Israeli airship completes demo sorties even as DRDO chases Nakshatra

 

Even as the scientists at India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are developing an advanced aerostat named Nakshatra, a Bengaluru-based aerospace company hit the skies with an aerial surveillance system from Israel, on a demonstration mission. The airship was on operational sorties at Bengaluru's CAR KSRP Police Grounds recently with the consent of local air traffic controller officials.

Mistral-RT1000, the aerostat-based eye in the sky platform is brought to India by Mistral Solutions, in collaboration with the Israeli firm RT. Speaking to OneIndia, Mistral Chairman Anees Ahmed claimed that the officials from the Karnataka Police, National Security Guard (NSG) and Border Security Force (BSF) have watched the demonstration. "There has been a lot of interest from various quarters, including some private companies. 

In addition to homeland security, the system can be used for sporting activities as well. It can stay afloat for three days and the maintenance takes only 10 minutes," says Anees. Long endurance, long range and easy to operate Currently being used widely by the Israel Army, Mistral-RT1000 recently found a prospective customer in the US Army. A helium-inflatable device, it is embedded with a long range day and night thermal camera. Its promoters say that the camera can provide aerial surveillance from a height of up to 1000 feet with a high zoom capability.

"It is quick, easy to deploy and provides a video surveillance for an area of 2 -3 sq km. The device is designed for surveillance over fixed sites, such as military bases, temporary camps, strategic facilities and border crossing checkpoints. The system is operated by a two men crew and can perform effectively under different wind conditions and remain airborne for up to 72 hours continuously," says a company official.

The system can be used for unmanned aerial surveillance and target acquisition, law enforcement and public safety, border and coastal security, traffic and crowd control, communication relay, VIP cover and sporting events. The officials said that around 40 similar surveillance aerostat systems are in operation in Israel, Canada, USA, Russia, Thailand, Afghanistan, Mexico and Colombia to name a few. Some of the key features of Mistral-RT1000 Easy transportation, rapidly deployable 360 degree stabilized video coverage ELINT or tactical payloads Continuous surveillance up to 72 hours Accurate location and targeting on video display of the ground control station Day/night/laser-gyro stabilized camera Easy to operate Operational under all weather conditions and strong winds of up to 40 knots Customizable for any operation.

DRDO developing an advanced variant of its airship Interestingly, Mistral-RT1000 lands in India at a time when scientists from DRDO's Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment in Agra are on a mission to develop Nakshatra, an advanced version of its earlier Aerostat Akashdeep. Under development for the last two years, the DRDO officials are hoping to take Nakshatra for its maiden flight next year. Inspired by the lessons from Akashdeep, which is yet to find an Indian user, DRDO completed the feasibility study for the Nakshatra last year. It is tipped to be having a higher payload and longer endurance. DRDO officials had earlier claimed that the new airship would offer flexibility during surveillance missions even ever the sea. 

 

OneIndia

Nuclear suppliers may admit India’

The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) will begin consultations on India’s membership to the elite group of nuclear export next month, says NSG Chairperson Rafael Grossi.

Speaking to The Hindu about his meetings with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and MEA officials, Mr. Grossi, who will begin those consultations leading up to the NSG plenary session in June 2016, said he thinks it is possible to find a way for India’s membership to be accepted.

However, he ruled out an “India-specific” rule, which means countries such as Israel and Pakistan, who too haven’t signed the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), could also apply. “Nobody disputes that India is a keyplayer in the nuclear scenario, hence there is a recognition that some formula must be found for India [to become a member], and I think it is possible,” he said.

India’s push for the NSG membership in the next year is likely to be complemented by its application to other nuclear and missile control regimes like MTCR, Wassenaar and Australian groups, and will get a boost from the completion of the India-Australian civil nuclear agreement likely to be announced in the next few months, with the possibility of the India-Japan civil nuclear deal also making progress.

However, Mr. Grossi’s reference to a general solution, rather than an “India-specific” one, is likely to raise alarm in New Delhi, as he accepted that this could also apply to countries like Pakistan. In response to a specific question, he said: “[On] other non-NPT countries [like Pakistan and Israel], I would say that we need to find a formula that is applicable to all. It would not be sustainable for us to go for a tailor-made solution that is India-specific.”

Mr. Grossi, who was previously the Chief of Staff at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), referred to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which accepted nearly all countries (all but four are signatories) regardless of their past violations, as a possible example.

Significantly, he denied reports that China had “blocked” India’s bid for NSG membership. “I don’t think there is a single member of the NSG that is against India. Most, if not all of them, have excellent relations with India,” he said. “No one has blocked anything.”

The NSG works by consensus, which means that there are no votes, but all members have to agree to a proposal. In June this year, China backed Pakistan’s bid for NSG membership, but added that signing the NPT was still a requirement for all members, leading to speculation that China might insist on both India and Pakistan being given membership at the same time, despite Pakistan’s record of unauthorised supplies to Iran and North Korea.

Mr. Grossi said he would make no comment on the Chinese position, saying only that he wished to take the NSG into a “decision-making” mode in the next few months. While he refused to commit himself to a timeline, he said that in “some cases,” it could take less than a year, and in some others more.

“Let’s just say, India is willing to join the NSG now, today if possible. It has all the elements in place for membership. There have been some deliberations already, and I am trying to make the process more dynamic.” 

the hindu

India all set to buy world's most advanced missile defence system from Russia

 

Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar left for Moscow on 30 October for a three-day visit before he travels to Malaysia for the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-Plus). The takeaway from this trip, however, is the fact that all measures are in place for India to acquire the world's most advanced anti-ballistic missile system — the S-400.
Previously known as S-300PMU-3, S-400 is a new generation anti-aircraft weapon system developed by Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau as an upgrade of the S-300 family. It is currently in service with the Russian Armed Forces.
The S-400 is designed to protect nuclear reactors, population centres and government installations. The system can also deflect enemy missile more than 400 km away. NDTV, however, reported that the total cost of the acquisition is not known yet.
The S-400 basically has three kinds of missiles, with different capabilities, that can fly at supersonic and hypersonic speeds to intercept all kinds of targets at ranges from 120 to 400 km. Russian experts even proclaim that the S-400 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system can “radar lock and shoot down” stealth fifth-generation fighters like the American F-35 jets.
The S-400 Triumf is capable of countering all air attack weapons, including tactical and strategic aircraft, ballistic missiles and hypersonic targets such as the US F-35 fighter jet. The S-400 can engage up to 36 targets simultaneously with as many as 72 missiles at altitudes of five meters to 30 km.
Elaborating on the agenda during his visit to Moscow, Parrikar told Russian news agency TASS that he hopes to finalise the S-400 deal before PM Narendra Modi visits Russia in December this year.
“They may not take a final shape during my visit but we’d like to prepare some of them for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia in December — for example, the project for joint production of Kamov Ka-226 helicopters… Also, the purchase of S-400 missile systems. We anticipate these projects to be coordinated by next month,” Parrikar was quoted by TASS as saying.
The deal comes around a year after China sealed a $3 billion deal with Russia for the acquisition of six S-400 batteries. China is slated to get the S-400 batteries, which is designated 'SA-21 Growler' by Nato and rivals the anti-ballistic missile capabilities of the US Patriot PAC-3 system, from 2017 onwards, PTI reported.
Parrikar's visit to Russia and clinching this deal might seem as an attempt by India to plug the holes in its airspace surveillance and defence network with progressive induction of a wide array of sensors and weapons.
Parrikar's visit comes as the government's Defence Acquisition Council cleared defence projects worth more than Rs 15,000 crores, Zee News reported.
India-Russia military technical cooperation has evolved from a simple buyer-seller framework to one involving joint research, development and production of advanced defence technologies and systems.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, in an interview to TASS, Parrikar said the India-Russia relationship should be enhanced. "I have always seen Russia as an all-weather friend for India - the two countries have always had a great relationship. I believe that this relationship should be enhanced. My visit to Moscow will be an attempt to help the relationship blossom further," IANS reported Parrikar as saying.

 firstpost

Russia is an all-weather friend for India: Parrikar

 

Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, arriving in Moscow on Friday for an Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation, spoke in an exclusive interview with TASS about Indo-Russian joint defence projects.

Which issues will you raise with your Russian counterparts at the meeting?
I will put it like this. I have been reading about Russia since my childhood — Sputnik and all those magazines. Somehow they were delivered to my residence when I was at school and college long back. I have always seen Russia as an all-weather friend for India — the two countries have always had a great relationship. I believe that this relationship should be enhanced. My visit to Moscow will be an attempt to help the relationship blossom further. There are many issues that can always be in such relationships, and I think the best way is to have them resolved. I see a certain enthusiasm to resolve them from both sides as well as possibilities to involve Russia in the “Make it in India” program.
You’ve mentioned the “Make it in India” program launched by the Indian government to transform the country into a global manufacturing hub. Are there any joint projects between our countries as part of this program which are already taking shape?
They may not take final shape during my visit but we’d like to prepare some of them for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia in December — for example, the project for joint production of Kamov Ka-226 helicopters. I hope to use my visit to have it inked on paper when the prime minister arrives. Also the purchase of S-400 missile systems. We anticipate these projects to be coordinated by next month.
There are also proposals for small private-sector companies interested in tying up with Russian companies to manufacture spares. Our industry representatives visited Russia in September and I think they have come up with a few proposals. I would in fact be raising the issue that since India depends much on Russian platforms, spares supplies in the future could make the use of these platform easier. Some of the key components would be manufactured in India under this “Make it in India” program. I expect some movement on that also.
What kind of spares?
For Su-30MKI fighter jets. We have almost 220 of them now and ultimately the number will reach 270, which represents about 40% of Indian Air Force. When you have 40% of air force strength from a particular maker, you are obviously interested in ensuring that they are serviced properly. Those aspects will be discussed and we are coming to conclusions, to solutions to the problem. I hope that these problems will be resolved very soon so service operation is substantially enhanced.
Then there are Mi-17V-5 helicopters, which we also intend to negotiate and finalize procurement for 48 more. With that, we will have some 280 Mi-17 helicopters.
Did I understand you clearly that a Mi-17 deal could also be finalized by the prime minister`s visit?
Maybe. I am not very sure because it is still being coordinated but we have already decided to buy them.
Do you think  private Indian shipyards are ready, technically, for projects with Russia under the ‘Make it  in India’ program? How much time will it take to equip them for implementation of future projects?
Since you have to begin somewhere, I think they are in a much better condition than they were a couple of years ago. Whenever upgrade takes place, the technical partner, the Russian partner, will have to provide some technical aid to the shipyard. I think they are ready for upgrading. The very logic of “Make it in India” is to ensure that smooth supplies result in better performance. In the long term it helps the country which supplies the platform.
How long will it take to start the process of shipyards` upgrading and launch the helicopter joint venture?
I will tell my target. All the negotiations and paperwork should be completed during the current financial year. Actual implementation can start in the next financial year.
Next steps depend on the private companies set to work on these projects in India. We are trying to speed up procedures from our side. So there will be an attempt to ensure that during the current financial year, i.e. by March, things are all tied up properly.
Do you see a frank and honest reaction from the Russian side while raising your concerns on joint projects?
I believe that, because I am from Goa and I saw lots of Russian tourists coming there and from whatever small interaction I had with them I believe that Russia is one place where people are straightforward. They speak what is in their mind. It is easier to deal with such people and easier to sort out the issues.
What is the state of progress on the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft and Multi-Role Transport Aircraft development program?
As for the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft​ (FGFA), negotiations will proceed further and we have halted ourselves to establish things clear in our minds. But with the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft​, there are serious issues needing clarification, let me be frank. There are some serious observations which need to be clarified and reviewed properly.
How much time can it take to make the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft if all goes as scheduled?
I cannot say because we are currently at the design stage. I have directed my officers to commence the negotiations as early as possible and close the first stage so that we can proceed further.
Do you see more areas in which Russia and India can set up joint ventures?
Many more. I am very positive about it. Indo-Russian relations are not only of friendship but more of a strategic relationship, continuing from the 1970s. I hope to ensure that this relationship continues. There can be many more issues on which we can collaborate.

 rbth

What India is Buying to Guard Against Chinese Missile Attacks

 

Ahead of the visit of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to Russia tomorrow, the decks have been cleared for the acquisition of what is widely considered the world's most advanced anti-ballistic missile system - the S-400.

Considered a ballistic missile shield, the S-400 is designed to protect key installations such as nuclear reactors, population centres and government installations and can intercept enemy missile more than 400 kilometres away. The cost of the acquisition and the number of S-400 systems India will acquire is not known at this stage.

In an interview to ITAR-TASS ahead of his departure tomorrow, Mr Parrikar has said he hopes to finalise the S-400 deal with Russia by the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Moscow in December.Mr Parrikar has also made it clear that India stands committed to investing and being a partner in the development of the stealth Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), a Sukhoi designed fighter presently being test flown in Russia. India has reportedly not been happy with the work share it was allotted in what was thought to be a joint-development project worth $30 billion. Speaking to ITAR-TASS, Mr Parrikar has said, "I have directed my officers to commence the negotiations as early as possible and close the first stage so that we can proceed further."

Though details have not yet been confirmed, India is also likely to sign a deal for the acquisition of a second Akula-2 class nuclear attack submarine from Russia and three Krivak class frigates which are in various stages of completion.

The Defence Minister's agenda for his Russia visit comes as the government's Defence Acquisition Council cleared defence projects worth more than Rs. 15,000 crores.

A few key items which were cleared include upgrading the Indian Air Force's two decade old Il-76 transport jets with new avionics and re-engining its fleet of six Il-78 air to air refuellers. This will cost Rs. 4300 crores.

The Indian Army will acquire two regiments of 'Made-in-India' Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers for Rs. 3300 crores. Each regiment will come with 18 Pinaka launchers and associated systems.

The Navy will acquire four 3500 ton multi-utility vessels which will be built in India. This is likely to cost Rs. 2800 crores. These are unarmed vessels to be used for non-combat roles.

The Indian Air Force will digitise its existing squadrons of Russian Pechora missiles in an ambitious Rs. 1800 crore project, tenders for which will be sent out to Indian firms. Old analogue systems in the three-decade old Pechora surface-to-air missiles will be replaced by more modern and reliable digitised processors, data-links and other systems.

ians/ibn7

INS Kalvari, First of Scorpene Class Submarines, Tests Water: 10 Facts

 

(ndtv) : Sea trials for the INS Kalavri, the first of six French-designed Scorpene submarines being manufactured in Mumbai, began today. The sub was separated from the pontoon yesterday and set afloat in the Arabian Sea. .

Here is your 10-point cheatsheet on the Kalvari:

1. The diesel-electric submarine weighs 1550 tonnes, is 6.2 meters in diameter and 67 metres long.
2. The six Scorpene submarines are being built by the state-run Mazgaon Docks Limited or MDL in Mumbai in collaboration with DCNS of France in a $3.6 billion (Rs. 20,000 crore approximately) contract signed in October 2005.
3. The Kalvari is likely to be commissioned in September 2016 after a year of sea trials.
4. 30% of the equipment on the Kalvari is made in India. The pressure hull of the submarine has been manufactured by MDL.
5. The sub will carry anti-ship torpedoes and missiles.
6. The other five submarines will be delivered one every nine months.
7. The project has over-shot both time and budget. MDL officials today said they expect to complete the order by 2020.
8.  India's Navy currently has 13 ageing diesel-electric submarines, only half of which are operational at any given time due to refits.
9.  To replace a nearly 30-year-old fleet hit by a run of accidents, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has ordered an accelerated tendering process to build six conventional diesel-electric submarines at an estimated cost of Rs. 50,000 crore ($8.1 billion), in addition to the Scorpenes.
10. The country's first indigenously built nuclear submarine, INS Arihant joins the fleet late next year.

Why Russia chose India over China to develop T-50 stealth fighter

 

While China is considered a key partner for Russia, Moscow is turning to India to jointly develop the T-50 fifth-generation stealth fighter to prevent Beijing from stealing its advanced technology, our sister paper Want Daily reports.
China has had a reputation for stealing technology from Russia since the Cold War. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, China became one of the chief buyers of Russian-built Su-27 fighters and Russia allowed the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation to open up a production line to build the fighter for both the PLA Air Force and Navy, which was known as J-11.
China subsequently acquired a license from Russia to upgrade the J-11 into the more advanced J-11B. However, China became a potential challenger in the export market for military aircraft when it began to sell the aircraft to other nations.
To avoid Chinese engineers back-engineering its technology and claiming it as their own, Russia has chosen China's regional competitor India to develop the T-50 fighter together. Though India does not have the technology to develop a fifth-generation fighter, it can contribute through financial support.
China is working on its own stealth fighters, the J-20 and J-31.

 wantchinatimes

U.S. bomber pact in contrast to Indian Rafale deal

 

The United States on Tuesday announced the contract for building the next generation long-range strike bombers at a whopping $55 billion (Rs.3,57,500 crore), providing a stunning contrast to the way India has gone about concluding the purchase of Rafale fighters from France.

Pentagon selected the U.S. defence major Northrop Grumman to build a fleet of stealth bombers that can strike deep inside enemy territory with nuclear bombs, and will replace the fabled B-52s, B-1s and B-2s. It is the biggest military contract anywhere in the world, and will result in the building of 100 new-age bombers that will begin entering service from 2020.

The way U.S. military authorities went about selecting the new generation bombers is an instructive manual for the way big spending military purchases are carried out in a transparent system. And it provides comparative frames to understand why the proposal to purchase 36 Rafale fighters from France, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was in Paris in April, has not fully satisfied any of the players involved in the deal.

The IAF says the numbers are not enough, and many in the force also foresee the possibility of the two Rafale squadrons ending up being a heavy burden on the budget of the Air Force. The French side feels the Indian bargain to give the same rates they quoted for MMRCA — the original contract for 126 fighters — and a 50 per cent offset in an off-the-shelf purchase, are not justifiable.

The very announcement of the 36 Rafale purchase in Paris was almost abrupt, and the Air Force was left with a fait accompli, according to several sources. “The projection was for 126 fighters, the present number was thrust upon the IAF,” one senior officer, who had been involved in formulating the entire MMRCA proposal for 126 fighters, said. IAF chief Arup Raha admitted as much in recent weeks. “I cannot say I only want Rafale. I want the capability of Rafale-type aircraft. So, the government will have a look at it and based on urgency and the type of contract signed with Dassault Aviation, further decisions may be taken by the government. I cannot predict,” Air Chief Marshal Raha said, admitting that the IAF needed much more than just 36 fighters.

Another source said that the government did not “pay much attention to the customer’s (IAF) requirements.” He said the move could have long term repercussions—on the mix of fighters IAF would have for decades to come, expenses involved in maintaining the fleet, and ambitions about developing an indigenous aerospace industrial base.

The U.S. contract for the 100 bombers was awarded to a domestic company, ensuring that the technology and investment stayed within the national boundary, while protecting the classified nature of the programme. The selection came after a fierce competition between Northrop Grumman on the one side and a joint proposal from Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Details of how Pentagon ensured that the programme remained within the budget and timeframe and met the requirements of the user provide valuable lessons for India. And a telling commentary on how to conclude a big ticket military contract.

The U.S. Air Force had a special team of acquisition officials, called the Rapid Capabilities Office that handled the programme. They ensured that new requirements do not creep in occasionally and unnecessarily balloon the cost and timeline. The B-2 bomber had itself reflected many of those failures—originally, the projected requirement was 132, but the Pentagon ended up buying just 21.

The project team also worked closely with the industry to finalise the design and other requirements.

One of the most noticeable aspects is that the future bomber would integrate several existing technologies, so as to reduce the cost and time needed to complete the project. Officials also made it public that the fleet was designed in such a way that it could be upgraded to keep up as threats evolved and technology changed.

“We have wavered so much in our strategy to acquire an MMRCA. What started as a proposal to buy more Mirage-2000 emerged into MMRCA contract for 126 fighters, but has now ended up being just 36 fighters,” one Indian officer summed up. “In some sense, I get a feeling that we are back to doing something like the Mirage-2000 deal,” another officer who was involved in the Mirage-2000 acquisition in the 1980s, said. 

thehindu

India Turns To Russia Again For Three Frigates and Nuclear Submarine

 

The lease of a second Akula class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) and direct purchase of three more advanced Krivak-III class stealth frigates for the Indian Navy reportedly top India's military procurements agenda ahead of the Oct.29 Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting and the forthcoming visit of Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar to Russia.

Defence Ministry sources confirmed to Arming India that a deal for the lease of the second Russian SSN was close to maturity. The first of these nuclear submarines was inducted into the Indian Navy in January 2012 on a 10-year lease.

Earlier known as the Nerpa, it's been re-christened INS Chakra by the Indian Navy. This submarine has been termed a "game changer" in favour of India in the Indian Ocean Region, and is also seen as a strategic training platform ahead of the induction of the indigenous Arihant SSBN.

SSNs are nuclear-powered attack submarines, while SSBNs are nuclear-powered submarines carrying nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, to provide a credible deterrence capability forming the submarine-launched third leg of the nuclear weapons triad, the other two being land-launched and air-launched.

India also appears to have decided in favour of import of three Russian Krivak-III class frigates, which are in various stages of completion at a Russian shipyard.

Earlier, there were reports that Russia had offered to complete the construction of these warships in collaboration with an Indian shipyard. This option seems to have been rejected.

The willingness of Ukraine to provide engines for these warships if these are built for India also appears to have swung the decision in favour of a Buy (Global) option.

India has earlier purchased six Krivak-III (rechristened Talwar) class stealth frigates from Russia. The last three of these are fitted with the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.

These decisions need to be ratified first by the DAC and later by the Cabinet Committee on Security.

Also on the agenda is a $652 million upgrade program for 26 Ilyushin IL-76 & IL-78 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which operates a fleet of 20 IL-76 heavy-lift aircraft and six IL-78 mid-air refuellers.

The IAF is also seeking DAC approval for a $276 million program for the digitization of the Pechora surface-to-air missile (SAM) targeting and guidance system. Conversion from an analog system to a digital one has been sought for 24 firing units.

The Indian Army has reportedly sought a DAC nod for acquiring two more regiments of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers at a cost of $383.5 million.

A case for renewal of an earlier acceptance of necessity (AON) for importing a fresh batch of 150 BMP-2 armoured fighting vehicles from Russia has also been moved. The estimated cost is $146 million. The Army's mechanized forces are also seeking 50 simulators for anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).

Approval has also been sought by the Army for upgradation of one of its important important base workshops. 

armingin

Russia Likely To Discuss 154 Sukhoi PAK FA Fighter Jets To India

Russia is expected to sign contract with India to deliver 154 Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) fighter jets during the upcoming annual Indo-Russian summit.
The agreement, which will be under the joint FGFA initiative, will include work share and a commitment to the number of single-seat and double-seat aircraft, The Financial Express reported today.
"As currently the Indian Air Force (IAF) is in deep trouble due to its fast depleting force structure, India has to take wise decision with long-term as well as strategic foresight. There is no doubt that the PAK-FA (Sukhoi Design Proposal) will emerge as a major FGFA in the world,” An unnamed official was quoted as saying by the news daily.
“Hence, it would be better for India to take a reality check on the FGFA and recalibrate its position”, the official added.
The fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) programme is based on the Russian-made Sukhoi T-50 aircraft. It involves Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Russia and India, in January, agreed on the FGFA jet fighter project. All technical details had been settled, except commercial part which is in discussion, Rosoboronexport reported.

defenceworld

Decision On Leasing Second Russian Nuclear Sub During Indo-Russian Summit

Russia has offered to lease another nuclear submarine to India if an agreement for the same is signed at the summit between the two nations in December.
The possibility of leasing a second submarine from Russia will be studied during India’s Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar’s visit to Moscow next week, Tass quoted a Defense Ministry source as saying Monday.
"Parrikar will hold talks on this strategic project with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu. After the ten-year contract is signed another two or three years will be required for upgrading the submarine in keeping with India’s requirements," he said.
Negotiations on leasing Kashalot K-322 nuclear powered submarine of Shchuka project 971 are at the final phase, Tass reported quoting a Russian military source at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi as saying.
"If the contract is signed, it will be the third Russia-built submarine handed over to the Indian Navy," he said. "For the first time India leased a Russian nuclear submarine for ten years back in the early 1980s. In 2012 the Indian Navy leased Russia’s K-152 Nerpa submarine of project 971. This is a customary and well-tested way of cooperation by our countries in the military-technical sphere."
According to the Russian source, the submarine will undergo fundamental upgrade in line with the customer’s requirements at the Amur shipyards, where it is at the moment. The repair, upgrade and testing work and the Indian crew’s training are to be completed by 2018.

 defenseworld

Boeing May Offer To Make Its Best Combat Plane In India: James McNerney

This could come as music to Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ears. The Boeing Company is ready to offer a contemporary, state-of-the-art combat plane under the 'Make in India' initiative.

The Boeing Company Chairman James McNerney, who was in India to participate at the 'India's Time To Fly' Summit organised by his firm in association with IIT-Bombay here today, said he believed there could soon be a campaign to meet more combat planes requirement of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and that Boeing's offer would include a 'make in India' plan for those combat planes.

His comments are interesting for the simple reason that India had in August 2015 announced the scrapping of its 2007 tender for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) following Modi's decision in April that India would directly buy 36 Dassault Aviation's Rafale combat planes from the French government to meet its air force's immediate operational requirement. Boeing had pitched its F/A-18 in the now-dead MMRCA tender. Since April 2015, the top leadership of Swedish Saab has pitched its single-engine Gripen fighter and the American Lockheed Martin has offered to seel its F-16 combat jet to India.

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha had said in his annual press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on Oct.8 that he was looking at have six MMRCA squadrons in the fleet and the present 36 Rafales would only cater to two squadrons.

That leaves open an opportunity for leading global combat plane manufacturers to launch a campaign to sell at least 153 more MMRCA to India, in case the IAF requirement continues to be the same as in the 2007 tender, when it was indicated that a 126-plane purchase could have an additional 63-plane follow-on option.

"There will be a fighter (plane) campaign in this country over the next couple of years. Our approach is going to be to take a current, state-of-the-art fighter and bid. The quantities are uncertain, but the numbers are going to be significant. Our bid will include a proposal to make the plane here," McNerney said at the Boeing Summit. He was giving an example of a 'Make in India' and technology transfer programs that Boeing could do.

"On the defense side, the two governments have to decide what technology they want to share or not. Leaving that aside, and generally speaking, the more cutting edge the technology, less the sharing will be. Now, that (fighter plane offer) is different and very different. The value to India is a very modern production system, integrated to make a very sophisticated machine. That kind of industrial base capability is as important as the fighter (plane) itself. These modern manufacturing techniques can go into many different industries," he said.

The Boeing chief also said that they were now closer to setting up an assembly line for either the Apache attack choppers or the Chinook heavy transport military helicopters in India. He did not specify which one of the two helicopters would that assembly line be for. Boeing had on Sep.28 signed two deals, cumulatively worth $3.1 billion, with India for the two helicopters.

"The Apache is an attack helicopter and the Chinook is a heavy transport helicopter. Both are critical for defense. Largely, (we are) assembling one of those here. We are much closer to have assembly line of one of those airplanes here. That will play out and that's our strategy. This market is too important, the capability is too high, and the commitment is significant," he said.

McNerney admitted that it was the India-U.S. civil nuclear agreement (of 2005) that made it easier for all the defense deals between the two nations to happen. "That (civil nuclear deal) unlocked everything, in terms of g-to-g relationship and opening for more strategic technology sharing. All those deals on the defense side were all done after the civil nuclear deal. None of them were done before that. It wasn't possible at all."

India bought its first American defense product in several decades in 2007 when the U.S. sold its USS Trenton amphibious warfare ship to India. It now serves the Indian Navy as INS Jalashwa. Since then, U.S has surpassed Russia as the largest supplier of arms to India in the last four years. In the last decade, U.S. has notched up an impressive $12-billion defense sales to India, a large chunk of it going to Boeing, including for its C-17 heavy cargo for $4.1 billion and P8-I long range maritime surveillance planes for $2.1 billion.

The Boeing chief also said that when he got to meet Modi during the CEOs interaction during the Indian Prime Minister's U.S. visit in September, the discussions were "not cheer-leading" but were "real issues". He said there were much that needed to change in terms of taxation, regulatory frameworks in India. But the Modi government's commitment was encouraging. "They are now listening to what we have to say."

He was also all praise for the Indian armed forces and their procurement of military hardware. "The Indian military capability is well organised and strong. As I compare with places around the world, they (Indian forces) know what they want. The leadership of the government and the new prime minister have been very strong on national defense.

"The neighborhood can be a little shaky. This commitment (for defense of the nation) makes sense. Geo-politically, it makes sense. And so, compared to other places, they (Indian forces) know what they want and are clear about it. There is normal push and pull, that also happens everywhere in the world. There is this bureaucratic back and forth that happens. Sure, there are changes (in India). I have been to a lot of places around the world where the specifications change three or four times over the course of a five-year discussion. We have lesser than that here. Hence, it is a pretty good group of forces."

McNerney said 'Make in India' is a very important initiative for the country. He said the Modi government's initiative would ramp up the deployment of the capability that India possesses in manufacturing, design and development two or three levels higher.

"It is not about someone handing you a blueprint and you making it. The vision of the prime minister is more than that. The 'Make in India' is to design and make for India, and for India and the world. We think, with the global nature of our products, we can play a part here. If politics allows this initiative to continue for five years, then it will take the manufacturing economy of India from its 14 per cent now to nearly 25 per cent in the next five years."

The Boeing chairman said India would remain "a big player" on the global scale and it was "starting to be", being the "fastest growing" economy in the world.

"You have a democracy that make it easier to work with. There are other things. I think all the capability is here in programs that I want to make here - even assembling entire airplanes - wings, fuselage and other machines that make the airplanes work. We are committed to taking the Indian capability to that level."

He said it was a win-win for Boeing and India. "I see an opportunity to move India up by bringing in new technology, know-how. As the defense and space industry in U.S. became a repository of technology in the 1960s, a similar thing can happen here. It is a strategic commitment. We will get more business and India will get more know-how."

McNerney said The Boeing Company was in discussions with Indian partners for its entire portfolio or products. "There are very few country where Boeing's complete portfolio can find natural partners within. India was an ally and also had a huge market. This is a very unique opportunity for Boeing."

He also said the assessment was that there would be a 1,800-plane commercial airplanes sold in India in the next 20 years and that market was worth $800 billion. Boeing caters to a large chunk of Indian commercial aviation fleet.

Boeing India President Pratyush Kumar, in his opening remarks at the Summit, said, "India is now ready for aerospace manufacturing. Boeing is creating an ecosystem for aerospace research and development in India. Boeing is partnering with India in aerospace to make the country part of the global aerospace industry." 

armingin

India leaning towards the Ka-226 helicopters

The Government of India is leaning towards purchasing Ka-226 helicopters from Russia and also creating facilities for own domestic production of these aircraft, reporters learned on Tuesday from Anatoly Isaykin, head of Rosoboronexport.
“According to the results of the tender, the Indian side is interested in purchasing Ka-226 helicopters and also in establishing domestic production facilities. The Russian side is ready to transfer these technologies to India,” he said.
Russia and India are the largest partners in the military-technical cooperation sphere – more than 70% of armaments and military equipment in the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy are of Russian and Soviet manufacture.
According to estimates by the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, in 2014, Russia supplied $4.7 billion in weapons and military equipment to India, in 2013 – $4.78 billion.

 rbth

Pakistan's lie nailed! We trained Mujahideens for militancy in J&K, admits Pervez Musharraf

 

In a startling revelation which exposes Pakistan's double standards over cross border terrorism in India, former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf accepted during an interview that his country has trained Mujahideens for spreading terrorism in the Kashmir Valley.

In the interview given to a Pakistani news channel Duniya TV, Musharraf said, “Pakistan trained Lashkar for attacks in Kashmir, we trained Taliban, Ayman-al-Zawahri and Jalaluddin Haqqani to counter Soviets in Afghanistan.”
The former Pakistan dictator was further quoted as saying, "We need to understand the historical perspective. Indian army was slaughtering Kashmiris in the late 80s.”
“We trained Mujahideens for militancy in J&K. We needed to fight their oppression. Pakistan funded Lashkar. Hafiz Saeed was our hero, as so were the Kashmiris who crossed over to this side of the border to wage Jihad,” he added.
The former Pak army chief further claimed that his country trained Taliban, Ayman-al-Zawahri and Jalaluddin Haqqani to counter Soviets in Afghanistan.
"Haqqani, Osama Bin Laden were our heroes," said former Pakistan army chief, who ruled from 1999 to 2008.
Musharraf further criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he has a “psychological problem”.
While taking about the recent lynching incident in Dadri, Musharraf said, “Hindu extremism, radicalism and intolerance against minorities are growing under Modi's rule. An anti-Muslim campaign is going on in India.”
On being asked that why Musharraf thinks that PM Modi is facing some “psychological problems”, the former Pakistan army chief said, “I have heard that Modi was only 10-year-old when he had joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). So, he is indoctrinated with RSS ideologies from childhood."
Further hitting out at the RSS, Musharraf said, “RSS stands for Hindu supremacy in India and they are imposing this supremacy over Muslims.”
He also raised the 2002 Gujarat riots issue during the interview and further criticised Modi saying the Indian PM believes in ruling over minorities.
Meanwhile, India on Tuesday told Pakistan that it will have zero-tolerance to cross-border firing and infiltration bids.
Pakistan was also asked to act in a responsible manner.
“We straight away started the DIG sector level meeting between BSF and Pak ranger to lodge protest over killing of civilians in mortar shelling by the rangers. Rangers were told in categorical terms that we will show zero-tolerance to cross-border firing and infiltration attempts,” IG BSF (Jammu frontiers) Rakesh Sharma said.

 zeenews

ITBP to create 50 new posts along China; says no warmongering

 

Aiming to bolster its presence along the Sino-India border, the ITBP will create over 50 new posts and deploy about 8,000 fresh troops along this sensitive frontier even as it disapproved today of becoming "warmongers" in the wake of several incursions taking place at this border.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police Director General Krishna Chaudhary, during the annual press conference on the eve of the forces' 54th Raising Day, said while he does not deny that incidents of transgression have taken place due to difference of perception of the border between ITBP-Army and the Chinese PLA, his agenda for the deployment of his force at this border was to guard it and not to wage war.

"We must not become warmongers. The objective is peace. The objective is not to fight a war but to guard (this border). All our neighbours are our friends and we want to enhance friendship with them. The perception that we are going to war (due to recent standoffs between the two sides) is not correct. There is no call for a major concern," the ITBP chief told reporters here. He said making "provocative statements" is not something that they want to do and India wants to have friendly relations with all its neighbours.

While refusing to share the number of border transgressions that took place in the last year, Chaudhary revealed that the force was building up its strengths by creating more border posts and inducting smart weather-proof facilities in these areas prone to snow blizzards and blinding storms.

"We have established six new border posts in Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh this year. In eight posts in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh we have augmented facilities and troops strength during the same period," he said.

Chaudhary said the force has also got a defence approval for setting up of a total of 52 new border posts in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim and ITBP was "on the verge" of getting the final government sanction for the creation of these fortified locations.
"We have also requested the government to sanction us 10 new battalions so that we can have more units for rest and recuperation as most of our border guarding troops serve in extremely hard areas and icy conditions," the DG said.
The force will deploy eight battalions (about 8,000 personnel) to man these new posts. 

 businessstandard.

Defence ministry set to decide on ABG and Pipavav capability

 

Private shipyards ABG and Pipavav are keeping their fingers crossed as the defence ministry is set to decide whether they have the financial and technical capability to handle a Rs 20,000-crore contract for the construction of amphibious fighting ships for the Navy.  The two yards, which had been shortlisted along with L&T for a navy order for four Landing Platform Dock (LPDs), have recently faced corporate debt restructuring and changes in management, prompting a 'capacity assessment' report ordered by the Defence Ministry.
Sources told ET that while the Navy, which carried out the in depth assessment of the financial stability of the yards, has given them a go ahead for the 'Make in India' contract, a final decision would be taken by the defence ministry shortly. If both yards are cleared by the MoD, the next step would be the opening of commercial offers of the three yards, with the winner being decided on the basis of lowest price offered. While L&T had tied up with Spain's Navantia, Pipavav has a pact with  French DCNS and ABG with US-based Alion.

economictimes

Defence ministry to clear military deals worth Rs 5,000-cr

 

The government is set to clear two major military purchases from Russia days before Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's visit to Moscow, including a comprehensive upgrade of India's Ilyushin transport aircraft fleet and the acquisition of 150 new armoured fighting vehicles. Parrikar, who is set to leave for Russia on Friday, is also likely to discuss the possible acquisition of two new Kilo class submarines for the Indian Navy that is battling with a depleted underwater fleet. India currently operates nine Kilo submarines under the Sindhughosh class and had lost one to a major explosion at the Mumbai harbour in 2013  .The two submarines are being offered as a quick option to fill gaps as St Petersburg already has a line of advanced Kilo class submarines under production for the Russian Navy as well as a Vietnamese order.
 Sources told ET that a high powered committee on acquisitions is set to clear a Rs 4,250-crore project to Russia for the upgrade and enhancement of the air force's transport fleet of IL 78 and 76 aircraft.  The project will not only increase the service life of the aircraft by up to 20 years but will also give both aircraft enhanced avionics. 
More importantly, the upgrade will also involve fitting new engines to six of the IL 78 midair refuelers that will give the aircraft a longer range as well as the capability to carry extra fuel. The Indian fleet is likely to be fitted with new PS 90 engines that can increase the load carrying capability by almost two tonne. The air force has been particularly worried about its midair refuelers with a contract to purchase new generation tankers from Airbus under the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) project stuck for over two years on pricing issues. 
The other Russia-linked project likely to be cleared is for the purchase of 150 BMP 2/2K armoured fighting vehicles for the Indian Army. The project, worth.`950 crore, will be executed in India by the Ordnance Factory Board on license from Russia.  Parrikar is set to visit both Moscow and St Petersburg and would, among other things, set the agenda for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia in December.

economictimes

Indian Air Force – Elta offering EL/M-2052 AESA radar for Tejas and Jaguar

 

The Indian Air Force (IAF), after years of opposing the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA), now accepts it is on track to be a world-class light fighter.
The specifications of the new Tejas – termed Standard of Preparation-2018 (SoP-18) – were agreed in New Delhi on September 23, between the air force and the Tejas’ designers and manufacturers. One hundred SoP-18 Tejas fighters will join the IAF, starting 2018-19.
The key battle-winning capability in the SoP-18 Tejas is “active electronically scanned array” (AESA) radar that Israel will develop jointly with India. This was the clincher that made the IAF agree to buy 100 SoP-18 fighters from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), in addition to the 20 Tejas Mark I already on order.
HAL also undertook to equip the SoP-18 Tejas with air-to-air refuelling, a “self-protection jammer” (SPJ) under the fighter’s wing, and to refashion the layout of internal systems to make the fighter easier to maintain. Yet, it was the AESA radar that conclusively grabbed the IAF’s attention. No Indian fighter has this capability yet nor does any fighter with Pakistan or China.
AESA radar enjoys key advantages over conventional “manually steered” radar. In the latter, the antenna is moved manually to let the radar beam scan the sky for enemy targets. In AESA radar, the beam moves electronically, switching between multiple targets so rapidly that it effectively scans them simultaneously, even when they are located far apart – in the air, on sea, and the ground. By switching its beam rapidly, the “multi-tasking” AESA radar can simultaneously track enemy aircraft, guide missiles to those targets, and jam enemy communications and radar. In modern-day aerial combat, AESA radar would be a key difference between defeat and victory.
Since India’s Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) cannot yet miniaturise airborne radar for a fighter’s nose (it has built a larger radar for airborne early warning and control aircraft), the Tejas fighter was equipped with the EL/M-2032 radar, bought from Israeli company, Elta.
The impending replacement of this manual radar with Elta’s ELM-2052 AESA radar illustrates the symbiosis between Israel’s high-tech defence industry and India’s equipment-hungry military, and how each sustains the other.
Business Standard first reported the IAF’s decision to order 100 improved Tejas Mark 1A fighters (August 13, With Tejas Mark II years away, HAL asks air force to buy Tejas Mark 1A, and October 2, Parrikar cuts Gordian knot to boost Tejas line). Now, from HAL Bengaluru, comes this account of how Elta’s ELM-2052 AESA radar was chosen.
The decision stems from the IAF’s ongoing plan to refurbish its 123-aircraft Jaguar fleet, upgrading those six squadrons of deep penetration strike aircraft to continue in service for another 15-20 years. This involves spending $2 billion (Rs 13,000 crore) on new, more powerful engines (the Honeywell F-125N has been chosen); upgrading 61 Jaguars with HAL’s vaunted DARIN-3 navigation-attack system, and arming the fleet with lethal, smart munitions like the Textron CBU-105 “sensor-fuzed bombs” that India bought from the United States in 2010.
Then, in 2012, Elta sensed an opportunity and offered to equip the Jaguar with its new ELM-2052 AESA radar. This would provide the Jaguar real ability to beat off enemy fighters, even while on its primary mission of ground strike. Says HAL Chairman T Suvarna Raju: “I was delighted when Elta offered the AESA radar for the Jaguar. Elta wanted neither development costs nor more time.”
Elta’s offer, however, came with the condition that at least one more fighter in the IAF’s inventory should field the ELM-2052 AESA radar. To sweeten the deal, Elta offered to work jointly with HAL on an improved version of the ELM-2052.
This was a win-win for both Elta and HAL. “Look at the market HAL provides Elta. The 61 Jaguars being upgraded to DARIN-3 would all be fitted with the ELM-2052. At least 100 Tejas would get the improved version, possibly with more to follow. Meanwhile, 50 IAF Mirage-2000 fighters are being upgraded, but with a manual radar that could become obsolescent quickly. So the improved AESA could eventually equip the Mirage fleet too, adding up to 200-plus radars,” says Raju.
Aerospace industry experts highlight other benefits for Elta. While bearing the design and development cost of the new AESA radar, the Israeli company would save a great deal of money by having flight-testing done on IAF Jaguars. “Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI is Elta’s parent company) and HAL have signed an agreement that says we would partner IAI in developing the improved AESA radar for the Tejas,” confirms Raju.
Defence ministry sources say the agreement specifies that 60 per cent of the new radar, by value, would be manufactured in India.
The Elta proposal is typical of how Israeli defence companies do business, explains a senior HAL manager. The Israeli Air Force operates US-built F-15 and F-16 fighters, which come fitted with US-designed AESA radar. All this comes to Israel free, as US military aid to a crucial ally. That leaves little space in Israel’s military inventory for equipment built by domestic companies like Elta. Yet, the Israeli government insists on nurturing its defence industry, in case the pipeline from Washington ever shuts. “To stay in business and to fund high-tech R&D, Israeli defence companies like Elta rely heavily on sales to India, particularly the IAF”, says aerospace expert Pushpinder Singh.
Illustrating Israeli capabilities, the Tejas Mark I was already armed with an all-Israeli combination of the Elta EL/M-2032 radar, the Derby and Python air-to-air missiles, and a data link that digitally interconnected these. Indian test pilots say this was a “world-class” air-to-air combat configuration. But now, the Elta-HAL AESA radar could make Tejas a more capable air-defence fighter.

 defenceradar

China plays down Indian border standoff

 

China on Monday said ties with India and between the armies have improved as a result of bilateral mechanisms put in place by both sides to bring down tensions over the disputed border after a video emerged showing Indian and Chinese soldiers involved in a standoff in 2013.
"I have seen the report. The video showed something that happened several years ago. We released information and clarified our position at that time," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing.
He was replying to question about a video shown by an Indian television channel in which soldiers from both sides animatedly argued that the particular area in Ladakh region where they stood belong to their respective countries.
The video was shown by China's Phoenix television creating a buzz on Chinese social media. The standoffs began ahead of the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to India as his first overseas destination soon after he took over the post in 2013 as goodwill gesture.

The standoff in which Chinese troops pitched tents at Depsang area in Ladakh continued for several days before they withdrew. After the incident the two sides activated the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) which included senior diplomats and military officials to resolve a number of other standoffs including the one which took place during the visit of President Xi Jinping to India in 2014.
"As we have known, in recent years China and India have set up and improved cooperation mechanisms including the WMCC and border defence mechanism. These mechanism enhanced mutual trust and helped us to resolve these issues in timely fashion," Hua said.
"This showed that as long as the two sides have the political will they are capable and have the wisdom to resolve the issue and maintain peace and stability of the border areas. We all know that stable and sound development of bilateral ties are important to regional peace and stability.
"We hope the two sides can enhance mutual trust through this mechanisms and move forward cooperation properly deal with relevant issue and ensure peace and stability of the border area and maintain sound development of bilateral relations," she said.

deccanchronicle

Russia, India Finalizing Deal on PAK FA Fifth-Generation Jets

 

During the upcoming annual Indo-Russian summit, an agreement is expected to be inked on the delivery of Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) fighter jets to India under the joint FGFA initiative, The Financial Express reported citing a senior military official.

 The fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) programme is based on the Russian-made Sukhoi T-50 aircraft. It involves Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

According to the source, the agreement will include a fixed order for 154 jets, work share and a commitment to the number of single-seat and double-seat aircraft.
"Given the current situation, where the Indian Air Force (IAF) is in deep trouble due to its fast depleting force structure, the Indian government will need to take well thought out decision with long-term and strategic foresight. There is no doubt that the PAK-FA (Sukhoi Design Proposal) will be emerge as a major FGFA in the world. Hence, it would be better for India to take a reality check on the FGFA and recalibrate its position," the source told The Financial Times.
In January, it was reported that Russia and India agreed on the project of the FGFA jet fighter. In February, Russia’s Rosoboronexport said all technical details had been settled, and the commercial part of the deal was in discussion.
The Sukhoi/HAL project is meant to radically upgrade India's air strength through the combination of Russian expertise and Indian financing.Russia’s fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA fighter jet, known in India as FGFA, is equipped with an advanced defense system that can neutralize an enemy plane’s stealth capability.
According to Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, the two countries have already injected about 230 million dollars into the FGFA project, which is based on the development of the T-50 aircraft.

The FGFA, which is expected to be armed with weapons of Indian origin, will fly at a speed of 2,300 kilometers per hour and will have a range of 3,800 kilometers.

sputniknews

Russia to lease another Nuclear Sub to India in December

An agreement on leasing another Russian nuclear-powered submarine to India is to be signed at the Russian-Indian summit in December, a source at India’s Defense Ministry told TASS.

The possibility of leasing a second submarine from Russia will be studied when India’s Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar will visit Moscow next week," the source said. "Parrikar will hold talks on this strategic project with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu. After the ten-year contract is signed another two or three years will be required for upgrading the submarine in keeping with India’s requirements," he said.

Over the past 45 years Russia and India have established reliable, time-tested strategic ties in the field of defence. India’s armed forces are equipped with Soviet and Russian military hardware 70%, the source said, adding that Russia had always provided its best military hardware to India.

A Russian military source at the Russian embassy in New Delhi has confirmed to TASS the negotiations on leasing the Kashalot K-322 nuclear power submarine of project 971 Shchuka had entered the final phase.

"If the contract is signed, it will be the third Russia-built submarine handed over to the Indian Navy," he said. "For the first time India leased a Russian nuclear submarine for ten years back in the early 1980s. In 2012 the Indian Navy leased Russia’s K-152 Nerpa submarine of project 971. This is a customary and well-tested way of cooperation by our countries in the military-technical sphere."

According to the Russian source, the submarine will undergo fundamental upgrade in line with the customer’s requirements at the Amur shipyards, where it is at the moment. The repair, upgrade and testing work and the Indian crew’s training are to be completed by 2018

Tass

India is an emerging Power, We love the people and need their support

Balochistan has never been part of Pakistan. In fact, Pakistan’s army suppressed the locals and imposed its constitutional laws forcefully. Recently, the issue was highlighted by a journalist at a USA institute of peace where Prime Minister Nawaj Sharif was addressing. The person, identified as Ahmar Musti Khan, was holding a poster in his hands that read “Free Balochistan”.

In an interaction with Indian agencies he said, “India is an emerging country, we love the people of India we need their support.”

London based another Balochistan freedom fighter, Hyrbyar Marri said, “India should politically, morally and diplomatically help Baloch struggle for freedom.” China is already looting and plundering the natural resources of Kashmir and Balochistan because it has easy access to these regions by dint of the support of Islamabad. Mr. Marri said Balochistan is a natural ally of all those who believe in democracy, human rights and rule of law.

Pakistan attempts to suppress the voice of Balochistan and keep the locals under its thumb since Balochistan is enormously rich in natural resources and the number of inhabitants is comparatively low. Clearly, if Balochistan gets freedom, the eight million people will become prosperous and Balochistan will be a developed country of Asia.

defencenews

Cutting-edge Israeli radar wins air force approval for Tejas fighter

 

(businessstandard) : The Indian Air Force (IAF), after years of opposing the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA), now accepts it is on track to be a world-class light fighter.

The specifications of the new Tejas - termed Standard of Preparation-2018 (SoP-18) - were agreed in New Delhi on September 23, between the air force and the Tejas' designers and manufacturers. One hundred SoP-18 Tejas fighters will join the IAF, starting 2018-19.

The key battle-winning capability in the SoP-18 Tejas is "active electronically scanned array" (AESA) radar that Israel will develop jointly with India. This was the clincher that made the IAF agree to buy 100 SoP-18 fighters from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), in addition to the 20 Tejas Mark I already on order.

HAL also undertook to equip the SoP-18 Tejas with air-to-air refuelling, a "self-protection jammer" (SPJ) under the fighter's wing, and to refashion the layout of internal systems to make the fighter easier to maintain. Yet, it was the AESA radar that conclusively grabbed the IAF's attention. No Indian fighter has this capability yet nor does any fighter with Pakistan or China.

AESA radar enjoys key advantages over conventional "manually steered" radar. In the latter, the antenna is moved manually to let the radar beam scan the sky for enemy targets. In AESA radar, the beam moves electronically, switching between multiple targets so rapidly that it effectively scans them simultaneously, even when they are located far apart - in the air, on sea, and the ground. By switching its beam rapidly, the "multi-tasking" AESA radar can simultaneously track enemy aircraft, guide missiles to those targets, and jam enemy communications and radar. In modern-day aerial combat, AESA radar would be a key difference between defeat and victory.

Since India's Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) cannot yet miniaturise airborne radar for a fighter's nose (it has built a larger radar for airborne early warning and control aircraft), the Tejas fighter was equipped with the EL/M-2032 radar, bought from Israeli company, Elta.

The impending replacement of this manual radar with Elta's ELM-2052 AESA radar illustrates the symbiosis between Israel's high-tech defence industry and India's equipment-hungry military, and how each sustains the other.

Business Standard first reported the IAF's decision to order 100 improved Tejas Mark 1A fighters (August 13, With Tejas Mark II years away, HAL asks air force to buy Tejas Mark 1A, and October 2, Parrikar cuts Gordian knot to boost Tejas line). Now, from HAL Bengaluru, comes this account of how Elta's ELM-2052 AESA radar was chosen.

The decision stems from the IAF's ongoing plan to refurbish its 123-aircraft Jaguar fleet, upgrading those six squadrons of deep penetration strike aircraft to continue in service for another 15-20 years. This involves spending $2 billion (Rs 13,000 crore) on new, more powerful engines (the Honeywell F-125N has been chosen); upgrading 61 Jaguars with HAL's vaunted DARIN-3 navigation-attack system, and arming the fleet with lethal, smart munitions like the Textron CBU-105 "sensor-fuzed bombs" that India bought from the United States in 2010.

Then, in 2012, Elta sensed an opportunity and offered to equip the Jaguar with its new ELM-2052 AESA radar. This would provide the Jaguar real ability to beat off enemy fighters, even while on its primary mission of ground strike. Says HAL Chairman T Suvarna Raju: "I was delighted when Elta offered the AESA radar for the Jaguar. Elta wanted neither development costs nor more time."

Elta's offer, however, came with the condition that at least one more fighter in the IAF's inventory should field the ELM-2052 AESA radar. To sweeten the deal, Elta offered to work jointly with HAL on an improved version of the ELM-2052.

This was a win-win for both Elta and HAL. "Look at the market HAL provides Elta. The 61 Jaguars being upgraded to DARIN-3 would all be fitted with the ELM-2052. At least 100 Tejas would get the improved version, possibly with more to follow. Meanwhile, 50 IAF Mirage-2000 fighters are being upgraded, but with a manual radar that could become obsolescent quickly. So the improved AESA could eventually equip the Mirage fleet too, adding up to 200-plus radars," says Raju.

Aerospace industry experts highlight other benefits for Elta. While bearing the design and development cost of the new AESA radar, the Israeli company would save a great deal of money by having flight-testing done on IAF Jaguars. "Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI is Elta's parent company) and HAL have signed an agreement that says we would partner IAI in developing the improved AESA radar for the Tejas," confirms Raju.

Defence ministry sources say the agreement specifies that 60 per cent of the new radar, by value, would be manufactured in India.

The Elta proposal is typical of how Israeli defence companies do business, explains a senior HAL manager. The Israeli Air Force operates US-built F-15 and F-16 fighters, which come fitted with US-designed AESA radar. All this comes to Israel free, as US military aid to a crucial ally. That leaves little space in Israel's military inventory for equipment built by domestic companies like Elta. Yet, the Israeli government insists on nurturing its defence industry, in case the pipeline from Washington ever shuts. "To stay in business and to fund high-tech R&D, Israeli defence companies like Elta rely heavily on sales to India, particularly the IAF", says aerospace expert Pushpinder Singh.

Illustrating Israeli capabilities, the Tejas Mark I was already armed with an all-Israeli combination of the Elta EL/M-2032 radar, the Derby and Python air-to-air missiles, and a data link that digitally interconnected these. Indian test pilots say this was a "world-class" air-to-air combat configuration. But now, the Elta-HAL AESA radar could make Tejas a more capable air-defence fighter.

JET, SET, GO

• The specifications of the new Tejas - termed Standard of Preparation-2018 (SoP-18) - were agreed in New Delhi on September 23, between the air force and the Tejas' designers and manufacturers
   
• One hundred SoP-18 Tejas fighters will join the IAF, starting 2018-19
   
• The key battle-winning capability in the SoP-18 Tejas is "active electronically scanned array" radar that Israel will develop jointly with India
   
• This was the clincher that made the IAF agree to buy 100 SoP-18 fighters from HAL, in addition to the 20 Tejas Mark I already on order

'Anti-Pakistan' protest erupts in PoK

Black Day' was observed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Thursday and an 'anti-Pakistan' protest was organised by the National Students Federation.  According to a recent footage, Black Day was observed in PoK on Thursday where NSF leader Mir Afzaal Sulehria was seen addressing a seminar in the Muzaffarabad Press Club.
 Black Day is observed on October 22 in PoK to in connection with the first attack by Pakistan forces on the undivided state of Jammu and Kashmir on October 22, 1947.  This is not the first time that reports have emerged from the troubled region, as a video had recently surfaced, purportedly from Muzaffarabad and surrounding areas emerged showing massive demonstrations and violence against the Pakistan rule.  Also Read: Massive protests erupt in PoK, people demand freedom from Pakistan  The video showed troops attacking the protestors violently with one particular clip showing a man being dragged through the street by his neck with all his clothes torn apart.

zeenews

Balochistan can be freed, if US stop supporting Pak: Musti khan

Balochistan can be freed if US stops supporting Pakistan, feels Baloch activist Ahmer Musti Khan who earlier heckled Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif speech.
"I must assure you our Baloch people are so confident of victory that they believe that once US stops supporting Pakistan, we can force them out of Balochistan," Musti Khan said in an exclusive interview with ANI.
Sharif on Friday was heckled by Musti Khan while delivering his speech at the US Institute of Peace (USIP), a prominent independent think-tank.
Musti Khan demanded freedom of Balochistan provinces where Pakistani army has been engaged in torture and killings of Baloch people demanding freedom. The activist also called Sharif a 'friend of Al Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden.'
Musti Khan who earlier justified his agitation saying that he did it to expose Pakistan terror in Afghanistan and war crimes in Balochistan, hopes that his heckling of Sharif speech would make a difference in the days ahead.
To end the disruption, he was then removed from the hall by the private security of the USIP. The official Secret Service did interrogate him, but was not detained.
"I told them that Pakistan receives US dollars but is an avowed enemy of the US. That was it. As much as I know, the US is sympathetic to the Baloch cause. Maybe because it understands Pakistan wants to work with China in Balochistan, which hurts vital interests of the US. Unfortunately some arms manufacturers in US have lot of clout at the Capitol Hill. That is the main problem.
When asked about the black out of the incident by the Pakistan media, the activist said that it clearly shows the control of the media by the intelligence services of that country.
'Pakistan media thinks if it does not report a reality the truth will die. Pakistan media is hands in gloves with the intelligence services of that country. As a journalist myself, I know quite well media houses cannot challenge the military narrative on Balochistan," he said

The activist also expects Modi administration to have a solid policy of support for Balochistan.

"As a rising power in the world India must openly support a free Balochistan not in the interests of the Baloch people but in the interests of 1.4 billion Indians," he added.

 ANI / in.news

Will the Indian Air Force Receive New Mig-35’S ?

After cancellation of the deal of purchase and production of 136 French fighters, India was planning to buy only 36 Rafale. However, this deal too is being delayed. The Indian newspaper Economic Times, citing a source in the Defence Ministry of the country, said that the reason for this delay is the high price and disappointment demonstrated by the Indian Armed Forces. It turned out that a number of systems, avionics and weapons, in which India is interested, are not compatible with the Rafale.

At the same time, maintaining of an adequate level of defence capability by India requires an urgent upgrading of the Air Force with advanced combat aircrafts. According to the Indian news agency IANS, the Indian government intends to announce a re-tender for purchase of the Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). In the tender of 2008, which resulted in the selection of the Rafale, the Russian MiG-35 lost only because the aircraft was not under serial production at that time. In addition, India had taken a decision, guided by a desire to diversify its sources of weapon procurement. Moreover, at the foundation of military aviation of the country, there already exist Russian planes — the multipurpose heavy Su-30 MKI's. However, today, the newest Russian fighter, which experts call as a transitional link between the 4 ++ generation and the fifth generation of  fighter aircrafts, has got a new chance to fill up the ranks of the Indian Air Force, notes Andrei Fomin, chief editor of "Vzlyot" (The Rise):

"The MiG-35 is a further development of the current generation of the latest versions of the MiG-29, which include the ship-borne MiG-29 K / KUB and land-based version of the MiG-29M. This development is associated with a more advanced avionics systems, including the latest generation of radars, new optical-electronic systems, new means of radar countermeasures, more modern weapons. While maintaining great aerodynamic flight characteristics, the aircraft has acquired fundamentally new capabilities."

The MiG-35 belongs to the same class and generation of combat aircraft as the French Rafale and the German Eurofighter Typhoon. However, the Russian aircraft is planned to be equipped with more modern and sophisticated avionics systems and weapons.

Russia Ready to Offer India Su-30MKI, MiG-35 Fighter Jets to Replace French Rafales

Main advantage of the Russian aircraft for the Indian Air Force is its continuity in design, features of flight operations and maintenance services. Pilots and technicians of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy are familiar with modern modifications of the MiG-29. Indian experts are actively involved in the modernization that is being carried out in the Indian Air Force of the earlier versions of the MiG-29 — in the UPG program, which brings these aircrafts to aircrafts of the latest generation, Andrei Fomin notes:

"India has never procured the Eurofighter in the past. It will have the Rafale aircraft only if implementation of the planned transaction on the purchase of 36 aircrafts takes place. These new aircrafts will require retraining of pilots, retraining of the technical staff and a new organization of technical maintenance procedures — that is, many challenges are likely to arise. If India prefers to procure the MIG-35, no such difficulties will arise. The numbers of the MiG-29's of various modifications in the Air Force and Navy in the country are large enough, and all the complex issues of service and maintenance of these aircrafts have already been worked out."

Another important fact of the armed forces' economy goes in favor of the modern Russian aircraft. According to Russian experts, cost per flight hour of the MiG-35 is almost 2.5 times lower than that of the MiG-29. Other details of the latest Russian medium combat fighter aircraft will be available to potential buyers at the International Aviation and Space Salon — MAKS-2015. It is scheduled to begin on the 25^th of August.

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