DRDO Plans maritime mission onboard C 295

DRDO Plans maritime mission onboard C 295

State firm DRDO plans to modify the C 295 military transport aircraft into a multi mission maritime aircraft to meet the requirement of Navy and Coast guards medium maritime patrol aircraft. The Navy plans to add new generation maritime patrol aircraft to boost the surveillance capabilities in Indian EEZ replacing the older Il 38 SD.

DRDO plans to integrate the existing maritime surveillance radar onboard the upcoming  C 295 Aircraft. Which TATA gets license from Air Bus to produce them in India. DRDO already successfully integrated the Airborne AESA radar onboard the Brazilian Embraer. Which is going to be inducted into the air force before the end of this year.

Navy already floated an RFI which focusing medium range patrol aircraft, where Lockheed's SC 130 and Swedish Swordfish responded. However state firm DRDO offers the state of art home made maritime surveillance radar. whose ground version already operational in various naval stations across India and friendly nations.

DRDO facilitates the C 295 MMMA into many roles, MMMA stands for Multi mission maritime aircraft. Which can perform

• Maritime and pollution surveillance
• Search and Rescue
• Cargo and Personnel transportation and
• Air Ambulance

The primary maritime surveillance can be achieved with the state of art airborne maritime radar, which can work along with the integrated coastal surveillance system for better surveillance and real time data transmission with friendly units. The Radar can perform search and track mission, who keep an eye on the targeted vessel. Also Classifies it's model and operator, identifying whether it's friendly or hostile, and provide communication support to friendlies in network denied zones.

With the support of satcom link, the C 295 can communicate with the base operating center and receive real time information from either base or friendly ships. The SATCOM link connected with existing navy's communication satellite INSAT.

Not only for Navy, Coast guard also keen to procure modern maritime patrol aircraft. with the same above capability. However it's highly unlikely Coast guard may receive the C 295 based MMMA. while Navy's primary requirement include underwater detection system for anti submarine warfare, which the C 295 MMMA can't.

As per Indian orders, Air force plans to induct more than 56 C 295. where initial 18 comes directly from Air bus plant, while all future numbers will be produced in India under TATA's plant. Air force already planning to induct a gunship version to provide close air support to the ground troops by adding 30mm cannon and missile launching racks.

C 295 recently spotted in HAL air port Bangalore. Suggesting that DRDO and HAL team exploring the options to build modified C 295 to suits Air force and Coast Guard requirements.  

There is a Maritime patrol aircraft available in the market based on the C 295,Navy's like Chile and Portugal already operating them. and it does have anti submarine capabilities too. The maritime variant of C 295 aka Persuader also had four outer hard points to launch anti shipping missiles.

Operation Maitri - Restoring and Rebuilding Nepal

 Operation Maitri – Rebuilding Nepal

   At around 12’0 on 25th the April, the earth shook in Nepal and across northern and eastern India. Nepal was struck by a 7.8 magnitude earth quake which reduced the nation to rubble's, Eastern India bear the brunt with the several buildings across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. The earth quake triggered avalanches across the Himalayan range. Landslides were witnesses and major roads were taken out.

       Aftershocks continued for several days, the highest measuring almost up to 7.1 on the Richter scale. The earth quake had left a trail of destruction and several villages across Nepal were left inaccessible. Going by the magnitude of the earthquake it was sure that the casualties suffered in the calamity was very high and the rescue missions were the need of the hour.

      Nepal was overwhelmed by the scale of destruction and with a limited military and para-military force was forced to look out for a multi-nation rescue operation. Being Nepal’s immediate neighbor India responded with in minutes to the request. PM Modi promised a full scale rescue mission would be mounted within the shortest possible span.

        It was decided that the immediate response team would consist of rescue and medical teams which were formed by the NDRF and Ghurkha regiment officers. The first C-130J carrying NDRF officials and 3 tonnes of medical and emergency supplies took off by 4:00 PM. Air force, Army and NDRF assets were immediately put on standby for any eventuality. GOI planned further missions once the airport in Nepal was declared safe for operations.

      The NDRF was charged with carrying out the rescue and relief mission and the army was charged with setting up facilities for relief operations. By the evening ten teams from the NDRF consisting of almost 500 personnel and sniffer dogs were ordered to be flown to Nepal with the assistance of IAF. With the KTM airport being declared safe for operations, IAF rolled out the gigantic C-17 Globe master III.

     The C-17 on the first day was dispatched to KTM with NDRF teams, Rapid Action Medical Teams (RAMT) and Medical teams. The aircraft also carried essential supplies which consisted of blankets, food packets, water, medical supplies, tents and transportable operation theaters for the RAMT. The IL-76 heavy lifters were also pressed into action. By the first day Indian Air Force had carried out more than 20 sorties and had evacuated thousands of survivors which included citizens from US, UK and many other nations.

      IAF had operated sorties throughout the night flying to and fro from KTM. By the second day the operation was officially code named “Operation Maitri “, IAF by then had pressed more than 10 aircraft into action which included the C-17 Globemaster III, IL-76, C-130J and An-32’s. Sunday morning flights were dedicated to transporting urgent medical supplies and medical teams. Engineering teams were also dispatched which were instrumental in setting up forward field hospitals and tents to accommodate the survivors.

           The second half of the day saw IAF making sorties with additional NDRF teams and engineering teams. Almost 50 tons of water and 22 tons of food supplies were stacked up in KTM airport. India also started mounting a huge scale evacuation operation and operated 35 buses from Nepal. Bad weather and repeated aftershocks forced IAF to hold back pressing the helicopters into service.




          On the ground the NDRF and the Army jawans had started searching for survivors. NDRF teams were pulling out survivors from debris. The injured were being treated in first aid centers setup across the nation. To treat the critically wounded were being taken care of in forward field hospitals which included OT’s and ICU’s.

         The engineering teams primarily started constructing as many field hospitals possible and then concentrated on pitching up tents for the survivors. The engineering team was also put in charge of clearing debris and clearing roads, which could then help gain access to remote villages. With the tents setup the army started with the process of distributing food and water to the affected and the process of rehabilitation to the centers started.

         With roads being rendered inactive many villages remained inaccessible, to access these villages IAF pitched in their helicopters. IAF initially deployed 8 Mi-17 and 2 Dhruv’s to assist in the operations. The Mi-17 and Dhruv dropped relief supplies to the worst affected valleys where landing was not possible. Several wounded and stranded people were evacuated in the helicopters from the remotest areas. Dhruv under the Army Aviation corps was also pitched into service.

      The rotary crafts served the remotest areas of Nepal and helped save thousands of injured and survivors. The Mi-17 were based at Pokhara and Kathmandu. These Mi-17’s were part of the large scale relief and rescue operations in inaccessible areas like Barpak, Gorkha, Aroghat and Lukla.

       The combined Indian forces worked in Nepal for well over 40 days. The Air force and army together flew more than 2223 sorties in a span of just 38 days. About 11200 people were transported to safer places and about 1700 tonne of relief material was dropped for people in distress. The Rapid Action Medical Teams (RAMT) cared for almost 4762 injured people and conducted more than 300 successful operations.

  
  The NDRF worked tirelessly to restore human life in Kathmandu. NDRF saved thousands of life’s even as the earth shook when they deep inside buildings. The Engineering Task Force (ETF) cleared many routes which were rendered inactive because of the quake and landslides. The ETF were instrumental in help re-connect villages which helped in relief operations. The ETF also restored several hundred buildings and bridges across the nation.

      The earth quake was the worst calamity to have struck Nepal after the 1934 earth quake. More than 9000 people lost their life and the quake left 22000 people injured. The earth quake left a trail of destruction rendering thousands of Nepali’s homeless, homes and buildings were razed to the ground. After shocks has continued to rock Nepal keeping its people in constant fear. More than 450000 people have been displaced and have lost their livelihood.

        Widespread avalanches and landslides were reported across the nation further endangering human life. The economic loss Nepal has suffered cannot be calculated at the movement but with its limited resources it is extremely hard for Nepal alone to fund reconstruction programs. US, India and the World Bank have stepped forward to assist Nepal with the rehabilitation programs. With the help of India and the world fraternity, Nepal has promised to be back on its feet. I sincerely wish Nepal regains its status and thrives as India’s most reliable neighbor.

Article - Karthik Kakoor

An year of defense under Modi

An year of defense under Modi

          Yesterday we had seen what was expected from Parrikar’s office. Today we’ll concentrate on what the DAC or the CCS has cleared. The DAC headed by the defense ministry is meeting repeatedly to fast track the acquisition process. In the DAC defense minister is assisted by chief of the armed forces and secretaries.

The crucial Rafale deal

          With an ambitious aim to provide IAF with the state of the art fighter jets, India in 2007 floated the MMRCA deal. IAF was to receive 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft from a foreign firm, even more ambitious was the plan to manufacture these jets in India under ToT. After an extensive and detailed technical evaluation in 2012, IAF cleared the Dassault Rafale taking into consideration the technical details, operational and maintenance costs over the EU pitched ‘Eurofighter Typoon’. 

   Even after a long negotiation drama Dassault and India never came into terms and the deal was in deadlocks for most of the time. Even diplomatic level meetings and negotiations had failed to yield any results.  Under the UPA term the MMRCA deal never materialized.

      The NDA government soon after coming into power put the MMRCA deal on fast track. Several diplomatic and high level management meets were held to help materialize the deal. A major announcement in this regard was made during Modi’s visit to France. 

  

         The government went into a G-G deal under which Dassault would supply 36 Rafale’s to India in fly away condition. The deal is estimated at around $8 billion. The decision has been criticized as being converted from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Make in France’ but such a move was very necessary taking into considerations the current scenario of IAF.  

         The government hasn’t official confirmed the fate of the MMRCA deal, being a globally awarded tender the procedure to cancel the tender is pretty long. The government will have to issue a notification canceling the tender informing the global contenders. A final agreement in this deal is still awaited.

 M777 Howitzer

 
     The DAC has given its principle accord to acquire 145 M777 howitzers for the Indian Army. The deal is valued at around Rs 4500 crore. The deal is cleared under the ‘Make in India’ campaign and has been awarded to BAE systems. BAE will now scout for an Indian partner to start with the production of these ultra light howitzers in India. These howitzers weigh around 3 tonne and can be easily transported by a heavy lift helicopter. 

 
     The deal will be taking place under the Foreign Military Deal (FMS). The M777 are highly capable battle guns which have seen action in Iraq and Afghanistan. M777 can fire a 155mm artillery shell up to 40km. The M777 will be the first artillery gun Indian Army will be seeing almost after 30 years. BAE has promised to relocate its final production line to India by collaborating with a local private firm.

 Apache AH64 and Chinook CH47

    The DAC has cleared the requirements of the Air force for Apache AH64 attack helicopters and Boeing manufactured Chinook CH47 heavy lift helicopters. IAF intends to acquire 22 AH-64D Apache longbow attack helicopters and 15 CH-47F heavy lift helicopters in a deal worth well over $3.1 billion.
     
      The IAF currently operates the aging Mi-35 which is the basic attack helicopters. To replace the aging fleet of these Mi’s IAF came with plans to acquire the Apache. The Apache is one some of the most feared machines on the present battle field, armed with Hellfire missiles an hover of the Apache can annihilate the enemy positions.

 
     The Apache’s have range of 476 km, powered by two GE T700-GE-701C engines the copter can climb almost 2500 feet/min. It can carry an array of weapons, with the M230 chain gun serving as the primary weapon system. Hellfire missiles, Hydra rockets and stinger missiles complete the whole weapons package. Apache seen excessive battle in Iraq and Afghanistan and has been the most after sought CAS platform for ground operations.

      The Chinook are the most versatile heavy weight lifters on the battle field. The Chinook are famous for the role they played in ‘Operation Geronimo’ and their hoist capability is unmatched by any other aircraft. The Chinook can hoist Howitzers, crucial supplies, battle field vehicles and even fighter jets. Powered by two Lycoming T-55-GA-714A turboshaft engines which collectively produce a thrust of 7056 kW. Chinook can be used to transport troops, supplies and artillery movement. 

     The Chinook can transport up to 55 troops or can hoist a maximum load of 12700 kg. They are surely the heaviest lift capable helicopters for the western bloc and have been receiving upgrades throughout its lifetime. Once inducted the Chinook will be the most capable lifter of the IAF and can replenish the front line forces with crucial supplies at shorter span of time.


Airbus C295 – The Avro replacement

  
     The decision to equip IAF with the Airbus C295 is a major breakthrough decision. One for it replaces the aging Hawker Sidley 748M twin turboprops and it is a huge boost for the ‘Make in India’ campaign. The deal also gains importance since it is the first deal to be signed under private partnership agreement. 

     The C295 acquisition for the first time will see the participation of an Indian based private company participating in an aircraft project. Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) have formed a consortium to supply IAF with 56 tactical transport aircraft under a deal worth around $2 billion.

      IAF will receive 16 C295 in fly away condition and another 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India under a TOT. The C295 is a new generation, highly versatile and combat proven tactical airlift aircraft. The aircraft is capable of carrying payloads up to nine tonnes. Powered by two powerful six bladed Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines which collectively produce 5290 hp the aircraft can attain a maximum cruising speed of 480 km.

   The short take-off & landing (STOL) feature guarantees the aircraft can land in short and rough airstrips or make shift airstrips and serve the nerve centre of the battle field. Rapid transfer and on flight care is the need of the hour when performing casualty evacuation missions for which it is fitted with Casevac and Medevac systems developed by Airbus. The aircraft can carry up to eight stretchers for performing Casevac missions and can serve as front line hospital when configured under Medevac mission carrying mobile intensive care units (ICU) with life support equipment.


Article Karthik Kakoor

DAC sets the Course for a Safer Future

DAC SETS THE COURSE FOR A SAFER FUTURE

M777 Ultra Light Howitzer

       Delivering the promise of fast tracking the procurement process, the DAC headed by the MoD, Manohar Parrikar met yesterday night clearing crucial procurement's for the forces. The tri-services chiefs were in attendance to the crucial meet where clearance was accorded to crucial procurement's to overcome the short falling in the forces. The DAC has cleared procurement's of up to $3.4 billion.

Avro Replacement

       In a major decision the DAC has finally paved the way for the replacement of the aging Avro’s. DAC has finally given its consent to consortium formed by Airbus and Tata.  The Avro replacement deal is estimated around 11930 crore, under which India will procuring 56 aircraft. Airbus has fielded it’s C295 for the replacement and deal and has also signed a deal with Tata to co-produce it in India.

    Under the deal, 16 aircrafts will be procured in fly away conditions and the rest 40 will be manufactured in India. This is a significant step in the ‘Make in India’ campaign and this deal will effectively make Tata the first private company to setup an assembly line to manufacture aircraft in India. The numbers of these tactical aircraft is expected to increase with time, Indian navy and Coast guard have already expressed their interest to procure the aircraft.

C 295

 LUH Replacement

           The aging Cheetah and Chetak fleet have been one of the most agonizing machinery in service. The Navy, Air force and Army operate more than 100 crafts. These aging machines have met with several crash and had greatly reduced the efficiency of the forces in the front line. Even though plans to replace these crafts were drawn several years ago the program has finally taken wings in this DAC meet.    long delayed procurement finally seems it's order, the Army operates more than 100 of Vintage French origin HAL built Cheetah and Chetak helicopters which is already The Ka 226T designed by the Russians has finally won the tender process and will soon replace the aging fleet.

         The order is expected to be around 200+, the helicopter would again be produced in India by an Indian private company and the program is slated to be a major relief to rotary operation wing.

Ka 226T

 Light weight Howitzer M777

      To counter the moves of China, India has planned to setup a mountain strike corps. This regiment is in-charge of checking any aggressive moves by the Chinese and will also be one of the first parties to enhance the Chinese, should a full scale war break out between the countries. Artillery guns has been one of the most lacking fields in the army, thanks to the famous Bofor’s deal any future plans to procure these guns have always run into turbulent waters.

    The DAC has finally cleared the procurement of the M777 from the US, these artillery guns are extremely light weight and can be easily transported with the help of even a medium helicopter. The M777 deal is valued at around $700 million, the army will be procuring nearly 145 units. BAE has come forward to supply the howitzers by locally producing them in India with an private player.

 Air force and Navy

 DAC has also approved the procurement of 36 Pilatus PC 7 IJT, this will be a follow on to the orders placed by the air force.

 DAC has also given its nod to accument ALG (Advanced Landing Grounds). IAF will also receive modern communication systems.

 Stressing for an office in the skies for the PM and the President, DAC has given clearance to procure two Boeing 777-300 from the state carrier, Air India, this aircraft will then be fitted out with an advanced radar and warning system. The aircraft will also be fitted with defensive systems which can deploy chaffs and flares to counter any missile threats. The aircraft will be replacing the aging 747 that have for long served the PMO and the President’s office.

The frontline Talwar and Delhi destroyers will now be fitted with the potent BrahMos system. The navy will now receive 69 BrahMos missiles which will fitted on all the Talwar and Delhi destroyers. 

 DAC has also allocated about 30 crore, signalling the start of the IACII project. DAC has also set apart 3 crore, for the modernization of Kochi ship yard. Tele-medicine facilities for the Navy has been cleared at around 62 crore. 

 Editor Karthik kakoor

TATA Airbus Teaming up for Tactical Transport for IAF

 TATA Airbus Teaming up for Tactical Transport for IAF

       It’s from the stables of IAF again, a new replacement project seems to have reached the final rounds of negotiations. The new Modi-led government has re-issued the request for proposal (RFP) for 56 transport aircraft worth an estimated $2 billion. These aircraft will be replacements for the aging Hawker Sidley 748M twin turboprops serving the IAF as tactical transport aircraft which are being retired at an alarming rate. The tactical transport aircraft is basically used to carry out recon missions, ferry Special Forces and play a major role in causality evacuation from the battlefield. RFP for this program was floated several years ago but was cancelled after several loopholes were brought to notice by the vendors. 

     With the need for these aircrafts being urgent, any plans for co-development would have hampered the operational capabilities of the air force. Being the first deal, to be signed under private partnership program, the deal promised to nurture the ‘Make in India’ campaign will to newer horizons.  In accordance to the deal, the Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will be liable to supply 16 aircraft in fly away condition and another 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India under a TOT. Though the deal offers a reliable platform to foreign players, the deal has been for long haunted by the private partnership the vendors have to sign up. Initially the deal received heightened interests from foreign vendors but with the private partnership in deadlocks most of the vendors pulled out of the deal, except for Airbus. Facing a single vendor scenario, the deal has been now referred to the DAC chaired by the MoD will now decide the future path of the deal.   

      Initially Antonov’s An-26, the Ilyushin Il-112, Alenia Aermacchi C-27J and EADS Casa C-295 were eager to be part of the deal. Airbus formed a consortium with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL). The other foreign vendors were in talk with L&T and Mahindra and Mahindra but failed to sign up with any Indian companies largely due to the persistent ToT clauses. Airbus then pitched up its C295 as a competitor for the program. IAF at the present operates a sizeable fleet of An-26 and had showed inclination towards the aircraft but Antonov till date has not been able to form a consortium with any Indian firms, even though L&T was rumoured to be in talks with Antonov the deal between them never materialized.

With Modi visiting Airbus facility during his trip to France, the deal is probably headed towards C 295. Furthermore the present government has shown renewed interested in inviting foreign investments. Airbus released a statement reaffirming its "commitment to produce in India," echoing Modi's “Make in India” mantra. Tom Enders, Airbus executive was quoted saying “India already plays an important role in our international activities and we even want to increase its contribution to our products".

Airbus C295

    The C295 is closely associated with the Spanish-Indonesian co-developed CN235 aircraft for its roots lay with the aircraft. Airbus started out by modifying the basic designs of CN235, with plans to enhance the lift capability of the CN235, Airbus stretched the fuselage considerably and this saw the birth of C295 with a 50% increased lift capability. The CN235 was powered by two GE CT7 series engines, with weight added up to the aircraft, the CT7 failed to power the aircraft. Airbus soon zeroed in on the PW 127 series engine to power the aircraft. The aircraft has a wing span of 84 ft and is 80 ft in length. C295 witnessed its maiden flight in late 1998.

     The C295 is a new generation, highly versatile and combat proven tactical airlift aircraft. The aircraft is capable of carrying payloads up to nine tonnes. Powered by two powerful six bladed Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines which collectively produce 5290 hp the aircraft can attain a maximum cruising speed of 480 km. The aircraft is also fitted with a pressurized cabin which can house up to 70 passengers and can attain a cruising altitude of 30000 feet. The short take-off & landing (STOL) feature guarantees the aircraft can land in short and rough airstrips or make shift airstrips and serve the nerve center of the battle field.

  The aircraft is designed with a pressurized 41 feet long cabin which can accommodate up to 70 personnel and the cargo hold employs the state-of-the art pallet system. The cabin has dedicated pallet systems which can carry up to five pallets measuring nearly 88 X 108 In and can carry cargo weighing up to 4,536 Kilos on one pallet. 

     To facilitate easier movement of the cargo from the hold the aircraft is provided with a rear ramp door, through which the cargo can be off-loaded efficiently. Provided with the STOL the aircraft can take off and land from any unsurfaced/unprepared airstrip and this will help the forces a long way since the aircraft can land supplies or evacuate causalities right from the center of the battlefield. The aircraft requires a minimum of 2200 ft of runaway to takeoff under normal operating conditions and will need around 1050 ft of runway for a safe landing. The aircraft provides 1300 km of operational range at maximum load and with minimal load the aircraft provides a range of up to 5000 km.

    The aircraft can perform airdrop of paratroopers and supplies for which the aircraft is equipped with an 88 in wide platform which employs a Container Delivery System (CDS). Rapid transfer and on flight care is the need of the hour when performing casualty evacuation missions for which it is fitted with Casevac and Medevac systems developed by Airbus. The aircraft can be turned out to Casevac missions in very little time where the aircraft will accommodate stretchers and basic medical equipment but performing a Medevac mission requires more complex turnovers where the aircraft will have to accommodate stretchers, advanced medical equipment's and also support and specialized teams. The aircraft can carry up to eight stretchers for performing Casevac missions and can serve as front line hospital when configured under Medevac mission carrying mobile intensive care units (ICU) with life support equipment.

     The avionics package of the aircraft is robust and carries forward most of the systems from its predecessor the CN235. Most of these systems have received upgrades over time and form a versatile avionics function for an aircraft like C295, the systems are basic and the operational cost of these systems is minimal. Thales avionics provided the rest of the avionics package. Highly Integrated Avionics System (HIAS), an advanced integrated avionics system based on the Thales Topdeck avionics suite. The C295 glass cockpit with digital avionics includes four large active matrix liquid crystal displays.

     The main stay radar of the aircraft will be the AN/APN241 radar which comes with a high resolution SAR mapping mode. The main update the C295 received was the Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) which will enhance the patrol and surveillance to a great extent. Equipped with FITS the aircraft can perform an array of missions be it anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare or SAR operations the FITS will enable the crew to work more efficiently using its automated control features.

     FITS is a system entirely developed by Airbus, an on-board suite of networked computers and displays provides the crew with the required information in a processed manner which allows the crew to work efficiently. The aircraft comes with Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) and Laser Warning System (LWS), and chaff/flares dispensers. The aircraft will be equipped with an integrated electronic warfare suite, which includes a Bharat Electronics radar warning receiver and missile approach warning system and Bharat Dynamics countermeasure dispensing system.

Editor Karthik Kakoor