Indian Air Force: News & Discussions

[Vinod DX9]

Weapon trials by IAF this year
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1068067686668248&id=572611809547174

1) 500 Kg General Purpose (GP) Bomb - Indigenously designed and developed by ARDE, partial flight trials were conducted from Su-30 MKI ac in the month of May 17.

2) Thermobaric Bomb- Flight trials of indigenously developed thermobaric bomb, was undertaken during the same period.

3) Precision Guidance Kit for 450 Kg HSLD Bomb (PGHSLD-500)-Captive flight trials of PGHSLD-500 along with 450 Kg HSLD were conducted during the same period from Su-30 MKI aircraft.

4) Flight Trials of SANT Missile - Captive flight trials of Stand-off Anti Tank (SANT) Missile, designed and developed by RCI Hyderabad in association with IAF, was undertaken on Mi-35 helicopter.

IAF has procured Textron CBU 105 Sensor Fuzed Weapons and associated equipment which can be utilised against concentration of tanks and other mechanized vehicles. Weapon integration with Jags has been completed in Sep 2017.

For more updates about Year end review of Armed Forces, check out our twitter feed
In pic - CBU 105 Sensor Fuzed Weapon

(besides NGARM & BrahMos A were also tested)

 

[Kshithij]

Yeah right, just that they are blamed for so called unnecessary upgrades, too high level of development goals and too little orders, is just a fantasy. The fact that you blame politicians and not scientists that actually messed up the Tejas programme also proves the point!

The fact that India purposefully has scuttled several defence projects due to foreign pressure says more about politics than about scientists. India has done far too much progress considering the hostile politicians. The way these people have been importing ammunition, couldn't reverse engineer artillery speaks a lot about how hopeless politicians are. There is a sudden progress in technology and innovation in the recent times out of nowhere. Things like scorpene was ordered in 2004 but not even started. This also speaks a lot

 

[binayak95]

====================Duplicate post==================

 

[binayak95]

Why do you feel that these aircrafts are technically superior to plaaf aircrafts????

Any specific reason.

Several reasons :

1. Better engines. Have you seen how smoky and inefficient Chinese engines are? They're getting better but nowhere near Russian standards, forget European and US.

2. Better Radar; I don't believe Chinese claims of their "L-band Radars" and AESA being able to detect the F-22 or the F-35.

3. Far better Mission computers and avionics.

4. Much better Missiles. We have Python-5s, Derbys METEORs and Astra

 

[aditya10r]

Several reasons :

1. Better engines. Have you seen how smoky and inefficient Chinese engines are? They're getting better but nowhere near Russian standards, forget European and US.

2. Better Radar; I don't believe Chinese claims of their "L-band Radars" and AESA being able to detect the F-22 or the F-35.

3. Far better Mission computers and avionics.

4. Much better Missiles. We have Python-5s, Derbys METEORs and Astra

And better training.

_________________________________________

The point about engine.

As we are developing engine in close help with french and americans,can we expect our engines to be better built than anything what commies can throw???

 

[Kshithij]

Several reasons :

1. Better engines. Have you seen how smoky and inefficient Chinese engines are? They're getting better but nowhere near Russian standards, forget European and US.

2. Better Radar; I don't believe Chinese claims of their "L-band Radars" and AESA being able to detect the F-22 or the F-35.

3. Far better Mission computers and avionics.

4. Much better Missiles. We have Python-5s, Derbys METEORs and Astra

Don't underestimate China. The news Ws10 engines aren't smoky. Chinese are not genetically inferior that they can't do what Americans or Russians did. Making engine is equally hard for everyone. But, if one can research, so can another one.

Russian S60 SAM shot down F35 of Israel in Syria. The stealth was of 1990s. With improved radar like AESA from PESA and even latest GaN AESA, have decreased stealth greatly. F35 is now a fat plane with low flying ability. F22 is an air superiority plane and is soon losing its charm.

Chinese also have Russian missiles and can reverse engineer them.

Don't underestimate China. But, understand that it is ISlamic Military Alliance that you have to worry about, not China. China is not crazy to fight with a nation with as much population as itself. But, IMA is crazy

 

[Kshithij]

And better training.

_________________________________________

The point about engine.

As we are developing engine in close help with french and americans,can we expect our engines to be better built than anything what commies can throw???

Nope, USA or France is not offering us technology. We studied their F404, Russian Al31 and then made it after great fine tuning and lengthy process.

Indians are not better trained but are poor and hence hardy. Rich people tend to be corrupt and have high love for life which has happened to Chinese recently. Also, Chinese lack military culture which adds to the love of life problem

 

[Sancho]

The fact that India purposefully has scuttled several defence projects due to foreign pressure says more about politics than about scientists. India has done far too much progress considering the hostile politicians. The way these people have been importing ammunition, couldn't reverse engineer artillery speaks a lot about how hopeless politicians are. There is a sudden progress in technology and innovation in the recent times out of nowhere. Things like scorpene was ordered in 2004 but not even started. This also speaks a lot

Your whole post has nothing to do with what you claimed earlier, so why this distraction?

 

[Kshithij]

Your whole post has nothing to do with what you claimed earlier, so why this distraction?

I claimed political traitors are responsible. Hence I was proving it by giving a sequence of events of different departments which could not have happened even if scientists were incompetent.

My point is that UPA, not scientists are responsible for delays. Without UPA, the project will move forward pretty quickly

 

[Sancho]

Several reasons :

1. Better engines. Have you seen how smoky and inefficient Chinese engines are? They're getting better but nowhere near Russian standards, forget European and US.

2. Better Radar; I don't believe Chinese claims of their "L-band Radars" and AESA being able to detect the F-22 or the F-35.

3. Far better Mission computers and avionics.

4. Much better Missiles. We have Python-5s, Derbys METEORs and Astra

True to the extend that their progress is faster than ours. The edge we had with engines and radars is nearly gone now, that they are inducting Su 35 and their own AESAs in mass numbers.
Even more crucial is their edge in terms of stealth, drones and AWACS, which puts us in deep disadvantage.

Not to mention that cancelling MMRCA, tankers and delaying AWACS, FGFA procurements, as well as MKI upgrades, was the best help the government could give to China.

 

[Kshithij]

True to the extend that their progress is faster than ours. The edge we had with engines and radars is nearly gone now, that they are inducting Su 35 and their own AESAs in mass numbers.
Even more crucial is their edge in terms of stealth, drones and AWACS, which puts us in deep disadvantage.

Not to mention that cancelling MMRCA, tankers and delaying AWACS, FGFA procurements, as well as MKI upgrades, was the best help the government could give to China.

Keep telling the same thing without giving cost benefit analysis, proper strategy etc. This is getting obnoxious

 

[Sancho]

Keep telling the same thing without giving cost benefit analysis, proper strategy etc. This is getting obnoxious

Keep denying facts, because you are loyal only to a political party, but not to IAF.

 

[Steven Rogers]

Nope, USA or France is not offering us technology. We studied their F404, Russian Al31 and then made it after great fine tuning and lengthy process.

Indians are not better trained but are poor and hence hardy. Rich people tend to be corrupt and have high love for life which has happened to Chinese recently. Also, Chinese lack military culture which adds to the love of life problem

You mean to say that we made F404 and Al31 gr8

Sent from my Aqua Ace II using Tapatalk

 

[Kshithij]

You mean to say that we made F404 and Al31 gr8

Sent from my Aqua Ace II using Tapatalk

How can anyone make something which one is studying? If it is already made, it can't be remade. I said that kaveri was made by studying these engines. Since, we already had the design available readily, most of the headbreaking is avoided. Now, only fine tuning, alloying is left. We also make most of Al31 engine except for critical parts. So, we have experience of doing some parts of engine too. Now, building upon it should not be called impossible. I only see UPA as responsible. The arrest of the GTRE chief in 2011 only confirms my suspicion

 

[Kshithij]

Keep denying facts, because you are loyal only to a political party, but not to IAF.

Keep insisting that whatever you say are facts. Short sightedness is not appreciated just because you claim to appreciate IAF. Any plan which is not long term is not a plan. If you have long term plan, state. Else, no point discussing your opinions and rants

 

[WolfPack86]

Former air chief SP Tyagi arriving at Delhi court.

 

[binayak95]

True to the extend that their progress is faster than ours. The edge we had with engines and radars is nearly gone now, that they are inducting Su 35 and their own AESAs in mass numbers.
Even more crucial is their edge in terms of stealth, drones and AWACS, which puts us in deep disadvantage.

Not to mention that cancelling MMRCA, tankers and delaying AWACS, FGFA procurements, as well as MKI upgrades, was the best help the government could give to China.

MMRCA had to be cancelled because it got way out of hand. Besides, do we need 120 odd Medium Fighters on top of 270 Su-30MKIs?

The cost of operating them will be crazy. I think this govt is planning for 72 odd Rafales + 90 odd SE + LCA to make up numbers. That way, we will have more sqn of cheaper SE fighters. But, again, can't say anything for sure. Let's see.

 

[Kshithij]

MMRCA had to be cancelled because it got way out of hand. Besides, do we need 120 odd Medium Fighters on top of 270 Su-30MKIs?

The cost of operating them will be crazy. I think this govt is planning for 72 odd Rafales + 90 odd SE + LCA to make up numbers. That way, we will have more sqn of cheaper SE fighters. But, again, can't say anything for sure. Let's see.

Why do you insist on SE fighters? Isn't LCA the SE fighters?

Also, who will give money of additional 5 billion dollars for a measly 36 planes? When we can get several times more number of planes when manufactured indigenously, why go for additional Rafales? Who will ensure spare part supply in the future and who will pay the cost?

 

[binayak95]

Why do you insist on SE fighters? Isn't LCA the SE fighters?

Also, who will give money of additional 5 billion dollars for a measly 36 planes? When we can get several times more number of planes when manufactured indigenously, why go for additional Rafales? Who will ensure spare part supply in the future and who will pay the cost?

Tejas is a SE fighter, yeah. But it's more of a long term replacement - lead in replacement for alll the MiG 21s (we have 240 odd MiG 21s). What about the MiG 27s ? We will need 5-6 squadrons to replace those too, and before you come in and say the Tejas can do the job of the MiG 27, just don't okay...

The GoI isn't an idiot to create a complete infrastructure and base facilities for the Rafale at two airbases and then limit itself to 36 Rafales. 36 more Rafales aren't going to cost a hell of a lot more than say 36 Su-30MKIs, and they are far better aircraft in some key areas as well.

Spare part supplies, and tech support, atleast when it comes to France is a no brainer, given just how reliable they proved in the past. We've used AMX-13s, Dassault Ouragans and Mysteres, and relied upon their help in Kargil. That's the very reason why we chose the Rafale over the Eurofighter in the 1st place and why we are looking so closely at the Rubis N-subs.

About the whole F-16 thing - it will happen - simply inevitable for a whole host of reasons - either the F-16 or mayhaps, the Advanced Super Hornet. Just wait and watch.

 

[Kshithij]

Tejas is a SE fighter, yeah. But it's more of a long term replacement - lead in replacement for alll the MiG 21s (we have 240 odd MiG 21s). What about the MiG 27s ? We will need 5-6 squadrons to replace those too, and before you come in and say the Tejas can do the job of the MiG 27, just don't okay...

The GoI isn't an idiot to create a complete infrastructure and base facilities for the Rafale at two airbases and then limit itself to 36 Rafales. 36 more Rafales aren't going to cost a hell of a lot more than say 36 Su-30MKIs, and they are far better aircraft in some key areas as well.

Spare part supplies, and tech support, atleast when it comes to France is a no brainer, given just how reliable they proved in the past. We've used AMX-13s, Dassault Ouragans and Mysteres, and relied upon their help in Kargil. That's the very reason why we chose the Rafale over the Eurofighter in the 1st place and why we are looking so closely at the Rubis N-subs.

About the whole F-16 thing - it will happen - simply inevitable for a whole host of reasons - either the F-16 or mayhaps, the Advanced Super Hornet. Just wait and watch.

Your arguments are hollow. Rafale is also a long term solution. The current batch of Rafale is to be delivered by 2023. Additional will have to be afterwards.

France is still not India. One can never be sure. It is like saying during war, France will ally with India. You simply don't know that at all. Also, the precious money can be better used to develop long term infrastructure in India. India is not as rich as China with Forex. One has to properly balance long term and short term needs. Su30 has 55% by value Indian items. So, it will cost 30% of Rafale in Forex terms. Again, as I said, if it is importat to sacrifice short term itching to make long term gains, it must be done.

About F16, it will happen only in return for something that India wants, not just like that. Compromise has to be done by USA too in terms of technology transfer or drone sales etc. Arbitrary purchasing of F16 so that USA can say "Good Boy" to India, will not happen

MiG27 is a horrible plane that has empty weight of 12 tons, MToW of 21 tons with an engine of 112kN. That is really a poor engine. If you really think that Tejas MK2 can't replace it, you have to give serious explanation. Mirage 2000 is a no brainer as tejas Mk2 is similar to it and hence can obviously replace it.