Israeli Pilots visiting India next month under Air Crew Exchange Program.

[Ankit Kumar 002]

Israeli Air Force F-16 pilots are to visit India next month for a working visit to one of the squadrons of the Indian Air Force. The air force described it as a “first of its kind exercise,” but would not say whether the pilots would be flying in India.

The visit is part of an air crew exchange between the two militaries. Indian Air Force crews visited a combat squadron at the Ramon Air Force Base three months ago and met with other air force units, including the air force’s search and rescue unit (Unit 669) and the IAF Flight Academy at Hatzerim.


The Indian pilots got briefings from their Israeli counterparts and explanations about the F-16, which is known in Israel as the Sufa (“storm”) and is considered the IAF’s most advanced fighter jet. Something similar is expected to take place in India, which operates Russian Sukhoi-30 jets that were adapted for the local military.

The Indian Air Force also operates aircraft used by the IAF, such as the Heron drone, made by Israel Aerospace Industries (which the IAF calls the Shoval), and the Samson (C130J) cargo plane made by Lockheed-Martin.

The Israeli and Indian defense establishments have a wide-ranging working relationship. Then-Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon declared that military cooperation between the two countries would be broadened during a visit to India last year. IAF commander Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel visited India last December, and India’s air force chief, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, visited Israel in March. The IAF regards its Indian counterpart as a “strategic partner.”

Israel is a major supplier of arms to the Indian military, with the value of the transactions estimated at a billion dollars a year. Several transactions were recently reported, like the sale to India of Spike anti-tank missiles, made by Rafael, and Israeli Barak ship-borne missiles, which are destined to be installed on Indian battleships. Two months ago, India conducted successful tests of the land version of the Barak missiles that were developed jointly by Israel and the United States.

While India is continuing to equip itself with advanced weaponry, an Israeli defense industry source expressed concern about whether the Indian military would continue to make large purchases from Israel. Lately, India seems to be favoring American aircraft over Israeli ones, the source said, noting that India has expressed the intention to procure Predator drones made by General Atomics, rather than the Israeli-made alternatives.

The IAF began a joint exercise with other air forces, including the Pakistani air force, in the United States this week. During the Red Flag exercise, taking place at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, fighter jets are simulating combat as part of a coalition.

Before the exercise began, aviation photographers took pictures of Israeli, Spanish and Pakistani fighter planes practicing in the region. A cargo plane from the United Arab Emirates was also spotted, indicating that its air force is also involved.

Israeli F-16As are participating in the exercise, and both air and ground crews are taking part. Red Flag is scheduled to end on August 26.

http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.737411?v=25B023B10210A7A42F7D17726DD6AB68

 

[Feroz Alam Khan]

Two months ago, India conducted successful tests of the land version of the Barak missiles that were developed jointly by Israel and the United States.

According to my knowledge the Barak 8 missiles are developed jointly by Israel and India(DRDO).

 

[Nilgiri]

According to my knowledge the Barak 8 missiles are developed jointly by Israel and India(DRDO).

Your knowledge is good

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Several transactions were recently reported, like the sale to India of Spike anti-tank missiles, made by Rafael, and Israeli Barak ship-borne missiles, which are destined to be installed on Indian battleships. Two months ago, India conducted successful tests of the land version of the Barak missiles that were developed jointly by Israel and the United States.

United States
I sometimes love the "truth" finally being told..

So finally its revealed Barak 8 and its extended range has technology of Rim 162, SM-2 and SM-6 as well..
Well sometimes reporters make small mistakes and they turn out to be much bigger in context..

On topic, This exercise and possibly Su30 MKI piloting will be a very good move.. The feedback they will give , i am guessing will be the test data points as Israel AF operates a much higher in-house customized version of all aircrafts in their fleet. Interestingly such feedbacks will enable Israel to offer a much better upgrade package when Super Program's getting finalized.. So its a good solid thought out move..

Moreover who knows, IAF pilots may then check out the F35 Adir too..

And the FGFA may get ..........................

You know what i mean !!!

 

[Gregor Clegane]

Good news

 

[CorporateAffairs]

India Israel

 

[Skillrex]

Israel is one country in the world which helped and still helping us on various projects in India.. be it on science and technology or counter terrorism.. any many more.. I call it Brother is Arms..

 

[CBU-105]

The Indian pilots got briefings from their Israeli counterparts and explanations about the F-16, which is known in Israel as the Sufa (“storm”) and is considered the IAF’s most advanced fighter jet.

not this one ?

 

[Nilgiri]

not this one ?

I would rate it over F-16 for sure overall....but maybe they meant in some more specific way.

 

[DavidSling]

I would rate it over F-16 for sure overall....but maybe they meant in some more specific way.

Lol, Sufa isn't F16, it's F16-I, which is a completly different thing

 

[Nilgiri]

Lol, Sufa isn't F16, it's F16-I, which is a completly different thing

F-15-E Strike eagle tho....

 

[Crixus]

How Sufa is different from f-16 block 52 ?

Lol, Sufa isn't F16, it's F16-I, which is a completly different thing

 

[Abingdonboy]

The air force described it as a “first of its kind exercise,” but would not say whether the pilots would be flying in India.
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.737411?v=25B023B10210A7A42F7D17726DD6AB68

Not sure how this is true, these IAF-IAF pilot exchanges have been going on for a long long time and were recently stepped up. Traditionally the Israelis flew Indian MiG-29s and Indians flew Israeli F-16s.

Anyway, long may these two great nations enjoy the fruits of cooperation.

 

[DavidSling]

How Sufa is different from f-16 block 52 ?

F-16I Soufa Multirole Fighter, Israel
The F-16I Soufa (Storm) is a modified variant of the F-16D block 50 and 52 fighter and ground attack aircraft, with the avionics and weapons systems capability modified to meet the requirements of the Israeli Air Force. Israel ordered 50 F-16I aircraft in 2001 and signed the agreement for an optional additional 52 aircraft in September 2001. The Israeli Air Force has selected the F16I in a two-seat configuration only.

The production programme, Peace Marble V, is the fifth acquisition of F-16s. It increased the number of Israeli Air Force F-16 aircraft to 362, giving the IAF the largest fleet of F-16 fighters apart from the USA.

The F16I Soufa made its maiden flight in December 2003. The first two aircraft were delivered to the IAF at the Ramon Air Base, in February 2004. Deliveries were completed at a rate of about two a month over four years, with final delivery in 2009. The 102nd aircraft was delivered in 2009.

There is a significant level of airframe co-production and avionics component production in Israel for the Soufa and for other variants of the F-16. IAI and Cyclone Aviation Products Ltd in Carmiel manufacture the ventral fins, rudders, horizontal stabilisers and engine access doors. The aircraft are assembled at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

In September 2009, the IAF temporarily grounded the F-16I from training operations after a jet experienced engine failure.

F-16I Sousa fighter design
The F-16I is fitted with a pair of removable conformal fuel tanks provided by IAI. The conformal fuel tanks (CFT), holding 450gal of extra fuel, are mounted on both sides of the upper fuselage. The very low drag configuration CFTs have a very small effect on the aircraft's agility, handling quality and flight limits. The use of the conformal tanks increases the aircraft's mission range and combat endurance.

The fitting of conformal tanks makes the two wing inner store stations normally used for external tanks (stations 6 and 4, each rated at 4,500lb capacity) available for weapon carriage, doubling the aircraft's air-to-ground weapons capacity.

The F16I is fitted with a dorsal avionics compartment. The first version produced with the dorsal compartment was the Israeli two-seat block 30 F-16D aircraft, produced in the late 1980s. The large dorsal compartment extends from the rear of the cockpit to the fin and houses additional avionics systems, chaff and flare dispensers and the aircraft's in-flight refuelling receptacle.
Cockpit
The front cockpit is for the pilot and the rear cockpit is configured for the weapons systems operator or, with the change of a single switch, for a pilot instructor.

"The F-16I Soufa fighter aircraft are assembled at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in
Fort Worth, Texas."
The Elbit Dash IV display and sight helmet system enables the pilot to aim the weapon by looking the target. Dash IV shortens the lock-on procedure time for engagements. The helmet measures the pilot's line of sight to the target so the sensors, avionics and weapons are slaved to the target. Dash IV improves situation awareness by helping the pilots to visually detect targets at high angles off the nose of the aircraft, providing critical information in any direction the pilot looks.

The Soufa is fitted with a wide angle head up display from Elop and high definition (120ppi) 4in x 4in colour multi-function displays supplied by Astronautics CA of Petah Tikva, Israel.

Other new features include a colour moving map display, digital video recording equipment, cockpit lighting and external strip lighting compatible with night vision goggles and a high capacity data transfer set.

F-16I Soufa fighter avionics
The Soufa has an advanced avionics suite including general avionics computer, colour display processors and interfaces all produced by Elbit Systems.

The communications systems include a Rafael UHF/VHF radio and an HF radio, Elta satellite communications and an IAI integrated tactical video data link.

The navigation system includes a combined ring laser gyro inertial navigation system and global positioning system (RLGINS/GPS) and a digital terrain system. Rafael developed the algorithms for the digital terrain system.

In June 2008, Elbit systems supplied the F-16I simulator system that is compatible with the aircraft avionics and cockpit.

Weapon systems
Elbit supplied the aircraft's central mission computer, the signal processing unit for the displays and the stores management systems. RADA Electronics Industries in Netanya, Israel, and Smiths Aerospace, USA, have developed the aircraft's data acquisition system with an advanced digital data server and data recording system. Israel Military Industries supplies most of the weapons pylons and racks and the external fuel tanks.

The mission data and video is downloaded to a ground debriefing station provided by RADA. The system has potential for three-dimensional, multi-aircraft mission creation.

"The navigation system includes a combined ring laser gyro inertial navigation system and global positioning system."
The Rafael Litening II targeting and navigation pod is equipped with a third generation forward looking infrared (FLIR), charge-coupled device (CCD) television, laser spot tracker and rangefinder and infrared marker. The system enables the pilot to detect, identify, acquire and track ground targets for the delivery of conventional and precision guided weapons, such as laser guided or GPS guided bombs.

The aircraft is also equipped with the Lockheed Martin LANTIRN navigation pod which provides night navigation and all-weather automatic terrain following.

Air-to-air missiles
The air-to-air missiles are the short range Python 4 and Python 5 and the short range to beyond visual range radar-guided Derby, both supplied by Rafael.

The all-weather Derby has an active radar seeker, look down / shoot down capability, lock on before or after launch, and programmable electronic counter countermeasures (ECCM). The lock on before launch mode is deployed for tight dogfights.

The F16I is equipped with the Rafael Python 5 air-to-air missile. The Python 5 is capable of lock on after launch and uses imaging infrared guidance. The new seeker uses a dual wavelength focal plane array and is equipped with robust infrared counter countermeasures capability.

Air-to-ground systems
The air-to-surface weapons are carried on the two pairs of inboard underwing stations and include anti-ship missiles, anti-radiation missiles, laser guided bombs, GPS guided bombs and Israeli Military Industries (IMI) runway attack munitions. The F-16 aircraft has been used in carriage trials of IMI's STAR-1 anti-radiation weapon which is in the development phase.

F-16I Soufa fighter countermeasures
The electronic warfare suite, being supplied by Elisra, includes radar warning receivers, missile approach warners and jamming systems, including the Elisra SPS 3000 self-protection jammer which is installed in the large spine. The chaff and flare dispenser is supplied by Rokar.

F-16I radar
The aircraft has the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-68(V)9 multi-mode radar, which has five times the processing speed and ten times the memory capacity of the previous APG-68 radars on the F-16. Elta is involved in the co-production of the radar.

"The F16I will be equipped with the Rafael Python 5 air-to-air missile."
The modes of operation include high resolution synthetic aperture (SAR) ground mapping and terrain following. The radar provides autonomous, all-weather, stand-off precision weapon delivery. Air-to-air modes include range while search, air combat mode, multiple target track while scan, cluster resolution, single target tracking and target illumination pulse Doppler tracking. The radar increases the air-to-air detection range by 30% compared to earlier generation systems.

Engines
The Soufa is powered by the Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-229 increased performance engine (IPE). This new, more powerful engine allows the aircraft a maximum take-off weight of 23,582kg. The aircraft is also fitted with heavyweight landing gear.

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f-16i/

 

[Param]

Is there a possibility that LM offer of F-16 under Make In India,is offered with close to or better than F-16I Soufa specifications,which may involve Israeli Cooperation.And this exercise also gives Indian Air Force chance to evaluate / convince themselves of its viability in their fleet.