Indian Air Force: News & Discussions

[Fatalis]

Any information on S-UMS? How come the Noida based company developed or bought a jet engine?

 

[Haldilal]

Ya'll Nibbiar

 

[ezsasa]

IAF carries out successful firing of longer-range air-launched BrahMos cruise missile

 

[maximus777]

Pakistan has inducted (or in the process)
- J-10C equipped with PL-15s from China
- Armed stealth and non-stealth drones from Turkey

Just concerned, how is IAF planning to deal with these? We appear to be always playing catch up. My fear is we will be caught with our pants down in the next short sharp skirmish like Nowshera in 2019.

I still cant get over how IAF allowed 24 PAF planes to attack India and all we had was one claimed kill with no hard evidence. We should have neutered PAF that day with at least a dozen kills!!

And all this on the day after Balakot strike when we were expected to be on our highest alert state aka Defcon 0!!

 

[Javelin_Sam]

Pakistan has inducted (or in the process)
- J-10C equipped with PL-15s from China
- Armed stealth and non-stealth drones from Turkey

Just concerned, how is IAF planning to deal with these? We appear to be always playing catch up. My fear is we will be caught with our pants down in the next short sharp skirmish like Nowshera in 2019.

I still cant get over how IAF allowed 24 PAF planes to attack India and all we had was one claimed kill with no hard evidence. We should have neutered PAF that day with at least a dozen kills!!

And all this on the day after Balakot strike when we were expected to be on our highest alert state aka Defcon 0!!

You are all right mahn. Alright. Just calm down, take a sip of water, some deep breath and go back to sleep

 

[maximus777]

You are all right mahn. Alright. Just calm down, take a sip of water, some deep breath and go back to sleep

Just stating facts here, but then whatever floats your boat man...

 

[MirageBlue]

Su-30MKI and MiG-29UPGs escort a Netra AEW&C

 

[Swesh]

After Hamas attack on Israel, DGCA issues amended norms for operating powered hang gliders

www.deccanherald.com

 

[WolfPack86]

DHRUVASTRA HELICOPTER-MOUNTED ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILE SYSTEM ADDS DEADLY STING TO THE ARMED FORCES
The successful test-firing of Dhruvastra is a major milestone for India’s indigenous missile development programme. The missile system is expected to be inducted into the Indian Army and IAF soon after the user trials are over. The recent approval of the Dhruvastra missile system by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is a major boost for India’s self-reliance in defence

On Friday (September 15, 2023), India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, cleared nine capital acquisition proposals of various weapons systems and platforms under the ‘Make in India’ initiative—including fighter jets, missiles and aircraft upgrades worth around Rs 45,000 crore.

Among the nine proposals, the procurement of the Dhruvastra short-range air-to-surface missile as a potent indigenous precision-guided weapon for the indigenously built DHRUV MK-IV helicopters was cleared by the DAC. It was also decided to procure 12 Su-30MKI aircraft with associated equipment from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The Dhruvastra missile system will enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Army and Air Force against enemy tanks and armoured vehicles. The Su-30MKI aircraft will augment the air superiority and strike capabilities of the Indian Air Force. The Defence Minister stated that it was time to upgrade India’s ambitions towards indigenization and aim for a minimum 60%-65% indigenous content for indigenously designed, developed and manufactured (IDDM) projects.

India has successfully test-fired the indigenously developed helicopter-launched, anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system, Dhruvastra, in the Pokhran range of Rajasthan. The missile system, earlier known as Helina, is a variant of the Nag missile that can be fired from land and air platforms. Dhruvastra has been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).


Dhruvastra: Features & Capabilities

Dhruvastra is a third-generation, fire-and-forget ATGM system that can engage and destroy enemy tanks and armoured vehicles in both direct hit mode and top attack mode. The missile has a minimum range of 500 metres and a maximum range of 7 kilometres. It can be launched from an altitude of up to 4 kilometres and can hit targets moving at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour.

Dhruvastra has an imaging infrared-seeker that guides the missile to the target based on its heat signature. The seeker can lock onto the target before or after launch of the missile. The missile has a special warhead that can break through the armour of enemy tanks, whether or not they have regular or explosive reactive armour. It works in all kinds of weather, during the day or night, and in various types of terrain, such as deserts, plains, hills and forests.


Regular armour is the standard protective armour on tanks, while explosive reactive armour (ERA) is an additional layer that explodes when hit to reduce the impact of incoming projectiles. An infrared imaging-seeker (IIS) is a sophisticated system that uses infrared technology to detect and track targets. It can identify heat signatures emitted by objects, even in darkness or adverse weather conditions, making it valuable for guiding missiles accurately to their targets.

Dhruvastra is mounted on the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, which is also indigenously developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The ALH Dhruv can carry up to eight Dhruvastra missiles in four twin-launchers. The helicopter is equipped with a helmet-mounted sight that allows the pilot to aim the missile at the target by looking at it. The helicopter also has a data link that transmits the target information to the missile.


Significance And Future Prospects

Dhruvastra is a significant achievement for India’s self-reliance in the field of missile technology and defence equipment. The missile system will enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Army and Air Force against enemy tanks and armoured vehicles. The missile system will also provide an edge to India in its border disputes with China and Pakistan, which have large numbers of tanks and armoured vehicles.

The DRDO has also developed a man-portable version of the Nag missile, called Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), which can be carried and fired by infantry soldiers. The MPATGM has a range of 2.5 kilometres and can be used for short-range anti-tank missions. The DRDO is also working on developing a longer-range version of the Nag missile, called SANT, which will have a range of 15-20 kilometres and can be launched from helicopters and drones.

Dhruvastra Helicopter-Mounted Anti-Tank Guided Missile System Adds Deadly Sting To The Armed Forces

The successful test-firing of Dhruvastra is a major milestone for India’s indigenous missile development programme. The missile system is ex...

www.indiandefensenews.in

 

[Haldilal]

Ya'll Nibbiars

 

[samsaptaka]

Looks like modi danda to IAF to stop r.rona for gold plated foreign maal and buy more Tejas has worked. MMRCA looking more dead than ever....

 

[MirageBlue]

Looks like modi danda to IAF to stop r.rona for gold plated foreign maal and buy more Tejas has worked. MMRCA looking more dead than ever....

There are reports that the MRFA RFP will be out soon.

 

[Hari Sud]

There are reports that the MRFA RFP will be out soon.

Wait until the result and analysis of Ukraine and Israel/Hamas war are fully comprehended. These wars have emphasized the success of loitering ammunition, UAV and UCAV greater than the fighter jets.

Moreover Pakistan is equipped Old F-16 and less than good Chinese made JF-17 fighters. We have to worry less about them. The Chinese are not in good shape as their fighters are copy of somebody else’s design and their bases are much farther than where conflict will happen. Moreover, their priority is South China Sea front. At the Himalayas, their motive is intimidation using paid propaganda machinery.

 

[johnj]

loitering ammunition, UAV and UCAV greater than the fighter jets.

Yes, against a country which lacks advanced and large industrial/manufacturing base
In other words both Pak and Chinese have them, and even better ones, and Chines posses one of the largest advanced and large industrial/manufacturing base, === HUGE ADVANTAGE TO CHINA AND PAK
IF you combine both of your para,

Wait until the result and analysis of Ukraine and Israel/Hamas war are fully comprehended. These wars have emphasized the success of loitering ammunition, UAV and UCAV greater than the fighter jets.

and

Moreover Pakistan is equipped Old F-16 and less than good Chinese made JF-17 fighters. We have to worry less about them. The Chinese are not in good shape as their fighters are copy of somebody else’s design and their bases are much farther than where conflict will happen. Moreover, their priority is South China Sea front. At the Himalayas, their motive is intimidation using paid propaganda machinery.

Pak having short term war advantage and Chinese having both short and long term advantage
We made a big mistake by not giving no1 priority to LCA and NG MBT 1.5 decade ago, now junk f 17 is much better than lca, & majority of IAF Russian ac fleet[excluding mig21] experience spare and support issue plus old missiles, bombs, m2k and jaguar spare and parts also rare and expensive

In simple, Ukraine and Israel/Hamas, shows, large manufacturing capability under war matters otherwise ended up begging for weapons

 

[Hari Sud]

Yes, against a country which lacks advanced and large industrial/manufacturing base
In other words both Pak and Chinese have them, and even better ones, and Chines posses one of the largest advanced and large industrial/manufacturing base, === HUGE ADVANTAGE TO CHINA AND PAK
IF you combine both of your para,

and

Pak having short term war advantage and Chinese having both short and long term advantage
We made a big mistake by not giving no1 priority to LCA and NG MBT 1.5 decade ago, now junk f 17 is much better than lca, & majority of IAF Russian ac fleet[excluding mig21] experience spare and support issue plus old missiles, bombs, m2k and jaguar spare and parts also rare and expensive

In simple, Ukraine and Israel/Hamas, shows, large manufacturing capability under war matters otherwise ended up begging for weapons

Dream on…….

 

[johnj]

Dream on…….

Its not my theory but yours
except IAF fleet strength,
IAF asking for MRFA
Considering purchasing second hand m2k for cannibalism
keeping mig21
IAF is the last operator of jaguar
trying to get advanced weapons for Russian OEM jets
Only 16 foc lca so far
MKI, Mig29 etc need Russian spares
and list goes on
Among three armed forces, IAF is worst prepared for war

FYI == Both Pak and China having armed drones, & Chinese having huge nos
If drones are the key/major point. then we already lost.

Hence stop writing your Dreams

In the case of army, they only having small no.of drones and majority of them depends on Chinese hardware, and give huge advantage against PLA

Worst part is, IAF still giving top importance to manned jets than drones
Insisted of dreaming, better pray to change IAF mindset
Good news is IAF giving top priority to drone defense and given order to loitering drones in small nos

 

[NutCracker]

https://www.eurasiantimes.com/on-sale-117-mig-31-mig-29-heres-why/?amp

About 35 years old ; 25 Mig29 airframes available for cannibalising..

 

[Haldilal]

Ya'll Nibbiars

 

[Hari Sud]

Please do read this very informative paper by a retired senior Air Force officer…..

Agile Combat Employment: Why Indian Air Force Must 'Bet Big' On ACE To Repulse Chinese PLAAF

OPED By Air Marshal Anil Chopra Traditionally, the air forces created large airbases with colossal infrastructure. This included runways, operational areas, storage hangars, significant tarmacs with sun shelters, maintenance facilities and labs, armament and fuel storage, administrative rooms...

www.eurasiantimes.com

 

[prateikf]

Pakistan has inducted (or in the process)
- J-10C equipped with PL-15s from China
- Armed stealth and non-stealth drones from Turkey

Just concerned, how is IAF planning to deal with these? We appear to be always playing catch up. My fear is we will be caught with our pants down in the next short sharp skirmish like Nowshera in 2019.

I still cant get over how IAF allowed 24 PAF planes to attack India and all we had was one claimed kill with no hard evidence. We should have neutered PAF that day with at least a dozen kills!!

And all this on the day after Balakot strike when we were expected to be on our highest alert state aka Defcon 0!!

Your right. It was a mere skirmish yet we lost a fighter with our Pilot in enemy custody. Also, we shot down our own helicopter killing six IAF personnel. Tragic and shocking really that our own Spyder missile took down our own helicopter.