Shame that Congress president is misleading nation on contracts to HAL: Nirmala Sitharaman slams Rahul Gandhi

Union Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi after he accused her of lying in Parliament about procurement orders worth Rs 1 lakh crore for state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

In her counteroffensive, Sitharaman said it was a matter of "shame" that the Congress president was misleading the country on the issue. She also tweeted details of the contract awarded to HAL since 2014 when the BJP came to power.

"It's a shame that the president of @INCIndia is misleading the nation. HAL has signed contracts worth Rs 26570.8 Cr (Between 2014 and 2018) and contracts worth Rs 73000 Cr are in the pipeline. Will @RahulGandhi apologise to the country from the floor of the house?" the defence minister tweeted.

Earlier, Rahul had alleged that she "lied" in Parliament that government orders worth Rs one lakh crore was provided to HAL while demanding that she should either place the documents in support of her statement in the House or resign.

Rahul's attack came after a media report claimed that "not a single rupee of the said Rs 1 lakh crore has come to HAL, since not a single order, as claimed, has been signed till now". The media report cited senior HAL management officials in order to back its claim.

The Congress has been targeting the government, alleging that it denied the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) an offset contract under the Rafale fighter jets deal with France, a charge the government has denied. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has accused the Congress of not supporting HAL during its rule and asserted that the government is now strengthening the defence public sector undertaking.

"When you tell one lie, you need to keep spinning out more lies, to cover up the first one. In her eagerness to defend the PM's Rafale lie, the RM lied to Parliament," Rahul tweeted. "Tomorrow, RM must place before Parliament documents showing 1 Lakh crore of Govt orders to HAL. Or resign," he said.

Gandhi had on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "weakening" HAL to help his "suit-boot" friend. His criticism followed a media report which claimed that HAL, grappling with low finances, was forced to borrow Rs 1,000 crore to pay salaries to its employees for the first time in years.

 zeenews

Pakistan Army inducts A-100 rockets in its arsenal

Pakistan Army has successfully inducted A-100 Multiple Launch Rocket System into its arsenal, boasting the strength of the Artillery Crop. The missile system has been indigenously developed by Pakistani engineers and scientists. Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa himself presided over the ceremony of induction and congratulated the team which oversaw the entire research and development of the project.

“With a range of over 100 kilometers, the rocket is a highly effective and potent interdiction that can effectively disrupt [the] enemy’s mobilization and assembly,” Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) issued the post-ceremony statement.

In parallel, both Pakistan and China are engaged in talks to induct one of the latest anti-ship missile technologies which China has to offer. The CM-401 flies at a speed of almost 5000 KMs per hour or over 4 times the speed of sound at a height of 25-100 kilometer’s and in its terminal phase accelerates to almost 6 times the speed of sound as it approaches the target and is most effective against ships of the size of frigates and above up to a range of 290 KMs.

Hue and cry against the purported deal are already being heard from across the border. Pakistan in recent years has been trying to modernize its forces as per demands of the contemporary security threats. Induction of CM-401 system into Pakistan Navy’s weapon cache will give it the utmost superiority over the waters in the Arabian Sea.

President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi recently revealed the first ever maritime doctrine of Pakistan, defining the contours of water security in the wake of growing threats via the Arabian Sea. “It is time that we must develop credible solutions to the issues we face in the development of the maritime sector,” said President Alvi while speaking at the second Maritime Security Workshop (MARSEW-18) under the banner ‘Blue Economy–Prosperous Pakistan’ which culminated at the Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore.

An official doctrine was the need of the hour, particularly when not only the security but economy of the country is going to be dependent over the blue economy once the Gwadar port becomes completely operational.

So far Pakistan has been doing great overall three domains, Air, Sea, and land, in terms of meeting the needs of deterrence against the conventional and unorthodox threats. But the real and most significant threat in the current times is the asymmetrical or hybrid warfare. Pakistan due to economic and analytical constraints and partly because of its geostrategic positioning is the most vulnerable country to hybrid threats.

In the current world, where economies are integrated to an unprecedented extent, conventional direct confrontation between two states would result in the economic loss which would take a decade for the repatriation. It is the juncture where hybrid warfare comes in handy, a combination of Cyber invasion, narrative shaping, proxy deployment, and social media to soften a country’s defense lines. It is generally preemptive before the major blow which comes afterward.

Due to the lawless Afghan terrain, Pakistan has been a crucial victim of asymmetrical warfare. With all the means of conventional deterrence intact, the country was not able to cope with the evolving nature of the threat in time. The realization came much later and even today the potential of this mode of warfare is not entirely understood among the power structures of the country.

For instance, cyber armies and the internet as a medium of offensive are the future while country lags behind a great deal to match the superiority of the world. The Internet gives the access and vulnerability to most sophisticated of equipment for the enemy, therefore all of the power could be made obsolete in a matter of minutes. Therefore it is high time that equal focus must be given to hybrid means of defense for the 360-protection of the country against any form of threats.

 globalvillagespace

Cochin Shipyard Ltd to sign Rs 5,400 crore contract with Navy

The Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has said it is bullish on future order flows and is expected to sign contracts worth Rs 5,400 crore with the Navy for building eight Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvettes.

“Right now, we have a balanced work in aircraft vessels, two 500-seater passenger vessels and another two 1,200-seater passenger vessels. We are also building a sophisticated vessel for the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation),” CSL chairman and managing director Madhu S Nair told ‘Express’ in a recent interview.

“As for future, we are expected to sign contracts worth Rs 5,400 crore for building eight ASW corvettes for the Navy. We have become L1 (lowest bidder) and there is a process to go through. We expect to sign the contracts soon. In ship repair, we expect to pick up orders worth Rs 600 crore on a yearly basis,” he said.This would be in addition to the regular orders CSL receives for Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and other small fishing vessels.

Nair said the first ASW Corvettes have to be delivered in 42 months and then two vessels every year.
To maintain a quicker flow, CSL needs some big orders, Nair admitted.“We are definitely expecting something from the Navy and are also working towards other commercial interests in India and abroad. Moving forward is not easy. We need clearances from the government,” Nair said.

He said CSL had exported 50 commercial vessels to West Europe (Norway, the Netherlands and Germany), the US and Saudi Arabia. “We know how to export the vessels,” he said.Nair, however, said the international shipping and shipbuilding sections were going through a difficult phase for the past several years.

In the Inland Waterspace, CSL is currently building 10 inland water vessels, all ordered by IWAI. Of them, two are for Kochi, four for the Ganges and four for the Brahmaputra.“These are Ro-Ro vessels and will be used in Kochi upon delivery,” he said.He said CSL is participating in the bidding for the Water Metro project in Kochi.

“We are participating in the process. There are various things over there and we are keen on taking the process forward,” he said.Water Metro is a global tender and a few firms have been shortlisted, Nair said.

 newindianexpress

IAF fighter jets to get superior shelters to protect them from Chinese bombs

The air force has got a go-ahead to construct 108 modern shelters to house fighter aircraft in forward areas on India’s northern borders at a time when China has ramped up activity in the Tibet Autonomous Region, which overlooks Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Ladakh.

The Union Cabinet had recently allocated about Rs 5,500 crore for the project to build the Next Generation Hardened Aircraft Shelters (NGHAS), said three senior officials aware of the development who asked not to be named because they are not authorised to speak to the media.

In the past few months, there were reports of increased activity by the People’s Liberation Army (air force), which has carried out several exercises, including moving troops at a rapid rate in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has now spread its fighters in disparate bases in the eastern sector. “While the fighters can be scrambled as when required from different bases, it will be difficult for the enemy to target every base,” a senior IAF officer said, explaining the decision.

Majority of the hardened shelters will be designed to house the Russian made Su-30MKi jets – the mainstay of IAF’s fighters. In 2016, a parliamentary committee on defence pointed to the fact that IAF did not have protective shelters to keep the Su-30Mki. “Hardened shelters are not available for even the limited numbers of aircraft that is available with the Service,” the committee observed.

Apart from the hardened shelters, IAF has also inducted new technology to repair damaged runways in a few hours.

“The combination of the hardened shelters and capability to repair damaged runways quickly gives us an operational edge,” said a senior defence ministry official.

NGHAS are specialised structures comprising layers of reinforced concrete, sand and steel. They can protect aircraft from direct hits by a 2,000-pound bomb.

IAF bases in the western sector have “blast pens” – tunnel-shaped concrete structures covered with a layer of earth and protective walls near their openings, which are supposed to protect aircraft from the effects of blasts in case of an attack.

“However, with the change in warfare technology the blastproof pens may not be enough to protect assets,” the officer quoted above said, explaining why IAF needs NGHAS.

To underline the importance of the hardened shelters, a second defence ministry official said IAF told the Union government that during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, nearly 60% of the air force’s loses were of fighters that were on the ground. After the 1965 war, India started building blast-proof pens. “The blastproof pens ensured that fighters on the ground were safe during the Bangladesh liberation war. No aircraft on the ground was lost during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war,” he said, adding that IAF told the government that the need of the hour now was to upgrade to NGHAS.

 theprint

The fate of Future Infantry Combat Vehicle for Indian Army to be decided next week: Sources

The fate of the $8-billion (approx Rs 60,000 crore ) Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) project for the Indian Army which was expected to be decided last month is now expected to be sealed when the Defence Secretary, Production, Ajay Kumar will meet with the stakeholders next week.

Highly placed sources have confirmed to the Financial Express Online that “The meeting scheduled for December 12, 2018 had to be postponed due to the non-availability of the officials. They are now expected to meet on January 9 to decide the fate and the future line of action for the project, which is expected to come under the ‘Make II’ category in an effort to involve the private sector in the defence sector to get more active in Make in India initiative.”

Sources also confirmed that there are differences of opinion between the Indian Army –the user and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) which has decided to put the critical programme under the Make-II category. “The main issue, where there is divergence of views, is that the MoD wants the Indian Army to pay for this project,” said a senior officer on condition of anonymity.

Though the reason behind putting it under the Make II category was to fast track the process of modernising the Armoured Vehicles of the Indian Army, the chances now seem bleak this financial year, sources said.

If all is cleared during the meeting next week, then the Project FICV will go to the Defence Acquisition Council for approval. To be ‘Made in India’ it will have minimum 40% indigenous content.

As has been reported by the Financial Express Online, three companies including Mahindra and Mahindra, Reliance Defence and Engineering and Titagarh Wagons have sent their proposals to the MoD.

The potential Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) includes US-based General Dynamic, Russian companies under the umbrella of Rosoboronexport, and German Rheinmetall – subject to approval – among others.

Initially, the FICV project was approved under the strategic partnership model for the armoured vehicle segment was considered under the ‘Make’ category under DPP-2008.

In 2018, The Financial Express Online was the first to break the news that the FICV project will be shifted to ‘Make II’ category, which was later confirmed by the Defence Secretary at the annual presser in 2018, that the project was, moved to that category in an effort to fast track it.

Under the Make II category no funding is required from the MoD, unlike the ‘Make’ category, where the ministry has to provide 90% of funds up to the prototype stage. As per the Chapter–III of DPP-2016, the ‘Make’ procedure for indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment/ weapon systems was simplified in 2016.

Later a new sub-category — Make-II (industry funded) — was introduced with a major focus on development of equipment/system/platform or their upgrades or their subsystems/sub-assembly/assemblies/components. In this subcategory, no government funding is envisaged for prototype development purposes, but there is assurance of orders on successful development and trials of the prototype.

Under the initial proposal of `Make’ category, the plan was to have three development agencies (DAs) – two from the private sector and one from the Ordnance Factory Board, and the MoD had to give minimum of Rs 500 crore each to the three DAs as per the procedure.

In 2016, MoD had has asked the Indian Army to seek a detailed project report (DPR) from all the contenders who had received the expression of interest (EoI). About 2,600 FICVs — high-tech complex vehicle programme under the ‘Make’ category —as 2,600 FICVs with a lifespan of 32 years, are expected to replace the Army’s old Russian-origin BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles by 2025.

The project which has already been delayed by a decade, got delayed further as `The Integrated Project Management Team (IPMT)’ took more than a year to seek detailed reports from all the companies as the MoD was unable to down select any of the companies who had responded to the revised EoI.

Explaining the process, a senior officer said that the Preliminary services qualitative requirements (PSQR) act as guidelines during preparation of DPR.

As has been reported by The Financial Express Online earlier, the MoD has been trying to announce the it’s final decision for some time now. However it could not happen due to various representations made by companies who have been keen on participating in the programme. Just when the government was about to make the final cut, senior leadership from various companies have been making individual representations to the MoD, thus causing delays.

A lot of issues – mostly procedural in nature were raised by the companies which delayed the project just when the former defence minister Manohar Parrikar was about to announce the winner.

 financialexpress

Army develops night vision AI device for border jawans

Soldiers guarding the border will soon get the aide of artificial intelligence. The Army Design Bureau (ADB) has developed a device which will warn soldiers of unusual activity across difficult terrains and high altitude borders. “The ADB has developed an artificial intelligence-based (AI) personalised night vision device which will be helmet mounted and will warn soldiers on duty. A wristband-like device will vibrate once the device picks up signs of any movement in the soldier’s line of sight,” a senior officer, who did not wish to be named, said.

A large portion of India’s borders are in difficult terrains and at high altitudes with a restricted line of sight. Soldiers deployed in these areas keep a physical watch on enemy movements and suspicious activities. This wears out the soldiers physically and psychologically. The night vision device will boost the capabilities of soldiers even during dark winter nights. The idea to develop such a device was first mooted during the Army Technology (ARTECH) seminar in 2016.

A senior officer said that such seminars started in 2015 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Army Day function. Modi said that the Army Day should involve academic engagement to increase the Army’s capacity and capability. Since then ARTECH Seminar started.

Soldiers at the border also face difficulty while dealing with the Chinese PLA soldiers. Mandarin is a complex language and there is a limited number of people who can translate. A device has been developed which will help soldiers deployed along the 3,488-kilometre long Line of Actual Control with China.

“We have developed a live translator which will translate Mandarin to Indian languages while Indian Army soldiers interact with the Chinese soldiers.” At present, the translation device available is dependent on the internet and connectivity is an issue in the border areas.

 newindianexpress

Final C-17 Heavy Jet Joins Indian Air Force In Q3 2019

The Indian Air Force will receive its final Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavylift jet in the third quarter of 2019, sources have confirmed to Livefist, taking the fleet up to 11 aircraft. The last ‘white-tail’ from Boeing’s Long Beach, California facility, is currently being fitted with India-specific systems in San Antonio, Texas, and will join 81 Squadron, ‘Sky Lords’ in August-September 2019.

India won a scrappy three-way joust against Qatar and Australia to grab the final airframe in March, though the win was still a bitter one — procedural red tap had constrained the Indian Air Force from procuring at least three of the last few jets to roll out of Boeing’s now shuttered heavy jet shop. Having to settle for just the one, India will be paying $262 million for the last jet.

Coming as the contract did months before India and the U.S. signed the foundational Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), the last C-17, like the ten before it, will come without specific pieces of encrypted communication equipment, including the SINGCARS radio system, TACTERM secure voice terminal, and a handful of other pieces of kit. Theoretically, with COMCASA now signed, the Indian government could now choose to retrofit said equipment onto its American platforms should it choose to do so. Livefist can confirm that this remains a possibility on the IAF’s C-130Js and, especially its AH-64E Apache and CH-47F Chinook fleets that begin arriving three months from now. The Indian C-17s plug into the U.S. Air Force’s Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP) for infrastructure on the move.

While the contract for a single jet has underscored everything that is myopic and wrong about Indian defense contracting, the arrival of the last C-17 will likely only amplify the Indian Air Force’s heightened need for such jets. Since they began arriving in June 2013, the Sky Lords squadron has been deployed in all manner of logistical activity. The C-17’s unprecedented hauling capacity in Indian service has posed a challenge in terms of efficient use, though the IAF has managed to plug gaps through an incrementally evolved system that sees the C-17s operate frequently with in-service Ilyushin Il-76 jets, C-130J Super Hercules transports and An-32 tactical transports.

A senior Indian Air Force officer at the service headquarters in Delhi told Livefist, “It’s a pity we couldn’t contract for more of these jets. They’ve been in service for five years, and we’ve slowly learnt their true worth. There were hiccups initially, since there were times when the fleet would be engaged quite uneconomically. But that has completely changed now. The logistical flight matrix is still being evolved, but the C-17 has pride of place in the scheme of things. We could have definitely done with more aircraft — at least another squadron.”

India is meanwhile looking to take steps forward on a deal to buy and locally build Airbus C-295 aircraft to replace a large number of its old HS-748 Avro transports.

 livefistdefence

China's navy could sink two aircraft carriers and kill 10,000 sailors if it stands in way of Beijing's goals in South China Sea

A Chinese Admiral said recently that his country's military is capable of sinking American aircraft carriers in the East and South China Seas.

Rear Admiral Luo Yuan's comments were made in a speech on Sino-U.S. relations which he gave on December 20, according to News Corp Australia Network.

Luo said that sinking American ships would resolve the ongoing territorial disputes in that part of the world.

'What the United States fears the most is taking casualties,' Admiral Luo said.

He estimated that sinking an American carrier would result in the deaths of 5,000 servicemen and women. Sinking two such ships would double the casualty toll to 10,000.

'We'll see how frightened America is,' he said.

Luo, 67, holds the rank of rear admiral in the People's Liberation Army Navy, though he is acting in an academic capacity rather than as an active service member.

He is the deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences.

An author, social commentator, and military theorist, Luo has been known to express hawkish, anti-American views in the past.

In his remarks to the 2018 Military Industry List summit in Shenzhen. Luo boasted of China's weapons capability, which includes anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles that could hit American carriers.

Luo said that the U.S. was vulnerable and that China should 'use its strength to attack the enemy's shortcomings.'

'Attack wherever the enemy is afraid of being hit,' he said.

'Wherever the enemy is weak…'

China and the U.S. have been at odds for years on a number of geopolitical issues, including Beijing's pressing of territorial claims in the South and East China Seas.

In the South China Sea, the United States has criticized China's construction of islands on tiny reefs and shoals and its installation of military facilities on them, including air strips and docks.

China claims 'irrefutable' sovereignty over most of the South China Sea and the islands in it, and accuses the United States of raising military tension with its navy presence there.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam all claim parts of the waterway, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year.

Taiwan also claims the waters.

Taiwan is another sensitive issue that divides the U.S. and China.

In Beijing, the island is considered a breakaway province that must be unified with the mainland, even if it means using military force.

But Taiwan, which is formally known as the Republic of China on Taiwan, insists on autonomy.

The democratic province, which receives American weapons and aid, does not want to come under Chinese rule.

Luo warned the U.S. not to intervene in the Taiwan-China dispute.

'If the US naval fleet dares to stop in Taiwan, it is time for the People's Liberation Army to deploy troops to promote national unity on (invade) the island,' he said.

'Achieving China's complete unity is a necessary requirement.

'The achievement of the past 40 years of reform and opening-up has given us the capability and confidence to safeguard our sovereignty.

'Those who are trying to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and Taiwan should be careful about their future.'

 dailymail

US-built Chinook, Apache helicopters for armed forces to arrive in March

The first batch of US-built heavy-lift Chinook helicopters and Apache attack helicopters will be delivered to the armed forces in March, moving India’s military capacity and capability to the next level. The first of the Chinook helicopters are already bound for Mundra port in Gujarat from US defence contractor Boeing in containers and expected to arrive next month. India spent $3 billion on 15 Chinook and 22 Apache attack helicopters, with the option to buy six more Apaches already approved by the Donald Trump administration.

According to US and Indian diplomats, the aerial platforms will be reassembled by the contractor and flight-tested before being handed over to the Indian armed forces. The Chinook helicopters will be stationed at Chandigarh air base, which supplies to the critical Siachen and Eastern Ladakh sectors. The Apaches with hellfire missiles will be handed over to the Indian forces and stationed at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad. Induction of these two platforms will be a gamechanger for the Indian military which still relies on Russian Mi-17 medium lift helicopters for rapid induction of forces and an obsolete squadron of Russian Mi-26 helicopters. Indian attack capacity is limited to two squadrons of Mi-35 helicopters, which were used by the erstwhile Soviet Union during its occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

While India is concerned over the departure of Jim Mattis as US defense secretary, the signals from Washington indicate that his successor Patrick M Shanahan will be equally positive towards New Delhi in his attitude and open to a major defence ally of the country acquiring platforms to boost its capacities on land, sea or in air. The next major India-US deal in the works is for the acquisition of Predator-B armed drones by the Indian forces with discussions for this already in the preliminary stages.

However, the two sides will have to do serious spadework to sign the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for geospatial cooperation as both the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have concerns over sharing Indian terrain mapping with the US and vice-versa. India has already signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement ( COMCASA). Together, the three, along with the General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), form foundational agreements that the US signs with key defence partners. India signed GSOMIA in 2002, LEMOA in 2016 and COMCASA in 2018.

 hindustantimes

Upgraded MiG-29 to take on F-16 in the Refurbished Fighter Jet Market

The MiG-29, one of Russia’s most exported military jet has been upgraded in India that expands its capabilities from an air superiority fighter to a multi-role aircraft. The Indian Air Force (IAF) revealed the upgrade, called the MiG-29UPG ahead of the Air Force Day celebrations in October 2018.

The upgrade by the IAF, one of the biggest operators of MiG-29 in the world has opened up the possibility of similar technological enhancements and life extension projects for the venerable Russian aircraft which many believe was ahead of its time when it was launched in the 1980s.

The global inventory of MiG-29s is estimated at 750-850 aircraft, all of which are a potential upgrade possibility. The MiG-29UPG upgrade in India is expected to cover some 65 aircraft. Another major MiG-29 upgrade is being done in Ukraine. Ukrainian Lviv Aircraft Repair Plant is upgrading the country’s MIG-29 fighter jets with air-to-ground and surface attack capability making it a multirole fighter aircraft.

At a time when the US-made F-16 fighter jet, upgraded to the Block 70 format is finding markets all over the world, particularly as replacement for older generation F-16s and MiG-29s, the Soviet origin jet could turn out to be a worthy and highly cost-effective option to the F-16.

Given the distinct ability of fighter aircraft purchases to sap military budgets, many governments are increasingly preferring upgrading legacy aircraft with capable airframes such as the F-16 and the MiG-29 to expand their features and to increase service life by about 50%. The cost of converting the IAF MiG-29 to the MiG-29UPG is said to be US$15 million each, far short of the cost of buying new aircraft which could be upwards of US$50 million for an all-new MiG-35, the Russian successor to the MiG-29.

According to Rodney Lee, Senior Product Manager, Aerospace & Defense Business Unit, IFS Software of Sweden, the “There is an increasing trend in military organizations to extend the lifecycle of aircraft and other equipment.”While the F-16 has forged ahead with offering a complete upgrade package of the Block 70 format including active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the MiG-29 is still to offer an AESA radar but is on schedule to have one in 2019-20.



Indian MiG-29UPG Features ::

The MiG-29UPG aircraft is now capable of mid-air refueling, compatible with the latest missiles in IAF’s inventory and can launch multi-dimensional attacks, Indian media reports quoted Flight Lieutenant Karan Kohli, a MiG-29 pilot at Adampur Air Force Station in Punjab province where the MiG-29 squadron is based.

The improved engines as part of the upgrade enable the MiG-29UPG to take off almost vertically on full power. This fighter jet can be scrambled within five minutes of spotting a hostile aircraft and reach a height from which it can challenge the ‘enemy’ plane. Other features of the upgraded plane are a multi-functional display, air-to-air refueling and ability to launch precision guided munitions.

A significant part of the Indian upgrade is the radar. The aircraft’s outdated N-019 Topaz air-intercept radar, has been replaced with the Zhuk-ME unit with multimode capabilities and mechanically scanned, slotted antenna.

A more potent radar upgrad, the Phazotron-NIIR's Zhuk-AME - also known as the FGA50 - AESA radar is expected in early 2019. The new radar will be installed into the Russian Aerospace Forces' new MiG-35 multirole combat aircraft and retrofitted as part of an upgrade programme for the MiG-29. An export version of the Zhuk-AME - known as Zhuk-AME - was unveiled at Airshow China in 2016. The Zhuk-AME can detect aerial targets that are around 160 km away and can simultaneously track up to 30 targets. The Zhuk-AME radar is expected to give the MiG-29 capabilities of a 4.5 generation fighter jet similar to the F-16 Block 70.


Enhanced weapons capability ::

The highlights of the MiG-29UPG upgrade are:

Able to deploy R-77RVV-AE (AA-12 'Adder') air-to-air missile.
Ability to use the advance subsonic anti-ship missile Kh-35E (AS-20 Kayak).
Introduced the OLS-UEM IRST sensor with the laser, thermal-imaging and television capabilities
increased the range by 40% to 2,100 km on internal fuel
The upgrade improve maintenance which helped reduced maintenance cost by as much as 40%.
Using the Indian licence manufacture of the new RD-33 series 3 turbofan engines
Introduction of new weapon control system
Improved cockpit ergonomics with enhanced HOTAS design, two large and two smaller monochrome LCD
Introduction of a retractable inflight refuelling probe, similar to Malaysian MIG-29N and Russian MIG-29SMT
Weapons load was increased to 4,500 kg on six underwing and one ventral hard points similar to the MIG-35
Secure datalink system
Life increased to another 15 years of use
Introduction of a bigger centreline tank from 1500 litres to 1800 litres tank extending range toward 3,000km



Russian upgrade of MiG-29 ::

Myanmar

Ten MiG-29 fighters belonging to the Myanmar air force have been upgraded at RAC MiG facilities near Moscow in March 2017. The upgrade solution for Myanmar is referred to as MiG-29SM (mod). It is believed to be a low-cost version alternative to the more expensive MiG-29UPG upgrade that India has been installing, and which is broadly similar to the Russian air force MiG-29SMT. The MiG-29SM (mod) retains the original N-019E radar with some technology insertions and part replacements.


Malaysia

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) possesses 14 MiG-29N and two MiG-29UB-N aircraft. The “N” version is a customized RMAF variant, with mid-air refueling capability and the ability to fire two RVV-AE radar-guided missiles (export version of the Vympel R-77) at two aerial targets simultaneously. Currently 10 MiG-29N are believed to remain operational with No. 17 Squadron at Kuantan AFB.

Malaysia's Aerospace Technology Systems Corp. (ATSC) offered to upgrade the remaining MiG-29 to the MiG-29NM standard; the upgraded aircraft will include a Zhuk-ME FGM-229 slotted phased-array fire control radar that will provide an air-to-ground capability.

The avionics system incorporates a night vision goggle-compatible glass cockpit, with two color multifunction displays and hands-o- throttle-and-stick functionality.

Weapons systems and pylons will be upgraded, making the MiG-29NM capable of carrying the full range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons available to Malaysia's Su-30s.


Belarus

The MiG-29BM (possibly Bolyshaya Modernizaciya - large modernization) is an upgrade to the MiG-29 conducted by the ARZ-558 aircraft repair plant in Baranovichi, Belarus.

The MiG-29BM is a strike variant of the MiG-29 pure fighter, the Belarussian counterpart to the Russian MiG-29SMT. This work is being done by the 558th Aviation Repair Plant with participation of Russian Avionics and in interaction with RSK MiG. Details of the upgrade are listed below.

Armament of air-to-air class is supplemented with additional medium-range missiles RVV-AE, R-27ER and R-27ET, precision-guided weapons such as KAB-500Kr and KAB-500L bombs. Overall, MiG-29BM can carry two air-to-surface missiles and two or four corrected bombs.

The radar homing system of modernized fighter MiG-29BM uses a number of new working modes. Modernized radar N019P of this airplane provides for observation of earth and water surface with the detection of single and group, pinpoint and prolonged ground and water-surface radio-contrast targets.

A new navigation system N-911 includes a navigation computer, a receiver of satellite navigation system GLONASS/NAVSTAR, radio technical system of close-range navigation A-323 and navigation and landing system VOR/ILS and DME.

MiG-29BM is complemented with an aerial refueling system. An easily dismantled refueling rod that is not retracted in flight is installed in the nose part of the fuselage on the left side.

Tests of the MiG-29BM (aircraft "9-11") were successfully completed by July 2003, and plant in Baranovichi began the delivery of the first modernized "MiGs" to the Belarus Air Force. A modernised MiG-29BM was on show at the international aviation and space salon MAKS 2005 in Moscow and evoked much interest of representatives of many countries. By mid-2007 several examples of this aircraft, together with a modernized Su-27UBM, were on duty in the Belarusian air force fleet.


Ukrainian MiG-29MU2 upgrade

Ukrainian Lviv Aircraft Repair Plant is upgrading the country’s MIG-29 fighter with the MU2 upgrade package to provide the jet with air-to-ground and surface attack capability making it a multirole fighter aircraft.

The air-to-ground capability will be achieved through the use of TV-guided missile-bomb weapons of the X-29T and KAB-500KR types, a statement released to www.defenseworld.net from the Ukrainian enterprise said.

The MiG-29MU2 upgrade package includes H-019-U2 airborne radar-assisted sighting system to allow long-range detection of air threats, weapon targeting, search and tracking of air and surface targets using the ground-map radar mode, and supporting air-to-ground and surface missions.

The upgrade also includes the installation of VOR/ILS and DME equipment to comply with the requirements for international flights.

Domestically developed GNSS-assisted navigation capability will also be included. GNSS data will be viewed on an 8-inch Cockpit display alongside the map of the terrain being flown over, target data, and weapons parameters.

The MiG-29MU2 fighter will also receive an audio/video recording system for post-mission debriefing and data analysis, along with the potential for documenting the mistakes made by pilots and for training new pilots.

The Ukrainian enterprise claims that in combat efficiency terms, the MiG-29MU2 outperforms the MiG-29 original by a factor of 1.83, owing to about a dozen innovation technology solutions implemented in its design.

The MiG-29MU2A upgrade is being implemented by a team of companies led by LARP, TOV Radionix and KB Luch. Radionix will deliver its airborne self-defense Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) and jamming system; and Omut will provide protection from radar-guided AAM and SAM threats. Pod-mounted and fuselage-buried variants of the Omut system are required to be available for the MiG-29MU2 application.

LARP is due to complete its share of work on the MiG-29MU2 program by 2019 so that the official qualification trials could be commenced the following year and the aircraft enter production by 2020. The Ukrainian MiG-29MU2 is expected to tap the world market for MiG-29 upgrades, posing a challenge to the Russian OEM which will most certainly build on its Indian success to offer upgrades to nations having MiG-29 inventories.

 defenseworld

Fighter Aircraft Tejas Set For Final Induction: Defence Research Body

The indigenously developed and built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is on final induction after going all the tests, said a top official on Monday.

"LCA Tejas and Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&CS) are on final induction after going through all the tests," said DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy in a radio interview.

Celebrating the "DRDO Day", Mr Reddy told state-run All India Radio (AIR) that the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was set up 60 years ago in 1958 with 10 labs to enhance research work in the defence sector.

"Though the country is self-reliant in missiles, radars, Sonars, torpedoes and other systems, the DRDO has been working over the years to develop state-of-the-art weapon system for the armed forces," said Reddy.

Designed and developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and built by the state-run defence aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Tejas is a supersonic fourth generation fighter for induction in the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet and its variant in the Indian Navy.

Pending Final Operational Clearance (FOC) for its weaponised version, the IAF formed the first Tejas unit - No. 45 Squadron IAF "Flying Daggers" -- on July 1, 2016 with two aircraft.

The DRDO is building six next generation AEW&CS on the Airbus platform to enhance surveillance and detection with longer range and complete view for the IAF.

The platform will have 300-km-long range and 360-degree angle of coverage as against 200-km range and 240-degree angle of the AEW&CS the DRDO built on the Brazilian Embraer-145 modified jet for the IAF in the past.

Over the years, the state-run organisation grew multi-directionally in terms of subject disciplines, number of laboratories, achievements and stature.

"Presently, over 50 labs are engaged in developing defence technologies covering aeronautics, armaments, electronics, combat vehicles, engineering systems, instrumentation, missiles, advanced computing and simulation," said DRDO in its web site.

With about 5,000 scientists and 25,000 supporting staff, the behemoth has executed major projects to develop missiles, armaments, LCAs, radars and electronic warfare systems.

 ndtv

Defence Ministry cleared 111 military projects worth Rs 1.78 lakh crore under Make in India

In the last three years, the Defence Ministry cleared 111 military projects worth over Rs 1.78 lakh crore for producing military hardware under the Make in India in the defence sector.

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre informed the Lok Sabha, "In the last three financial years from 2015-16 to 2017-18, the government has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to 111 proposals, worth Rs 1,78,900 crore approximately, under `Buy (Indian-IDDM)`, `Buy (Indian)`, `Buy and Make (Indian)` or `Make` categories of capital procurement as per Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), which means Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued only to Indian Vendors."

Furthermore, he stated, "In the same timeframe, 99 contracts worth about Rs 65,471.28 crore have been signed with Indian vendors for the procurement of defence equipment. DPP stipulates a time schedule for completion of the procurement cycle."

Make in India in defence has been one of the key programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Several projects such as helicopters, fighter aircraft, and submarines are planned to be manufactured under this in the coming years.

On a separate query on the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas project, the Minister said that that out of the 16 Initial Operational Clearance planes, 10 have been delivered to the Air Force till now.

"Till date, out of 16 IOC fighter aircraft, 10 fighters have been delivered by HAL and are operational with IAF`s 45 Squadron. The delivery of remaining 6 IOC fighter aircraft is planned by March 2019," the minister added.

Bhamre said that the four trainer aircraft to be supplied to the 45 squadrons of Air Force would be taken up after design clearance from the Aeronautical Development Agency.

 zeenews