964 Million US Dollars.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Pradeep Majhi and others in Lok Sabha today.

 

[RPK]

AN-32 aircraft for VIP travel

PIB Press Release

An expenditure of Rs. 56 lakhs was incurred by the Indian Air Force on conversion of eight AN-32 aircraft for VIP travel. The matter was examined in detail by the Public Accounts Committee of the 14th Lok Sabha and all aircraft have been demodified.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Smt Sushila Saroj and others in Lok Sabha today.

 

[RPK]

Optical fibre cable network for defence forces

PIB Press Release


The Government proposes to set up a state-of-the-art optical fibre cable network for the defence forces. The estimated cost of the network is Rs. 9970 crores. This includes Rs. 1077 crores for the Air Force Network (AFNET) on which work is underway. The project will be implemented by BSNL. The proposed network will enable the Defence Forces to shift certain wireless links working in the coordinated frequency band to this network.

As per estimates of the Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, the project is expected to be completed in 3 ½ years.

 

[marcos98]

IAF mulling entry of women fighter pilots: Naik

BY: centralchronicle

Chief of Air Staff (COAS) Air Chief Marshal P V Naik today said the Indian Air Force (IAF) was examining the issue of the entry of women fighter pilots.
Briefing reporters here, Air Chief Marshal Naik said the matter was being deliberated at a ‘very, very high’ level in the force and a detailed study was being conducted in this regard.
”It is not a question of the entry of women fighter pilots in the IAF. It is about women in combat roles in all the three services — in the infantry and artillery in the army, on ships in the navy and in fighter planes in the air force. The viability of such a role is being examined in detail,” he said.
There were several issues – including cultural, ethical and of physical fitness – related to women in combat role in the armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Naik said.
”A careful and thought-out decision will be made, which will not be reversed. We do not want to go back on the decision (once we make it),” he said.
The study would also take into consideration the experience of the air forces of other countries in the world, especially since some countries had reversed their decision to recruit women as fighter pilots, the COAS said.
However, Air Chief Marshal Naik said he saw no reason why women could not become fighter pilots.
”They are already flying other aircrafts like the IL-76 transport aircraft. There will be women fighter pilots in the IAF. After all, they have broken every other male bastion,” he added.
Chief Marshal Naik was in the city to attend the two-day Commanders’ conference of the Maintenance Command of the IAF, which concludes today. The Headquarters of the Maintenance Command (HQMC) is based in Nagpur.

 

[RPK]

fullstory

NSG to get IAF aircraft for operations

New Delhi, Nov 25 (PTI) After getting the power to requisition any aircraft during emergencies, the NSG has got the approval of the Indian Air Force to use its planes to transport commandos for anti-terror duties.

The NSG, in the aftermath of the November 26 Mumbai attacks last year, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with eight different private airlines enabling it to requisition any aircraft for immediate transport of commandos.

"It has been officially formalised that the IAF will provide us air support in case any assistance is needed. The Air Force will also assist in training," National Security Guard (NSG) Director General N P S Aulak said.

"We are thinking of having helicopters, which in a way would be a dedicated one (for NSG), but they would either be with the Air Force or with the Home ministry's air wing.

 

[RPK]

Hunt on for fighters for aircraft carriers - India - The Times of India

NEW DELHI: With the development of the naval version of the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) floundering, the Navy has launched a hunt for a new fighter to operate from its aircraft carriers in the pipeline.

Navy has issued an RFI (request for information) to several global aviation majors, including American Boeing, French Dassault and Russian MiG companies, for ‘an alternate deck-based aircraft’.

‘‘Information is being sought to acquire over 40 fighters for the 40,000-tonne IAC-I (indigenous aircraft carrier), being built at the Cochin shipyard and expected to roll out by 2014-2015 now, and IAC-II, which will follow later,’’ said a source.

As reported by TOI earlier, lack of long-term strategic planning has meant that the 28,000-tonne ageing carrier INS Viraat is fast running out of its Sea Harrier jump-jets, even as the first lot of MiG-29Ks for the 44,570-tonne Admiral Gorshkov will begin arriving in a few days but the carrier itself will come from Russia only in early-2013.

Apart from the 16 MiG-29Ks contracted along with Gorshkov’s refit in January 2004, India is also going to order 29 more MiG-29Ks for around $1.1 billion to operate them from both Gorshkov as well as IAC-I.

IAC-I was also supposed to operate the naval Tejas. ‘‘But now, Navy is also exploring other options for both IAC-I and II,’’ said the source.

 

[brahmastra]

President Patil creates history; takes off in Sukhoi

Pune, Nov 25 (PTI) President Pratibha Patil today made history by taking off in a frontline Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet aircraft from the air force base here, becoming the first woman head of state to fly in a warplane.

74-year-old Patil also set a world record by becoming the oldest woman to be airborne in a combat jet for a 30-minute sortie at a speed close to the supersonic level.

A confident Patil, who sat in the co-pilot's seat in the cockpit, waved to the people gathered at the airbase before taking off in the Sukhoi belonging to the 30 Squadron of IAF.

The President donned a special 'G-suit' worn by fighter pilots to counter gravitational effect due to any high speed air manoeuvres.

 

[sudhir007]

Hunt on for fighters for aircraft carriers - India - The Times of India

NEW DELHI: With the development of the naval version of the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) floundering, the Navy has launched a hunt for a new fighter to operate from its aircraft carriers in the pipeline.

Navy has issued an RFI (request for information) to several global aviation majors, including American Boeing, French Dassault and Russian MiG companies, for ‘an alternate deck-based aircraft’.

‘‘Information is being sought to acquire over 40 fighters for the 40,000-tonne IAC-I (indigenous aircraft carrier), being built at the Cochin shipyard and expected to roll out by 2014-2015 now, and IAC-II, which will follow later,’’ said a source.

As reported by TOI earlier, lack of long-term strategic planning has meant that the 28,000-tonne ageing carrier INS Viraat is fast running out of its Sea Harrier jump-jets, even as the first lot of MiG-29Ks for the 44,570-tonne Admiral Gorshkov will begin arriving in a few days but the carrier itself will come from Russia only in early-2013.

Apart from the 16 MiG-29Ks contracted along with Gorshkov’s refit in January 2004, India is also going to order 29 more MiG-29Ks for around $1.1 billion to operate them from both Gorshkov as well as IAC-I.

IAC-I was also supposed to operate the naval Tejas. ‘‘But now, Navy is also exploring other options for both IAC-I and II,’’ said the source.

I don’t think from the current suiation IN will go for another type of F/A next 3-6 yr we get 2 a/c both required only 30 aircraft at a time. We already have 16 Mig-29K and follow another order of 29 so the total is 45 also NLCA coming next 5yr. So where we need new type of fighter plane Maybe if India go for British A/C then we need .......... but it will come at least 5-7 yr at that time I think IN have option to buy F-35 (note British also go for their A/C )or may be naval version of FGFA or MCA

 

[RPK]

India to develop unmanned combat aerial vehicle


Bangalore: India will soon embark on developing an indigenous unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) for surveillance, detection and destroying specific targets, a top defence official said on Wednesday.


"We will soon embark on designing and developing an unmanned combat aerial vehicle, which will not only do surveillance, but will also help detect the target and destroy the identified object," V K Saraswat, scientific advisor to Defence Minister A K Antony, told reporters.


An UCAV or 'combat drone' differs from ordinary UAVs as it is designed to deliver weapons.


The pilotless vehicle can carry greater payloads and have wide range and manoeuvrability in the absence of a cockpit and associated equipment.


The ambitious project will be taken up by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Bangalore with private industry participation.


"The controls of a combat drone will be rested with multiple command control centres. The centres can be geographically at different locations. Even if one centre becomes defunct, the drone can be controlled and guided by other centres," Saraswat, who recently took over as director general of the DRDO, said on the margins of a conference.


"The UCAV will work in a multi-layer manner for which ADE is developing the required technology, including sensors," Saraswat said after inaugurating the fifth national conference on 'NextGen IT for Indian Defence'.


The ADE is already developing a medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (MALE UAV) codenamed Rustom for the three Indian defence services - army, air force and navy.


The MALE UAV is still in the experimental stage.


The first trial of the prototype, developed by Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd, resulted in a crash Nov 16 near Hosur in Krishnagiri district of western Tamil Nadu, about 40 km from here.


The Rustum UAV, with a wingspan of 20 metres and weighing 1,800 kg, has a maximum speed of 225 km per hour and can operate at an altitude of 30,000 feet.


"The Rustom UAV will be able to execute surveillance of the enemy territory up to a distance of 250km and carry a variety of cameras and radar for surveillance," Saraswat said.


The remote-controlled UAV took off from a private airstrip at Belagondapalli village on the outskirts of Bangalore. After hovering over the Taneja private airstrip for a few minutes, it lost direction and crashed onto an adjacent coconut farm, an ADE official said.


"The aerial vehicle was test-flown for research. The remote control device developed a snag and that led to the crash," the official added.

 

[SU-57E]

when will it complete 2050????