Armée Indienne / Indian Armed Forces

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Tejas Needs to Cross 6 Milestones in 15 Months

The Tejas fighter will have to cross six milestones in the next 15 months, before the aircraft is given the final operational clearance (FOC).

The December 20 initial operational clearance event, ahead of the expected induction of the first series production aircraft into the Indian Air Force by March 2014, would pave way for the IAF pilots to undertake independent flight evaluation of Tejas.

Dr K Tamil Mani, Director-General (Aeronautical Systems), DRDO, and Chief Executive, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification, told Express that the integration of new missiles identified by the IAF will top the agenda in the FOC phase.

“The aerodynamics, structures and the integration of missiles with the radar are important events for Tejas now. We need to evolve the algorithm,” Tamil Mani said. The beyond visual range missiles from Israel -- Derby and Python with a range of 70 km and each weighing 150 kg -- have been identified for Tejas.

http://www.newindianexpress.com

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Royal Navy Frigate HMS Monmouth Escorted Aircraft Carrier Vikramaditya through Channel

The 4,900 tonne frigate met up with the newest Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya – weighing in at a massive 45,000 tonnes and helped her safely through the busy English Channel. Originally built for the Russian Navy as a modified Kiev class aircraft carrier, called Baku in 1987, India procured her in 2004 and she was accepted by the Indian Navy in a commissioning ceremony in November 2013.
   
The 4,900 tonne frigate met up with the newest Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya – weighing in at a massive 45,000 tonnes and helped her safely through the busy English Channel. Originally built for the Russian Navy as a modified Kiev class aircraft carrier, called Baku in 1987, India procured her in 2004 and she was accepted by the Indian Navy in a commissioning ceremony in November 2013.
British frigate F 235 Monmouth (type 23) and the Indian aircraft carrier Vikramaditya R 33 in the English Channel. 12/12/2013 (c) Dean Nixon / UK Ministry of Defence
   
Following successful sea trials in July 2013 and aviation trials in September 2013 the carrier began her long journey to her new home of India escorted by auxiliary INS Deepak and Talwar class frigate INS Trikand.

HMS Monmouth’s Operations Officer, Lt Cdr Chris Hollingworth, said:

“I was impressed at the scale the Vikramaditya, which displaces twice as much as HMS Illustrious.

“As the 65,000 tonne Queen Elizabeth Carriers are half as big again we will have quite formidable ships to operate in the near future.”

With HMS Illustrious due to visit India over Christmas the interaction with the Indian’s newest ship could not have been more timely. INS Vikranaditya also paid a visit to Portsmouth Naval base during the summer.

Celebrating her 20th year in commission, the escorting duty is HMS Monmouth’s last commitment before return home to Plymouth to prepare for a major refit throughout 2014.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

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India has successfully test-fired Pinaka rockets home-made MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System

India's indigenously developed Pinaka rockets were successfully test-fired from a multi-barrel rocket launcher from a base at Chandipur-on-sea Thursday, December 19, 2013. "Six rounds of Pinaka rockets were successfully tested from the proof and experimental establishment at Chandipur," defence sources said.
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Saturday, December 21, 2013 06:19 AM


http://www.armyrecognition.com/december_2013_defense_industry_military_news_uk/index.php

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IAF to induct six squadrons of Tejas: Antony

Bangalore, Dec 20: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct six squadrons of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas after the multirole supersonic fighter gets the final operational clearance (FOC) by 2014-end, Defence Minister AK Antony said on Friday. "The IAF will induct the first squadron of LCA Mark-1 from 2015 and second squadron from 2017. Production of Mark-1 will start soon. "Later, IAF will accept four squadrons of Mark-II, while the Indian Navy will induct 40 of the aircraft's naval variant," Antony told reporters here after a function where Tejas received the initial operational clearance (IOC) for flight tests by the air force pilots. Each squadron will have 20 aircraft and will replace the ageing Russian-made MiG-21 fleet the IAF will phase out gradually. The squadrons will be based at Sulur Air Force Base near Coimbatore in southern Tamil Nadu. "The IAF requirement will go up to 200. The Mark-1 will be fitted with GE-404 engines and Mark-II GE-414 engine. As this aircraft meets the staff requirement of the IAF, it has accepted it. Improvements to the aircraft have enhanced its flight envelope and its weapon delivery capability," Antony said. Indian Air Force chief N.A.K. Browne said the IAF pilots will start flying Tejas from Saturday over the next 12 months for its FOC by December 2014. Noting LCA has become a reality, Antony said that the next 12 months will be critical for all the stakeholders for the FOC. "They (defence agencies) have to do a lot. If they can do up this, they are capable of producing the most modern fighting aircraft, as only five-six countries have such a capability," he said. The state-run Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (Cemilac) are the defence agencies which have designed, developed, manufactured and certified the world's lightest and smallest combat jet. "As we don't have an LCA simulator, our senior and very experienced pilots will fly Tejas over the next 12 months to assess its flying and combat capabilities for FOC and induction into the fleet," said Air Chief Marshal Browne, adding that an LCA simulator was on cards. As the indigenous Kaveri engine of the state-run Gas Turbine and Research Establishment (GTRE) of the DRDO, which is yet to qualify for certification, HAL, the lead manufacturer of the LCA, will source the GE-404 and GE-414 aero-engines from the US-based General Electric (GE) for Mark-1 and Mark-II aircraft. "The Kaveri engine is under development. It will take time. At the moment, we are using GE engines. Kaveri project is not abandoned. We can make it. Indigenisation of an aero-engine takes time. We have plan for that. If we can make aircraft like the LCA, warships, tanks and missiles, we can also make aero-engines," Antony said. IANS

Read more at: http://news.oneindia.in/india/iaf-to-induct-six-squadrons-of-tejas-antony-1362882.html

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L'Iran teste avec succès ses missiles air-mer (agence)

TEHERAN, 22 décembre - RIA Novosti

L'Armée de l'air iranienne a testé aves succès ses missiles air-mer Ghader d'une portée de 200 km lors d'exercices qui se sont déroulés samedi dans le sud du pays, annonce dimanche l'agence Fars.

Les exercices ont débuté vendredi. Samedi, des missiles Ghader ont été tirés depuis un chasseur. Des missiles de croisière air-mer Nasr ont été également testés.

"Les tirs de missiles Ghader et Nasr ont constitué une part importante des exercices, car ils viennent d'équiper l'armée iranienne", a indiqué le général Hossein Chitforoush qui a dirigé les exercices.

Les missiles Ghader existent aussi en versions sol-mer et sol-sol, ces deux dernières ayant déjà été testées auparavant.

http://fr.ria.ru/defense/20131222/200082063.html

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L'Inde teste avec succès un missile Agni-III



NEW DELHI, 23 décembre - RIA Novosti

L'armée indienne a testé avec succès un missile balistique à capacité nucléaire Agni-III d'une portée de plus de 3.000 km, rapporte lundi le quotidien The Hindou se référant à de sources militaires indiennes.

Le missile Agni-III a été tiré depuis une rampe mobile située sur le polygone de l'île de Wheeler, dans le golfe du Bengale, au large de l'Etat indien d'Orissa. Il s'agit du deuxième test commandé par l'armée indienne.

Conçu pour emporter une ogive nucléaire de 1,5 tonne, Agni-III est un missile de trois étages de 17 mètres de long et pesant près de 50 tonnes.

Les forces armées indiennes ont à l'heure actuelle à leur disposition des vecteurs terrestres (missiles de type Agni et Prithvi) et aériens (avions Dassault Mirage-2000 et SEPECAT Jaguar). New Delhi espère en outre acquérir la troisième composante de la triade nucléaire - posséder des sous-marins lanceurs d'engins. En août dernier, le réacteur du sous-marin Arihant, le premier à avoir été construit en Inde, a été mis en service.

http://fr.ria.ru/defense/20131223/200092152.html

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Indian Air force C4ISR capabilities - A year end round up

Beyond the accretion of new fighter and transport aircraft, it is the on-going digitization of the workings of the Indian Air force (IAF) that is the signature element of its transformation. Adopting information and communication technology (ICT) across the spectrum of its operations, the service is putting in place a new architecture for command, control, communications, computing, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) that would make sure that there are no surprises from the enemy and that when bombs are dropped in anger they hit the targets they are actually meant to.

Keeping its lead in ICT initiatives over the Indian Army, IAF launched the first phase of a closed 3G cellular network called Air Force Cellular (AFCEL) in late October that seeks to both enhance communications security (COMSEC) as well as provide assured connectivity at all times. AFCEL is a WCDMA network that will ultimately enable voice, data, video streaming and file sharing between air warriors across India. Phase-I however provides such mobile connectivity only in the National Capital Region. The next phase will see its adoption across all of the IAF's stations as well as mobile unit. Indeed, in addition to a number of fixed AFCEL nodes, there will also be Mobile Base Transmitting Stations (MBTS) which will extend coverage to remote locations as well. . These nodes will facilitate a full IP network with stringent quality of service, high quality voice and of course data solutions. The system Integrator for AFCEL is HCL Infosystems with technology partners Alcatel Lucent India and the IAF's AFCEL Project Team. Once fully operational , IAF believes as reflected in the words of Air Chief Browne "that provision of this capability will keep our men and women connected to the Information Grid and ensure high situational awareness as well as greater synergy in Command and Control (C2) functions."

Tying in to IAF's new digitized communication network are ICT initiatives at maintenance command that will actually generate the data that will run through the system for effective control and deployment of war fighting capability. In early November, Wipro was handed an over Rs 900 crore contract by IAF to electronically monitor and automate the management of its fleet. Wipro which has won out in competition that also featured the likes of TCS, will provide an 'electronically captured dashboard sort of system which will replace the old system of manual logbooks' according to IAF officials. Ultimately as part of the multi-year project, IAF will set up 'an enterprise-wide, online maintenance management system covering configuration management, fleet planning and management, maintenance repair and overhaul and will enable precise mobilization of assets and real time command and control optimization. The e-maintenance system will eventually be implemented in more than 170 locations, covering nearly 600 IAF units.

These ICT initiatives essentially serve as a back end to AF-NET which has replaced the IAF's old main communication network set-up using tropo-scatter technology from the 1950s. Under AF-NET all major formations and static establishments have been linked through WAN and are accessible via data communication channels. Significantly, the nationwide programme was launched by the IAF in collaboration with private industry to link all field units using a dedicated satellite which will be launched in 2014.

AFNET incorporates the latest traffic transportation technology in the form of internet protocol (IP) packets over the network using multi-protocol label switching (MPLS). A large voice over internet protocol (VoIP) layer with stringent quality of service enforcement will facilitate robust, high quality voice, video and conferencing solutions. Now, the IAF's emerging Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), an automated command and control system for AD operations will ride the AFNET backbone integrating all ground-based and airborne sensors, AD weapon systems and C2 nodes. The IACCS will consist of ten major nodes with each node having ADDCs under it which in turn will be continuously connected with both Air Staff HQ as well regional command HQs. These ten nodes will emerge out of the IAF's drive to both introduce network capable systems at existing sites as well as set up new AD sites in light of the evolving threat picture in the north and north east from China and Pakistan. Importantly, the IACCS will also bring AD coverage to the Southern peninsula.

The IACSS by 2015-17 will have under its purview a fully modernized fleet of early warning and electronic countermeasures (ECM) resistant radars. As of now the IAF's chief ground based radar assets are the THD-1955, 36D6 and the P-12/18 family and the indigenous INDRA-II. While these legacy assets have served the IAF well, their age means that system frequencies have likely been gauged by India's opponents who would have also developed relevant ECMs. Moreover though these systems have undergone some upgradation over the years aimed at enhancing their electronic counter countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities, their inherent upgradability itself is limited by the fact that they aren't really digital or software defined.

As such the IAF has begun to progressively induct contemporary jam-resistant radars with digital receiver and programmable signal processing. This means that the software defined back ends of these radars can re-programmed to keep ECCM capability up to date. The IAF is also introducing its first ground based active arrays in the form of the Arudra MPR boasts advanced digital processing technologies such as digital beam forming and programmable signal processing to fully exploit the capabilities of its S-band solid state active aperture that can detect and track fighter sized targets from more than 300 km away. The radar is also capable of both stand alone as well as network centric modes, although in the latter department Arudhra apparently offers extremely potent capabilities. Replacing the P-12/18 family is DRDO's Rohini 3D which has a range of around 150 kms for fighter sized targets been designed for mobility and survivability and is mounted on two high mobility TATRA vehicles with the power unit being in a third TATRA that hosts 2 X 125 kva generators. LRDE claims that the entire set up can be deployed or decamped in 30 minutes. Though a mechanically steered pulse Doppler array, Rohini's ECCM capability owing to its all-digital environment is noteworthy.

The advent of a serious air threat from China has meant that the IAF has had to move much more quickly on filling gaps in India's mountainous regions. This is being accomplished through the induction of a number of low level light weight radars of both French as well as Indian origin. Cognizant of the enormous difficulties in keeping round-the-clock radar coverage in mountainous areas, IAF is well into the process of bringing in 18 Aslesha Low level Light Weight Transportable radars (LLWTRs) of indigenous origin which as per DRDO is "a multifaceted ground based S-Band 3D LLWTR for deployment in diverse terrains like plains, deserts, mountain tops and high altitude regions and can also scan valleys". Interestingly this quadripod-mounted radar can operate in networked or stand-alone modes and features multiple Electronic Counter Counter Measures (ECCMs). Given its potency against even relatively low RCS targets such as UAVs, the Aslesha represents a quick way to provide coverage as well as extend the reach of the overall air defence 'network.'

However, true situational awareness in mountainous areas cannot be achieved without deploying airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) in numbers and this is exactly where the recently acquired IL-76 based PHALCONs are proving to be a game changer. The PHALCON's EL/M-2075 radar can detect low radar cross section (RCS) targets amidst background clutter from hundreds of kilometres away, 24 x 7 and under all weather conditions. Its AESA technology allows it to achieve superior target discrimination in comparison to mechanically steered arrays and also makes it less susceptible to interception and jamming. For instance track initiation by the EL/M-2075 is achieved in 2 to 4 seconds as opposed to the 20 to 40 seconds that is standard with legacy AWACS types sporting rotodomes housing mechanically steered arrays. Coupled with a state-of-the-art IFF, the PHALCON does seem to live up to its role as an airborne C2 asset. The IFF system incidentally also employs solid state phased array technology to perform interrogation, decoding, target detection and tracking while utilizing a monopulse technique to implement azimuth measurement. Connected to the PHALCON via the BEL link-2, the IAF's BVRAAM armed Su-30 MKIs can be reasonably expected to establish air superiority over sub-continental skies in a relatively short period of time. The PHALCON in any case will be a key element in the IACCS's cruise missile defence posture given its characteristics. At the moment two more PHALCONs are on order from Israel, but it is clear that more will have to be brought in given the Chinese Airforce's posture vis a vis India.

In the near future the PHALCON will be supplemented by three DRDO developed Embraer ERJ-145 based AEW&C which will operate in conjunction with the PHALCON. This indigenously developed system with its primary radar being an S-band AESA is expected to deliver features such as high performance tracking and priority tracking with reference to fighter sized targets. Besides the primary radar these modified ERJ-145s also house a secondary surveillance radar (SSR), ESM, CSM, mission communication system (MCS) consisting of SATCOM and data links (such as the Link-2) and a comprehensive self-protection suite (SPS). It is also noteworthy that the modified ERJ-145 used in this program is in-flight refuelling capable.

Satisfied with the first indigenous AEW&C project, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) gave 'in principle' approval to DRDO to complete development of a much larger indigenous AEW & C system in the PHALCON class within a period of 84 months. Once developed this system, which naturally be based on an IL-76 sized aircraft will remove India's dependence on foreign sources for high end C2I operations and provide round the clock coverage of most of India's airspace. IAF sees itself operating at last 20 fixed wing early warning aircraft by the 2020s.

IAF is also bringing more aerostats equipped with the EL/M-2083 radar which is reported to be a derivative of the 'Green Pine' missile defence radar used in the Arrow anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system. The EL/M-2083 given its reported antecedents is probably a L-band phased array radar capable of search, acquisition as well as fire-control. It can acquire and track targets at both "high" and "low" altitudes, identify targets such as cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against background clutter. It also performs its scans electronically in both azimuth as well as elevation and does so out to a potential 500 km. A potential buy of up to a dozen such systems from foreign sources may be in the offing with more inductions once indigenous types like the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment's (ADRDE's) in development 'Nakshatra' aerostat becomes available.

In addition, IAF seems to be finally progress in its bid to bring in nine 'special mission' jet aircraft, whose procurement was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council in April this year. Two out of these nine aircraft are expected to perform a signals Intelligence (SIGINT) role while the rest will be configured for communications jamming (COMJAM), aerial survey, flaring and target towing. In the past, this particular tender had run into heavy weather due to cost escalation issues, but there are indications that it might just go through this time over. The chief contenders in the fray are joint offerings by IAI and Embraer on one hand and Hawker Beechcraft and Raytheon on the other.

http://ibnlive.in.com

Agni 3 Missiles Test Fired Success | 10tv

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India’s Tejas receives initial operational clearance

The Mk 1 variant of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Tejas light combat aircraft has received its initial operational clearance (IOC) from the Indian air force.

The "release to service" document was handed over to Indian air force chief N A K Browne by Defence Minister A K Antony in Bengaluru, on 20 December. The grant of the final IOC for the MK 1 variant paves the way for induction of the Tejas into operational service with the Indian air force. This is conditional on the Tejas obtaining its final operational clearance (FOC) by December next year.

The Indian air force, however, expects that only the Tejas Mk2 will meet the requirements envisioned in the air staff requirements set in 1985.

“The two primary design drivers already identified by us are the critical GE F-414 engine integration for enhanced thrust, along with perhaps a better intake design and improved maintainability of the platform,” says Browne.

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All images Indian defence ministry

The Tejas Mk2 will also have improved helmet mounted interface functionality, a more efficient avionics system architecture, newer weapons, an upgraded electronic warfare suite and a retractable refuelling probe. The preliminary design review for the Mk2 is due to be completed in February next year and the first GE F-414 engines are to arrive in India by 2015.

A less-than-enthused air force accepted the Tejas in 2011, making certain concessions for what was termed as IOC-1. At the time, improvements were demanded by the service concerning combat performance, turnaround time and weapons fit, along with completion of wake penetration trials and all-weather clearance.

These have since been accomplished and with the granting of the IOC, Tejas Mk1 can attain angles of attack (AoA) of up to 22°. It features a revamped avionics and weapons system, with a fully integrated helmet mounted display sight (HMDS). An R-73E missile firing was also successfully demonstrated using the HMDS. The Tejas Mk1 can now fly without any telemetry support and a claimed radius of action up to 500km (310 miles) with a ferry range of 1,750 km (using 800/1,200 litre drop tanks).

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The Indian air force will have its first Tejas Mk1 squadron based at Sulur, in Tamil Nadu, which is close to Bengaluru, where the aircraft is manufactured. The service has thus far committed to two squadrons (40 aircraft) of the Mk1.

HAL will build the first 20 to IOC standard (to be upgraded later to FOC standard) and the last batch will be to FOC standard. HAL is to deliver the first series production Tejas Mk1 (SP1) by March 2014. Production is planned at eight aircraft a year, to be increased to 16 a year, some years from now. The Indian air force has planned for four squadrons (80 aircraft) of the Mk2 variant, although no orders have been placed so far.

According to the Aeronautical Development Agency, a substantial amount of work for the FOC has already been completed. The major tasks involved are expansion of the flight envelope to 24° AoA, installation and demonstration of the in-flight refuelling system, addition of the Israeli Rafael Python and Derby air-to-air missiles, along with integration and trials of the 23mm (0.9in) cannon.

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Despite a number of technical problems, the Tejas flight test programme has demonstrated an excellent safety record. More than 2,450 sorties across 11 aircraft have been flown since 2011, with 490 flights being flown this year alone, from air force bases at Jamnagar, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai, Gwalior, Goa, Leh and Pathankot.

The Tejas is a light weight, single engine, single seat, supersonic multi-role fighter and features a quadruplex digital fly-by-wire flight control system that was developed indigenously. The type is also being developed for the Indian navy for its carrier borne fighter requirements. The Tejas is only the second fighter aircraft to be developed by India, since the HAL Marut, which first flew in 1961.

http://www.flightglobal.com

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Govt clears proposal for buying 15 UAVs from Israel

NEW DELHI: Boosting surveillance capabilities of the army along the borders with China and Pakistan, the government has cleared the procurement of around 15 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Israel at a cost of around Rs 1,200 crore.

A proposal to procure these Heron UAVs was approved by the Cabinet committee on security headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at its recent meeting, sources told PTI here.

The around Rs 1,200-proposal for procuring the UAVs will bolster the Israeli-origin Heron and Searcher fleet of the force which deploys them on both the eastern and western sectors, they said.

The force has a fleet of more than 40 such vehicles, which are expected to undergo upgrades in the near future.

The IAF flies the Israeli-made Searcher II and Heron UAVs for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes and about 100 Searchers are in operation on Indian borders in western, northern and eastern regions.

After the upgrades, the air force would be capable of operating these aircraft from far-off distances and control them through satellite communication system.

The Army also operates a sizable number of UAVs and has deployed them in borders along the western and eastern fronts.

The Army was the first to induct UAVs in the 90s starting with Searcher Mark I and Searcher Mark II which could operate at an altitude of 15,000 feet and finally the Heron, which can operate at 30,000 feet.

Army's Northern Command had recently issued a global tender for procuring latest miniature unmanned aerial vehicles for gathering intelligence and carrying out reconnaissance of areas along line of control (LoC) with Pakistan and China-India border.

The Navy has also three operational squadrons of the Israeli UAVs deployed along both the eastern and the western seaboards.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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India orders six additional C-130Js

New Delhi has finalised an order for an additional batch of six Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules tactical transports for the Indian air force.

The letter of offer and acceptance was signed on 27 December, according to sources from the ministry of defence.

India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had cleared the procurement in September this year. The new C-130Js are to be acquired via the US government’s Foreign Military Sales mechanism, and the first aircraft are to be delivered within three years of the signing of the contract.

Configured for special mission operations, the aircraft will be part of the Eastern Air Command and are to be based out of Panagarh in India’s eastern state of West Bengal, catering for requirements in India’s northeast region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The six C-130Js that were delivered by Lockheed Martin as part of a 2008 contract are all based at Hindan air force base near New Delhi and are flown by 77 Sqn.

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Indian ministry of defence

The estimated $1.2 billion contract for the new aircraft includes six spare Rolls-Royce AE2100-D3 engines, eight ATK AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems, eight AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE III special operations suites by FLIR Systems, eight Rockwell Collins ARC-210 radios and 3,200 flare cartridges. BAE systems will provide eight AN/ALR-56M advanced radar warning receivers along with AN/ALE-47 counter-measures dispensing systems.

Indian air force C-130J tactical transports are configured for special mission roles and are fitted with an infrared detection set, enabling precision low-level flying, airdrops and landing in blackout conditions. The aircraft are also equipped with air-to-air refuelling capability and have been used extensively for humanitarian relief tasks, operating under austere field conditions.

http://www.flightglobal.com

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UPDATE 3-India scraps AgustaWestland helicopter deal, agrees to arbitration


* India says terminates $770 mln contract immediately

* New Delhi appoints former judge as its arbitrator

* AugustaWestland parent Finmeccanica says to defend position

* Finmeccanica says its "behaviour was ethically correct"

By Nigam Prusty and Krishna N Das

NEW DELHI, Jan 1 (Reuters) - India cancelled its $770 million helicopter deal with Italian defence group Finmeccanica's AgustaWestland unit on Wednesday over what it termed a breach of integrity, but agreed to take part in an arbitration process.

India froze payments for the 12 AW101 helicopters after Finmeccanica's then chief executive was arrested in February for allegedly paying bribes to secure the deal, embarrassing the New Delhi government before parliamentary elections due by May 2014.

The scrapping of the deal, which will now go through a probably lengthy legal process, would be a fresh setback for Finmeccanica. Delays in selling some of its money-losing assets have prompted credit rating agencies to downgrade the company to junk.

But it would offer an opportunity for rivals such as United Technologies Corp's Sikorsky Aircraft, EADS unit Eurocopter and Lockheed Martin to get a share of India's burgeoning defence market.

India's defence minister, A.K. Anthony, has said he did not believe AgustaWestland's denial that it paid bribes to swing the deal. Anthony had a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hours before the latest decisions were announced.

"The Government of India has terminated with immediate effect the agreement that was signed with M/S. AugustaWestland International Ltd (AWIL) on 08 February, 2010 for the supply of 12 VVIP/VIP helicopters on grounds of breach of the Pre-contract Integrity Pact and the agreement by AWIL," the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Finmeccanica spokesman Roberto Alatri, commenting on India's decision, said the company would defend its position. It invoked the arbitration, which would be conducted in India under the Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act of 1996.

"We'll do everything that would be necessary to defend the correctness of our position," Alatri told Reuters. "We're sure our behaviour was ethically correct."

He said India's agreement to arbitration was a positive step.

India's Defence Ministry said it believed "integrity-related issues are not subject to arbitration" but nominated an arbitrator, it said, to safeguard its interests.

Uday Bhaskar, a defence analyst at the Society for Policy Studies in New Delhi, said India's participation in the arbitration did not represent a climb-down.

"Cancelling deals and saying that we will not acquire critically-needed equipment, to my mind, is not the answer," Bhaskar said.

"But there's no climb-down on this arbitration and as a matter of fact it might be the most viable via media (middle road)."

India in October had issued a final "show cause" notice to AgustaWestland seeking to terminate the contract. Sources told Reuters in November the deal would be scrapped.

ALLEGATIONS

Indian defence deals have been hit by a number of corruption allegations over the past two decades but a Defence Ministry spokesman said this was the first cancellation of a major deal.

Paying or accepting bribes is prohibited by India's defence procurement rules. The government can cancel a contract if an integrity pact in the rules is violated, and the seller has to forfeit any security money it deposited as a bidder.

India's federal auditor said in August the ministry had initially stipulated that the helicopters should be able to fly to an altitude of 6,000 metres (19,685 feet), which meant that AgustaWestland could not compete since the AW101 was certified to fly only to 4,572 metres (15,000 feet).

India took delivery of three of the helicopters before the deal stalled but the Defence Ministry spokesman said the fate of those aircraft was "uncertain".

http://www.reuters.com

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Vikramaditya to Reach by Mid-January

Navy’s new addition INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier has entered the Arabian Sea through Suez canal and is expected to reach its home base Karwar in Karnataka before Pongal in the middle of this month.

Navy sources said here on Thursday that the carrier was joined at the Arabian Sea by around 10 warships from Navy’s Western Fleet, led by its commander Rear Admiral Anil Chawla.

Vikramaditya, which was commissioned into the Navy fleet in Russia’s Sevmash shipyard in November 2013, had set sail for India in early December, accompanied by three other warships, sources said.

The entire western fleet is now sailing towards the Indian shores to bring Vikramaditya to its home base, where it would have its India-made weapons suite and a few sensors integrated on board.

The Kiev-class aircraft carrier of nearly 45,000 tonne displacement will get its air complement of MiG-29K fighter jets after it reaches India.

http://www.newindianexpress.com

INS Vikramaditya ( R33 ) arrive ... la Vielle Dame à l'accueil   

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Nuke capable Prithvi-II missile successfully test-fired from Odisha

Bhubaneswar: India on Tuesday successfully test-fired indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from a test range in Odisha.

According to initial reports, the missile was successfully test fired.

Earlier on December 3, India successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile from a military base in Odisha. It was the third time when the missile was test-fired within two months.

The indigenously-developed ballistic missile with a maximum range of 350 km was fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea in Balasore district, about 230 km from Bhubaneswar.

"The mission was hundred percent success. It met all mission objectives," test range Director MVKV. Prasad said.

The test was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) as part of a regular training exercise, he said.

The missile was earlier successfully tested by SFC from the same defence base Oct 7 and Oct 8.

Prithvi is India's first indigenously-built ballistic missile. It is one of the five missiles being developed under the country's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

The battlefield missile, with flight duration of 483 seconds and a peak altitude of 43.5 km, can carry a 500-kg warhead.

The missile has features to deceive anti-ballistic missiles and uses an advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring capabilities and reaches its target within a few metres of accuracy.

It has a higher lethal effect compared to equivalent missiles in the world. Scientists say the accuracy has already been demonstrated in the past in the development flight trials.

http://zeenews.india.com

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L'Inde et le Japon discutent de développement et production communs de l'avion de sauvetage amphibie US-2




NEW DELHI — India and Japan are negotiating joint development of an amphibious search-and-rescue aircraft called the US-2. Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, who is visiting here Jan. 5-8, discussed the matter with Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony, said Indian Ministry of Defence sources.
Analysts here said joint development of the US-2 aircraft in India will sharply boost defense ties between the two countries.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during a visit to Japan last year, set up a joint working group to explore how to cooperate on the US-2. Indian Navy sources, however, said the total number of aircraft needed still must be settled because only then can the Japanese work out the pricing, an MoD source said.
Talks on the US-2 are expected later this year between the two countries, the MoD source added.
An Indian Ministry of Defence release said the two defense ministers decided to carry out high-level visits on an annual basis. The Indian defense minister will visit Japan later this year, and the two countries also will hold the fourth Defence Policy Dialogue (at the level of administrative vice minister/secretary of defense) here this year, the release said.
Analysts have described Indo-Japanese strategic ties as part of an effort to build a partnership to counter the growing influence of China in the region.
The Jan. 6 meeting also covered maritime security, anti-piracy measures, freedom of navigation, and maintaining the security of sea lanes of communication to facilitate unhindered naval trade.
The navies of the two countries held their first joint sea exercise off the Indian coast Dec. 19-22. The Indian Navy fielded the indigenously built stealth frigate INS Satpura, the guided missile destroyer INS Ranvijay and the missile corvette INS Kuthar. The Japanese deployed two guided missile destroyers, the JS Ariake and JS Setogiri.

Source "Defense News"

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INS Vikramaditya reaches Karnataka port



India's newest and biggest ever warship, the INS Vikramaditya, on Tuesday arrived at its home port of Karwar in Karnataka after an uninterrupted six-week sail from northern Russia.

The 44,500-ton aircraft carrier, which has been under a nine year refit in Russia, docked at the naval base on Tuesday evening.

The aircraft carrier, which undertook the long sail home without any armament or combat aircraft on board, will over the next few months get integrated with the Western Naval Command.

At its home port of Karwar, celebrations have been planned for the arrival of the warship, with the families of over 1600 sailors on board waiting to meet their loved ones after several months.

The crew of the warship had gone to the Russian town of Severodvinsk last year for training.

With the ship now at its home base, preparations have been made to ensure that it is operationalised at the earliest. The ship currently does not have its main armament — the MiG 29 K fighters — and merely has a small chopper complement on board for utility missions. The plan now is to start with the first landings and takeoffs of the fighters on board Vikramaditya within a few weeks.

While Russian aviators have landed and taken off from the carrier during trials in Russia, no Indian pilot has been qualified yet for deck operations.

At present, Indian pilots are being trained on simulators to operate from the confines of the small flight deck. A shore-based training facility in Goa, where the MiG 29 K fighter squadrons will be based, is also set to start training pilots on landing and taking off from the carrier. The facility is a replica of the Vikramaditya flight deck — for both taking off from a ski jump and landing with arrestor wires.

The certification of both pilots and air controllers has to be completed before the ship can formally join the fleet. A team of around 83 Russian personnel, who sailed with the ship, will remain in Karwar over the next year as part of the one year guarantee of the Sevmash shipyard.

http://www.financialexpress.com

Le Passage de l'INS Vikramaditya ( R33 ) par le Détroit ... le Royaume en arrière plan

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India May Close Interim MMRCA Deal Soon – Plus MRTT


With national elections looming in India, speculation is growing that contracts for the long-delayed medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), as well as the multi-role tanker transport (MRTT), could soon be signed. However, the MMRCA pact might cover only the supply of 18 Dassault Rafale aircraft from the French production line, leaving further negotiations for the remaining 108 required to be concluded by the new government. India announced its choice of the Rafale in January 2012. But negotiations subsequently stalled over offsets, the transfer of technology and the role of Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).

Delays in procurement are taking a toll on military force levels as Indian Air Force (IAF) squadrons deplete. This has resulted in pressure on the Ministry of Defense to increase the pace for awarding pending contracts. A government code of conduct prevents any contracts being awarded within 45 days of an election. The national election is expected to be called by March, also the end of the financial year.

“If the contract is signed soon, it will be nothing but a paper deal that ensures commitment of the government. We can expect delays after the first 18 aircraft, since the remaining fighters will be built under license with transfer of technology. The government wants to ensure the contract is penned so that the [basic choice] cannot be questioned by subsequent governments,” said an official associated with the project. An official at the MoD noted that signature of the MMRCA contract would restore the confidence of international OEMs, which has been shaken by the recent scandal over the AW101 procurement.

Following lengthy discussions, HAL is thought to have now agreed with Dassault on the question of Tier 1 suppliers, including aerostructures.

An IAF official said that a new refueling tanker is a priority. A meeting between the Indian MoD and Airbus Defence and Space on the MRTT that was delayed last year following the death of the senior acquisition official has been scheduled for mid-January, AIN has learned from an informed source close to the program. Since the A330MRTT can also be used as a pure transporter for 300 troops, plus a cargo payload of up to 45 tons (99,000 pounds), or to accommodate up to 130 stretchers for medical evacuation, it will bring immediate benefits to the IAF. “This contract has no political overtones or baggage attached to it,” said the IAF official.

http://www.ainonline.com

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India Demand $367 Million Repayment From AgustaWestland


The Indian government is seeking repayments worth some $367 million from the troubled Italian firm AgustaWestland over a scrapped helicopter deal.
India last week cancelled a $770 million deal with AgustaWestland for 12 AW101 helicopters over what it termed a breach of integrity relating to alleged corruption.
However, India agreed to AgustaWestland's calls for arbitration last week. It will use this process as part of its push to get back the amount it has already paid, defence ministry officials were quoted as saying by Reuters.
The three-person arbitration tribunal will consist of one person chosen by each side and one mutually-agreed neutral member.
AgustaWestland has received just over 43 percent of the deal's value, a sum that the Anglo-Italian firm matched with bank guarantees to be reclaimed after the helicopters were delivered, the officials said.
The company also put up a separate small deposit worth 5 percent of the contract, bringing the total value of the guarantees to around $770 million.

http://www.defenseworld.net/news/9801/India_Demand__367_Million_Repayment_From_AgustaWestland#.UtB_svKA3aA

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LPDs Lead India's Push To Boost Sealift, Amphibious Capabilities




NEW DELHI — The Indian Navy’s plans to add four landing platform docks (LPDs) underscore its long-term goal to boost lift capabilities throughout the vast Indian Ocean territory.
These vessels, at a cost of more than $3 billion, will join the US-built Jalashwa, acquired in 2008. In addition to the Jalashwa, the Navy has five landing ship tanks.
“The Indian Navy is in dire need of modernizing its amphibious capacity and enhancing its sealift capability,” said Probal Ghosh, senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, based here. “Given its large island assets and the fact that India is emerging as a security provider and guarantor in the Indian Ocean region [which has many island nations], the need of amphibious assets cannot be understated. The addition of four LPDs is hence an instrument in the fulfillment of India’s growing strategic role.”
Defense analyst Anil Jai Singh said the Navy’s lift requirement would be about a brigade (3,000 troops), which should be adequately addressed with the induction of four LPDs. But a follow-on program would need to be initiated soon after to maintain that capability.
In early December, the Navy floated a $2.6 billion domestic tender for construction of four LPDs with bids sent only to domestic shipyards Larsen & Toubro, Pipavav Defence, Offshore Engineering and ABG Shipyard. The proposal is to build two LPDs at the selected private-sector yard and another two at the state-owned Hindustan Shipyard.
It will mark the first time India has constructed a more than 20,000-ton LPD.
For their bids to build the ships in India, Larsen & Toubro has tied up with Spain’s Navantia, while Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering has teamed with France’s DCNS, and ABG Shipyard with US company Alion.
Navy officials say in private that the service’s strategic lift capability is inadequate and must be improved to compete with that of China.
“As the geostrategic drivers in the Indian Ocean region gather intensity, Indian naval assets, especially in ... littoral warfare, will need to be enhanced considerably,” Ghosh said. “We not only need large LPDs but new landing craft utility squadrons and other smaller crafts, landing ship tanks and hovercrafts or hydrofoils to have a balanced littoral inventory. Most importantly, we need highly trained marine troops ... to carry out littoral operations.”
A Defence Ministry official said bluewater capabilities remain essential to prevent enemy vessels, including submarines, from reaching Indian coastal regions. This includes thwarting enemy offensive submarine activities and associated sea-based logistic support systems.
“Presently, we have a credible sea-denial capability, but the delay in the modernization of the submarine arm could lead to a critical deficit in the near future, which would become increasingly difficult to bridge if not addressed urgently,” Singh said.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140113/DEFREG03/301130028/LPDs-Lead-India-s-Push-Boost-Sealift-Amphibious-Capabilities?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|World News|p

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Third OPV Joins Indian Navy


The Indian Navy has taken delivery of its third 105m Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NPOV), named INS SUMEDHA.

 
With today’s delivery, Goa Shipyard achieved a milestone of 200 delivered vessels and joined the elite class of shipbuilders.
The OPV was in-house built and the largest constructed ship by Goa Shipyard for the Indian Navy.
Goa Shipyard has so far delivered and built Missile Crafts, Fast Patrol Vessels, Extra Fast Attack Crafts, Offshore Patrol Vessels, Advanced OPVs and Naval OPVs, Torpedo Recovery Vessels and 126 GRP Interceptor Boats.
The Indian Navy has ordered four NOPVs from Goa Shipyard Limited. The first and second of the series, INS SARYU and INS SUNAYANA, were handed over to the Navy by GSL on 21 December 2012 and 02 September 2013 respectively.



http://navaltoday.com/2014/01/14/india-third-opv-joins-indian-navy/

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INS Vikrant has completed operational life and should be disposed -


Union Ministry of Defence on 16 January 2014 justified its decision to scrap INS Vikrant to High Court of Mumbai. The ministry said that the ship has completed its operational life and the decision of scrapping it in the best interest of the naval services of India to dispose it instead of preserving. INS Vikrant is the first aircraft carrier of India. - See more at: http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/ins-vikrant-has-completed-operational-life-and-should-be-disposed-1389941529-1#sthash.ZmX3P8Ew.dpuf

The hull (body) of Vikrant is over 70 years old and it was decommissioned on the completion of its operational life. At this stage the ship cannot be repaired or refurbished economically and its maintenance and berthing of such ship requires a heavy expenditure of public funds, mentioned an affidavit of the Ministry of Defence. The affidavit also mentioned that the Indian Navy has spent 22 crore rupees on the repairs and dry cocking of the ship and has been preserving and maintaining INS Vikrant till date.

It also mentions that in 1998 the Maharashtra Government proposed to the defence ministry to converse it into a museum is pending and a considerable amount has been spent in maintaining the ship. State government has neither arranged an alternate berth for the ship nor accepts the responsibility of safety of the ship and failed to convert it into a museum. The affidavit was filed by Admiral Shankar Mathur, the Chief Staff Officer of the Western Naval Command. - See more at: http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/ins-vikrant-has-completed-operational-life-and-should-be-disposed-1389941529-1#sthash.ZmX3P8Ew.dpuf

This affidavit was filed following public interest litigation (PIL) that demands to preserve and convert the first aircraft carrier of India into a maritime museum. The PIL also sought a direction of the Union Government for not auctioning the ship as scrap. It also seeks quashing of the tender by the ministry that states auction of the ship as scraps on 29 January 2014.

http://www.jagranjosh.com