India concerned over military gap with China

(Washington Post) : Senior Indian military officers have voiced their concerns about a widening gap between India and China’s defense capabilities, as New Delhi falls behind in the modernization of its armed forces. At a time when Beijing is unveiling advanced military hardware, including a prototype stealth fighter jet and its first aircraft carrier, India’s military establishment is increasingly critical of bureaucratic paralysis in New Delhi, where the government has been beset by anti-corruption protests.
Indian commanders say the government’s reluctance make decisions is severely hampering their ability to guard against a “collusive threat” from two nuclear-armed neighbors – China and its ally Pakistan.
“Our defense budget is $32 billion, China’s is $91.5 billion. Their unofficial spending probably takes the total to $150 billion. How are we going to match up?” said P.C. Katoch, a retired lieutenant general.
Col. Rajesh Kundra, director of the Perspective Planning Directorate at the Ministry of Defense, added that India’s defense budget has lacked consistency over the past six decades, “waxing and waning” in response to crises rather than preparing for them.
Their misgivings come as China becomes more assertive across the region. Last week, the Indian government acknowledged that one of its warships was challenged by the Chinese navy off the coast of Vietnam in late July. On Monday, China’s foreign ministry denied that there had been a confrontation.
While India is one of the biggest arms buyers in the world and maintains a 1-million-strong army, both serving and retired officers are critical of both the country’s strategic planning and politicians suspicious of military spending given the country’s pressing development needs.
“We have celebrated our 64th independence day, and we still don’t have a national security strategy,” Katoch said. “The ministry of defense does not have a set-up for strategic thinking.” He added that the 11th five-year defense plan had still not received official approval – even though it ends next year.
“The instruments of state action have become dysfunctional,” said K. Shankar Bajpai, the chairman of India’s National Security Advisory Board and former ambassador to the United States. “India’s strategic interests extend between the Suez and Shanghai . . . but we have neither the manpower nor the strategic thinking to handle these challenges.”
Indian commanders are particularly frustrated by delays surrounding the establishment of a Mountain Strike Corps along the country’s Himalayan border with China, in response to People’s Liberation Army-related infrastructure projects in Tibet.
Civil servants in the defense ministry have questioned the $2.6 billion deployment of high-altitude troops in the region, over which China and India fought a short war in 1962. “It’s mandatory that we develop our mountain warfare,” Kundra said. “Look how China has modernized infrastructure in the Tibetan autonomous area. We need to do the same on our side.”

— Financial Times

Irkut set to upgrade India's Su-30s 'to fifth-generation standard'

(IHS Jane's) : Irkut Corporation's plans to upgrade the Indian Air Force's (IAF's) Su-30MKI fleet will provide the fighter with capabilities similar to that of fifth-generation combat aircraft, Russian industry officials have said.
Speaking at the Moscow Air Show on 19 August Alexei Fedorov, the head of Irkut, announced that in addition to upgraded cockpit avionics and enhancements to the aircraft's radar, the so-called 'Super Sukhoi' will also receive modifications aimed at improving stealth capabilities. While the exact nature of these stealth modifications remains unclear, reports suggest the work will specifically focus on reducing the aircraft's radar signature.
The enhancements to the aircraft's radar could include upgrading the existing NIIP N011M Bars radar with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna, thereby offering a substantial improvement in performance.
Fedorov confirmed that negotiations for the upgrade of the Su-30MKI, of which the IAF will eventually operate 272, are at an advanced stage.
"The upgrade will apply not only to the aircraft in service with the IAF, but also to those yet to be delivered to India and those being licence-manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited [HAL]," Fedorov said.
India signed an INR150 billion (USD3.33 billion) deal in June 2010 for an additional 42 Su-30MKI 'Flanker-H' fighters, of which HAL is building 140 under licence.
Fedorov said the 'Super Sukhoi' would be able to carry a heavier weapon load, including the Indo-Russian developed BrahMos cruise missile, but declined to provide technical details of the upgrade or its cost as negotiations are continuing.

India: Pipavav, ABG to Sign USD 1.2 Billion Warship Contracts

There is news that the company is going to get warship orders of about USD 1.2 billion by September 15. L&T and Pipavav are the two companies which are likely to get shortlisted. It is learnt that there are three companies which have been shortlisted by the Ministry of Defence this includes ABG Shipyard .
Amongst the three, two are likely to get confirmed orders by middle of September. The stock might be moving up on the hopes of this USD 1.2 billion will have very good margin because of their infrastructure and the manufacturing capability.
Pipavav Shipyard project was originally conceived and implemented bySKIL Infrastructure Limited (SKIL). A shipbuilding, ship repair and offshore fabrication complex is constructed by the Company at Pipavav in the State of Gujarat, India. The complex is spread over an aggregate area of 198.92 hectares (approximately 491.53 acres), comprising an SEZ unit spread over 95 hectares (approximately 234.75 acres) and an EOU spread over 103.92 hectares (approximately 256.79 acres).
ABG Shipyard Ltd., the flagship company of ABG group was incorporated in the year 1985 as Magdalla Shipyard Pvt. Ltd. with the main objects of carrying Shipbuilding and Ship Repair business. In a span of 15 years from the year 1991, the company has achieved the status of the largest private sector shipbuilding yard in India with satisfied customer base all around the world. The registered office and the yard are situated at Surat in the state of Gujarat and the corporate office is in Mumbai.

Moneycontrol / Navaltoday

Russia: Defense Ministry to Buy Ka-52 Alligator Helicopters

Russian defense ministry and JSC Russian Helicopters signed a delivery contract for over 100 Ka-52 helicopters, reports RIA Novosti referring to Andrei Reus, Director General of Oboronprom corporation.
According to the contract, over 100 helicopters Ka-52 will be delivered to defense ministry till 2020.
The pilot batch of Ka-52K helicopters for Mistral-class assault landing ships will be made in 2012, said managing director of helicopter-production holding Progress Yury Denisenko. Batch production will be launched in 2014.
Presently, Ka-52K helicopters pass testbed trials, reports RIA Novosti. Underway landing of Ka-52K on the deck of large ASW ship Vice Admiral Kulakov was successfully held in the Kola Bay on Sept 3.
Ka-52K are to be made by the helicopter manufacturing plant located in Arseniev, Primorsky Krai (Far East). To prepare for production, the plant has already received over RUR 3 bln, said Andrei Reus at the press conference.
Recall that helicopters Ka-52K and Ka-29 will be based on two Mistral-class landing ships; the first is supposed to join Russian Navy in 2014, and the second – in 2015. Mistral-class ship is capable to accommodate 16 heavy or about 30 light transport/assault helicopters, including six on the flight deck.
Combat helicopter Ka-52 Alligator is developed version of Ka-50 Black Shark and designed for terrain reconnaissance, targeting, and coordination of helicopter actions. Ka-52 Alligator is capable to destroy armored and non-armored weapons, troops, and air targets.
Performance characteristics of Ka-52 Alligator
Engines – 2 x 2,400 hp;
Length/height/wingspan (meters) – 14.2 x 4.9 x 7.3;
Main rotors diameter – 14.5 meters;
Takeoff weight (maximal) – 10,800 kg;
Takeoff weight (standard) – 10,400 kg;
Cruise speed – 250 kph;
Max speed – 310 kph;
Hover ceiling – 3,600 meters;
Service ceiling – 5,500 meters;
Practical range – 520 km;
Climbing ability – 10 meters per second;
Flight range – 1,200 km;
Crew – two (pilot and navigator).
Ka-52K Alligator is a ship-based version of Ka-52 equipped with blade folding mechanism. Defense ministry requested to increase engine service life of Ka-52 helicopters from 2,000-2,500 to 5,000 hours. Among other features are folded blades made of composite materials and ejection escape system.

NavalToday

S-400 Triumph air defense system protects Moscow airspace

The S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system is capable of striking targets at altitudes from five meters to 27 km., with a range of up to 250 km. Photo: Containers for storing missiles for the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system.
The S-400 is mounted on a wheeled chassis and can travel on paved and dirt roads, as well as cross-country terrain, while simultaneously tracking targets, In September, live missiles will be fired from the S-400 for the first time at the Gorokhovets and Ashuluk firing ranges as part of Union Shield 2011 exercises.During the exercise, the S-400 system spotted dozens of passenger airplanes, which, according to the military, take off from Sheremetyevo every four minutes



RIA Novosti

Russian arms show to feature over 1,000 military products

More than 1,100 types of military equipment will be showcased at an arms show in Russia's Urals region on September 8-11, the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) said on Monday.
The Nizhny Tagil 2011 exhibition will host 64 Russian and 20 foreign defense companies. Thirty-two official delegations from 17 countries are expected to attend the event.
"A total of 1,102 military products, including 213 full-scale models, will be exhibited at the show," the FSMTC said in a statement.
Russia will showcase for the first time its T-90AM main battle tank, BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicle, BTR-82A wheeled armored personnel carrier, Tiger-M armored vehicle and Volk II and III armored vehicles.
The show will also feature Italian Iveco armored vehicles to be assembled in Russia under license starting in 2011.

RIA Novosti

First Borey class nuclear sub to be assigned to Pacific Fleet in 2011

(RIA Novosti) : Russia's first Borey class strategic submarine will be put into service with the Pacific Fleet in 2011, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
The Yury Dolgoruky, which has recently completed sea trials in the White Sea, is expected to be commissioned by the Russian Navy pending the outcome of Bulava ballistic missile testing.
"The submarine is successfully undergoing trials. It should be delivered to the Pacific Fleet this year," Putin said at a meeting with United Russia activists.
On August 27, the Yury Dolgoruky conducted a successful launch of a Bulava missile at a range of 9,100 kilometers (about 5,650 miles).
Three other Borey class nuclear submarines, the Alexander Nevsky, the Vladimir Monomakh, and Svyatitel Nikolai (St. Nicholas) are in different stages of completion. Russia is planning to build eight of these subs by 2015.
Putin said on Monday that the government had allocated 4.7 trillion rubles ($160 bln) for the modernization of the Russian Navy until 2020.

Proposal for trainer aircraft to be finalised this year: Antony

(BusinessLine) : The proposal for Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) for the Indian Air Force is expected to be finalised during the financial year, the Government said today.

Replying to a question on trainer fleet of the IAF, the Defence Minister, Mr A.K. Antony, said, “The estimated cost of procurement is Rs 2900 crore. The proposal is expected to be finalised during the current financial year.”

The request for proposal for procurement of BTA for the IAF was issued on December 16, 2009, he said.

“In response, techno-commercial proposals were received from South Korean company Korean Aircraft Industry, GROB Aircraft from Germany, EADS PZL from Poland, Hawker Beechcraft from US, Alenia Aerammachi from Italy, Aerostar from Romania and Pilatus from Switzerland,” the Minister said.

On grounding of the fleet of HPT-32 aircraft, he said, “The fleet has been grounded since August 2009 after a crash of an aircraft on July 28, 2009, due to engine failure.”

Arjun lining up to be world's most expensive tank

(Defenseweb) :  India's Arjun (Lion) Mk II main battle tank will cost US$8.02 million per unit, defence minister AK Antony has told his nation's parliament. The French ADIT agency notes this makes the indigenous Indian design the world's most expensive tank to date.

By comparison, a new Abrams M1A2 cost the US$6.2 million in 1999. Indian media last week reported the first batch of Arjun Mk II's are likely to enter series production by 2015. Development of the Arjun reportedly started in 1972 with a production decision following in 1996 and a production order for 124, costing US$471.2 million, placed on the Indian Ordinance Factory's production facility at Avadi in 2000.

The first 45 58.5 metric ton (mt) tanks were delivered to the Indian Army between August 2004 and May 2009. A further 55 followed by June this year. The original design relied heavily on foreign components and technology, with close to 50% of the tank's components initially imported. Much of this has since been replaced by indigenous systems, including a 120mm main gun. After extensive field evaluations and tests, the tank entered service with the 75th Armoured Regiment on May 12.

The automotive trials, in 1988-1989, revealed major deficiencies in mobility, engine, and transmission. Further mobility and armament trials followed in 1996 and 1997. The Army reportedly found the performance of the prototypes “below the acceptable standards” and listed as deficiencies the accuracy of the gun at battle ranges, mission reliability, ammunition lethality, emergency traverse and a fire control system unable to function in temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius.

Anthony added the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved an order for 124 more Arjun, albeit in the 55mt Mk II guise. This features 93 upgrades, including 13 major improvements over the Mk1.

Eurofighter at Zeltweg Airshow 2011, Austria

Look at Eurofighter the flying display: solo, two-ships, QRA, Quick Reaction Alarm and interception and the public debut of the Royal Saudi Air Force Typhoon. A fantastic two-days airshow with DC-6, Me 109, Me 262, Corsair and much more…. 

Source : Eurofighter

Army may induct indigenous weaponized chopper 'RUDRA' .

 

                                 MBDA-built Mistral ATAM air-to-air missiles

Mega jet deal could be split: Ex-NSA told US

(Times of India) : Although US firms lost out on India's mega fighter deal, former national security adviser M K Narayanan had told US diplomats that the $10 billion buy could be split into two contracts and that he would ask Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to keep both price and quality in mind.

The US aircraft were finally knocked on technical grounds, but higher pricing of fighters like the F-18 series put them at a disadvantage with regard to European rivals and discussion on the deal came up before Singh's Washington visit in 2009. According to WikiLeaks, a US cable from New Delhi spoke of undersecretary Bill Burns meeting with Narayanan to preview the visit during which Narayanan expressed personal interest in "counterterrorism deliverables" and suggested the Indian government may ultimately split the tender.

Narayanan also assured Burns of progress on civil nuclear cooperation ahead of the visit, including the imminent public announcement of reactor park sites for US firms and requested lifting of restrictions on high technology trade and expanded space cooperation.

In an indication of the clout he enjoyed in the PMO, Narayanan offered his personal assistance in brokering inter-ministerial approval of the counterterrorism deliverable, the proposed Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Initiative.

In the one-on-one meeting, Narayanan suggested that the fighter tender may be split between two recipients, and that he would recommend that PM Singh take into consideration "both price and quality".

India had no "confrontation" with the US on outer space, and nothing stood in the way of further cooperation and this could fill the void left by the completion of the civil nuclear cooperation agreement.