IAF sets up aerospace control base

[nitesh]

World to see changed IAF in 10 yrs: chief
Posted: Oct 04, 2008 at 2334

Denying strongly the reports of armed forces defying government over the pay commission issues, the chief of Indian Air Force (IAF) has said that in a decade’s time, the face of the force would be completely changed with its modernisation programme going full steam.

“The pace at which we (IAF) are going ahead with our modernisation plans, the world will see a very capable and different air force in seven to 10 years,” chief of the IAF, Fali Homi Major said during the annual media interaction ahead of the Air Force Day next week.

As a precursor to this, the Indian Air Force plans to acquire 126 multi role combat aircrafts was on track with technical evaluation of the bids submitted by six contenders expected to be completed by this year end and the flight evaluation of the selected lot of aircraft early next year.

The chief pointed out that the “The IAF’s endeavour is to launch on a growth profile, not just through acquisitions of new technology and equipment, but also through the way we operate, refining basic philosophy, doctrines, tactics and our war-fighting ways.”

With the IAF in a continuous phase of modernisation, the chief pointed out that the air superiority Su-30 MKIs which are the most potent aircraft in the IAF, 230 of the platforms would join the fleet by 2014 with HAL trying to speed up licensed production of the Russian fighter.

In response to a query he said that “We would like to increase the number of Sukhois produced to 23 from the current number of 15 aircraft a year. Hence, we have asked for speeding up the production. Every single effort is being made to increase production rates,” he said.

Since plans are afoot to operate Sukhoi aircraft from the North Eastern states by end of 2009, modernising some select airfield in the region has started. “IAF is implementing a comprehensive infrastructure programme in the North-East for its select airfields,” Major said.

World to see changed IAF in 10 yrs: chief - The Financial Express

 

[nitesh]

US offers India $375 mn deal for smart missiles- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has notified the US Congress of its offer to sell India CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapons (SFW) worth $375 mn to help the "Indian Air Force to develop and enhance standardisation and operational ability with the United States".

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-India strategic relationship," the Pentagon's Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) told the US Congress Sep 30, a day before the Senate approved the India-US civil nuclear deal.

It will also help "improve the security of an important partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in South Asia," the agency said, assuring lawmakers "the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region".

The proposed sale comes three weeks after US offered India a $170 mn deal for the sale of two dozen Harpoon air to ground anti-ship missiles during Defence minister A K Antony's visit to Washington.

"India intends to use the Sensor Fuzed Weapons to modernise its armed forces and enhance its defensive ability to counter ground-armoured threats.

"The missiles will assist the Indian Air Force to develop and enhance standardisation and operational ability with the United States. India will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces," the DSCA said.

"There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale," it added.

The SFW - a 1,000-pound class weapon - is designed to accurately detect and defeat a wide range of moving and stationary land and maritime target threats with minimal collateral damage, while not leaving a single hazardous dud.

India, DSCA said, "has requested a possible sale of 510 CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapons, 19 CBU-105 Integration test assets (12 live tails, seven inert tails) and five CBU-97 Integration test assets as well as associated equipment and services". The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $375 mn.

New Delhi, the agency said, has requested offsets for the deal, but at this time agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between India and the contractor. The prime contractor will be Textron Systems Corporation of Wilmington, Massachusetts.

Textron Defence Systems describes its SFW as "the first and only combat-proven, clean battlefield weapon of its kind in US Air Force inventory".

The SFW contains 10 BLU-108 submunitions, each with four smart Skeet warheads, for a total of 40 warheads. One SFW can simultaneously detect and engage many fixed and moving land combat targets within 121,400 sq mts.

This wide-area capability enables the SFW to halt an invading force and attack air defence sites while significantly reducing the number of aircraft sorties, it says.

Designed for stand-off deployment from a wide selection of aircraft, SFW's versatility and superior lethality make it the weapon of choice for anti-armour, destruction of enemy air defence and many other combat missions.

SFW can be deployed from US or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) tactical aircraft in all weather conditions, day or night, and is presently certified on most US Air Force fighter and bomber aircraft.

Each smart Skeet warhead can defeat a variety of moving and stationary targets, from heavy armoured battle tanks, soft-skinned vehicles to maritime threats. Many of these include parked aircraft, mobile radars and jammers, air defence vehicles and support vehicles.

 

[nitesh]

video about this particular ammunition

Future Military Weapon Technology - Future Firepower Blog Archive CBU-105 - The Sensor-Fuzed Weapon - CBU-97 Cluster Bomb Video

CBU - Google Video

 

[Marshal]

I saw this censor fused weapon on discovery channel probably it was future weapon program with Richard Machowicz............

 

[nitesh]

yes I also remember it. it was used in IRAQ to great effect. Scary weapon to say at least.

 

[nitesh]

IAF airbases to get a facelift

Sandeep Dikshit

Oct 06, 2008

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has embarked on a plan to modernise its major air bases, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Homi Major said here on Friday.

The IAF had also installed surveillance devices to make air bases more secure in the wake of terrorist incidents and the creeping urbanisation around their peripheries.

The IAF had floated a global tender to modernise 39 airfields to a standard that would take every type of aircraft. "The ultimate aim is that all the bases can handle every single type of aircraft,” he said at a press conference before Air Force Day on October 8.

The IAF was filling low-level gaps in the southern peninsula with the induction of more radars and wanted to jointly manage air space with the civil aviation sector all over the country to enhance domain awareness. The IAF chief said the Tezpur air base would be the first in the eastern region to host the potent Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters.

“The Prime Minister, during his visit to the north-east recently, announced development works, including better roads, advanced landing grounds, etc. In the IAF, we have brought forward some programmes to beef up the infrastructure in the north-east.”

Having resolved the spares issue, the IAF wants Hindustan Aeronautical Limited to produce around 22 to 23 aircraft annually to speed up their deployment as against the 15 it made this year.

Another new area of focus was the modernisation of its transport fleet. The nearly 100 AN-32 medium transporters were being upgraded but would be finally replaced with the medium transport aircraft that would be jointly designed and produced by India and Russia. The IAF would also replace the heavy transporter IL-76 with a very heavy transport aircraft.

“We are working out the air staff qualitative requirements and wish to issue the request for information very soon. We are also in the process of upgrading the Dorniers with better avionics and are considering the induction of the indigenously developed light category Saras aircraft,” he said.

The IAF was planning to buy six more air-to-air refuellers and the Defence Ministry was engaged in price negotiations with makers of IL-78 and Airbus-330. The IAF already has half a dozen refuellers which has vastly enhanced the range of its frontline fighters.

The IAF will soon finalise the purchase of 80 Mi-17s, 125 light utility helicopters to replace the Cheetah and Chetak fleet, eight VVIP helicopters and four of its cargo version. It would also induct 38 indigenous Dhruv helicopters and 16 of its armed versions with a glass cockpit and new engines. Negotiations with Russia for designing and developing a fifth-generation fighter aircraft are being held on job share and costing. Asked about plans to purchase precision guided missiles, the air chief said, “We are looking at this all the time. The need to integrate missiles with the aircraft is the challenge. You don’t just go to the market, buy a missile and put it on the plane.”

On service chiefs approaching the Prime Minister on the pay issue, he said, “I, as the Chief of Air Staff, and the other two service chiefs, after going through the pay panel report, had put up a few issues which we wanted the Government to reconsider

The Hindu : National : IAF airbases to get a facelift

 

[nitesh]

With India opening the forbidding Siachen Glacier for civilian trek last year, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to open more Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) for aircraft operations, aimed at promoting tourism in high-altitude areas of Ladakh.

"The Defence Ministry (MOD) has directed us to look for more Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in Ladakh to increase aircraft operations that will help promote tourism and for other purposes," Western Air Commander Air Marshal P K Barbora said today, after witnessing the IAF's dress rehearsal for the 76th Air Force Day parade at Hindan near here.

"With fixed wing aircraft landing at these ALGs, we would be able to send more relief material in less time for humanitarian support and also for disaster management, whenever it is required," Barbora said, to a question about the opening of ALGs in high-altitude areas.

The IAF had already opened the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) ALG around May this year, closer to the Chinese-held Aksai Chin areas of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, with the first An-32 landing in three decades.

The Siachen glacier trekking camp was launched this October 1 for the second year in a row. Last year, the government had opened up the 72-km-long Glacier for civilian adventure tourism, despite Pakistani protests.

By increasing civilian and tourist movement in the region, India wants to strengthen its claim on the territory along the 110-km-long Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) with Pakistan.

Reopening of DBO ALGs is also seen as a step to create more access points for the Indian defence forces to Siachen and surrounding areas in Jammu and Kashmir, along the borders with India's two traditional rivals, Pakistan and China.

Barbora said apart from DBO ALG, IAF was also looking to operationalise existing as well as new ALGs in the region.

"**** Che is one such ALG, which we are trying to reopen. Chushul is another. We are also looking for new ALGs," Barbora said.

On the deployment of Su-30 air superiority fighter aircraft at Leh, Barbora said IAF wanted to operate its fighter aircraft from all kinds of terrain in the country.

"We have a variety of terrain in India that includes land, mountain and seas. It is always better that all our pilots and platforms are able to operate from all these terrains, so that when we have to redeploy forces for any contingency, they are prepared," he said.

Earlier during the Air Force Day parade dress rehearsal, the IAF put up its major strike aircraft along with its transport and helicopter fleet on static and aerial display. IAF's popular, Suryakiran 'Kiran MkII' aircraft and Sarang 'Dhruv' helicopter aerobatic display teams also performed at the parade rehearsal.
outlookindia.com | wired

 

[Marshal]

Indian Air Force to install more Advanced Landing Ground at Siachen

With India opening the forbidding Siachen Glacier for civilian trek last year, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to open more Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) for aircraft operations, aimed at promoting tourism in high-altitude areas of Ladakh.

"The Defence Ministry (MOD) has directed us to look for more Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in Ladakh to increase aircraft operations that will help promote tourism and for other purposes," Western Air Commander Air Marshal P K Barbora said today, after witnessing the IAF's dress rehearsal for the 76th Air Force Day parade at Hindan near here.

"With fixed wing aircraft landing at these ALGs, we would be able to send more relief material in less time for humanitarian support and also for disaster management, whenever it is required," Barbora said, to a question about the opening of ALGs in high-altitude areas.

The IAF had already opened the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) ALG around May this year, closer to the Chinese-held Aksai Chin areas of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, with the first An-32 landing in three decades.

The Siachen glacier trekking camp was launched this October 1 for the second year in a row. Last year, the government had opened up the 72-km-long Glacier for civilian adventure tourism, despite Pakistani protests.

By increasing civilian and tourist movement in the region, India wants to strengthen its claim on the territory along the 110-km-long Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) with Pakistan.
Indian Air Force to install more Advanced Landing Ground at Siachen | India Defence

 

[nitesh]

outlookindia.com | wired

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon switch over to a modern communication system - AFNET, with foolproof security in the areas of operation, maintenance and administration, a top IAF official said today.

"We are not importing any foreign technology for the new Air Force Network (AFNET) but are doing it indigenously. Work is being carried out on an optic fibre technology and simultaneously through satellite," IAF Maintenance Command Air Officer Commanding-in-chief Air Marshal Gautam Nayyar told PTI here.

"This will improve and enhance the communication network with broadband and help transfer of data and information quickly," Nayyar said.

All maintenance work carried out on fighter aircraft at base repair depots will be through e-documentation and data like age of aircraft, replacement of oil and particular components, history of accidents and safety record will be transmitted to depots when the aircarft is sent there, Nayyar said adding soon all work would be paperless.

The all-India network which IAF is depending on at present is quite old and we have decided to be on par with modern times, he said.

 

[nitesh]

http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=474611

IAF capable of fighting in all theatres of war: Air Chief

New Delhi, Oct 07: The Indian Air Force is a potent aerospace power and possesses the capability in fighting in all theatres of war, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali H Major, has said.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal Major said that the Air Force has acquired a wide variety of expertise and technology.

Air Chief Marshal Major said the Air Force is ready to operate in the upper frontiers of higher technology, with India gaining economic and technological strength.

“The Air Force has been over a period of time changed into a potent aerospace power. That the capability to operate in the entire spectrum of war fighting from the low to high intensity warfare and this development has taken with a lot of thinking as also most importantly the quality of the people in the air force,” he said.

The Indian Air Force has transformed itself with a definitive strategic orientation, thus acquiring transcontinental dimensions, further strengthening its capabilities with data links, across-the-board networking and real time connectivity with space based assets underway, Air Chief Marshal Major added.

Taking about the latest achievements of the IAF, he said that on an experimental basis, they have started a civil-military air force radar integration process, which they say would save a lot of air travel time across the nation.

He said that the infusion of foreign investment and technology transfers would have a favorable impact on the aviation industry, facilitating the great potential in the civil aviation sector as well.

“In the southern peninsular region, we have put an experimental integration process into motion and I must say it has proved to be very successful and we are in constant touch with civil aviation authorities and would like to replicate this process on an experimental basis,” he said.

Air Chief Marshal Major said integration with civil aviation is still not firm because it requires a lot of organizational changes where in the civilian radar and air force radars will have to work together, and added that the Air Force is sharing 22-23 airfields with Airports Authority of India.

Bureau Report

 

[nitesh]

IAF takes up mammoth infrastructure repair across India - Express India

IAF takes up mammoth infrastructure repair across India
Posted: Oct 07, 2008 at 1523 hrs IST

Nagpur, October 7: IAF will spend Rs 500 crore for its base repair depots spread across the length and breadth of the country.The maintenance command of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken up a large scale infrastructure development programme worth Rs 500 crore, for its base repair depots (BRDs) spread across the length and breadth of the country, a top IAF official said on Tuesday.

“The offset clause inserted by the Union Defence Ministry in the Defence Procurement Programme (DPP) 2008 will help the maintenance command in carrying out infrastructure development,” IAF Maintenance Command Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal Gautam Nayyar told said in Nagpur.

The offset clause makes a vendor invest 30 to 50 per cent back in public sector undertakings (PSUs) or indigenous industry in the country, he said.

Under the programme, the vendors (mostly foreign) are obliged to transfer specific and engineering drawings to the command, which was not available earlier. Earlier, it was restricted to reverse engineering, Nayyar said.

Under the programme, the vendors (mostly foreign) are obliged to transfer specific and engineering drawings to the command, which was not available earlier. Earlier, it was restricted to reverse engineering, Nayyar said.

The infrastructure development programme launched recently will be completed by year 2011, he said adding that for the maintenance command the next 5-10 years are very crucial for carrying out developmental activities.

The maintenance command has taken up massive upgradation of its existing fleet of aircraft, Nayyar said.

The MiG-21 fighter planes, which earned a bad name due to frequent crashes, have been upgraded to Bison at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Nashik leading to reduction in number of crashes, he said.

Jaguar aircraft upgradation is under progress at HAL, Bangalore while negotiations are underway for Mirage upgradation with the original equipment provider from France.

Initial upgradation will be carried out in France and later at HAL, Bangalore, he said.

MiG-29 upgradation contract has already been finalised with a Russian company and will be done at 11 BRD in Nashik, Nayyar said.

Negotiations are on for upgradation of transport aircraft AN-32 with Ukraine. After initial work in Ukraine, the transport plane will undergo upgradation at 1 BRD in Kanpur. With this, the life of an AN-32 will be enhanced from 25 to 40 years, he said.

About helicopters, Nayyar said the MI-8 machines, which are nearing expiry are being replaced by MI-17 choppers, which have night vision (capability) goggles (NVGs).

IAF has plans to set up a first-of-its-kind engineering college in Bangalore where students after completion of standard 12, will be directly admitted to various branches of engineering to be inducted in the air force later, Nayyar said in reply to a question.

But the proposal is awaiting clearence from the finance ministry, he said.

 

[nitesh]

IBNLive > Photogallery

 

[nitesh]

PIB Press Release

Address by the Chief of Air Staff at the air Force Day Parade 2008 at af STN Hindon
16:29 IST

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh; my esteemed colleagues Admiral Sureesh Mehta, General Deepak Kapoor; AOC-in-C Western Air Command; former Chiefs; honoured guests, Air Warriors, ladies and gentlemen. On the 76th anniversary of the Indian Air Force, I extend my warm greetings to all of you and welcome you to this parade.

My compliments to the Parade Commander and all Air Warriors on parade, for a very impressive and smart parade. Your turnout and movements were immaculate and it has filled my heart with pride. Well done! I compliment the AOC-in-C, Western Air Command, Air Officer Commanding, Hindon and the many others behind the scene, for making all this happen. I also congratulate all the awardees for their notable achievements.

As I stand here and take stock of the year gone by, I find that we have taken some very confident steps forward in becoming a true Aerospace Power.

I see a future where the Indian Air Force will project aerospace power credibly within its zone of influence with precision, speed, and high intensity, against a variety of objectives by seamlessly integrating all our assets to achieve very compressed decision cycles.

Towards achieving this, I am glad to inform you that all our acquisitions and upgradations are progressing in consonance with our plans. The Government has been extremely supportive in making this happen.

Technical evaluation of the ‘Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft’ is in progress and the flight trials should commence next year. The long awaited Hawk trainers, have been inducted, and flying training has commenced at Bidar. 17 pilots have already finished the consolidation stage. The first ‘Boeing Business Jet’ has arrived, and the first ‘Airborne Warning and Control System’ is expected early next year. Contract for the C-130J Special Operations aircraft has been signed and will operate from this very Base, in a couple of years. Helicopters in the Medium, Light and Attack class are also in the pipeline. There are many more projects in varying stages of completion. It is indeed an exciting time for our Air Force!

The first BEL manufactured ‘Rohini’ Radar has been inducted with many more in the pipeline. Medium, High and Low Level Radars will also follow. Acquisition process for Surface to Air Missiles, to beef up our Air Defence capability, has commenced.

All these assets will be integrated through the ‘Integrated Air Command and Control System’, and AFNET with the Command & Control centres. We seek to harness the capabilities of Space and Cyberspace to dominate the Information domain and increase transparency for better situational awareness.

Infrastructure is the key to sustain our future plans and capabilities. We are modernising all our airfields, upgrading our maintenance / repair facilities and modernising our logistics management. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Indian Air Force will look very different, ten years from now!

The past year has been fairly busy. The ‘Sarang’ helicopter display team was enthralling audiences in Europe and UK and the Su-30 MKIs along with the Flight Refuelling Aircraft were engaged in Red Flag–Nellis with the US, Korean and French Air Forces in the USA. We continue to be deployed in Congo and Sudan on United Nation Missions, earning international acclaim and recognition.

All this would not have been possible, but for the great contribution of our finest Force Multiplier– our Air Warriors. Their dedication, involvement and professionalism in getting the job done, has given the Indian Air Force its enviable reputation and makes me a very proud man today. Well done!

The welfare of my Air Warriors is of utmost importance. A number of welfare schemes have been implemented for their benefit. It is with great pleasure that I announce, that the Group insurance cover to our Air Warriors has been enhanced to Rs 30, 15 and 6 lakhs for officers, airmen and NCs(E) respectively, with only a very minor increase in their contribution. The IAF Benevolent Association has disbursed over Rs 160 crores in welfare loans, benefiting 12,000 Air Warriors. In addition, the Indian Air Force Benevolent Association has enhanced the amount for scholarships by 25%. All loans advanced now onwards will be insured, so that the burden is not transferred to the family, in case of an unfortunate demise of an Air Warrior.

On behalf of the Indian Air Force, I acknowledge with gratitude, the contribution made by our predecessors, whose vision, foresight and feats of incredible daring and courage, have brought us to this stature. We have inherited their rich legacies, traditions and ethos. We shall always uphold these values.

The competence and professionalism of the Indian Air Force stands acknowledged worldwide today and the Nation can be justifiably proud of their Air Force. Today, we re-dedicate ourselves to the Service of the Nation and renew our pledge to do our duty - with honour and pride. I wish all of you and your families, the very best for the coming festive season and indeed, for the year ahead.

Jai Hind!

*********************

MU/MKR

 

[nitesh]

good news

http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=475144

DRDO`s devices to help IAF weapons to `hit` enemy targets

New Delhi, Oct 10: Indian Air Force fighter pilots may now hit their targets more accurately if some new devices for guided weapons testing, work according to plans. What's more, the tests can be carried out on the weapons just before the fighter aircraft's take-off, thereby saving time, effort and money lost in tests conducted in air-conditioned facilities.

"We have developed and successfully tested our guided weapon testing devices, which help improve the accuracy rate of guided weapons of IAF like Infra-Red Guided Missiles (IRGM) and Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs)," Director of DRDO's Laser Science and Technology Center (LASTEC), A K Maini told PTI here.

The device matches the weapons' code specifications with their target designators and seekers, and informs the user the likely effectiveness of the attack and target acquisition accuracies.

The matching codes of target designator and seekers in missiles is crucial for the weapon to be accurate, Maini said.

"Missiles drift from their targets because the codes of seekers in missiles do not match with the designators. Our fighter aircraft also face similar problems, as codes in PGMs and laser target designators and seekers tend to shift marginally after some time, which makes the missile drift from its target by a long distance," Maini said.

LASTEC's IRGM tester simulates the jet exhaust signatures of enemy aircraft, which need to match up with those of the infra-red seeker device in the IRGM, which is used against enemy aircraft.

"When the signature and the seeker do not match, the missiles will move away from its target," the scientist from the country's premier defence research agency said.

"If the infra-red seeker device recognises the signature and locks on to it, the missile is performing well. Otherwise, we change the seeker codes to match the enemy aircraft's signatures. This helps the missile to home on accurately to its targets," Maini said.

The LGB tester also carries out the checks in a similar fashion. The LGB tester simulates the codes of the target designator, which direct the LGB to hit its targets after being released from aircraft. If the laser seeking device on LGB is performing well, it will lock on to the target. If not, the codes of the laser target designator are changed to match with the seeker.

IAF can perform the functionality check on its missiles even when they are strapped on to the weapon delivery platform.

"Till now, matching of codes and signatures was done in huge air-conditioned laboratories, which took 15-20 hours to perform the checks. With the LASTEC's devices, it can be done right before the aircraft takes off for a mission," Maini said.

IAF had successfully field tested the LGB and IRGM tester in Gwalior and Pune respectively along with a LASTEC team. IAF has the Russian R-73 and French Magic Matra IRGMs and Paveway LGBs in its inventory.

IAF's fighter aircraft fleet fly with a mixed package of IRGMs and LGBs during missions. IAFs Mirage 2000 aircraft had used its LGBs very effectively against enemy targets on snowy peaks in Operation 'Safed Sagar' during Kargil war in 1999.

 

[nitesh]

A Complete News Magazine on National Security

Su-30MKIs in Leh

Manoeuvring their way through the indomitable Ladakh ranges

By Pravin Sawhney and Ghazala Wahab

Blazing a trail of white smoke the Su-30MKI flew over the Spituk Gompa overlooking the Leh airfield and disappeared behind the indomitable Ladakh ranges, with the grey of the fighter merging with the grey of the stark mountains. Another Sukhoi followed in quick succession and disappeared behind the peak adjacent to the first one. Then without a warning, finding a passage in the narrow valley between the two mountains, the couple chased one another over the airfield, ascending sharply in the air. However, unlike the plains, where the fighters quickly disappear from sight whenever they go in a vertical drive, at Leh despite the distance, they continued to blip on the horizon. Perhaps, that had to do with the fact that at 10,680feet above sea level, the Su-30MKIs were just about six kilometres above the ground level.

After several manoeuvres in the air and many overshoots over the runway, the first Su-30MKI finally came in to land. At first, only the aircraft light appeared over the Gompa and then emerged the silhouette against the shadow of the mountains, descending gradually over the runway before touch down.

The landing of Su-30MKI at Leh is an unusual sight. The air is rarefied, the sun both scorching and chilling and the snow-tipped mountains fearfully close, enveloping the air force station. Flying here requires skills of a completely different order as the narrow Leh bowl permits only one possibility of take-off and landing. You fly in from one direction and take-off in the other. Says flight commander, 24 Squadron Wg Cdr K. Sundaramani who has brought four Su-30MKIs from Bareilly air force station, and has been doing regular flying in Leh, sometimes up to four sorties in a day, “Flying in this terrain and atmosphere is very challenging and takes a little bit of effort. The engine capabilities of the machine degrades at these altitudes, so getting results that one gets in the plains takes a little time. For instance, during the first few flights, when the aircraft didn’t reach the acceleration that it normally does there were a few anxious moments about whether there was something wrong with the fighter. But after a few flights we got used to that.” There were other things that the Su-30MKI pilots, 11 of whom have come from Bareilly in addition to the flight commander, had to get used to: Sharp fluctuations in the temperature, restrictions imposed by close mountain ranges on manoeuvres and the low levels of oxygen in the environment.

Though one Su-30MKI (Phase II) did a trial landing at Leh in 2003, this is the first time that the fighter aircraft have come to do training sorties at this altitude. The four Su-30MKIs came to Leh from Bareilly in two phases of two each. The idea for the moment is to test the performance of Su-30MKI in high altitude. As Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Air Command, Air Marshal P.K. Barbora says, “The first thing that we learnt from Operation Parakram is the need to operate weapon systems and avionics in high altitude areas. The designers of the platforms and avionics probably did not envisage the use of these systems in high altitudes.” Hence, the need to test their performance and rate of degradation. Su-30MKI, India’s foremost multi-role, long range aircraft, operating in Leh is the consequence of that thinking.

But before Su-30MKIs embarked on the Ladakh adventure, they did a few weeks of training with MiG 29s apart from several overshoots at Leh to enable the pilots to understand the flying pattern here. It was only after the pilots were comfortable with that, the first aircraft landed on September 16.

At the moment, the fighters are doing very basic training flying. As Wg Cdr Sundaramani says, “The primary purpose is familiarisation with the terrain. Since it is a new area for us, even that requires a lot of flying.” In addition to this, the Su-30MKIs are also practising diversions to Srinagar and Thoise, just in case in the event of real operations there is a need to divert the fighters to these airfields. Though the fighters are not yet landing on these strips, they are doing some close flying and overshoots to familiarise with the flying conditions there. While Srinagar is not a high altitude area, those at 10,066 feet not only fall in that category, its geographical parameters are different from Leh. The Su-30MKIs also fly over the Siachen glacier primarily to show their presence there. “It is a completely different experience,” says Wg Cdr Sundaramani. “It fills one with a sense of pride.” Most important for the fighter pilots at the moment is to practise flying in the valleys of Ladakh and target-shooting on the ground. After all, as they say, that is the bread and butter of the fighters.