Armée Indienne / Indian Armed Forces

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L'Inde: l'autre Puissance d'Asie




Les articles réguliers sur la Chine et ses avancées dans l’aéronautique civile et militaire ne doivent pas nous faire oublier que l’Asie compte d’autres puissances pour qui l’aéronautique est vitale.

C’est le cas du plus grand compétiteur asiatique de la Chine : l’Inde. Ce pays-continent dispose des capacités scientifiques et industrielles pour développer comme lui ses capacités de frappe.

Tout d’abord dans le domaine balistique l’Inde souhaite décupler ses capacités et sa volonté s’exprime dans les projets hautement symboliques que sont les missiles BRAHMOS et AGNI ; mais l’Inde a développé son propre chasseur, tout comme la Chine, et prépare la relève !

Grâce à l’apport technologique Russe, une joint venture a été créée entre les deux pays pour la mise au point et la commercialisation du missile de croisière BRAHMOS qui peut être de trois versions : sol-sol ou terre-mer, mer-mer ou air-mer (depuis un Su-30MKI). Une variante sous-marine est en cours de développement. Dans sa version navale, le BRAHMOS est supersonique (Mach 2, a une trajectoire rasante et une portée max de 300km (à comparer avec les capacités de l’exocet : missile subsonique Mach 0,9 et 180km de portée seulement). Récemment l’Inde a décidé d’investir 250 millions US$ pour développer une version du missile pouvant voler à Mach 5. On le voit ce missile donnera à la marine indienne et à ses forces armées en général des capacités de loin supérieures à ce que dispose toues les marines européennes et chinoise !

Le missile AGNI consiste lui en un missile balistique à capacité nucléaire (notez que le BRAHMOS pourrait être équipé lui aussi) initiale, de conception nationale. Il existe en trois versions : AGNI 1 DE 2500km de portée ; l’AGNI 2 de 3000km de portée théorique, et l’AGNI 3 (en développement) de 5000 km de portée à terme. Ces missiles représentent avec le missile de théâtre PRITHVI les vecteurs de la dissuasion nucléaire indienne.

Mais l’Inde ne sera jamais une puissance aéronautique complète si elle ne développe pas son aéronautique militaire, et le dernier appel d’offre international pour acquérir un chasseur de dernière génération (9 milliards US$) pourrait bien être le dernier du genre, et voir les russes remporter le marché assez logiquement. En effet l’Inde et la Russie veulent développer en commun un chasseur de 5ème génération : c’est l’objet de l’accord signé à Moscou en octobre 2007 pour le projet PAK FA (Future Tactical Aviation Aircraft Complex).

Contrairement au F-22 RAPTOR US le projet russo-indien prévoit un avion tant furtif qu’hyper manœuvrable via des tuyères mobiles développées pour le Su-27, ainsi qu’un radar et des missiles à longues portées. A noter que le radar disposera de capacité de brouillage (existant déjà sur des Mig 29 et qui pourrait exister sur le RAFALE cette information n’ayant jamais été confirmée). Le mariage entre le génie aéronautique russe et le génie électronique et informatique indien devrait donner un résultat très intéressant.

Mais ce projet en commun ne signifie pas que l’Inde ne sait pas construire de chasseur de manière autonome : elle a en effet développé par elle-même le LCA (LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT) . La décision de développer ce projet fut prise en 1983 pour remplacer les Mig-21 et les caractéristiques techniques sont fixées en 1990. Le projet recevra l’appui de constructeurs européens comme DASSAULT, SAAB, et BAE, et son design montre que les ingénieurs indiens se sont inspirés du mirage 2000 et du F-18 pour les entrées d’air.

L’appareil sera à terme équipé d’un réacteur de conception nationale KAVERI GTX-35VS double flux de 8,5 tonnes de poussée (SNECMA SAFRAN fournissant les filtres et les régulateurs). Le radar doppler multi-cible est développé par HAL avec l’aide d’industriels étrangers, tout comme l’avionique (THOMSON-CSF aujourd’hui THALES) et une centrale inertielle fournie par l’américain HONEYWELL.

L’avion sera équipé de missile russe R-73 VYMPEL et du missile de conception nationale ASTRA.

Initialement prévu pour entrer en service en 1995 le LCA a fait son premier vol en 2001. Malgré le retard du projet et les difficultés de son développement, cet appareil donne aux industries indiennes des compétences et une expérience certaine au moins égale à ce que la Chine peut faire.

On le voit là encore, l’Inde entend développer ses compétences pour faire face à la Chine mais aussi pour s’installer pleinement à la table des grandes puissances. Notons que la Russie s’installe comme un acteur moteur de l’essor indien dans l’aéronautique.

Caractéristiques du LCA :

Envergure : 8,2 mètres

Longueur : 13,2 mètres

Hauteur : 4,4 mètres

Surface alaire : 37,5 m²

Masse à vide : 5,5 tonnes

Masse maximale : 12,5 tonnes

Motorisation :

Prototype : 1 General Electric F404-GE-F2J3

Avions de série : 1 TSEA GTX-35VS

Vitesse maxi : Mach 1.6

Plafond : 15 000 mètres

Rayon d'action : 1 000 km

Armement fixe : 1 canon GSH-23 de 23 mm alimenté par 220 obus.

Capacité carburant : 3 000 litres

Facteur de charges : +9 / -3 G

Charge utile : 4 tonnes

L’Inde a développé une base industrielle reposant sur de nombreux acteurs, tant institutionnels que privés, lesquels sont encadrés par des instituts publics qui fédèrent leurs avancées. Ces acteurs ont en général acquis leur expérience en important en Inde des produits étrangers. Pour en savoir plus je vous renvoie sur ce site très bien fait : http://www.siatiaero.com/siatimembers.asp[img][/img]

rafi a écrit:

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"Le Rafale est hors course pour le processus d'appel d'offres, parce que, lors des évaluations techniques, la société (Dassault Aviation) n'a pas rempli tous les critères requis", a déclaré à l'AFP ce responsable ministériel, sous le couvert de l'anonymat.

Sous couvert d'anonymat...

La déclaration de Monsieur anonyme parle bien d'évaluations techniques, pas de transfert de technologie. Ça veut dire quoi exactement? Méfiance avant d'en tirer des conclusions d'en un sens ou dans un autre, wait and see.

Rafi

tu avais bien raison Rafi,soit ils deconnent ces gens ou ils jouent la sonde de test pour DAv(ou bien ils ont recu la commission)

Citation :

DATE:20/04/09
SOURCE:Flight International
Indian Air Force says Rafale still in fighter competition
By Siva Govindasamy


The Indian Air Force has denied reports that the Dassault Rafale has been eliminated from the country’s medium multi-role combat aircraft competition.

“We have not ruled anyone out yet in the MMRCA competition,” says an IAF spokesman, who confirmed that the service is responsible for evaluating the contenders. “All of the tests have not been completed. The technical evaluations are only just over and we are scheduled to begin the flight tests next month. Everyone is still in the competition.”

Last week, several Indian newspapers reported that the Rafale was eliminated after failing the technical evaluation. When contacted, Dassault said that it is waiting for information from the French embassy in India as negotiations are conducted on a government-to-government basis. The embassy had no comment.

The aircraft was not brought to the Aero India 2009 show in Bangalore in February, leading to speculation that it was in danger of being eliminated from the competition. A senior French official, however, defended the no-show at the time saying that the country’s aircraft were required for NATO operations in Afghanistan.



Apart from the Rafale (above), the other five contenders for the $10-12 billion contract are the Boeing F/A-18E/F, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16, RSK MiG-35, and Saab Gripen. India is scheduled to begin hot weather trials in May, and the aircraft will be tested in cold weather and humid conditions later in the year.

This is not the first time that the Indian media have reported that an aircraft has been eliminated from this closely watched competition. Early this year, it was reported that the Gripen had been knocked out but this was later proven untrue.

India is seeking 126 aircraft in the competition, of which 18 will be bought in fly-away condition and 108 license produced by Hindustan Aeronautics in the country. There is also an option for another 64 aircraft. The fighter chosen will replace the IAF’s RSK MiG-21s.

ces indiens soit il font de la déstabilisation psychologique, soit ils sont entrain de déconner complétement

Moi je dirais que la concurence est féroce et qu'avec un buget "marking" suffisant on peut dire ce qu'on veut dans leur presse...

India 'to remain top buyer of Russian combat aircraft until 2015'

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20/04/2009 16:57 MOSCOW, April 20 (RIA Novosti) - India will remain the main purchaser of Russian-made combat aircraft for the next 15 years under existing and prospective contracts, a respected Russian think tank has said.

In its report, The Forecast for Combat Aircraft Deliveries to India, the Center for Analysis and Technologies outlined the prospects for Russian-Indian cooperation in the sphere of combat aircraft until 2015.

The report predicts that India will buy up to 90 Su-30MKI fighters under existing contracts and may also purchase additional Su-30 or modernized MiG-29K aircraft.

Russia's MiG-35 Fulcrum is also participating in the current $10.6-billion tender to supply 126 multirole fighters to the Indian air force.

Russian experts believe that the MiG-35 has an excellent chance of winning the tender because the Russian aircraft has superb performance characteristics and Russia and India share a long-standing partnership in strategic and military-technical cooperation.

In addition, Russia signed in March last year a contract with the Indian Defense Ministry to upgrade around 70 MiG-29 fighters, in service since the 1980s, and agreed to develop a fifth-generation fighter together with India.

India desperately needs to upgrade its fighter fleet, which includes Su-30MKI and MiG-29 fighters, but mainly consists of obsolete Russian MiG-21 models.

Source: Ria novotsi

Malgré la pression US, Le MMRCA sent le Mig-35 sauce curry

Seguleh I a écrit:

Malgré la pression US, Le MMRCA sent le Mig-35 sauce curry

il est trop tôt pour juger qui sera vainqueur de ce MMRCA, mais il est sûr que la russie dispose de plusieurs arguements en sa faveur.

un deuxième projet russo-indien :

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Aéronautique: la Russie développera avec l'Inde un avion de transport militaire (OAK)


VORONEJ (Russie), 23 avril - RIA Novosti. Le gouvernement russe a débloqué 2,156 milliards de roubles (50 millions d'euros) pour lancer la création avec l'Inde d'un avion de transport militaire MTA, a annoncé jeudi aux journalistes le PDG d'Iliouchine et vice-président du Groupe aéronautique unifié russe (OAK) Viktor Livanov.

"Le gouvernement a donné le feu vert à la conception de l'avion", a-t-il indiqué. Selon l'expert, les travaux de recherche-développement et l'homologation internationale du nouvel appareil doivent prendre huit ans.

En février, le président d'OAK, Alexeï Fedorov a annoncé aux journalistes que la coentreprise russo-indienne qui construira un avion moyen de transport militaire pourrait être créée dans un délai de deux ou trois mois.

The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd est le participant du côté indien. Une société de la division aviation de transport d'OAK exécutera le contrat côté russe.

Le nouvel appareil sera développé sur la base d'une conception d'Iliouchine (Il). Le coût du projet est estimé à 600 millions de dollars, la Russie et l'Inde y participeront à égalité. Selon les prévisions, l'armée de l'air indienne commandera 45 avions et les forces aériennes russes 100.

Moscou et New Delhi ont signé un accord portant création d'un avion de transport militaire à la fin de 2007.

http://fr.rian.ru/business/20090423/121264826.html

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The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to Rolls-Royce Corp., of Indianapolis, Ind., for a maximum of $79,764,987. This requirement will cover 27 initial spare engines in support of the C-130J unique systems in support of U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and two foreign military sales cases for Norway and India. The entire amount has been obligated. 330 ACSG/GFKA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8504-07-D-0001).

le MKi refait parler de ses problemes de moteurs..mais d´une facon tragique cette fois

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First crash for top fighter, pilot dead
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT




New Delhi, April 30: A top-of-the-line fighter aircraft crashed today on a routine flight, killing one pilot and injuring another, in the first accident in India involving a Sukhoi 30 Mki that has sent shivers down strategic circles.

A court of inquiry has been ordered into the crash near Jaisalmer.

The Su-30 Mki is one of the most advanced fighters in the world and is rated next only to the F 22 Raptors of the US.

The reason for the crash is not yet known, but some sources attributed it to a fire in the engine. The Russian Su-30 is a heavy fighter with two engines and has served the Indian Air Force well so far.

“An Su-30 Mki aircraft of the IAF on a routine training mission crashed 70km southeast of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan today. The crash took place around 10:30 hrs. Both the pilots ejected out of the aircraft,” a statement from the air force said.

Wing Commander S.V. Munje survived the crash, but Wing Commander P.S. Nara died of his injuries.

The sources said the pilots reported trouble a few minutes after take-off and ejected out of the cockpit after directing the aircraft towards a field.

“There is no reported damage to any civil property or life on ground,” the air force statement said.

The defence ministry spokesperson, Lt Col N.N. Joshi, said the crash occurred during a routine sortie near Rajmathai-Hariyasar village in Rajasthan.

The Su-30 is the most advanced version of the Su-27 Flanker flying anywhere in the world. The Su-27, first produced in the former Soviet Union in 1982, is counted among the world’s best fighter aircraft even without any upgrades.

The IAF signed a Rs 5,122-crore deal with Sukhoi on November 30, 1996, for the delivery of 40 Su-30 aircraft and associated equipment in a phased manner, spread over four years, from 1997 to 2000.

The first Su-30 Mki was delivered to India on June 22, 2002. The first batch of the aircraft was inducted into the Indian Air Force on September 27 the same year.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090501/jsp/nation/story_10901051.jsp

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Pilot killed in first IAF Sukhoi crash, checks ordered on fleet
Manu Pubby
Posted: Friday , May 01, 2009 at 0250 hrs IST New Delhi:



An Indian Air Force pilot was killed and another injured in the first crash of an Su-30 MKI near Pokharan today, prompting the IAF to temporarily ground its most advanced fighter.

The twin-seater warjet from the Pune-based 30 Squadron crashed while returning from a routine training exercise over the Pokharan firing ranges. The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry but preliminary reports suggested the alarming possibility of a structural fault leading to the crash.

Sources said the fighter was part of a four-aircraft formation, flying at over 20,000 feet when it started “oscillating violently” and went into an “uncontrollable spin”, suggesting that it had suffered some sort of structural damage.

Both pilots, Wing Commanders S V Munje and P S Nara, ejected but Nara was found dead on the ground, apparently hit by debris while ejecting.

Nara was attached to the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI) and was flying as an inspector. Sources said the squadron was undergoing its annual DASI inspection that rates its performance. Following the crash, the other fighters were temporarily grounded as a precautionary measure. The IAF will carry out detailed inspection of all fighters to rule out any fault.

India currently has three squadrons of the Su-30 MKI — two at Pune and one at Bareilly — while two more are in the process of being raised. The MKI variant of the Su-30 was inducted in 2002 and the fighters have had an impeccable safety record

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pilot-killed-in-first-iaf-sukhoi-crash-checks-ordered-on-fleet/453293/

1-meme bimoteur,ca n´a pas empeché de cramer en vol.
2-les 2 pilotes chevronnés et wing commanders(l´un meme inspecteur),n´ont pas pu controller la situation

c'est quoi le rpoblème exactement avec les moteurs ?

il les laisse souvent au ground,soit par problemes FOD,ou comme tu le voit il prend feu en vol(peut etre une conspiration du vendeur de sieges ejectables )

Yakuza a écrit:

il les laisse souvent au ground,soit par problemes FOD,ou comme tu le voit il prend feu en vol(peut etre une conspiration du vendeur de sieges ejectables )

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Su 30 MKI fleet remains grounded, checks on
Posted: Saturday , May 02, 2009

After the fatal crash in which one pilot was killed, the entire fleet of India’s most advanced fighter jet, the Su 30 MKI, remained on the ground for the second consecutive day while IAF technicians carried out checks on the aircraft.

A senior officer said that while the reliability of the aircraft is not in question, the fighters did not fly on Friday as “precautionary checks” are being carried out to rule out any fault. Confirming that no flights took place at Pune or Bareilly, the two airfields where the fighters are based, the officer said that fighters will stay on the ground till the IAF is fully satisfied that they are fit to fly.

As first reported by this newspaper, the fleet was grounded immediately after Thursday morning’s crash near the Pokharan firing ranges in which one pilot, Wing Commander P S Nara, was killed while the other survived.

While a detailed court of inquiry has been ordered into the accident, the first ever for the MKI version of the Su 30 that was inducted in 2002, fresh details have emerged about the crash that practically rule out pilot error.

Sources familiar with the investigation say that the fighter, which was flying as part of a four-aircraft group at over 20,000 feet, went into an involuntary ‘bunting’ manoeuver that tossed it around at an angle of 270 degrees.

Following the violent manoeuver, the fighter plummeted to the earth in an uncontrollable spin and did not respond to controls, forcing the two pilots to eject. An official said that this could point to either a technical fault or some sort of structural damage to the fighter.

However, IAF officers are confident that the fighter will take to the skies soon after the inspection checks are carried out. “The Su 30 MKI is one of the most reliable fighters we have. It has had a great safety record but accidents happen. Even the most advanced American F 22 Raptor has suffered two crashes,” a senior officer said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/su-30-mki-fleet-remains-grounded-checks-on/453539/2

je crains pour les pilotes de nos voisins.

Crash du Sukhoï 30 MKI, les Russes enquêtent

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NEW DELHI, 8 mai - RIA Novosti. Un groupe de 20 experts russes est arrivé en Inde pour enquêter sur les causes du premier accident d'un Su-30MKI de l'armée de l'air indienne survenu le 30 avril au Rajasthan (ouest), a appris vendredi RIA Novosti auprès d'une source au ministère indien de la Défense.
Les experts russes inspecteront sur le terrain les débris de l'appareil.
Les vols des chasseurs Su-30MKI qui équipent l'armée de l'air indienne depuis 12 ans sont suspendus en attendant l'éclaircissement des causes de l'accident, selon le militaire.
Les deux pilotes du Su se sont éjectés mais l'un d'eux a succombé à ses blessures.
Le contrat prévoyant la livraison de Su à l'Inde remonte à 1996. Un an plus tard, les premiers biplaces sont venus équiper les forces aériennes indiennes qui exploitent actuellement plus d'une cinquantaine d'avions de cette marque.
Une fabrication sous licence du chasseur a été lancée plus tard dans l'usine de la société publique HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).
Le Su-30MKI reste le chasseur le plus puissant et le mieux équipé des forces aériennes indiennes.

MKI avec Litening pod




EL/L-8222 ECM pod

beaucoup d element non russe sur les sukhois

il y a bcp de technologies israeliennes et françaises dans les sukhoi MKI/MKM... c'est une manière intelligente de booster ses avions à l'export, c'est ce qui fait la réussie commerciale des avions sukhoi face à MIG.

date de fin 2002

L'armée indienne a testé mardi un missile sol-sol Agni, capable d'accueillir une tête nucléaire, a annoncé le ministère de la Défense. Le missile Agni-2, long de 20 mètres, dispose d'une portée d'environ 2.000 km lorsqu'il est équipé d'une charge atomique qui peut atteindre une tonne, selon des responsables. Il est capable de viser une cible située jusqu'à 3.000 km si la charge est réduite. "L'armée a effectué un essai d'utilisation de routine qui s'est bien passé", a dit le porte-parole du ministère de la Défense, Sitanshu Kar. L'Inde est une puissance nucléaire notoire, comme son voisin le Pakistan, qui développe actuellement, lui aussi, une batterie de missiles susceptibles de porter des charges atomiques.

http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/depeches/international/asiepacifique/20090519.REU9731/linde_teste_un_missile_capable_de_porter_une_tete_nucle.html

encore une gifle pour la Russie,1 B$ pour 6 MRTT pour l´IAF,les IL-78 ne seraient pas satisfaisants..

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Last Updated: 01:45 IST(25/5/2009)

IAF drops Russia from $1 bn deal

Russia is set to lose a billion dollar (Rs 48,000 crore) defence deal for midair refuellers, signalling a break in its over 50-year-old monopoly as India’s preferred military supplier.

The former communist giant has clearly lost favour with the Indian military, as the air force has decided not to field any more Russian Ilyushin-78 refuellers to keep fighter jets airborne for considerably longer periods by tanking them up during flight.

After operating Il-78 tankers for almost six years, the Indian Air Force has said the Russian platform does not meet its requirements and it wants to deploy the Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) offered by European aerospace corporation EADS.

The Il-78 and Airbus 330 MRTT were competing for the $1 billion global tender floated three years ago by the defence ministry for six midair refuellers to extend the operating radiuses of Indian fighter jets.

In an exclusive interview to HT, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said, “We have finished all evaluations and selected the A330 MRTT. The deal will come up for final approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) very soon. The Russian platform did not meet certain requirements.” The A330 MRTT is a military derivative of the Airbus A330 airliner.

Cracks in the India-Russia defence relationship have existed for some time now. Some of the irritants include Russia seeking mid-course price revisions in contracts for Sukhoi-30 fighters and aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, a problem of steady supply of spares, poor vendor support after the disintegration of the Soviet Union and transfer of technology issues.

The air chief, who retires on May 31 on turning 62, said, “After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia has changed the whole pattern of doing defence business. Now we are faced with issues concerning spares, vendor support and built-in delays in the structure of their centralised military corporations.”

Two years ago, Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta had publicly said that India needed to take a relook at its military relationship with Russia, much to the government’s discomfort. The armed forces maintain that Russian equipment comes cheap but entails huge maintenance costs.

The A330 MRTT has won several tanker competitions with contracts signed by the governments of United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The first A330 MRTT would be delivered to the IAF within three years of signing of the deal while the remaining five would be inducted 15 months after that.

Hindustan Times

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NEW DELHI, 27 mai - RIA Novosti. L'Inde a lancé lundi un nouvel appel d'offres pour l'achat de 22 hélicoptères de combat et de 15 hélicoptères lourds destinés à son armée de l'air, a annoncé mercredi à New Delhi le journal Indian Express.
Le ministre indien de la Défense Arakkaparambil Kurian Antony au sein du gouvernement de Manmohan Singh a signé lundi des lettres adressées à cinq producteurs d'hélicoptères de combat - Hélicoptères de Russie, Agusta Westland (Italie), Boeing, Bell (États-Unis) et Eurocopter (UE), rapporte le journal.
Les résultats de l'appel d'offres précédent, organisé à l'été 2008, avaient été annulés, Boeing n'ayant pas eu le temps de présenter son offre, selon Indian Express. Les nouveaux hélicoptères sont censés remplacer les Mi-35 de fabrication soviétique.
En février dernier, le premier directeur général adjoint des Hélicoptères de Russie Igor Pchenitchny a annoncé que la Russie avait présenté des hélicoptères de combat Mi-28N lors de l'appel d'offres de 2008. La Russie pourrait également créer un nouvel hélicoptère lourd Mi-26 avec le concours de pays étrangers. La production de cet appareil pourrait être lancée hors des frontières russes.
Le groupe Boeing est prêt à livrer des hélicoptères lourds Chinook et des hélicoptères de combat Apache-AH-64 en Inde, a indiqué Vivek Lall, vice-président de la société indienne Integrated Defence Systems (IDS) intégrée au groupe Boeing.

Apres 35 ans de recherche, en fin l'Inde peut presenter son Char de combat blinde'.

[img=https://2img.net/r/ihimizer/img268/3392/arjunmarching737000.th.jpg]

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Press Information Bureau
Government of India

Monday, May 25, 2009
	Ministry of Defence
	ARMY GETS ITS FIRST ARMOURED REGIMENT OF MBT ARJUN
	18:24 IST
	History of sorts was made today as the Indian Army proudly equipped itself with the first Armoured Regiment of indigenously built Main Battle Tank, Arjun. The development marks the fruition of 35 years of research in self-reliance by dedicated Indian scientists against all odds. 16 tanks (Cumulative 45 Arjun tanks) were handed over to Lt.Gen.D.Bhardwaj, DGMF, towards formation of the 1st Arjun regiment by Shri S.Chandrasekar, Addl. DGOF (AV) and flagged-off by Dr.A.Sivathanu PIllai, Chief Controller, Research & Development & Distinguished Scientist, DRDO at a function in Avadi today. MBT Arjun is the state-of-art main battle tank designed and developed by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment(CVRDE), Avadi along with other DRDO and industrial partners. MBT Arjun is provided with excellent mobility, superior fire power and protection and the features are quite comparable to contemporary world tanks. The Kanchan Armour, Hydro-pneumatic suspension, Armament system, Integrated Fire Detection & Suppression System, system engineering and system integration of complex weapon platforms are some of the significant indigenous technologies of Arjun, developed by DRDO labs. Initially 12 prototypes were developed during 1983 to 1990 and they were subjected to field trials of more than 20,000 kms and 1100 rounds. Based on user feedback 15 pre-production vehicles were developed during 1990 to 1995 and they were subjected to field trials of more than 70,000 kms and 8000 rounds. After the satisfactory trials, army placed an indent initially for 15 limited series production in Nov 1997 and cumulatively 124 in Mar 2000. The development of Arjun was carried out in a number of stages and evaluation through extensive field trials. After satisfactory performance, Army placed an indent for the full compliment of 124 nos. of MBT Arjun in Mar 2000. As there was a long gap from the R&D phase to production phase from 1993 to 2000, problems related to re-establishing production lines and vendor sources and resolving overseas issues like technology denial in view of Pokhran testing, change over and mergers of OEMS for the critical items, delayed initial commencement of production. In order to meet the production requirement, additional infrastructure facilities and machine tools were established at HVF, Avadi and Ordnance Factory, Medak. However, the first pilot batch of production tanks was handed over to Army on 7th August 2004 in the presence of the then Defence Minister Shri. Pranab Mukherjee. During subsequent production, Army insisted upon the demonstration of medium fording capabilities of MBT Arjun. Both CVRDE and HVF, continuously worked on war footing, to meet the stringent requirement of medium fording to a height of 2.1m in water with preparation time of 30 minutes as retro-fitment solution and demonstrated successfully to Defence Minister Shri A.K.Antony and other dignitaries on 2nd July 2007. Subsequently, the production tanks were incorporated with all medium fording modifications and the next batch of nine tanks were handed over by Sep 2007. Meanwhile, Army carried out the Accelerated Usage Cum Reliability Trials (AUCRT) in 5 phases on two tanks from Nov 2007 to Aug 2008 covering more than 8000 km and 800 rounds of firing in each tank. AUCRT is required for assessing the spares requirement for the entire life of the tank besides evaluation of reliability of tank. Each phase consists of 1000kms run and 100EFC (Approx. 160 rounds of APFSDS and HESH – Primary and secondary rounds) over a temperature range of -5 to 500C. One of the main issues during AUCRT trials was the failure of the bearings of Transmission of M/s RENK, Germany, due to rise in lub oil temperature. However, this was immediately solved by modifying the software during AUCRT itself and the efficacy of the software was proved for more than 4000kms. However a comprehensive solution of modifying the bearing assembly by providing a special coating was carried out to take care of the temperature problem and the retrofitment of bearing assembly being carried out in all the tanks. The outcome of AUCRT trials raised the confidence levels of the users over the reliability and endurance of MBT Arjun and they confirmed that the overall performance of the MBT Arjun during the stringent AUCRT trials was satisfactory and cleared the production tanks with minor modifications suggested during AUCRT, for induction. Both CVRDE and HVF along with DGQA agencies worked out methodologies to introduce all AUCRT modifications within shortest time frame and the next batch of 17 tanks were handed over to Army by 3rd March 2009. As suggested by Army after AUCRT trials, Arjun tanks were subjected to rigorous trials and assessment by a third party audit (an internationally reputed tank manufacturer). After the extensive evaluation, the reputed tank manufacturer confirmed that the MBT Arjun is an excellent tank with very good mobility and fire power characteristics suitable for Indian desert. They also added inputs such as quality auditing, production procedures and refined calibration procedures for further enhancing the performance of MBT Arjun. DRDO, will be incorporating all these inputs in the next regiment of 62 tanks for handing over to Army before Mar 2010 as desired by the Army. The regiment of 45 tanks will be subjected to a conversion training and field practice for a period of 3 months. Thereafter, the Army is planning to conduct a comparative trial with T 90 tanks in Oct/Nov 2009 to assess the operational deployment role of the tanks. The present batch of 124 tanks will be delivered by Mar 2010. Veerendra/Rajendra

30 ans de Jaguar dans l´IAF

Spoiler:

Citation :

IAF chooses Boeing’s latest C-17 for heavy-lift transport aircraft
June 14th, 2009 - 3:57 pm ICT by IANS

By Gulshan Luthra

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) The Indian Air Force (IAF) has shortlisted the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III as its new Very Heavy Lift Transport Aircraft (VHTAC). Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik is quoted by the India Strategic defence magazine as saying that the aircraft had been chosen after a thorough study because of its capability to take off and land on short runways with heavy loads, long range, and ease of operation.

IAF was looking at acquiring ten C-17s initially through the US government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, and a proposal in this regard was being considered by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), he said adding that the aircraft should come in about three years after a contract is signed.

The air chief, who spoke to India Strategic on the eve of the Paris Air Show beginning Monday, is also quoted as saying in its report that flight trials for the six Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCAs) would begin in July and end around March 2010. The chosen MMRCA should start coming to India by 2014.

Outlining the trial procedure, Air Chief Marshal Naik said that initially, test pilots from IAF’s elite Bangalore-based Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) would visit the manufacturing facilities of the six contenders; in the second round, they would test the aircraft’s performance in humid, hot and cold weather in Bangalore, Jaisalmer and Leh; and in the third and final round, they would test live precision weapon firings from the aircraft in the country of their manufacturer or another country designated by them.

“There would be one team leader but two or three sub-teams, and the template would be common for all,” he was quoted as saying. The six aircraft in the fray are European EADS Eurofighter, US Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper and Boeing F-18 Super Hornet, French Rafale, Swedish Gripen and Russian Mig 35. One of them would be chosen to supply 126 aircraft worth about $10 billion, but the order could go up by another 50 per cent to 189 aircraft, a clause for which is built in the tender (Request for Proposal or RfP) issued last year.

The interview report has been published in the June edition of India Strategic, being released at the Paris Air Show. Notably, except for the Su30-MKI, all the combat and transport aircraft of the IAF were acquired in the 1980s, and IAF needs new, and newer generation, aircraft to replace and augment that capacity.

India has about 100-plus medium An-32 and less than 20 heavy lift IL-76 aircraft. It is difficult to get their spares as the Soviet Union where they were made has disintegrated into Russia and other states.

IAF has acquired old, refurbished IL-76 platforms for its AWACS and Midair Refueler requirements. An agreement was being signed with Ukraine to upgrade and modernize the An-32s, the Air Chief said. An IL-76 can carry a cargo of around 45 tonnes and has a crew of six while a C-17 can carry 70 tonnes, and is much easier to operate with a small crew of two pilots and one loadmaster (total three), thanks to its various power-assisted systems. Two observers though can also be seated. Despite its massive size - 174 ft length, 55 ft height and about 170 ft wingspan - a pilot can fly the C-17 with a simple joystick, much like a fighter aircraft, which can be lifesaving in a battlezone as the aircraft can take off quickly and at steep angles. It is powered by four Pratt & Whitney F-117-PW-100 turbofan engines.

Air Chief Marshal Naik said that IAF required contemporary and futuristic aircraft and systems, and that there was an urgency to acquire modern aircraft. The government shared the concern of the armed forces, and the pace to renew IAF’s assets was on schedule. By 2020-25, IAF would achieve its optimum level (of 45 squadrons).

At present, it is down from its sanctioned strength of 39.5 squadron to around 30-32, but this trend has been arrested, particularly with the induction of more Su30-MKIs and Jaguars. India has given a repeat order of 40 Su30-MKIs to Russia to take their total number to 230.

The requirement today is for technologically better, easier tomaintain, and a larger number of combat and other aircraft, including helicopters, due to the strategic scenario around India and the need to ferry troops, men and material even within India in times of contingency and natural disasters. He observed: “The IAF of the future, post-2025, would consist of FGFA (Fith Generation Fighter Aircraft), Su30-MKIs, MRCAs and Tejas/MCA (indigenous Medium Combat Aircraft) with multi-role as well as significant swing role capability.” “They would employ advanced technologies, sensors and precision weapons. The larger aircraft, i.e. FGFA and Su30 would focus on Air Dominance and specialise in similar roles in long ranges over land and sea, while the MRCAs would don a variety of medium-range and tactical roles. These assets would be capable of all weather, day and night attack with adequate self-protection capability… these assets would be immensely capable and are not going to be confined to the strictly stereotyped roles. They would carry out a number of roles in the same mission.”

Air Chief Marshal Naik, who assumed charge May 31 from Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major, would be visiting the Paris Air Show along with top IAF officers to witness what new technologies are being introduced and displayed there by various aircraft manufacturers. The Air Chief said that IAF was also looking at more AWACS but after studying how the first lot of three Phalcon AWACS functions. The first of these aircraft was delivered last month, and the remaining two would be delivered by Israel in 2010. He indicated that IAF had short-listed the Airbus A330 MRTT to augment its Midair Refueller requirement, and that the proposal was being processed by the Ministry of Defence. IAF already has six IL-76-based aerial refuellers, designated as IL-78.

As for the C-17, Boeing has brought the aircraft several times to India for its literal catwalk on IAF tarmacs, including at the Aero India 2007 and 2009 in Bangalore. Indian military officials and journalists have been invited for the aircraft’s flight displays during the Paris Air Show.

The C-17 is the mainstay of the US forces for worldwide deployment, and can be refuelled midair. It is in fact the lifeline of US and NATO troops deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. According to the Boeing company, the high-wing, 4-engine, multi-service T-tailed military-transport C-17 can carry large equipment including tanks, supplies and troops directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world day or night. The massive, sturdy, long-haul aircraft tackles distance, destination and heavy, oversized payloads in unpredictable conditions.

It has delivered cargo in every worldwide operation since the 1990s. It can take off from a 7,600-ft airfield, carry a payload of 160,000 pounds, fly 2,400 nautical miles, refuel while in flight for longer range, and land in 3,000 ft or less on a small unpaved or paved airfield day or night.

The aircraft can also be used as an aerial ambulance.

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