Indian Air Force News & Discussion - 23 March 2021

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 12 Aug 2023 13:22

^ Why now, why not earlier ?

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 14 Aug 2023 17:08

3 yrs after Galwan, IAF still in ‘operationally ready format’ in Ladakh with fighters, drones & missiles
https://theprint.in/defence/3-yrs-after ... s/1713121/
14 August 2023

Since, at 13,700 ft, it will be world's highest airfield, fighter engines are being tweaked to enable operation at such heights. Defence Minister likely to inspect work next month.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 14 Aug 2023 17:10

IAF airlifted 68k troops, equipment to Ladakh after Galwan skirmish
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 33526.html
14 August 2023

The Indian Air Force has airlifted troops and military equipment to eastern Ladakh to counter China following the Galwan Valley clash.

Airlifting troops to tanks, artillery to radar: No let-up in IAF operations in eastern Ladakh
https://indianexpress.com/article/india ... h-8891327/
14 August 2023

According to officials, the massive transport operations launched by the IAF in the immediate aftermath of the Galwan Valley clashes led to induction of multiple divisions of Army troops.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 14 Aug 2023 22:56

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 18 Aug 2023 19:01

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1690537614565408768?s=20 ---> VIDEO: The Indian Air Force's newly inducted Heron Mark2 drones operating from a forward air base in the northern sector. The long-endurance drones have the capability to cover entire borders with both Pakistan and China in a single sortie.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 18 Aug 2023 19:04

India elevates strategic preparedness: Nyoma advanced landing ground transforms into high-altitude fighter base
https://www.financialexpress.com/busine ... e-3209196/
13 August 2023

Sources within the defense and security establishment have revealed that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is anticipated to conduct an inspection of the ongoing work in the coming month.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 19 Aug 2023 20:39

Indian Air Force inducts Israel Aerospace Industries Heron Mk II MALE UAV
https://militaryleak.com/2023/08/19/ind ... -male-uav/
19 August 2023

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 21 Aug 2023 11:15

A peep into the past

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgeNkMmuQ3I

Marut Files - Crazy story of how India made this in 1950s & forgot it

Aug 15, 2023
This is the incredible story of how India made a supersonic fighter jet in the 1950s amidst the crazy geopolitics of that time involving the geopolitics of 12 countries spread across 5 continents.

This video was made after a month of intense research, 2 RTI fillings, 2 months of 3D modelling and a 4 months of editing. Yes, the narrator in the video tells a smaller time frame, but that was because voiceover was done with those time frames as expectations. This video took more than an year to produce working on and off on this when I get time

prashantsharma · Post by **prashantsharma** » 21 Aug 2023 15:50

If what this video says is correct, the requirements listed out by the IAF for the Marut were also crazy and better than anything that the US, ussr, uk or france had

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 21 Aug 2023 16:06

Yeah,

BRF has a very good page on the ASQR and the issues faced by the jet.

It was intended to be a Mach 2 fighter with a payload of 4x1000 lbs bombs.

It was extremely forward looking for the IAF.

The mistakes made in the development of that aircraft, have been repeated over and over again for different programs.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 21 Aug 2023 18:31

Payment crisis leads to uncertainty over India-Russia defence deals
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ ... 216698.ece
20 August 2023

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 21 Aug 2023 21:58

https://twitter.com/Kuntal__biswas/stat ... 62300?s=20 ---> Spot what's new in both Su-30 and MiG-21!

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 21 Aug 2023 22:00

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 22 Aug 2023 08:03

Fanne, The Mig-29UPGs in Kashmir do they carry Rampage also?

Kersi · Post by **Kersi** » 22 Aug 2023 11:19

MiG 21. A new antennae just ahead of rudder ?

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 22 Aug 2023 18:23

ramana wrote: ↑22 Aug 2023 08:03 Fanne, The Mig-29UPGs in Kashmir do they carry Rampage also?

Ramana Sir,
There is no direct evidence from official sources on rampage purchase. But internet enthusiasts (and they have been correct many times) have claimed that Rampage is integrated with MiG-29K of Indian Navy followed by Su-30MKI. There is no mention of any other aircrafts in IAF, let alone MiG-29.

My logical conclusion would be that they would be integrated on other aircrafts and Mig 29 would be the primary one (as the mission computer is Indian). IF NOT ALREADY, WE SHOULD PUSH FOR IT.

Also a follow on, our own guided Pinaka can become rampage, we should also initiate a project on that. Extend Rampage/guided Pinaka to all IAF aircrafts and do it fast, not in like 3 years. What is the point of having our own mission computer on most aircrafts and organization like ASTE. If ASTE has to be expanded in light of many of these A2A and A2G munitions coming along and us having a wide variations of aircraft types, we should look for it, this will provide more bang for the buck.

prashantsharma · Post by **prashantsharma** » 22 Aug 2023 22:18

While it is correct that there is no formal announcement of the rampage purchase, the navy did issue a tender for the construction of test facilities for the rampage (test as in to test missiles in storage). So atleast induction by IN can be taken as certain.
No clue if IAF is also inducting this missile.

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 23 Aug 2023 00:50

The point I am making is ASTE was mandated and staffed when
1. India was developing/testing very less number of indigenous weapons
2. very less number of integration of other country weapons on a different country platform (like M2K -R77 integration)
3. It was mainly focused towards incremental improvement and mostly integration of weapons from the same country as the weapon platform

Now, times have changed -
1. There is high volume of different indigenous weapon types -Astra 1, Astra 2, Rudra -1,2,3, Gaurav, Gautam, SAAW..list is endless. Before what we did in 10 years, we are doing it in an year
2. Similarly, many planes, SU30MKI, Mig 29 UPG, LCA (mk1, mk1a, foc, IOC), even M2K, Mig 21, Jags...they all have Indian Mission computer, or we have control on these aircrafts to integrate aa and a2g weapon. Before we had perhaps Jags and SU30MKI where this control was existing.
3. We have more nations giving us their a2a/a2g weapon to integrate - Israel (rampage, derby etc etc), UK/France (SRAAM), US (JDAM), Russia (Whole slew of weapons)....

Trying to validate all of these weapons on all platform will be extensive work. That means ASTE also has to grow as org to get this thing done. Astra was only integrated with LCA now, after 2 years of being available. With our limited numbers of plane, making them versatile is a force multiplier in itself.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 23 Aug 2023 08:37

fanne, I think Rampage is with Indian Military and in Kashmir.

prashantsharma · Post by **prashantsharma** » 23 Aug 2023 09:27

True. Pace of testing needs to be ramped up.
In the 70s and 80s, each ETP course had 4-5 pilots. These days, it is easily 10-15.

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 23 Aug 2023 21:36

ramana wrote: ↑23 Aug 2023 08:37 fanne, I think Rampage is with Indian Military and in Kashmir.

I wouldn't be surprised at all. These kinds of things are silently inducted ...to surprise the enemy.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 23 Aug 2023 22:52

Also, those six Apaches will be delivered by next year.
All this adds potent force to the Indian military

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 28 Aug 2023 13:48

The Air Force wants $5.8 billion to build nearly 2,000 AI-powered Valkyrie aircraft as part of its 'next generation of air dominance' initiative
https://www.businessinsider.in/internat ... 115399.cms
28 August 2023

In a different thread, I had previously stated that the CATS warrior program with its published performance characteristics is not designed for operations over Tibet.

The Valkyrie has a range of 3800 kms with a 500 pound payload.

That translates into a combat radius of 1900 km.

Something like this powered by the HTFE 25 will be extremely useful for threading the needle of PRC IADS over Tibet. When running down PRC AEW and tanker assets over Tibet.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 28 Aug 2023 18:54

^^^ First iteration of the CATS Warrior is just a technology demonstrator. Future variants will have longer ranges and greater survivability.

First validate the concept and then work on improved variants, just like in the Tejas program.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 30 Aug 2023 19:08

From the official twitter account of the IAF.

https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1696 ... 15979?s=20 ---> The IAF recently signed two contracts with an Indian vendor for the supply of air-delivered munitions for its fighter fleet.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 31 Aug 2023 17:36

ramana wrote: ↑22 Aug 2023 08:03 Fanne, The Mig-29UPGs in Kashmir do they carry Rampage also?

Not a picture of IAF MiG-29UPGs with Rampage, but rather IN MiG-29Ks with the missile.

https://twitter.com/AdithyaKM_/status/1 ... 64939?s=20 ---> Rampage missile from Israel's IAI-Elbit being showed to a UAE Navy delegation visiting the Naval Flying Test Squadron at INS Hansa. AFAIK, first picture in Indian Navy service. IAF also reportedly purchased the missile for its Su-30MKIs. A test facility was/is being built at Goa for the missile:

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 31 Aug 2023 17:41

To fill a critical gap, Indian Air Force looks to buy six mid-air refuellers
https://indianexpress.com/article/india ... s-8915461/
30 August 2023

Prem Kumar · Post by **Prem Kumar** » 01 Sep 2023 11:48

IAF also ordered 200 swarm drones from Indian Industry. They tweeted about it yesterday. A report said it was Veda Defense system, a Delhi startup. Googling told me nothing about a company like that.

Hope this is a real desi company and not some screwdriver-giri

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 02 Sep 2023 19:52

Back To The Future: Air Chief’s SWOT Analysis Of The IAF
https://bharatshakti.in/back-to-the-fut ... f-the-iaf/
02 Sept 2023

Anoop · Post by **Anoop** » 02 Sep 2023 20:22

Rakesh wrote: ↑02 Sep 2023 19:52 Back To The Future: Air Chief’s SWOT Analysis Of The IAF
https://bharatshakti.in/back-to-the-fut ... f-the-iaf/
02 Sept 2023

From the above article:

Apart from this, 30 IAF airfields had been upgraded under Modernisation of Airfield Infrastructure (MAFI) Installation with Next Generation Hardened Aircraft Shelters, and 42 airfields upgraded with permanent night landing facilities.

There were comments on the forum about the MAFI being restricted to lengthening runways. Looks like HAS have also been installed.

yensoy · Post by **yensoy** » 03 Sep 2023 11:20

Red Flag briefing about IAF Su-30MKI by a USAF Col. - Part I; comparing the F-15 and Su-30MKI
This is an internal discussion, pretty candid and worth watching although it is dated.

In Part 2 he rips apart the French.

Cybaru · Post by **Cybaru** » 03 Sep 2023 12:13

We discussed it to death here on BRF. I hope we don't redo that discussion... Somewhere in the archives, you will find what you are seeking.

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 03 Sep 2023 19:53

hmm why i have forgotten everything. A rehash is not bad on a slow moving Sunday

AkshaySG · Post by **AkshaySG** » 03 Sep 2023 20:24

Rakesh wrote: ↑14 Aug 2023 17:08 3 yrs after Galwan, IAF still in ‘operationally ready format’ in Ladakh with fighters, drones & missiles
https://theprint.in/defence/3-yrs-after ... s/1713121/
14 August 2023

Since, at 13,700 ft, it will be world's highest airfield, fighter engines are being tweaked to enable operation at such heights. Defence Minister likely to inspect work next month.

One wonders if this is was one of the outcomes the Chinese plan for when trying these salami slicing/skirmishes

That for a few years we go Opex heavy and put in a lot of man and machine hours being operationally ready at the border which shifts away money /focus from acquiring new capabilities and towards emergency purchases.

Also puts some additional strain on our already aging ORP, transport, helo fleet and reducing their remaining life hours.

Obviously IAF is smart enough to foresee and plan for all these but i do hope that our line of thought is more towards infra and strategic improvements that ensure quicker and more impact ful response to such incursions as opposed to a more old school "force build up" which then gets de inducted or shifted to the Western border whenever things flare up there.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 03 Sep 2023 20:36

I am more concerned about the expendable items than the ready ness and wear and tear of the platforms.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 04 Sep 2023 20:59

Ahead of G20 Summit, IAF conducts 'Trishul Exercise' along borders of China, Pakistan
https://www.firstpost.com/india/ahead-o ... 74022.html
04 Sept 2023

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 04 Sep 2023 22:27

Cybaru wrote: ↑03 Sep 2023 12:13 We discussed it to death here on BRF. I hope we don't redo that discussion... Somewhere in the archives, you will find what you are seeking.

Spent some time trying to find that archived thread. If any old mullah's still remember the thread please post the link. So much happened since that Cope India saga, followed by this Red Flag.

prashantsharma · Post by **prashantsharma** » 05 Sep 2023 13:15

Anyone optimistic about the HAS situation should see the recent tender for building 4 orp blast pens and linked taxi track at chabua. Construction period of 900 days ie 2.5yrs. I think it was discussed with Xi and he confirmed that he won't be taking any coercive steps till then.
BTW, the nghas approval that has been gathering dust was at approx 50cr per nghas. This tender is for 55 cr for 4 blast pens, so not only gonna come 3-4 yrs in future, given MES contractor "mgmt", but won't be top of the line design either.
If u guys visit the tender pages regularly, you can even download the technical drawings, which I am sure any adversary is doing.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 05 Sep 2023 20:42

https://twitter.com/IaSouthern/status/1 ... 36532?s=20 ---> To enhance jointness & inter services synergy, Lt Gen AK Singh, Army Commander, visited Air Force Station, Jamnagar. He was briefed on the operational readiness of the station & undertook a familiarisation sortie in a Jaguar aircraft piloted by Wing Commander Mrinal Ranjan.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 05 Sep 2023 20:43

https://twitter.com/SWAC_IAF/status/169 ... 64611?s=20 ---> Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh GOC-in-C Southern Command visited a forward Air Base in Western sector. He flew a sortie in a fighter aircraft and interacted with the aircrew. The General shared future plans on jointmanship and discussed measures to enhance integrated ops.