India Sweden Renew Ties

 India Sweden Renew Ties  ! On the path to co-develop highly capable fighter jets. 

In the process of delivering its promise of a resurgent India, the NDA government has taken a staunch stand to boost its bilateral ties with countries to revive its defense projects. Several high level visits have been made by the top cream of 'South block' to seal deals for co-developing and manufacturing the latest platforms locally in India. The 'Make in India' campaign is being fine tuned to attract 'industrial giants' for setting off-shore facilities in India, not only to manufacture but also to research and develop the best equipment's for its armed forces. The latest in the list to have entered shown interest is Sweden, a country best known for churning out high-end weapons. 

Efforts to establish a reliable partnership between the countries, took wings with the visit of his honorable President of Republic of India Pranab Mukharjee visiting Sweden. The repeated staging of high level talks between the countries, is a showcase of  India’s newer approach towards Sweden. The diplomatic ties between the countries were severed following the India's chilling claim of Sweden's role in Puralia drop case. Sweden repeatedly turned down, India's request for extraditing Sweden nationals accused in the case.  

During his visit to Sweden, President Pranab Mukherjee signed several MOU which are bound to boost the ties between the counties in the field of education, bilateral trade, economics, infrastructure and defense. Sweden has reciprocated its share of the deal by sending over Defense minister Peter Hultqvist to India. Mr. Hultqvist is slated to meet his counterpart Manohar Parrikar, paving way for several important deals to be concluded. 

 India and Sweden shared a reliable military partnership, dating back to the era when India acquired the controversial Bofor guns. The Bofor gun deal was a major boost to the operational capabilities of the army and proved to be a force multiplier in the Kargil operation. The Bofor's scandal soon surfaced, showcasing the kickbacks various individuals had received to ink the deal. The deal since then has haunted the procureent process of the army, so deadly was its crasp that the army is yet to acquire a battlefield gun since the Bofor's. 

Even though India dropped deals of acquiring any massive machinery from Sweden, several private/public firms have worked closely to supply Indian forces with state-of-the art sensor suites. Sweden’s SAAB is undoubtedly a forerunner in the lucrative Indian defense market. SAAB had fielded its Gripen NG for the ambitious MMRCA deal but lost out in the initial phase of testing. SAAB has also participated in the MANPAD tender for which a winner is yet to be announced by the Ministry of Defence, India.

The visiting Defense Minister of Sweden has confirmed that India was offered the Gripen as a replacement for the aging MiG-21 fleet. The home grown Tejas project has evolved overtime and will soon be materialized. The Tejas team is in a race to acquire FOC certificates and once done the jet may soon operate from FOB’s of IAF. 

But with the active fighter squadrons dipping at an alarming rate, the operational capability of IAF has suffered greatly. Realizing this NDA government went for a G-G deal with the Dassault to supply 36 Rafale to India at the earliest possible time. Sweden is wishing the same agreement can be reflected in regard to their SAAB developed Gripen NG.

India is strongly stressing for strengthening the prospective India defense industry, ‘Make in India’ has been key feature for setting up a dynamic platform for the interested foreign firms. The government has also cleared the FDI for defense to be increased from 26% to 49% and has also made the procurement process more flexible.

Aerospace development has been a field Indian firms have failed to master, SAAB has shown keen interest to work with India to jointly develop a more lethal LCA platform. If conceived the nations can be working at making the under development Tejas MKII more lethal. IAF has for long been pitching for a more capable Tejas variant, even though the Tejas MK-I is one of the most advanced jets in India, the jet lacks in several key fields thus raising questions over a mass induction. IAF has really not been impressed by the performance but still believes is the best platform given its budgetary issues.

With Indian firms failing to master the technological hurdles faced in the designing of fighter jets, any assistance is a welcome move. America has already entered into an agreement with India to help it improve an advanced jet by providing India with the more powerful engines. America will also be assisting India in developing hot engines indigenously, a key field in which India is yet to prove its capability.

The home grown Kaveri program, failed to provide a reliable engine to the LCA program. The LCA program is now powered by the GE supplied F-404 engines. The more lethal Tejas MK-II will be powered by GE-414, which will be manufactured in India based on roll-ff kits dispatched from America.  SAAB may also help India overcome these hurdles, Gripen is powered by a very capable turbofan jet engine developed by Volvo Aero. Developed around the F-404, this technology can revolutionize India's capability in mastering the turbofan jet engines if worked under a ToT agreement. 

Concreting these rumors, are the visit of the visiting Defense Minister to HAL’s premier facility in Bangalore. Incidentally HAL's facility in Bangalore is the hot bed for any developmental activities in the Tejas and other jet programs. During the visit the minister was given a glimpse of the home grown attack helicopters. 

Interestingly ALH Rudra and LCH are equipped with the defense system designed by SAAB. With the minister touring the homeland of Tejas a deal for co-development is most likely but with SAAB strongly suffering in attracting foreign costumers for the Gripen it has to be seen how the program will evolve in the future.

The Naval Aviation Wing- Taking the war to the Enemies

THE NAVAL AVIATION WING - TAKING THE WAR TO THE ENEMIES



The Indian navy serves with the motto “May the lord of oceans be auspicious  onto us“ have grown from a regional navy to a brow water navy. The Indian navy currently operates one of the biggest and a very robust and an under modernizing force. Indian navy currently operates more than hundred vessels which have been guarding the nation against any sea borne threats from decades. The flag ship of the force is ‘INS Viraat’, a centaur class aircraft carrier.

Indian navy has the distinctive mark of being the only navy other than the US Navy to operate an operational two carrier group. Indian navy has to a vast experience in operating these floating airstrips which can take battle’s right to the door steps of the enemies. These massive vessels can launch aircraft from the middle of the ocean assisted by modern technologies thus giving a major boost to the operational range and also making long range attacks possible. The aircraft carriers play a major role in power projection. Indian navy currently operates two active CBG’s (Carrier Battle Group), INS Viraat and INS Vikramaditya.

Hawker Sea Hawk

The Sea Hawk were the mainstay fighter jets of INS Vikrant, developed by the Hawker aircraft co. These aircraft turned out to be a game changer in Indian naval operations. The Sea Hawk was highly reliable and sturdy war machines which could spell havoc over enemy territory. The Sea hawks scored nearly a dozen kills over Pakistani missile boats and Merchant navy ships during the East Pakistan liberation war, Indian navy did not even lose a single aircraft during the operation. The Sea hawks were very instrumental in setting up a naval blockade that effectively cut off any reinforcement to the forces fighting a losing battle in Eastern Pakistan against the Indian and Bangladeshi forces.

Breguet Alize

The Breguet Alize was an Anti-Submarine warfare aircraft. The Alize had provisions to accommodate homing torpedo or depth charges and the weapon stations on the wings could carry bombs, depth charges, missiles and rockets. Indian acquired 12 Alize as an ASW aircraft to operate off Vikrant. Alize was used by the Indian navy for reconnisance and patrol during the 1961 Liberation of Goa. Alize was operated as an ASW aircraft to detect and destroy Pakistan submarines during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Alize was also deployed in Operation Pawan where the aircraft undertook took sorties destroying LTTE positions and merchant navy ships.

SEA HARRIER  

The Sea harriers are the true STOVL aircraft which could perform short take off and vertical landing with ease. The harriers entered service in 1980 with the Royal navy and was inducted to the Indian navy in 1983. The Indian navy initially purchased six harriers which were deployed at Dabolim base and later on started operating off INS Viraat.  The Indian navy placed an order for further ten harriers and acquired nearly 30 harriers. The aging Sea Hawker fleet of INS Vikrant was also replaced by the harriers.

The harriers are one of the most successful naval attack platforms which have been operated by the US navy, Royal navy and the Indian navy. Harriers are powered by a massive Rolls-Royce Pegasus turbofan engine which churns out about 96 kN of power enabling the aircraft to attain speeds of up to 1200 kmph. The aircraft has an operational range of 1000 km and can climb around 50000 ft/min thus proving its agility.

The primary weapon of the aircraft is the two 30mm ADEN cannon which can carry 130 rounds each. The aircraft can also carry state-of-the art weapons ranging from missiles, rockets and anti-shipping missiles. The aircraft has 4 under wing pylon stations and an under fuselage pylon and can carry about 3700 kg of payload. The harriers carried some of the most advanced weapon systems which was primarily formed by the British developed anti-ship Sea eagle missiles. The French Matra Magic missile took care of any aerial targets.

    The Harriers are aging and with INS Viraat slated to be retired by early next year the aircraft will be mainly confined to shore based operations only.

Mikoyan MiG-29K

With India choosing to acquire INS Vikramaditya with an STOBAR design, Russia put forward the MiG-29K and Sukhoi 33 as the primary aviation wing. India choose the MiG-29K considering the larger wingspan of SU-33. Developed by the Mikoyan, MiG-29K is a 4++ generation, all weather carrier based multi-role aircraft. A carrier based aircraft demanding an more reinforced under carrier and tail section, Mikoyan came up with the MiG29K which was developed specially for naval operations. The MiG 29K was equipped with a more powerful and efficient engine, the cockpit and the armament received significant changes.

MiG29K took to skies on 23 July 1988, piloted by Aubakirov and by landing on Admiral Kuznetsov it achieved its first carrier landing on 1 November 1989. An aircraft capable of handling AEW was also developed based on the MiG29K and was called the MiG-29KUB. This jet features two aircrew and was equipped with powerful radar and secured data-links. Flying in formation and connecting over the secured links these turbofan jet engine developed by the Klimov for powering light weight fighter jets. The engine can develop a maximum thrust of around 50N when run in dry mode and can produce a maximum output of around 80N when the afterburners are engaged. The engines are very efficient and can produce 7% more thrust than the engines powering the MiG29’s, the engine is controlled by an FADEC or Full Authority Digital Engine control. The FADEC is an electronic computer that basically consists of Electronic Engine controller (EEC), and will monitor the engine performance throughout the flight. If the engines performance is found to be non-satisfactory the system will immediately restore the engine controls to a preset mode.

          A four channel fly-by-wire system controls the aircraft, one of the most advanced avionics package went aboard the aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with a passive anti-missile homing system, it is also provided with the Sigma-95 GPS receivers which efficiently guide the pilot to his designated targets. The targeting system of the aircraft received a major boost with the helmet-mounted targeting system being introduced. To counter interference with the systems by the enemies, the aircraft is equipped with state-of-the art ECM systems. The primary radar of the aircraft is the NIIR Phazotron developed, Zhuk-AE radars. These radars feature an active electronically scanned array. The radar features a 700mm antenna and 1016 T/R (Transmit/Receive) modules. The radar has an approximate detection range of 200 km, and can track about 60 targets at a time and can engage six targets simultaneously. The jet can also be equipped with infra-red search and track (IRST) system. This system helps in detecting and tracking objects by following the infrared radiation emitted from the objects.

MiG 29K is equipped with an array of weapon systems, being a multi-role aircraft the jet can carry a mix of air-air missiles and air-ground missiles. The very basic weapon system of the MiG 29K is the GSh-30-1 30mm cannon, mounted in the port wing root. Weighing just about 40 kg the gun can be easily mounted on the the uniqueness of the weapon system is its short recoil action. Firing up to 1800 rounds per minute the gun annihilate any hostile targets. The maximum effective range of the gun is around 800 m against aerial targets and varies between 1200-1800 m against ground targets. Equipped with laser range finding and targeting system, the rounds can be fired with pinpoint accuracy. The aircraft can carry laser-guided and electro-optical bombs for conducting air-ground attack missions. The jet can also be equipped with Kh-31P passive radar seeker missiles which can be used as anti-radiation missiles. The aircraft can also carry Kh-35 and Kh-31A anti-shipping missiles, causing havoc over enemy ships. It is crucial the jet also can engage aerial targets, the jet is equipped with air to air missiles. Various foreign developed missiles can also be integrated with the aircraft.

          India has signed a $1.2 billion deal, with the Mikoyan for acquiring 40 MiG 29K, INS Vikramaditya will carry up to 24 fighters. INS Vikrant is expected to carry up to 30 fighters which will be a mix of the MiG 29K and the LCA naval version.With the Indian navy opting for the more powerful and efficient CATOBAR configuration the aviation wing of the navy is set for a major revamp. The first of the navy's CATOBAR carrier will be INS Vishal/IAC-II which is currently in the design phase and will be constructed by CSL, Cochin. The carrier will have complement of around 45 aircraft, the carrier for the first time will allow the operation of AWACS aircraft from its deck. The Rafale M,F-18 Super hornet and the fifth generation stealth enabled F-35 C will be the leading contenders for securing the tender to supply the carriers aviation wing.

China tests Hypersonic systems.! Has India found its way around ?

China tests the Hypersonic Wu-14, what implications can this project have on the world? From India’s point of view !!!

    The Chinese Defense and Science Research Center claims to have successfully carried out a test of the Wu 14 hypersonic missile on June 7th. The first reports of Chinese carrying out the test emerged in the Washington based Journal Free beacon, Chinese officials have also confirmed the test by releasing the pictures captured during this classified test.

The Wu 14 has been tested for a fourth time and the missile will have to go a long way to before the project can be absorbed into the forces.  The missile’s track record it’s own stories to say the missile was first launched in last where the missile had successfully completed all initial mission parameters but the missile had failed miserably during the second launch. The third and the fourth launch have been successful.

    The Wu 14 is a hypersonic nuclear payload delivery system which can bypass some of the most advanced anti ballistic missile defense system. The MRV’s developed by various nations where designed to descend through the atmosphere and could have been intercepted by the advanced interceptor missile system. But the hypersonic vehicles were designed to enter the atmosphere and to glide up to their targets. While the vehicles glided the detection of these vehicles would be extremely hard and could greatly compromise the response time. The gliding vehicles are extremely maneuverable and can also extend the range substantially. 

     Pentagon in its recent release has confirmed the launch and has also reported that the Wu-14 is indeed a hypersonic vehicle which can attain extremely high speeds and can also employ measures to maneuver  the missile defense systems. The test of the Wu-14 comes at a time when the relationships between America and China have hit a new low after America reported Chinese alleged activities in the South China Sea. America has been very vocal about Chinese aggression in the Asia-Pacific region, America is now actively pitching for ratifying the ties within Asia-Pacific regions to counter China.  

The threat of Wu 14 on India and the world

     With the vehicles gliding in the final phases the range will be increased considerably.  The vehicle will glide in extremely low altitudes and will level out unlike the conventional warheads. The Wu 14 can be a very efficient nuclear delivery system for the Chinese, the Wu 14 fitted on board the advanced ballistic systems can also be targeted at aircraft carrier’s. With its hypersonic speed it is extremely hard for the carrier’s warning systems to track in the incoming threat and even if detected at the final phases the missile is extremely hard to be intercepted. 


       If China does master the technology it threatens to set-off a arms race in the already troubled Asia-Pacific region. India and US would be the first to respond and to develop such technologies to counterbalance the arsenal. With US deploying such missiles Russia may also follow the suit thus by involving the global powers to acquire such systems.

     USA and India has recently signed agreements to jointly develop a ballistic missile interceptor system that can intercept most of the ballistic missiles. It is no wonder if USA and India agree upon to terms to co-develop a delivery system and more advanced interceptor system. India has also recently agreed to sign the MTCR which will allow India acquire the most advanced system and also helps India to export its missiles.


     India has deployed the world’s fastest cruise missile, the BrahMos which was mastered with Russia’s help. India and Russia are believed to be the fore-runners in the scramjet engine technologies which are crucial in these projects to help attain the missiles the desired velocity. India already has started working on developing a hypersonic missile system under the ‘Shaurya’ project.

The missile developed under the program will be a canister based missile system which will be a hypersonic surface to surface tactical missile. The missile is speculated to be the land based version of the even more secret K-15 Sagarika missiles program. The missile is rumored to have a range of around 1900 km and can also carry either conventional or nuclear warheads weighing up to one tonne

    . The exact progress of the program is shrouded in secrecy but is believed to have been tested several times. The missile is believed to have been cleared for serial production and is slated to be inducted into the navy already. The ambitious BrahMos-II project is also slated to provide the armed forces with a hypersonic version of the lethal BrahMos.

Cold war reloaded. Its Raptors against Flankers over European skies.

United States Air Force to deploy F-22 Raptors in Europe to deter Russian Flankers

The military build up in Eastern Europe just seems to be not ending, USA has now decided to field heavy war machinery across European countries. Specific sources have confirmed that USA is contemplating about deploying at least a single squadron of its most advanced F 22 Raptor in bases in the European bases. USA has termed Russia as the biggest threat in the region. In support to Baltic nations after they become part of NATO, America had deployed two Threat Security Packages (TSP) which consisted of twelve F-15 from the Florida National Guard and twelve A-10 thunderbolt from the 355th fighter wing which are now stationed in European countries.

     Raptor are the most priced possession of the USAF which has not even been exported to its trusted allies. The Raptors have been till time deployed in mainland America and operated in the Asia-Pacific region but only as rotational deployment. USA has just concluded its naval drills with Ukraine, Russia had warned of a befitting reply to the drills. In a surprise and an extremely risky maneuver a Russian Su-24 jet buzzed USS Donlad Cook in Black Sea. US had termed this move as extremely provocative and have warned Russia against any such maneuvers in the future.

Ever since the Ukrainian invasion, relations between Russia and USA have been severed and experts believe the countries are at the brink of starting a modern cold war scenario. Air space violation, repeated weapons validation tests and bi-lateral exercises have doubled ever since. USA and the rest of the western bloc have hit the Russian economy hard by imposing economic sanctions. Putin has been putting up a brave face all along but with Russia being cornered the development rather the existence of a self-prevailing Russia is being questioned. Crimea has been a key talking point all along, the incident of MH-17 send ripples across the globe. Russia and involved nations are nuclear states and have the highest stockpile of the WMD’s.

 Lost is the era under USSR when Russia was an unchecked power, but the collapse of USSR changed the course for Russia. Russia lost the regional control and also lost the prosperous states which were under its control. Russia under Putin is headed towards restoring the dominance in the region. Putin has adopted the best possible aggressive move to put Russia where it once belonged.

It all started with Russia annexing Crimea, which the international community had reportedly recognized as Ukrainian territory.  Facing the wrath of Russia, Ukraine was forced to join NATO and OSCE to counter the Russians.  With Ukraine a success, Putin focused towards the other former USSR nations specially Latvia and Lithuania.

     Russian forces have been violating the international airspace at alarming levels. There have been instances when Russians had deployed two Tu 92 bombers on a long range patrol over the International border. The Tuplov aircraft were accompanied by two IL 78 aerial refuel tankers which were escorted by two heavily armed Su 27. The patrol stretched as far as Portugal and was then resisted by Typhoons which escorted out the formation.  

With violations increasing at an alarming rate the smaller countries have expressed their disability to check the repeated violations. Germany, Britain and France are being outstretched, the answer came with USA deploying its F-15’s in bases across Europe but these squadrons are up for rotation. After the Crimean annexation the patrol missions have reached to an astonishing sixteen missions from a mere two missions.

    US Air force secretary Daborah James has confirmed the news and has stated that ‘ Russia was the biggest threat on her mind’. The secretary went on to say “It's extremely worrisome on what's going on in the Ukraine. We've seen the type of warfare, which someone dubbed it hybrid warfare, which is somewhat new. So I would put that at the top of my list.”   The F-22 will not be deployed on a permanent basis rather on a rotational deployment. The F-22 will be replacing the home bound F-15’s, six Raptors were deployed in bases along the Asia-Pacific region. The fighter was homed in Dubai and Japan, the F-22 had proved their might by escorting a US navy MQ4 drone which was being tailed by a Iranian F-14.

      With the AESA radars the F22 can jam low powered passive radars, like NIIP Radar which is fitted onto most of the Russian flankers. The situation though critical along the international airspace will surely not witness any aircraft firing missiles. Hence the need will be for a versatile jet that can meddle with the enemy platforms and at the same time defend and attack if the need arises. The deployment of F-22 is also a win-win situation to the USAF, the operations of F-22 has been largely constrained to mainland US. With the deployment to troubled skies the fighter will also get a shot at proving it’s might against the most capable enemy of US. The aircraft has some of the latest technology on-board and clubbed with stealth the aircraft is a flying ghost house in the skies. It has to be seen what will be answer of Russian forces for the deployment of the F-22’s.  

INDIA'S VERY OWN STEALTH ENABLED MULTIROLE JET

AMCA -    Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft

Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), India's premier aeronautical developmental agency is gearing up to brief Minister of Defense, Manohar Parrikar about India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Under the AMCA project India will develop its own fifth generation fighter which will feature stealth capabilities. The design phase of AMCA began way back in 2011 and recently the final configurations were confirmed to have been frozen. 

     The AMCA will be single jet stealth capable fighter powered by twin engines and the operational capabilities enhanced with stealth and super maneuverability. The jet is a multi-role combat aircraft capable of supporting air force in air superiority, ground attack, bombing and intercepting roles. Clubbed with stealth the jet will be a major boost to the operational capabilities of air force, in the onset of a war the jets clubbed with stealth can outrun enemy radars and can effectively perform bombing missions and destroying enemy’s radar installations, air defense installations and forward operational bases. This penetration will thus pave way for the air forces fighter jets to carry out further bombing sorties and to gain air superiority. 

Source - Tarmak 007

     With IAF actively supporting the AMCA project and Defense Minister calling for a brief, the project has gained speed and maybe accelerated to equip India with the latest jets. ADA has now received a change to its administration with Cmmdr C D Balaji taking over the reins from P S Subramanyam. DRDO is also now headed by S Christopher, a former DG of ADA who has stressed on timely delivery of products to the customers. The program once cleared will require at least a decade to materialize and the first squadron may start flying by 2028.

    Mastering Stealth and Super cruise capabilities will be a major hurdle for ADA in materializing the program but the ‘LCA program’ has given some much needed knowledge for ADA. LCA has surely evolved over the years and is ready to be inducted to the force soon. With various nations stepping up  to help develop the AMCA, a world class product by ADA is guaranteed. Time alone can answer if IAF will put its weight behind a home developed product?

Source - Tarmak 007

The "dry dock queen" undocks from HSL ready to guard the nation waters

INS Sindukriti Sails out for "Full Power" Trials 

The Indian navy’s depleting underwater fleet has received a major boost with ‘INS Sindhukriti’ a Kilo class submarine entering final ‘full-power trials’ from Friday off the Vishakhapatnam coast. The submarine was stuck in a refit for almost a decade at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Vishakhapatnam. The refit of the submarine began way back in 2006 at HSL, which would enable more advanced systems to be fitted on it. During the refit the submarine was to receive modernized control systems, weapon systems, sonar and other associated electrical systems. Aged well over two decades the submarine’s hull was set to be repaired and refitted to maintain the stealth.

      INS Sindhukriti was acquired from the Russians in early 1990’s and served the navy till 2006 after which she entered a midlife refit. The refit of INS Sindhukriti gained significance with it being the biggest-ever repair of a submarine undertaken in any shipyard in the country. The submarine was to be handed over to the Navy in less than three years after refit. The government for the first time had opted out of the option of sending submarines abroad for medium refits. But the planned refit turned disastrous as HSL kept negotiating with the deadline. HSL contributes this delay to Russia pulling foot with supplying modern technology to India.

 Furthermore HSL had zero experience, describing the delay in refit process the then CNS Sureesh Mehta had clarified “That kind of expertise did not exist in India before and this is for the first time that we are trying it out here. Instead of sending them to Russia all the way, this one is being offloaded to Hindustan Shipyards. There are some problems in their procurement procedures. It takes a little longer than is expected". The submarine will enter the navy after being docked for almost a decade. The submarine was fondly called the “dry dock” queen.

        Even though docked for a decade the submarine has received the latest control and weapon systems. The submarine is now fitted with the highly advanced indigenously developed USHUS sonar system, the sonar system is considered to be far superior to the Russian variant. The sonar system is developed by NPOL and is believed to be  fitted out on the Arihant class submarines. BEL (Bharat Electronics) has filed its CCS Mk-II an composite communication system. These systems are a new generation of communication system built specially for naval ships, the system enables data exchange in a more secured and encrypted means. Kirloskar Pneumatic Company ltd (KPCL) has pitched in with an upgraded 400 bar HP air compressor.

 The submarine has got advanced control systems and navigational package from Russia. The submarine has also received 100km of cabling and 30km of mostly high pressure piping has been renewed. Russia has provided the Klub-S 3M-54E1 land attack missile with a range of around 300 km. The missile can be fired from the submarine’s torpedo tubes. The Klub weapon system will now be coupled with Type 53-65 passive wake homing torpedo and TEST 71/76 anti-submarine, active-passive homing torpedo and the 9M36 Sterla-3 SAM launchers.

IAF DISPATCHES TASK FORCE FOR INDRADHANUSH-IV

IAF TASK FORCE TAKES OFF FOR INDRADHANUSH-IV

The ‘Guardians of our skies’, are on a transcontinental deployment to United Kingdom. Indian Air force has dispatched a ‘task force’ led by Group Captain Ashu Srivastava to take part in the fourth edition of the Indo-UK bilateral air exercise Indradhanush. Indradhanush provides IAF and RAF the unique platform to engage in mutual operations and activities thus enhancing the mutual operational understanding. Indradhanush will witness slurry of activities engaging both the air forces in a mutual operational environment and is slated to be kicked off on July 21.

The IAF aims to demonstrate its ability to project air power in transcontinental deployment of a The task force comprises of 4 Su-30 MKI air superiority fighters, 1 IL-78 , 1 C-17 globe master and C-130J tactical airlift aircraft. The Su-30 MKI is the mainstay air superiority fighter for the IAF, the jet is renowned for its manoeuvrability. The C-17 globe master and the C-130J will be part of the planned special operations which will see the participation of IAF’s special operation wing ‘GARUD’ and the ‘SAS’. The IL-78 will act as mid-air refueling aircraft thus complementing the operational capabilities.

The exercise will be staged from three RAF airbases, RAF Coningsby will be staging the Su-30 MKI and the Euro-fighters. The C-17 and IL-78 aircraft will be operating from RAF Brize Norton which also houses the transport aircraft fleet of RAF. The C-130J tactical lift aircraft and the GARUD Special Forces will be operating from RAF Honington alongside the mythical SAS Special Forces.

The Su-30MKI and the RAF fielded Typhoon aircraft will be operated in near war scenarios and will fly in formations intercepting simulating real time threats. The Il-78 aircraft will be operating as the mid-air refueling aircraft thus enhancing the operational range of the fighter jets. The C-130J tactical lift aircraft will be used for ground assist operations and will be the platform for the paradrop of GARUDS and SAS.  

Intraction with the boss of Tejas - P S Subramanyam, PGD and Director-ADA

Extracts of Interview with P S Subramanyam, PGD and Director-ADA

- Tarmak 007

It was an emotionally charged day at ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) HQ, 

Bangalore.The leader and pilot of India’s aerospace dream project the ‘LCA program’ bid a final adios to his office. P.S Subramanyam an M.E and ISSc scholar, a distinguished

scientist and the Director of ADA under whom the nations pride ‘Tejas’ took to skies

retired after serving the nation for 40 long years. P S Subramanyam completed his PG 

(Post Graduation) in Aeronautical Engineering from India’s premiere institution IISc. He

has Mechanical Engineering as his basic degree from the after sought NIT (National 

Institute of Technology), Warangal. P S Subramanyam started his service with DRDL

(Defense research and Development Laboratory) in the year 1975. He contributed 

significantly for the IGDMP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme) with his

vast knowledge in control, guidance and navigation.

P S Subramanyam joined ADA in 1986 which was set up primarily to look after the nation’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme. It was in the very initial phase of the programme that he was introduced to the program which was being worked upon by eminent engineers pooled in from various fields and Air force pilots. P.S. Subramanyam was elevated as the PGD and Director in 2005. Below is a long Q&A regarding 'LCA Tejas' as reveled by P.S. Subramanyam.

Q: The current fleet of IAF MiG 21 and MiG 27 are aging pretty rapidly and there are reports of IAF decommissioning nearly 3 squadrons of MiG 21 and MiG 27 by the year end. How will the gap be filled without FOC for Tejas?

A:  The initial orders for Tejas are on IoC configuration and FoC clearance will not come in the way of ramping up the production.

Q: Can Tejas be compared to other aircraft available in the international market, ex f-16 block-52 and JF-17?

A: In its class of aircraft LCA is equal if not superior and it is comparable in performance.

Q:  The total cost spent on the project.

A: Rs 7,500 cores has been spent to develop 2 TDs, 5 prototypes and 7 LSPs and establish a production line. The most economical programme in the world so far for the above purpose.

Q: What is the current production rate of Tejas, IAF is already phasing out the MiG-21?

A: The production rate is aimed at producing at least 16 to 20 per year. The production rate maybe doubled at a suitable time.

Q: What is the range of radar in tejas mk 1 and will it be improved in mk 2?

A: The radar range in mk1 is approximately 80 - 100 kms. It will be improved to to 120 Kms in mk2.

Q: Will private players be part of LCA to bolster the Tejas production capacity in the near future?

A: The option of involving private players is being explored.

Source - ADA

Q: When will we see the upgraded version of MK.1?

A: The upgraded version of Tejas MK1 can be expected in the next 2 years.

Q: Has the On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) been tested?

A: All the ground tests involving OBOGS has been completed and is ready for integration on a prototype vehicle.

Q:  What is the capability of Tejas in terms of precision guided ground attack roles and close air support to ground troops in the battlefield?

A: LCA can carry Laser guided bombs which can strike targets with less than a meter precision.

Q: Are our pilots satisfied with Tejas and its performance?

 A: Yes. The pilots find the aircraft extremely pilot friendly in its handling qualities.

Q: Your views on the export of Tejas!

A: Let's first take care of the needs of our customers. Exports will happen in future to friendly nations. There have been many inquiries during various air shows.

Source - ADA

Q: The home grown engine program ‘Kaveri’ is now scrapped, is there any plans to develop a new engine?

A: The dry engine development of Kaveri is on.

Q: The degree of stealth in Tejas?

A: Very minimal amount of stealth has been provided with Tejas.

Q: As the years roll by, the avionics maybe outdated will it be upgraded with the passing years?

 A: LCA is developed on an Open Systems Architecture which will enable continuous upgrades to the electronics.

Q: What is the level of composite materials used in LCA?

A: 40 per cent by weight and 90 per cent by surface area.

Source - Brodsword

Q:  Is Tejas capable of pulling 9G manoeuvres and is it comparable with other aircraft of its class in manoeuvrability?

A: Tejas is capable of pulling 8G’s and can be compared to all other aircraft in its class for performance.

Q: Is there any update from Cobham in reference to the supply of quartz radome and IFR probe? How vital is the Quartz radome? Is it possible to fire BVR missiles with the existing radar system?

A:  ADA will get access to the complete hardware in less than a month. The Cobham Radome will increase the range by about 10-15%. Yes BVR missiles can be fired with the existing radar system.

Q: What would be the service ceiling, ferry range and max speed of Tejas by the end of FoC?

 A:  LCA will enjoy a service ceiling of 15 km, ferry range will be 1500 km and maximum speed will be 1.6 Mach.

Q: Can the current radius of operation of Tejas be enhanced? What are the modifications required for it?

A:  The radius of operation can be enhanced by increasing the drag reduction capability and by carrying extra fuel.

Source - Net

Q: How many hard points are Tejas equipped with and is it sustainable for an aircraft of its class?

 A: Tejas has got 8 hard points and is optimal for this class of aircraft.

Q: An overview of the Electronic Warfare Equipment going into Tejas.

A: We have got RADAR Warning Receivers and planning to have the self protection jammers in the next variants.

Q: What is the Angle of Attack (AOA) of Tejas and is it in par with IAF requirements? 

A: The AoA of Tejas is 24-26 degree and meets the IAF requirements.

Q: Anything regarding the AMCA project and the challenges you may face as it takes shape.

A: AMCA configuration studies have been completed. The Engine requirement for the aircraft has been finalised. Stealth technology and super-manevourability will e the key challenges faced.

Q: What is the expected life span of a Tejas aircraft?

A: 30 years or 3000 hours.

Q: How many Tejas have been produced till date?

A:  As of now SP-1 has been handed over. 19 more are under construction in IOC config.  Two technology demonstrators, Five prototypes and 7 LSPs have been completed till date.

Sorce - Net

Q: The key differences between the naval version and the air force supplied aircraft? When will the naval version have its FOC?

 A: LCA Tejas will have strengthened undercarriage, leading edge vortex control devices, Arrester Hook, Drooped Nose, Fuel dumping and many more capabilities unique to the Naval variant. The naval aircraft will be cleared by carrier compatibility after our own air carrier INS Vikrant is available for tests.

Q: Tejas is slated to fire the Python and Derby missiles. Will we see the home grown ASTRA being fired from Tejas?

A:  Astra missiles programme was actually initiated at ADA only. All the time the integration of ASTRA on to LCA has been kept in mind while evolving Astra. Once Astra is cleared on any other platform it will be integrated on LCA.