Rafale deal Countdown T-8 Days

Rafale deal Countdown T-8 Days

    Days ago, England based Reuters published a Article, citing some french sources said, India and France ink the Rafale fighter jet deal in ten days, as from years months and soon dates, it's now the new deadline is set as next 10 days, as already two days over. The Rafale deal is not as much as difficult, However IAF insists the Ministry to buy large number of Fighters include local productions, IAF plans to use the Rafale as a test platform too, with the easy modifications in Rafale IAF can test new missiles and Bombs using the Rafale from various altitude, to modify the Rafale IAF needs the Intellectual property rights, thus can be done only by the Transfer of Technology or the Make in India kind of Contract,

   The same sources could not revealed what kind of deal it is, as PM modi announced in Paris, that India buy only 36 Rafale as fly away mode or a Government to government deal, The IAF out of words, Since the Indian Nuclear command named Strategic forces Command also insists the IAF to transfers one squadron of Rafale to use Nuclear attack missions, so far it's believed the SFC have One Jaguar and Su 30 MKI squadron for Nuke delivery, while they plans to replace the Jaguars with Rafale Fighters, without IP rights  SFC could not use the Nuclear Bomb/Missiles in Rafale, also IAF wants the Astra should be used in the Rafale, since it's was in development and integration stages on Tejas and Su 30 MKI,

    Rafale comes with two BVR Missiles one is long range MICA EM and other is  Ultra long Range Meteor BVR AAM, how ever if India buys the Rafale in G-G mode, India can use only those missiles, and already certified French made Air to Ground Missiles, However India almost has handful of many kind of Munition projects, from small Guided PGM's to long range Cruise missiles, to integrate those missiles in newer platform India should need the IP rights,

    If India signs the 36 only Rafale Deal, India needs to invest very large amount in the Rafale deal only for Munitions, The Rafale is pure multi role, so need of Multiple Air to Air missiles and Ground missiles is much needed, although if IAF forced to give those half a numbers to SFC, then the IAF gets  very less Rafale's only,

    Although France almost setups a huge infrastructures in India to manufacture the Rafale, the recent Snecma Joint venture with Indian Maz Aerospace is an small Example, So it's expected the deal could be more numbers, as many defense analysts and former Air force officials saying the same the 36 numbers could be increased because of the Air forces Requirement of more than 90 Aircraft's in same category, as recently Indian Government backed Saab Gripen offers the same to IAF, Americans comes with Scorpion and F 16 IN offers, However IAF neglects all such deals and Sticks with the Rafale only for all the above mentioned Aspects,

    IAF not only need some 90+ Rafale Jets, they need more than 200 Light Combat Aircraft, to replace those old MiG Series, as some News reports emerges India could scrap the LCA, However IAF always favor to the LCA, only large number of LCA along with Rafale only pose a series deterrence against the large Chinese  Air force.

Interview with the boss of LCA Tejas, P S Subramanyam

Extracts of Interview with P S Subramanyam, PGD and Director-ADA

The blog today brings forward to you all a very unique article. It is an interview with the outgoing Tejas boss, ‘P S Subramanyam’. The article contains extracts taken from Tarmak 007, a leading aerospace and defense page of the nation which is being maintained by Dr Anantha Krishnan M.

-Tarmak 007

It was an emotionally charged day at ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) HQ, Bangalore.The leader and pilot of India’s aerospace dream project the ‘LCA program’ bid a final adios to his office. P.S Subramanyam an M.E and ISSc scholar, a distinguished scientist and the Director of ADA under whom the nations pride ‘Tejas’ took to skies retired after serving the nation for 40 long years. P S Subramanyam completed his PG (Post Graduation) in Aeronautical Engineering from India’s premiere institution IISc. He has Mechanical Engineering as his basic degree from the after sought NIT (National Institute of Technology), Warangal. P S Subramanyam started his service with DRDL (Defense research and Development Laboratory) in the year 1975. He contributed significantly for the IGDMP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme) with his vast knowledge in control, guidance and navigation.

P S Subramanyam joined ADA in 1986 which was set up primarily to look after the nation’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme. It was in the very initial phase of the programme that he was introduced to the program which was being worked upon by eminent engineers pooled in from various fields and Air force pilots. P.S. Subramanyam was elevated as the PGD and Director in 2005. Below is a long Q&A regarding 'LCA Tejas' as reveled by P.S. Subramanyam.

Q: The current fleet of IAF MiG 21 and MiG 27 are aging pretty rapidly and there are reports of IAF decommissioning nearly 3 squadrons of MiG 21 and MiG 27 by the year end. How will the gap be filled without FOC for Tejas?

A:  The initial orders for Tejas are on IoC configuration and FoC clearance will not come in the way of ramping up the production.

Q: Can Tejas be compared to other aircraft available in the international market, ex f-16 block-52 and JF-17?

A: In its class of aircrafts LCA is equal if not superior and it is comparable in performance.

Q:  The total cost spent on the project.

A: Rs 7,500 cores has been spent to develop 2 TDs, 5 prototypes and 7 LSPs and establish a production line. The most economical programme in the world so far for the above purpose.

Q: What is the current production rate of Tejas, IAF is already phasing out the MiG-21?

A: The production rate is aimed at producing at least 16 to 20 per year. The production rate maybe doubled at a suitable time.

Q: What is the range of radar in tejas mk 1 and will it be improved in mk 2?

A: The radar range in mk1 is approximately 80 - 100 kms. It will be improved to to 120 Kms in mk2.

Q: Will private players be part of LCA to bolster the Tejas production capacity in the near future?

A: The option of involving private players is being explored.

Source - ADA

Q: When will we see the upgraded version of MK.1?

A: The upgraded version of Tejas MK1 can be expected in the next 2 years.

Q: Has the On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) been tested?

A: All the ground tests involving OBOGS has been completed and is ready for integration on a prototype vehicle.

Q:  What is the capability of Tejas in terms of precision guided ground attack roles and close air support to ground troops in the battlefield?

A: LCA can carry Laser guided bombs which can strike targets with less than a meter precision.

Q: Are our pilots satisfied with Tejas and its performance?

 A: Yes. The pilots find the aircraft extremely pilot friendly in its handling qualities.

Q: Your views on the export of Tejas!

A: Let's first take care of the needs of our customers. Exports will happen in future to friendly nations. There have been many inquiries during various air shows.

Source - Net

Q: The home grown engine program ‘Kaveri’ is now scrapped, is there any plans to develop a new engine?

A: The dry engine development of Kaveri is on.

Q: The degree of stealth in Tejas?

A: Very minimal amount of stealth has been provided with Tejas.

Q: As the years roll by, the avionics maybe outdated will it be upgraded with the passing years?

 A: LCA is developed on an Open Systems Architecture which will enable continuous upgrades to the electronics.

Q: What is the level of composite materials used in LCA?

A: 40 per cent by weight and 90 per cent by surface area.

Q:  Is Tejas capable of pulling 9G manoeuvres and is it comparable with other aircraft of its class in manoeuvrability?

A: Tejas is capable of pulling 8G’s and can be compared to all other aircraft in its class for performance.

Q: Is there any update from Cobham in reference to the supply of quartz radome and IFR probe? How vital is the Quartz radome? Is it possible to fire BVR missiles with the existing radar system?

 

A:  ADA will get access to the complete hardware in less than a month. The Cobham Radome will increase the range by about 10-15%. Yes BVR missiles can be fired with the existing radar system.

Q: What would be the service ceiling, ferry range and max speed of Tejas by the end of FoC?

 A:  LCA will enjoy a service ceiling of 15 km, ferry range will be 1500 km and maximum speed will be 1.6 Mach.

Q: Can the current radius of operation of Tejas be enhanced? What are the modifications required for it?

A:  The radius of operation can be enhanced by increasing the drag reduction capability and by carrying extra fuel.

Source - Net

Q: How many hard points are Tejas equipped with and is it sustainable for an aircraft of its class?

 A: Tejas has got 8 hard points and is optimal for this class of aircraft.

Q: An overview of the Electronic Warfare Equipment going into Tejas.

A: We have got RADAR Warning Receivers and planning to have the self protection jammers in the next variants.

Q: What is the Angle of Attack (AOA) of Tejas and is it in par with IAF requirements? 

A: The AoA of Tejas is 24-26 degree and meets the IAF requirements.

Q: Anything regarding the AMCA project and the challenges you may face as it takes shape.

A: AMCA configuration studies have been completed. The Engine requirement for the aircraft has been finalised. Stealth technology and super-manevourability will e the key challenges faced.

Q: What is the expected life span of a Tejas aircraft?

A: 30 years or 3000 hours.

Q: How many Tejas have been produced till date?

A:  As of now SP-1 has been handed over. 19 more are under construction in IOC config.  Two technology demonstrators, Five prototypes and 7 LSPs have been completed till date.

Source - Net

Q: The key differences between the naval version and the air force supplied aircraft? When will the naval version have its FOC?

 A: LCA Tejas will have strengthened undercarriage, leading edge vortex control devices, Arrester Hook, Drooped Nose, Fuel dumping  and many more capabilities unique to the Naval variant. The naval aircraft will be cleared by carrier compatibility after our own air carrier INS Vikrant is available for tests.

Q: Tejas is slated to fire the Python and Derby missiles. Will we see the home grown ASTRA being fired from Tejas?

A:  Astra missiles programme was actually initiated at ADA only. All the time the integration of ASTRA on to LCA has been kept in mind while evolving Astra. Once Astra is cleared on any other platform it will be integrated on LCA.

Extracts of interview published in Mathrubhumi English.

Q: Your tenure will probably go down in the history of Indian military aviation as the most challenging one. Isn't it an irony that you had to leave the project just months ahead of its Final Operational Clearance (FOC)?

A: The Mk-1 configuration aircraft started coming after I took over in 2005. The challenge started with PV-2, which is the present Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration aircraft. In the last 10 years there were major transformation in the aircraft and systems. I would say 80 per cent changes took place in the last 10 years in terms of design and systems. Now, FOC is on track and I am happy that it will be achieved in the next six to nine months. Remember that projects are bigger than people. There are capable hands to take the programme forward. I am not running away and will be always available to offer any help.

Q: So what are the major changes to Tejas in the last 10 years?

A: Well, there are many. There were changes to the front fuselage, cockpit layout, radome, windshield and canopy. Almost 80 per cent avionics changed and even the wings underwent modifications due to R-73 missile. The rear fuselage too had to be changed to accommodate GE404-IN20 engine. Even the MMR (Multi-Mode Radar) underwent changes after the indigenous effort to make one did not succeed. So we had to go for Israeli Elta Radar. Even the fuel system got changes for better CG (Centre of Gravity) management. New Communication systems too came in. Fourteen aircraft were built during my regime and around 2500 flights achieved in 10 years. Tejas story will inspire generations to come.

Q: What was the most satisfying moment during your command?

A: I would say the handing over of SP-1 to the Indian Air Force, the first Series Production aircraft, is the most memorable moment. I can proudly say I saw through the programme end to end.

Q: During your tenure, there were many attempts to close the project. How did you manage to overcome those pressures?

A: Okay. We had faced many unexpected encounters while taking Tejas project forward. In 2007, we came to a situation which almost was like to be or not to be. There were several meetings held to close the programme. From our end, we gave confidence to the government and convinced them that it is a doable project. There were occasions in the past that many wanted to merge ADA with some other organisations. We faced all the rough weather bravely.

Q: Who are the people who were behind these 'undercover operations?'

A: They were not undercover operations, but open attempts. Names don't matter as we have come a great distance ahead successfully.

Source - Net

Q: We understand that the FOC is likely to spill over to next year?

A: The programme has come this far and we are confident of achieving the FOC by March 2016. The current delays are just passing clouds and we will have access to all hardware within a month. Nothing can stop achieving FOC now.

Q: What was it like handling multiple agencies, which had different command and structure?

A: Interesting one (Laughs). I am not sure whether we have any other national programme running with so many stakeholders associated with it. It made me a better leader. Barring ADA, I had no control over any of the stakeholders in the programme. Still, I got the support of everyone, which I am proud of.

Q: Media has been mostly very critical of the programme, but you never came out countering them.

A: (Laughs) If I had to that, who would have run the programme? I believe that everyone has a job to do and I did mine. The media never had the right appreciation of the time and cost of the programme. Every time a new figure came out along with a new set of timelines. With Rs 7500 crore, we made 14 aircraft and also set up a production line. Isn't it far superior than the expenditure twice incurred in any other programme in the world? Honestly, we were ever affected by any media reports.

Source - Broadsword

Q: What are your immediate plans?

A: I want to get connected with the youngsters. I will visit universities and talk to engineering students. I want to share with them the Tejas story. In the next 10 years, India should be second to none in military aviation. If aviation needs to grow, we need to introspect our position in science and technology today. I have already set a blueprint in my mind to target youngsters. In the last 10 years, I have not gone for any vacation. Even Sundays were working days. Probably, now I will get some time to listen to some old Hindi and English songs. 

Q: Songs like...

A: My all-time favourite number is Mary Hopkin's -- Those were the days my friend...

This article published is possible only because of Tarmak007. All the question Q&A published here are formed after clubbing the comments on Tarmak 007, hope it was an interesting read .  Due credits is all paid to the photographers have produced these stunning images. 

Composed by - Karthik Kakoor

ADA Tejas 1 P with AESA Radar

ADA Tejas 1 P with AESA Radar

     HAL Plans to retrofit the Israeli made EL/M 2052 aesa radar on the serial production of Tejas once FOC is achieved,so far LCA uses the Israeli made  2038 radar which is a Doppler Multi mode radar known as mmr. so far Tejas test fired the Russian made R 73 heat seeking missile, which is a Short range IR guided missile, but the BVR missile yet to be fired from the Tejas, as per initial planning IAF wants the Tejas to fire both Israeli and Russian Missile along with Indian m,ade Astra BVR and some other Precession Guided Munitions.

         For long Range Interception Most Fighter Aircrafts carry Long Range BVR missiles, which allows them to engage enemy fighters from safe distance,  Tejas having low Combat radius which is noted less than 500 Kilometers one of the main reason why IAF rejecting the Tejas, due to this less combat radius The Tejas should need a Long range BVR missiles, Tejas planned to Carry BVR missiles like Indian made Astra which having range of some 70 kilometers, the Russian made R 77 missile having Range of some 80 kilometers, and the Israeli made Derby missile having Range of some 50 kilometers,

        But so far no reason provided by the HAL or the ADA why Tejas still not fired the BVR missiles either anyone of them, earlier Tejas launched a R 73 with using bore sights which will not uses much of the Radar for fire and control the missile, the Israeli elta already provided the source codes to the ADA to integrate missiles and Bombs with the Radar and with the Fighter Jets primary control systems, it's a Huge technology needed to integrate the Radar with Fighter jets and communicate with other platforms like Ground Stations and other aerial platforms like AEWCS.

       which also a major concern why IAF not interested in Tejas, even the decade old MiG 21 Bison which is a Upgraded version have BVR missiles for Interception, the Bison uses the R 77 adder missile for BVR engagement and R 73 Archer for Short range engagements. that's the main reason why IAF still using the Bison's in it's fleet and not interested the Tejas,

       Tejas not yet received the In flight Refueling probe, but it's already on behind the schedule by some six months, so far no informations are received, also recently the HAL team carried out hot refueling of Tejas, means Refueling the plane while the engine on working, a step towards refueling in the Air.

     The missile firing questions many things, does the Radar or the data links have problem to fire missiles and Bombs, and the IAF also interested in ASEA radars, where ADA planned AESA radars only on MK 2 versions or retro fit later, two models of planned one is Israeli ELTA made EL/M 2052 AESA another ARDE Uttham AESA recently unveiled on the Aero India 2015.

     It's the Indian Navy who is eagerly wants the Naval version of Tejas. who is also funding for naval tejas project too, the Naval Tejas planned to carry Kh 31, and Kh 35 Anti Shipping missiles, but the current situation is the same like BVR integration, means they yet to integrate and fire the missile.

      By these all problems It's seems that ADA and HAL plans to fit the AESA radar in Tejas to Fire those multi kind of Missiles, the news also not comes from official spokespersons or HAL, but some sources closed to ADA reveal the information, It's good to having a AESA in Tejas which gives more range and more target informations accommodate more missiles and fires them guide them to hit the Target, if Tejas fitted with AESA, then it becomes the first IAF fighter who comes with Operational AESA Radar equipped Fighter Jet

India Sweden Renew Ties

 India Sweden Renew Ties  ! On the path to co-develop highly capable fighter jets. 

   

   In the process of delivering its promise of a resurgent India the NDA government has taken a stand to boost its bilateral ties with countries which will be a boost to its economy and infrastructure. Several high level visits have been made by Indian delegates to boost the ties and develop the country mainly through co-developing advanced technologies. The latest in the list to have shown interest is Sweden, over the course of a month the country has exchanged warm ties. 

    The honorable President of Republic of India Pranab Mukharjee visited Sweden last week signaling India’s newer approach to the country. The diplomatic ties between the countries were in troubled waters when Sweden raised its objection to extraditing Sweden nationals in the Puralia drop case. 

The President during his visit signed several MOU which will boost the ties between the counties in the field of education, bilateral trade, economics, infrastructure and defense. Sweden extending its support to India by sending its Defense minister Peter Hultqvist who has concluded several important deals after meeting his counterpart Manohar Parrikar. 

   The military ties between the countries dates back to the era when India acquired the Bofor guns. The deal even though then proved to be a major boost to the army returned to haunt the armed forces with several scandals emerging.

Sweden and Indian companies have been in agreement to supply India with state-of-the art sensor suites. Sweden’s SAAB has been a forerunner in the lucrative Indian defense market. SAAB had fielded its Gripen NG for the ambitious MMRCA deal but lost out in the initial phase of testing. SAAB has also participated in the MANPAD tender for which a winner is yet to be announced by the Ministry of Defence, India.

    The visiting Defense Minister of Sweden has confirmed that India was offered the Gripen as a replacement for the aging MiG-21 fleet. The home grown Tejas project has evolved overtime and will soon be materialized. The Tejas team is in a race to acquire FOC certificates and once done the jet may soon operate from FOB’s of IAF. 

  

  But with the active fighter squadron dipping at an alarming rate the operational capability of IAF has suffered greatly. Realizing this NDA government went for a G-G deal with the Dassault to supply 36 Rafale to India. Sweden is wishing the same agreement can be reflected in regard to their SAAB developed Gripen NG.

India is strongly stressing for strengthening the prospective India defense industry, ‘Make in India’ has been key feature for setting up a dynamic platform for the interested foreign firms. The government has also cleared the FDI for defense to be increased from 26% to 49% and has also made the procurement process more flexible. 

    Aerospace development has been a field Indian firms have failed to master, SAAB has shown interest to work with India to jointly develop a more lethal LCA platform. If conceived the nations can be working at making the under development Tejas MKII more lethal. IAF has for long been pitching for a more capable Tejas variant, even though the Tejas MK-I is one of the most advanced jets in India lacks in several key fields. IAF has really not been impressed by the performance but still believes is the best platform given its budgetary issues.

    With the Indian firms failing to master the technological hurdles faced in the designing of fighter jets any assistance is a welcome move. America has already entered into an agreement with India to help it improve an advanced jet. America will also be assisting India in developing the hot engines.

   

  

    The home grown Kaveri program failed to provide a reliable engine to the LCA program. The LCA program is now powered by the GE supplied F-404 engines. Several key technologies for the Tejas MK-II are to be finalized, America has already shown its interest in helping India develop the GE F-414. SAAB may also help India overcome these hurdles by providing advanced technologies which will enable India develop a more lethal aircraft.

     Notably the visiting Defense Minister also toured HAL’s primer facility in Bangalore. HAL, Bangalore is the hot bed for any developmental activities in the Tejas and other jet programs. During the visit the minister was given a glimpse of the home grown attack helicopters, 

    ALH Rudra and LCH, the defense system of these helicopters are designed by SAAB. With the minister touring the homeland of Tejas a deal for co-development is most likely but with SAAB strongly suffering in attracting foreign costumers for the Gripen it has to be seen how the program will evolve in the future. 


Editor - Karthik Kakoor

SAAB pushes Gripen for IAF Light Aircraft Platform

SAAB pushes Gripen for IAF Light Aircraft Platform

Shortage of fighter aircraft has been one of the long standing problems for IAF. The active fighter squadron have hit a record low, IAF is now just operating 34 squadrons against the sanctioned 44 squadrons which is considered the minimum operational strength. More and more squadrons will be retiring in the coming years, IAF plans to retire the aging MiG-21 and MiG-21 Bisons by 2017. IAF for long has been looking out for capable platforms to replace the aging MiG-21’s.

India came up with the ambitious LCA project under which India would operate home grown light attack fighter jet. To fill in the gap between the light fighters and the multi-role heavier air superiority jets, India drew up the MMRCA deal. These deals failed to bring any respite to IAF, the LCA project is lagging behind years but may soon be operated under IAF banner, on the other hand the MMRCA deal never finalized and is believed to be dead now.

   But the IAF did receive a good news with the Modi led NDA government going for a G-G deal with France to supply 36 Dassault Rafale fighter jets off the shelve to India. This has come as a respite to the IAF which has been raising alarms owing to the dipping jet numbers.

The threat levels reached new heights with various think tanks raising concerns and reporting that the IAF had lost its superiority to the PAF which now operates some of the most advanced jets.  The new NDA government has been stressing on improving the nation’s security through fastened procurement and modernizing the forces.

     The replacement program for the MiG-21’s is running behind years, the IAF is now looking at other options. India recently signed an agreement with the American’s to co-develop hot engines based on the GE engines which are powering the Tejas. This will be an major boost to the program. With the Defence industry being opened up under the FDI scheme various leading foreign companies has come forward to offer India they’re priced products. The newest in the line is the Sweden based Saab which is approaching India with their Gripen NG to replace the MiG’s. 

    The Saab had fielded the same Gripen for the MMRCA tender. After a detailed technical and operational review India had selected Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon, among which the Rafale won the tender. The visiting Swedish Defence minister Peter Hultqvist will be offering India with an deal to procure these advanced jets. DRDO has sought the help of Saab in developing Tejas MK-II, a deal for co-development of a new fighter platform may also be option the government will opt for.   

     A single Gripen in fly away condition will be around $70 million as against the more costlier Dassault Rafale which costs somewhere around $108 million. But the Gripen had failed early in the tests IAF had conducted during the MMRCA deal, but faced with a depleting force IAF may still the Gripen as stop-gap measure until the more advanced Tejas MK-II will be rolled out by HAL.  

      IAF currently operates jets based mainly on Russian technologies, the Su-30 is the foremost aircraft of the IAF. IAF also operates MiG 29, MiG 27 and MiG 21 which will soon be retired. India also operates the advanced Dassault Mirage-2000 and the Britain manufactures Jaguar. India is now stressing on multi-role aircraft rather than operating various single mission oriented aircraft, this will help IAF save the operational costs. 

    The MMRCA deal set the tone for India’s western platform procurement as India set aside the Russian fielded MiG-35 in the very first rounds of testing. The operational costs run up to cores and with India facing a strong cut down in its defence expenditure it is extremely demanding of the IAF to operate single mission oriented aircraft. The Mirage 2000TI is one of the first multi-role aircraft to be operated by the IAF. The Mirage service availability is well above 80%.  With the LCA project running years behind schedule an replacement deal for the IAF is the need of the hour. 

   IAF  has constant issues with the operational capabilities of the aircraft but HAL has promised of refine the product. HAL has already started the designing of the Tejas MK-II which will be developed around the GE F-414 engine. The aircraft will be more capable and the powerful engine will be clubbed with advanced Avionics and stealth capability which will effectively classify the jet as a 4.5 generation jet. 

    The Tejas MK-I plans has also been delayed for almost a decade. But developing a fighter jet is something that can’t be mastered in a year or two. The F-22 Raptor project of the USAG evolved after almost 3 decades of dedicated R&D phases. Even though being developed in India, Tejas has been possible only because of foreign nation products. The main component of the project was acquiring a suitable engine which could be powerful at the same time highly efficient.

      The program had stalled with the DRDO developed Kaveri engines failing to prove their capability. DRDO and HAL then started looking out to foreign nations which were open to provide India with a engine that could perform well in the Indian conditions. Finally India selected GE developed F-404 for powering the jets. Several key avionics and the weapons package were procured from other nations. The procurement process ran into troubled waters with several delays. 

India a closes ally of Russia, who forces India to buy anything they designed, it's started since from the independence, Russia is not good for developing Multi role fighters,  they use huge models of Aircrafts for Missions, for Air combat they use Flankers, Fulcrums and Foxbat's , for Maritime attack they use Fencer, Blinder, for Ground Strike they use Badger and Frogfoot, for long range bombing they use the newest Fullbacks. But interesting IAF also went for the same for Air combat Fulcrum and Flankers, ground strike Badger, for deep strike Jaguar, something like other missions too. 

    IAF learned a lesson of Fighting with Pakistan need not only a good Air superiority fighter also need some good ground attack platform can also switches it's mission into Air combat roles too. in Kargil the IAF fighters all sitting in ducks due to no intrudes from PAF. but large number of Paki troops intruded, forced the IAF to carryout Ground strike role,  the MiG 27 and 23 is just a bomber they can't carry guided munitions, just amount unguided munitions, which makes no sense but billing the IAF in huge amount. 

But Multi role platform Mirage 2000 and Deep Striker Jaguar comes to the rescue and told the IAF to re think their strategy,

   Most of the western air forces operates one or two kind of Fighters for Better use, mostly a Multi role plus a Ground attack or Light Aircraft for recon mission. Just like the French using thier Mirages and Rafale for missions, both are good platforms and good multi roles.

   If Airforce have multiple variants they need multiple contracts, equipments, service engineers, Trainings, Spare parts, Missiles, ground supports, data links more and more, which makes huge money and problems in the inventory. also makes Half of the fleet siting in the Hangers and waiting for spares and maintenance  experts, 

    That's why IAF should look for reduced variants of  fighters, They can go for Su 30 as Air superiority, Rafale and Mirage for Multirole and Tejas series for Light combat missions, accelerate Future projects like AMCA and FGFA, Which makes IAF strict with five to six platforms with complete support within India, 

  The Su 30, FGFA, AMCA and Tejas is developed in India, we can make huge stockpiles of spare parts and Missiles for those Aircrafts, since all those made in India we have no problem in Technical expertise, where HAL easily can handle the issues very easily since HAL is the manufacturer. But again inducting fighters like F 18, F 35, Gripen, Rafale, MiG 35, Su 35, makes huge problems and service availability, also costs the IAF too much. So IAF sticks with Su 30, Rafale and Tejas variants, no need of More foreign aircraft.

Editor Karthik Kakoor 

Carter meets top Indian command sets course for a strategic relationship

Carter visits Delhi sets tone for renewed partnership

    The visiting US defense Secretary Ashton Carter who toured India for two days met Indian delegates and defense officials in Delhi. Carter called on PM Narendra Modi, Raksha Mantri Manohar Parrikar, NSA Ajit Doval and EAM Sushma Swaraj and paved way for a more robust relationship between the countries. During the meet Parrikar and Carter discussed way to strength the strategic partnership the countries share. Carter and Parrikar signed the new framework for the bilateral defense and strategic partnership. The framework will be set the tone for the partnership for the next ten years, co-development and co-manufacturing figured mainly in the discussion. Carter also took forward the decision which the countries had made during US President Obama’s last visit to India. The deals will now be worked under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) frame work.

India and US also signed agreements for two ground breaking projects under which Mobile Electric Hybrid Power Sources and Protective Ensembles for the troops will be jointly developed. The nations also agreed to renew the help in development jet engines and Aircraft carrier technologies. Several key project details which could help encourage America to participate in ‘Make in India’ campaign were also discussed. America has been one of the strongest supporters for ‘Make in India’ campaign which promises to revolutionize the lacking defense industry. America is also India’s leading defense import partner and has been providing India with state-of-the art technologies over the years. The C-130J Hercules, C-17 Globemasters and the P-8I are some of the finest examples. 

    

 

Before arriving to Delhi, Carter landed in INS Dega, Vishakhapatnam. Carter was briefed about the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) operations. Carter’s visit to the Eastern sea board gains significance with America and India teaming up to challenge the aggressive Chinese in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. America has promised to provide India with advanced naval technologies to boost India’s operation under its ‘Act East’ policy. Carter was given a tour of INS Sahyadri, which is one of the most stealth enabled frigate operating under the Indian navy. Indian Officials discussed many things include major deals like EMALS and Joint engine production Technology, First day Carter Lands in the Naval base Vizag and met Eastern Naval Command Officials, and Mad a Tour inside INS Shaydri a Naval Frigate, Next day he went New Delhi and met Indian Defense Minister, Foreign Minister and National security Advisor, after a broad meeting with Indian Defense officials about Possible Developments future Indo-American relationship.

The battlefield operations and capabilities have received a major boost with India and US signing co-development of Mobile Electric Hybrid Power Sources. These hybrid mobile generators are used to power to the battlefield equipments. Indian armed forces were till date using BEL supplied power sources which on worked on conventional fuels. India and US will also develop a next generation protective ensembles which will be crucial in guarding soldiers from biological and chemical attacks. With this the front line soldiers can operate even in potential radioactive scenarios.  

The signed DTTI agreement promises to help improve the already ecstatic relationship further more with its flexible export rules. The DTTI will be the basic framework for US-India to share a platform for the co-developing technologies. DTTI is poised to be a major contributor to India’s ambitious ‘Make in India’ campaign. DTTI also promises to help India evolve as a leading ‘exporter’ by mastering technologies. Carter was instrumental in materializing DTTI, during his tenure as the Deputy Secretary of Defence Carter had sighted India’s growing and rapidly modernizing Indian defence market. The cumbersome process of ToT under which India has signed several deals will now be made easier under DTTI. More G-G deal can be seen, with India-America countering a common threat in the Asia-Pacific region a stronger relationship is guaranteed.    

Carter took forward the key pathfinder projects India-America had agreed to work upon jointly paving way for more advanced and robust technologies. 

         

USA had agreed to help India develop hot engines which are apt for operations in the subcontinent conditions. India had earlier constituted the Kaveri engine project which was slated to power the LAC. But the project was curtailed after finding the program economically unviable for the LCA project. The ground was conceived for powering the more powerful AMCA project. USA has now come forward to assist India in developing a hot engine based on the GE supplied engines. USA will now assist India in developing the GE F404 turbo fan jet engines in India which are currently powering the LCA project. US will also help India produce more powerful jet engines that can power the Tejas MK2 and can also serve as a benchmark for the under development AMCA project. US will sell India a few engines off the shelves and the rest will be manufactured in India.

           

India boosts one of the biggest navies which is in the transition from a regional navy to a blue water navy. With America supporting India in materializing its ‘Act East’ policy, a key part of it would be to help India modernize its navy. America also has realized that the only regional power to check China in its track would be India and India alone. Displaying its trust in India, America has offered the most advanced Electro Magnetic Aircraft Launch Technology (EMALS) to India. EMALS is being currently inducted on the new USS Gerald R Ford class carriers. Indian navy operates STOBAR configuration carriers with which the launch capability is greatly compromised. EMALS will help in launching heavier aircraft with and will be the first flat top carrier of the Indian navy. EMALS is an extremely costly initial investment technology but will be extremely cost effective for operations. Compared to the traditional steam powered catapults the EMALS can launch heavier aircraft more swiftly and with minimal stress on the air frame. India is in the final stages of finalizing designs for IAC-II and will now officially approach USA for the EMALS technology if it chooses for a flat top carrier. Carter also announced that a US team charged with Carrier design would be visiting Delhi in the near future to conduct conclusive talks about the deal.

          

India has also shown interest in acquiring two Raytheon Sentential Aircrafts for ISTAR(Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance ) missions. ARC currently operates ISTAR aircraft based on Bombardier platform which were redesigned in Israel. India had shown in these aircraft way back in 2011 but a deal was not conceived. The then government had decided to acquire these platforms with the help of Israeli’s. The ISTAR aircraft are an integral part of armed forces. These aircraft will help in pinpoint analysis of enemy location. Britain had used these aircraft to track down the children Boko Haram militants had taken hostage in Nigeria. Further progress in this deal is awaited and be declared in the coming days.       

    

   


Editor – Karthik Kakoor