The next step, Stocking anti armour missiles

The next step, Stocking anti armour missiles

IAF found way good moves to provide close air support to the ground troops, by employing precision guided munitions and glide bombs for stand off strike. now they looking for anti armour missile for destroying enemy armored vehicles in the battlefield, IAF already signed a contract with US to supply more than 1000 Hell fire missiles, which going to be employed in the Apache gunships. 

During the Kargil, India found that there is no proper munition to strike the enemy column, They used large amount of dumb bombs, which is not effective, while later they adopted guided muntions which shows good effective. Even they were procured from the west. Since the Indian arsenal comprised by Russian munitions which is not useful in such situation, they were heavy in size however unguided dumb bombs.

IAF found that, guided munition is the future and stop producing more dumb bombs, Instead of that they built guidance kit, like GPS guided or Laser guided heads for bombs. which guide the bomb into the target. Here too those PGM - Precision guided munition can strike stationary targets only. like key building and supply dumps. The LGB- Laser guided munition can strike less mobile systems like artillery's and others. 

For high mobile targets like Tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, one need a guided missile to chase and kill the target. Mostly tanks can travel at the speed of some 40 km as average. It's hard to bomb them with exiting LGB or PGM. So here wee need a anti armour missile to strike such high mobile targets.

Nag is the missile who uses the millimeter wave seeker to attack enemy armored vehicles. Just like all other counterparts like Hell fire and Spear. mmW seeker can guide the missile exactly where the tank is and whats it's position. Missiles employed with mmW seekers are highly reliable, however shorter range, due to it's spectrum characteristics.

Indian Nag program is running in slow but steady. However they can be employed in Indian made helicopters like LCH and armed Dhruv only. The upcoming Apache's comes with Hell fire missiles, However so far there were no good such missile in fixed wing aircraft. Since IAF's fighters are not have such characteristics to launch such missiles.

However one IAF jet can employ anti armour missiles, Recently upgraded Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft is the only IAF fighter can employ such missile. Mirage can carry upto six anti armour missile in two hard points. Those anti armour missiles are less in weight compared to other missiles, they were barely weights some 60 kilo grams. Mirage with multiple ejector rack can hold upto three missile in one port. However IAF didn't have any such missiles for Mirages, Since they plans to use the mirages for launching guided munitions and glide bombs only. 

Rafale is the only other aircraft can carry anti armour missiles, as French already offered the latest Brimstone missile with the Rafale package.  Brimstone comes with dual seeker for high probability of detection it uses laser guidance and mmW for high probability of intercepting fast moving vehicles. Same like how Hell fire missile operates.

IAF need large number of such missiles for Rafale. Since the Rafale can carry more payload and higher sortie rates. for better close air support mission IAF may use the Apache helicopters. However in contested airspace IAF need to use the fixed wing aircraft's for aircraft survivability. Since helicopters can be shot downed very easily inside contested airspace.

The Rafale comes with better weapon packages like guided munitions, anti armour missiles, and better air to air missiles. The IAF uses the Flankers for stand off strikes. As it's soon to get 100km range glide bombs from Israel.

It's better to see, IAF may overcomes from the past issues and now looks formidable force with pretty decent air to ground arsenal too.

Why IAF rejected MiG 35 Fulcrum F

Why IAF rejected MiG 35 Fulcrum F

Many in the social media claiming that the MiG 35 is the better low cost option to ramp up the number of fighter jets in Indian Air force, without knowing the actual reason behind why IAF didn't said any words about MiG 35. Russian fighters are good, but not suits for modern Indian requirements. The air fighting evolved since years that dog fighting replaced with long range BVR missiles.

During the initial days of MMRCA evaluation, IAF rejected American F 16 and Swedish Gripen as a reason of single engine. the first lesson for the contenders that IAF clearly looking the modern fighter should fight in the dense condition, even if the IR guided missiles burst the engine, the fighter need to be return to base without being crashed.

During evaluations, MiG 35 was forced out, without even tested by IAF in many conditions, This is recently declassified by the MiG CEO, which was published in IDRW .  This due to some reasons, one is during the evaluation trails two MiG 29's crashed in Russia, which forced all MiG 29 grounded. This issue also well addressed by live fist in early 2010. The detailed information explained by Shiv aroor and posted in Livefist .

The IAF's intentions is clear, that they don't want the MiG platforms so the Russian planes. This due to the IAF's serious discussion after the evolving ground threats and need of good close air support platform. Here many think dumb bombs can easily worked out. However this is not true, A fighter needs to be visually identifies the ground target before dropping bombs.

The Americans and the Western fighters doing this since decade after learning lessons in Gulf war. Pakistan and China has massive number of mobile platforms like Artillery's and Tanks. A good fighter with loads of LGB can only stop the enemy's offensive platforms.

The MiG or the Su 35 can't do this. Russians has different operating procedure, their main objective is defend the Russian air space from enemy fighters and provide air cover to the ground troops. The reason why Russia using so many Fighter jets and interceptors and operating very less number of ground attack jets like Frogfoots.

The Indian air force expanded it's capabilities from defensive mission into air offensive and close air support. Currently India has enough number of such fighter aircraft's. 300 of Su 30 MKI and another 60 MiG 29 UPG is enough for such mission. More over Indian air space is heavily guarded by long range missiles like Barak ( upcoming ) and Akash SAM systems. So the Indian air space is well protected by those layered defensive networks.

Those SAM's has highest availability rate and operating costs too very low, compared to a fighter jet. The Europeans are more smart in this field that they understand in the SAM theory, so they moved into multi role fighter jets and deploying more SAM systems.

The IAF is so happy with the usage of western fighter jets like Jaguar and Mirage 2000 and planned to keep those fighters upto 2030. those fighters are very good in precision bombing missions. they were upgraded and can provide close air support to the ground units in anytime, day night and any tough weather conditions.

Here too the Russian fighters do carry such precision guided munitions. But they were so costlier and they can't fly very low to drop those bombs. IAF can equip sixteen LGB's in a western platform with the cost of single MiG 29 or Su 30 MKI armed with one Kh 25 missile. hardly the Russians using the Missiles for precision strike and West uses bombs.

The Russians too tried GLONASS guided bombs, which is combat proven in Syrian civil war. However they were never comes closer to the western PGM's accuracy. PGM used to hit stationary targets, while LGB used to strike mobile targets. for both LGB and PGM, west uses Bombs, Russia uses Missiles for moving targets, and uses guided bombs for stationary targets. 

Lets assume a mission, a friendly forces operating with several armors and infantry units surrounded by large enemy column. The Infantry man calls for an close air support mission and the location also identified.  Fighter jets are usually very fast, they can cross some 400 kmph at minimum speed, The battle is encircled at some five square kilometers.

So the hard job for the Fighter jet is to identify the enemy targets, and escape from MANPAD threats. Usually two to eight fighter jets assigned to perform the task. So these fighter jets must be equipped with modern sensor suites to defeat the MANPAD threats and modern EO systems to identify the enemy targets in the grounds.

As one more the enemy targets are highly mobile, and they were close to the friendly units. One hard thing should be understand everyone, that our ground troops ill equipped to mark the enemy troops, the recent acquisition of multi purpose binoculars are the only option to laze the enemy target and directly feed into the fighter jets mission computer.

Once the identification acquired from the ground troops they cross check the info by checking their own. for that they need to be fly low and slow. Few fighter jets are performed this mission, like Tornodo, F 15, F 18 and the Rafale. Hardly no Russian jets can perform such mission. they hits many stationary objects in Syria, but no identities of mobile targets. US on the other side performed some good mission by destroying many mobile targets and convoy's.

India is not going to fight against militia or poorly equipped army's, India needs to fight against two modern army's even in tough terrain condition. So CAS will be achieved with modern multi purpose fighters like Rafale. not the air superiority fighters like MiG 29 or 35.

Parrikar priorities Submarines, Ammunition and Aircraft

Parrikar priorities Submarines, Ammunition and Aircraft

After clearing the new defense procurement policy, Parrikar said that the government will focus three major aspects in the defense, which include buying more submarines, increasing the ammunition stockpile, and additional production line for new fighter jets. He also suggested that a new aircraft production line will be established with the support of private industry.

Indian Navy who is the biggest player in the Indian defense, who lack of submarines for under water escort and offensive mission. Submarine's are still one of the effective player in the modern battlefield, who can sneak through enemy defense zone and sunk the bigger warships using the heavy torpedo's.

India now only has revamped the Submarine acquisition program, by commissioning one submarine every year, with the help of P 75 project. India plans to produce nine scorpene submarines, where two of them already in the water for trails. Mostly these submarines can be used to escort duties only, since it's range and endurance is limited.

The SSN who is the one can operate as solo and conduct long range missions, hide under the water for longer periods. India have two bigger projects whose market is more than $20 billion. One is the P 75I project another is the SSN project, where private players keen to seal the project. Reliance is the one who front running the SSN project with Russian support.

If ministry fast tracks the submarine acquisition program, the dream of indigenous SSN can be reality in next fifteen years. building as SSN is as much as hard in the Indian defense industry who have no experience in building one. SSBN is other game, who is fat and slow, is not capable to maneuver underwater, SSN is the one can perform any tasks very easily and operate as solo for more than months.

Ammunition reserve is one of the most criticized issue in last some years, that the armed forces especially the  Indian army who doesn't have ammunition to fight for 20 days. CAG is the one who revealed the information citing the 2013 auditing report and raises the alarm. CAG also reports poor standard of ammunition from OFB and poor storage capabilities in Army storage.

As simple, In foreign, Infantry soldiers can carry seven magazines each with thirty bullets for assault rifle and three 250 round magazine for light machine guns. Here the karma forced on the Indian soldiers "Ek Kholi, Ek Dushman"  one bullet one enemy, and even with the use of iron sights.

Indian infantry units usually carries, three magazine each with 20 rounds for Assault rifle and three magazines with 30 rounds for LMG's. So the need of stocking small arms ammunition numbers also needs to be raised into maximum.

The new government bit sensible, that they orders more numbers of ammunition's from OFB, who license manufacture the ammo for variety of small arms, which include ammo for artillery and main battle tanks. The ministry must ensure that the OFB's ammo's should be in higher quality to last long.

Air force is in very bad shape, who having one assembly line for Su 30 MKI, and another assembly line for Tejas, first one can rolls twelve aircraft per year, another can rolls out eight per year. Ministry recently authorized another production line for Tejas to produce another eight, however the line will be operational only after 2019.

So the need of private player must for building another line of fighter jets, which can produce sixteen aircraft per year. It's either Rafale production line or some other minister's favored fighter aircraft. It's better Rafale under TATA production line is feasible option to get quality and higher standard Rafale as like in Dassault plant in France.

Bye Bye Rafale, Ministry plans to buy F 18 IN

Bye Bye Rafale, Ministry plans to buy F 18 IN

Source's close to Defense ministry confirms that India plans to produce the American F 18 in India with TATA as the indigenous supplier. The proposed sale will be discussed and to be drafted in the upcoming visit of US DOD Chief to India. US major Lockheed proposed the F 16 IN to India, due to the single engine and the Lockheed's relationship with Pakistan forced the IAF keep out  Lockheed's offer.

On the other side Boeing has made good relationship with India, recent signatures of AH 64 and CH 47, and Boeing's MoU with TATA also good example for that. F 18 IN is the advanced variant of F 18 E/F version, IN version has larger Indian sub components, also allows to carry Indian and Israeli made weapons.

There is no information about how many numbers of F 18 could be produced in India, however there is no delays in the new procurement like earlier, The new DDP allows faster negotiations and contract agreements. Also there is no details mentioned in the earlier signe MoU of 36 Rafale acquisition program with France.

Many feasible options in the F 18, F 18 engines can be used in desi Tejas and the upcoming AMCA. the need of F414 engine numbers  may cross over 3000 for the next twenty years, and GE already signed a contract with an Indian company to produce those engines in India,

F 18 also certified to be operated from aircraft carriers, which can be used in upcoming IAC 2 carrier, as one more the F 18's master piece variant EA 18 G also a good choice for dedicated jamming. the air force's long time dream of operating dedicated special squadron after retiring the MiG25

F 18 E/F one of the newest bird in the US Navy and air force based on the legendary F 18 hornet. which was introduced in the USAF in 2000. as of now Royal Australian force is the only export customer who use both E/F and G version of F 18.

The F 18 can be used in multiple missions, same like Rafale. the F 18 carry more variety of ammunition and more number of weapons than the Rafale. whose range is quite lower than the Rafale when comes to comparison.  The new F 18 also comes with advanced modern AESA radar AN/APG 79 made by Raytheon.

The IN version comes with eleven hard points which allows the aircraft to carry more number of air to air, air to ground and air to ship munitions, Modern missiles like AIM 120 D, JDAM and Harpoon also can be used from the Indian Hornet.

The Hornet's are costs less than the Rafale in all aspects, which include weapons and acquisitions. However Rafale leads in less operating and maintenance cost. As like other US fighter jets, The F 18 too have modern avionics, electronic warfare and jamming suites. which include towed decoy's.

Buying both F 18 and Rafale makes the IAF once again in the logistics nightmare, maintaining both Rafale and F 18 is so hard since Pilots need to be trained in different platforms and also there is no option of interoperability. Less number of Pilots in the IAF also a issue operating both Rafale and F 18. ammo nightmare is also a problem. since F 18 can be support Indian and Israeli weapons, but not the french one. Especially on the air to air missiles. 

It's the IAF who can send a formal proposal for the eligible aircraft, However it's the ministry who decide which one need to be bought.  

All time low, Air force struggles with low squadron

All time low, Air force struggles with low squadron

   Indian air force once again raises its concern of depleting squadron numbers and strength, expressing no steps taken to control the attrition. and yet they need to wait couple more years to induct new fighter jets. Since rival forces already massing up their fighter jets numbers. The air force also keens to buy newer fighter jets under the new DPP policy which will be unveiled by coming 28th March.

Reports circulated earlier that the air force officials shows concerns of the very low number of fighter jets in the air force. The air force has only twenty-two squadrons of fighter jets, which are combat capable. another eleven squadron fighters are not combat capable during war time. The older MiG 21 and MiG 27 comprises eleven squadrons in the existing operational 33 squadrons.

The air force has to maintain the same 22 squadrons till 2019. Which is 50% less than the sanctioned fighter jets to confront against both China and Pakistan simultaneously. The air force has not placed new orders so far. The ordered LCA comes in later 2019 only, which will form his first operational squadron. The proposed MMRCA yet to be signed, FGFA contract nose-dived, AMCA still on the drawing board.

MMRCA is one of the major reason behind this low number of the squadron. That the air force keen to induct along with the homemade LCA Tejas. The politics played the bigger role in the MMRCA acquisition program. which is known as one of the biggest military deal in the Indian history? The Government earlier allocated some $8 billion to buy 126 fighter jets from France. which estimated some $60+ millions per fighter jet.

The selection process completed in early 2012 and Air force plans to rolls out first Rafale squadron from Indian assembly line by 2016, Even till now the government didn't sign the MRCA contract with France.

Airforce selected the Rafale for many reasons, from the experience gathered from Mirage 2000 to its small size which can fit in existing MiG 21 shelters. The politics played on the other side providing alternate options to the air force. However, IAF won't ready to accept the proposals made by the politicians.

They were offered more Su 30, later allowed the SAAB to propose the Gripen, proposing F 18 E/F, and the current F 16 offer. Air force completely rejected all such offers and insisted the government buy the Rafale only. and allows building AMCA and LCA in parallel.

This is the only option that IAF can sustain from the depleting squadrons. The Americans pushing the F 16 to the IAF with the government support. those fighter jets will not suit for Indian requirements, who also kills the Tejas project too.

The ministry all set to clear the new defense procurement policy to  speed up the procurement's. The new DPP allows faster defense procurement same like during in wartime, said defense minister.

Anyway, The IAF loves the Rafale and wants the fighter just like how the MMRCA drafted by the air force officials, If Defense Minister gives up the F 16 to the IAF, there is no chance IAF has to work with F 16 and forget the MMRCA.

Alternate options, $9 billion for Rafale

Alternate options, $9 billion for Rafale

It's better to invest such huge amount in other armed forces like army and existing air force projects to speed up and enhance the quality and reliability, rather than going for an expensive Rafale fighter deal, The Rafale is not a magic plane that can sneak and destroy Pakistani and Chinese positions, other IAF jets like Su 30 MKI and Jaguar too do the same.

Currently many of the air force fighter program is running slow due to lack of funds, since Ministry and IAF stocking money to seal the Rafale deal. on the other side IAF backbone fighter  MKI waiting to get spare parts and ordinances. The Jaguar DARIN program delayed due to lack of funds, and the engine selections process too couldn't be resolved since ages.

The numbers won't make changes rather than technologically evolved fighters, There is no assessment that, authorized 45 squadron fighters can save India from coordinated attack by both China and Pakistan. although maintaining those 45 squadron of fighters also drain IAF's budget. So it's better to enhance the older fighters to keep them with upgrades.

There is no chance of using those older MiG 21 and MiG 27 in modern battles since they are not capable to survive in modern theater despite upgrades, It's better decommission those jets as soon as possible rather than scheduled decommission, this will consume more IAF's budget and also threats IAF pilots too who handles those vintage soviet fighters.

Air force recently started upgrading the Mirage 2000 with new avionics and sensor suites with modern weapons. It's reported that, HAL can roll out six modernized Mirage 2000 every year. the upgrade works scheduled to be completed before 2020. the new mirages are better in all terms, also shares few modern technologies with Rafale.  

The new mirages comes with new sensor suites, modern air to air missiles and engines, which makes it one of the better and modern fighter in IAF, IAF always maintained the service availability of Mirage 2000 is by more than 75%. IAF operates three squad of Mirage 2000.

Jaguar is the other one who waiting for good upgrade with modern engines and missiles, The Jaguars are one of the better platform used to carryout precision ground attack and SEAD missions. Jaguars with his unique features like terrain hugging fly path and lack of radar, provide better survivability in modern battlefields too.

The maritime Jaguars are already upgraded with new avionics and missiles, US made new generation Harpoon missile added in place of older generation Sea Eagle missiles. Even though IAF plans to replace the older Agave radar with modern Israeli AESA radar. also IAF plans to integrate the US made AGM 88 HARM missile to replace older martel missile to conduct anti radar missions.

The IS version of Jaguars also carries cluster munitions like US made CBU 105 and modern precision guided munitions, All the IAF jaguars can carry a pair of ASRAAM IR guided missiles for self defense. IAF operates six squadron of Jaguars. upgrading them with all the above said system keeps Jaguar better till 2035.

Sukhoi Su 30 MKI is one of the primary air superiority platform, however the fighter shows many problems, which include engine issues and lack of spare parts. which makes half of the fleet on the ground. The Su 30 MKI can conduct all kind of missions include anti shipping, air to ground and air to air missions.

IAF looking to upgrade the Su 30 MKI into super sukhoi with new generation avionics and engines, However as per current scenario the Super Sukhoi upgrade may be pushed to 2030 or so. What IAF need is to improve the service availability of Su 30 MKI upto some 75%, By opening new over haul centers allowing to stock more spares.

Recent contract with Israel to equip the Su 30 with new gen litening pod with Spice glide bombs makes the Su 30 MKI gives better stand off capability, the same what Rafale do since years by impressing nations with pin point ground strike even bypassing dense air defense systems with the help of spectra, The Su 30 MKI can configurable such system.  Su 30 MKI currently flies with Israeli EW system, which can be replaced with modern Israeli systems. adding those can even by pass Rafale's qualities too.

What the Rafale also have is long range stand off cruise missile, the SCLAP EG is better for air to ground strike with the range of more than some 200 kilometers. IAF also mulls for Brahmos in Su 30 MKI, however the Brahmos costs is too much, It's better DRDL can develop such air launched missiles similar like Pakistani Ra'ad and SCLAP EG for better stand off missile strike. IAF operates upto some 12 squad of Su 30 MKI. the numbers may increased by 15 in coming years.

MiG 29 is another platform that IAF currently doing upgrades, with new upgrades the MiG 29 is also act as a good company with Mirage and LCA. HAL can complete the upgrades before 2020. The new upgrades include modification in air frame to carry more fuel and carry heavy ordinances. IAF operates nearly three squad of MiG 29 UPG jets. 

The above mentioned fighter jets alone comes nearly 27 squadrons, adding more number of Tejas can roughly give 30 squad fighters with service availability of more than 75%, That's what we call a real and better air power, rather than 45 squads with 50% service availability. Even it's a known concern that IAF lack of fighter pilots too.

By spending those $9 billion into above said fighters makes more than what 100+ Rafale's do in IAF. this money can speed up the upgradation works and gives more fund to buy spares and ammunition's. quarter of the amount can also been spend for modernizing the air fields and protection systems like base defense VSHORAD's and Radar jammer systems.

The late and costly Rafale fighter won't suit Indian economical needs, It will bankrupt the IAF. It's clear no other US, European and Sweden Jets won't makes sense, they too abolish the IAF. 

Expanding the goal of IAF

Expanding the goal of IAF

   Indian air force slowly expanding his wings from primary air defense into major offensive force, with the induction of new generation fighter jets along with better missile systems. The Air force not only conduct air defense missions, also supports the ground troops by neutralizing ground targets, New procurement plans which include Rafale also known as best in terms of ground strike and primary air defense missions.

    IAF's first ground attack jet is the MiG 23, It's the bomb carrier, still won't hit targets in high precision, mostly it was used for making craters in the fields, the wide application is anti runway missions, taking out enemy runway means they wouldn't able to launch their fighter aircraft's. Nowadays such carpet bombings are not effective due to the raise of low level quick reaction missiles deployed in the air force bases.

    Jaguar is the first aircraft who comes with guided bombing capability. The Jagaur performed very well in NATO missions in Afghan and Iraq, So did in Indo Pakistani war's too. Specially in the Kargil war. Jaguar is the only certified fighter jet in IAF who can carry nuke bombs. Jaguar won't carry Radar's. however it uses the infrared and laser guidance kit mounted in it's nose. Jagaur also designed to fly very low aided by terrain following guidance system.

     Some of IAF Jaguar's modernized with Agave radar which will be replaced by Israeli radar. Those are used for maritime attack missions. One squadron of IAF's Jaguar IM armed with Harpoon anti shipping missile. IAF also plans to use the Jaguar till 2035 or the arrival AMCA. With new upgrades of Honeywell Engines and Israeli AESA radar's and newer air to air missiles and Guided bombs which include CBU 105 Cluster Bombs.

    IAF's key project is arming the Su 30 MKI with Brahmos cruise missile, The Sukhoi is not capable of conducting precision bombing, However Indian MKI can launch Russian made laser guided missiles like Kh 29 and other TV guided missiles with the guidance of Sukhoi's onboard  IRST. Adding the long range Brahmos cruise missile makes the Su 30 MKI can strike any targets inside Pakistan from safe distance, the term called Stand off missile strike.

    Modernized Indian Mirage's are another one who can capable to conduct precision bombing missions. The newer Mirages can capable to strike ground targets with high precision or pin point accuracy. Addition of AASM and PGM in Mirage 2000TI makes one of the best CAS platform in IAF. IAF can use the Mirage fighter for bombing close to friendly positions with it's highly reliable bombing capability.

    Tejas on the other hand also developed in the mind of multi role. ADA make the Tejas to perform all missions in Indian conditions. Who already performed laser guided ammo drop in firing range. LGB from Tejas can be guided by Israeli made Litening pods. which illuminates laser beam to the target and the bomb.

    Rafale is the key player who soon to be a part of IAF, also known as best in ground attack, Rafale is one of the best multi role attack aircraft along with F 15 Strike eagle. Rafale already performing missions in Afghan, Iraq Syria and Mali. Rafale's air power can be calculated in Baltic air policing missions and combat exercise with US fighter jets.

    All the said above fighter jets are better in terms of Aerial war fighting too, Nowadays due to the technology overlap, the one who identify the enemy and launch his missile first always wins the combat, Modern missiles are jam proof more agile and high speed than the fighter jets.

    IAF is known as one of the best air to air missile arsenal, It have missiles from Europe, Israel and Russia, IAF fighter jets already employed modern air to air missiles like ASRAAM, MICA, Derby, Python, and all kind of Russian missiles.

    A combination of Two variety of any above fighter jets networked with Phalcon AEWCS can kill any large modern column of enemy fighter jets. 

     The above points are clearly showing IAF changing it's primary air defense missions into multi role combat capable fleet. who is already in operational. 

Rafale Deal confirmed, Contract Papers shared

Rafale Deal confirmed, Contract Papers shared

      Sources from both India and France confirms that India orders the first batch of 36 Rafale's from Dassault, The details of the agreement already shared with French and Indian authorities respectively. Sources close to France said, The actual contract value is some €5 billion which include spares, support systems, Base modification and Missile systems. IAF yet to select the Air bases who hosts the Rafale squadron.

     It's highly unlikely the first two squadron could be placed close to New Delhi, where future orders may deployed close to borders, The 36 numbers are very small when comes to operating manner,  Maintaining 70% of service availability also a major problem. As IAF also pushing the government to buy more number of Rafale platforms in future under make in India program.

    The total deal value is still under the first negotiated price of $ 5.7 billions and there is no price escalation on it. Each Rafale aircraft negotiated at some €70 millions in fly away condition. Half of the deal value is spend on buying missiles and spare parts to keep the Rafale running for next 40 years without ant shortage of supply.

     The Rafale is obviously a costlier plane, same like other European products, So the missiles also costs too much. IAF is so much impressed with the performance of MICA missile series. Each MICA missile costs around some $3 millions. Earlier in 2012 IAF bought more than 500 MICA Missiles under some $1.3 billion deal.

     Those 500 new missiles are brought to equipped in the newly upgraded Mirage fleet. IAF operates nearly fifty Mirage 2000 aircraft. Each mirage can carry nearly six modern MICA Missiles. MICA comes in two modes one is IR- for WVR another is EM for BVR mission.

 

    The Rafale also carry the same MICA Missiles, IAF may spend some $1 billion for MICA missiles and another $1 billion for Meteor long range BVR missile, Meteor is known as one of the best available long range BVR missile.

     India may also buy some hundreds of Exocet anti shipping cruise missile along with Rafale, However there is no information of that purchase. Since IAF uses the Russian Kh 35 missile on it's Su 30 MKI and Harpoon missile on its Jaguar fleet.

    Also It's clear India may purchase thousands of AASM guided bombs along with the Rafale purchase. Rafale's superior ground attack performance is scored by those guided bombs with Damocles NG pod, With the addition of more number of guided bombs may increase the IAF's option of providing effective fire support to ground forces and ground targets.

    Sources also confirms the official contract signature between the Indo French authorities will be signed day after the Republic day celebration and within a week IAF will send it's team to France to get hands on experience and training on the Rafale aircraft.

Rafale slowly moving away from India

Rafale slowly moving away from India

    Recent information's from Defense ministry, It looks like Rafale and it's associated company's slowly moving away from the earlier proposed deal, Since India failed to negotiate the French team even after very long time consumed by both sides. India first announced to buy a 126 Rafale and additional 72 as Make in India program whose deal value estimated around $12-$15 billions. Which makes one of the finest deal for Indian defense industry and the user Indian Air force. However the ministry suggests the deal value over priced and Rafale's negligence to joining with HAL tampered the progress of So called Indian MMRCA tender.

    India selects HAL as primary Indian supplier of Rafale, However France is not impressed with HAL's primary operating structure, and suggested some other private players to be roped in for Rafale Production line in India. The ministry rejects the French suggestion and insists HAL will be the Primary partner of Dassault. France also said, if HAL will be selected Dassault officials may supervise the HAL's performance and  Build Quality.

    HAL rejected the French's supervise in their work, However the Initial understanding as per the RFP, The  Rafale's quality and warranty should taken care by the French's Dassault. Which means Dassault will taken care of HAL produced Rafale too. French refused the plan and shelved the negotiations. Which considered most critical part and the reason of cancelling the MMRCA.

   Due to the failure of Initial warranty and over price issue, India plans to buy some 36 Rafale Fighters directly from France without any know how technology transfer, As Prime minister's initial motto of Make in India in each and every defense procurement also buried. Prime Minister announced Indian option of buying 36 Rafale directly from France without any ToT or nothing. Unlike the user IAF wants some other options along with ToT.

     The Indian Air force wants the Rafale must equipped with Ingeniously made Astra long range BVR missile and Stand off cruise missile Brahmos. French side agreed the IAF's proposal and ask additional money for customizing the aircraft. The contract negotiation committee rejected the cost escalation and stay with the announced deal value. The French side refused and said they will deliver the Rafale F3 just how France operating without adding Astra and Brahmos. However the user IAF not satisfied about the shortcomings in the Rafale Fighter aircraft's capability without coming with Astra and Brahmos .

    

The contract negotiation committee also proposed 50% of offset in the deal. France refused the Suggestions and said they will invest only 30% of the deal value in India. However later some reports suggested that France agreed Indian proposal of 50% of deal value money to be invested back in India. The major roadblock kicked and both side moved towards next line of contract negotiations.

    Days ago Indian defense minister said the Rafale deal is in final stages of price negotiations, which is reported by Economic times. However there is no clear information about the offset issue and deal value finalization. Which makes the deal still hanging. Minister also confirms that 50% offset issue almost sorted out. However minister didn't said it is finalize.

     Minister also confirms that only 36 Rafale's will be procured under government to government contract. There is no additional numbers are planned. However some Air force officials believes that the 36 numbers makes logistics issue and makes no wonder in Combat or any other operations. So it could be another 36 or more will come under Make in India initiative. They also cited the French aerospace involvement in Indian  defense sectors.

    Safron is the Company who delivering Sneccma M88 Engines to the Rafale Aircraft and invested a Indian assembly line to produce the engines in India. They plans to make Engine parts and assembly line in India to meet the Indian needs of more engines to the first announced MMRCA tender. Reports from Bloomberg cited Safron confirmed they shelved the Indian assembly line plans due to low number of Rafale orders. Which is considered a major drawback in the Rafale deal.

   The same news quoting officials circled all over the media since two years, yet no clear changes in the ground, Which makes India might move away from the deal otherwise French will walk away from the Deal. Even after Indian announcement, Qatar and Egypt singed Rafale deal with France and Egypt operating three units of Rafale's.

Pushing F 18 E/F under Make in India

Pushing F 18 E/F under Make in India

   There is an Interesting poster found in the ongoing England's Defense and Security Equipment International Exhibition, that Indian pavilion is showing the F 18 E/F Fighter Aircraft's in a make in India poster. unfortunately the F 18 is lost in the MMRCA race, after Indian cancelled the MMRCA and moved with off shelf Purchase of Rafale directly from France, there is huge cap of multi role air craft's and light combat aircraft in the IAF inventory, India and US are more closer in military relationship,US is offering many kind of Fighter jets and Missile, and it's excepted that US will once again push the IAF to buy F 18 super Hornets.

    There is many possibilities of using the Super Hornets, Indian Navy is expected to buy those Naval based F 18 for it's future EMAL aircraft carrier, Rafale M is the other best contender, however because of the EMAL technology transfer US may force the Indians to buy the Super hornets, the Indian Navy's future carrier is currently in design stage along with the support of US Navy's Future Carrier Development team, who already involved in the US Navy's Gerald R Ford class carrier program, the first ship with the modern low cost powerful EMAL aircraft launching system,   

   The Americans earlier offered the F 16 IN Block 60 Aircraft for multi role missions and offered the Scorpion for Intelligent and reconnaissance mission, however IAF didn't even think about those platforms, they always strict with the Rafale, as already mentioned all Indian Armed forces are under government control, so they can only suggest the government to what exactly they need, The Government will take final decisions whether it's needed or not, The same also happening in the MMRCA too, for operational missions IAF need some 126 plus Rafale's, and the decision maker Indian government ordered just 36 Rafale, and they even didn't signed the last proposed Rafale deal. It's on the government's hands, whether they will sign the deal or move away from the deal, no one knows that.

    The Indian Prime minister due a visit to America next week, where Modi will meet the US president Obama and his democratic members along with US military decision makers, where he will discuss about the pending deals, the IAF has scheduled to be operate many US made flying systems, however It's not signed since decades, the most awaited Apache AH 64, Chinook CH 47 is such an example, also PM will discuss with the US military leaders about the earlier offer of F 16 IN and assisting the Carrier building, PM will be accompanied with IAF and IN officials during the US visit.

   There is no doubt that F 18 is a best fighter Jet, a good alternative against the Rafale, in cost wise Rafale is double money than the F 18, how ever the overall flying cost will be lesser in Rafale compared to F 18, simply Rafale is higher procurement cost and lesser operating cost and F 18 is vice verse, as many suggested we can spare some amounts to keep the F 18 running all time like how we maintaining the Su 30 fleet, and it's hard to put double money in initial procurement,

   The Rafale deal itself hits in the roadblock, with the governments proposal of offset clause and some other missile integration issues, it's already missed many deadlines, and no clear signs about the deal, and it's bit confusion mostly the Government will walk away from the deal. Inducting completely newer version of fighter jets makes many problems in the IAF, new training new methods new controls and newer data links, the same will not needed in Rafale since IAF so familiar with the french fighters,

   The IAF itself asked the government many times to buy the EA 18 growler for dedicated electronic attack capability, and It's good to see IAF operating one squadron of dedicated Jamming aircraft,  the F 18 comes with an advanced AN/APG AESA radar, and the F 18 uses towed decoy to spoof long range radar guided missiles, such technology is not available in Rafale, and Rafale fully depend on it's Spectra EW suite.

  The Rafale is designed to fly very low level, used it's design techniques to penetrate enemy air defense and strike deep inside the enemy's heart. the F 18 is primarily a multi role platform, who follows the AESA provided ground mapping for low level penetration, who needed the Radar to keep scanning, which draws attentions of enemy radar warning receivers.

   It's clear that we should wait for a week to what the government is going to announce in Washington, whether it's the Scorpion or F 16 or the F 18  or nothing. 

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.

The US offers Fighter Jets under Make in India

The US offers Fighter Jets under Make in India

   From Sweden to France, now the Americans also stepping in to push co develop a fourth generation Fighter jet with India. the US ambassador to India Richard said just before the eve of Independence day, eying the  depleting squadron strength and numbers ,delay in the Rafale contract and delay in the LCA Tejas Projects. as government has no idea about what they doing, since one year zero number of new Aircraft's added, except the earlier signed Sukhoi productions from HAL's plant, and previously signed deal with US and Russia,

  So far the new government hasn't cleared a single aircraft deal, even Helicopters or the Cargo fleet and the said MMRCA, The IAF sounding about the depleting squadron strength and lack of new fighters to counter both Chinese and Pakistani Air force, after cancelling the Rafale deal, Sweden tried to push the Gripen for co develop by cancelling the LCA Tejas projects both mark 1 and 2 version, Sweden also promised to help the HAL and ADA to develop the AMCA later, Sweden tried as much as possible to seal the Indian Requirement of new fighter jets, But government neglected.

   As informed in the Parliament by the Defense Minister, during the period of May 2014 to Feb 2015, the Government signed 18 defense contracts with foreign vendors, without listing the deals, but it has no deal of procuring any helicopters Fighter jets or UAV's,

  

    It's something like if you have a requirement in huge numbers, then every sellers will comes out and offer something, the same earlier the US offered the Scorpion light attack craft, when defense minister announces, If Tejas fails some other light Aircraft will replace Required LCA numbers, the IAF rejected almost all foreign proposals of joint manufacturing and everything, they Just need the Rafale for medium and the improved Tejas for Light Aircraft, they don't want the Su 35 or anything, But the government still not acknowledged what the IAF wants, even the IAF top brass said we have no other plans.

  But Just now, the US ambassador sounded that US interested to build the proven F 16 platform in India, called the F 16 IN the block 60 variant, who was lost the MMRCA race with others, F 16 is a proven platform no doubt on this, even the newer Block 60 is much more good, and the Block 60 isn't a Light Aircraft but a good medium multi role Aircraft, with improved Engine and AESA Radar. Since IAF insists, the Light aircraft can be single engined that's the LCA Tejas, and IAF already plans to induct the LCA in big numbers, either Mark 1 or 1A or the 2, so there is no room for foreign Light Aircraft requirement in IAF arsenal.

   The requirement is the Medium Aircraft, where IAF already sticks with the Rafale, Just like as IAF policy, spend the money on Rafale or don't waste your money on other fighters, which is a Good Multi role Fighter, as Listed Rafale followed by Typhoon, F 18 Super Hornet and the American F 15 Strike eagle, the F 15 SE comes under the Heavy category.

   Even if the US offered the Super Hornet, IAF needs a major transformations, from IAF bases to IAF Personnel, The IAF pilots and ground crews are more familiar to the Russian and French Aircraft, but not with the American fighters, It's completely a new systems, as they need to learn about operating their missiles, storing in a safe location, hanger operation and Flight operations with US hardware's, also IAF need to invest another big round of money to buy the US standard Air to Air and Air to ground munitions, since IAF uses the Russian Missiles for Sukhoi and MiG variants, French missiles for Mirage 2000, European and Israeli missiles for Jaguar and Indian Israeli missiles for Indian made Tejas,

    IAF crew has enough training to operate with standard French aircraft and missiles since they use French systems in decades, so just a refresh training is enough them to operate with the Rafale, but same opposite when comes to American platform. so the American plans won't work for Indian MMRCA requirement.

IAF almost accepted the Rafale, so They will decline whatever fighters proposed by anyone.  

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MMRCA Ver 2.0 Soon

MMRCA Ver 2.0 Soon

   There is a buzz doing the round at the Raksha Mantri establishment coming from a reliable source that government of India will soon announce a new MMRCA tender to procure some 90 Combat Jets under make in India scheme to replace the mother of all deals to procure 126 MMRCA which was officially scrapped some days back when the decision was intimated in written submission in parliament by the defense Minister.

   The new MMRCA tender to buy 90 combat Jets could be Light or a medium category or mix of both to be manufactured in India under Make in India campaign of the NDA govt. The present deal is not yet official and it's speculative in nature however the sources that leaked this information are very reliable.

   The real reason behind the cancellation of the earlier MMRCA deal or the Rafale deal is the cost issue, as French accepts all Indian conditions by transferring almost all top french latest state of the art technologies, they ask more money to transfer the said technologies. The actual Rafale deal was to buy 18 or a Squadron of fighters from French firm Dassault, the remaining balance some 108 numbers was to be built in India at HAL's production center, 50% of the deal value to be invested back in India, and 100% Transfer of Technology(ToT) under the make in India policy.

    Unfortunately because of the cost escalation, initial $12 billions to $15 billions, the government of India had issue with payment due to budgetary limitation, add to that was the bone of contention between HAL and Dassault. Dassault wanted to manage HAL's assembly line in India, where as HAL opposed Dassault's supervision in their work. Offset clause which Dassault disagreed was to take full responsibility of quality of HAL produced Rafale. A complex contract was under negotiation by both Vendors with no end in sight. Since IAF strongly pitches Rafale the reason being IAF's familiarity with the French made Mirage Aircraft for multi role mission more than the HAL made Su 30 MKI Aircrafts.

Let's look at the complex issues.

• The Government of India had budget limitation,
• HAL's wouldn't want direct Supervision,
• Dassault couldn't guarantee Aircraft's quality without direct supervision and
• IAF's was in urgent need of Multi role Combat Aircrafts

    The above negotiations hit the road block that led to the Government's cancellation of the earlier Rafale deal and went for a direct purchase of Rafale Aircraft. The direct purchase of the shelf of 36 Rafales has been valued around $5 billions including the weapon system (hundred each of MICA EM, IR and Meteor missile costs half a Billion, and the CNC ask Dassault to accommodate the Indian made Astra BVR missile in the Rafale's arsenal, that adds up additional cost while Countries like Egypt and Qatar signed deal within a month with Dasault it's only with India that the feal could not be finalised(We all know in the past during the UPA regime delay was amplified due to scam/kickback fear)

   The IAF insist the Government their requirement to field more than 8 squadrons of medium fighters as the current in principle arrangement of two squadrons is not enough.

    With the continuous pressure from the IAF, it's expected that the government will once again float a tender to acquire 90 aircrafts under make in India. It's clear that IAF will select the Rafale, there were many reasons why IAF selects the Rafale, from it's size to it's flying capability, multi role mission, 4++ generation platform etc. A simple example in favour of Rafale is most IAF hangers are built to house the early MiG variants, usually they are small and compact enough to fit in small size concrete shelters, but they don't have enough room to accommodate much larger fighters like Su-30 MKI.

    The Rafale is small in size which can perfectly fit in the existing shelters. Other Contenders like Sweden's Saab Gripen and MiG 35 is out of the race because of many reasons, in Gripen's case it's engine comes from the US and it's a single engine aircraft, when use in low level most single engine fighters have problems despite foreign objects in the jet intakes and jet air flow, but with the twin engines the survivability increases by 100%. The MiG 35 is still in production so combat worthiness is still a subject of debate Or in plain simple words it's not yet battle proven; there is no clear information about the AESA radar, major issues are the Russian Engine is not quite upto the mark when compare to their Western competitors, Russian electronic attack capabilities much lower than the western and American ones.

    The advantages of Russian Planes are they are more maneuverable than the western and American fighters and enjoy's aerodynamic superiority. Having said that those shortfalls were compensated by advance tracking and missile system possessed by the western and American fighter planes. If low cost fighter was the sole consideration the Mig 35 is the sure winner unfortunately IAF annual bill for maintenance cost more than the procurement cost as CAG Reports mentioned that and the combat readiness of the fighter Jets stays somewhere between 60% to 70%, meaning out of 100 numbers of MiGs which are operational only 60 or 70 are combat ready. For eg. if IAF asks the MiG 35 to do one more sortie before the Night, the ground crew will take another 2 hours to complete the ground clearance, the Rafale is the only fighter that can do more number of sorties than all other fighters, and can be configured quickly for different roles so it's a true multi role fighter.

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Updates about Rafale and LCA Tejas

Updates about Rafale and LCA Tejas

   Some Recent updates about both the LCA Tejas and the Rafale aka medium and Light fighter, as the  Rafale and LCA almost missed it's induction date, the Ministry plans for some alternate solutions to fulfill the Requirements.  recently some information's floated in the media's about the cost escalation of Rafale and missed deadlines of Tejas's Final operational clearance which is the reason of the delay.

   The two factors mainly  the Rafale is offset clause and more weapon integration, at first the Offset clause, earlier in the MMRCA competition, the Supplier will invest 50% of deal value in India, in both Public and private sectors, as earlier projected some six to eight billion dollars will be invested back into Indian Companies by french firms once the contract and Settlements finalized, but India formally scraps the MRRCA tender by early this year and Defense Minster confirms the same in Parliament, as a new announcement in Paris made by Prime minister about direct acquisition of  some 36 Rafale.

    But the same also need bunch of bureaucracy  clearance before making final contract, for both Indian and French delegations in Talks to finalize the contract and about the Offset clause, to Full new procurement plan the French agreed to invest only 30% deal value in India, as India wants it should be 50% , so both of them in negotiations  for the Offset clause, so it's clear it took more than a month to clear the negotiations, whether it's 30% or 50% or somewhere between 30-50%.

    The second most negotiation is the Weapon integration, The IAF insists the deal to use the Indian made Astra BVR missiles into the Rafale Aircraft, and also raised about firing the Air to ground missile Brahmos, for that French asked more money since it's need a small hardware and computer changes including algorithm to support foreign weapons into the Rafale since the Rafale's computer and Radar will designed to coupled with French and European weapons, not the Indian and Russian Standard weapons. so for that French asked more money to for the structural and algorithm changes, but here India Contract negotiation committee negotiating about the cost escalation.

    By coming LCA, there were several critical issues, as meant the radar nose cone and flight refuel probe delay from the European companies,which makes the LCA program takes one more deadline and  pushed it to next year for Final operational clearance, there is no clear information who is delaying, either the HAL or the supplier, also till the HAL doesn't delivered the ordered IOC standard Aircraft to the IAF, there is a Assembling problem is also raised, earlier some reports mentioned due to lack of capacity of HAL, Government plans to scrap the HAL from LCA project and plans to handover the project to some Private Companies, but the news is not verified.

   another issue is the lack of Internal Electronic countermeasure, the Defense Minister reported that the missing Internal ECM suites in the Tejas, which saves the fighter from threats,  but due to the small size fighter, in the early days such systems are huge in size, So it's hard to house inside the light aircraft, but now it's available in Tiny size, but this will be added only in the Mark 2 version of Tejas, Defense Minister told in Parliament.

    Another is the Maintenance and logistics nightmare, HAL fails to answer the questions raised by IAF about the maintenance of Tejas fighter, IAF found lack of spare and engineers to resolve problems after deploying the Fighters under the IAF, every fighters Needed to be checked before making the sortie for the Base need huge number of Ground support crew's, 

    as these Two major problems in Both Rafale and Tejas, It looks like their is no sign of good news this year, 

'Make in India' for 90 medium combat jets

'Make in India' for 90 medium combat jets

    In another major step towards self reliance in the defence sector, a plan is being finalised to produce 90 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) in India, informed sources said.

   A Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected to be drafted soon after the new Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) comes in place.

   Expected to be one of the biggest projects under the Make in India campaign, the cost of the programme is expected to be around $30 million, the sources said.

   The Indian Air Force requires 126 MMRCAs. With India getting into an agreement with France to get 36 Rafale fighter jets in flyaway condition, there was a lack of clarity on how the rest of the gap will be filled.

   The sources said that now these remaining jets will be made in India, in what will be a major step in domestic manufacturing of such aircraft.

   According to the sources, the air force does not have enough squadrons in the event of a joint war with Pakistan and China.

   "An RFP is expected to be drafted soon for making 90 MMRCAs in India. A global tender will be floated. The private sector will also have an active participation," said an official from the defence ministry.

   As many foreign bidders were in the race when India set out to buy 126 MMRCAs, for which Dassault Aviation, the makers of Rafale, was finally chosen, the sources said all original bidders will be invited.

   The list of fighters that were in competition for the MMRCA bid included Russia's MIG-35 (RAC MiG), Swedish Gripen, Dassault, American Lockheed Martin and Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and Eurofighter Typhoon made by a consortium of British, German, Spanish and Italian firms.

   The sources said that out of the 90 aircraft, 54 will be single-seaters and the remaining 36 tandem-seaters.

  There will be an option of acquiring 45 additional fighters as a follow-up order.

   The Indian Air Force is expected to be down to 32 squadrons by the end of this year, 576 fighter jets short of the 750-strong fighter jet fleet required as per vision documents to face simultaneous two-front wars with Pakistan and China.

    At least three squadrons of the vintage Soviet origin MiG-21 and MiG-27 single engine aircraft are scheduled to be phased out.

Article Published in  Times of India