Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

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

Post by Indranil »

brar_w wrote:
Indranil wrote: I don't fully understand why they went for a turbojet. Wouldn't a sustainer rocket engine for example the ones seen in anti-armor, anti-ship missiles be cheaper and less cumbersome.
My guess is that the turbojet gives them better range and envelope considering that majority of the aircraft employing this munition (and needing the additional stand off range) will be altitude constrained in a heavily defended environment due to their RCS and survivability concerns. This will allow their F-16's and F-15 I's to stay low while still getting some of the stand off advantages that the glide Spice had when launched from altitude. They've basically followed the UK approach (Spear III) though had they primarily designed for their F-35I integration they would have probably preferred a faster weapon that could at the very least retain the traditional time-to-target at double or more the distance when launched from altitude. Not sure if this solution will get them that. Even with the turbojet the max range shots are going to take quite a long time to get to target which is not optimal for some of the target set on the 250 class weapon though it would make sense for the larger Spice family packages if they apply the same solution set there (like the JSOW for example).
I was thinking along similar lines. With better ISP they can go further. They were working with one other constraint: They couldn't change the dimensions, at least length and width. Otherwise, they wouldn't fit on the current quad launchers.

But how much further can they go using a turbojet over a sustainer rocket. There cannot be more than 10 kg of fuel involved. With the turbojets, they can go 10 kms more over a sustainer rocket motor? And if space is a consideration, wouldn't a nozzle-less solid rocket motor be even more lucrative?

There must be a good explanation. Just can't see it.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by brar_w »

Pure range yes. I’m the type of targets they they would want to attack say inside Iran could probably mean they the munition may have to climb from a lower altitude and then cruise. Not sure what else they would have needed to change to accommodate other propulsion solutions. So it may not be a pure range play as much as a broader envelope within different launch profiles. One would have thought that they would have started with the 1000+ category of Spice but then they probably have a lot of targets in their own operational need so the 250 with the larger magazine may make sense there.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

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

Post by jamwal »

Are there any plans to move or raise any air force units at Jammu airport? The runway is being lengthened from 6500 to 800 ft. It is an IAF base with a civil annexure/enclave. The expansion work is being undertaken by IAF too.
One major security risk is some old grave which has been converted in to a "shrine" by the faithfool only a few meters from the runway.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by nachiket »

I doubt it. Udhampur is less than 40km away as the crow flies and has a 9000 ft runway. Plus no civilian traffic there either. Better place to permanently base a fighter unit if they wish to IMHO. Unless they ran out of space there of course. It is home to one or two helicopter units.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by jamwal »

There are some other birds too which I've heard and noticed since late 90s.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Aditya_V »

jamwal wrote:Are there any plans to move or raise any air force units at Jammu airport? The runway is being lengthened from 6500 to 800 ft. It is an IAF base with a civil annexure/enclave. The expansion work is being undertaken by IAF too.
One major security risk is some old grave which has been converted in to a "shrine" by the faithfool only a few meters from the runway.
As Nachiket says, highly unlikely but Jammu, Amritsar runways have an importance, being close to the Pak border, these runways will be first available for IAF aircraft with Fuel or emergencies to land.

They will not be permanent IAF bases but emergency bases for aircraft coming in.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Aditya_V »

Interesting looking at google maps, Srinagar AFB at 33°59'28.6"N 74°45'52.1"E (33.991279, 74.764458- digital) coordinates we seem to have SU-30MKI's there, previously it used to be a Mig 21 Bison base.

This has equal relevance to Chinese front as the Pakistanis, as being at 5500 feet , the flight distance is 320KM to DBO and 360 KM to Chushul.

50Km from LOC, 135km to Kahuta and 160Km to Chaklala AFB Rawalpindi.

Only thing is I am sure about the Hanger size, there about 8 aircraft out in the sun.

Another important airbase is Saraswa Airbase- UP, it on the plains and 340Km from Ngari Airbase, take off release a bunch SAAW's with mountains for cover and Ngari runway taken out of operations buying IAF crucial time.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by nachiket »

Aditya_V wrote:Interesting looking at google maps, Srinagar AFB at 33°59'28.6"N 74°45'52.1"E (33.991279, 74.764458- digital) coordinates we seem to have SU-30MKI's there, previously it used to be a Mig 21 Bison base.
No. 51 Squadron (WingCo Abhinandan's unit) is permanently based in Srinagar. So the Mig-21's should still be there. Perhaps dispersed in shelters. The Su-30's must be a temporary detachment.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/IndianDefenceRA/sta ... 80586?s=20 ---> Air Marshal Amit Dev, AOC-in-C of EAC visited forward locations in Sikkim & interacted with Indian Army to synergize and support the efforts of Army. He also interacted with aircrew of Apache Unit, which has been deployed in eastern sector for the first time.

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

Post by Rakesh »

The MiG 29 ‘Baaz’ Story By A Young Defence Enthusiast
https://airpowerasia.com/2021/02/19/the ... nthusiast/
By Shwetabh Singh Rajput
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Manish_P »

Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/IndianDefenceRA/sta ... 80586?s=20 ---> Air Marshal Amit Dev, AOC-in-C of EAC visited forward locations in Sikkim & interacted with Indian Army to synergize and support the efforts of Army. He also interacted with aircrew of Apache Unit, which has been deployed in eastern sector for the first time.
Nice.. so will they be called 'Apache Indians' with the motto 'Boom Shake-the-Yaks' :mrgreen:
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by LakshmanPST »

Hope this post is not considered as spam... :)
Having seen lot of discussions regarding projected Squadron Strength of Indian Air Force, I thought it will be good to tabulate the projections... However, as I started writing them down, it became obvious that the variables are just too many...
So, after much thinking, I prepared a simple Excel Sheet... The format I prepared is as follows:-

A) Input Data:-
I prepared two tables fir input data...
In Table 1, I entered the details of existing 'Old' jets... Old as in, all jets bought before Tejas...
The variables for each type are:-
1) No. of existing squadrons
2) year of retirement commencement and
3) rate of retirement...

In Table 2, I entered details of all New jets to be procured... New as in, all jets bought/to be bought after Tejas...
The variables for each type are:-
1) Year of signing of contract
2) No. of jets ordered
3) Rate of production of the jets
4) No. of jets per squadron
5) Rate of retirement (this input is not necessary for near future)

Sample Input Tables 1 & 2 are as shown below--->
Image
The cells highlighted in Yellow are the variables to be entered... All other values are fixed/filled automatically...
-
B) Output Data:-
Once the above data is entered, we come to the Output Table... In Ouput Table, we just have to enter the year (any year after 2021) and the squadron composition & numbers of the that particular year is tabulated automatically...

Sample Output Table is as shown below--->
Image
-
Since it is difficult to compare year on year changes with the above Output format, I prepared a modified version of the Excel Sheet... In the modified version, the squadron composition will be automatically filled for any six years you enter...
----
For general analysis and overall view of things, I considered three cases for calculating the variation in squadron numbers which I'm sharing below--->
-
1) With all currently planned/projected orders... (With MRFA, No Additional Rafale, No ORCA):-
Image
Some Assumptions considered:-
i) Nos. of Tejas Mk2, AMCA and MRFA based on recent news articles which gave numbers 170, 2+5 squadrons and 114 respectively...
ii) For year of signing of Contract, I considered it 2 years after the jet is ready for production to take care of bureaucratic complications... I took 'ready for production' year from Satheesh Reddy sir's recent presentation shared here before AeroIndia...
iii) Tejas Mk1 contract details were entered randomly...
iv) Existing Su30 MKI are only 12 squadrons, 13th will be raised this year or next... 14th may also be raised in future... However, fixed it as 13 squadrons to avoid complicating the sheet even more...
v) MMRCA 1.0 took 5 years from RFP in 2007 to declaring Rafale as winner in 2012... Further, commercial negotiations remained inconclusive... Considering the same timeline for MRFA, assuming RFP to be issued in 2022, Contract signing will be 2028...
vi) Rate of production of future jets is purely my assumption, which I felt is reasonable...
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2) Without MRFA, 2 Sqdns Additional Rafale, 4 Sqdns ORCA:-
Image
The 3rd squadron of MRFA and 1st squadron of ORCA will be ready more or less at the sametime...
In ORCA, IAF will get the perfect Desi alternative to the expensive Rafale... So, if MRFA is cancelled and IAF goes for 2 Additional Rafale squadrons and 4 Squadrons of ORCA, the squadron numbers and overall composition will remain same... Also, ORCA can play the role of cheaper mud-mover to AMCA... It can also be used to replace earlier squadrons of Su30s... Additional numbers can be immediately ordered as and when required...
The only downside is that IAF will get an additional type of jet in its fleet... But then, if MRFA deal goes to someone other than Rafale, it will be even worse...
-
3) Without MRFA, 2 Sqdns Additional Rafale, 4 Additional Sqdns of Tejas Mk2:-
Image
If IAF don't want a new type of Jet, they can simply order Additional Tejas Mk2 apart from 2 additional squadrons of Rafale... After all, Tejas Mk2 is same class as Gripen E/F and F16, two of the contendors of MRFA... If the production rate of Tejas Mk2 is increased from 24 to 32, the timeline will also match the MRFA/ORCA dates:-
Image
----
I hope these tables will give a realistic idea of things as they stand...
My opinions and conclusions based on these tables is as follows:-
1) IAF strength will continue to remain between 31 to 35 for this entire decade. Tejas Mk2 is most crucial to shore up IAF numbers. Once Tejas Mk2 is productionized, the numbers will start going up and continue to increase in next decade to the sanctioned 42 squadrons.
However, I don't think Tejas Mk2 will see a production rate of 32 per year... 24 jets per year would be ideal for the considered timeline and speculated orders... IAF may even restrict it to 16 per year depending on orders & budget...
2) The only reason IAF need MRFA is if they are looking for any specific technologies. Otherwise, they should order 2-3 squadrons of Rafales and order ORCA/ additional Tejas Mk2 to fill up numbers... If creating a new assembly line in private sector is the only aim, they can consider creating one with one of the domestic programs rather than going for an imported new jet...
3) I haven't included CATS and other UAVs in these calculations as the numbers are neither firmed up nor speculated anywhere. But I feel these systems will also play a major role in future.
4) IAF and MOD should start planning for replacement of Su30s after 5-6 years. That will give them full 20 years to plan and replace Su30s, which are due for retirement starting 2045. Replacement may include any one or combinations of the following:-
a) Cleansheet 6th Gen aircraft, probably 30+Tonne Heavy Class jet.
b) 4.5 Gen (probably ORCA)
c) Additional AMCA
d) full-fledged CATS or UAV squadrons
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Kakarat »

https://twitter.com/Suryakiran_IAF/stat ... 9181275140
The Flyby continue into Tamil Nadu tomorrow.
Tag @suryakiran_iaf
and post your pictures. Best photos get a personalised hamper from the team.

Note: Timings subject to change in case of enroute weather.
#tamilnadu #Pondicherry
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Manish_P »

LakshmanPST wrote:Hope this post is not considered as spam... :)
Having seen lot of discussions regarding projected Squadron Strength of Indian Air Force, I thought it will be good to tabulate the projections... However, as I started writing them down, it became obvious that the variables are just too many...
So, after much thinking, I prepared a simple Excel Sheet... The format I prepared is as follows:-
Awesome effort, sir. Request you to maintain (update, fine tune) this data sheet for future reference.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Anshuman.Kumar »

The way squadrons are calculated is very odd..different planes and different numbers i suppose.
272 MkI would be making up mere 13 squadrons..at 21 fighters per squadron..
36 Rafales make up 2 squadrons at 18 per squadron.

Tejas again counted as 20 per squadron ..Jags and Mig21s differently

Some Uniformity is called for ..16+2 for all types
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Prem Kumar »

Great effort, LakshmanPST! Please keep it updated and it will be very useful
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by srai »

Now please update with the price tag for each of the option. That will provide a more realistic picture of what can be afforded.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by chetonzz »

*please reply me*

all non Bison Mig-21 s are phased out "as of today"?

if yes why no ceremony? COVID?
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by LakshmanPST »

Anshuman.Kumar wrote:The way squadrons are calculated is very odd..different planes and different numbers i suppose.
272 MkI would be making up mere 13 squadrons..at 21 fighters per squadron..
36 Rafales make up 2 squadrons at 18 per squadron.

Tejas again counted as 20 per squadron ..Jags and Mig21s differently

Some Uniformity is called for ..16+2 for all types
16+2 is standard squadron composition... But more than 18 are generally ordered for attrition reserves, TACDE, availability, turn-around time etc.... The final squadron composition is decided by IAF taking all these factors into consideration...
Many ppl count the number of planes and simply divide it by 18, which is a wrong approach...
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

Thanks Lakshman. The table meets the requirement that I wanted.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

Very interesting IAF quest for DPSA and the meandering path it took. Doesn't include Su-30MKI or Rafale.
And note how it gets jerked by political, supplier, geo-politics.

And IAF creates ASR based on available planes.

So how to fault them for Tejas!

https://airpowerasia.com/2021/02/19/the ... nthusiast/
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

Indranil, KaranM,
Can the Tejas Mk1 be upgraded to Mk1A standards eventually?
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by srai »

Rakesh wrote:The MiG 29 ‘Baaz’ Story By A Young Defence Enthusiast
https://airpowerasia.com/2021/02/19/the ... nthusiast/
By Shwetabh Singh Rajput
1979 - Jaguar
1980-82 - MiG-23/27
1982 - Mirage-2000
1986 - MiG-29

Hindsight 20/20: if the GoI and IAF had focused on Mirage-2000 with license production (on offer) along with MiG-29 with license production (on offer), there would have been enough money to standardize the fleet with many more quantities of the two.

Having said that, the multi-role technology back then wasn’t mature like we see today. It was more of specialized aircraft for either strike or air defense.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Rakesh »

ramana wrote:Indranil, KaranM,
Can the Tejas Mk1 be upgraded to Mk1A standards eventually?
Not IR or KaranM, but as per HAL Chief...yes.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by srai »

^^^
Typically, some differences will remain given the build specs may have altered ever so slightly between the variants.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

Sometime before the 83 Mk1A are completed and the Mk2 gets started it would be prudent to get the Mk1 upgrade going.
Radar, avionics, Astra etc.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Karan M »

ramana wrote:Indranil, KaranM,
Can the Tejas Mk1 be upgraded to Mk1A standards eventually?
Some avionics, yes. But there are structural differences that can't be retrofitted. MK1A is designed with production engineering improvements for easy serviceability. In terms of what matters to us, common radar, EW, armament, fuel tanks etc can be retrofitted.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

Great. Need IAF to plan for that upgrade to get more flexibility.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by deejay »

ramana wrote:Great. Need IAF to plan for that upgrade to get more flexibility.
Plans already in place. Upgrades will happen over time. Present priority is getting and operationalising fighters as they become available. There is a lot of learning happening.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Vips »

Pak went back on its F-16 promise to US. How India fixed the gaps with Rafale.

When the French President’s diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne landed in India for a strategic dialogue on January 7, one of the key asks from the Indian Air Force was that the Rafale fighter’s technology, especially its missile capability, be kept away from Pakistan.

India conveyed to Bonne that even though Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of Rafale fighter, is selling the omni-role platform Rafale to Qatar, Paris should ensure that no Pakistani-origin person is given access to the plane by Doha.

Paris hasn’t just assured India that Rafale technology, specially that related to the Meteor air-to-air missile will be kept out of reach of Pakistan, but also that it will no longer upgrade the Mirage 3/5 fighters or Augusta 90 B submarines in Islamabad’s military inventory. India sought these iron clad guarantees after it burnt its fingers during Pakistani Air Force retaliation on February 27, 2019, a day after the Balakot strike.

On that day, Pakistan reneged on its promise to the Americans that it would only use F-16 aircraft in the war against terror and not against India. It was an 75-km range air-to-air AIM-120-C-5 missile, fired from a Pakistani F-16, that brought down Wing Commander Abhinandan’s Mig-21 Bison interceptor on the Line of Control in the Rajouri-Mendhar sector.

According to former Air Force Chiefs and Air Marshals, had the Indian Air Force not practised with the premise that Pakistan would use F-16 and beyond visual range missiles against India, more Indian fighters would have been knocked down on that day. “We were very clear that Pakistan would use the F-16 against us and hence we practised to keep IAF fighters beyond what is called dynamic attack zone 1 and 2 or D-Max 1 and 2 of the AIM-120C air to air missile,” said a top IAF official who asked not to be named. D-Max-1 refers to a range where a missile can “secure a kill” provided the opponent doesn’t engage in manoeuvring, and D-Max-2, a no escape zone from the incoming missile even after “all manoeuvring”, added this officer.

The Pentagon had previously assured India that Islamabad would not use the F-16 or the missiles against India. It conveyed the message to India after New Delhi requested Washington to put a software lock on the missile so that it cannot be used against India.

The Indian concern over the long range missile was raised by Air Marshal AK Gogoi as Director General (Air Operations) with the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen in Washington in September 2010. It was raised again during the visit of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in August 2016 with US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter in no uncertain terms. But all this came to no avail two years ago. Not only did Pakistan use the missile (parts of which were recovered) against India on February 27, 2019, but it also glossed over the F-16 that Wing Commander Abhinandan shot down using a Russian R 73 missile.

Analysts say that the F-16 incident may have well forced the Indian Air Force to acquire the Meteor missile for Rafale. The no escape zone of this missile is way beyond the missiles carried by US or Chinese aircraft flown by the Pakistani air force.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by srai »

^^^
So how is India punishing US for PAF use of F-16 and AMRAAM?
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Cain Marko »

LakshmanPST wrote:Hope this post is not considered as spam... :)
Having seen lot of discussions regarding projected Squadron Strength of Indian Air Force, I thought it will be good to tabulate the projections... However, as I started writing them down, it became obvious that the variables are just too many...
So, after much thinking, I prepared a simple Excel Sheet... The format I prepared is as follows:- snip
Take a bow Lakshmanji, that is one helluva effort!
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by vinod »

Vips wrote:Pak went back on its F-16 promise to US. How India fixed the gaps with Rafale.

Analysts say that the F-16 incident may have well forced the Indian Air Force to acquire the Meteor missile for Rafale. The no escape zone of this missile is way beyond the missiles carried by US or Chinese aircraft flown by the Pakistani air force.
Isn't this incorrect statement? IAF always knew of the threat of AIM 120 missile but couldn't get one until meteor came along 2016. It was to be part of Rafale package deal which just got delayed.
Meanwhile, India put pressure to get assurances from US which Pakis made them look like fools. India knowing them well trained anyways to handle the threat.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by Anujan »

No country can give iron clad assurances on how its exports would be used. This is because

(a) If they enforce their assurances, they face a loss of weapons export market. LockMart will lose F16 contracts around the world, because countries will be suspicious about restrictions on how they'd be used

(b) When national interest comes into play, all assurances go out of the window

Our airforce knows this very well and would have trained accordinly.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by srai »

^^^
It’s really a one-way street; exporters have all the leverage. Exporter makes the importer sign all sorts of “bi-lateral security” agreements drafted by them and have them signed into legally binding documents; whereas, all the importer gets in return is “assurances”, in other words a non-legally binding promises for buyer’s other strategic interests.

Are there any consequences for the exporter when “assurances” don’t pan out in reality? Nope. In-fact, opposite occurs—generates more business. Importers require even more powerful weapons to counter. Exporters get away with a gentle slap on the wrist and a new round of gentlemanly assurances are extracted.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by mody »

The only way to get the number of aircrafts up in the 2024 to 2030 timeframe is by signing a G-To-G agreement for another 36 Rafael and additional 36-37 Tejas MK1A.
If the contracts are signed within the next 12 months, France can start the delivery of the Rafael from 2024 onwards and complete the delivery by end of 2027 or early 2028.
For Tejas MK1A, the mandate should be for HAL to increase the manufacturing capacity to 24 planes per year, from the the projected 16 (32 actually if exports are also factored in). This way all the 110 MK1A can manufactured in the same time frame that the current order of 73 MK1A single seat planes are to be manufacture in.
This way an additional 4 squadrons can be added by 2028, over and above what the current plan is.
Offcourse the current plan also wants 114 MRCA fighters to inducted. However, at the rate that it is progressing and the aircrafts under consideration, the contract will certainly not be signed in the next 12 months and with local assembly planned, I doubt we can get the 6 planned squadrons inducted by 2028 or even 2030.
Besides, the aircrafts under consideration are F-21, F18, Mig-35, F-15EX, Rafael, Eurofighter 2000 and Gripen NG. Out of these the F-21 stands no chance, also as the USAF chief recently said that the F-16 had reached an end and should not be considered for further upgrades. Same with the Mig-35, I don't think IAF is looking for an upgraded Mig-29. The Eurofighter couldn't beat the Rafael the last time around and I don't think, it will this time around either. the F-15EX is a heavy fighter in the same class as the Su-30MKI and won't find favour. The Gripen NG is essentially the same as the Tejas MK2. This leaves only the Rafael and the F-18. Both can find favour, especially if we consider the addition of the IN requirement as well.
But in any case, no matter which aircraft is chosen, there is simply no money for 114 planes from any of the above for the IAF.

Just go with a combo of additional Rafael and Tejas MK1A and add additional 72-73 aircrafts to IAF inventory by 2028.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

Karan M wrote:
ramana wrote:Indranil, KaranM,
Can the Tejas Mk1 be upgraded to Mk1A standards eventually?
Some avionics, yes. But there are structural differences that can't be retrofitted. MK1A is designed with production engineering improvements for easy serviceability. In terms of what matters to us, common radar, EW, armament, fuel tanks etc can be retrofitted.
Good. Was assured that the plan.
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

I got a Whatsapp forward on Balakot and will post.
ramana
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Re: Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 15 Dec 2016

Post by ramana »

Nabhah Sparsham Deeptam

Bombing Balakot

18 February 2019

Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa....Tony Dhanoa as he is called by his buddies, was driving to the South Block of Parliament buildings to attend a meeting called by Ajit Doval, the National Security Adviser to the government of India. Earlier on the day of the gruesome terror attack he had already met Air Marshal Hari Kumar, Chief of Western Air Command and had discussed the operational aspects of the likely retaliation and had advised him to be ready for some action at short notice. Yes in retaliation to the gruesome suicidal bomb attack by a JeM suicide bomber in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed in Pulwama district of Kashmir on 14 February. He anticipated that the political leadership would not let the perpetrators of the attack go unpunished. But the brass tacks of the operations would have to be finalised shortly in this meeting with NSA.

The meeting was attended by only a select few. There were Chiefs of all three services, heads of RAW and IB who came armed with their inputs on terror camps across the border. The matter was discussed in minute details. Intelligence agencies homed in on around 15 camps run by different terror groups in Pakistan for a strike. But they decided to focus on the ones run by the Jeish because of its involvement in the Pulwama attack. Three such main camps were identified: in Bahawalpur in Pakistani Punjab, Sawai Nallah near Muzaffarabad (PoK) and Balakot in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (KPK) in Pakistan.

The choice was soon made, the strike would be on the Syed Ahmed Shaheed training camp in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the sovereign territory of Pakistan. The hilltop facility by the Kunhar river offered a sprawling campus, where recruits were imparted the advanced Daura-e-Khaas training in weapons, explosives and field tactics, tactics for attacking security convoys, planting and making improvised explosive devices, preparations for suicide bombing, rigging vehicles for suicide attacks and survival tactics in high altitude and under extreme stress. Masood Azhar had been known to visit the place to give inspirational lectures, and he had entrusted the administration of the camp to his brother-in-law Yusuf Azhar, alias Ustad Ghauri, who is suspected to have masterminded the Pulwama attack. “Balakot was used for battle inoculation." Since it is about 50 kms from LOC deep inside Pakistan it has to be struck by air.

ACM Dhanoa's eyes lit up when he received the go ahead from the Prime Minister for the attack on the same day. He was a master strategist when planning for such an attack which was effectively executed during the Kargil conflict.

Why Gwalior and Mirages?

While returning from the meeting ACM Dhanoa had already broadly made some tactical preparations in mind. Secrecy is the utmost important aspect of this operation. Just two days ago on the 16 February IAF conducted a massive Fire Power Demonstration (FPD) “Vayu Shakti '' in Pokhran desert involving most fighter aeroplanes participating in precision bombing. That would help in picking the experienced pilots. The Aero India show that was happening in Bengaluru would conclude on 24 February and the foreign delegates would depart. On 26 February the Prime Minister would inaugurate the newly built National War Memorial in New Delhi, even that event should go on as planned. So tentatively the attack should happen on 26 February, keeping aside a day for inclement weather. Further he met up with Air Marshal Hari Kumar and they decided normalcy must be maintained in everything including the birthday party of Air Marshal Hari Kumar and his farewell parties since he was retiring on 28 February! Mobiles must not be used and all the operational aspects to be discussed only during these parties maintaining secrecy. Normal training flying should go on in all air bases giving no room for suspicion to Pakistanis.

The reasons for choosing the Mirages were several. For one, Mirages were equipped with laser-guiding pods and more modern electronic warfare suits that could jam Pakistani air defences. Mirage 2000 fighters were based in Gwalior. The flying activities of an Airforce Station situated in Central India is not monitored by the Pakistani Radars or AWACS.Therefore these aeroplanes would form the strikers who would cross over into Pakistani airspace and drop the bombs over the target.The Israeli SPICE 2000 and Crystal maze precision bombs were selected for the pinpoint attack.

25 February

To assess the operational readiness of all the combat units of IAF there is a dedicated Directorate called Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI). On reaching a particular airbase the war plans for each department gets activated and their efficiency is checked. On 25 February this DASI team landed up in Airforce Station Gwalior for a surprise visit, ostensibly to assess their operational capability. The entire Airforce Station went into an overdrive, while inside the briefing room crew selection and tactical details were discussed about the attack on terror camp. Nobody else knew what was happening in the Aircrew Briefing Room.

Post Pulwama attack, highly strung Pakistan Defence forces remained on high alert. The early warning aircraft Saab 2000 constantly kept flying, keeping a careful watch towards India. The aircraft has been usually landing back for refueling and crew change around 3:00 o'clock in the morning and took off again at around 4:00 O’clock in the morning with a new set of crew. This information helped in determining the entry time of Indian strike package into Pakistani airspace.

26 February

At 01:50 when the Mirages took off from Gwalior under the pretext of DASI inspection exercise even the airforce personnel didn't raise an eyebrow. The aircrafts then headed in northerly direction towards Bareilly local flying area where they met up with mid air refueller aircraft for refueling.
Meantime four Jaguar aircrafts took off from Ambala and started a high speed run towards Bahawalpur in a deception tactic. In response to this Pakistan scrambled two F16 aircrafts and headed towards Bahawalpur to engage the Jaguars. The Jaguars then headed towards Rajasthan which confused the Pakistani Air traffic controllers.

The Mirages were flying along the foothills of Himalayas which helped them evade detection and now climbed up to 30000 feet before entering Pakistan airspace to escape from the possible Surface to Air Missile (SAM) fire and headed in westerly direction. For the first time post 1971 war with Pakistan, sixteen aircrafts crossed over the LOC and entered Pakistani airspace. Four aircrafts remained within Indian airspace keeping guard for any intrusion by Pakistan aircrafts. Further, four Mirages split up and started a high speed run in the South westerly direction to further confuse the Pakistani radars. Now twelve aircrafts once in the clear zone of ground based missiles and guns descended to lower altitude and headed towards the target... Balakot terror camp.

0328 hours

That distraction allowed the accompanying low-flying formation of Mirage 2000s to head in the direction of Balakot. By the time they showed up on Pakistani radars, they were 150 km away from the jets that had been scrambled to stop them. The Mirages then acquired the targets and dropped the SPICE bombs they were carrying.

Five bombs struck the targets, three hitting the large complex housing 150 recruits, one hit the main U-shaped complex that had most of the leadership and the fifth hit building that had the master trainers. One target they could not strike was the abandoned school where Yusuf Azhar resided.
That’s because the aircraft chosen to strike it was unable to lock onto the target to release the bomb in the tight window of opportunity. All the aircraft returned safely to their bases. Air Marshal Hari Kumar called up ACM Dhanoa and called out ’Bandar’ which indicated that the operation was conducted successfully. Apart from Doval, Dhanoa informed the army and navy chiefs that the mission had been accomplished. All three armed forces went on high alert as they were prepared for retaliation from Pakistan. Meanwhile, the prime minister was informed of the success of the mission. Having ascertained that everyone was safe, Modi proceeded to follow his yoga routine at 4 am.

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