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]

Citation :

SOURCE:Flight International
Indian tanker contest draws Airbus, Ilyushin bids, but Boeing stays away
By Greg Waldron

Airbus Military and Ilyushin have submitted bids in India's revived competition for six in-flight refuelling aircraft, while Boeing remains on the sidelines.

A New Delhi-based source close to the competition confirms that the Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) is in contention for the requirement, along with the Ilyushin Il-78 tanker. The Indian air force already has an active fleet of seven Il-78MKs, says Flightglobal's MiliCAS database.

Details on India's selection schedule are unclear, however. "There is no decision on the horizon," says the source.


Boeing has not submitted a bid with the 767-based tanker it is currently pitching in the US Air Force's long-delayed KC-X contest.

"Only upon the outcome of the KC-X competition will we be able to fully determine our ability to participate in future international competitions," says Vivek Lall, vice-president, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, India.

EADS North America is offering the A330-based KC-45 against the Boeing 767 NewGen Tanker in the 179-aircraft KC-X contest. The former's offer draws heavily on the MRTT configuration developed for launch customer Australia, which is awaiting delayed first deliveries from a five-strong order.

"Boeing is committed to helping our international customers meet their military requirements, but we are not in a position now to discuss in any detail interest expressed by specific customers," says Lall. "Generally, however, when our international customers issue a request for information or interest, we conduct a detailed evaluation of the request, study our inventory of potential offerings and make a decision based on that information."

In September 2010, India's defence ministry issued a fresh request for proposals for six tankers, reviving a contest worth about $2 billion.

New Delhi had previously selected the A330 MRTT (above) to meet its air force requirement, but cancelled the programme last year before a contract could be signed. That decision followed pressure from India's finance ministry on the proposed cost of the deal.

The Airbus offering would appear to be in a strong position, with the modified A330 design having already been ordered by Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the UK.

In September 2009, an Airbus executive told Flightglobal he did not expect stiff competition outside the USA from Boeing's KC-767A. "We are going to get all the market," he said. "We don't have competition today, to be honest."

Citation :

Indian Navy P-8I Aircraft to be Equipped with CAE MAD System


Boeing has awarded a subcontract to CAE to provide its AN/ASQ-508A advanced integrated magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) system for eight Indian Navy P-8I Poseidon aircraft.
The AN/ASQ-508A MAD system helps detect, locate and confirm subsurface targets by identifying magnetic variations caused by a submarine in the Earth's magnetic field.
The system will be integrated with the P-8I's mission system for operational use during anti-submarine warfare missions.
The P-8I aircraft is a new long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform.
The MAD system is widely used on the Turkish Navy's CN235s and ATR72s, Canada's CP-140 Aurora, South Korea's P-3 Orion, Brazil's P-3BR, Chile's C-295 and Japan's indigenously developed XP-1 maritime patrol aircraft.

naval-technology

Citation :

IAF Jaguar Fleet to be Equipped with ASRAAM Missile



The Indian Air Force Jaguar fleet is to be equipped with MBDA's advanced short-range air-to-air missile (ASRAAM) to provide both short and within-visual-range protection.
The weapon system is an operational capability enhancement that would enable a Jaguar pilot to see, engage and kill the target before it had the chance to respond.
The missile's ability to fire upwards to a very high altitude is ideally suited to Jaguar's mission as the aircraft operates at a lower altitude than an in-coming threat.
Currently, the missile is fully operational on under wing and tip stations on the UK RAF's Eurofighter Typhoon and the Australian Air Force's F/A 18.
MBDA, along with its partners Elbit and Cobham, will provide proven reliable subsystems that offer capability enhancement for the IAF Jaguar fleet, according to India Defence.

airforce-technology

Citation :

India to Set up Naval Base in Lakshadweep



The Indian Navy is preparing to set up a naval base in the Lakshadweep Islands as part of its efforts to strengthen the country's coastal security amidst increased pirate activity in the region.
A senior official said work had already started and the naval base would be operational within the next two years.
The base will be expanded in a phased manner and will enhance the presence of the navy and act as a deterrent against pirates, according to Daily News Analysis.
As part of navy's measures to enhance coastal security efforts, a coast guard district headquarters in Kavaratti and a station in Minicoy have recently been launched in the Lakshadweep Islands.
India has also been deploying its frigates and destroyers in the Gulf of Aden to maintain its presence in the troubled waters since November 2008.

naval-technology

Citation :

Indian Navy Launches Sail Training Ship

The Indian Navy has launched a second sail training ship, INS Sudarshini, at Goa Shipyard, India.
INS Sudarshini is a steel-hulled, round-bilged, three-masted sailing ship with 18 sails with a sail area of 1,035m² with a high-endurance capability.
The vessel can accommodate a crew of 60 and can be deployed at sea continuously for at least 20 days under sail or propulsion power.
Sail training ships are used as character building platforms by navies to build basic seamanship.

naval-technology

Citation :

With own 5G jet plan, India 'rejects' US offer

NEW DELHI: India has no plans as of now to either join the US-led [url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=joint strike fighter (JSF) programme]joint strike fighter (JSF) programme[/url] or buy the [url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=F-35 'Lightning-II]F-35 'Lightning-II[/url] ' fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) when it finally becomes operational.

"We cannot have two types of FGFA. We have already launched preliminary work for our FGFA after inking the $295 million preliminary design contract (PDC) with Russia last month," said a top defence ministry official on Friday.

This comes in the wake of comments made by a top Pentagon official, undersecretary of defence for acquisition, technology and logistics Ashton Carter, in Washington that the US was open to Indian participation in its JSF project.

Interestingly, the comments came during a function where an aggressive sales pitch was made for India to select either the American F/A-18 'Super Hornet' ( Boeing) or F-16 'Falcon' ( Lockheed Martin ) over their European rivals in the ongoing IAF's medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contest.

The other 4.5-generation fighters in the hotly-contested race to bag the $10.4 billion MMRCA project, under which 18 jets will be bought offthe-shelf and another 108 will be manufactured in India under transfer of technology, are Eurofighter Typhoon, Swedish Gripen (Saab), French Rafale (Dassault) and Russian MiG-35 (United Aircraft Corporation ).

The IAF force matrix for the coming years revolves around the 270 Sukhoi-30 MKIs contracted from Russia for around $12 billion, the 126 MMRCA and 120 indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, apart from upgraded MiG-29 s and Mirage-2000s.

In the decades ahead, the advanced stealth FGFA to be developed with Russia will be the mainstay of India's combat fleet. "Our FGFA will be cheaper than the F-35 . Moreover , the intellectual property rights of the FGFA will equally and jointly vest on both India and Russia, with full access to the source code and the like," said another senior official.

With a potent mix of super-manoeuvrability and supersonic cruising ability , the 'swing-role' FGFA will of course not come cheap. The cost of designing, infrastructure build-up , prototype development and flight testing has been pegged at around $11 billion, with India and Russia chipping in with $5.5 billion each.

Over and above this, each of the 250-300 FGFA India hopes to begin inducting from 2020 onwards will cost around $100 million each. In all, India will spend upwards of $35 billion over the next two decades in its biggest-ever defence project till now.

indiatimes.com

Citation :

India to Test-Fire K-15 Missile



India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is planning to test fire another nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile, K-15, as part of the Sagarika project.
The K-15 missile will be test fired from a pontoon, simulating the conditions of a submarine, positioned about 10m to 20m below the sea surface off the coast of Visakhapatnam, India.
The short-range missile has a range of 700km and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.
The missile will form part of the country's first nuclear-powered submarine, Arihant, which is currently undergoing sea trials.
DRDO is also developing a K-4 underwater-launched missile with a range of 3,000km, according to the Hindu.

naval-technology

Citation :

India's AMCA to be Powered by Indigenous Engine



India's indigenous fighter jet engine, Kaveri, is to power the home-grown fifth-generation advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA).
DRDO's gas turbine research establishment (GTRE) is developing the engine, which was initially planned for the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme.
The indigenous fighter aircraft engine programme was began in 1986, and the engine is capable of producing thrust of 70kN-75kN.
About 50-60 test flights will be conducted in the coming months to check the engine in terms of reliability, safety and airworthiness.
The engine will also undergo further flight trials with a fighter aircraft, according to the Press Trust of India.
The AMCA is a twin-engine indigenous fighter aircraft programme, which is expected to be ready by 2017.
Kaveri will be fitted on the first 40 LCAs to be supplied to the Indian Air Force (IAF) as part of an upgrade programme in the latter half of the decade.

airforce-technology

HHMMM

Citation :

Russian MiG-35 to skip Bangalore airshow
The Russian MiG-35, one of the six fighter planes competing with American and European rivals for a $10.2 billion (Rs 45,900 crore) Indian Air Force contract, will not be putting in an appearance at Aero India-2011 in Bangalore next week. Befuddled by the move, the defence ministry is making





last-ditch efforts to get the Russians onboard.
RK Singh, secretary (defence production), said on Tuesday, “We don’t know why the MiG-35 is not coming. We want them to participate and have asked our embassy in Moscow to take up the matter.” Russia, however, is among the 45 official delegations expected.




The biennial airshow, to be held from February 9-13, offers international exhibitors a prestigious platform to showcase newest aerospace equipment and technology. More than 675 exhibitors from 60 countries will attend the eighth edition of the airshow, compared to 592 exhibitors from 25 countries in 2009. The exhibitors include 380 Indian firms compared to 303 two years back.

China, Pakistan and Iran have not been invited. Beijing turned down an invite in 2009. Singh said participating countries were short-listed by the ministry of external affairs. Chinese journalists have also been kept out. The US presence will be the biggest with 250 official delegations.

The Russian Aircraft Corporation’s MiG-35 is locked in competition with Boeing (F/A-18 Super Hornet), Lockheed Martin (F-16 Super Viper), Eurofighter Typhoon (a consortium of British, German, Spanish and Italian companies), Dassault Aviation (Rafale) and Saab (Gripen) to supply 126 fighter planes to the IAF.

Barring MiG-35, the remaining competitors will be flying at the airshow, organised jointly by the defence ministry and Confederation of Indian Industry.

India and Russia signed a $30 billion (Rs 1,35,000 crore) agreement for the joint design and development of the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) last December. The two sides are also expected to ink a $4.3 billion (Rs 19,350 crore) deal for 42 more Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters to be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The IAF’s newly acquired C-130J Super Hercules airlifters, capable of takeoffs and landings from unprepared runways, will debut at the airshow. The IAF signed a $1 billion (Rs 4,500 crore) contract with US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin for six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in 2008.

The odd-one out at the airshow will be a Maruti 800 flying car, developed by a Bangalore-based aviation entusiast. Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Singapore, Japan and Afghanistan are among the countries sending official delegations. More than 1,75,000 visitors are expected.

hindustantimes

sont pas cons les russes,ils sont presque sures et certains que le gagnant du MMRCA(si deja ils se decident un jour) sera occidental,et a 60% US.

R.I.P

Citation :

Officers die in civilian-spared crash

OUR BUREAU AND AGENCIES

The helicopter debris in Nashik on Wednesday. (PTI) Feb. 2: Two army majors died in a helicopter crash in a residential neighbourhood in Nashik this morning but the officers appeared to have steered the snag-hit machine towards a vacant plot to avert civilian casualties. The Cheetah helicopter of the Army Aviation Corps crashed around 8.30am, killing Major Atul Garje and Major Bhandu Chander. The officers — qualified flying instructors — almost managed an emergency landing but the rotor blades hit a locked bungalow. As the chopper crashed in open space, there was no casualty on the ground. “Had the pilots bailed out immediately after noticing fault in the rotor blades, they would have saved their own lives, but the helicopter would have certainly crashed into a densely populated area, killing many more,” PTI quoted a police officer as saying. The helicopter crashed in the residential area near the Combat Army Aviation Training School in Nashik minutes after taking off from the school’s Gandhinagar airbase this morning. The pilots were to halt for the night in Goa before flying to Bangalore, for an exercise Vayu Kaushal and also to participate in Aero India 2011, the military-civilian airshow in Yelahanka from February 9 to 13. Preliminary investigations by police and eyewitness accounts suggested the chopper crashed when the pilots tried to land on a vacant plot next to a bungalow in Jachak Mala in an apparent attempt to minimise casualties. Eyewitnesses told the police that the helicopter had almost succeeded in landing when it hit the terrace of the bungalow and its compound wall. While the crash killed the pilots on the spot, no civilian casualty was reported. Officers at Nashik suburban police station said the pilots appeared to have steered the chopper away from the thickly populated residential area but added that only a probe could establish this conclusively. “Technical teams from the army are investigating the incident. We are not in a position to say what exactly happened. However, if the helicopter had crashed into any residential buildings, the casualty would have been really high,” Nashik police commissioner Nikhil Gupta said. The aviation school airbase and the site of the crash are half a kilometre apart. The bungalow where the helicopter crashed was owned by Bhagwan Patil but no members of his family was present during the accident around 8.45am. “I was in office when I received a call about the crash. After reaching the house, I learnt that two army pilots were martyred. I was pained to learn that they lost their lives trying to save the residents of this area,” Patil told reporters. Major Garje, who hailed from Ahmednagar, was an alumnus of Sainik School, Satara. His daughter was born a few months ago. Major Chander was from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Nashik district magistrate P. Velarasu said there was no civilian casualty and the helicopter, according to preliminary investigation, crashed because of a possible technical failure. “All we can say is that both the pilots on board are dead. The helicopter crashed in a civilian area and there is no civilian casualty. Investigations are on,” he said. The French-origin Cheetah helicopters are a vintage of the 1960s and over 350 of them are being used by the army and the air force. Last year, four army Cheetah choppers had crashed, killing three personnel in one mishap. The defence ministry had issued a request for proposal for procuring 197 light-utility helicopters for replacing the Cheetah and Chetak helicopter fleet in 2009.

telegraphindia.com

Citation :

Indian Navy to buy four more P-8Is aircraft


BANGALORE: The Indian Navy has decided to exercise its option for an additional four Boeing P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft in a bid to boost its maritime patrol capabilities as well as counter piracy threats and the growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.

In a deal expected to range between $1 billion to $1.5 billion, the new aircraft will be in addition to the eight the Navy had ordered in January 2009, for about $2.1 billion. The new contract price is also expected to include the cost of aero-structures and avionics.

“The Indian Navy has received the necessary government approvals and has decided to go ahead with the contractual processes to acquire four additional P-8I aircraft under the options clause,” Commander PVS Satish, public relations officer for the Indian Navy told The Economic Times.

According to sources, Boeing has already submitted its draft offset contract to the defence ministry last week. “The government is considering exercising the option of adding four P-8I aircraft,” Dr Vivek Lall, vice-president, Boeing Defence, Space & Security told ET. The P-8I, which is based on the Boeing next-generation 737 commercial airplane, is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon that the defence vendor Boeing is developing for the US Navy. India is the first international customer for the P-8 platform.

The first of the eight P-8I aircraft, which were bought through the direct commercial sales route with Boeing, are expected to be delivered to India within 48 months of the original contract signing. The aircraft are of supreme strategic importance for India’s naval forces, with the country looking to enhance its role in the high seas.

Further, the global community has been clamouring for India to play a more dominant policing role against sea piracy in the Straits of Malacca, which is one of the busiest commercial and military sea-routes in the world, and along the East African coast.

Also, in the ongoing scramble for sea power in the world’s thirdlargest ocean, India has been desperate to stop what it perceives as a growing Chinese hegemony in the region. Separately, Boeing has also submitted a reply to the Navy’s Request for Information for six medium-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft as well.

However, ministry sources did not confirm whether any of the other global defence vendors had responded to the same.
Others expected to be in the running for the contract include Russia’s Ilyushin, France’s Dassault and EADS . Like most defence deals pursued in India, the acquisition of the MRMR aircraft has followed a long and tortuous route. With the original global Request for Procurement issued in 2008, before the Mumbai attacks, the same was later scrapped by the defence ministry on certain technical grounds.

The current RFI also specifies the aircraft should be able to carry out electronic intelligence gathering and counter-measures, besides maritime patrol and search and rescue within an operational envelope of 350 nautical miles or almost 650 kilometres, as well as a patrol endurance of at least three and a half hours.

There are additional requirements that the aircraft be capable of carrying at least two anti-ship missiles and a jamming pod. As with the P-8I, the navy has specified in the RFI that certain pieces of equipment must be indigenous, like Identification Friend or Foe Interrogator with Secure Mode, MSS Terminal, BFE, Datalink and Speech Secrecy Equipment and vendors must indicate their commitment to integrate this equipment into the aircraft.

indiatimes

Citation :

MiG-21 crashes in Madhya Pradesh, pilot safe

GWALIOR (MP): A MiG-21 ‘Bison' fighter aircraft crashed, apparently owing to an engine problem while on a routine sortie in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday. Squadron Leader Falguni Laha Roy ejected safely.
The plane went down at 11.25 a.m. near Bela-Bhimlat village, 150 km southwest of the Gwalior air base, an IAF spokesperson said.
“The plane developed some engine problem. The pilot, Squadron Leader Falguni Laha Roy, managed to eject and landed safely on the ground,” he said.
The crash took place in a forest, and there was no damage on the ground.
A rescue helicopter was sent to fetch the pilot. A court of inquiry was ordered.
This is the first crash of a MiG series fighter aircraft this year. In 2010, a total of 10 IAF aircraft crashes took place, including four MiG-27 and two MiG-21 planes.
Besides fighter planes, the IAF also lost three helicopters last year — an Mi-17, an Mi-26, and one Chetak.

hindu.com

Citation :

Russia tests upgraded MiG fighter jet for India


Russia's MiG corporation on Friday carried out the first test fight of a MiG-29 fighter modernized under a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF). "On Feb 4, a MiG-29UPG fighter carried out its first test flight. The flight lasted for an hour and was flawless," MiG said in a statement.

The IAF has awarded the MiG corporation a $900 million contract to upgrade all of its 69 operational MiG-29s.
These upgrades include a new avionics kit, with the N-109 radar being replaced by a Phazatron Zhuk-M radar.
The aircraft is also being equipped to enhance beyond-visual-range combat ability and for air-to-air refueling to increase flying time.
In 2007, Russia also gave India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) a license to manufacture 120 RD-33 series three turbojet engines for the upgrade.
The first six aircraft are being upgraded in Russia while the remaining 63 will be refitted at the HAL facility in India.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwmMzgaW1RM&feature=player_embedded

hindustantimes.

IAF Inducts First C-130J Super Hercules
ah ca a trop tardé le truc

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Indian Navy Aircraft Carrier Prepares for Mooring Trials



The Indian Navy's Russian-built aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov, is preparing for mooring trials at the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk, Russia.
The mooring trials will begin after the installation of auxiliary steam piping systems and air conditioning systems is completed.
The carrier, to be renamed as INS Vikramaditya, is currently undergoing a major $2.33bn repair and modernisation programme at the Russian shipyard.
The delivery of the 45,000t aircraft carrier to India is expected by end 2012 or early 2013.
India signed a $974m deal with Russia to buy the warship in 2004, according to Brahmand.

naval-technology

Citation :

IAF to phase out oldest variants of MiG-21 by next year



Hindon (UP), Feb 5 (PTI) In the wake of increasingmishaps involving fighter jets, the Indian Air Force hasdecided to completely phase-out the oldest variants of itsMiG-21 combat jets.
"As the modern aircraft join service, we would bephasing out the oldest variants of the MiG-21 (type 77) bynext year," IAF chief Air Chief marshal P V Naik said at theinduction ceremony of the C-130J Super Hercules here.
He was asked if flying on MiG-21s and otheraccident-prone jets should be stopped to save the lives ofpilots flying old aircraft.
Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister A K Antonysaid under the modernisation plans of the force, IAF willphase out its older aircraft with new aircraft such as theSu-30 MKIs and the yet to be inducted 126 Medium MultiroleCombat Aircraft (M-MRCA).
The IAF MiG-21 fleet includes Type 96, Type 77 and theBison variants. The Bisons are likely to continue till 2017depending on the induction of the M-MRCAs and the indigenousLight Combat Aircraft ''Tejas''.

Due to their high accident rate, the MiG-21s had earnedthe sobriquet of ''Flying Coffins'' in the early part of thedecade but after certain measures were taken by the IAF, thenumber of mishaps has gone down.

On Friday also, a MiG-21 ''Bison'' fighter aircraft hadcrashed apparently due to an engine problem while on a routinesortie in Madhya Pradesh''s Sheopur district but the pilotejected safely.

A Cheetah helicopter of the Army Aviation Corps crashedin a residential area in Nashik on February 2, killing bothpilots but there was no casualty on the ground.

In 2010, a total of 10 IAF aircraft crashed, includingfour MiG-27 and two MiG-21 planes.

Besides the fighter planes, the IAF also lost threehelicopters last year -- a Mi-17, a Mi-26 and one Chetak. PTIAJD

oneindia

Citation :

Russia proposes equipping Indian SU-30MKI with AESA Radar


Russia has offered to equip the Indian Su-30MKI aircraft with the electronically scanned array radar to bring them on par with the most modern fighter aircraft in the world. Currently the technical configuration of the upgraded aircraft with onboard AESA radar is being discussed by Russian and Indian experts. The upgraded aircraft could be equipped with perspective Russian or foreign-made weapon, including Indo-Russian “BrahMos” anti-ship missiles, an Irkut statement said at Aero India 2011 A multirole Su-30MKI aircraft which became a sort of symbol of the IRKUT Corporation deserves an honourable place in the exposition of the company (stand 24, hall A). Fighter developed by JSC “Sukhoi Design Bureau” on demand of the Indian Air Force are mass-manufactured at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. The IRKUT Corporation delivers to India ready-made Su-30MKI fighters as well as Su-30MKI technical kits for license production by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Corporation.

Program production of Su-30MKI for the Indian Air Force and its modifications for other countries is being developed successfully. For a number of parameters it has no equal in the entire history of Russian military-technical cooperation with foreign states. The total value of contracts approaches $9 billion. Under agreements more than 150 fighter aircraft were delivered to the Air Forces of India, Malaysia and Algeria.

The model of Yak-130 combat trainer developed by the JSC “Yakovlev Design Bureau” – a part of the Corporation is displayed at the IRKUT Corporation’s stand.

The aircraft was chosen as the main aircraft for basic and advanced training for pilots of the Russian Air Force. In 2010 the fist serially produced Yak-130 combat trainers were inducted in the Russian Air Force. The IRKUT Corporation also carries out two contracts on Yak-130 deliveries for foreign customers. Pre-contract negotiations are underway with several other potential customers.

defenseworld

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SOURCE:Flight Daily News
AERO INDIA: ADA shows models of Tejas Mk II
By Greg Waldron

India's Aeronautical Development Agency has displayed models of the Tejas Mk II light combat aircraft at Aero India.

Both the Air Force and Naval versions of the Mk II are on display, giving the world its first glimpse of this aircraft, which is likely to fly in 2015 or 2016.

Both variants of the Mk II Tejas are nearly identical to their Mk I counterparts. This is consistent with comments by Hindustan Aeronautics chairman Ashok Nasik in December, when he said the Mk II would see a complete reconfiguration of internal equipment to create a more agile aircraft. "The Mk II is only on the drawing board," he said.

The primary difference in configuration will be the Mk II's length, as it will be 13.7m long compared with 13.2m for the Mk I.

Two changes in the Mk II stand out: structural weight improvements and aerodynamic improvements. Though the official weight of the Tejas Mk I has never been published, numerous critics have said the aircraft is overweight and lacks the agility expected of a light fighter.

The ADA also cites a number of additional upgrades, including a higher thrust engine. HAL has said that the Mk II will use the General Electric F414 engine, which will also be used by later versions of the Mk I (early versions of the Tejas are powered by the GE F414). Long term, the Mk II could be powered by India's indigenously developed Kaveri engine, which is now undergoing testing in Russia after years of problems and delays.

Other improvements will be increased internal fuel capacity, and an in-flight retractable refuelling probe compared with a fixed refuelling probe on the Mk I. The Mk II will have improved avionics, an electronic warfare suite, a new flight computer, and an onboard oxygen generation system.

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SOURCE:Flight Daily News
AERO INDIA: FGFA to be inducted in 2017, says defence minister
By Greg Waldron

Indian defence minister AK Antony has re-affirmed his nation's commitment to the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) being jointly developed by Hindustan Aeronautics and Russia's Sukhoi, while also voicing his optimism about one of its other key military aviation programmes.

"The difficulties in joining this programme are over," he says of the first project. "We've signed a deal with the Russians, and we will see the FGFA inducted by 2017."

Russia's developmental PAK FA fighter had its maiden flight in early 2010, and late last year it agreed with India to cooperate on a combined project. New Delhi will send engineers to work with Sukhoi in Russia to develop the Indian variant of the aircraft.

"Our armed forces need this capability," Antony says. "We are concerned about the situation around us, so we need to strengthen our armed forces."

While there have been worries over the level of technology transfer that would come to India via the FGFA project, Mikhail Pogosyan, chief executive of Russia's United Aircraft, describes this as a non-issue.

"The level of technology transfer is all spelt out in the contract," he says. "There will not be any issues. This is not the first time we are working with our Indian colleagues, there have been programmes in the past like the Su-30 where we have been happy to give the latest technology," Pogosyan adds.

"Other countries may not be as willing to do this, but we are always willing to offer the best products and best technology to India. This programme is a significant shift in our relationship, and we are willing to share all of our intellectual competencies and skills."

Meanwhile, Antony also confirms that the indigenous Tejas Mk II fighter will have its first flight in 2015. While he acknowledges the lengthy development problems that have affected the Tejas programme until now, he notes that the type "is still in its infancy, and developing an aircraft such as this is a process. It will be committed to service very soon," he adds.

He also discussed the Kaveri engine, developed by the state-owned Gas Turbine Research Establishment, and originally intended to power the Tejas but still undergoing testing in Russia. Asked whether the Kaveri is a failure, Antony says it is still "under development".

"This is the biggest ever Aero India show, and demonstrates the emergence of India, our aerospace sector, and the growing importance of armed forces on a global stage," says Antony.

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SOURCE:Flight Daily News
AERO INDIA: VIDEO - Boeing reveals advanced Super Hornet options
By Greg Waldron

Boeing has unveiled a series of advanced options for international customers of the F-18 E/F Super Hornet, including conformal fuel tanks, a pod for the internal carriage of weapons, an internally-mounted infrared search and track (IRST) sensor, and enhanced engine performance.

The new options could be available for Super Hornets delivered from 2015 onwards, though the options can be retrofitted to Block II versions of the aircraft, says Boeing. The options are currently in the "concept definition phase."

Boeing says that one of these options, 15-20% improved performance for the aircraft's two General Electric F414 engines, was offered to India in the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) competition.

The conformal fuel tanks will be able to carry up to 3,000lbs of additional fuel, while reducing the aircraft's drag and improving its lift, says Boeing.

[flash][/flash]
The enclosed weapons pod will both reduce drag and improve the aircraft's low observable characteristics as compared with weapons carried externally. The pod will be able to carry up 2,000lb of munitions. Alternatively, two enclosed weapons pods can be carried under the aircraft's inboard weapons pylons.

"Ninety five percent of missions don't require stealth, but this pod is for the five percent that do require more stealth," says a Boeing spokesman.

Another option will be a cockpit display featuring a single, 11x19in display with improved graphics and a touch screen interface. The screen will allow pilots to manipulate flight and combat data on a single large screen. The large screen will also be more effective at displaying information produced by the aircraft's APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar when operating in multiple modes, such as air-to-air and air-to-ground.

The IRST sensor will be slung under the nose to the gun bay door. While US fighters typically don't have an internal IRST capability - instead relying on AESA - IRST is stipulated in India's MMRCA request for proposals.

The Super Hornet is one of six MMRCA contenders. The other aircraft are the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60 Super Viper, RSK MiG-35, Dassault Rafale, and Eurofighter Typhoon. India is likely to announce a shortlist later this year.

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MiG-29: le premier chasseur russe modernisé livré à l'Inde dès 2011 (OAK)



Le premier chasseur russe modernisé MiG-29 sera livré à l'Inde dès 2011, a annoncé mercredi le président du Consortium aéronautique unifié (OAK) Mikhaïl Pogossian lors du 8e Salon aérospatial Aero India 2011 à Bangalore.

"Je pense que le premier avion modernisé sera livré en 2011. Le programme prévoit des travaux de recherche et la modernisation d'une soixantaine d'appareils. Il sera réalisé avec le concours de la partie indienne. Mais sa mise en œuvre prendra plusieurs années", a indiqué M.Pogossian devant les journalistes.

Signé en 2008, le contrat russo-indien de modernisation des chasseurs MiG-29 permettra de doter les avions de nouveaux équipements de bord et d'un nouveau radar permettant de porter des frappes contres des cibles terrestres, aériennes et maritimes.

NEW DELHI, 9 février - RIA Novosti

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La Russie a présenté de nouveaux hélicoptères lors du 8e Salon aérospatial Aero India 2011 à Bangalore, a annoncé mercredi le porte-parole du groupe "Hélicoptères de Russie" intégré au Consortium aéronautique unifié (OAK).

"Nous présentons l'hélicoptère léger polyvalent Ka-226T, les hélicoptères civils Mi-17, l'hélicoptère tous temps Ka-32A11VS, l'hélicoptère lourd Mi-26T2, ainsi que l'hélicoptère d'attaque Mi-28NE, une version exportée du nouvel hélicoptère militaire Mi-28N (Chasseur nocturne) déjà adopté par l'armée russe", a indiqué le porte-parole.

En 2010, Moscou et New Delhi ont signé des contrats sur la livraison de quatre Mi-172 et d'un Ka-32A11VS. "L'Inde a déjà homologué l'hélicoptère Ka-172. En décembre dernier, elle a autorisé l'exploitation de l'hélicoptère polyvalent KA-32A11VS", a ajouté le responsable.

"L'hélicoptère polyvalent KA-32A11VS fait ses débuts sur le marché indien. La société Global Vectra Helicorp entend l'utiliser pour le transport de fret et les travaux de construction civils. Il sera livré à l'Inde en 2011", a conclu le porte-parole.

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India to get smartest cluster bomb CBU-105


Textron Defense Systems of Massachusetts will provide sensor-fuzed weapons to India through a U.S. Air Force contract.

The Foreign Military Sale agreement for 512 CBU-105 sensor-fuzed bombs is worth $257 million. The company said $126 million of the total amount is funded immediately.

"We believe that SFW is truly the best area attack weapon in the world," said Ellen Lord, senior vice president and general manager of Textron Defense Systems.

Citation :

SOURCE:Flight Daily News
AERO INDIA: Indian navy assesses E-2D for carrier based AEW missions
By Siva Govindasamy

Northrop Grumman has offered its E-2D for an ongoing Indian navy requirement for four carrier-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.

The navy issued the request for information in May 2010 and the company responded in the summer of the same year, says Tom Trudell, Northrop's manager for international business development in the AEW and BMC2 programmes.

"The E-2D is the only AEW&C platform in existence that can perform carrier-based operations. We are waiting for the navy to decide in its airborne early warning requirements and its long-term plans for carrier aviation. But we come here three or four times a year and brief the navy on our capabilities and how they fit their requirements," adds Trudell.


Under the RFI, the aircraft must be able to carry out airborne surveillance, detect and track both airborne and surface contacts, control air interceptions and air strikes. It should be capable of providing an integrated air and surface picture of the area under surveillance in adverse weather conditions and in dense electronic environment. Finally, it should be capable of being used as a command and control platform.

Secondary requirements include being able to undertake maritime patrol and limited search and rescue missions. The aircraft must be capable of operating in the tropical conditions prevailing in the Indian Ocean region, according to the RFI.

While the first Vikrant class aircraft carrier that India is indigenously designing and manufacturing will feature a ski-jump, the second aircraft carrier is likely to feature a catapult take-off system. The E-2D would be able to operate on the latter if the navy goes ahead and purchases the system.

The navy currently uses the Kamov KA-31 Helix helicopters for its airborne early warning missions, but it wants aircraft with a longer range and endurance as it acquires a deep sea capability.

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IAF hopes to sign Mirage upgrade deal by March



The IAF on Thursday said it was hoping to sign the long-stuck $2.1 billion deal to upgrade around 50 Mirage 2000s with France by March this year. The deal was stuck over price and legal issues. “The negotiations have been concluded and report has been submitted to the Defence Ministry. We are trying to conclude this deal by end of this fiscal,” Air Chief Marshal P V Naik told a press conference here.

He said the medium multi role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract would be signed by September.

“All the offset related concerns regarding the MMRCA are sorted out. The commercial negotiations should start within two to four weeks and unless the competitors other than the one shortlisted do not put a spoke, the contracts for the MMRCA deal should be signed by September,” he said.



About retiring the aged Mig 21, he said, “Only one squadron of the type 77 is functional currently, but it would be retired within two-three days.” On the intermediate jet trainer programme, he said, “HAL is sure of obtaining the initial operational clearance by July. The spin trials are due in a month or two.”

indianexpress

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Govt to sanction more fighter aircraft jets for IAF

Preparing itself for a two-front war scenario, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has sent a proposal to the Defence Ministry to increase its sanctioned fighter aircraft strength from 39.5 to 45 squadrons.
"We have proposed to increase our squadron strength from 39.5 to 45 squadrons and it is under consideration of the Defence Ministry," IAF sources told PTI here.

The current squadron strength of the force is 33. A squadron comprises around 18 to 20 aircraft.

In view of increasing Chinese military deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the IAF has been strengthening its presence in the northeastern sector and has plans of deploying four squadrons of the air superiority Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft there by 2015.
Asked about the time-frame in which the IAF was looking to achieve these numbers, they said the future acquisitions would depend on the sanctions accorded to the service by the Government.
Under its modernisation plans, air bases on the western front are also being equipped with modern airfield infrastructure and new fighter planes.
The IAF has plans of inducting more than 350 fighter jet aircraft by the end of this decade which includes the 126 multi-role combat planes (M-MRCA), over 160 new Su-30MKIs and over 140 indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
The contract for the new Su-30s has already been signed and the orders for 126 M-MRCA are expected to be placed by the end of September this year.
Six aircraft including Russian MiG-35, American F-16 and F/A-18, Swedish Gripen, European Eurofighter and French Rafale are in the race for the M-MRCA contract, which is expected to cost USD 11 billion.
The IAF is also phasing out its old Russian-origin fleet of MiG aircraft -- the 21, 23 and 27 series. The oldest MiG-21 Type-77 is likely to be decommissioned by the end of next year.

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