Indian Air Force: News & Discussions

[Adioz]

Can we somehow integrate Meteor BVRAAM into F-16? If we can, F-16 is a good idea, if not Gripen might be better.

 

[Tactical Frog]

You can get lot of extra Rafale instead of these rumored 200 Gripen/ F16 ! My 0,02 cents thougts hehe. Simplify logistics chain when you can.

 

[Bahamut]

You can get lot of extra Rafale instead of these rumored 200 Gripen/ F16 ! My 0,02 cents thougts hehe. Simplify logistics chain when you can.

It better to buy more Rafale like 36-54 more and spend money to LCA and FGFA...............

 

[IndianHawk]

It better to buy more Rafale like 36-54 more and spend money to LCA and FGFA...............

The problem here is that iaf is still not convinced with LCA and on FGFA there is a lot yet to be decided (engine, degree of TOT)
And not to forget it all depends on Russian effectiveness which is pretty much in doubt.

And getting more Rafaels will add nothing significant in terms of TOT

 

[Bahamut]

The problem here is that iaf is still not convinced with LCA and on FGFA there is a lot yet to be decided (engine, degree of TOT)
And not to forget it all depends on Russian effectiveness which is pretty much in doubt.

And getting more Rafaels will add nothing significant in terms of TOT

The problem is how many different type of aircraft with no common spare base is IAF going to make .FGFA is now at its better configuration is very powerful, its has world record for rate of climb.IAF is finding LCA to be a wonder plane , had chance to talk a test pilot about it ,the problem is payload and limited power for electronics .Also we have Su 30 upgrade , plus there is Jaguar upgrade along with M2K and MiG 29 , just how may planes are we going to maintain.It is going to be a maintenance nightmare ?

 

[IndianHawk]

The problem is how many different type of aircraft with no common spare base is IAF going to make .FGFA is now at its better configuration is very powerful, its has world record for rate of climb.IAF is finding LCA to be a wonder plane , had chance to talk a test pilot about it ,the problem is payload and limited power for electronics .Also we have Su 30 upgrade , plus there is Jaguar upgrade along with M2K and MiG 29 , just how may planes are we going to maintain.It is going to be a maintenance nightmare ?

There is no FGFA right now what you are describing is PAK FA .
We are talking about 40+ design changes to make the First prototype of FGFA .
And then so forth. It will take lot of time.

Yes we have a mess of different types. But iaf is in no mood to sort it any time soon.

They could have cancelled mirage upgrade and minimized Jaguar upgrade that could have bought more Rafaels .
But they still went for costly upgrades which makes little sense imho.

Pilots might find LCA to be wonderful but it's not translating into a realistic plan for future. We are not even sure if mk2 will see any light (air force version).

In light of these problems perhaps buying 300 planes of single type would be a better option so that we can get rid of all mirage,jaguars MIGs by 2030.

In any case we will have 5 types in 2030s
FGFA , AMCA,LCA , Rafael and new mii

If we buy more Rafaels we will still have 4 types but with lot less squadrons.

So new mii plane actually makes sense .

We can't speed up LCA anymore and we need to accept that. Perhaps it's iaf indifference or perhaps it's industrial shortcomings (slow vendors lack of capacity etc.)

So it makes sense to go for 300 cheap reliable fast procurable fighters

 

[Bahamut]

They could have cancelled mirage upgrade and minimized Jaguar upgrade that could have bought more Rafaels .
But they still went for costly upgrades which makes little sense imho.

They should have and brought more Rafale .If they want quantity they could have taken for 200 Mig 35 or F 18 ASH to get rid of MiG 29,M2K and Jaguar and wait for FGFA and invest in AMCA and support LCA

 

[Tactical Frog]

So it makes sense to go for 300 cheap reliable fast procurable fighters

But they are not so cheap ! Remember the failed attempt of Pakistan at getting 8 extra F16 Block 52 ? $ 700 million for 8 jets. And that is really the lowest price you can expect from Lockheed ( no tech transfer, no offset whatsoever ! )
And you want the Viper of course.

 

[IndianHawk]

They should have and brought more Rafale .If they want quantity they could have taken for 200 Mig 35 or F 18 ASH to get rid of MiG 29,M2K and Jaguar and wait for FGFA and invest in AMCA and support LCA

As far as we know they are funding AMCA adequately up till now .we have no evidence to the contrary.

In case of LCA commitment of 120 is good what is worrying is no commitment to continuous evolution cycle just like f16.

Now they are going for 200+ mii plane so I guess they are on right track

 

[IndianHawk]

But they are not so cheap ! Remember the failed attempt of Pakistan at getting 8 extra F16 Block 52 ? $ 700 million for 8 jets. And that is really the lowest price you can expect from Lockeed ( no tech transfer, no offset whatsoever ! )
And you want the Viper of course.

It will be much cheaper than Rafael or eurofighter. Plus an Indian production line will reduce costs significantly. Than there is economy of scale which was not the case for Pakistan or UAE.

And honestly what else is the option..
We have too many Russian planes already and they have many issues (iaf is not pleased) plus FGFA will come .

This is for America to take home if they can't make this deal they are stupid .

 

[cannonfodder]

I have no problem with ordering F-18 or even more Rafael or ordering more S400 for that matter to fill in gaps.

LCA is self created cyclic problem due to slow production rate and orders/demands provided by IAF. I don't see any capability issue with Tejas with FOC done and its incrementally up-gradable as well ( technical issues are not unfix-ables). The next window of opportunity to kick start local aircraft design(AMCA) and manufacturing is at-least 10-15 years away (even if we start working on it today). Its upto GOI whether it will squander this window of opportunity hoping for better luck next time scenario. By the time AMCA will be available we will be under the same dilemma on capabilities when comparing to 5th gen AC fighters available in 2030-35. IAF will demand capabilities that is available in other 5th Gen fighters then. What will GOI do at that time ?

We need the best war equipment for security is good argument, however that's been used to scuttle locally designed products. 200-300 Make in india single foreign fighters will have more or less same challenges that are linked to LCA production unless GOI is ready to import critical parts and assemble them in india.

 

[AmoghaVarsha]

You can get lot of extra Rafale instead of these rumored 200 Gripen/ F16 ! My 0,02 cents thougts hehe. Simplify logistics chain when you can.

Seems they had issues on MII with Rafale.

 

[cannonfodder]

Gutting the Tejas or Seventies’ fighter for 21st Century IAF zindabad!

The Narendra Modi-led BJP government has waxed “nationalistic” but almost every step and decision it has taken in the defence industrial sector to-date has not only regressed the possibility of India emerging as a military aviation and aerospace power but pretty much guaranteed India will remain the biggest importer of armaments in the world and an arms dependency.

In its continuing display of complete lack of faith and confidence in indigenous products, talent and capabilities, and wholly disregarding the quite extraordinary and proven operational qualities and world-wide market potential of the home-designed and built Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, the Modi regime has now put out that India is in the market for as many as 300 combat aircraft worth anything up to $13-15 billion — only the up-front cost, as long as all these planes are “made” physically in India. This is seen as being in line with Modi’s “Make in India” policy, but it is actually a simpletonish take on indigenous manufacture.

“Make in India” is different from the more significant “Made in India”, which GOI has not cottoned to, despite the fact that at the heart of the latter concept is the designing aspect. Designing the Tejas is of the greatest significance, not the fact that it has foreign-sourced components. No major weapons platform used by the Indian military are, by this definition, “Made” in India. But a large number of them fit the category of “Make” in India involving the same old, same old — the Meccano level screwdriver technology of assembling aircraft, Bofors guns, whatever, as per the design blueprint and the SKD (semi knock down) kits and CKD (completely knocked down) kits given by the supplier, that HAL and our Ordnance factories are a cock-a-hoop about. This is the same old scheme of licensed manufacture dressed up in new “Make” in India rhetoric. Except, instead of the Defence Public Sector Units doing the assembling, private sector companies, such Tata, L&T, and Reliance Aerospace, will now also do it, with no more likelihood than in the past of these companies ingesting imported technologies to the point where they are able to innovate the technology. And India will be left marching in place.

In all such license manufacture deals, moreover, the really high value components and assemblies, such as the Fire Control System in the avionics suite, sensors, etc. will come as “black boxes” that the supplier companies will make money out of selling to India, for the duration of the production of the production run of that particular platform, piece of equipment. In fact, the Swedish firm Saab in competition with Lockheed Martin with its F-15 and Boeing’s F-18 to sell the Gripen NG as MiG-21 replacement has been more honest than the American majors in stating publicly that the final negotiated unit price of their aircraft will depend upon how much indigenization India wants, the higher the Indian content, the steeper the price. In other words, if like Rafale India buys the Gripen off the shelf, it’ll be a lower price than if GOI is intent on realizing the fiction of “Make” in India, when the price will go through the roof. Except Saab has promised help with the Tejas-1A (previously referred to as Tejas Mk-II) that is to outfit a few of IAF’s token air defence squadrons.

The talk is Modi is going American and buying the F-16, and soon Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will sign an agreement with LH to produce the F-16 fighter aircraft involving a local partner, likely Tata (Dassault of France hoping the 38 aircraft deal will lead to buying another 90 Rafales, has chosen the politically well-connected Gujarati firm of Reliance Aerospace to advance this aim). LH and Boeing began shaping their offers around the time Modi visited the US and President Barack Obama for the first time in Oct 2014, when the US President is reported to have impressed on Modi the desirability of buying the F-16/F-18. That’s when Modi’s calculation firmed up that buying expensive military hardware would concurrently buy the goodwill of the Western country he was visiting at any time. A few months later in April 2015, he pulled the Rafale rabbit out of his metaphorical hat to the great delight and acclaim of President Francoise Hollande and his entourage in Paris.

Rafale was a phenomenally wasteful buy. The transaction for the F-16 will trump it. The problems attending on the latter are many and the Modi government has a lot of explaining to do to the country. For instance, how come the F-16/F-18, old, very old, combat aircraft dating their initial development to the late 1960s, which were rejected outright by the IAF (in the MMRCA race) because Air HQ had claimed it lacked any potential for “further development”, is now suddenly acceptable to the IAF brass as its bulk aircraft of the future? And is it the considered policy of the Modi government that India pay by beggaring itself for, and be armed with, junk? And, what about IAF’s fears that the Pakistan Air Force is intimately acquainted with this aircraft for over 35 years and can, on the turn of a page, devise tactics to counter this aircraft.

American commentators make the case that India could become the sole supplier in the world of Block 70 F-16s enhanced possibly to ‘Viper’ 5th-gen aircraft configuration with the Northrup Grumman SABAR (scalable agile beam radar) AESA radar, spares and services. They also contend that India can extract the condition of sales stoppage to PAF. This would be small consolation considering Russia will most definitely and happily sell to PAF the Su-30s, which can run circles around most extant aircraft and certainly the F-16/F-18. So, PAF will be in the enviable position of working both the F-16 and the Su-30 to India’s aerial disadvantage. The strategic genius of the Modi govt and IAF never ceases to amaze. This will happen because Moscow will calculate it has nothing to lose with India increasingly imposing stiff new conditions on ongoing deals as an excuse to buying Western stuff. It was a belief that no doubt got a fillip by Parrikar telling the Russian defence minister Sergei Shoygu over the weekend that he needed Moscow to commit to 50% of R&D of the 5th generation fighter to be done in India when the aircraft is already in service with the Russian air force and there’s no more R&D to do! The fact that the Russians have incorporated three changes demanded by IAF — a new more powerful engine derived from the R-117 power plant, a 360 degree radar, and 2 IRSTs (Infra-Red Search and Track) systems, has apparently not impressed the Indian side.

Not that the spendthrift Modi regime cares, but let’s compare the costs involved. The aged and worn out F-16 assembly line from Fort Worth, Texas, will be moved to India. Factoring in the costs of setting up this antique production facility here and a maintenance infrastructure in India, will mean F-16 per plane cost of around $280 million, without weapons. This for an almost fifty year old aircraft! By the time, you factor the weapon cost, a “Make” in India F-16 unit cost will be upwards of $350 million — the price of the cost-prohibitive Rafale! Boeing, trying to be clever, has promised establishing an entirely new and more modern production line, except India will pay lots more for it. The unit cost of the F-18, in the event , is anyone’s guess. F-18’s selling point is it is also a carrier aircraft, yes, but requiring gigantic boats of 90,000+ tonnes of displacement, which can be blown out of the water by supersonic and the even more deadly hypersonic cruise missiles (homing in, broadsides, at seven times the speed of sound). But we Indians believe in afterlife and the Indian carrier hosting F-18s will have one too!

Modi is throwing around tens of billions of dollars of the country’s monies as if it were confetti — $20 billion for the Rafale (if only 36 are procured) and $35-40 billion for F-16/F-18. Imagine what investing such amounts of money would do for the Tejas, a 4.5 generation fighter. Meanwhile, China has just flown its wholly, fully, completely indigenous 5th gen J-20 stealth fighter at the Zhuhai Air Show.

That such a great home grown aircraft as Tejas is thus being slowly, and with great deliberation, strangled by the Indian govt and IAF, just as these two entities had in the 1970s killed the other Indian MADE and extraordinary supersonic combat aircraft the Marut HF-24 Mk-II (also known as the HF-73), reveals just how devoid of strategic vision and will, of confidence and faith in India’s capabilities and in self-respect, the Modi govt is. That the imports-happy IAF never felt even a twinge of self-doubt when flying foreign aircraft when desi aircraft were there for its nurturing, is by now an old story. $30 billion in the Tejas programme would result in a 5th-gen combat aircraft that would wipe the floor with the competition in the global market, especially in Africa and Latin America. But that would mean NO repeated pleasure trips to the IAF brass and MOD officials to the US and to oola la! – Paris, etc., no Green cards, no offshore accounts, no palatial residences for CASs after retirement, no, etc. etc.

https://bharatkarnad.com/2016/11/01...enties-fighter-for-21st-century-iaf-zindabad/
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I don't agree with each every thing this author is saying but agree with the core argument highlighted by author.

 

[Tactical Frog]

Of course, Bharat Kharnad is not going to mention than the Rafale deal has a TOT component ! Some of the technology used on Rafale can be transfered for Tejas without any problem.

 

[Superdefender]

Second Line of Defense

An Overview on the Evolving Indian Air Force: An Interview with the Indian Air Force Chief of Staff
Oct 28, 2016

Recently our partner, India Strategic, conducted an interview with the Indian Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Chief Arup Raha.

The Indian Air Force marked its 84th Anniversary this October 8, with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, saying that IAF is looking forward to increase its combat strength.


He disclosed that the Government is considering the Make in India offers from the US Boeing for F/A 18 Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin for its F-16 (Block 70) and Swedish Saab for Gripen.


IAF is also open to offers for more Rafales as well as Eurofighters but under the Make in India program of the Government. He agreed that IAF needed another manufacturing line besides that of HAL’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to make up for the depleting number of its squadrons.


IAF is happy though at the Rafale deal, he observed pointing out that the aircraft will be equipped with the best of technologies.


He said there had been some delays but upgrade of the Jaguar with new engines and avionics is likely to be finalized soon. The MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 are already on upgrades.

A French Air Force (FrAF) Dassault Rafale arrives for the inaugural Trilateral Exercise at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Dec. 1, 2015.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kayla Newman)


He said that the requirement of midair refuelers is being considered afresh, but gave no details if the competition will be restricted to Airbus whose A300MRTT had been selected earlier or is also open to Boeing, which has meanwhile come up with a new tanker. As for more AWACS, he said, IAF will continue to use IL-76 based platforms. The Brazilian Embraer, which is being fitted with AEW capability by DRDO, will also continue to be used.


A beaming Air Chief Marshal Raha had this to say in an interview with India Strategic:


IS: The key to build and maintain an air power is periodic renewal of inventory. Unfortunately, after the allegations over Bofors acquisition for the Army in 1986, this process was stalled for the Indian armed forces. Baseless allegations erupt even now as and when the Army, Navy or Air Force is on the verge of vital decisions, thereby hurting the three Services.


There seems to be a trend now to acquire direct from a manufacturer under government-to-government (g-to-g) deals, and the RM has also indicated this as a preference. As the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, how do you navigate and coordinate this process for the armed forces?


AR: All procurement schemes in the armed forces are progressed as per the Defence Procurement Procedure, formulated by the Govt. of India. The DPP gets fine-tuned regularly, the latest being DPP-2016, to ensure that the entire’ process’ is ‘outcome’ oriented. The emphasis is on meeting operational requirements and at times it may involve g-to-g route.


Highest priority is being given to equipment that is designed, developed and manufactured indigenously. Equipment which cannot be developed indigenously is being procured from abroad, following the specified procedure.


It has been IAF’s endeavor to procure equipment through multi-vendor bidding as it encourages competition and ensures that the right equipment is procured at optimum cost.


However, there have been cases wherein, due to the proprietary nature of equipment or equipment having a particular niche technology and also to meet certain operational requirements; the Government has chosen the g-to-g route to ensure that critical capabilities are acquired.

IS: IAF has in fact overcome several challenges in the past few years, particularly in the transport domain with the acquisition of Boeing C-17 and Lockheed Martin C-130J aircraft. Although very capable, their numbers are few. However, and IAF needs to do something about the large number of An-32 aircraft, which are at the end of their lives.


The agreement with Russia for MTA doesn’t seem to be maturing. Your comments please, including on the Tata-Airbus venture for C-295 turboprops?


AR: Deliberations on replacement of An- 32 aircraft are already under progress. There were certain observations on the design of the MTA and the project is under review.


The field evaluation trials of Avro replacement aircraft have been completed. The case is progressing well and the contract negotiations are likely to commence soon. The C-295 MW aircraft is a 5-10 Ton class aircraft. The OEM will supply the initial batch of aircraft and the remaining will be manufactured in India.

India is already operating a total of 176 Israel-made drones including 108 IAI Searchers and 68 unarmed Heron-1 aircraft for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The IAF also fields a fleet of IAI Harpy drones – a self-destruct aircraft carrying a high-explosive warhead and primarily used for taking out enemy radar stations. Between 1985 and 2014, India was the top importer of UAVs worldwide. In September 2015, the Indian government apprroved the purchase of 10 missile-armed Heron TPs. Credit Photo: Israeli Aerospace Industry


IS: The IL-76 has served us well and so has the An-32 since 1980s. They have gone through upgrades but are still at the end of their lives.We are sure the An-32 which recently crashed in the Bay of Bengal was airworthy, but there are questions in the public mind over the old inventory with the Services generally, and the aircraft particularly.


Transport aircraft are the backbone of the Air Force and as vital for the country as the fighting units are.


Your comments please?


AR: An-32 aircraft has been an extremely reliable aircraft and has been the workhorse of the IAF transport fleet. They have performed exceptionally well in tactical airlift operations. IAF’s An-32 fleet is presently undergoing a mid-life upgrade program.


The upgrade for the first 40 aircraft was undertaken in Ukraine from 2011 onwards. The remaining aircraft are being upgraded in India. The upgraded An-32 aircraft will continue to be exploited by the IAF to their full service life.


IS: Any latest updates on the ill-fated An- 32 aircraft?


AR: A coordinated air-sea search and rescue operation involving assets from IAF, Navy, Coast Guard and Aviation Research Centre was launched on July 22, 2016 for the missing An-32 aircraft. Data from satellites was also utilized for the search operations. Inputs from Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services were utilized by the Indian Navy to update the search area.


For sub-surface search, IN submarines and survey ship Nirupak were employed. Specialized Deep Sea Research Vessels are also being utilized for seabed profiling. All available commercial vessels, foreign ships and fishing boats have been alerted for visual sightings of any wreckage or debris over the sea for locating the missing aircraft and the survivors.


Approximately 280 sorties/1,275 hrs. have been flown towards airborne search over the sea. Unfortunately, nothing related to the missing An-32 has been found in more than two months of search. However, we continue to be hopeful and the search is continuing with enhanced focus on seabed search.


IS: Fighter jets: The MMRCA completion was scrapped in favor of a direct deal with France, whose Rafale was selected by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The aircraft is expensive, and the number asked for-36- is too small. IAF had planned for 126+63 aircraft for the MMRCA competition in 2007. That requirement should now be touching 300, as more of its existing aircraft are due for phase-out. Could you give an update on the IAF’s fighter fleet?


AR: The Ministry of Defence has prepared a road map for induction of fighter aircraft in the IAF with an aim to build up to the sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons at the earliest. Various options are being considered by MoD. To start with, the deal for procurement of 36 Rafale aircraft has been signed and it will greatly enhance the operational capability of the IAF. We should receive the first aircraft in 36 months time and delivery of all aircraft would be completed in 66 months.


Meanwhile, upgrade programs of Mirage-2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar fleets are progressing well. The LCA has also been inducted and manufacturing of another type of Fighter aircraft under the ‘Make in India’ initiative is also being considered by the Government.


IS: Numbers and Capability both are important. How would you describe capability for IAF aircraft, those operational now and the new ones to be acquired? We have to keep in mind that the new generation of combat aircraft will serve the IAF for three to four decades?


AR: The capability build-up in the IAF is a continuous process and is being carried out through the procurement of state-of-the-art aircraft and upgrading of legacy fleets. The induction of remaining contracted Su-30 MKI, LCA and Rafale aircraft, the ‘Make in India’ Fighter, the FGFA and the AMCA will ensure that the IAF transforms into a modern and a formidable force.


At the same time, upgrades of MiG-29, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar aircraft will ensure that these aircraft continue to maintain combat and operational relevance. Similarly, in the Transport and Helicopter fleets, the induction of C-17, C-130, Apache Attack Helicopters and Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopters will give an added boost to these fleets.

Group Captain Adam Williams greets Wing Commander Vishal Khanna and the crew of the Indian C-17 Globemaster on their arrival at RAAF Base Amberley. An Indian C-17 Globemaster lands in Australia for the first time at RAAF Base Amberley. The Indian C-17 Globemaster is stopping en-route for refuelling support from RAAF Base Amberley, loaded with humanitarian supplies for Fiji in the wake of the devastating Cyclone Winston. Air staff talks between Australia and India in 2015 agreed to increase interaction and cooperation between the Royal Australian Air Force and the Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster crews.


IL-76 and An-32 aircraft and Mi-17 helicopters are also being upgraded with better avionics and systems to enhance their performance. With the induction of Hawk-132 and Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II aircraft, the IAF trainer fleet is already a modern and capable fleet.


IS: What are the new technologies in terms of propulsion, speed, standoff attacks, intelligence missions, and electronics that you perceive will play decisive roles in future combats. And the role of EW systems specifically?


AR: We are at present on the threshold of absorbing Fifth generation technologies wherein sensor fusion, net centricity, long range standoff weapons, smart engines, stealth/ low observable technologies etc. will be the basic tenant of any future airborne platform. Ground based sensors and weapons will also see a quantum jump in sensor technology, ranges, lethality and redundancy.


EW systems play an important role and will continue to do so in the future also. In the modern battlefield, no weapon system can survive or perform optimally without a comprehensive EW suite, whether it is carrying out offensive or defensive operations. It is a Force Enhancer in the true sense.


IS: Growth of IAF’s AWACS/AEW capability?


AR: AF has already inducted IL-76 based AWACS aircraft. Presently, AEW&C aircraft based on Embraer platform are under development by CABS and are likely to be inducted shortly. Additionally, AWACS are being acquired through the indigenous route with DRDO. AWACS (India) project is at the proposal stage.


The gap between the inductions of the CABS developed AEW&C and AWACS (India) has necessitated acquisition of additional AWACS aircraft to meet operational requirements. These will be IL-76 based AWACS and are being procured under the repeat purchase clause of the present AWACS contract.


IS: As the number of combat jet requirement is large, larger than what it was 10 years ago, foreign manufacturers, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Saab Gripen have offered Make in India projects. They have made presentations to the Government, IAF and Media.


Has a selection process begun?


This also raises another question on the choice of single or twin-engine machines. Your observations on the possible IAF preference please. We take it that whatever IAF buys, will conform to the MMRCA standards, and plus, laid down in 2007 RFP. Technology should have changed since this due to onboard force multipliers. If one is late, then taking advantage of the late start is the logical choice in picking up the latest?


AR: Government is preparing the roadmap for induction of fighter aircraft in the IAF in order to attain the sanctioned strength at the earliest.


Various options are being considered for induction through the ‘Make in India’ route. Suitable aircraft will be selected based on certain guiding principles that will govern manufacturing of these aircraft in the country and meet IAF’s operational requirements.


Combat aircraft procurements will be distributed over the entire spectrum of heavy, medium and light weight categories, as well as weaponry for various air campaigns and twin/single engine configurations.


IS: IAF’s decision to acquire Airbus A330 MRTT has been reversed. That should affect your plans. Is IAF looking afresh at newer systems, now that Boeing has also put its latest tankers in the market?


What are the options now?


We have been told earlier that IAF plans for 100 per cent midair refueling capability?

A400M being refueled by A330MRTT tanker, July 2014. Wing of F-18 chase plane in foreground.Credit Airbus Military


AR: The IAF has been pursuing the case for acquisition of additional Flight Refueler Aircraft. This case is being progressed based on Total Cost of Acquisition model, which considers the Life Cycle Costs. Various options are being considered to ensure that the Flight Refueling Aircraft are acquired at the earliest with emphasis on meeting our operational requirements.


IS: Helicopters: IAF is acquiring Chinook and Apache helicopters from the US, as also Mi-17s from Russia. There are still some more requirements, like larger numbers of these choppers, utility helicopters and VVIP requirements. Your comments please?


AR: A case is under progress for procurement of 200 Kamov 226 T helicopters from Russia under an Inter-Governmental Agreement. Out of 200 helicopters, 140 would be coproduced by a Joint Venture between the Russian companies and HAL. 65out of the 200 helicopters will be inducted in the IAF.


Subsequently, based on the success of 2-3 Ton class indigenous LUH being designed and developed by HAL, balance requirement of helicopters in the Light Utility category will be progressed. Both these helicopters are planned to replace Cheetah and Chetak fleets of the IAF. At present, Mi-17 V5 helicopters are being utilized to meet VVIP requirements.


IS: MAFI: This project has been there for some time. Your comments on progress please?


AR: Phase-I of Modernization of Airfield Infrastructure Project, which covers a majority of IAF’s airfields, has made good progress and will be completed shortly. Thereafter, the remaining airfields would be taken up for modernization. The infrastructure at the airfields has seen an extensive upgrade as part of the project and this project has greatly enhanced IAF’s operational capability.


IS: Make in India, Offsets and Technology Transfer: These are imperative parameters now in acquisition and modernization. You comments on how IAF is implementing these elements?


AR: In an effort to strengthen the indigenous defense production base, the Government has put in place a Defence Production Policy, which endeavors to enhance the defense R & D base of the country. The DPP-2016 includes several initiatives to encourage local R & D and increase in indigenous content in defense procurement.


The ‘Make’ procedure of DPP-2016 seeks to address the multiple objectives of self-reliance, wider participation of Indian industry, impetus to MSME sector, sound implementation, transparent execution and timely induction of equipment into the Indian Armed Forces.


IAF has always encouraged development of indigenous defense production capability and capacities. IAF firmly believes that indigenization provides flexibility by reducing dependence on external agencies and leads to economic growth of the nation and it is the only way to have true strategic autonomy.


The IAF has been at the forefront in inducting indigenously manufactured weapon platforms and systems.

LCA Flying at Bahrain Airshow. Image Courtesy: Basani Satheesh Kumar, Indian MoD


The formation of the first LCA squadron in Bangalore and the substantial order for LCA aircraft are testimony to the importance that the IAF places on self-reliance. A number of indigenously developed and manufactured aircraft, helicopters, radars, missiles and electronic equipment have been inducted or are in the process of being inducted. Projects like AEW&C, AWACS (India), IACCS, Akash SAGW & Astra Missile are being fully supported by the IAF.


IAF has recently conducted a number of seminars to foster greater interaction with the defense industry. To have greater clarity in the industry so that it can map its capabilities and potential with the requirements of the IAF, the ‘Indigenisation Roadmap Indian Air Force (2015-2025)’ was released by the IAF in April this year.


Another seminar was conducted in Lucknow in September 2016 to encourage participation by MSMEs.


IS: IAF needs to be commended for the extraordinary HADR operations undertaken by it. However, are there are any lessons to be drawn from these? In the same context and to further build on its strategic/tactical airlift capabilities, is the IAF thinking of acquiring more aircraft like the C-130J?

It is the advanced avionics suite and onboard equipment including sensors and infrared cameras that give the C-130J the capability to operate in adverse circumstances like it has done in the past in Indian flood relief. Credit India Strategic


Several IAF officers seem to favor deployment of this aircraft even for ferry flights to A&N and other islands, particularly after the recent loss of an An-32?AR: IAF has indeed performed commendably in all HADR related missions not only within the country, but abroad also. Lessons drawn during various HADR operations are constantly reviewed.


Also, HADR Table Top exercises are being planned every year by the three Services for better integration of NDMA, Civic functionaries and the Armed Forces at the field level. IAF is acquiring additional C-130J aircraft. However, C-130J is a Special Operations aircraft with heavy operational and training task; it therefore may not be available for routine airlift or courier operations.


IS: Could you give an update on the LCA Mk I/Mk II program? Will Tejas be able to come up to IAF’s expectations? HAL Chairman has told us that new version will have an AESA radar and some key electronic systems in accordance with IAF requirements?


AR: The first squadron of LCA was formed on July 1, 2016. This is a significant step towards indigenous capability building. However, it will still take some more time before these aircraft are operationalized in IAF with their full capabilities.


IAF will be carrying out extensive flying on these aircraft in order to exploit their entire envelop for optimizing their roles and tasks. I am confident that the LCA Mk 1A which would have enhanced capabilities, would be able to meet the requirements of the IAF.

Link1: http://www.indiastrategic.in/2016/10/21/interview-chief-of-the-air-staff/
Link2: http://www.sldinfo.com/an-overview-...iew-with-the-indian-air-force-chief-of-staff/

 

[Zebra]

http://www.financialexpress.com/ind...al-may-figure-in-modi-may-discussions/438759/

This is the same aircraft, which IAF pilots were not allowed to fly during MMRCA test flights................!

Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Centre’s decision to set up Air Force base at Gaggal Airport hailed

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Kangra MP Shanta Kumar on Friday hailed the decision of the Indian Government to set up Air Force base at Gaggal airport in Kangra district.

Shanta Kumar said that the Air Force base at Gaggal Airport would prove strategically important decision in view of increasing tensions with neighbouring countries, Pakistan and China. “This would not only prove beneficial from security point of view but it would also benefit tourists and locals as the civil airport would also get expanded,” he said, adding that it would also contribute towards the development of the state.

The Kangra MP said that the Centre had also given its go ahead for construction of Pathankot-Leh-Ladakh railway line and four laning of Pathankot-Mandi state highway.

He assured the local residents whose land would be acquired for setting airbase, of adequate compensation of their land and said that Centre government would work towards their rehabilitation so that they would not have to face much inconvenience. “The locals would face inconvenience due to acquisition of their land but they should understand that it would not only strengthen India’s strategic position in northern region and also lead to develop of the area,” he added.

 

[sorcerer]

India prepares to install Cutting-Edge Air Surveillance Systems in the difficult Himalayan Terrain
India will soon prepare its borders, specially that with China, with cutting-edge air surveillance systems that would allow small or difficult-to-detect flying objects to be located with little effort even in the most difficult terrain conditions, including the Himalayan belt, while the system itself is practically undetectable.

The decision was prompted by specific intelligence inputs on shortfalls in India's air surveillance system along the border. The decision entails purchase of approximately 10 vehicle mounted Passive Surveillance System (PSS) having all terrain mobility and cross-country capabilities.

"The Passive Surveillance System (PSS) should be capable of generating a 3D air situation picture by providing multi-channel passive accurate location and dynamic tracking of airborne targets. The system should be capable of detecting, intercepting, locating, identifying and tracking of active and passive emissions from the targets," an Indian Air Force document reads.

"Passive radar does not interact with the target. Its range is up to 300 kilometers and it can pick up the target at a height of about 17,000 to 19,000 feet. It does not get affected by clutter of rains, could, dust, low visibility or poor visibility and it is very expensive," Air Marshal A.K. Singh (retd.) said.

The requirement floated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) specifies that such a system should have a range of at least 200 kilometer and should provide specific details including the type of enemy aircraft and other electronic intelligence information so as to pass them on to the country's Integrated Air Command and Control System

https://sputniknews.com/asia/201611041047082099-india-threat-himalayas/

 

[SajeevJino]

Can we somehow integrate Meteor BVRAAM into F-16? If we can, F-16 is a good idea, if not Gripen might be better.

It can be, though F 35 will get Meteor's


By the level of Gripen NG, it's fabulous with Meteor for long legged CAP and surveillance mission.. Matter is when you deal with uncle there is no chance of bribe and scam

 

[republic_roi97]

Two Indian air force units to get presidential standard

CHANDIGARH: President Pranab Mukherjee would give away the prestigious President's Standard to 501 SU (Signal Unit) and 30 Squadron of the Indian Air Force at a grand ceremonial parade to be held at Ambala Air Force station on November 10.

The station commander of 501 Signal Unit Group Captain Vineet Jindal and Commanding Officer of 30 Squadron Wing Commander Abhay Arun Phasnsalkar will receive the President's Standard. The President will also release a first day cover of 501 Signal Unit and 30 Squadron during the ceremony.

The President's Standard is a visible symbol of excellence and has been earned by these Units through their dedication and worthy contributions both during peace and war. The Presidential award marks and epitomizes the hard work, valour and sacrifice of all the personnel posted to these units since their inception.

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Air Marshal S B Deo, Air Officer Commanding-Chief, Western Air Command along with other dignitaries would also witness the ceremony.