Indian Air Force: News & Discussions

[Zebra]

http://defencenews.in/defence-news-internal.aspx?id=9WXiBH7LEBQ=

Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, flies in Su-30 MKI

Tuesday, August 11, 2015
By : Business Standard

Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh today went on a sortie in the frontline IAF aircraft Sukhoi Su-30MKI at the Hindon air base in Ghaziabad near here.

The 65-year-old Union minister took off from the Air Force base in Hindon and was airborne for about 20 minutes, during which the fighter aircraft also performed various manoeuvres, Defence sources said.

"The minister wanted to personally interact with the pilots and find out the kind of working atmosphere that they have. He also wanted to see the performance of the aircraft which is our frontline fighter aircraft," the Defence sources told PTI.

Interestingly, Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag also took a sortie in the fighter aircraft today.

The sources further said the minister was quite satisfied with the feedback that he got and also by the briefing that senior officers had given him.

 

[ezsasa]

IAF clears proposal to buy three C 17; Boeing says only one plane left to sell

One of the fastest decisions taken by IAF, Yet of no use. Let's see if this 8000 crores will be utilised for Chinook and apache deal(both are from boeing). i have a feeling our guys will screw up apache deal in a similar fashion.

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force appears to have taken too long to push through a Rs 8,100 crore proposal to buy three new Boeing C-17 transport aircraft. The American manufacturer simply does not have that many aircraft to sell anymore, having pledged four of the last five C-17s in its production line to Qatar.

After months of efforts, the air force, at a Services Capital Acquisition Plan meeting on July 31, managed to push through the proposal to add three aircraft to its existing fleet of 10 Boeing C-17s that were ordered in 2011. Officials said the proposal is likely to be taken up by the high powered Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) shortly.

However, Boeing officials have gone on record to say that after signing the contract with Qatar the company is left with just one C-17 for sale. With its production facility for the aircraft at Long Beach in shut-down mode, the company has already halted the production line.

Boeing had five C-17 aircraft to sell when the air force first moved the proposal in April, as ET had first reported.

Officials said the air force could get committed aircraft from US inventory or retracted orders of a third country, but the chances of this happening are slim. A solution cannot be ruled out, they said, given that the deal is being processed under the Foreign Military Sales pact.

In April, the air force had impressed upon the government the need to induct three more of the very heavy transport aircraft because the planes have been involved in several rescue operations, including aid to earthquake hit Nepal, since their induction in 2013.

As per the 2011 contract, which was worth $4.7 billion, India had an option clause to purchase six additional C-17s over its order of ten. However, a paucity of funds never saw the follow-on order being processed.


Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

 

[cobra commando]

Mulayam’s Saifai plays host to fighter planes

 

[Adioz]

Mulayam’s Saifai plays host to fighter planes

This enables Mirage and Tejas to land at these emergency airstrips, but what about Dorniers or Sukhois?

 

[akshay m]

MTA Proposed to Feature German Communication Equipment

During MAKS-2015, Russia's NPP Polyot is reported to have discussed with the German company Rohde & Schwarz the possibility of joint development of communication equipment for the Russian-Indian military-transport aircraft MTA.

A NPP Polyot official reportedly said, "We have confirmed the intention to work together, have prepared our proposal to the Indian side for the next round of negotiations."

Rohde & Schwarz, which has an Indian subsidiary, makes secure communication products such as Software Defined Radios as well as test equipment for avionics and navigation assemblies.

NPP Polyot earlier discussed communication requirements, including data links, for the MTA and FGFA with IAF officials during Aero India 2015.

For those who may have missed the point, the big news is that the much delayed MTA project is still live and kicking!

 

[Neeraj Mathur]

can MTA fill our C17 requirement?

 

[SajeevJino]

can MTA fill our C17 requirement?

Nope ..

I think we have to stick with the C 295 Turboprop for future tactical airlift ( selected to replace the HS 748 ) , and scarp the dead MTA

 

[Neeraj Mathur]

Nope ..

I think we have to stick with the C 295 Turboprop for future tactical airlift ( selected to replace the HS 748 ) , and scarp the dead MTA

then why not go for C 130j insted of C 295

 

[ezsasa]

then why not go for C 130j insted of C 295

compare the stats on both aircrafts ,you will get your answer.

 

[Neeraj Mathur]

compare the stats on both aircrafts ,you will get your answer.

how many C295 will we go for


30 charactrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[ezsasa]

how many C295 will we go for


30 charactrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

C 295 is supposed to replace Hawker Siddeley HS 748 , that would mean 55+ will be bought.

 

[bengalraider]

The Surya Kirans are back in Hawk avatar!~

 

[tsunami]

Indian Air Force plans for wars of future with a separate UAV & MISSILE cadre

BANGALORE: With changing threat perceptions and anticipated future warfare scenarios, the Indian Air Force is actively considering the creation of a separate cadre for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the combat versions (UCAVs), missiles, air defence and other weapon systems, a proposal for which is being vetted by the Air Headquarters.

This would mean that from the time of recruitment, candidates will be selected for these specific cadres just like fighter, transport and helicopter pilots are picked, increasing career options for aspirants.

With the IAF inducting the bulk of the over 200 UAVs and remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) acquired by the Indian armed forces since 2000, the IAF Training Command, headquartered in Bengaluru, had taken the leading by asking for a separate UAV cadre in 2012.

Sources in South Block told TOI that the proposal has now been expanded to a "weapon systems branch", which will include drones, air defence missiles and other weapons systems, which are all headed and largely handled by officers from the flying branch as of now.

"This will be a role-specific cadre, so that the officers are trained for a specific role from the word go," a senior official said. The IAF is in the process of expanding its UAV fleet, which includes surveillance, precision-targeting and "armed" drones. The force has now even begun inducting micro-drones for its Garud Commando Force.

Former IAF training Command chief Air Marshal (retd) Dhiraj Kukreja, during whose tenure the specialised UAV cadre was first mooted, told TOI: "A lot of money and time is spent on training pilots, especially fighter pilots. Using them for other roles unless they are medically incapable of being pilots is a waste of resources. That's why this was first considered."

While pointing out the importance of the role of UAVs, as successfully demonstrated by Israel and the US (both have separate cadres for drones), another serving officer underlined the importance of the man behind the mission. "We will need this for the future," he said.

Adding that recruitment of officers or personnel for a specific role like operating drones will prove beneficial in the long run, given the assessed dynamics of future warfare, the officer said, "Although UAVs and missile systems may seem like video game screens, the men behind these screens or joy sticks are as important as other officers in the air force."

Air Marshal Kukreja, in turn, said, "It is not that today one is a civilian and tomorrow he is thrown into something like this. The IAF will look for the same kind of mind and body that any pilot is required to have. These officers will be as integral to combat operations as others."

Stating that all physical and mental abilities required in a pilot will be sought while getting new recruits for such a cadre, he said, "The UAVs will not be flying alone, and their role will not be independent of the IAF's scheme of things. So, the selection will be as tough."

Another senior officer said that the training for the new cadre, if the proposal is accepted, will include 30 to 40 hours of flying experience. "Although officers in this cadre will not go on to become traditional pilots, flying experience after the ab initio training is seen as necessary for them to understand the environment in which the UAVs or other weapons systems need to be used," the officer said.

 

[Neeraj Mathur]

Maiden tests of air-launched BrahMos from November


India will carry out maiden tests of its air-launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from specially-modified Sukhoi-30 fighter planes from November, BrahMos Aerospace CEO Sudhir Mishra told HT.
Four flight tests will be conducted over a period of six months before the missile is declared ready for deployment on the fighter planes towards mid-2016. The actual missile will be tested in April 2016 following three dummy tests.
The Nasik division of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has modified two Su-30 fighters to carry the 2.5-tonne missile, the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile. The second aircraft is expected to be delivered to BrahMos Aerospace by September-end.
The BrahMos missile, an Indo-Russian joint venture, provides India the capability to hit targets 290km away at nearly three times the speed of sound. The missile’s land and naval variants — 500kg heavier than the air version — are already in service.
“The missile will give the IAF extended range capability. No other Air Force has such a powerful cruise missile in its inventory,” Mishra said. The BrahMos missile has three existing variants: Block-I (anti-ship), Block-II (land to land) and Block-III (with steep dive capabilities for mountain warfare).
The BrahMos missile is also expected to be deployed on six high-tech submarines to be built in India under the Rs 65,000-crore Project P-75I. Mishra said the joint venture was also pressing the accelerator on the BrahMos NG (next generation) missile project. Once ready, the NG missile, weighing only 1.4 tonnes, can be deployed on smaller warships and medium-weight fighter planes.
“We are in the process of freezing the design and specifications of BrahMos-NG. We are also talking to users to give us an indication of their requirements,” Mishra said.
BrahMos Aerospace is also developing India’s first hypersonic missile. Capable of travelling at a speed of 8,575 kmph, the missile could be ready in five to seven years. BrahMos-II (K) will be capable of taking out hardened targets such as underground bunkers and weapon storage facilities at seven times the speed of sound (Mach 7). As first reported by HT on August 8, the K in it is for Kalam.
http://idrw.org/maiden-tests-of-air-launched-brahmos-from-november/

 

[cobra commando]

NEW DELHI: The government has cleared the proposal for a nearly Rs 8,000-crore project for IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System ( IACCS), which aims at integrating all ground and air censors. Defence sources said the Cabinet Committee on Security, which met here yesterday, cleared the proposal that was sanctioned by the Defence Acquisition Council in November last. Once the system is in place, the air headquarters will get a composite air situation picture since it will be integrating Air Force, Army, Naval and civilian radars. The IAF currently has five sector headquarters (nodes) of communication and the plan is to have four more, besides establishment of 10 sub-nodes and up-gradation of the entire system. As part of this, the new command and control system will be set up and integrated with the existing ground and air sensors and air defence systems.

Government clears Rs 8000 crore IAF's Integrated Air Command & Control System

 

[akshay m]

IAF’s IJT set for spin test
Success means HAL can start planning series production


the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT), which is being developed as the second rung of the Indian Air Force’s three-level training programme for rookie pilots, is set to undergo its most critical ‘spin' test this month, according to a top executive of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL).

The spin test, which is at least eight months behind schedule, is seen as an ‘agnipariksha’ when it comes to safety of the pilot and the aircraft during combat.

Success will mean HAL can start planning series production “and we are confident of it (success),” HAL Chairman & Managing Director T. Suvarna Raju told The Hindu .

Work on the twin-seat IJT (or HJT-36) started in 1999. Admitting that the spin test had been an issue, Mr. Raju said, “We expected to spin the aircraft about eight months ago and clear it for series production. We could not spin or stall the aircraft. It is a very crucial job that should be done very carefully, as there is a lot of risk for men and material.”

In the last few months, HAL consulted UK aerospace major BAE Systems on certain design changes. The aircraft was modified and assessed many times over by mathematical modelling and wind tunnel tests.

After the engine stall test, “we are re-assessing the spin characteristics. We are close… after carrying out modifications. I am waiting for the happy news [in the next 20-30 days],” Mr. Raju said.

The IAF requires 85 IJTs. Currently into limited series production, the two prototypes have flown around 1,000 hours since the first flight in March 2003.

Delayed



The spin test was planned for 2013, but was delayed over deciding the engine, delivery from Russia and accidents in 2007, 2009 and 2011. “Today, we are confident that that every problem has found a solution. The aircraft that is going to come out of all this is going to be really worth flying,” Mr. Raju said.

 

[Soumya1989]

Contract for Apache and Chinook Heli's signed with Boeing.

 

[Adioz]

Tribune India
You gotta love the media : Look at the pics of the two copters

Can you imagine if the Americans ever saw this?

 

[tejas warrior]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...struggling-lca-tejas/articleshow/49254515.cms

India's air force says its requires 45 fighter squadrons to counter a "two-front collusive threat" from Pakistan and China. But it only has 35 active fighter squadrons, parliament's defence committee said in a report in April citing a presentation by a top air force officer.

With the drawdown of Soviet-era MiG 21 planes under way, the air force would be down to 25 squadrons by 2022 at the current pace of acquisitions.

Can someone tell me does IAF planning even consider newly inducted and highly capable couple sqdn of Mig29K ? If need requires, they can be engaged in any operations OR at least they can free IAF in looking South Indian airspace.

And how many Mig 29Ks Indian Navy has Ordered ?

 

[Adioz]

Indian Air Force to have women fighter pilots.
Read the last line

"Women serve in the administrative, medical and education branches. They are also taken on aircraft as "observers", to monitor censors."

Can someone tell me does IAF planning even consider newly inducted and highly capable couple sqdn of Mig29K ? If need requires, they can be engaged in any operations OR at least they can free IAF in looking South Indian airspace.

And how many Mig 29Ks Indian Navy has Ordered ?

The IN has ordered about 45 Mig-29Ks. These are nowhere sufficient enough to watch over the island territories and the tip of the peninsula. However their presence does mean that the IAF can breathe a bit easily even if Southern Air Command is down to no fighter squadrons for a while. I believe, IAF should place an order of a few Mig-29Ks to shore up numbers and then later transfer them over to the navy when it wants new fighters for the then newly inducted aircraft carrier INS Vishal (IAC-II). IN is also expected to induct more Mig-29Ks for INS Vikrant.