Two warships commissioned into Navy fleet

BY: PTI

Giving a boost to Navy’s defence capabilities, two state-of-the-art high-speed warships, INS Cankarso and INS Kondul, were commissioned here on Tuesday into the naval fleet.
Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan commissioned the ships in the presence of Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anup Singh and other senior Naval officials.
The indigenously-built ships use water jet propulsion technology and can achieve speeds in excess of 35 knots. They will be based in Goa and tasked with the role of detecting, locating and destroying small, fast-moving enemy surface craft engaged in covert operations, a Navy spokesman said.
INS Cankarso and INS Kondul are fitted with 30-mm CRN-91 gun built by Ordnance Factory, Medak, and Igla missiles and set of machine guns ranging from light to heavy. “These features are an improvement over the previous fast attack craft (FAC) ships,” the spokesman said.
These two ships are the first lot of the ten similar ships that the Navy proposed to induct in its fleet. They belong to the Car Nicobar class V and VI in the FAC series.
“In addition to their primary role, the ships will be tasked with the role of policing, anti-smuggling and fisheries protection in India’s coastal waters. In the long run, these ships could help in ensuring stability in India’s maritime zones of responsibility,” the spokesman said.
INS Cankarso is named after an island near Goa while INS Kondul derives its name from an island near Nicobar.
Kolkata-based Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers, headed by Rear-Admiral (Retd) K C Shekar, built these ships in two years.
Water jet technology has rapidly gained acceptance as the leading means of propulsion for all types of high-speed marine craft, including ferries, work boats, patrol crafts and pleasure boats.
Recent advances in water jet technology have put them ahead of conventional propulsion systems in high-speed performance and reliability, the Navy spokesman said.
INS Cankarso is commanded by Arun Bahuguna and INS Kondul by Shashidhar R. Patil. The two ships that have 45 sailors and four officers on board, are equipped with a reverse-osmosis technology drinking water plant and sewerage treatment plant.

Indian Army To Use Micro Devices For Movement Of Terrorists

The Indian Army plans to use micro audio bugs, video devices, other micro devices and new age gadgets to keep a watch on terrorist hideouts, meeting places and activities. Says Army on the possible uses of nanotechnology products in the ˜Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap for the Defence Ministry.
It contemplates to use nanotechnology applications to develop nano security devices. Being a future manufacturing technology, nano tech will make most products lighter, stronger, cleaner, less expensive and smaller in size. This and many interesting uses and possibilities of nano products in future are featured in the first anniversary issue of ˜Nano Digest’, India’s first magazine on Nanotechnology published from Hyderabad city. The magazine is just hit the market.
Another interesting piece of news is about the development of world’s most powerful microscope, which is now up and running at the University of Texas at San Antonio in USA. The JEOL transmission electron microscope, model JEM-ARM200F, will propel the development of new cancer therapies and disease treatments by allowing nanotechnology researchers to see samples magnified 20 million times its original size. This is certainly a remarkable progress.
This new and the most powerful microscope can herald new chapter in cancer treatment to pinpoint and burn away the damaged cells without harming the surrounding healthy cells. It will also be used to study Alzheimer’s disease to develop new materials and for other applications.
What is Nanotech? It is not known well so far in India though mention of it was made in 1959. It is the study of controlling of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. One nanometer (nm) is one billionth, or 10 to the power of minus 9 of the meter. To put it more simply, a centimeter is one-hundredth of a meter, a millimeter is one-thousandth of a meter, and a micrometer is one-millionth of a meter, but all of these are still huge compared to the nanoscale. A nanometer (nm) is one-billionth of a meter, smaller than the wavelength of visible light and a hundred-thousandth the width of a human hair. Nanotechnology is a technology with future full of promises.
The first anniversary issue features a cover story on the need for patenting of scientific discoveries is just hit the market. In an exclusive article, it presented the need and urgency to safeguard India’s scientific findings in this world of piracy and cheating. The cover article presents the guidelines and thorough information about the need for patenting of scientific discoveries. Among other features, the issue also has an exclusive article written by Prof. R. Tenne of Israel. A thought provoking article on the way from lab to market is presented for Indian scientists to get inspired. The issue also delves in Nanocomputing, Analytical & Measuring Instruments for Nanotechnology, Nanotech Courses, Nano Lab Alerts, Nanomedicine Updates and others. All in all, an issue worth preserving.
The annual issue also discusses about many advancements in nanoscience. One such an eye opener is how highly lethal venom of cone snail helps in medicine. The highly lethal venom contained in cone snails found in coastal waters near coral reefs when extracted and administered via nanotechnologic methods can potentially be used as a safe and effective alternative to highly addictive morphine based medications.
The only of its kind of magazine in India on Nanotechnology was launched last June. Nano Messiah, world’s great scientist and Father of Indian Nanotechnology Prof. C.N.R. Rao launched it then. One year down the lane, Nano Digest emerged as premier magazine with well over 8000 readership.
Who says ˜No-no to Nano�. The encouraging support magazine receiving from month to month over the last one year proves that Nano is happening in India. Many who felt that market was not ripe for such a magazine proved otherwise, said K.Jayadev, Editor of Nano Digest English monthly. It also dispelled the myth that journalists do not understand technology. Hence, they shouldn’t publish a technology magazine was the opinion of the industry. But, Nano Digest proved that journalists too can edit and produce technology magazine, informed Jayadev.
We wanted to develop a popular magazine, which would decipher technology, inform and educate people about this lesser known science. Nano Digest has been popularizing nanoscience and technology over the past one year. Today Nano Digest has become a platform for many to talk about their experiments and findings; about new products and discoveries; about their curriculum, conferences. Today Nano Digest is the one-stop source for information on Nano Science in India, declared Mr. K. Hari Prasad, Publisher of Nano Digest.
In a short time Nano Digest forged partnerships with many International organisations and particiapated in Conferences like Nanotech India in Kochi, ICE in New Delhi, Indo-US workshop in Hyderabad, ICONSAT in Mumbai, ICONN in Chennai and many others. Among its subscribers are IITs, IIScs, JNCASR (Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research), most of Universities, CSIR Institute, Engineering Colleges, etc. across the country.
Many Industry Stalwarts, who’s-who of Nanotechnology in India and abroad, Nano Scientists, Nano Industry captains contribute articles regularly.
BY: EYTIMES

U.S. to cooperate with Russia on global missile defense system

The United States is ready to cooperate with Russia toward the creation of a global missile defense system, the U.S. Ambassador to Russia said on Monday.
“We will continue this dialogue so that Russia and we can work together on the creation of a global missile defense system,” John Beyrle said in Russian while speaking to students and staff at a Moscow university.
U.S.-Russia relations have seen a dramatic increase since Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama announced last year a new policy of resetting bilateral ties and overcoming Cold-War era set-backs.
Although Obama scrapped last September earlier plans to deploy missile defense elements in the Czech Republic and Poland, Washington has not given up on its European missile shield initiative.
In May, the United States opened a temporary military base in northern Poland, just 80 km (50 miles) from the border of Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, in accordance with an agreement negotiated under former President George Bush in 2008 – a move which drew much criticism from Russia.
The United States is also in talks with Bulgaria and Romania on deploying elements of the U.S. missile shield on their territories from 2015.
BY : RIA Novosti

New F-16s to let PAF to carry out night-time attacks: Qamar

With the induction of the latest version of the F-16 aircraft into the Pakistani fleet, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has gained the capability to carry out all-weather night-time operations, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said on Sunday.
Addressing the formal handing-over ceremony of the three Block 52 version F-16 aircraft provided by the US at the newly-developed base near Jacobabad, Qamar said the new aircraft would not only overcome Pakistan’s existing limitations of precision night operations, but would also enable the PAF to meet its goals more effectively.
“The mission of the PAF is to maintain peace with honour in the region; should this primary effort of maintaining peace fail, we will use our resources including these aircraft to defend our country against any internal or external threats,” he said.
General Norton A Schwartz, the United States Air Force (USAF) chief of staff, visited Pakistan especially to attend the handing-over ceremony.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W Patterson, Vice Admiral Michael LeFever – the US Defence Representative in Pakistan – along with other senior PAF, USAF, civil and military officials were also present on the occasion. Qamar termed the handing over of the aircraft to Pakistan a “happy augury” as the deal for the supply of these aircraft by the US was signed back in 2006, but it became controversial at the hands of critics on both sides. However, he said the deal had matured of late following efforts put in by the “good people” living in the two friendly countries.
Power balance: Later, talking to reporters, he said other countries in the region already had such aircraft in their fleet and the balance of power in the region has been restored now that Pakistan has acquired the latest F-16 jets. As far as the overhauling of PAF’s existing F-16 aircraft is concerned, he said that initially, 14 aircraft from the existing PAF fleet would be upgraded with US assistance.
Ally: Meanwhile, Patterson said that the induction of three advanced F-16s into the PAF fleet was a symbolic and tangible demonstration of a strong US-Pakistan partnership and Washington’s commitment to stand by Islamabad in the longer run as an important ally and friend.
“Our two countries today share a deep and broad partnership, which is growing to encompass nearly every element of government-to-government cooperation. Under the Strategic Dialogue established by Hillary Clinton and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the two nations are working together on economic development, trade and energy, on healthcare and education, on science, technology and agriculture. Our governments share a vision of partnership today, which is unprecedented in the history of our bilateral relationship…” she said.
BY: Daily Times

INS Delhi DDG Visits Colombo In Support Of Indian Navy Chief Visit

Photos Courtesy Sri Lanka Navy

By Shiv Aroor

Lighter, safer grenades for forces

The defence services will soon be equipped with slimmer, lighter, safer and modulated grenades, which don’t explode before time.
Deciding to gradually phase out the existing M-36 hand grenades, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently placed an order for 10 lakh newly-developed hand grenades for the Ordnance factory board. Developed by the Terminal Ballistic Research Lab of DRDO in Chandigarh, the multimode hand grenades would be replacing the archaic ones of the World War II vintage.
According to scientists, the advantage of these hand explosives would be that unlike the existing ones, which can accidentally explode without even the safety pin being removed, these have detachable parts and cannot go off on their own.
“The new design will overcome the safety defect in existing explosives, which explode much before time. Unlike the older version, this weapon can also be airdropped with precision,” said Dr Satish Kumar, director of TBRL.
The missile, which has been tested in temperatures ranging between minus 20 degree Celsius and 55 degree Celsius during trials conducted at Kargil and Tangdhar and in hot dry conditions of Pokhran in Rajasthan, have been now approved for largescale manufacture. “Its modular and lightweight design translates into better operational preparedness as the soldier can carry more of these, use them according to combat conditions and airdrop them precisely on the enemy,” Dr Kumar pointed out.
Another significant aspect of this new product is that the time delay for the explosion — time taken to go off after the pin is pulled out to activate —, is a mere three seconds. “The time factor has seldom been this precise in earlier designs, and led to explosions occurring much before time, resulting in casualities. The multimode overcomes this limitation,” the director added.
“We are half-way to coming up with another version which has an electronic fuse and is lighter,” he said.
A similar model of grenades for paramilitary forces is also in the pipeline.
BY: TNN

Dassault Reiterates Pitch To IAF For 40 Fast-Track Rafales

Senior Dassault officials in France briefed visiting Indian Air Force AOC-in-C Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal KK Nowhar, about the Rafale and reiterated the company's willingness/ability to rapidly supply 40 Rafales to the IAF as a stopgap ahead of the MMRCA competition results. Dassault's pitch plays on the IAF squadron depletions, and the assertion that none of the other MMRCA contenders can deliver new jets as quickly as it can. The offer is a reiteration of what French prez Nicolas Sarkozy brought with him when he visited India in January 2008 -- ostensibly to help the IAF maintain its combat edge in the face of a possible delay in the outcome of the MMRCA competition. French Air Force Rafales did not participate in the just concluded Garuda-2010 air exercise, though it has been decided that four Rafales will fly to India at the end of next year for Garuda-2011.

Photo by Juan Antonio Cifuentes
By Shiv Aroor

Boeing applies to export F-15SE to South Korea

Boeing has applied for an export licence to brief South Korea on sensitive details of a stealthier version of the F-15E that is within a few months of its first flight.
The US government approved an export policy in the second quarter for the F-15SE Silent Eagle after Boeing submitted details of its radar cross-section about six months earlier, says Brad Jones, Boeing programme director for F-15 development programmes.
The export policy allows Boeing to request an export licence for specific customers, with South Korea as the first in queue, Jones says. The F-15SE is competing against the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for a contract in South Korea.
Boeing has backed down from previous statements comparing the frontal-aspect radar cross-section of the F-15SE to an international release standard for the F-35.
However, Jones confirms that Boeing’s original briefing chart – claiming the F-15SE provides frontal-aspect stealth offered by fifth-generation fighters – remains accurate.
Boeing unveiled the F-15SE in March 2009. The redesign adds conformal weapons bays, stealth techniques, fly-by-wire and canted tails to the F-15E configuration, providing a “first-day-of-war” stealth capability.
Lockheed and F-35 programme officials, however, have criticised Boeing’s assertions that the F-15SE offers equivalent front-aspect stealth as the JSF, and denied that an international release standard exists for F-35 stealth characteristics.
Boeing plans to conduct three flights of the F-15SE in the third quarter, including one missile shot from the newly added conformal weapons bay.
BY: Flight International

The Stealth In India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)

The official CAD images above, from the Advanced Projects & Technologies (AP&T) directorate of India's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) provide further perspective on the low-observable design elements that are known to be going into India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), known for a while now to be a stealth aircraft concept. Serpentine air intakes (with minimum flow distortion and robust pressure recovery) and internal weapons bays, depicted in the images above, are some of the most critical nose-on low observability design elements going into the programme.

As part of the multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) currently on for the AMCA -- a wind tunnel model of which was first publicly displayed at AeroIndia 2009 -- that design-based stealth features will include further optimized airframe shaping, edge matching, body conforming antennae and a low IR signature through nozzle design, engine bay cooling and work on reduced exhaust temperature. RAMs, RAPs, special coatings for polycarbonate canopy and precision manufacturing will all be part of the effort to make the AMCA India's first stealth airplane.

With aerodynamic design optimisation near complete, the AMCA's broad specifications are final. The aicraft will have a weight of 16-18 tons [16-18 tons with 2-tons of internal weapons and 4-tons of internal fuel with a combat ceiling of 15-km, max speed of 1.8-Mach at 11-km. The AMCA will be powered by 2 x 90KN engines with vectored nozzles. For the record, the official ADA document that will finally be processed this year by the government towards formal project launch describes the AMCA as a "multirole combat aircraft for air superiority, point air defence, deep penetration/strike, special missions".

By Shiv Aroor

Exercise Garuda Wraps Up

By Shiv Aroor

First Indian C-130J in Full Color

The first Lockheed Martin  C-130J Super Hercules for India has completed painting at the company’s Marietta, Ga., facility. The aircraft now enters flight test in preparation for delivery at the end of the year. The program for India includes six C-130Js, training of aircrew and maintenance technicians, spare parts, and ground support and test equipment. Also included is India-unique operational equipment designed to increase Special Operations capabilities.
BY: lockheedmartin.com PR

FIRST LOOK: India's Mini Gas Turbine Engine For UAV/UCAV Programme

Here it is -- India's indigenous minaturised gas turbine technology demonstrator for UAVs/UCAVs. The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has completed preliminary design, configuration and analysis of the engine, under development ostensibly to power AURA, India's stealth UCAV concept. Will update this post with specifications and more photographs in a few days.

By Shiv Aroor

PHOTOS: Indian Navy Stealth Frigate Tarkash Launched

The second of the three follow on Talwar-class stealth frigates being built by Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia was ceremoniously launched on 23 Jun 10 by Mrs Ramma Dewan, wife of Vice Admiral D K Dewan, the Vice Chief of Naval Staff. The launching ceremony was attended by Governer of Kaliningrad Region, The Commander-in-Chief of Baltic Fleet of Russian Federation and other senior dignitaries from the Russian side in addition to Senior Indian Navy officers posted in Russia.

The frigate, christened Tarkash during the ceremony, belongs to the elite Talwar Class of ships, three of which namely Talwar, Trishul and Tabar are already in service with the Indian Navy. The first follow on ship, christened Teg was launched on 27 Nov 09. These frigates have been constructed to suit Indian Navy's specific requirements and are highly potent platforms. Their mission in Navy spans the entire spectrum of Naval warfare, viz Air, Surface and Sub-surface. The ships are capable of operating in Blue waters, and are at the forefront of the Indian Navy task forces.

The features of the follow-on ships have been upgraded to a higher level of sophistication with the experience gained by the Navy in operation of the first three ships. 'Tarkash', which means 'Quiver', will also carry supersonic Brahmos missile system with vertical launch capability, which is an Indo-Russian joint venture. True to its name, Tarkash carries cutting edge weaponry which includes advanced Surface to Air missiles, 100 mm Caliber Guns (artillery), Close Range Guns, Torpedos, Rocket Launchers and associated Fire Control Systems. The ship will also carry one Russian built Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopter Ka-31.

The ship is powered by four powerful Gas Turbines giving it a top speed of 30 knots. The vessel is fitted with state-of-the-art Navigation, Communication and Electronic Warfare Equipment. It is also equipped with highly advanced Radar and Sonar systems for early detection and warning. 'Tarkash' is scheduled to join the Indian Navy in the second half of 2011, post commissioning in Russia.

Photos Courtesy Indian Navy / DPR Defence

UAV INDIA Part 3: India's Unmanned Aircraft Vision

The first slide you see shows an unmanned network centric battlefield scenario 2020 and is possibly the first such depiction by the Indian military research establishment (the Phantom Ray and Neuron are representative!). The second slide depicts India's UAV roadmap as it stands today, seen here on LiveFist for the first time. Apart from the AURA, every other Indian UAV platform is either in trials or in some stage of prototype development. DRDO is now developing a Mk-II Nishant with higher endurance and service ceiling and an Mk-II Lakshya target drone with more autonomous features.

Copyright ADE/DRDO

 

By Shiv Aroor

LiveFist : India’s LCA AESA Radar Programme Detailed

BY: LIVE FIST

Air-to-Air: Multi-target detection and tracking / Multi target ACM (Air-to-Air combat mode) / High resolution raid assessment
Air-to-Ground: High Resolution mapping (SAR mode) / AGR – Air to Ground Ranging / RBM – Real Beam Mapping / DBS – Doppler Beam Sharpening / Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) / Ground Moving Target Tracking (GMTT) / Terrain Avoidance (TA)
Air-to-Sea: Sea search and multi target tracking / Range Signature (RS) / Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR)
As I’ve reported here before, the development partner that LRDE identifies will be responsible for “detailed design, development and realisation” of (a) antenna panel constisting of main antenna, guard antenna and sidelobe cancellation antenna, (b) transmit/receive modules/groups, (c) RF distribution network consisting of RF manifold/combiners, RF interface, (d) antenna/beam control chain consisting of T/R control and T/R group control, and (e) array calibration/BITE among other areas.

LCA Tejas Mk-2UPDATE

Sources close to idrw.org have informed that Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is currently working on two different design variant for Tejas MK-2, while major changes in both the design are wings position in terms of alignment to make the aircraft more aero dynamic and also to reduce drag, Tejas MK-2 will also have design changes to its fuselage and will have a bigger wing to carry heaver payload, Tejas Mk-2 will also be able to carry more internal fuel due to improvement in fuselage design and wing.
Engine update:
Final negotiations for purchase of new engines for Tejas MK-2 has begun and decision will be soon made public, while both engine manufactures have promised that their engine will  easily be integrated with Tejas MK-2 airframe ,but both have asked for 2 years to make some minor changes to the engines and have already provided details regarding this to ADA and HAL , changes mostly likely be change in position of gear box and other pipe systems , once contract is signed modified engines will be delivered by 2012 year end or 2013 and integration into airframe might take place by 2013 year end and first flight might take place by 2014 year end or early 2015 .
Naval Tejas:
Indian Navy have already asked for new engines for the Naval Tejas, and only NP-1 and NP-2 will be powered by General Electric F404-IN20 engine which also powers Tejas MK-1 variant of Indian air force, while Indian Navy other than engine change has not made any change to their original ASR, so most probably Navy will go with Tejas MK-1 Naval Prototype design with higher trust engine rather than Tejas MK-2 design.

BY : IDRW NEWS NETWORK

India To Roll Out Tejas Naval Variant Soon

The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft’s (LCA) naval prototype (NP-1) will be rolled out for the first time on July 6 here in Bengaluru, with Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Nirmal Verma on hand, sources tell AVIATION WEEK.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which is in charge of the design and development of Tejas variants, and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), ADA’s principal partner and main manufacturer, are currently giving the aircraft a final structural fine-tuning at HAL’s Aircraft Research and Development Center.
“The rollout of the aircraft signals that the platform is structurally complete, equipment installed, and plumbing and wiring completed,” a source says. “It will be on its wheels and can be moved by assisted power. A rollout is also a precursor to the next phase of ground-based system integration testing, engine ground run, taxi trials and the first flight.”
The NP-1 will have almost the same system architecture as the Tejas Indian air force trainer version.
The NP-1 trainer is scheduled to make its first flight by the end of this year and the NP-2 fighter one year after that. Both can operate from an aircraft carrier with the ski-jump takeoff and arrested recovery concept.
“The aircraft will get airborne in about 200 meters over the ski jump on the ship, [versus] a land-based takeoff run of about 800 meters,” a source says. “Landing on the ship is with an arrester hook on the aircraft engaging an arrester wire on the ship. The aircraft then stops in 90 meters, which is about 1/10th of land-based stopping distance. This makes the Tejas naval program extremely challenging, and we are happy with what the Naval Project Team based out of Bangalore has done so far.”
The 14-member NPT is headed by Cmd. C.D. Balaji (ret.), program director for LCA Navy, operating out of ADA.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) sanctioned development of LCA Navy in April 2003, and in December 2009 the CCS also approved a Mark-II version with a new engine. NP-1 will fly with a GE-404 power-plant, with 40% of the funding coming from the Indian navy and 60% from the Defense Research and Development Organization. The Tejas naval variant will replace the aging fleet of Sea Harriers, and the navy is said to have made an initial commitment to 50 Tejas after the platform proves its mettle.
BY: AVIATION WEEK. / PICTURE tarmak007.blogspot.com

Exercise Garuda Enters Final Phase, Su-30MKIs Swing Roled!

IAF Statement: The exercise Garuda 2010, presently underway at Istres Air Base in France, between the air forces of India France and Singapore has entered its final phase today. Over 60 missions have been successfully flown and the exercise would conclude on 25 Jun 2010.

During the exercise, the six IAF SU-30MKI along with the Mirage-2000-5 and Rafale and the F-16 were engaged in various air defence manoeuvres such as implementation of "no fly zones" and large force engagements during day and night. The SU-30 also took part in the high value air borne asset protection as well as their protection busting missions. The IL-78 refuellers of the IAF and the KC-135 refuellers of the French Air Force also participated in various missions carrying out cross refuelling (i,e, refuelling the fighters of the other air forces). Refuelling denials were practised making these missions more difficult.

A unique feature to which the SU-30 were subjected was the "swing roles". In this type of missions, the same aircraft is simultaneously put to offensive as well as defensive roles. The E-3 AWACS provided the radar coverage during the Ex. The IAF special forces team "Garud" have so far carried out two jumps each by day and night along with the French special forces. Our IL-76 is undertaking the task of these drops.

Air Mshl KK Nowhar of the IAF who visited the contingent involved in the Garuda-2010 said - " Our participation in the Ex has reinforced the manner in which we conduct our operations. It has also helped us refine our doctrine. In future, there is a slim chance that a country would operate in isolation especially in a co-operative defence scenario. Thus knowing each others best practices in terms of tactics, techniques and procedures is the main objective of this exercise, which is also a part of the on-going Indo-French Defence Cooperation".

According to Air Attaché, Embassy of India, France, Air Cmde SK Ghotia who is also the chief coordinator of the IAF-FAF Cooperation, Garuda-2010 is a milestone in the Indo-French defence cooperation. This has been the widest scope ever accomplished between three nations. The Ex brought together the best fighting machines of the world such as the Sukhois, F16s, Rafale and Mirage-2000-5. Our pilots flew in these cockpits and has gained tremendous learning experience. The engineers, technicians and all other members of the team have also benefitted substantially from the exercise.

The intensity of the Ex has been increased gradually to enhance the understanding of the contingent members beginning with basic One-Vs-One missions and limited BVR capabilities, and then progressing to multi-aircraft strikes and counter air missions with complete BVR capability, and concluding with Large Force Engagement sorties. The IAF contingent is expected to return back to India by July 03, 2010.

Photos Courtesy Indian Air Force / DPR Defence/Shiv Aroor

UAV INDIA Part 2: The Rustom-H MALE UAV Detailed

  By Shiv Aroor

EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS: Weaponised ALH Dhruv Firing Trials At Nasik

Army offers to depute officers for advise on anti-naxal ops

The government continues to weigh options of fighting naxalism more effectively, Army has offered to send Colonel-rank officers to the Home Ministry on deputation for advise in anti-Maoist operations.
The army has sent a proposal in this regard to the Defence Ministry, army sources said.
“We have offered to depute Colonel-rank officers with experience of commanding battalions in counter-insurgency operations to provide advise in anti-naxal operations,” a source said.
The number of officers to be sent to the Home Ministry has not yet been decided.
The government has to decide how and where it would want to use these officers, they said.
Experience of these officers in battling terrorism and insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East will help the states plan anti-naxal operations more effectively, the sources said.
Some naxal-affected states have been requesting Army for services of senior officers with experience in counter-insurgency operations, they said.
The move comes at a time when the government is weighing various options of dealing with naxalism more effectively.
The Home Ministry is looking for an enhanced role of armed forces in anti-naxal operations. The Defence Ministry is hesistant to get involved in it although it is not averse to providing some kind of logistical support.
The Home Ministry has sought Army’s help in defusing IEDs and demining the naxal-infested territory.
It has also asked the IAF to provide helicopters for quick deployment and evacuation of paramilitary forces during anti-Naxal operations that may be carried out in inaccessible areas.
The proposal is currently before the Cabinet Committee on Security, which is yet to take a final view.
IAF has suggested to the Defence Ministry that its 15 helicopters deployed in the UN missions in African countries may be called to meet the shortage of choppers.

Indian carrier’s deck systems tested with MiG-29K prototype

A non-flying MiG-29K naval strike fighter prototype is being used to test aircraft handling systems in the former Soviet aircraft carrier being refitted for the Indian Navy at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, northern Russia.
Sevmash announced on 9 June that the MiG-29K was brought on board Vikramaditya (ex-Admiral Gorshkov ) to trial flight-deck hardware, in particular the restraints that are designed to hold an aircraft in place until its engines generate sufficient thrust for take-off.
The yard’s head of production for military-technical co-operation, Sergey Novoselov, said that successful testing of the restraints was a condition for the next contractual payment for the carrier refit.
Jane’s understands that the test aircraft is a MiG-29K prototype built in the late 1980s and used to demonstrate arrested landings and ‘ski-jump’ take-offs with the Kuznetsov-class carriers then under construction for the Soviet Navy.
BY: JANES

Oman confirms orders for Insas Rifles from India

Oman has become the Second country to order INSAS Standard rifle (5.56 mm) has a  standard assault rifle of the Royal Army of Oman , INSAS went to mass production in 1997 and became standard rifle in Indian Army and Indian Paramilitary  , Its real test came in Kargil war soon in 1999 and while rifle was reported of minor snags in extreme high mountainous warfare was liked by soldiers for its ruggedness . soon Indian Government provided more then 25 thousand INSAS Standard rifles to Royal Nepal Army for a special price to fight moists .
Oman has still not disclosed the numbers of the guns to be ordered  but it will be one of the largest order to be placed by a country ,three to four times more then ordered by Royal Nepal Army , Oman is still evaluating its requirements for the rifles to be ordered .
INSAS performed extremely well and passed all the test conducted under harsh dessert condition of oman .
BY: IDRW NEWS NETWORK

Indian Army Test Drives Tatra Vehicles All over India – Passes through Panambur NH

Latest Tatra vehicles likely to be inducted into Indian Army were found test driven here on the highway at Panambur on Friday June 18. The vehicle was moving down south the state from Bangalore
as part of the vehicles’ all-terrain test drive all over the country.
Speaking to Daijiworld army official Basavaraj, who was behind the wheels said it is a special vehicle which is being taken on a test drive on the roads all over India. We are testing its ability in terrains like sea, deserts, plains and hills so that they can soon be introduced into the Indian Army.
Tatra T815 is available in three configurations, namely heavy recovery vehicle, medium recovery vehicle and light recovery vehicle. This is an all-terrain vehicle developed by Tatra a.s., a vehicle manufacturer based in Czech Republic. It is used for various purposes such as transporting soldiers, tanks and missiles.
Tatra vehicles are supplied in India by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), an Indian company based in Bangalore. A major public sector company which is in joint collaboration with Tatra Vectra Motors Limited supplies defence material in India. Tatra Vectra Motors is a joint venture between Tatra a.s. and UK based Vectra Group.
“The vehicle will be tested all over India and its features will be made known to the public only on the Republic Day Parade next moving along Rajpat at Red fort, New Delhi on January 26.
BY: daijiworld.com / Pictures daijiworld.com

UAV INDIA Part 1: First Ever Impressions Of AURA, India's UCAV

What you're looking at here are the first ever manifestations of what India's UCAV, codenamed AURA, could look like. These are images from an official presentation (see slide) by India's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) director PS Krishnan, outlining AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft), a programme that was nameless and obscure in the public domain before it was reported on here on LiveFist and on Headlines Today. As you can see from the slide, the ADE describes the AURA as a "self defending" high speed reconnaisance UAV with a "weapon firing capability", which seems a typically laboured way of describing the obvious. With the programme still in its project definition stage, the images used in the slide above are likely just representative (the tacky flag-on-underbelly routine a-la Lockheed Nighthawk with stars and stripes), though it's a definite indication of how the programme's scientists are thinking. It's all fully in line with what former DRDO chief controller for Aeronautics said in 2007: that India's combat drone would be a stealthy flying-wing concept aircraft with internal weapons and a turbofan engine.

By Shiv Aroor

Tank Trouble: Arjun's Uphill Road

Copyright The Indian Express

  By Shiv Aroor

India's Black Kite Fixed-wing MAV

NAL/ADE Black Kite MAV. Wingspan: 300-mm. Endurance: 30 minutes. Range: 2-km. Payload: Daylight camera.

Photo: NAL

Saab Puts Sea Gripen On India's Vikrant-class Carrier

This impression of the conceptual Sea Gripen roaring off the deck of India's first indigenous aircraft carrier (INS Vikant) is part of a recent presentation that Saab made. The ship impression is of course this one, released last year by Indian naval designers.

  By Shiv Aroor

Arms spending: India grows as west shrinks

India’s military modernisation presents opportunities for defence majors.
With global arms majors focused on the commercial opportunities presented by India’s military modernisation programme, consulting firm Deloitte India and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have produced a detailed report on the country’s defence market and the possibilities it presents. Entitled, “Prospects for Global Defence Export Industry in Indian Defence market”, the report was released today at the Eurosatory 2010 defence exhibition in Paris.
The report follows a KPMG-CII report in January on “Opportunities in the Indian Defence Sector”, a PricewaterhouseCoopers report in April on “Aerospace and Defence Insights” and a CII report last month on foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector.
The Deloitte-CII report points out that as defence expenditure drops in the traditionally big-spending western economies, including the USA, Indian defence spending will grow steadily over the next 20-25 years, as New Delhi implements a major defence modernisation.

KEY IAF PROJECTS

* 180 Sukhoi-30MKI (pictured) fighters, worth $9.9 billion.

* 126 medium fighters (to replace the MiG-21) for $9.09 billion.

* 120 indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA), for which an additional $1.71 billion has been allotted.

* Advanced and intermediate jet trainer aircraft.

* The Indo-Russian Fifth Generation Fighter, with an estimated development cost of $9.9 billion.

* Upgrades to more than 60 MiG, Jaguar and Mirage aircraft.

Linking defence spending to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) prediction that India’s economy will grow in real terms by 7.5 per cent from 2010 to 2014, the Deloitte-CII report says that India’s current defence expenditure of $32.03 billion will rise to an estimated $42 billion by 2015. The capital expenditure on new weapons platforms will rise from the current $13.04 billion to $19.2 billion in 2015.
Inflation, warns the report, somewhat tempers these figures: the real growth in defence expenditure is expected to be marginal over the next two years and about 5.3 per cent from 2012 to 2015.
Nevertheless, the figures remain impressive. During the current Five Year Plan (2007-12), India will spend $100 billion on weaponry, which will rise to $120 billion during the next Five Year Plan (2012-17).
Deloitte-CII point out that 70 per cent of this procurement, in value terms, is from foreign sources; Indian companies supply only 30 per cent, the bulk of that as components and sub-assemblies to state-owned companies. The report is sceptical about the Indian MoD’s (Ministry of Defence’s) oft-repeated target of 70 per cent indigenous production. If that target is to be achieved by 2015, local industry would need to more than double in size, an unlikely event.
India’s domestic defence sector benefits from increasing MoD requirements to “buy local” as well as taxation arrangements that advantage local firms; in the case of defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), tax advantages can be as high as 50 per cent. Deloitte-CII, however, see clear opportunities for foreign firms in providing specialist inputs to Indian defence manufacturers, which they require for developing advanced platforms and systems.
Land systems
The report notes that India’s acquisition of land systems suffered a serious slowdown in 2009. Many of the postponed acquisitions relate to the Army’s $8-billion artillery modernisation programme (called the Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, or FARP). This aims to induct between 2,700-3,600 guns over the next two decades at a cost of $4.77-6.48 billion.
Procurement has long been initiated for four kinds of guns: air-mobile ultralight howitzers for mountain divisions on the China border, towed and wheeled 155mm guns for plains infantry and mountain divisions, self-propelled tracked and wheeled guns for mechanised strike formations, and mounted gun systems. These projects, however, have moved very slowly.
Besides upgraded artillery, the report also highlights the proposed acquisition and upgrades of tanks, UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and 300 helicopters for Army Aviation. India’s obsolescent air defence systems also provide major opportunities to foreign vendors.
Navy and Coast Guard
Deloitte-CII note that naval acquisitions are earmarked for a greater degree of indigenisation than the other services. Foreign shipbuilders are pointed to opportunities for modernising Indian shipyards to enable them to produce large, advanced battleships. By 2022, the Indian Navy plans to have a 160-plus ship Navy, including three aircraft carriers, 60 major combatants (including submarines) and about 400 aircraft of different types.
The report highlights the Indian Navy’s “Indigenisation Plan (2008)”, which forecasts a requirement for marine engineering equipment, including gas turbines, diesel generators, pressure cylinders, hydraulic manipulators and motors.
Furthermore, India’s Coast Guard, which is 70 per cent short of its requirements, plans to double its assets in the next few years and triple them over a decade. Its current fleet of 76 ships and 45 aircraft is likely to be ramped up in five years to 217 ships and 74 aircraft. Some 70 of these new ships would be large vessels.
Aerospace
The report notes that India is struggling to indigenise aerospace production. Historically d0ependent upon Russia, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking to diversify its vendor base for combat and transport aircraft, providing major opportunities for aerospace firms

BY: Ajai Shukla / Business-standard.com

Pakistan wants combat copters

Pakistan is seeking advanced U.S. attack helicopters and other weapons as part of a comprehensive arms package to bolster preparations for what its military is calling a “silent surge” of more than 100,000 troops into the mountain lairs of al Qaeda’s senior leadership in the country’s Northwest Frontier Province.
“I have been ambassador here for two years, and all I have to show for it is eight secondhand Mi-17 transport helicopters for a war that requires helicopters to root out al Qaeda and the Taliban,” Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington, Husain Haqqani, said in an interview with The Washington Times.
The ambassador said, “Military operations would have been quicker and much easier to plan and execute if we had the equipment. We have had tremendous attrition and a lot of loss of lives because of not having the right equipment.”
The $2.5 billion in arms that Pakistan has requested includes new helicopter gunships, including AH-1W and the Apache-64-D; armed helicopters, such as the AH-6 and MD-530 Little Bird; and utility and cargo helicopters, such as the UH-60 Black Hawk, the CH-47 D Chinook and the UH-1Y Huey.
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said the U.S. government is aware of its ally’s military wish list.
“The Pakistani military’s interest in additional lift is well-known, and we have tried to help meet their needs by providing several Mi-17s. We will continue to try to help them acquire the helicopters and other equipment they require to defeat the insurgents and terrorists in their midst,” Mr. Morrell said.
Pakistan’s military last year reversed its policy of signing cease-fire agreements with local tribal governors as it did in 2007 and 2008 in the regions thought to be hiding places for senior al Qaeda and Taliban leaders.
The new “silent surge,” however, also has cost the lives of thousands of Pakistani soldiers, including generals. The ambassador said Pakistan has lost more than 600 officers affiliated with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), its powerful and influential military intelligence arm.
Pakistan also has lost three one-star generals and one three-star general in combat. Five other generals have been killed in terrorist attacks.
Pakistani military officials have said their forces have a total of just 26 combat and transport helicopters for a counterinsurgency war in a mountainous region where helicopters provide a critical advantage.
But the Pakistani wish list also includes equipment that is not traditionally associated with counterinsurgency or mountain warfare. The Pakistanis are also requesting M1A1 tanks and M113A3 armored personnel carriers, as well as air-defense missiles, such as the Stinger, the Javelin and the Hawk.
The list also includes a request for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), among the newest and deadliest high-tech arms.
The CIA operates UAVs in Pakistan for missile strikes against al Qaeda and Taliban leaders. The CIA operations, which are not publicly acknowledged by either government, have caused tensions in the past with Pakistan’s military, which argues that it should take the lead in overseeing the drone war in the remote, largely ungoverned tribal provinces.
Sen. Carl Levin, Michigan Democrat and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told The Washington Times that he was waiting for an assessment from the State Department and the Pentagon before commenting on the Pakistani arms request.
“We have provided a lot of equipment to Pakistan,” he said. “We have seen some progress from them in some areas of the country, and we have seen less willingness in other areas.”
Pakistan has declined to send its troops into North Waziristan. Pakistani officials say they lack the helicopters to fight in the region. Some U.S. officials have pointed out political considerations for Islamabad if an offensive is launched in that region.
Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, said in an interview that “we ought to at least consider this request.” But he also added that the U.S. should provide “better training and maintenance for Pakistan’s military.”
The senator added, “There are continued concerns about this relationship between the ISI and the Taliban.”
But he also noted that a year ago, no one would have predicted that Pakistan’s military would take on the Taliban and al Qaeda redoubts in the Northwest Frontier Province. “There is a good argument to provide the equipment they need,” he said.
Retired Army Lt. Gen. David W. Barno, who commanded coalition forces in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2005, said the helicopters Pakistan wants would be useful to counterinsurgency operations.
BY: washingtontimes

Indian Navy Pursues Fixed-Wing Carrier AEW

The Indian navy is trying to move ahead with an effort to buy four carrier-based fixed airborne early warning and control aircraft, and a request for information is now on the streets.
The request for information (RFI) calls for aircraft capable of providing “airborne surveillance, detection and tracking of airborne and surface contacts and control.”
The navy presently operates a fleet of nine Kamov Ka-31 airborne early warning (AEW) helicopters. The comparatively limited range and time-on-station of an AEW helicopter, however, continues to drive the navy’s interest in a fixed-wing early warning platform. The navy has had aspirations to acquire a more capable AEW platform for the better part of a decade, but so far has been unable to secure a procurement program for most of the last 10 years. Some navy officials suggest that the acquisition is still not an immediate priority.
It is now six years since the navy first approached Northrop Grumman about the E-2C Hawkeye. At the time, the navy was working hard to identify a fixed-wing AEW platform for the Admiral Gorshkov (INS Vikramaditya) aircraft carrier.
In 2005, the company’s then-director of AEW programs, David Murray, suggested to the Indian navy that E-2C, with appropriate modifications, could be operated from the Gorshkov’s angled deck without a steam catapult, though the navy was not persuaded. Northrop Grumman has since been trying to push the E-2 platform as a shore-based asset, and, in 2009, obtained U.S. government clearance to pitch the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
With one indigenous aircraft carrier in the pipeline—and a second to follow—the navy is convinced it needs a fixed-wing AEW platform, if not for the first, then definitely for the second aircraft carrier.
Earlier this year, Northrop Grumman officials revealed the company was awaiting guidance from the navy following technical briefings. Company executives have also reportedly been in discussion with the navy about the feasibility of installing a catapult launch system on India’s second indigenous aircraft carrier, a suggestion already under active consideration by naval designers here.
While the navy has variously weighed the option of considering other longer-range rotary-wing airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platforms, it has persisted with its view that its fleet of Ka-31s simply will not fulfill its early-warning requirements if it has two aircraft carrier battle groups in the coming decade. Doctrine published three years ago emphasized the need for AEW platforms with meaningful time on station.
The new RFI states that the aircraft should be capable of providing an integrated air and surface picture of the area under surveillance in adverse weather and in dense electronic environments. Additionally, it should be capable of being used as a command-and-control platform. The navy is stipulating the aircraft also have a limited maritime patrol and search-and-rescue capabilities.
In a mid-2009 meeting, the navy’s Directorate of Aircraft Acquisition internally discussed the feasibility of the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey platform as a potential AEW&C aircraft, but this did not evolve into anything concrete, and any plans to call for information were dropped. At the time, Boeing officials confirmed that they had heard nothing of the Indian navy’s interest in the V-22 platform, and that the company had not initiated any discussions.
The Indian AEWC aircraft project, currently under development by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bangalore, will receive its first modified Embraer ERJ 145 later this year. The program has previously been pitched to the navy as a platform for a shore-based early warning aircraft.
With the first of eight Boeing P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft to be delivered in 2013, the navy is also in the market for six medium-range maritime reconnaissance jets. An evaluation program for the latter requirement is expected to begin this year.

BY: AviationWeek.com