Zarvan
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A Mig-29K Fighter Jet of the Indian Navy
Sea power is an amalgamation of six factors such as geography, population, maritime tradition, affinity, economic–techno base, civil-military mix and the ability of the state to harness sea power.
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is one of the most important global trading areas, a significant resource center and a highly diversified geopolitical abstraction. The region is witnessing great churning & transformations with China stamping its misplaced authority by sneaking right under India's nose and they will continue for a long time, thus shaping the strategic policies of India. The power shift is one of the most important strategic transformations and will have a determining influence on US-India-China relations as they are the three most important stakeholders in the IOR.
With a vast & diverse coast line to defend and being the only blue-water force in the region, India is expected to play her rightful role to ensure peace and stability on the high seas. The Indian Navy’s "Vision Document" stressed that ‘the Indian Navy is determined to create and sustain a three dimensional technology enabled and networked force capable of safeguarding our maritime interests in the region and projecting combat power across the littoral’. The IOR is vital to India's security and interests, and her conduct will have an effect on IOR regional stability and prosperity.
The Indian Naval Air Arm is a branch of Indian Navy which is tasked to provide an aircraft carrier based strike capability, fleet air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare. The Indian Navy's Air Wing plays an important role in maintaining this long hegemony of our navy in the IOR.
MiG-29K
MiG-29K on the deck of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya
Often regarded as one of the greatest fighters developed in the past 5 decades, the MiG-29 Fulcrum is the earliest example of a fourth-generation fighter. Being the Soviet's answer to the American F-15 and F-16, the MiG-29's design incorporated large wings for low wing-loading, a signature leading edge root extension for reduced stability, and twin tails for improved yaw stability at high alphas, the MiG rapidly evolved to surpass most of the combat characteristics of its American rivals.
Powered by 2 Klimov RD-33 afterburner turbofans, the MiG-29 can reach speeds up to Mach 2.25 at 59,000 feet before aerodynamic heating starts to damage the airframe. The 18,300 pounds of thrust engines gives the MiG-29 a 1.09 thrust to weight ratio (with no munitions and low fuel loads).
The MiG-29 was designed to intercept enemy aircraft but has since evolved as a multi-role fighter capable of carrying a wide variety of weaponry. Interestingly, the United States also operates a few for evaluation.
India was the first international customer of the MiG-29. The Indian Air Force (IAF) placed an order for more than 50 MiG-29s in 1980 while the aircraft was still in its initial development phase. Since its induction into the IAF in 1985, the aircraft has undergone a series of modifications with the addition of new avionics, sub-systems, turbofan engines and radars.
Wikipedia states that the Indian MiG-29s were used extensively during the 1999 Kargil War in Kashmir by IAF to provide fighter escort for Mirage 2000s, which were attacking targets with laser-guided bombs. According to Indian sources, two MiG-29s from the IAF's No. 47 squadron (Black Archers) gained missile lock on two F-16s of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) which were patrolling close to the border to prevent any incursions by Indian aircraft, but did not engage them because no official declaration of war had been issued. The Indian MiG-29s were armed with beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles whereas the Pakistani F-16s were not.
Mikoyan continues to produce them, with the latest version being the MiG-35 Fulcrum-F, which incorporates thrust vectoring technology.
Sea Harriers
Not many people know about Indian Navy's Sea Harriers also known as "Jump Jets" which were sourced from the UK from 1983. That is a solid 32 years of service by this worthwhile fighter.
India initially maintained a healthy collection of 30 Sea Harriers (designated as FRS51 and based on the FRS1) beginning in December of 1983 with these beginning service the INS Vikrant and ultimately switching to the INS Viraat. Since then, the collection has dwindled to a paltry 13 operational systems due to 17 crashes over the aircrafts’ service lifetime (a known hazard for Harriers).
Regardless, the Indian Navy is working on upgrading a fleet of 15 Sea Harriers with Israeli help and intends on fielding the system for a few more years. Upgrades to the system will include support for the Rafael Derby medium-range air-to-air BVR missile and installation of Israeli Elta ELM/M-2032 radar. Indian Sea Harriers make up the 300 Naval Squadron and represent the only foreign use of the Sea Harrier model.
HAL HJT-16 Kiran
The HAL HJT-16 Kiran (Ray of Light) is a two-seat basic jet trainer built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. HJT-16 Kiran first flew in the year 1964 and was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1973. The trainer aircraft has three varients, namely, MK I, MKIA and MK II.
Used for intermediate training of pilots who have finished basic flying training on the HPT-32 Deepak. The first aircraft powered by the Rolls Royce Viper Mk 11 was flown for the first time on the 4 September 1964. The production aircraft was designated the Kiran I, and first deliveries from a pre-production batch were delivered to the Indian Air Force in March 1968. Later production aircraft were fitted with hardpoints under each wing for weapon training (as the Kiran IA. A total of 190 aircraft were built. An improved version powered by a 3,400 lbf thrust (15,000 N) Bristol-Siddeley Orpheus engine and improved weapon-carrying capability was designated the Kiran II and was delivered from 1983.
The Kiran aircraft is used by the Indian Air Force aerobatic team Surya Kiran and Indian Naval aerobatic team Sagar Pawan. Sagar Pawan is one of the only two naval aerobatic teams in the world, the other being the Blue Angels of the US Navy.
BAE Hawk
The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, jet-powered advanced trainer aircraft. It has been used in a training capacity and as a low-cost combat aircraft. The Hawk is still in production both in the UK and in India under licence by HAL. It is mainly used as a trainer aircraft for the Indian Navy pilots. HAL and UK based BAE Systems (BAE), agreed to explore the development of a “Combat Hawk” which could even be exported to friendly countries. Over 900 Hawks have been sold and is being operatred by 18 operators worldwide.
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Indian Defence News: IDN TAKE: Fighter Jets of Indian Navy's Air Wing
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