Former COAS Gen KV Krishna Rao Cremated with Full Military Honours

Former COAS Gen KV Krishna Rao Cremated with Full Military Honours

    The mortal remains of Gen KV Krishna Rao (Retired), Ex Chief of Army Staff (COAS) were cremated with full military honours at Brar Square, Delhi Cantt, today. He passed away in Military Hospital in New Delhi on 30 Jan 2016.

    

    The honorable President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his message stated, “Heartfelt condolences on the passing away of General KV Krishna Rao, former COAS. His exemplary services to the nation and the Army will always be remembered”. The honorable Raksha Mantri Shri Manohar Parrikar condoled the passing away of the General Rao, stating “The country has lost one of our best known military leaders. He was a visionary who led ably, inspired a generation of soldiers and initiated modernization of Indian Army in the early 1980’s. 

     His contribution in the 1971 War and maintaining the unity and integrity of the country shall always be remembered”. General Dalbir Singh, the COAS laid a floral wreath to pay tribute to General KV Krishna Rao and expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the former Chief. He stated that “Gen KV Krishna Rao was a soldier statesman who inspired a generation of soldiers and will continue to do so even after his demise”.

      General KV Krishna Rao had an illustrious career spanning over four decades in the Indian Army. He served in Burma, North West Frontier and Baluchistan during the Second World War, participated in the 1947-48 war against Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir and was a founder Instructor of the National Defence Academy during 1949-51. He commanded an Infantry Division in the Jammu Region during 1969-70 and a Mountain Division engaged in Counter Insurgency Operations in Nagaland and Manipur during 1970-72. 

 

     During this period his Division also participated in the 1971 India Pakistan War in Eastern Theatre and was instrumental in capture of the Sylhet Area and liberation of North East Bangladesh. General Krishna Rao commanded a Corps in the Jammu Region from 1974-78 and the Western Army Command during 1979-81. Post his tenure as 14th COAS of Indian Army, he also served as the Governor of the North Eastern States of Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura from 1984-1989, as also of Mizoram. Later, General Krishna Rao was appointed as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir during 1989-90 and reappointed from 1993-1998.

     Wreaths were laid on mortal remains on behalf of the honorable President of India and the Raksha Mantri. Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Minister of State External Affairs and former COAS Gen VK Singh, former Army Chiefs (General VN Sharma, General NC Vij, General Deepak Kapoor and General Bikram Singh), representatives of Chief of Naval Staff and Air Staff, representative of Government of Manipur and a host of serving and retired fraternity of Army were present on the occasion as a mark of respect to the former army Chief.

HAL Annual Report 2014-2015, Key Points

HAL Annual Report 2014-2015, Key Points

     HAL Releases the 2014-2015 fiscal year report, with exact information of last year's performance and auditing reports, The report also include HAL's joint ventures with foreign nations, new project's, and status of the ongoing projects. The Report also carry's the CAG's earlier report and HAL's statement as counter arguments. The entire report available to download here,

Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)

    LCH program witnessed considerable progress with completion of 133 flights during FY 2014-15 on three Technology Demonstrator vehicles taking the cumulative number of flights to 484. The third Technology Demonstrator vehicle TD-3 joined the flight efforts with its first flight on 12th November, 2014.

 Cold weather trials were carried out successfully at Air Force Station, Leh in February, 2015. To expedite the process of Initial Operation Clearance, production of 4th Technology Demonstrator was launched and this will join flight test program during the 2015-16.

Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)

   Design and Development of LUH progressed with achievement of many critical design activities during the year. Main gear box and Tail gear box wipe tests were completed along with functional tests. All gears for transmission system were developed. Whirl tower test for main rotor and tail rotor carried out. Initial Ground Test Vehicle (GTV) run was carried out on 6th December, 2014. 

   Build of the first prototype helicopter progressed with completion of four modules during the year viz., Transmission Deck assembly, Bottom Structure assembly, Engine Deck assembly & Cockpit assembly.

Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT)

     A total of 140 flights carried out during FY 2014-15 taking the cumulative number of fl ights 1004 sorties. Desirable stall characteristic were achieved, which is one of the major criteria for certification. High Speed Low Drag (HSLD) carriage at Out Board pylon, Anti skid testing, all cases of Drop tank jettison by jettisoning partial and empty Drop tanks had been carried out during the year. Flight tests for Spin performance are planned during 2015-16.

Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)

    As of end 2014-15, 2871 flights completed in total and 364 flights carried out during the year. Maiden flight of LCA PV-6 trainer aircraft was successfully completed on 8th November, 2014. Second Naval prototype, NP-2, made its maiden flight on 6th February, 2015. Telemetry free flying was also achieved during the year for the first time in the LCA flight program demonstrating the readiness for delivering the aircraft to operational use.

Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA)

    Contract Negotiation for R & D Phase progressed further with several Bilateral CNC meetings with Russian participation during the FY 2014-15. Hon’ble Raksha Mantri reviewed the project on 23rd January, 2015

Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA)

    Preliminary Design Phase (PDP) Documentation was received by MTAL, on 2nd April, 2014. Five Joint Review of PDP Documentation by IAF, MTAL, UAC-TA and HAL held. Formal closure of PDP to be carried out after final technical acceptance of PDP documentation by Customer (IAF).

Jaguar DARIN III upgrade

    Cumulative of 60 developmental flights were completed on Maritime and Strike variant upgraded aircraft. Operational performance of Avionics LRU’s such as Radar, INGPS, Head up Display, Digital Map Generator, Solid State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR), Solid State digital Video Recorder (SSDVR), IFF, Tactical Navigation (TACAN), Radio Altimeter RAM), INCOM Radio set, Auto Pilot and Engine Flight Instrumentation System (EFIS) were proven during flight tests.

    Development of OSAMC unit and Integration of SSDVR, New Smart Multi function Display (SMD), EFIS & RADAR and other navigational systems with OSAMC completed. Maiden flight of the upgraded Jaguar strike aircraft was carried out successfully on 25th March, 2015. The Design and Development work for this upgrade program is carried out indigenously by HAL.

Mirage 2000 upgrade

    Upgrade of Mirage 2000 aircraft progressed further with completion of System Design, Hardware Design and Software design. Critical Design review has been completed in April, 2014. Contracts have been signed for critical LRU/ systems. Two Aircrafts have been upgraded to IOC standard by OEM at France.

UAV

    Indigenous Design and Development of mini UAV has been taken up by HAL. First flight of Low cost Composite Technology Demonstrator (LCTD) was carried out in September, 2014. Auto pilot integrated on LCTD and flights carried out. Stage –II of Mini UAV project has been initiated.

Development of Engines

    Significant progress has been done in the Design and Development of 25 KN engine with completion of Core engine layout. Detail Design of core engine components has been completed and drawings were released for parts fabrication. On Design and Development of 1200 KW engine, engine configuration studies completed. Modeling and analysis of various engine components initiated.

Current Projects and Programs

     Currently, your Company is executing supply orders of Su-30 MKI Aircraft, Hawk Advance Jet Trainer Aircraft, Light Combat Aircraft, Dornier-228 Aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv), Cheetal Helicopters, Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) to Indian Defence customers. In addition, Limited Series production of Intermediate Jet Trainers progressed concurrently with the certifi cation eff orts towards Initial Operation Clearance. First fl ight of indigenously Designed and Developed mini UAV successfully completed on 23rd September, 2014. HAL made considerable progress in the
Design and Development projects.

Japan Unveils New 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Jet

Japan Unveils New 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Jet

      This Thursday, Japan’s new Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency revealed the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Advanced Technology Demonstrator – Experimental (ATD-X) fifth-generation fighter technology demonstrator, now dubbed X-2 and unofficially named ‘ShinShin,’ to the media at a heavily guarded hangar at a regional airport near the city of Komaki, in Aichi Prefecture. It has previously been showcased once already in May 2014.

    The X-2 is the country’s first domestically produced full-scale test model—a technology demonstrator—of a new indigenous stealth fighter jet design, which has been under development at a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plant in Toyoyama since 2009, with total program costs estimated at 39.4 billion yen (around $331 million).

   The aircraft—an “advanced technology demonstration unit,” according to the Defense Technical Research and Development Institute –unveiled to the press will not be armed and is slated to be retired in three years, after having undergone extensive tests of advanced fifth-generation fighter technologies, for which Japan’s Defense Ministry has allocated 2.3 billion yen ($19.3 million) in the next fiscal year alone. 

    It will be a testbed platform for multiple technologies including next generation electronically scanned array radar systems, multi-dimensional 3D thrust vectoring concepts, and fine-tune the aircraft’s stealth capabilities. (The X-2 features a special carbon-fiber composite material that absorbs radar waves.)

   The X-2 program’s goal is to eventually produce Japan’s first indigenously-designed fifth-generation air superiority fighter, designated F-3, with serial production slated to begin in 2027, although various delays in the development of the X-2 prototype including issues with the engine control software –scheduled to be fully developed by 2018– make a later date more likely.

    The X-2 with a length of 14.2 meters and a wingspan of 9.1meters is scheduled to make its maiden flight in February 2016. I explained in my earlier piece:

    Prior to its first test-flight, the aircraft will undergo extensive taxiing and ground trials at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries testing center located in Aichi Prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu. From there the fighter prototype is expected to fly to Gifu Air Field, an airbase of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, situated in the neighboring prefecture of Gifu sometime in February.

   Lockheed-Martin is purported involved in the development of the X-2 prototype. The American aircraft maker was prohibited from selling its F-22 Raptor stealth air superiority fighter to Japan in the 2000s, causing Tokyo’s defense industry to kick-start development of the X-2.

The aircraft unveiled this Thursday is the only X-2 prototype constructed so far.

Article first published in The Diplomat

US Plans military action against ISIS in Libya

US Plans military action against ISIS in Libya

     The US and it's NATO allies plans fresh military action in Libya to fight against the increased ISIS threats. ISIS in middle east slowly falling with the effective campaign from Iraq led mission which include France, US, German air force and Russian air contingent. The ISIS in Libya growing day by day by capturing lands and seizing weapons.

     After the fall of Libyan dictator Qaddafi, The nation turns into two side, Pro European Muslim government vs the Qaddafi sympathizers, Each of them having almost equal size of lands, While ISIS slowly plans to infiltrate the anti government troops to announce another Islamic state in Libya. Italy is the country who is close to Libya, who already plans and proposed military campaigns.

     Italy is the first nation who announced bombing the Italian ports, Boats and ferry's to stop the Libyans who tries to enter Italy. Nearly half of the Libyans who poses as Refugees capsized in Mediterranean sea, during the attempt to reach the Italian mainland. However the Italian parliament declined the proposed military action.

     Earlier photos appeared in social media's that Italian special forces known as GIS spotted in Libyan airport Benghazi with military gears. The Italian Special forces carried out some unknown numbers of raids in Libya to stop the ISIS gaining victories in Libya. the GIS  surgical operation almost succeeded.  After the special forces deployment in Libya, the number of suicide bombings and other bomb blasts decreased very much.

     The Libyan government also operates two MiG 23 fighter jets, which is used to attack enemy positions. Those aircraft's hardly gets airborne due to the lack of supports. They also have Russian supplied Mi 24 helicopter gunships which are effectively used against anti government militia and ISIS.

      Its better option, to eradicate the ISIS before it's arise. US deployed special operation units across many African countries, Recent bomb blast and hostage crisis in Burkino Faso, US and the French special forces is the one who responded  first against the Terrorists. The same goes most of the other African countries.

     Last December a group of more than thirty US special forces with military gears, ground vehicles and a private jet liner spotted in Libya. after the exposure, US government called off the forces. However it's believed they do carried out special operations inside Libya. Since one of their ground assault vehicle badly damaged in a fight against Libyan ISIS or the Anti government troops.

     Pentagon assured in a recent statement that says "A “small group” of US forces had made contact with Libyan militiamen, “simply to get a sense of who the players are, However the statement didn't mentioned about how much number of US forces currently deployed in Libya.

     The Actual plan is sending more than thousands of US ground forces in Libya to assist the Libyan government against the increasing ISIS threat. France and Italian forces also planning to join the campaign, many western sources expecting. It would be a wise decision to deploy forces in Libya, before the ISIS making their stand. 

    Last week, A senior US military officer, joint chiefs of staff chairman General Joseph Dunford, said he and his French counterpart were preparing for “decisive military action” against Isis in Libya. Dunford said he desired nesting a military campaign within a political settlement that has eluded Libya and its foreign allies since the downfall of Qaddafi.

 

Closing Ties, Russia and Pakistan prepares Joint Military Exercise

Closing Ties, Russia and Pakistan prepares Joint Military Exercise

    Pakistan and Russia once again coming closer by organizing a joint military exercise to validate the tactics and co operation between Russian and Pakistani armed forces, Both were agreed to conduct the first ever joint military exercise in mountains to enhance the relationship between Russia and Pakistan, A step to boost the Russian Pakistani military releationship.

    Russian commander in chief Oleg Salyukov briefed to media that, Russia plans to conduct/join seven joint military exercise with their allies, The major exercises include, Indian Russian Indra, Russian Mongolian Selenga, Russian Vietnam exercise along with the Russian Pakistani mountain drills.  

     The Pakistani's also confirmed the Russian press reports, Saying they were in talks with Russian to boost the military cooperation, they also pointed the recent contract of Mi 35 helicopters to Pakistan.

     Last week a Russian delegation arrived in Islamabad to meet with Pakistani counterparts to discuss about the attack helicopter delivery contract and the planned military drills. The Pakistani military chief Raheel also attended the meet, Sources said some other military deals too negotiated between Pakistan and Russia.

    Russia lifts the Pakistani arms embargo in June 2014, and send it's military leaders to revamp the Pakistani Russian relationship,  later in November Russia and Pakistan signed a bilateral defense cooperation to strengthen military relationship between both countries. In August 2015 Russia and Pakistan signed a deal to procure four Mi 35 attack helicopters with possible follow on orders in future.  

    Pakistan also asked the Russians to supply the Tor M surface to air missile in large numbers, The SAM acquisition program still in negotiations, The new generation mobile air defense batteries can pose serious threat to Indian air force, If IAF plans for a surgical strike inside Pakistan.

    Last year Pakistani Army chief visit Russia to discuss about the possible military sale of those Tor M air defense missile batteries, Pakistan also shown interest in buying the modified Su 35 S for maritime strike missions. Both the Russia and Pakistan confirmed about the possible negotiations for supplying upto 12 Su 35 S to Pakistan.

    It's already reported that Russia also assisting and plans to construct more nuclear power plants in Pakistan, with the assistance from China, Pakistan currently building three new pressurized water reactors.  

Re-Opening F 22A Raptor Production Line

Re-Opening F 22A Raptor Production Line

    There is many officials in the US air force who repeatedly asks to reopen the F 22 A Raptor production line to produce more improved F 22 fighters for the US air force with possible export variant of F 22 to friendly countries, As latest the US Air force secretary Lee James too says the same in a seminar at Washington, However he didn't mentioned about the export variant of  F 22 raptor.

     The Raptor's production line was closed after seven years of serial production from two production lines, one is from Georgia another from Texas, Both of these plants produce more than 187 flying units with eight prototype variants, The Lockheed designed the Raptor to provide effective air superiority to the US air force for the next fifty years. Raptor accomplishes the Lockheed's and USAF's wish, The Raptor remain one of the best fighter jet in the world.

    US initially planned to produce more than seven hundred Raptors to support the F 15 in air superiority mission in any contested zone, Due to budget issues, the orders are reduced by more than 50%, later the same once again reduced by another half, which brings the total F 22 numbers by just 187. USAF lost three of it's Raptors in crashes, which remains 184 currently in service.

    Pratt&Whitney who produces the F 119 engines to the F 22 remain opens for spare part and additional engine production, they agreed to double the production if US government agreed to do so, Meanwhile production line in above mentioned plants is remains, the tooling and other machinery items couldn't be removed, They can run the production line within a year, If US orders to produce more Raptor's.

      Total program cost of the Raptor is more than $67 billions, which include Research and Development and production of 195 flying units, Lockheed produced nearly 195 flying units for the above mentioned cost. Compared to other fighters the Raptor's operating cost is very high, For one hour of flying mission F 22 spends nearly $70,000 worth of resources, which is more than fifty lakh's rupees per hour, the amount is triple than the F 16 operating cost.

    However the performance wise Raptor remains top, compared to all other fighters, The service availability rate of USAF F 22 remains some 80% which is one of the best known figure, Indian Su 30 MKI service availability rate is just below 55%,

    The problem in the F 22 is, It has less number of sortie rate, most probably each F 22 can perform only two sorties per day, even that they required special base setups for housing the fighters, Due to it's golden canopy and the radar absorbent materials. So handling the fighters need huge manpower and special care.

    That's the main reasons behind the early closure of F 22 production line, after F 22 US mulls into a multi national project of Joint strike fighter with increased ground strike capability and lesser air superiority capability, The F 35 gets serious comments from all over the world, which include many aviation experts, calling the F 35 could be a better option for strike not for air dominance.

     The F 22 has been once offered to America's closest ally, Israel and Japan, Israeli defense official once openly said in a seminar that Israel negotiating to buy 24 F 22 A units for the price tag of $200 million per plane, Japan and Australia too express interest of buying F 22, however US didn't allowed to sell those fighters, later they all ended up with F 35, which is lesser in price compared to F 22 A.

     More than five years after closure of F 22 production line, each from Russia, China, Japan builds their own fifth generation fighters, even performance wise the F 22 beat all other contenders. It's pretty good option for the US and Lockheed to reopening the F 22 production line and build a exported variant of F 22 to friendly countries, which include Israel, India, Japan and South Korea.

     India not ready to invest another huge billions into Russian aviation industry, The PAK FA and FGFA program almost hits a roadblock, India has some alternate solutions for fifth generation fighter jets, The US made F 35 or joining with Japanese ATD-X program.

    Also there is a huge opportunity for India to buy some three squadron of F 22 Raptors specially to counter Chinese air force J 20, J 31 and Su 35 S,  The F 22 is a proven platform with it's performance over Arabian Gulf and over Syrian air space. The Pakistani's too get handful numbers of J 31 or Su 35 S near future. So the need of modern fighter in IAF remains very important.

    Many military analysts thinks the export variant of F 22 could help the Indian Air force to counter balance the Chinese in Asian region, The Indian signature of CISMOA, LSA and BECA with US may easily open the doors of top end US arms to India. The Indian government soon will sign the above mentioned agreement to check China.

Good Bye NAL Saras

Good Bye NAL Saras

    It's time to say good bye to the indigenous effort of building the light transport plane, The ministry stopped funding and asked the National Aeronautics Limited to relieve the Saras program. The government allotted nearly 300 crores to build the indigenous light transporter, which can carry three crew and fourteen passengers. two prototypes were built, one was crashed other remain grounded.

     The Saras project initiated after serious discussions from government leaders as well as military leaders, In early 1990, there is a requirement of more than 300 light weight transporter for both civilian and military purpose. Government asked the Russian to support the Saras program early 1991, Due to finical troubles Russians withdrew from the projects early stage.

     Serious troubles founds in the program once the Russians withdrew from the project,  NAL and the adviser CSIR- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research drafted plans to build the aircraft with own technology and idea with small support from foreign technicians and assistance from ex aviation experts.

      NAL almost laid the aircraft structure and looks for proper engine, The Aviation experts advised to use the turbo prop engines, for feasible study and further evaluation in the light weight program, NAL selected the Canadian Engine to power the Saras. The Pratt & Whitney PT 6A five blade turboprop engines which delivers 895 kW is selected.

    Saras fitted with improved version of PT 6 A engines, NAL almost completed the Saras construction, and awaits final order for flight testing, However due to the Indian Nuclear test and American sanctions, Canadians stopped supporting further on the Saras project, Indian engineers still working on with their own idea to fly the Saras.

     The government realized the need of indigenous systems, So they provide additional funds to speed up the project and asked the NAL to fly the Saras by 2001, However the NAL couldn't able to complete the task, NAL flown the first indigenously made Saras by May 2004.

     The Engineers found many problems in the air craft, which include over weight issue, and some other technical glitches, NAL continuously working on the Saras to mature the platform,  So they plan for another prototype to evaluate the performance. The second prototype flown in later 2009. Then the tragedy starts.

     On flying the second Saras prototype, Shortly after take off the aircraft went down, by killing two air force test pilots and one flight engineer. The issues were found in the engine and the over altitude flying brings the aircraft down, investigation reports suggested.

     After the crash the government didn't concentrated on the program, also didn't allocated more funds to evaluate the Saras. The first prototype also grounded for lack of support and spares. The Saras program engineers keep analyzing the Saras on the ground, with hope of rebirth. However Government announced in 2013, they will stop funding the Saras project, which is a first step to close the Saras Program.

     Further in early 2016, Government formally closed the Saras project and asks the engineers to move on with other strategic projects runs by NAL and HAL. with the 300 crores of money, lives of three officers one prototype with huge man power the program ends officially.

South China sea almost under control of China, Study warns

South China sea almost under control of China, Study warns

     The recent report who revealed the Pakistani nuclear missile threat, also study's about the possible outcome from the South China sea, and the Chinese illegal construction in the artificial island, which poses serious threat to South Asian interests, The main objective of the Chinese military is to operate the artificial island as a Forward military base.

     Not only the forward airbase, China also plans to build more number of aircraft carriers to stand against the pacific nations and the US Navy. China plans to construct nearly five new aircraft carrier before 2030. with new power projection and the artificial Island, China may eventually controls the entire south China sea, and explores all the natural resources close to South China sea, China may achieve this by 2030. The CSIS study reveals.

    The Study also proposes the US government to expand the fleet presence in South China sea, with the cooperation of south Asian allies, US is the first nation who sails within the territorial waters of Artificial Island, South Asian nations, which include India also send it's warships as temporary deployment close to South China sea to show off against Chinese activities.

     Recent satellite images shows the Island construction almost completed, China already started deploying it's military jets and other defensive missiles, China also send it's passenger aircraft in that Island, who also performed take off and Landing missions. China deploys artillery's and coastal missile batteries in the Artificial Island.

    In future China may pose serious threat against the US Naval ships, which makes the situation even worsen, Since many countries include India also invested huge amount in South China sea to explore natural resources for Vietnam.

     India plans set up a satellite tracking and imaging centre in southern Vietnam that will give Hanoi access to pictures from Indian earth observation satellites that cover the region, including China and the South China Sea. ISRO will fund and set up the satellite tracking and data reception centre in Ho Chi Minh City to monitor Indian satellite launches, the Indian officials said. with the expected cost at around $23 million.

     The Study Points three major facts, Protecting US citizens and allies, promoting trade and economy, and promoting universal norms, As simply stopping the Chinese to intervening in international free waters.   However the need of Asian alliance against China is must need to neutralize the Chinese  activities.

     Early, many Nations which include India and US plans to create a organization to act against Chinese illegal activities in South Asian waters, Which include the earlier air defense identical zone close to Taiwan air space and the Illegal claims of Japanese Senaku Diyaou Islands, However due to pressure from China and Russia forced to close the alliance against China.

    Pentagon warned the Chinese, just after the report from CSIS, Saying, "China taking 'self-isolating' steps in South China Sea ". the statement also stated that, US is trying to solve the South China sea through diplomatic routes, However China pushing the US to take military action against the Chinese, who posing threat against US allies,

    Carter who issued the statements and also spoke about the anti Chinese alliance, saying We don't seek to ask people to take sides. We do know that people are coming to us increasingly. Why is that? It is because China is taking some steps that I fear are self-isolating, driving towards a result that none of us wants.

India unveils home made COMJAM & EW System

India unveils home made COMJAM & EW System

    Indian Army unveiled the improved communication jammer and electronic warfare system on the Republic day parade rehearsal, The future battle relies on soft kill and effective jamming techniques. Nations like Russia Israel and US invested huge amount of money to research on ground based jamming system, to effectively counter guided munitions and communication frequency.

     It's back in 2005, Team of DRDO, BEL and Army's signal corps jointly developed a communication jammer known as Samyukta, Samyukta is designed to perform multiple jamming, such as wide range of communication frequencies, Electromagnet spectrum used in communication and illumination, The system also capable of handling electronic intelligence and communication intelligence.

    The Samyukta has less range compared to it's other counterparts, The range of  Samyukta is some 150x70 square kilometers. The Samyukta also act as a direction finder too, by intercepting source of the signal location too. The classic performance of Samyukta is jamming all kind of radio frequencies from High Frequency to milli meter wave frequencies, So Samyukta can jam radar frequencies too.

    Jamming the electromagnetic spectrum gives an upper edge to the System,  Samyukta will jam enemy surveillance signals, voice and radar frequencies, while ensuring its own signals are not jammed by the enemy. The appearance of such system always maintained as high level secrecy due to the importance of the system. The system act as a heart of future battle's.

    Compared to the Samyukta, The newly unveiled integrated communication electronic warfare system seems more powerful with set of two vehicles or more, comprising antenna's and small dish antenna's. the new system also capable to jam frequencies over 10,000 square kilometers of area.

    Indian Army already deployed those system in J&K to effectively counter the signals which can be used by militants, Such as jamming the wireless phones, satellite phones, and radio receivers. However they too jam the mobile communication if the threat level increased.

     Soft kill is the technique which can be used to disrupt the electronic circuits in the guided munitions, Smart bombs who having pin point accuracy relies on either laser guidance or the satellite guidance, The laser can be countered easily by the smoke dispensers, However jamming the satellite or GPS guided munitions is bit harder, So GPS can be jammed by jamming the dedicated frequency only.

    More over most of the long range missile uses the GPS and INS guidance system for long range strike missions, If the GPS/INS guidance jammed in terminal phase the missile will strike the false target, The main reason why many nations invested huge amount of R&D in such jammers.

     Another is the communication jammer, This jammers specially used for suppress the frequency, most of the wireless and satellite communications works on VHF or UHF frequency, Jamming the mentioned frequency can disable communication between the deployed troops and Command center.

    Russians are the best example who uses the ground based jammers. In Ukarine they installed huge antenna array's which can act as communication jammers.  The R-330ZH Zhitel installed in Mariupol, Ukraine can jam mobile, and satellite phones within some 5000 square kilometers,

    Also another EW system Karkusha deployed in Syria to safe guard Russian air base from US and NATO intelligence missions, Mostly within the operating zone of those jammers, no one can send or receive anything from others using normal mobile comm or Satellite communication.

India deploys P 8 in Navy's forward airbase Andaman

India deploys P 8 in Navy's forward airbase Andaman

     To effectively counter the Chinese threat in bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean, at first India temporarily deploys the long range P 8 I maritime patrol aircraft in Andaman. the temporary basis deployment is the first step to permanent deployment of other naval air assets in Andaman, After brief report from security concerns in Andaman strategic location, Navy plans to deploy fighter jets, maritime patrol aircraft's and more warships to defend the Andaman from Chinese threat.

      Andaman's geographic location gives us an upper edge to counter Chinese movements close to Bay Bengal via Malacca straight, Andaman is located some 1300 km off from Indian main land, and some 1000 kilometer off from the Malacca straight. China uses their naval units to access occupied coco Island. Which was illegally captured from Myanmar, the actual distance from Andaman and Coco Island is just 70 kilometers

       China placed a naval listening post in coco Island, to watch Indian Naval activities along Bay of Bengal, they also monitor Naval ship movements close to Andaman and Nicobar Island's. Most of the times China uses their submarines to access their occupied Island's. with that they can test Indian anti submarine capabilities too. They indeed send their modern destroyers too, Earlier many times Chinese tried to ram Indian warships close to Andaman.

      After rising security threats from China, Indian Navy slowly fortifies the Naval emplacements in Andaman, By deploying more warships, coastal missile batteries, surface to air missiles and surveillance drones, The modernization plans almost drafted and it's in progress but slowly.

     At first step, Earlier Indian Navy sends their MiG 29 K fighter aircraft to Andaman's Naval air base known as INS Baaz, The Runway has more than 3000 feet length which can capable to to operate bigger Military planes like C 17 and P 8. The MiG 29 along with some Navy's Dornier Do 228 also operated from the Andaman Islands.

      Expanding the wings, as per modernization plans, Navy deployed it's P 8 I submarine hunter which was bought from USA. Those ASW Planes were bought to monitor Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, hence all the P 8 I has been deployed close to Chennai, INS Arakonam. The P 8 I mostly used to monitor off the Chennai coast from Chinese intruders.

       Now Navy checking it's capabilities by deploying it's long range maritime patrol aircraft in Andaman. Navy completed two week temporary deployment mission in Andaman. Indian Navy operates eight such planes, and almost close to finalize another four, The new batch of four could be deployed in Andaman Command. Adding those ASW planes in Andaman can monitor  each and every Chinese naval activities from Malacca Straight to Coco Island's.    

       Navy already issued a Coastal missile defense batteries, Mostly the Norwegian based NSM could be bought and more than two batteries could be deployed along the Andaman coastal, to effectively counter Chinese Warships. Indian Navy uses Russian Coastal batteries close to Mumbai, However they were older generation missiles. Navy plans to field the Brahmos batteries, due to huge costs, Navy thinks NSM is best option.

     Recent reports confirmed, Navy already deployed Israeli made searcher unmanned surveillance vehicles in Andaman to monitor the Andaman coasts. It's believed Navy may deploys more number of such UAV's in coming years.

Stalled Pakistani naval Modernization Programs

Stalled Pakistani naval Modernization Programs

    The Pakistani Naval power slowly depleting day by day without having any future programs, except some newly planned submarine acquisition program from China, The Surface fleet of Pakistani Navy sinking day by day without having proper modernization and no future inductions. Pakistani's one and only known ally China also hesitate to provide  their top class Type 52 Destroyers.

    Pakistan has small coast line, who having no real threats from foreign nations. The Indian Navy too won't engage first until Pakistan fired the first shot. Pakistan has nearly 700 kilometers long coastal line bordered with Iranian waters and Indian waters each side.

    Pakistan Navy has quite good submarine fleet comprising AIP powered Agosta 70 and 90 B Class, Pakistan Navy operates five modern submarines, they also capable to fire Excocet anti shipping cruise missile, Those submarines gives under water protection to any threats posed by Submerged and Surface vessels.

    Pakistan also plans to buy eight Chinese S 20 class submarines, which also powered by diesel electric and propelled by AIP. Pakistan also has plans to customize last two of the S 20 in Pakistan by adding ballistic missile launch techniques.  By looking, Pakistan have better plans for safe guarding their waters from underwater threats. Due to smaller coastal line, Pakistan has very few strategic locations to hide their submarines,

    Foreign Navy's along with their satellites can easily track Pakistani submarines at any time, Pakistan have only two Naval bases who can accommodate those Submarines, One is situated in Karachi and another is Ormara. So it's very easy to keep watching those Naval bases 24x7 to track almost all Pakistani Submarines.

   On the other side, Pakistan Navy's surface fleet has no future, except some cutters and missile boats, Pakistan's primary anti shipping cruise missile is the Chinese made YJ 8 cruise missile, and the major warships like ex US and UK Frigates in service with Pakistan navy has older generation Harpoon missiles.

    Pakistan also have a dedicated fighter squadron for maritime purpose, Two squadron of JF 17 has been configured to carry C 802 anti shipping missile, Pakistan also has seven P 3 anti submarine aircraft's who can also delivers Harpoon missiles.

    Attacking Pakistani Naval ship is very easy job for the Indian Navy's naval air arm and the Surface ships. Almost all the Indian front line Naval ships has long range air defense umbrella to protect the vessel from broad range of threats, Indian Ships also have better sensor and processing system, Those new Kolkata class ships has AESA multi purpose radars for long range target detection and act as a fire control radar too.

  Pakistan has only one Naval frigate who has a long range surface to air missile, that's the Ex US Navy Oliver perry class frigate dubbed as PNS Alamgir. The arm launched SM 1 MR missile has a interception range of more than 60 kilometers. The Ship also has Harpoon missiles too. PNS Alamgir is the only ship in Pakistan Navy who poses  deterrence against India.

    Pakistan has no clear path to build a major warship in his house, Because the west or America won't give the much sophisticated sensor and processing systems to Pakistan, However they get full support from China and Russia, Pakistan also has options to get new warships from Russia and China, The cost only matters, That's why Pakistan builds and buys only small craft's like Missile boats and corvette's.   

    However Almost all Indian Navy's Anti shipping missiles  better in terms of reliablity and performance also have far strike range capability, from American Harpoons, French Exocet, Russian Kh 35 and the Indian Brahmos all have stand off capability, If Indian Navy launched a barrage of supersonic and subsonic cruise missile against the Pakistani ship there is no way to survive against the attack.

    Indian Navy has the prime target that's the Pakistani Navy, In all war against Pakistan, Indian Navy didn't shown any mercy to Pakistan, If Indian Navy gets order of free hand, Pakistani Navy can be destroyed in matter of days. During the 1971 war The Indian Navy scored more than 2000 enemy kills which include sinking of two major warships, one submarine and eleven other vessels. As the economic blockade Navy sinks 18 major cargo or communication ships.

Army looks to buy more weapon locating Radars

Army looks to buy more weapon locating Radars

    Indian army all set to buy additional number of weapon locating radar's to deploy along Indo Pakistani border. The weapon locating radar scan the designated area about the possible fire from enemy Mortar Artillery and Rocket launchers. The WLR exposes exact location of the source of the fire. India plans to more number of such radar's after the Pakistani's redeployed heavy mortar units close to Border.

    Last September India express concerns of Pakistani heavy mortars deployment close to Indian borders, which can be used in ceasefire violation who causes civilian causalities in Indian side. Indian delegation asks the Pakistani's to remove those heavy mortar units close to the border, However the Pakistani's rejected the Indian Proposal and continued their deployment.

    Those unguided shells from mortar, artillery and Rocket launchers will havoc the enemy position once they ignited. In the Kargil war nearly 80% of the Indian Causality was the victim of Pakistani Artillery's. Even before the Kargil, Army insisted the ministry to buy weapon locating radar to effectively conduct counter fire mission.  Ministry didn't hear Army's plea at that time.

    After the Kargil war, India made a contract with US Raytheon to supply nearly 20 weapon locating radar named AN TPQ 37 at the cost of some $200 millions. The Pakistani's using the older generation system which was effectively used in the Kargil war. Raytheon completed the delivery of those system by 2007. They supplied the Radar units which were mounted in BEML Tatra Trucks.

    DRDO-LRDE-BEL mulled to create such system in India, who gives birth to the Swathi Radar. who is similar in looking and capability of American AN TPQ 37 system. The Radar show cased first in 2003, After completing design improvements and army's evaluation trails the radar gets order from Indian army in 2008. At first batch Army ordered nearly 28 system from BEL. with the possible order of another 24 units.

    Rajendra radar is the variant of swathi radar which has been used in the Akash surface to air missile batteries. The Indian team also planning to modernize the radar by increasing it's effective detection range and reducing the false alarm rate. Swathi can detect incoming shells upto some 40 km which can be decrease relativity with the size of the target.

    Swathi is a phased array radar, which can capable to scan upto 100 square kilometers, can track multiple targets and stores nearly 99 enemy firing locations. the location coordinates can be shared with nearby artillery units or the fighter jets to destroy the source of the fire.

    The Israeli's are using the EL/M 2084 3D Multipurpose active radar's for weapon locating purpose, and also for surveillance and fire control to the Iron Dome system. the Radar EL/M 2084 can transfer exact firing location to the Israeli air force to carry out attack on source of enemy fire.

    The reports didn't reveals does India buys the home grown systems from India or from Abroad, There is many such systems available across the globe such as Arthur, Mamba etc.

Should India build more 40,000 ton Vikrant Class Carrier

Should India build more 40,000 ton Vikrant Class Carrier

   The Cochin shipyard who builds the INS Vikrant carrier, looking to build more such ships to keep the shipyard busy for next five years. The larger shipyard who can capable to build more than 40,000 tons and 900 feet medium air craft carrier, now building small warships. Cochin shipyard earlier asked the Defense ministry to allow them to build more Vikrant carriers.

    As of now Indian Navy has one fully operational STOBAR carrier INS Vikramaditya with 30 MiG 29 K fighters as main arm. The other ship INS Viraat almost out of action and could not be used in battles, INS Vikrant on the other is almost in final touch ups and yet to attain carrier trails. The ship all set to commissioned into the Navy by 2018.

   So afterwards 2018, India may get two operational aircraft carrier each armed with 30 MiG 29 K modern 4+ generation fighter jets. compared to the Vikramaditya the Vikrant is better in design and armaments support. The ship powered by the American engines and added with more number of Naval artillery guns. Vikrant is the first carrier who comes with four 76mm naval artillery guns.

    Vikrant comes with state of art sensor and processing systems, the Carrier comes with European AESA based long range surveillance radar and the Israeli made Multi function  AESA radar for both fire control and surveillance. The designer  made smart move by splitting the MF STAR radar by two to reduce the clutters and blind side.

     The addition of Barak PDMS and long range Barak 8 gives protection against all kind of incoming threats, such as sea skimming missiles and fighter jets. the defense system also include OFB made AK 630 30 mm cannons for close in weapon system support. The ship will carry two AK 630 Gatling guns.

  

  The above mentioned unique features makes the Vikrant one of the most sophisticated conventional powered carrier in the world. So the Cochin shipyard proposes more such ships for Indian Navy. The navy didn't shown interests in the follow on Vikrant for only one reason, It's the STOBAR configuration. Who allows to take off only medium weight fighters, The STOBAR couldn't help the Fighter in the launch position unlike the CATOBAR or EMAL.

   The CATOBAR carriers are more capable carriers than the STOBAR, catobar assists the fighter jet during the launch time by firing the fighter from it's deck, So the fighter jets can carry more weapons and looses very low amount of fuel compared to the STOBAR carrier. Both the carriers can assist the fighter when landing by using the arrestor wires.

     India is not new to the CATOBAR, Earlier the Navy used the Sea Hawk fighters from the INS Vikrant carrier, The carrier is 20,000 Ton weight and 700 feet length. It can carry 24 fighter jets. INS Vikrant decommissioned in 2005, after the Navy found there is no use of such carrier and it's wing in modern battle's.

     Indian Navy already issued a RFP to build four LHD ships in India, each weighting more than 20,000 tons, Who were actually a helicopter carrier Amphibious assault ship. Many sources suggested Navy might buy the F 35 B VTOL version for LHD's fixed wing.

    Navy already in plans to build a modern carrier with powerful propulsion and launching mechanism with American support. The INS Vishal comes with EMAL launching system and  powered by nuclear propulsion, which can carry modern heavy fighter jets like F 18 E/F, Rafale M or the F 35 C. The carrier still on papers. INS Vishal becomes reality only in 2030.

      So before 2020, Indian Navy may operate two STOBAR carriers and four VTOL/LHD carriers. Those six of them enough for defending the Indian coasts with dedicated carrier air wings. That's why Navy didn't look upon more Vikrant class carriers. One must understand the issue building and commissioning a vikarant class carrier costs more than $3 billions. Navy couldn't afford another $6 billions for two more Vikrant class carrier,

    Navy already driving funds to Submarines and Helicopter procurement plans and ofcourse in the INS Vishal project too, Even if Cochin gets any export order of Vikarant derivatives, It can build the ship not the power plant, Radar and fighter aircraft's. which comes from foreign nations.  

Terrorists storm Pakistani University, More than dozens killed

Terrorists storm Pakistani University, More than dozens killed

   Unidentified gunmen entered Bacha Khan University in Khyber Pakhtunkha’s Charsadda town in Pakistan around 9.30 am and opened fire on students and faculty members who had gathered at the school for a poetry recital to commemorate the anniversary of the peace activist whom the institution is named after.

    Mass casualties are feared in the attack reminiscent of the deadly December 2014 terrorist strike on the Army Public School in Peshawar which left over 140 dead — most of them students.

An Edhi volunteer said he has seen the bodies of at least 15 people.

   One Rescue 1122 official said, “The boys section [of the hostel] has been affected. Victims have mostly been hit by bullets.”

   About 3,000 students and 600 guests has gathered at the campus to hear the poetry recital when the gunmen targeted them.

   DIG Saeed Wazir said two attackers have been killed. A professor identified as Dr. Hamid of the Chemistry Department was also among the killed, according to a teacher who survived the attack.

    Security personnel are still entering the school to control the situation. Wazir said most of the students had been rescued but several gunmen remained at large inside the university.

   The remaining terrorists are giving stiff resistance to security forces. Intelligence sources say eight to 10 terrorists are still inside the school.

    The families of students have gathered outside the school. Journalists and all other non-essential personnel have been asked to stay back.

    Emergency has been declared at major hospitals. The district headquarters (DHQ) hospital is treating nine of the injured. As many as 50 people injured were treated on site. Those in critical condition are being shifted to hospitals in Peshawar.

   A teacher told a Geo News anchorman on phone that an explosion had taken place at the campus amid gunfire.

    Pakistan Army helicopters are monitoring the situation to provide better spatial awareness to the forces conducting the operation on ground.

     According to one witness who escaped the terror attack, the gunmen had taken position at the entry points of the university. “I saw three attackers engaged in an exchange of fire with security guards of the university. One was positioned at the roof, another near the corner and the third near the wall.”

   “We rescued the university’s guards and then I saw the attackers engage the arriving police party.”

   Attackers are believed to be on the second and third floors of the campus buildings.

    Shabir Khan, a lecturer in the English department, said he was about to leave the hostel for the department when firing began.

    “Most of the students and staff were in classes when the firing began,” Khan said. “I had no idea about what’s going on but I heard one security official talking on the phone to someone saying many people had been killed or injured.”

from Asia Times