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India joins Ballistic Missile Defence Club

I think that the same should be done for bofors and denel these sort of bans are not helping any one.
 
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The Hindu : Front Page : Air-to-air missile Astra test-fired successfully

Y. Mallikarjun
HYDERABAD: An important milestone in the pre-operational phase of Beyond-Visual-Range air-to-air missile, Astra was achieved on Saturday with the successful test-firing of the weapon system at Chandipur-on-sea, off the Orissa coast.

Astra project director S. Gollakota told The Hindu from Chandipur that the ground launch of the advanced tactical missile, having the capability to intercept fast-moving targets at supersonic speeds ( 1.2 to 1.4 Mach), was carried out just after noon.

The missile, launched from a specially-built ground launcher hit two simulated targets within 40 seconds and met all the “mission objectives.” Both the targets were hit by the same vehicle. Soon after impacting the first target in 20 seconds, the missile was manoeuvred and hit the second target in 60 seconds.

He said the indigenously-developed anti-aircraft missile covered a range of 23 km in about 80 seconds. The advanced system’s avionics hardware and software, mid-course guidance and the data link of ground-based transmitter and air-borne data link receiver were validated during the trial.

The propulsion system, navigation control and airframe were once again proved as they were validated in earlier trials. A similar test would be held on Sunday for “repeatability and confidence,” he added.

Smallest
The single-stage, smoke-less, solid propelled missile can carry a conventional warhead of 15 kg and is the smallest of the missiles developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation in terms of size and weight. The 3.8 metre-long missile has a diameter of 178 mm with an overall launch weight of 160 kg.

Mr. Gollakota said captive flight tests would be conducted early next year after a few more ground trials. Subsequently, it would be fitted to combat fighter Sukhoi-30 and test-fired. Later the missile would be integrated on board MiG-29 and Light Combat Aircraft.

Highly manoeuvrable
He said the highly manoeuvrable Astra was better than similar class of missiles and could be launched from different altitudes. It would cover a range of 100 km when launched from an altitude of 15 km, 60 km from an altitude of five km and the range would be 20 km if the altitude was still lower.
 
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Express New Service 15 Sep 2008 11:52:00 AM ISTBALASORE: Astra, beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile, was test-fired on the second consecutive day on Sunday.


With this test, India has added another feather in its cap by successfully conducting the pre-operational third phase test of Astra.

The missile was fired at about 11.47 a.m from a specially-made ground launcher at the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea.

‘‘The test was conducted after an analysis of the data generated from yesterday’s flight trial in order to validate the major parameters,’’ said ITR Director S. P. Dash.

He added that the test was successful as all the mission objectives were met as programmed.


The single-stage, smoke-less and solid propelled missile is one of the smallest missiles developed by the DRDO as far as size and weight are concerned. After the post-mission analysis, a source informed that the missile covered about 15 km and hit two simulated targets as coordinated before dropping into the Bay of Bengal.

Astra Project Director S. Gollakota, however, said that the propulsion system, navigation control and airframe were once again proved as they were validated in earlier trials. Though the missile was initially planned to arm Jaguar, MiG-29 and light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas, DRDO has started concentrating on integrating ‘Astra’ with Indian Air Force’s frontline fighter aircraft like Sukhoi-30 MKIs and Mirage-2000.

‘‘In 2003 and 2007, the tests were conducted in two phases to study the ballistic performance and control of the missile at low altitude and shorter ranges. After a few more ground trials next year, it would be fitted to combat fighter Sukhoi-30 MKI and test-fired before it is made fully operational,’’ Gollakota added.

Express Buzz - Astra tested successfulLY again in Balasore
 
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LiveFist: EXCLUSIVE: Israel proposes JV with DRDO for standoff PGM

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2008

EXCLUSIVE: Israel proposes JV with DRDO for standoff PGM

In yet another power-pitch for collaborative weapons development, Israel has proposed a joint venture with India to develop and manufacture a fire-and-forget precision guided standoff weapon for the Indian and Israeli air forces. The proposal was formally made by an Israeli defence delegation, led by senior officials from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, to the DRDO's Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune on July 7, and carried forward with two more meetings at the DRDO Headquarters level in August and this month.

As a recent news report by DNA's Josy Joseph suggested, the Israelis are having an "unprecedented run" in the Indian defence market. The same news report tells of how the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has completely broken with tradition and put its stamp of approval on the Rs 10,400 crore medium range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) joint venture between the two countries, currently pending final approval by the Cabinet, but expected shortly. This despite the fact that the companies involved are the same that remain officially charged by the CBI and are being investigated for paying kickbacks in the original Barak naval point defence system deal. The same duo of IAI/Rafael is already involved with the co-development of the Barak-2 surface-to-air missile with DRDL.
 
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I think its a particularly good idea. If they can manage to create cheap glide kits for dumb bombs,keeping in mind that JDAM though cheap for western countries is very expensive for India to be used in sizeable numbers.
 
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The Hindu : Front Page : Agni-III gets nod for induction

Agni-III gets nod for induction

Y.Mallikarjun

HYDERABAD: The nuclear capable, long-range (3,500 km) missile, Agni-III, which is expected to be the mainstay of India’s nuclear deterrence programme, has been cleared for induction into the Army.

This is perhaps the first time that a missile received the nod for induction within a short span of two-and-half years following the first flight test. While the first trial of the surface-to-surface missile ended in a failure in July 2006, the subsequent two flight tests conducted in April 2007 and May 2008 were a resounding success.

“We had an excellent repetition performance in May this year. It was an integrated performance in which all aspects of the weapon system were tested. The capability of the system had been proved and no further technology demonstration is needed” said Avinash Chander, director Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) which designs and develops the Agni series.

He told The Hindu here on Monday that a few user trials would be carried out of the ballistic missile whenever required. The process of induction of Agni-I (700 km) and Agni-II (2,000 km) was continuing.

Meanwhile, ASL had begun work on “new systems” for Agni-V with a range of 5,000 km plus and the first flight test was expected to take place in 2010.

Asked about the development of 1,000 km plus subsonic cruise missile, ‘Nirbhay,’ Mr. Avinash said that work was going on well.
 
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The Hindu News Update Service

Nag missile to undergo final trial in summer: Saraswat

Chandigarh (PTI): The army's third generation anti -tank guided missile project 'Nag' is nearing completion and it will undergo one more "user trial" before it is cleared for induction, a top defence scientist said on Tuesday.

"The army is happy with the Nag missile. The first phase of user trials were completed in November and December 2007 and the final trial of this project will take place this summer," DRDO Chief Controller Research and Development (Missile and Strategic systems) Dr V K Saraswat told reporters here.

'Nag' (cobra) is an all weather, top-attack, fire-and- forget anti-tank guided missile, the design work of which was started in 1988 and first tests in November 1990. It is one of five missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

Saraswat however said there was a "dire need" to equip the country against threats from land, sea and air by developing a ballistic missile system.

"It is a requirement as more than 31 countries have developed and designed ballistic missiles," he said adding that DRDO had started building technology to detect the flight of ballistic missiles and reach the combat zone in time.

Replying to a question on whether there was a refueling problem with the surface-to-air 'Prithvi' missile, {ha ha ha please I don't know what to say about this} he said the Army had been using it since 1994 and was "very happy" with its functional capabilities.

"Pirthvi missile can be fuelled anywhere though it is generally done in depots. But once this missile is fuelled, it has a life of 10 years," he said.
 
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The Hindu Business Line : DRDO to make missiles lighter, cost-effective

DRDO to make missiles lighter, cost-effective
Composite material, which can withstand very high temperatures and are robust, finds application in aerospace, the light combat aircraft and satellites.

M. Somasekhar

Hyderabad, Sept. 24 With an intention to make the country’s missiles lighter, cost-effective and possess greater hit power, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is augmenting its composite materials facilities and capabilities.

An independent centre for composite testing and evaluation is being set up at the Hyderabad-based Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), the premier lab guiding the long range missile — Agni programme and providing key technology inputs to other missiles.

ASL already has composites production centre (Comproc), which fabricates the lightweight material for Agni and other missiles. “In 6-7 years, we want to make all the stages of the Agni missile composite structured,” said Mr Avinash Chander, Director of the Laboratory under DRDO.

“At present, the payload and a small portion (nose tip) of Agni is made of composites, while the rest is metallic. Progressively, we will make the airframe, the upper stages and payload completely composite,” he told Business Line. There is lot of interest from the private sector in the composites arena and no dearth of raw materials, he added. Composite material, which can withstand very high temperatures and are robust, finds application in aerospace, the light combat aircraft and satellites.

The ASL provides composites and solid propulsion systems to most missiles such as Prithvi, Akash, Nag and Astra, Mr Chander said.Another initiative taken up by ASL is in the area of non-destructive evaluation of materials. This would help in assessing the health of the missile systems and components.

Cost-effective
Since we cannot bring these back from the field, the testing done through NDE tools and methods on site would make it cost-effective, he added.

These techniques are useful in detecting degradation of materials, cracks or other minor defects, which can reduce the life of the missile or make it ineffective.

Typically, ultrasound and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques are used. Asked about Agni-3, the long-range, surface to surface missile, Mr Chander said it has been cleared for induction into the Defence forces.

“We will do user trials when required, but it is ready for manufacture and induction,” he said. The missile was tested thrice between July 2006 to May 2008, with the first being a failure.

On Agni-V, he said the development is progressing.

“We can test it in two to two and half years. Two out of three stages will be composite, which will reduce its weight and increase range,” he added.
 
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Indian ABM Interceptor

Indian ABM Interceptor
INDIA IS planning to carry out the third test launch of its home-made anti-ballistic missile in November. The first successful test launch was conducted in November 2006 and the second took place in December 2007. .
INDIA IS planning to carry out the third test launch of its home-made anti-ballistic missile in November, the Indo-Asian News Service reported from Bangalore on September 23. Progress on developing the new missile has been relatively slow in past. Main reason of the delay was sanctions imposed on India after the nuclear tests. The first successful test launch was conducted in November 2006 and the second took place in December 2007, IANS noted. Therefore, there will be a delay of eleven months before the next scheduled test.

Though the pure research and prototype developments in India’s long-range ballistic missile and anti-ballistic missile programmes have been impressive, yet many doubts remain over the country’s ability to produce such weapons that are up to the operational standards. The rapid development and operational deployment of the impressive supersonic BrahMos cruise missile stands in striking contrast to the continuing classical progress on the ABM interceptor programme. BrahMos has been co-developed by India and Russia.
IANS cited a senior Indian defense official announcing that the next test is scheduled on November 6 at the Chandipur on sea, interim test range in coastal Orissa. "Preparations are on to conduct the interceptor missile test for building an indigenous defense shield in early November. It is aimed at intercepting and destroying ballistic missiles from a long range”, Indian defense scientist, VK Saraswat stated to the news agency. “The new test will seek to prove the 23-foot-long interceptor’s capabilities at a higher altitude than the test conducted last December”, Saraswat added.


"We have already conducted a test in endo-atmosphere at a distance of 48 kilometers. We are aiming at much higher altitude in exo-atmosphere, which is 50 kilometers to 75 kilometers (30 miles to 45 miles) above the earth”, told Saraswat.
"The test will reinforce our capability in installing a two-layered ballistic missile defense shield to protect vulnerable areas from an incoming enemy missile and strengthen our national security," Saraswat announced.

IANS stated that the new interceptor would carry ’inertial navigation system and electro-mechanical actuators’ to enable it to perform critical functions required to engage the incoming missile during the latter’s terminal phase. "With the third test, we will have the entire BMD capability to detect, intercept and destroy intermediate-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles, coming from any country", Saraswat added. This will give us the basic umbrella shield in missile defense and help understand the characteristics of missiles flight pattern. Hope we Indians, who have studied the stars and the skies for centuries, can now move forward and spear ahead with others on this planet. IANS stated that the interceptor’s new tracking and fire control radars had been built by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Israel and France.
 
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Indian ABM Interceptor

Indian ABM Interceptor
INDIA IS planning to carry out the third test launch of its home-made anti-ballistic missile in November. The first successful test launch was conducted in November 2006 and the second took place in December 2007. .
INDIA IS planning to carry out the third test launch of its home-made anti-ballistic missile in November, the Indo-Asian News Service reported from Bangalore on September 23. Progress on developing the new missile has been relatively slow in past. Main reason of the delay was sanctions imposed on India after the nuclear tests. The first successful test launch was conducted in November 2006 and the second took place in December 2007, IANS noted. Therefore, there will be a delay of eleven months before the next scheduled test.

Though the pure research and prototype developments in India’s long-range ballistic missile and anti-ballistic missile programmes have been impressive, yet many doubts remain over the country’s ability to produce such weapons that are up to the operational standards. The rapid development and operational deployment of the impressive supersonic BrahMos cruise missile stands in striking contrast to the continuing classical progress on the ABM interceptor programme. BrahMos has been co-developed by India and Russia.
IANS cited a senior Indian defense official announcing that the next test is scheduled on November 6 at the Chandipur on sea, interim test range in coastal Orissa. "Preparations are on to conduct the interceptor missile test for building an indigenous defense shield in early November. It is aimed at intercepting and destroying ballistic missiles from a long range”, Indian defense scientist, VK Saraswat stated to the news agency. “The new test will seek to prove the 23-foot-long interceptor’s capabilities at a higher altitude than the test conducted last December”, Saraswat added.


"We have already conducted a test in endo-atmosphere at a distance of 48 kilometers. We are aiming at much higher altitude in exo-atmosphere, which is 50 kilometers to 75 kilometers (30 miles to 45 miles) above the earth”, told Saraswat.
"The test will reinforce our capability in installing a two-layered ballistic missile defense shield to protect vulnerable areas from an incoming enemy missile and strengthen our national security," Saraswat announced.

IANS stated that the new interceptor would carry ’inertial navigation system and electro-mechanical actuators’ to enable it to perform critical functions required to engage the incoming missile during the latter’s terminal phase. "With the third test, we will have the entire BMD capability to detect, intercept and destroy intermediate-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles, coming from any country", Saraswat added. This will give us the basic umbrella shield in missile defense and help understand the characteristics of missiles flight pattern. Hope we Indians, who have studied the stars and the skies for centuries, can now move forward and spear ahead with others on this planet. IANS stated that the interceptor’s new tracking and fire control radars had been built by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Israel and France.
 
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Eastern Seaboard: From Indo US relations to Indo Russian ties, they are certainly catching a chill.

And for that matter, India is getting increasingly vocal about its unease with its principal defence supplier--Russia.

After the bitter spat over the acquisition of the Russian aircraft carrier Gorshkov, the Indian Navy is now going public with another sore issue-- the Klub cruise missile.

Inducted to be the main strike weapon of India's submarine arm between 2001 and 2006, this anti-ship cruise missile has never hit a target.

Seven of India's 10-kilo class submarines and the three Talwar class stealth frigates have been fitted with this weapon
No dealings on aircraft with Russia: Indian Navy
 
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Off target
Bury Trishul but produce another

THE Trishul missile defence system has long been an embarrassment and even its parent, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, should have preferred to give it a quiet burial rather than go in for a notional one-year extension. Its status as a mere “technology demonstrator” after two decades of development is in itself a pointer to the abysmal failure of the project. A missile defence system, which has to track and destroy a moving missile in the air, is inherently more complex than a point-to-point missile like the Agni or Prithvi. After repeated trials, Trishul’s failure rate has been so high that no user would be inspired to buy it. Reports also suggest that the launcher is far heavier than it should be and even its partial successes have been due to an amalgamation of imported technologies.

It is no surprise, therefore, that the Navy opted for the Israeli Barak system, which, by all accounts, it is happy with. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has made it clear that the CBI probe is not about the merits and demerits of the Barak, but rather into alleged kickbacks. Yet, the CBI was ill-advised to point to the “over-ruling” of the Trishul as one of the reasons why the Barak deal was suspect. This lack of appreciation of the ground reality is not to be expected from the premier investigating agency and in the interests of hassle-free defence procurement, the CBI should explore setting up a special cell with expertise in defence matters. Of course, whatever the excellence of the equipment, it cannot justify irregularities of any kind.

And while the Navy cannot be blamed for preferring a working imported system to a dud, there is a consensus that continued import dependence is not in the nation’s interest. Army Chief J.J. Singh has emphasised the importance of indigenous capability in the ongoing modernisation efforts and many a service chief has supported important programmes like the Tejas, precisely with this in mind. It is a pity that the DRDO has not been up to the job. The death of Trishul is an opportunity for a drastic overhaul.

The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Opinions
 
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