Without any doubt, it can be safely stated that both Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials and the three armed services chiefs are spectacularly notorious for dabbling in generalities or denials during official media briefings, while scrupulously avoiding getting into the details, where the devil always lurks. The press briefing given by the Indian Navy’s Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Nirmal Verma, on December 2—which incidentally was to be his last such briefing--was no exception. To prove this, let us first gloss over the official text of the speech in its entirety.
ADDRESS BY THE CNS AT INDIAN NAVY DAY PRESS CONFERENCE
December 2, 2011
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. At the very outset, I would like to thank all of you for being here this afternoon to attend this year’s press conference. I am glad to see that all forms and sections of media are well represented, which provides us with an opportunity for comprehensive interaction. I also avail this opportunity to compliment all of you for your valuable contribution in keeping the nation informed of our defence needs and imperatives.
2. It is not without reason that Mark Twain had remarked that only the Sun and the Press can carry light to all corners of the globe. Of course, he was talking about the Associated Press, but I think our own media has done well in carrying defence-related news and views to all parts of the country.
3. I will make some opening remarks, after which I will take your questions. As you are aware, we celebrate Navy Day on December 4 every year. It is an occasion to remember our war heroes as well as to rededicate ourselves to the service of the Nation. On this occasion I would like to specifically remember one of my illustrious predecessors, Admiral Oscar Stanley Dawson, who passed away last month. He was the Director of Naval Operations in 1971 and one of the architects of the events of December 4, 1971.
Overview
4. Today the world has acknowledged India’s economic prowess and future economic potential. As the country continues to progress on the path of sustained economic growth, there is a growing acceptance of the fact that the maritime domain is the prime facilitator of our economic growth. More than 90% of our trade by volume and 77% by value is transported over the seas. Over 97% of our energy needs of oil are either imported or produced from offshore fields. Consequently, our economic growth is inextricably linked to the seas.
5. It is in appreciation of these security and economic imperatives that we have adopted this year’s theme, for the Navy Day--‘Safe Seas and Secure Coasts for a Strong Nation’.
6. The role and responsibility of the IN to protect our maritime interest will grow with the requirement to safeguard our expanding economic interests, as also the expectations associated with being a mature and responsible regional maritime power. Therefore, whilst the Navy is prepared to meet any form of traditional threat, it is also in the process of acquiring capabilities and realigning its operational ethos to meet emerging security challenges in our maritime domain.
7. Accordingly, during the last year the Navy has maintained its momentum towards enhancing maritime security and safeguarding our economic and strategic interests. Today, the Navy stands committed towards contributing to stability in our area of primary interest, that is the Indian Ocean Region.
8. It is, therefore, with good reason that the tempo of naval operations in 2011 was substantially higher. The Navy has been dealing with low-intensity threats on a regular basis wherein securing our coasts and safety of the merchant marine require focussed attention. In addition, our preparedness to deal with eventualities across the spectrum of operations has been maintained at a high level through sustained deployments, regular exercises as well as cooperative security initiatives with regional and international navies. We have commenced induction of assets and manpower and setting up of infrastructure to consolidate our coastal security organisation. Further, indigenous development of naval armament and equipment has been a focus area of the Navy and I am happy to state that there has been significant progress in this field.
Capability Building
9. Perspective planning is the key to building and maintaining a force structure, owing to the dynamics of a constantly changing geo-strategic environment and threats evolving thereof. Force Level Planning is thus an iterative process. An implementable Perspective Plan is particularly critical to building an indigenous navy. I am glad to note that earlier this year, we have formulated the Maritime Capabilities Perspective Plan and formalised the naval component of the 12th Defence Plan for 2012-2017.
10. The Navy is acutely conscious of the need for optimal utilisation of allocated monetary resources. Within the budget projections, the Navy is aiming at building a multi-dimensional capability, congruent to our increasing responsibilities as well as challenges. Our preferred choice of inducting ships and submarines has been through the indigenous route and of the 49 ships and submarines presently on order, 45 are from Indian shipyards.
11. The Navy’s quest for indigenisation has resulted in our Defence Public-Sector Shipyards (DPSU) being given an unprecedented number of orders for warship and submarine construction. Significantly, for the first time, DPSUs and private shipyards were involved in competitive bidding. This has resulted in price discovery in some cases and two private shipyards have been awarded contracts for construction of Offshore Patrol Vessels and Training Ships for the Navy. With larger number of shipyards participating in warship building, a larger number of deliveries are expected in the medium–term.
12. As I reiterate our firm commitment to the continued development of our indigenous warship-building capability I must also add that we are keen that the capability of both public- and private-sector shipyards be scaled up to deliver state-of-the-art warships that meet our future needs in time frames that match global standards.
13. In this context with the aim to enhance synergy between the Navy and the industry, we have compiled a Naval Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap, to keep the industry informed about the future requirements of the Navy in terms of technology and desired capability. This document will be hosted on the MoD website and I hope that the initiative will help boost the participation of the private sector in the defence production process, particularly with regard to naval systems.
14. We hope to build upon some of our successes in this regard, such as the indigenous Combat Management System (CMS), which is currently at various stages of integration in our new induction platforms.
15. The induction programme is continuing apace and over the next five years we expect to induct ships/submarines at an average rate of 5 ships per year provided the yards deliver as per contracted timelines. This year we have concluded eight important contracts which include contracts for four destroyers, five Offshore Patrol Vessels, two Cadet Training Ships, eight Landing Craft Utility and Fast Interceptor Craft for coastal security duties. We are also looking forward to soon concluding contracts for mine countermeasures vessels (MCMV) and Project 17A guided-missile frigates (FFG).
16. Amongst the major projects, under construction in Indian shipyards, are the three ships of Kolkata-class (Project 15A guided-missile destroyers, or DDGs), four Project 15B DDGs, which are an advanced version of the Kolkata-class DDGs, and the six Project 75 Scorpene submarines, all at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai. Four Project 28 anti-surface warfare (ASW) corvettes are being built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. In addition, nine Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPV) are under construction at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and a private shipyard. Construction of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is also progressing.
17. We expect to induct one Project 17 Shivalik-class FFG—INS Sahyadri--one Offshore Patrol Vessel, one Kolkata-class DDG, one P-28 ASW Corvette, three Catamaran Hull Survey Vessels and 25 Fast Interceptor Craft (these being a mixture of the 15 Chantier Naval Couach’s FIC-1300s and 80 FICs from Sri Lanka-based Solas Marine and for the Sagar Prahari Bal) over the next one year.
18. Amongst the overseas projects, the refurbishment of Vikramaditya is progressing on track and the ship is expected to be delivered in December 2012. The three follow-on FFGs of the Project 1135.6 Talwar-class, under construction at Russia, are likely to be delivered between 2012 and 2013.
19. Our maritime surveillance capability is a critical component of maritime security, both in times of peace and conflict, and plays a crucial role in the security of the Maritime Zones of India, as also of our vast coastline. The planned induction of twelve P-8I Poseidon LRMR/ASW aircraft to add more teeth to this capability, is on schedule. The first flight of the first P-8I for the Indian Navy took place on September 28 this year and this signals that the programme is well on track. The first aircraft would arrive in India by January 13. Acquisition of Medium-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft is also being progressed concurrently.
20. The delivery of 16 carrier-borne MiG-29K multi-role aircraft, as per the initial contract will be completed by the end of the year. We have also signed a contract for 29 more aircraft, the delivery of which is likely to commence from April next year. The Naval version of the LCA is under development and two main engine runs of the first prototype have been carried out. The naval variant differs from the Air Force version due to its requirement to operate from the deck of the aircraft carrier. The prototype is expected to do the much delayed first flight by the first quarter of 2012. Once successful flight trials are completed, we intend to go ahead with a Limited Series Production (LSP) of the aircraft, in preparation for future inductions.
21. Further, the induction of Hawk Mk132 AJT commencing 2013 would facilitate advanced training of our young pilots in developing requisite flying skills over sea prior to graduating to deck-based combat aircraft.
22. The mid-life upgrade of existing Sea King Mk42B and Kamov Ka-28 helicopters, aimed at upgrading their weapon and sensor package would be undertaken in the 12th Plan period (2012-2017). Further, efforts are in hand for acquiring multi-role helicopters, additional airborne early warning helicopters and utility helicopters. The field evaluation for procurement of 16 multi-role helicopters was concluded recently and the contract negotiations should commence by early 2012.
23. The Indian Navy recognises the superior persistence and surveillance capabilities of unmanned assets and has factored their induction. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) squadrons on the West Coast are fully operational and a new squadron on the East Coast is planned to be commissioned early next year. The technological advancements on the unmanned platforms incorporating improved sensors would enhance the coverage of the Area of Operations and such features have been factored as future drivers of growth.
24. In addition, we are in the process of procuring a number of weapons such as heavy machine guns, assault and sniper rifles, close-quarter battle carbines and infantry weapons training simulators, to bolster our personnel protection capabilities.
Infrastructure
25. Concurrent with the procurement of assets, development of infrastructure, is essential for balanced capability enhancement. We have therefore accorded high priority for creating supporting infrastructure for our new inductions.
26. Phase I of the Naval Base at Karwar, under Project Seabird, has been completed this year. The last major milestone was the inauguration of the Defence Civilian Township by the Hon'ble RM on May 21. We are now progressing the case for Phase II A of the project, which over the next eight to ten years would substantially enhance the operational, technical and administrative facilities and other infrastructure in the naval base. In addition, the Navy is also in the process of setting up Operational Turn Around (OTR) bases, Forward Operating Bases and Naval Air Enclaves along the coast which would enhance the reach and sustainability of our surveillance effort.
27. This year the Navy has provided a renewed impetus and focus towards creation of operational and administrative infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands. These islands are the country’s strategic outposts and augmentation of the facilities would enhance our reach and enable extended presence in the area.
28. Moving on to operations. We have maintained a high level of training and preparedness consistent with our peacetime stance, through regular exercises at the Fleet level. We have also honed our skills in joint operations through the year. For instance, this year’s Operational Readiness Exercise, TROPEX 11, which was conducted in February, was marked by significant participation by both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force with a focus on amphibious operations, amongst other issues. We also conducted another annual exercise which was aimed at addressing possible contingencies off the coast of Gujarat.
29. We have undertaken extensive overseas deployments in consonance with our foreign policy and operated extensively in the Indian Ocean as also in the Western Pacific. The nature of the maritime challenges, that we are faced with, necessitates engagement and cooperation with other Navies. Consequently, engagement of friendly navies on transnational maritime security issues, to develop a shared understanding and interoperability, has been a focus issue. Through such overseas deployments, the Indian Navy has been improving its operational and combat capabilities. This year, bilateral exercises were held with the navies of France, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, UK, USA, following exercises with Brazil and South Africa, last year. We have reinitiated a biennial series of naval exercises with Sri Lanka titled SLINEX, the most recent one having been undertaken in September this year.
30. Indian Navy ships have also engaged in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Most notable amongst them was the deployment for evacuation of our citizens from Libya in March this year as part of Operation Blossom. Occurring in close wake to our Operational Readiness Exercise, TROPEX 11, that I had mentioned about earlier, OP Blossom demonstrated the efficacy and agility with which our units can transit from an exercise environment into operations. In another disaster relief operation, our units participated in the flood relief efforts in Odisha in September this year.
31. Piracy off the coast of Somalia has grown steadily over the years. While 217 attacks were reported off Somalia and in the Indian Ocean in 2009, they increased to 219 in 2010. The number of incidents have already reached 228 for the current year till November 2011. However, due to sustained efforts of navies and the shipping community, the success rate of piracy has dropped from 38% in 2008 to 11% this year.
32. Piracy in the region has a direct bearing on our economy as a large percentage of India’s trade including oil and fertilisers, also passes through the Gulf of Aden. The Ministry of Shipping has estimated that Indian exports and imports through the Gulf of Aden route are valued in the range of over US$100 billion. The safety and unhindered continuity of maritime trade, through ships that use this route, is, therefore, a primary national concern. About 24 India-flagged merchant ships transit the Gulf of Aden every month. Additionally, a large number of foreign flagged vessels with Indian crew also sail on these waters.
33. Consequently, the Indian Navy commenced anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden from October 2008 to protect India-flagged ships and Indian citizens employed in sea-faring duties. Close to 1900 ships have been escorted by Indian Navy ships in the Gulf of Aden of these the foreign flagged ships are close to 1,700. During its deployments for anti-piracy operations, Indian Navy ships have prevented 39 piracy attempts on merchant vessels.
34. As a result of resolute naval action in the Gulf of Aden by several countries, piracy shifted to new areas, including the East Arabian Sea by end 2010. In order to counter this new trend, the Indian Navy substantially increased its anti-piracy deployments in the East Arabian Sea, including areas off Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands. As a result of these deployments and actions against four pirate mother ships this year, the threat of piracy attacks has sharply reduced in this area. Over a hundred pirates were apprehended and 73 fishermen and crew were rescued during anti piracy operations by the navy in the East Arabian Sea this year.
35. Coastal security, as you may be aware, is a complex issue which requires not only seamless coordination across numerous organisations but also the setting up of significant technological infrastructure. Towards this end, our objective has been to increase the synergy between various agencies by ensuring better sharing of information, and coordination of actions. While there has been the odd aberration, in other instances swift coordinated action brought success.
36. In this context it is pertinent to highlight that, there has been an increase of about 70% in naval ship deployments and a 100% increase in aircraft deployments towards coastal security tasking. Surveillance of the Offshore Development Areas has also been enhanced. Integration of fishermen, as one of the stakeholders of maritime security, has been addressed at grass-root levels, and so far, 361 awareness campaigns have been conducted in the coastal states by naval and Coast Guard teams. This is an ongoing endeavour and will be continued in the years ahead. Our fishermen are our ‘eyes and ears’ in our coastal security matrix.
37. Considerable progress has also been made in augmenting coastal security infrastructure. The recently raised Sagar Prahari Bal has commenced operations with the induction of the first lot of FIC-1300s at Mumbai in June. As I mentioned earlier, a contract for another 80 additional fast interceptor craft was also signed in August. Static sea surveillance radars will be installed all along the coast by next year. A chain of Automatic Identification Systems will also come up along the coast by mid-2012. The pilot project for fitment of transponders on fishing vessels less than 20 metres of length, is planned for implementation in Gujarat and Maharashtra. After the initial trials this will be implemented in other coastal states. This measure would enhance the capability for tracking fishing boats in high density areas.
38. The Navy is setting up the National Command Control Communication Intelligence or (NC3I) Network envisaged for coastal security which would be an independent network and interlink all the Coastal Stations with the Joint Maritime Operations Centres and the Headquarters of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. Further, as part of NC3I network, an Information Management Fusion and Analysis Centre for fusing all maritime information is being set up, with a view to develop comprehensive maritime domain awareness and a common operational picture of the relevant sea and ocean areas. Once commissioned, this will be an important force multiplier.
39. Better inter-agency coordination has been one of the positive outcomes of the progress made in last few years. This has been facilitated by the conduct of regular coastal security exercises and operations conducted with all maritime stakeholders. While the coastal security architecture has been strengthened considerably, to further improve the capacity and capability for coastal security, a case for Phase II of Coastal Security augmentation has been initiated. Under this initiative, additional assets such as patrol vessels, helicopters, UAVs, manpower, special forces, forward operating bases, etc. have been proposed. The utility of these assets will not be limited to coastal security alone.
Maritime Cooperation
40. It is natural that India’s growing stature there will be expectations from the Indian Navy, which is the largest Navy in the region, to maintain good order and security at sea. To achieve its mandated tasks, the Indian Navy is enhancing its capabilities, as well as cooperation and inter-operability with regional and extra-regional navies. Naval forces, with their many attributes including access, mobility, sustenance, reach, flexibility and versatility, are ideally equipped to play an active part in furthering diplomatic efforts, in keeping with national priorities.
41. We have a well-established material and training assistance programme in place with Indian Ocean Region countries to assist them in capacity-building and capability-enhancement. The Indian Navy also provides assistance by deploying its assets like ships and aircraft to undertake surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the littorals from time to time, based on requests made by friendly countries.
42. In the current strategic scenario, wherein a myriad of global security challenges confront all nations at large, training cooperation is vital for fostering mutual trust and inter-operability. Training of personnel from friendly navies therefore, has been the cornerstone of our Foreign Cooperation Initiatives. It is aimed to increase training opportunities to Indian Ocean Region littoral countries, especially the island-nations and ensure that India remains their first preference for ab-initio and mid-career courses. We presently train personnel from 21 countries.
43. The Navy has institutionalised a number of bilateral exercises with other navies. These exercises have continued to expose our Navy to the best practices followed by others, develop inter-operability, showcase our indigenous shipbuilding capability and strengthen naval diplomacy initiatives. A number of bilateral exercises are accordingly scheduled in 2012 as well.
44. The Indian Navy has been actively involved in cooperative engagement with several friendly countries across the globe. The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium is one such initiative of the Indian Navy, which addresses common maritime security concerns and other such issues of mutual interest amongst the 35 member-states.
Human Resource Development
45. I firmly believe that human resource is our most precious asset. Our uniformed and civilian personnel derive their strength and motivation from the finest traditions that we have inherited from our predecessors. Yet it is a reality that the Navy is facing a shortfall in both uniformed and civilian personnel. Civilian personnel form the backbone of our maintenance force and have longstanding expertise, which we can ill afford to lose. We are making all efforts in conducting special recruitment drives to make good the shortfalls. Shortage of service personnel are also being progressively reduced through additional recruitments. In spite these efforts, there is a shortfall of uniformed personnel, which we hope to address in the coming years through focussed initiatives to engage the youth of our country. In this context, I am optimistic that Cabinet approval would be accorded in the near future for expansion of the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala.
46. Towards addressing our functional requirements and the aspirations of our sailors, a cadre restructuring proposal termed Review of Career Profile of sailors was approved by the Government in October 2010, which was aimed to enhance the functional efficiency of our units as also to promote greater professional satisfaction. The implementation has commenced in a phased manner and would reduce the timeline for promotion to the rank of Petty Officer to less than 15 years in all branches; i.e. within their initial contractual period. Another recently approved initiative is the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme that has bolstered our efforts to provide better remuneration to compensate for the difficult working conditions in the Service. This scheme entitles each sailor assured growth through his career wherein he gets a financial up gradation at 8, 16 and 24 years of service or on spending 8 years continuously in a Grade Pay.
47. I would also highlight the special emphasis we place on ensuring that the family members of the personnel who lay down their lives in the Service of the Nation, continue to be provided support and succour through lifelong association with the Navy, for which, the Naval Regimental System, provides a very proactive mechanism with representatives down to the unit-level. We have a moral obligation towards providing support to naval widows and our initiative to set up a hostel for them, on land that was recently allocated for this purpose in Delhi, is a manifestation of our commitment.
48. Another recent initiative, the Navy–IGNOU Community College Scheme, Sagardeep, is a distinctive HR measure that will empower sailors, irrespective of entry-level qualification, branch or trade. The signing of the MoU this year between the Indian Navy and the Indira Gandhi National Open University has been a landmark event that will facilitate higher education amongst our sailors, thereby benefitting the Navy whilst significantly equipping our personnel for their second innings.
49. We have also accorded a lot of importance to providing quality accommodation to our personnel, this is an important aspiration that we are committed to address. Phase I of Married Accommodation Project or MAPS is largely complete. We have obtained approval for Phase II of the project and it is already under construction. Once implemented there will be a substantial increase in the availability of dwelling units for our personnel on completion of the second phase. Additionally, the Navy is also progressing issues related to upgrading hospital and school facilities for our personnel and their dependents which would contribute to our overall sense of well being, satisfaction and pride.
Sports and Adventure
50. It is a matter of great pride for me to state that the Indian Navy’s sportsmen have consistently done the country proud in the International arena. 32 Naval sportsmen have so far represented the country at various International sports events during the current year and have won 01 Gold, 02 Silver and 05 Bronze medals. Cdr Dilip Donde was awarded the Tenzing Norgay Adventure Award for his exemplary feat of successfully completing the maiden Solo Circumnavigation by an Indian citizen, on board the sailing yacht ‘Mhadei’ in 2011, Suranjoy Singh, MCPO II PT of the Navy Boxing team has been bestowed with the prestigious “Arjuna Award” for excelling in boxing for the year 2010-11. Sanjeev Rajput, MCPO II QA 3 of the Navy shooting team has qualified for the London Olympics 2012 in 50 Metres Rifle 3 Positions event. Ashok Kumar, Chief ME, Omkar Singh, Chief Petty Officer and Samarendra Singh, Leading Steward, have won medals at the international-level in wrestling, air pistol shooting and canoeing, respectively. We are extremely proud of the achievement of our sports persons and the Navy would continue to nurture young men and women who have the potential to bring laurels to the country.
Conclusion
51. Let me conclude by stating that we are committed to create and sustain a combat-ready, technology-enabled and networked force, capable of safeguarding our maritime interests and projecting combat power across littorals. We seek to evolve relevant conceptual frameworks and acquire the warfighting capabilities to operate across the full spectrum of conflict on sustained basis. Ensuring combat readiness will therefore remain our primary focus. We will also be prepared to undertake benign and humanitarian tasks in our region, whenever required. Our operational endeavour shall be underpinned by continuous upgradation of our human skills and a willingness to transform as required to meet the challenges of the future.
52. The Navy Day is an occasion for me to avail the opportunity to express my appreciation, to each and every service and civilian member of the Navy, for their service to our nation, as also, my acknowledgment of the contribution by their families.
53. And finally, on behalf of the naval fraternity, I place on record, our deepest gratitude and respect to our martyrs and our veteran community who have built the strong edifice and traditions of the Indian Navy. In their recognition, year 2012 has been dedicated as the ‘Year for the Ex-Serviceman’.
Thank you very much.
What It All Means, Or Implies
Let’s start with Para 10, in which it is stated that “of the 49 ships and submarines presently on order, 45 are from Indian shipyards”. Would it have hurt the CNS if he had given a simplified breakdown of this order by mentioning the numbers of principal surface combatants (DDGs, FFGs, corvettes, submarines, MCMVs, auxiliary/utility vessels, and various types of fast attack craft? In Para 14, when he refered to the indigenously developed CMS (this being the EMDINA) “which is currently at various stages of integration in our new induction platforms,” does it imply that the CMS suites on board the two already-commissioned Project 17 FFGs have yet to undergo functional integration? And would it have hurt anyone if the CNS were to dwell very briefly on the challenges involved in naval systems integration and which were the naval establishments/directorates and DPSUs that have risen up to the challenge? In Para 16, by describing the Project 28 corvette as an “anti-surface warfare (ASW)” vessel, was the CNS claiming or confirming that these vessels will not be optimised for anti-submarine warfare, but will instead be armed with anti-ship cruise missiles and be configured for attacking hostile surfaced targets? In Para 19, where he stated that “the planned induction of twelve P-8I Poseidon LRMR/ASW aircraft…..is on schedule,” was he confirming that the contract for a follow-on four P-8Is had already been inked? In the same para, where he disclosed that the “acquisition of Medium-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft is also being progressed concurrently,” would it have hurt if he had identified the potential platforms that had been shortlisted, whether they were turboprop- or turbofan-powered, how many platforms are planned for acquisition and why was the abbreviation ‘ASW’ not attached to the description of this platform? In Para 20, when referring to the LCA (Navy), why didn’t the CNS quantify the “Limited Series Production (LSP) of the aircraft” that the IN plans to procure? In Para 21, why did the CNS fail to give the number of navalised Hawk Mk132 lead-in fighter trainers being procured? In Para 22, while revealing that “efforts are in hand acquiring multi-role helicopters, additional airborne early warning helicopters and utility helicopters,” why did he not identify the helicopters being considered for procured by their names/model designations/tonnage, and which helicopter-type would go on board which vessel? In the same para while the CNS confirmed that “the field evaluation for procurement of 16 multi-role helicopters was concluded recently and the contract negotiations should commence by early 2012,” what was there to lose were he to identify the helicopters that were evaluated and shortlisted? In Para 23, where it was stated that “a new (UAV) squadron on the East Coast is planned to be commissioned early next year,” was the CNS implying that this would be based at the Behala airfield in south Kolkata, or would it be the squadron that was earlier earmarked for deployment in Port Blair, but will instead be based at Arakkonam in the near future? In Para 26, where the CNS disclosed that “the Navy is also in the process of setting up Operational Turn Around (OTR) bases, Forward Operating Bases and Naval Air Enclaves along the coast,” was he referring to India’s entire coastline, or just the western seaboard? And where exactly would these bases and enclaves be located? In Para 36, where it was mentioned that “there has been an increase of about 70% in naval ship deployments and a 100% increase in aircraft deployments towards coastal security tasking,” why was it not highlighted that coastal security operations during peacetime are constabulary functions that are best handled by the Indian Coast Guard Service (ICGS), why has the Navy been undertaking such operations, what effects would all these have on the technical service lives of the warships involved, and lastly, have such operations prevented the Navy from honing its warfighting skills post-26/11? In Para 38, why did the CNS not reveal the targetted commissioning dates of the National Command Control Communications Intelligence or (NC3I) Network and the Information Management Fusion and Analysis Centre? Is it because both the terrestrial NAVNET (using fibre-optic cables) and the project to deploy GSAT-7 fleet communications satellite in geo-stationary orbit are running way behind schedule? In Para 39, in which the CNS spoke about the initiation of Phase II of coastal security augmentation through the proposed acquisition of additional assets such as patrol vessels, helicopters, UAVs, manpower, special forces, forward operating bases, etc., was he referring solely to the Navy’s future force modernisation plans, or was he also talking about those of the ICGS?
During the question-and-answer session when the CNS described the IN as being “a brand new multi-dimensional navy with reach and sustainability” that “is in the offing with over 150 warships and close to 600 fighters, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and drones by the latter half of the following decade, what method of calculation did he employ when giving such figures? Did he factor in the list of warships to be decommissioned between now and 2027, which include four FFGs, five DDGs, one aircraft carrier, nine SSKs, eight MCMVs, one LPD and two LST-Ls, 19 corvettes and five AOPVs? Lastly, while the CNS stated that development work on the Arihant SLBM is on track and the vessel will be sailing out from Visakhapatnam for sea trials in the next few months, why did he not give out any projected or estimated commissioning dates for this vessel, especially since he had disclosed a year ago that when the Arihant is put to see in two years (i.e. 2012), it will be on deterrent patrol with strategic weapons on board?
Now that I have identified the blanks above, the concluding part on this thread will dwell upon filling up the blanks.
292 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 292 of 292Anon December 16, 2011 3:59 PM
Well its possible to shoot fighter jet if its data link can be hacked or jammed wateva!! like the Iranian did with RQ-170 . they might hacked the data link or they changed the path of drone by calibrating its GPS
Hi PRASUN, u told that no one in their right mind would use a satellite as there cheap airburst EM bombs available. Now does it means that our modern fighters are obsolete and helpless against them. Is there no way of protecting fighters such as Sukhoi-30,MiG-29,Mirage 2000, Jaguar? Isn't the DRDO doing any research in the field of protecting these jets from the destructive EMP waves caused by them. Is the Typhoon or the Rafale EMP hardened? Some steps should be taken or our combat aircrafts would become helpless?
As per the applicable commercial procedure, in what manner the increasing prices of dollars may affect the prices and schedule of the MMRCA.
To SBM: In a Su-30MKI squadron, there are no dedicated operational conversion trainers per se, and it was therefore imperative that the IAF sped up the large-scale induction of cockpit procedures trainers & tactical flight simulators. But this plan was delayed, resulting in more flight-hours being logged in by each operational Su-30MKI for purposes of operational conversion. Secondly, given the unique operational conversion procedures associated with the tandem-seat Su-30MKI, the ‘mother’ squadron of each Wing acts as the mentor for the two or three other squadrons affiliated to the Wing until the time comes for the concerned squadron to achieve FOC and hence the existing three ‘mother’ squadrons have greater holdings of Su-30MKIs in their inventories, which are realeased to the other squadrons as they progressively achieve FOC.
To Anurag: The aerial logistics business plan for the North-East is now in the start-up implementation phase. The Akash Mk2 is still under development, and initial firing trials will begin after next June. The new-build Arjun Mk1As & Arjun Mk2s will all use hybrid armour. The T-90S MBTs won’t have this feature. APFSDS development is a continuous process & so is that for the 120mm rifled-bore cannon. There’s no DRDO-initiated project to develop any kind of APS. The shaped-charge warheads talked about by Dr V K Saraswat was concerning the warheads for the PDV and AAD interceptor missiles. The MMW seeker for the Nag ATGM has been under development by a team comprising RCI & IRDE since the late 1980s. Components of the IIR seeker came from both THALES & RAFAEL. The Nag ATGM was never disowned or rejected by the Army. The problem lay with the NAMICA launch vehicle. Presently, the only 1,500hp engine being developed to replace the existing 1,400hp engine is the one from Cummins India. CVRDE is only modifying the engine compartment of the Arjun Mk2 to accommodate the 1,500hp powerpack. BEML has no in-house R & D capability for developing any kind of transmission. One has to note that only 3% of India’s total workforce is skilled. This imposes enormous limitations in terms of developing well-engineered solutions. Hence the perpetual dependency on foreign ‘consultants’ to help refine concepts and designs. In this area, the Chinese are 50 years ahead of India, given the heavy emphasis placed on education by China since the 1950s.
To Anon@8.01PM: Even though there are no helipads above 5,000 metres, it does not mean that LUHs don’t go way above such altitudes for SAR & MEDEVAC/CASEVAC missions. For assured engine start under cold-soak conditions, helicopters like the Bell 407 & AS.550C3 have built-in engine starters (just as in fixed-wing combat aircraft like the Tejas LCA). Therefore, GPUs aren’t reqd. The problem arose in 2008-2009 after the AS.350C3 failed to start its engine after an overnight cold soaking in Leh (and the helicopter was grounded until a GPU had been airlifted from Delhi), while the Bell 407 succeeded in starting its engine. Yet, despite this, there were attempts within Army HQ to recommend the AS.550C3 over the Bell 407. Once this became public knowledge—thanks to Bell Helicopter spilling the beans—the LUH contract was subjected to a re-tendering exercise. Now, my guess is that the Army HQ is still in favour of the AS.550C3 and therefore to play it safe this time, has waived the cold soak tests so that its favourite doesn’t fail the competitive evaluations this time.
To Anon@11.10PM: Of course it isn’t true. If it were, then the first ones to ‘reveal’ such developments would have been Pakistan, & not Saurabh Jha.
To Anon@11.12PM: Of course the IAF got it right by selecting the Pilatus PC-7 Mk2. In fact, the South Korean KT-1 is a copy of the PC-7 Mk1. But interestingly, now that the IAF is set to acquire such BTTs and already operates the Hawk Mk132 LIFTs, the HJT-36 IJT has become irrelevant and unnecessary & therefore the HJT-36 project needs to be given a public burial. Acquiring the HJT-36 would have become necessary to bridge the gap between the HPT-32 piston-engined ab-initio trainer & the Hawk Mk132 LIFT. But with the BTT’s arrival, the HJT-36 IJT has lost all relevance.
To Anon@1.18AM: Not quite. Why? I’ve just explained that above. There are at least three more Su-30MKI squadrons now forming up in addition to the seven existing ones. Eventually, the IAF could well end up with 12 Su-30MKI squadrons.
To Anon@4.10AM: I think you’re giving more credit to the Iranians than they deserve, in this case.
To Anon@8.53AM: There are selective EMP-hardening features on every combat aircraft, but full-scale or total EMP-hardening is possible only on those aircraft which are designated nuclear strikes assets. And EMP is like a double-edged sword, meaning it can harm both the party being targeted as well as the party that launches such a weapon.
To Mr.RA 13: It will have an effect, since the contract value—even if fixed at the time of tender submission--will reflect the foreign exchange rate of the day when the contract is inked.
Prasunda,
Is (600 KM / Mach 3.2) LRCM making rounds on cerain sited & blogs, same as Air Delivered Munition revealed by you first time here few years back. What is the latest update on the same?
What is the current status of Design and development of Muti-Calibre Individual Weapon System (for FINSA) which India was supposed to be develpoing with the help of Israel? Why Imdia has recently released RFP for new assault rifle? Was codevelopment with Israel never took off?
To Mr.RA 13: Do read this interesting piece—titled “21 Corps logs on to 21st century solutions”—at http://www.tehelka.com/story_main51.asp?filename=Ne241211Corps.asp
However, there are some distortions & inaccuracies in this analysis. For instance, the description “Imagine a combination of Skype and Facebook enabling a soldier to send video feeds, information, orders and suggestions up and down the chain of command, all in real time.”, will become a reality only after the F-INSAS & related BMS networks will become operational later this decade. Secondly, the claim about “Pakistan is lagging behind in the race towards network centricity”, is patently false. In fact, the very opposite is true, since both China & Pakistan are ahead of India in terms of deploying & making large-scale use of tactical internet & intranet networks.
Hi Prasun,
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/flaws-in-russian-design-or-holes-in-hal-quality/212735-60-115.html
What can we deduce from this??
Waiting for a new article ): ):
To Shree: I had already given the list of probable causes a few days ago. Firstly, if one were to assume that technical errors related to the flight control system were responsible, then one can narrow down the probable possibilities. One can safely rule out simultaneous engine failure of both turbofans or suffering of catastrophic bird-hits, and one can also rule out loss of electrical power to the digital fly-by-wire flight control system, since the system can function without electrical power for a good 40 minutes (as was the case with the first Su-30MKI crash on April 30, 2009). The only two other ways a digital fly-by-wire flight control system can malfunction or cease to function is if the aircraft is struck by a bolt of lightning, or if there is internal wire-chafing, caused primarily by deficient QA at the shopfloor-level during the aircraft’s final assembly.
Secondly, it remains to be seen from which batch of aircraft deliveries the crashed Su-30MKI came. If it came from those batches which have had to undergo TBOs after clocking 1,000 flight hours, then the practices & processes of the concerned BRD that is undertaking such post-1,000-hour inspections will have to investigated. If the aircraft hails from a batch that is yet to undergo such inspections, then the IAF’s squadron-level maintenance practices & hangarage-related infrastructure will have to be investigated. In either case, even if technical error is found out to be the case, it will in all probability have to be human resource-induced technical error.
Thirdly, the air base infrastructure even at major IAF air bases in deficient when it comes to hosting aircraft like the Su-30MKI & Hawk Mk.132, and in future the upgraded MiG-29UPGs, upgraded Mirage 2000H/THs & upgraded Jaguar IS. For instance, in none of the existing IAF air bases hosting the Su-30MKIs, there are tarmac-based or ramp-based aircraft storm-shelters of the type that have come up in other air bases around the world that host export-model Su-27s & Su-30s (as in Algeria, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Venezuela & Vietnam).
Fourthly, regarding the latest Su-30MKI crash, catastrophic malfunctioning FBW-FCS or malfunctioning autopilots are now totally ruled out, and what is being strongly suspected is either premature component failure or component failure caused by negligence of ground maintenance crew.
Lastly, it remains to be seen if the so-called HAL-introduced 'improvements' to the licence-built Su-30MKI had received airworthiness certification from the concerned Russian OEMs. It must be noted here that CEMILAC's airworthiness certification doesn't mean anything at all since the product's design comes from abroad and therefore all legally binding product liability rests with foreign parties. Consequently, any product modification, even though authorised and validated by CEMILAC, but which is not authorised by the concerned OEM, will be deemed extremely risky and callous by any court of law or Board of Inquiry.
I'm pretty certain the final report of the IAF's Court of Inquiry will list out either one of the above-listed reasons for the crash, or a combination of some of the variables I've listed out.
To Shree: By the way, the mandatory servicing after the aircraft completes 400 hours of flying is carried out by the IAF's Base Repair Depot, and not by HAL.
To Anon@11.03PM: The ADM & LRCM are one and the same. The term ADM was first used by a National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) report prepared for the MoD in late 1998 by an all-civilian NSAB (which was expressly instructed by the then Govt of India to strictly avoid contacting the armed services HQs of India & not to ask for their opinions & inputs, for reasons that defy all logic). Am unaware of any Multi-Calibre Individual Weapon System being co-developed by India & Israel.
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main51.asp?filename=Ne241211Corps.asp
"“Sometimes there are advantages in entering a field late, we can learn from others’ mistakes,” says a senior officer."
For the time being this looks like a key dialogue. Either the Indians are learning or have learnt from the Chinese and other's NCW problems.
The global manner in which the Indian fighter crafts are falling down may be an indicative of poor maintenance and servicing methods and procedures or rather by not following the instructions practically and properly.
sir,
you said that until Indian military gets their dedicated military satellite
they wont be able to conduct network centric warfare.....what kind of military satellites do pakistan have which as you are saying enables them in the area of network centric warfare with far more efficiency than india can.....ofcourse i dont have upto date info on what kind of satellites pakistanis are launching so if you provide a tiny bit of info then that would be really helpful....thanks
sir,
i take back the second part of the first comment...regarding ADM....i didnt read your previous post....
sir,
do india have any stockpile of chemical weapons...i am asking this because i want to know what is our policy regarding a chemical or biological attack on our country......do we respond with nuclear strike or normal bombs...
Could I be right in saying that India must hold the world record in the number of fighter planes and combat pilot lives lost at peace time than at war compared to any other country?
Hi Prasun will u pls tell whether The Eurofighter and Rafale are EMP hardened Eurocopter is,i.e. whether they can withstand the EM wave generated by anuvlear blast and still go flying? What about the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29,Mirage 2000,Jaguar ? Can they withstand such a wave from nuclear blast? can u pls tell how long will it take to upgrade the Mirages? Will it really take 10 yrs as told by AK Antony? also can u pls throw some light on the improvements introduced by Su-30 by HAL? Pls tell.
Prasun with IAF going for the Apache-64D and Chinook is the IAF looking for any mid-air re-fuelers for them. Does the follow on order for 6 C-130 hercules have the refueling option included in it.
Also for the fighter aircrafts IAF is only going for 6 A-330's. Are any follow on orders anticipated .The best fighter to refueler ratio is 2 aircrafts per squadron, ofcourse no nation can afford the ideal ratio. But w.r.t to IAF the present 6 aircrafts for 34+ Squadrons or even if we include the to-be-acquired 6 A330s the ratio is abysmally low. The Su-30 will reach 12+ squadrons eventually ,another 9+/- Squadrons of the MMRCA. Forget about Mirage-2000,Mig-29 and the futuristic. FGFA and AMCA.The planned refuelers are not even sufficient to cover these 4+ gen fighters. IAF needs to have refuelers for atleast a third of total force i,e 24-26 refuelers........Is my view correct ? The A330's have duel use both as refuelers and cargo airlift. So acquiring them in numbers can be justified.
Hi PRASUN, an aircraft can be made EMP hardened by enclosing the electronic & electrical components within a Faradary cage. What are the dedicated nuclear strike aircrafts in IAF's inventory. Once an aircraft has been built is it possible to apply EMP hardening measures during midlife overhaul?
Any info on when LSP7 will fly and what is delaying it.
Hi Prasun,
please , please , please post a new thread , eagerly waiting for the new updates and your comments for the questions.
Also i wanted to know where can we read the complete articles you write in force magazine for FREE.
your comments on this piece plz:
http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/2011/12/future-strike-indias-hypersonic-vehicle.html
Hi, Prasun are any of the combat aircrafts of the IAF lightning resistant? ie, they can withstand a thunderstrike and keep on flying without suffering failure of engines, avionics and there is no damage to the digital FBW system of the aircraft?
To Soumyadip: The Nirbhay will be exactly what I had written in my previous blog at TRISHULGROUP. And since it is turbofan-powered, all one needs to do is equip this vehicle with an autopilot, radar altimeter & a warhead and it then easily becomes a cruise missile as well. Till this day, no one—whether livefist or deadfist or even the DRDO—has released any definitive illustration of the Nirbhay. Regarding satellites for network-centric warfare & strategic targetting, Pakistan relies on several Chinese overhead recce satellites as well as its own telecommunications satellite. India had a stockpile of chemical weapons but has since destroyed them due to her adherence to international conventions. U’m not aware of the existence of any germ/biological warfare programme in India.
To Anon@6.09PM: Only those manned combat aircraft designated as nuclear weapons launchers have comprehensive EMP hardening. It is cost-prohibitive to EMP-harden the entire combat aircraft fleet of any air force, including those flying the Rafale or Eurofighter EF-2000.
To Anon@9.12PM: The AH-64Ds cannot be refueled in mid-air, but the MH-47E Chinooks can. But the IAF is nor going for this version of the Chinook. Instead, the CH-47Fs will be bought. The C-130J-30s can not only be refuelled in mid-air, but can also act as mid-air refuellers since they’re configured to be fitted with underwing refueling pods of the type already operational with the IL-78MDs.
To Anon@11.16PM: At least 10 Mirage 2000s (most of them TH tandem-seaters) have been EMP-hardened. This work was carried out in the mid-1990s.
To Anon@7.31AM: No idea.
To Anon@11.25AM: Was busy with drafting the LIMA 2011 maritime & aerospace show report. Want to read my articles in FORCE magazine for free? You can read them in this blog a few months AFTER they’ve been published in the magazine.
To Spanky’s Blog: Now try comparing the photos with those of MBDA’s CVS-401 Perseus. Read this: http://home.janes.com/events/exhibitions/dsei2011/sections/daily/day1/perseus-mbdas-missile-of-.shtml
It would appear that the HSTDV is after all a hypersonic missile (the BrahMos-2, as a matter of fact), and not a reusuable scramjet-powered vehicle that was being wrongly touted by certain DRDO & ISRO officials in the past.
To Anon@8.30AM: No, they aren’t.
@Prasun da,
What happened to the detailed article on F INSAS project you promised.PLEASE PLEASE post that article,can't wait any longer.
To Anurag: The F-INSAS article will first appear in the January 2012 issue of FORCE magazine. Will then upload the article after it has been published.
Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Eurofighter Typhoon were both developed to be fighters first and bombers second (particularly so with the Typhoon), the opposite is true for the F-35........
How would you define Su-30MKI??
The helmets(Patka) wore by IA look very strange ...
*Are they Indigenous???
*Are they any good??
*Do they provide necessary protection??
Hi PRASUN can u pls tell the no of TELs present per battery and the no of batteries present in an Army Spyder regiment? Also pls tell the anti radiation missiles currently in the inventory of the IAF?
Sniper ATP , LITENING ,LANTIRN ,FILAT(chini) , Thales Damocles.
Which one is better????????
During the cold war both sides expected that there will be heavy use of EMP weapons and these would be used before actual striking at the heart of the enemy to disrupt C3 facilities, radar and SAM sites to destroy means of communication and also break the IADS. So both the USSR & USA spent considerable resources in EMP hardening vital C3 facilities, radar stations and also aircraft hangers & airbases. Has India did the same regarding it's vital C3 , radar sites and the major airbases. Also can u pls tell whether the entire fleet of US F-15,F-15E, F-16 are completely EMP hardened? What about the PAF? How many of it's fighters are completely EMP hardened?
Suppose we are having a full scale war with Pakistan and here Pakisatan has resorted to the use of tactical nuclear weapons(SUPPOSE). Let the PAF bomb a major Western airbase with a 2-3 kT nuclear cruise missile from a F-16. Suppose our radars have detected more F-16 inbound and intel suggests they are nuclear armed. Suppose we sent a Su-30 to intercept the F-16s and their nuclear tipped cruise missiles. But it will be uneffective as if there is a nuclear detonation nearby the Su-30 will fall right out of the sky. The situation is similar for other non completely EMP hardened aircraft and so there will be no interception. So , is it not better for the IAF to completely EMP harden it's jets whatever the cost so they will be able to operator under heavy EMP fallout. Pls ans.
LITENING(Tejas,Su30MKI,Typhoon,Gripen) , SniperATP(Paki F-16),Thales Damocles(Su 27,Rafale) ,AN/ASQ-228ATFLIR(F-18 E) , ,LANTIRN(F-15) ,FILAT(chini) .
Which one is better????????
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ATP-SE-LITENING-Strikes-as-USAF-Splits-Future-Targeting-Pod-Orders-06614/
Isn't LITENING Israeli??
What was the cost for the 42 Super Su-30 purchased recently from Russia?
Due to the PM Visit is there any progress in terms of Support(Spares etc) for these and all Russian planes ??
We will have only 269 Su-30MKI ..... NOT 272 as reported by all sites..... 3 have crashed idiots ):
To Shree: The Su-30MKI is an outgrowth of the Su-27 air superiority combat aircraft, just as the F-15E strike Eagle has evolved out of the F-15C. And as I had explained before, the days of classic dogfighting with cannon-fire are long over, given the proliferation of new-generation all-aspect within-visual-range air combat missiles and helmet-mounted display-n-cueing systems. That’s why, even thrust vectoring using TVC nozzles for supermanoeuvrability is not that critical anymore. The helmets worn by pilots of the Su-30MKI & MiG-21 Bison are of Russian-make since they house the rather antiquated helmet-mounted sights. The Dash Mk3 HMS on the Tejas Mk1, the Dash Mk5 HMS on the Tejas Mk2 & the Topsight HMS for MiG-29K pilots are not only more versatile, but also lighter.
To Anon@11PM: The number of TELs per SpyDer-SR Battery will be six. Three such Batteries make up a Regiment. The principal ARM of the IAF is the Kh-31P Krypton. The MBDA-built ARMATs for the Mirage 2000s were withdrawn from service quite some time ago.
To Anon@11.10PM: LANTIRN & FILAT are used for both low-level navigation & targetting and requires the carrier-aircraft to be equipped with a holographic HUD, whereas for Sniper ATP, Litening-2/3 & Damocles (which are all only for target acquisition/designation), a head-down display is reqd. For those air forces who want to operate over mountainous terrain by day and night and concurently engage in terrain-masking, the LANTIRN is an ideal choice. But the best and latest is Lockheed Martin’s AAS-42 TigerEye which combines the infra-red search-and-track, all-weather terrain-hugging navigation, target acquisition & laser designation functions all into a single pod. This pod is presently in service with only the F-15Ks & F-15SGs of South Korea & Singapore, and was offered to India for the Super Hornet M-MRCA.
To Anon@11.11PM: All deployable C4I facilities/networks of India’s armed forces are not only EMP-hardened, but have built-in redundancy. It is impossible to EMP-harden radar sites and the major air bases. Only those combat aircraft required for use as n-weapon carriers/launchers are EMP-hardened. For Pakistan the EMP-hardened aircraft are the Mirage IIEPs that have undergone the ROSE-1/2 avionics upgrade.
To Anon@11.22PM: Shooting down an aircraft carrying nuclear weapons does not mean the n-weapon will detonate at the same time as the carrier aircraft is shot out of the sky.
To KSK: Yes, Litening is Israeli, made by RAFAEL.
To Anon@11.42PM: The 42 Su-30MKIs will be 30% more expensive than the 40 Su-30MKIs ordered earlier. One has to factor in the 15% annual increase in per-unit flyaway costs, which is a universal phenomenon. The spares problem is not a Russian creation, but an Indian one. Why is it that only the IAF seems to facing such problems, while the Navy & Army don’t? That’s the question no one seems to be asking.
Throwing out a suggestion - the IAF still seems to be able to fly and use its Russian aircaft more than Russia itself.
Could it be this spares complaint arises in part from heavy utilization ?
To SBM: If that were to be the case, then the Indian Navy too would have faced the same problem. After all, the Tu-142MEs & Ka-28PLs of the Navy do log in far more flying hours than those of the Russian Navy. But that has not happened, since the Indian Navy makes use of a private India-based exclusive spares distributor-cum-bonded warehouse provider--Rosoboronservice India Pvt Ltd. The IAF, on the other hand, has no other option but to rely on Indo-Russian Aviation Ltd (IRAL), which is a JV between Russia's United Aircraft Corp and HAL, for catering to the IAF's spares support reqmts. And it is IRAL that's been unable to maintain an in-house inventory of spares in adequate quantities (this being an inventory of spares reqd for a three-year period). Spares logistics for aircraft is no different than spares logistics for automobiles. One does not have to rush to to each and every OEM everytime spares are reqd, but rather one always approaches the nearest stockist or distributor for spares, especially the rotables and consumables (which also includes tyres, cockpit canopies & transparencies). Back in early 1995 almost the entire fleets of MiG23BNs & MiG-27Ms had to be grounded due to unavailability of cockpit canopies/transparencies from IRAL, even though the Lutton-based facility of the then Lucas Aerospace PLC had supplied HAL the entire technology for manufacturing such items in-house under a ToT deal associated with Jaguar IS/IM & Sea Harrier FRS Mk51/T Mk60 product support commitments back in the early 1990s.
Dear Sir
Are the Mig 27 ANY GOOD at all in TODAY's Batlefield environment
And In any war with Pakistan HOW DEEP will the Mig 27 go in the enemy territory
Hi Prasun, i didnt mean to say that when a nuclear armed fighter jet is shot down, its nukes will blow off. What i wanted to say when a su-30 mki or any IAF fighter is intercepting such a nuc armed aircraft and suppose there is a nuclear detonation on the ground say at a horizontal distance of 30 km or so from the ac, then what will happen? The jet will fall straight out of the sky as it is not completely EMP hardened? Then what to do? The IAF should emp harden its entire fleet of combat acs like the Eurocopter to be on the safe side. Also if PAF acquires EMP bombs & rearm its LACM with emp warheads, then what will the IAF do. Then can it emp harden its entire fleet though it is a cst prohibitive . Also there will be no ac to escort the nuclear strike aircrafts on their missions. The IAF can emp harden the aircraft hangers easily to protect our jets from such weapons while they are still on the ground. Can u pls whether the USAF F-15 EMP hardened or not as they are nuclear strike capable. Does the emp generated from all nuclear devices (1 kT to 1 mT) on detonation can down an ac?
Can you please provide a brief practical comparison between Mig-27 Vs Jaguar. I mean if you are MoD-Chief, which one you will prefer.
To Anon@11.38AM: & Mr.RA 13: A direct comparison between the Jaguar US & MiG-27M is not possible because the two aircraft were designed for completely different missions. The Jaguar IS was conceived and developed as a tactical interdictor and in the Indian context, serves as a deep interdictor/strike aircraft now that it has an aerial refuelling probe. The MiG-27M on the other hand was developed as a dedicated battlefield air interdictor-cum-MBT buster (i.e. for close air support) and it was for this reason that it was armed with an internal six-barrel 30mm cannon. Is the MiG-27M relevant in today’s and tomorrow’s battlefield? Of course it is, because it has already been upgraded to carry a Litening-2 laser-designator pod and can therefore also carry laser-guided bombs for targetting & destroying hostile armoured forces. The MiG-27M’s traditional MBT-busting capability with cannon-fire, though, will not be applicable to a large extent due to the proliferation of shoulder-launched MANPADS/VSHORADS like the Anza Mk1/2, FIM-92A Stinger, RBS-70 RayRider & the Mistral—in Pakistan’s case, and the FN-6 in China’s case. I personally believe that the MiG-27M can be of good service at least for the next decade provided it is re-engined with the AL-31F turbofan and equipped with a missile warning system. If the MiG-27M is to be withdrawn from service, then something else will have to be acquired for replace its firepower, and that can only come from large-scale procurements of attack helicopters armed with ATGMs like the Hellfire/Brimstone or PARS-3LR. But we all know that this won’t happen, since the IAF does not want the Army to be equipped with such helicopters in large numbers. In my view, the Army Aviation Corps urgently needs to be equipped with at least 80 single-engined armed aeroscout helicopters + at least 160 attack helicopters, be it the Rudra ALH or the LCH.
No, PRASUN what I meant to say was that if a Su -30 goes to intercept a nuclear armed PAF ac and a nuclear detonation take place somewhere below on the ground say at a horizontal distance of 30 km from the ac, then the EMP generated will cause the ac to fall right out of the sky of it is not adequately EMP hardened? What will happen to
those IAF jets flying in the area in the vicinity of which a nuclear detonation has taken place if it is not EMP hardened? Suppose the PAF purchase a large no of EMP airburst bombs and equip it's ALCM with EMP warheads , then will the IAF completely EMP harden it's aircrafts though it is a cost prohibitive process. Also is it possible to completely EMP harden an ordinary fighter during it's midlife overhaul. The IAF can easily EMP harden the aircraft hangers in it's SW & W command as a single EMP discharge can reduce the combat aircrafts on the ground to pieces of junk metal. IAF needs to EMP harden it's aircrafts to be on the safe side . Pls reply.
Did the MOD release the contract price for the 42 super sukhois.
Since 30% more price seems to be a little less given additions like AESA radar , Stealth coating and other avionics..
Recently I have read a few articles saying Russians are over charging for new Su30s...
Could you give the contract value(Per unit)??
And can we say Su30MKI is amongst the best(Better than F-15 E,K,SG) in both Air-Superiority and Strike Missions?????
sir,
can u tell me what can DRDO develop on its own... as a matter of fact is there any thing it has been able to develop on its own ......
insas rifle a copy of ak 47
akash a copy of sa-6
arjun a copy of leopard
missile tech all got from russia.....
it can not develop a decent rifle,a decent machine gun,a decent artillery,a decent bp jacket,a decent helmet....nothing...oh yes however it can develop mosquito ointments/coils,masalas.....etc
today in TOI there is an article of F-INSAS which says everything from rifles,to comm gears,helmets,bp.jackets,HMG
will be imported and development(wonder what would be left to develop) to continue till 2027....what has drdo been doing till this day..i am hearing this f-insas thing since 2007-08 and last time i cheaked first phase was supposed to be completed by 2011....i think i know what would be there in your upcoming article on f-insas...its u bashing up drdo and giving a list of products on offer by the foreigners and how our 'PROUD' army is more than happy with it.why is our government not ready to involve the private companies in our country.I guess DRDO is the one which pressurizes them because they want to be the sole developer(failed developer)of defense products in this country......
http://idrw.org/?p=6041
Which one do you think will win?
http://idrw.org/?p=6033
Atleast one success story ...Go Private Companies...they only survive on products that perform ...listen DPSUs.
http://idrw.org/?p=6021
I think this article is absurd.
What do you make of this weird claim?
If the stupid story about India buying centrifuge tech from pak is real...I think India has done a good job getting tech from pak who in turn got it from chini ...
Its very ironic bullshit.
Read this
http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/20/us-probes-french-tech-sales-to-china/
We can blame chini how much we like but we have to applaud them for doing things that need to be done by hook or crook...
In what way does the Brahmos differ from Yakhont missile?
Prasun, any light on this?
http://lewis.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/4905/india-was-khans-fourth-customer#more-2140
http://www.playboy.com/magazine/the-secret-treachery-of-a-q-khan
Mostly it turns out not to be a case of nuclear bomb but of small and compact nuclear reactor for propulsion of Chinese submarines. Nuclear bomb if any has to be a derivative and byproduct of this process.
AQ Khan emerges ultimately as a Chinese spy or agent whichever is more respectable, under the protectorate of Pak. All the stories pertaining to Iran, Libya and N.Korea etc are woven around to hide the China and the Chinese connections.
That is why their so-called hogwash efforts with Iran, Libya and N.Korea failed miserably. It was never meant to be a U-Bomb.
To SOUMYADEEP December 24 8 30 AM
If you are so sad and angry with
DRDO then why DONT YOU JOIN DRDO
and DO something about all the
problems that you have listed
PRASUN u are wrong regarding the MiG 27M. They are not all capable aircrafts. In fact in today's modern battlefield they are nothing more than flying pieces of junk metal . Firstly they don't posses any radar. Without a radar the pilot can't detect, identify and track targets from BVR ranges ie, 40-60 km from the target. In order to engage any ground target they have to visually acquire, positive I'd and and then engage the target. In order to do so the ac has to come within very close to the target. By doing so it enters the engagement zone of SHORAD point defense sam & MR area defence sams. Secondly, u will say that why there is the Litening 3 pod. But with such a pod target identification, detection and tracking also has to accomplished by coming within 10-15 km of the target and then again the perimeter of the SHORAD is penetrated. Then the MiG 27 has only 7 hardpoints. If a Litening pod is fitted it will take up a hardpoint . It will also cause drag. A major problem associated with such pods is that laser beam cannot penetrate clouds, smog, fog, smoke. So in bad weather u can't laser designate a target and drop a LGB. Also if the target is artificially obscured with smoke then also no LGBs can be dropped. Thirdly, MiG-27 carries a very sparse EW & defensive equipment by today's standard consisting of a Tarang RWR, chaff and flare dispensers. It doesn't carry any integrated RF jammer MAWS. So it will not be able to penetrate IADs. With chaffs and flares it also cannot thwart a missile attack as most IR missiles are equipped with FPA seeker and RF missiles have built in robust ECCM features. MiG-27 is originally meant for battlefield interdiction where it will fly low attitude missions over the battlefield where an infrared jammer and a MAWS is must for avoiding attritions. At it's present state the ac with it's meager defensive suite is just a sitting duck and a lucrative target for hostile SAM operators. Fourthly it has a low weapons payload of 4 tonnes. So more no sorties are required in a given mission to deliver the same amount of ordnance. In case of any hostilities with Pakistan let alone China, it is of great doubt weather MiG 27 will survive the first day of war and be able to complete it's mission without suffering attrition when the PAF has been rapidly equipping it's air defense squadrons with potent SAM systems such sa Spada 2000, HQ-9, Croatle NG having a range greater than 15 km and MiG 27 will come within the kill envelope of all these systems while trying to engage ground targets protected by them . So PRASUN the IAF top brass should be persuaded to fit a radar into the nose of the ac such aa Elta 2032, 2064, Raytheon RACR, fit the whole fleet with an integrated EW system consisting of RF jammer, MAWS , & most importantly an IF jammer specifically a DIRCM , increasing it's payload from the present 4 t by strengthing the airframe, install an all new glass cockpit besides fitting the Saturn AL-31F engine during it's deep midlife upgrade if the IAF wants to ensure the viability of the fleet. The addition of a radar will enable the pilot to map the terrain/target in front of him front of him from a standoff range of 50-60 km with SAR,ISAR modes. It will also enable the ac to become multi- role capable and enable it to engage hostile fighters, bombers, cruise missiles and UAVs.
to anno dec 25th 10:07am
usually i dont answer to people whose name i am yet to know then again if i follow that rule then i guess i wont be able to answer
90% people commenting in this blog...now to your comment..
if one has to join drdo to improve them then i the hell everyone is voting for ,why the hell is everyone paying taxes...
our road condition is in sh#t
state so according to you i should join municipality corporation......
our police service is in sh#t state state so i should join
IPS
our government hospitals are in sh#t state so i should become a government doctor.....
city streets are filled with stray dogs so i should jump up
with a net and start catching them tomorrow onwards
actually...i don't think there is any reason for me to answer you cos ur argument is devoid of any kind of logic.....
To Anon@11.01PM: The scenario that you’ve outlined about the Su-30MKIs is extremely unlikely. EMP air-burst munitions launched by NLOS-BSMs are typically employed against battlefield C4I centres or against static airspace surveillance radar sites. It is also impossible to harden aircraft hangars above the ground, but underground hangars can be hardened.
To Shree: The 42 aircraft ordered last week are Su-30MKIs, and not Super Sukhois. Presently, the best of the best is the F-15SG, which will be eventually superceded by the F-15SE.
To Soumyadip: The DRDO is pretty good in the life sciences and in terms of modifying existing hardware, but when it comes to developing brand-new solutions, one must note that the DRDO began really functioning only since the mid-1980s, when most of the technology denial regimes were already in place. Had the DRDO began functioning in a big way since the mid-1960s, things would have been far different. Secondly, in India there’s no concept of long-term product development simply because the budgetary planning caters for only a five-year period. Unless India does away with this five-year planning process in every sphere, things won’t change.
To Anon@9.43PM: The NAMICA’s launcher design is fundamentally flawed. What is reqd is a launcher and its integrated target acquisition system all mounted on a single raisable mast that can be raised up to an altitude of 15 feet, something like the GT-6 system developed by NORINCO.
To Anon@10.10PM & Shaurya: It may after all not be that weird, since it is now an established fact that there were quite a few Indian citizens working for the Dubai-based company owned by B S A Tahir, who in turn was reporting to A Q Khan. This could well turn out to be one of RAW’s most successful exploits when it comes to industrial espionage. But Mr.RA 13’s conclusions are equally correct.
To KSK: This is nothing new. I have photos taken earlier this year of heat-exchangers built by DCNS of France destined for what DCNS claimed was a civilian industrial facility in China. Such heat-exchangers could easily be installed on nuclear-powered submarines as well. The fact remains that SEMT Pielstick-designed diesel engines are on board every Made-in-China warship and submarine built over the past decade.
To Anon@12.01AM: The BrahMos’ inertial navigation system is 100% Indian. As for the rest, it is identical to the Yakhont.
To Anon@2.25PM: Today’s LDP can acquire targets 50km away. The 15km-range you refer to applied to the ATLIS-2 LDP of the 1980s. Secondly, no manned combat aircraft will take off in bad weather conditions. Thirdly, the EL/L-8222 self-protection jammer is carried by the MiG-27M. Fourthly, low weapons payload of 4 tonnes doesn’t mean anything at all since much more lighter PGMs like 250-lb LGBs are available nowadays. Lastly, the MiG-27M will always be accompanied by air superiority combat aircraft as part of integrated strike packages and will therefore not need any integral multi-mode radars.
To Soumyadip: Don’t get provoked by retards of the type who specialise as being fence-sitters & make comments of the type made by Anon@10.07AM.
Hi Prasun,
Mr Bhadrakumar seems to believe the US intentionally wants rest of the world to believe that China is not going to financially prop up Pak . you 2 thought this was the case earlier and mentioned it in comments section of another post here.There was a currency swap agreement b/w China and Pak 2 days back.Seems China is willing to step into the US's shoes and pbbly give 'no strings attached'loans (which it is famous for) to Pak in return for strategic cooperation.
Prasun does IN need to look beyond 7K ton destroyers into Cruisers. With the upcoming Carriers into the fleet "Cruisers" with ABM capability would offer greater coverage and defense to the entire career fleet. The Barak 1 & 2 at best can be described as extended range CIWS & SAM. They lack the range of say Aster-30. Way much less than MIM-104 and RIM-161. I am not suggesting cold war era extravagant ships like the Russian Kirov. But more like Ticonderoga class cruiser. Israel can be asked to navalize their Arrow system. IN uses Israeli radars on their ships so this can be said as progressive evolvement.
Only first 40 Su30MKI were bought of the shelf from Russia..
How many of the 3 Su30MKIs that crashed were made by HAL either from kits or otherwise????
Sir any updates on the tejas mk2 mrca ??
sir u said that the aesa radar with irst fro tejas km2 will be selected by the end of the year .....?? are there any updates on this ??
are conformal fuel tanks for the same being developed...??
sir u had said drdo is developing a ~100km extended range gps guided bomb....is it a modification of sudarshan or an entirely new munition ??
the fe414in56 epe engine is said to have 2% lesser specific fuel consumption.....does that mean one can expect a good range extention on tejas mk2..??
The helmets(Patka) wore by IA look very strange ...
*Are they Indigenous???
*Are they any good??
*Do they provide necessary protection??
In what terms F-15SG is better than Su30MKI other than AESA radar????
When can we expect a new Article?
To SK: The Project 15B DDGs will have both the 70km-range MR-SAM & 110km-range LR-SAM variants of the Barak-2 on board. The LR-SAM will have anti-TBM capabilities. But India’s (or the DRDO’s) concept of continental BMD revolves around a land-based network of interceptor missiles and their C4I/fire-control systems. Right now I can’t think of any threat posed to Indian naval carrier battle groups by ballistic missiles. Seaborne BMD presently is required by the navies of the US & Japan to counter the proliferation of ballistic missiles by North Korea. In the Indian context, the threats out in the high seas will come from long-range anti-ship cruise missiles like the C-602/Babur & C-802A.
To Shree: Only the latest Su-30MKI to crash was built by HAL. But this crash is unlikely to be HAL’s fault, since the routine inspections are done by the IAF’s 11 Base Repair Depot. The Patka issue was already addressed by Mr.RA 13 much earlier. More info on this is available at: http://securemobileindia.com/more.php?SubcatId=67&id=30&Title=Bullet-Proof-Products
Regarding the F-15SG versus Su-30MKI, the former can do all-weather low-altitude terrain-hugging flights which the Su-30MKI can’t. I’ve been quite busy this month with the closed-door conference on new-generation air-defence networks of China (especially the HQ-9 LR-SAM & LY-80 MR-SAM, both of which are by and large unknown to the rest of the world), and with the mobilisation of resources for commencing fixed-/rotary-winged air transportation services in Arunachal Pradesh. But will try my best to post a new article before the month ends. My update on the Indian navy’s force modernisation is almost ready and I will try to upload this ASAP.
To Anon!10.45PM: regretfully, there are no further updates on progress on the Tejas Mk2, as the Union Ministry of Finance has already sounded the alarm bells as far as fiscal defence spending goes. Conformal tanks are not being developed as of now. The GPS-guided PGM will have glide-wings. The Sudarshan on the other hand is a LGB. Tejas Mk2 with twin underwing fuel tanks or a single underbelly fuel tank will have adequate combat radius for battlefield air interdiction and tactical strike without aerial refuelling.
I am pleasantly surprised to find that Võ Nguyên Giáp is still there and has crossed 100 years.
Prasun the Amur series of Submarine which are on offer for the navy's Project-75i have 10 cell VLS for the Brahmos Sea launched version. Can Shaurya/Sagarika missiles be accommodated in them. Ofcourse the Shaurya weigh twice then the Brahmos so will require the larger displacement version in the Amur series. This will make them mini-SSGN . The same VLS can may be used for the ALCM if a sub-launched version is developed.
You have mentioned in the past that there are no ballistic missile with maneuverable re-entry (MaRV) warhead for anti-ship function has been developed or demonstrated.
If a nuclear warhead was to be used then accurate terminal maneuverability till ship-hull contact maynot be required. or If a airburst is planned with EMP in mind it can also prove effective if not outright destructive. A few might question sanity in using Nuclear warheads for anti-ship role but then soviet's did develop nuclear tipped torpedos. Whats to stop the chinese.
Will developing a MaRV for Quasi-ballistic missile like Shaurya easier then developing one for Ballistic missiles.
Hi Prasun,
What exactly is this about?
http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/2011/12/submarines-tanks-torpedoes-uavs-get.html
Is it really going to help Indian weapon platforms?
To Spanky's Blog: It's all old stuff, in terms of what I had earlier written about and had uploaded illustrations as well at: http://trishul-trident.blogspot.com/2011/09/prahaar-nlos-bsm-explained.html
To SK: The Amur 1650's scale model shown with 8 VLS launchers for BrahMos-type missiles, exists in scale-model form only as of now. There's been no full-scale development of this conceot thus far by anyone in either Russia or elsewhere. And now with the Russian Navy deciding against inducting the Amur 1650-type SSKs into service, the future of such VLS-equipped SSKs is in grave doubt, almost an impossibility. In fact, the Amur 1650 is very much unlikely to be considered by the Indian Navy for its Project 75I reqmt. The CNS has also very clearly stated that the Navy wants a 'proven' AIP solution, meaning only those AIPs that are operational will be looked into. This then leaves the Stirling AIP, the Seimens fuel-cell AIP and MESMA AIP in the fray. Of these, the MESMA is considered to be a liability in terms of shore-based support infrastructure. Therefore, in the end, the choice will boil down to either the Stirling AIP or Siemens fuel cell-based AIP module for Project 75I, irregardless of which SSK design is finally selected.
hi Prasun,
in the Tarmak article posted earlier,mentions SOC.Would like ur comments on the Chip design and manufacturing abilities of Indian companies(Priv or pub)who will make this come true or is it we will still import them?(fabricated abroad?)
"we are in pursuit of developing Navigation On Chip (a dream of A P J Abdul Kalam), which aims at miniaturization of systems, making them reliable and cost-effective,” sources said.
The preliminary development of a single chip NGC (Navigation, Guidance and Control) has already taken birth with System on Chip (SOC), SATNAV on Chip close to realisation."
Secondly, the GOI's semiconductor policy has been tweaked recently.Will it help the indian Defence industries if a foreign semicoductor giant sets up a chip manufacturing faciliity in india though the policy has not produced results yet?
Hi Prasun , has the cause of the latest Su-30 crash been found out? According to press releases after the crash the IAF grounded it's entire fleet of Su for 4 days and detailed inspections were carried out. Is it possible to carry out such indepth inspection in just 4 days so that the fleet is devoid of all problems and no crash will occur in the future due to the snag that caused the latest crash? Why dont the Sukhois possess ground hugging terrain following capabilities like F-15 SG? Will this shortcoming be addressed in the deep undergrade that will occur from 2012? Has the IAF ordered an attrition replacement?
Is it possible to chose offered version of Scorpene and fix Siemens fuel cell-based AIP module for Project 75I????
Are our DPSUs fully self-sufficient making any types PGMs or is outside help needed??
Any more information on 550Kms range Brahmos (Production & deployment & quantity)???
PRASUN , by bad weather I didn't mean stormy weather conditions such as thunderstorms, hailstorms but I meant fog, smoke, & other weather conditions that impair visibilty.Laser beam cannot penetrate clouds, smog, fog, smoke. So in bad weather u can't laser designate a target and drop a LGB. Also if the target is artificially obscured with smoke then also no LGBs can be dropped. This has been used to great effect by the Iraqis in both the 1st & 2nd gulf war. They used to protect their vital military assets from LGB strikes by creating huge bonfires from crude oil which filled the sky above with black smoke. So under these conditions u have to use dumb bombs and accuracy is compromised. So the MiG-27 is not an all weather strike ac but a weather permitting strike ac. And it will have to carry out it's missions according to weather conditions and not according to the needs and requirements of the battleplanner. Also an integrated EW suite is much better than a podded jammer. It doesnt costume a hardpoint. Also when the MiG-27 is meant for Bai and close support for the troops it will fly low level missions and a MAWS and an IR jammer is a must. But these are not present and so it is naturally obsolete . Also most of the air survellience and track and engagement radars have good ECCM features such as low sidelobe emissions, frequency agility & these are impossible to jam using EL 8222 pod. Also, in a stoke mission the ac will carry a LDP and the Elta RF jammer pod and so only 5 hardpoints will be left for carrying weapons which is not at all acceptable. This is also obsolence. And a radar will provide various air- ground radar modes and provide increased ground mapping range which is beyond the scope of LDP & Litening 3/4. So a radar is immensely useful. A radar will also allow for terrain following mode. Pls reply.
I was watching a video on the PFR posted on Livefist and it appears during one of the PFR the IN had 91ships which had gone down to 50 and now up to 61. I read somewhere the IN has 130 ships in total so what happened to the rest? Surely that many won't be decommissioned at once.Plus it is comical to see an aircraft carrier looking like a parking lot on public holidays vereft of aircrafts on board!The video is great for promotion but lacks practicality when you consider how mnay must have items are on the still "to be acquired " list.
Dear Sir
Can a plane like MIG 27 be ARMED
with ATGM s
It will then serve as a supersonic TANK KILLER
What do you say
India And Australia are planning to develop 12 submarines each with foreign assistance .
Are the operational requirements and specifications of both these Subs same??
If they are ,will it be advantageous if both pick same design and help each other in building them???
why did India didnt respond favorably when India-US-Autralia naval cooperation was being proposed?????
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=78237
9 more??
I think its 6...
How can a Defence Minister be so ignorant????
http://www.ndu.edu/press/lib/pdf/china-perspectives/ChinaPerspectives-4.pdf
A GOOD READ.
Did India atleast try to do this?
I have one doubt why didnt the RQ-170 self destruct upon landing.
Do you think it was crashed deliberately.
And some people are saying that it does not have advanced stealth and the sensors worth stealing??
WHO WOULD YOU THINK IRAN WILL ALLOW TO EXAMINE THE DRONE RUSSIANS OR CHINI?
Hi PRASUN, regarding the EMP comment such situations are very unlikely but if it happens then what? Can a Sukhoi -30 mki withstand the EMP pulses generated by a nuclear blast while it is flying? Suppose the PAF purchases EMP airburst munitions and intends to use them as a first strike weapon during any hostility to cripple and destroy our military hardware including IAF jets so as to destroy our numerical superiority ( military hardware ) over them. Then will the IAF completely EMP harden it's entire aircraft fleet. In lay mans words I want to ask whether our jets will be made entirely EMP hardened if our adversary possess EMP weapons which it wants to use in an anti-air role? Also pls tell whether it is possible to apply complete EMP hardening measure to a combat aircraft which was not initially built as a dedicated nuclear strike ac. The EADS made the Eurocopter completely EMP hardened as a response to today's electrical battlefield . Then why hasn't it followed the same for the Eurofighter. Also what will happen if an EMP weapon is detonated over an airbase. Will it destroy the electrical & electronic components of the combat aircrafts when ther are not in use and no electrical charge is flowing through them. Pls tell.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/rise-of-the-drone-from-calif-garage-to-multibillion-dollar-defense-industry/2011/12/22/gIQACG8UEP_story.html
Finally saner heads prevail in MOD:It says India is planning to go for 3 more scorpene subs
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/With-eye-on-China-Pak-India-to-revamp-sub-fleet/articleshow/11285778.cms
http://idrw.org/?p=6149
Whats this guy talking about. Light
tanks to be carried in C-130. A well protected APC would weigh more. Is this another attempt by DRDO to derail army's acquisition program. They should concentrate more on the Arjun MK3 instead of wasting time.
http://idrw.org/?p=6128
http://idrw.org/?p=6126
Do you have any information regarding these?
To Anon@7.01PM: If even Israel, which is far more industrialised than India is, continues to import single-chip NGCs, SOCs and SATNAV-on-chip from the US, do you really think that India is in a position to mass-produce such items? And if so, then where exactly are such world-class semiconductor fabrication plants located within India?
To Anon@11.08PM: The BoI will very soon submit its conclusions, but in the aftermath of the latest crash, it is a mandatory procedure to ground the entire Su-30MKI fleet, and carry out inspections as deemed necessary. With each passing day, it is becoming more and more obvious that there was an occurance of human error stemming from ground maintenance-related issues during the crashed aircraft’s post-200 hour periodic inspection process at the IAF’s 11 BRD in Nashik.
To Shree: It is indeed possible technically, but whether or not the French will allow this to become a financially viable option remains to be seen. Yes, the DPSUs can make PGMs, provided they have been developed first by the DRDO. But most of the guidance and navigation components like SOCs and SATNAV-on-chip are presently being imported from Israel & Russia.
To Anon@1AM: “fog, smoke, & other weather conditions that impair visibilty. Laser beam cannot penetrate clouds, smog, fog, smoke. So in bad weather u can't laser designate a target and drop a LGB. Also if the target is artificially obscured with smoke then also no LGBs can be dropped. This has been used to great effect by the Iraqis in both the 1st & 2nd gulf war. They used to protect their vital military assets from LGB strikes by creating huge bonfires from crude oil which filled the sky above with black smoke.”
That is precisely why there are synthetic aperture radars for battlespace surveillance that have ground moving target indication modes of operation. Once the targets are acquired this way, PGMs equipped with thermal imagers pr IIR can be easily employed against the targets. That’s why TV/IIR/MMW radar-guided PGMs will continue to be used in parallel with laser-guided PGMs. And the MiG-27M can & does use such PGMs using IIR seekers. The MiG-27M won’t need an integrated EW suite since it will be functioning as part of a strike package and not in a standalone mode. Therefore, there will always be other aircraft available that are equipped with integrated EW packages. A single MiG-27M capable of destroying five MBTs with LGBs offers a pretty good strike ratio advantage from a cost standpoint. Furthermore, a multi-mode radar is unnecessary in a MiG-27M or in a Su-25 or in an A-10 simply because ground moving target indication nowadays is done by either UAVs or JSTARS-type aircraft. And no multi-mode radar offers terrain-following modes of operation. For terrain-hugging flight profiles a dedicated terrain-following radar is used, instead of a multi-mode radar.
Pierre Zorin: Whay the video NEVER showed or revealed is that the President only got up and saluted each time she passed by a warship, and NEVER ONCE did she even wave to the crew complement of any warship, which several Navy officers felt was highly demoralising. And if you only would have heard how during the speech she had pronounced the name of the IAF’s Chief of the Air Staff, ACM N. A. K. Browne, I assure you that you wouldn’t stop laughing until your trouser fell down! It thus appears that no one had even bothered to brief her properly on the customs and traditions followed by the Navy during such fleet reviews. And the lesser said about the Defence Minister the better, for he looked totally constipated during the entire ceremony!!! Regarding the total fleet strength, here again there’s much confusion because the Navy never bothers to give breakdowns either by the type of ships or their capabilities/missions.
To Anon@2.39PM: The MiG-27M has been armed with ATGM-like PGMs since the 1980s.
To KSK: No, the specs will be different. The RAN wants ocean-going SSKs, while the Indian Navy wants SSKs capable of operating in littoral waters.
To Anon@10.09PM: The Prahaar is not being offered to the IAF, but only to the Indian Army & Navy. The Navy does have a reqmt for such a PGM to be used in support of expeditionary amphibious warfare campaigns. As for the SLR for the F-INSAS programme, I donlt see the OFB or DRDO coming up with any viable indigenous alternatives.
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