Possible Indian Military Scenarios - XII

[Shankar]

RED EYE FLIGHT - 4XSU-30MKI – IB PUNJAB -0150 HRS

He four Sukhois spread out in a wide bow formation as the data from the Phalcon AWAC fed into their attack computer . Lal changed the central display to “attack” mode and target location ( sam and gun rudder sites ) flashed up on the screen as red trees ,eack tagged with distance from launch platform on real time and a computer assisted threat priority analysis . The computers “talked “to each other and divided the “work load” equally. All this took less than 5 seconds

A flick of switch and the target positions got super imposed on the holographic display on the HUD . The “SHOOT” prompt came up almost immediately and Squadron leader Lal did not even hesitate as he squeezed off, the four KH-31P, anti- radiation missiles
In quick succession. He reduced air speed but maintained course as the supersonic anti radiation missiles raced forward in a trail of orange black smoke.

The Kh-31, AS-17 Krypton NATO-codename, is an advanced, long range, highly supersonic missile designed to withstand countermeasures effects. The Kh-31 propulsion system consists of a solid-fuel rocket engine which accelerates the missile to Mach 1.8. Then this engine is dropped and a jet engine ignites using the missile's within space as a combustion chamber. The missile accelerates to Mach 4.5 thanks to the jet engine.

The Kh-31P has been designed to be a high performance anti-radiation missile against the most sophisticated air defense systems developed by NATO countries. It features high kill probability against radar systems that have been turned-off when attacked

The AS-17 “Krypton” (Kh-31A/P) is a short-range, air-launched, ramjet-propelled, single warhead, air-to-surface cruise missile developed and manufactured by Russia.

Development of the AS-17 began in the late 1970s as a follow-on to the AS-12 “Kegler.” Aimed at countering the U.S. Patriot and Standard Missile air defense systems, the AS-17 was a new concept missile, unlike any that the Russians had previously designed. Similar in some way to the U.S. LTV designed ramjet-powered research missile, which flew in 1974, the AS-17 features four ramjet intake ducts developed by the Soyuz Turaevo Machine Design Bureau.

The AS-17 was first revealed in 1991, and reports soon after indicated that the Russians had developed two interchangeable homing heads for the missile: an active radar seeker for use in the terminal phase against ship targets, and a passive anti-radar seeker. The active radar anti-ship missile was designated Kh-31A, and the passive radar version was designated Kh-31P. Two different lengths exist for both the Kh-31A and Kh-31P.

The Kh-31A Mod 1 is 4.7 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.36, and has a weight of 610 kg, while the Kh-31A Mod 2 is 5.23 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.36, and has a weight of 700 kg. It is guided by an inertial navigation system (INS) in the midcourse phase, with an active radar seeker for the terminal phase. The Mod 1 carries a 95 kg high explosive semi-armor piercing warhead, while the Mod 2 carries a 110 kg high explosive semi-armor piercing warhead. The minimum range for both versions, in 5 km, while the Mod 1 has a maximum range of 70 km and the Mod 2 has a maximum range of 100 km. The Kh-31A is believed to have an accuracy of 8 m circular area probability (CEP).

The Kh-31P Mod 1 is 4.7 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.36, and has a weight of 599 kg, while the Kh-31P Mod 2 is 5.23 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.36, and has a weight of 625 kg. Guidance is passive radar homing. Both versions carry an 87 kg high explosive blast/fragmentation warhead. The Kh-31 has a minimum range in 15 km, while the Mod 1 has a maximum range of 110 km, and the Mod 2 has a maximum range of 200 km. The missile is believed to have an accuracy of 8 m CEP. Both the Kh-31A and Kh-31P have a cruise speed of Mach 2.5 at low level, or Mach 3.0 at high level.

The Kh-31P entered service in Russia in 1988, followed by the Kh-31A in 1989. The missiles are deployed on Su-17 “Fitter,” Su-24 “Fencer,” Su-25 “Frogfoot,” Su-27, Su-30, Su-32, Su-33, and Su-35 “Flanker,” MiG-21 “Fishbed,” MiG-27 “Flogger,” MiG-31 “Foxhound,” and MiG-29 “Fulcrum” aircraft. Most of the missiles currently in service in Russia are believed to be Mod 1, with the Mod 2 being offered for export under the designation X-31.

The Pakistani radar operators detected the launch .The had to option either to switch off and loose the incoming aircraft or stay on air and be taken off. Some of them quickly powered off while rest continued tracking the incoming sukhois and promptly rewarded with horrendous explosion as the Kryptons slammed into radiation source with un erring accuracy and let loose a world of fiery devastation. Opening up a strike window for the incoming Mirage 2000 package –streaking in low over the undulating terrain right at that moment
- hawk one –red eye- road is clear –standing by
- roger that red eye – confirm road clear –good work –stand by

The data linked signal went to Mirage 2000 lead and the four Mirage 2000 turned west ,barely 100 kms from Mangla dam complex

[Nitesh]

when the kaboom will begin shankarda

[Shankar]

MANGLA DAM TERROR CAMP COMPLEX –PAKISTAN -0210 HRS

The peace of the night was shattered as the air raid sirens blared and anti aircraft guns opened up all around firing at any thing and everything that moved in air or ground . With the main radar network down the secondary mobile radars were being switched on in some what chaotic manner. The terrorist training camp located on the dry river bed just along the massive dam was a bee hive of activity as well as individuals picked up their training weapons and searched the sky for signs of enemy aircraft, without knowing the futility of such an action against a formation of state of the art combat aircraft . All the succeeded in doing was to identify their exact position against a dark background

SILK COBRA FLIGHT -4 XMIRAGE 2000 – 20 KMS FROM MANGLA DAM – 2000 FT

- silk cobra lead –hawk one – your are cleared to start bomb run – good hunting –over
- hawk one –silk cobra lead- copy that – commencing weapon drop –now
- silk cobra flight –lead – execute plan zeta mango –over

The first 200 kg bomb dropped clean and sailed a parabolic arc to hit the centre point of the dam jus below the water line ,the second followed exactly the same path and enlarged the breach caused by the first as the first trickle of water started coming out the other side . The breach widened and the small trickle became a medium sized stream as more and more chunk of concrete tore away. Millions of gallons of water held so long by the concrete wall of the dam seeked release through the ever widening breach and poured into the dry river bed in a raging muddy torrent. It washed out everything in its path in few minutes of unrestrained fury .

The terrorists and their minders took some time to understand the magnitude of the disaster – few of them managed to escape the fury of onrushing torrent and escaped with their pitiful belongings to adjoining high grounds and looked on dumb stuck at the scene of devastation unfolding below .

-silk cobra lead – silk cobra 3 /4 your are weapons free

The two Mirage still to join the initial attack now –zeroing in on the tiny figures on the hill slope climbing to safety. They made two passes each and on each pass the dropped a pair of 500 kg napalm directly on the path of climbing terrorists. The thick black petroleum jelly smeared them like glue before igniting in a bright orange flash there were not many survivors.

-silk cobra flight –hawk ne –disengage now – bandits closing in from south 185 – 2000 ft –type F-16 –over
-copy that hawk one –disengaging now – silk cobra copy

Relieved of their heavy bomb load the four Mirage 2000 s quickly turned north east for a straight course home. In less than 4 minutes they crossed the line of control and once again made a course change to 020 for a perfect home base recovery. They were in Pakistani air space for less than 17 minutes .

No PAF aircraft pursued them into Indian airspace .The Pakistanis are a pragmatic lot thought the young squadron leader as he contacted Sringar for approach clearance .

[parshuram]

excellent shankar da !! with all due respect may i suggest that hit some targets as far as peshawar too before paki's respond . this will show the prowess of IAF

[BPSingh]

Vivek Bhaji. where are you man? eagerly awaiting your next post.

[karadi]

What happened to Vivek's post. Why thedelay?

[vivek_ahuja]

SKIES OVER ASSAM
INDIA
DAY 4 + 1455 HRS (L)

“Okay, give me a sit-rep.” the MC said quietly after walking over to the senior radar console operator monitoring the inbound groups.

“We have this group of twelve J-7Bs coming in from the northeast heading southwest over the Chaukan pass hills on their way over Assam. The first ones to make contact on our side will be the four Bisons from Chabua, with BVR ranges reached in seventeen minutes, but they will be outnumbered four to one unless we commit the 8 Squadron Sukhois into the fight.”

“And that will bog them down so that it will allow the second group of SU-27s to destroy our group of Mig-21s from Tezpur and cut off the engaged 8 Squadron aircraft from the west and perhaps even make a run for us over here. No, that’s unacceptable. We need to concentrate our force of Mig-21s from Chabua and Tezpur into a iron fist before we commit them to the fight. How far are the Tezpur Migs?” the MC asked as he looked at the computer screen over the shoulders of the console officer.

“At their current speeds they will have be over Chabua in fifteen minutes.”

“Good. Pull the Bison CAP over Chabua and task them to await the arrival of the Tezpur Migs. Overall combat control will be transferred to the Tezpur Flight Leader once arrival takes place. Let me know when that happens.

In the meantime, we will let the Chinese come in through the front door...”

[vivek_ahuja]

IV CORPS TACTICAL HQ (RELOCATED)
NORTH OF TEZPUR
INDIA
DAY 4 + 1505 HRS (L)

The single ALH came in low over the ground followed by its weaponized escort and reached the helipad near the IV Corps Headquarters despite the warning order given out by the Air Force of the impending air battle that was about to engulf the skies over Assam. As a result, the two Army Aviation crews did not fancy staying around for too long. The weaponized escort ALH did not land but continued to hover near the helipad and the other ALH came to a quick landing, raising all sorts of dust and gravel into the air by its downwash. There was no time to waste...

The ground crews immediately opened the sliding doors to allow General Yadav and Lt-General Suman and two other Brigadiers to clamber out into the dust filled air holding their caps. They were directed away from the helicopter even as a ground crewman banged on the window glass of the cockpit to notify the pilot that the passengers were out and to get the hell out of there. The pilots nodded and immediately pulled the ALH back into the air even as every strut and bar inside the ALH groaned under the stress of such an accelerated liftoff. Nevertheless, within a minute both helicopters were streaking away to the west at tree top heights and the dust around the helipad was finally settling down...

But other things were not settling down. General Yadav and Lt-General Suman were met outside the helipad by Lt-General Chatterjee and his other senior GSOs. The IV Corps commander was not in a happy mood and General Yadav and Lt-Gen Suman soon found out why even as they climbed aboard the three AXE vehicles that were to take them from the helipad to the actual IV Corps HQ further into the foothills where there was more cover against attacks.

“So what’s the situation up to the north?” Gen Yadav asked Chatterjee as their convoy finally moved off on the dusty road to the north, facing the majestic Great Himalayan peaks on the horizon.

“We have three Commie Infantry Divisions facing us in the Tawang sector. One of those we have been able to identify as the 149TH Rapid Reaction Division. Others, we are not sure at the moment. Question: if the 149TH was the one supposedly guarding Lhasa, who the hell is keeping tab of things there now?” Chatterjee shouted over the sounds of the speeding vehicles.

“The 52ND Brigade is supposed to be left in charge of the activities in and around Lhasa while the 21ST Group Army enters from Lanzhou district. They are using the train convoys to bring the units in as per DIA. The Air Force says they are going to have a knock at it later today to see if we can knock out the railway lines. If that fails we might have to go in for some attacks using a few Brahmos units. We will see how that works out. In any case, what’s the Chinese readiness opposite Bum-La and Zimithiang?”

“Near complete.”

“Damn! What about our own readiness?” Lt-Gen Suman, the acting EAC GOC, asked even as he looked at the convoys of trucks heading into the hills to the north towards Bomdi-La and beyond.

“I have the sector covered. I could use some supporting arms but otherwise my guys are ready and up to speed.” Chatterjee shouted from the front seat as they were within sight of the IV-Corps TAC-HQ.
“So what’s the estimated time to jump off on the Chinese attack?” Yadav asked.

“Tomorrow morning if not sooner is when I expect them to make a run for Tawang...”

[vivek_ahuja]

SKIES OVER ASSAM
INDIA
DAY 4 + 1515 HRS (L)

The first group of manned Chinese fighters to break into Indian airspace in the northeast after the war had broken out took place near the bulge of Indian territory near the Chaukan pass hills at the extreme eastern end of Indian airspace. The wall of twelve J-7Bs flying in a line abreast formation now punched off their external fuel drop tanks, something that was immediately noticed by the radar crew of the Indian Phalcon to the southwest as the screen became cluttered with small fading radar intercepts slowing away and going down behind the inbound J-7s...

But for all that, the Chinese knew what they were up against. The path they were taking skirted around the handful of Indian Akash batteries protecting the high value targets in the region almost as if they knew where and how they had been deployed. This was noticed by the Phalcon crew as well, and the MC made a mental note to forward this piece of intelligence to the people commanding those batteries. But for now he had other things on his mind. Now that his hopes for a few kills at the hands of the ground missile batteries had been ruined, the MC turned his attention towards the group of fourteen Mig-21s that had now assembled over Chabua and were also now deployed in a line abreast formation towards the inbound Chinese. Both sides were readying themselves for a BVR exchange...

And that happened a few minutes later as twenty six missiles ranged out in quick succession with fourteen others following. The Indian Mig-21s had released two quick salvos of Astra BVRAAMs while the Chinese had reciprocated with a single salvo of their new AIM-120 knockoffs called the PL-12. Seconds after the first launch of the second Indian Astra salvo, the Chinese reciprocated with their own independent second salvo launch of another twelve PL-12s. There were now fifty two missiles heading towards each other at high speed. All twenty six fighters now broke formation to evade the cloud of missiles flying towards each other...

Results were obtained a few seconds later. Seven Indian Mig-21s, and none of them Bisons, were lost in exchange for six Chinese J-7Bs before the Phalcon crews lost count in the complete chaos happening over the skies north of Digboi. The dogfights between the Indian and Chinese survivors began soon thereafter and command and control was quickly lost. The Phalcon MC was pragmatic. He realized immediately the futility of their involvement in the chaotic battle now taking place but also realized that whatever the final result, the Chinese J-7s had lost the initiative and unit cohesiveness. They were also unlikely to be able to make their way home if they did not break contact soon and therefore expend unacceptable amount of fuel. Besides, the SU-30 BARCAP near the Phalcon could be dispatched if any one of the Chinese pilots decided to play Kamikaze.

No...they are on their own now, but the SU-27s are another matter...the MC thought as he walked over to the other console operator monitoring and coordinating the 8 Squadron battle: “Tell me about the second group of inbounds.”

“They will be breaking into our airspace in a few minutes. LIMA Flight Leader signalled his readiness. I suggest we start maneuvering them into position now.”

“Right. Bring them back to the southwest and direct them north of Bomdila. Keep them going as far as possible but for god’s sake keep them out of any possible Chinese anti-air unit known to be near the border.

Then turn them east...”

[vivek_ahuja]

THE TIBET-BHUTAN BORDER
FOOTHILLS 16KM SOUTH OF DOCHEN TSO
NORTHEAST OF CHUMBI-VALLEY
BHUTAN
DAY 4 + 1540 HRS (L)

“Incoming fire!” the Indian IMTRAT Major shouted even as he saw the vehicles on the Chinese side of the border suddenly moving out of their revetments. The Royal Bhutanese Army soldiers were already running into position even as the first artillery shells slammed amongst their positions west of the lakes. The Major also jumped into the nearest trench along with the RBA Lt-Colonel who had been visiting the area with the Major. The Company Commander for the RBA unit in this sector was moving about and shouting orders at his men and telling the three jeep convoy drivers to the east to get the hell out when he was shot down by machine gun fire from the advancing group of Chinese armoured personnel carriers.

The three jeep drivers tried in vain to drive away from the scene of the battle but their vehicles were raked from front to rear by cannon fire from the ZBD-2000 IFVs who were raising the dirt and advancing into Bhutanese territory. The three Bhutanese vehicles went up in small balls of fire and smoke soon thereafter. There was no question of fighting off the Chinese invaders with the weapons at the disposal of the Bhutanese soldiers and they were taking heavy losses by the second.

The Indian officer quickly got hold of a radio set and contacted IMTRAT headquarters with the urgent request for assistance. A few minutes later the call went from IMTRAT HQ to Indian Army HQ and from there back to XXXIII Corps HQ. By the time the first Heron UAV was removed from its orbit pattern over the Chumbi Valley and directed over the battlefield near the Tibet-Bhutan border, it was clear that the two RBA Companies and the Indian IMTRAT Liaison group with them was under threat of being destroyed to the last man by the advancing units of the Chinese 55 Division that were attempting to clear this section of their vulnerable left flank before the expected advance near the Nathu-La began.

But the fact now was that in doing what they had, the Chinese had pushed Bhutan into the war, and it was at this time that the call went out to the Mig-27 squadrons at Hashimara...

[Nitesh]

boom booom boooom from vivek saar

gr8 writing vivek saar

[Shankar]

Some Vital Statistics and Facts on the Pakistani Terrorist Machinery Aimed at Kashmir

* Number of Terrorist Camps in Pakistan: 37
* Number of Terrorist Camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir: 49
* Number of Pakistani-run Terrorist Camps in Afghanistan: 22
* Total Number of Hardcore Terrorists Operating in Jammu and Kashmir: 2300
* Total Number of Foreign Mercenaries Operating in Jammu and Kashmir: 900
* Number of Pakistani terrorists killed by Indian security forces: 291
* Number of Pakistani terrorists in Indian jails: 125
* Number of Indian civilians killed by Pakistani terrorists: over 29,000
* Number of firearms recovered from Pakistan-trained terrorists in India: 47,000
* Amount of explosives recovered from Pakistan-trained terrorists in India: 60 tons (30,000 kg)
* Number of explosions carried out by Pakistan-trained terrorists in India: 4,730
* Nationalities of Foreign Mercenaries Operating in Jammu and Kashmir:
Pakistan, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Afghanistan,
Egypt, Sudan, Yemen,
Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq
* Deadliest Pakistani Terrorist Groups Active in Jammu and Kashmir:
o Harkat-ul-Ansar (recently renamed Harkat-ul-Mujaheedin)
+ Headquarters: Muzaffarabad (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir)
o Lashkar-e-Toiba
+ Headquarters: Muridke (Pakistan)
o Hizbul Mujahideen
* Peak time of annual infiltration of terrorists into India:
o Summer months, when the snows have melted, under cover of Pakistani Army firing (Washington Post, Oct. 15, 1998).
* Number of people in Jammu and Kashmir killed in violence waged by Pakistan-supported terrorists over the last decade: over 20,000.
* Ethnic Cleansing in Kashmir: Nearly 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits (original Hindu inhabitants of Kashmir valley) driven out of their ancestral homeland by Pakistan-supported terrorists.
* Pakistan's response to charges of terrorism support: "It only provides diplomatic and moral support to the terrorists". To see through this outright lie, read about the "credible reports of official Pakistani support to Kashmiri terrorist groups..." in the US State Department 1997 report on global terrorism.
* The US Tomahawk missiles killed Pakistani terrorists belonging to Harkat-ul-Ansar in the Khost camps in Afghanistan this year. These terrorists were training to fight in Kashmir.
* The Harkat-ul-Ansar and the Lashkar-e-Toiba threatened US citizens recently in open news conferences in major cities in Pakistan (Kashmir Chronicle, Vol. 1, No. 6). The Pakistani government makes no attempt to shut down any of these groups.
* Most recent recruits to Pakistani terrorist camps: Kashmiri Muslim children as young as 12 years old, coerced into a dead-end career by Pakistani terrorist groups(CNN Online, Oct. 8, 1998).
* Why is the Pakistani economy in shambles? 70% of its budget goes to the military plus its debt payments, much of the military spending being on sustaining the Kashmiri terror (NY Times, Aug. 30, 1998, The Tribune, Oct. 10, 1998).

References:

* Web Data Published by Indian Army
* US State Department Patterns of Global Terrorism, 1997
* News Sources
* Atlas of the World

Kashmir Information Network (KIN)

[Shankar]

Muzaffarabad is situated at the confluence of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers. The city is 138 kilometres from Rawalpindi and Islamabad and about 76 kilometres from Abbottabad. Cradled by lofty mountains, Muzaffarabad reflects a blend of various cultures and languages. The main language is a form of Hindko. The Neelum river plays a dominant role in the microclimate of Muzaffarabad. he original name of Muzaffarabad was Udabhanda
' Hieun tsang, the celebrated Buddhist pilgrim who is said to have visited the valley in 633A.D mentions Pan-nu-tso i.e. modern day Punch, Ho-lo-she-pu-to i.e. modern day Rajauri13 He entered India from Udabhanda, Urasa (present Muzafrabad and Uskara) entered the valley via Baramula gorge.
Udabhanda was the capital of the Shahi dynasty . The Shahi (Devanagari शाही) also called Shahiya,[2][3] dynasties ruled portions of the Kabul Valley (in eastern Afghanistan) and the old province of Gandhara (northern Pakistan and Kashmir) from the decline of the Kushan Empire in third century to the early ninth century.[3] The kingdom was known as Kabul-shahan or Ratbel-shahan from (565 - 670 CE) when they had their capitals in Kapisa and Kabul, and later Udabhandapura (also known as Hund)[4] for its new capital. The term Shahi is the title of the rulers, likely related to the Kushan form Shao[3] or Persian form Shah and refers to a series of 60 rulers probably descended from the Kushans or Turks (Turshkas).[3] They are split into two eras the Buddhist Turk-Shahis and the later Hindu-Shahis with the change-over occurring sometime around 870.
The name "Muzaffarabad" (meaning Muzaffar's Town) comes from the name of Sultan Muzaffar Khan, a former ruler of the Bomba Dynasty. After the 1948-49 war, Muzaffarabad was made the capital of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
On October 8, 2005, the city was struck by an earthquake measuring a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter Scale.
The city was the site of the epicentre of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which occurred on October 8, 2005 and had a magnitude of 7.6. The disaster destroyed 50% of the buildings in the city (including most of the official buildings) and is estimated to have killed up to 80,000 people in the Pakistani-controlled areas of Kashmir, alone.
As of 8 November, the Pakistani government's official death toll was 87,350. Some estimates put the death toll over 100,000.[5]
Blasts at LeT ammo depot nail Pak lies!

An ammunition depot of Lashkar-e-Taiba’s terrorist camp caught fire, leading to several blasts in Muzaffarabad on Sunday evening.

"Panic gripped the residents as the blasts, which began around 6pm IST, continued for about two hours," the president of Jammu & Kashmir National Students Federation, Mehmood Beigh, told TOI from Muzaffarabad over phone.

He said the terrorist camp is located inside the limits of Muzaffarabad Municipal Corporation at Chila Bandi near Shaive canal. "ISI and police have blocked all roads leading to the camp. Journalists and common people aren’t being allowed into the area," he said.

Another top-ranking Muzaffarabad-based JKNSF leader, Raja Saba, said Pakistani authorities are unlikely to ever accept that the blasts actually took place, as it would expose the Pakistan government’s lies about the nonexistence of terrorist camps in Muzaffarabad.

"They will give it a different colour, claiming that gas cylinders exploded. After the civilian government took over, ISI’s activities have picked up here. ISI is trying to lure locals into joining the terror camps," Raja said.

Indeed, there has been much activity: ISI is reported to have recently organized three conferences to get terrorist camps up and running. In fact, the Hizbul Mujahideen chief last week addressed an ISI-backed conference in Muzaffarabad and vowed to continue jihad.

"They are trying to recruit terrorists for jihad in Kashmir. ISI is supplying in money and providing arms to terrorists to revamp the terror infrastructure in Kashmir. Today’s blast took place in one of those camps which have received fresh arms and ammunition," Raja added.

Muzaffarabad-based journalist Tariq Naqqash said, "Apparently, LeT cadres have stopped even the police and the local administration officials from entering the area."

They are being stopped about half a km from the blast site, he added. "I am waiting for an official statement but the authorities are tightlipped."

Arif Shahid — of All-Party National Alliance, a leading organisation against Pakistan rule in PoK — said terror camps continue to train hardcore terrorists for jihad in Kashmir.

"We’ve been crying ourselves hoarse and asking Islamabad to throw these jihadis out of our land. We don’t want them here. But our repeated pleas have been falling on deaf ears," he said. "Extremist elements in Pakistan continue to lure the youths towards jihad. Not just this, ISI continues to get foreign nationals — Afghans, Saudis and Arabs — for Kashmir jihad."

He said the training camps were running under the garb of hospitals.

Kashmiri nationalists, resenting Islamabad’s occupation of PoK, have been running campaigns against the terror camps.

In 2007, JKNSF organised a march against terrorist camps in PoK after LeT terrorists abducted a Muzaffarabad University student.

There are believed to be at least 36 jihadi training camps in PoK, housing about 3,660 cadres. Majority of these camps are located in Muzaffarabad and Kotli. LeT maintains, among others, the Danna and Abdul-Bin-Masud camps in Muzaffarabad and Badli camp in Kotli with 500, 300 and 300 jihadis respectively.

Similarly, Hizbul has, among others, the Jangal Mangal camp in Muzaffarabad and another one at Mangla with at least 300 cadres each.

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, while saying that there has been a decrease in violence, have repeatedly maintained that terrorist infrastructure in PoK remains alive and kicking.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

[asbchakri]

Hey Vivek Bhai and Shankar da its weekend for god's sake. Give us our dosage of medicine

[Shankar]

The Pakistanis military response to Indian precision strikes inside its territory was restrained to say the least . The main reason was of course they were not ready to star a full scale war with their economy in doldrums .Secondly their relation ship with new US administration was getting strained by the day as more and US soldiers got killed in Afghanistan and their ability to control SWAT valley was nothing to talk about . Thirdly Indian precision strike specifically targeted at terrorist camps got the support of world community in more ways than one .And finally China did not protest Indian strikes .

Still some thing had to be done .If not for anything but to keep the domestic population happy and fundamentalist back lash under control . It was decided to launch a dam busting strike against Bhakra nangal dam complex with a flight of of F-16 S
PAF BASE MUSHAF –SARGODHA – DAY 4 -0500 HRS

Wing commander Ali walked down the tarmac to the line of 4 F16 s gleaming and ready for combat . They were all carrying a single 2000 kg laser guided Paveway bombs and a pair of AMRAAM –C air to air missiles along with a pair of wing tip mounted sidewinders .
The expected flight time to Nangal will be 35 minutes at 5000 ft altitude .Ali planned to dive for the deck 50 kms from international border and go on after burner .He expected stiff opposition particularly from IAF Mig 29 s based in Ambala and Sukhois from Srinagar . But his biggest worry was the IAF Phalcon .He did not have a solution to this problem .Also he was not sure how to tackle a flight Su 30 mkis or MIG 29s which will be surely vectored in by the Phalcon once he is in air
Mushaf Airbase (formerly Sargodha Airbase) (IATA: SGI, ICAO: OPSR) is PAF Airbase located at Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. It was renamed in the honour of Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir in 2003, who was the former Base Commander Sargodha Airbase. His airplane crashed on a routine flight near Kohat the same year. The Airbase is the site of PAF's Central Air Command.
On November 1, 2007, a suicide bomber struck the 50-seater bus carrying PAF officers to nearby Kirana Ammunition Depot killing 11 people including seven officers, with 28 injuries. The bombing took place on the Faisalabad Road, when an incoming motorcycle rammed into the bus triggering the blast instantly. All of the officers were new recruits posted to Mushaf Airbase for initial training.[1] This was the last major attack before the state of emergency was imposed on the country.

IAF PHALCON EAGLE EAR 1 – SOME WHERE OVER PUNJAB

- Sir , think some Pakistani falcons are taxing out for take off Sargodha
Group captain Adarsh snapped to attention as the message came over secured intercom .
- what do we have in that sector
- sir we have a pair of Mig 29s 150 OUT
- alert them now
- roger that sir
- sir the F-16s have taken off and turning east – speed 400 knots and increasing –course 110 –altitude 5000 ft – four phalcons confirmed – appears to be carrying centre line heavy bomb –all of them
- vector in the fulcrums to this threat and get the flight leader on the line right away
- roger that sir – flight call sign swift death –over
- swift death lead –eagle ear – I have control as of now
- copy that eagle ear – your authentication is valid –you have control
- swift death lead – we have four repeat four falcons approaching your area –course 110 –altitude 5000 ft and increasing as of now- put radar on standby and you are not weapons free as of now – make your course 010 –over
- eagle eye –swift death lead –making course 010-radars on stand by – weapon status 2 R-77 PLUS 4 X R-73 -copy weapons not free –over
-what else we have in air Vivek
- sir we have 2 flankers south of Delhi and 2 more north west in Haryana sector
-divert two flanker to this new threat -hopefully the Migs wil be able to hold on till then - get me the flight lead now
- right away sir – flight call sign lazy cobra –on line
- lazy cobra –eagle ear – I have control
- copy that eagle ear –authentication code verified – lazy cobra lead
- we have bandits inbound – four falcons –possible target Amritsar or Nangal dam – your are cleared to intercept at max speed –as of now not weapons free –your new course 210 – altitude 8000 meters – do not light your tail as yet – 2 Mig 29s doing the first intercept with R-77 –over
-copy that eagle ear – turning to 210-full military power –weapons on stand by –jammer on stand by frequency pre tuned to falcon search/track mode – over

The most recent Russian R-77 medium-range missiles (AA-12 "AMRAAMSKI") is similar to and in some respects equal to the American AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. The R-77 missile has an active radar finder and a maximim range of 90-100 kilometers (50 km more than AMRAAM) and flies at four times the speed of sound.

The AA-12 has rectangular narrow span wings and a distinctive set of four rectangular control surfaces at the rear. similar to the configuration used on the terminal control fins of the SS-21 'Scarab' and SS-23 'Spider' ballistic missiles. These unique control surfaces feature reduced flow separation at high angles of attack, producing greater aerodynamic moment force than conventional control surfaces.

The missile's guidance is inertial with mid-course updates from the launch aircraft, followed by a terminal active radar phase from an acquisition range of about 20 kilometers.
[51]. Work on the R-77 began in 1982, and the work was considered quite significant and secret since it represented their first fully multi-purpose missile for both tactical and strategic aircraft for fire-and-forget employment against everything from hovering helicopters to high speed, low altitude aircraft. Gennadiy Sokolovski, Vympel Design Bureau General Designer, said that the R-77 can be used also against medium and long range air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-54 PHOENIX as well as SAM's such as the PATRIOT. Latest generation fighters are to utilize the R-77 from internal carriage where the control fins and surfaces will fold flat until the missile is catapulted clear of the aircraft for motor ignition.

The Russian AAM-AE (R-77) "AMRAAMski" [Russian RVV-AE, RVV-AE] is a new air-to-air missile that had its first delivery to fighter units in late 1992 as the AAM-AE. It continues in series production. It is designed to be used against aircraft, cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and air-to-air missiles.

The AAM-AE (R-77) incorporates an active radar seeker and is described as an all-aspect, all-weather, fire-and-forget weapon that can be employed in a countermeasure environment. The missile's 20 centimeter diameter does give it a large radar cross section which is further enhanced with its four tail-mounted grid-fins.

One of the R-77's most interesting features is its grid-type control surfaces. Sokolovski said that the development for this control concept took three years of theoretical work and testing. Drag and radar "signature" are more pronounced than might be expected from conventional surfaces, but the supersonic performance outweighs the drawbacks. The density of the grid, which allows for numerous aero-surfaces to fly in the relative wind, the total surface area is increased providing better maneuverability for less weight and size.

During the initial flight phase after launch, the R-77 is controlled by an inertial auto pilot with occasional data link updates from the launch aircraft's radar on changes in spatial position or G of the target. During the terminal phase, the missile shifts to an active-radar mode. Over short distances, the missile will launch in an active mode. The host radar system maintains computed target information in case the target breaks the missile's lock-on. If the seeker is jammed, it switches automatically to a passive mode and homes on the source of jamming (HOJ).

In another version of the R-77, a terminal IR homing seeker is offered. It is not the already The use of IR tracking in the terminal mode might be logical because at the extended ranges the data link between the launch fighter and the missile might be interrupted, or the host radar may not detect jamming. The R-77 has a laser fuze and an exploding rod (bar) warhead that is capable of destroying the variable sized targets from other missiles and PGM's to bombers (AW&ST, 24Aug92, pg 62 and JDW, 27Nov93, pg26-27).

R-77 mod (extended range AA-12) "HDD-FT-KL / HDD-FT-KL"
R-77 mod integral rocket-ramjet motor with four long intakes in-line
with tail control surfaces and could attaion ranges of 100-150 km
Surface-to-Air (SAM) variant under consideration
The PD/PD is for povyshenoy dalnosti = extended range

Notes:

The R-77M, would be directed against intermediate ranged targets. Older model aircraft with their older radars are supposed to be capable of incorporating the R-77 missiles. The R-77M is considered to be a combined rocket/ramjet propulsion holding the official designation of RVV-AE-PD. The PD is for povyshenoy dalnosti, which is for "improved range" which is considered around 160km. Even a more advanced variant, with a larger booster for perhaps a surface-to-air role, designated the R-77E, which could be exported, is being considered.
http://warfare.ru/?lang=&catid=262&linkid=2356

[Kritavarman]

Vivek waiting eagerly for your next post

[Shankar]

SWIFT DEATH FLIGHT (SIERA DELTA) – 2X MIG 29 – 15000 FT

Squadron leader Manoj was in the lead fulcrum closely followed by F/L Vkram as they received the intercept vectors from the orbiting Phalcon. Manoj leaned forward and cliked on the console to put the air search radar in stand by mode and nudged the stick to bank into the new course .He also advance the power setting to 905 military power as he crusied towards an invisible point in space ,guided solely by the radar intercept controller and air battle commander . Visibility was good and chances of taking on falcon made everything look brighter . He was carrying a pair of latest R-77 M air to air missiles loaned by Russian air force in a small batch for “operational testing” just after Mumbai terror attack.The first series of weapon separation trial was done in Pokhran test range few days back and now carried on board all the Indian fulcrums on combat duty along with more proven R-73 s and of course the trusty Gsh 30-1

Manoj expected the falcons to cross the international border at low altitude and maximum speed making a radar kill difficult .Maybe he will have better chance with his heat seekers but proximity of several high value targets near the international border including the prestigious Nangal dam made that as only option some what risky . He had four incoming bandits and at the most 2 of them will go down with the first volley of his R-77 missiles from him and his wing man .Then he will have to go up close and fight it out with the Pakistani falcons with his R-73 sand gun unless some help acme on way .

The brown green Punjab countryside, with its numerous irrigation ditches streaked by. The noise of the twin engines at near maximum power was some what high but the engine parameters perfect as Manoj dipped the stick forward ,slowly reducing altitude in a shallow powered dive ,he wanted to reach the projected intercept point just at just over 3000 meters the perfect altitude for launching an active radar missile against a ground clinging aircraft .

Not far from him at Hindon air base -4 more Mig 29 s started taxing out and will provide re enforcements and also fill the gaps generated by diversion of the two Sukhois to the incoming F-16 s.Everything moved with uncanny precision ,perfected by many hours of practice and many exercises.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed MiG-29 fighter aircraft at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad on the outskirts of Delhi following escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan.
The deployment of fighter aircraft at the Hindon airbase follows the heightened threat of an aerial attack on New Delhi.
MiG-29s have been deployed at Delhi's doorsteps after over a decade after the Hindon airbase on the outskirts of Delhi was reactivated for fighter flying for the first time since 1997.
With intelligence reports of an heightened threat of an aerial attack on new Delhi, the fighters have been deployed to intercept and shoot down any rogue aircraft which may slip past the conventional air defence.
"The Hindon is in close proximity of Delhi and its a military base. So the proximity factor is very much there and it helps," Air Marshal (retired) VK Bhatia says.
The deployment of the MiG-29s at Hindon is one of the symbols of escalation of military tensions with Pakistan following the terror attacks at Mumbai and will be the last line of defence against a high-impact, 9/11 kind of an air attack on Delhi.
Deployment at Hindon airbase will cut the IAF's response time in scrambling fighters for the defence of Delhi by 10 minutes, which could prove crucial in foiling an attack.
Presently, fighters have to be activated from bases as far away as Ambala. Also, every single base in the region has been put on a level of alert which makes it possible for a fighter aircraft to be airborne within two minutes.
But there is still no guarantee of foolproof defence against a terror attack from the air.
"Any terrorist who is not afraid to die can penetrate any security system,"
Air Marshal (retired) VK Bhatia cautions.
Any further attack on India will put tremendous pressure on the government to come up with a military response.
With sources indicating similar war-time alerts in Pakistan, the mandate of the MiG-29s on Delhi's doorstep is to prevent such a provocation, which could lead to a war-like situation.
© cnn/ibn

- sierra delta – stand by for ops orders ,the VHF raion tuned to air tac net came to life and Manoj knew it was time for action.

[Singh]

The expected flight time to Nangal will be 35 minutes at 5000 ft altitude .Ali planned to dive for the deck 50 kms from international border and go on after burner .He expected stiff opposition particularly from IAF Mig 29 s based in Ambala and Sukhois from Srinagar . But his biggest worry was the IAF Phalcon .He did not have a solution to this problem .Also he was not sure how to tackle a flight Su 30 mkis or MIG 29s which will be surely vectored in by the Phalcon once he is in air

[/quote]

Shankar Saar just wanted to add something here.
I guess the Mig 29's based at Adampur Air base would come into play much before Ambala. Adampur is hardly around 140km's for d border but no doubt another great scenario coming up!!!!!

[Prem]

Adampur, Halwara, Bhatinda air bases are closer to TSP Border.

[Singh]

Yeah hw can i forget Halwara....
Was just wondering how far will the Aerostat(last i heard Halwara supposedly has one) based here would be able to look into Pak.

[nirav_j]

...

Wing commander Ali walked down the tarmac to the line of 4 F16 s gleaming and ready for combat . They were all carrying a single 2000 kg laser guided Paveway bombs and a pair of AMRAAM –C air to air missiles along with a pair of wing tip mounted sidewinders .

...

well, i believe the Paveway LGBs 2000 LBs and not KGs.

Anyway , Fantastic writing both Shankar and Vivek..
Keep it coming..

[nrshah]

Vivek Sir and Shankar Sir,

Request you to please reduce turn around time

- Nitin

[Shankar]

Request you to please reduce turn around time

Sorry guys for the break in posting
actually I was in Ahmedabad and visiting some super tech centres of technology like Indian plasma Research centre and SAC ISRO . It was a good visit . Most interesting was ofcourse the plasma research institute where they are about to integrate the prototype Tokamak or hydrogen fusion reactor and the components fro integration are ready . The Final integration will start in a few months and if everything goes on well your truly will be a part of that effort .So many new frontiers of technology will be tried out like the distribution system of liquid nitrogen to cool the cryostat enclosure for the super conducting magnet ,the liquid helium cooling circuits for cooling the super conducting toroidal and Polaroid field coils. the super accuracy required to assemble the individual super conducting magnets ,the establishment of high vacuum zone inside the super conducting magnet to create the hydrogen plasma and contain it and to sustain it in the next phase .

It was very interesting to see a tokamak in actual in dissembled state and to be explained by some of the top scientists of the country just like it was in the first days of GSLV program back in LPSC .I hope we will be selected it will be just great to be part of a national dream

At SAC ofcourse the first thing I did was to congratulate the team chandryan 1 on behalf of BRF and then took the time to see the test facility used for the payload testing .Most interesting snippet was how a normal sony handycam was modified to serve as the video recorder on board moon impact probe whcih took the landmark video of descent .

Oceansat has cleared the payload test part and now on wards to sat integration and laucnh some time mid 2009 depending on launch slot availability. Other interesting payloads are getting ready for launch too (keep reading the possible military scenarios for an idea ) .The mood is sure upbeat all around and funds no longer a problem things sure look good for ISRO.

NEXT POST IN COUPLE OF HOURS

[Shankar]

Al-Qaeda commander issues warning to India
By: PTI Date: 2009-02-10
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London:

A top al-Qaeda commander, who was reported killed in a US drone strike last year, has appeared in a video warning India of more Mumbai-style terror attacks if it tried to attack Pakistan.

"India should know that it will have to pay a heavy price if it attacks Pakistan," Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, believed to be al-Qaeda's military commander in Afghanistan and ranked behind No 2 Ayman al-Zawahiri, said in a 20-minute video in Arabic received by BBC.

Yazid, who the Pakistani military said had been killed in fighting last August in the Bajaur tribal region, said: "The Mujahideen will sunder your armies into the ground, like they did to the Russians in Afghanistan.

"They will target your economic centres and raze them to the ground." Yazid denounced the ban on militant groups in Pakistan following the Mumbai attacks and asked the people of Pakistan to rise up and overthrow the government and President Asif Ali Zardari, the BBC reported.

The al-Qaeda leader is said to have been involved in a number of terror attacks, including last year's Danish Embassy bombings, in Pakistan and had claimed the responsibility of assassinating former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

He was last heard in August 2008 when he confirmed the death of al-Qaeda chemical-weapons expert Midhat Mursi al-Sayid Umar.

Nothing confirmed the aL Quaida-pakistan nexus than the warning as above which came out some time in February 2009.The killing of Polish engineer about the same time made the situation even clearer. While the government in centre hesitated to act because of "political compulsions" those in armed forces had no doubt about a decisive battle that need be and will have to be fought over the Durrand line .

The present series of air strikes was just the pre amble ,while the giant Indian war machine started getting ready for sustained operation in a distant land and the free world supported its every move

[Baljeet]

shankar
Your visit to Ahmedabad seems very productive. As far as takomak thing, I know it is very early stages, is there a possibility it can be miniaturized for a very viable use. OceanSAT launch is best thing I have heard in long time. If we can place 5 Oceansats covering Indian ocean we will be in good shape. After reading between the lines of your last few posts, It appears things are happening all around what we are missing is a good project manager who can put them all together and deliver a final solution that can be customized for customer requirements.

[mikem]

Shankarda.

Feels great to have you back.

I'm sure you were finding a way to Shell the pakistanis n and make sure they blow a tube in one of their MRBM's.

BTW. If i'm ever in or around Pune, I definitely owe you a lunch for the great scenarios you've been putting up.

Thank you so very much for the great work.

[Rajat]

HAIN?

how is bloody SDRE yindoo developing these advanced tukneeks?

this looks like a jaab for xerox khan, and his all important sidekick, photoglaphel chin!

[Shankar]

SWIFT DEATH FLIGHT (SIERA DELTA) – 2X MIG 29 – 5000 FT

Squadron leader Manoj flexed his back and toes to get the cramps out of the system as he got into actual “combat frame “ of mind ,when the enemy becomes just an object to be destroyed .It was difficult to keep out of mind the Mumbai and Ahmedabad and Delhi and Bangalore but all IAF pilots ar trained to keep emotion out during any sortie and this was no exception .His wingman was mimicking all his move as he leveled out at 2000 meters with a slight nose up attitude and reduced power as he got ready to initiate active radar search for a possible lock on in seconds if the Phalcon guys have vectored in correctly and precisely .

- swift death lead –eagle ear – get ready to go active on my command – target four falcons at 800 meters and diving for the deck – 165 kms -293 course – you are weapons free –repeat weapons free – good hunting –over
- copy message eagle ear –weapons free – going active now –over
- wing – lead form up on me –going active –over
- forming up lead – weapons free –over

Monj powered down to 75 % military power and indicated air speed quickly dropped to 830 km/kr and he nudged the stick for a slow port back as he clicked on the radar to active mode and acquire the enemy formation almost immediately

It was time to use the raw power of the fulcrums and the IAF team did not hesitate as Manoj increased power to 185% full military power and initiated a turning climb beringing in his formation on a face to face missile shot at the incoming falcons which was now trying to hide into ground .His radar warning receiver blipped intermittently indicating they have not still acquired him but that will change quickly he knew .

His nomex gloved hand flicked open the hard plastic cover over the red ridged fire button as he selected and armed both the R-77 s in a flash and the “shoot” prompt came up on the screen as well as on HUD . Two squeeze at 5 seconds interval and the pair of R-77s were on their way ,as he kept the nose of the fulcrum pointed at the lead falcon which have now initiated violent escape maneuvers to escape almost sure death ,being well within the sure kill envelope of the missiles .

As the missiles dropped from their pylons the solid rocket motor ignited in a blinding flash and the inertial auto pilot located just behind the high explosive warhead took over as the sleek missiles curved inwards in a plume of dense white smoke and approached respective targets .The grid like control surfaces moved in synchronized perfection to keep the query locked .Both the missiles were fitted with infra red seeker headers enclosed in a semi transparent nose cover ,specifically designed to prevent lock break in ground hugging mode.

The falcons split up ,two diving for the ground and banking away from the incoming missiles ,other two tried climbing out and away .
But it was too little and too late. Two of the four R-77 s ound their target and exploded as they passed by .The lead falcon blew up in a magnificent fire ball as its bomb load exploded in sympathetic detonation .The second falcon took the heat right in the shark mouth air intake and disintegrated before blowing up in a shower of blackish orange flame .

The remaining two falcons turned in to the Fulcrums ,jettisoned their bomb load and lit their tails as one after another they launched their sidewinders 9M type

- wing break right –break right –Manoj screamed into the mike as he twisted away violently from the wing man and dived for the ground ,punching flares all the way .
The silver streak of one of the side winders passed him by and then came, another series of violent evasive moves and he was off harms way ,as the sidewinder ploughed harmlessly into the freshly ploughed grounds below .

Now he could afford to look outside and did not like what he saw . Both the falcons have closed in on his a wing man and will be in a missile launch position in a few seconds.His wing man has some managed to evade the first salvo of missiles but now in great danger

-wing break to right on my mark 3 2 1 now.

As his wing man broke off ,Manoj decided to take a pair of off bore sight shots at the diving falcons since there was time to get into their tails . As he kept looking at the falcon pair his left hand cleared the fire button cover and then he launched a pair of R-73 s already growling in his ears .

The two of worlds most lethal heat seeking missiles leaped of the wing tip pylons and streamed forward on a pillar of white dense smoke. The falcon pilots broke off the attack immediately and started zig zag dive to ground .One succeeded other did not .The R-73 hit him on the starboard wing tip and the resulting explosion tore of the wing as the stricken aircraft cart wheeled into ground not much below .

-lead wing –thanks for the assist – – over

-understood wing –lead –stand by for a gun shot ,said Manoj as he dived on the remaining falcon from the sun .

The last remaining falcon went vertical trying to gain altitude on full after burner. Manojs wing man saw the target floating up lazily into his cross hair on HUD as he already alerted for a possible gun shot opened up in short 2 second burst. The falcon stopped climbing and then leveled up turning in for a gun shot of his own when the third round of fulcums cannon shell caught him on the broadside, ripping the beautiful aircraft into many pieces of burning scrap

-spalsh three falcons – shouted Manoj – please confirm eagle ear
-splash one falcon –please confirm
-good work swift death team-copy four kills –f-16s – return to base – good work eagle ear sends –over

The two Mig 29s landed back on their home base with barely enough fuel to light a cooking stove but no one complained .

[parshuram]

Congrats !!! Lt. Manoj .. Names engraved in history First Falcon kills in combat and first fulcrums to be the hunters

[Shankar]

Both the F-16 and the MiG-29 were designed to correct mistakes and shortcomings of previous aircraft. With the USAF it was the low kill ratios over Vietnam as well as the lack of complete air superiority over the battle field a feat that was achieved with great success both over the battlefield's of Europe and Korea where the US Army was able to operate under little threat of air attack. With the Russians they wanted an aircraft that would perform the same roles as the MiG-25 and the Su-27 but at a shorter range. As well as an aircraft that for the first time could match Western fighters in ACM, while maintaining the ability to operate as an interceptor. Thus the MiG-29 became a smaller and shorter range F-15 while the F-16 became a larger and longer range F-5. The F-16 has incorporated a number of features that are intended to enhance combat effectiveness. The pilot's seat is inclined at 30deg rather than the normal 13deg , he also has a side stick controller which allows the pilots arm to be supported this has not met with universal approval as some pilots prefer to be able to fly with either hand. The F-16 also for the first time incorporated a Fly-By-Wire flight control system; this allowed the aircraft to be made inherently unstable and would greatly improve maneuverability in air-combat. While the MiG introduced the first HMS (helmet-mounted sight) and IRST (infra-red search and track) sensor with a laser range finder for passive attacks and missile engagements up to 45deg off-borsight but maintained a conventional flight control system and achieved high maneuverability mainly due advanced aerodynamics. i.e. The tail of the MiG-29 is said to have been positioned to take advantage of the four vortices by the wing and fuselage.
In combat provided that the MiG-29's 7.5g above 0.85 mach can be avoided it should beat any F-16 due to its BVR capability , higher thrust/weight ratio and lower wing loading. While in recent exercises between USAF F-16 and German MiG-29A's showed that in ACM the greatest advantage the MiG-29 had was it's helmet mounted sight coupled with the AA-11 Archer which gives it a kill zone greater than any aircraft serving. F-16 pilots found that any aircraft within 45deg's of the nose of a MiG-29 was always under grave threat. The ability to target aircraft well of boresight has proved to be such a success that helmet mounted sights have become requirements on any new fighter
While both aircraft have short-commings those of the MiG-29 have effectively been solved with newer versions ( MiG-29 S/M/K and MiG-33 ) which have increased the fuel capacity of the MiG as well as adding an in-flight refueling system. The number of hard points has also been increased by two and the max warload has been doubled, along with the inclusion of a fly-by-wire flight control system and a new radar that allowed two targets to be engaged simultaneously with the new AA-12 Adder active radar missile as well as full clearance for flight at 9 g's . Most of these upgrades have been offered to current users of the MiG-29 with the Russian and Indian airforces conducting some upgrades.
The F-16 by comparison has had few of it's problems solved in the past few years. One of it's greatest drawbacks the lack of a BVR capability was solved with the clearance of the AMRAAM for use on the F-16 but the second major problem of insufficient wing area on the F-16C has never been solved.
http://vayu-sena.tripod.com/comparison- ... tmlprogram.

While the western world was shocked to see the multiple F-16 kills by upgraded Indian Mig 29s for those in the know and in IAF fraternity it came as no big surprise. Unconfirmed reports suggested the same happened during Kargil conflict also but not publicized to prevent further escalation of the conflict. The Mig 29 right from the first day was designed expressly to shoot down intruding F-16s and that is what it did in beautifully choreographed manner .Of course the R-77M and upgraded and still classified avionics including capability of its lookk down shoot down pulse Doppler radar helped.

Indian MiG-29s saw action during the Kargil War in Kashmir in 1999. The IAF used the MiG-29s extensively for providing fighter escort for Mirage 2000s which were used for firing laser-guided bombs on enemy targets. According to Indian sources during the Kargil War, a pair of MiG-29s from IAF’s 47 (Black Archers) Squadron successfully locked onto two Pakistani Air Force (PAF) F-16s which were close to the Indian airspace. Since India and Pakistan were not officially at war during the time, the MiGs were ordered by the IAF command to give up the chase. After this incident, the PAF ordered its aircraft to stay well within the Pakistani airspace.

The myth of F-16 was built on USAF aircaft taking on poorly trained and equipped and supported air forces like Iraq and Serbia though in all likelihood the F-117 shot down over serbia after being located through an anomaly in the mobile telephone network was by a Mig 29. The iraq or serbian pilots did not have enough training or pilo skill for that matter to take on NATO pilots and they were badly outclassed in the AWAC arena.

F-16 was and still is essentially a ground strike aircraft with secondary air defense role where as the Mig 29 was designed right from the beginning an air superiority fighter smaller but in the same class as Su 27 .

The pilots of the Mig 29 squadron knew this and much more about the true capability of the Indian fulcrums and its weapon mix many of which have never been displayed for public viewing -one such item was the R-77M variants both with IR and active radar seeker which will not even let a paksitani f-16 lock on to a Mig 29 under normal circumstances with the limited and some what dated BVR missile system in thier inventory .

That is one of the reasons why during Kargil Pakistani F-16 never once challenged Indian air operations across line of control

[Shankar]

Indian MiG-29s saw action during the Kargil War in Kashmir. They provided fighter escort for Mirage 2000s dropping laser-guided bombs on enemy targets and played a major role in maintaining the air superiority. The Indian MiG-29s are known as Baaz (Eagle in Hindi). The Indian Air Force has modified and successfully tested their MiG-29s to fire the advanced R-77 Adder BVR missile. It is believed that all the MiG-29s in the Indian inventory are upgraded to use the Adder as standard armament. They are also being worked upon to be compatible with the Indian Astra BVR missile that is being developed. It is reported that Indian MiG-29s were even before the Kargil conflict equipped with self-defense equipment like chaff and flares and also ECM/ECCM pods. Hence when the MiG-29s were giving top cover to the Mirage 2000s strafing Pakistani positions in Kargil and other heights, it is known that they carried BVRAAM missiles like the AA-10 and AA-12 which prevented PAF F-16s from coming even 40 kilometers close to the Line of Control (LoC). The Indian Air Force currently employs the fourth-largest fleet of MiG-29s. Also during the Kargil war a pair of MiG-29s from the 47th (black archers) squadron claimed to have shot down two marauding PAF F-16s over the Dras sector where they were performing CAPs covering the Mirage -2000s that were bombing Pakistani Army positions.

[Nitesh]

F 16 was shot down in kargil days also, now this is really

[Shankar]

While new of modernised R-77M was tightly classified -some details of its potential did leak out in various news reports -like the one below

its R-77 (AA-12 Adder) active radar-guided medium range air-to-air missile, intended to improve the weapon's overall performance.

The new R-77M weighs 185kg, compared to the 175kg of the basic R-77, with the missile also thought to be noticeably longer. The mass increase is put down to additional solid propellant.

Russian sources close to the programme say that the missile has a dual-stage rocket motor thrust profile. The basic weapon has a single stage profile. Work is believed to be well advanced. The dual-stage motor is aimed at increasing the absolute engagement range and the kinematic performance of the missile in the final stages of an engagement.

The R-77, or the RVV-AE as Vympel calls it publicly, began development in the early 1980s as the Soviet Union's counter to the AIM-120

Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile. R-77 is its Russian air force designation.

Limited series production of the basic missile has got under way only relatively recently, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Funding constraints, coupled with the need to move the production line from Kiev in Ukraine to Moscow, have delayed the project.

As well as a greatly upgraded rocket motor, the R-77M has an improved warhead. The missile may also be given certain aerodynamic improvements.

Development of the R-77 was the catalyst for Western efforts to start upgrading their medium range missile inventories. The availability of a further improved weapon will add greater impetus to work under way in Europe, Israel and the USA.

AGAT, the seeker house which developed the basic active-radar seeker for the R-77, also says that it has developed as a follow-on a new, more compact, active radar seeker with a redesigned antenna and digital processors.

Although AGAT does not directly associate the seeker with the R-77, it says that, at 180mm diameter, it is sized to fit into a 200mm-diameter fuselage - the dimension of the R-77 airframe.

[/quote]

[Yogesh]

F 16 was shot down in kargil days also, now this is really

Hmmm that's true mate but how come even it was not out even in paki media (being 10 years by then !!) . . .

[Yogesh]

Development of the R-77 was the catalyst for Western efforts to start upgrading their medium range missile inventories. The availability of a further improved weapon will add greater impetus to work under way in Europe, Israel and the USA.

so this is how mad race of supremacy starts

[Shankar]

Taliban Taking Over Pakistan

Well, that's probably hyperbole. But it does seem like things in Pakistan are getting pretty dire. So says a Pakistani report put together by its Interior Ministry, providing ominous warnings about the increasing power of the Taliban in the country.
The Pakistani president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, was warned this month that Islamic militants and Taliban fighters were rapidly spreading beyond the country’s lawless tribal areas and that without “swift and decisive action,” the growing militancy could engulf the rest of the country.
The report provides details--including some that pose significant risk to American troops in Afghanistan.
The mention of lesser-known but potent Taliban figures by name shows that the Pakistani government is aware of the far-reaching tentacles of the Taliban and other extremists but cannot do anything about them or chooses not to do anything, the Western diplomat said.
Among the particulars, the document says the Taliban have recently begun bombing oil tank trucks that pass through the Khyber area near the border on their way to Afghanistan for United States and NATO forces.
I'm particularly curious about the politics behind the report. The Interior Ministry, after all, is led by a guy who almost got killed by militants several months ago.
Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao, the prime mover behind the document, narrowly escaped a suicide bomb attack in April by extremists in his home area of Charsadda, 18 miles northeast of Peshawar, the capital of North-West Frontier Province.
The attack on Mr. Sherpao shook his confidence in General Musharraf’s policy toward the militants, which has included a series of peace deals.

Pakistan's response to Indian surgical strikes was muted to say the least .Except or the half hearted attempt to bomb Bhakra dam ,they did not respond in any significant way .The reason was of course their pre occupation with their own security and existence of the nation state of Pakistan itself. In a strange convoluted way they needed Indian and NATO support o survive as a country acceptable to the world community .The economy was in doldrums,the Talibanisation of society progressing at a rapid rate and military capability steadily getting eroded simply because the state of Pakistan could no longer afford to maintain its armed forces .Though not labeled officially as a failed state –it was in fact a perfect example
NWFP was at this point the focal point of International war on terror .While Indian aurgical strikes were having the desired effect, that of terrorizing the terrorists the real war on ground was still some way off.
Based on request from US Indian army was getting ready to depute 150,000 men to Afghanistan to be followed by another 100,000 in near future . A closed door summit meeting between China and India with US and Russia as observers took place in Kremlin and the no notes were kept for posterity.But the basic understanding was China will not come in aid of Pakistan in any direct way ,allowing Indian army to move some of its forces from eastern front to Afghanistan .
About the same time US troops withdrawn from Iraq started getting re deployed in Afghanistan slowly bringing up its strength to near 100,000 along with additional air force strike packages and carrier task forces in Arabian Sea.
The world had to acknowledge Taliban are good fighters on ground but also it agreed they cannot be allowed to dominate the thinking and way of living of the free world.
Slowly the war on terror took on a new dimension – a global dimension and the military might being assembled to crush it was simply overwhelming and that included the unspoken option of using nuclear weapons in a far deadly way than in Hiroshima.
In the days to come most of Indian air and naval bases in western and southern sector will be thrown open to NATO forces and the same facility will be extended to Indian forces in Afghanistan . Russia leaned on the central Asian republics to open their limited facilities Indian air force operating in the area.
Pakistan ceased to be matter of concern .They neither had the capability nor the intention to stop the massive military juggernaut being assembled all around its territory.
The world watched in awe

[Shankar]

PEARL CONTINENTAL HOTEL -MUZZFARABAD – POK –DAY 4 -1000 HRS

"If it is scenic beauty and a place all to yourself in Pakistan occupied Kashmir , is what you look for Muzaffarabad fits the bill comfortably. Located on the confluence of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers, Muzaffarabad is a scenic tourist destination. Administrative capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Muzaffarabad offers tourists stunning views and exciting trekking trails.
Founded by Sultan Muzaffar Khan of the Bamba dynasty, Muzaffarabad is a mix of old monuments and new buildings. Muzaffarabad has a number of beautiful monuments, farms and parks.
As you cross the Secretariat, and take the road that snakes its way above the town to Pir Chinasi, you come across the spectacular views of the Jhelum Valley and snow- capped mountains. Muzaffarabad is a wonderful destination for trekking enthusiasts. There are a number of trekking trails that pass thorough some spectacular scenic spots in Muzaffarabad.

Muzaffarabad is well connected by air to Islamabad. You can also travel by road to Muzaffarabad. Though Muzaffarabad does not see as many tourists as other cities in Pakistan does, the city has fairly good number of hotels and rest houses. Most of the hotels and rest houses provide all the facilities to tourists.
Shopping is an exciting activity in Muzaffarabad and you can shop for Kashmiri shawls and walnut carvings."

Some of the areas around Muzaffarabad are restricted to foreigner ,mainly to protect the terrorists activities that are planned and monitored from this area primarily against Indian and US interest .

The Harakat ul-Mujahidin is an Islamic militant group based in Pakistan that operates primarily in Kashmir. It is politically aligned with the radical political party, Jamiat Ulema-I Islam Fazlur Rehman faction (JUI-F). Long-time leader of the group, Fazlur Rehman Khalil, in mid-February 2000 stepped down as HUM emir, turning the reins over to the popular Kashmiri commander and his second-in-command, Farooq Kashmiri. Khalil, who has been linked to Osama Bin Ladin and signed his fatwa in February 1998 calling for attacks on United States and Western interests, assumed the position of HUM Secretary General.
HUM operated terrorist training camps in eastern Afghanistan until Coalition airstrikes destroyed them during the Fall of 2001. HUM is based in Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi, and several other towns in Pakistan, but members conduct insurgent and terrorist activities primarily in Kashmir. The HUM trained its militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They have several thousand armed supporters located in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, and India's southern Kashmir and Doda regions. Supporters are mostly Pakistanis and Kashmiris and also include Afghans and Arab veterans of the Afghan war. HUM uses light and heavy machine guns, assault rifles, mortars, explosives, and rockets. HUM lost a significant share of its membership in defections to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) in 2000(source CIA FACT BOOK)


Zulfikar Khan was a dissatisfied member ,having lost two brothers to the cause ,now he was looking for a way out and a comfortable life away from the madness of zealots in Pakistan. So he approached the right persons and in return for a new identity and some money told Indian intelligence sources when the next big meeting will take palce and approximate timing in a small tourist hotel in the outskirts of the .

In the top floor suite of the hotel about half a dozen top ranking members of various terrorist organizations operating out of Pakistan was about to meet to finalize the next spectacular attck on Kolkata ,just like in Mumbai about 6 months back. The assets were in position and heavily armed strike group will be infiltrate from the still porous Bangladesh border . An elaborate lunch was scheduled after the meeting at 1300 hrs in the roof top restaurant of the hotel when several high ranking ISI offcials were also expected to be present . PAF have assured of complete protection from Indian air strike and 4 Mirages were already on the air with 4 more on stand by to meet any eventuality.

Not very far from this hotel ,in an indian airforce base nestled in a snow covered valley ,four Su-30 MKIs and 6 Mirage 2000s were getting ready for a snap shot strike in broad daylight deep into the heart of Pakistani occupied Kashmir.

[Chinmayanand]

Great going, Shankar da. I wish you were PM in place of MMS.

[Rajat]

brilliant, shankar...

[Shankar]

IAF STATION –SRINAGAR – 0900 HRS.

Wing commander Dipak Mehta looked at the final strike plan inside the still chilly aircraft shelter. The mission called for a precision strike at a pre designated target in a residential area in he outskirts of Muzafarbad in Pakistan occupied Kashmir . His six aircraft strike packet will carry six 1000 Kg Paveway laser guided bombs . Target illumination will be by a “local friendly source” an euphemisms for Indian intelligence agent..This would be a time sensitive mission meaning the strike window will be 5 minutes plus minus 1330 hrs Pakistan standard time or 1300 hrs Indian time . The ingress route will be as expected not direct line of sight but along a ridge lines and the final ingress will be parallel to the river ,climbing to weapon release altitude 20 klicks from target ,egress will take him away from the know anti aircraft missile placements around the town at low altitude and then high speed high altitude exit across the line of control back to friendly air space .
While 4 sukhois have been promised for top cover role during the mission ,Dipak would not much depend on that assurance . So they decided to load up full complement of air to air missiles 2 Micas and 2 530D super magic just in case .
The flight computer showed an ingress time of 35 minutes from takes off to target strike and 20 minutes on egress making a total of just less than one hour of combat mission. He ordered loading up the fuel to 80% max limit since taking off from Srinagar in afternoon with full weapon and fuel load can be tricky and he did not need all that fuel any way. In the back of his mond the assurance of the IL-78 in the area was of course always there.

He did not intend engage the PAF aircraft across line of control and would do his best to avoid them in the target area . Even if a pair of Sukhois join up with his flight during bomb run ,he knew the Pakistani Mirages have not the dogs tail chance of doing any kind of interception –they will be too busy protecting their hot backside from the prying nose of a R-73.
He needed to time the take off and ingress into Pakistani air space perfectly, cued by the Phalcon already overhead ,the rest of it he knew will not be very difficult .
.

During the 1991 Gulf War, IAF officials watched with particular interest as U.S. strike aircraft destroyed Iraqi hardened aircraft shelters with 2,000-pound smart bombs. Because destroying Pakistani aircraft on the ground is so important to the IAF, Indian military planners had been frustrated by the practically invulnerable sanctuary created for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the form of hardened aircraft shelters, built with U.S. assistance in the 1980s. IAF planners quickly set out to buy heavy, shelter-busting smart bombs like the ones demonstrated in the Gulf War. In 1992, India closed its first arms deal with Russia that included an unknown number of 2,200-pound smart bombs. These were probably copied from the U.S. Paveway I, deployed in Vietnam in the 1970s, and could only be used with India's aging fleet of MiG-27s, only 36 of which are still operational according to a recent report.6 The IAF, eager to acquire better technology that would be compatible with its 88 Jaguars and 35 Mirages-which would bear the main responsibility for defeating the PAF-did not have to wait long. In 1994, 315 Texas Instruments Paveway II guidance kits-one of the types used by the U.S. Air Force in 1991-were delivered for installation on 2,000-pound British bombs. French and Israeli contractors assisted the IAF in its initial experience with the laser guided weapons. Then, in April 1997, U.S.manufactured smart bombs were delivered to the IAF for the first time. They are now a standard part of IAF air base attack exercises.