Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Bharadwaj · Post by **Bharadwaj** » 08 Dec 2020 09:32

The a330-200(base for mrtt)/300 and a340-200/300 have always shared the same wing from day one. The difference being the extra pylon locations(and associated structural beefing up) for the four engine a340 which are absent on the civilian a330 but used for the mrtt to add refueling stations. If these are ex civilian a330s Airbus will have to mod the aircraft but this is not a big task in the larger scheme of things.

rajsunder · Post by **rajsunder** » 08 Dec 2020 12:12

Bharadwaj wrote:The a330-200(base for mrtt)/300 and a340-200/300 have always shared the same wing from day one. The difference being the extra pylon locations(and associated structural beefing up) for the four engine a340 which are absent on the civilian a330 but used for the mrtt to add refueling stations. If these are ex civilian a330s Airbus will have to mod the aircraft but this is not a big task in the larger scheme of things.

from
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... wvV7N.html

According to a former Indian Air Force chief, the Airbus 330 MRTT platform has much larger wings of Airbus 340 as a result of which the aircraft can refuel two fighters mid-air at the same time through drogues (attached to wing pods) or a central refuelling boom system.

Bharadwaj · Post by **Bharadwaj** » 08 Dec 2020 12:26

If the former Air chief did indeed say that - he is wrong. They have the same wing barring the differences in the pylon area. The a340-500/600 do have a larger wing but they have no relation to the mrtt platform.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 08 Dec 2020 12:48

Jet has no aircrafts that can be put to use for our forces. I have firsthand knowledge.

Bharadwaj · Post by **Bharadwaj** » 08 Dec 2020 13:06

The a330 mrtt will reduce the hours we put on the c17 air frames. It can handle troop and general cargo movement in and out of regular paved runways even at higher altitudes. It will also help with humanitarian relief work. A great buy and hopefully MOD will not get sticker shock once the price comes in- it will be expensive even if cheaper than newbuilds.

Vips · Post by **Vips** » 08 Dec 2020 19:24

You forgot the most important thing - The A330's have a super track record of flying and these jets will spend less time in hangars in 'maintenance' then the IL series aircrafts.

krishna_krishna · Post by **krishna_krishna** » 09 Dec 2020 05:01

rajsunder wrote: from what i read the commercial and the military's version of A-330 differ in the size of their wings. The Military's version is longer than the commercial. This allows to have three planes refuel at the same time without a issue. That might not be possible with the commercial one

Wrong it is same as commercial , please see the A330 specs from Dassault aviation:

"it is the most capable new-generation tanker, combat-proven and with unique multi-role capabilities, the A330 MRTT – based on the successful A330-200 – is the benchmark for multi-role tankers.
"

There is a chart by countries to which they have delieveries none of that is 340 all are 330. Difference is reinforced mounting locations for the refueling stations.

https://www.airbus.com/defence/a330mrtt.html

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 09 Dec 2020 22:39

https://twitter.com/detresfa_/status/13 ... 75744?s=20 ----> Neat image of a MiG-21 in flight over Srinagar airport.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 09 Dec 2020 23:02

https://twitter.com/TheWolfpackIN/statu ... 87457?s=20 ---> Except engines (cancelled due to cost), Darin-3 will improve Jaguar's performance in almost every sphere (radar, EW, self defense, NGCCM, New PGMs & SOWs, better navigation and targeting capabilities, upgraded cockpit, etc). Darin-3 upgraded Jaguars will remain in service till 2037.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 13 Dec 2020 22:55

This is how the so-called ToT works

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 58592?s=20 --->

HAL: 140th manufactured RD-33 Series-3 engine for the MiG-29 handed over to IAF. HAL's Koraput Division achieved a milestone of successful manufacture and delivery of cumulative 140th RD-33 Series-3 Engine for the IAF. Pix 1 and 3: HAL. Pix 2: Vayu.

Picture 1 and 3

Picture 2/b]

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 14 Dec 2020 19:18

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 20001?s=20 ---> HAL's Avionics Division, Hyderabad has received clearance for the first AESA Radar (CBU phase) to be fitted on the Jaguar DARIN III UPG aircraft. This is the first AESA radar being fitted on any platform in India. Pix 1: IAI. Pix 2: Poor quality, apologies.

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 60386?s=20 ---> HAL Hyderabad is the production agency for a total of 54 AESA radars under ToT from IAI, Elta Systems, Israel. In a brief ceremony held on 20 November 2020, the Clearance Certificate was handed over by HV Kumar, RDAQA (Hyd) to Mr Rajeev Kumar, GM (AD).

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 59264?s=20 ----> "ELTA ELM-2052 is a Fire Control Radar FCR designed for air-to-air superiority/stike missions, based on fully solid-state Active Electronically Scanning Array AESA tech enabling the radar to achieve long detection ranges and multi-target tracking capabilities": IAI website.

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 48674?s=20 ---> We wrote (plus tweeted) about this in Jan and Feb 2020 when HAL entered into a contract with IAI for 54 of these under ToT.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 16 Dec 2020 00:27

I'm assuming IAI came up with that graphic. An F-14 Tomcat in the background? Really?

kvraghav · Post by **kvraghav** » 16 Dec 2020 00:56

^^ Isn't that a F-15 sufa?

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 16 Dec 2020 00:57

no, that is a F-14 Tomcat.

See where the wings meet the body? Those wings fold back, just like in the MiG-23 and MiG-27.

In the F-15, the wings do not move. This is a F-15I Ra'am. The Sufa term is given to the F-16I, also in service with the Israeli Air Force.

Haresh · Post by **Haresh** » 16 Dec 2020 21:29

Just a quick question, it may sound stupid but I am curious.
Is it not possible to fit western engines in Russian aircraft ??

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 16 Dec 2020 22:38

Technically possible, as long as the engine diameter and engine bay diameter is similar. Too large of a variance and then it will not work.

That is my understanding. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

chola · Post by **chola** » 16 Dec 2020 22:46

Rakesh wrote:This is how the so-called ToT works

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 58592?s=20 --->

HAL: 140th manufactured RD-33 Series-3 engine for the MiG-29 handed over to IAF. HAL's Koraput Division achieved a milestone of successful manufacture and delivery of cumulative 140th RD-33 Series-3 Engine for the IAF. Pix 1 and 3: HAL. Pix 2: Vayu.

Sorry Admiral, for me, a ToT that works would mean we can use our Bharati RD-33 (or AL-31) in anything we wish like in an Indian plane like a LCA variant, for example.

If we can legally only build these engines for one model of Russian plane whether it is the MiG-29 or the SU-30 and nothing else then it is not really how ToT is supposed to work. It is more a sub-contracting job than anything else.

Just my opinion.

(Later: You might be hinting at the same thing.)

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 16 Dec 2020 22:59

That post of mine was tongue-in-cheek

MeshaVishwas · Post by **MeshaVishwas** » 16 Dec 2020 23:05

Fascinating read, definitely worth your time.

https://gulfbiz.jimdo.com/s-pecial-mission/giii-iaf/
Some nice images:

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 23 Dec 2020 23:58

https://twitter.com/RAFAELdefense/statu ... 51520?s=20 ---> Earlier today, Rafael announced that it was awarded a $200 million contract to provide SPICE 2000 air-to-surface systems, SPIKE ATGMs, and the BNET communications system to an Asian country.

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 24 Dec 2020 03:04

$200 million is small amount - for perhaps to top off already existing orders. Maybe new scenarios that may come up in LAC from April 2021.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 24 Dec 2020 06:11

Which are the Base Repair Depots? And are they dedicated to one type of aircraft?

The command's Base Repair Depots include:[2]

1 Base Repair Depot Kanpur-Chakeri Various Overhaul
2 Base Repair Depot Gwalior-Maharajpur Various Overhaul
3 Base Repair Depot Chandigarh Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-25, Mi-35 Overhaul
4 Base Repair Depot Kanpur-Chakeri Various Overhaul
5 Base Repair Depot Coimbatore-Sulur Various Overhaul
7 Base Repair Depot Tughlakabad- New Delhi Various Missile System
9 Base Repair Depot Pune, Various Overhaul
11 Base Repair Depot Ojhar MiG-23, MiG-29 Overhaul
18 Base Repair Depot Jodhpur MiG-21 Overhaul

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 24 Dec 2020 06:38

ramana wrote:Which are the Base Repair Depots? And are they dedicated to one type of aircraft?

https://indianairforce.nic.in/sites/def ... Link-B.pdf

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 25 Dec 2020 12:28

x posted from the political thread

The paki cat is out of the bag and the truth of the balakot strike is confirmed by a malevolent paki and is finally out.

pappu's credibility, as usual, is once again in the crapper

Pak Commentator and Ex Foreign Office Zafar Halali speaks on record to accept Indian Air Force Surgical Strike and loss of 300 Pakis

WATCH Video

via@TheMeghdoot

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 25 Dec 2020 13:00

Here is the Youtube link of the programme

2 Things

1) More 300 including some from Uniformed ISI also died
2) PAF came to hit our BHQ- Not miss them

So PAF has been lying all along.

basant · Post by **basant** » 25 Dec 2020 14:16

Around 4.30 he said that killing 300 was the intention which did not happen. Did I miss something?

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 25 Dec 2020 14:18

That Sematics thats all, to save his neck

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 28 Dec 2020 10:01

Any one has studied the IAF Maintenance command?
How big in personnel, locations, budget, capability?

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 28 Dec 2020 10:24

Rakesh wrote:Technically possible, as long as the engine diameter and engine bay diameter is similar. Too large of a variance and then it will not work.

That is my understanding. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

In the early 90s the German airforce was exploring fitting of GJ200 engine to the former East German Mig 29s. Did not do so due to cost reasons. Migs were subsequently retired.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 30 Dec 2020 07:59

In case anyone needed pictorial reference for the string of pearls

https://twitter.com/TheWolfpackIN/statu ... 17920?s=20 ---> IAF Chief: There's no target that exists in the 'string of pearls' that cannot be targeted by IAF fighters.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 30 Dec 2020 08:00

https://twitter.com/TheWolfpackIN/statu ... 61088?s=20 ---> IAF chief: Ayni air base in Tajikistan gives IAF a huge capability in term of being able to operate from there and it has resulted in lot of goodwill and strategic importance and the base is going well.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 30 Dec 2020 08:24

China deployed heavily at LAC but we stopped them in their tracks — IAF Chief
https://theprint.in/defence/china-deplo ... ia/576078/
29 Dec 2020

AkshaySG · Post by **AkshaySG** » 30 Dec 2020 21:46

Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/TheWolfpackIN/statu ... 61088?s=20 ---> IAF chief: Ayni air base in Tajikistan gives IAF a huge capability in term of being able to operate from there and it has resulted in lot of goodwill and strategic importance and the base is going well.

This mentions Ayni airbase... What about Farkhor, I thought that was the one India was trying to convince Tajikistan to host fighters/equipment etc.

Plus the Russians didn't seem too keen about us using Ayni either

LakshmanPST · Post by **LakshmanPST** » 04 Jan 2021 09:22

Full speech of Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria at Vivekananda International Foundation--->

vivek_ahuja · Post by **vivek_ahuja** » 05 Jan 2021 10:48

Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/TheWolfpackIN/statu ... 61088?s=20 ---> IAF chief: Ayni air base in Tajikistan gives IAF a huge capability in term of being able to operate from there and it has resulted in lot of goodwill and strategic importance and the base is going well.

I think the IAF and the GoI looks at this more commercially and economically rather than militarily. The base is remote enough that it cannot stand on its own in a full war. But as a peacetime base to fly in and out of, it can carry a lot of clout, as the IAF chief has implied.

Scenarios dhaga ideas notwithstanding, of course!

sanjayc · Post by **sanjayc** » 05 Jan 2021 23:28

India to sign $2.5-billion contract for 56 transport planes for IAF
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... Tj2SJ.html

Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will jointly execute the project to equip the air force with 56 C-295 transport aircraft under the Make-in-India initiative in the aerospace sector.

India will sign a $2.5-billion contract his year for the supply of 56 medium transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force to replace its fleet of aging Avro-748 planes, officials familiar with the development said on Tuesday.

Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will jointly execute the project to equip the air force with 56 C-295 transport aircraft under the Make-in-India initiative in the aerospace sector.

Under the contract, Airbus will supply the first 16 aircraft in flyaway condition while the remaining 40 will be assembled in India by TASL, the officials said.

The procurement of 56 C-295 from Airbus with participation of an Indian production agency for the manufacture of 40 aircraft (out of total 56) in India is at financial approval stage and the contract is likely to be signed in the near future, the defence ministry said in its year-end review.

“The case is first of its kind which envisages participation of private companies and would prove to be a boost for our defence industry,” the ministry said.

While the C-295s are meant to replace the Avro-748 transport planes, the new aircraft will also be suitable for demanding roles that the AN-32 currently undertakes, as previously reported by Hindustan Times.

The Avro-748 entered service in the early 1960s and has been long due for replacement, said Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

“The replacement C-295 project has been in the works for the past eight years and has spawned a new term --- the Avro model --- in the acquisition field due the unique path adopted. Actually, there is an acquisition fatigue that has crept in, a state that needs to be broken by actually inducting the aircraft that is sorely required by the IAF. The C-295 would also be the natural replacement for AN-32s which too would be getting phased out soon,” Bahadur said.

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 aircraft can operate from short, unprepared airstrips and carry out a variety of missions in all-weather conditions.

The contract for buying 83 LCA Mk 1A aircraft for the IAF from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is also likely to be signed soon after approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security, the ministry said its review. Last March, the defence ministry gave a green light to the purchase of 83 advanced Tejas jets from HAL. The deal is expected to be worth Rs 38,000 crore.

The deal for the 83 Mk-1A jets will take the total number of Tejas variants ordered to 123.

The 40 LCAs already ordered by the IAF are in the initial operational clearance (IOC) and the more advanced final operational clearance (FOC) configurations. The LCA Mk-1A will come with additional improvements over the FOC aircraft, making it the most advanced Tejas variant so far.

The Mk-1A variant is expected to come with digital radar warning receivers, external self-protection jammer pods, active electronically scanned array radar, advanced beyond-visual-range missiles and significantly improved maintainability.

India is also likely to sign a deal with Israel for additional Harop (P-IV) loitering weapon systems in the first quarter of 2021, the year-end review said. The Harop is designed to locate and attack high-value targets with precision. The weapon (also known as a suicide drone) tracks the target, dives on to it and detonates the warhead on impact, according to its maker Israel Aerospace Industries.

vivek_ahuja · Post by **vivek_ahuja** » 06 Jan 2021 01:11

sanjayc wrote:India to sign $2.5-billion contract for 56 transport planes for IAF

Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will jointly execute the project to equip the air force with 56 C-295 transport aircraft under the Make-in-India initiative in the aerospace sector.

This is an excellent replacement for the venerable Avro. The latter is so old at this point that it is competing with the B-52 and the C-130 for longest time in service! At least the latter have had new versions. The Avro is still in the original configuration from the '60s.

I do think that once these C-295s start rolling off the production lines, that they will start replacing AN-32 squadrons as well with this aircraft. At least, that is the hope (that the IAF doesn't go hunting for yet another aircraft type to replace AN-32s)!

C-295s will start replacing Dornier Do-228 aircraft in the future for MPA roles in the Navy/Coast-Guard.

Maybe even AEW.

Tata needs to be smart about this and milk the factory for every conceivable product variant possible for the Indian and other Asian militaries.

Avinandan · Post by **Avinandan** » 06 Jan 2021 01:27

Avros were well built and as per reports lot of them have significant life left.

As Indranil said, cant we just salvage it for squadron level dedicated tanker.

Any idea if that needs significant cost and testing time (including the new glass cockpit and engine upgrade that HAL had proposed in 2018).

nam · Post by **nam** » 06 Jan 2021 01:39

I think the issue is that IAF is looking for every excuse to move away from HAL. It is not the plane that is the problem.

asbchakri · Post by **asbchakri** » 06 Jan 2021 01:52

Wiki C-295 aircraft specs say it can carry armaments. Will these aircraft we are buying will also have this capabilities

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EADS_CASA ... s_(C-295M)

In 2012, Airbus Military announced several enhancements to the base C-295 design, changes included the adoption of winglets and an ability to carry the Marte anti-ship missile; a dedicated airborne early warning and control variant was also planned.[7]