IAF- news & discussions- MARCH 2005

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previous thread is closed, so starting a new one.

IAF comes to pak rescue

New Delhi, March 5: Pakistani troops in Congo called in Indian Air Force helicopter gunships for close air support on Tuesday to craft an exemplary tale of South Asian solidarity that has been marred by charges that civilians were targeted in the embattled African nation.

“The Indians and the Pakistanis operated in perfect harmony. There was no problem at all,” UN peacekeeping sources told The Telegraph over phone from Congo.

“All assets of the Indian Air Force are safe,” they said. The Indian Air Force contingent based in Goma that was deployed in July last year has five Mi-17 transport helicopters and four Mi-25 (picture above) helicopter gunships.

Three of the gunships have been in continuous use but as a routine at least one gunship accompanies ground troops on aggressive “peace enforcement” operations and even for cordon and search operations against warring Hema and Lendu militia.

Air headquarters in New Delhi have sought a report from the Indian contingent on the operations in Ituri province in the north east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This was the first time that Indian and Pakistani forces mounted a joint attack. The troops had undergone a short training programme in joint combat operations before being deployed into the battlezone.

An Indian aviation contingent led by Group Captain D.S. Ahluwalia based in Goma has deployed three Mi-25 helicopter gunships that are operating with Pakistani troops in operations that began this week. But for the first time since Ahluwalia’s contingent was deployed in July last year, it went into combat with the Pakistanis, sources in Goma said.

“The Pakistani troops were on a seek-and-destroy mission against a militia headquarters. They came under heavy fire and sought air support. IAF helicopters have been accompanying the troops continuously but we actually saw joint combat with them on Tuesday,” the sources said.

The air element was called in to support troops from the Pakistan Army’s 21 Punjab Regiment. The Indians and Pakistanis are part of the UN’s “Blue Helmets” (peacekeepers) and were attacking a village named Loga where nine soldiers of the Bangladeshi contingent were killed on February 25.

The Pakistani infantry troops were flown to Loga, some 30 km north of Bunia, the headquarters of Ituri province, in Indian Air Force Mi-17 transport helicopters. In the seek-and-destroy mission against a base of the Lendu tribal militia of the Nationalist and Integrationist Front (FNI), the troops ran into a firefight that lasted more than three hours. The UN troops were fired at from hills around the village and they asked for air support. An Mi-25 gunship was flown in from Goma.

“As we were withdrawing to a new position, the militia aimed rockets and were closing in on us when an Indian attack helicopter came in,” Ihtibar Khan, one of two injured Pakistani soldiers, was quoted as telling a South African newspaper. Khan is in a military hospital in South Africa.

The Indians and Pakistanis and 16 other nations that have contributed troops in Congo are operating under the “Chapter VII” mandate of “peace enforcement” (as distinct from peacekeeping). This is the UN’s largest military mission.

UN’s officials for MONUC (the UN mission in Congo), responding to allegations that 20 civilians including women and children were among the casualties in Loga, have said that militia were using civilians as “human shields”.
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IAF chopper crashes, trainee pilot killed

PTI[ FRIDAY, MARCH 04, 2005 03:56:13 PM ]

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HYDERABAD: An IAF helicopter crashed in the fields in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh on Friday killing a trainee pilot, police said.

The three-seater chopper, belonging to IAF Station Hakimpet, was on a routine sortie when the mishap occured, police added.

The helicopter crashed near a hillock between Pabanda and Charlapalli villages, about 70 km from the state capital.

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http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/mar/04iaf.htm

IAF aircraft crashes, pilot killed

March 04, 2005 19:15 IST
Last Updated: March 04, 2005 19:16 IST

An Indian Air Force HPT-32 trainer crashed on Friday in Medak district on the outskirts of Hyderabad killing its trainee pilot.

IAF sources speculate that the two-seat primary trainer aircraft might have crashed due to technical failure.

It was cadet Sparsh Rana's second flight, they added.

The aircraft took off on a routine training flight at 1110 IST and lost contact with the radar 20 minutes later, the sources said.

A court of inquiry has been ordered to find out the cause of the crash.

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Interview : Air-Chief , DRDO Chief , Defence Minister

Interview With Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee
FORCE March-2005

Defence minister Pranab Mukherjee was in his element at the Aero-India exposition. Inaugurating the show, he emphasised the importance of indigenous technology. Later in a press conference, fielding questions with both candour and humour, he admitted that this was the age of technological collaboration. With the fifth chapter of Aero-India in Bangalore, he hoped that Indian companies would be able to work out more such agreements.

Q] The US contingent to Aero-India has brought along the F-15E aircraft. There is speculation here that the government may consider buying the F-16 aircraft. What do you have to say to this?

One does not go about buying aircraft like this. A weapon or a platform purchase deal has to be premised on complete and long-term cooperation. It involves transfer of technology and also a firm commitment on long-term product support. It is too early to say if we will buy these aircraft from the US . Defence deals are determined by domestic laws in the US that sometimes compel the administration to impose sanctions on certain countries and hence these deals become a long-term affair. We don't want a situation that we are left without product support because of some sanctions as happened after the 1998 nuclear tests by India . We still have reservations on buying weaponry from the US as we would like to be assured of the dependability of those weapons. It is true that we have diversified our sources of procurement, but that does not mean that we have compromised on our basic requirements.

Q ] Submarines and UAVs are two operational gaps that need to be closed at the earliest. India has been talking to Russia about leasing their nuclear-powered submarine. But now it seems that Russians are not keen on leasing a submarine to India, they instead want us to buy it. Is this the reason why Akula has not been leased as yet?

The government is keen that all pending issues be clinched at the earliest. Nuclear-powered submarine will have to fit in the overall nuclear policy of the country and the decision on this cannot be taken in isolation. Leasing or buying of Akula will depend upon various international laws, exigencies and so on. It will be our endeavour to see that deficiencies in the areas of submarines and UAVs are improved at the earliest.

Q ] Will the defence ministry seek as enhancement in the defence budget?

We have already used up 73 per cent of the current budgetary allocation, including the capital budget. Sure we need enhancement, but as a former finance minister I can say that no finance minister will give you all that you want in one go. It will come in bits and parts.

Q ] When do you think the Indian government would invite China to participate in a defence exposition?

The Chinese delegation has come this time, though they have not set up a stall. I am sure in due course they would do that as well.

Q ] The Indian Air Force has sent Request for Information (RFIs) to a number of countries as it needs to immediately buy 126 fighter jets. If Light Combat Aircraft is going to be inducted soon, then why does it need to buy these?

A large number of air force aircraft are old and need replacement. The air force is going to buy the LCA as well as fighter jets from other countries, as the requirement is for different kinds of aircraft. Both things will happen.

Q ] The government seems to be more interested in exporting BrahMos instead of buying it for its armed forces. Why is that?

BrahMos is a very good system and we are keen to export it. Many countries have shown interest in buying it and we are looking at these enquiries. But at the same time we will also give it to our armed forces. It is wrong to say that we are only interested in exporting it.

Q ] What is the update on the Sagarika programme, the submarine-launched cruise missile?

The DRDO is working on it. We don't want to do any pre-mature advertising for it.

Q ] India has had a traditional military-to-military relationship with Nepal . In view of the current situation, how seriously does the government view the Maoist threat?

Our relations with Nepal are of a special nature and also longstanding. We are looking at the situation very seriously. While we have suspended political relations in view of the current crisis, the military relations continue. We feel that we need to support Nepal fight the Maoist menace as it may have a spill-over effect in our region. But we also believe that democracy must be restored in Nepal at the earliest.

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Interview with DRDO Chief Dr M. Natarajan
FORCE March-2005

The DRDO chief Dr M. Natarajan met the press on the third day of Aero-India 2005 along with the heads of various programmes. He insisted on taking questions pertaining only to aerospace, with a promise that he would meet the press for a more comprehensive interview soon.

Q ] Are there plans for making the present Prithvi ballistic missile with solid-liquid propellant into Prithvi with solid propellant only? What is the status of Dhanush (Prithvi's naval version)?

A complete solid propellant Prithvi will be a different project altogether and there is no plan for this right now. The Prithvi has a maximum range of 350km, which is obtained by a trade-off between payload and range. After successful user trials, the navy have accepted Dhanush, and the weaponisation programme is currently going on.

Q ] What about the Trishul, Akash and Nag programmes (Trishul and Akash are quick reaction surface to air missiles whereas Nag is an anti-tank missile)?

The Trishul programme is at an advanced stage with the IAF, and the wheeled version will be given to the air force for trials. User trials for Akash and Nag are slated for this year.

Q ] What is the status of the Sagarika programme? (Earlier, the defence minister, Pranab Mukerjee had confirmed at the Aero-India in Bangalore that the programme was on course).

There is nothing called the Sagarika programme (like the indigenous Advanced Technology Vehicle meant to evolve into a nuclear-powered submarine, Sagarika is supposed to be a secret submarine-launched cruise missile programme).

Q ] What is the status of the indigenous Nishant UAV?

After successful user trials, the army has placed orders for four Nishants to be followed by eight. The Aeronautical Development Establishment is exploring tie-ups with private sector. No tie-ups with foreign companies are being sought.

Q ] What is the status of the indigenous Lakshya (Pilotless Target Aircraft)?

It is a target aircraft being used by the indigenous surface to air Akash missile for target acquisition. At present, Lakshya is being assembled at the HAL aircraft division in Bangalore . One Lakshya has been leased by Israel.

Q ] What is the progress on indigenous anti-ballistic missile systems?

There is no programme to develop an anti-ballistic missile weapon system. However, we are trying to develop certain technologies that would be needed for an anti-missile weapon system. These include the anti-missile system, long range tracking radars, and secure command, control and communication systems. The proposed technologies should provide a 200sqkm wide area for anti-missile weapon system. (Talks for an Israeli anti-missile Arrow system, the two-year old Russian offer of its S-300V anti-missile system, and the recent technology evaluation of the US Patriot-2 anti-missile system are to be viewed in this context).

Q ] Has the DRDO signed contract for the Israeli Trajectory Correction System (TCS) for improving the accuracy of the indigenous Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher?

The artillery as the user is excited about using the TCS in the Pinaka. The DRDO has done its evaluation of TCS and is looking at its cost-effectiveness and what sort of tie-ups would be possible. As far as Pinaka is concerned, the programme is over and all inputs have been given to the defence ministry. We are now waiting for orders to come from the user.

Q ] What is the progress on the Agni-I and Agni-II programmes? (Agni-I is a single stage, solid propellant ballistic missile with a payload of one ton to be delivered to 700km, while Agni-II is a two stage, liquid-solid propellant ballistic missile that can deliver a one-ton payload to a range of 2,000km)

The Agni-I and Agni-II development programmes are over. Their accuracy is satisfactory and both do not need further improvement.

Q ] When will the Agni-III missile be test-fired? (Agni-III will have a range of 3,000km for a one-ton payload. The DRDO has proposed the Agni series up to Agni-V missile with a range of 5,000km for a one-ton payload)

This cannot be disclosed as the Agni III test-firing has political implications.

What is the status of the Kaveri engine which is being developed for the LCA programme?

The Kaveri engine project is progressing well and we have taken collaborative support from various institutions abroad and in the country. (Off the record, the DRDO hopes to have the Kaveri engine ready for use by 2009).

Q ] What is the progress on the indigenous airborne and early warning system? ( India has signed for the Israeli Green Pine radars which are to be fitted on the Russian IL-76 aircraft).

Work on the system is progressing well and we hope to be in business in six to eight years.

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Interview with Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi
FORCE March-2005

The new Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi appeared in a no-nonsense mood as he took questions from the journalists. In his brief but candid press conference, he made it clear that the parent country of an aircraft does not matter, as long as it is a good aeroplane and meets the requirements of the air force.

Q ] What is the future of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas) with the Indian Air Force?

The IAF will soon be signing a contract for 20 Tejas (one squadron) with the option of acquiring 20 more aircraft in future. The first order expected to be delivered after 2008, will cost about Rs 100 crores for each aircraft, and will be powered by the US GE 404 engines. Till date the LCA prototype has done 357 sorties and the IAF has no problem flying with the GE 404 engine. The weapon fit for the LCA has been decided.

Q ] What is the status of the indigenous Kaveri engine?

I am told that work on the Kaveri is progressing well. Nothing will give us more satisfaction than flying a fully Indian LCA with an Indian engine.

Q ] What is happening on acquisition of 126 aircraft?

The IAF has a deficiency of 126 (to be called Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) aircraft for which the Request for Information (RFI) has gone to four countries ( France 's Dassault Aviation, Russia 's MiG Corporation, US's Lockheed Martin and Sweden 's Gripen). We are waiting for the response. Once we get that, we will study it and send a Request for Proposal, which will be followed by technical evaluation and a commercial order. (These aircraft are needed to fill the gap created by the phasing out of the Mig-21s)

Q ] Is the Typhoon multi-role aircraft being considered as an option?

No. The Typhoon is an excellent aircraft, but it does not fit the bill. We are looking for a 20 tons weight aircraft. Besides, the Typhoon is an expensive aircraft and affordability will be an issue. However, much will depend upon the responses we get from the four types of aircraft that we are presenting looking at.

Q ] It is understood that the IAF is not interested in the BrahMos cruise missile?

It is wrong to say that we are not interested in the BrahMos. The integration of the BrahMos with the aircraft (SU-30MKI) will require a lot of structural changes in the aircraft and plenty of data. But the IAF is open to the possibilities and will be seriously looking at the integration when it happens.

Q ] What is happening about the Prithvi ballistic missile?

The IAF has already raised a squadron of Prithvi missiles. (Two-stage, solid-liquid propellant carrying a 500 to 600kg warhead to 250km)

Q ] The Antonov AN-32 fleet is nearing the end of its operational life. What options are being considered to replace it?

It is true that AN-32 has been a useful workhorse and is now towards the end of its operational life. Like most air forces, in order to cut costs, we will prefer the cheaper option of upgrading and extending the life of AN-32. We would like this aircraft type to last much longer. It is serving us well and I do not see why we should discard it.

Q ] Is the US C-130J (Super Hercules) a possible replacement for AN-32?

No, the C-130J is a different class of aircraft. We have received some preliminary information offering us the aircraft. But even if it is on our wish-list, we have to keep in mind its cost and utility before deciding on its acquisition.

Q ] The Pechora systems are old and need to be phased out. The indigenous Trishul is a natural contender for the SAM replacement, but there are problems with the system. Could you tell us what are the problems?

I do not have details about the Trishul system, so I am unable to answer the question. But I can tell you that we are looking at other possibilities to replace the ageing SAMs.

Q ] Does the IAF have plans to replace the old MiG-25R aircraft (these high altitude reconnaissance aircraft operating at over 30,000 feet were procured from the Soviet Union around 1982)?

No, there are no plans to replace Mig-25R.

Q ] Tell us about the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in the IAF?

We have a programme for reconnaissance at the space level, the low and high level as well with UAVs. (The IAF operates Israeli Aircraft Industries Searcher-II and medium altitude Heron UAVs)

Q ] After the purchase of the British Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT), why does the IAF need the indigenous Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT)?

Both the AJT and the IJT will be needed for pilot training. Moreover, we need additional aircraft for the acrobatics team. (The IJT has bee designed by HAL to replace Kiran aircraft and will be employed for stage II training of military pilots)

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VL MICA Records Direct Hit in Test Firing


On 22nd February 2005, MBDA’s Vertical Launch (VL) MICA air defence system was put to the test with the firing of a production series MICA missile fitted with an infrared seeker against a small drone flying at low altitude. The test was a complete success with the target destroyed by a direct hit at a range of around 10 kilometers.

The successful test took place at 13.00 p.m. (local time), in front of an evaluation team from the Indian Air Force as well as Indian Army officers at the Centre d’Essais de Lancement de Missiles (CELM) missile test centre near Biscarosse on the South West coast of France. MBDA, together with its Indian industrial partner Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), is offering the VL MICA system as the solution to the Indian Air Force’s expressed requirement for a Low Level Quick Reaction Missile (LLQRM) air defence system.

Commenting on the test firing, Marwan Lahoud MBDA’s Chief Executive Officer said: “The test result was totally expected as both the VL MICA land and naval systems feature the proven and in-service MICA missile. However, we are delighted that together with our Indian partners BDL, we were able to show how well suited VL MICA is to the immediate and long term requirements of the Indian armed forces and to reinforce MBDA’s status as a clear leader in air defence systems.”

BACKGROUND NOTES

VL MICA has been developed to provide a highly effective, rapid reaction, all-weather ground or naval based air defence against the widest range of threats. For use in the most severe electronic or IR countermeasure environments, VL MICA has an interception range in excess of 15 km against the whole range of targets, and an altitude range of up to 10,000 metres.

The Low Level Quick Reaction (LLQRM) VL MICA system uses the same MICA missile as that launched by the in-service air-to-air system and incorporates either an active radar homing head or infrared imaging to ensure autonomous terminal guidance after launch. The missile features a thrust vector control system which permits vertical launch, a very short reaction time and a high firing rate (less than two seconds between firings) to simultaneously engage multiple targets and provide 360° defence coverage without a costly dedicated tracking and guidance suite. VL MICA ground and naval systems employ exactly the same missile.

Land Based - VL MICA comprises a Tactical Operation Centre (TOC), a Sensor and Identification Unit (SIU - radar) and several launchers (typically four) mounted on vehicles and interconnected via optical fibre (TOC – radar) and VHF (TOC – launchers). This structure makes it easy to deploy, easy to integrate in global air defence and gives the system a high level of survivability.

All the elements of land-based VL MICA can be mounted on standard high mobility vehicles.

The MICA missile is in series production with about 400 missiles being produced annually.

The new vertical launch container produced for the VL MICA represents a key achievement in this surface-to-air defence system programme. In order to provide a modular and flexible installation on corvettes or light frigates size ships, MBDA has selected a single missile launch container having its own integrated exhaust gases management.

The concept for the VL MICA container takes advantage of many new technologies. The container is an assembly of vacuum-soldered rectangular sections made of shaped aluminium alloy.

The MICA missile and its container constitute the "VL MICA munition". The total weight of the system is less than 400kg, including the missile which has a mass of 112 kg.

(Source: MBDA; dated Feb. 22, web-posted March 1, 2005)

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Reduced scale model of the Avro Hack for MMR testing ?

http://img27.exs.cx/img27/3320/hs7480qp.jpg

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Identify

Atlis-II or Litening?

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Early Jaguar photo. Check background.

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Can anyone confirm whether the 4th March 2005 IAF crash was a Chopper or a Mig-21 or both ? I read conflicting reports.

God bless.

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4 days later another crash and pilot killed. My personal condolences to the family and loved ones of this pilot who again laid his life for his country's defence. This is indeed very sad. These planes should be replaced as soon as possible. 4 crashes already in 2005. We are still in the third month.

( 8th March )IAF MiG-21 crashes, pilot killed

New Delhi, March 8 (Raies Ahmad) In India, a fighter jet MiG-21 today crashed at Naal Airbase in Bikaner killing the pilot and injuring seven people on the ground, a senior police official said.

The accident occurred at around 1300 IST hrs when the aircraft on a routine sortie hit a water pump house as it took off, Bikaner Superintendent of Police C Ponnuchamy told media here.

http://www.kashar.net/compleat.asp?id=1346

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Pilot dies in 'flying coffin'
08/03/2005 13:23 - (SA)

Jodhpur - An Indian air force MiG-21 fighter jet crashed on Tuesday in the western desert state of Rajasthan killing its pilot and injuring seven military personnel on the ground, police said.

The accident occurred just after midday when the single-engine warplane took off from Rajasthan's Naal airbase near Bikaner town but slammed into an adjacent water tower and crashed, police chief C Ponnuchamy said.

In January, another MiG-21 crashed in Naal, 250km from the main city of Jodhpur.

More than 100 Indian air force pilots have died in the past decade mainly due to crashes of the Russian made MiG jets, which are so accident-prone they have been nicknamed "flying coffins" in India.

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1673106,00.html

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Can anyone confirm whether the 4th March 2005 IAF crash was a Chopper or a Mig-21 or both ? I read conflicting reports.

God bless.

It was an HPT-32 trainer and a light helicopter trainer that crashed.
HPT-32

Chopper

Today's crash is a Mig-21. Last year two Mig-21s crashed.

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Guys, AFAIK No chopper crashed. It was an erroneous news report - Only the HPT32 was lost.

as of today we lost two MiG21s and a HPT32

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New Images on BR

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Images/Current/EW/KP351-02_small.jpg

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Images/Current/EW/KP351-01_small.jpg

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Images/Current/EW/KP351-03_small.jpg

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Images/Current/Helicopters/Mi35-03_small.jpg

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Guys, AFAIK No chopper crashed. It was an erroneous news report - Only the HPT32 was lost.

as of today we lost two MiG21s and a HPT32

Thanks for clearing it up Jagan. So , in 2005 , its been 3 crashes (not 4) in 3 months.

God Bless.

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Unfortunately that is exactly what happens when you fly as much as the IAF does, crashes will occur, must be why the IAF has been faring so well vs other airforces lately.