Morals, threats and shared interests Indian/Israeli Air force

Morals, threats and shared interests Indian/Israeli Air force

Indian Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, visited the IAF this past week as a part of the plan to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries. During his visit, he toured different IAF bases, one of the "Iron Dome" batteries and was exposed to the IAF's abilities and the threats the IAF faces. "This is a very important visit" said IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel. The Indian Air Force is a professional and centered force, and we are deepening our cooperation with them".

"The military cooperation with India is at the heart of our military interests", shared Lt. Col. Sigal Benglass, head of International Affairs Branch in the IAF. "India is a very significant country, its air force is large and it operates a variety of western and eastern platforms. This was a unique visit in Air Force terms in which we were able to present the regional and strategic situation, the different threats, and our assortment of simulators and training concepts with the Commander of the Indian Air Force". 

The Indian Military is one of the largest militaries in the world, with its air force being the fourth largest in size in the world. Its strategic status is also strengthening due to its amount of servicemen and women its technological development. "India is an important country in the East that the entire world looks to", explained Lt. Col. Tzviki, Deputy Military attaché in the IDF and Ministry of Defense Mission to India. "It has a large and developed air force, which operates many Israeli made cutting edge weapon systems also operated by the Israeli Air Force, a fact that creates a basis for cooperation".

Due to the tangent lines between the militaries, the importance of the cooperation between the Israeli and Indian Air Forces enhance, with the goal of promoting issues in multiple fields such as power building, operation concepts and a future work plan. "The options with India are tremendous and significant and we have to work step-by-step", stated Lt. Col. Benglass. "The Indian Air Force is different from us in how it flies, trains and qualifies its personnel, differences that are an advantage to us. Until now, we have discussed common platforms and we are interested in expanding said discussion.

 Additionally, there is a significant cooperation between the Ministries of Defense as well as major processes at the political level. The greatest milestone we are expecting this year is the exchange of combat aircrews between the two countries, an exercise that will take place for the first time in history and will constitute of a significant milestone and a sign of things to come".

Although it seems as if the two countries are basically different, and are positioned in different strategic areas, one could find many similarities between the two. India, just like Israel, faces a variety of security challenges such as fighting terror, dealing with threats alongside their borders and dealing with radical Islamism. "Our relations with India are may be young, but they're very deep", stated Lt. Col. Tzviki. "The two countries are democratic countries in complex areas. On the basis of common moral ground, interests and threats, a deep friendship began".

India also has a central role in the Middle East - Commander of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force that is located on the northern border of Israel, is Indian. "India has a central role in everything that takes place in the northern arena, a fact which has an influence and strategic importance for us", stated Lt. Col. Tzviki.

This was Air Chief Marshall Raha's first visit in Israel, who is also temporarily serving as Chief of General Staff. The visit is being held as a part of a process to strengthen and preserve the relationship between the official. The visit is a reciprocal visit as IAF commander, Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, visited India last December. "Cooperation begins with people. It is built between commanders that delineate the path so that the intimate relationship that they build is used as a significant milestone in advancing towards a slow, true and consistent cooperation", added Lt. Col. Benglass.

The Indian Air Force Commander's visit is part of a series of visits the IAF is holding with officials from countries around the world. The mutual visits create personal connections and cooperation in fields such as power building, development processes and knowledge sharing. 

In addition, they give the IAF extended control in the aerial space close to Israel that is currently characterized with heavy movement of foreign aircraft, and gives legitimization to activity during and after war. "On the strategic level, the IAF is a part of significant cooperation and there has been great progress that can be attributed to many reasons such as the strategic situation and the spirit of the IAF Commander", concluded Lt. Col. Benglass.

From Sibat IAF

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha on a Visit to the State of Israel

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha on a Visit to the State of Israel

Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha is on a four day goodwill visit to the State of Israel. The visit is aimed at consolidating the existing robust bilateral military to military cooperation between India and Israel.

During his visit to Israel, the Air Chief is scheduled to call on the Israeli Defence Minister Mr Moshe Ya’alon. He would also meet Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot, Chief of the General Staff, Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Major General Amir Eshel, Commander of Israeli Air Force and Mr. Ophir Shoham, Director of the Ministry of Defense (MOD), Directorate for Research and Development MAFAT. The meetings would essentially focus on a wide range of bilateral issues pertaining to the ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries.

During his visit to the various operational air bases, Air Chief Marshal Raha would also visit the Israeli Air Force, Flight School, at Hatzerim air base. He would also be updated on the progress of various defence projects being carried forward as joint ventures between the two countries.

The itinerary also includes a visit to `Yad Vashem', Israel's Memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, established in 1953 and a visit to the 'Memorial of Indian Soldiers' built in commemoration of sacrifice of the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I in the liberation of Haifa.

In recent years, there have been several close and high level contacts at the political and military levels between the two countries. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha’s visit to Israel would further boost bilateral relations between two Air Forces and is likely to provide greater convergence at the operational level.

- PIB

IAF once again Plans to Buy the Derby and Python 5 Missiles

IAF once again Plans to Buy the Derby and Python 5 Missiles 

Teajs shown with Derby and Spyder

      The Indian Airforce wants to add more Python and Derby Missiles into it's godown. where IAF previously once buy some undisclosed number of those missiles for the Light Combat Aircraft the Tejas. Recently Flight Global Confirmed Indian interests of buying more deadly Israeli made Air to Air Missiles which is more advanced for Dog Fighting and Air superiority. Previously the Indian Air Force Buys a Spin off Ground based SAM version of SpyDer. which is the same  Python and Derby missile launched from ground based platform. The IAF later bought some 750+750 Python 5 and Derby missiles to equip with the Spyder System.

Israeli F16 with Derby and Python 4

      The Derby is working under the Principles of BVR (Beyond Visual Range). which means the missile can capture the Target with imaginary devices and lock it the Target then calculate the path to destroy the Target. the Derby can operated in both day and Night operations and it suits well for WVR           ( within Visual Range ) engagements. which is best for the Known Dog fight where the Fighters can fight in the mid air showing their aggressive mode to defeat another one.  The Derby has the Look Down/Shoot down capability which means the Fighters mission computer check the Target's weak zone and feed it to the Missile then the missile ready to hunt the Target and hit the weak zone to achieve  total distruction  of the Target. the missile also complies the Fire and Forget mode which means once you launched the Missile you don't need to guide or update the missile from your cockpit. The missile alone do it and perform it's mission. the main ECCM ( Electronic Counter Counter Measure's) all the fighters equipped with Electronic countermeasure to confuse the inbound missile they fire it's flare to confuse the Missile as Fighter or heat source. most previous generation missiles fails to hit the target due to the ECCM. but nowadays most of the missiles equiped with ECCM which can evade the flares and target the correct enemy. 

      Another good thing in the missile is the LOAL/LOBL modes. the LOAL ( Lock on after launch)  modes allows the fighter to launch the missile before locking the Enemy fighter. where enemy can maneuver too much where friendlies can't do the same. so if you launch the Derby before locking the enemy fighter it can lock and shoot it down. in LOAL mode you should not let your wingman closer to the missile. LOAL is best for solo play.  LOBL (Lock on Before Launch) which can lock the target using the fighters mission computer then feed it into the Missile then Launch which gives good results compared to the LOAL mode.  Derby can engage Target at the distance of some 40 kilometers but the range can be further decreased by varying the Altitude. 

SAM version of Python and Derby

       The Python is the heat seeking missile which can track the target using the heat signatures.  the Python 5 is the newest in the Python family. it's also incorporates plenty of derby's Characteristics. the python too perform the LOAL missions. the Python 5 doesnt't have ECCM  feature but it will be more deadlier if it's launched in visual range targets. the main advantage of the python is all aspect launch. that means it can enage the target in your 6'o clock targets too by picking up heat signatures of enemy aircraft. the Python is also best choice for dog fighting. if your enemy turned his engine ON mode. then it should be a last day of your enemy's aircraft even he is in your behind but if he cruise behind you that's all the Python picks your engine as a Target. that's all game over. 

F 16 Loaded with Python Missile