DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Firms Set Teams For Helicopter Tender

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Firms Set Teams For Helicopter Tender

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Vivek Raghuvanshi ~ DefenseNews

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 12, 2015:  In (NEW DELHI) India's first helicopter competition reserved for domestic defense companies, teams have been established between top defense companies Larsen & Toubro with Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems with Sikorsky Aircraft to produce a light utility helicopter (LUH).

Other corporate arrangements include Mahindra Defence Systems teaming up with Bell Helicopter and Punj Lloyd with Russian Helicopters. The domestic companies have to respond by Feb. 17 to a request for information (RFI) they received in October to provide the helicopters on a Buy and Make (India) basis in the $2.5 billion tender.

State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics also is negotiating a tie up with Russian Helicopters.

None of the overseas or domestic companies would discuss their partnerships.

A Ministry of Defence official said there is no certainty that the helicopters built by the domestic companies would be cheaper than importing them directly.

"The idea is to build capabilities in India to build the defense industrial base and have in-house life-time support and maintenance," the official added.

While the RFI describes purchase of 197 light utility helicopters — 133 for the Army and 64 for the Air Force — India has a requirement for more than 400, said an Air Force official.

Defense analyst Nitin Mehta, however, is not sure if the program will ever take off in the domestic sector.

"The fresh procurement process for LUH, which has begun after the cancellation of the earlier global tenders, will further delay the acquisition of the much-needed helicopters. The domestic private sector companies, having no experience in making helicopters and will begin from scratch, will add to the delay which will ultimately prove counterproductive," Mehta said.

"At [some point] India will have to buy the much-needed LUH from the global market on a fast-track basis," Mehta said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi Dec. 11, had offered to build in India the Ka 226 LUH for domestic and export purposes. However, the government decided to pursue an open competition.

The RFI says the LUH will be needed for reconnaissance and surveillance, to direct artillery fire, for quick-reaction teams for special missions, aerial photography, serving a scout role in conjunction with attack helicopters, and to monitor nuclear, biological and chemical incidents.

The tie ups only represent an initial intent to partner in the helicopter tender and become formal only after responding to the RFP.

When the Modi government came to power in May 2014, it canceled a 2009 global re-tender to purchase 197 LUHs and instead issued the RFI only to domestic defense majors as part its policy to build domestic industry capabilities. At the time of cancellation of the tender, Eurocopter's (now Airbus Helicopters ) AS550 helicopter was in competition with Russia's Ka-226T built by Kamov.

In August, the MoD also canceled a 2012 tender to buy 56 naval utility helicopters in which Airbus Helicopters and AgustaWestland were competing.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Vivek Raghuvanshi ~ DefenseNews
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DTN News - INDIA NEWS: PM Modi To Jawans in Siachen - 'Happy Diwali, You Make It Possible For Indians To Celebrate'

DTN News - INDIA NEWS: PM Modi To Jawans in Siachen - 'Happy Diwali, You Make It Possible For Indians To Celebrate'

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources NDTV
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala India - October 24, 2014: (SIACHEN)  Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent some time on Thursday morning rallying soldiers at Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, where he made a surprise visit as India celebrated the Diwali festival.

"From the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier & with the brave Jawans & Officers of the Armed Forces, I wish all of you a Happy Diwali," he tweeted to the nation.

PM Modi took a special Indian Air Force aircraft to Siachen and was flown by helicopter to the base camp at about 12,000 feet. Accompanied by Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhaag, he made an aerial survey of the glacier before interacting with officers and jawans posted at one of the most inhospitable places on earth.

"I have come to spend my first Diwali as prime minister with you. 125 crore Indians can celebrate Diwali today and go about their lives in comfort because the jawans guard the borders, prepared to make every sacrifice for the nation," PM Modi told the troops.

The Prime Minister said he had come unannounced but "one does not need to announce arrival when coming to meet one's own."

In pictures posted on his twitter account, PM Modi was seen mingling with the jawans, sharing sweets and exchanging gifts with them.

Mr Modi, who took office in May, is the first prime minister to visit Siachen in 10 years.

The visit is being seen as a strong message to Pakistan, which has been pressing for the pullout of troops from the glacier since 2012, when 130 Pakistani soldiers died in an avalanche on their side of the slopes. India has been opposing the demand given the strategic importance of the 71-km glacier, where the army has been posted since 1984.

"If you don't see this glacier, you can't imagine the hostile weather and the circumstances under which our jawans are serving the motherland," PM Modi said.

The soldiers posted here were no less than sages, he wrote in the visitors' book at Siachen before leaving for a visit to flood-hit Srinagar.

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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: India's Rafale Fighter Jet Deal in Final Lap, Awaits Government's Nod

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: India's Rafale Fighter Jet Deal in Final Lap, Awaits Government's Nod

*Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday met French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in New Delhi. Fabius arrived in Delhi on Sunday night for a two-day visit. He will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to make a pitch for speeding up the Rafale aircraft deal.
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 30, 2014: (New Delhi)  The Indian Air Force or IAF may lose its traditional conventional edge against Pakistan if the contract to buy 126 Rafale medium multi-role combat aircraft or MMRCA is not clinched immediately, senior IAF officials told Defence Minister Arun Jaitley at an extensive briefing recently. (Defence Minister Briefed on Indian Air Force's Operational Preparedness)

French aerospace major Dassault Aviation had won the contract to supply the fighter jets to the IAF in 2012. 

The Air Force, which ideally requires 44 squadrons but can manage with 39, currently only has 32 squadrons; 12 of them of the near-obsolete MiG-21s. 

Mr Jaitley had only one query: what is the cost of the contract? 

The IAF's answer -- Rs. 100,000 crore spread over 10 years -- immediately evoked a positive reaction from Mr Jaitley, sources in the Ministry of Defence told NDTV. (Dassault Hopes to Sign Rafale India Deal This Year)

The enthused IAF brass now says that if the government gives the final clearance, the massive, and in many ways the first-of-its-kind contract, may be clinched in the next six months. 

Three sub-sets of the complicated deal have been completed, say sources. The committees that were in charge of Offsets, Maintenance, Transfer of Technology have concluded their work; it took them over two years to prepare documents running into thousands of pages. These include details of work share between Dassault and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd or HAL, liabilities and costs to maintain and run the 126 jets. (A big step in India's Rafale jet deal with France)

Over 41 articles in the defence procurement procedure or DPP have been taken on board while arriving at the final documentation. HAL has been designated the lead domestic production agency. 18 of the 126 jets will be produced in France and the remaining 108 will be manufactured at the production unit in India. (Depleted fighter fleet is worrisome, says Air Chief)

But the committee responsible for costs and contract is yet to finalise its report. Once the deal officially receives clearance, this part of the contract may be ready for signing in less than two months, say sources. (France sees first Rafale jet deliveries to India by 2016)

Meanwhile, many of Rafale's competitors are lobbying hard against the contract and running down the fighter aircraft over various counts, including 'prohibitive' costs. 

But the IAF top brass is clear that the process to buy the MMRCA is irreversible, notwithstanding a view that the IAF must induct the HAL-made Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas instead of buying the expensive Rafale. 

IAF officials point out that the Tejas is yet to receive final operational clearance despite the home-grown fighter aircraft being in the making for over 30 years. As per revised timelines, the first full Tejas squadron in the Initial Operational Clearance configuration will be in place only by 2016-2017. 

"We have been hand-holding the LCA for a long time and will continue to support it. But it is not a replacement for a medium, multirole fighter aircraft. Its reach is barely 200 km while we need an aircraft with a reach of at least 1000-km if we have to pose any challenge in the Tibet Autonomous Region, where India expects a major threat to its air combat power in case of a conflict with China," said a top IAF officer.

Meanwhile, the Rafale deal is likely to be on top of the agenda during French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius's two-day visit to India, which starts today.

The question now is whether prime minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Arun Jaitley will also treat the deal as a matter of top priority. 


*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Reuters
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF's Super Hercules Transport Plane Crashes Near Gwalior

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF's Super Hercules Transport Plane Crashes Near Gwalior

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth + Zee News

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 28, 2014: According to officials, the aircraft was carrying an unknown number of people. Rescue operations are underway.

The C-130J aircraft was one of the six bought from the US two years ago. 

The plane had reportedly taken off from Agra in Uttar Pradesh. The incident is shocking since the plane, known as the safest aircraft, has capabilities of landing and taking off even in improvised or short airfields, and without lights. 

India had recently deployed a C-130J Super Hercules of the Indian Air Force in Kuala Lumpur to take part in the international search for the missing Malaysian airliner in the South Indian Ocean region. 

More details are awaited.

*Narration on IAF C-130J Super Hercules

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington Sept. 27, the Indian Defence Ministry’s highest body on Friday cleared the acquisition of six C-130J Hercules transport aircraft from the US.

The aircraft are being purchased on a government-to-government basis at a cost of more than US $1 billion. The clearance to top the existing six C-130J aircraft with another six was made at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council.

The Lockheed Martin-built aircraft have been effective in rugged terrain, including mountains, for transporting troops and cargo, an Indian Air Force official said. “We are very happy with the performance of the Hercules, and the aircraft does everything which IAF wants,” the official said.

The Air Force has stood up a new squadron for flying the C-130J. Squadron 77 is nicknamed the “Veiled Vipers” with a motto “strike to kill.”

In August 2013,  the Air Force landed the C-130J at the Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip in Ladakh bordering China in northern India, known as the world’s highest airfield. The airstrip’s elevation is 16,614 feet and the landing was considered a “strong gesture to China,” defense analyst Nitin Mehta said.

In 2007, India signed a deal to purchase six C-130Js for around $1.1 billion.

In September 2013, the Air Force inducted the first of 10 C-17 transport aircraft contracted from the United States at more than $4 billion.

India’s military transport fleet includes the Russian-made IL-76 and Antonov-32 aircraft.


An Air Force source said India plans to buy six additional C-17s on top of the already contracted 10 aircraft.-

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Zee News
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Su-30MKI Aircraft Displays Facing ‘Blanking Off’ Problems

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Su-30MKI Aircraft Displays Facing ‘Blanking Off’ Problems

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Indian Defence.com

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 13, 2014: Cockpit displays of some of the Su-30MKI “blanking off” affected the use of the aircraft, India has told Russia, which is the manufacturer and supplier of these fighter planes to IAF.

“Displays blanking off is a serious and critical issue affecting the exploitation of the aircraft and needs immediate resolution of the matter on priority,” state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) wrote to the Russian Irkut Corporation, which builds the aircraft.

In the letter dated 28 February, a top HAL functionary has stated that the head-up displays and other displays were “blanking off” during flight of the aircraft belonging to some particular batches of the Su-30MKI and the Russian side has already been informed about it.

HAL stated in the letter that the Russian side has not yet responded even after the first complaint in this regard was registered in March 2013 and the Russian adviser deployed in India was also informed about it.

The documents related to communication between Indian and Russian officials have come to light after hackers breached Russian defence firms’ networks and posted the material online.

Another leaked document suggested that the delay in setting up an MRO for the Su-30MKI aircraft was “adversely affecting” the already delayed process of overhauling the fighter jets.

The delay in setting up the facility and deployment of Russian specialists was “adversely affecting the progress of the already delayed Su-30MKI overhaul programme and our commitment to IAF and the defence ministry on plan for setting up overhaul facilities,” the official said in the letter.

*Disclaimer statement: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Indian Defence.com
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: How The Su-30 MKI Is Changing The IAF’s Combat Strategy

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: How The Su-30 MKI Is Changing The IAF’s Combat Strategy
Analysis: Internationally, a project for one year takes ten fold longer in India. Decisions are taken at a snail pace and time is wasted on unnecessary red tape bureaucracy. Defense procurement system is politically corrupt, as an example urgently needed Hawk Mk132 advanced jet trainers for Indian Air Force, which took 30 odd years to acquire at the cost of hundreds of young Indian Air Force pilots life. India is the largest democratically governed country in the world as is an exemplary system for other nations to follow suit, but at the same time the system is a curse with too many voices and noises, NO ACTION. India should have for some period a system of administration similar to China, which is straightforward with no two way decision, would benefit for the betterment of the country at large. (DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News)

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources January 5, 2014 Rakesh Krishnan Simha
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 6, 2014: The versatile and constantly evolving nature of the Sukhoi enables the Indian Air Force to think big and strike far. With the induction of large numbers of class leading Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has not only made a huge technological transition from a MiG-21 dominated fleet, its war fighting doctrine has also changed, focusing on long-range and strategic missions.

Aggressiveness is a fundamental requirement of air combat, and the IAF has traditionally been an attack orientated force. For instance, on December 3, 1971 in response to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) raids on 11 Indian airbases, the IAF responded with initial air strikes the same night, which were expanded to massive retaliatory air strikes the next morning.

In previous wars, it didn’t matter if their opponents had better aircraft and radars, IAF pilots compensated for it with their superior training and ingenuity. IAF pilots truly internalised what Sergei Dolgushin, a Russian Air Force ace with 24 victories in WWII, said is a prerequisite to be a successful fighter pilot: “a love of hunting, a great desire to be the top dog”.

Long range and two fronts
It was with the MiG-29 Fulcrum that the IAF for the very first time acquired a superior aircraft compared with those operated by the PAF. However, the qualitative edge was marginal. On the other hand the Sukhoi-30 MKI is an “air dominance fighter” that is allowing the IAF to perform a multiplicity of missions required to keep in step with India’s rising global stature. The Sukhoi’s versatility – owing to its extended range, speed, firepower and super-manoeuvrability – has given the IAF considerable leeway in deploying the aircraft in offensive missions.

In April 2013 the IAF held its largest-ever combat exercise involving as many as 400 combat aircraft plus 200 transport planes and helicopters. The exercise was aimed at testing the IAF’s capability for a two-front war against China and Pakistan, by deploying “swing forces” from the western theatre right across to the east.

As part of the war games, Sukhoi-30MKIs flew 1800 km bombing missions from Chabua in Assam to the western front, with mid-air refuelling. This is possible because the Sukhoi has a range of 4.5 hours on internal fuel, and IAF pilots are known to lead missions over 10 hours.

BrahMos and the mini air force
The Su-30 MKI has 12 hard points for missiles and bombs. The IAF is carrying out structural modifications on the Sukhois to enable them to carry the air launched variant of the BrahMos cruise missile. If the contracting firms are able to reduce the mass and weight of the missile, the aircraft would be able to carry up to three of these missiles.

In previous wars the IAF avoided attacks on non-military infrastructure, preferring to target tanker farms and military bases. The decision to equip the Sukhois with the BrahMos creates new synergies and signals a new intent. The Sukhoi’s radar can detect tall buildings at a distance of 400 km and small building at 120 km. The BrahMos is a highly destructive missile and belongs to a class of Russian missiles that are designed to cut small warships in half. So in the next war expect a lot of damage to enemy infrastructure – dams, power stations and industrial clusters are all likely to be targeted.

There is another ominous angle. India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) has asked for 40 nuclear capable strike aircraft to be used conjointly with land-based and submarine launched ballistic missiles. Although it’s not clear whether the IAF or the SFC will operate this mini air force, what is clear is that exactly 40 Su-30 MKIs have been converted to carry the BrahMos. That’s some coincidence.

A nuclear warhead on an air-launched BrahMos fired from a super-manoeuvrable Su-30 MKI won’t just further enhance the IAF’s strike capability and aircraft survivability, it would also complicate the enemy’s defence planning.

Mission capable
Such complex missions require powerful navigation systems. India has chosen to buy barebones Sukhois from Russia and then cram them with Israeli and French equipment. Plus, the already excellent Bars radar, which can track an aircraft at 125 km and a battle tank 40 km away, is being replaced with the Russian Zhuk active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars.

Another quantum leap the IAF is making is in beyond visual range (BVR) missiles for the Su-30 MKI. Complementing the Zhuk radar will be the Novator KS-172 air-air missile, with an estimated 300-400 km range and a speed of Mach 4. If Russia and India can bring this missile to production, the IAF will finally be capable of anti-AWACS and anti-satellites missions.

The Su-30 MKI has also given a fillip to the DRDO, which has designed and developed the aircraft’s electronic counter measures suite, including the radar warning receiver and frequency hopping radios and identify friend or foe system. Irkut President Alexy Fedorov says the Su-30 MKIs are being upgrade to the ‘Super Sukhoi’, which has features similar to a fifth generation aircraft.

Numbers game
It is a fact that quantity has a quality all its own. Including aircraft under order, India’s Sukhoi-30 MKI fleet is currently pegged at 272. It is an impressive number for such a high-end and expensive weapons platform. This shows a keen sense of judgement by the IAF, which realises that 100 per cent fleet utilisation is impossible and having a large number of air superiority aircraft around is the key to getting the job done.

With such numbers at its disposal, the IAF is now able to build a network of bases around the country. Earlier, because of the low range of its fighter aircraft and coupled with the fact that the IAF had to quickly deploy them in war, most Indian air bases – such as Adampur, Jammu, Amritsar and Jodhpur – were close to the Pakistan border.

But now Sukhois are also being stationed at places such as Thanjavur in the deep south, Chabua in the northeast and Pune in western India. Because of its long legs and speed the Sukhois can join battle at a few hours notice.

A worrying factor, however, is the planned force of 272 Sukhois falls well short of the 400 Sukhoi-30 equivalents and knockoffs in the Chinese air force. If the 126 French Rafales are inducted over the coming years, India should achieve at least quantitative parity with China. That is, until the Chinese stealth fighters arrive. 

*Related Images of Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources January 5, 2014 Rakesh Krishnan Simha
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Delivers Indian Air Force’s 4th C-17 Globemaster III

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Delivers Indian Air Force’s 4th C-17 Globemaster III
*In February 2011, the IAF and Boeing agreed to terms for the order of 10 C-17s with an option for six more. Deliveries of the 10 aircraft are to begin in 2013.

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - October 30, 2013: The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fourth Boeing [NYSE: BA] C-17 Globemaster III departs for India from Long Beach on Oct. 19, keeping the company on track to deliver a total of five advanced airlifters to the IAF this year.

Boeing will deliver five more C-17s to India in 2014 to complete the contract.  

Since its first flight in 1991, the C-17 has amassed more than 2.6 million flying hours airlifting troops and large cargo, delivering humanitarian supplies by precision airdrop, and performing lifesaving aeromedical missions. Most recently, the IAF used its C-17s to support Cyclone Phailin relief efforts.

Boeing will complete production of the C-17 Globemaster III in the fourth quarter of 2015. In addition to the remaining C-17s for India, the company will build 15 more for other customers outside the United States. Boeing will continue after-delivery support of the worldwide C-17 fleet as part of the C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program Performance-Based Logistics agreement.

Boeing has delivered 258 C-17s, including 223 to the U.S. Air Force and a total of 35 to Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. 

*Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III Chronicle - Description
Aircraft requirement, and to replace its fleet of aging transport planes. In January 2010, the U.S. Government received a request from India for 10 C-17s through the U.S.'s Foreign Military Sales program, which was approved by the U.S. Congress in June 2010. On 23 June 2010, the Indian Air Force successfully test-landed a USAF C-17 at the Gaggal Airport, India to complete the IAF's C-17 trials. In February 2011, the IAF and Boeing agreed to terms for the order of 10 C-17s with an option for six more; the order was approved by the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security on 6 June 2011. Deliveries began in June 2013 and are to continue until 2014. The total cost of the ten-plane order is US$4.1 billion, and it will make IAF the second-largest C-17 operator. It was reported that the Indian Air Force has finalized plans to buy six more C-17s in the 13th five-year plan (2017-2022).

The aircraft provides strategic airlift and the ability to deploy special forces in the event of national emergencies or terrorism. They are operated by the air force in diverse terrain - from Himalayan air bases in North India at 13,000 ft to Indian Ocean bases in South India. The Indian Air Force's C-17s are based at Hindon Air Force Station, and are operated by the No. 81 Squadron Skylords. The first C-17 was delivered in January 2013 for testing and training;

 it was officially accepted on 11 June 2013. The second C-17 was delivered on 23 July 2013 and put into service immediately. IAF Chief of Air Staff Norman AK Browne called the Globemaster III "a major component in the IAF's modernization drive" while taking delivery of the aircraft at Boeing's Long Beach factory. On 2 September 2013, the Skylords squadron with three C-17s officially entered service with the Indian Air Force.


The Skylords regularly fly mission within India, to places like Port Blair, Leh and Thoise. 

The IAF first used the C-17 to transport equipment of an army infantry battalion to Port Blair on 1 July 2013. They have also been sent on foreign deployments. These include a flight to Tajikistan in August which carried special equipment and instrument landing aids, and another flight is planned in September for Rwanda to deliver heavy equipment to support the 4,000 Indian troops deployed in Congo as part of Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions. One C-17 was used for transporting relief materials during Cyclone Phailin.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Boeing
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF Looking To Induct Seven More C-17 Aircraft: NAK Browne

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF Looking To Induct Seven More C-17 Aircraft: NAK Browne

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources ET Economic Times

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 3, 2013: The Indian Air Force is looking forward to add to its fleet seven more C-17 heavylift aircraft which are capable of ferrying tanks and artillery guns close to the borders with China and Pakistan. 

"As far as the transport fleet is concerned, we are looking at inducting six additional C-130J and seven C-17s in the near future," IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said. 

"Also in the pipeline is the procurement of 45 Medium Transport Aircraft, presently, under joint development between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Russia," he said in an interview with Defence Ministry's Sainik Samachar magazine. 

India already has placed an order for 10 C-17 aircraft from the US Air Force worth over Rs 20,000 crore and three have already been inducted at its Hindan air base near here. 

A C-17 has the capability to land at short airfields such as the Daulat Beg Oldie advanced landing ground in Ladakh sector and carry 150 combat-ready troops to a distance of 4,200 km in one go. 

Meanwhile, the IAF chief said the three services are working towards creating a separate command to tackle threats and issues in the Cyber arena which will soon be sent for approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security. 

"The Services are working towards the formation of a Tri- Services Cyber Command and a comprehensive draft CCS note has been worked out along with the requirements of manpower and financial costs," he said. 

"An interim structure for the cyber command would be formed after the approval of the Defence Ministry and the full fledged command structure would take shape only after the CCS approval," the IAF chief stated. 

The IAF chief said the proposed Cyber Command would be fully integrated with the other existing national structures of cyber security. 

Browne said with the induction of latest equipment and platform, the force has emerged as a strategic force from being a tactical one earlier. 

Similar proposals to have a Special Forces command are also pending for approval by the government.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources ET Economic Times
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF May Deploy Additional Sukhoi Squadron At Chabua Base In Assam

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF May Deploy Additional Sukhoi Squadron At Chabua Base In Assam

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources India TV News

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 3, 2013: An additional squadron of advanced combat aircraft Sukhoi-30MKI is likely to be stationed at the Indian Air Force’s eastern-most station in view of the strategic importance of the base.   

Sharing the news here, Wing Commander Gaurav Mani Tripathy told journalists yesterday on the eve of the 81st Air Force Day that the Sukhoi-30MKI multi-role fighter plane squadron is used to patrol the skies in the region.  

With the Mig-21 era coming to an end at the station - the last squadron moved out in 2009 - Tripathy said that the base underwent a major renovation and expansion of facilities in preparation for the induction of the Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, which arrived in February 2011.

Speaking about the Su-30MKI, Tripathy said the aircraft was manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) under licence from Russia’s Sukhoi.

He said that the heavy, all-weather, long-range Indian variant of the fighter plane was more advanced than the basic SU-30MK and more capable than those used by China (SU30MKK/MK2) and Malaysia (SU-30MKM).  

Talking about the Chabua base, he said, “The station has served as a major supply point for troops deployed in Arunachal Pradesh with various transport aircraft and helicopters operating from here.”

The Chabua base was built in 1939 and used throughout World War II by Allied Forces against invading Japanese forces.

As an IAF base, Chabua took on a training role as MiG-21s were based here for the instruction of young fighter pilots, Tripathy said.

On the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the IAF, the station is set to achieve all tasks in peace or in war, in line with the IAF’s credo of ‘People First, Mission Always’, the Wing Commander added.

“Over the years, the transport and helicopter fleets have emerged as the lifelines for both our troops at forward posts, as well as the civilian population in remote areas and in times of natural disasters,” he added.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources India TV News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - INDIAN DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Air Force Su-30MKI Squadron To Be Based Near Indo-Pak Border

DTN News - INDIAN DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Air Force Su-30MKI Squadron To Be Based Near Indo-Pak Border

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith 
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 19, 2013:  DTN News has reported India was deploying its lethal combat arsenal near the Indo-Pak border, the Air Force (IAF) is going to base a squadron of its frontline fighter aircraft Su-30MKI at Sirsa in Haryana by December.

This will be the second squadron of the Su-30MKI to be deployed in the Western Command area after deployment of the aircraft in Halwara, Punjab.

The aircraft will be deployed in Sirsa which is a key base along the Pakistan border, IAF officials said.

Till now, the Sukhois have been deployed in seven squadrons including the two in the eastern sector at Tezpur and Chabua, Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, Halwara in Punjab and at its home base Lohegaon in Pune.


The IAF is planning to induct a total of 272 Sukhois

India’s Air Force wants to put you in the cockpit of a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI—not the multi-million dollar fighter jet, but its digital avatar. It is planning to create flight simulators in the hope that young Indians will enlist.

The Air Force announced July that it plans to develop an “air combat game based on the Indian Air Force.” It plans on Aug. 8 to meet with game developers to build a game for smartphones, and possibly game consoles.

The Air Force, whose motto is “touch the sky with glory,” hopes that the experience of flying a jet fighter on their phones will lure youngsters to sign up.

While the transition from iPhone gamer to Top Gun is not immediately obvious, the Air Force is facing a real problem. A.K. Antony said in November that the Indian Air Force faces a shortage of 882 officers.

The idea that video games can drive recruitment is not as far-fetched as it may seem.

The U.S. Army in 2009 created America’s Army, an online multiplayer game, hoping that experiencing the reality of combat would lead young people to join up. Even Hezbollah has tried its hand at attracting recruits with a video game called Special Force 2, a simulation of the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon.

A study by academics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggested that video gamers make the best drone operators in pressurized situations because they are good at multitasking.

Depending on the content of the game, India’s Air Force simulator could be controversial. The Chinese online game Glorious Mission Online, created in partnership with the People’s Liberation Army, simulates the invasion of disputed islands, known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan.

No bombing runs over the Line of Actual Control then.

In addition DTN News report, Russian-Indian joint venture BrahMost Aerospace hopes to transfer the first Su-30MKI jet fighter to Indian Air Force in September 2015, JV President Sivathanu Pillai said.

Two Su-30MKI fighter planes are now being modernized by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Their full-scale mock-ups have already been made and delivered to India. They will be tested before December of this year.

According to Pillai, the first launch of airborne BrahMos missile is scheduled for June 2014. He expressed hope that the Su-30MKI jet fighter armed with BrahMos missiles would be ready in September 2015.

Pillai told ITAR-TASS that Russia would surpass its competitors in terms of military-technical cooperation with India only if the two countries create more joint ventures.

In 1960s-1980s India was completely dependable on contracts with the Soviet Union and use of Soviet technologies. After the Soviet Union’s breakup, other countries started supplying arms and hardware to India, and Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation decreased, he said.

Pillai believes that Russia and India should have learnt a lesson that they need create more joint ventures to design and make military products.

In his opinion, the development of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles is a successful example of such cooperation.

“India and Russia are big friends. I would even say that Russia is the only true friend of India. And if we want to keep military-technical cooperation at the previous levels, we have to create more joint ventures, especially when it concerns high-tech products,” Pillai said.

This will allow Russia to go far ahead of its competitors in India, he added.

Pillai is confident that the BrahMos missile project can be considered successful only if the missiles are bought by both Russia and India. Now only India has been buying them. He said this issue is discussed at different levels and expressed hope that Russia would make a positive decision.

The overall value of BrahMos missile contracts with India’s Navy, Air Force and Army has reached $4.2 billion and may increase to $7.5 billion by 2015.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith DTN News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: India Considers Buying More Boeing Apaches Helicopters

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: India Considers Buying More Boeing Apaches Helicopters

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 4, 2013: Boeing could snare yet another big order from India as the Indian Army has asked the Defence Ministry to acquire an unspecified number of AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, according to an MoD source.

Last year, the Indian Air Force purchased 22 Apaches for US $1.3 billion. Beyond the Indian Army request, a third order of helicopters could be in the offing for India’s planned Mountain Corps.

Boeing executives in New Delhi were unavailable for comment.

US companies have already won contracts worth more than $8 billion over the past four years, and most of the weapons and equipment supplied to India have come through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route. India has bought 10 Boeing C-17 aircraft, 12 Boeing P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft and six Lockheed Martin C-130J transport planes.

The Indian Army wants its Apaches to be exclusive to the service and not associated with the Air Force’s 22 helicopters.

The MoD source added that, instead of inviting fresh bids, the MoD is considering a repeat order, which he said could be finalized by the end of the year. The size of the order is not known.

Meanwhile, an Indian Army official said the newly sanctioned Mountain Corps of roughly 30,000 troops, which could be deployed along the China border, would also be equipped with yet another purchase of attack helicopters.

The Cabinet Committee on Security, the highest decision-making body on weapon purchases and security, approved the additional troops this month.

The attack helicopters for the Mountain Corps would be in addition to the order being considered by the MoD for the Army. The Indian Army, however, must still decide when and how to procure the additional unspecified numbers of attack helicopters for the Mountain Corps, which is expected to be in operation in about 10 years, the Indian Army official said.

India has, meanwhile, developed an indigenous light combat helicopter. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will build 60 Rudra helicopters for the Army and Air Force.

The Rudra is powered by a new Shakti engine, jointly developed by Hindustan Aeronautics and French engine manufacturer Turbomeca. The new engine will allow the Rudra to fly above 20,000 feet.

The multi-mission AH-64D Apache Longbow is the next-generation version of original AH-64A Apache. With its fire-control radar, the aircraft is known as the AH-64D Apache Longbow. Without the radar, the combat-proven aircraft is called the AH-64D Apache.

AH-64A Apache
Between 1984 and 1997, Boeing produced 937 AH-64As for the U.S. Army, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The combat-proven AH-64A is still in service and includes the following features:
*Two high-performance turboshaft engines and maximum cruise speed of 284 kph
*Laser, infrared, and other systems (including target acquisition designation sight/pilot night vision sensor) to locate, track, and attack targets
*A combination of laser-guided precision Hellfire missiles, 70mm rockets, and a 30mm automatic cannon with up to 1,200 high-explosive, dual-purpose ammunition rounds
AH-64D Apache and AH-64D Apache Longbow
The combat-proven AH-64D Apache and AH-64D Apache Longbow share the following history and characteristics:
*Testing in the late 1990s, delivery in 1997, in production for the U.S. Army and several international customers
*Selection by the U.S. Army, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom (as the AH Mk1)
*Ability to assimilate advancements in digital connectivity, sensors, weapon systems, advanced training devices, and maintenance support systems
AH-64D Apache Longbow Enhancements
The radar-equipped AH-64D Apache Longbow features numerous enhanced capabilities, including:
*Longer-range weapons accuracy and all-weather/night fighting
*Detection of objects (moving or stationary) without being detected
*Classification and threat-prioritization of up to 128 targets in less than a minute
*Integrated sensors, networking, and digital communications for situational awareness, management of the combat arena in real time, and digital transmission of images and target locations to joint operations battlefield commanders

The AH-64 Apache has been developed since its inception using incremental technology insertions at regular intervals to ensure that the world's most capable multi-role combat helicopter meets the needs of the warfighter today and in the future.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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