Parrikar hints to invest huge amount in S 400 SAM

Parrikar hints to invest huge amount in S 400 SAM

   Defense minister Parrikar said in an interview with economic times, to save money we are planned to cut the medium range SAM procurement to buy more units of S 400 long range surface to air missile system. He also said deploying the S 400 close to Pakistani border will force the PAF to operate fighter jets from Afghan, saying with slight overconfidence.

Parrikar says this move will save more than $7 billion which are slated to spend for lower range surface to air missile systems. that he failed to study the operational differences between long range and medium range systems. Since air defense networks coupled in a layered manner who interconnected with civil and military surveillance radars.

Russia connects the FGFA contract with S 400, which makes some serious troubles in the IAF, who already invested funds in the Indo-Israeli joint project Barak 8. The missile is lesser in range, however, increased performance compared to the Russian S 400 system. IAF freezes the FGFA contract and the S 400 contract due to some issues in the PAK FA's performance.

The layered defense comes with, AAA batteries, such as 23mm and L 70 anti-aircraft artillery's, Quick reaction short range missiles like SpyDer, medium range SAM missiles like Akash, at last, the Barak 8 long range SAM, with additional deployment of homemade AAD, PDV for ballistic missile defense.

The above is layered defense system proposed by both air force and the army, who already operates the above-mentioned systems, except the Braak 8 and the BMD system. The Russian offer of S 400 increases the layer number and also expand the layer's cover zone from initial 80 kilometers into whooping 350 kilometers.

What defense minister saying is, removing few short, medium, long range missiles can save more money when they get covered by the bigger S 400 batteries. failing to understand the tactics used by fighter jets such as low flying, using decoy's, ECCM suites, jamming and more. Long range batteries can be spotted easily by the satellites because of its size, Since both S 400 and Barak 8 is highly mobile, they survive from such precision strikes by cruise missiles.

The defense minister failed to understand the another Russian tactics, using Indian money in every defense projects, Brahmos is absolutely a better platform, however, the clones of P 800 are widely used by other navy's. Even so, Brahmos meant to be 50-50 joint venture, Still India imports 65% of its components from Russia, The reason why production cost of Brahmos is very high and the reason behind the very low number of Brahmos stocks in arsenals.

What Russia planning is the same, By forcing the Indians keep on the S 400 and sacrifice Indigenous efforts to build such long-range missiles, where most of the S 400 equipment's could be outsourced, and it's very rare option of transfer of technology and making S 400 in India with more than 50% of sub-components.

Another question is the slow death of desi ballistic missile defense program, India has a good project for BMD mission, who comes in PDV, AAD in the first phase who is in the final phase of testing now, and AD 1 and AD 2 as the second phase for very long range protection. the BMD scheduled to be deployed before 2014, However the program slowly moving away from the revised timeline.

There is no idea what stopping the DRDO to deploy the BMD system. The 8th successful test of BMD conducted in November last year, deploying the S 400 will surely kill or slower down the desi BMD program. earlier some reports suggested that India went to Russia for the S 400 because of the seeker issues in the BMD missiles.




Reports circulated in the media, that defense minister said, deploying an S 400 launcher unit close to the border will force the Pakistani air force to ground all the fighter's or to be operated from Afghan only. It's clear the Range of S 400 may cover entire Pakistan, Question is can the S 400 take down every military airborne target flying in Pakistan If S 400 deployed close to the border.

Defense minister must acknowledge that China will deploy those S 400 close to Lhasa and in Tibet, which covers northern and eastern India, which includes capital New Delhi. the question repeats, can the Chinese S 400 stops the IAF jets operating from New Delhi and Arunachal.

On the other side, Indo-Israeli joint project Barak 8 almost ready to be operational, and both of them currently working on the land based Barak 8 launchers, even before the pre-production 40% of the Barak 8 components are from India, the % of Indian sub-components will increase in coming years. who decreases the acquisition costs gradually.

As of now all plans are in talks, same like the previous government, This deal to take the time to materialize.

A secret meet between Israel and India to prepare a $3 billion arms deal

A secret meet between Israel and India to prepare $3 billion arms deal

A meeting between Israeli Director general of Ministry of Defense along with his officials, Israeli ambassador to India Carmon, home minister Rajnath singh and defense minister Manohar parrikar held in Delhi, Friday. some sources close to Israel mentioned the meeting discussed about the Prime minister's visit to Israel and the proposed arms deal worth of $3 billions.

After the president, home minister and foreign minister visit to Israel, The Indian Prime minister gearing to visit the Holy land. This is the first official prime minister level visit to Israel. However Modi as Gujarat CM visited Israel earlier. The prime minister's visit is not only just a political visit, It's a key military level visit too.

India selected the Israeli firm Rafael to team up with Indian private company Kalyani, to build and supply third generation fire and forget anti tank guided missile to Indian Army. Rafael's Spike beat US Javelin, french and Russian firms to supply more than 300 plus Spike launchers and 8000 plus Spike missiles. The proposed deal not yet signed so far, the deal still on the cabinet committee on security for negotiations and preparations. 

Indian army announced the spike missile selection in October 2014, following joint venture between Kalyani and Rafael by February last year. Kalyani will make the missiles and launching systems, while Bharath Dynamics integrate the system into one. the Spike missile details and other information found here.

Days ago, IAF Selected the Israeli Spice guided bomb and new generation litening target pod to integrate into the Su 30 MKI. the reason is, to make the Su 30 MKI better in air to ground missions too, the details also found here. 

Indian Army is on the other side who repeatedly asking the land based version of Barak 8 dubbed as medium range SAM. The air force also asking the same, However some sources say India might sign a contract with Israeli IAI to supply one regiment of MR SAM, which comprising eighteen firing units. India also plans to sign mass acquisition of  Barak 8 missiles from IAI and DRDO for Indian Navy.

However there is no clear information about the proposed sale of armed Heron drone sale. Earlier it's reported that India already signed the deal with IAI to supply eight Eitan drone for some $400 millions. the earlier article about IAI Eitan found here.

Reports from Ministry said that, CCS and Finance ministry working closely with the Israel firms to prepare the final contract papers. which will be signed during the PM visit to Israel.

Barak 8 vs ESSM vs Aster 30

Barak 8 vs ESSM vs Aster 30

ESSM

    Barak 8, ESSM and the Aster missile are the new comers to defend the billion dollar warships from deadly supersonic sea skimming anti shipping missiles. They were not matured to intercept world's finest anti shipping missiles like Brahmos, and it's variants of Russian Yakhnot and Chinese CX 01 when these are fired in salvo mode.Barak 8, ESSM, Aster interceptor missiles systems are developed in the mind to intercept above said missiles, Almost all Navy's around the world has faced the threats. The Israeli's need them to counter the Hezbullah and Syrian Anti shipping missiles like Yakhnot and YJ 8. Europeans need them to defend against Russian Oniks, The Americans need to defend them from all the above plus the Chinese CX 01.

    There is no doubt that, All the above said interceptors can defend the Ship from single missile launches, With the help of Ship's AESA Radar and Interceptor missile's seeker. In comparison all the above has good range of upto some 90 km and interception altitude of some 60,000 feet. Mostly the Yakhnot's will fall into sea skimming altitude when they comes close to 100 kilometers before approaching to the target. As per open sources Brahmos lo lo lo range is 120 kilometers. That means 120 kilometer range in full sea skimming mode.

     There is another issue is detecting the supersonic lo lo lo missiles. It's believed the European Radar's like Selex, Israeli MF STAR and American AN/SPY  has better detection range and multiple target engagement mode. They can detect missiles in Single or salvo mode. Currently US Navy is the only one who tested it's Interceptor missiles against multiple threats simultaneously, with average successful results. All others has proved in theoretical calculations only.

Aster 30

   When a Navy battle occurs against major enemy like China, otherwise Europe against Russia, The rival Ships can fire multiple rounds of Missiles comprising Subsonic and Supersonic, and 130mm main gun shells to confuse the Surveillance Radar and Interceptor missiles. At the meantime the Missiles won't travel at predesignated or calculated path. they can change their altitude and flight path each and every second. Not only that due to supersonic speed they can hit the Ship in seconds. means the Interception party gets very less reaction time. Also there is no confirmation the Radar and missile won't give 100% interception. If barrage of eight Yakhnot variant fired against single target. Then sorry to the Ship, It will not survive. Actually it's bit different from theory to practical when comes to Missile interception.

      Other Side Israeli's are proved them best when shooting down hundred's of Rockets fired by Hamas Terrorists inside from Gaza. There is also less reaction time. Which was a good exercise for the Israeli's to mature their systems. Iron Dome along with his ELM 2084 AESA Radar performed very well during the past IDF vs Hamas clash.  The Iron dome is completely a CRAM- Counter Rocket Artillery Mortar system. which can intercept unguided rockets fired from Gaza. The Hamas from Gaza fires the Rockets over Israeli cities. Hamas typically use the directions and angles to launch the Rockets. Those Rockets are sometimes heavy in size, sometimes it's the tiny Mortar shells. Even though if they landed in populated cities they does make damages.

    Israeli's are proved them as best by countering all such threats who comes towards populated cities. Most Rockets heading to open places didn't get intercepted. During the last war against Hamas Terrorists IDF's Iron Dome Intercepted more than 421 rockets and mortar shells. However more than 2000 others fell over open places harming no one. By looking these breakthrough The Israeli's won't make them fool when developing a interceptor to kill enemy Anti ship missiles. Where one must understand the false alarm rate in the Iron Dome systems in these days.

     Compared to others, Israeli Barak is something more advanced than it's competitors, Barak 8 is the only missile with active radar homing seeker otherwise the infrared seeker, along with two way data link communicated through S Band (2 to 4 GHz ) frequency. With the additional guidance support from MF STAR, Barak 8 can safe guard the Vessel from multiple threats simultaneously. Here Barak 8 has lacks only in speed, all others has double speed than Barak 8.

    Here speed also a main factor, there were two mode of target interception, one is tail chase engagement another is head on engagement. The Tail chase mechanism is best method for interception and has high probability of interception. The ESSM and Aster travels at the speed of mach 4, while Barak 8 is only mach 2. One must understood the mechanism of warship defense is always based on head on engagement, there is no chance of tail chase in such scenario

     As clearly the interceptor missile gets only 90 second to intercept a mach 3 speed Yakhnot variant anti ship missile. Here the missile needs to be nose dive to perform a tail chase engagement, that almost take some 5 seconds. To perform the nosedive the missile must be capable to withstand High gravity force. meantime missile already escaped from the SAM's no escape zone. That's the major reason why the Israeli's won't care about the speed. Since the Interceptor need to perform Head on Engagement. Tail chase's are mostly used for aerial war fighting and to intercept long range subsonic cruise missiles.

Barak 8 Missile

     Here all the Missiles uses the Proximity sensor fused warhead for destroying enemy missiles, By spitting hundreds of fragments. This will further increases the interception probability. Barak 8 will carry 60 kg of warhead, while ESSM carriers 40 kg's of warhead and the Aster 30 carries more than the others. However some 50 kg fragmentation warhead is more than enough to destroy the threat.

    Over all looking it's possible for intercepting a barrage of six-six pair of Supersonic and Subsonic missiles in simultaneous threat engagement. However there is no credibility of Interception when Indian Destroyers and Russian cruisers fired a salvo of sixteen missiles into one target. Typical engagements do happen when full spectrum warfare against US Navy Carrier Battle Group targeting the Aircraft carrier. It's clear the Missiles can taken out the Carrier from Operation However The Ship won't sunk. 

Why Should India build a Heavy Destroyer

Why Should India build a Heavy Destroyer

  By looking the current Naval destroyers like Kolkata Class and Vishakapatinam class, those two lacks of formidable punch, makes less powerful in comes of defensive and offensive fire power, compared to western, pacific and American destroyers , the Indian Navy destroyers are less destructive fire power, Destroyer like Chinese Type 52 series and Russian  destroyers comes with heavy fire power, compared to the newest Indian destroyers.

   The Kolkata not only has less destructive fire power also lacks good numbers of anti air missiles, with the weight of 7200 Tons Kolkata can't carry more number of Missiles Launching paltforms, where it's counterparts comes with 10,000 tons of full load, So adding more weights for structural changes and carrying more ammunition and launching systems,

    The Kolkata comes with just 16 Brahmos cruise missiles, Brahmos is most trusted and finest supersonic cruise missile having both anti shipping and land attack capability, for both mission Brahmos carry's High explosive warheads to make much damage to the target, the Kinetic energy is enough to penetrate the Ship's hull and Super structure, for modern warfare, the ships won't die suddenly if it takes one Brahmos hit, most Chinese warships are heavily defended by variety of defensive systems, for better Results Ripple firing two or more Brahmos only makes good score, to  make sure the target ship is out of action,

   If Kolkata fires two missiles per target means, the ship suddenly looses it's teeth for sometimes or mostly a hour, until reloading completes, usually the reloading takes more than 50 minutes to makes the new missiles are ready to fire, the same goes for others too,  but they have less powerful missiles compared to Brahmos, even they were too capable to make the Kolkata as a floating iron, So it's needed to be future Destroyers should equip more anti shipping missiles and land attacking missiles, a combined Nirbhay and Brahmos at 16+16 cells makes the Destroyer more powerful in terms of striking range and Striking Power.

   However the real power of the American and Japanese ships are defensive capability, with the geographical positions the countries used the Ships to defend the mainland from external threats, means the Destroyer ships are their true defensive platform, comes with good number of anti ballistic missiles and warning systems, makes the ships and country more safer in terms of enemy attacks,

   Mostly in terms Frigates are used for escort purpose, which have full set of defensive capabilities, which used to protect the package from Air and underwater threats, however nowadays all such definitions are expired, now most of them builds multi role destroyer ships, which having less destructive fire power but comes with good number of anti air missiles,

   Probably, the defensive system comprises of Anti Ballistic defensive system, Long range anti air missiles, Short range quick reaction missile systems, and finally the Close in weapon system,  those countries uses multiple numbers of Anti ballistic missiles like SM series, mostly those comes with more than 64 such missiles, to intercept and destroy enemy Ballistic missile which came towards the mainland, makes the interception easier, and the missile debris also fell in the water. for long range anti missile system they uses the evolved sea sparrow missile system, which having range of more than 50 kilometers, used to protect the ships from enemy anti shipping missiles,

   Here India uses the Barak missiles, the newest Destroyers comes with 32 ready to fire Barak 8 missiles to intercept any kind of enemy Anti ship missiles, but the Indian Ships lacks of the QR SAM's , but navy planned to use the Indo French SR SAM Maitri in future ships, makes the Ships good against all kind of maneuvering targets, Foreigners use the Rolling Air frame missiles for the Short range interception, mostly those Short range missiles are fire and forget type and a spin off variant of Air to Air Missiles, most western Ships uses the AIM 9X spin off variant, and the Chinese uses the PL 12 missiles, The Maitri also a spin off variant of MICA missile.

   The Last line of Ship's defensive power is the cannon, most navy's uses 6 barrel 20mm or 30mm  gun system, each can rain more than 4000 rounds of bullets into the incoming enemy missile, those CIWS comes stand alone systems, means when it's activated it can destroy any kind of close targets, the Kolkata has four AK 630 CIWS systems.

  So far the Newest Indian Destroyers lacks of good number of offensive missiles, and zero numbers of QR SAM, where both can be sorted in upcoming destroyers,

INS Kolkatha test fires Barak 8 soon

INS Kolkatha test fires Barak 8 soon

       The Long Range Surface Air Missile (LR-SAM) will be tested-fired in India, coming October. LRSAM, also known as Barak-8, being co-developed by India and Israel had already been successfully flight-tested against a flying target in Israel in November 2014. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have joined hands for developing LRSAM, which has a range of 70 km

       Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) V Udaya Bhaskar told defence journalists on the sidelines of the two-day Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Summit (ADMS 2015) that the LRSAM project is moving in the ‘right direction.' "The programme has been going on for the last five to six years. The missile will have its Indian leg of trial in October. The current trials are for Navy and we will conduct parallel ground trials for the Air Force and Army variants as well," Udaya Bhaskar said.

        Mass production likely from next year He said BDL hopes to enter into mass production of LRSAMs from next year onwards, depending upon the outcome of the final trials. "There are a lot of tactical weapon requirements coming up. The success of Akash Weapon System (AWS) has given a big boost for indigenization for SAM (Surface to Air Missile) programmes," Udaya Bhaskar said.

       BDL presently has three manufacturing units situated in Hyderabad, Medak district (Telangana) and at Visakhapatnam (AP). The fourth unit is coming up in Amravati district of Maharashtra. "We plan to produce Very Short Range Air Defence Missile (VSHORAD) at the Amravati plant. The fifth unit is coming up in Ibrahimpatnam (Telangana) exclusively for SAM project.





       We are ready to join hands with private partners to take up high-end weapon systems," Udaya Bhaskar added. He said the current orderbook of BDL stood at in excess of Rs Rs 16000 crore. Adding more teeth to Indian Navy.

         DRDO officials had told OneIndia earlier that once cleared for operations, the LRSAMs will be fitted on the P-15 A Kolkata Class guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy. The missile's first ballistic flight test (short-range) was successfully conducted in Israel in May 2010. The first control navigation test of the missile was conducted in 2012. As per the original plan, initial short-range tests are to be held in Israel and the long-range ones in India.

The LRSAM project was sanctioned in January 2006 with an initial funding of Rs 2,606.02 crore.

 Article Published in One India

Finally Vikramaditya Gets it's Air Defense Systems

Finally Vikramaditya Gets it's Air Defense Systems 

       INS Vikramaditya the biggest ship to be operated by the Indian Navy, a floating airfield, city in the sea. The perfect power projector India and always ready to guard the troubled Indian Ocean waters. Entering the Indian Navy service in 2013, the Aircraft Carrier is now scheduled for a minor re-fit in its home port, Karwar.

    The ship was inducted without the all crucial CIWS (Close in Weapon System) or the PMDS (Point Missile Defence Systems) which can engage any kind of objects varying from missiles, UAV's to aircraft's. Being huge floating airfields the carriers cannot steer as easily as the destroyers or the frigates. The defensive suite of a carrier has a very limited range with a few kilometres ranging from 0-10 kilometres where as the frigates and destroyers enjoy a range of around 0-80 kilometres.  

        The ship has now anchored in its home port INS Kadamba,Karwar for its scheduled minor re-fit after serving the navy for two long years. The ship will now be armed with the all crucial defensive suite which includes installing Barak1 missiles and AK 63O CIWS systems and also including the radar and the associated control systems for operating the defensive suite. 

       The Barak-1 PMDS is an imported missile system from Israel and Indian Navy has placed this reliable system on all its front line warships and this system will be replaced by the more powerful Barak 8 system which is a jointly developed product of the DRDO and IAI. Vikramaditya will armed with 24 (3x8) VLS Barak-1 missiles. 

       The system has been acquired from the soon to be decommissioned frigate INS Godavari, the EL/M-2221 STGR fire control radar which is the primary target acquisition module for the Barak-1 system will also be imported from the aging frigate. INS Godavari was built in1983, and had adopted the Bark-1 systems in 2005. 

     The Barak-1 has a good shelf life and can hence be used in the modern battlefield against any incoming threats. INS Godavari will also be shedding its four AK 630 CIWS system which was also added to the ship only after 2005. Unlike Barak-1 the AK 630 was produced by the state run OFB (Ordnance Factory Board) under licence from Russia.  

      Russia had offered Kashtan CIWS which comes with two or four SR SAM missiles, but India had declined this offer. Rumours of India opting the American Phalnx CIWS was also adrift but was swiftly downplayed by sources stating no such tender was called and there was no tender for arming Vikramaditya with these systems.

 




     Although media reports of arming Vikramaditya with the more advanced Barak-8 system it looks doubtful with IN fitting out the ship with the EL/M-2221 STGR which cannot be further linked with the Barak 8 systems.

    The Scheduled Refit will mean Vikramaditya will taste the waters after a brief four to six month dry docking schedule. Vikramaditya will surely be missed of the Indian waters but is promised to return with more advanced systems to counter any threats it’ll face in the near future. yes we know we can build anything Faster, Just like LCA 

The ATC of INS Vikramaditya

 

AK 630 CIWS in Action

Barak 1 PMDS Firing

Editor Karthik Kakoor 

Project 15 Bravo Vishakpatnam Destroyer

Project 15 Bravo Visakhapatnam Destroyer

The Hull of P 15 B INS Vishakapatinam Destroyer

        Apart from the US Navy the Japenese become the second Biggest Navy, but the Chinese Sub merged platforms can give upper edge to the JMSDF, but no one can give good credits to Chinese Sub merged platforms, so the Japanese remains second, to fight against Chinese and Dominate the Indian Ocean Indian Navy need more powerful Destroyers, after the Delhi class and Rajput Class, Government plans to build more advanced Network centric Stealth guided Destroyers, hence the P 15 A the Kolkatha class ships born, by this project Navy would receive one Destroyer in each two years, after some delays the Navy getting those destroyers  now,

       The Indian Navy already receive first of the Kolkatha Class last year and get inducted and the second Ship Kochi is Expected to inducted in the Navy this year, and the final of P15 A the Chennai would be inducted in the coming Year,

    After that Indian Navy has another series more advanced Destroyers compared to the P15 Alpha, The P15 Bravo named Visakhapatnam class and it would be commissioned today, and can finish all trails and be deployed by 2018.

     In P15 B there were four ships planned each would be inducted into the navy with two years cap, Starts 2018 and end by 2024, compared to three ships in P 15.

    The P 15B Displacement mentioned at 7,300 tons lesser than 200 tons by P 15A, due to the more composite materials sleek design and Less Helicopter Facility, P15 A planned to carry two Helicopters but the P15 B will carry a Single SH 70 ASW, search and Rescue Multi role Helicopter.

  The Ships again to carry the More powerful Aegis alternate the Israeli MF STAR Fire Control Radar, which can guide the Ships Offensive and Defensive weapons and gives Target information's, the same MF STAR also the Main FCR in the P 15 A.

     The P 15 B comes with 32 VLS launch of Barak 8 and 16 VLS Launcher of Brahmos, as per Reports, but we can expect more numbers, that means additional 32 VLS Barak and 16 VLS Brahmos or the Nirbhay, and more Number for Maitri QR SAM expected to be 32 systems. also it have to be fitted with four AK 630 or SAM cum CIWS like Phalnx system, the information's not yet released.

   Also the Ship's main gun not yet to be Choose but the Finmccanica OTO Bereda  Naval Gun with Guided Shells may be win the deal, also no information about the RBU 6000 ASW launchers, some roumers also says the Ship can accommodate some Israeli Spike NLOS system for intercepting fast Attack Crafts and Speed Boats, a New method where most western countries are fitting the systems in their Ships.

  The Ship's Torpedo Launching capability is also unknown, but It's sure two or four Torpedo Launching Tubes would be Placed in the Ships, the same P15 A , Delhi class all equipped to launch four 533mm Torpedo's from the Deck.

    The Ships SONAR systems also not described which or what system would be selected the Indigenous Bow Mounted or Navy can import a foreign Bow Mounted SONAR. and no information about the crucial Towed Array SONAR, most of the Indian warships lacks this technology, even the P15 A yet to be receive the Towed Array SONAR. but as per SP's Article the TAS in P15 B comes without any delays, even they don't have the credible sources to prove it,

   The Entire Ship built with advanced Network Centric capabilities to fight in the Modern Battle field and can be work with more modern powerful Aircraft carriers, Nuclear Attack submarines and long range ASW planes like the P 8I.

    The sources also mentioned that the ship can sustain any kind of Nuclear Biological and Chemical Attacks, even most of the Ships designed to survive such attacks, but noting to say about this, but can these ships can survive when a Large scale EMP attack hit the Ships. Questions Remains.

      Also some sources said that Navy gets Help from Thales and IAI about the CMS (Combat Management Systems) Network centric Attack and co ordination also setting up the Radars to work even affected by the EMP.

  With long Questions yet to be answered which will be out in the Media's in coming Days. 

 

A Artistic Representation of Advanced Destroyer

A Delhi Class Destroyer

Rajput class Destroyer

INS Kolkatha a Kolkatha Class Destroyer