India's upgraded Il-38 Sea Dragon - Latest Pictures

[Ingis]

These are latest pictures (taken in December '09 and January '10) of Indian Navy's Il-38 Sea Dragon anti-submarine aircraft undergoing trials in Russia -

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[SinoIndusFriendship]

India's aircraft is named 'Sea dragon'???

 

[Ruag]

India's aircraft is named 'Sea dragon'???

The new Russian avionics and electronic warfare suite of the aircraft is known as 'Sea Dragon'.

Anyways, India is not very happy with the Sea Dragon system and the upgrade deal almost collapsed.

Sea Dragon Wrecks Ilyushin Aircraft - Kommersant Moscow

Hence, India went for the P-8I Poseidon which will eventually replace the Il-38.

 

[sudhir007]

The new Russian avionics and electronic warfare suite of the aircraft is known as 'Sea Dragon'.

Anyways, India is not very happy with the Sea Dragon system and the upgrade deal almost collapsed.

Sea Dragon Wrecks Ilyushin Aircraft - Kommersant Moscow

Hence, India went for the P-8I Poseidon which will eventually replace the Il-38.

But I think P-8I will be replace by Tu-142 not IL-38

 

[nightrider_saulat]

is this aircraft comparable by any mean to the upgraded pakistani "P-IIIC orion"

 

[sancho]

But I think P-8I will be replace by Tu-142 not IL-38

That's right and there was another competition for 6 medium range MPAs with contenders like EADS C295, Dassault 900 Falcon, or Embraer 99, but I heard recently the competition was cancelled. Maybe that means more P8I?

 

[karan.1970]

is this aircraft comparable by any mean to the upgraded pakistani "P-IIIC orion"

The US navy is currently replacing its PIIIC Orion fleet with the P-8 Poseidon so it seems this plane is the next gen to PIIIC

 

[sudhir007]

That's right and there was another competition for 6 medium range MPAs with contenders like EADS C295, Dassault 900 Falcon, or Embraer 99, but I heard recently the competition was cancelled. Maybe that means more P8I?

All ready cancel that rfp

8ak - Indian Defence News: Maritime patrol aircraft RFP cancelled by India

And the new RFP issue again

The Indian Navy will look to source a new fleet of maritime patrol aircraft to replace an ageing fleet of 12 Britten-Norman Islander patrol aircraft. The Indian Navy expects to begin retiring the Islanders from service from around 2013. The Navy has already confirmed an order for eight Boeing P-8Is medium-range maritime surveillance aircraft.

Embraer EMB145The Navy may either transfer the Islanders to the Indian Coast Guard, or convert them for use as trainers. Neighbouring country Myanmar, which sourced two Islanders from India for its coastguard several years ago, may also be a candidate for some of the retiring aircraft.

Indian defence ministry sources said a request for proposal was imminent and a decision on the choice of aircraft could follow within a year.

Brazil's Embraer is a leading contender for the order as it already has a maritime patrol version of its EMB-145. It already has a order to modify the same type for an indigenous Indian Air Force airborne early warning and control platform.
contenders in the fray could be turboprop alternatives such as maritime patrol variants of the ATR 72 and the EADS Casa C-295. Boeing could also offer a modified version of the P-8I, while Israel's Elta Systems has been pushing a maritime patrol variant of the Dassault Falcon 900 business jet.

India's Coast Guard also requires around six maritime patrol aircraft through a separate tender, with the ATR 42 and EADS Casa CN-235 as possible contenders.

India is the first export customer for Boeing's P-8 configuration.

domain-b.com : Indian Navy to issue RFPs for another set of maritime patrol aircraft

 

[Ruag]

That's right and there was another competition for 6 medium range MPAs with contenders like EADS C295, Dassault 900 Falcon, or Embraer 99, but I heard recently the competition was cancelled. Maybe that means more P8I?

I stand corrected. During initial P8-I negotiations, the main intention was to replace Il-38. See -

Boeing to Showcase Maritime Patrol Plane P8I to Indian Navy | India Defence
P8I aircraft will give Indian Navy maritime patrol edge

But that seemingly changed after Russia met Indian demands for Il-38 upgrade -

'India refuses upgraded submarines from Russia' - Express India

Now, according to globalsecurity.com, Il-38 are expected to remain in service through 2020 -

Indian Naval Air Arm

 

[Veer]

is this aircraft comparable by any mean to the upgraded pakistani "P-IIIC orion"

Forget about Il-38.

India have purchased latest and most advance P-8 Poseidon, currently only India and US will have it. China and Pakistan will never have it, it's just belong to different league.

No comparison P-3 with P-8 like comparing a bullock cart with Ferrari.

The P-3 Orion has been the US Navy’s front line, land-based maritime patrol aircraft since the 1960s. The most capable Orion version is the P-3C, first delivered to the Navy in 1969.
If you read above you will find 1969 means 41 year before, it has 40 years old technologies. It is upgraded not rebuilded. Also, Pakistan has supplied with the less sopesticated and less advance aircraft.

 

[graphican]

With reference to pic no.1: Look at the balance and position of wheels. they are placed too much towards front. Appears like a crazy design to me. But good for India I hope.