India clears Rs 15,000 crore Sukhoi deal

The ongoing procurement of 126MMRCA for the Indian Air Force may not be shaping up as desired by the IAF, but in a major boost to its capability, the government has cleared the Rs 15,000 crore deal for acquiring additional 42 Sukhoi-30MkI aircraft.

Domain-B reports that the Cabinet Committee on Security may have sanctioned this fresh purchase sometime early this month. The additional 42 Sukhoi-30MkI fighter aircrafts will be the upgraded ‘super’ variant of the aircraft. The new Super variant will be capable of carrying the BrahMos cruise missile and also the Nirbhay cruise missile which is under development.

Xinhua reports that the 42 Su-30MKI would be delivered to the Indian Air Force around 2015. The total number of the Indian Air Force's Su-30s would rise to 272 by 2018, becoming the largest type in the IAF's fighter family.

Times of India reports that the initial contract was for 50 fighters, at US$1.46 billion. Over the years, the numbers kept increasing. In 2000, the government contracted the licensed production of 140 of these highly advanced fighters by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Then another 40 were added to the contract. However, owing to the crash of two Sukhoi-30MkI, the order was enhanced to 42 aircrafts.

The procurement of 42 more aircrafts has also been necessitated due to the delays in the current procurement process of 126 MMRCA, inability of DPSUs to complete the development of Tejas - Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and the decision of the government to phase out the MiG-21s by 2018.

Indian navy commissions two new attack crafts

Even as the Indian Army (IA) and Indian Air Force (IAF) continue to grapple with problems in its modernising program, which is taking place at a snail’s pace, the Indian Navy (IN) continues to add new ships to its fleet.

In the latest development, the navy has commissioned two indigenously built Water Jet Propelled Fast Attack Craft (WJFACs) christened INS Cankarso and INS Kondul on Wednesday at Visakhapatnam by Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan. It may be noted that INS Shivalik had been commissioned into the fleet in April by Defence Minister A.K. Antony. The first commanding officer of the new attack crafts will be Arun Bahuguna (INS Cankarso) and Shashidhar R. Patil (INS Kondul).

Live Mint reports that the ships are fifth and sixth in the series of ten WJFACs being developed at a total cost of Rs. 617 crores for which the contract to Kolkata-based Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers was awarded in 2006.

The Hindu reports that INS Cankarso and INS Kondul, named after two islands off Goa and in Nicobar, have a displacement of 325 tons each and reach a speed of 35 knots. Each has a complement of four offices and 45 sailors. Both will be based in Goa.

Sify reports that the WJFACs are fitted with a 30-mm CRN-91 gun and Igla missiles and light and heavy machine guns, the crafts will be tasked to detect, locate and destroy small but fast-moving enemy surface craft engaged in covert operations.

However, in spite of adding new ships continuously to its fleet, IN is grappling with acute shortage in its submarine fleet. A very interesting article by DNA on the submarine crunch face by our water force.

Indian Navy issues RFI for new aircraft

Indian Navy (IN) has issued Request for Inquiry (RFI) to acquire new generation aircraft to operate from its aircraft carriers it intends to induct over the next decade. The RFI does not state the number of aircraft it intends to procure.

The RFIs have been issued to global majors, who include Lockheed Martin, Boeing for F/A-18, Eurofighter Typhoon, French Dassault for Rafale, Rosoboronexport for newer Russian MiG or Sukhoi shipboard fighters. The RFI for new shipboard fighters is over and above the 45 MiG-29K fighter aircrafts India has acquired from Russia, 16 of which were ordered along with INS Gorshkov aircraft carrier in 2004.

In the meantime, signaling that U.S. was willing to take its partnership with India to the next level, Orville Prins of Lockheed Martin has stated that it would offer its B and C variant of the F-35 aircraft to the IN. The B version of the F-35 is a short take-off and vertical landing aircraft and the C version is an aircraft carrier-based version

Gripen NG Demo clears high altitude trials in Leh

Saab claims that the Gripen has cleared the high altitude trials in the harsh environment of the Leh airbase which is situated at a height of 3,300m over sea level, in the Indian Himalayas.

Last week the Gripen NG Demo made its international debut by taking part in the last phase of the Indian evaluation trials for the MMRCA (Medium Multi- Role Combat Aircraft) tender in India. To date the aircraft has flown some 135 test flights in Sweden and is now testing its wings abroad, showing the international arena that next generation Gripen fighter development is on track.

“This achievement just shows the expertise and high technology capability that Sweden boasts in developing and manufacturing a fighter aircraft of this calibre. Several International pilots have already flown and evaluated the Gripen NG demo in Sweden, including pilots from Brazil and India and we are confident that this aircraft meets, or exceeds every operational requirement raised by the Indian Air Force," says Eddy de la Motte, Gripen Campaign Director, India.

With the tests completed, a relieved, Jan Widerstorm now moves back to Stockholm where he will take up his new role as Asia Pacific head with a focus on markets to the east of, and including, India. In April 2010, Inderjit Sial was appointed as the Country Head for India.

The 'Gripen NG Demo' is the flying platform which is being used to train and develop the new technologies and features incorporated into the Gripen NG. The Gripen NG has been specifically developed to meet the operational requirements of countries such as India and Brazil, which requires a next generation fighter with significantly increased combat range and endurance, increased payload and super cruise capability.

Meanwhile, French PM Sarkozy is on overdrive to push Brazlian PM Lula to announce Dassault's Rafale as the winner in its 36 aircraft tender before the next election in October 2010. Lula cannot stand for re-election and according to Reuters even if they start negotiations now, it is unlikely that they would be finished before the election. If Lula speeds it up too much in favour of the French, allegations of corruption will ensure that the deal may be re-looked anyway. Lula and his defence minister openly back the French whereas the air force apparently wants the Gripen. On the other hand, U.S.'s famous political arm-twisting will ensure that Boeing's Super Hornets are still in contention. As in India, the single engine Gripen is being compared against the heavier, twin engine planes showing that with technological advancements the capability gap between singles and twins is closing but the twins remain more expensive to operate.

U.S. Air Force Awards Raytheon $97 Million for More Miniature Air Launched Decoys

[Raytheon MALD]

Raytheon: The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon Company $96.7 million for a third production lot of the Miniature Air Launched Decoy.

MALD™ is a state-of-the-art, low-cost, decoy flight vehicle that is modular, air-launched and programmable. It weighs less than 135kg and has a range of approximately 900km.

"MALD protects aircrew and their aircraft by mimicking the signatures and combat flight profiles of U.S. and allied aircraft," said Ken Watson, the U.S. Air Force's MALD program manager.

For enemy commanders, when the MALD comes up on their radars, they would have to take a quick decision on whether this is a hostile or friendly- UAV, fighter craft, decoy or something else. If they decided to fire at it, they would give away the location of their critical ground equipment including surface-to-air missile launchers and possibly waste these on a decoy thus protecting air assets.

MALD is currently in production, and Raytheon has delivered more than 100 units to the U.S. Air Force. This new contract calls for the company to build approximately 300 additional decoys -- nearly equal to the total of Lots I and II combined. Additionally, the contract requires the delivery of the MALD-Jammer in preparation for the MALD-J™ initial operational test and evaluation phase, with production expected to begin in 2011.

Boeing/BAE to convert old F-16s in to unmanned targets

The U.S. has decided to convert some of its older F-16s in to unmanned aircraft that will then be used for target practise.

The first retired F-16 Falcon arrived at Boeing's Cecil Field facility in Jacksonville on April 22 to begin conversion into a QF-16 aerial drone. Boeing received a $69.7 million contract from the U.S. Air Force on March 8 for the first phase of the QF-16 program.

The Boeing-led team, which includes BAE Systems, will begin engineering, manufacturing and development of the full-scale manned and unmanned QF-16s during Phase 1. The drones will be used as aerial targets for newly developed weapons and tactics. They will be a higher-performing aircraft than the QF-4s they will replace. The team will receive six F-16s during the program's development phase. After modification to the QF-16 configuration, they will serve as prototypes for engineering tests and evaluation prior to low-rate initial production. Up to 126 QF-16 drones will be converted beginning in 2014.

U.S. preparing plans for possible wars with nuclear armed Pakistan and North Korea

Pakistan has released A.Q. Khan, father of their nuclear weapons program on the 11th anniversary of its 1999 Nuclear tests yesterday. His nuclear trade network made it possible for Iran to develop nuclear technology and North Korea to develop nuclear weapons.

For the first time in history, the U.S. finds itself in a position where it could actually go to war with nuclear armed adversaries - Pakistan and North Korea. After the failed Times Sq bombing in New York, Hillary Clinton took a tough stance and warned Pakistan of "consequences" if an attack on U.S. soil pointed to a Pakistani link. Now Washington Post has revealed that the U.S. is preparing a plan on how it would attack Pakistan. If this happened, the other first would be that the U.S. would have to fight against its own weapons including F-16s, missiles and modern artillery it has given to Pakistan even though these had little value in fighting the Taliban. Yesterday's Taliban attack on an Ahmadi mosque that killed 80 people highlighted the fact that Pakistan has little control over these groups who whilst targeting their fellow countrymen are also itching for a major overseas attack. See "Al Qaeda continues to plot from Pakistan: U.S." and Open Magazine: "Terror attack during India's Commonwealth Games"

Meanwhile, with clear evidence of a North Korean torpedo having sunk a South Korean naval vessel, South Korea has cut ties with the North and started amassing troops at the border and promised to punish the North. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il retaliated by promising an all-out war and the U.S. had to back up the South saying that it would support the South no matter what action it took. If North Korea conducted the torpedo attack on its own accord, it is a clear indication of the unbalanced mental state of Kim Jong Il and the reason that this could escalate in to a war. Seoul is only 35km from the North Korean border and despite naval superiority, the damage the North could do to is unthinkable, given that it has the 4th largest army in the world, nuclear weapons and access to missile technology from China. Daily Report: China, Iran & North Korea form strategic alliance.

China, as expected, has shown an unwillingness to accept evidence implicating its long time friend North Korea. Hillary Clinton's trip to China like many other trips of the Obama administration has produced little as China will also not give in to US demand of tougher sanctions against Iran. See The Diplomat: China's troubling Iran ties.

Indo-French air forces to hold joint exercises in June

In a measure of enhanced cooperation between France and India, the air forces of two nations will hold the fourth edition of Garuda exercise in June. Times of India reports that Garuda – IV will commence on 14 June and conclude on 25 June at Istres airbase in France. In Mar 2010 8ak had reported that the IAF is expected to field its most advanced combat aircraft, Russian made Su-30s, in the fourth edition of the ‘Garud’ exercise. The transport fleet will be represented by the Russian Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft and the Il-78 mid-air-refueller.

The French side is expected to field its latest Rafale fighters and various versions of the Mirage-2000 fighters. The IAF has been participating in joint exercises with several air forces across the globe at regular intervals. Prominent among these air forces are UK, French and US. The first Indo-French exercise was held in 2003 at the Gwalior air base and the second one was organised in France in 2005. The third was held at Kalaikunda air base in 2007.

The timing of the exercise is crucial as India is set to ink a US$2.2 billion deal for the upgrade of 52 Mirage-2000 aircraft it bought in the 1980s from France. As part of the deal first six aircrafts would be upgraded in France and the rest would be done in India. The critical deal was stuck for over two years primarily due to the difference in opinion on the price quoted by the French manufacturers Dassault Aviation, Thales and MBDA. It is believed that the original price quoted by the companies for the upgrade was US$58 million per aircraft but after tough negotiations the price has been reduced to US$43 million a unit. Sources say that the Israelis were very keen to do the upgrades at a lower cost but obviously this would not go down well with neither the original equipment manufacturer, Dassault Aviation, nor the French government.

The upgrade will include new avionics including an advanced navigation system, new mission computers with increased capacity and processing speed, helmet-mounted displays, glass cockpits, internal electronic warfare suites and, better armaments & weapon systems making the aircraft battle-worthy for another 15 years. 8ak had earlier reported that the deal has been approved by the Indian government after French President Sarkozy personally threw his weight behind the deal.

Apart from the French air force, IAF will also hold the 'Indradhanush' series exercise with the British Royal Air Force would be held at the Kalaikunda air base in West Bengal in October.

Indian coast guard scouts for marine guns

Looking to upgrade its existing military hardware and strengthen its vigil of the 9,000 km Indian coast line, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is looking to acquire a large number of marine guns. The ICG has sent out a Request for Information (RFI) to global vendors for acquiring 100 12.7-mm marine guns, 70 20-mm marine guns, 36 30-mm marine guns and 36 40-mm.

The Indian government is giving special emphasis to secure the waters of the nation after the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, wherein the terrorists managed to enter the country using the loosely guarded sea route. In order to enhance maritime security, the Indian government has also set up a dedicated coastal command headed by the Indian navy. As part of the long term planning to maximise security, coast guard will raise its cadre by an additional 3,000 personnel, procure 20 fast patrol vehicles (Fops), 41 interceptor boats, 12 coastal surveillance aircraft (Dornier’s), seven OPVs and commission 14 new stations.

8ak had earlier reported that a new OPV, ICGS Vishwast, was commissioned into its fleet last month. The commissioning attaches special significance because the three OPVs are being built to replace the ageing Offshore Patrol Vessels inducted in 1980s. The first of the three Offshore Patrol Vessels was inducted in 2008.

Kargil war hero - Lt Manoj Pandey 1/11 Gorkha Rifles

12 Apr 2010 8ak: On the night of 2/3 July 1999 during the advance to Khalubar as his platoon approached its final objective; it came under heavy and intense enemy fire from the surrounding heights. Lieutenant Pandey was tasked to clear the interfering enemy positions to prevent his battalion from getting day lighted, being in a vulnerable position. He quickly moved his platoon to an advantageous position under intense enemy fire, sent one section to clear the enemy positions from the right and he proceeded to clear the enemy positions from the left. Fearlessly assaulting the first enemy position, he killed two enemy personnel and destroyed the second position by killing two more. He was injured on the shoulder and legs while clearing the third position. Undaunted and without caring for his grievous injuries, he continued to lead the assault on the fourth position urging his men and destroyed the same with a grenade, even as he got a fatal burst on his forehead. This singular daredevil act of Lieutenant Pandey provided the critical firm base for the companies, which finally led to capture of Khalubar. The officer, however, succumbed to his injuries.

Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, thus, displayed most conspicuous bravery, indomitable courage, outstanding leadership and devotion to duty and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

For his brave act and display of unparallel courage, Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey was awarded the nation’s highest gallantry award, Param Vir Chakra, posthumously. His father, Mr. Gopi Chand Pandey, received the award from the President of India on the 52nd anniversary of Indian Independence.

Born on 25 July 1975 in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey, was the son of Shri Gopi Chand Pandey. The gallant officer did his early schooling from UP Sainik School based at Lucknow and subsequently joined the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) to achieve his goal of becoming an army officer.

After completing his three year tenure, Pandey joined the Indian Military Academy (IMA) to complete his final phase of training and was commissioned into 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, a unit renowned for its heroics and bravery. One of the most interesting anecdotes related to Pandey comes from the time he was being questioned by the interviewing officer during his SSB. The officer had asked him as to why did he want to join the Indian Army, to which, the bright Pandey had replied: “I want to win the Param Vir Chakra.”