IAF to now have midair refueling capacity in all Air assets

[sancho]

@gessler do we need separate tanker ac for helo refuelling?? can't Il 76/Airbus 330 do the job??

Yes, because bigger jet engined tankers can't fly at such low speeds to refuel helicopters, only prop engined will be useful for this requirement.

@sancho

But bro, we already have exp. of operating C130-type ac, so its cheaper and less time-consuming to procure the KC130J rather than whole-new A400M.

What's the point when the aircraft is not capable enough? The C130Js carries most of their fuel similar to IL 78s in fuel tank inside of the cargo hold, so without removing it, the use in the transport role is very limited. The 400 carries most of the fuel in the internal fuel tanks and even with 1 removable fuel tank in the cargo hold, there is still useful space to transport roles. That gives IAF the advantage to use a single aircraft in 2 roles, in the same flight. Much more effective and cost-effective!

KC130J doesn't cost so much and we can locally manufacture many parts of the plane to further bring down the cost - TASL already makes C130J-30 components.

The C130J costs roughly half of the A400, which is logical, since both are in different classes and the A400 can be used in strategic roles as well, while offering all the advantages the C130J offers. So you pay more, because you get by far more in return! And we don't produce components for the C130J, only the parts that we had to replace, instead of using US parts that came with restrictions or were not suitable to our requirements.

@sancho can Apaches IFR?

Afaik the Block 3 has this capability

 

[neehar]

looks like india will have one of the most modern armed forces by 2025

 

[Abingdonboy]

looks like india will have one of the most modern armed forces by 2025

No doubt sir

 

[acetophenol]

I remember reading somewhere that there was plans to built an helicopter based refueling system for IN.
By the way,IMO,India should kickstart research in New techniques of Air to Air refueling,new type of A2A refuel probes etc.

 

[sancho]

But yes I do have reasons to doubt this news as it is usually only specialised a/c (other than fighters who have IFR as standard fight these days) that have AAR capability such as AWACS, Spec-ops transports etc and this goes doubly for rotary wing a/c. Not even the US has all of its a/c fitted out for IFR. The only helos that need AAR capability are ones that have specialised roles like Spec op support such as the CV-22 or HH-60G etc. it simply is not needed.

And surely either way the IAF needs to dramatically scale up its AAR fleet? 12 simply isn't enough for the hundreds of AAR capable a/c in use in India.

Exactly, IFR ais needed for aircrafts that needs to extend range or endurance, so for long range fighters, transport aircrafts, or patrol aircrafts. Normal combat or utility helicopter, or even smaller utility aircrafts don't fall in these fields, which leaves mainly all fighters, AWACS, C130, C17, INs MPAs and if at all only AW 101 for safty reasons and the Ka 31 AEW that would require IFR.

I remember reading somewhere that there was plans to built an helicopter based refueling system for IN.

That was done to extend the range of the Ka 31, because once it's range is pathetic and secondly there is no tanker available that can refuel it, so only other Ka helicopters can do so, but with very limited loads of course and at slow speeds only.

 

[Tshering22]

Around 1000 of planes (fighters, transport ac, helicopters) & just 6 midair refuelers. IAF should increase there nos. to 20 asap.

Having refueling capability is not enough... having the b@ll$ to use it is also needed. We have a lethal enough military but with a pathetic and anti-national defense policy, all this firepower and capability is of little use.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Having refueling capability is not enough... having the b@ll$ to use it is also needed. We have a lethal enough military but with a pathetic and anti-national defense policy, all this firepower and capability is of little use.

Having such firepower is enough of a detterant mate- no want will want to eff with India in the future. And showing restraint is not a sign of weakness rather the opposite. Not every country should follow he US' footsteps and use force at the drop of a hat.

 

[sancho]

Having refueling capability is not enough... having the b@ll$ to use it is also needed. We have a lethal enough military but with a pathetic and anti-national defense policy, all this firepower and capability is of little use.

You seems to think about IFR only for range extending to do strike attacks, but that's not correct. Infact most of the IFR missions are needed for patrol fighters and aircrafts, to extend their endurance within Indian airspace. MKIs for examples that flys 8 to 10h missions, A50 and EMB 145 AWACS, P8I MPAs.
So we will use this capablity to the max anyway, while it offers additional advantages during war times too.

 

[IND151]

looks like india will have one of the most modern armed forces by 2025

seems so.

Hope Super MKI and FGFA doesn't get delayed

 

[Koovie]

seems so.

Hope Super MKI and FGFA doesn't get delayed

AFAIK the SUper Sukhoi deal will be signed this month. When will Putin arrive in India btw??

 

[The A-5]

AFAIK the SUper Sukhoi deal will be signed this month. When will Putin arrive in India btw??

December 24 IMO.

 

[Koovie]

December 24 IMO.

lol this is gonna be a nice Christmas gift for theIAF

 

[acid rain]

That's a potent ability extension for the IAF.