Indian Air Force: News & Discussions

[Chinmoy]

Unsung Hero: A Legendary Plane And The Iron Will That Saved Ladakh From Pakistan!

https://www.thebetterindia.com/140375/dakota-mehar-singh-general-thimayya-ladakh-pakistan-raiders/

 

[Prashant12]

Andaman & Nicobar Command set to get IAF fighter base

Sources in the Ministry of Defence told The Indian Express that air bases in Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay have been identified as possible bases to station the IAF fighters.

With a view to create a model for integration of three defence services, the government is moving ahead with plans to give more punch to the tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) by permanently stationing fighter jets and other combat platforms on the islands.

Sources in the Ministry of Defence told The Indian Express that air bases in Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay have been identified as possible bases to station the IAF fighters.

The IAF currently has only one Mi17V5 helicopter unit and two Dornier aircraft permanently stationed at ANC. There are limitations to the length of the runway, which do not allow the IAF to fully exploit the potential of its more modern aircraft on the island chain. The airstrip at Campbell Bay is being extended to accommodate heavier aircraft. The air base at Car Nicobar is operational, but may need minor upgrades to house fighter jets permanently.

Declining to comment on the shortage of IAF fighter squadrons, the sources suggested that the defence services will have to reprioritise their resources for the task. The IAF currently has 31 fighter squadrons against an authorisation of 42. The Army, sources added, has manpower available under “save and raise” schemes to raise new units for ANC, if required.

This is first time after World War II that fighters will be permanently stationed on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Although this will strengthen India’s reach over the crucial Malacca, Sunda and Lombok Strait and the Straits of Ombai Wetar and the eastern Indian Ocean Region, the Ministry is also attempting to create a model integrated theatre command which can then be replicated elsewhere.

ANC was established in October 2001 following the recommendations of the Group of Ministers on National Security, but has failed to realise its full potential because of turf wars among the three services, environmental concerns at the islands and shortage of funds.

The Army and the IAF see it mainly as a Navy base, where the Navy has positioned about 19 capital warships in the area and has built two floating docks to repair and refurbish warships.

The Army has only one brigade of two battalions under the direct control of ANC.

“The issue (of building ANC as a model integrated theatre command) is being pursued vigorously at the highest levels in the Ministry,” sources said, adding that the initial reluctance of the defence services has been “overcome to a great extent”.


http://indianexpress.com/article/india/andaman-nicobar-command-set-to-get-iaf-fighter-base-5169095/

 

[Sancho]

Dont know if anyone posted this here before, but its an interesting segment from the IAF Chief's interview regarding squadron requirements.

Saw it a few days ago, a very good source for actual infos of what IAF needs in the high threat environment. In a time when people believe that unmanned drones can simply fly to PAK airspace and strike whatever we want, or that armed trainers can be a solution, he highlighted several misconceptions. Sadly I didn't found the full press conference yet, some parts that were reported in print media are missing.

 

[Kshithij]

Saw it a few days ago, a very good source for actual infos of what IAF needs in the high threat environment. In a time when people believe that unmanned drones can simply fly to PAK airspace and strike whatever we want, or that armed trainers can be a solution, he highlighted several misconceptions. Sadly I didn't found the full press conference yet, some parts that were reported in print media are missing.

No one claims that drones can be used to strike Pakistan. Drones can't be used even in Syria, forget Pakistan. Drones are useful for suveillance. Armed hawk/trainers are for CAS roles with helicopters, not as fighter jet requirement

 

[WolfPack86]

India want To Purchase PAK-FA(Su-57).?

 

[WolfPack86]

Sukhoi-30 upgrade

Even as HAL Nashik builds the last Su-30s on order, HAL and Sukhoi are negotiating the upgrade of the Sukhoi fleet.

HAL officials say they wanted to be the lead agency, but Sukhoi has indicated it wants a 50 per cent share in this lucrative contract to upgrade the fighter’s avionics, including radar, glass cockpit displays, electronic warfare systems, warning systems and jammers.

“The IAF has already frozen its upgrade requirements. We are now waiting for the commercial proposal from Russia”, says the HAL chairman.

HAL estimates that an avionics upgrade for the Su-30 would cost upward of Rs 100 crore (one billion) per aircraft, placing the cost of upgrading 312 fighters at Rs 31,200 crore (312 billion).

HAL officials say the upgrade will have two distinct parts. In Phase I, Sukhoi would take over some IAF Su-30s and use them as prototypes to install and certify new-generation avionics and weapons upgrades. Subsequently, HAL would install those upgrades into the entire fleet.

Phase II, which would involve India-specific enhancements, would be designed and developed by HAL and also incorporated onto the fighter by HAL alone.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/TejasMrca/photos/?ref=page_internal

 

[WolfPack86]

An Indian Air Force upgraded Mig-29UPG showing off its new features which has been highlighted in the picture.

 

[captscooby81]

So IAF Jaguar will be the first aircraft to fly with AESA and will be the first operational too before LCA MK1A with AESA comes ..Interesting Engine and Radar upgrade for jaguar not sure how much it will materialise .lets hope it does for the best of IAF and India .

After Rafale splurge, a sensible Jaguar upgrade

Indian Air Force is rejuvenating 80 ageing Jaguar fighters into highly capable, multi-role, combat aircraft for a mere $1.5 billion

http://www.business-standard.com/ar...a-sensible-jaguar-upgrade-118052400060_1.html

http://www.business-standard.com/ar...ar-is-iaf-s-first-fighter-118052500033_1.html

 

[bhramos]

So IAF Jaguar will be the first aircraft to fly with AESA and will be the first operational too before LCA MK1A with AESA comes ..Interesting Engine and Radar upgrade for jaguar not sure how much it will materialise .lets hope it does for the best of IAF and India .

After Rafale splurge, a sensible Jaguar upgrade

Indian Air Force is rejuvenating 80 ageing Jaguar fighters into highly capable, multi-role, combat aircraft for a mere $1.5 billion

http://www.business-standard.com/ar...a-sensible-jaguar-upgrade-118052400060_1.html

http://www.business-standard.com/ar...ar-is-iaf-s-first-fighter-118052500033_1.html

What about these?

France to donate 31 Jaguar aircraft to India
July 27, 2017 Arun Mathew 0 Comments France, French Air Force, India, Indian Air Force (IAF), SEPECAT Jaguar


France intends to donate 31 ex-French Air Force Jaguar fighters to India, French daily Le Point has confirmed citing high-ranking French military source.

The offer was reportedly made directly by French President Emmanuel Macron on June 3rd to a senior Indian official.

The procured aircraft will be used for cannibalization to maintain sufficient spares for aircraft already in the Indian Air Force (IAF) inventory.

The deal is not surprising as the platforms are not of much use to French Air Force. They can get rid of planes that will not survive in storage condition for a long time, and the government can expect more orders for military equipment from India.

In mid-July, an American company ATAC, a subsidiary of Textron, bought 63 Mirage F1 fighters and 141 engines from France for a mere 21 million euros in order to use them for the training of the U.S. Air Force.

India has earlier signed a contract to purchase 36 Dassault Rafale fighters from France for a whooping $8.8 billion. The jets are expected to be delivered in 2019.

Currently, IAF has a fleet of 130 Jaguars IM/IS single-seat attack aircraft and 30 Jaguar IB two-seat trainers. Approximately 60 of these Jaguars will be modified to DARIN III standard by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the rest will remain at DARIN II standard until they’re retired.

The planned upgrades includes new multi mode radar and auto-pilot, and HAL is also considering fitting more powerful engines (Honeywell F125IN replacing Rolls Royce Adour Mk 811) to improve performance, particularly at medium altitudes.

HAL has built 120 Jaguar deep-penetration strike aircraft under technology transfer from BAE Systems.

https://defpost.com/france-donate-31-jaguar-aircraft-india/

 

[binayak95]

What about these?

France to donate 31 Jaguar aircraft to India
July 27, 2017 Arun Mathew 0 Comments France, French Air Force, India, Indian Air Force (IAF), SEPECAT Jaguar


France intends to donate 31 ex-French Air Force Jaguar fighters to India, French daily Le Point has confirmed citing high-ranking French military source.

The offer was reportedly made directly by French President Emmanuel Macron on June 3rd to a senior Indian official.

The procured aircraft will be used for cannibalization to maintain sufficient spares for aircraft already in the Indian Air Force (IAF) inventory.

The deal is not surprising as the platforms are not of much use to French Air Force. They can get rid of planes that will not survive in storage condition for a long time, and the government can expect more orders for military equipment from India.

In mid-July, an American company ATAC, a subsidiary of Textron, bought 63 Mirage F1 fighters and 141 engines from France for a mere 21 million euros in order to use them for the training of the U.S. Air Force.

India has earlier signed a contract to purchase 36 Dassault Rafale fighters from France for a whooping $8.8 billion. The jets are expected to be delivered in 2019.

Currently, IAF has a fleet of 130 Jaguars IM/IS single-seat attack aircraft and 30 Jaguar IB two-seat trainers. Approximately 60 of these Jaguars will be modified to DARIN III standard by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the rest will remain at DARIN II standard until they’re retired.

The planned upgrades includes new multi mode radar and auto-pilot, and HAL is also considering fitting more powerful engines (Honeywell F125IN replacing Rolls Royce Adour Mk 811) to improve performance, particularly at medium altitudes.

HAL has built 120 Jaguar deep-penetration strike aircraft under technology transfer from BAE Systems.

https://defpost.com/france-donate-31-jaguar-aircraft-india/

This is from 2 years ago. It never materialised. I heard we were persuading the French to give some of their old Mirage 2000s and associated spares. That never happened either.

 

[WolfPack86]

A WINGED FRONTIERSMAN: MIG-35 TO COVER RUSSIAN-INDIAN FORCES FROM AIR
A new multi-role Russian MiG-35 fighter lands during its international presentation at the MiG plant in Lukhovitsy outside Moscow, Russia, January 27, 2017

All updated information about Russia’s new aviation fighter jet, currently in its testing stages

"It's lightweight, modern, deadly and darn manoeuvrable," Russian media wrote about the new MiG-35 jet. If tests go smoothly, the first machines will enter service in 2019. While the plane is a deep modernisation of the MiG-29 which first took flight some 35 years ago, it is an entirely different machine when graded on battle capabilities.

The main purpose of the new fighter is local air superiority on a relatively small part of a frontline, as remote raids are for Su-27 and Su-35s. The MiG-35 acts closely to ground actions, protecting infantry and armor against enemy aircraft, covering rear objects and disrupting enemy's air reconnaissance. These fighters are intended to be based close to the frontlines, where air bases are typically prepared with only the basest of necessities. With this in mind, the MiG-35 has inherited the MiG-29's qualities of reliability and ease of maintenance.

MiG-35
While the new plane resembles its predecessor on the outside, it's very different inside the airframe. Its Zhuk-A active electronically scanned array (AESA) can track up to 30 targets at distances of up to 200 km. It features an electronic control system (the MiG-29s were controlled mechanically). New advanced engines include thrust vectoring nozzles. The MiG-35 features both a built-in and a container optical locator system (OLS) which allow aiming weapons, like radar, but without any emissions, and are therefore undetectable. Targeting is projected on the pilot's helmet.

The aircraft has an increased payload, fuel capacity, engine resources, all while reducing the cost of flying per hour some 2.5 times from its predecessor.

In flight capability, the MiG-35 surpasses it's main competition, the US F-16C Block 50/52. The MiG-35, which NATO has dubbed Fulcrum-F, can travel up to 2560 km/h (well over the F-16 2120 km/h limit) and can achieve altitudes up to 17,5 km (over 15,2 km of F-16).

The MiG-35 maximum takeoff mass is 29,7 tons (over 21,7 of F-16). Both planes have an auto cannon and 9 so-called hardpoints.
The engine, however, is the plane's greatest advantage. Vectoring thrust nozzles allow the plane to perform complex maneuvers which only the super-maneuverable Su-35 could accomplish. The ability to achieve swift, unexpected maneuvers allows the MiG-35 to get behind an enemy position, useful in tactical maneuvering.

The Strizhi (Swifts) performance flight group will be the first to test the new plane, as the group is tasked with developing tactics for the new machine. The MiG-35s will then be dispatched to the Russian Air Force. According to some media reports, the cutting edge aircraft will be based in the Moscow and Kursk oblasts. This means that the MiG-35 will be able to support Russian ground forces in the unlikely event of a military conflict on Russia's western borders. The Russian Air Force — a branch of the Russian Aerospace Forces — is expected to receive some 30 of the new MiG-35 aircraft before 2020.

A primary build for the new airframe is the MiG-35S, a one-seat fighter. A two-seat version will be called the MiG-35D, and will be used as training planes."This light fighter is very economical," stated Viktor Bondarev, commander of Russia's Aerospace Forces. "It is fit for training pilots both in the academia and the military itself, and for familiarizing with all kinds of piloting techniques, maneuvers, all armaments."

The makers of the MiG-35 are also researching the viability of developing a ship-based version of the plane. It has been reported that the KRET concern has adapted the new BINS-SP-2 deck landing system for the new aircraft. This system would allow navigation even though satellite or ground services are unavailable, and would suggest to pilots certain maneuvers.
Out of 56 nations that currently run MiG-29s, about half have expressed interest in procuring the MiG-35. India would potentially be the largest potential importer. Countries that fly MiG-29s have the required infrastructure to maintain MiG-35s, according to Russian media.
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2018/05/a-winged-frontiersman-mig-35-to-cover.html

 

[WolfPack86]

MIG -35 fighter cost 40 million dollar per aircraft. I think Modi will go for MIG -35 fighter jet under Make in India. Indian defence budget have also been reduced. MIG -35 is the best option.

 

[WolfPack86]

Best govt would for another 36 Rafales after delivery of first of Rafales to India. Total Indian Air Force will have 72 Rafales.

 

[Kshithij]

MIG -35 fighter cost 40 million dollar per aircraft. I think Modi will go for MIG -35 fighter jet under Make in India. Indian defence budget have also been reduced. MIG -35 is the best option.

MiG35 is upgraded Mig29K and is good only for aircraft carrier. Su30 is better than MiG35 for all other reasons

 

[kamaal]

MiG35 is upgraded Mig29K and is good only for aircraft carrier. Su30 is better than MiG35 for all other reasons

Mig-35 = Su30

 

[Kshithij]

Mig-35 = Su30

Nope, MiG35 does not have supermaneuverability of Su30. You are mistaking Su35 with MiG35. MiG35 is Short take off and Landing (STOL) aircraft, like Mig29K

 

[Steven Rogers]

Nope, MiG35 does not have supermaneuverability of Su30. You are mistaking Su35 with MiG35. MiG35 is Short take off and Landing (STOL) aircraft, like Mig29K

Mig35 is better than any Mig, and is total air force aircraft.

Sent from my Aqua Ace II using Tapatalk

 

[Kshithij]

Mig35 is better than any Mig, and is total air force aircraft.

Sent from my Aqua Ace II using Tapatalk

Yes, it is the best MiG aircraft and just like MiG29 serves in IAF, MiG35 too can serve. But the speciality of these aircrafts is that they can do short take-off. Unlike Su30, Su35, the MiG35 lacks super-maneuverability and thrust vectoring. So, a Su30 can take down MiG35 more easily than other way around.

MiG35 is best fit to serve in INS Vikrant but even in IAF, they will be better than Mirage 2000, MiG29, Tejas MK1A, Jaguar and pretty much all aircrafts except for Su30. Su30 is much superior due to better aerodynamics.

 

[lcafanboy]

Yes, it is the best MiG aircraft and just like MiG29 serves in IAF, MiG35 too can serve. But the speciality of these aircrafts is that they can do short take-off. Unlike Su30, Su35, the MiG35 lacks super-maneuverability and thrust vectoring. So, a Su30 can take down MiG35 more easily than other way around.

MiG35 is best fit to serve in INS Vikrant but even in IAF, they will be better than Mirage 2000, MiG29, Tejas MK1A, Jaguar and pretty much all aircrafts except for Su30. Su30 is much superior due to better aerodynamics.

Do you always have to FART from your head with out having knowledge and without doing r&d??

Mig 35 do have thrust vector nozzles and super manouverablity.

But the point here is we don't want to deal with MIG corporation as it lacks customer care and is almost bankrupt. They want to sell their obsolete junk Fighters to India and somehow save their company. If India buys mig what gurantee it will be there for another 30-40 years to service the aircraft and provide spares...

This is the reason why goi is not even considering MIG 35 s.

 

[Kshithij]

Do you always have to FART from your head with out having knowledge and without doing r&d??

Mig 35 do have thrust vector nozzles and super manouverablity.

But the point here is we don't want to deal with MIG corporation as it lacks customer care and is almost bankrupt. They want to sell their obsolete junk Fighters to India and somehow save their company. If India buys mig what gurantee it will be there for another 30-40 years to service the aircraft and provide spares...

This is the reason why goi is not even considering MIG 35 s.

MiG35 does not have thrust vectoring. Why do you live in fantasy land? India made MiG21 in India itself with all spares made here too. India also makes Rd33 engine for MiG29 and has purchased MiG29K planes for its carrier. India may have to go for MiG35 for INS Vikrant as there is no other capable plane to take off from STOBAR