NETRA MK.2 AEW News and Updates

swapcv

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Yep for AMCA & ISR too. However, unless the testing for AMCA-ISR has already started, the testbed may be used for AEWCS testing. If the testing on former has already started, then the first out of the six modified would be used as AEWCS testbed. If not then it would be used as testbed for AMCA-ISR. Would like to be updated on whether testing has started?
If lead times and delivery schedules are a concern, one can instead give them A2A Refuelling probes in a future MLU. As for procuring a widebody for Aerial Refuelling tasks my preferred choice is the A330MRTT. It is ready, can be delivered soon and is mission proven already.
 

abingdonboy

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If lead times and delivery schedules are a concern, one can instead give them A2A Refuelling probes in a future MLU. As for procuring a widebody for Aerial Refuelling tasks my preferred choice is the A330MRTT. It is ready, can be delivered soon and is mission proven already.
The internal fuel and range of the A319 is already substantially more than the EMB-145 so refuelling isn’t essential and like you said can be added later. That said I don’t think it’s a huge job and DRDO have quite a bit of experience with ‘plumbing’ via ADA and NETRA MK.1.

that said the PHALCONs based on the A-50 does had IFR probes but the models of NETRA MK.2 don’t

If IAF end up leasing they’ll almost certainly be doing so for A330 MRTTs likely with an option to buy
 

Anandhu Krishna

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Would be great to have a refuelling option. However, that might adversely affect the delivery time for AEWCS, which reduces the possibility of 319s being retrofitted for aerial refueling.
As far as aerial tanker go, it's known that IAF might go in for hiring (not leasing) the tankers. Further, aerial tankers generally are wide bodied aircrafts. We do have the Boeings in AI inventory, whether they will be converted to tankers remains to be seen. That would probably depend on whether IAF hires Boeing or Airbus as tanker.
Such a large AF hiring tankers.
 

Aditya Ballal

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Such a large AF hiring tankers.
Conversation for another place but of course highly shameful.
Iaf should not lease tankers it looks humiliating
The Brits however lease a330 MRTT tankers for the RAF from AirTanker, a private aircraft leasing company owned by Airbus, Rolls Royce, Cobham, Babock International and Thales. When these aircraft are not being used by the RAF, they’re used for civilian charter flights, so we won’t be the only ones doing it.
 

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Legends don't read, legends listen to other legends with first hand experience
The crux of EA/ECM part of the podcast - The beautiful analogy with Tennis court and tennis ball by Vincent at 29 minutes


Goint OT Vincent also had IAF pilots in his show
Excellent podcast on the MiG, he talks about doing a Pugachevs cobra on a MiG35
This is probably the best podcast in The channel's history, excellent insight + some good laughs
 

Anandhu Krishna

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The Brits however lease a330 MRTT tankers for the RAF from AirTanker, a private aircraft leasing company owned by Airbus, Rolls Royce, Cobham, Babock International and Thales. When these aircraft are not being used by the RAF, they’re used for civilian charter flights, so we won’t be the only ones doing it.
RAF is a tiny AF
 

Aditya Ballal

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RAF is a tiny AF
A tiny airforce that has more AWACS and tankers than some “big” airforces. If it works then it’s not a problem for a temporary measure for a non combat asset like Tankers that will not directly face hostile action. Leasing tactical assets like fighter jets or AWACS would certainly be ludicrous.
But when there’s a proven avenue to lease such non combat assets for a temporary period and then either buy new ones when funds are available or accepting the offer of buying the leased ones themselves, we mustn’t outrightly reject such an offer.
 

Knowitall

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The Brits however lease a330 MRTT tankers for the RAF from AirTanker, a private aircraft leasing company owned by Airbus, Rolls Royce, Cobham, Babock International and Thales. When these aircraft are not being used by the RAF, they’re used for civilian charter flights, so we won’t be the only ones doing it.
British airforce is pathetic and weak just like their army and navy.

We have zero reasons to follow their model until and unless we want to downgrade ourselves.

GOI should just let the IAF but them under emergency procurement section and be done with it.
 

jackprince

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A tiny airforce that has more AWACS and tankers than some “big” airforces. If it works then it’s not a problem for a temporary measure for a non combat asset like Tankers that will not directly face hostile action. Leasing tactical assets like fighter jets or AWACS would certainly be ludicrous.
But when there’s a proven avenue to lease such non combat assets for a temporary period and then either buy new ones when funds are available or accepting the offer of buying the leased ones themselves, we mustn’t outrightly reject such an offer.
The idea of Tankers being non-combat asset is no longer viable in view of the advent of long range BVR missiles specifically meant for such assets.

The difference between IAF and RAF is that IAF might actually see a full blown shooting war when RAF wont - at least anytime soon. In such scenario, the unreliability of hired assets may prove a crucial handicap for IAF.

Dry lease of such assets is a completely viable avenue and should be used only as temporary measure. We can't forget that these tankers are key equipments for our force, and can prove to be more important than a squadron of fighters as it can be the difference between a fighter returning to base or staying at station during a crucial time.
 

Aditya Ballal

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The idea of Tankers being non-combat asset is no longer viable in view of the advent of long range BVR missiles specifically meant for such assets.

The difference between IAF and RAF is that IAF might actually see a full blown shooting war when RAF wont - at least anytime soon. In such scenario, the unreliability of hired assets may prove a crucial handicap for IAF.

Dry lease of such assets is a completely viable avenue and should be used only as temporary measure. We can't forget that these tankers are key equipments for our force, and can prove to be more important than a squadron of fighters as it can be the difference between a fighter returning to base or staying at station during a crucial time.
That’s exactly why I’ve stressed on it being a temporary measure until funds are available to purchase the tankers.
It will obviously be a dry lease as they will need trained airforce crews to operate these complicated systems.
Obviously every flying aircraft during wartime is a target, but they aren’t direct combatants and face relatively less threat than Fighter and AWACS aircraft.
Dry leased aircrafts are under full operational control of the lessee unlike wet lease, so all maintenance, handling and operations of the aircraft’s are the lessee’s responsibility. The risk and insurance are on the leasing firm.
 

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Alfalfa

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Can anyone help me understand how these assets are located, the Phalcon AWACS are all housed under Squadron50 at AGRA, but the Netra assets are spread out (I think) - 1 is in Bhatinda, the rest im not sure where they are and then with these 6 new additions, do they have a home base are distributed assets?
 

abingdonboy

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AI to be sold off within a few months but this is likely to happen before any sort of agreement is in place for NETRA MK.2, has this been accounted for?

I do hope this isn’t a case of one ministry not knowing what the other ministry is doing and missing out again by moving too slowly

this could be the death of the NETRA MK.2 project before it has even commenced
 

swapcv

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AI to be sold off within a few months but this is likely to happen before any sort of agreement is in place for NETRA MK.2, has this been accounted for?

I do hope this isn’t a case of one ministry not knowing what the other ministry is doing and missing out again by moving too slowly

this could be the death of the NETRA MK.2 project before it has even commenced
Airframes for NETRA have already been allocated, and the first A319 to be converted to a prototype NETRA Mk.2 already delivered. AI's pvt'ization will have no bearing on this one, as the horse has already bolted.
 

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