Indian Military Aviation

shanksinha · Post by **shanksinha** » 08 Oct 2010 03:45

"Nabha Sparsham Diptam Aneka-Varnam Vayattananam Dipta-Vishala-Netram Drashtava Hi Tvam Pravyathitantaratma Dhrtim Na Vindami Samam Cha Vishno."

Verse 24, Chapter 11, Bhagvad-Gita

Translation: (Seeing the Lord's Grand Incarnation Arjun says...)
Oh Krishna, seeing you touching the firmament, electrifying in innumerable colours with wide open mouths and huge fiery eyes; I am trembling within myself unable to maintain my fortitude or equilibrium.

May the enemies of our nation tremble as such at the site of our Air Force. Happy Air Force Day!!

Jagan · Post by **Jagan** » 08 Oct 2010 05:02

chackojoseph wrote:Good Morning. Happy IAF Day
Iconic Memories On The Wings Of Destiny

Good one. I have all the three books - Liked ACM Dilbagh Singhs book the best. ICON is great for the 65 War but a bit disappointing on the WW2 front. Memories is a nice book as well but not too much action in there.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 08 Oct 2010 14:28

Security scenario alarming, says IAF chief

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 08 Oct 2010 14:38

Jagan wrote:Good one. I have all the three books - Liked ACM Dilbagh Singhs book the best. ICON is great for the 65 War but a bit disappointing on the WW2 front. Memories is a nice book as well but not too much action in there.

Yes. I would faint if I knew that you don' have all the IAF books published and available.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 08 Oct 2010 15:19

Please see the link for a rare pic of USAF C-130 in Ladakh during 1962 Ops:

http://independentindian.com/category/richard-nixon/

AdityaM · Post by **AdityaM** » 08 Oct 2010 15:28

Which plane is this: http://static.ibnlive.com/pix/sitepix/1 ... ersary.jpg
Taken from http://ibnlive.in.com/news/iaf-celebrat ... ml?from=tn

Its a single engine with Canards, then it cant be IAF. Damn whats it doing on IAF anniv? DDM?

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 08 Oct 2010 15:33

^^^SAAB Gripen

neerajb · Post by **neerajb** » 08 Oct 2010 15:33

^^ Grippen.

Cheers....

AdityaM · Post by **AdityaM** » 08 Oct 2010 15:41

another case of DDM then. Celebrating 75 yrs of IAF and showing swedish airforce!

SriSri · Post by **SriSri** » 08 Oct 2010 16:20

MRCA Deal Winner to be chosen by July 2011 says Air Force Chief

Sumeet · Post by **Sumeet** » 08 Oct 2010 16:22

Great interview of IAF chief by Barkha Dutt - NDTV

http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/i ... /167850?hp

Jagan · Post by **Jagan** » 08 Oct 2010 19:23

rohitvats wrote:Please see the link for a rare pic of USAF C-130 in Ladakh during 1962 Ops:

http://independentindian.com/category/richard-nixon/

Wow - thats indeed rare

chackojoseph wrote:
Yes. I would faint if I knew that you don' have all the IAF books published and available.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 08 Oct 2010 20:44

^^^Google turns up unexpected (and unrelated) results at time.....not that I'm complaining in this case

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 08 Oct 2010 21:48

Nightwatch 10/07/10

India-Russia: India will buy 250 to 300 advanced stealth fighter aircraft from Russian, according to Defence Minister A.K. Antony, as he announced the deal worth nearly $30 billion. Antony and Russian Defense Minister Serdyukov said Russia would supply the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) as well as 45 transport aircraft. India also will jointly manufacture the fighters under license for ten years.

Comment: The future of the Indian Air Force appears to be linked primarily to Russian rather than US firms. This agreement thinly hides an Indian strategic judgment about the threats it faces from China and Pakistan, about the US as a supplier for coping with those threats compared to the Russians.

India is making long term preparations to be ready for a major war after ten years that will require fifth generation fighters because the most likely enemy - presumably China - also will have those air capabilities. The Russians are willing to sell India the aircraft and to license the technology. The US is not building significant numbers of fifth generation fighters and will not sell them even to Israel.

The Indians, Russians and Chinese do not share the US strategic outlook favoring small wars and counterinsurgency forces.

A transformation is happening as we see.

biswas · Post by **biswas** » 08 Oct 2010 22:01

^ I noted how they mention nothing of the fact that both Transport Aircraft and the Advanced Stealth Fighters are Joint Ventures.

Viv S · Post by **Viv S** » 09 Oct 2010 00:47

biswas wrote:^ I noted how they mention nothing of the fact that both Transport Aircraft and the Advanced Stealth Fighters are Joint Ventures.

Well to be perfectly honest, Indian support for the programs is more financial than technical. Eg. strictly speaking the JSF/F-35 is also a joint venture, but no eyebrows are raised when its referred to as an American aircraft.

samsher · Post by **samsher** » 09 Oct 2010 02:08

Sumeet wrote:Great interview of IAF chief by Barkha Dutt - NDTV

http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/i ... /167850?hp

Great Interveiw indeed. ACM Naik is Kick A$$

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 09 Oct 2010 02:24

samsher wrote:
Sumeet wrote:Great interview of IAF chief by Barkha Dutt - NDTV

http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/i ... /167850?hp
Great Interveiw indeed. ACM Naik is Kick A$$

indeed. Sounds and looks like a no-nonsense person, forthright and even headed..I had a chuckle when he was talking about the C-17 purchase and how some people have no job but to look for meanings in everything even when there is none..our BRF itself teems with many such who look for meanings or conspiracies in every single deal while the ground truth may be a lot simpler- that the GoI has decided to go with the IAF's recommendations- and those recommedations are following extensive IAF studies for its requirements and the options that ARE available and those that WILL be available in the future as well. The one which meets the requirements best is going to be chosen, and money is no longer the biggest issue. It is indeed gratifying to hear that those who protect India will hopefully get the best equipment possible and while there will be oversight as far as large financial transactions are concerned, they will not be the over-riding concern alone.

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 09 Oct 2010 05:47

Indian Air Force to Evaluate Beechcraft T-6C Trainer
The Economic Times

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 09 Oct 2010 05:50

Half Of Indian Air Force Equipment Called Obsolete
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

India's Air Force is Just a Third of the Size of Rival China's and Far Short of What is Needed to Meet the Security Challenges Facing the Country, He said.

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 09 Oct 2010 18:18

NDA to get new Super Demona aircraft

arun · Post by **arun** » 09 Oct 2010 19:08

Juggi G wrote:Indian Air Force to Evaluate Beechcraft T-6C Trainer
The Economic Times

Hawker Beechcraft Press Release:

Beechcraft T-6C Trainer to Demonstrate Proven Capabilities during Indian Air Force Field Evaluation Trials

WICHITA, Kan. (Oct. 5, 2010) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced its Beechcraft T-6C military trainer is scheduled for evaluation by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in field evaluation trials beginning Oct. 11 at the Air Force Station Jamnagar in India. HBC is vying for a contract that specifies an initial purchase of 75 aircraft and options for follow-on orders that could eventually exceed 100 aircraft. A decision on the contract is anticipated in the coming months.

“The T-6C offers the Indian Air Force the world’s most proven and cost-effective training system available,” said Jim Maslowski, HBC president, U.S. and International Government Business. “It accommodates instruction in instrument flight procedures and basic aerial maneuvers and, including its predecessors the T-6A and T-6B, has accounted for more than 640 deliveries worldwide.”

The T-6C is being considered as a replacement for the IAF’s HPT-32 Deepak 2 trainer. The evaluations will be conducted over five days and consist of flights by IAF test and instructor pilots. HBC will also demonstrate the T-6C’s maintainability as part of the evaluation.

The T-6C aircraft features an integrated glass cockpit and advanced avionics suite that greatly expands advanced training opportunities, including a Head-Up Display, Up Front Control Panel, three Multifunction Displays and Hands-On Throttle and Stick. With its hard point wing, it can accommodate external fuel tanks and the systems and capabilities of today’s front-line strike fighter aircraft, while retaining all the inherent training and flying characteristics that have made the T-6 the most successful primary trainer in the world.

The Beechcraft T-6 delivers an outstanding training capability that is appropriate for most basic Beechcraft T-6C Trainer to Demonstrate Proven Capabilities during Indian Air Force Evaluation introductory flight training through more challenging and complex advanced training missions. To date, it has been used to train pilots from approximately 20 different countries.

Deliveries of the T-6 began in 2000 after the aircraft was initially selected to fill the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System role for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Since then, additional military programs worldwide, including NATO Flying Training in Canada, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Israeli Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force and the Royal Moroccan Air Force, have chosen the T-6 as their primary trainers.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers.

Press Release

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 09 Oct 2010 20:08

samsher wrote:
Sumeet wrote:Great interview of IAF chief by Barkha Dutt - NDTV

http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/i ... /167850?hp
Great Interveiw indeed. ACM Naik is Kick A$$

What kind of interview is done on the country. This is how the Indian media has come down so low. There is no patriotism in them to protect the country. Are the reporting for the foreign govt. This is how in Europe before the WWII media was behaving. Most of the media had no clue to that were working for the enemies.

Bala Vignesh · Post by **Bala Vignesh** » 09 Oct 2010 20:20

Acharya wrote: What kind of interview is done on the country. This is how the Indian media has come down so low. There is no patriotism in them to protect the country. Are the reporting for the foreign govt. This is how in Europe before the WWII media was behaving. Most of the media had no clue to that were working for the enemies.

Acharyaji...
It could just as easily be psy-ops on part of the IAF....

Vivek K · Post by **Vivek K** » 09 Oct 2010 22:04

We should start an online petition to demand the sacking of Barkha Dutt - one for giving away Capt Batra's position in the Kargil war and two for her lack of patriotism!!

Vivek K · Post by **Vivek K** » 09 Oct 2010 22:05

Juggi G wrote: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
India's Air Force is Just a Third of the Size of Rival China's and Far Short of What is Needed to Meet the Security Challenges Facing the Country, He said.

And we still cannot decide on the MRCA!!

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 09 Oct 2010 22:28

Grob targets Asian buyers for G120TP trainer
By Murdo Morrison

Reborn light aircraft manufacturer Grob believes its yet-to-be-certificated G120TP can win over a quarter of the market for basic trainers as it focuses its marketing efforts on India and other potential Asian customers.

This month the German manufacturer will pit the all-composite turboprop - unveiled at June's ILA air show in Berlin - against five rivals in a flying evaluation at Jamnagar air base in India. It is the latest stage in the contest to choose a 75-aircraft part replacement for the air force's now grounded Indian-built Hindustan Aeronautics HPT-32 Deepaks.

The Indian competition is the biggest challenge yet for the new owners of Grob, who rescued the Bavarian firm from insolvency early last year and hung their hopes on a radically improved version of the decade-old G120 piston elementary trainer. This is rekitted with a Rolls-Royce 250-B17F turboprop, three-screen Elbit Systems cockpit and Martin-Baker ejection seats.

When tender bids follow Grob is confident the G120's basic price of around $3.5 million will give it the edge over faster but higher-priced competitors such as the Beechcraft T-6 Texan, Korea Aerospace Industries KT-1 and Pilatus PC-9.

Grob says the improvements give the G120 capabilities unlike other elementary trainers and allow several training stages to be carried out from basic instruction to missions such as target acquisition and low-altitude flying that would traditionally require higher-powered turboprops or even jets.

Budget constraints are forcing air forces to rethink how they train pilots, says co-chief executive Andre Hiebeler, one of the team of investors in the new Grob Aircraft. "One hour on a jet buys 30h on a turboprop like ours."

full article on this link

Jagan · Post by **Jagan** » 09 Oct 2010 22:45

Has this been posted earlier

http://www.torqueaviation.com/military_aviation.html# (hat tip @ livefist)

Website of Wg Cdr R S Chauhan - some fantastic images in there. many familiar ones, but lots of new ones as well!

His youtube stream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-RbP_RBURY&NR=1

Gaur · Post by **Gaur** » 09 Oct 2010 23:21

^^
Wow! Simply WOW!

Its a shame that the pictures are not available for download.

palash_kol · Post by **palash_kol** » 10 Oct 2010 00:39

anjan · Post by **anjan** » 10 Oct 2010 01:03

Acharya wrote: What kind of interview is done on the country. This is how the Indian media has come down so low. There is no patriotism in them to protect the country. Are the reporting for the foreign govt. This is how in Europe before the WWII media was behaving. Most of the media had no clue to that were working for the enemies.

What did you dislike about it so much? I mean I dislike her as much as the next person but that interview was actually pretty decent. Enough pushing that the Chief could state borderline disagreements with the govt if he wanted to and express concern if he wanted to. It was a great opportunity to communicate with the country and being extremely articulate he could take that opportunity and run with it. Not really sure why any foreign country would be particularly pleased with this.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 10 Oct 2010 01:37

anjan wrote: but that interview was actually pretty decent.

With a mocking smile about the problems in IAF. With the most dangerous borders and rogue armies nearby there should be serious ness to the tone and content of the questions.

Gaur · Post by **Gaur** » 10 Oct 2010 01:54

palash_kol,
Thanks a lot for the effort.

BTW, how did you find the link for the pictures? I could not even find any link provided for hyperlinking purpose.

ADDED LATER:
If anyone did not watch the youtube channel, he is missing out on a lot of incredible video footage. The best of them is of Vayu Shakti:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DItXAZfIhVY

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 10 Oct 2010 02:41

We should work with the Russians to develop the PAK DA & a GLONASS Guided Bomb + other Fire and Forget munitions with Thermal/Optical seekers.

Just imagine one of these versus Sargodha

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 10 Oct 2010 05:40

IAF Withdraws Combat Helicopters from UN Missions
The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

The de-induction of the Gunships began in mid-September and the last batch was airlifted to Chandigarh from Congo on Wednesday, the IAF sources said. These would be serviced and refurbished at No 3. Base Repair Depot here.

Sources revealed that Nine Mi-25/35 Gunships have been Ferried to Chandigarh by the Giant Russian built AN-124 Freighter, the Largest Aircraft in Regular Service in the World, with a Payload Capacity of 120 Tonnes. It has taken Six Sorties to bring in the Helicopters, along with their Associated Ground Support Equipment and Related Paraphernalia. The Mi25/35 gunships are heavily armed and armoured helicopters that are used to provide close air support to ground troops during assaults. Besides the pilot and the weapon systems operator, these also have the capability to carry up to eight fully equipped troops.

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 10 Oct 2010 05:46

Indo-Russian Joint Project
The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Opinions

Indo-Russian Joint Project
Fifth Generation Fighter will Sharpen Airpower

Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony’s recent statement that India and Russia have sorted out all issues pertaining to the joint development of the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and that the deal is slated to be signed during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to India in December is heartening indeed. Considering that the joint development of the multi-role transport aircraft with Russia is also on the anvil and India has decided to go in for long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft from the US, among other equipment, it is refreshing that the need to upgrade India’s air firepower is being addressed after all. Only last week Air Chief P.V. Naik had sent shock-waves across the country when he admitted that 50 per cent of the Indian Air Force equipment, including fighters, radars, transport aircraft and air defence systems, was either obsolete or obsolescent.

That the Russians have settled for joint development of the fifth generation fighter aircraft and of multi-role transport aircraft is no flash in the pan. It is an index of their faith in India’s technological prowess as borne out by its indigenous development of the Light Combat Aircraft, the Advanced Light Helicopter and by co-production of the BrahMos cruise missiles with them in a cost-effective manner. Though the Indo-Russian FGFA will be based on the Russian Sukhoi T-50, which flew for the first time this January at their facility in Siberia, it will be built to the IAF’s specifications. Significantly, it is being touted as superior to the American F/A-22 `Raptor’, the world’s only operational FGFA as of now.

If there is a flip side to Indo-Russian defence cooperation it is that projects get delayed inordinately and this leads to considerable cost escalation. Not only has the FGFA been delayed, India had bought Gorshkov frigate in 2004 and its delivery, originally fixed for 2008, has now been finalised for 2012-13. In the case of the Akula-II nuclear-powered submarine, the two sides have now reportedly postponed the delivery to March next year, though India was supposed to get it last year after trials. This week’s talks between Antony and his Russian counterpart resolved to cut down delays but the proof of the pudding would lie in its eating.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 10 Oct 2010 07:59

80 Jdams in one pass - wow. the b52/b1/tu160 could deliver similar headcount albeit with no stealth advantage.

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 10 Oct 2010 09:00

Jagan wrote:Has this been posted earlier

http://www.torqueaviation.com/military_aviation.html# (hat tip @ livefist)

Website of Wg Cdr R S Chauhan - some fantastic images in there. many familiar ones, but lots of new ones as well!

His youtube stream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-RbP_RBURY&NR=1

nicenicenicenicenice!

First time I am seeing pics of a Hawk carrying rocket pods. Check the fantastic image of WingCo Chauhan's helmet reflecting trees and the earth "above" him.

Exactly when and where did Indian Mirages fly with Tornados?

And did you guys see this ..???

(a screen grab)

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 10 Oct 2010 09:12

wasnt that the RAF-IAF exercise where raf brought tornadoes.

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 10 Oct 2010 09:33

IAF strengthening its ground assets: Air chief