Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence

24-July, 2015 16:26 IST
Shortage of Fighter Aircraft

The requirement of fighter aircraft is periodically reviewed to ensure that the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are met. The IAF is in the process of inducting additional Su-30 MKI aircraft manufactured under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which is manufactured indigenously by HAL. These would augment the operational strength of the IAF. Further, as per the India-France Joint Statement issued by the two countries during the Prime Minister’s visit to France, Government of India conveyed to the Government of France that in view of the critical operational necessity for Multirole Combat Aircraft for IAF, Government of India would like to acquire (36) Rafale jets in fly-away condition as quickly as possible. The two leaders agreed to conclude an Inter-Governmental Agreement for supply of the aircraft on terms that would be better than conveyed by Dassault Aviation as part of a separate process underway, the delivery would be in time-frame that would be compatible with the operational requirement of IAF; and that the aircraft and associated systems and weapons would be delivered on the same configuration as had been tested and approved by Indian Air Force, and with a longer maintenance responsibility by France.

A Negotiating Team has been constituted to negotiate the terms and conditions of the procurement of 36 Rafale jets and recommend a draft agreement. The meetings of the Indian Negotiating team with the French side have commenced.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Dr. A Sampath and others in Lok Sabha today.

Ministry of Defence
24-July, 2015 16:25 IST
Crashes of Fighter Aircraft

During the last three years and the current year (upto 20.07.2015)atotal of 20 fighter aircraft (03 Sukhoi, 12 MiG and 05 Jaguar) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) have crashed as per the details below:


Year - No. of fighter aircraft crashed
------ - Sukhoi-MiG-Jaguar-Total
2012-13 - 01 - 02 -01 -04
2013-14 - -- - 05 - 01 - 06
2014-15 - 01 - 04 - 02 - 07
2015-16 - 01 - 01 - 01 - 03 (upto 20.07.2015)


The main reasons for the crashes were Technical Defect and Human Error. .02 IAF personnel were killed and 02 civilian injured in these accidents. The loss to the Government, in terms of value of aircraft and service property, in respect of 12 accidents assessed so far is estimated at Rs.386 crore and loss to civilian property is Rs.4,43,800/-.Ex-gratia amount paid as compensation to the victims, accident-wise is as under:


Date of accident - 12.02.2013
Aircraft crashed - MiG-27
IAF Personnel killed - --
Civilian injured -01
Amount paid - 5,000
(in Rs.)

Date of accident - 15.07.2013
Aircraft crashed - MiG-21
IAF Personnel killed - 01
Civilian injured - --
Amount paid - 10,00,000
(in Rs.)

Date of accident - 27.05.2014
Aircraft crashed - MiG-21
IAF Personnel killed - 01
Civilian injured - --
Amount paid - 10,00,000
(in Rs.)


Every IAF aircraft accident / incident is thoroughly investigated by a Court of Inquiry (CoI) to ascertain the cause of accident and the recommendations of the completed Court of Inquiry are implemented. Various preventive measures like invigoration of Aviation Safety Organization, streamlining of accident reporting procedure, analytical studies and quality audits of the aircraft fleets to identify vulnerable areas have been taken to reduce aircraft accidents. Accident prevention programmes have also been given an added thrust to identify risk prone / hazardous areas specific to the aircraft fleets and operational environment to ensure safe practice / procedures.


This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Kalikesh N. Singh Deo in Lok Sabha today.

DM/NAMPI/RAJ

 

[W@rwolf]

 

[Abingdonboy]

 

[Hindustani78]

The Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), Air Marshal Gagan Pulasthi Bulathsinghala laying wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate, in New Delhi on July 27, 2015.

The Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), Air Marshal Gagan Pulasthi Bulathsinghala calling on the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, in New Delhi on July 27, 2015.

 

[W@rwolf]

 

[Blue Marlin]

As many as 39 defence aircraft, including 14 helicopters, of the defence forces have crashed since 2012 in which 36 personnel have lost their lives.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in Lok Sabha that in 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and till July 27 this year, 39 defence aircraft, including two trainer aircraft and 14 helicopters of the defence forces, have crashed.
"36 defence personnel have lost their lives in these accidents. No civilian was killed. The loss to civilian property assessed so far is estimated at Rs 4,43,800," he said during question hour.

Parrikar said the number of accidents of defence aircraft has come down significantly over the last four decades, from an average 29 accident per year during 1970s to 17 per year during 2001-10.

t has further come down to just nine accidents per year during 2011-15, he said.

The Defence Minister said the average helicopter accidents has too come down from five per year a few years ago to just 1.4 per year now.

Parrikar said every aircraft accident is thoroughly investigated by a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of accident and the recommendations of the completed Court of Inquiry are implemented.

 

[W@rwolf]

 

[W@rwolf]

Indian Air Force Sukhois Dominate UK Fighter Jets in Combat Exercises

NEW DELHI: In some of the most intense international air combat exercises ever featuring the Indian Air Force, IAF pilots flying Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighters had a resounding 12-0 scoreline in their favour against Royal Air Force Typhoon jets in Within Visual Range (WVR) dogfighting operations.

In subsequent Large Force Exercises (LFE) which featured combined Eurofighter Typhoon and Su-30 formations, the IAF jets were somewhat less successful but consistently held an edge over the Typhoon.

In an exclusive interview, Group Captain Ashu Srivastav, the Contingent Commander in the exercises, told NDTV that the performance of his pilots was "exceptional." According to Group Captain Srivastav, who happens to be the IAF's most experienced Su-30 pilot, his pilots showed "flexibility and adaptability to a new environment and operating conditions and on this benchmark, I would rate them exceptional."

The 10-day exercises which commenced on July 21 was the fourth edition of the Indo-UK Bilateral exercise called 'Indradhanush'. IAF aircraft and personnel were based out of three Royal Air Force bases: four IAF Su-30 fighters operated out of RAF Coningsby, C-17 and C-130J Hercules transports were positioned at Brize Norton and Garud Commandos of the IAF operated alongside British forces at RAF Honington. The IAF also deployed an Ilyushin IL-78 air to air refuelling tanker at Brize Norton.

The IAF fleet departed India on July 15, with the fighters refuelling twice mid-air ahead of their first pit-stop at Taif in Saudi Arabia (near Jeddah). The formation then proceeded to Athens on July 16, refuelling once before their arrival. After another halt for one night, IAF aircraft flew onto the UK again refuelling once mid-air.

For the Royal Air Force, the chance to train against the Russian-designed Su-30, arguably the finest fourth generation fighter aircraft in the world, is rare. India is the largest international operator of the super-maneuverable fighter and was equally keen to pit the skills of its Top Guns against the RAF's new Eurofighter Typhoon, the mainstay of the RAF's fighter fleet.

The first week of the exercises pitted the Su-30, which NATO calls the Flanker, in a series of aerial dogfight scenarios. First, there were 1 v 1 encounters, where a single jet of each type engaged each other in Within Visual Range (WVR) combat, firing simulated missiles to a range of two miles. The exercises progressed to 2 v 2 engagements with two Eurofighters taking on two Su-30s and 2 v 1 exercises where two Sukhois took on a single Typhoon and vice versa. Notably, in the exercise where a lone Su-30 was engaged by two Typhoons, the IAF jet emerged the victor 'shooting' down both 'enemy' jets.

In all dog fighting exercises, IAF Sukhois were able to turn sharply into the extremely agile Typhoons using their thrust-vectored engines to keep the RAF jets locked in their sights. The Su-30's advanced Infrared Search and Track System (IRST), a passive sensor, which cannot be tracked, proved to be a distinct advantage for the IAF's pilots in close-combat maneuvering. Both the IAF and RAF used the full capabilities of their onboard radars, albeit in training mode, which meant that actual radar frequencies used in combat conditions were never exposed for confidentiality reasons. However, the detection ranges of the radars of both aircraft were not curtailed per se. This was air combat as close to the real thing as possible.

The pilots themselves ranged from young Flight Lieutenants to senior Group Captains from either side drawn directly from Typhoon squadrons and the IAF's 2 Squadron, The Winged Arrows, based in Kalaikunda. The idea was for both sides to expose their operational pilots to a modern frontline platform of the same class. Accordingly, the IAF did not deploy any senior pilots serving with its Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE).

By the time the exercises shifted to Large Force Engagements (LFE) in the second week, IAF pilots were comfortable operating in British conditions. The Large Force Engagements saw mixed formation scenarios where the IAF operated its jets alongside RAF Typhoons in air battles against fellow Su-30s flying together with other Typhoons.

The Large Force Engagements saw 4 v 4 engagements at beyond visual range and graduated to a massive 8 v 8 engagement featuring 16 aircraft in the skies near Coningsby. IAF pilots shared tactical information with RAF pilots in their formations using radio communications since the IAF's data-link system (which shares critical sensor data with friendly aircraft) was not compatible with the Link 16 system in use with NATO aircraft like the Typhoon.

Asked about the performance of IAF pilots in these Large Force Engagements, Group Captain Srivastav told NDTV his pilots performed "fairly well" though "quantifying [the results] is difficult". It was not unexpected for the IAF to "lose" one or two jets (over all the Large Force Engagements put together) given that the movement of each formation was directed by fighter controllers coordinating an overall air battle. Both sides agreed to simulate their Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missiles at 25 miles for offensive missions and 22 miles for defensive scenarios.

IAF C-130 and Il-78 jets also participated in the Large Force engagements where they were "defended" by the fighter formations they were flying with against 'enemy' attacks.

The IAF also encountered no serviceability issues with any of its participating jets. All Su-30s were available for the daily exercises which took place over two blocks, one in the morning, the other in the afternoon for a total of eight sorties daily.

Praising the support the IAF received from the RAF, Group Captain Srivastav told NDTV, "The hosts were very good. They were ready to extend exceptional support."

The sense of camaraderie extended to C-17 transport pilots of both sides. According to Group Captain Srivastav, "There was good interaction between young pilots. The C-17 Squadron of the RAF wanted some help in Kathmandu [following the Nepal earthquake]. We helped them then, this was more than reciprocated." RAF pilots showcased their assault landing and combat off-loading experiences with IAF pilots observing from the cockpit of the big jet. IAF pilots shared their experiences of operating the C-17 at high altitudes.

Over the last decade, the Indian Air Force has been very keen to develop its Garud Commando Force meant to protect its assets such as air bases and also be deployed behind enemy lines if required. Operating alongside British forces in the UK, the IAF Garud commandos participated in a 96-hour camp in a training area close to Honington. This involved reconnaissance and surveillance missions and a combat free fall para-jump with British forces.

Back in India now, the IAF, like the Royal Air Force, is keen to point out that the exercises were a learning and training opportunity, and should not be seen as a battle between the IAF and the RAF, who are close allies and partners. According to Group Captain Srivastav, "It was all about learning from each others experiences and to fine tune our own procedures."

At the end of the day, though, for the IAF, these exercises were about gauging the skill levels of its own pilots and the aircraft they operate. For the IAF, these exercises came as positive news on where they stand against some of the best of the West.

Source - NDTV / Vishnu Som

 

[Hindustani78]

The Indian Air Force Contingent with the Indian Ambassador to Greece, Ms. M. Manimekalai, while staging through Athens, Greece on the return leg from United Kingdom.

The Indian Air Force contingent poses for a photograph in front of the Sukhoi-30 and the Typhoon at the close of Ex Indradanush-IV, at RAF Coningsby, United Kingdom.

 

[Hindustani78]

Coningsby: An Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKI and RAF Typhoon flying in a formation during the joint Exercise Indradhanush-IV at RAF Coningsby, in United Kingdom recently. PTI Photo

 

[W@rwolf]

 

[RPK]

 

[W@rwolf]

 

[Hindustani78]

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha being presented the Ceremonial Guard of Honour on his arrival, at Eastern Air Command IAF Shillong on August 12, 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha addressing the Eastern Air Command Commander's conference, in Shillong on August 12, 2015.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha presenting the ‘Pride of EAC’ Trophy, at the Eastern Air Command Commander's conference, in Shillong on August 12, 2015.