CAG Finds, IAF's Airborne control Center is not Fully Operational

CAG Finds, IAF's Airborne control Center is not Fully Operational

    CAG informs in parliament that IAF's Airborne control center or the AEWCS based on the Russian IL 76 Aircraft and the Radar from Israel is not ready or achieved full capability due to many reasons. The report validates the issues and parameters of the A 50 Phalcon AEWCS till March 2014. CAG informs to the parliament that due to issues A 50 didn't perform the required missions. This is because of low service availability rate too.

   IAF tried to increase the service availability of A 50 Phalcon, However lack of technical expertise to work onboard  the AEWCS, lack of air crew to perform aerial refueling missions and non-acquisition of additional land for extension of runway length at air force station in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Short of air crews and lack of ground support systems also the reason of low-availability of AEWCS.

   CAG slams the govt and IAF that lack of operational credibility on the AEWCS may impact the nations security during hostile situations. CAG also finds lack of spare parts of the Plane as well as radar systems. The aircraft's service maintenance is issued to third party even at shorter period of time. Not only that CAG find defective Automatic Test Equipment for Communication System used in the service center. The malfunctioned system further make issues in the operational capability of AEWCS.

    CAG finds the aircraft lacks  much needed I level IFF reponders also absent in the AEWCS. and slams the government to speed up procuring such systems. The Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF) system provides identification of enemy or friendly aircraft based on responses to interrogation, as well as determination of their positional and altitude data. The role of IFF system is to interrogate the various transponders in its coverage area.

    The issues also found in Hangers and storage facility's. The air force station also lacks of proper accommodation to the service crew's. Totally CAG openly said the Jamnagar Air base is not fully ready to accommodate the AEWCS squadron.

    The Ministry authorized IAF to perform 1500 flying hours per year. However due to lack of instability the IAF performed only 844 hours of flying. The AWECS is major aspects who need to fly continuously during critical situations.

    It's very hard to detect low flying cruise missiles through ground based radar. Due to radar horizon and clutter. Low flying terrain hugging missiles can be detected only by airborne radar's or aerostats. CAG didn't said anything about the Aerostats, So it's believed the system is working fine.

   The CAG not only reported but recommend some good points to the IAF and the Govt. to solve the issues regarding the operational capability of AEWCS, The list follows

• IAF may review utilization of  radar mounted in the aircraft  with a view to enhance its capacity utilization, so as to bring it at par with the established task fixed by the Ministry; or the Ministry may suitably revise task in its  Policy Page.

• Ministry/IAF may investigate reasons for non-inclusion of training in AAR in the contract (2004) for radar mounted in the aircraft  and issue necessary instructions, so that in future the provisions of training required for operation of vital capabilities of an asset is not missed while concluding the contracts.

• Extension of Runway length at air force station to over 15000 feet, by acquiring the additional land may be reviewed so as to meet the requirement of radar mounted in the aircraft  and the IL 76  aircrafts to take-off with full payload.

• Overall arrangement for maintenance of radar mounted in the aircraft  be finalised as early as possible to ensure optimum availability thereof at optional cost. It may further be ensured that ‘I’ level facility is set up by OEM as per the contractual provisions so that dependency on OEM for testing of LRUs for isolation of fault up to SRU level and turn-around-time in servicing of LRU/SRU is minimized.

Proposals worth of 12,000 Crore cleared by DAC

Proposals worth of 12,000 Crore cleared by DAC

The S 125 Neva/Pechora

    The defense acquisition council chaired by defense minister Manohar Parrikar clears tri services proposals of defense equipment's worth of 12,000 Crore. The DAC meet was scheduled before the Defense Minister's visit to Russia, Thus gets more Russian based offers like upgradation's and new acquisitions. The Army gets two new Pinaka artillery regiments and the Air force's IL 76 based fleets gets new engines and upgrade packages. While the expected HTT 40 Trainer development program is not discussed either disapproved by the DAC.

Air Force

    Air force gets some good clearance of their proposed projects. Indian Air force operates 26 of Il 76 based platforms for various operations, 14 of them used for Transport, six of them used for mid air refueling and another six used for Airborne radar and Aviation research center respectively. The IAF'S IL 76 fleet uses the D 30 KP 1 engines. While the Russians unveiled a new engines based on the PS 90. The new engine will extend the life of Il 76. The new engine has a high bypass ratio, and it's highly reliable than the existing engine and improvements in the efficiency. IAF plans to keep the IL 76 fleet for one more decade by upgrading the engines.

   The IL 76 also gets an updated avionics suites. This includes new integrated flight and navigational systems, automatic control and communication systems and the new glass cockpit displays. The cockpit will be upgraded by eight multi functional LCD panels and three intelligent control panel. The upgrade brings the normal Il 76 into IL 76 MD 90 A Standard.

The Upgraded IL 76 MD 90 A with new engines and Cockpit

   Most of the IAF bases guarded by the S 125 Neva systems. Those stationary SAM systems provide cover to the air base from enemy air attacks. Those S 125 systems are very old and uses the command line of sight guidance systems, which requires a operator to keep guiding the Missile to hit the target. However most other nations switched these old systems into fire and forget missile systems like Patriot and S 300 based systems.

    While there is no sight in procuring new air defense systems. IAF plans to upgrade the existing vintage S 125 systems into new standard to work until new systems arrival. IAF has only a vision of using the mobile Akash SAM systems to safe guard the base out of the S 125. The proposed S 400 acquisition takes time to operational under IAF.

     The S 125 upgrade package include adding electronic counter counter measure suites in the missile to escape from chaff and flares, adding new electro optical tracking increases the missiles interception probability. Replacing the older analog systems into digital systems, It's believed half of the missiles analog systems will be replaced. This improves the missile's reliability and performance also require less power consumption. The Radar and command systems too upgraded into new standard. It's believed the Russian Almaz Antey will modernize the IAF's twenty five operational S 125 firing units. The Proposed upgrade costs estimated around 1800 crore.

Indian Army

Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher

    DAC cleared Army's proposal of raising two new Pinaka rocket artillery regiments along the Indo Pakistani border. Indian Army already operating more than five Pinaka Rocket artillery regiments, each regiment comprise three batteries of Pinaka Rockets and associated equipment. One Battery consists of six Pinaka rocket launching units, resupply vehicles and associated equipemts.

     The Army gets the Pinaka MK 1 systems. while the increased range of Mark 2 still in testing. Pinaka 2 has an increased range of 60 kilometers while the Mark 1 has 40 kilometers of engagement range.  The estimated project cost is around $500 millions or 3300 Crore. 

    The Indian Army's UN mission set to receive new  BMP 2M infantry fighting vehicles which replaces the older BTR and BMP. Army's UN mission gets 149 BMP, which will be deployed around Africa. DAC also clears the OFB Medak's wish of producing more BMP 2 Vehicles which will be later given to Indian Army or some other defense forces.

Indian Navy

     Indian Navy proposed the DAC to clear buying new Ocean going tug boats and deep submergence rescue vehicles. Under this proposal Indian Navy will get four new Ocean going multi purpose tug boats. This can be used to assist the Naval ships to bring them back to the Harbor if the ship has any mechanical problems. The ocean going tugs has long endurance as well as high power to tow bigger Naval ships.

A Mystic class DSRV from US Navy

     DAC also cleared Navy's proposal of buying much needed DSRV vehicles. The DSRV is used for rescuing downed/broken submarine and clandestine missions. The DSRV's are capable to rescue sailors at the depth of some 2000 feet. Some of the DSRV's can go upto some 5000 feet for rescuing sailors deep under waters.

    The DSRV's are also capable to bring back the submerged submarines to sea floor. The DSRV's are fitted in the Submarines, However Indian Navy has no such huge submarine's. So it would be carried by the Surface ships only. Most of the Foreign Navy's has such DSRV's. While Indian Navy yet to get such systems.  

Eye on the Sky: Phalcon Airborne control

Eye on the Sky: Phalcon Airborne control

   Phalcon is the short name of Indian Airborne control and Early warning Plane, after a year long deal, Israel finally dispatched the world's finest AEWCS plane to India, by 2009, where the deal signed early 2004, earlier the US shows resistant towards the most advanced radar sale to India and China, because of most of the Israeli defense companies has large investments from US, at first the Israeli's nearly signed a deal with China, However The US asked the Israeli's not to sale any such modern technologies to other Countries, in early 2000 Israel cancels the Phalcon sale to China,

   India approached the Israeli's by 2003, However America not interested in the deal, the Indian Israeli officials assured about the safeguard of critical technology of the Radar, and US gives authorization to sell the system to India only, and so far India is the only Nation who operates the most advanced powerful AEWCS in the world outside US, even the Israeli's moves into smaller platform with two side looking EL/W-2085 Radar's.

   The IAF Phalcon comes with three side looking EL/W-2090 Radar's which is mounted above the IL 76 platform, the Radar contentiously rotate to scan the Air space for hostile activity, the advantage of the rotating dome has less false rate where each targets being tracked by three radar's in a quick refresh rate. that's the rotating speed, nowadays those Radar's has zero false alarm rate that's why the fixed Radar's on the side of the Planes.

   The A 50 is not only just a Airborne control center, It can perform multiple operations, even it can be assigned with maritime attack role, since rival forces has capability to launch Long range cruise missiles from it's surface ships, however this can be now being tracked by the IAF's advanced P 8 and Tu 142 fitted with Israeli maritime Radars,

   Primary Mission of the Phalcon is the Long Range Air surveillance, It's believed that the Range of Surveillance and multi mode tracking is reported more than 300 kilometers, however it's not the official figure, since the actual range is classified, the Phalcon has three Active Electronic steered array, each module can transmit and receive data at the L Band frequency, the unique L band works on a wavelength of 15-30 cm and a frequency of 1-2 GHz, the actual T/R module numbers not available, however it's estimated it's have more than 6000 T/R modules, the advanced F 22 Raptor has only 1956 T/R modules, the more modules, the more tracking numbers, currently the L Band radar is noted best for detection and tracking airborne systems,

   The Phalcon can act as a Airborne command Control Communication and Intelligence system, easily denoted as C4I, mainly to carryout attack Run in enemy air space and uncontrolled Indian Airspace, when Fighters move from friendly Airspace they have to rely on their own Radar systems, Here Coming with a Phalcon will help the Fighters even in Enemy airspace and guide the fighters to carryout the Attack, the AEWCS transmission between fighters can't be intercepted which is work on a secure high power communication link, usually such missions are needed for control enemy airspace, In the Yemeni Interventions the Saudi E 3 AEWCS gets full control of Yemeni Airspace,

   The Phalcon can also act as a Network centric systems, which can direct and command Naval Air and Ground forces to co ordinate with each other, as likely scenario, if friendly forces operating inside the Phalcon's umbrella but outside Indian territory, if they calls Friendly Air strike or Missile strike to a designated point, the Phalcon can guide the missile or Fighter to strike the enemy position with pin point accuracy,

   In Air warfare, if a Long Range Air to Air missile launched from an fighter Jet, The Phalcon can guide the missile from mid way to attack the enemy Fighter or Cruise missile, the same called by mid course guidance, such guidance can be done from most front line Aircraft's too, However this is a new technology comes with AESA and Phased array radar only, earlier MMR radar has not such technology.

   Phalcon also have the capability to Jam and Intercept enemy communications and data link's, currently most missiles works with data links for precession strike, from Radar or satellites, if Phalcon comes between or identifies the enemy missile with the data link, the missile surely hits the false targets or fell down, and communication could be done by using satellites, the Phalcon can easily intercepts the communication link and decode it and alert the friendly forces, even has the capability to intercept the military Radio sets, the Phalcon has twelve operators which allows each of them can work on different sections like Air surveillance, C4I, mission alert, Support mission etc.

   The Phalcon's primary defensive sensor suites has Radar warning Receiver and Missile approaching receiver both are couple with decoy's like Chaff and Flares, the RWR can alert the Phalcon if it was under any enemy scanner, that makes the Phalcon to move away or fly higher to evade, the MAWS allows the crew about the incoming missile information where the CFD can automatically launch countermeasures at correct distance,

    The Phalcon has the credible IFF features, the Friend or Foe system allows the unidentified fighter either Friendly or Hostile Aircraft, if it was inside communication denied environment, the IFF system in Phalcon has high reliability compared to all other systems,

    So far India operates three Phalcon system, all of them based near Delhi Agra, India earlier planned to add additional two more systems, however the high cost put that order on shelves, as recently a year or ago finance ministry allocates the fund for additional Phalcon AEWCS and it's reported Israel already bought the IL 76 planes from Russia, and it's believed they were in Israel and the modification Programs going on, and if all things go clear IAF might get those new Phalcons by coming 2016 or later, however it's not mentioned what such additional options and Radar can be installed in the new Phalcon AEWCS.    

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

Broad Range of Air lifter from Indian Air force

Broad Range of Air lifter from Indian Air force

     The Indian Air force operates several kind of Air lifters include Fixed and rotary wings, for both Transport and Resupply. the Indian Air force operates some types of Air lifters which is best in it's Field, Like C 17 for Strategic An 32 for Tactical and  C 130  for Specail operations.

C 17 Globe Master III

         To boost Strategic Air operations IAF decided to buy the Best Strategic Air lifter C 17 from US, as of now IAF operates ten C 17, which makes IAF  second bigger operator of C 17 outside USA. where IAF also requested the Ministry to buy another six  C17, since the Induction of C 17 almost shows it's performance all over the world evacuating Indian personals in case of emergency. from Libya to last Yemeni Evacuation IAF used the C 17 for round a clock operations, and the C 17 performed very well without any glitches.

         With the quick change of cargo and Transport options by removing or Adding passenger seat, the C 17 performed very well during Maldives water crisis and Nepal Earth Quake, the C 17 can carry some  77 tons of payload with the Range of 4000 kilometers, or it can carry 134 Troops with the Range of 10,000 kilometers, makes them a True Strategic Air lifter.

IL 76 Candid

   

        The IL 76 also a Strategic multipurpose Air lifter, IAF operates 17 of them for transporting and Cargo handling, the IL 76 is made by Ilyushin Russia, the IL 76 also used in many situations, but It's mostly used for Support and Logistics delivery for IAF fighter Aircrafts,  but it can also act as a Troop transporter and Resupply during war time, since the peacetime operating costs are much higher compared to the C 17, Indian Air force uses the IL 76 for extreme purpose only.

         IAF operates six IL 78 MKI refulers for aerial Tanker, and another two were modified to carry rotating radar dome for Airborne control center, three more in order, makes the IL 76 numbers to 17+6+2 and optional three more. The IL 76 MD can carry 60 tons of cargo with a Range of more than 3500 kilometers.

         some IL 76 can carry two 23mm cannon in the back side to shoot any threats, since it's obsolete, IAF didn't use th Guns, or they removed it,  where the details still not available for Public release.

C 130 J Super Hercules

         One of the finest Tactical air lifter in the world which can do amazing mission, land and Take off from any kind of unpaved runways, It can take off and Land in beaches, it can land in world' highest Air Strip Daulat Beg Oldie. so far IAF operates five C 130 where one was lost in a mission where IAF pilots doing practice how to fly low and maneuver, the lost one will be replaced by newer one where Ministry cleared to Purchase, Also IAF plans to acquire additional 6 C 130 J to boost the strategic Air lift and Special operational Quick Deployments.

     the C 130 can do amazing operations, since it is very useful for conducting special operations inside or outside friendly territories. the C 130 also used in several humanitarian efforts like sending NDRF peoples and delivering aid and resupply during Heavy flood in Uthrakhand also in Nepal Earth quake C 130J did awesome missions, 

     The C 130 is an Tactical air lifter which can carry some 90+ Airborne Paratroopers with the Range of some 5000 kilo meters, and with reduced range it can carry 20 Tons of cargo.

An 32 Cline

     

    Indian Air force's another work horse is the Ukrainian made An 32 twin turboprop tactical air lifter, the An 32 did some awesome air lift during emergency situations and war times. He is the lone super hero by performing missions over Kashmir and High Altitude Air strips, Since it's very good for Tactical support only, IAF will not use for other Purposes.

     IAF operates nearly 100+ An 32, which were recently upgraded in Ukraine with new avionics, modern oxygen supply system and improved crew seats, which makes the An 32 too keep the arrival of Medium Transport Aircraft The HAL UAC MTA.

       The An 32 can carry some 40+ paratroopers for special operations with the range of some 2500 Kilometers, also it can carry some 8 tons of payload with reduced Range.

Dornier Do 228-201

        The IAF uses some 40+ Do 228 for logistics and resupply purposes, with more than 14 such aircrafts in orders, the Do 228 is a good less weight utility Aircraft, can operate in any rough conditions, which makes the Do 228 is a STOL capable aircraft,

       Since it's primarily used for logistics, IAF used for certain utility purpose only, the State owned HAL assembles the Do 228 and delivering it to Coast guard, and Navy makes the most efficient utility platform in Indian Conditions