Indian Military Aviation- Jan 10 2012

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 15 Feb 2012 11:26

indeed, a IL76 was doing low level circuits on sunday morning around 11am. its either some "southern shield" exercise or some new eqpt getting certified by the ASTE. allegedly tankers have some homing beacons that fighter IFF can id from 100s of km away. not sure of the truth value.

sum · Post by **sum** » 15 Feb 2012 11:39

Singha wrote:indeed, a IL76 was doing low level circuits on sunday morning around 11am. its either some "southern shield" exercise or some new eqpt getting certified by the ASTE. allegedly tankers have some homing beacons that fighter IFF can id from 100s of km away. not sure of the truth value.

Spotted the same flying really low whose sound caused my neighbors to start asking what the strange looking craft was.
Was wondering what it was doing over old Bangalore area

Bala Vignesh · Post by **Bala Vignesh** » 15 Feb 2012 12:09

I have seen the bird do multiple circuits of the HAL airport on two different occasions.. And spotted the first sukhoi's in bangalore around 2 months back.. At first i assumed it would be an training exercise but considering the duration of the stay in bangalore, I'd guess something much larger is afoot..

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 15 Feb 2012 13:26

if oceanic mission training was the idea there are suitable places like car nicobar, tambaram, goa etc to stage out of. sitting in middle of deccan at 900m height and wasting 500km of endurance to reach either coast is a little wasteful.

hopefully the IL76 is being readied for a B-IL76 bomber role using 5000lb glonass guided bombs pushed out of the rear ramp.

K_Rohit · Post by **K_Rohit** » 15 Feb 2012 17:34

Bala Vignesh wrote:I have seen the bird do multiple circuits of the HAL airport on two different occasions.. And spotted the first sukhoi's in bangalore around 2 months back.. At first i assumed it would be an training exercise but considering the duration of the stay in bangalore, I'd guess something much larger is afoot..

Sukhois have been around for much earlier. I spotted one around the ASTE area about 5 months ago, when I flew in and out of the HAL airport on a charter. Was there along with the Jag.

Bala Vignesh · Post by **Bala Vignesh** » 15 Feb 2012 19:28

[swag]
The idea could be to stage the fighters from Bangalore due to the fact that the above stated points provide a modicum of security from ship launched missiles and other threats. There is also historical precedent to launch advanced fighter on strategically important missions from Bangalore(operation Poomalai).[/swag]

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 15 Feb 2012 19:41

today evening around 5pm saw two large planes leave HAL eastbound. both seemed to be painted white, not IL76 and had a T-tails. were too far way to id +vely but looked like emb145 or MD-80 types...more md80 size than emb145.

perhaps a new munna regime is being planned for maldives (hoping against hope) and key players being shuttled in and out for talks with a GOI appointed 'regent'

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 16 Feb 2012 07:29

The Indian Air Force Faces Significant Challenges In Modernizing Its Antiquated Air Force
Business Insider

Origin and Evolution of the IAF

The IAF was officially established Oct. 8, 1932. Since Indian independence in 1947, the IAF has participated in four wars against Pakistan and one against China. These conflicts and continued tensions with Pakistan and China have led the IAF to emphasize maintaining a large force structure capable of engaging in large-scale conventional wars against enemy air forces and ground formations. This entailed the continuous purchase of large numbers of fighters and interceptors as well as ground attack aircraft. Additionally, given the huge size of potential theaters of operation as well as often-mediocre transportation infrastructure, the IAF has stressed the maintenance of an effective logistical support capacity since the early 1950s. In practice, this has led to large purchases of aircraft that can be used for parts.

The IAF has five operational and two functional commands. Two of the operational commands are oriented toward Pakistan, two are primarily oriented toward China, and the fifth and most recent, Southern Command, was established in 1984 and focuses on conducting operations over the Indian Ocean, though such operations remain the principle domain of the Indian Navy Air Arm.
Since the 1960s, the IAF has increasingly relied on Soviet equipment and material. There were two large acquisition periods: From 1963 to 1971, MiG, Tupolev and Sukhoi aircraft were purchased, and Soviet MiG aircraft figured prominently in a 1978-1988 modernization program. The two significant exceptions were the introduction of British Jaguars in 1979 and French Mirage-2000s in 1985.
Aside from the purchase of Russian Su-30MKIs in 2002, the IAF has not made any additions to its fighter fleet since the 1980s. Indeed, many of the aircraft acquired during the 1978-1988 modernization program have either been retired or are falling into disrepair. Thus, the IAF is currently developing significant plans to modernize some aircraft types and replace others with newer and far more advanced warplanes.

Recent Modernization, Purchases and Upgrades

In addition to the MMRCA competition, the IAF has launched the "Super 30" program, which will see the upgrading of 40 Su-30MKI fighters with new radars, electronic warfare systems and BrahMos missiles. The IAF has also invested almost a billion dollars in modernizing its MiG-29s to the multi-role MiG-29UPG variant. Furthermore, the IAF finalized a deal in July 2010 to upgrade its French Mirage-2000 aircraft to the Mirage-2000-5 Mk2 variant, and in January 2012 it decided to purchase 490 MICA air-to-air missiles for the Mirages. Beginning in 2020, the IAF plans to induct 250-300 PAK-FA stealth fifth-generation fighter aircraft, which are currently being jointly developed with Russia, but remain in a very preliminary stage of development. At a cost of around $35 billion dollars, the project is expected to be India's most expensive defense project ever. With these future purchases, the IAF is expected to grow to 42 squadrons by 2022, about 10 more squadrons than are currently in the IAF. By comparison, Pakistan is believed to have fewer than 20 fixed-wing combat squadrons.

In addition to the modernization and improvement of its fixed-wing fighter fleet, the IAF is also seeking to improve its transport and aerial-refueling tanker force. As of February 2011, the IAF operated six IL-78MKI tankers, but with its growing number of squadrons and force projection needs, the IAF in 2010 initiated the Multi-Role Tanker Transport competition for an approximately $2 billion contract to provide the IAF with another six tankers. The IAF is also improving its transport fleet, with a $4.1 billion deal signed in June 2011 for 10 American C-17 Globemaster IIIs. The IAF had signed an approximately $1 billion deal for six C-130J transports in 2008, and it is currently seeking to purchase six more aircraft of the same type. The IAF is also looking to double its force of Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, which currently comprises three IL-76 Phalcons. Additionally, India has issued a number of requests for proposals involving AEW&C aircraft and eventually hopes to have 24 domestically built AEW&C planes.

The IAF's Problems

Despite the extensive modernization program and overall purchases, the development of the IAF is limited by a number of acute problems. If not adequately addressed, these constraints will prohibit the IAF from taking full advantage of its new infrastructure and equipment. A major problem of the IAF is the very high crash and accident rate within its fleet. The most recent incident occurred Jan. 31 when a Kiran MK II trainer exploded in flight. (The two pilots managed to eject beforehand). In 2011 alone, the Indian defense forces suffered at least a dozen aircraft crashes. The high IAF crash rate is due to three main variables. The first is the age of many of the aircraft types flown. For instance, the MiG-21 first entered service with the IAF in 1964, and it is not only one of the most numerous jets operated in the IAF, but it also is expected to be in service for a few more years.

Poor industrial maintenance is also a problem. In November 2011, India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, who also has much experience as a test pilot with Hindustan Aeronautics, blamed faulty planning in public defense companies (known in India as public sector undertakings, or PSUs) for the high rate of crashes, indicating that "the PSUs have the infrastructure but they do not have the expertise." Sharma said that he would send back fighter planes to the laboratories if he detected defective parts but that he soon found out that instead of doing research and development on these parts, the laboratories fitted them in other fighter planes.

The third variable in the high crash rate is the state of the IAF trainer fleet. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India said in 2008 that the IAF was facing an acute shortage of effective pilots after failing to impart quality training. The CAG blamed a lack of adequate state-of-the-art training aircraft in the IAF for the shortage. The bulk of the IAF trainer fleet is composed of indigenously made platforms by HAL. These aircraft have largely proved inadequate and have not met expectations. For instance, the HPT-32 Deepak fleet was grounded in 2009 due to recurrent engine failure that led to numerous crashes.

The lack of a capable training fleet has forced new IAF pilots to undergo their basic training on the HAL Kiran, which is powered by jet engines. By comparison, most Western pilots begin on a turboprop trainer then graduate to training in jets. Due to age and quality issues, even the more advanced Kiran fleet has proved inadequate. The IAF's training academy in Hyderabad reportedly has less than 100 Kirans, which has forced the Surya Kiran and Sagar Pawan aerobatic teams to lend their aircraft for training purposes. An even more serious development is that, due to the shortage of trainer aircraft, the IAF has cut down flying time for new pilots to one-third of the usual rate (25 flight hours of basic training instead of the usual 75). By comparison, the U.S. Air Force offers more than 100 flight hours of basic training to its cadets. The number of basic training hours had reportedly dwindled even lower over the past two years but has now been stabilized thanks to better management of resources. One of the ways the IAF has sought to maximize its training fleet is to train some of its pilots on MiG-21 trainer variants.

In the next few years there is the potential for a reversal of this trend. The IAF has sought to acquire a number of proven twin-seat Hawk AJTs, some 55 of which are already in service in the IAF, for use as trainers. These aircraft were ordered in March 2004, but bureaucratic issues have delayed their purchase and introduction. The IAF has also selected the Swiss PC-7 to be its next basic trainer, but it is anticipated that it will be at least three more years before the aircraft is delivered. The IAF's attempts to improve its capabilities by upgrading its existing aircraft and equipment and purchasing new aircraft may be moderately successful. However, the IAF continues to face significant underlying challenges.

member_22539 · Post by **member_22539** » 16 Feb 2012 17:28

shukla wrote:The Indian Air Force Faces Significant Challenges In Modernizing Its Antiquated Air Force
Business Insider

Origin and Evolution of the IAF

The IAF was officially established Oct. 8, 1932. ...................face significant underlying challenges.

Not one mention of the word LCA or Tejas, kind of underlines the quality of the article, just a whole lot of regurgitating.

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 16 Feb 2012 20:52

Fr over a week, but before the Maldives incident I have been seeing an Il-78 landing in Bengaluru.

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 16 Feb 2012 20:54

suryag wrote:To me what is curious is what was the rambha doing in cuddalore ?

I spent 12 years about 20 km from Cuddalore (in Pondy). I saw aircraft exactly three times in that period. But this was a few dozen years ago

member_22605 · Post by **member_22605** » 16 Feb 2012 20:59

There was an Il-76/78 on the tarmac today and these things come everyday, so maybe it was a case of mistaken identity.

Yogi_G · Post by **Yogi_G** » 16 Feb 2012 21:03

The article does not mention the sortie to accident rate, in that count India's performance is average and better than Pukistan's.

<wild idea>
Is the Rambha's super duper BARS radar used to monitor wave patterns in the ocean to develop models for predicting Tsunami after an under water earthquake?
</wild idea>

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 16 Feb 2012 21:24

Marten wrote: Neighbour of mine said he saw a Herc. Could that be the bird? (but it ain't painted white!).

Marten, is your neighbour a skilled planespotter? On the Golf course a couple of months ago a chap explained to me about a low flying Jaguar taking off "These damn F-16s are so noisy"

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 16 Feb 2012 23:16

Still too many people in India for whom any Fighter Jet == F-16.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 17 Feb 2012 03:57

The Indian Air Force Faces Significant Challenges In Modernizing Its Antiquated Air Force
STRATFOR
http://stratfor.com/analysis/limits-mod ... z1maQQ0Qsb

France's Dassault Aviation announced late last month that it had won a bid to supply India with 126 Rafale fighters over the next decade. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recently taken a series of steps to upgrade and improve its capabilities. However, until it resolves a number of underlying issues, the IAF will continue to face significant limitations.In addition to the MMRCA competition, the IAF has launched the "Super 30" program, which will see the upgrading of 40 Su-30MKI fighters with new radars, electronic warfare systems and BrahMos missiles. The IAF has also invested almost a billion dollars in modernizing its MiG-29s to the multi-role MiG-29UPG variant. Furthermore, the IAF finalized a deal in July 2010 to upgrade its French Mirage-2000 aircraft to the Mirage-2000-5 Mk2 variant, and in January 2012 it decided to purchase 490 MICA air-to-air missiles for the Mirages.Beginning in 2020, the IAF plans to induct 250-300 PAK-FA stealth fifth-generation fighter aircraft, which are currently being jointly developed with Russia, but remain in a very preliminary stage of development. At a cost of around $35 billion dollars, the project is expected to be India's most expensive defense project ever. With these future purchases, the IAF is expected to grow to 42 squadrons by 2022, about 10 more squadrons than are currently in the IAF. By comparison, Pakistan is believed to have fewer than 20 fixed-wing combat squadrons.In addition to the modernization and improvement of its fixed-wing fighter fleet, the IAF is also seeking to improve its transport and aerial-refueling tanker force. As of February 2011, the IAF operated six IL-78MKI tankers, but with its growing number of squadrons and force projection needs, the IAF in 2010 initiated the Multi-Role Tanker Transport competition for an approximately $2 billion contract to provide the IAF with another six tankers. The IAF is also improving its transport fleet, with a $4.1 billion deal signed in June 2011 for 10 American C-17 Globemaster IIIs. The IAF had signed an approximately $1 billion deal for six C-130J transports in 2008, and it is currently seeking to purchase six more aircraft of the same type.An even more serious development is that, due to the shortage of trainer aircraft, the IAF has cut down flying time for new pilots to one-third of the usual rate (25 flight hours of basic training instead of the usual 75). By comparison, the U.S. Air Force offers more than 100 flight hours of basic training to its cadets. The number of basic training hours had reportedly dwindled even lower over the past two years but has now been stabilized thanks to better management of resources. One of the ways the IAF has sought to maximize its training fleet is to train some of its pilots on MiG-21 trainer variants

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 17 Feb 2012 10:51

PHOTOS: IAF To Induct New Mi-17 V5 Choppers Tomorrow

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 18 Feb 2012 23:41

IAF Chief feels that India can face any challenge

Noida (UP), Feb 18 (ANI): The Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said here today at the annual wreath laying ceremony at Shaheed Smarak that given the committed resolve of the people in uniform India can face any challenge.

The Air Chief who led the gathering of ex-servicemen, civil and military dignitaries and school children, along with with Major General A K Parnaik and Rear Admiral Brijesh Jhang paid tributes to martyred soldiers on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Air Chief Browne said, "today we remember and honour our fallen comrades for their indomitable will and deep conviction in the ideals that India stands for and making the supreme sacrifice in safeguarding them. Their examples inspires all of us who are in uniform today, strengthens our Nation's moralfibre and proves that given the committed resolve of our men and women in uniform, India can face any challenge."

The Air Chief said the nation should thank God for having such gallant men to live in our country.

"I salute all the bravehearts for their exemplary patriotism, which they have immortalized by making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. To my mind, it would be wrong to mourn the sacrifices of these gallant men. Rather, we should thank God that such men indeed lived. Nothing can match their sacrifices to ensure that our Nation continues to prosper in a secure environment," said Browne.

Also present on the occasion was Lieutenant General (Retd) Sir Alistair Irwin, President, Royal British Legion Scotland and also Vice-Chairman, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The Shaheed Smarak located at Noida in Uttar Pradesh, was raised on April 13, 2002 in the memory of armed forces personnel who achieved martyrdom while defending the country. (ANI)

srai · Post by **srai** » 20 Feb 2012 04:28

Austin wrote:PHOTOS: IAF To Induct New Mi-17 V5 Choppers Tomorrow

Time to update the IAF Fleet Strength...

Going by that, it would seem these new 80 x Mil Mi-17V5 are going to replace around 8.5 x Helicopter Units of Mil Mi-8 (numbering 102 helicopters) and the second batch order of 59 x Mi-17V5 will replace the old 47 x Mi-17s (3 x HUs) ordered in 1986.

By 2020, the IAF's Medium Helicopter fleet will look like the following:

3 x HUs -> 40 x Mi-17IV (ordered in 2000)
6 x HUs -> 80 x Mi-17V5 (ordered in 2008)
4 x HUs -> 59 x Mi-17V5 (planned order)

Total: 13 x HUs (179 x Mi-17IV/V5)

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 20 Feb 2012 07:51

IAF in a muddle as crucial trainer jet deal fails to take off
Dailymail

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 20 Feb 2012 08:43

shukla wrote:IAF in a muddle as crucial trainer jet deal fails to take off
Dailymail

Why on earth is a Brit tabloid reporting on the IAF's trainer deal being stuck? What has it got to do with them or British readers?

I don't see Indian newspapers discussing the pathetic state of the RAF and their defence cuts.

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 20 Feb 2012 14:07

Kartik wrote:
shukla wrote:IAF in a muddle as crucial trainer jet deal fails to take off
Dailymail
Why on earth is a Brit tabloid reporting on the IAF's trainer deal being stuck? What has it got to do with them or British readers? I don't see Indian newspapers discussing the pathetic state of the RAF and their defence cuts.

Not just them Kartik, there's a report today in India Today as well (where the Brit's took it from I believe as both reports seem almost identical except for the tagline).. After the EF loss they would pick on anything they can find..

Indian Air Force's crucial trainer jet deal fails to take off
Gautam Datt New Delhi, February 20, 2012

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 20 Feb 2012 14:13

daily mail i believe has launched an india edition - probably the article is meant to be on there

Ajit.C · Post by **Ajit.C** » 20 Feb 2012 15:36

At least five meetings of the cabinet committee on security have been held but the deal was discussed in none. It has been eight months since the Pilatus P-7 trainer was picked as the lowest bidder, beating KT-1 of Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hawker Beechcraft's T-6C, but the deal is still not in sight

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/in ... z1munx6Icz

The inference is obvious. They still think they have an outside chance with the Eurofighter. Raffy is the lowest bidder.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 20 Feb 2012 16:39

kartik, daily fail has an India section that reports on local issues, an attempt to spread their pakistaniyat I guess.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 20 Feb 2012 17:23

Think the British Press is more hurt by the loss then the British Government , the latter though is unhappy will try their best but will accept GOI decision which doesnt appears to have selected the Rafale.

After all its a deal that some one had to loose much like the rest 5 lost and Rafale won this time its first win.

May be its just the Pride and Ego of British press that badly hurt and doing the talking.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 23 Feb 2012 09:55

We need something like this for Tejas and fleet wise

Israel develops new Bunker Buster MPR 500 Weapon

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Feb 2012 11:02

we need a national mission for PGMs not piecemeal purchases or programs. for instance Sudarshan kit on 1000lb is fine as thats the standard bomb that IAF likes to use. but has anyone thought of multi adapter racks Rafale style for tejas, jags and MKIs to permit dual or triple carriage of 250lb and 500lb weapons using same sudarshan seeker. why not glonass guided weapon family for desi JDAM...we are paying for glonass mil grade signal...lets use it.

we need comprehensive suite of weapons esp for tactical missions against agile, moving and small targets as well as fixed hard targets of the bunker/hanger mould. against tactical or soft targets, a Jag carrying 12 x 250lb is far more likely to hit multiple targets on a single sortie than 4 x 1000lb.

but first of all we need a PLAN to define our weapons family and matrix for the next 10 and 20 years for each type of a/c. we need to increase commonality and use scale to get the building blocks cheaper (if imported) and drive costs down - a vital part of eqn for PGMs. thats how khan dominates the show - huge orders and fleetwide use drive costs down.

piecemeal purchases a CBU here, GBU there, crystal maze there, AASM is not a overall plan, its just contingency purchases.

srai · Post by **srai** » 23 Feb 2012 11:53

^^^

Agreed.

So far, the IAF has been ordering PGM weapons on a small scale because each of these are only carried by a specific aircraft type. There is definitely a need for PGMs that can be carried fleet wise. This will leverage benefits that come with economics of scale, commonality and standardization.

PGM bomb kits (i.e. LGB, TV, Satellite, Glide, Powered) should focus on the following:

2,500 x 125kg (250lb) bomb - anti-armor strike, low-collateral damage strike, UAV strike
5,000 x 225/250kg (500lb) bomb - defacto for wide use - anti-armor, reinforced hangers, buildings, bridges, etc
2,000 x 450/500kg (1,000lb) bomb - large collateral strike (installations), bunker-busting role
500 x 1,000kg (2,000lb) bomb - mainly bunker-busting role

Total: 10,000 PGM kits

Air-to-Surface Missiles should be compact, lightweight and stealthy.

1,000 x Cruise Missile - less than 1,200kg (300/500km)
2,500 x Anti-Radiation - less than 300kg (150km)
250 x Anti-Ship - less than 700kg (180km)
2,500 x Anti-Armor - less than 150kg (35km)

Total: 6,250 ASMs

sumits · Post by **sumits** » 25 Feb 2012 02:02

Mirage 2000 fighter plane crashes in MP

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 25 Feb 2012 05:51

Ex-IAF, Naval Board officers under scanner
Indian Express

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named former Air Vice Marshal of Indian Air Force (IAF) and other senior officials of Naval Housing Board in connection with an alleged scam worth Rs 28 crore for building 300 farm houses for serving and retired officers. The agency which registered a case in connection with the officials of the Air Force Naval Housing Board) (AFNHB) also named a private company for allegedly fraudulent land deal in Haryana and UP.

The CBI alleged that the officers showed undue favours to the private body resulting in undue loss of Rs 28 crore to the board and corresponding gain to themselves."After the registration of the case, the searches at the premises of the then officials concerned of AFHNB and the private parties were conducted which resulted in the recovery of several incriminating documents,”

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 25 Feb 2012 06:57

We NEED a scam thread.

So we can keep the other threads clean!!

darshhan · Post by **darshhan** » 25 Feb 2012 17:37

From stratfor.Thanks to info provided by Ravi Krumanchari.

Limits in the Modernization of India's Air Force

http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/limits ... -air-force

France's Dassault Aviation announced late last month that it had won a bid to supply India with 126 Rafale fighters over the next decade. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recently taken a series of steps to upgrade and improve its capabilities. However, until it resolves a number of underlying issues, the IAF will continue to face significant limitations.

Analysis

France's Dassault Aviation announced Jan. 31 that India has selected its Rafale fighter in the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition. Assuming negotiations on the estimated $10.4 billion contract proceed smoothly, Dassault Aviation will supply India with 126 aircraft over a 10-year period. The final contract has yet to be signed. The first 18 aircraft will be bought directly from Dassault Aviation, while India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) will assemble and produce the rest in Bangalore.

The MMRCA competition is the latest in a series of significant upgrades and improvements, particularly the purchase of advanced aircraft and improvement of the overall infrastructure of the force, intended to advance the capabilities of the IAF. However, the bulk of IAF aircraft today are outmoded, and overall the force structure is deteriorating. Even more worrisome is the status of IAF flight training, a problem that is compounded by maintenance issues and the constraints imposed by a large bureaucracy. While new aircraft are an important part of modernizing the IAF, there are underlying challenges that are equally important to a robust force.
Origin and Evolution of the IAF

The IAF was officially established Oct. 8, 1932. Since Indian independence in 1947, the IAF has participated in four wars against Pakistan and one against China. These conflicts and continued tensions with Pakistan and China have led the IAF to emphasize maintaining a large force structure capable of engaging in large-scale conventional wars against enemy air forces and ground formations. This entailed the continuous purchase of large numbers of fighters and interceptors as well as ground attack aircraft. Additionally, given the huge size of potential theaters of operation as well as often-mediocre transportation infrastructure, the IAF has stressed the maintenance of an effective logistical support capacity since the early 1950s. In practice, this has led to large purchases of aircraft that can be used for parts.

The IAF has five operational and two functional commands. Two of the operational commands are oriented toward Pakistan, two are primarily oriented toward China, and the fifth and most recent, Southern Command, was established in 1984 and focuses on conducting operations over the Indian Ocean, though such operations remain the principle domain of the Indian Navy Air Arm.

Since the 1960s, the IAF has increasingly relied on Soviet equipment and material. There were two large acquisition periods: From 1963 to 1971, MiG, Tupolev and Sukhoi aircraft were purchased, and Soviet MiG aircraft figured prominently in a 1978-1988 modernization program. The two significant exceptions were the introduction of British Jaguars in 1979 and French Mirage-2000s in 1985.

Aside from the purchase of Russian Su-30MKIs in 2002, the IAF has not made any additions to its fighter fleet since the 1980s. Indeed, many of the aircraft acquired during the 1978-1988 modernization program have either been retired or are falling into disrepair. Thus, the IAF is currently developing significant plans to modernize some aircraft types and replace others with newer and far more advanced warplanes.
Recent Modernization, Purchases and Upgrades

In addition to the MMRCA competition, the IAF has launched the "Super 30" program, which will see the upgrading of 40 Su-30MKI fighters with new radars, electronic warfare systems and BrahMos missiles. The IAF has also invested almost a billion dollars in modernizing its MiG-29s to the multi-role MiG-29UPG variant. Furthermore, the IAF finalized a deal in July 2010 to upgrade its French Mirage-2000 aircraft to the Mirage-2000-5 Mk2 variant, and in January 2012 it decided to purchase 490 MICA air-to-air missiles for the Mirages.

Beginning in 2020, the IAF plans to induct 250-300 PAK-FA stealth fifth-generation fighter aircraft, which are currently being jointly developed with Russia, but remain in a very preliminary stage of development. At a cost of around $35 billion dollars, the project is expected to be India's most expensive defense project ever. With these future purchases, the IAF is expected to grow to 42 squadrons by 2022, about 10 more squadrons than are currently in the IAF. By comparison, Pakistan is believed to have fewer than 20 fixed-wing combat squadrons.

In addition to the modernization and improvement of its fixed-wing fighter fleet, the IAF is also seeking to improve its transport and aerial-refueling tanker force. As of February 2011, the IAF operated six IL-78MKI tankers, but with its growing number of squadrons and force projection needs, the IAF in 2010 initiated the Multi-Role Tanker Transport competition for an approximately $2 billion contract to provide the IAF with another six tankers. The IAF is also improving its transport fleet, with a $4.1 billion deal signed in June 2011 for 10 American C-17 Globemaster IIIs. The IAF had signed an approximately $1 billion deal for six C-130J transports in 2008, and it is currently seeking to purchase six more aircraft of the same type.

The IAF is also looking to double its force of Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, which currently comprises three IL-76 Phalcons. Additionally, India has issued a number of requests for proposals involving AEW&C aircraft and eventually hopes to have 24 domestically built AEW&C planes.
The IAF's Problems

Despite the extensive modernization program and overall purchases, the development of the IAF is limited by a number of acute problems. If not adequately addressed, these constraints will prohibit the IAF from taking full advantage of its new infrastructure and equipment.

A major problem of the IAF is the very high crash and accident rate within its fleet. The most recent incident occurred Jan. 31 when a Kiran MK II trainer exploded in flight. (The two pilots managed to eject beforehand). In 2011 alone, the Indian defense forces suffered at least a dozen aircraft crashes.

The high IAF crash rate is due to three main variables. The first is the age of many of the aircraft types flown. For instance, the MiG-21 first entered service with the IAF in 1964, and it is not only one of the most numerous jets operated in the IAF, but it also is expected to be in service for a few more years.

Poor industrial maintenance is also a problem. In November 2011, India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, who also has much experience as a test pilot with Hindustan Aeronautics, blamed faulty planning in public defense companies (known in India as public sector undertakings, or PSUs) for the high rate of crashes, indicating that "the PSUs have the infrastructure but they do not have the expertise." Sharma said that he would send back fighter planes to the laboratories if he detected defective parts but that he soon found out that instead of doing research and development on these parts, the laboratories fitted them in other fighter planes.

The third variable in the high crash rate is the state of the IAF trainer fleet. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India said in 2008 that the IAF was facing an acute shortage of effective pilots after failing to impart quality training. The CAG blamed a lack of adequate state-of-the-art training aircraft in the IAF for the shortage. The bulk of the IAF trainer fleet is composed of indigenously made platforms by HAL. These aircraft have largely proved inadequate and have not met expectations. For instance, the HPT-32 Deepak fleet was grounded in 2009 due to recurrent engine failure that led to numerous crashes.

The lack of a capable training fleet has forced new IAF pilots to undergo their basic training on the HAL Kiran, which is powered by jet engines. By comparison, most Western pilots begin on a turboprop trainer then graduate to training in jets. Due to age and quality issues, even the more advanced Kiran fleet has proved inadequate. The IAF's training academy in Hyderabad reportedly has less than 100 Kirans, which has forced the Surya Kiran and Sagar Pawan aerobatic teams to lend their aircraft for training purposes.

An even more serious development is that, due to the shortage of trainer aircraft, the IAF has cut down flying time for new pilots to one-third of the usual rate (25 flight hours of basic training instead of the usual 75). By comparison, the U.S. Air Force offers more than 100 flight hours of basic training to its cadets. The number of basic training hours had reportedly dwindled even lower over the past two years but has now been stabilized thanks to better management of resources. One of the ways the IAF has sought to maximize its training fleet is to train some of its pilots on MiG-21 trainer variants.

In the next few years there is the potential for a reversal of this trend. The IAF has sought to acquire a number of proven twin-seat Hawk AJTs, some 55 of which are already in service in the IAF, for use as trainers. These aircraft were ordered in March 2004, but bureaucratic issues have delayed their purchase and introduction. The IAF has also selected the Swiss PC-7 to be its next basic trainer, but it is anticipated that it will be at least three more years before the aircraft is delivered.

The IAF's attempts to improve its capabilities by upgrading its existing aircraft and equipment and purchasing new aircraft may be moderately successful. However, the IAF continues to face significant underlying challenges.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 28 Feb 2012 00:01

Green signal for MRMR aircraft for the Indian Navy

February 27, 2012 at 15:08

Sahil

0

The Indian defence ministry has sanctioned the proposal put forward by the Indian Navy, to purchase nine technologically advanced versions of the Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) aircrafts.

The proposed deal is estimated to cost the defence ministry around INR 50 billion. The new additions will come in handy for the Indian Navy, which had finalized a similar deal for the even more expensive Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) aircrafts in 2009. The deal with the Boeing Defense, Space & Security for the purchase of eight Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircrafts was finalized in 2009. The deal is worth around INR 150 billion (USD 3.1 billion) and the delivery is expected to be complete by the year 2015. A follow up offer for another four P-8 aircrafts is likely to be made.

AK Antony, the defence minister of India, gave his approval for the MRMR deal last week through the Defence Acquisitions Council, which is chaired by him. A number of global aircraft and defence companies, including heavyweights like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Saab AB, Dassault Aviation, Embraer SA, and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) are in contention for the huge contract.

MRMR aircrafts are similar to the LRMR in design, and have embedded radars, with the capacity to monitor airspace and marine surface for a distance of up to 600 kilometres (350 miles). They are armed with short to medium range missiles, and torpedoes, which can come in handy during various anti-warship and anti-submarine operations. The aircrafts will give the Indian Navy a huge boost in terms of marine patrolling capacity.

The Indian navy has divided the marine surveillance grid of India in to three regions. The P-8 Poseidons will be used for patrolling the outermost section. Dornier Flugzeugwerke aircrafts, along with the Israeli designed IAI Searcher and IAI Heron (Machatz-1) will patrol the innermost sector. The MRMR drones will fill the gap between the two.

Indian Navy has been boosting its surveillance and defence capacity in the last few years, triggered partially by the hijacking of several Indian ships by the pirates in Somalia and Malacca Strait. A number of deals have been made during the period, boosting the number of ships and other equipment which can be used for marine patrol. But constant surveillance can be a headache for the Navy, which has to guard the 3,370 mile long Indian coastline, from illegal poaching and smuggling. The Indian EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) is estimated cover an area of 200,000 sq.kms.

The navy aims to buy naval aviation equipment worth $17 billion over the next few years. Contracts worth $5.6 billion has been signed and awarded already. There is another one and a half dozen projects, which are in various stages of finalizing. These contracts are estimated to cost the Navy around $3.6 billion.

The Navy is planning to operate the refurbished former Soviet aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorschkov) as early as this year end. Another Vikrant class aircraft carrier is under construction and is expected to enter the service soon. A defence deal for the purchase of 45 Mikoyan MiG-29K multirole fighter jets is almost finalized with Russia, and is estimated to be worth some $2 billion. The jets will operate from both the aircraft carriers.

The navy is also planning to replace the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters, which were inducted in to the navy many decades ago. Authorities are planning to buy a total of 90 multirole helicopters, which can be used for both air warfare and rescue operations. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is the frontrunner to grab the deal with its S-70 Firehawk, but the NH90 military helicopter, which is designed by the NHIndustries (NHI), is expected to give them a run for their money.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 29 Feb 2012 15:19

Not directly connected, but India may follow US pattern of maintaining a WC C-130J with the IAF logistics team.

Weather reconnaissance C-130J aircraft and UAV’s for cyclone forecas

karan_mc · Post by **karan_mc** » 29 Feb 2012 20:41

MiG 21s to be phased out from 2014: Antony

So By 2017 whole fleet will be retired .

alexis · Post by **alexis** » 01 Mar 2012 12:48

How suitable is KC-130 for IAF? How many of our helicopters have a refuelling probe? It would be ideal to refuel helicopter fleet operated by the services.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 01 Mar 2012 21:22

there is hardly any need for it, unless long range missions against somali pirates by retrofitted sea kings is on the cards - which it isnt.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 05 Mar 2012 19:29

India begins operation ‘pralaya’ in Arunachal

Shillong : The Indian Air Force (IAF), together with the Indian Army, has begun yesterday a major war game codenamed Pralayâ in the Eastern sector.
Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, Mig-29, Jaguar, Bison, Mi-17, AN-32, C-130, AWACS and Flight Refuelling aircraft would be tested on their combat potential during the exercise.
The annual joint exercise with the Army is also being conducted in Arunachal Pradesh, considered one of the most vulnerable areas India shares with its neighbours. The emphasis is on Special Forces operating during night together with ground forces and forces have been moved in from all over the country.
Bombing missions at air to ground ranges by all aircraft under dense air defence environment is being practiced. Keeping in pace with modern technology, the exercise includes aspects of network centric operations, electronic and Information warfare, an IAF statement said.
The exercise would test the combat potential of the Air Force in various roles like Air Defence, strike operations, offensive ground support operations, counter air operations, Electronic Warfare.
The exercise would culminate in a long range bombing missions simulating deep strikes in enemy territory

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 05 Mar 2012 19:37

these exercises are signalling big leaps in capability in C4ISTAR and increasing levels of joint operations - and lots of night ops