Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 23 March 2021

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1774 ... 56182?s=20 ---> JUST IN: Indian Air Force has released a Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 (𝙄𝙋𝙎𝙎) for 30 various bases of IAF under 𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖 category.

Photo: BEL's IPSS, credits : @DefenceDecode

[srai]

^^^
One positive way to look at Pakistan sponsored terrorism on Indian military installations is that it is forcing the modernization of security around bases and coasts.

It means even the Pakistani/Chinese Special Forces during a war will have a very hard time sabotaging the Indian military installations in the near future.

[Rakesh]

VIDEO: https://x.com/Chau_0007/status/1776426642505965902 ---> IL-76 AWACS, Indian Air Force during Exercise Gagan Shakti 2024.

[Rakesh]

Here we go again. I believe this is Round 4.

https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1777770021621817729 ---> On 15 March 2024, 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 (𝗗𝗔𝗖) has granted the 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗔𝗼𝗡) for the procurement of 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 (𝗙𝗥𝗔) under 𝗕𝘂𝘆 (𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹) under 𝗗𝗔𝗣 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬. 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 (𝗙𝗘𝗧) for the equipment will be carried out in India. AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) for 05 years, post completion of warranty, is being sought.

Photo: IAI-HAL Multi Mission Tanker.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/IAF_MCC/status/1778436869602300203 ---> Continuing with its series of activation of its various Emergency Landing Facilities (ELF), the IAF also activated an ELF in the western sector recently supported by multiple government organisations. While the C-295 MW and Tejas carried out their maiden operations from an ELF, Jaguar, An-32, Mi-17V5 and Cheetah aircraft also operated from the facility including loading of stores, turn around servicing and logistic airlift.

[V_Raman]

I dont get why GoI is not open to a strategic investment in Embraer and use their planes for our defense needs. Great opportunity IMO and Brazil will be open to it IMO.

[VinodTK]

Cticial Nyoma runway along LAC set for completion in October

[Pratyush]

I dont get why GoI is not open to a strategic investment in Embraer and use their planes for our defense needs. Great opportunity IMO and Brazil will be open to it IMO.

Their has to be a business case for such an investment. Either the IAF through the MOD or the Ministry of civil aviation has to make the case before such an action can be executed.

We are not seeing the business case being presented by any of ministries.

[ritesh]

I dont get why GoI is not open to a strategic investment in Embraer and use their planes for our defense needs. Great opportunity IMO and Brazil will be open to it IMO.

Don't they rely heavily on Boeing, and also given stake?

[chetak]

I dont get why GoI is not open to a strategic investment in Embraer and use their planes for our defense needs. Great opportunity IMO and Brazil will be open to it IMO.

Their has to be a business case for such an investment. Either the IAF through the MOD or the Ministry of civil aviation has to make the case before such an action can be executed.

We are not seeing the business case being presented by any of ministries.

Gents,

the entire aerospace ecosystem minus russ and cheen are geopolitically and strategically cartelized. There is a very high and multidimensional entry barrier for countries like India which are not always obvious or even financial/technical in nature. Even if India purchases weapons from russ, then the cheen get in involved in the maara maari, along with the pakis who will go crying to the UN trying to stop the sale

the biggest hurdle to overcome will be the internal Indian hurdle, beset as it is with the notorious crab mentality. The alleged stakeholders will fight to the death to protect their turf, pay, pensions and their other "empire" building privileges.

russ did not sell us the cryoengine tech for ISRO because the amrikis strangled that deal for their interests and biden was the main guy who screwed India. It was the Indians who took the amriki/CIA money and sabotaged it. Many people in ISRO and the GoI kept very very quiet, even as their Indian "colleagues" were systematically destroyed in front of their own eyes

There is no reliable open source info that suggests that brazil may be willing to make a deal. The west will have a lot to say about that, and brazil will not be able to ignore or will ignore at their peril

Any of the ministries making a business case, will be tarred and feathered by the vested interest lobby, and the congis will present the issue as one of corruption and blame Modiji himself ...

brazil will most likely make the "business case" in draft form and "pass" it on to the Indian side who will then tack on a few "jai Shree Rams" and "Bharat Mata ki Jais" to give it an unique Indian flavour and in case you didn't know there are more that 30 - 40 Indian agencies involved in this case making business and all the prima donnas will have to sign off on it. (from DRDO/NAL to CAG/Vigilance and all the other mai ke lals in between, and the forces will not even be invited to any of these meetings, even though the MOD will certainly be present in full strength))

[Manish_P]

Don't they rely heavily on Boeing, and also given stake?

Their jets mostly use GE, P&W, Rolls Royce engines..

[Rakesh]

...

For you Saar

Hardened shelters, radars, defence systems & more — IAF quietly upgrades bases focused on China
https://theprint.in/defence/hardened-sh ... a/2041558/
15 April 2024

https://x.com/detresfa_/status/1779779887685071174 ---> https://x.com/detresfa_/status/1779779887685071174 ---> The Chabua airbase, a crucial facility for the Indian Air Force under its eastern command near the Chinese border, has been undergoing extensive renovations, recent imagery highlights the scale & significant progress achieved on-site.

https://x.com/Kalafina98/status/1779820002683814197 ---> Not a new thing, this projects has been going on for quite a long time, i have worked in these types of projects till 2023.

[Rakesh]

The Air Force is looking for a buyer for 18 Mirages
https://www.kathimerini.gr/politics/562 ... 18-mirage/

The leadership is investigating the possibility of selling them to India, a proposal about which both the Ministry of National Defense and the Maximos Palace have been informed.

A follow up to the above story. So the offer was made and India is interested in the -5 variant of the Mirage 2000.

Greece and India will sign a historic military cooperation agreement - Greek military chief in New Delhi next week
https://greekcitytimes.com/2024/04/05/g ... -historic/

The Indians also appear to have expressed initial interest in the Greek Air Force's Mirage 2000-5, for which, according to the Ministry of National Defence, a buyer is being sought.

I have been impressed by India's capabilities - Confirmed Delhi's interest in buying Mirage 2000-5
https://directus-gr.translate.goog/a-ge ... r_pto=wapp
15 April 2024

He confirmed the country's interest in purchasing the Mirage 2000-5 that the Air Force has, however, as he pointed out, it is still a discussion at an early stage.

[ramana]

Isreal hit Ishfan with Rampage. IAF procured them too.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.busine ... 24-4%3famp

[bala]

Balakot airstrike: Ex-IAF chief reveals details, 'we broke through PAF and Pak Army protection'
Apr 22, 2024

Former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd.) on April 22 lauded the BJP government's stance against terrorism. Talking to ANI, RKS Bhadauria said that the Balakot airstrike was done by breaking through Pakistan's Air Force and Army protection, and we suffered no losses. He also said that we won't tolerate terrorism. "When the BJP came to power, PM Modi made a clear policy of zero tolerance against terrorism. When a terror incident occurred, and perpetrators hid across the border, a surgical strike was done across the LoC. When the Pulwama terror attack occurred, the launchpads across the border went underground. They were searched for and found. Balakot strike was done at that time. It was an important step and a strong message...No such (terror) incident happened after that...This (airstrike) was done by breaking through Pakistan's Air Force and Army protection, and we suffered no losses. It was a successful operation...We were prepared for every situation...If someone spreads terror in our country, they will be targeted wherever they hide...The meaning is clear - zero tolerance, won't tolerate terror" said RKS Bhadauria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdNo7luxDvY

[Rakesh]

Decoding Present-Day Air Combat and How Air-to-Air Missiles are Gamechangers

[Rakesh]

Isreal hit Ishfan with Rampage. IAF procured them too.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.busine ... 24-4%3famp

India successfully tests new 250 km strike range air-launched ballistic missile in Andamans
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/ge ... 423200011/
23 April 2024

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/AdithyaKM_/status/1782785716113789241 ---> IAF tests ROCKS ALBM from Su-30MKI in A&N, range >250 km. IAF is now planning to get lsraeli missiles in large numbers through Make in India as it gives a unique capability.

Role: Strike high-value stationary & relocatable targets.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1782788426313638240 ---> Crystal Maze II is already in IAF service. Going to be Manufactured in India under MAKE-III category. Qty 100 missile *will be* procured.

[VKumar]

https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1774 ... 56182?s=20 ---> JUST IN: Indian Air Force has released a Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 (𝙄𝙋𝙎𝙎) for 30 various bases of IAF under 𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖 category.

Keep a few stray dogs. They will sound the alarm.

[JTull]

Re: ROCKS/Crystal Maze 2, IAF seems to have shifted goalposts about its priorities to deny Rudram family integration.

I just don't understand how Rudram, SAAW, Astra Mk2, etc had separation trials 2 or more years ago and are yet to be operationalised while we have Rampage, ROCKS, ASRAAM, etc coming through the backdoor into IDDM.

[srai]

It seems ROCKS and Rudman-II are kinda similar.

< Mod Note: Picture Removed >

[Prem Kumar]

Re: ROCKS/Crystal Maze 2, IAF seems to have shifted goalposts about its priorities to deny Rudram family integration.

I just don't understand how Rudram, SAAW, Astra Mk2, etc had separation trials 2 or more years ago and are yet to be operationalised while we have Rampage, ROCKS, ASRAAM, etc coming through the backdoor into IDDM.

Not to mention the G-series: Garuda, Garuthma, Gautham, Gaurav etc

We dont hear news about their testing. No orders even for an LSP quantity. SAAW has had innumerable successful tests. But every new experimental missile by Israel is immediately inducted

Tejas-Mk1a repeat order seems like an exception & does not indicate any change of heart in the IAF. In the case of Tejas, first by Parikkar and now by Rajnath Singh, the noose had tightened and they were left with no option. Possibly the MRFA carrot was also dangled. Need to do the same across the board.

Emergency Import Game
We can see how what was once an emergency import has now been mainstreamed into a Make-2/Make-3 program. So, the emergency purchase is like the proving ground leading to larger orders. 2 mangoes with 1 stone.

[mody]

https://www.msn.com/en-in/autos/news/in ... 0ea6&ei=24

Report about the test of air launched missile. Not sure which missile has been tested. The above report says probably a localised variant of Crystal Maze missile, perhaps with an extended range of upto 250Kms has been tested.
Maybe will have to wait for information from some other sources.

[basant]

It is an emergency purchase, as after a while they cannot import the same and will have to buy Rudram.

[ramana]

G series are being made by Adani.

[Rakesh]

It seems ROCKS and Rudman-II are kinda similar.

Please put image source when posting pictures.

The picture has been removed.

[Rakesh]

https://www.msn.com/en-in/autos/news/in ... 0ea6&ei=24

Report about the test of air launched missile. Not sure which missile has been tested. The above report says probably a localised variant of Crystal Maze missile, perhaps with an extended range of upto 250Kms has been tested.
Maybe will have to wait for information from some other sources.

This news has been posted in this thread. Please scroll up to read the posts above.

[Rakesh]

IAF’s EW Capability Boost: A Closer Look
https://alphadefense.in/index.php/2024/ ... ook/?amp=1
22 April 2024

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/lca_tejas_/status/1781587842650804591 ---> Deesa airbase taking shape.

[mody]

Even the present government has a very skewed view of Make in India or atmanirbhar. There is no emphasis on design and develop in India. The Israeli's have also been smart by tying up with Adani for most of their wares. From small arms to drones to all kinds of smart ammunition. Most of it will simply be screw drivergiri by Adani. To confirm to Make in India and Make for the World, Adani will be allowed to export a few of these systems back to Israel, as happened recently with the Hermes 900 drones.

No wonder the services have also been happy singing along the make in India song. Except for the small number of Astra missiles, almost no other air to air or air to ground weapons developed by DRDO, have made it to the production stage as yet. Even the Helina has been cleared for production only for the ALM MK-IV Rudra helicopters and not for the LCH as yet.

A sad state of affairs, which unfortunately is not likely change any time soon.

[mody]

G series are being made by Adani.

Ramana garu, the technology transfer to Adani has been done, but no reports of actual orders being placed as yet have surfaced.
If there is any source that confirms that G-series glide bombs have been ordered, please share.

[Prem Kumar]

It is an emergency purchase, as after a while they cannot import the same and will have to buy Rudram.

That's what everyone thought

But what has happened is this:

Step 1: emergency import of weapons - limited quantity of even yet-to-be-proven weapons (like the latest ROCKS)
Step 2: have the foreign vendor tie-up with an Adani, Godrej etc to license-assemble in India. Call it Atmanirbhar
Step 3: participate in Make 1/2/3 tender to vie for larger order

The distinction between IDDM & screwdriver-giri is disappearing in front of our eyes

Going by the reports, IAF is looking to buy 500 ROCKS via the screwdriver-giri route! That's not a small number. No comparable numbers of A2G desi munitions have been ordered. They are all in "trials" onlee

[Haridas]

..... I just don't understand how Rudram, SAAW, Astra Mk2, etc had separation trials 2 or more years ago and are yet to be operationalised while we have Rampage, ROCKS, ASRAAM, etc coming through the backdoor into IDDM.

Not to mention the G-series: Garuda, Garuthma, Gautham, Gaurav etc

We dont hear news about their testing. No orders even for an LSP quantity. SAAW has had innumerable successful tests. But every new experimental missile by Israel is immediately inducted ......

Warry naat, aari is ops in large numbers.

[mody]

I think the MRFA circus will go on till the Tejas MK2 takes its first flight. The first milestone will obviously be the unveiling of the Tejas MK2, which is expected by the end of 2025. The second major milestone will be the deal to locally produce the GE-414 IN6 engines in India. The final milestone will be the first flight of the Tejas MK2. Once these milestones are achieved, the MRFA will be given a final burial. Maybe as a token 2 additional squadrons of Rafael Rafale might get inducted, as we have already paid for setting up the infrastructure at Hasimara and Ambala. Both the bases can host at least 2 squadrons of the Rafael Rafale. Plus we would probably need to sugar coat the cancelling of the MRFA program for the Frenchies and for clinching the next gen 120 KN engine deal with Safran.

IMHO, IAF should also opt for the air force variant of the TEDBF, as a 4.5 gen fighter aircraft. With twin 120KN engines, an IAF version of the TEDBF would be a really good aircraft. Besides it would give the IAF another platform which would potentially be able to carry weapons like the air launched Brahmos, Rudra-M2 and Rudra-M3 and other heavy air to ground standoff weapons. The Su-30MKI will be upgraded and will remain in service till 2040 and some numbers even upto 2045, but beyond 2040, the numbers will start reducing and AMCA will not be ideally suitable for carrying heavy loads like the air launched Brahmos or similar weapons.

Besides the operational and maintenance cost of stealth aircrafts is much higher and even the USAF is looking to acquire the F-15EX and perhaps a new follow-on aircraft to the F-16. 4 to 6 squadrons of the IAF variant of the TEDBF would make the programs a whole lot more feasible, while giving the IAF a good 4.5 gen platform, which could potentially be better than the Rafael Rafale F4.2 variant.

[Rakesh]

Indian Air Force, Navy fighter aircraft fleets get Rampage missile boost
https://aninews.in/news/national/genera ... 427171342/
27 April 2024

[Rakesh]

...

For you Saar

Hardened shelters, radars, defence systems & more — IAF quietly upgrades bases focused on China
https://theprint.in/defence/hardened-sh ... a/2041558/
15 April 2024

https://x.com/detresfa_/status/1779779887685071174 ---> https://x.com/detresfa_/status/1779779887685071174 ---> The Chabua airbase, a crucial facility for the Indian Air Force under its eastern command near the Chinese border, has been undergoing extensive renovations, recent imagery highlights the scale & significant progress achieved on-site.

Another one for you...

https://x.com/detresfa_/status/1785164344847913133 ---> The Bagdogra airbase, a key base for the Indian Air Force during the Doklam crisis, has been undergoing extensive renovation improving its capacity & capability, recent imagery highlights the scale & significant progress achieved at this critical site on the frontline with China.