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INDIA: Building a Modern Arsenal in India

TATA Advanced Systems to Supply Surface to Air Missile Launchers to Indian Air Force


The Tata Group's defence arm, Tata Advanced Systems, has bagged an order for supplying 16 indigenous Akash surface to air missile (SAM) launchers for the Indian air Force (IAF).

The Strategic Electronics Division received the Rs 182 crore order for the launchers on Monday, even as the group celebrated the launch of its Nano small car. The order for the missile launchers is bigger than the Rs 172 crore order for Pinaka multi-barrel rockets manufactured by the group for the Indian army in 2007.

The total contract for two regiments of Akash SAMs worth an estimated Rs 1,200 crore was placed by the IAF on public sector undertaking Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) earlier this year and deliveries are to be completed in three years. While public sector undertaking BDL is manufacturing the missiles, BEL is producing the Rajendra phased array radar.
 
Airbus A330 MRTT May Win USD 1.3 billion Indian Air Force Contract

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Airbus is set to win contract to deliver six Airbus A-330 multi role tanker transports to the Indian Air Force in a deal worth estimated to be USD 1.3 billion.

Senior Defence Ministry officials confirmed that a 1-billion euro contract for six Airbus A-330 multi-role tanker-transports is close to being finalised. This despite the makers of the Russian IL-78 tanker, six of which the IAF has in service, offering a lower bid.

The Airbus A330 MRTT is being actively operated by up to five countries including Australia, United States and the United Kingdom.

The IAF chose Airbus for its larger fuel load and its dual transport capability. This decision has a bearing on the world's largest defence contract—the IAF's acquisition of 126 medium-range fighter aircraft worth over $10 billion where Russia's MiG-35 is a low-cost option.

India cancels tanker transport tender
By Rahul Bedi
08 January 2010

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has summarily cancelled the INR48 billion (USD1.06 billion) tender for six multirole tanker transports (MRTTs) for the Indian Air Force (IAF), for which the EADS-built Airbus Military A330 MRTT was the preferred choice.

In 2008 the IAF had recommended the A330 MRTT over the rival Russian Ilyushin Il-78, of which it acquired six in 2004 for INR8 billion.

However, ignoring its evaluation following years of extended trials, the MoD dispatched a cryptic letter to EADS in New Delhi on 4 January withdrawing the tender, which IAF sources indicated was on the 'verge' of closure.

MoD sources said the MRTT requirement would now be retendered, resulting in interminable delays.

"It will now take many more years to shortlist another MRTT unless the MoD insists we acquire the Il-78s against our better judgement," an IAF officer said, declining to be identified.

The terminated tender required Airbus to deliver the first A330 MRTT to the IAF within three years of signing the deal and the remaining five within 15 months thereafter.

EADS officials in Delhi declined to comment on the tender's withdrawal, but defence industry sources said "vested interests" had influenced the federal Cabinet meeting on 29 December 2009 that decided to cancel the acquisition of the badly needed MRTTs.

Military sources said that, despite entreaties not to do so by the IAF, Defence Minister A K Antony agreed to cancel the MRTT purchase after the federal finance ministry raised objections on grounds of the A330's high cost.
 
Cochin Shipyard Begins Vikrant Class Aircraft Carrier Construction


Joining an elite club of nations capable of building large warships, India began the construction of its first indigenous aircraft carrier at the Cochin Shipyard here and will go in for 2 to 3 more carriers in the heavier class.

Pressing a remote to lower the keel -- the ship's backbone -- into the construction dock of the shipyard, Defence Minister A K Antony said, "The Navy's carrier will showcase India's technological prowess and warships' building capabilities to the world. It will be the largest ever warship to be built in India." The 40,000-tonne carrier will operate nearly 30 aircraft including the Russian MiG-29Ks fighters, Kamov-31 helicopters and the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

"This is a crucial milestone and an occasion to cherish in the shipbuilding traditions and maritime history of the nation. The culmination of this prestigious project, sometime in 2014, will transform India into an aircraft-building nation," Antony said.

He said that India will certainly produce more indigenous aircraft carrier, but in the heavier class category to meet the future challenges and needs of maritime security. "We hope to operate two to three aircraft carriers simultaneously in the not too distant future," Antony said. (india-defence)

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Indian Air Force to Install Aerostat Radar System at Southern Air Command

Thiruvananthapuram, India -- Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to install Aerostat Radar System at the Southern Air Command (SAC) last Friday.

According to Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal S Radhakrishnan, considering the region's strategic importance, Aerostat Radar System, capable of picking up targets at low ranges would be installed at SAC in two years.

Radhakrishnan further shared that the control of Maritime Air Operations (MAO), now under South Western Air Command, would be handed over to the Southern Air Command.

IAF sources said in New Delhi that they have already geared up air defense units by placing mobile radars all along the southern coast particularly to secure sensitive infrastructure following the first LTTE attack in 2007.

In November 2008, in the wake of the terror attacks in Mumbai, India purchased the Elta Systems-built EL/M-2083 Aerostat Radar System as the country’s early warning and control phased array radar for $600 million.

Deployed at strategic points, the radar will detect and track hostile low-flying aircraft, helicopters, spy drones and missiles to protect the country’s coastline.
 
Indian Air Force Targets 42 Squadrons Strength by 2022

Defence Minister A K Antony today said that by the end of the 13th Plan period, Indian Air Force's combat fleet would be of 42 squadrons, which is more than the strength sanctioned by the Government.

"During the period 2007-2022, the strength at the end of 11th, 12th and 13th Plan periods is expected to increase to 35.5, 35 and 42 squadrons respectively," Antony said in a written reply to a query in Rajya Sabha. Government has sanctioned the IAF to have a total of 39.5 squadrons of fighter aircraft.

He said that the air force will reach the peak of strength with the induction of Su-30 MKIs, Jaguars, Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA), Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Antony said at the beginning of the 11th Plan period, the force had only 32 squadrons.

Defence Minister added that the the IAF was in the process of carrying out upgrades in its existing fleet of Mirage 2000, MiG 21, MiG 27, MiG 29 and Jaguar fighter aircraft and adding force multipliers such as the Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) and mid-air refueling aircraft.(india-defence)
 
Russia Offers India 320 Combat Helicopters

Russia is ready to provide India with a total of 320 military helicopters and hopes to expand cooperation, an executive of a Russian helicopter making plant said on Friday.

"We have presented to the Indian Defense Ministry, as well as to other government agencies, our line of new models and modernized helicopters," said Igor Pshenichny, deputy general director of the Helicopters of Russia holding.

Speaking at the Aero India 2009 show, he added that his company, in conjunction with Russia's state-controlled arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, was participating in a number of tenders, in particular involving the Ka-226T multirole helicopter and the Mi-28H Night Hunter helicopter gunship.

He said the company was also in talks with the Indian Defense Ministry on the modernization of radar systems installed on Ka-31 helicopters used by the Indian Navy.

Pshenichny also said Helicopters of Russia would invest $1.5-2 million in building a helicopter maintenance and service center in northern India.(RIA Novosti)
 
Russia's Sukhoi Aircraft Maker Opens Office in India

Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker opened on Monday a representative office in the capital of India, New Delhi, the company's press service said in a statement.

Sukhoi, which is part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), is the manufacturer of the famed Su family of combat aircraft, as well as the new Superjet-100 passenger airliners.

The Sukhoi office will support sales and maintenance of the aircraft delivered to India, and facilitate contacts with local authorities and companies, the statement said.

The Indian Air Force, after years of negotiations, purchased 50 Su-30 aircraft in 1996 and acquired the license from Sukhoi and Russia to manufacture an additional 140 Su-30MKI aircraft. Currently 116 Sukhoi-30MKI are in service.

Russia earlier said it had started talks with Indian firms on the delivery of SuperJet-100 passenger airliners and other civil aircraft to the country.

"The Indian civil aviation market is very attractive. It is very dynamic and has great potential," said Alexei Fyodorov, UAC's general director at a recent meeting of the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation.
 
Indian Army to Purchase 4100 Milan 2T Anti Tank Guided Missiles in USD 120 Million Deal


Times of India reports that the Indian Army has gone in for an urgent order of 4,100 French-origin Milan-2T anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). Defence ministry sources said the Rs 592-crore (USD 120 million approx.) order for 4,100 Milan-2T missiles was cleared after 26/11, with the government finally fast-tracking several military procurement plans.

MILAN 2T is manufactured by the European defense giant MBDA which is also involved in few other defense deals with the Indian government. MBDA is a missile manufacturer with operations in France, Germany, Italy and Britain.

India and Pakistan are currently reorganising their mechanised forces to achieve strategic mobility and high-volume firepower for rapid thrusts into enemy territory. India has plans to progressively induct as many as 1,657 Russian-origin T-90S main-battle tanks (MBTs), apart from the ongoing upgradation of its T-72 fleet.

But with Pakistan looking to procure T-84 MBTs from Ukraine to bolster its already strong fleet of T-80UD, Al-Khalid and other tanks, India wants its infantry battalions to have potent anti-armour capabilities.

This can be gauged from the fact that the latest order for 4,100 advanced Milan-2T missiles with tandem warheads to replenish the Army's dwindling ATGM stock comes barely a few months after the Rs 1,380-crore contract for a staggering 15,000 Konkurs-M missiles. Defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), incidentally, manufactures variants of the second-generation 2-km-range Milan and 4-km-range Konkurs ATGMs, under licence from French and Russian companies, at around Rs 4.50 lakh per unit.

As for the third-generation Nag ATGM, with a 4-km strike range, Army has already placed an initial order for 443 missiles and 13 Namicas (Nag missile tracked carriers). But the Nag is still to become fully operational almost two decades after it was first tested.

DRDO contends that Phase-I of Nag's user-trials were successfully completed last month, with Phase-II now slated for May-June. "Pre-production of Nag is underway at BDL. It's is a fire-and-forget missile, with potent top-attack capability to hit a tank's vulnerable upper portion like the gun turret,'' said an official.

Moreover, Nag's range will be extended to over 7-km in its airborne version named "Helina'', to be fitted on "Dhruv'' Advanced Light Helicopters, each configured to carry eight missiles in two launchers. Incidentally, Nag is the only "core missile system'' of India's original Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), launched way back in 1983, whose development work is yet to be completed.

The IGMDP was closed in December 2007 after DRDO declared development work on all other missiles ― Agni, Prithvi, Akash and Trishul ― was over. While work on strategic nuclear-capable missiles like Agni-III (3,500-km range) and Agni-V (over 5,000-km) is being "undertaken in-house'', India is now increasingly look at foreign collaboration in other armament projects to cut delays.(india-defence.com)
 
Agni-II

Agni-II is a two-stage solid propellant ballistic missile with a launch weight of 17 tons, a diameter of 1m and length of 20 m.


Recent press reports refer to Agni-II as a 19 ton missile with a diameter of 1.3 m and length of 21 m.
The missile can be launched within 15 minutes.


Capabilities
It can hit targets between 1,550 and 1,860 miles away with a 2,200-pound payload.

Considering that a nuclear warhead weighs around 1,200-pound, the missile could hit targets at much higher ranges.

Developed by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the missile is part of the Agni series which includes Agni-I (700 km range) and Agni-III (3,500 km range).

Operational Status

Agni-I, and Agni-II have already been inducted by the Indian Strategic Forces and Agni-III is in the process of induction.

The Agni II missile equips the Strategic Forces 555 Missile Group.


New Version - Agni-II A(2)?
In 2008 there were news reports that a new version of Agni II is being developed under the stewardship of Dr Tessy Thomas who had been appointed project director in May 2008.


Tessy was earlier associate project director of the 3,000-km range Agni-III project.


Agni-II was originally developed as a two stage solid propellant missile that could carry a 1000 kg warhead. However, since its conception and design, India developed and tested much lighter warheads that packed the same punch as the original 1000 kg warhead, allowing the missile to carry extra propellant.


The missile is now rumored to carry extra fuel and a high altitude motor in its re-entry vehicle (RV) to allow for greater range or terminal maneuvering.


The reference to "special weapons" and on-board thrusters in an Indian Express report probably allude to a maneuvering or extended range warhead.


Tests
The missile has been tested four times: On April 11, 1999, January 17, 2001, August 29, 2004 and May 19, 2009.

The August 29, 2004 test appeared to be a depressed trajectory test.

The test on May 19, 2009, which failed, served to train the Strategic Force in independently operating the missile as well as to evaluate a new navigation system.

Both the above tests were done using rail mobile launchers.

During the test on May 19, the missile wandered 180 degrees off track and plunged into the sea after 127 seconds having covered 203 km.

The limited number of tests so far and the long gaps between them probably indicate that it is still under development.


Fifth Test
A fifth test of the missile was conducted from a rail mobile system in launch complex-4 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island at about 7.50 pm on Monday, November 23.



The night launch of the missile, dubbed as 'user trial' by DRDO, proved an embarrassing failure.


It was the second successive failure in five tests over 10 years.


"The liftoff and the first stage separation was smooth. But it faltered just before the second stage separation and behaved erratically, deviating from its coordinated path. Further analysis is on to ascertain the cause," a source told the TOI.


An official told the Indian Express:


‘’Like the unsuccessful previous test on May 19, this time too the missile developed technical glitches at the stage separation phase. Although it crossed the first stage separation phase, because of inherent problem it had cumulative effects on other systems."


According to the official the aerodynamic control system that controls the missiles control fins locked, plunging the missile into the sea.


“During the May trial the missile started wandering midway before falling, but this time it directly plunged into the sea. In fact it was one of the worst trials ever,” he said.


‘’Besides, the India-made inertial navigation system (INS) that guided the missile on its coordinated path by mid-way corrections also failed to provide the desired levels of performance. Significantly, during the developmental trials (all successful) foreign made INS used to be fitted into the missile,’’ he pointed out.


Post-mission analysis (PMA) established the missile covered just 97 km in nearly 41 seconds.


The test on Monday was originally scheduled to take place between November 3 and 8 but had to be postponed because of a glitch in the pneumatic system of the missile launcher.


Failure Cause Identified
Failure of the flex nozzle on the second stage to function properly lead to the erratic flight of the missile during its fifth test. A similar failure had occurred during the first Agni-III ( 3,500 km range) flight in July 2006.


Two Additional Test Planned
Two additional tests of the missile are planned in the coming months according to DRDO officials. (December 13, 2009).
 
Agni-III

Agni-III, is a 3,500 km range missile that is 16.7-meter tall missile and has a 50 ton lift-off weight. It is reportedly capable of carrying a 1.5 ton thermonuclear warhead with a yield of 200-250 KT.

The missile has been tested on three occasions in the past.

The first test on July 9, 2006 was unsuccessful due to cascaded failure of booster flex nozzle controller.

The second test on April 12, 2007 was a success. The missile impacted its designated target area after a flight of 900 secs.

The third test flight on Wednesday, May 7, lasted 800 sec and the missile impacted its designated target area south of the equator, monitored by two IN ships.
 
Agni-V
The Indian Government sanctioned Rs2,500 crore to develop the 5,000 km range Agni V missile in 2008. The missile is expected to be ready for testing in the 2010-11 time frame. (The Agni V is also referred to as Agni III+).


The Agni-V, a road mobile canisterized missile capable of carrying multiple independently targeted warheads, is a critical component of India's nuclear deterrent.


Details of missile and the current status of the project maybe viewed at my knol Agni-V.
 
Harop Loitering Munition (LM) system

AKA Harpy-2
The Indian Air Force will reportedly acquire 10 Harop loitering drones from Malat, the UAV division of Israel Aerospace Industries, under a $100 million deal.

Procurement
The Harops will be inducted into service by 2011.


The IAF already uses Israeli 'Searcher' and 'Heron' UAVs to perform surveillance and reconnaissance roles. The Harops will give the service an offensive UAV capability.


Harpy Lineage
The Harop, aka Harpy-2, is a more advanced version of the Harpy radar killer drones currently in use by the Indian Army.


The Harpy is a fire-and-forget all-weather, day/night autonomous anti radar system. It can hover over a suspected enemy radar or missile site and attack any transmitting radar.


Harpy is designed to take out SAM and radar sites for long duration, by detecting, attacking and destroying radar emitters with a very high hit accuracy.


The 135 kg drone is 2.1 meter long, 2.7 meter span and with range of 500 km.


It is launched from a sealed container to endure harsh battlefield conditions. It can be fueled or defueled within the launcher container ensuring readiness at all time. The system uses periodical built-in test to maintain full readiness.


HAROP Capabilities
Unlike the Harpy, the Harop is remotely piloted and comes equipped with electro-optical sensor. It is equipped with a high performance FLIR and color CCD with 360 degrees hemispherical coverage to search for an identify targets.


It can hover over a battlefield and allowing the operator to select non emitting static or moving targets in a battlefield and attack them with pinpoint accuracy.


It can attack radar transmitter that may have been shut down as protection.


Harop can also be used against suspected ballistic missile sites, where target missile silos and shelters as they are opened before firing.


Aerodynamically the Harop features outer wing extensions, a longer nose and canard foreplanes.


Like the Harpy, Harop is a suicide drone with 23-kg warhead. It is 2.5 meter long with a 3-meter wingspan and has a six-hour endurance.


Using the drone an operator can attack a target from any angle.


The operator monitors the attack until the target is hit, allowing for an abort anytime in order to avoid collateral damage. It can then make another attack run.
 
Astra air-to-air missile
Active radar homing, beyond visual range (BVR) missile
Astra is being developed by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

The 154kg (340lb) Astra uses active radar homing and is reportedly capable of engaging targets at 80km in the head on mode and 20km while astern.

The missile has a cruise speed of up to Mach 2.2 carrying a 20kg fragmentation warhead. It has a length of 3570 mm and a diameter of 178 mm.


Planned tests of the 'Astra' missile include launches at


15 km with 90 to 110 km range
30,000 ft to 44 km range
Sea level to 30 km range
Russian Active Seeker
The active radar seeker of the missile and its launcher have been sourced from Russia. The seeker is switched on when the missile comes to within 15km of the target.


DRDO eventually hopes to develop its own active seeker and launcher.


The missile has a 5m proximity fuse.


Development Trials
The missile was first launched on May 9, 2003 from the ITR. Its second and third trials were conducted on May 11 and May 12, 2003 respectively at the same range. These tests were without control and guidance systems.


A second series of developmental flights to test the guidance system of the missile were carried out on March 25, 26 and 29, 2007.


A follow up ground launch of the missile was carried out on September 13, 2008.

A successful developmental test of the missile was announced on Thursday, May 7, 2009. The missile was launched from the ground at an imaginary target to test its dual mode guidance.


Two 'Astra' tests were conducted at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Orissa on January 11, 2010. The missiles were successfully fired from ground launchers.


Captive Trials


Seven captive flight trials of the missile were conducted in November 2009 at Air Force Station Lohegaon, Pune using a Su-30MKI aircraft. The missile was tested for carriage at super sonic speeds and to loads of 7Gs on underwing pylons.


A total of 15 sorties are planned to establish the aerodynamic stability of the missile aircraft combination within the flight envelop of the aircraft extending to an altitude of 18 km and a speed of 1.8 Mach


In early 2010, more captive trials will establish the compatibility of the missile's electronics with the Su-30MKI avionics.


The actual firing of Astra from the Su-30MKI is expected in July-August 2010.


To begin with, DROD hopes to equip IAF's Su-30MKI and the Mirage 2000 with the Astra missile, since both aircraft have powerful airborne radars to leverage its BVR capability. Later, it hopes to integrate the missile with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and the MiG-29s.

Even though the missile is in the early stages of its development, DRDO has drawn up plans to jointly develop a short-range air defense system with MBDA using a vertically launched variant of Astra.
 
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