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(Compiled from MOD press releases & media reports)
07 July 2010
November 2008
ACQUISITION OF WEAPON LOCATING RADARS
The Government proposes to acquire highly
sophisticated Weapon Locating Radars to track and
neutralize hostile artillery fire.
The Government has a
proposal to procure, at an estimated cost Rs.
1498.00 crores, 28 weapon Locating Radars being
developed jointly by M/s Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)
and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
(Information given in Parliament by RM)
5TH GENERATION FIGHTER AIRCRAFT – INDO
RUSSIAN JOINT VENTURE
A Russian-Indian advanced multirole fighter was
being developed by Sukhoi (part
of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC),
along with India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL). It is now understood that
a contract to jointly
develop and produce the fifth-generation jet will be
signed at the beginning of 2009. Two versions of the
combat aircraft
-
a two-seater version to meet the requirements of
India's air superiority policy, and a single-seat
version for the Russian Air Force will be developed.
January 2009
INDIA GETS
P8I Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft from US
The contract to buy
eight P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance
aircraft from Boeing USA, was signed on January 1 in
New Delhi. It is valued at US$2.1b. The first
aircraft will be delivered in 2013 and remaining
seven over next 4 years.
It may be recalled that
in 2008 India and US-based Lockheed Martin signed an
agreement worth 962 million dollars for the purchase
of six C-130 Hercules transport planes for the
Indian army.
India in 2008 also
signed a
€1.5b
($2.2b) deal with France's Dassault to upgrade 51
Mirage 2000 fighter jets, which the Indian air force
bought in 1985. Lockheed and Boeing are also in the
race for a $12b contract to sell 126 fighter jets to
the Indian air force.
General characteristics of P8
Crew: Flight:2 Mission:7
Length: 126 ft 6 in (39.47 m)
Wingspan: 117 ft 6 in (35.72 m)
Height: 42 ft 1 in (12.83 m)
Empty weight: 138,300 lb (62,730 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 188,200 lb (85,370 kg)
Powerplant: 2× CFM International CFM56-7B, 27,000 lbf (120
kN) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 490 kts (907 km/h)
Cruise speed: 440 kts (815 km/h)
Service ceiling 41,000 ft (12,500 m)
Armament
Joint missiles, Mines and Torpedoes
Avionics
Raytheon APY-10 (APS-137 follow-on) surface search
radar and SIGINT package
Delivery of Russian Nuclear Submarine DELAYED
Russia 'indefinitely' postponed the delivery of "Akula-II'
class (Nerpa nuclear submarine), citing that sea
trials were still incomplete.
Under the larger Gorshkov package with Russia, the
Indian Navy was to get first of the two Shchuka-B
project nuclear submarines on lease last year. Later
the Russians revised the delivery schedule to August
2009. The submarines are being acquired to train the
Indian crews for the indigenous submarines being
developed under Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV)
project.
February 2009
Indian Army's
Modernisation Programme
With the Indian army
embarking on a modernisation program the Indian
land-based training and simulation market is all set
to deliver on its promise. Foreign and domestic
companies will benefit from the programme, as
policies for foreign direct investment (FDI) and
private participation are expected to become more
favourable. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan,
“Indian Land-based Training and Simulation Market
Assessment,” finds that the market is expected to
grow at a compound annual growth rate of 36 per cent
from 2007 to 2017.
These alliances will bode well for Indian software
companies as they may get a chance to collaborate
with simulator developers to design and supply
software required for simulators.
RM for speeding up defence procurement procedures
Defence Minister A K Antony said that the
"Unnecessary procedures, bottlenecks and red-tape
should be cut down for hastening procurement
procedures." Antony was addressing the "Jumbo"
Majumdar Seminar on 'Dominance of Aerospace Power',
in New Delhi.
He
said that to hasten procurement procedures, the
government had come up with the Defence Procurement
Procedure and if required, further changes can also
be made.
Saab ties up
with TataS to develop fighter jet
The Swedish company Saab
has tied up with India's TATA group to develop a new
variant of its Gripen fighter jet. The Swedish
company is competing with firms from Russia, Europe
and the United States to sell 126 warplanes to the
Indian air force. India will buy about two dozen
units in flyaway condition and manufacture the
remaining 100 or so planes at a local state-run
facility here. "We will transfer technology and
competencies to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS),
which will play a key role in the development of the
next-generation Gripen and other products. The
contract will continue irrespective of us getting
the Indian order," the Saab vice president said in
Bangaluru during AERO INDIA ‘09.
India too reliant on
military imports – RM
Speaking to defence scientists at a seminar on
aerospace technology in Bangaluru during Aero India
2009, the Defence Minister Mr A K Antony said. "I
feel we are taking too much time. Though your
achievements are notable, you must speed up the
delivery process to meet the growing needs of our
armed forces," he said.
TEJAS TEST FLIGHT
The Aeronautical Development Agency in Bangaluru,
flight-tested two Tejas (LCA) aircraft. After over
1,000 hours of test flights over several years, the
Tejas was checking out its teeth and claws by
dropping bombs on a ground target.
MANTIS Unmanned air vehicle debuts at Aero India
2009
Mantis, an autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
developed by BAE Systems, made its international
debut at the ongoing Aero India 2009 in Bangalore.
According to BAE, Mantis can be commanded and
controlled by the person on ground through computer
who can decide its route and even can decide its
height. The 5.5 kilogram UAV has an in-built color
camera; it is also well equipped with a data link
and video link.
According to reports, India has projected a large
requirement for UAVs. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd
(HAL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) are
working together to convert the HAL-built Chetak
Helicopter into an UAV.
Maiden Flight of Dhruv Helicopter
with Ardiden 1H1 Turboshaft Engines
The Aero India trade show in Bangalore was the
occasion for Turbomeca to report the successful
maiden flight of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL) Dhruv helicopter. Featuring two Ardiden 1H1
series production engines, this flight took place on
January 12 at the HAL Helicopter Division,
Bangalore, India.
AERO INDIA 2009 ENDS
South Asia's biggest airshow ended here with
armament and aviation firms from 25 countries hoping
to win multi-billion dollar contracts from India's
weapons-hungry military.
Just an hour before the show ended, two tyres of an
F-16 burst while the fighter jet was landing after a
display. No one was hurt but the mishap sparked
safety concerns and emergency teams hurriedly towed
away the aircraft. US-based aerospace giant Lockheed
Martin, which hopes to sell 126 such jets to India,
said the accident did not disrupt other display
flights including aerobatics by a formation of
Indian jets.
The show also saw the first export of Indian-made
helicopters to Ecuador and the signing of pacts
involving India's state-run military firms and
overseas companies such as US-based Boeing and
Russian armament companies.
Nearly 600 armament and aerospace firms -- half of
them from overseas -- took part in this year's Aero
India 2009. Leading the pack of countries which sent
303 international firms to the event were Germany
and France with 31 firms each. Twenty-six British,
24 Russian and 22 US firms were also present, along
with 289 Indian defence companies.
Among the prime pickings is a 12-billion-dollar deal
for 126 fighter jets. Six major aeronautical firms
competing for the contract participated in the air
show. Besides the 126 jets, transport aircraft and
AWACS, India plans to buy 700 helicopters worth 3.5
billion dollars, artillery, warships and other
hardware for billions of dollars.
Israel, which replaced France in 2007 as India's
second-largest arms supplier after Russia, sent its
top 10 defence firms. Government sources told AFP in
New Delhi that Israel was likely to overtake Russia
and become India's prime arms supplier with
unspecified deals it reportedly bagged in the
current financial year ending March 31.
INDIA INCREASES DEFENCE BUDGET
India announced an increase of 24 percent in its
defence budget for the coming financial year to fund
several military fast-track acquisitions. At $29.4b
(Rs 1.4 trillion) it represents 15% of the national
budget for 2009-10.
The army, which is looking for helicopters,
artillery, armour and infantry gear, received the
largest share with an allocation of $11.79b. The
airforce was allotted $2.86b, mainly for acquisition
of 126-MMRCA
fighter jet aircraft worth
$12b, for which six firms are competing.
India will buy 18 planes outright by 2012 and
locally assemble the remaining units under licence
at a state-run facility.
The navy, was allocated $1.66 b. A substantial
amount will go towards payments for the aircraft
carrier and on board MG 29s and other acquisitions.
India has earmarked another $30b to be spent in 2010
for 700 helicopters, AWACS and an unspecified amount
for UAVs, mainly from Israel.
India's indigenous aircraft carrier
India's first indigenous aircraft carrier being
built at the Cochin Shipyard will be in the waters
by 2011, Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta
said. Keel laying of the carrier will take place on
28 Feb ’09. The aircraft carrier is expected to have
40,000 tonne displacement capacity at an estimated
cost of Rs.3,000 crore (Rs.30 billion). The Indian
Navy is currently operating only one full deck
aircraft carrier, the INS Viraat and in a bid to
become a true blue-water navy, the Indian Navy is
expected to operate three aircraft carriers by 2015.
IAF fighter squadrons to rise to 42 by 2022
“The Indian Air Force (IAF), will see its fighter
squadrons rising from the current 32 to 42 by 2022”,
Parliament was informed by the RM. "With the planned
induction of Su-30, Jaguar, medium multi-role combat
aircraft (MMRCA), fifth generation fighter aircraft
(FGFA) and the light combat aircraft (LCA) during
2007-22, the strength at the end of the 11th, 12th
and 13th plan periods is expected to increase to
35.5, 35 and 42 squadrons respectively," Defence
Minister AK Antony said in a written reply in the
Rajya Sabha. "In addition, steps have been taken to
upgrade the existing MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29, Jaguar
and Mirage-2000 aircraft," he added.
As for the indigenous Tejas LCA, series production
of two squadrons has begun and the IAF is expected
to induct the first aircraft from 2012. The IAF has
ordered 124 aircraft with its existing engine and is
not likely to order any more. Ironically, the delays
in the LCA programme had prompted it to embark on
the MMRCA hunt.
Lockheed eyes share of Indian defence upgrades
U.S.-based Lockheed Martin Corp, is aiming for deals
with India worth $15 billion in the next five years.
Last year it sold six C-130J military transport
planes to India for about $1.1 billion. Lockheed was
focusing on winning contracts for multi-role fighter
aircraft, military transport aircraft, naval
helicopters and missiles.
IAF TO INSTALL AEROSAT RADAR AT SOUTHERN AIR COMMAND
The Indian Air Force plans to install an Aerosat
Radar capable of picking up targets at low ranges at
the Southern Air Command in Thiruvananthapuram,
considering the region's strategic importance. The
control of Maritime Air Operations, now under South
Western Air Command, would be handed over to the
Southern Air Command here.
LATEST RUSSIAN DEMAND FOR GORSCHKOV
The Indian Navy has been stunned by a Russian demand
for an additional $700 million payment for the
completion of the reconstruction of the aircraft
carrier Admiral Gorshkov. This brings the total
demanded by the Russians to $2.9 billion, more than
three times the originally contracted price and a
truly outrageous sum by any international standards.
In addition to this latest demand, the Russians have
confirmed that the ship will not be completed until
2012, four years later than originally planned.
March 2009
DHRUV HELICOPTERS FOR MAURITIUS
India has signed a pact with Mauritius for supply of
a 'Dhruv' Advanced Light Helicopter built by
state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Mauritius
will be the second country after Equador to get the
multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter.
The helicopter is likely to be handed over this
month to Mauritius for use by its police, officials
said here. The armed version of Dhruv can be fitted
with rockets and a 20 mm gun. Dhruv also has a
variant which is equipped with 'fire and forget'
air-to-air missiles and 70 mm rockets that can be
fired in direct and indirect mode.
Dhruv won the Equadorian
contract, outperforming rival machines from global
majors like Eurocopter, mainly due to its lower
price tag. Equador has already got five helicopters
and the remaining two will be handed over in six
months.
SINGAPORE FIRM FOR INDIA ARMS CONTRACT
Media reports that
a Singapore firm is bidding for a contract worth one billion
Singapore dollars (650 million US) to supply mobile
artillery to the Indian military. The Straits Times
quoted an unnamed Indian official as saying that the
Indian army was happy with an ultra-lightweight
cannon from defence and engineering firm Singapore
Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics). The report said
the Indian army evaluated the Singapore-made Pegasus
ultra-lightweight cannon -- said to be the first
self-propelled, helicopter-portable weapon of its
kind and capable of firing three rounds in 24
seconds. The contract is for 145 cannons, it said.
MARITIME RECCE AIRCRAFT
India will get eight Boeing anti-submarine/maritime
reconnaisance aircraft, under a $2.1b transaction,
which would be the largest ever sale of US arms to
India.
"The Department of State has notified Congress of
the potential sale of eight P8i long-range maritime
reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare aircraft to
the government of India," State Department spokesman
Robert Wood told reporters.
IAF LIKELY TO GET FIRST PHALCON RADAR IN MAY
The Indian Air Force is likely to receive the first
of the three Israeli Phalcon Airborne Warning and
Control Systems (AWACS) in the second half of May
this year. "The remaining two are likely to come
through by middle of next year or by the third
quarter of 2010 if everything works out on schedule.
The total cost the deal is reported to be $1.1
billion. The Phalcons will be mounted on Russia
Ilyushin-76 aircraft. The IAF be able to improve its
intelligence inputs, strike capabilities, and
conduct tacticall surveillance deep into enemy
countries without violating their airspace.
MIG 23s TO BE PHASED OUT OF IAF
The MiG-23BN of Indian Air Force retired today on 06
Mar 09, after 28 years of glorious service to the
Nation. A befitting farewell in the form of a
‘phasing out ceremony’ was held at its last home,
No. 221 Squadron at Air Force Station Halwara.
During the Kargil conflict this aircraft had the
distinction of being the single aircraft type to
fire the maximum weapon load over the dizzy heights
of Dras and Kargil. The MiG-23s have had flown more
than 154000 hrs in service of the nation.
FIRST INDIGENOUS AIRCRAFT CARRIER
The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony laid the keel of
the country’s first indigenous Aircraft Carrier at a
simple ceremony at the Cochin Shipyard in Kochi. To
be completed by 2014 India will be the fourth nation
in the world, which have the capability of designing
and building 40,000 tonne aircraft carriers. The
Aircraft Carrier was designed by Navy’s Design
Organisation and being built at M/s Cochin Shipyard
Limited would be capable of operating an aircraft
mix of Russian MiG-29K, Ka 31 and indigenous LCA.
The ship has a length of 260 m and maximum breadth
of 60 m. The ship will be propelled by two shafts,
each coupled to two LM2500 Gas Turbines developing a
total power of 80 MW, sufficient to attain speeds in
excess of 28 knots. The ship has an endurance of
around 8,000 NM and complement of 1600. The ship
will have two take off runways and a landing strip
with 3 arrester wires. It can carry a maximum of 30
aircraft with adequate hangarage capacity. The
carrier is designed with a very high degree of
automation for machinery operation, ship navigation
and survivability.
Design of this prestigious ship was undertaken by
the Directorate of Naval Design (DND) which has an
experience of over 40 years in successfully
designing 17 different classes of warships, to which
around 90 ships have already been built within the
country.
M/s CSL was chosen for building Indigenous Aircraft
Carrier, based on its modern infrastructural
facilities. Though this is the maiden venture for
CSL in warship construction, the shipyard has been
involved in commercial shipbuilding for the past
three decades.
INDUCTION OF MODERN AIRCRAFTS IN INDIAN AIR FORCE
The proposal received in connection with the
procurement of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft
(MMRCA) are under technical evaluation. This will be
followed by field evaluation and thereafter,
commercial negotiations. The induction of the
aircraft into the Indian Air Force is likely to
commence from 2012-13.
A contract for 20 indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)
has been signed. One IAF squadron is expected to be
equipped with this aircraft in 2010-11. Government
is not planning to set up a hi-tech facility at
Nagpur costing about Rs. 300 crores for indigenizing
components of these aircrafts. Product support
including spare parts will be supplied by the vendor
as per the terms of the contract that will be
concluded
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri
AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Gireesh Kumar
Sanghi in Rajya Sabha today.
IAF ON A LARGE-SCALE MODERNISATION DRIVE
The IAF needs the best and is on a large-scale
modernization drive. This is being backed with very
good government support, said the Air Chief speaking
to media on the sidelines of the ongoing Aero India
09, at Yehalanka, Bengaluru. A lot of hard work
within the IAF and with aviation-related agencies
from within the country and vendors from other
countries is on towards the modernization process,
he added. He also informed that the uses of UAV
(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) are going to increase and
IAF is in the process of expanding its UAV fleet.
Regarding the declining fighter squadron strength
the Air Chief stated that gestation period to
acquire aircraft and missile systems is much more
than any other weapon platform. However without
losing the combat edge against likely adversaries
the squadron strength envisaged by 2017 is 34
squadrons and the remaining strength to be achieved
by 2020.
IAF PLANS FOR ADDITIONAL HAWKS JET TRAINERS SHELVED
India has shelved plans to place follow-on orders
for the aircraft and instead floated new tenders to
supplement its trainer fleet. Indian Air Force (IAF)
sources said here on Tuesday that the new tenders --
Request for Proposals (RFP) in defence parlance --
were issued about a month ago to six global aircraft
manufacturers. The IAF has shown interest in and
sent the tender papers to Italy’s Alenia for the
M-346, Korean T-50s, the Chez L-159, Russian YAK-130
and MiG AT Trainer, sources said. The move of the
IAF to go in for a new brand of trainer aircraft
came as a surprise, as it had originally planned to
have a single type of trainers in the fleet to train
future fighter pilots.
SINGAPORE FIRM IN RUNNING FOR KEY INDIA ARMS
CONTRACT
A state-linked Singapore Singapore Technologies
Kinetics (ST Kinetics) firm is bidding for a key
contract worth one billion Singapore dollars (650
million US) to supply mobile artillery to the Indian
military, a newspaper said Thursday.
The contract is for 145 cannons, it said.
GOVT CANCELS TENDERS FOR 22 IAF ATTACK HELICOPTERS
Tenders for purchase of 22 attack helicopters for
the Indian Air Force (IAF), issued in May last, has
been cancelled, Defence Ministry sources said.
Fresh tenders for the helicopters will be issued
soon, the sources said. "The Request for Proposals
(RFP) for the 22 attack helicopters have been
cancelled, as the three offers received from foreign
defence companies did not meet the Staff Qualitative
Requirements set by the government. We will issue
 fresh
RFP for the platform soon," the sources said.
INDIA SCRAPS ATTACK HELICOPTER TENDER
India said Tuesday it had scrapped a tender for 22
attack helicopters as three international firms
vying for the multi-million-dollar deal had been
unable to meet the military's requirements. "A fresh
RFP will be floated shortly," Kar added, without
specifying when the global tender would be issued.
NAVY LAUNCHES PATROL VESSEL INS SARYU
Indian Navy's first ever 105-meter class Naval
offshore patrol vessel, INS Saryu, was launched in
the port town of Vasco in Goa. The vessel, measures
105 meters in length, 12.90 meters in breadth and
has a displacement capacity of about 2215 tonnes and
a top speed of 25 knots.
IAF FIGHT CLUB GETS LETHAL
The Indian Air Force commandos have set their sights
on becoming unstoppable killing machines.
The IAF’s special operations wing, Garud, has begun
training its commandos in a deadly form of martial
arts practiced by the the likes of Russian Spetsnaz
special force, German GSG9 commandos, the US Delta
Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and
Austrian Cobra commandos.
April – May 2009
A NEW DIRECTION IN AMPHIBIOUS CAPABILITY – INDIAN
NAVY COMMISSIONING OF AIRAVAT
Indian Navy’s sixth Landing Ship Tank (Large), was
commissioned as ‘INS Airavat’ on Tuesday, 19 May 09.
The ship was formally handed over to the Indian Navy
on 30 Mar 09 at M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
Engineers Limited, Kolkota - A notable achievement.
Airavat is the fifth LST (L) of the Indian Navy and
third of the Shardul class. As a platform designed
for amphibious operations against the enemy, she is
a further upgrade on the Magar Class (the First LST
(L)) in her suite of weapons, sensors and indigenous
content. With a significantly enhanced Weapon
package, latest Control Systems and better
Habitability conditions, Airavat delivers
considerable punch and Amphibious capabilities to
the fighting prowess of the Indian Navy.
The ship can carry 10 Main Battle Tanks, 11 Combat
Trucks and 500 Troops and has a considerable range
and endurance at sea. Besides undertaking amphibious
operations, the ship is a potent assault platform
capable of operating both Seaking 42C and the
indigenous Dhruv helicopters. She is fitted with two
indigenous WM 18A Rocket Launchers to support
successful amphibious operations. The threat from
air is dealt with through two indigenous CRN 91
Anti-Aircraft Guns auto-controlled by Optronic
Sights and shoulder launched IGLA Surface to-Air
Missiles. It also has soft kill ability through
Chaff Rockets, which can be used to clutter the
sensory inputs of an incoming enemy aircraft or
missile.
The ship is fitted with Remote Propulsion Control,
Battle Damage Control System and Automated Power
Management System. These are fully integrated,
microprocessor based, digital control systems for
providing control and for monitoring ships machinery
and systems. The ship also has a microprocessor
based anti-roll Flume Stabilisation System and Smoke
Curtains to impede spreading of smoke and toxic
gases in case of fire onboard. In addition, the ship
can act as a Fleet tanker through stern refueling of
other naval vessels and as a hospital ship. The ship
can be effectively tasked for HADR ( Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Relief) missions during
natural calamities like tsunami, cyclone, earthquake
etc, and can operate independently at high seas for
as long as 45 days.
BAN ON DEFENCE FIRMS WILL DELAY ARTILLERY UPGRADE:
ARMY CHIEF
Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor said today that the
Defence Ministry’s ban on dealing with Singapore
Technologies (ST), which is being investigated by
the CBI in connection with the corruption charges
against former Ordnance chief Sudipta Ghosh, will
delay Indian plans to acquire light howitzers for
the artillery. Interestingly, the Singapore-based
firm is the only vendor offering its “Pegasus” gun
to the Army for its requirement of ultra-light
howitzers needed for deployment in mountainous
regions. With the only other contender, BAE systems,
backing out of the contract, the ST gun was the only
one available that met the Army’s requirements.
June-July 2009
 ISRAEL
DROPS INDIAN JETS VENTURE UNDER US PRESSURE: REPORT
Israel has dropped out of a multi-billion dollar
joint venture with a Swedish firm to develop new
fighter jets for India because of US pressure, a
newspaper reported on Monday.
Israel Aerospace Industries was planning to
develop a new model of the Swedish-made Gripen
fighter jet with its manufacturer, Saab, to compete
in a tender to sell the planes to India's armed
forces, the Jerusalem Post said.
But the state-owned firm backed out on the orders
of the Israeli defence ministry "after the Pentagon
expressed concern that American technology, used by
Israel, would be integrated into the Gripen," the
newspaper said.
AIR FORCE TO HAVE 230 SUKHOI 30 MKI FIGHTERS BY
2015: ANTONY
Defence Minister A K Antony today said the
government is planning to increase the number of
Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft in Indian Air Force
to 230 by 2015. Since 1996 the Air Force has
procured 98 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets. "By 2015, we
plan to have a fleet of 230 Sukhoi fighter
aircraft," he said. The Defnce Minister further said
the Air Force is very happy with these aircraft,,
and added that the Sukhoi being one of the most
advanced fighter aircraft in the world, is best
suited for Indian conditions.
RS
10,000CR DEAL LIKELY FOR MIRAGE- 2000 UPGRADE
India and France are now
all set to ink the around Rs 10,000 crore deal to
upgrade the Mirage-2000 fighter jets in IAF’s combat
fleet. This will be the second mega defence deal to
be signed with France in recent times after the
ongoing mammoth Rs 18,798 crore project to construct
six Scorpene submarines at Mazagon Docks in Mumbai.
RAYTHEON TO RENEW INDIAN AIR NAVIGATION
Raytheon Co., the defense and aerospace systems
supplier based in Waltham, Mass., will supply India
a GPS-aided air navigation system with a footprint
extending beyond the subcontinent to Southeast Asia.
Raytheon said it won an $82 million contract for
installing the system by 2013. The contract was
awarded by the Indian Space Research Organization.
 LONG
VOYAGE AHEAD FOR INDIA'S NEW NUCLEAR SUB
India has launched its own nuclear-powered
submarine, INS Arihant (Destroyer of Enemies).
Trials began this week with its builders slating
2015 as the date for the commissioning of the
6,000-tonne vessel with a 85-megawatt nuclear
reactor. Strategically, India's ability to built its
own nuclear sub -- albeit with substantial Russian
input -- adds an attention-grabbing dimension to its
growing global stature. Arihant's builders will
first need to achieve criticality of its reactor and
then propulsion and the real challenge will be when
it goes for full sea trials.
The submarine launch came two months after India
became the first South Asian power to own Airborne
Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) and just
before it starts testing 126 warjets it wants to
acquire. India plans to build five nuclear
submarines as part of a 2.9-billion-dollar project
to reinforce its 16 diesel-powered fleet of Russian
and German origin.
August – 2009
SOVIET WARSHIP TURNS INTO INDIA'S WHITE ELEPHANT
When Russia gave India a retired Soviet aircraft
carrier five years ago, New Delhi was delighted --
little realising the vessel would turn into a costly
white elephant.
Russia said in 2004 it would give the country the
44,570-tonne "Admiral Gorshkov" as a gift, provided
Delhi paid a Russian shipyard $974 million to
refurbish the carrier. Since then, the price has
skyrocketed. In 2007, Russia demanded 850 million
dollars more, citing cost escalations. Then, six
months ago, Russia startled India with another
demand -- this time for 2.9 billion dollars. It also
pushed back the ship's delivery by four years to
2012 -- a year after India must mothball its last
remaining aircraft carrier, the British-origin INS
Viraat.
BOEING'S P-8I DEAL WITH INDIA SET TO ROLL
 Boeing Co. will move ahead with its $2.1
billion defense contract with India to supply eight
P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance planes to
the Indian Navy. .
The Times of India reported the P-8I will be
equipped with torpedoes, depth bombs and Harpoon
missiles. They will replace the eight aging Russian
Tupolev-142M turboprops. Boeing says in addition to
the eight, there are long-term prospects for more
Indian orders.
INDIA KICKS OFF FIGHTER JET TRIALS
India on Monday began the trials of fighter jets
being hawked by the world's six top aerospace giants
vying for a 12-billion-dollar military contract,
officials said.
The sale of 126 combat planes to the
technology-starved Indian Air Force will be the
world's most lucrative fighter jet contract in more
than a decade.
 Military air traffic controllers said
Boeing kicked off the trials with a display of its
F-18 "Superhornet" jets in Bangalore, hub of India's
aeronautical and space industry.
"Two F-18s carried out two sorties of 45 minutes
each," a controller said as military aviation
experts watched the exercise.
INDIA ROLLS OUT LOCALLY-BUILT RUSSIAN TANKS
India on Monday unveiled
 a first batch of 10 tanks built locally
under licence from Russia and said it planned to
manufacture 100 such units every year.
India has already acquired nearly 700 T-90 tanks as
part of a 2001 deal with Russia that also included
local production of more units through a technology
transfer pact.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) said each of the Indian-built tanks would
cost up to 150 million rupees (three million
dollars).
"The tank has advanced protection system to
protect crew and equipment from chemical, biological
and radioactive nuclear attack," a DRDO statement
said after the rollout from a state-run facility in
southern Chennai city.
PREPAREDNESS HIT BY CHOPPER DELAY, HAVE TO LIVE WITH
IT: AIR CHIEF
The cancellation of a global tender to procure 22
attack helicopters for the Air Force will affect its
operational preparedness, Air Chief Marshal F H
Major said on Wednesday. Commenting on the
cancellation of the tenders last month, almost a
year after the procurement process was initiated,
Major said it would lead to a delay in the
acquisition. While the IAF had put in a request for
replacement of the Mi 35 attack helicopters last
year, the tenders were withdrawn after all American
firms withdrew from the competition, citing domestic
laws and paucity of time to gain requisite approvals
from the US Government.
BALLOON RADARS, NIGHT-VISION GUNS, NET MONITORS:
PURCHASE FAST-TRACKED
With the Mumbai terror attacks sending a rude
reminder to better equip security forces and raise
their level of preparedness, the Government has
fast-tracked purchase of Aerostat air-defence radars
from Israel, fast-interception vessels for the Navy,
high-end internet monitoring systems for major
cities and an array of arms and equipment, ranging
from machine guns with night vision to under barrel
grenade launchers to remote detonating devices, for
its commando units.
On March 17, the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
cleared urgent acquisition of a variety of arms and
equipment, the bulk of which will be used by the
Ghatak commandos attached to every infantry
battalion. While vendors who supplied identical
equipment in the past are expecting repeat orders,
the MoD is said to be looking at the US government’s
FMS route (foreign military sales) to equip the
commando units.
US CLEARS HAWKEYE E-2D AIRCRAFT FOR INDIA
The US government cleared yet another high
technology system for India, the ‘‘futuristic’’
shipboard Hawkeye E-2D aircraft for Airborne Early
Warning (AEW) and battle management. Like the Boeing
P 8I Maritime Multi-mission Aircraft (MMA), of which
the Indian Navy has already ordered eight aircraft,
the Hawkeye E-2D is the very latest and is yet to be
delivered to the US Navy.
India is the second country, after the UAE, to be
cleared by the US state and defence departments for
sale of this sophisticated system. The US navy has
sanctioned $432 million for trials of the aircraft,
currently underway at the naval air station Patuxent
River in Maryland. The naval systems command based
there provides engineering and testing support for
new naval systems and weapons.
INDIAN NAVY TO INDUCT STEALTH DESTROYER
The Indian Navy will induct a stealth destroyer
of Delhi class on September 18 to boost its maritime
capabilities and safeguard India’s interests. the
second of the three Project 15-A stealth destroyers
will be launched on September 18.
The 6500-ton ship, to be named INS Kochi, is
being built by Mazagon Docks Ltd in Mumbai. The
Directorate of Naval Design has designed the
destroyer indigenously. The existing Delhi Class
destroyers are INS Delhi, INS Mysore and INS Mumbai.
The ship has advanced stealth features, which
make it less vulnerable to detection by enemy radar
and will be fitted with state-of-the-art weapon
systems which include the supersonic BrahMos
surface-to-surface missile, the LRSAM Long Range
Surface-to-Air Missiles and the MFStar
multi-function radar system providing accurate data
on surface and air targets.
MIG-21 'BISON’ AIRCRAFT HOLD THE FORT FOR IAF’S
FIGHTER FLEET
If it was not for MiG-21 ‘Bison´, an upgraded
Russian-made aircraft, the Indian Air Force would
have been left with a depleted fleet strength much
before induction of its modern fighter jets. “Bisons
have helped the IAF to prolong the life of its
MiG-21 fleet, whose Bison, Bis and M version are
currently flying with the Air Force. The IAF at
present has six squadrons of the Bisons, which are
mainly deployed on the western frontiers of the
country along the Pakistan border.
Currently, IAF has only 33.5 operational fighter
squadrons comprising Su-30, MiG-29, Mirage-2000,
Jaguar, MiG-27 and MiG-21s out of the sanctioned
39.5. Bisons will be the last of the MiG-21s to be
phased out once the new fighter aircraft induction
plans of the IAF gather steam around 2015.
INDIAN AIR FORCE A THIRD OF CHINA'S: AIR FORCE CHIEF
India's air force is just a third the
size of rival China's and far short of the
aircraft required to meet
the security challenges it faces, the country's air
force chief has said.
"Our present aircraft strength is inadequate.
Aircraft strength is one third that of China," said
Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik
Naik said there were two ways to counter China's
reported incursions.
"One way is to take up weapons and go to the
border. The other way is to build systematic weapons
capability to tackle the threat," he said.
Naik's remarks follow similar ones by former navy
chief Sureesh Mehta, who last month said India could
not compete with China on defence spending and
warned Beijing was
 "creating formidable military
capabilities".
India has begun trials of the world's leading
fighter jets as it prepares to place an order for
126 planes in a contract worth 12 billion dollars.
RACE BEGINS FOR $12 BLN INDIAN FIGHTER JET DEAL
Fighter jet trials have started as the world's six
top aerospace giants vie for a 12-billion-dollar
military contract.
The trials for what will be the world's most
lucrative fighter contract in more than a decade
will begin in Bangalore, India's space research and
aeronautical industry hub.
The assessment is due to continue for almost a
year before New Delhi makes its choice from the six
companies, the official said.
Boeing will be the first to take part when it
displays its F-18 "Superhornet," the official said,
adding that a team of US-based aviation experts
would be present in the southern city for the
trials.
September – October 2009
IAF WANTS 50 MORE SUKHOIS TO COUNTER CHINA, PAKISTAN
With both China and Pakistan bolstering their air
combat fleets, IAF is now seeking another 50
Sukhoi-30MKI multi-role "air dominance" fighters to
cater for any contingency on both the eastern and
western fronts. These 50 new Sukhois will in
addition to the 230 of these twin-seater fighters
already contracted from Russia in three deals worth
upwards of $8.5 billion.
REPAIRS OF INDIA-BOUND RUSSIAN SUB HIT BY LACK OF
FUNDS: REPORT
 Repairs to an ill-fated Russian nuclear
submarine that is due to be leased to India have
been, its chief said Thursday.
The Nerpa attack submarine, on which 20 people
were killed in an accident last year, "returned to
its base after successful tests where it should be
subject to more in-dock work and then state tests,
but there are problems," said Nikolai Povzyk, head
of the Vostok shipyard which makes the submarine.
The Nerpa was undergoing trials in the Sea of
Japan last November when the submarine's
fire-fighting system accidently went off, filling it
with a toxic gas that killed 20 people on board and
injuring another 20, in the latest in a string of
tragedies to hit Russia's submarine fleet in recent
years.
IAF CONDUCTS MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TRIAL OF LCA
The Air Force conducted five-week
multi-disciplinary trials of a pair of the Light
Combat Aircraft (LCA) indigenous fighters at its
Jamnagar air base.
"The trials entailed flight envelope expansion in
various stores configurations, as well as
air-to-ground weapon delivery trials in different
modes of weapon delivery," a DRDO official said here
today. The LCA successfully demonstrated its ability
to tackle targets designated visually by the pilot,
officials added. After this phase, officials said
that the LCA will be enabled by its on-board
navigation and attack computers to take on targets,
which are not visible to the pilot. "This was the
first time that the Tejas aircraft have operated
away from home base for so long," officials said.
November – December 2009
ADMIRAL GORSHKOV DELIVERY TO INDIA IN 2012
Russia will deliver the modernised Admiral Gorshkov
aircraft carrier to the Indian Navy in 2012, a
senior shipbuilding industry official has said.
"Under an agreement with India, the aircraft will be
delivered in 2012. Almost 2,000 highly-qualified
workers are currently involved in the overhaul (of
the ship)," Vladimir Pakhomov, the president of
Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation, said in an
interview published on Tuesday in the Vremya
Novostei newspaper. "We will increase the number of
workers and speed up the work, making sure that it
does not affect the quality. We are continuing talks
with Indian officials about the additional financing
of the project," he added. The Admiral Gorshkov,
renamed INS Vikramaditya, is to replace India's INS
Viraat carrier that is currently operational but is
now 50 years old. After modernisation, the Gorshkov
is expected to be seaworthy for 30 years.
HUNT ON FOR FIGHTERS FOR AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
NEW
DELHI: With the development of the naval version of
the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)
floundering, the Navy has launched a hunt for a new
fighter to operate from its aircraft carriers in the
pipeline.
Navy has issued an RFI (request for information) to
several global aviation majors, including American
Boeing, French Dassault and Russian MiG companies,
for ‘an alternate deck-based aircraft’.
Lack of long-term strategic planning has meant that
the 28,000-tonne ageing carrier INS Viraat is fast
running out of its Sea Harrier jump-jets, even as
the first lot of MiG-29Ks for the 44,570-tonne
Admiral Gorshkov will begin arriving in a few days
but the carrier itself will come from Russia only in
early-2013.
Apart from the 16 MiG-29Ks contracted along with
Gorshkov’s refit in January 2004, India is also
going to order 29 more MiG-29Ks for around $1.1
billion to operate them from both Gorshkov as well
as IAC-I.
INS KOCHI LAUNCHED IN MUMBAI
Close...
Indian Navy launched its second stealth
destroyer- INS Kochi in Mumbai on Friday. In keeping
with the tradition, the warship was launched by
Madhulika Verma, wife of Chief of Naval Staff,
Admiral Nirmal Verma, at Mazgon Docks at 11.20 a
m. (18 Sept. 2010)
As she pressed the launch trigger, the 6,800 ton
destroyer, resplendent in its colourful buntings,
slid down the slipway into the the Arabian Sea, even
as the Naval band played ‘Saare Jahaan Se Achchaa…”
INS Kochi is the second missile destroyer of Project
15-A, being built at the Mazgon Docks.
RUSSIA, INDIA TO SIGN NEXT-GEN FIGHTER DEAL IN EARLY
2009
Russia and India are due to sign a contract at the
beginning of 2009 to jointly develop and produce a
fifth-generation jet fighter, the head of the United
Aircraft Corporation said on Friday.
Russia and India will simultaneously develop two
versions of the combat aircraft - a two-seat version
to meet the requirements of India's air superiority
policy, and a single-seat version for the Russian
Air Force. Flight tests of the fighter are due to
begin as early as 2009, and the aircraft may go into
production by 2015, Sukhoi said.
IN THE RACE FOR THE
RS 49,000 CR IAF DEAL
India's desire to upgrade its Air Force will take a
step forward in the next couple of months when
trials for 126 medium-range, multi-role combat
aircraft begin.
The six companies in contention for the $10 billion deal are
European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company
(EADS), which has offered the Eurofighter Typhoon;
American firms Lockheed Martin (F-16 Falcon/Block
52) and Boeing Integrated Defence System (F/A-18F
Super Hornet); Russian Aircraft Corp's MiG-35;
Swedish Saab's Gripen (JAS-39) and French major,
Dassault's Rafale.
The evaluation trials would be conducted by various
teams composed of test pilots, engineers and
maintenance crew, which will be drawn primarily from
the Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment (ASTE).
State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) would also be
involved to look at issues concerning technology
transfer and industrial partnership, besides the
Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification.
For details of the aircraft in contention please
click here |
