Indian Military Aviation

[venku_Raj]

Rafale – The obvious choice for India’s Strategic Forces Command

[Willy]

ThE IAF old strength was 45 squadrons when did it become 39.5 squadrons? Did they phase out earlier than the acqusisiton?

What was the idea behind the .5 of a sqn? Anyone have any idea?

[shiv]

45 squadron strength has always been a dream onlee. Never reality.

[sum]

Rafale – The obvious choice for India’s Strategic Forces Command

Is the article realistic or just a poorly un-researched one?

Interesting points about the unreliability and frequent failures of our user stock of A-II causing SFC to go the fighter way and the SFC requirement of 40 tallying with the French offer of 40 fast tracked crafts...

[shiv]

Rafale – The obvious choice for India’s Strategic Forces Command

Is the article realistic or just a poorly un-researched one?

Interesting points about the unreliability and frequent failures of our user stock of A-II causing SFC to go the fighter way and the SFC requirement of 40 tallying with the French offer of 40 fast tracked crafts...

Go wash your mouth. The article is very ver-y realistic. The author has his head firmly screwed on (to his butt)

The Brahmos does not have enough range to hit Beijing, or hit Karachi without mobilizing the warheads far away from their trenches

The IAF however does have the SU 30 MKI, MIG-29 and Mirage 2000 which can deliver the bomb embedded in Moskits or as gravity bombs,

Today the bomber...<snip snip>..needs to be a robust platform and a heavy lifter to carry a 1000 pounder along with fuel pods enough to make the round trip from central India, say Pune. And at the same time it has to be a great dog fighter to be able to make its journey back evading the F-16s that would have scrambled by then.

Infect after the merger, Sukhoi is not even interested in selling them

Rafale is going to be absorbed into the force mush easily. And it is also going to help us save a fortune on pilot training, tools and many reusable components.

[Singha]

looking at the F22 purchase cut from 700 units to 180, and the escalating cost and delays in JSF , my guess is usaf and usn unit purchases will see a good haircut .... I see no way unkil can maintain 12 nuclear carriers and their associated airwings, escort ships and submarines - nor is there any need to frankly, 6 is about enough for the forseeable future. the USN is anyways investing heavily into the cheaper F18. so maybe 200 JSF for USN and 500 for USAF eventually...with airwings not all 1:1 with carriers.

turns out the decision or choice of EU to go the 4.5 gen route with EF/Rafale turned out to be fortunate one...atleast they can afford decent H&D retaining numbers of their toys to replace the retirements.....with JSF/F22 type kit they'd afford a couple squadrons at most. stealth a/c opex seems to be quite heavy to maintain the chi chi coatings and shapings...preferably AC dustproof hangers. the ones who held out for JSF like denmark and netherland will likely face a super high bill and have to keep a token squadron or two or pay for the F-16-block100 in 2020

I am sure the JSF will be made a success in USAF service by virtue of over support system of growlers/cruise missiles/ECM/ELINT...but then even the bandar would be a sure shot in that env.

[SaiK]

JSF can also be easily grounded for poorly designed drainage system as was the case in raptor cockpit. The rust alone is expected to cost them $20-30 billion an year . What do you call a "rub with the rust" for the american tax payers! (including those desi tax payers). Not just the cockpit drainage system, but reportedly on the ejection seat as well (so the pilot may not even eject having to "rub with the rust" ).. mmm :mr green:

[Rahul M]

I've stopped reading it many moons ago but that article is even worse than I expected !
perhaps it is time to put IDRW in the strategypage category, aka not fit for BR ?

[vasu_ray]

Here are some random thoughts,

In a scenario where we rely on IAF for the most part to counter the chinese, their most likely action would be preemptive denial of all northern airfields for the duration of the war using tactical missiles which they have in preponderance

MAFI program helps to address this by multiplying the available airfields

Tejas with a Gripen like ability to take off from long stretches of off-roads closer to the front line might help as well

VTOL aircraft like Harrier and the F-35 can use helipads or short airfields and potentially dominate the enemy's ground artillery and frontline logistics

we could also invest in the V-44 program that US currently has in cold storage like we plan to work with the Russians on the MTA program. The V-44 can help with logistics in the himalayan terrain

Notwihstanding the finer merits of the aircraft, if the FMS route (with any country) helps in positioning the MMRCA fighters within a year of signing by leasing the full complement of 126 aircraft (from their existing inventory after de-conversion to 'export' standards) in case of a standoff, operational readiness is significantly enhanced which acts like a conventional deterrence aganist a Chinese misadventure until all the aircraft are actually delivered including allowing for maturing of the indigenous aircraft programs; They retained the surpise element with their invasion of the NA which was known to us after the fact.

if it is US, it would potentially wipe out the negative karma the US has accumulated wrt us by saving our ass in need, the only worry would be if the US is capable of actually authoring this scenario to endear the defence market in India and hence the future foreign policy

[shyamd]

Rendezvous with Rotors

An article on 'Developments and Uses of the Helicopter' authored by Capt HS Chandele of AEC appeared in June 7, 1953 issue of 'Fauji Akhbar'. Little had he imagined that 57 years later, his son, Lt Gen AKS Chandele would be heading the corps which would be responsible to provide engineering support to those very futuristic helicopters that he had envisioned in his article. Capt Chandele later commanded the AEC Training College and Centre, Pachmari as a Colonel and received the President's Colour for the Army Education Corps. After retirement, he served as Vice Chancellor of Saugar Universitiy. The article by Capt Chandele dwelt upon the contemporary and futuristic helicopter technology. The article by Lt Gen Chandele which is carried here discusses evolution of different classes of helicopters, futuristic trends and engineering support.
The modernisation of the Army consequent to the Indo-China conflict of 1962 and the Indo-Pak war 1965 resulted in the Air OP attaining significant stature.The vintage Auster MK-IX and Krishaks had outlived their lives and the Air OP was in dire need of a replacement aircraft.
The Air OP was resurrected like the legendary phoenix from the ashes with the sanction of the Government of India to induct helicopters. The French Alloutte III helicopter was inducted followed by its high performance siblings named Lama which were later re-christened as Chetak and Cheetah respectively. The Chetak and Cheetah helicopters are produced under licence at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangaluru.
The Army Aviation Corps was raised in 1987 with the transfer of assets of Air OP from Air Force to Army. The role and tasks performed by the helicopters were also enhanced from the primary role of direction of artillery fire to include communication, casualty evacuation, air maintenance, search and rescue and special heliborne operations. The rechristening of Cheetah helicopter as Ranjit after mounting of MMGs was a significant development during the IPKF operations and this marked the advent of armed role by the helicopters of Army Aviation.
The need for an armed helicopter led to the development of the Lancer helicopter. The Lancer is a low cost, light attack helicopter developed by HAL by incorporation of an armament system with appropriate sighting and control system on a basic Cheetah helicopter structure.
The imperatives for a medium lift capability helicopter proficient to undertake multifaceted tasks under the rarefied atmospheric conditions of high altitude terrain and the extreme high temperatures in the desert led to the development of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) by HAL. The ALH, christened Dhruv, is an all weather, high performance machine of 5.5 ton weight class with many state-of-the-art features like extensive use of composites, varying profile hinge less rotors, night vision goggle, compatible cockpit, integrated architecture and display system etc.
The excellent design of the rotor systems provided the ALH with superior handling characteristics, while keeping the audio signature much lower than even Chetak /Cheetah helicopters. The unique structural design and use of rubberised fuel tanks endow the ALH unparalleled crash worthiness. The state-of-the-art automatic flight control system enables hands-off flight during cruise and even during prolonged hover.
The armed version of ALH, called ALH Weapons System Integrated (WSI), has been recently developed by HAL and is presently undergoing integration trials for the armament and electro-optical systems. The ALH (WSI) is endowed with an impressive array of armament systems which include a 20 mm turret gun, 70mm rocket pods, anti-tank guided missiles and air-to-air missiles. Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) and Thermal Imaging (TI) sights interface the helicopter systems to the weapons systems to enable unhindered operation during night time/poor visibility conditions.
To meet the need for an effective and dedicated weapons platform to deliver precision strikes at high altitudes, a project for development of a Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) was approved on October 3, 2006. The first prototype of LCH with tandem crew seating took to the skies on April 5.
The Army is in the process of identifying a contemporary replacement helicopter for the ageing Chetak/Cheetah helicopters. The replacement helicopter will be sourced partly from the global market and partly through indigenous development. The preliminary design of the LUH has been completed and a mock up model has been developed. The mock up is presently undergoing evaluation, wind tunnel testing and other design reviews.
The requirement to provide intimate tactical support to the field formations has resulted in the need to induct helicopters of 10-12 ton class. This helicopter should have the capability to lift 3.5 to 4 tons of cargo or at least 24 combat troops at sea level with multi role capability. This Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) or Tactical Battle Support Helicopter (TBSH) will have limited armament capability and self-protection and will be used by day and night in all weather conditions.
The Corps of EME took over the maintenance responsibility of helicopters from Air Force in 1989 and today provides effective engineering support to the entire fleet of the Army Aviation. The maintenance of aviation assets is carried out in well defined echelons. The first line maintenance is performed at the Daily Servicing Section (DSS) which is integral to the operational flights and the second line maintenance is handled by the Maintenance Flight which forms a part of the Army Aviation Squadron. The third line and fourth line maintenance is performed by HAL with limited third line activities being undertaken by the Aviation Depot Maintenance Flight Workshop (ADMFW) of the Corps of EME.
The process of establishing facilities for overhaul of rotables at 515 Army Base Workshop (ABW) is underway. This ABW would form the backbone of aviation maintenance support in the mid term with the establishment of depot level maintenance facilities akin to those with HAL.
The proliferation of aviation assets in the Army and their role as force multipliers in the operational theatre necessitates intimate maintenance support to these assets. Accordingly, the concept of Theatre Level Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities has been evolved with the objective of arresting rearward flow of rotables and to provide a quick and responsive engineering support. Establishment of theatre-level MRO facility in close vicinity of an operational theatre so as to provide upgraded engineering support capability is an important step forward in ensuring effective and intimate engineering support to aviation assets of the army.
The future of helicopter is exciting. The next generation machines would see extensive use of composites to reduce weight, radar cross-section and size. Smart materials in the main rotors would change aerofoil shape and afford higher forward speeds. Active vibration control systems would enhance crew and passenger comfort. Stealth features through shaping, reduction of Infra-Red and acoustic signatures and integration with defence suits would enhance survivability. Integration of state of the art sensors like Milli Meter Wave radar, long range sights coupled to helmet mounted display and precision munitions would exponentially enhance the lethality of helicopters.
Radio altimeter, collision and terrain avoiding systems and radars would enable ultra low level flights. Armaments stowed in the belly of the helicopters would reduce drag and enhance endurance and range of these lethal machines. To enhance reliability and maintainability, health and usage monitoring systems would be integrated.
The capability of helecopters has exponentially multiplied over the last half century while still retaining its tenets of vertical takeoff and landing and holding a ground position. The machines of the near future will be embedded with advanced technologies which will take the capability of Army Aviation to a new high. The Corps of EME is well poised to meet the technological challengers in the future of Army Aviation.

[srai]

ThE IAF old strength was 45 squadrons when did it become 39.5 squadrons? Did they phase out earlier than the acqusisiton?

What was the idea behind the .5 of a sqn? Anyone have any idea?

It is part of TACDE.

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Units ... Fleet.html

[Juggi G]

Defence Platter Piled High Before Obama Visit

Defence Platter Piled High Before Obama Visit
Rahul Singh
New Delhi, October 31, 2010

India and the US will bring to the table heaps of unfinished defence business — ranging from outstanding military agreements to expanding US military aid to Pakistan to discussions on possible weapons sales — during President Barack Obama's first visit to the country.

The defence ministry may have ruled out the likelihood of any side pulling off a coup, but both India and the US will find themselves locked in intense negotiations to resolve long-pending issues and make sure defence cooperation is on a fast growth trajectory.

India is expected to voice concerns over expanding US military aid to Pakistan in the form of the latest F-16 fighter jets, missiles, laser-guided bomb kits and surveillance drones, ostensibly to support Pakistani forces engaged in counter-insurgency.

The US has just announced a $2 billion (Rs 9,000 crore) military package for Pakistan spread over the next five years. New Delhi insists Pakistan is misusing the aid for shoring up its military capabilities against India in the guise of fighting terrorism. "We want the US to address these concerns. This issue will definitely figure in the talks," a defence ministry source said.

Obama’s visit will see the US making a renewed pitch for completing all outstanding military agreements with India, including proposals to safeguard American defence technologies transferred to New Delhi, share geospatial data and guarantee each other logistics support.

On the Table

India will be buying four more P8I planes for $1 billion (Rs 4,500 crore). It also ordered six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the US for $1 billion (Rs 4,500 crore) in 2008.
Talks are in final stages for buying 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft worth $5.8 billion (Rs 26,100 crore).

Team Obama will also be batting for US aerospace and defence giants Boeing and Lockheed Martin who are locked in competition with European and Russian rivals eyeing the $10.2 billion (Rs 45,900 crore) contract to supply 126 fighter planes to the Indian Air Force.

US law lays down that sensitive technologies can be transferred to another country only after signing the CISMOA (Communications, Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement) to protect classified security data.

India has to sign the CISMOA if the American platforms it is buying have to come with hi-tech systems used for collecting and disseminating information. Such platforms come equipped with C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems, which can be transferred only if such an agreement is in place.

It also ordered six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the US for $1 billion (Rs 4,500 crore) in 2008. Talks are in final stages for buying 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft worth $5.8 billion (Rs 26,100 crore).

The US is also pitching for the pending Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement to facilitate sharing of geospatial data and the Logistics Support Agreement. Under the LSA, the two countries will have to guarantee each other logistics support, refuelling and berthing facilities for their warships and fighters, spares and sundry services on a reimbursable or equal value exchange basis.

India, however, has made it clear more negotiations are required to resolve areas of differences.

[Juggi G]

Decreasing Number of Skilled Workers is Limiting Growth in Civil Aviation
Daily News & Analysis

Decreasing Number of Skilled Workers is Limiting Growth in Civil Aviation
Published: Saturday, Oct 30, 2010, 9:35 IST
By Arun Dev | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

The Aviation, Nuclear Technology and Defence Sectors, is Expected to see an Enormous Growth in the Coming Years. However, the Decreasing Number of Skilled Professionals will Hamper its Growth, said a Panel of Experts during a Discussion on IT Applications in Frontier Technologies at the Bangalore IT.Biz 2010.

“The Indian Air Force (IAF) is Short of 700 Trained Pilots. Now, it is Acquiring 126 more Fighter Planes and 100 Helicopters. But, Where are the Pilots for these New Fighters ? A similar situation prevails in the Area of Nuclear Science” said Sridhar Nadupali, managing director, Sankhya.

“The civil aviation industry which will be seeing a huge expansion will require 2,000 more pilots and 10,000 maintenance staff. Fulfilling these requirements will be difficult for the industry, which is already understaffed,” he added.

He pointed out that lack of training in IT services related to these fields, is leading to scarcity of manpower. “When we compare ourselves with China, it produces 1.9 million skilled workforce from 1,700 polytechnics, whereas we have only 0.2 million passing out from our 300 polytechnics, most of whom are semi-skilled. The perfect example for this is the fact that while China developed 15 Indigenous engines in 40 years, India developed just one ” added Nadupali.

He also added that with multi-million dollar deals coming to India, the requirement for workforce will increase further and if we are not prepared for the same, we will not be able to deliver as per expectations.

“India has to produce 1.25 million worth jobs in order to accommodate the Offsets, following absorption of Rs45,000 crore worth investments in India. We should be able to give more importance to providing quality training to more people in the country,” he said.

Dr Vipin Chaudhary, chief executive officer of Computational Research Laboratories Limited, said that India has a long way to go in order to provide the right computing solutions to various developments in fields of aviation and defence.

Speaking on the issue of IT services for homeland security, Naval Khosla, Programme Manager, IBM India Software Labs said that IT can play a huge role in the areas of intelligence, emergency response and prevention.

[Juggi G]

India Thought Leaders : IAF Focusing On Network-Centric Warfare Capabilities, Big Chief Says

All on 1 Page/Print Page

AW : Often we read media reports and comments being made by senior IAF officials about the depleted squadron strength of IAF. What are the quick steps that need to be taken to strengthen the IAF?

P.V.N. : It’s a known fact that the IAF’s fighter fleet is depleting due to phasing out of MiG-21 and MiG-23 aircraft. Both these aircraft served us well. Even the strength of the MiG-27s has been reduced to half the original. While technological obsolescence is an inevitable phenomenon, there is a need for concurrent replenishment of our combat inventory. As you are aware, the Light Combat Aircraft project has overshot production time frames. The MMRCA would take at least 4 years to fully fructify. However, it would be unwise to base our combat efficacy solely on classical numerology – that of having the required numbers. New squadrons of Su-30 MKI are being raised and midlife upgrades of [the] Jaguar, Mirage-2000 and MiG-29 fleets [are] on the anvil to improve our combat effectiveness. The induction of force multipliers like FRAs and AWACS has enhanced our combat effectiveness. So while depleting strength is a concern, it is equally true that we have maintained our combat edge through new inductions and upgrades and the IAF is fully capable today of thwarting any threat.

[Kartik]

the UK may be looking to sell the Harrier GR.9s that they are retiring starting next year and India is being touted as the likeliest customer for the Harriers alongwith the USMC..for the IN or the IAF? If they're sold at rock bottom prices, they might be a useful force especially in the air to ground role, where they've been playing a very useful part in Af'tan.

article link

India is the most likely purchaser of the Harrier, according to the newspaper, while the United States could buy the planes to supplement its fleet used by the Marine Corps.

[Juggi G]

Railways Seek IAF Help for Building Kashmir Rail Line
Daily News & Analysis

[Juggi G]

Reception for State NCC Contingent
The Hindu Kerala

[Juggi G]

India’s Pull : 5 Heads in 1
The Telegraph

India’s Pull : 5 Heads in 1
- Delhi will have Hosted all P5 Leaders by Year-End
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT


(From left) David Cameron, Barack Obama, Dmitry Medvedev, Nicolas Sarkozy and Wen Jiabao

New Delhi, Oct. 31 : David Cameron, Barack Obama, Dmitry Medvedev, Nicolas Sarkozy and Wen Jiabao —heads of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council — will have visited India by the end of this year.

External affairs ministry officials say it is unprecedented for top leaders of what is known as the “Permanent 5 or P5” to come visiting in a single calendar year.

British Prime Minister Cameron was in India in end-July. US President Obama will come calling in early November. Presidents Sarkozy and Medvedev, heads of state in France and Russia, visit in end-November and late December. Sarkozy’s schedule, however, is still to be firmed up.

National security adviser Shiv Shankar Menon said in Hanoi on Friday that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao — the head of government in Beijing — would be New Delhi’s guest this year. Sources said Wen could visit around mid-December.

“Just Three US Presidents Visited India between 1947 and 2000 — Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1959, Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978. Now, Obama Will be the Third US President to Visit India within a Decade,” a government official said. Bill Clinton was here in 2000, followed by George W. Bush in 2006.

Government sources said India’s increasing economic clout is the reason for the visits.

Last week, global consultancy firm KPMG forecast that India would spend $112 billion on capital defence acquisitions between now and 2016 — “one of the largest procurement cycles in the world”. These defence deals would also create opportunities worth $30 billion for India’s domestic industry, KPMG said.

Russia hopes to seal a $30-billion stealth fighter joint production agreement. France expects to bag a $2.1-billion deal to upgrade India’s Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft. It will also push for European aerospace consortium EADS’s bid to sell 126 fighter jets and 197 helicopters to New Delhi — a deal worth $12 billion. UK secured a $1.1-billion contract to supply the Indian Air Force with 57 Advanced Jet Trainers.

But sources say by far the most important visit will be that of Wen. Menon is to travel to Beijing in end-November to meet his Chinese counterpart, Dai Bingguo, to discuss the agenda for the visit. Zhou Yongkang, who ranks ninth in the hierarchy of the Communist Party of China, will arrive here on a three-day visit from tomorrow that Menon has described as “very important”. India and China have several outstanding issues to thrash out, including the boundary issue and China’s issuing of stapled visas to residents of Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh.

Even outside the P5, New Delhi has been a favourite destination in 2010 — heads of state or government from South Korea, South Africa, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have visited India.

Around the end of last year, the then Prime Ministers of Japan and Australia had come visiting.

“Possibly with the exception of 1971 and after the Pokhran blasts in 1998, in terms of the sheer number of incoming visits and travel, Indian diplomacy has seldom been this busy,” an official said.

[Austin]

Buy a fighter for war, not air shows

[Singha]

The IAF has traditionally focused less on enemy ground troops and more on that fighter-jock ambition, shooting down enemy fighters in air-to-air duels. The Indian Army has long remonstrated with the IAF over the latter’s airy neglect (pun unintentional) of the crucial ground war.

the guys credibility is sinking to new lows. is he talking of the PAF or IAF here? IAF has always focussed on the overall war (support and protection for IA) than in fancy "10 sabres in 25 seconds" JagdGruppe52 type myth building. the huge numbers of Hunters, Jaguars, Mig27, Bison and M2k we purchased testify to the ground attack focus. only the Mig29A and S were purchased as and continue to remain air superiority. MKI has been made a2g at great expense including litening pod integration and israeli weapons qualification (this was not there in the initial 18 if you recall).

does he even consider what will be the fate of laden a2g a/c if not protected by high quality a2a support esp on deep missions into the interior of enemy territory?

I have stopped reading his blog recently and do not intend to go back. he seems willing to pursue any vendors agenda to get his joyrides and trips?

[vina]

I have stopped reading his blog recently and do not intend to go back. he seems willing to pursue any vendors agenda to get his joyrides and trips?

Have to agree with you. Karnail saab has sunk to a new low. The sinking to the depths has been pretty rapid. Less true reporting and more of "advocacy" and "opinion making". A morph of the dictum "All the fact that are fit to print" to "All the spin that can be put in print"

[ShivaS]

Dont blame the IAF guys
Just like the army is on hand to hand combat or soldiers crawling peaks and facing enemy perched high, the Airforce is still romantically wedded to Red Baron ishstyle one one pilot vs pilot mode...
This FLAT Out truth

[Singha]

perhaps the disconnect is because IA prefers visible CAS 24x7 missions while IAF prefered deeper strikes on the feeder logistical routes and counter air missions on airbases in the past? in kargil nothing beyond LOC could be struck due to political orders.

with money flowing like black label in delhi, perhaps the time has come for a IAAF - indian army air force - filled to the gunwales like gunship helicopters and Su35-frogfoot-MKI or the JSF is IA wants it !?

[Sumeet]

When its time to quickly decide and close this MRCA chapter this guy comes up with his brilliant idea of procuring JSF which we would never get before 2016 even if we sign in today.

Its time we sign this deal, and focus all our energy on tejas MK2, MKI upgrade, PAK-FA/FGFA, AMCA. Perhaps this MRCA is the last aircraft deal where he can whine for anyone who pays for his dining & wine. After this its pretty much joint development & production of some sort. Where will Shukla fit in then ?

[shanksinha]

Need some help here. This IAI 1125 Astra/Gulfstream100 (SNo.L3467) was caught at Ben Gurion in July 2008 and looks like an ELINT platform. Could any gentlemen throw light on the induction/function/role of this aircraft with IAF. Is this an ARC bird? Thanks in advance.


Photo copyright yonil67 via jetphotos.net

[Gaur]

Yeah..Right! IAF had always wanted Mirage-2000 for MMRCA. What was that for? Air superiority? And what about converting air superiority Su-27 to a multirole MKI with capability to huge ground firepower? All this is for "fascination for air shows"?
It is really bad to see him going the DDM way. Aside from Mr. Vishnu Som, he was perhaps the only defence journalist who we really respected.

[Singha]

the fat ventral dome indicates a SAR radar to me.

[abhik]

with money flowing like black label in delhi, perhaps the time has come for a IAAF - indian army air force - filled to the gunwales like gunship helicopters and Su35-frogfoot-MKI or the JSF is IA wants it !?

British Harriers perhaps?

[Singha]

realistically the IA budget is stretched by more important projects like artillery and helicopters. taking on a bunch of old harriers is the last thing they need. they needed 300 WSI Dhruv gunships and 200 LCH yesterday! pressure has to be applied on HAL/DRDO to deliver the WSI and LCH as fast as possible by ramping up production rates, also the helina.

if each infantry division can get 20 dedicated attack helicopters and more for the indep brigades and mechanized divisions the CAS problem will look a lot easier.

[shanksinha]

^^Thanks Singha Sir looks like SAR to me too. But never heard of IAI Astras being used by IAF sp ARC came to mind, couldnt find any other image too. Perhaps Jagan Sir can help here.

[Singha]

most likely EL-2055M radar - note it is a rotating radar hence needs a circular dome
http://www.iai.co.il/sip_storage/FILES/5/36835.pdf

we can expect to see this family of radar in our Rustom UAV too one day. some of our land patrol Herons probably have it already.

with a small range of max 100km this product is well below the E8 JSTARs level though. but something is better than nothing at the moment, atleast we can plot everything thats in range by flying parallel to border.

[nachiket]

with money flowing like black label in delhi, perhaps the time has come for a IAAF - indian army air force - filled to the gunwales like gunship helicopters and Su35-frogfoot-MKI or the JSF is IA wants it !?

Hehe. Our Doctor saab is a few steps ahead. Check the "Design your own fighter" thread where a Frogfoot lite is being designed.

[Kanson]

Yeah..Right! IAF had always wanted Mirage-2000 for MMRCA. What was that for? Air superiority? And what about converting air superiority Su-27 to a multirole MKI with capability to huge ground firepower? All this is for "fascination for air shows"?

Very valid point. To add, if IAF is interested only in A2A role it could have very well inducted LCA without any fuzz in initial MMR config when it was struggling to get the A2G mode.

[Surya]

Done - deleted the Karnails blog out of my list

motorhama - gone
karnail - gone
sensation monger aroor - gone

all I have is tarmak007

[vic]

The IAF has traditionally focused less on enemy ground troops and more on that fighter-jock ambition, shooting down enemy fighters in air-to-air duels. The Indian Army has long remonstrated with the IAF over the latter’s airy neglect (pun unintentional) of the crucial ground war.

the guys credibility is sinking to new lows. is he talking of the PAF or IAF here? IAF has always focussed on the overall war (support and protection for IA) than in fancy "10 sabres in 25 seconds" JagdGruppe52 type myth building. the huge numbers of Hunters, Jaguars, Mig27, Bison and M2k we purchased testify to the ground attack focus. only the Mig29A and S were purchased as and continue to remain air superiority. MKI has been made a2g at great expense including litening pod integration and israeli weapons qualification (this was not there in the initial 18 if you recall).

does he even consider what will be the fate of laden a2g a/c if not protected by high quality a2a support esp on deep missions into the interior of enemy territory?

I have stopped reading his blog recently and do not intend to go back. he seems willing to pursue any vendors agenda to get his joyrides and trips?

IIRC almost all the IAF fighters conducted ground attack sorties in 1971 and 90% of aircraft had some or other (even if very minor) damage from ground fire while conducting ground attack. And off course at Longawala the Paki tanks were sent flying, so can it be called air to air combat?

[shukla]

Indian Air Force facing pilot shortage

[Gaur]

Yeah..Right! IAF had always wanted Mirage-2000 for MMRCA. What was that for? Air superiority? And what about converting air superiority Su-27 to a multirole MKI with capability to huge ground firepower? All this is for "fascination for air shows"?

Very valid point. To add, if IAF is interested only in A2A role it could have very well inducted LCA without any fuzz in initial MMR config when it was struggling to get the A2G mode.

True. It is worth noting that the LCA is more ahead as a ground attack platform (with proven 1000lb dumb bombs tested extensively) and litening pod already integrated as compared to an air superiority one.
But now I come to think of it, his article is not even worth discussing. I had written my post in rage after I stopped reading his article in disgust. After I made myself read the rest of his article, it made me realize that the article has went so far beyond the realm of ridicule that it is not even worth getting worked up at.
He describes the role of IAF in Kargil War as "irrelevant". And even more interestingly, he chose Mirage-2000 (the most successful IAF asset in Kargil War) to take a dig at. He of all people should know the role played by Op Safed Sagar. At least the DDMs can be forgiven for they are ignorant. Unfortunately, this is not an excuse Col Ajai Shukla can hide behind.

[SriSri]

Transport fleet woes force IAF to look West
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 860267.cms

North Eastern Airfields Being Upgraded; HAL Tejas Mark I to be Inducted Mid-2011
http://www.india-defence.com/reports-4699

[Juggi G]

'Let's Move India Away from Russian Weapons'

[Juggi G]

IAF Off Red Fight in State
The Telegraph - Calcutta