Bharat Rakshak

Philip wrote:One wonders whether a naval MIG-21 would've succeeded.I doubt it as the aircraft's design and characteristics from available material,would require extensive "surgery" to adapt it to carrier ops.

Mig 21 is known for high landing speeds, not the best attribute for carrier operations.

As a nation we are climbing up the learning curve. My hope is that we capitalize on our learning's and not let them while away aka Gnat. Also, with a current account deficit of 15 Billion per month and 5% plus government deficits, I expect that all PSU's including defense will be privatized within n...

Rafale M = 90 million vs. Mig-29 = 30 million plus spares commonality and 10 years maintenance experience. Indian navy better think a hundred times before dreaming of Rafale M and getting cockeyed like IAF is now. I am sure Indian Air Force has 30+ years of exp maintaining MIg-21's, may be we shoul...

Yes, the major drawbacks are the range and endurance limitations of KM31. Hawkeye will remedy that along with powerful onboard processing capability. The KM 31 platform is great..No doubt about it. Wonder how much improvement in range and endurance can be achieved if the radar is replaced by smalle...

Why are we still importing full fledged systems when we practically have key components built and proven? Looks like old habits of Indian defense establishment's are hard to get rid off. We can build on a proven Akash system by coupling a gun/cannon. A more compact Akash missile for shorter range sh...

So we paid $$$ and worked hard to develop the Ka-31 and then the chinese cashed on our efforts. By now Pakis have tried it out and likely has a super effective counter-measure to jam it. Awesome and makes me feel super good. Russians goods are compromised KA-31, SU-35 ....Americans are too restricti...

Wonder how comfortable IAF would have been taking on the Chinese with 100+ LCA MKI today! Their will be a lot more learnings when a plane enters service, which is been delayed for no good reason. Does the IAF believe that we will never fight a war? or the Chinese will be deterred by 100 Rafales? Chi...

OFB 155 mm howitzer on Arjun chassis will be ideal but will never take off unless we sell Avadi to L&T. This will pay off our investment in Arjun and increase commonality of systems. Brilliant move if it ever happens. Indian army has trained on and operated russian goodies for last 50 years. It ...

Given the proliferation of UAV's by Pakistan and China, this is a defense system to have in high numbers. It will be worthwhile making Akash system smaller and compact by trading range, instead of buying from outside. Russian products were designed to take down aircrafts and they do not have enough ...

Rafale M = 90 million vs. Mig-29 = 30 million plus spares commonality and 10 years maintenance experience.
Indian navy better think a hundred times before dreaming of Rafale M and getting cockeyed like IAF is now.

Tata Safari spiced up with LandRover cross terrain tech can turn out to be a top choice. The Chinese will turn green with envy if they see Indian troops rolling around in landrovers :) This will be a good incentive for Tata's to set up a LandRover manufacturing facility in India for export to rest o...

Isn't this a bit over reaction? Did the Mil series get grounded after any crashes? Is rest of India like Siachen?

I like been playing safe but the Indian Army's fetish for imported maal makes me suspect of their motives.

My suggestion to Honorable George Fernandes: Sell off ADA and HAL to Mukesh Ambani. HAL/ADA are unsustainable entities in today's world. They cannot survive against the Boeing/Dassault/EADS/BAE...of the world. They will survive only if we were under an arms embargo/sanctions like China is after tian...

My guess is that IAF does not trust MKI against the Chinese as they have the MKK. Buying Rafale will be repeating the same mistake though. France is lobbying hard for Europe to lift arms embargo against China. Moment it happens, Rafale tricks and secrets will be in Chinese hands in a matter of days ...

Spending 20 billion USD on Rafale means no more budget for UAV, UCAV...all "U...' are gone for next decade. That is a reality which folks should understand and that we are spending to fight yesterday's war and not tomorrow's war. If China can field 2~3000 fighter jets then they can field twice ...

What will Congress gain by going tough on the Chinese? Will it lead to more money -- NO. Congress is far far better off by giving up some land to Chinese while continuing to siphon billions through corruption (Coal, Mobile, Tatra, ...the list is bottomless) It is a predictable outcome right from wor...

As a newbie, I cannot understand why does Rafale costs 20 billion USD for 100 jets (with 82 made in India at dirt cheap manpower costs). What does it do which an MKI cannot do or MKI+LCA combination cannot do? Why does IAF behave like it is 1980's for small-medium-heavy fighter mix combination? Even...