70 member French Airforce team has landed in Jodhpur for the Garuda-5, this event has got quite a bit news coverage because French airforce will be using 4 Rafale multi-role fighters against Indian Su-30MKI,MiG-27 and MiG-21.
The two air forces would be engaged in various missions ranging from close combat engagement of large forces, slow mover protection, and protecting and engaging high-value aerial assets in the exercise at the strategic airbase near Indo-Pak border.
The airchiefs of French and Indian airforce would be flying the Raflae and Sukhoi.
It will help the Indian side understand the best way to use Rafale by watching it in action in the hands of french pilots and the French team will get a first hand experience of the needs and thinking of the Indian pilots. Added to that is the exchange of ideas for maintaining and servicing such high end products between the ground crews of both the forces.
Defense minister Jaitley is scheduled for a visit.
Rafale Details
Rafale is a twin-jet combat aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of short and long-range missions, including ground and sea attacks, reconnaissance, high-accuracy strikes and nuclear strike deterrence.
The aircraft were developed for the French Air Force and Navy. France's Air Force and Navy ordered 180 (132 for the air force and 48 for the navy), 100 aircraft had been delivered by the end of 2010.
The Rafale entered into service with the French Navy in 2004 and with the French Air Force in 2006. Ten aircraft are operational on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
India is setting up a war gaming centre for its Air Force to enable the aerospace power train for warfare anywhere in the world by simulating scenarios at the strategic and operational levels.
The Delhi-based War Gaming Centre (WGC), as the Indian Air Force (IAF) would call it, will be up and functioning in about three years from now and will be more advanced than the Gwalior-based Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), a top IAF officer said here.
The WGC will be modelled on the Indian Army's Delhi-based WARDEC or War Gaming Development Centre, but would go much beyond the latter's role to develop warfare doctrines for strategic reach, he said.
"The system will be able to generate scenario and simulation at strategic and operational levels in collaboration with other agencies, both military and civil, at the national level," the officer said.
"The facility will have the capability to play the war game in coordination with or independently from varied locations across the country," he said.
"The centre will paint scenarios anywhere in the world," he added.
Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne had, in his first press conference as IAF Chief on October 3, pointed out that his force's area of responsibility is beyond the Indian Ocean region and wherever India's strategic interests lie.
Apart from taking into account the current fleet of aircraft, helicopters and infrastructure of the IAF, the centre will also cater to future inductions of aircraft and systems.
The WGC will be capable of playing out scenarios of being a neutral power, apart from planning for high number of contingencies and missions, and address issues like application of air power.
"Most importantly, the centre will provide and incorporate out-of-area contingencies, and include Army and naval forces deployment in the overall simulation models, to help in planning and execution of joint operations," the officer said.
The WGC will carry out strategic and operational doctrinal selection, integrate aerospace elements in the planning, and allow for execution of the war game in "real and turbo" time.
With a seamless integration of existing tactical war gaming tools and packages in the IAF, the centre, once established, will undertake creation of a bank of scenarios and objectives, including secondary ones, of various types for use in all planned exercises of the IAF.
Jaguars, MiG-29, MiG-27, Bison, Sukhoi-30 MKI and Mirage-2000 would be taking part in Exercise MahaGujarat to be conducted by South Western Air Command (SWAC) in Gujarat and Rajasthan from November 20 to December 13 to test new concepts in warfare.
Latest acquisitions like the Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS), Flight Refueller Aircraft and some new radars with networking systems will also be used during the annual exercise which aims to impart a realistic training in sub-conventional and conventional operations to air warriors, a defence release said here.
Most of the operational units of South Western Air Command would be participating in the exercise which will include various facets of air operations. Joint operations with Southern Command, Army will also be carried out. The phase of the exercise with the Army will be held in Rajasthan sector and will include fighter, transport and helicopter operations.
As a part of the deal that India signed to acquire around 80 of these transport choppers, the first batch was delivered to IAF on 8th of November by Russians.Manufactured by Kazan Helicopters, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters, the medium twin aircraft are equipped with a KNEI-8 avionics suite.
The Klimov VK2500-powered aircraft have strengthened gearboxes to enable high-altitude operations, addressing a key requirement that emerged following performance inadequacies with India's current Mi-17s.The Mi-17V-5 is the most up-to-date modification of the Mi-17. The helicopters being delivered are manufactured to the customer’s specification and are unique in their configuration. Each helicopter is equipped with a KNEI-8 avionics suite. It replaced a number of systems indicators, resulting in a very clear and intuitive cockpit with four large multi-functional displays that are easy to read and help reduce pilot fatigue. This avionics suite also helps cut down pre-flight inspection time, displaying all systems data and alerting crew when necessary.
India's air force operates more than 200 Mi-8/17-type rotorcraft.
Russia has announced its priorities for the export of arms where India is the key priority. Currently, Russia and India are jointly developing the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). Recently, the Indian Air Force reported the plans to purchase more than 200 FGFA fighters.
On October 8, the Indian Air Force organized an exhibition and demonstration flights at the base near New Delhi to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the national Air Force. It was announced that the Air Force would buy 214 FGFAs, including 166 single-seat and 48 twin-seat models. The twin-seat fighters will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
Chang Hu, the editor of a military magazine, and his colleague were invited to the studio of the Chinese television CCTV. They answered a number of questions.
To smoke out enemy troops fortified inside concrete shelters, the Indian Air Force is looking to procure bunker-buster laser-guided bombs (LGBs) from global vendors.
The IAF plans to induct more than 100 bunker-buster LGBs that will be equipped on its fighter aircraft fleet to destroy strongly fortified enemy targets, sources told a news agency here.
They said the IAF had issued a global Request for Proposal (RFP) for the purpose earlier this year, and defence majors including American Lockheed Martin and Raytheon along with an Israeli missile manufacturer have submitted their bids for the tender.
"We recently submitted bid in response to the RFP for LGBs," Lockheed Martin India head Roger Rose said, confirming the participation of his company in the race.
The two American companies are offering their respective versions of the Paveway LGBs manufactured by them separately.
With their capability to pierce hard surfaces, the bombs can also be used to destroy enemy's concrete runways and fortified locations.
LGBs are guided projectiles that use lasers to strike a designated target with greater accuracy than a gravity bomb and were used with high accuracy by the IAF against Pakistani Army posts during the Kargil war in 1999.
Around the same time, the US had supplied some Paveway bombs to India which could be launched from the Jaguar and Mirage 200 jets for accurately striking enemy targets.
It was in the autumn of 1960 that the " Battle-axe " logo was approved by airforce heraldic committee. Although No 7 Sqn had been (unofficially) using this for years and wore it proudly on their flying suits. Mythology has it that the Battle-Axe (or "Farsha" as it is known in Sanskrit) was the choice weapon of Parshuram. Parshuram was one of the few Brahmin 'Guru' who were also masters of hand to hand combat. He was considered at par with Dronacharya, The Guru who instructed the Pandavas in the epic of the Mahabharat. Karan, half brother of Pandavas took instruction in weaponry from Parshuram, a disciple of lord Shiva and was known to have trible temper, having lost his father to the evil "Asuras". Prashuram in his anger got rid off from "Kshatriya", the martial races of the earth, seven times over.The farsha or " Battle-Axes" was known to have super natural powers. It had four cutting edges, one on each end of the blade head and one on each end of the shaft. The farsha was also known as the most lethal close combat weapon of the epics. No. 7 Squadron 'Battle -Axes' emblem had two unfolded wings adorning the weapon and the symbolic number seven attached to the shaft. Below this crest, on a scroll were the letters "Shatrunjay" or simply " Vanquish the enemy". This logo was officially approved by President on 26th Septeber 1960, and has adorned aircraft that No. 7 Squadron has flown since and proudly is worn by all officers and men of the Squadron.
Squadron History
No. 7 Squadron (BATTLE-AXES) was formed on Dec 1942 at Vizagapatnam equipped with Vultee Vengeance dive bomber. Sqn Ldr HN Chaudhary was the first Commanding Officer and the personnel were drawn from No. 104 General Reconnaissance and 353 Squadron of RAF plus No. 3 Calcutta) and No. 6 (Vizagapatnam) Cost Defence Flight, under Air Headquarters formation, order 268 of 19 Nov 1942.
More than a half a century of existence of No. 7 squadron has been characterised by pioneering off new aircraft and weapons systems into the service and being the cutting edge of the air arm in various theatres of battle. BATTLE-AXES have always displayed skill and elan in the skies above the Indian subcontinent from the time they flew gull winged dive bombers bursting the jungle tree tops, to the contemporary classic delta inceptor flighter which they fly today at the edges of space. Most of the pioneers of no. 7 squadron are now gone, but theinheritors of the banner maintain the tradition with professionalism and pride.
Special Achievements
Waziristan Operation
To quell the uprising of tribesman of NWFP(North Western Frontier Province), the Sqn was first assigned operational task of bombing. On 03 Dec 1943, reconnaissance flights were carried out this was followed with bombing by two aircraft element of Vengeance. Squadron carried out bombing and strafing with exceptional accuracy although it was newly equipped with Vengeance dive bomber.
Burma Operation 1944
The squadron was placed on operational readiness on 04 March 1944. On 28 March 1944, a six aircraft formation led by CO, Sqn Ldr HN Chaudhary, carried out their first bombing strike. In a period of first three days, thirty four bombing sorties were carried out with devasting accuracy. During the next month, tactical and strategic targets were engaged with precise bombing and strafing.
Squadron continued operating from the Kutcha airstrips in rain and slush under adverse condition and still flew 1400 hrs operational flying. This tremendous flying efforts maximum in its group commended by AOC 221 group.
After successful complition of operation on Chindwin front the squadron moved to Imphal front. Operating from Sin, the Air Strip near Imphal, the Squadron flew 1200 hrs of operational flying in span of two months. This consisted of bombing, strafing, fighter reconnaissance and message dropping. Once again Sqn flew maximum in its group.
Kashmir Operations 1948-49
Equipped with spitfire, the Sqn flew 600 operation hours inspite of the adverse weather in the valley, poor servicing facilities and poor living conditions. During these operation the squadron kept enemy on its toes by continuously bombing, strafing, firing rockets at a relentless rate.
Indo-Pak Operations 1965
In these operations the squadron destroyed two sabres in aireal combat. In air to ground missions the squadron destroyed/damaged numerous bridges, tanks and gun positions. equipped with thunders.The squadron flew 437 operational missions maintaining a record serviceability of over 90% throught the period. This serviceability was maintained despite heavy rectifications required due to battle damage.
For its impressive record in the air as well as on ground, the squadron received commendations from the Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Defence Minister Shri YB Chavan and Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh.
Indo-Pak Operation 1971
At the outbreak of this war the squadron was at Bagdogra and flew 40 missions of offensive air support and counter air support in three days on Hunter aircraft. Subsequently the squadron moved to Western front where it remained till cease-fire. Gaining the unique distinction of operating on both eastern as well as western fronts. The squadron largely flew close support air missions of Army, in addition strike sorties over PAF bases and important installations, were carried out with good results.
Sri Lanka Operations 1987
The squadron was once again entrusted with the unique task of escorting transport aircraft in ex Poomalai in Jun 87. Five AN-32s carrying food and relief supplies for the besieged tamil people at Jaffna were escorted all the way upto Jaffna. The ground and air opposition was encountered and all the air craft returned safely.
Maldives Operations 1988
In Nov 1988 the Maldives state Government was under threat from Tamil Guerillas. Overnight the Sqn flew to a base in Southern part of the country to standby for support to Maldives Government. On 04 Nov 1988, two ac formation made a pass over Hulule Airport in Maldives as a show of force and moral booster for the besieged government. However, Battle-Axes were disappointed as the need for the actual operation did not arise.
AirCraft flown by the Sqn
Wapiti
Before arrival of Vengeance bomber aircraft the Wapitis of No. 6 Coastal Defence flight (CDF) had the honour of being No. 7 Squadrons, first air craft. This aircraft was powered by 4450 hp Bristol Jupiter VII engine and armed with one fixed 0.303 Vickens machine gun forward and one 0.303 Lewis machine gun in the rear cockpit. Wapiti could carry upto 500 lbs bomb on under wing racks. Pilots found Wapiti, tough and stable, responding easily to controls.
Vengeance
Inspired by Stuka dive bomber of Luffwaffle the Vultee Vengeance dive bomber was ordered by British Purchasing Commision in 1940 to meet the urgent demands of Royal Air Force, then battling a Nazi occupied Europe.
Equipped to full standards, the Vengeance was redesigne of the A-35A, with four 50 inch machine guns in the wings and two .30 caliber brewing guns in the cockpit. Bomb load was two 500 pounds internally and another 500 pounder under each wing. Powered by 1700 hp wright R 2600-B piston radial engine, 562 Vengeance were assigned to Britain for eventual equipment of RAF and Royal Australian Air Force.
Hawker Hurricane
It was the world's first eight gun fighter and the best of all, an overall total of 14,533 examples being built. TheHurricane was already legendary,, having flown over France and bearing he onslaught in the Battle of Britain, where it claimed 80% of their kills. Powered by 1200 hp rolls Royce Merlin XX engine with stage supercharger and could carry upto 1000 lbs of bombs, or rockets. Contrary to popular belief, the Hurricane was superbly manoeuverable, even better so than the spitfire, despite slightly heavy controls. The only designs drawback was that it, lacked speed.
Spitfires
It has been probably the best known fighter of all time, the paragon of elegance in aircraft design, first flown in March 1963. Spitfire almost single-handedly won the Battle of Britain which was turning point against Hitler's Third Reich. With as much as 52 variants a total of 22759 spitfires were built.
Tempest
The Sqn moved on 17 April 1947 to Risalpur for conversion on the Tempest MK II. Performance of Tempest was superior in terms of speed below 20,000 ft than the other allied fighters including the Mustang III, Spitfire XIV. Messerchmitt Mc 109 G And Focke Wulf FW 190A but so in manoeuverability.
Vampire
Vampire, a single seater fighter aircraft had many variants including a trainer and night fighter. It was powered by a de Havilland Gobin (MK-II) turbo jet. It could achieve the max speed of 882 Kmph and had a combat range of 1963 Kms. It could carry four Hispano 20 mm Canons, eight rockets or two 1000 lbs bombs. This aircraft was in service form 1948 to 1972.
Hunter
The first prototype Hunter, powered by the Rolls Royce Avon, flew on July 20th 1951. Continued modification led to hunter MK6 which had four hard points for carrying a varient of stores, 1000 lb bombs, 24x3m. rockets 100 gallon napalm cannister drop tanks. The Hunters is a transonic aircraft and has a maximum speed ( at sea level) of 715 mph or Mach .938, service ceiling of 99,000 feet and a combat range of 1840 miles.
MIG-21
Mig-21, a single seater fighter aircraft having many varients including a twin seater trainer, was manufactured by Mikyan Gureywich (Erstwhile USSR). It is powered by a single R-11 F-2 S-300 engine. It has a max speed of 2.1 Mach and a max range of 1800 kms. It can carry one 23 mm machine gun and two Air to Air missile and various other loads. This aircraft came in service in 1983 and is still in use.
Mirage-2000
It is an Air Superiority fighter used for various roles like interception, ground attack, AD and EW escorts. It is powered by a Snecma M-53 P-2 turbofan engine rated at 9700 kgs. It has a max speed of 2.2M at 11,000m and a combat radius of 7000 kms. It carries two 30mm Defa 554 cannons and 6500 kgs of external load. This aircraft came in service in 1985 and till date is amongst the best aircraft on IAF inventory.
(source Official Indian Air Force Site) (images wikipedia)
Two months after being shortlisted, French firm Dassault and consortium of European companies Eurofighter have submitted their revised offset bids for the multi-billion dollar 126 combat aircraft deal, the process for which is expected to be completed by the year end. On April 27, India has shortlisted the two European companies for procuring 126 Medium-Multirole Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) deal for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in which six companies were participating.
â€Å“The offsets offer which were completed until April 14 this year, have been asked to be revised until June 17 that is today," German Ambassador Thomas Mattusek told reporters in New Delhi. Officials in Dassault also said they have already submitted the revised bids with the ministry. Under the offsets clause in the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), foreign vendors bagging deals worth over Rs 300 crore have to reinvest at least 30 per cent of the contract amount into Indian defence, civilian aerospace or the homeland security sectors.
In the M-MRCA competition, companies have to invest 50 per cent of the worth of the deal into the Indian defence sector only. "The shortlist and commercial biddings are expected to be opened in the next few weeks so that the whole project is expected to be finalised by the end of this year," the German Ambassador said. Germany along with United Kingdom, Spain and Italy is one of the four partner nations in the Eurofighter consortium and is the lead country for the Indian campaign.
Against the backdrop of a deadly assault on a Pakistani military base, India is fortifying its air bases to improve their security and pre-empt any terror attack from within or outside the country, a top military commander said Wednesday.
'The (May 22) terror attack on Pakistan Navy air base at Mehran in Karachi was a wake-up call. In light of the incident, we are taking measures to improve security at all air bases across the country on top priority,' the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, told reporters here on the margins of a conference here.
As the world's fourth largest air force after the US, Russia and China, the IAF has 60 operational air bases across the country under seven commands, with 170,000 personnel and 1,600 aircraft of different types, including fighters, transports and helicopters.
'Prior to the Karachi incident, we started a security audit and instituted measures to strengthen security in and around our air bases. As Kashmir's priority is greater, we have taken up fortifying the air bases in the western sector first as it is closer to Pakistan. Security at bases in the south, east and other regions will be beefed up in phases,' Naik said.
In one of the deadliest terror strikes by suspected Taliban militants on a Pakistan military base, about 20 people were killed, including 14 security personnel and four terrorists.
The IAF has also initiated measures to train its personnel for internal security duties as each base and its periphery is different.
'Security will be stepped up based on the threat perception. For instance, the threat level at Yelahanka base (in Bangalore) and Bidar base (in north Karnataka) may be higher compared to Hakimpet base (in Hyderabad). Each base will make its own appreciation and appraisal,' Naik pointed out after addressing commanders of the Training Command here.
'After the assessment, we will seek government approval for purchasing security equipment and installing at the bases. The exercise also involves training our personnel and creating awareness among the public, which can help us in being vigilant and respond quickly whenever and wherever a threat emanates,' Naik, who retires July-end noted.
In the context of the security scenario and tension prevailing in the South Asian region, especially in the western negibourhood, Naik asserted that the IAF was prepared to thwart any nefarious designs and threats arising from the enemies of the state and fully capable of facing any challenges.
'We remain committed and prepared to thwart any nefarious designs and threats arising from the enemies of the state. As an emerging strategic aerospace force, we are fully capable of facing any challenge,' Naik reiterated.
Noting that the IAF had embarked on a major modernisation plan, Naik said its major acquisitions and upgradations would give the air force a set of capabilities for meeting all perceived threats head-on.
'Our commands across the country have been training the generation-next with professionalism and dedication. With the modernisation and induction of the latest fighting assets, the commands face new challenges,' he said.
The IAF is also training its next generation force to absorb the latest technologies so as to maximise exploitation of its weapon systems, Naik said.
"Yes, we would like to have more C-130J and C-17 aircrafts. We will start with the statement of case soon," outgoing Air Chief Marshal PV Naik said during a press briefing held at the IAF's Headquarters Training Command on Wednesday.India has already ordered 6 C-130J Hercules aircrafts.
IAF wants to replace it ageing IL-76 aircrafts which are having trouble with spares and service, plus they are coming to an end of their life-span.
"The IL, which is a 40-tonne plus aircraft, as a fleet has served us very well, but it is aging now. So, one strategy is their up-gradation and overhauling, but they do not have too much life left. The other strategy is the purchase of the C-17 aircrafts, which carries twice the load of an Ilyushin, and has the advantage of landing on shorter air strips," Naik.
Hercules is perhaps the most apt name for this work horse of USAF and other air forces.It is nearly 40 years since the U.S. Air Force issued its original design specification, yet the remarkable C-130 remains in production. The turbo-prop, high-wing, versatile "Herc" has accumulated over 20 million flight hours. It is the preferred transport aircraft for many US Government services and over 60 foreign countries. The basic airframe has been modified to hundreds of different configurations to meet an ever-changing environment and mission requirement. The C-130 Hercules has unsurpassed versatility, performance, and mission effectiveness. Early C-130A, B, and D versions are now retired.
The Hercules family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history. During more than 50 years of service, the family has participated in military, civilian, and humanitarian aid operations. The Hercules has outlived several planned successor designs, most notably the Advanced Medium STOL Transport contestants. Fifteen nations have placed orders for a total of 300 C-130Js, of which 206 aircraft have been delivered by December 2010.
While continuing to upgrade through modification, the Air Force has budgeted to resume fleet modernization through acquisition of the C-130J version. Compared to older C-130s, the C-130J climbs faster and higher, flies farther at a higher cruise speed, and takes off and lands in a shorter distance. This new model features a two-crew-member flight system, 6,000 skip Allison AE 21 00D3 engines and all-composite Dowty R391 propellers, digital avionics and mission computers, enhanced performance, and improved reliability and maintainability. Beginning in FY 1996, the Air Force started procuring C-130Js as replacements for the older C-130Es and Hs. Priority for replacement will be combat delivery aircraft. C-130J will ensure total force structure numbers are maintained, while reducing costs of ownership. The current program procures 12 C-130Js, i.e., two per year from FY96 to FY01. This program could be expanded in FY02 to procure 12 C-130Js a year to replace the active duty and ARC C-130Es which are nearing the end of their useable service life.
Orders
1186 C-130J and C-130J-30 aircraft have been ordered and over 150 delivered. Orders are: US Air Force, Air National Guard, Marine Corps and Coastguard (89 C-130J and C-130J-30 and 20 KC-130J tankers), UK (10 C-130J, 15 C-130J-30 all delivered), Italian Air Force (12 C-130J and 10 C-130J-30 all delivered), Royal Australian Air Force (12 C-130J, all delivered), Kuwaiti Air Force (four C-130J-30) and the Danish Air Force (four C-130J-30 all delivered).
In April 2004, the US Marine Corps formally accepted the first KC-130J tanker / transport into service. The aircraft was first deployed in combat in April 2005 in Iraq. By the end of 2006, 24 aircraft had been delivered.
In December 2006, an additional order was placed for three C-130J-30 for the USAF and one KC-130J for the USMC. The KC-130J was deliverd to the USMC in October 2010.
In May 2007, India requested the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of six C-130J aircraft. The $1.2bn FMS contract was placed in February 2008.
The first C-130J was delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in December 2010 and entered into service in February 2011. The remaining five C-130Js will be delivered by the end of 2011.
In November 2007, Norway placed an order for the purchase of four C-130J Super Hercules aircraft under a $519m FMS agreement. One aircraft was delivered in November 2008 and the second in April 2009. Deliveries concluded in May 2010 with the procurement of the fourth C-130J aircraft.
In January 2008, Canada placed a C$1.4bn order for 17 C-130J aircraft. First delivery took place in June 2010 at the Canadian Forces Base Trenton. The remaining 16 C-130J will be delivered by the end of 2012.
In June 2008, the USAF ordered six HC/MC-130J special operations variants of the C-130J. The first MC-130J was delivered in March 2011.
In July 2008, the government of Israel requested the sale of nine C-130J-30 aircraft. Also in July 2008, Qatar ordered four C-130J-30 aircraft with deliveries to begin in 2011. In August 2008, Iraq requested the sale of six C-130J-30 aircraft.
The Sultanate of Oman ordered one C-130J-30 long configuration aircraft in July 2009 for delivery in 2012. In August 2010, Oman ordered two additional C-130J aircraft. Deliveries are slated for 2013 and 2014.
Lockheed Martin signed a contract with Tunisia in March 2010 to supply two C-130J Super Hercules airlifters. These two aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2013 and 2014.
The US Government awarded a $245m FMS contract to Lockheed Martin on 27 May 2010 for supplying three KC-130J refuelling aircraft to Kuwait Air Force. The contract was managed by the US Navy. Deliveries will begin in 2013 and are scheduled for completion in 2014.
The Republic of Korean Air Force (ROKAF) ordered four C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in December 2010. Deliveries will commence in 2014. Lockheed Martin will also provide aircrew and maintenance training for two years.
Lockheed Martin was awarded a $270m contract by the USAF in February 2011 to supply C-130 Aircrew Training Systems (ATS). The contract includes provision of training and instruction services, site management, engineering support and operation and maintenance for aircrew training devices.
The C-130J incorporates state-of-the-art technology that significantly improves performance and reduces ownership costs. Lockheed Martin projections show the C-130J/J-30 will lower cost of ownership as much as 45% depending on the scenario used. Early model C-130s require more than 20 maintenance manhours per flight hour (MMH/FH). The C-130J/J-30 will require 10 or less MMH/FH. The C-130J/J-30 integrated digital technology provides the capability to airdrop in instrument conditions without zone markers, as a baseline feature of the aircraft. When the high resolution ground mapping capability of the APN-241 Low Power Color Radar is coupled with the dual INS/GPS and digital mapping systems, the C-130J/J-30 provides single-ship or formation all weather aerial delivery. This means the entire J/J-30 fleet will be all weather airdrop capable. C-130Js will be delivered as weather (WC), electronic combat (EC), and tanker (KC) configured aircraft.
The United States Marine Corps has chosen the KC-130J tanker to replace its aging KC-130F tanker fleet. The new KC-130J offers increased utility and much needed improvement in mission performance. As a force multiplier, the J tanker is capable of refueling both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft as well as conducting rapid ground refueling. The refueling speed envelope has been widened from 100 to 270 knots indicated airspeed, offering more capability and flexibility. Offload rates per refueling pod can be up to 300 gallons / 2,040 lbs (1,135 liters / 925 kg) per minute simultaneously. The J tanker's offload is significantly greater than previous Herc tankers. As an example, at 1,000 nautical miles, the fuel offload is well over 45,000 lbs. Rapid ground refueling is also a premium capability. In austere conditions/scenarios, the KC-130J can refuel helicopters, vehicles, and fuel caches at 600 gallons / 4,080 lbs (2,270 liters / 1,850 kg) per minute. Additionally, the unique prop feathering capability while the engines are still running ("HOTEL Mode") offers safer and more hospitable conditions for ground refueling than in the past.
The standard C-130J has essentially the same dimensions as the C-130E/H but the J-30 (stretched version) is 15 feet longer. The J-30 incorporates two extension plugs, one forward and one aft. The foward plug is 100 inches long while the rear plug is 80 inches for a total of 180 inches or 15 feet. With its 3,000 nautical mile range, increased speed, and air refueling capability, it complements the C-5/C-17 airlift team. The J-30 can work in the strategic, as well as tactical or intratheater, environment. The J-30 can be an effective force multiplier in executing the US Army Strategic Brigade Airdrop (SBA). The J-30 can airdrop 100% of the SBA requirement. No longer is it necessary to expend scarce heavy lift resources on strategic contingency requirements. Whether it's a channel, special airlift, training, or contingency airdrop mission, the J-30 can handle it all at a significantly reduced cost.
Features
In its personnel carrier role, the C-130 can accommodate 92 combat troops or 64 fully equipped paratroops on side-facing seats. For medical evacuations, it carries 74 litter patients and two medical attendants. Paratroopers exit the aircraft through two doors on either side of the aircraft behind the landing-gear fairings. Another exit is off the rear ramp for airdrops.
The C-130 can deliver personnel, equipment or supplies either by landing or by various aerial delivery modes. Three primary methods of aerial delivery are used for equipment.
In the first, parachutes pull the load, weighing up to 42,000 pounds, from the aircraft. When the load is clear of the plane, cargo parachutes inflate and lower the load to the ground.
The second method, called the Container Delivery System, uses the force of gravity to pull from one to 16 bundles of supplies from the aircraft. When the bundles, weighing up to 2,200 pounds each, are out of the aircraft, parachutes inflate and lower them to the ground.
The Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System is the third aerial delivery method. With LAPES, up to 38,000 pounds of cargo is pulled from the aircraft by large, inflated cargo parachutes while the aircraft is five to 10 feet above the ground. The load then slides to a stop within a very short distance. Efforts are underway to increase the maximum load weights for LAPES aerial delivery to 42,000 pounds.
The C-130's design maximum gross weight is 155,000 pounds (175,000 pounds wartime) with a normal landing weight of 130,000 pounds. The operating weight is approximately 80,000 pounds. The airplane is capable of airlifting 92 ground troops, 64 fully equipped paratroopers, or 74 litter patients. It can also carry 45,000 pounds of cargo.
Cockpit
The C-130J is crewed by two pilots and a loadmaster. The new glass cockpit features four L-3 display systems multifunction liquid crystal displays for flight control and navigation systems.Each pilot has a Flight Dynamics head-up display (HUD). The dual mission computers, supplied by BAE Systems IEWS, operate and monitor the aircraft systems and advise the crew of status.The cockpit is fitted with the Northrop Grumman low-power colour radar display. The map display shows digitally stored map image data.
The C-130J is equipped with a Honeywell dual embedded global positioning system / inertial navigation system (GPS/INS), an enhanced traffic alerting and collision avoidance system (E-TCAS), a ground collision avoidance system, SKE2000 station keeping system, and an instrument landing system (ILS).
In July 2008, Lockheed Martin announced that the following would be included in the baseline configuration of new C-130Js: Elbit Systems global digital map unit and the TacView portable mission display and InegrFlight commercial GPS landing system sensor unit, supplied by CMC of Canada.
Cargo systems
The cargo bay of the C-130J has a total usable volume of over 4,500ft³ and can accommodate loads up to 37,216lb - for example, three armoured personnel carriers, five pallets, 74 litters (stretchers), 92 equipped combat troops or 64 paratroops. The bay is equipped with cargo handling rollers, tie-down rings, stowage containers and stowage for troop seats.
Countermeasures
The ATK AN/AAR-47 missile warning system uses electro-optic sensors to detect missile exhaust and advanced signal processing algorithms and spectral selection to analyse and prioritise threats. Sensors are mounted near the nose just below the second cockpit window and in the tail cone.
The BAE Systems AN/ALR-56M radar warning receiver is a superheterodyne receiver operating in the 2GHz to 20GHz bands. A low-band antenna and four high-band quadrant antennae are installed near the nose section below the second window of the cockpit and in the tail cone.
The BAE Systems Integrated Defense Solutions (formerly Tracor) AN/ALE-47 countermeasures system is capable of dispensing chaff and infrared flares in addition to the POET and GEN-X active expendable decoys.
The Lockheed Martin AN/ALQ-157 infrared countermeasures system generates a varying frequency-agile infrared jamming signal. The infrared transmitter is surface mounted at the aft end of the main undercarriage bay fairing.The USAF has selected the Northrop Grumman Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system to equip its C-130 aircraft. LAIRCM is based on the AN/AAQ-24(V) NEMESIS.
It entered low-rate initial production in August 2002 and completed initial operational test and evaluation in July 2004.A five-year delivery order for the system was placed by the USAF in July 2006. Australia requested the sale of LAIRCM to equip its fleet of 12 C-130J in May 2008.
Radar
The Northrop Grumman MODAR 4,000-colour weather and navigation radar is installed in the upward hinged dielectric radome in the nose of the aircraft. The weather radar has a range of 250nm.
Engines
The C-130J is equipped with four Allison AE2100D3 turboprop engines, each rated at 4,591 shaft horsepower (3,425kW). The all-composite six-blade R391 propeller system was developed by Dowty Aerospace.The engines are equipped with Full-Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) by Lucas Aerospace. An automatic thrust control system (ATCS) optimises the balance of power on the engines, allowing lower values of minimum control speeds and superior short-airfield performance.
The aircraft can carry a maximum internal fuel load of 45,900lb. An additional 18,700lb of fuel can be carried in external underwing fuel tanks. The refuelling probe installed on the centre of the fuselage has been relocated on the C-130J to the port side, over the cockpit.
Specifications
Primary Function
Intratheater airlift.
Contractor
Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company.
Power Plant
Four Allison T56-A-15 turboprops; 4,300 horsepower, each engine.
Length
97 feet, 9 inches (29.3 meters).
Height
38 feet, 3 inches (11.4 meters).
Wingspan
132 feet, 7 inches (39.7 meters).
Speed
374 mph (Mach 0.57) at 20,000 feet (6,060 meters).
Ceiling
33,000 feet (10,000 meters) with 100,000 pounds (45,000 kilograms) payload.
Maximum Takeoff Weight
155,000 pounds (69,750 kilograms).
Operating Weight:
83,000 Pounds
Maximum Useable Fuel:
60,000 Pounds
Maximum Allowable Cabin Load:
36,000 Pounds
Normal Passenger Seats Available:
Up to 92 troops or 64 paratroops or 74 litter patients.
Maximum Number of Pallets:
5
Range
2,356 miles (2,049 nautical miles) with maximum payload;
2,500 miles (2,174 nautical miles) with 25,000 pounds (11,250 kilograms) cargo;
5,200 miles (4,522 nautical miles) with no cargo.
Unit Cost
$22.9 million (1992 dollars).
Crew
Five (two pilots, a navigator, flight engineer and loadmaster); up to 92 troops or 64 paratroops or 74 litter patients or five standard freight pallets.
Minimum Crew Complement
Four
(two pilots, one flight engineer, and one loadmaster)
Allows for a 16 hour crew duty day (12 hour for airdrop crews) (from show at the aircraft to parking at the final destination).
Crew Complement
[airdrop missions]
Six
crews will normally carry one navigator as well and an extra loadmaster in addition to the minimum crew complement.
Augmented Crew Complement
Nine
(three pilots, two navigators, two flight engineers, and two loadmasters)
Allows for a 18 hour crew duty day (from show at the aircraft to parking at the final destination)
Performance (at max normal takeoff weight, unless indicated otherwise)
Max. Cruising Speed
348 kts / 645 km/h
Economy Cruising Speed
339 kts / 628 km/h
Stalling Speed
100 kts / 185 km/h
Max. Rate of Climb at Sea Level
2,100 ft/min / 640 m/min
Time to 6,100 m
12 min
Cruising Altitude
28,000 ft / 8,535 m
Service Ceiling at 66,680 kg AUW
30,560 ft / 9,315 m
Service Ceiling, OEI, at 66,680 kg AUW
22,820 ft / 6,955 m
Takeoff Run
3,290 ft / 1,003 m
Takeoff Run to 15 m
4,700 ft / 1,433 m
Takeoff Run using max. effort procedures
1,800 ft / 549 m
Landing from 15 m at 58,967 kg AUW
2,550 ft / 777 m
Landing Run at 58,967 kg AUW
1,400 ft / 427 m
Runway LCN: asphalt
37
Runway LCN: concrete
42
Range with 18,144 kg payload and MIL-C-5011A reserves
India has signed its biggest defence deal with the US to procure ten C-17 heavy-lift aircraft for USD 4.1 billion under which American defence major Boeing will set up test facilities for hi-tech aeronautics engines for the DRDO.
The project to procure the ten strategic heavy-lift aircraft was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security last week through the Foreign Military Sales route.
"India yesterday signed the letter for offer and acceptance with the US for 10 C-17s and associated equipment at a cost of USD 4.1 billion and the aircraft delivery would be done in 2013 and 2014," Defence Ministry officials said here.
Commenting on the development, Boeing's India head Dinesh Keskar said, "With its strategic capabilities, the C-17 fulfills India's needs for military and humanitarian airlift.
Latest reports from Indian Air Force (Bharatiya Vayu Sena) headquarter indicate that the technical evaluation leg of the contract for basic trainer for IAF is over and the price negotiations are underway. It is also learnt from reliable sources that the Swiss manufacturer has quoted the lowest price.
Initially there were 6 aircrafts which were vying for this USD 1 billion contract but IAF has narrowed it down to three manufacturer. This article will give you information on the three models and you make up your mind on which is the best amongst all of them.
The three models are
Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II
Korean Aerospace KT-1
Hawker-Beechcraft T-6C Texan-II
As mentioned earlier the Pilatus is the favorite to win the contract, but at the present moment all the three are in contention
Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II
Since its introduction in 1994, the PC-7 MkII has come with an exceptional standard of equipment, performance, and cost-effectiveness in this class of training aircraft.
Offering a reliable and economic training platform, the docile behaviour of the PC-7 MkII in the hands of a beginner delivers a confidence-building environment for inexperienced cadets. With its highly cost-efficient Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C engine, it provides the lowest engine operating costs of all turboprop trainer aircraft.
The use of airframe and avionic systems common with the PC-9 M means owners and operators benefit from the synergies of a combined infrastructure established at Pilatus to support both aircraft types.
With its modern cockpit, matching performance and exceptional handling, the PC-7 MkII is an ideal training aircraft for air forces around the world.
Training Roles
Ab Initio Training
Basic Flying Training
Customers
Over 500 aircraft (PC-7 & PC-7 MkII) have been sold to 21 air forces around the world.
To fulfil today’s requirement for basic pilot training and to optimise training efficiency, the cockpit of the PC-7 MkII was designed with three main criteria in mind: safety, intuitive system controls, and flexibility of avionics configuration. The stepped tandem cockpit layout provides excellent visibility from both cockpits, unobstructed by a front canopy bow. All instruments, displays and controls are ergonomically positioned to allow easy and safe operation of the aircraft in all flight regimes. The tandem arrangement of all controls, communications and navigation systems allows the instructor to effectively observe, assist, or override the student’s actions as necessary.
The PC-7 MkII takes full advantage of the development efforts we put into the latest version of the PC-9 M. Due to the modular design of our trainers, most systems available for the PC-9 M can also be integrated into the PC-7 MkII with only minor modifications, to guarantee a state-of-the-art cockpit layout and avionics.
Equipped with ejection seats, an anti-g system and On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS), the PC-7 MkII provides a comfortable, safe training environment.Pilatus offers cockpit configurations tailored to specific customer requirements. Avionic upgrades are also available for PC-7s and PC-7 MKIIs already in service.
Aircraft Data
The PC-7 MkII is a training aircraft powered by a 700 shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25C turboprop engine with a Hartzell four-blade aluminium propeller. The de-rating of the engine from 850shp ensures low direct operating costs and a long engine life. The performance of the PC-7 MkII is docile enough for a beginner, but with sufficient power for more demanding basic phases.
The aircraft utilises conventional systems that are reliable, easy to operate and maintain. Access to the engine and systems is excellent. A hot section inspection can be carried out without engine removal, keeping maintenance and overhaul costs to a minimum.
Performance
Take-off distance over 50 ft (15 m) obstacle at sea level
1,360 ft
415 m
Landing distance over 50 ft (15 m) obstacle at sea level
2,180 ft
665 m
Max. rate of climb, sea level
2,910 ft/min
14.79 m/sec
Max. operating speed (Vmo)
300 KEAS
556 km/h
Max. horizontal cruise speed at sea level (Vh)
242 KTAS
448 km/h
Max. horizontal cruise speed at 10,000 ft (Vh)
255 KTAS
472 km/h
Stall speed
- flaps and gear up (Vs)
- flaps and gear down (VSO so)
The KAI KT-1 Woongbi (Hangul: KT-1 웅비) is a Korean single-engined turboprop, basic training aircraft. It was jointly developed by KAI and the Agency for Defence Development (ADD). The KT-1 is the first completely indigenous Korean aircraft ever developed.
The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is a single-engined turboprop aircraft built by the Raytheon Aircraft Company (now Hawker Beechcraft).
The T-6 is used by the United States Air Force for basic pilot training and by the United States Navy for Primary and Intermediate Joint Naval Flight Officer (NFO) and Air Force Combat Systems Officer (CSO) training. It has replaced the Air Force's T-37B Tweet and is replacing the Navy's T-34C Turbo Mentor. The T-6A is also used as a basic trainer by the Canadian Forces (CT-156 Harvard II), the Luftwaffe of Germany, the Greek Air Force, the Israeli Air Force (Efroni), and the Iraqi Air Force.
The T-6 is versatile, safe, and effective for the most basic flight training tasks. With a top speed of 316 knots, a 7G to 3.5 G airframe, and an advanced digital cockpit, it is equally adept at teaching the most advanced aerobatic maneuvers and simulated combat training tasks—tasks that could previously be accomplished only in far more expensive aircraft.
The T-6B is an advanced version of the T-6A Texan II. To replicate today’s high-tech frontline aircraft, the cockpit includes a Head-Up Display (HUD), Up-Front Control Panel (UFCP), and hands-on throttle and stick. An integrated glass cockpit and a state-of-the-art avionics suite greatly expands its training capabilities, enabling advanced systems and information management skills training. The T-6C is a derivative incorporating a hard-point wing for external fuel tanks.
To date, Hawker Beechcraft’s T-6 military trainer has been used to train pilots and navigators from approximately 20 different countries. The aircraft currently serves as the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy primary training aircraft, as well as the primary trainer for the NATO Flying Training Canada program, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Iraqi Air Force, and the Israeli Air Force.
Hawker Beechcraft has designed and delivered a Ground Based Training System (GBTS) specifically developed as an integral part of the T-6 Total Training System. The T-6 GBTS is in use at five US Air Force and two Navy locations. An array of aircrew training devices bridge the gap between academics and aircraft sorties. Our high fidelity training devices exactly replicate cockpit layout and aircraft performance and operate consistently at a 99% mission effectiveness rate.
The defence ministry has invited suggestions from the Armed Forces and various departments and agencies that fall under it for amending the defence procurement policy (DPP) that governs defence purchases.
Beginning this week, representatives of the Armed Forces are likely to meet ministry officials to put forth their suggestions, said a person familiar with the development, requesting anonymity.
While the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the navy have already submitted their proposals, the army is expected to do so in the next few days, this person said.
IAF has suggested that stipulated indigenous content in case of the so-called “buy (Indian)“ mode of procurement should be raised to 50% from 30% currently. Projects that come under the so-called “make“ category should have a minimum 60% indigenous content on cost basis, at the production stage.
Mint has reviewed a copy of the proposals suggested by IAF.
“The goal of achieving self-reliance in defence equipment needs to be kept in mind,“ said the note, explaining the rationale behind the recommendation.
If a purchase is classified “buy (Indian)“, only Indian vendors are allowed to bid for the tender, while a “buy (global)“ allows both foreign and Indian vendors to compete. Acquisitions covered under the “make“ category are meant to include high technology complex systems to be designed, developed and produced ingeniously. At present, this category does not have any minimum stipulation for indigenous content.
IAF wants the defence ministry to increase the validity of the commercial offer sought in request for proposal (RFP) before bids are opened. The currently stipulated period is 18 months.
“There are numerous cases, where requirement of extension of validity for commercial proposal or submission of a fresh While the air force and the navy have already submitted their proposals, the army is expected to do so in the next few days commercial proposal by a certain period is felt necessary, as the procurement process does not reach the stage when the commercial proposal could be opened by CNC (contract negotiation committee),“ says the note.
“There is no provision in DPP to seek extension of validity or fresh commercial proposal in such a situation.“
IAF also recommends that vendors submit price quotes valid for the period from the 19th to the 30th month at the time of replying to RFP itself.
IAF has proposed changes in the way field evaluation trials are carried out. Suggestions include making it compulsory for vendors to provide a complete list of “optional equipment“ while responding to RFP. The ministry should ensure vendors are not allowed to submit any additional data pertaining to the trials after the trials are over, it says. It has also made suggestions to speed up the process.
To remove ambiguities about costs and supply of spare parts, IAF has suggested that vendors be required to submit an illustrated spare parts catalogue in the standard contract document itself. This catalogue, IAF says, should have the base price and pricing mechanism for subsequent purchase of spares in the life cycle of the equipment.
“Not all the changes that the forces suggest are incorporated,“ said retired colonel and defence analyst Rajiv Chib of PricewaterhouseCoopers India. “But their suggestions do have a significant bearing, as the forces use the equipment that the government procures.“
For the last four decades, Air Vice-Marshal Aditya Vikram Pethia tried to get over memories of the five-month ordeal as a prisoner of war (PoW) in Pakistan. Not even comfortable in sharing the experiences with his wife and son, he finally narrated the story before an audience of over 50 in the city on Thursday.
The latest news about Government Of India approving the purchase of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft was a foregone conclusion yet it was important for it to become official.The delivery should begin in 2 years time once the contract is signed.
Boeing's President Mr Chadewick is sure that these 10 aircrafts are not the last of the Indian order but they may be go for 6 more aircrafts in due course. He was elated with this news because the last order for his factory at Long Beach will be delivered on 2012 after which there are no orders for these aircrafts. which would mean laying off 25000 employees and an economic impact of 5.8 billion USD.
As reported earlier on this site India had finalized this deal quite some time ago because Indian Army and Indian Air Force need these aircrafts for rapid deployment. C-17's are heavy lift aircraft which can land on short run-ways, it will give Indian Army the capability to quickly transfer tanks or other heavy equipment to the forward area's.
Currently this strategic capability is vow-fully inadequate with the Illyushin-76(Gajraj) and Antonov-32 aircrafts. Though India has gone in for upgrade of AN-32 fleet, which Ukraine is doing it for India.
Just compare the the capability of IL-76 and C-17 aircraft.
Maximum payload of IL-76 is 88,185 lb(40,000kg) while for C-17 it is 170,090lb(nearly 77,151kg).
Maximum Takeoff Weight for IL-76 it is 374,785 lb(169,999 kg) while for C-17 it is 585,000 lb(265,351 kg).
Range of these aircrafts with full weight for IL-76 it is 4,000 km and for C-17 it is 4,444 km
Engines are different too IL-76 uses Four Aviadvigatel (Soloviev) D30KP with 26,455 lb thrust each. C-17 uses Four Pratt & Whitney PW2040 (military designation F117-PW-100) 40,440 pounds thrust each.
Cruise speed for IL-76 is .69 Mach while for C-17 Globemaster III it is Mach 0.74 to Mach 0.77.
Service Ceiling for IL-76 aircraft is 42,700 ft compare that to C-17's service ceiling of 45,000 ft
Last factor which we must look into is that IL-76 is of 60's design while C-17 Globemaster is a newer aircraft thus the electronics are much better than IL-76. I think IL-76 has served well but C-17 will add an extra punch to the IAF and Indian Army's capability to deploy quickly to forward area's.
Watch C-17 Globemaster Land on a short runway using its thrust reversing capability
Watch how the C-17 Globemaster III lands on a dirt runway in Afghanistan without any problem
As the news of the growing Chinese army infiltration on the eastern border of India was seeping through, came the double whammy news of Chinese army divisions presence in POK(Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) on the north-western border of India. These two news completely unnerved not only the military establishment but the political establishment too.
You might remember few years back Indian Army conducted a study called "Divine Matrix" which predicted a Chinese invasion of India by 2016-2017. Thus to some extent Indian Armed forces were aware of the situation but as usual the political bosses were least bothered. In the past 3-4 months that has changed drastically. PM Manmohan Singh was briefed about the sorry state of affair on our eastern border and impressed upon the need to improve if India has to avoid another 1962 kind of catastrophe.
With five fully-operational airbases, an extensive rail network and over 58,000-km of roads in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), China can now move more than 30 divisions (each with over 15,000 soldiers) at their "launch pads" on LAC in double-quick time, outnumbering Indian forces by at least three-is-to-one.
China's rapidly-expanding footprint in infrastructure projects in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, in the backdrop of the Beijing-Islamabad military nexus which targets India, has served to further heighten concerns in the defence establishment here.
Unfortunately the reaction of India to all that is quite slow to the point of being cumbersome. Only 15 of the 73 all-weather roads earmarked for construction along the unresolved LAC, for instance, are actually ready till now. Similarly Indian Air Force has woken up after 20-30 years and is upgrading eastern sector ALGs (advanced landing grounds) like Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Tuting, Ziro and Vijaynagar as well as several helipads in Arunachal after reactivating western sector ALGs like Daulat Beg Oldi, Fukche and Nyama in eastern Ladakh. "But the entire process needs to be hastened," said an official.
To over come the huge disparity between the Chinese capability and Indian capability on the eastern front, army and Air Force have decided to use force multipliers for now to give India advance warning and keep an eagle eye on the Chinese movement. This has been done to avoid any nasty surprises. To that goal India is now deploying spy drones or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and light observation helicopters along the borders with China to keep a hawk-eye on the stepped-up activities of People's Liberation Army.
India Army and IAF are desperate for faster inductions of the Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems to counter the vastly superior Chinese Air Force(PLAF). While IAF has ordered eight Akash squadrons for Rs 6,200 crore, six of which are to be based in the North-East, the Army has placed an order for two regiments at a cost of Rs 14,180 crore.
The construction of over 5,500 "permanent defences and bunkers" along the borders is now being speeded up to ensure their completion within four to five years, under the Rs 9,243 crore military infrastructure development project approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security for the Eastern Army Command.
"Sukhoi-30MKI fighters are already being based in IAF airbases like Tezpur and Chabua. Army Aviation bases in Assam are also now being upgraded, with seven helicopters and four Israeli Searcher-II UAVs already been deployed there," a defence ministry source said.
The Army is also pushing for a mountain strike corps after having raised two new mountain infantry divisions. The new divisions, with 1,260 officers and 35,011 soldiers, have their HQs in Zakama (56 Div) in Nagaland and Missamari (71 Div) in Assam.
All these plans I believe are 20 years too late but it is better than nothing. May be with these steps India can strategically counter China's massive build-up of military infrastructure all along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) over the last two decades. Hopefully now the GOI will wake up from its slumber and inaction. Government Of India must build up these roads and rail network because they are the artery which supply life blood to the front without it the soldiers will again be as helpless as they were in 1962 debacle.
A 10-member IAF mountaineering team led by Wg Cdr SK Kutty set off on an alpine style mountaineering expedition to Mt. Rudugaira (5885M) from the Gangotri region today. The expedition is aimed to take on the challenge of climbing high mountains without the help of any external agency or porters.
The IAF is developing a nucleus of trained and experienced mountaineers capable of planning and leading an expedition on their own. Since the climb has moderate difficulty levels, both physically and technically, Mt Rudugaira Peak is best suited as stepping stone for higher levels in future.
Seven IAF mountaineers including three women officers recently scaled the Mt Everest at 8848M, in a span of five days from May 21-25. The Everest was first called by IAF mountaineers in 2005.
The IAF mountaineers have already scaled six highest mountain peaks of different continents. With preparations on to scale Mt Vinson in Antartica, the IAF is all set to be the first Defence organization in the world to scale all seven summits of the seven continents.
SAB 200 has been offered to the Indian Navy as a medium range maritime reconnaisance (MRMR) aircraft (along with the Saab Bofors Dynamics RBS-15 Mk.3 anti-ship missile).It has also pitched the Indian Air Force for this aircraft. They call it the best turbo-prop plane ever to have been built.(No country in the world currently operates the Saab 2000 maritime patrol version, making India a potential launch customer.)
But the Saabs on offer won't be brand new aircraft. Not literally at least. Here's the thing. Production of the Saab 2000 ended in 1999; only 64 of the aircraft were built, with just over 50 aircraft still in active service today. So what aircraft is Saab offering to India? Well, used aircraft, bought back from existing operators, then refurbished and made new. I met Saab's Tommy Hultin in Delhi recently -- he's the man who scouts business for potential military variants of the discontinued Saab 2000. He said, "The Saab 2000 MPA will be re-manufactured from the existing Saab 2000 fleet (total structural refurbishment, extensive corrosion protection, electrical and systems upgrade and modification). Conclusion, the airframe set to zero hours together with the inclusive systems and a minimum of 35,000 flying hours are offered together with a guaranteed OEM support of a minimum of 25 years." (Shiv Aroor)
Now the question arises why should India buy used refurbished aircrafts when they can buy new ones. Saab 2000 MTA Proposal To IAF
AIZWAL: Mizoram will fully cooperate with the Indian Air Force for installing a surveillance radar and for stationing four combat aircraft in this strategic north eastern state, an official statement said here on Thursday.
A large area would be required for the surveillance radar at Zokhawtlang in south Mizoram, for which detailed survey was being undertaken, the statement said after Air Marshal K K Nohwar, AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command met chief minister Lal Thanhawla.
Nohwar said that as the IAF wanted at least four combat aircraft to be stationed at the lone Lengpui Airport, land would be required for the construction of four blast pans.
Modern facilities including schools, amusement parks and canteens would also be constructed to benefit the local population, the statement said.
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