Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

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Kartik
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Kartik »

MiG-29 UPG and its man

Image
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by srai »

Kartik wrote:Image

link
HCA+LCA => straightforward path to 45 squadrons! Locally produced And inexpensive (but capable). Combo meets all requirements ;)
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by rrao »

ramana wrote:
Karan M wrote:Flight Test Results for FOC done, w/IAF, their response awaited (as of Dec 2018).
No sign of engine (stuck on cost).
EW in devpt (by DRDO).
I thought there was the issue of warranty by HAL. They wanted Honeywell which is just supplying engine to take on the warranty.
And now they agreed to just buy the engine and integrate it.
Lots of years lost in bokwas by HAL.
And sad no one pointed out the problem.
How can an engine supplier take over upgraded plane's overall performance warranty?
what bokwas you are talking about? Being a forum moderator you are belittling an organisation. Your GTRE is bokwas and kaveri Engine is bokwas. HAL is a puppet whose strings are in the hands of MOD and IAF.pls note that!!! i didnt expect such words from you. I hope you are also one of those cosy NRIs. Regards.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by JTull »

rrao wrote:
ramana wrote:
I thought there was the issue of warranty by HAL. They wanted Honeywell which is just supplying engine to take on the warranty.
And now they agreed to just buy the engine and integrate it.
Lots of years lost in bokwas by HAL.
And sad no one pointed out the problem.
How can an engine supplier take over upgraded plane's overall performance warranty?
what bokwas you are talking about? Being a forum moderator you are belittling an organisation. Your GTRE is bokwas and kaveri Engine is bokwas. HAL is a puppet whose strings are in the hands of MOD and IAF.pls note that!!! i didnt expect such words from you. I hope you are also one of those cosy NRIs. Regards.
HAL is perfectly capable of this bokwas. Another instance was when HAL wanted Dassault to take on performance liability for things manufactured by HAL. They peddled it aplenty before elections. Same about dwindling order book. In last 2 days, that lie has also been caught.

Please do explain your view-point on why HAL is such a perfect organisation before engaging in name-calling. Very organisation which has lived of MOD largesse due to some mutual back scratching. HAL can't wish away it's own shortcomings by passing the buck to MOD. They have a sense of entitlement, and deserve to be shown mirror from time to time.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Indranil »

ramana wrote: I thought there was the issue of warranty by HAL. They wanted Honeywell which is just supplying engine to take on the warranty.
This is incorrect.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

Indranil wrote:
ramana wrote: I thought there was the issue of warranty by HAL. They wanted Honeywell which is just supplying engine to take on the warranty.
This is incorrect.
If so what was the correct narrative?
rrrao I don't know what ticked you off but HAL was insisting that Honeywell take responsibility for the entire aircraft when they are providing only the engine.

This can be found by a search on this forum itself.
The logjam was broken when Honeywell be came engine supplier.
This dialog took years to complete.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Rakesh »

All M2K crash discussions moved to the Military Flight Safety thread...
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Haridas »

Missed opportunity or what? Could been bought by India.

Brazil sells its Mirage 2000s to French company that will use them as Contracted Aggressors

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/brazil- ... ggressors/
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Karan M »

This is my understanding based on memory alone, I could be mistaken about some of the finer details.

Honeywell asked for x money for its engines, and a ton more for integration, maintenance etc. Note that IAF is nowadays looking at integrated packages, not merely equipment, and hence looks at lifecycle. Given Honeywells IAF budget breaking quote, HAL stepped in & was asked by IAF to take up additional responsibilities. They agreed. IAF went back to Honeywell asking for a reduced offer for engines alone.

When I read this I was laughing. Because IAF simply doesn't get business. No wonder they make such a mugs game of local R&D and product development too at times. Honeywell offered the reduced engine price because it was making substantial margins on the rest of the bid. On what grounds will they now offer the IAF a reduced charge engine pricing while losing out the high margin activities to HAL who is offering to do it at lower cost?

The whole situation was direly funny. Dire - as in the IAFs needs and its actions, which of course are OK from the Indian taxpayers viewpoint - but which a WW OEM may just ignore if its cash flow from domestic, other lines of business are ok.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by chola »

Haridas wrote:Missed opportunity or what? Could been bought by India.

Brazil sells its Mirage 2000s to French company that will use them as Contracted Aggressors

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/brazil- ... ggressors/
Contract aggressors. Wow. Great job, I would think. More fun for fighter jockeys than piloting an Airbus.

It would make it harder for smaller countries in the second hand market for fighters like F-Solahs and Mirages.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Khalsa »

Haridas wrote:Missed opportunity or what? Could been bought by India.

Brazil sells its Mirage 2000s to French company that will use them as Contracted Aggressors

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/brazil- ... ggressors/
Not really ?
All the aircraft were sold for less than a million dollars. They have no life left in them whatsoever.
The brazalians have flogged and bent the frames.

At best they are likely to be used for cannablisation purposes.
I cannot imagine IAF not being able to pay $ 500, 000 for 12 a/c
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by chola »

srai wrote:
Kartik wrote:Image

link
HCA+LCA => straightforward path to 45 squadrons! Locally produced And inexpensive (but capable). Combo meets all requirements ;)
Err, going by HAL's quoted prices neither is cheap. But well worth paying more since they enhance national capacity.

Things will become less expensive once things are industrialized and the phoren parts are replaced. But we must be prepared to spend a bit more initially.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Hari Nair »

ramana wrote:
IndraD wrote:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... 420359.cms
Budgam chopper incident: Officers could face charge of culpable homicide

looks like our mi17 chopper was downed by own Spidyr missile ^
The Court of Inquiry (COI) is not completed but special reporters have access to partial reports.

Sad that IAF brass leak to such morons who don't provide context.

I am sure it was a series of accidents that led to the shoot down.

The Tribune article gives better context. Will try to locate and post full text.
After that will point out all the separate things that led to the shoot down.
Any root cause that points fingers at human factors is bogus witch hunt type action.

I agree on the selective leaks. They should have wrapped up the CoI by now. News reports indicate its gone to the next level of Summary of Evidence, which is essential for a Court Martial to convene.

I'm afraid the root cause appears to be pointing very directly at Human Factor. There definitely were no 'series of accidents' that lead to the firing. So its not appropriate to call the process a 'witch-hunt type action'.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by mmasand »

Replica of Rafale installed outside ACM's residence, he resides next door to Congress HQ on Akbar road.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1134335931605872640?s=19
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Rahul M »

not here please.
already being discussed in Military Flight Safety thread for the last few days.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Philip »

Why can't the IAF/ HAL always have an alt. engine option? Either on the cost or tech. factors.
This way both OEM
s will know that they can't rip us off.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ArjunPandit »

Philip wrote:Why can't the IAF/ HAL always have an alt. engine option? Either on the cost or tech. factors.
This way both OEM
s will know that they can't rip us off.
long time..hope all well...
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Avarachan »

Karan M wrote:
negi wrote:Well why is it a waste , when S400 , AK203 and dozens of similar imports are justified so is this . :)
S400s and AK203s are arguably amongst the most important warfighting acquisitions we made. One which compensates somewhat for our falling a/c numbers. Another a design that just works everywhere and is soldier proof. But the C295? More of a good to have item rather than one essential to have.
I suspect that if the Coast Guard version of the C295 performs well, an ASW version of the C295 will be built for the Indian Navy, as well.

Using only American equipment for the airborne ASW requirement is dangerous. Starting the process for an Indian alternative is an urgent requirement, in my opinion.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

Philip wrote:Why can't the IAF/ HAL always have an alt. engine option? Either on the cost or tech. factors.
This way both OEM
s will know that they can't rip us off.

Philip Welcome back.

Money is the problem and success based plans!
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Nikhil T »

TOI reporting IAF has ordered 100 more Spice bombs from Israel for Rs. 300 cr as an emergency procurement measure. All to be delivered by year end. I guess Eid gift for TSP.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

These are the High Explosive variant and not the bunker busters already in inventory.
This version is required after the useless damage assessment nonsense in media by google warriors.
However this version does not have the bunker penetration capability of the other version.
Mk 84 is relatively thin cased and hence can penetrate less distance in concrete compared the Bunker Buster version.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by JTull »

But propagandus wanted a show, and they'll get a big show next time around when there won't be just 5/6 bombs but probably 10 times more!
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by MeshaVishwas »

US may offer F-35 fighter if India scraps S-400 deal-Manu "Almost Coupta" Pubby
:roll:
NEW DELHI: The US could offer the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet for both the air force and navy, if the $5.43-billion deal with Russia for the S-400 air defence system is dropped.
The US has been increasing pressure on India over the S-400 deal that was signed in October last year, with senior Washington officials saying it would have a direct impact on any high technology cooperation in the future.


India is keeping a close watch on what happens with Turkey, a NATO ally, that has already signed up for the S-400 and has been threatened by the US with sanctions and the cancellation of its contract for F-35s.
ET has learnt that senior industry leaders as well as officials from the US are visiting India, even as the deadline for action against Turkey is closing in. The defence ministry, meanwhile, is expected to shortly move ahead on the acquisition of 110 fighter jets for the air force under a strategic partnership programme. The navy is also preparing technical requirements for its upcoming purchase of 57 combat aircraft.
While no official request has been received from India and the F-35 has not been formally put on offer by the US, the aircraft could be pitched as the only air platform that will be equipped and upgraded to beat the S-400 air defence systems that have also been acquired by China.


Like Turkey, India has stood strong on its purchase of the S-400 but it is learnt that only partial payments have been made by New Delhi, given banking sanctions that are already in place for dealing with Russian defence entities. More stringent CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions have also been threatened against nations purchasing the S-400 from Russia.
While there had been an impression that the US could give India CAATSA waivers for the S-400, recent statements by Washington suggest that this would not be the case.


The US stand has been that it will not allow its modern combat aircraft to be operated in an environment where the S-400 is also operational, as it would be able to map these aircraft, enabling software upgrades and modifications to improve performance.
In an effort to wean India away from the S-400, the US has already offered its NASAMS II (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) for protection of the national capital region against ballistic missiles. In addition, the US has also been in talks for its advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot Advance Capability (PAC-3) defence systems with India, though these would come at a significantly steeper cost than the S-400 system.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by srin »

Didn't know which thread to put this in and didn't want to cause alarm by putting it on Flight safety thread (my heart beat goes up on any post in that thread).
Mi-17 crash: IAF probe in final stage, 2 officers likely to face court-martial
"The Court of Inquiry helmed by Air Commodore-rank officer had concluded its probe but it has been reconvened now as the accused officers want to call more witnesses," government sources told ANI.
As per the findings of the Court of Inquiry, two offices are likely to face court martial for lapse which led to the crash of the chopper, sources said.

The top brass of the Air Force and the government are of the view that strictest punishment should be meted out to personnel who are found guilty.
The court of inquiry was also delayed to some extent as the black box of the chopper was stolen by the villagers in Budgam where some of the hostile elements had also reportedly pelted stones at military vehicles after the crash.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Cybaru »

How do villagers even know what the black box looks like and which part to steal from a smoldering fallen unit?
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Nikhil T »

Still very confused - has the black box been recovered?
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by srin »

Shooklaw blog
IAF block on indigenous HTT-40 trainer aircraft keeps door open for Swiss trainers
The Indian Air Force has refused to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Hindustan Turbo Trainer - 40 (HTT-40) basic trainer aircraft. An RFP is essential for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to release money to develop the engine that will power the Indian-designed trainer.

HAL has to pay Rs 180 crore to US firm Honeywell, to upgrade its TPE-331-12B engine that will power 106 HTT-40 trainers needed by the Indian military. HAL is willing to pay, but the company’s board insists that the money be disbursed only after the IAF demonstrates its intention to procure the HTT-40 – through an RFP, which is the first stage of a purchase.

But the IAF says it will only issue an RFP after the HTT-40 completes spin trials. In this critical trial, the test pilot deliberately throws his aircraft into a spin. After it has spun six times around its axis, he must recover the aircraft into level flight.

Since its first flight in 2015, the HTT-40 has consistently surpassed IAF performance benchmarks in flight-testing. In on-going spin trials the trainer has incrementally demonstrated the ability to recover from three spins.

At a high-level meeting in the MoD, chaired by the defence production secretary (Secretary DP) and attended by top IAF officers, HAL presented videos of the trainer recovering from three spins. The project managers pointed out that recovering from six spins is a matter of incremental testing.

The IAF had initially committed to issuing the RFP after the HTT-40’s first flight. When it flew in 2015, the IAF set a new benchmark of stall testing. When that was completed in 2017, the benchmark was changed to the first spin test. In late 2018, after the HTT-40 demonstrated it could recover from a spin, the IAF said it would issue an RFP only after the HTT-40 demonstrated it could recover from six spins.

HAL is concerned about production delays that could arise. An immediate RFP would allow HAL to pay Honeywell to begin the two-year process of replacing the TPE-331-12B engine’s old “electronic engine controller” (EEC) with a “full authority digital engine controller” (FADEC). Delaying payment would result in the FADEC-equipped engine being unavailable when the HTT-40 goes into production.

A senior HAL official points out they have asked the IAF neither for payment, nor a contract. An RFP amounts to only an IAF statement of interest, without financial liabilities. But it is essential for the HAL board to clear payments to Honeywell.

With the HTT-40 programme thus mired, the IAF is demanding that 38 Pilatus PC-7 Mark II trainer aircraft be imported from Switzerland, to supplement 75 Pilatus trainers contracted in 2012 in a deal that was clouded by controversy.

Contacted for comments, the IAF states: “The [HTT-40] has just entered the spin phase of trials… As per DPP an RFP can be issued only after design and development completion/certification by HAL followed by IAF flight trials.” The air force points out that there was an audit objection when an RFP was issued for the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) before spin trials were completed.

In fact, in the IJT case, the IAF went far beyond placing an RFP. It contracted for and actually paid HAL for constructing a significant number of IJTs. HAL points out that placing an RFP for the HTT-40 involves no financial liability.

Furthermore, in December 2017, the IAF placed an RFP for the Tejas Mark 1A. This is an advanced version of the current fighter that exists only on the drawing board and is nowhere near flight-testing or completion.

The IAF has relentlessly opposed the HTT-40 since the start of the programme, opting instead for importing the Swiss Pilatus. Business Standard reported (July 29, 2013, “Indian Air Force at war with Hindustan Aeronautics; wants to import, not build, a trainer”) that the IAF chief wrote a personal letter to the defence minister, incorrectly attributing an unduly high price to the HTT-40, compared to the Swiss trainer. The defence minister allowed the indigenous programme to continue.

In 2009, when a global tender was floated to buy 75 trainer aircraft, the IAF diluted the existing performance benchmarks, allowing the Pilatus PC-7 Mark II trainer into the contract (July 30, 2013, “Air Force diluted at least twelve benchmarks for trainer aircraft, allowing Pilatus into the contract”).

But the HTT-40 still stands in the way of import. The defence procurement procedure (DPP) mandates the highest procurement priority for “Indian designed, developed and manufactured (IDDM)” equipment – a category the HTT-40 falls in. The MoD and HAL remain committed to backing the HTT-40, which is likely to complete testing by December, according to HAL officials.

Currently, approval exists for buying 106 HTT-40 trainers. If the IAF is permitted to import 38 Pilatus trainers, the number of indigenous trainers will fall to 68 aircraft.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by MeshaVishwas »

Srinagar-Banihal NH stretch to double up as landing strip for fighter jets All types of Aircraft
NEW DELHI: The government has identified a stretch of the Srinagar-Banihal highway to convert into an emergency landing strip for fighter jets and has invited proposals from consultants for the project, people aware of the development said.
The project—the first in Jammu & Kashmir—is among the 13 emergency landing strips planned by the government on highways across the country.


The Srinagar-Banihal highway landing strip will be 3.5-km long and can be constructed in eight months at a cost of nearly Rs 119 crore, the persons cited earlier said.

This highway is part of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. In February, a terrorist had rammed his explosivesladen car into a CRPF convoy on this section of the highway at Lethpora, near Pulwama, killing 40 security personnel. Pakistanbased terror outfit JeM had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Last March, the government had informed parliament of its intent to set up emergency landing strips—which would be capable of handling all types of aircraft—on highways in various states. Bids had been invited for seven such projects by then, and the one for the proposed Srinagar-Banihal emergency landing strip were called on May 30, as per details with ET.
According to sources, the last date for submission of bids for the Srinagar-Banihal highway is July 16. Another site identified in J&K is the highway between Bijbehera and Chinar Bagh. Bids for this project are still to be called.

As per plan, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu will have two emergency landing strips each, while West Bengal, Odisha and Gujarat will have one each.
The sites have been jointly identified by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
https://m.economictimes.com/news/defenc ... 733422.cms
Contradiction in the report itself.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Kakarat »

https://twitter.com/HALHQBLR/status/1138441903286841347
This refers to the news in section of media that IAF is not issuing tender for HTT 40. HAL has not received any communication from IAF on this. The news is speculative. HAL's HTT 40 program remains on track.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by jaysimha »

Mysuru firm helps IAF zero-in on AN-32 wreckage
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/ ... 89453.html
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Philip »

Def news says that we've placed orders for 300 RV-73 and 400 RV-77 AAMs with Russia after the Balakot experience and may even get in the future X-31 400km AWACS/ tanker long range AAMs.Putin and the PM had a short but intensive meeting at the SCO where defence matters were discussed.Turkey has said N.O. to the US over the S-400s.Most likely that we too will do the same
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Singha »

US will keep pushing like a errant child trying to see how much ground it can get. "parents" need to push back. then child will know its sandbox and be ok.

do IAF transport planes have a periodic pingsy inmarsat transponder the kind that was used in attempt to locate the vanished malaysian B777?
might be a good idea, to replicate it via one or two dedicated satellites parked above india and our own onboard transponder - both for technology and better safety. even commercial ships have a suitcase type transponder and voice phone via inmarsat i read.

I dont know why this is not a add on to the IRNSS family of projects. we can forever be obliged to take subscription from others when it is within our country's capability to develop this sort of thing and has commercial and strategic uses
http://www.inmarsat.com/wp-content/uplo ... Nicola.pdf
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Singha »

Philip wrote:Def news says that we've placed orders for 300 RV-73 and 400 RV-77 AAMs with Russia after the Balakot experience and may even get in the future X-31 400km AWACS/ tanker long range AAMs.Putin and the PM had a short but intensive meeting at the SCO where defence matters were discussed.Turkey has said N.O. to the US over the S-400s.Most likely that we too will do the same
the mix of product in the 400 RV77 may remain classified or may be leaked as more of the longer range variants for scare tactics. the only really proven russian ERAM is the R37M carried by the Mig31BM and it has scored some rather long range look down hits from the kind of ceiling and speed only the mighty foxhound can provide - like shooting down low flying CM at 37km - its role as a anti cruise missile screener and area denial platform networked to ground and a line of foxhounds in the vast arctic airspaces. 4 of them can allegedly network together and control a line 1200km long. I guess its the not-for-export classified gear that makes a difference.

some claims that Su35 will carry it , but not seen a photo so far, or even the fabled ramjet R77 being carried and used.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by VinodTK »


Please watch the first 7 minutes of todays news, I do not know if this the right thread to post; I am posting it here because the story is the about a late air-force garud commando's sisters wedding. Hats off to Rajat Sharma for covering this in the news.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Singha »

hindustan times:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to curtail the role of the Antonov-32 (AN-32) in extreme environments following the June 3 crash in Arunachal Pradesh that led to the deaths of 13 people — the third fatal incident of the Soviet-origin aircraft in India over the last 10 years.

According to three senior IAF officers, who asked not to be named, the AN-32, seen as a workhorse for the force, may be taken off duties that involve flying over mountainous regions and oceans out of safety concerns.

“The effort will be to assign most of those tasks to the C295 medium transport aircraft that we are buying. They have higher safety margins,” said one of the officials, who is familiar with IAF’s modernisation.

A second official said the defence ministry has wrapped up price negotiations for 56 C295 aircraft made by Airbus, and while it is meant to replace the fleet of the vintage medium-sized Avro 748 transport planes, it will also be suitable for demanding roles that the AN-32 currently undertakes.

The $2.5-billion project is likely to come up before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for final clearance. Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will jointly execute the project, which will also be part of the Make in India initiative in the aerospace sector, the second official said.

Once the contract is awarded, Airbus will supply the first 16 aircraft in “flyaway condition” while the remaining 40 will be assembled in India by TASL.

“After the DAC’s clearance, the C295 purchase will be sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security for approval. The contract is likely to be awarded by the year-end. While the C295 is a replacement for Avro, it will conduct some of the critical duties currently assigned to AN-32s,” said the third IAF official.

The first 16 planes will be supplied in two years, and the deliveries of the 40 locally-assembled ones will be spread over an additional eight years.

“The AN-32 is a versatile plane and has served us well. But it’s too old and even the upgraded variants are nowhere close to new-generation tactical airlifters. The C295s can carry out most of the roles performed by AN-32s. I hope we conclude the C295 deal soon,” said Air Chief Marshal Fali Major (retd), a former IAF chief.

The C295 can operate from short, unprepared airstrips and carry out a raft of missions in all-weather conditions.

The June 3 AN-32 crash has put the safety record of the aircraft in the spotlight, especially since the incident now takes the total toll in AN-32 accidents to 55 in 10 years. The plane took off from Jorhat in Assam and was on its way to an advanced landing ground at Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Siang district when it vanished from the radar screens and slammed into a hillside.

An airborne search team spotted the wreckage on Tuesday, eight days after it disappeared. There were no survivors, IAF confirmed on Thursday.

In July 2016, an AN-32 went down in the Bay of Bengal with 29 people on board. Exactly a decade ago, an AN-32 crashed in West Siang, killing all 13 on board.

The IAF operates a fleet of around 100 AN-32s, more than any other air force in the world. Some of the AN-32s have undergone an upgrade in Ukraine to improve avionics and increase engine lifespan.

Several planes are also being upgraded at an IAF repair facility in Kanpur as part of the same contract. India and Ukraine inked a $400-million deal in 2009 to modernise the planes.
Zynda
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Zynda »

Rafael has unveiled a new pod where they combined SAR + IIR EO in the same unit and it supposedly works together in providing the pilot with recon+targeting capabilities. They even made a superb animated video of an unmarked Su-30 carrying the pod in overcast condition and providing stand-off targeting plus weapons delivery against enemy while staying in friendly airspace.



Israel is slowly taking Russia away from its airplanes...in 15 years or so, on derivative of Super-30 upgrade, it is quite possible that Russian part of avionics might be minimal (limited to systems that interface with engine + flight controls) while the rest may be mix of Israeli plus indigenous gear.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

After the four Vampires were shot down in 1965 war, IAF grounded both Vampires and Ourugans and effectively cut their fleet size in half.
Same type of decision by prohibiting the AN-32 flying in mountain terrain.
The decision should be to curtail non-upgraded planes in bad weather.

And complete the upgrade on rest of the AN-32s.
The C-295 contract is not even signed yet.
Its still is CCS for approval.

Above decision is a hit wicket in cricket parlance.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Singha »

the MTA was supposed to be nearing IOC by now :rotfl:
while we may be able to replace the utility and light role with C295, we also need a larger number of medium transports - the MTA hole - whether it should be turboprop C130J or the turbofan KC390/C2 is debatable. whichever is cheaper is perhaps best. speed is not a big criteria as our transport flights are relatively short like 1 hr from the logistics base to the ALG or 1 hr between zonal bases. C130J has two ferry tanks under the wings and a good range plus a far far larger production base and global footprint.

I would claim the C130J in a mix of short- and long- chassis models should be our MTA.

we need it both for transport and to equip airborne brigade, mountain strike corps adequately.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by JTull »

ramana wrote:After the four Vampires were shot down in 1965 war, IAF grounded both Vampires and Ourugans and effectively cut their fleet size in half.
Same type of decision by prohibiting the AN-32 flying in mountain terrain.
The decision should be to curtail non-upgraded planes in bad weather.

And complete the upgrade on rest of the AN-32s.
The C-295 contract is not even signed yet.
Its still is CCS for approval.

Above decision is a hit wicket in cricket parlance.
Media over-reaction is with that precise goal!
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