Sukhoi Su-57 enters mass productions, gives Russia a fighter to take on US F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II

Russia has started the mass production of Sukhoi Su-57 5th Generation stealth fighter. Sukhoi Aircraft Company, which is a part of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation, released a brochure on its 80th anniversary on Monday which revealed that a contract with the Defence Ministry has been signed for over 70 single-seat, twin-engine multirole Su-57 jets. The Russian fighter is the only 5th Generation combat aircraft which is comparable to the F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning II jets of the United States of America.

"Multinational aviation system of the fifth generation, which has highly-intelligent onboard equipment, is barely noticeable and is also characterised by a great line of aerial targets interception and ground targets destruction. Mass production was launched in 2019 and a long-term contract was signed with the Defence Ministry for delivering over 70 aircraft," according to the brochure published by Russia's Sputniknews.com.

Russian news agency TASS quoted the office of Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov as saying that Sukhoi Aircraft Company has started to implement the Su-57 contract. "A state contract was signed at the Army 2019 international arms exhibition between the Defense Ministry of Russia and the Sukhoi Company for the delivery of a batch of Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets. The Sukhoi has started to fulfil its contractual obligations," Borisov's office reported according to TASS.
 Russian Aerospace Force has ordered 76 Su-57 fighters and the first aircraft will be delivered before the end of 2019. The Su-57, which first flew on January 29, 2010, has already been tested under combat conditions in Syria.

Russia is also offering the Su-57 to the Indian Air Force with Russia’s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Deputy Director Vladimir Drozhzhov saying that the two countries "should resume this project".

Earlier in March 2019, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov had told the Interfax news agency that the IAF would be interested in having the Su-57, which he called the latest supersonic stealth jet in the world.

Manturov had also pointed out that Russia and India share deep defence ties and the latter was the biggest buyer of the arms manufactured by the former. India and Russia had partnered during the initial development of the Su-57, then known as Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation (PAK FA or T-50). Later the IAF had some reservations about the capabilities of Su-57 and pulled out of the programme but kept the door open by stating that it would rejoin the project of its concerns were addressed.

Even IAF Air Chief Marsal Birender Singh Dhanoa had told Russia military newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda during his July 9-12 visit that India would take a call on the Su-57 only after its entered service with the Russian Air Force. Russia will officially unveil the export version of Su-57 during the November 2019 Dubai Air Show. The fighter will be called Su-57 E (export).

On the other hand, the F-22 and F-35 are already in service with the US Air Force. Several close allies of the US including the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Japan, South Korea, Israel and Singapore also operate the F-35.

 zeenews

Purchases Worth Rs 7,500 Cleared for Indian Air Force in Last 2 Months

The Indian Air Force has finalised a raft of purchases worth Rs 7,500 crore including missiles, precision-guided bombs and latest avionics in the last two months, official sources said. The purchases included procurement of a batch of air-to-air missiles from Russia at a cost of around Rs 1,000 crore to make the Sukhoi fighter fleet of the IAF more lethal, they said.

Last month, the government signed a Rs 300 crore deal with an Israeli defence firm to procure a batch of SPICE 2000 guided bombs. The IAF had used SPICE bombs in its strikes on a terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot on February 26.

The purchases are being made based on a plan finalised by the IAF to address its short-term requirements. After the Balakot strikes and subsequent Pakistani retaliation, the government is undertaking several measures to strengthen the IAF's combat prowess. The government has recently decided to fast-track integration of Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles into over 40 Sukhoi fighter jets under a closely-guarded project. Official sources said modernisation of the IAF is a key priority area for the government and a raft of purchases worth around Rs 7,500 crore were sanctioned since the Modi government came to power for the second time on May 30.

Sources said the government had carried out a review of the IAF's February 26 airstrikes deep inside Pakistan's Balakot and the consensus was that the adversary would not have dared to retaliate the next day if India possessed superior air defence system as well as strike capability. In this context, the government decided to take a series of steps to bolster the IAF's overall combat capability, they said.

 news18

Vympel R-73E: All about Russia's air-to-air missile IAF is buying for Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs

Vympel R-73E (extended range) air-to-air guided missile is a weapon which will soon be acquired by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and fitted on its frontline Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighters. The $215 million deal between India and Russia for about 300 Vympel R-73E missiles was signed on Monday. The R-73E missile, which can annihilate an aerial target 30 kilometres away with its 8-kilogramme rod warhead, was developed to be fitted on MiG and Sukhoi combat aircraft.

With a cryogenic cooled seeker, the R-73E air-to-air missile is basically a short-range and close air combat weapon. The missile is capable of targeting enemy fighters, bombers, attack, military transport aircraft and even unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from any direction as well as during the day and night. The R-73E can evade enemy active countermeasures to track and hit the target.

It is a fire-and-forget missile with an all-aspect Infrared passive homing head with high agility which is the result of unique combined gas/aerodynamic control system with thrust vector. Powered by a one-mode solid-fuel rocket engine, the R-73Ehas a radar proximity fuse/target sensor. The missile can hit targets flying at speeds up to 2,500 kilometres per hour and at altitudes of 20 metres to 20 km.

The missile is 2.9m long, 0.17m in diametre with a wingspan of 0.51m and a control plane span of 0.38m. Its maximum g-load is up to 12 and has a launch weight of 105 kg with a warhead weight of 8 kg.
According to Rosoboronexport, Russia's only agency for exports and imports of defence-related products, the Vympel R-73E missile can be configured to arm foreign-made fighter aircraft too.

IAF's MiG-21 Bison, MiG-29 UPG and Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs can carry the R-73E missile for a close-range dogfight with enemy aircraft. During the aerial combat on February 27, 2019, IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flying a MiG-21 Bison had shot down a Pakistani Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon using an R-73 missile. The IAF has also managed to mate the R-73 missile with Mirage 2000, the French fighter in its arsenal.

According to Rosoboronexport, Russia's only agency for exports and imports of defence-related products, the Vympel R-73E missile can be configured to arm foreign-made fighter aircraft too.

IAF's MiG-21 Bison, MiG-29 UPG and Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs can carry the R-73E missile for a close-range dogfight with enemy aircraft. During the aerial combat on February 27, 2019, IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flying a MiG-21 Bison had shot down a Pakistani Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon using an R-73 missile. The IAF has also managed to mate the R-73 missile with Mirage 2000, the French fighter in its arsenal.

 zeenews

Along with P-75 India, our offer for three additional Scorpene submarines is still on table: French Naval Group chairman

At a time when Indian Navy is looking to add more submarines into its fleet, French firm Naval Group has said that its offer to India for buying three additional Scorpene-class submarines was still on and would help India to utilise the investments made by it in the project for last 15 years.

Indian defence PSU Mazagon Dockyards Limited and the French Naval Group have been jointly building the Scorpene-class submarines at Mumbai after the contract was signed in 2005 between the two sides.

The Indian Navy is going to induct all the six Scorpene boats in the next three to four years and has already issued a new tender Project 75-India for buying six new submarines with foreign collaboration under the strategic partnership policy.


"The offer is still on the table. We still believe it is a very good solution to keep 15 years of Make in India intact," Herve Guillou, chairman and chief executive of Naval Group told ANI in an interview.

Guillou was in India last week for reviewing the firm's Indian operations and held meetings with senior Indian defence and naval leadership.

He said the Naval Group is, of course, going to participate in the tender for supplying the six boats for the P-75 India project with the latest technologies expected by Indian Navy.

On the issue of three additional submarines, as an extension of the ongoing Scorpene submarine project, the Naval Group chairman said the issue was not just about keeping the work going on at the MDL or the personnel there trained for the programme "but also to more than 43 other companies who will have nothing to do for submarine industry after supplying equipment for the sixth Socrpene class boat."

"Not using them is a huge waste of investment. All your investment will fade away. So, three additional submarines could be a quick and good opportunity for India to keep and to value the investment made in the last 15 years," he said. On the ongoing Scorpene programme for the Indian Navy, the Naval Group chairman said the first boat of the class has already been inducted and the "feedback that we are getting from the French Navy also which operated with the INS Kalvari of the Indian Navy during exercise Varuna is that the military performances are good.

Asked about the delays in the induction of the second and third Scorpene class boats in the Navy named INS Khanderi and INS Karanj, the Naval Group chairman said the Khanderi was about to be commissioned in the Navy in the next few coming weeks.

On the issue of observations made by the Indian Navy during the trials of the INS Karanj, the Naval Group said they were aware of six main observations made by the Indian side which are in the process of being addressed and resolved.

He said any submarine being built world over and has more than a million parts and six observations during the trial should not be a major industrial obstacle.

During recent sea trials of the INS Karanj, the Indian Navy had made certain observations regarding the performance of different parts of the submarine and some of the corrections or rectifications suggested can be implemented only after the Monsoons get over.

Responding on more than Rs 50,000 crore Project-75 India for building six bigger and better submarines for the Navy, the Naval Group said it would be offering a solution for the force on the basis of requirements put across by the Indian side in its tender.

 economictimes

Son of J&K King Hari Singh claims, State's Merger In India is final

State official of Jammu and Kashmir and first governor of J&K, Dr. Karan Singh was the chief executive of the state. Karan Singh wants the government to be cautious on constitutional issues relating to the state.

Karan Singh's father, King Hari Singh, affectionately called him Tiger. Karan Singh became the state official on June 20, 1949 and later held the post of Sadre Prince from November 17, 1952 to March 30, 1965.

Dr. Karan Singh was appointed as the first Governor of Jammu and Kashmir on March 30, 1965. Even after India was at the centre of the state of Kashmir during the early years of Independence, no political party used their foresight and wisdom to solve the Kashmir problem. The country's new Home Minister Amit Shah is now trying to resolve the disputed issues forever.

While talking to media, 88-year-old Karan Singh, son of the last ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, raised a number of important questions about future actions for the state that are urgently needed to heal and resolve the issue. On this, he said, "The merger is final and irrevocable, I am not questioning its existence. The Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly has confirmed the merger and has declared it valid. Therefore, its veracity cannot be questioned. Legally, morally and constitutionally, the State is an integral part of India. However, on Section 370 and Article 35A, I would advise the Government to take great care. These should be taken care of as these include legal, political, constitutional and emotional factors that should be thoroughly reviewed."

 earlytimes

India, Russia sign Rs 1,500 crore deal for air-to-air missiles to be used by Su-30

Boosting its capabilities in beyond visual range warfare, India has signed a deal worth around Rs 1,500 crore to acquire R-27 air-to-air missiles from Russia to be equipped on the Su-30MKI combat aircraft.

"A contract has been signed with Russia for the acquisition of R-27 air-to-air missile to be fitted on the Su-30MKI combat aircraft fleet of the Indian Air Force," government sources told ANI here.

The Russian missiles with an extended range would give an added capability to the Sukhois to take on enemy aircraft at long ranges, they said.

The missiles have been acquired under 10-I projects which mandate the three services to maintain critical weapon systems and spares for a specified minimum period, which is known as War Wastage Reserve (WWR).

The R-27 missile is a medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile developed by Russia for its MiG and Sukhoi series of fighter jets.

In the last 50 days, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed deals worth over Rs 7,600 crore for acquiring equipment under emergency requirements approved by the Defence Ministry.

The IAF has spent around Rs 7,600 crore in procuring missiles such as the Spice-2000, Strum Ataka ATGMs and a large number of spares under the emergency procurement route.

After the Pulwama attack, the Central government had given emergency powers to the three services to buy whatever equipment is required by them for safeguarding the borders with Pakistan.

Under the powers given, the security forces can buy the equipment of their choice within three months at the cost of up to Rs 300 crore per case.

The emergency powers were given to the forces within a few weeks after the Pulwama attack in which 44 CRPF personnel were killed and India started increasing vigil at the borders with Pakistan, they said.

 economictimes

Made from F-35 and F-22 'DNA': Check Out the F-21 Fighter

What we can tell you. The F-16 for India is now designated as F-21.

According to Lockheed Martin, the F-21 is specifically configured for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and provides unmatched ‘Make in India’ opportunities and strengthens India’s path to an advanced airpower future.

As the video in this post shows, the F-21 addresses the Indian Air Force’s unique requirements and integrates India into the world’s largest fighter aircraft ecosystem with the world’s pre-eminent defence company. Lockheed Martin and Tata would produce the F-21 in India, for India.


The F-21 is an unprecedented ‘Make in India’ opportunity ─ combining the strength of Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defence contractor, and Tata, India’s premier industrial house, to deliver a historic win-win for the US and India.

In addition to creating thousands of new jobs for Indian industry, F-21 production in India supports thousands of US supplier jobs, including hundreds of US-based Lockheed Martin engineering, program management, sustainment and customer support positions.

Lockheed Martin continues to leverage technologies across its portfolio to drive affordability within new and existing platforms and is committed to delivering the F-21 at the most affordable price for India.

The F-21 has common components and learning from Lockheed Martin’s 5th Generation F-22 and F-35 and will share a common supply chain on a variety of components. Approximately half of the F-21 and F-16 supply chains are common with the F-22 and F-35.

 nationalinterest

First batch of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to arrive in India today

In a big boost to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the first batch of Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopters will arrive at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad on Saturday. The first consignment of AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopters from the US defence manufacturing giant Boeing will arrive onboard an Antonov AN 224 Transport Aircraft today.

According to reports, three to four AH-64E Apache attack helicopters will be delivered to India in the first batch.

Following final assembly and a series of user trials, the helicopters will be sent to Pathankot Air Base, near the India-Pakistan border, for a final induction into service.

According to the report, Group Captain M Shaylu will command the squadron. Currently, 125 Helicopter Squadron of Mi-35 choppers is also stationed at Pathankot.

The first IAF unit to receive the new helicopter gunships will be the 125 Helicopter Squadron (125 H SQUADRON) deployed at Pathankot. The second AH-64E-equipped squadron will reportedly be stationed at Jorhat Air Base in Assam.

It was earlier reported that first four helicopters would arrive on a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III Transport Aircraft at Pathankot folowing which they will be assembled there. But, no official confirmation came from the Defence Ministry or the IAF regarding the place and time of delivery.

The first AH-64E was officially handed over to the IAF during a ceremony at Boeing’s production Center in Mesa, Arizona, on May 10.

Air Marshal AS Butola, accepted the first Apache in a ceremony at Boeing production facility. During the ceremony, representatives from the US Government were also present.

Air and ground crews for the AH-64Es have undergone extensive training over the last couple of months at Fort Rocker, Alabama.

India had signed a USD 2.2 billion contract with the United States and Boeing for the delivery of 22 AH-64Es and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters for the IAF in September 2015.

The IAF inducted the first batch of four CH-47F Chinook helicopters in its fleet in Chandigarh in March 2019. With this, the Chinook helicopters became a part of the 126 Helicopter Squadron, which currently operates the last of the Mi-26 heavy-lift choppers.

“The addition of AH-64 E (I) helicopter is a significant step towards modernisation of IAF’s helicopter fleet. The helicopter has been customized to suit IAF’s future requirements and would have significant capability in mountainous terrain,” the IAF had said in a statement earlier.

The Apache AH-64E helicopter is equipped with a 30-mm machine gun, which can fire up to 1,200 rounds at a time. Apart from this, Apache is also equipped with the anti-tank Hellfire missile, which is believed to be capable of destroying a tank.

As an additional weapon, a Hydra Unguided Rocket, capable of perfect execution of any target on land, is also installed. The helicopter can fly at a speed of 150 nautical miles per hour, which helps it to reach the enemy at a tremendous speed in the air.

The helicopter has the capability to carry out precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from the ground. The ability of these helicopters, to transmit and receive the battlefield picture, to and from the weapon systems through data networking makes it a lethal acquisition.

These attack helicopters will provide a significant edge in any future joint operations in support of land forces and also help India in fortifying its border with Pakistan.

 zeenews

Second Scorpene submarine expected to be commissioned into service by September-October: Navy chief

India's second Kalvari-class Scorpene submarine is expected to be commissioned into service by September-October this year, Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh said on Thursday.

He was interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an international seminar on shipbuilding here.

INS Khanderi, the second Kalvari-class Scorpene submarine that has superior stealth and the ability to launch a crippling attack with torpedoes as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles whilst underwater or on surface, was launched at the Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai in January 2017.

For submarines like EKMs (Russian made Kilo-class), the Navy is going for MRLC (Medium Refit with Life Certification), he said in response to a question.

"For Scorpenes, we are moving well. The first one is already is service, and the second one is expected to be commissioned by September-October of this year," the Navy chief told reporters.

The state-of-the-art features of this Kalvari-class Scorpene submarine include superior stealth and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapon.

The attack can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface. The stealth features will give it an invulnerability, unmatched by many submarines.

The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, including the tropics. All means and communications are provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a naval task force.

It can undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern submarine, i.e anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance.
 Admiral Singh has said that negotiations are proceeding on the procurement of naval multi-role helicopters and the contract could be finalised soon. "The LOR (letter of request) and LOA (letter of acceptance) procedures are on and we should be ready by the end of the year," he said at the sidelines of the FICCI seminar.

These helicopters will have the capability to engage in anti-submarine warfare. MRHs are an integral part of the frontline warships such as aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and corvettes.

On Project 75 and Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH), he said these two strategic partnership models are "extremely important to us".

 indiatoday

India likely to sign multi billion dollar naval helicopter deal with US by year end

India is likely to sign a $ 2 billion plus deal for naval multi role helicopters (NMRH) through a direct government purchase from the US by the end of this year.

Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh has said that negotiations are proceeding and the contract could be finalized shortly. "The LOR (letter of request) and LOA (letter of acceptance) procedures and on and we should be ready by the end of the year," the top officer said at the sidelines of a FICCI seminar in the capital.

LOR and LOA are part of the procedures for sale of military equipment on a government to government route with the US.

As reported first by ET, the proposal is to purchase 24 of the advanced MH 60 `Romeo’ choppers that can be deployed from warships. The direct purchase is the fastest way to add the capability to the Navy, rather than a competition that could take years to finalise.

The Navy considers these choppers extremely essential as their absence poses serious operational risks to warships at sea.

The last attempt to purchase these choppers was thwarted after nine years of efforts in 2016 after negotiations broke off with US manufacturer Sikorsky over differences in pricing. The Navy requires at least 123 of the Naval Multi Role Helicopters (NMRH) and had released a global request for information for the same in August 2017.

However, the proposal for 123 new choppers, has not progressed as fast as the Navy would have liked, leading to the consideration of the US offer for a direct government sale of the Romeo. The larger order is likely to be progressed as a Make in India project under the strategic partnership model of the defence ministry.

The navy is already processing an order for 111 of the smaller utility helicopters under this model.

The NMRH are required to replace the Sea King fleet. The Indian Navy has flagged helicopters as one of its most critical needs, besides minesweepers and submarines at several top level presentations before the government.

 economictimes

Rajnath Singh to decide on Rs 10,000 crore worth defence deals in August

Highlights

• The Defence Acquisition Council is the highest decision-making body in the defence ministry
• During the DAC meeting, the Defence Minister will also take a call on the proposed procurement of two electronic warfare systems

In his maiden Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to decide on acquisition of weapon systems worth around Rs 10,000 crore including choppers and electronic warfare systems.

The first defence acquisition council meeting to be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to take place in August first week in the south block. This is also the first time that the DAC would be meeting after the Narendra Modi government returned to power.

"At present, the Defence Minister is scheduled to decide on a case related to the acquisition of 14 medium-lift choppers for the Indian Coast Guard which are likely to cost more than Rs 7,000 crore," government sources told ANI.

The case is for the acquisition of 14 choppers and a tender is planned to be issued to multiple vendors from Europe, America and Russia for supplying these helicopters, they said.

The case was processed earlier also but had to be scrapped by the Defence Ministry due to certain discrepancies in it. A European vendor had been selected as the lowest bidder over an American firm in the previous process.

The Defence AcquisitiThough the DAC is meeting for the first time since the new government was formed, the Modi administration has already spent around Rs 8500 crore for meeting the emergency requirement of the forces in its first 50 days.

Weapon systems such as the Spice 2000 stand off bombs and Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Israel, Strum Ataka air-launched ATGM and several other spare parts from Russia have been acquired under these powers by the Indian Air Force.on Council is the highest decision-making body in the defence ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services and the Indian Coast Guard. The DAC also gives final clearance for projects worth upto Rs 2,000 crore.

During the DAC meeting, the Defence Minister will also take a call on the proposed procurement of two electronic warfare systems for deployment along the Pakistan and China border by the Indian Army.

Livemint

Navies of India, Japan, U.S. hone mine sweeping skills

Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Navy are taking part in a 10-day-long Mine Warfare Exercise (MWE) off the coast of northern Japan.

The exercise began on July 18.

“This is the second edition of the MWE. Last year we participated as an observer and this time we are a full participant. We have four personnel participating carrying diving equipment,” a Navy source said on Monday. In the first edition, there were two officers and two sailors as observers in the exercise held at the same location, the source stated.

A naval asset is most vulnerable while sailing out of harbour as mines can put them out of action. “A green channel is created by the local flotilla of the harbour before high value assets move out. It is a very specialised exercise where you are detecting and detonating explosives underwater,” another source explained.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams come in the end to neutralise the detected mines. The four Indian Navy EOD personnel are clearance divers, the second source added.

“During the exercise, participating units will practice unit-level mine warfare tactics to include sweeping, hunting, and mine detection,” a statement issued by the Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet Public Affairs, read.

The JMSDF is deploying a large number of its naval assets, while the U.S. is deploying some of its assets located Japan for the exercise.

“Countering the mine threat is an essential mission that enables us to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” said Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7, Rear Adm. Fred Kacher, in the statement.

India, Japan and the U.S. have steadily expanded trilateral military engagement at various levels, especially in the maritime domain. Other than the flagship Malabar naval war games, there has been a huge spike in smaller engagements on the high seas to increase interoperability.

 thehindu

Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Navy are taking part in a 10-day-long Mine Warfare Exercise (MWE) off the coast of northern Japan. The exercise began on July 18. “This is the second edition of the MWE. Last year we participated as an observer and this time we are a full participant. We have four personnel participating carrying diving equipment,” a Navy source said on Monday. In the first edition, there were two officers and two sailors as observers in the exercise held at the same location, the source stated. A naval asset is most vulnerable while sailing out of harbour as mines can put them out of action. “A green channel is created by the local flotilla of the harbour before high value assets move out. It is a very specialised exercise where you are detecting and detonating explosives underwater,” another source explained. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams come in the end to neutralise the detected mines. The four Indian Navy EOD personnel are clearance divers, the second source added. “During the exercise, participating units will practice unit-level mine warfare tactics to include sweeping, hunting, and mine detection,” a statement issued by the Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet Public Affairs, read. The JMSDF is deploying a large number of its naval assets, while the U.S. is deploying some of its assets located Japan for the exercise.

idrw.org .Read more at India No 1 Defence News Website http://idrw.org/navies-of-india-japan-u-s-hone-mine-sweeping-skills/#more-206146 .

Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Navy are taking part in a 10-day-long Mine Warfare Exercise (MWE) off the coast of northern Japan. The exercise began on July 18. “This is the second edition of the MWE. Last year we participated as an observer and this time we are a full participant. We have four personnel participating carrying diving equipment,” a Navy source said on Monday. In the first edition, there were two officers and two sailors as observers in the exercise held at the same location, the source stated. A naval asset is most vulnerable while sailing out of harbour as mines can put them out of action. “A green channel is created by the local flotilla of the harbour before high value assets move out. It is a very specialised exercise where you are detecting and detonating explosives underwater,” another source explained. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams come in the end to neutralise the detected mines. The four Indian Navy EOD personnel are clearance divers, the second source added. “During the exercise, participating units will practice unit-level mine warfare tactics to include sweeping, hunting, and mine detection,” a statement issued by the Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet Public Affairs, read. The JMSDF is deploying a large number of its naval assets, while the U.S. is deploying some of its assets located Japan for the exercise.

idrw.org .Read more at India No 1 Defence News Website http://idrw.org/navies-of-india-japan-u-s-hone-mine-sweeping-skills/#more-206146 .

Should IAF invest $15 bn in buying the F/A-18 Super Hornet?

From Top Gun fans to IAF enthusiasts, everyone’s talking about the F/A-18 Super Hornet this week. We take a closer look…

Since the trailer for Top Gun: Maverick dropped last week, aviation enthusiasts have been buzzing about the multi-role fighter that the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy could soon fly, courtesy of Boeing and two Indian companies.

In April 2018, Boeing announced a partnership with PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS) to manufacture the F/A-18 Super Hornet in India under the ‘Make in India’ programme. Last month, HAL delivered its 150 th gun bay door for the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

A few interesting facts about the fighter aircraft that’s got everyone talking:

1. The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a twin-engine multirole combat jet based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. It was designed primarily for use on aircraft carriers of the US Navy after the US government decided to stop purchases of the F-14 Tomcat in 1991 (the fighter jet featured in the original Top Gun movie).

2. Today, the latest evolution of the F/A-18 – the Block III – is able to perform a variety of tactical missions such as air superiority, day/night strike with precision guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defence, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and buddy refuelling.

3. According to the Boeing website, the F/A-18 Super Hornet will deliver on India’s need for a carrier and land-based multi-role fighter being the least expensive aircraft per flight hour of its kind with advanced survivability and continuous evolution.

4. This assessment is based on extensive testing that Boeing has done to test the Super Hornet’s compatibility with Indian carriers. Results show that the Super Hornet is capable of launching off a ski-jump carrier and could be operated from Indian carriers with a meaningful fuel and weapons load, as found on the company’s website.

 5. Should the IAF and the Indian Navy decide to purchase the Super Hornets, the value of the IAF contract alone is estimated to be $15 billion.

6. Depending on the number of machines ordered by both the Navy and the IAF, Boeing will set up a completely new production facility in India for the production of its F/A-18 Super Hornets with the aim that the new facility can be used for other programs like India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.

7. The Royal Australian Air Force currently operates 24 Super Hornets, while Kuwait has ordered 28 of the jets. The Super Hornet was also proposed for the Indian Air Force's now-aborted deal to purchase 126 fighter aircrafts.

 economictimes

In first 50 days, Modi government spent Rs 8,500 crore on defence deals

In the first 50 days of its second term in office, the Narendra Modi government has spent around Rs 8,500 crore on the acquisition of weapon systems including missiles and spares for the Indian Army and the Air Force.

According to Defence Ministry sources, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has spent around Rs 8,000 crore in procuring missiles such as the Spice-2000, Strum Ataka ATGMs and a large number of spares under the emergency procurement route.

The ministry sources said some of the projects were initiated before the 2019 elections have been concluded after the government was formed.

After the Pulwama attack, the Central government had given emergency powers to the three services to buy whatever equipment is required by them for safeguarding the borders with Pakistan.

Under the powers given, the security forces can buy the equipment of their choice within three months at the cost of up to Rs 300 crore per case.

The emergency powers were given to the forces within a few weeks after the Pulwama attack in which 44 CRPF personnel were killed and India started increasing vigil at the borders with Pakistan, they said.

Under the powers given to services, the IAF has acquired the Spice-2000 stand-off weapon systems along with a number of spares from Russia. Several contracts have been signed with the Russians for air to air missile to immediately match up the range of the Pakistani fighter jets for beyond visual range contract.

 economictimes

Why Boeing Investors Should Have India on Their Radar

Could Boeing be waiting for a new growth engine?

As China slows down and the trade war continues to threaten global growth, there are debates as to whether India can finally come out of China’s shadow to be the next economic powerhouse. As with all things India, analysts and journalists are divided over the answer to that question. India’s growth story is interesting. The IMF (International Monetary Fund) expects India to grow by a healthy 7.3% this year, accelerating to 7.5% in 2021. In April, the IMF projected China would grow 6.3% this year and slow down to 6.1% next year. However, these projections were made before the trade war escalated—there is a real chance of China’s growth falling below 6% if the tension continues.

Based on these points, India’s future looks bright. By March 2020, India is expected to have a GDP of $3 trillion, making it the world’s sixth-biggest economy. The Indian government has set itself an ambitious target of reaching a $5 trillion economy in the next few years.

India’s defense sector ::

India’s defense ambitions have grown since Narendra Modi took charge in 2014. Since then, India’s policy has been formed with an eye on China. India has entered into strategic defense partnerships with Vietnam and Indonesia, which are disputing over the South China Sea with China.

India is also becoming more aggressive in its conflict with Pakistan. A couple of years ago, the Indian army was engaged in a standoff against the People’s Republic Army of China in neighboring Bhutan’s Doklam region.

India’s growing defense ambitious coupled with its growing economy means higher defense spending. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India was the fourth-biggest military spender in the world, with a $66.5 billion military budget comprising 2.4% of its GDP last year. To compare, the US spent 3.2% of its GDP on its military.

With India looking to modernize its armed forces, its defense spending could increase significantly in the next few years if the government manages its budget effectively. It’s no wonder global defense contractors are eyeing India.


Can Boeing, LMT, and RTN make it big in India?

So far, American defense contractors haven’t had many big wins in India. Between 2014 and 2018, Russia was the largest arms exporter to India, responsible for 58% of exports. It was followed by Israel with a 15% share and the US with a 12% share.

Traditionally, India has been Russia’s ally. However, in recent years, India has also been cozying up with the US. With India becoming more important for the United States’ Indo-Pacific strategy to counter China, the two countries could get even closer.

The process to modernize Indian Air Force’s aging fleet has already begun: the government is evaluating proposals and finalizing requirements for a $15 billion order of 110 fighter jets, the largest such order in the world. Boeing (BA) is teaming up with state-run Hindustan Aeronautics and Mahindra to manufacture F/A-18s in India, while Lockheed Martin (LMT) is bidding with its F-21s in collaboration with India’s Tata group. Requirements state that 85% of the manufacturing is to be completed within India. With these requirements, India hopes to boost its manufacturing sector and generate more jobs.

However, Boeing and Lockheed Martin are competing with Sweden’s Saab, France’s Dassault, Russia’s United Aircraft, and the European Consortium’s Eurofighter. Boeing is also supplying Chinook and Apache helicopters and C-17 cargo aircraft to the Indian Air force.


Can Boeing’s F/A-18s and Lockheed’s F-21s fight these challenges?

In spite of the promise that India holds for American defense contractors, bureaucracy may play a spoilsport. The $15 billion jet deal has been on the table for more than a decade. In 2015, Indian prime minister Modi scrapped the previous government’s plan to buy 126 Rafale jets from France and bought 36 instead, leaving a void in the Indian Air Force’s fleet. And that’s not the worst bureaucratic entanglement. BAE Systems (BAESY) waited for 32 long years to get the green light for 145 Howitzer guns.

Another major hurdle is India’s principle of non-alignment. Like Turkey, India has decided to go ahead with a Russian-made S-400 missile defense system. The US government is naturally not happy with the decision—it threatens India-US ties as the S-400 competes with Lockheed Martin’s THAAD and Raytheon’s (RTN) Patriot. Trump has said that the US won’t be selling F-35s to Turkey. However, the US government seems to be soft on additional sanctions. The Indian government will be closely watching the US and Turkey for cues.


It’s time to fly! ::

The Indian Air Force desperately needs to modernize its fleet, of which 30% is four decades old. With military threats from China and Pakistan, India is running short on planes. Modi also needs to create jobs to show that he deserves the majority his coalition won in this year’s election. Moreover, he needs some serious firepower to fulfill his nationalistic and defense ambitions. As China and Russia get closer, Indian leaders would want to improve ties with the US to maintain balance in the region.

At the same time, Boeing and other defense manufacturers need to diversify their revenue sources. The possibility of a fallout with Saudi Arabia (the world’s biggest arms importer) and low oil prices keeping the Saudi budget tight might make it hard for US defense contractors to rely on them. American defense manufacturers might also want to take advantage of the geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific by strengthening ties with India.

Therefore, the next growth for US defense contractors is likely to come from India.

 marketrealist

India’s Defense Ministry Moves Ahead With Procurement of 100 Heavyweight Torpedoes

The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the procurement of 100 heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy’s new Scorpene-class (Kalvari-class) of diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs) being licence-built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, according to media reports.

Industry sources told IHS Jane’s earlier this month that the “restricted and classified” RFP was issued in early July to France’s Naval Group, Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Russia’s Rosoboronexport, and Sweden’s Saab. The heavyweight torpedoes are to be procured under the ‘Buy Global’ category of the MoD’s Defense Procurement Procedure 2016 and will be directly imported.

The Indian Navy reportedly favors the German SeaHake and the French F21 Artemis heavyweight torpedoes.

The Kalvari-class is presently not armed with a modern heavyweight torpedo. According to Indian media reports, for the time being the first-of-class INS Kalvari, which deployed during a military standoff between India and Pakistan this February and March, is armed with an upgraded version of the older German-made AEG SUT 264 torpedo.

A corruption scandal that involved a foreign supplier led to the cancellation of an order for 98 Black Shark torpedoes in 2017. As I explained at the time:

India’s MoD] (…) canceled the order for Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes, built by torpedo maker Whitehead Alenia Systemi Subacquei (WASS), a subsidiary of Italian arms manufacturer Finmeccanica, due to corruption allegations involving another Finmeccanica subsidiary, Agusta Westland. According to the Indian MoD, Agusta Westland representatives allegedly paid bribes for a 2010 purchase of 12 AW medium lift helicopters, which resulted in the termination of the contract in 2014 and the purported blacklisting of the company.

The Indian MoD has not publicly commented on the RFP to date. The selection process will take several months, and it could take two to three years for the new heavyweight torpedoes to enter to service with the Navy.

The Kalvari-class is currently being assembled at the MDL shipyard in Mumbai with the help of France’s Naval Group under the MoD’s Project-75, a $4.16 billion submarine construction program aiming to build six SSKs by 2022. To date, only one out of six SSKs has entered service with the Navy. MDL launched the the fourth Kalvari-class SSK this May.

Under the long-deferred Project-75 India (Project-75 I) six more SSKs, equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, are to be built with an Indian partner with the option of building six additional subs. In June, the MoD has issued ‘requests for Expression of Interest’ (REoIs) to local shipyards inviting them to participate in the program.

As I reported previously, BrahMos Aerospace has been working on a supersonic cruise missile, designated BrahMos-NG, for the Navy’s Project-75 I future submarine force.

 thediplomat

Russia's Su-57 Stealth Fighter Could Fly for India. Here's Why.

As Moscow moves to mass-produce the Su-57 in much larger quantities than previously expected, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is cautiously signaling its interest in Russia’s fifth-generation fighter.

IAF Chief of Staff Birender Singh Dhanoa gave the following appraisal in a recent interview with Russian media: “if you mean the [Su-57] fifth-generation fighter, we have not yet reviewed this issue. When it enters service in your armed forces-- only then will we be able to make a decision. We will consider it for procurement after we see it in action and it is delivered to us for review.”

Russia’s arms export industry has re-pitched the Su-57 to India several times since New Delhi’s 2018 withdrawal from a joint Russian-Indian program to manufacture a Su-57 export variant known as the FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft). As tepid and carefully-worded as it is, Dhanoa’s statement is arguably the clearest public acknowledgment to date that India has not taken the Su-57 off the table as a prospective import option.

Defense coverage tends to focus on two primary technical reasons behind India’s withdrawal from the FGFA program: the IAF’s dissatisfaction with the Su-57’s stealth capabilities, and their concern over the production-readiness of its Izdeliye 30 engine. Neither have been resolved; the IAF’s insistence on stringent low-observability requirements speaks to a fundamental difference in design philosophy with the Su-57, which balances stealth features against best-in-class air superiority performance. Meanwhile, a concrete production timeline for the Izdeliye-30 engine remains as elusive as ever; the last update comes from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, who confirmed to Russian media outlet Interfaks that the first batch of 12 Su-57’s to be delivered later this year will ship with the older and weaker AL-41F1 stopgap engine. Borisov added that the Izdeliye-30 is still in the development stage, and has yet to begin state trials.

Nonetheless, the underlying cause of the FGFA’s demise was political in nature. New Delhi approached the FGFA program in the spirit of their Make In India initiative, pushing for full technology transfer in blueprints and manufacturing expertise, as well as extensive licensing rights; the arrangement collapsed in large part because the Kremlin was uncomfortable in granting India that role.
A revival of the FGFA program is likely no longer in the cards, but that may work to Russia’s advantage. If the Su-57 is offered to India as nothing more or less than an import product, rather than a joint-production project, then it no longer has to abide by the strict specifications requirements that led the IAF to abandon the FGFA in the first place.

This development is by no means a guarantee that the IAF will opt to purchase the Su-57 after verifying its final specifications and performance over the coming years, but it does suggest that New Delhi has begun to see the Su-57 in a different import light. Aiding this perception is a mutual sense of goodwill between New Delhi and Moscow, generated on the heels of a 2018 $5.43 billion arms deal for the delivery of five Russian S-400 surface-to-air-weapons systems and four Russian Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, as well as an ambitious 2019 joint venture to produce Kalashnikov’s new AK-203 rifle.

 nationalinterest

BGB men enter Meghalaya threaten villagers to stop road construction Contractor

Armed personnel of the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) intruded into Meghalaya’s Muktapur village and threatened Indian villagers to stop construction of an internal road, locals said on Monday. The intrusion by the BGB troopers on Saturday has created fear and anxiety amongst the residents of Muktapur village. Kuldeep Saini, Inspector General, Border Security Force (BSF) told IANS that he has sought a detailed report on the development from his unit.

He said the situation along the border is under control. “We don’t understand how can BGB entered Indian territory and threatened us (villagers) to stop the construction of internal road carried out by Muktapur Village Council,” Kmen Mynsiang, a resident of Muktapur told IANS.

“We were more shocked to see our BSF personnel acting like mute spectators when armed BGB forces intruded in our village and forced people to stop the construction of the road. Is the BSF guarding the border or allowing anyone to intrude inside our territory?” the villager said.

Confirming the BGB men crossing the zero line and entering Muktapur village, IG Saini said, “They (BGB personnel) wanted to stop the villagers from constructing a road within 150 yards from the zero line.”

IG Saini said all the Border Out-Posts (BOPs) along the Bangladesh border in Meghalaya are on alert and there is no more scope for intrusion by BGB.

However, villagers in Muktapur are worried that the BGB may intrude and trouble them at night.

“The villagers are living in fear after the BGB intrusion and the BSF acted like mute spectators. The border villagers still remember how Bangladesh Rifles intruded and captured Pyrdiwah for days. We don’t want to see that kind of incident again,” Mr Mynsiang said.

Muktapur is about 20 kms east of Pyrdiwah village, which was occupied by the BDR in 2001 for days, claiming it to be a part of Bangladesh, before they were forced to retreat. Meghalaya shares a 443-km border with Bangladesh, part of which is porous, hilly and unfenced and prone to frequent infiltration.

 theweek

Chandrayaan-2, India's second moon mission launched, to land on lunar soil on September 7

India's rocket carrying an orbiter, lander and a rover in a stepped up moon mission to uncover lunar secrets launched into space successfully in its second bid from the Sriharikota launch pad on Monday.

The launch, originally slated for the early hours of last Monday, was aborted after a pressure drop in one of the tanks in the upper stage of the rocket.

The Chandrayaan-2, a Rs 978-crore project, is on course to place the country in a niche league of nations populated by the US, Russia and China that have successfully conducted a moon-landing. Beyond that, the lander will touch in the region of the south pole of the moon, an unexplored territory, according to ISRO.


The target is find more evidence of water, clues about the moon’s evolution and work the natural satellite as a test bed for more space missions concerning the solar system.

Chandrayaan-II will primarily study the elements on the moon, map its topography through high-resolution pictures, study its minerals and most importantly, confirm sub-surface water/ice presence.

“Advanced synthetic aperture radar in Chandrayaan-2 has the ability to look for water—identify the presence of water rise at depths of a few meters: an important input for sustaining a future human presence on the moon,” said P Sreekumar, Director-SSPO, ISRO, in an official video from the space research organisation.

From launch till moon-landing, there will be several spots of complex manoeuvre. From the earth's orbit, it will be tranferred to a lunar trajectory that will sling-shot the spacecraft towards the moon through a series of complex operational changes. Later, thrusters on-board will enable descent of the spacecraft into a lunar orbit; the lander will detach from the orbiter and choose a right spot for landing even as its applies brakes to soften the landing.

The Chandrayaan-II had many risk-intensive areas in its course; its technology and software capabilities are also indigenously developed.

The launch vehicle, the GSLV Mk-3, is the country’s most powerful rocket to date. The 640-tonne rocket, capable of carrying 4-tonne satellites, will place the mooncraft in the Earth Transfer Orbit approximately 16.2 minutes after take-off.

This will be the first operational flight of GSLV-Mk-3.

According to ISRO Chief K Sivan, its most crucial moment arrives in a soft-landing on the surface of the moon, a feat few nations have managed so far. The 1.4-tonne Lander, Vikram, will be alive for 14 earth days, or one day in the moon. It can communicate with the orbiter 100 km from the surface of the moon, and ISRO's earth station near Bengaluru.

When Chandrayaan-II soft-lands successfully in early September on the lunar surface, it would 53 years since the first time it was done by a Soviet mission called Luna 9 in January 1966, according to NASA's web site. A soft landing means igniting an engine at the right altitude and angle to the moon to begin a “retrofire,” in order to decelerate the lander upon the moon. Once landed, the rover will roll out and perform experiments.

The orbiter will continue its mission for a year.

For scientists at the ISRO, the seconds before and during the launch of the rocket are full of challenges they have been working for years. India launched its first moon mission in 2008, a 1.3-tonne project launched in October 2008 that orbited the lunar body, equipped with terrain mapping cameras to make remote observations.

The mission, which carried scientific instruments from eleven nations including the US, the UK and Germany, had an impact probe crash on the moon's surface and end prematurely but gave India some clues about water presence on the moon.

The chandrayaan -I programme ended under a year from launch: but left behind a baton for India to take forward. While Chandrayaan-I put India in a space league, its successor has taken the country to frontline of the race in tapping lunar clues for more space missions.

 economictimes

How India Plans to Win a War Against China or Pakistan

Commissioned in November 2013, INS Vikramaditya is India’s newest aircraft carrier and the only aircraft carrier that calls the Indian Ocean home. In the event of war, Vikramaditya will be used to blockade Karachi, Pakistan’s largest port, or sever China’s economic lifeline to the Persian Gulf and beyond.

India occupies one of the most strategically important locations in the world. A short distance from the Persian Gulf, Central Asia and Southeast Asia, India has been an important hub for ideas, trade and religion for thousands of years.

That geographic positioning has its disadvantages. India is faced on two sides by powerful, nuclear-armed countries it has fought wars with—China and Pakistan.

India’s most formidable rival is China, with whom it fought a short, sharp border war with in 1962. China’s growing military has transformed it from a mainly ground-based threat to a multifaceted one with powerful assets in the air, at sea and even in space.

India’s second most powerful rival is Pakistan, which was also part of the British Raj. India and Pakistan have fought four wars since 1947, and frequently appear on the verge of a fifth.

Complicating matters for India, the two countries are allies. Advances in military technology mean India’s large reserves of manpower are no longer as useful as they once were, and India will need to favor the former over the latter if it wants to match—and deter—Chinese and Pakistani forces.


AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III Attack Helicopter ::

Indian selection of the AH-64D Apache as its future attack helicopter is a prime example of technology over manpower. The Apache’s versatility means that it will be able to do everything from engage tank formations in a conventional war to hunt guerrillas in a counterinsurgency operation.

The heavily armed, fast-moving Apache can counter a number of land-based threats to India, sensing enemy armored vehicles with its mast-mounted millimeter-wave radar and destroying them with Hellfire missiles, Hydra-70 anti-armor rockets and a 30mm chain gun. The helicopter can also detect insurgents under heavy cover using its thermal imaging sensor and engage them with anti-personnel rockets or the 30mm chain gun.

Unlike other attack helicopters, the Apache has a proven combat record, destroying armor in Iraq and decimating Taliban hiding in the hillsides of Afghanistan.


INS Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier ::

Commissioned in November 2013, INS Vikramaditya is India’s newest aircraft carrier and the only aircraft carrier that calls the Indian Ocean home. In the event of war, Vikramaditya will be used to blockade Karachi, Pakistan’s largest port, or sever China’s economic lifeline to the Persian Gulf and beyond.

Vikramaditya is 282 meters long and displaces 44,000 tons, making her about 20 percent smaller than China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning. Unlike Liaoning, however, she is a fully operational carrier, with an air wing capable of executing air superiority, anti-surface, anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare. The carrier air wing is expected to consist of twenty-four MiG-29K or Tejas multirole fighters and ten anti-submarine warfare helicopters. India has ordered forty-five MiG-29Ks.

Vikramaditya will operate as the centerpiece of a full carrier battle group, protected by the new Kolkata air-defense destroyers. A further two carriers of indigenous designs are planned, bringing India’s total carrier force to three.


BrahMos Anti-Ship Missile ::

A joint Indian-Russian project, BrahMos is a short-range supersonic cruise missile capable of being launched from a wide variety of platforms. BrahMos is one of the most advanced missiles in the world, capable of hitting targets on land and at sea with precision. The versatility of BrahMos means it could equally target enemy ships and terrorist training camps with ease.

A ramjet propels BrahMos to speeds of up to Mach 3, or 1,020 meters a second. The anti-ship version is a so-called “sea skimmer,” flying just over the wavetops to give enemies as little as 35 seconds’ warning time.

Depending on the variant and method of launch, BrahMos is armed with a 440-660 pound penetrating high explosive warhead and has a range of 186-310 miles.

The combination of speed and hitting power makes BrahMos a particular concern to the Pakistani Navy, whose surface ships lack adequate area air defenses. Even the Chinese Navy will find BrahMos formidable, as it would face the daunting prospect of a Mach 3 missile threat launched by aircraft, coastal defense batteries, destroyers and submarines.


Su-30MKI Fighter ::

One of India’s newest fighters is an updated design dating back to the late 1970s. An evolution of the Su-27 Flanker, the Su-30MKI has been extensively upgraded, and the result is a long-range, twin-engine fighter with a powerful radar and amazing twelve hard points for the attachment of weapons.

The Su-30MKI’s air-to-air armament includes R-73 infrared guided missiles and R-77 and R-27 radar-guided missiles. Of particular interest is the upcoming Novator K-100 “AWACS killer” missile, capable of engaging targets at up to 300 to 400 kilometers. Against targets on the ground, the Su-30MKI can employ laser-guided bombs, Kh-59 standoff land-attack missiles and the BrahMos missile.

The Indian Air Force has 200 Su-30MKIs air superiority fighters in service with another seventy-two on order. A portion of the IAF’s Su-30MKI force has been modified by Israel for the strategic reconnaissance role.


INS Chakra Nuclear Attack Submarine ::

India’s first nuclear attack submarine, INS Chakra, started life as a Russian Navy submarine funded to completion by the Indian Navy in return for a ten-year lease.

Based on the Soviet Union’s Akula II class, Chakra displaces 8,000 tons, making it more than twice as large as any of India’s German-made Type 209 or Russia Kilo class submarines. It can sustain a speed of 30 knots submerged and can dive to a depth of 520 meters. The submarine has eight submarine tubes enabling it to launch regular homing torpedoes, Kh-55 “Granat” cruise missiles, and “Shkval” supercavitating torpedoes, capable of traveling at 220 knots to ranges of 15 kilometers.

As a nuclear submarine, Chakra will be able to spend prolonged periods underwater, making it difficult to detect. During wartime, the advanced submarine will go after high value targets, such as Pakistani submarines (possibly carrying nuclear-armed cruise missiles) and Chinese submarines, destroyers, aircraft carriers and submarines.

 nationalinterest

First battle group to be along Pakistan border

An Indian Army Corps under the Western Command has been chosen to depute the first integrated battle group (IBG). This is part of a series of steps to restructure the Army to make it leaner and more agile.

Besides, the next phase is to have two similar IBGs in the Himalayas facing China. The IBG on the western front will have different equipment, training and attack tactics than the ones for Himalayas facing China.

Once done, this will be the first tweak to the ‘cold start doctrine’, first made public in 2004 and planned after ‘Operation Parakram’ of 2002.

The first IBG is likely to be tasked along the frontier with Pakistan and what is operationally known as the ‘Shakargarh Bulge’. The Corps and the Western Command — headquartered at Chandimandir, near Chandigarh — have been told to submit a full proposal, sources in the Army told The Tribune.

This will be ratified by the Ministry of Defence before being approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Western Command has three Corps — one each headquartered at Ambala, Jalandhar and Yol (Dharamsala). One of these has been tasked with the responsibility of raising the IBG.

The IBGs will not be new raisings or inductions, it will involve integrating existing elements of infantry, tank regiments, artillery, UAVs, engineers and signals. An IBG, with six battalions of infantry, armoured and artillery, will be commanded by Major General or a Brigadier and placed directly under the Corps — a unit headed by Lieutenant General-rank officer. An IBG is expected to bring a significant operational change in the Army.

Topmost commanders of the Army had in October last year decided to restructure the force in phases to convert it into a lean and mean 21st-century force. All suggested operational aspects such as having integrated battle groups have been validated in exercises in Punjab this summer. The 1.3 million-strong Army has undergone a change in tactics, but its size is not matching with limited budgets the government can allocate. There are four major in-house studies.

The study on “Re-organisation and Rightsizing of the Indian Army” has reviewed operational structures to make them efficient and future-ready by taking into account the operational situation on western and northern borders. The IBGs are part of this.


Towards lean & mean force ::

- Integrated battle group is part of restructuring process of the Army to convert it into a lean and mean 21st-century force
- Will be formed by integrating existing elements of infantry, tank regiments, artillery, UAVs, engineers and signals
- Will have six battalions of infantry, armoured and artillery, commanded by Major General or Brigadier, placed directly under the Corps
- One of the three Corps headquartered at Ambala, Jalandhar and Yol (Dharamsala) will be tasked with raising the IBG

 tribuneindia

Indian Air Force to get Apache attack helicopters next week

The first consignment of the Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Air Force (IAF) will reach Hindon Airbus in Ghaziabad by the end of this month, sources said.

It is likely that there will be three to four helicopters in this consignment. But the deployment of Apache's first squadron in Pathankot will take another month. India has purchased 22 Apache helicopters from the United States.

According to sources, Apache helicopters will arrive at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad on an AN 224 transport aircraft on July 27.

They will be prepared at the Hindon Airbase and in the last week of August will be sent to Pathankot for a formal induction into the IAF. The first squadron of the Apaches will be stationed at Pathankot and the first Commanding Officer will be Group Captain M Shaylu.

The IAF has the 125 Helicopter Squadron (125 H SQUADRON), already deployed at Pathankot, which currently flies the Mi-35 helicopters and will now host the country's first Apache squadron. The second squadron will be stationed at Jorhat Airbase of Assam. It is likely that by 2020, the IAF will get all Apache helicopters on order.

The Apache AH-64E helicopter is equipped with a 30-mm machine gun, which can fire up to 1,200 rounds at a time. Apart from this, Apache is also equipped with the anti-tank Hellfire missile, which is believed to be capable of destroying a tank. As an additional weapon, a Hydra Unguided Rocket, capable of perfect execution of any target on land, is also installed. The helicopter can fly at a speed of 150 nautical miles per hour, which helps it to reach the enemy at a tremendous speed in the air.

The IAF currently uses decades-old Russian made Mi-35 and Mi-25 attack helicopters with one squadron stationed at Pathankot and another at Suratgarh in Rajasthan. The IAF also has Rudra attack helicopters developed out of the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter 'Dhruv'. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is also producing the Light Combat Helicopters for the Air Force in the country.

CURRENT ASSETS ::

The IAF currently uses the decades-old Russian made Mi-35 and Mi-25 attack helicopters with one squadron stationed at Pathankot and another at Suratgarh in Rajasthan

 dnaindia

Lockheed inks Memorandums of Understanding with three Indian start-ups

The world’s biggest aerospace and defence company, Lockheed Martin, on Friday announced it had signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with three Indian start-ups — Terero Mobility, Sastra Robotics, and NoPo Nanotechnologies.

These companies, which will now be mentored by Lockheed Martin to integrate into its global supply chain, were identified through the India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP), an innovation contest through which the US firm identifies Indian research and development (R&D) potential.

Lockheed Martin has announced it expects Terero Mobility to work on the design, development, test and qualification of a cargo ground buildup system (CGBS), which will handle cargo delivered by air force transport aircraft at remote locations without ground handling facilities.

The CGBS concept was developed through a Lockheed Martin-sponsored R&D project at IIT-Madras. The US company says it will provide “system engineering support and mentoring to Terero Mobility to enable them to develop and deliver a vehicle that is capable of transport by C-130 and similar platforms”.

Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin says NoPo Nanotechnologies will work on qualifying Carbon nanotubes to provide electromagnetic interference and lightning protection. If it is successful, the Indian firm will become a supplier to Lockheed Martin and its Tier-1 vendors.

Sastra Robotics will work on robots for avionics testing of systems such as the avionics display of tactical fighter platforms, including the F-21 fighter that Lockheed Martin hopes to supply the Indian Air Force (IAF). Successful qualification would enable Sastra Robotics to be a supplier to Lockheed Martin and its Tier-1 vendors.

“We are delighted to have identified, through the IIGP, three inspiring start-ups that we perceive potential to collaborate with on a global scale. We envision our intended partnership with them to enhance the platforms and programmes we’re developing, especially the solutions we wish to offer India,” said Phil Shaw, who heads Lockheed Martin in India.

Lockheed Martin this week held an “aerospace suppliers conference” in New Delhi, to identify Indian firms that could manufacture components, sub-systems and systems.

If the firm’s F-21 fighter is selected by the IAF in an ongoing tender for 114 multi-role fighters, Lockheed Martin will be required to meet a stiff 40-50 per cent indigenisation requirement while building the F-21 in India.

Lockheed Martin has already tied up with Tata Advanced Systems. The two companies jointly produce a range of aerospace products, including Sikorsky helicopter cabins, at a joint facility in Hyderabad.

 business-standard.

Strengthening IAF after Balakot: India set to acquire new Russian armaments

Post Balakot, the Defence Ministry had given emergency powers to the armed forces to make up for shortages in weapons and ammunition. 

 Key Highlights

• The IAF has just signed a contract for about 400 R-73s missiles worth around Rs 1,000 crore
• India has also asked Russia for more X-31 Anti Radiation Missiles
• The IAF is getting very sophisticated Russian BVV-AE air to air missiles

In the wake of Balakot, and the Pakistani Air Force's attempts to hit targets in India, foiled by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and his colleagues, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun looking for new armaments for its fighters.
* For any air force, it is not only about a high-quality fighter, but also, armaments, and in this age, missiles fired from beyond visual range (BVR). Wing Commander Varthaman had fired a short-range Russian R-73 missile at the Pakistan Air Force F-16 on February 27 this year. The IAF has just signed a contract for about 400 R-73s missiles worth around Rs 1,000 crore. The IAF sees the heat-seeking T-73 (with a range of about 30 km) as a low-cost, high-efficiency solution as it can be fired from many of its fighter jets, including the newer MiG-21 Bison, the MiG-29 and the Sukhoi-30MKI.
* India has also asked Russia for more X-31 Anti Radiation Missiles (ARM). These can be fitted on to most Russian designed fighters like the Sukhoi or the MiG-29 and even the French-made Mirage-2000 and are very accurate. These are supersonic air-to-surface missiles and the IAF will get about 250 of them (at a cost of about Rs 1,800 crore) and are effective against radar stations. The IAF had got some ARMs from Russia earlier.
 The IAF is also getting the very sophisticated Russian BVV-AE air to air missiles. These are roughly equivalent of the US-made AMRAAM missiles that were fired by Pakistani F-16 fighters on February 27. The BVVs have BVR capability with a range of about 80 to 100 km. About 400 of them are likely to be purchased and can be fitted on to the MiG-21 Bison, the MiG-29 and the Sukhoi-30. 
The purchases come in the wake of Balakot, after which the Defence Ministry gave the armed forces emergency powers to make up for shortages in weapons and ammunition. The IAF is also procuring other weapons and equipment to maintain operational readiness. This is also another sign that India continues to buy weapons from Russia despite strong international pressure.

timesnownews

Tata to start making wings of F-16 soon

Indian company Tata will soon start making the wings of the fighter jet F-16, said a senior executive of US manufacturing giant Lockheed Martin, which makes the jet.

The contract has been awarded to Tata and is not dependent on us winning the fighter jet contract here, said Vivek Lall, vice-president of Strategy and Business Development, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
Addressing media at an event, Lall said: “Lockheed Martin is fully committed to meeting India’s need for advanced, scalable defence capabilities”.

Our partnership with the Indian industry on both the F-21 fighter jets for the IAF and S-76D helicopter for the Indian Navy will put India at the epicentre of world’s largest defence ecosystem and promises export opportunities, he said.

The company co-hosted a suppliers conference with Indian partner Tata Advanced Systems. This meeting was to allow US companies — which are suppliers to Lockheed Martin — to discuss partnership opportunities in India.

 tribuneindia

With missile orders worth Rs 8,000 cr., BDL making great strides

The Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), celebrating its golden jubilee this year, has orders worth Rs 8,000 crore for making various missiles for the armed forces to be delivered within the next five years. This order is expected to reach up to Rs 25,000 crore in the next four-five years even as it ramps up the production of next-generation missiles.

Working under the Ministry of Defence, the BDL has also entered into a pact with IIIT-Hyderabad for making use of artificial intelligence in the development of systems and products. Further, it would be tying up with T-Hub for developing an eco-system for start-ups to solve problems through hackathons, said chairman and managing director Commodore (retd) Siddharth Mishra on Tuesday.

More exports ::

Addressing a press conference on the institute premises at Kanchanbagh, Mr. Mishra said the BDL has also begun exports and has just completed the first consignment of missiles to a “friendly country”, with more orders in the pipeline. It was game for more exports depending on the demand and permissions obtained from the Government of India.

Established this day in 1970 as a manufacturing base of guided missiles and allied defence equipment to meet the Indian armed forces’ requirement, it began work with Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) SS11B1 under technical collaboration with Aerospatiale of France. It now works in partnership with the DRDO and armed forces in making the latest missile systems.

The company currently makes ATGMs, Akash surface-to-air missiles, torpedos, seeker-based multi-role air defence missile or the MRSAM – medium-range surface-to-air missile – being jointly developed by the DRDO, IAI (Israel) and others.

It has also been in the process of collaborating with various original equipment manufacturers for technology transfers for next-generation missiles. A pact with British Thales is already through for ‘Starstreak missiles’. “We are now making second-generation missiles and plan to go for third-generation ones soon. The international market has players making fourth and fifth-generation missiles,” admitted Commadore Mishra, candidly.

A listed firm in Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE), the BDL had a turnover of Rs 4,586 crore in 2017-18 up from  Rs 3,069 crore the previous year. It is to spend Rs 90 crore to improve infrastructure facilities here at Ibrahimpatnam and another 300 crore once the orders start coming for a new facility at Amravati in Maharashtra. The BDL has a third manufacturing unit, an exclusive naval unit, in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh where it manufactures torpedoes and other underwater weaponry for the Indian Navy.

Commadore Mishra added that the BDL would soon unveil a statue of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam near the front gate of the Kanchanbagh unit to commemorate his vision for the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, which gave a lot of opportunities to develop its skilled manpower and invest in high-end technology to make various types of missiles as it was the prime production agency.

 thehindu