Indian Military Aviation

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 16 May 2011 09:58

Retractable probe

Pratik_S · Post by **Pratik_S** » 16 May 2011 18:46

Dmurphy wrote:Thinking aloud, the probe looks very close to the fuselage. Isn't that a problem?
The M2Ks, Rafales and MKIs have the probes farther away from the fuselage minimising the chances of friction between the hose and the fuselage. Plus, the pilots can see it happening in front of their eyes. Not sure about Mig UPGs though, unless the pilots make make an effort to lean out of the canopy . JMT.

Its a retractable probe, in the picture its in the inactive mode (or whatever is the official term

). Once active it will be something like this

.
Which should not be any problem.

Also the nose seems to be elongated to accommodate the new Zhuk-ME

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 17 May 2011 02:54

karan_mc wrote:IAF against creating CDS ‘in present format’

They are still at it? One of these days the decision has to be forced. By this opposition they are doing a disservice to the nation.

ACM PC Lal had good reasons in those days. By now the other services have grown in numbers and stature. And the leaders have shown the capability to lead from such a position.

P Chitkara · Post by **P Chitkara** » 17 May 2011 14:00

Inter service rivalry can get down to ridiculous levels sir... Let us leave it at that.. OT

Khalsa · Post by **Khalsa** » 17 May 2011 16:16

Thanks Kartik. That was awesome pics !!

A Sharma · Post by **A Sharma** » 19 May 2011 05:06

India set to sign $2.4bn Mirage deal with France

"This is also now going to CCS for approval. Another big contract, which was being progressed simultaneously, for around 450 MICA (interception and aerial combat missiles) systems to arm the upgraded Mirages is also in the final stages now," said a source.

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 19 May 2011 07:59

Mirage 2000 Upgrade Talks Begin

Mirage 2000 Upgrade Talks Begin
Huma Siddiqui
Posted: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 0215 hrs IST

New Delhi : Negotiations have begun between the Paris-based Dassault Aviation and New Delhi for upgrading the IAF’s fleet of Mirage 2000 aircraft. The upgrade is estimated to cost $2.2 billion.

“The Mirage upgrade was finalised last year during the visit of the French President Nicolas Sarkozy,” a senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official said on condition of anonymity.

“While the formal contract has yet to be signed, the two sides have started negotiations for the MICA multi-mission air-to-air missile, the only missile in the world with two interoperable seekers (active radar and infrared imaging) to cover close-in dogfights and BVR (beyond visual range) for the Mirage upgrade.”

In March, by when the deal was expected to have been signed, IAF chief PV Naik had said that Differences over Price and Legal Issues had Blocked Progress, but since then, “negotiations have been concluded and the report has been submitted to the defence ministry”, the official cited earlier said.

While both sides are keen to get the project off the ground at the earliest, according to sources, discussions still needed to be concluded on the issue of the complement of weapons to be fitted on to the aircraft, which is to be upgraded to the Mirage 2000-5 MkII standard. The aim was to give the aircraft, inducted into the IAF in 1985-88, another 20-25 years of service life.

An Indo-French joint statement had said in December that “discussions concerning the upgrading of Mirage 2000 aircraft are expected to be finalised soon”. There has been no official word on the progress of the Mirage 2000 upgrade deal after that.

According to industry sources, while the cost of upgrading around 50 aircraft is Already on the Higher Side, it is expected to go up by another $700 million if one considers the cost of procuring, integrating and clearing the armament of the upgraded aircraft.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 19 May 2011 08:03

ramana wrote:They are still at it? One of these days the decision has to be forced. By this opposition they are doing a disservice to the nation.

ACM PC Lal had good reasons in those days. By now the other services have grown in numbers and stature. And the leaders have shown the capability to lead from such a position.

ACM Naik makes a good point. In his own words, "In United States, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff controls the operations; in Australia, the CDS and the defence secretary are parallel and report to their equivalent of the defence minister. Which model do we want to adopt?"

He is not against the concept of a CDS. It is just that we are unclear on what role the CDS is really supposed to play within the Indian security framework. Until and unless we decide on that first, only then can we take the next step. He is the first Service Chief - to my knowledge - to really articulate what the issue is, rather than just be a spoke in the wheel.

http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?271657

A quote from the above link...

In India, only powerful IAS bureaucrats and politicians get to sit in the crisis management group. They are supposed to mull and decide over the options that can be exercised when an enemy of the state shows hostile intent.

With such an attitude, just imagine if we have a CDS!

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 19 May 2011 08:07

Attack Choppers to Add Teeth to Indian Army's Strike Corps
IANS

Attack Choppers to Add Teeth to Indian Army's Strike Corps
By N.C. Bipindra
New Delhi
May 18

With the rapid evolution of battlefield concepts, the Indian Army is preparing to shore up its aviation wing with attack and tactical-lift capabilities to increase the punch of its three potent strike corps, a concept fine-tuned during a just-concluded war game in the Rajasthan desert close to the Pakistan border, defence analysts say.With the strike corps tasked to slice through the enemy's defences, the helicopters will supplement this by the quick insertion of fully-armed soldiers and their heavy weaponry, as also provide close air support to the troops and the armoured elements, a senior officer of the army's Ambala-based 2 Kharga Corps explained.

It was this transformational doctrine that was validated during the month-long exercise Vijayee Bhava (Be Victorious), even though the army does not operate any attack helicopters in its aviation wing at present and has to depend on the Indian Air Force (IAF) for them, the officer added.

"The strike corps trains for rapid mobilisation and resolute application. Mechanised (battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers) manoeuvres are the essence of offensive operations. In the future battlefield, air assets will play a decisive role. With the exponential increase in the air assets with the army and the air force, these will be employed in an integrated manner to gain a decisive edge in combat. This is the first time we have used the combat air assets in such an exercise," the officer told IANS, but speaking strictly on condition of anonymity as he was not supposed to speak to the media directly.

As per the army's plans for its aviation wing -- mooted in 2007 and to be implemented over a 15-year period ending 2022 -- the three strike corps would be beefed up with an aviation brigade comprising two squadrons of 12 attack helicopters each, apart from two squadrons with 15 choppers each for tactical battle reconnaissance and casualty evacuation, top army sources said.

Apart from the 1, 2 and 21 strike Corps, the army will also provide aviation brigades to each of its 10 pivot or defensive corps, but these would essentially be in the nature of tactical lift capabilities, with some offensive elements.

At present, the army relies on two squadrons of Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack helicopters and Mi-17 medium-lift choppers of the IAF for testing its transformational concepts.

Defence ministry officials, when asked about the army's aviation plans, said the IAF would continue to play a "strategic" role while the army would acquire its air assets for a "tactical" role.

The army, obviously, wants to have "full command and control" over the "tactical" operations of air assets so that it could meet its rapid deployment needs and for combat air support.

The army is already looking at procuring 114 of the indigenously-developed light combat helicopter (LCH), which took to the skies for the first time in March 2010, and 64 of which IAF is buying.

This apart, the army is in the process of acquiring 133 light utility helicopters for USD 1.9 billion, along with the IAF's 64 for USD 960 million, as part of a 197-chopper deal for which Eurocopter's AS550-C3 Fennec and Russia's Kamov Ka-226 are in the race. These would replace the 150 Cheetah and Chetak helicopters of 1970s vintage in the army aviation fleet which are extensively used for transportation in high-altitude areas, including the Siachen Glacier.

(N.C. Bipindra can be contacted at nc.bipindra@ians.in)
--IANS

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 19 May 2011 08:08

Juggi G wrote:Mirage 2000 Upgrade Talks Begin

“While the formal contract has yet to be signed, the two sides have started negotiations for the MICA multi-mission air-to-air missile, the only missile in the world with two interoperable seekers (active radar and infrared imaging) to cover close-in dogfights and BVR (beyond visual range) for the Mirage upgrade.”

Someone correct me if I am reading that wrong, but isn't the IAF officer stating that you can change the seeker from IR to EM (and vice-versa) on a single missile?

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 19 May 2011 08:31

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 May 2011 09:08

> if one considers the cost of procuring, integrating and clearing the armament of the upgraded aircraft.

the RDYx radar and Mica are already integrated and functioning for years on french M2K among others. ofcourse the missiles and their ground upkeep facilities will cost money. the french have some cool looking modular plastic containers for mica missiles seen in Libya ops photos...kind of like Shipon rocket tubes but bigger. seen here in Corsica base

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9 ... tXeIkw&t=1

I have not seen open src pix of such tubes for AA10 or AA12 missiles - BR pix have them rolled out exposed on trolleys. wonder how they are stored in the base - in wooden boxes or this cool looking next-gen box with usb and ipod dock

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 19 May 2011 11:50

Goodbye jag Engine tender

Both engine makers withdrew

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 19 May 2011 12:05

chackojoseph wrote:Goodbye jag Engine tender

Both engine makers withdrew

A very sad development, probably they'll reconsider like BAE in the artillery circus? hope so

MN Kumar · Post by **MN Kumar** » 19 May 2011 12:26

India withdraws tender for newer Jaguar combat jet engine

NEW DELHI: The defence ministry has withdrawn its tender for re-engining the Indian Air Force's Jaguar combat jets after one of the two contenders opted out, a leading defence journal says.

The Request for Proposal (RfP), as the tender is known in technical parlance, was issued to Honeywell, which had offered its F-125IN engine and Rolls Royce, whose Adour-811 has powered the Jaguar's since their induction in the IAF in the late 1970s, India Strategic defence magazine (www.indiastrategic.in) reports in its current edition.

The IAF would now have to submit a fresh proposal to the defence ministry, which will then issue another tender. This process is expected to take about a year.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 May 2011 12:47

a better engine would make the Jags capable of full load ops at higher altitude / hot temp which I think is lagging now.

pragnya · Post by **pragnya** » 19 May 2011 13:00

while i am happy that my favourite Rafale made it to the final lap for the mmrca, this report - http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/de ... d=blogDest complicates the chances for the reasons quoted. also note the timing of the Mirage upgrade!! the Mirages have been crying for MLU for a long time now. coinciding it with MMRCA lends credibility to the point considering the french already have scorpion/nuke plants contracts worth multi billion $. hence for geo strategic interest and derisk the contract should go to Typhoon point.

in the name of derisking purchases buying a less ready (A2G/AESA), more costly Typhoon at the cost of less costly, more ready/capable Rafale does not make sense to me if it goes as per the report. i agree with Rakall that we need a good 'strike' component for the IAF what with Mig 27s meeting with accidents at regular intervals and underpowered Jaguars (with the reengining RFP withdrawn furthering the delay even further!!!) forming that component.

on a side note is it not prudent to go for a limited upgrade of the Mirage Fleet and investing more in LCA mark 1/2 which would be similar in capabilities to the Mirages with even time lines also being close?? also the LCAs will come with fresh airframes with greater future potential.

my take :

1. go for limited upgrade of Mirage 2000s.

2. saved money can be put for LCA mark 1/2.

3. choose Rafale for the MMRCA.

PS : Typhoon is also very capable aircraft but it will only duplicate the role SU 30MKIs are already in. while there is a great potential for the future it may not be mature for our immediate needs particularly considering the falling number of squadrons. besides the costs of maturing will fall naturally on us.

MN Kumar · Post by **MN Kumar** » 19 May 2011 13:01

There was a news item in a local telugu daily yesterday that HAL has sent a proposal to the Andhra Pradesh govt. to set up a helicopter manufacturing plant in the state at a cost of around 4000 Crores. It plans to make 3 ton and 12 ton class helicopters in the new plant.

Apart from this DAE has approached the state govt with a proposal to set up a Nuclear Fuel processing plant at a cost of 1500 crores.

Sorry cant find the online links in any other newspapers.

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 19 May 2011 14:02

Gaping Holes in MMRCA Elimination Decision
May 15, 2011
By Saurabh Joshi

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 May 2011 14:10

a limited upg does not make sense - either they have to be good enough for 15 more yrs after upg or not good enough. we are already limiting it by using RDY3(?) radar than the more costly RDY2 seen in M2k_5.

france getting a big deal improves rafale chances imo because EF does not fire Mica, so why spend 700 mil on Mica which is not compatible with anything else in IAF.

bmallick · Post by **bmallick** » 19 May 2011 14:44

There is this news item, which says in Rajasthan, illegal mining near the airbase periphery if threatening the security of the airbase. As per the report, mining is allowed to upto 900 ms distance from the base, but illegal mining is happening as near as 10 m from the base, mostly at night. I cannot understand why cant the airforce senties just shoot this bugged down. Once that happens no one is going to be near the base at all.

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 19 May 2011 15:51

bmallick wrote:There is this news item, which says in Rajasthan, illegal mining near the airbase periphery if threatening the security of the airbase. As per the report, mining is allowed to upto 900 ms distance from the base, but illegal mining is happening as near as 10 m from the base, mostly at night. I cannot understand why cant the airforce senties just shoot this bugged down. Once that happens no one is going to be near the base at all.

With respect may I point out that it would be illegal to do that. That would be an illegal shooting in response to illegal mining. It has to be dealt with by the civilian authorities and it will be.

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 19 May 2011 18:10

They wont mine so close, unless they got connections in high places.

Hiten · Post by **Hiten** » 19 May 2011 18:51

documentary made by the IAF about Air Commodore Mehar Singh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L49bR86v6I

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 20 May 2011 01:38

Some very interesting snippets about the A-50Ei Phalcon AWACS and quite a bit of details on Indra-Dhanush III from the April issue of Air International.

- Both E-3 and A-50EI participated in the exercise Indradhanush III.
- IAF personnel flew onboard the E-3 Sentry and RAF personnel flew onboard the A-50EI. RAF had a chance to observe procedures and listen to terminology used. As per one of the tactical directors of No.8 squadron "It was very interesting to see a very capable AWACS platform, and how they undertake their routine role. We didn't do any talking, controlling or tracking onboard their aircraft, but were able to plug in and listen to how they were doing things."
- A-50 has a self-contained unit in the back for housing the Elta Phalcon AEW radar system. Overall volume of the A-50's fuselage allows considerable space to be dedicated to the system and the 15-man mission crew comprising a commander, tactical director, surveillance operators who track and ID contacts, an ESM (electronic surveillance measures) operator and a controlling team.
- The A-50EI Phalcon has 15 consoles, one dedicated as a technician station while the rest are interchangeable between the other crew members.
- In contrast the RAF Sentry AEW1 operates with a mission crew of 10 or 11.
- The A-50EI Phalcon is more automated and user-friendly than those equipping the Sentry, which has now been in service for over 20 years in RAF. Flying on the A-50 gave RAF personnel a chance to see the highly automated system in operation and how the 15-man mission crew interact with each other.
- For the majority of missions, the RAF Sentry was assigned to the Blue Air force
- First aircraft to take off each day for 2 daily missions was either the IAF A-50EI or the RAF E-3.
- Both types could hold more than sufficient fuel to remain airborne for the entire mission vulnerability time (or the duration of the air battle) and recover to base after all the fighter and strike a/c were back on ground
- Once on station in pre-assigned area of airspace, the Sentry crew awaited the jets to check in. At appointed time, the exercise director would start the battle, at which point the fighter and strike aircraft started to defend or attack their assigned targets.
- At that time, the E-3 controllers and tactical director would be busy controlling Blue Air a/c, tracking all of them and directing the friendly strikers away from enemy fighters.
- In the final days of the exercise, the complexity of each mission had increased and involved Blue Air strike packages of 10 a/c and 8 opposing Red Air fighters. RAF Typhoons took part as both friendly and enemy a/c. "In terms of the actual flying, the type of a/c didn't matter that much, it was the capability and tactics we were fighting against that was more important, whether it was a MiG-27, MiG-29 or a Mirage was almost irrelevant." said a surveillance and ESM operator
- RAF Wng Cdr Jez Attridge recalled one mission flown with Mirage-2000Hs. "We had the AWACS (a Sentry) airborne, which was feeding a picture of the battle space straight into my cockpit using Link 16, enabling me to direct the Mirage-2000s around the Red Air fighters, and get them to the target". Basically allowed the Typhoon to act as a mini-AWACS controlling Mirages in the battle space. Impressed the Indians with that capability and the level of clarity within the cockpit to execute the mission. The a/c manages all of the data and automatically displays that info on the large colour display, telling the pilot what's going on in the battle space.
- Regarding the Typhoon's Ej-200 engine performance - "Engine performance gave us breathing space, because we could generally sit higher than most other types, and if needed, get out of trouble quicker".
- Direct operating cost per flight hour for a Typhoon was given as being approx 4000 pounds per hour.
- No restrictions were imposed on the Typhoons or IAF jets to handicap them due to system security restrictions such as the use of radar systems fitted on the Su-30MKI and Typhoon FGR4
- There were Su-30MKI kills by Typhoons and there were Typhoon kills by the Su-30MKI, which was expected simply because each mission was set up to be heavily weighted towards one type (Typhoon, Mirage-2000H, Su-30MKI) or the other and then swapped over.
- "We set up engagements up with offensive BFM or defensive BFM where the offender has a scenario that is heavily weighted towards him so that he can use the correct techniques to get into firing engagement zone against the other a/c and maintain that advantage. For the defender, his objective as pilot is to maximise the length of time it takes for him to get shot."

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 20 May 2011 02:55

Juggi G wrote:Gaping Holes in MMRCA Elimination Decision
May 15, 2011
By Saurabh Joshi

with a Saab Gripen advert just above the article and a Boeing logo after the article ends. So the paid articles planted continue on.

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 20 May 2011 03:13

India OKs $2.1B Upgrade for 51 Mirage Aircraft

India OKs $2.1B Upgrade for 51 Mirage Aircraft
By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
Published : 19 May 2011

NEW DELHI - India's top acquisition body has cleared a $2.1 billion deal to upgrade 51 Dassault Mirage 2000H aircraft, ending a four-year wait.

A Mirage 2000 jet fighter takes off from Nancy-Ochey, France. India will spend $2.1 billion to upgrade 51 Dassault Mirage 2000H aircraft. (File photo / Agence France-Presse) At its May 19 meeting, the Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS) agreed to the French proposal to allow only French missiles on the upgraded Mirage aircraft, ruling out a proposal to arm the planes with Israeli missiles, said a Defence Ministry source.

A contract is expected within three months, and the program is to be complete within five years after that.

Under the deal, lead integrator Thales and Dassault will upgrade four Mirages in France, then help India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) perform the work on the other 47. MBDA will help deliver a variety of missiles for the upgrade.

The upgrade includes replacing the avionics with two mission computers, an advanced navigation system, and pulse doppler radar that can look down to detect targets through clutter out to 70 nautical miles.

The new glass cockpit will come with two lateral displays and an advanced head-down display. The upgraded radar warning receiver will have an instantaneous wide bank receiver and an integrated missile approach warning receiver that can provide continuous information on time to impact. A new jammer will be able to handle multiple surveillance acquisition radars. Other new gear will include a digital video recorder, data transfer system, and simulation systems.

The Upgraded Aircraft will be able to Carry Four Beyond-Visual-Range Missiles and other Missiles and Smart Ammunition.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 20 May 2011 03:14

A Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 cockpit of the Greek Air Force...that is SEXY!!!

http://www.specialprojects.gr/acms_imag ... 1_1280.jpg

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 20 May 2011 03:21

the french do know how to take good cockpit pictures. compare that to our LCA cockpit images, taken under a drab midday sun, out in the open, with all the panels and displays switched off.

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 20 May 2011 03:46

Kartik wrote:Some very interesting snippets about the A-50Ei Phalcon AWACS and quite a bit of details on Indra-Dhanush III from the April issue of Air International.

Good info Kartik, thanks for compiling that!

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 20 May 2011 04:52

No problem Putnanja. You too do some very fine work bringing a lot of interesting articles to post on BRF. I see your name and know that something worthwhile must be there to read.

Some very interesting snippets about the INAS 300 White Tigers and their mounts- the Sea Harriers. By Pushpinder Singh in Air International's April issue.

- INAS 300 commenced its annual visits in Nov 1990 to TACDE for DACT against IAF fighters. During combat with the contemporary IAF fighters for that time, the Sea Harriers of INAS 300 not only held their own against the MiG-21s of the IAF, but also out-performed them.
- They commenced DACT against the IAF's Mirage-2000s of No.1 Tigers squadron which were tasked with the Air Superiority role. In the ensuing battle, the White Tigers gave the Tigers a run for their money.
- With the White Tiger squadron's performance acknowledged by the IAF, DACT with the ASF class of IAF fighters (MiG-29 and Mirage-2000) became a regular feature. The squadron has kept its tactics and deployment philosophy validated by exercising regularly with the latest a/c in the IAF including Su-30MKIs.
- INAS 300 has a very close liaison with No.6 Dragons Maritime Squadron with its Jaguar IM's
- Sea Harriers likely to be de-commissioned in 2012-15.
- the LUSH Sea Harrier is now considered a formidable air defence fighter capable of taking on the best in the business. LUSH Sea Harriers were put into DACT against Mirage-2000s and MiG-21 Bisons during dogfights arranged by TACDE at Gwalior in 2010. In every aspect of aerial combat, the aircraft emerged with flying colours, which was acknowledged even by staff of TACDE.

srai · Post by **srai** » 20 May 2011 05:17

Rakesh wrote:A Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 cockpit of the Greek Air Force...that is SEXY!!!

http://www.specialprojects.gr/acms_imag ... 1_1280.jpg

Old M2K cockpit:

M2K-5 Mk2 cockpit:

Compare with LCA cockpit:

M2K w/ 8 AASM

karan_mc · Post by **karan_mc** » 20 May 2011 08:00

India withdraws tender for newer Jaguar combat jet engine

seems like it will also have same fate like Mig-27

sum · Post by **sum** » 20 May 2011 08:16

^^ Well, so we can safely assume that the Jags will not see a new engine for next 3-4 years atleast and by the time they choose one, MoF will say that jags are anyways nearing retirement and so, don't bother with re-engine procedure.

Amazing how we don't even need external agents to shoot ourself in the foot when it comes to defence procurement.

chandanus · Post by **chandanus** » 20 May 2011 08:19

MiG upgrades 63 A/C for $965 million whereas 51 Mirage2k costs us $ 2.4 Billion....Babu mathmatics is great

!!!

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 20 May 2011 09:48

Srai, Can you do a comparison table of KAB500, Paveway 500 and Sudarshan LGB?

All are 500kg class smart bombs.

Dmurphy · Post by **Dmurphy** » 20 May 2011 10:09

chandanus wrote:MiG upgrades 63 A/C for $965 million whereas 51 Mirage2k costs us $ 2.4 Billion....Babu mathmatics is great !!!

Perfect DDM fodder in the 2G, CWG season. Can't wait for an article with the same headline

Recall the A330 refueller saga

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 20 May 2011 10:31

Can we do a comparison of Mig29 and M2k upg packages to understand what is the tasklist?

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ind ... ted-01879/
- thick center spine for addl fuel tank
- Zhuk ME PESA radar
The Zhuk-M/ME is a derivative of the baseline Zhuk radar, but its acquisition range has increased 1.5 times, with a wide scan and tracking area of + / – 85 deg. in azimuth and + / – 60 deg. in elevation. It also adds terrain following mode, and ground target acquisition including high-resolution modes.
- unknown update to EW and self-defence systems
- ability to fire Russian A2G weapons family (KAB-xx, KH-xx, FAB-xx)
- AAR probe
- NO known change in the engine to a later version like rd33mk3 seen on Mig29K ? - maybe some EDE mods?
- zero hr the airframes by replacing worn out parts
- glass cockpit in Mig29k style ?
- Thales IFF kit sold to Mig for this upg work:
March 25/10: Thales announces a contract from RSK-MiG to deliver IFF1 Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT) and Cryptographic National Secure Mode (NSM) equipment, as part of the 63-plane MiG-29 retrofit. The first CIT will be delivered to RSK-MiG in 2010, but comprehensive secure identification capability isn’t expected to be in India until mid-2011.
The IFF CIT equipment chosen in the TSB 2500 family offers a modern digital identification capability, compliant with the latest NATO Standard MKXA2modes and ICAO3 standards and regulations. It can securely operate either with cryptographic national mode or with the Mode 4 / Mode 5 NATO modes. This will enable Indian Air Force MiG-29 fighter aircraft to be interoperable with western military aircraft, and so avoid friendly fire in coalition situations.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 20 May 2011 10:33

with this upg both the Mig29-I and M2K-I should be about equivalent to the F-16C block50 range....albeit the F-16 in usaf service uses a longer ranged version of amraam the C7...and IAF will likely never use the Mig29I as a CCIP / LGB bomb carrier in the mirage/jaguar mould.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 20 May 2011 10:43

M2K upg http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ind ... ext-02891/

- RDY3 radar (said to be cost optimized lesser perf version of the RDY2)
- glass cockpit
- new EW system (probably ICMS mk3 seen in french AF M2K-5)
- Mica capability (separately billed under $700 mil deal - but the page above claimed the 2.2 bil figure INCLUDES the 700 mil for Mica..which would make it a more believeable 1.5 bil )
- helmet sight (something from Thales topsight family?)
- datalink - the M2K-5 has some airborne datalink that permits 8 of them to network together...this would be there plus the indian fighter ODL radio modem type stuff one would think.
- zero hour the airframe
- no engine changes
- no additional fuel tank enlargements
- it already has AAR in IAF and already has litening pod and LGBs from paveway2 and matra BGL family.
- no mention of AASM
- no mention of replacing the matra M550 with a newer weapon like iris-T, python5 or asraam.