Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[sancho]

Interesting wrt the Avro replacement:

Airbus Military readies winglet-equipped C295W for market

Airbus Military has detailed a schedule to bring a winglet-equipped enhancement of its C295 medium transport into operational use from the fourth quarter of 2014.

Dubbed the C295W, the future build standard will incorporate a strengthened wing to allow the installation of the metallic winglets, with the entire modification package to add 90kg (198lb) to the transport's weight, the company says.
Combined with an increase in available power from the aircraft's Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127 engines, the winglets will boost payload, climb, altitude and cruise performance, especially when operating in hot environmental conditions and from high airfields...

Airbus Military readies winglet-equipped C295W for market

 

[sancho]

Officials Pessimistic About LUH Prospects

India's long-delayed effort to acquire 197 light reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters for its army and air force is spiraling toward what might be the program's second cancellation...

...A senior Indian defense ministry source confirms that the Defense Acquisition Council, headed by Defense Minister A.K. Antony, will not move forward on the light helicopter program until inquiries into corruption charges by the officer are complete...

...Now, the possibility of a second program kill has Eurocopter managers in India anxious to the extreme.

The “delay in the procurement program for reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters has become a serious cause of concern for Eurocopter,” wrote Rainer Farid, vice president for sales and customer relations in India and South Asia in an April 3 letter to India's director general of acquisitions. “Since issue of the current [request for proposals], till date four years has elapsed, and the validity of the commercial quotes has already been extended six times.”

Kamov declined requests for comment on the program, but an official at Russian Helicopters in New Delhi described a sense of confusion about how to proceed.

“It does not look good. The government hasn't answered questions sent by us. The signal appears to be, step back, this isn't happening,” the official said. “We are currently weighing our options under the Defense Procurement Procedure. There is a total absence of clarity on the way forward.”

Industry worries appear to be shared within the Indian government. Defense ministry officials remain grim about the program's future.

“It isn't formally over. But it seems unlikely it will come up for a decision any time soon,” says a senior defense ministry acquisitions officer. “The entire deal will have to be reexamined, perhaps from scratch.”

The possibility of ending the procurement a second time is a bitter blow for the army and air force, both of which have desperately sought new-build helicopters for operations from high-altitude bases since 2004...

Officials Pessimistic About LUH Prospects

 

[Abingdonboy]

Officials Pessimistic About LUH Prospects

Mr Antony- you waste of space. Put lives endanger just to protect you image. How the eff can this scumbag sleep at night?


As they say- chalo- bring on the HAL LUH. Hopefully HAL will speed up this bird's devlopment and have it serving the nation before too long.

 

[silent poison]

India's air power is all set to get a huge boost as the Indian Air Force (IAF) is holding talks with various companies over the purchase of different types of aircraft in the near future.

On Friday, Union minister of state for defence Jitendra Singh went on a sortie in one of the newly inducted PC-7 MK-11 basic trainer aircraft flown by a pilot at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal. "It was magical. We also did a few maneuvers. It reminded me of the days when I used to fly," Jitendra Singh said.

It cost Rs 3,500 crore for purchasing 75 PC-7 MK-11 aircraft from Switzerland, developing the required infrastructure and ground facilities.

As about a dozen of the basic trainer aircraft have arrived, they will be used for ab initio training of pilots by the IAF from July this year. The rest of the aircraft is expected to reach by August 2015. These aircraft have been purchased keeping in mind the needs of training up to the year 2060, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said. He, however, said the IAF actually needs 173 aircraft.

To the question whether the induction of the new trainer aircraft means there would be no more mishaps at Dundigal like before when the HPT-32 trainer aircraft was being used, the Air Chief said, "Military aviation, one must understand, has risks".

He said the earlier HPT-32 trainer aircraft had 'engine cuts' and this problem could not be understood or rectified. The Air Chief also pointed out that IAF had seen the best safety record in its entire history last year. He said the C-17 Globemaster III airlifters will arrive in India from the US on June 17. These aircraft, purchased from Boeing, will be used for 'strategic air lifting' by the IAF.

As part of the modernisation of the IAF, he said negotiations were being held for the purchase of the air-to-air refuelling tanker A330 MRTT from Airbus. He said negotiations had been completed for the purchasing of the C-130J aircraft. These aircraft reportedly will be used for the Special Forces.

Browne said the negotiations went off 'smoothly' for acquiring the Medium Multi Role Aircraft (MMRC) and the deal is expected to be finalised by September or October this year. He also said by the end of next year the IAF would have the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

Replying to a question, the air chief said the IAF had been sanctioned
20 more hawk aircraft which are expected to be delivered in three years time. "I am also missing the disbanded Surya Kiran team. When the hawk aircraft arrive, the aerobatics team will be revived," he said.

Jitendra Singh said there would be complete transparency in the new acquisitions being made by the defence ministry. "The Defence Procurement Policy-2013 will create a better environment for the Indian industry to be involved in defence production," the minister said.

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

Most important line in the post,MMRCA negotiations went 'SMOOTHLY' and will be signed by september or october.
Coming right from AIR force chief's mouth,bang.Rafale is coming people.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Most important line in the post,MMRCA negotiations went 'SMOOTHLY' and will be signed by september or october.
Coming right from AIR force chief's mouth,bang.Rafale is coming people.

Key things that jump out:

- 98 more PC-7 MK.II BTTs are almost certain to be ordered
-IAF's first C-17 will arrive in India on the 17th of June (~2 weeks)
- Negotians for the 6 follow-on Super Hercs have been completed so the deal will be signed ths year
- Talks are on for the A330 MRTTs- hurray!! Hadn't heard much on this front for a while.
- The Surya Kiran will be reformed in 3 years and will be flying HAWK MK.132s and 20 extra airframes have been ordered for this role.


And finally- the big one:

- MMRCA talks are going "smoothly" and the timeline is now Sept/Oct 2013.

 

[jiki]

- 98 more PC-7 MK.II BTTs are almost certain to be ordered

den wht will happen to HAL HTT-40 IAF sud order 60-70 of dem after 112 of PC-7 or we will be blamed again for importing even for a basic trainer and also it is not a proud to be thing for indian aerospace


-

MMRCA talks are going "smoothly" and the timeline is now Sept/Oct 2013.

it came down to that smooth ...hmmm gr8 den but still some smoke is der wht abt the 2 diff contract demanding by Dassault and how GOI satisfied the ambanis(RAL).....

 

[Abingdonboy]

den wht will happen to HAL HTT-40 IAF sud order 60-70 of dem after 112 of PC-7 or we will be blamed again for importing even for a basic trainer and also it is not a proud to be thing for indian aerospace

The IAF officially stated it didn't need or want the HTT-40 anymore once it was getting deliveries of the PC-7. For something as simple as a BTT it makes no sense to be operating two DIFFERENT platforms- this will only create to logistical,maintenance and training curriculum issues and cost the IAF in the long term. HAL failed to deliver on the HTT-40 and the IAF said as much. For some reason HAL are still pushing for it but I seriously doubt this bird has any future. It is a case of too little too late- they
didn't invest the time when they should have and now are waking up too late to this realization.

it came down to that smooth ...hmmm gr8 den but still some smoke is der wht abt the 2 diff contract demanding by Dassault and how GOI satisfied the ambanis(RAL).....

All these things are going on behind close doors so we have no idea if and how these issues were addressed to date. This info will emerge over time for sure but right now we are in the dark.


+ @jiki could you respond to my Q in the Indian SF thread?

 

[ApparentRaceTraitor]

Just out of curiosity, why do we need the 'Surya Kiran' team? Aren't they just an acrobatics/aerial display team?

 

[Abingdonboy]

Just out of curiosity, why do we need the 'Surya Kiran' team? Aren't they just an acrobatics/aerial display team?

Yep that's all they are. Same reason any AF needs/wants/has such a display team- to show of skills, promote a good image, inspire, awe etc etc


IAF'S SARANG HELO display team btw:

 

[Pakchina]

Oh la. All these aircrafts and weapons just to contain China which is under embargo and cannot purchase anything. P 8 Orion, C 17 Globemaster, training aircraft from Switzerland, Hawk from Britain, Airbus refueling from Europe, Rafale fromk France, more Su 30 MKI from Russia, more avionics and radar for the SU 30 MKI from Israel, Apache from the US, engines for LCA from the US etc, all, these to contain the so called China threat, to contain China with its outdated weaponry and copied Russian clones. China should be very strong.

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

Oh la. All these aircrafts and weapons just to contain China which is under embargo and cannot purchase anything. P 8 Orion, C 17 Globemaster, training aircraft from Switzerland, Hawk from Britain, Airbus refueling from Europe, Rafale fromk France, more Su 30 MKI from Russia, more avionics and radar for the SU 30 MKI from Israel, Apache from the US, engines for LCA from the US etc, all, these to contain the so called China threat, to contain China with its outdated weaponry and copied Russian clones. China should be very strong.

Wow!

containing a nation with a training aircraft . CCP certified Chinese logic indeed

 

[ApparentRaceTraitor]

Yep that's all they are. Same reason any AF needs/wants/has such a display team- to show of skills, promote a good image, inspire, awe etc etc


IAF'S SARANG HELO display team btw:

I think the 'wow'-factor would be better reinforced through the use of actual fighter jets in IAF inventory. Remember the stunts pulled by the MKIs during (I don't remember exactly) the Republic Day thingy? IMO the same stunts pulled by the planes previously used by the SK team could not potentially generate the same propaganda value that any hotshot MKI pilot could(not meaning hotshot in a bad way, the way I understand it, you need to have the hotshot attitude to be able to commandeer one of those babies) that can be used to reinforce it's image and attract new recruits. In the end I think it makes more sense, fiscal and man-power wise to not have a dedicated acrobatics team. But that is just my opinion.

 

[GR!FF!N]

Oh la. All these aircrafts and weapons just to contain China which is under embargo and cannot purchase anything. P 8 Orion, C 17 Globemaster, training aircraft from Switzerland, Hawk from Britain, Airbus refueling from Europe, Rafale fromk France, more Su 30 MKI from Russia, more avionics and radar for the SU 30 MKI from Israel, Apache from the US, engines for LCA from the US etc, all, these to contain the so called China threat, to contain China with its outdated weaponry and copied Russian clones. China should be very strong.

what do you mean???China isn't strong enough for "puny" India???CCP will kick you out from propaganda team for this treachery...

anyway...all your nagging is unwanted and offtopic..


HTT-40 isn't coming then..but I think HAL should focus more on HTT-36 then..we need it badly as we already retired Kiran Mk II and we need another IJT to replace them.

 

[Abingdonboy]

I think the 'wow'-factor would be better reinforced through the use of actual fighter jets in IAF inventory. Remember the stunts pulled by the MKIs during (I don't remember exactly) the Republic Day thingy? IMO the same stunts pulled by the planes previously used by the SK team could not potentially generate the same propaganda value that any hotshot MKI pilot could(not meaning hotshot in a bad way, the way I understand it, you need to have the hotshot attitude to be able to commandeer one of those babies) that can be used to reinforce it's image and attract new recruits. In the end I think it makes more sense, fiscal and man-power wise to not have a dedicated acrobatics team. But that is just my opinion.

Yes but at the same time an MKI being used purely as a display a/c is a complete and utter waste of resources and capabilities. Using Trainers is cost effective and practical. If you were going to use an MKI you'd have to strip the a/c right down to the bare bones and remove most of the systems that make it as lethal as it is so you'd be paying 5-6 times more ( a MKI costs anywhere from $50-100 MN these days depending on the spec and batch) for a machine you only take out on special occasions and don't use 97% of its systems (that you've paid for)!


India isn't that rich yet where it can throw MKIs into a display team.