Indian interest in V-22 Osprey intensifies

[arp2041]

The Indian armed forces appear ready to consider the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey as a possible future platform. What began as a preliminary interest in the world's only operational tilt-rotor aircraft, has blossomed into a specific set of missions that the Indian services have flagged as possible future Osprey roles in India. While it has been known for a while that the Indian Navy has shown preliminary interest in the Osprey as a potential carrier-borne AEW&C platform (and therefore for carrier on-board delivery), it is now known that the Indian Air Force has asked for briefings on the aircraft for the combat search & rescue (CSAR) and special forces roles.

The Indian forces have also flagged specific queries about the V-22's ability to fly to the country's island territories in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. The platform's unfuelled range has elicited sharp interest. After acquiring the C-130J for the special operations role, the IAF is now extremely keen on considering the hugely flexible tilt-rotor role as it expands its special forces capability in tandem with the Army.

IAF sources informed SP's, "After a shaky start, the V-22 is now a proven platform with the US Marine Corps and it has demonstrated its capabilities well in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have requested preliminary information based on certain scenarios which we have arrived at, which could possible be addressed by a tilt-rotor aircraft like the V-22." A team from Bell and Boeing held unofficial briefings with Indian armed forces officials at the recently Aero India 2013 show in Bengaluru.

The US Marine Corps uses the V-22 for combat assault, amphibious assault and sustained land operations, while the US Air Force CV-22 is for for long-range special operations and contingency operations. The Indian Air Force would be interested in all of these missions for a possible special operations role in the future, as also for humanitarian relief.

http://www.spsnavalforces.net/exclusive/images/V-22-10.jpg

Indian interest in V 22 Osprey intensifies - SP's Naval Forces

@Abingdonboy @Skull and Bones @sancho Only IAF is interested???

 

[Skull and Bones]

Not exactly a right time to got for it IMO.

 

[narcon]

During testing from 1991 to 2000 there were four crashes resulting in 30 fatalities. Since becoming operational in 2007 the V-22 has had three crashes resulting in 6 fatalities, and several minor incidents. The aircraft's accident history has generated some controversy over its perceived safety

Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[ANPP]

Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dont worry, we have habit of crashes.....alot crashes.

Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dont worry, we have habit of crashes.....alot crashes.

But yes, I think we should wait few more years. I also heard alot of news that it still have problem.

 

[forcetrip]

I have always known that the future holds on this particular platform. It is young and transformation from rotors to a different power plant is the direction in the next 10 years.

 

[Paan Singh]

very expensive and no need of it

 

[kaykay]

already many procurements are in the way...so no more mess up for now!!!

 

[sancho]

Only IAF is interested???

According to the article:

While it has been known for a while that the Indian Navy has shown preliminary interest in the Osprey as a potential carrier-borne AEW&C platform (and therefore for carrier on-board delivery), it is now known that the Indian Air Force has asked for briefings on the aircraft for the combat search & rescue (CSAR) and special forces roles.

So if at all, there seems to be interest of both forces. I am a fan of the V22 for a long time and has always said, that if there would be any special operations or CSAR requirement in IAF, the CV22 must be procured and not the Chinook as many people argued during the heavy lift competition.
In such specialised roles, the V22 can show it's real advantage of speed, range, ceiling and not in the usual utility roles of an helicopter. That's why a bunch of CV22s in addition to the C130Js would be great to extend IAFs special ops capabilities.
However, much more important would this aircraft be for IN and this not in the troop transport role that USMC uses it, but inspecial operations on carriers. Be it as an AEW plattform with several times the capability of the Ka 31, as an multi role transport tanker for (long range transport of passengers and cargo, similar to C2 and higher fuel capacity than with buddy refuelling), or even as a long range MPA in the ASW role, there is hardly any aircraft that offer similar performance.
When lift capability, number of passengers, or internal cargo space are important, from an LDP for example, the V22 is not a good choice anymore, because it has it's limitations in these areas and is much too expensive too procure and operate for such roles.

But as Skull and Bones said, I don't think this is the right moment to go for expensive aircrafts, unless there are credible industial advantages for India in return. Producing parts of the aircraft, developing and producing the new varients at Boeing India with Indian partners (EV22 DRDO AWACS?, TATA for production, HAL and SAMTEL for avionics...).

 

[GR!FF!N]

I'm with Sancho..we need a reliable carrier borne Aew platform as replacement of our aging Kamov-31 fleet.plus,V-22 is also excellent platform for special ops and for heavy lift.but which is against of V-22 is its prohibitive cost and track record.it is prone to crash,and this project faced threat of scraping for several times.we should wait for few more years to mature it.

V-22 Aew platform....

 

[Koovie]

very expensive and no need of it

Actually it makes sense for the Navy which wants a fixed wing AEW&C platform on its carriers. And the V22 makes sense, furthermore it might be quite useful in commando ops.

 

[Skull and Bones]

I'd love to put them on Mistral LHDs, if we go for any in future.

 

[GR!FF!N]

I'd love to put them on Mistral LHDs, if we go for any in future.

we will my friend,we will..many defence analyst suspect that India already chosen Mistral as their desired platform as India's specification meets properly with Mistral and San Antonio.but everybody knows India will never go for San Antonio for its cost.Mistral fits India's doctrine and France is India's long standing ally and defence supplier.that deal will definitely for them.

 

[sancho]

I'm with Sancho..we need a reliable carrier borne Aew platform as replacement of our aging Kamov-31 fleet.

Age is not the issue, sonce most of them are brand new, but the capability of the Ka 31 is simiply more than low. Be it range, ceilling (the lower the less detection capability for the radar), limited refuelling capability (limited endurance)..., all things where a V22 AEW would be 2 or 3 times as good and carrier aircrafts always needs to be capable in first place, not the cheapest solution.

I'd love to put them on Mistral LHDs, if we go for any in future.

The use from LHDs would make sense mainly as an MPA in submarine hunting roles, other than that, it would be too costly, or not capable enough for the utility roles. If we go for them, then for the aircraft carriers, because there are the biggest benefits of their capabilities. Not to forget that it seems that IN requires LDPs, so the French will offer a re-designed Mistral and for LDPs as said, V22s are just a waste.

 

[acetophenol]

Can viki/viraat hold it? I have doubt!

 

[GR!FF!N]

The use from LHDs would make sense mainly as an MPA in submarine hunting roles, other than that, it would be too costly, or not capable enough for the utility roles. If we go for them, then for the aircraft carriers, because there are the biggest benefits of their capabilities.

Suppose,India went for LHD..then what kind of Aircraft we should go for??though these are for Helos,but These can also carry Vtol aircrafts,right??now only operational Vtol aircraft is F-35,apart from Harrier(old platform).should we go for that??there are reports that Japan will deploy F-35s on their LHDs.so,shouldn't India go for LHD rather than LPD??(Though I don't like F-35 much)