Indian Military Helicopters

John · Post by **John** » 25 Feb 2019 01:52

I believe that is Belgian FZ231 which is owned by Thales.

Singha wrote:Because that would be too simple and logical

Complete lack of common sense from both sides is mind boggling. You have hellfire integrate the damn thing rather than looking at Spike or Pars l3, now you commonality with Apache and make it much more attractive export option since Hellfire is operated by countless countries.

Prem Kumar · Post by **Prem Kumar** » 25 Feb 2019 09:12

Plus, how many more Helina tests are required? We've been hearing about Helina successful trials for a year now. Just fast-track it and fix bugs as you go along.

ashishvikas · Post by **ashishvikas** » 26 Feb 2019 01:44

Watch "Inside The Cockpit of HAL's Naval Utility Helicopter | HAL As OEM With Private Partners | Exclusive" on YouTube

joygoswami · Post by **joygoswami** » 10 Mar 2019 11:29

One of the best videos of the LCH TD-1. I am surprised it has such fewer views. Apologies if already posted.

joygoswami · Post by **joygoswami** » 14 Mar 2019 11:15

Arjun and Rudra together.

Khalsa · Post by **Khalsa** » 14 Mar 2019 13:20

joygoswami wrote:One of the best videos of the LCH TD-1. I am surprised it has such fewer views. Apologies if already posted.

I am glad you posted this. It seems so so so agile. Not flimsy but agile like a true tiger.
I am finding it hard to describe but this damn thing is not going to be easy to target

Indranil · Post by **Indranil** » 18 Mar 2019 22:11

Hari Nair sahab, please check your private message box.

joygoswami · Post by **joygoswami** » 19 Mar 2019 08:21

Love it, the sound of that tandem twin rotors are so so distinctive!

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 21 Mar 2019 01:39

Singha saar, I'm replying to your post in MKI thread

Singha wrote:one capability we have lost with the Mi26 retirement is ability to airlift downed helos from remote areas with rotors removed. Mi26 and CH53 can do that.

Not quite. Here is one Chinook lifting another Chinook

Here it is lifting a Sea Harrier

Shameek · Post by **Shameek** » 25 Mar 2019 22:21

Good day out at Chandigarh, as the first four @IAF_MCC Chinooks are formally inducted into service with 126 Helicopter Flight 'Featherweights'. The remaining 11 rotorcraft will be delivered within the next year or so.

Twitter Link

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 25 Mar 2019 22:26

From just four Mi-26s in No 126 Featherweights HU to an eventual 15 CH-47 Chinooks, the IAF's heavy helo lift capability just got a major boost in the arm. Need more of these fabulous birds!

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 26 Mar 2019 00:19

It's a step change in the medium-heavy lift capability of the IAF. High uptime and modern avionics will mean a serious capability jump and I concur that we need at least another 15 CH-47F (I) Chinooks as a follow-on deal. That should give us just about enough to cover both the western and eastern fronts.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 26 Mar 2019 09:12

does this mean that the Mi-26's have been officially retired ? I know they were close to being unserviceable.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 26 Mar 2019 09:17

Of the four Mi-26s inducted, one crashed I believe. And the three that were left were barely flying.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 28 Mar 2019 10:51

India, Russia to open military chopper repair centre by late 2019

A new centre to repair Russian helicopters of Mi-17V-5 type will be operational in Chandigarh, India, by the end of 2019, according to Russian Helicopters Deputy Director General Igor Chechikov.

Speaking to journalists at the LIMA 2019 air show here, Chechikov said: "The Russian side is carrying out pre-commissioning activities as part of an offset to create the Major Repair Center in the city of Chandigarh for a number of main units and subsystems of helicopters of Mi-17V-5 type. There are plans to start their testing repairs before the end of 2019," according to TASS.

He highlighted the possibility of extending the capabilities of this centre in the future, provided the Indian side is "interested".

https://www.business-standard.com/artic ... 103_1.html

Khalsa · Post by **Khalsa** » 28 Mar 2019 13:58

Rakesh wrote:Of the four Mi-26s inducted, one crashed I believe. And the three that were left were barely flying.

I believe one of them was Cannibalised for the other two

arun · Post by **arun** » 03 Apr 2019 13:48

X-Posted from the Indian Naval Aviation thread.

From DSCA here:

India – MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters

US Congress notified of possible purchase of upto 24 MH-60R Multi-Mission helicopters for an estimated cost of $2.6 billion:

Transmittal No:
19-15
WASHINGTON, April 2, 2019 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of twenty-four (24) MH-60R Multi-Mission helicopters for an estimated cost of $2.6 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of India has requested to buy twenty-four (24) MH-60R Multi-Mission helicopters, equipped with the following: thirty (30) APS-153(V) Multi-Mode radars (24 installed, 6 spares); sixty (60) T700-GE-401C engines (48 installed and 12 spares); twenty-four (24) Airborne Low Frequency System (ALFS) (20 installed, 4 spares); thirty (30) AN/AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting System (24 installed, 6 spares); fifty-four (54) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) (48 installed, 6 spares); one thousand (1,000) AN/SSQ-36/53/62 sonobuoys; ten (10) AGM-114 Hellfire missiles; five (5) AGM-114 M36-E9 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); four (4) AGM-114Q Hellfire Training missiles; thirty-eight (38) Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) rockets; thirty (30) MK 54 torpedoes; twelve (12) M-240D Crew Served guns; twelve (12) GAU-21 Crew Served guns; two (2) Naval Strike Missile Emulators; four (4) Naval Strike Missile Captive Inert Training missiles; one (1) MH-60B/R Excess Defense Article (EDA) USN legacy aircraft. Also included are seventy (70) AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Devices; fifty-four (54) AN/ARC-210 RT-1990A(C) radios with COMSEC (48 installed, 6 spares); thirty (30) AN/ARC-220 High Frequency radios (24 installed, 6 spares); thirty (30) AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders (24 installed, 6 spares); spare engine containers; facilities study, design, and construction; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; communication equipment; ferry support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated cost is $2.6 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defensive partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.

The proposed sale will provide India the capability to perform anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions along with the ability to perform secondary missions including vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and communications relay. India will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. India will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Owego, New York. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of 20-30 U.S. Government and/or contractor representatives to India.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

Katare · Post by **Katare** » 04 Apr 2019 08:39

Rahul M wrote:does this mean that the Mi-26's have been officially retired ? I know they were close to being unserviceable.

No! CAG asked MoD about what they would do about loss of super heavy lift capability of Mi26 that Chinooks can’t match.

The answer was- we are not loosing it, they are scheduled for upgrades and life extension.

This is ideal combination- Chinook will play the role of Arjun while Mi 26 would be Bhim, needed only for Duryodhan or Harasandh type of uber heavy targets

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 04 Apr 2019 09:29

Katare, do we have any info on the upgrades and life extension of the Mi-26?

Katare · Post by **Katare** » 05 Apr 2019 00:15

Rakesh, Many media articles have also come out talking about life extensions Which would result in some sort oc upgrade too. No details though.

Russia quoted $93M/ helicopter as direct acquisition unit cost
And $353M / helicopter in LCC

Chinook in same IAF specified configuration costs-

Unit cost $78M
LCC cost $ 110 M

Wikipedia still mentions unit cost of $25M for Mi-26. So cheap Russian weapons

jaysimha · Post by **jaysimha** » 08 Apr 2019 12:41

INDUCTION OF CHINOOK HELICOPTERS IN INDIAN AIR FORCE
http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/in ... -air-force

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VM, ADC, Chief of the Air Staff being briefed about the helicopter during the induction ceremony of CH-4F (I) Chinook heavy lift helicopters held today at Air Force Station, Chandigarh.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 10 Apr 2019 04:32

Lethal! IAF to get deadly Apache attack helicopter for the first time ever
https://www.financialexpress.com/defenc ... r/1543181/

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 13 Apr 2019 19:51

IAF to begin inducting Apache helicopters in August

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is scheduled to take delivery in August of the first four of 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters it had ordered in September 2015 for INR139.5 billion (USD2.02 billion).

Boeing sources told Jane’s on 11 April that the twin-engined helicopters will be transported by a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft to Pathankot Air Force Station in northern India, where they are to be assembled ahead of their formal induction into service by the end of the year.

Delivery of the remaining 18 platforms is expected to be completed by the end of 2020, Boeing sources confirmed.

Senior IAF officers said that an Apache squadron, comprising 10–11 helicopters, will be stationed at Pathankot near the border with Pakistan, while a second one will be based at an undisclosed location in northeastern India near the country’s disputed border with China.

India had acquired the Apaches in a deal that combined a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) with Boeing and a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement with the US government.

The DCS part of the procurement includes the platforms, without engines and sensors, logistical support, spares, and after sales service.
The FMS portion comprises the helicopter’s General Electric T700-701D engines, electro-optical sensors, radar, and weapon systems, including Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and Hydra-70 rockets, training, and platform certification.

The Apaches will supplement the IAF’s 20-odd upgraded Mil Mi-25 and Mil Mi-35 helicopters that also double as troop carriers for the Indian Army (IA) and are likely to be retired over the next few years.

In August 2017 the Indian Ministry of Defence approved the INR41.68 billion (USD604.3 million) import of six additional Apache Guardian helicopters for the Army Aviation Corps (AAC), but a contract has yet to be signed.

Cybaru · Post by **Cybaru** » 14 Apr 2019 01:18

IAF will try and kill LCH acquisition, they just want foreign maal.

John · Post by **John** » 14 Apr 2019 02:26

Cybaru wrote:IAF will try and kill LCH acquisition, they just want foreign maal.

Nowhere does article say IAF will can LCH and they have been rather supportive of it, please stop the AF bashing just for sake it.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 23 Apr 2019 06:53

Hari Nair, A question for you:
viewtopic.php?p=2345623#p2345623

Please read the background to the question.

Thanks, ramana

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 23 Apr 2019 08:56

One good news I see is that 6 Apaches for IA was never signed, only way to guarantee LCH does not get T-90'd.

rkhanna · Post by **rkhanna** » 23 Apr 2019 13:14

Cybaru wrote:IAF will try and kill LCH acquisition, they just want foreign maal.

The value of the LCH is in High Altitude Warfare. The LCH is not going anywhere and will be integral to any brawl with Chin

wig · Post by **wig** » 01 May 2019 10:15

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/natio ... 66297.html

Army to equip attack copters with fire-control radars
excerpted
they are meant to replace the electro optical and infrared detection pods currently in use

The Indian Army’s attack helicopters are to be equipped with airborne fire control radars that will overcome the operational limitations being imposed by the present systems being used and consequently enhance their combat potential.
This will require a comprehensive upgrade by retrofitting the required hardware and the avionics suite and integrating those with the existing systems and weapons package.

The Army is open to acquisition from indigenous or foreign vendors, sources said.

Aditya G · Post by **Aditya G** » 01 May 2019 14:34

Dear Hari Nair

How will deployment of Rudra and LCH differ in IAF and IA?

In LCH do we finally have a viable UAV intercept capability?

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 01 May 2019 15:30

wig wrote:https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/natio ... 66297.html

Army to equip attack copters with fire-control radars
excerpted
they are meant to replace the electro optical and infrared detection pods currently in use
The Indian Army’s attack helicopters are to be equipped with airborne fire control radars that will overcome the operational limitations being imposed by the present systems being used and consequently enhance their combat potential.
This will require a comprehensive upgrade by retrofitting the required hardware and the avionics suite and integrating those with the existing systems and weapons package.

The Army is open to acquisition from indigenous or foreign vendors, sources said.

Why would they replace passive sensors with active ones? They are complementary and not supplementary!

This seems like an advert from supplier pleading to be contacted. Or perhaps a precursor to delay LCH acquisition and hold out for Longbow Apaches.

chola · Post by **chola** » 01 May 2019 15:53

JTull wrote:
wig wrote:https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/natio ... 66297.html

Army to equip attack copters with fire-control radars
excerpted
they are meant to replace the electro optical and infrared detection pods currently in use
Why would they replace passive sensors with active ones? They are complementary and not supplementary!

This seems like an advert from supplier pleading to be contacted. Or perhaps a precursor to delay LCH acquisition and hold out for Longbow Apaches.

Maybe just for the older types like the Chetaks. The article is rather ambiguous on what are getting the replacements. If it is "all" attack helos then what about the Apaches?

Hari Nair · Post by **Hari Nair** » 01 May 2019 16:01

Aditya G wrote:Dear Hari Nair

How will deployment of Rudra and LCH differ in IAF and IA?

In LCH do we finally have a viable UAV intercept capability?

Wrong thread for the Q!

I suppose the IAF targets will be more oriented towards SEAD, whilst the Army targets will be more specific towards Close / Battlefield Air Support.
Yes, the LCH has UAV intercept as one of its defined roles.
Mods - request move to 'Military Helicopters' thread.

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 01 May 2019 21:04

brar_w wrote:IAF to begin inducting Apache helicopters in August

...

Sqn formation has started. People have moved to man their places.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 01 May 2019 23:54

Folks the naval version of the Rudra is to have two torpedoes or 4 anti-ship missiles.
What are the weights of those weapons?

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 02 May 2019 02:29

Hari Nair wrote: ....
Mods - request move to 'Military Helicopters' thread.

Done Sir.

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 04 May 2019 23:30

ramana wrote:Folks the naval version of the Rudra is to have two torpedoes or 4 anti-ship missiles.
What are the weights of those weapons?

The torpedoes should weigh around 220kg each. What anti ship missile is being integrated?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_ ... edo_Shyena

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 09 May 2019 20:25

https://twitter.com/indiandefence11/sta ... 5826516992 ---> HAL Rudra popping up targets during Vayu Shakti 2019 with its M621 20mm Automatic Cannon mounted on a Nexter THL-20 Turret. M621 cannon fires NATO-standard 20x102 mm ammunition and is quite versatile in targeting bunkers, pillboxes and armored vehicles on the run.

wig · Post by **wig** » 11 May 2019 12:19

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ind ... 10844.html

India gets its first Apache Guardian attack helicopter in US.

With new Apache helicopters, Indian Air Force adds a lethal punch to its capabilities
The handover took place at a ceremony in Boeing’s production facility in Mesa, Arizona

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 11 May 2019 23:21

The Mi-24/35 Squadrons of IAF are/were based in Pathankot and Suratgarh. Both understandable locations - Pathankot was action in the sensitive Gurdaspur - Pathankot - Sambha - Jammu - Akhnoor belt. Here, the Akbar's would face-off against the Pakistan Army Mangla based 1 Corps or Army Reserve North, which has the 6th Armored Division under it. Not to mention other independent armored brigades and mechanized brigades.

And Suratgarh can be seen from perspective of offensive action by Strike Corps in the desert sector of south Pakistani Punjab/North Sindh.

One of the Apache squadrons will be based in Pathankot, which makes complete sense. But the second squadron will be based on Jorhat, Assam. So, what happens to Suratgarh?

My guess is that we've given the older air-frames to Afghanistan and retained the best - which will continue as the Mi-35 Squadron in Suratgarh. While Pathankot squadron converts from Mi-24/35 to Apaches, its helicopters either given to Afghanistan or consolidated under Squadron in Suratgarh.