That'll drive some sense and respect into these civvies.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
I was scratching my head thinking as to why are Tejas required down south when I saw the place Kayathar on the google maps. it then hit me that there are two new reactors coming up near Kanyakumari and ofcourse Kalapakkam and Chennai City are also not very far. I am sure the LTTE bombing last year of Srilankan airports must have made the IAF wake up to this threat and hence the base.SanjibGhosh wrote:Full-fledged IAF fighter base likely in Kayathar
http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/16/stories ... 421800.htm
That, however, will soon change in view of the evolving geopolitical situation and the increasing strategic pertinence of the peninsula. “Sulur, to begin with, is going to be the country’s first Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) base and will be operational by the end of next year or the beginning of 2011. Despite hiccups pertaining to its engine, the aircraft should be a very potent platform,” the Air Marshal said.
That is the "undefended" part of India as of now , because only Unkil could possibly mount an offensive from that direction. However, if you want to project power in the Indian ocean, you need the air assets in the deep south. What the Su 30 MKI squadron in Andamans is to sea control in S.E Asia, the fighter squadrons in TN will be to the entire southern part of the peninsula from Southern Arabian sea to the middle of Bay of Bengal to Northern portion of Indian ocean. Will give the IN the shore based air cover to operate effectively under a protective umbrella.But then Sulur and Thanjavur are also being prepared for LCA and Su30. Why do we need so many air assets down south? Three bases in my view is quite a bit of resources. Even considering the value of Lakshwadeep emerging as an important defence asset , yet is there any other reason for such strong fortification?
Come on guys! How can you forget the route China takes to reach Africa/Gulf? How can you forget to defend our backside while we keep beefing up our defence on our NE border?vina wrote:That is the "undefended" part of India as of now , because only Unkil could possibly mount an offensive from that direction. However, if you want to project power in the Indian ocean, you need the air assets in the deep south. What the Su 30 MKI squadron in Andamans is to sea control in S.E Asia, the fighter squadrons in TN will be to the entire southern part of the peninsula from Southern Arabian sea to the middle of Bay of Bengal to Northern portion of Indian ocean. Will give the IN the shore based air cover to operate effectively under a protective umbrella.But then Sulur and Thanjavur are also being prepared for LCA and Su30. Why do we need so many air assets down south? Three bases in my view is quite a bit of resources. Even considering the value of Lakshwadeep emerging as an important defence asset , yet is there any other reason for such strong fortification?
Indian Ocean Region... they will base LCAs and MKIs at these places to help control the SLOCs... part of our new assertive posture.VikB wrote: I was scratching my head thinking as to why are Tejas required down south when I saw the place Kayathar on the google maps. it then hit me that there are two new reactors coming up near Kanyakumari and ofcourse Kalapakkam and Chennai City are also not very far. I am sure the LTTE bombing last year of Srilankan airports must have made the IAF wake up to this threat and hence the base.
But then Sulur and Thanjavur are also being prepared for LCA and Su30. Why do we need so many air assets down south? Three bases in my view is quite a bit of resources. Even considering the value of Lakshwadeep emerging as an important defence asset , yet is there any other reason for such strong fortification?
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/ ... his%20WeekIndian Engine RFP Expected This Week
The long-awaited request for proposals (RFP) to provide 99-125 engines for the Indian Air Force’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is expected to be released this week.
Proposals for the two candidate engines — GE’s F414 and Eurojet’s EJ200 — will be due by Oct. 12 if the RFP is released on July 17.
In October 2007, Eurojet signed a nondisclosure agreement with the Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which is developing the LCA and evaluating alternatives to the GE F404 engine powering the Tejas prototypes and initial production aircraft.
A senior official of Eurojet says it will transfer data under the agreement to India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), which is responsible for developing the indigenous Kaveri engine planned for the LCA.
“We have interest in doing more with GTRE. However, we shall wait for milestones to be reached,” an official says. “Once you have a ticket to ride….synergies [with other projects] are quite natural, though the customer might think different.”
With severe delays to the Kaveri program and performance limitations with the initial LCA, the Indian air force is keen to push ahead with an off-the-shelf engine acquisition. Former air force chief Fali Homi Major said early this year: “We need five squadrons of the Mk2 LCAs. When integrated with the new engines, the LCA Mk2 should fly in 2013.”
The GE414 powers the Boeing F/A-18E/F and Saab Gripen NG, while the EJ200 powers the Eurofighter Typhoon. All three aircraft are contenders in India’s 126-aircraft multirole fighter competition now under way.
“Our engine needs minimum changes and will not delay the LCA,” the Eurojet official said.
I think I didnt articulate myself well. Ofcourse we need the southern bases for control on IOR area. However, having two bases for LCA was what set me thinking. Given the role of LCA as primarily Air Defence/Point Defence duty, how many do we need down south? Won't the longer leg Su30 be more appropriate? Please dont jump on me for suggesting anything about the range of LCA. I well remember that we have refuelling capability and availability of external fuel pods, etc. but will we really use LCA to take out naval assets on sea? There are hardly any land targets except Sri Lanka around. I remember someone beautifully explaining on this forum on the differences between 'look down' radars for surface terrain being vastly different from radars for the oceans. Maybe it is time to see what area gets covered by this aircraft once positioned at the new bases.k prasad wrote:Indian Ocean Region... they will base LCAs and MKIs at these places to help control the SLOCs... part of our new assertive posture.VikB wrote: I was scratching my head thinking as to why are Tejas required down south when I saw the place Kayathar on the google maps. it then hit me that there are two new reactors coming up near Kanyakumari and ofcourse Kalapakkam and Chennai City are also not very far. I am sure the LTTE bombing last year of Srilankan airports must have made the IAF wake up to this threat and hence the base.
But then Sulur and Thanjavur are also being prepared for LCA and Su30. Why do we need so many air assets down south? Three bases in my view is quite a bit of resources. Even considering the value of Lakshwadeep emerging as an important defence asset , yet is there any other reason for such strong fortification?
VikB ji,VikB wrote:Indian Ocean Region... they will base LCAs and MKIs at these places to help control the SLOCs... part of our new assertive posture. /quotek prasad wrote: quote="VikB"
I was scratching my head thinking as to why are Tejas required down south when I saw the place Kayathar on the google maps. it then hit me that there are two new reactors coming up near Kanyakumari and ofcourse Kalapakkam and Chennai City are also not very far. I am sure the LTTE bombing last year of Srilankan airports must have made the IAF wake up to this threat and hence the base.
But then Sulur and Thanjavur are also being prepared for LCA and Su30. Why do we need so many air assets down south? Three bases in my view is quite a bit of resources. Even considering the value of Lakshwadeep emerging as an important defence asset , yet is there any other reason for such strong fortification?
I think I didnt articulate myself well. Ofcourse we need the southern bases for control on IOR area. However, having two bases for LCA was what set me thinking. Given the role of LCA as primarily Air Defence/Point Defence duty, how many do we need down south? Won't the longer leg Su30 be more appropriate? Please dont jump on me for suggesting anything about the range of LCA. I well remember that we have refuelling capability and availability of external fuel pods, etc. but will we really use LCA to take out naval assets on sea? There are hardly any land targets except Sri Lanka around. I remember someone beautifully explaining on this forum on the differences between 'look down' radars for surface terrain being vastly different from radars for the oceans. Maybe it is time to see what area gets covered by this aircraft once positioned at the new bases.
Plus, the LCA is being produced in limited numbers (124 if I remember the figure correct). If we use them at Southern bases, that means we will continue to rely on Mig 21s for the North West and East area for many more years to area. Is it a conscious decision to first try the new machine in relatively 'less heavy' areas?
Just a few rumblings of my mind.
http://pakobserver.net/200907/01/Articles01.aspVikB wrote:But then Sulur and Thanjavur are also being prepared for LCA and Su30. Why do we need so many air assets down south? Three bases in my view is quite a bit of resources. Even considering the value of Lakshwadeep emerging as an important defence asset , yet is there any other reason for such strong fortification?
Admiral Alfred T. Mahan (1840-1914) of the United States Navy highlighted strategic importance of the Indian Ocean in these words: “whoever attains maritime supremacy in the Indian Ocean would be a prominent player on the international scene". The Indian peninsula (i.e. the Deccan and below) juts 1,240 miles into the Indian Ocean. 50 per cent of the Indian Ocean basin lies within a 1,000 mile radius of India, a reality that has strategic implications.
In another thread, I was having a rant about "strategic bombing". Japan, it was said, could have been isolated by Naval power and defeated, but was instead defeated by strategic bombing with nukes.Bishwa wrote:> But then Sulur and Thanjavur are also being prepared for LCA and Su30. Why do we need so many air assets down south? Three bases in > my view is quite a bit of resources. Even considering the value of Lakshwadeep emerging as an important defence asset , yet is there any
> other reason for such strong fortification?
The Indian peninsula is an unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean. Something like Malta or Midway but better connected from the supply point of view.
I recently saw a map of air bases in US and the sheer density of them on the mainland was mind boggling. I still cant figure out why they need so many air bases on the mainland. Maybe they are kind of reserves for the many bases that they have abroad. Also, I strongly believe that a lot of it has to do with their WW II fixation with producing humongous numbers which 'maybe' they have not been able to roll back. Is there any other country doing similar thing?Rahul M wrote:guarding IOR is probably a small part of the rationale for developing these bases. not every airbase is built with a potential adversary in mind.
think of USAF bases in continental US(excluding alaska). how many are maintained with a particular adversary in mind ? let me guess, none ?
moreover, it is always a good idea to develop excess infrastructure for redundancy, keeping the nuclear angle in mind. these bases would also be excellent for regular large exercises without worrying about pesky neighbour's opinions and the 'inter-na-zonal kommunity'.
Local politics. Many DefSecs have tried - and failed.I still cant figure out why they (US) need so many air bases on the mainland.
VikB wrote:Rahul M wrote: I recently saw a map of air bases in US and the sheer density of them on the mainland was mind boggling. I still cant figure out why they need so many air bases on the mainland. Maybe they are kind of reserves for the many bases that they have abroad. Also, I strongly believe that a lot of it has to do with their WW II fixation with producing humongous numbers which 'maybe' they have not been able to roll back. Is there any other country doing similar thing?
In our case , it is imperative to have many more bases down south - no doubts about that. Just that having Tejas there in two bases with its air interception role, led to my query.
"The stomach rumbles.
The mind rambles. "
Chetak ji, thanks for the correction though now I find the term 'rumblings of my mind' even more appropriate
Philip wrote:The LCA's first sqd. being stationed at Sulur Coimbatore,is because of its proximity to B'lore,so that the aircraft can be tested in service as close as possible,where it can receive whatever support it requires from HAL easily.The terrain,close to the Western Ghats and Cochin also makes the location favourable for a variety of flying terrain,mountains,sea,etc. However,the aircraft is just too shortlegged to be a true defender of our airspace from here and that is why Tanjore and Trivandrum are being considered for the Su-30MKis,which will be able to scour the seas of the IOR from virtually the tip of India.The Chinese involvement in developing Sri Lanka's new port at Hambantota,which will give logistic support to PLAN assets in the future,need to be "sanitised" during a crisis.Chinese future carrier task forces will also make their forays into the IOR transiting from the Malacca Straits and the other Indonesian entrances into the IOR to the Gulf and Africa.Add to that the potential use of Trincomalee by an enenmy naval force and the importance of southern air bases becomes even more crucial.
prabhug wrote:Hi
I just couldn't resist me to see LCA only to see its flight control system. The software which would give our pilot the comfort he wants. The same thing was shared by the Field marshal Mr. Rajkumar in his book(he remembers him saying to the american general that our flight control system was better to the F-16s). We have come half way in making the aircraft.It would be a good plane in the indian inventory.I read that HFmarut was even a agile fighter,But ameriks killed it to sabres(now they have started called bunders lightweights sabres) .I see the same think happening again.Hope somebody rescues this plane.
I have no experience in aerospace to comment.but my 2 cents.Just give some credits to those guys who have done something.I had a experience of talking to Cmd.balaji.The confidence and energy he had was amazing .
Cheers
Prabhu.G
I meant -- were there a large group of people talking to him at that time? A little while later Capt. Moulankar joined?prabhug wrote: trash.No i just met Cmd.balaji at the ADA stall.