Indian Air Force: News & Discussions

[tejas warrior]

IAF fighter shoots down a balloon-like object detected in Barmer area!

 

[sorcerer]

IAF Boosts Bengal to Tame Dragon

Kolkata: With time, the geo-political balance in Asia has undergone a sea change. To thwart the Chinese dragon, the Ministry of Defence is now strengthening its bases in the eastern region, keeping West Bengal as its main focus.

This marks the 45th year of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, and the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to renovate its bases and stations in the state and is contemplating rebuilding 12 airstrips as new bases or stations. The IAF has a very large base at Kalaikunda in West Midnapore district, a fighter aircraft base at Hashimara and a fighter aircraft and training base at Bagdogra—both in North Bengal. It also has a helicopter station at Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas, and has recently set up an air base at Panagarh in Burdwan district.

A massive modernisation programme is being conducted at Hashimara, and by phases, the Mig-27 aircraft will be withdrawn. Instead, multi-role aircraft will be inducted into these two squadrons. A plan has also been formulated to strengthen the air base.

The IAF also plans to rebuild runways and airstrips that were used in WW II in Asansol, Hijli, Chakulia, Peardoba, Dhubulia, Garbeta, Ghuskara, Jhargram, Kanchrapara, Pandabeswar, Purulia and Shalboni. These unused facilities can act as vital air bases and stations to aid the major ones.
After the creation of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Defence had not paid much attention to strengthen defence establishments in eastern India as the threat perception had decreased. But now, after the activities by Chinese People’s Liberation Army—which had run over the Indian armed forces and entered up to Tezpur in Assam—the ministry felt there is a need to strengthen all armed forces bases in the eastern region.

As a result, to strengthen the Mountain Strike Corps XVII which will be based at Panagarh, the IAF is also being given more air power to increase its strategic capability as West Bengal very close to the Sino-Indian border.

This airbase was established by the US armed forces during WW II and was later taken over by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. But during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the IAF took it over and two fighter squadrons comprising Sukhoi-7 and Mig-21 aircraft were deployed there. After the war, it was handed over to the National Airports Authority of India but remained unused.

Now, after the ministry’s decision, the IAF has enhanced its strategic capability with the second-largest base for C-130J Super Hercules at Panagarh to strengthen its power to take on China. A senior IAF officer of Eastern Air Command said: “Availability of Panagarh airfield will definitely enhance strategic capability of IAF in the Eastern Area of Responsibility and will also augment mobility of Mountain Strike Corps.” The officer added that there are plans for a larger aircraft, a tanker variety aircraft to be based there.

Initially, the C-130J was to be stationed at Charbatia in Odisha, but since the headquarters of the Mountain Strike Corps is now located in Panagarh, the ministry chose this airfield. “It is a strategic decision of the Indian government and the primary role for the C-130J will be to work as special operations aircraft,” the official explained.

Source>>

 

[SajeevJino]

IAF to procure 8 aerostat radars

The Indian Air Force has drawn up plans to procure up to eight aerostat radar platforms to bolster low-level air and sea surveillance. The procurement process, which has been hanging fire for the past few years, comes in the backdrop of loopholes in land and maritime border management as have been revealed in terrorist strikes in Mumbai and Punjab.

An aerostat is an unpowered helium-filled balloon tethered at a certain height above the ground. It is equipped with surveillance and communication equipment. It can remain deployed for a number of days at a stretch, scan a wide swath of area and is particularly effective for detecting low-flying or surface objects, making it a cost effective alternative to aircraft in peace time

. A request for information issued by the Ministry of Defence a few days ago seeks a batch of four, six or eight aerostat systems, which can be deployed at an altitude of 15,000 feet and above, have network-centric compatibility so that they can be integrated into the IAF’s Air Command and Control System along with other assets and possess electronic warfare capabilities.

Procurement of Aerostats was part of a series of recommendations to streamline border management and enhance surveillance capabilities in the aftermath of the 1999 Kargil conflict. However, little has been achieved in this direction. The IAF procured two Aerostats from Israeli firm Rafael at a cost of Rs 338 crore and inducted them into service in 2007 and 2008.

A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) revealed that one of the aerostats was damaged in 2009 as standard operating procedures were not followed while bringing it down, rendering it non-operational.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/iaf-to-procure-8-aerostat-radars/191264.html

 

[gslv markIII]

First RIP indian
do i even have to remind you which country has had the most losses in the air force

Typical false flagger non-sense.

 

[jackprince]

First RIP indian
do i even have to remind you which country has had the most losses in the air force

Please do. AFAIK the stat would be putting USSR at the top and then Germany.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equipment_losses_in_World_War_II

Can anything beat this?

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Indo-Russian Kamov Chopper JV May Have Bharat Forge as Likely Contender to Make Engine

Turbomeca Arrius 2G1 Engine powers the Kamov Ka-226T Light Helicopter
NEW DELHI: An Indo-Russian joint venture to produce a new series of light military choppers in India is likely to rope in at least one private sector partner for the $1-billion project, with Pune based Bharat Forge emerging as a likely contender to manufacture engines.

With talks on the joint production of over 200 Kamov Ka 226 chopper progressing after an agreement was inked during PM Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow in December, officials have said that there is scope for one or two private sector companies to contribute.

A senior team from Russian Helicopters is currently in New Delhi to sort out technical and financial aspects of the deal which will provide the army much-needed light choppers for operations in high altitude areas like the Siachen glacier where antiquated aircraft like the Cheetah helicopters are still operating.

Source>>

 

[Indx TechStyle]

DRDO Reminds Govt About Snow Studies Aircraft Requirement

Leica Geosystems - Robust & High-Precision Leica TM30 Detects even the smallest movements

The DRDO has applied afresh to the government for an urgent requirement of a specialized aircraft to undertake survey missions and data gathering in high altitude snowed out areas. Structured under the DRDO, the Chandigarh-based laboratory has expressed a requirement for one custom-fitted platform capable of undertaking and supporting ongoing and future research central to avalanche and snow studies. The tender requires interested contractors to identify a certified aircraft platform and deliver it fully fitted with specified equipment or capabilities under a stipulated time frame.

Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) is looking for an aircraft with twin engines and a minimum range of 2,000-km, capable of high altitude airfield performance and at least five hours time on station. The laboratory has stipulated that it requires the aircraft to have three sensor stations on board to man customer supplied equipment that includes an aerial LiDAR (Light-Radar) system and aerial large format photographic camera system, both from Switzerland's Leica Geosystems AG and and aerial hyper-spectral sensor system from Canadian firm ITRES Research Ltd.

It is learnt that the DRDO hopes to operate the aircraft from both the Chandigarh air force station as well as the Hindon air force station near Delhi (where the C-130J and C-17 squadrons are located). Several firms have evinced interest and are in preliminary discussions already with the DRDO, though the procurement hasn't been accorded high priority given the DRDO's other high-lead time requirements.

Source>>

 

[inder]

The Indian Air Force (Bharatiya Vāyu Senā) is the principal air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict. It was officially established on 8th October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Raj after the first batch of Indian recruits completed their pilot training at RAF Cranwell.

An Indian pilot during training
Shortly thereafter on 1st April 1933, 6 officers and 9 technicians formed No.1 Squadron of the IAF with 4 Westland Wapiti biplanes at Drigh Road, Karachi. 4 years later, the IAF performed its first combat operations in Waziristan against Bhittani Tribesmen. While the growth of the IAF in terms of aircraft and equipment was painfully slow until the outbreak of hostilities, the number of flights had grown considerably.
By the start of the Second World War, the IAF had 6 Flights in major ports of India, all equipped with an assortment of aircraft including Wapitis and Hawker Harts. In 1941 the aircraft were modernized to a certain extent after Flights were reequipped with Westland Lysanders and Audaxes along with Atlanta transports for increased coastal defense. When Japan entered the war in 1941, No.4 Flight based in Karachi was dispatched to Burma for its defense. Unfortunately 4 of the 6 aircraft of No.4 flight were lost in late January 1942 in a Japanese air raid. This paved way for the Bristol Blenheim, the first bomber you would see in the British tech tree in War Thunder. Blenheims were used by the No.3 Flight to protect Rangoon Harbour in Burma. As the fight intensified, more Flights and Squadrons were deployed in Burma, now equipped with Lysanders and Hurricane Mk.IIs for tactical reconnaissance. By the end of the war the IAF had 10 squadrons flying Hurricanes and Spitfires.



Sucha Singh Chhotepur
Sucha Chhotepur

 

[cobra commando]

CCS clears acquisition of two more AWACS
IANS | New Delhi Mar 01, 2016 04:22 PM IST

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Tuesday cleared a proposal to acquire two more Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) at the cost of Rs.7,500 crore under a tripartite contract with Israel and Russia. The Indian Air Force already had three such platforms, which give an ability to see deep inside enemy territory. All three AWACS, comprise Israeli-made radars mounted on Russian heavy transport planes IL-76. The CCS chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also approved a proposal for induction of the fourth regiment of supersonic cruise missile Brahmos and two more of Pinaka rocket launchers in the army.

CCS clears acquisition of two more AWACS

 

[smestarz]

CCS clears acquisition of two more AWACS
IANS | New Delhi Mar 01, 2016 04:22 PM IST

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Tuesday cleared a proposal to acquire two more Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) at the cost of Rs.7,500 crore under a tripartite contract with Israel and Russia. The Indian Air Force already had three such platforms, which give an ability to see deep inside enemy territory. All three AWACS, comprise Israeli-made radars mounted on Russian heavy transport planes IL-76. The CCS chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also approved a proposal for induction of the fourth regiment of supersonic cruise missile Brahmos and two more of Pinaka rocket launchers in the army.

CCS clears acquisition of two more AWACS

One correction, The platform is Beriev A-50 and not IL-76

 

[Abhijeet Dey]

IAF lacks jets to tackle Pak, China together: Vice-Chief

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/na...ckle-pak-china-together-air-chief/207036.html

The Indian Air Force on Thursday sounded an alarm saying it does not have enough fighter jets to tackle a simultaneous two-front war with Pakistan and China.

The Vice-Chief, Air Marshall BS Dhanoa, said at press conference: "We do not have adequate numbers to tackle a two-front war scenario".

The government is aware of this and steps are under way to ramp up the numbers.

The IAF is now at its lowest combat strength in more than a decade. The Tribune was the first to report this on February 25.

The IAF has informed the government of the gravity of the situation that the force is now in a shortage.

Three squadrons of the vintage single-engine Soviet-origin MiG-21 and MiG-27 were phased out on January 1 this year, leaving the IAF with only 33 squadrons (16-18 planes in each).

This is nine short of the government mandated 42 squadrons needed to tackle a simultaneous two-front war with China and Pakistan.

Of the 33 squadrons, the vintage MiG-21 and MiG -27 form 11 squadrons. The Sukhoi 30-MKI populates 10 squadrons, the 1970s design British Jaguar is in six squadrons, followed by the French Mirage 2000 and the Soviet MiG-29 in two and three squadrons, respectively. The last three are being upgraded with better missiles and avionics.

The country is now facing the reality of various projections regarding the IAF fighter fleet, made over the past 10 years by the Indian Air Force, strategic thinkers, successive reports of Parliamentary Committees on Defence, and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Warnings on the lackadaisical pace of induction of new fighter jets into the Air Force and the resultant loss of ‘combative edge’ in battle are now ringing true, sources say. A senior official admitted, “We are in the middle of the predicted shortage”.

It is the replacements which bother the IAF, which will be raising a squadron of the twin-engine Russian-origin Sukhoi 30-MKI this year, but much depends on the speed of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is licensed to produce it in India. HAL, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) owned public sector undertaking, was mandated by the Cabinet Committee on Security in March 2006 to produce 16 planes annually and deliver 180 in phases by 2017. The project is running three years behind schedule.

Till 2011, HAL had the capacity to produce just eight Sukhoi-30 jets annually, said a report of the CAG in 2014.The Sukhois were ordered in phases since 1997; the IAF wants 272 of these by 2020. The other choice is to seek faster induction of the 106 Tejas ‘Mark-1A’, which have been ordered. The MoD has set a 2018 deadline for the first aircraft to be ready with a target to complete its production by 2022-2023. In September, new specifications were agreed pon and the IAF accepted 43 modifications that could be carried out without changing the existing design.

 

[smestarz]

IAF lacks jets to tackle Pak, China together: Vice-Chief

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/na...ckle-pak-china-together-air-chief/207036.html

The Indian Air Force on Thursday sounded an alarm saying it does not have enough fighter jets to tackle a simultaneous two-front war with Pakistan and China.

The Vice-Chief, Air Marshall BS Dhanoa, said at press conference: "We do not have adequate numbers to tackle a two-front war scenario".

The government is aware of this and steps are under way to ramp up the numbers.

The IAF is now at its lowest combat strength in more than a decade. The Tribune was the first to report this on February 25.

The IAF has informed the government of the gravity of the situation that the force is now in a shortage.

Three squadrons of the vintage single-engine Soviet-origin MiG-21 and MiG-27 were phased out on January 1 this year, leaving the IAF with only 33 squadrons (16-18 planes in each).

This is nine short of the government mandated 42 squadrons needed to tackle a simultaneous two-front war with China and Pakistan.

Of the 33 squadrons, the vintage MiG-21 and MiG -27 form 11 squadrons. The Sukhoi 30-MKI populates 10 squadrons, the 1970s design British Jaguar is in six squadrons, followed by the French Mirage 2000 and the Soviet MiG-29 in two and three squadrons, respectively. The last three are being upgraded with better missiles and avionics.

The country is now facing the reality of various projections regarding the IAF fighter fleet, made over the past 10 years by the Indian Air Force, strategic thinkers, successive reports of Parliamentary Committees on Defence, and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Warnings on the lackadaisical pace of induction of new fighter jets into the Air Force and the resultant loss of ‘combative edge’ in battle are now ringing true, sources say. A senior official admitted, “We are in the middle of the predicted shortage”.

It is the replacements which bother the IAF, which will be raising a squadron of the twin-engine Russian-origin Sukhoi 30-MKI this year, but much depends on the speed of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is licensed to produce it in India. HAL, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) owned public sector undertaking, was mandated by the Cabinet Committee on Security in March 2006 to produce 16 planes annually and deliver 180 in phases by 2017. The project is running three years behind schedule.

Till 2011, HAL had the capacity to produce just eight Sukhoi-30 jets annually, said a report of the CAG in 2014.The Sukhois were ordered in phases since 1997; the IAF wants 272 of these by 2020. The other choice is to seek faster induction of the 106 Tejas ‘Mark-1A’, which have been ordered. The MoD has set a 2018 deadline for the first aircraft to be ready with a target to complete its production by 2022-2023. In September, new specifications were agreed pon and the IAF accepted 43 modifications that could be carried out without changing the existing design.

If we have War with Pakistan, why the hell would China intervene? China has a bigger business potential in India, would they risk that??

 

[Abhijeet Dey]

If we have War with Pakistan, why the hell would China intervene? China has a bigger business potential in India, would they risk that??

NSA Ajit Doval: India must prepare for a two-front war

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...o-front-war/story-eUqDoKnVYmBRCaZUHlRauL.html

India has to be prepared for a two-front war and build deterrence that ensures conflict is not an option for its adversaries, said National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, while speaking on future threats at the Hindustan Times Leadership summit on Saturday afternoon.

“India has two neighbours, both nuclear powers (which) shave a strategic relationship and a shared adversarial view of India,” the NSA said. He also confirmed that the government had received reports of Chinese personnel working in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) to build infrastructure and New Delhi had already expressed concern to Beijing and Islamabad.

Taking a cue from former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal, who was chairing the talk, Doval expressed concern at Pakistan’s continued use of terrorism as a part of its foreign policy. “Pakistan’s inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) can bleed India but it cannot “degrade a strong civilisational nation like us,” he said.

However, the NSA expressed optimism that India has been able to engage both countries and “economic inter-dependence” can prove to a frame work to build peace in South Asia.

But clearly the NSA was keen to reinforce Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plans for a new economic paradigm. “Economic development is the best way to ensure security and a 9% growth will make us totally secure,” Doval said. According to the NSA “a strong economy is the surest means of protecting the country and creates vested interests which will ensure India’s protection.”

Echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call ‘Make In India’ Doval stressed on the need to put manufacturing on India’s highest priority. “We have a strong decisive government, considerable clout in the international arena and world calls human resources.

Doval, a former Director, Intelligence Bureau, and a much decorated intelligence office also provided context for Prime Minister’s diplomatic whirlwind taking him to the US, Australia, Myanmar and Fiji besides engaging South Asia with vigour. “In a changing world order India is engaging powers who have conflicting views. So we engage China and Japan as well as Russia and the United States.” The reason for this sustained engagement is driven by the fact that India’s economic engagement with the rest of the world had grown from 14% to 40%.

Covering a slew of issues that has dominated India’s security concerns, the NSA also underlined the Modi government’s focus on emerging technological threats from cyberspace. “We are seized of it, we have huge experience, scientific capabilities but we have have lost out on technical issues. Root servers are in other countries, mostly in the USand even private corporations have become very powerful,” he said.

With cyber space emerging as an engine for powerful economic growth,the government will continue to keep a sharp eye on it, the NSA assured.

 

[nitish.sarangi]

If we have War with Pakistan, why the hell would China intervene? China has a bigger business potential in India, would they risk that??

If China attacks India, its high probability Pakistan will chip in to cash in on the situation..
But the other way round may not be so much of a case i.e if Pakistan initiates a war... China will be focussed on getting its economy right rather than come to aid for errant Pakistan.
A full fledged war is a remote possibility but none the less IAF has to be prepared for it and cannot wish it out

 

[garg_bharat]

If China attacks India, its high probability Pakistan will chip in to cash in on the situation..
But the other way round may not be so much of a case i.e if Pakistan initiates a war... China will be focussed on getting its economy right rather than come to aid for errant Pakistan.
A full fledged war is a remote possibility but none the less IAF has to be prepared for it and cannot wish it out

China is very sensitive to its "standing in the world", and may not take direct action but help Pakistan in every way otherwise.

China is more rational than Pakistan. China knows it cannot put down India, and a war (conventional or nuclear) with India has long term detrimental effects.

 

[garg_bharat]

Doval is correct that India should be ready for two front war. The Air Force is correct that it does not have the resources, as induction of new planes has been much below needed in the past 20 years. However IAF itself is responsible to a large degree for mess in procurement.

As we cannot go back in time, it is fair to say that things will improve in future and several initiatives are underway now.

 

[nitish.sarangi]

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2016/03/iron-fist-exercise-to-showcase-air.html

Astra and LCH fire demonstration on cards! Watch live on DD

 

[smestarz]

If China attacks India, its high probability Pakistan will chip in to cash in on the situation..
But the other way round may not be so much of a case i.e if Pakistan initiates a war... China will be focussed on getting its economy right rather than come to aid for errant Pakistan.
A full fledged war is a remote possibility but none the less IAF has to be prepared for it and cannot wish it out

If you see the mix, both China and India have a lot to lose, Pakistan has nothing to lose, they have lost all,
This is what the situation was a few years ago.

Now the situation in actual pakistan is a bit different, the pakistan economy is not growing and hence if they hav to keep spending for defence then they risk having to fund it at cost of the welfare. This more or less reflects when they start to use JF-17. IT is a cheap plane, and everyone knows its not a world beater and really cannot face any plane that IAF will put against it, but the idea is to have numbers so that there is feeling of having more combat ready squadrons. So my quesiton is, when you say 30 Squadroms of JF-17 and pit them against say 5 squadrons of Su-30 MKI, who would you put your money on?

Pakistan has the realistic belief of an Indian attack, and so they want to invest their money in more planes, the top of the line planes are not easy to get and not cheap and even getting them does not assure PAF any assurance. So the Pakistanis are more assured of the nuclear deterrance to keep India from attacking rather than risking a full blown war where there economy collapses. Even Saudi and Middle east countries are not that rich enough to take pakistan out of trouble.

China is the new wannabe super power, but their economy has slowed down all of a sudden, this was expected. So china might be comfortable not to get into a war and risk more problems with its economy. On other hand if there is a war, it would be to their benefit to keep the war limited in space and duration, If you see all the actions china is taking, it intimidates other countries which it deems weak but they back off once their bluff is called.

Among the three countries, China has the most to lose in terms of economy and also politics as a war might actually put the Chinese back in political 70s and based on where they are now, it would be a disaster.

So. yes we should prepare for two front war, but lets not pretend that we are not ready,

 

[smestarz]

Doval is correct that India should be ready for two front war. The Air Force is correct that it does not have the resources, as induction of new planes has been much below needed in the past 20 years. However IAF itself is responsible to a large degree for mess in procurement.

As we cannot go back in time, it is fair to say that things will improve in future and several initiatives are underway now.

IAF is the reason for this mess, because of their shortsightedness. They can always blame the Russian planes for flaws, but their most critical flaw is not ensuring the spares required and IAF is trying to shy away from it by blaming Russian tech. Even Mirage 2000 were grounded due to lack of spares.

Based on where we are now,
Get the 120 MK 1A Tejas
Complete the 272 Su-30 MKI and upgrade the earlier ones with better avionics
Move towards understanding and testing PAKFA and get it into action
Analyse the environment for new technology that might be used in LCA MK2 and AMCA
DUMP RAFALE.

 

[cobra commando]

Upgraded Advanced Landing Grounds at Ziro and Along Inaugurated