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Tuesday, September 1, 2015

MAKS 2015 Show Report-1: Russia Is Stuck Between A Rock And A Hard Case

Moscow today is trying to deal with several crises at the same time. Firstly, there is the severe economic crisis brought on by the collapse in the price of crude oil and the continuing bite of Western economic sanctions brought on by the Russian annexation of Crimea and Russia’s support of the civil war in eastern Ukraine. With the Iran nuclear deal moving forward, it is highly likely that large amounts of Iranian crude oil will come on the market in the coming years. This in turn has caused futures contracts for crude oil to plunge, damaging Russia's ability to meet spending targets for its ambitious military goals. Moscow’s refusal to diversify its economy in the heady days of US$100 per barrel of crude oil is now coming back to haunt it. The war in eastern Ukraine shows no signs of stabilising anytime soon, either. In fact, the NATO alliance is claiming that upwards of 50,000 Russian troops are mobilised along the border with Ukraine. The Kremlin will face tough decisions in the near-term as social spending has already been cut dramatically and the threat of social unrest due to high military spending ($18 billion in 2015, or 4.2% of Russia’s GDP) in the face of further social security cutbacks is very real.  
Secondly, Russia’s population is declining in quantitative terms, which in turn is posing a severe strain on the availability of skilled human resources. And this is happening at a time when the Kremlin may well be required to launch low-intensity military operations against Estonia and Latvia in order to secure the interests of the Russian-speaking disenfranchised citizens of these two countries. Russia’s previous National Security Doctrine, which was signed into law in 2009 by then-President Dmitry Medvedev, has been superceded by the current military doctrine that President Vladimir Putin signed into law in December 26, 2014, which cited “NATO’s military buildup” as a key driver for the changes.
The new doctrine, beyond explicitly stating that NATO’s expansion is the main external threat facing Moscow, calls for reinforcing three geopolitical fronts that Russia sees as part of its existential security. In the coming years Russia will focus considerable resources in developing and maintaining a strong military presence in the Arctic, the recently annexed Crimean peninsula, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea. Each of these three regions is vital for Russia’s goal of checking NATO expansion, while simultaneously maintaining access to potential natural resources, as in the case of the Arctic, and warm water shipping routes. Russia’s military expansion in the Arctic has been a major goal for Putin for much of the past decade. The new military doctrine officially puts special focus on the region and advocates a greater Russian role in the region to help ensure access to potential energy resources on the Arctic seabed against possible Danish, Norwegian, Canadian, and US claims. The US estimates that upwards of 15% of the world’s remaining oil, 30% of its natural gas, and 20% of its liquefied natural gas are stored in the Arctic sea bed. Moscow has undertaken a construction blitz across the Arctic in a bid to ensure that it remains the unchallenged military power in the region. It is presently building 10 Arctic search-and-rescue stations, 16 deepwater ports, 13 airfields, and ten airspace surveillance radar stations across its Arctic coast. Simultaneously, Moscow has created a Joint Strategic Command North (JSCN) from components of the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet in order to maintain a permanent military presence in the region. It is likely that this command will ultimately become a fifth military district. Bottomline: Russia’s strategic focus in the years ahead will continue to be Euro-centric, and not not Eurasia-centric.
 
Thirdly, even though Russia is already the world’s second-biggest arms exporter (accounting for 27% of the global export market, with the US staying ahead with 31% market-share, and being followed by China with 5%, Germany with 5%, France with 5% and the UK with 4%), it is facing increasingly tough competition from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) with each passing day—especially in South Asia, the Middle East and Central America.
Fourthly, the PRC’s weapons manufacturers have succeeded to a large extent in back-engineering several weapons, sensors and fire-control systems that were on the drawing boards during the last years of the Soviet era, and whose production-engineering data were easily available from various countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Since 1991, the PRC had struck several military-industrial partnerships with several CIS-based original equipment manufacturers (OEM), especially in Ukraine, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan, for the purpose of obtaining critical research and development (R & D) inputs that are required for developing and producing new-generation weapon systems for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Consequently, Ukraine’s total arms exports grew steadily, from $20 million in 1994 to $600 million in 1997 and $1.5 billion in 2001. In 2002 the Industrial Policy Ministry of Ukraine and the PRC’s Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND) signed a protocol on cooperation in the military-industrial arena.  In that same year, Ukraine became the world’s fourth-largest weapons exporter and sold weapons and military technologies to Beijing worth $700 million, which accounted for 31% of Ukrainian exports that year. In 2011, 43% of Ukraine-built weapons were sold to the PRC, while in 2013 Ukraine became the PRC’s second-largest trade partner in the CIS, while the PLA became Ukraine’s biggest military customer in Asia.
Since 2002, the following Ukraine-based firms/enterprises/R & D institutes have had military-industrial partnerships with the PRC: Aerotechnica-MLT Ltd, ARSENAL Central Design Bureau State Enterprise, ARSENAL State Enterprise Plant, AVIAKONTROL Joint Stock Company (JSC), AVIONIKA  Ltd, BURAN State Enterprise Research Institute, CHERNOMOSUDOPROEKT, Chernomorsky Shipbuilding (formerly the   Nikolayev South Shipyard Soviet Shipyard No. 444), Engine Design Bureau of Kharkiv (EDBK), FEODOSYA State-Owned Optic Plant, ISKRA Ltd, Ivchenko-Progress OKB, Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau, KVANT Research Institute, Kyiv Plant Radar JSC, LUCH KYIV State Design Bureau, LVIV State Plant, Motor Sich JSC, MORYE Feodosya Shipbuilding Company, ORDZHONIKIDZE Sevastopol Marine Plant, PROGRESS Zaporozhye Machine-Building Design Bureau, RADIONIX Ltd, Radioizmeritel Plant, Scientific Research Institute for Aeroelastic Systems, Scientific and Technical Enterprise Electronprylad JSC, State Enterprise Malyshev Plant, Ukroboronprom JSC, Ukrspetsexport JSC, Ukrspetstechnika JSC, YUZHMASH Southern Machine Building Plant Association, VIZAR ZHULIANY Machine-Building Plant, and Zorya–Mashproekt  State Enterprise.
Ukrainian officials in August 2001 had conspired in the illegal sale of 12 Ukraine-owned Kh-55 strategic cruise missiles—six each to China and Iran (known locally as the Soumar GLCM), plus four Kolchuga passive surveillance systems to the PRC. Also smuggled out of Kiev by August 2001 were detailed production engineering data packages of a long-range land-attack cruise missile (LACM) called Korshun, which had by then been developed by Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk-based Yuzhnoye State Design Bureau, with production tooling being built by the Yuzhnoye Machine-Building Production Association, or Yuzhmash. The Korshun’s powerplant was a redesigned RD95-300 turbofan that bore a strong resemblance to the 36MT engine developed by Russia’s NPO Saturn. This turbofan was subsequently re-engineered in the PRC by its 624 Engine Design Institute, or the China Gas Turbine Establishment (GTE), and its related Chengdu Engine Group. Dimensions of the Korshun, which was identical to the Raduga-developed Kh-65SE LACM (first displayed in August 1992), included a wingspan of 3.1 metres, length of 6.3 metres, diameter of 0.514 metres, and a mass of 1,090kg. 
Range of the LACM was then claimed to be 600km when carrying a 500kg warhead. By late 2003, the General Armaments Dept of COSTIND, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp’s (CASC) 3rd Aerospace Academy (also known as China Haiying Electro-Mechanical Technology Academy or CHETA, or the 066 Base in Hubei) and 8359 Research Institute had, along with the Beijing University for Aeronautics & Astronautics, Shanghai Jiaotong University, China State Electronics Systems Engineering Corp, Sichuan Aerospace Industry Corp and the Tianjin Institute for Power Sources had completed fabrication of the first six prototypes of the 800km-range Chang Jian CJ-10 LACM (a direct copy of the Korshun), and on August 10, 2004 the first test-firings were conducted at an instrumented offshore range in the Bohai Sea. Its configuration features a cylindrical body with two retractable wings, four non-retractable tailfins as well as a retractable engine inlet. The CJ-10 made its first public appearance during the October 1 military parade in 2009. In early 2005, flight-tests of another variant of the CJ-10, having a range of 1,200km, were carried out. The CJ-10 has since been deployed by China with both conventional HE/FAE and tactical low-yield nuclear warheads, with the latter developed by a consortium of China’s 7th Research and Design Institute, owned by the China National Nuclear Corp, China Metallurgical Equipment Corp (CMEC) and China Southwest Institute for Nuclear & Fluid Physics.
CASC’s 3rd Academy’s Beijing Xinghang Electromechanical Equipment Factory (159 Factory) is the final assembly facility for the CJ-10, while Beijing Hangxing Machine Building Factory (239 Factory) and the Xinxin Factory in Shanghai produce the various on-board components of the CJ-10. The LACM and its ALCM variant carries a range of different 770lb or 1,100lb warheads. The GLCM variant of the CJ-10 has a length of 7.0 metres, launch mass of 1,350kg,  warhead mass of 300kg,  cruise speed of 0.9 Mach. Thus far, the PLAAF has operationalised 20 H-6K bombers capable of launching the CJ-10’s ALCM variant. There are presently three operational, road-mobile, CJ-10 Brigades: the 821 Brigade, 96215 Unit in Liuzhou, Guangxi Province; the 824 Brigade, 96317 Unit in Dongkou, Hunan Province; and a third Brigade in Jianshui, Yunnan Province
Another highly successful military-industrial partnership between the PRC and Ukraine concerns the PLA Navy’s Type 052C Luyang-class guided-missile destroyers (DDG). Each of these DDGs come equipped with six forward vertical launch stations (VLS) each containing six revolving long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) launchers (for 36 Hong Qi-16 LR-SAMs) located below the bridge and behind the main gun; and a rear VLS station equipped with 12 Hong Qi-16 LR-SAMs forward of the helicopter hangar. Thus, a total of 48 Hong Qi-16 LR-SAMs are carried on board. The two-stage HQ-16 LR-SAM is ‘cold-launched’ vertically from a tubular launcher. The missile’s first stage has a diameter of 700mm while the second stage has a diameter of 560mm. The total launch mass is 2 tonnes, while the missile’s length is 9 metres. It is armed with a 180kg HE fragmentation warhead and has a maximum speed of Mach 4.2. The HQ-16 has a slant range of 125km and a service ceiling of 30km. The missile’s proximity fuze has an effective range of 35 metres, which goes active when the missile is 35 metres away from its target. The HQ-16’s guidance mechanism comprises initial inertial navigation, radio command mid-course correction, and active terminal guidance. When in range for an effective lock-on with the on-board X-band monopulse radar, the terminal guidance phase, lasting 20km, gets underway. The HQ-16 has been developed to specifically counter incoming intermediate-range/tactical ballistic missiles and supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, and is therefore not cost-effective if deployed to counter only manned combat aircraft. For naval target tracking and engagement, the Jiangsu Province-based Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology (NRIET, but also more commonly known as the 14th Institute) has co-developed with Ukraine’s the KVANT Research Institute, the shipborne Type 346 S-band multi-function active phased-array radar with four antenna arrays, each of which has a maximum range of 150km, a maximum resolution of 0.5 metres, and can  scan a 0-120-degree arc in azimuth and 0-90 degrees in elevation, with a peak power output of 1mWe. The HQ-16 LR-SAM itself is a re-engineered version of the Soviet-era 5V55R LR-SAM and Ukrainian companies that were consultants to the PRC for developing the HQ-16 and its land-based HQ-9 LR-SAM variant (the FD-2000 being its export variant and already sold to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) were YUZHMASH and the VIZAR ZHULIANY Machine-Building Plant.
Other naval products that have been co-developed by the PRC with Ukraine’s assistance include the Type 382 radar (originally the Fregat-M2EM), Type 344 radar (originally the Mineral-ME), Type 345 radar (originally MR-90)—all of which were re-engineered by the Nanjing Marine Radar Research Institute/No 724 Institute; the SUR-17/Type 517B air surveillance radar with Yagi antenna that was re-engineered by the Yangzhou Marine Electronic Instruments Research Institute/ No. 723 Institute; and the Type 344 multifunctional fire-control radar that was re-engineered by the Xi’an Research Institute of Navigation Technology (XRINT) No 20 Research Institute. The Type 344 (Mineral-ME) and Type 382 (Fregat-M2EM) radars are installed on board the PLA Navy’s Type 054A Jiankai-class guided-missile frigates, while the Type 346s are on the PLAN's Type 052C/D Luyang-class DDGs and on the aircraft carrier Liao Ning. In addition, a seabed-based SOSUS network, developed jointly by Ukraine and China, has been under installation along China's territorial waters since 2012. 
The PLAN’s sole aircraft carrier Liao Ning too has been refitted and upgraded with Ukraine’s military-industrial help. In another development, the PRC’s Nanchang-based Hongdu Industrial Aviation Group (HAIG) inked a contract in 2009 with Ukrainian engine manufacturer Motor Sich for the supply AI-222-25F turbofans—each valued at $2 million—for its production-standard L-15 ‘Hunting Eagle’ lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT). The first tranche of 12 engines was delivered in 2011. The tandem-seat, twin-engined L-15, co-developed by HAIG and Russia’s Yakovlev OKB, made its maiden flight on March 13, 2006. The first L-15 prototype, powered by twin non-afterburning ZMKB-Progress (Lotarev) DV-2 engines, was rolled out on September 29, 2005. The third prototype, powered by twin DV-2F afterburning turbofans, first flew on May 10, 2008, and was powered by twin non-afterburning AI-222-25 turbofans. The fourth prototype first flew on June 8, 2009, and was powered by two afterburner-equipped AI-222K-25F turbofans. The sixth L-15 prototype, which was rolled out on August 15, 2010,  features a stretched nose that can house a multi-mode fire-control radar, HOTAS controls, and improved glass cockpit avionics with three AMLCD-based multifunction displays. Powered by two AI-222K-25F turbofans delivering enough thrust for sustained supersonic flight, its maiden flight took place on October 26, 2010. It features a three-axis quadruplex fly-by-wire flight control system. The L-15 has a maximum takeoff weight of 9,500kg, maximum speed of Mach 1.4, maximum climb rate of 150 metres/second, load sustenance of +8g/-3g, service ceiling of 16,000 metres, loitering time of two hours, and a structural airframe life of 10,000 flight hours. Unit price quoted for the L-15 is US$16 million. The L-15 is likely to be procured in future by the air forces of China, Myanmar and Pakistan.
Ukraine has also sold the PRC four Project 1232.2 Zubr hovercraft at a cost of US$315 million. While the first two were built (and delivered on April 12, 2013) by the Crimea-based MORYE Feodosya Shipbuilding Company in Feodosiya (now in Russia-annexed Crimea), the latter two are now being licence-assembled at the China State Shipbuilding Corp-owned Huangpu Shipyard in Guangzhou under the supervision of Ukrainian technicians. Ukraine has also helped the PRC upgrade its fleet of Su-27SK heavy multi-role combat (H-MRCA) aircraft by supplying kits for upgraded N-001 mlti-mode airborne radars (from RADIONIX Ltd), OMUT internalu jammers for Shenyang J-11B H-MRCAs, as well as  upgraded ZSh-7APN Sura-K helmet-mounted display systems (HMDS) and upgrade kits for the OEPS-27 infra-red search-and-track (IRST) sensors. 
In addition, Ukraine has also helped the Sichuan Changhong Electric Appliance Corp and its Luoyang Optical-Electronic Technology Development Centre (LOEC) to develop both an indigenous HMDS as well as the Hongguang-1 IRST sensor for the Shenyang J-11B, Chengdu J-10B and Shenyang J-15 MRCAs.
Lastly, Ukraine in 2001 supplied the PRC’s 601 Research Institute at Shenyang with one Su-33 carrier-based H-MRCA prototype (the T-10K-3) along with related production-engineering data as well as the source-codes (crypto-keys) for the aircraft’s fly-by-wire flight-control systems and its digital databus. The T-10K-3 aircraft had made its maiden flight on February 17, 1990 in the former USSR. Also sold by Ukraine were the production-licences for the LIMAN ground-radio jammers, mobile GPS jamming systems, and road-mobile troposcatter-based communications relay systems like the TS-504 and multi-point TS-510/GS-510 systems, which are re-engineered versions of Ukraine’s R-423-1 Brig-1 troposcatter system.
When it comes to military-industrial cooperation with Belarus, in 1998, in the Chinese city of Hubei in Siogan Province a joint assembly plant called ‘Sanjiang Volat Co Ltd’ for the production of multi-wheeled tractors and chassis for various purposes with capacity from 20 to 75 tonnes was established. The founders of the joint venture with a capital of 52.2 million Yuan were Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MWTP), with an authorised capital share of 30% and Sanjiang Aerospace Corp with the 70 % share. MWTP contributed technologies and accessories for building multi-wheeled heavy-duty vehicles. In accordance with the agreed-upon business statutes, in the first five years of operation 70 % of all components for the plant should have been delivered by MWTP. Subsequently, the share of Belarusian components was intended to be reduced to 30%. But the PRC, known for its outstanding talent for re-engineering, exceeded the plan, and now MWTP provides only the wheel-hubs. The production facilities of Sanjiang Volat Co Ltd are designed to produce 300 multi-axle vehicles per year to meet the needs of the defence, oil, construction, mining and forestry industries. The industrial partners have since September 2009 also created a joint production facility for hydro-mechanical transmission (HMT) of heavy-duty vehicles and wheeled tractors. This facility is known as the Wuhan Sanjiang Import & Export Company Ltd (WSIEC), a subsidiary of China Sanjiang Space Group (CSSG).
With Kyrgyzstan, the PRC has joined forces to develop an indigenous version of the VA-111 Shkval supercavitating rocket-propelled torpedo, which achieves a high velocity of 230mph (386kph). The Shkval is fired from the standard 533mm torpedo tube at a depth of up to 328 feet (100 metres). The torpedo exits the tube at 50 Knots (93kph) and then ignites the rocket motor, propelling the weapon to speeds four to five times faster than other conventional torpedoes. The weapon has an 80% kill probability at a range of 7,655 yards (7,000 metres). The torpedo is guided by an autopilot rather than by a homing head as on most torpedoes. Manufacturing know-how for the torpedo’s cruise-control sub-systems has been procured from Ukraine, while Kyrgyzstan’s Dastan Engineering JSC has supplied the autopilot’s manufacturing know-how to the PRC. 
To Be Concluded

524 comments:

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Arpit Kanodia said...

BTW, Indian subcontinent civilization started in Kumari Kandam, and after Ice age it moved upward in North, then after area across Indus and Ganga was populated.

Pintu said...

@Arpit, thanks for info, I think Prasun Da has previously shed some light on it .

Anonymous said...

Hello Prasun,
Current theories supported by plate tectonics, never though to say they are entirely true, do not agree with your opinions on existence of Kumari Kundam in the past. In your opinion how would you explain the conflict? Are you aware of any institute conducting rigorous research on this topic?

Thanks,
USAK

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

PA Atrocities in Balochistan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIpWnulYWHI&hd=1

Latest on Gilgit-Baltistan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUfNcon9RsM&hd=1

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To USAK: As airborne remote-sensing & deep-sea archaeological technologies become available, so too will the clinching evidence. US & the UK have together have already conducted some deep-sea archaeological & geological research in the area around the Chagos Trench--the deepest point in the Indian Ocean.

To ALEX: Indian researchers? 99.9% of what is being taught today everywhere inclusive of India about India's ancient civilisations is all based on the archaeological expeditions of the colonial Britishers. The same goes for the brain-dead theories about the Aryan invasion. And if the British are indeed prescribing Children's books that say that Hinduism started in Pakistan 4,000 years ago, on the banks of river Indus, then indeed one can confidently state that the UK's educational syllabus has gone to the dogs! For, if memory serves me right, Pakistan was born on August 14, 1947 & never existed as a territorial entity 4,000 years ago. Furthermore, the River Indus is known by that name only in India; today in Pakistan it is the Jhelum. But the sorry state of the UK's education system doesn't surprise me at all: way back in the late 1970s itself when schoolgoing children were asked from where does milk come from, the overwhelming reply was: from the feeding bottle!

Lastly, no India, be it from the RSS or BJP, wants even an inch of Pakistan, rest assured. All every self-respecting India ever wants is what is legally due back to India, i.e. PoK inclusive of Gilgit-Baltistan.

To RASAYAN: Yup, it's meant to breathe new life into some flagship joint R & D projects that were held back by the UPA-2 govt, i.e. the project to develop a newer-generation version of the Javelin ATGM with dual-mode guidance & with hyperbaric warheads that function well at high altitudes. This project is woefully behind schedule & there's a lot of catching-up to do.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To QS: What you ought to be asking is whether the issuance of a Fatwa of any type by anyone against anyone is regarded as a criminal offense under the Indian criminal procedure code, or by the all Indian Muslim Personal Law Board that apparently has the final say within India on all matters concerning the Sharia code.

sakshi said...

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-reaches-out-wants-to-upgrade-ties-with-north-korea/article7656332.ece?homepage=true

sakshi said...

Lastly, no India, be it from the RSS or BJP, wants even an inch of Pakistan, rest assured. All every self-respecting India ever wants is what is legally due back to India, i.e. PoK inclusive of Gilgit-Baltistan.


Not Just that. Independence to Sindh and Balochistan. Helping Afghans to create a boundary based on historical facts.

getting rid of nuke fangs..

Unknown said...

sir, ye amogh missile kya hai ?

Siddharth said...

@ PIYUSH DAS

Learned on the internet http://idrw.org/bharat-heavy-dynamics-test-fires-indigenous-anti-tank-missile/

It's the second generation ATGM (a copy of Milan ATGM). Applause to DRDO for making second generation ATGM when the rest of the world (premier forces) have third and fourth generation ATGM in their inventory.

Unknown said...

@siddharth
thanks for answer, apart from generation i was wondering more about its range !
2.8km seems to be more likely for a MANPAD.
may be have we finally developed a man portable missile system !!!

hoods said...

any NEWS on the proposed trophy self defence system upgrade for the T-90?. thanks in advance

Parikrama said...

Pasun da,
No comments on Su35 - the new love of Pak so far or did i miss something?
well blogs like pdf has pak folks stating Su35 superior to everything (Ef,Rafale,Gripen) and they feel 40 odd birds can have air superiority or provide PN an option to do maritime patrolling and strikes on Indian CBGs or west coast with their chinese Cruise Missles or AShMs.. Fans claim even 70-80 birds from unconfirmed sources (lol)

Is there any smoke without fire? whats the truth

Arpit Kanodia said...

@PIYUSH DAS, How you comparing ATGM with MANPADS? You know what is the full form of MANPADS?
Man-portable air-defense systems. So, how you comparing an ATGM with SAM?

BTW, I am just guessing,maybe Amogh 1 is CLGM designed for Arjun Tank.

Arpit Kanodia said...

Here @PIYUSH DAS
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rc5TYsijjFQ/UQGEwMwzWBI/AAAAAAAADfA/UG-0aCrwXgw/s1600/CLGM.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IhFSMiF1E2c/UQLKtl06EKI/AAAAAAAADkc/zwI1ZuXkTg0/s1600/CLGM-2.JPG

Unknown said...

@arpit- Ooh ! right ! i got confused. I meant man portable atgm. like spike missiles.
if its weight is under 15 kg it can be comparable to spike-MR.

Arpit Kanodia said...

@PIYUSH DAS

If this is CLGM, then it cant be compared with Spike. As Spike is not laser guided and also use top-attack.

Further, Spike can be fired with 1 or 2 personnel, on shoulders. While SAMHO required a whole setup.

Avoua said...

Prasun said>> Furthermore, the River Indus is known by that name only in India; today in Pakistan it is the Jhelum.

Are you high? What is wrong with you. Indus is still known as the indus river.
The only thing gone to the dogs, is this blog.

Has the real Prasun retired and this blog taken over by his 11 year old girl?...

The level of ignorance is astounding.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To AVOUA: First, check out the textbooks prescribed for Pakistani schoolchildren, next find out out what's written in them & only then decide what's gone to the dogs!

To ARPIT KANODIA: It is the cannister-encased SAMHO version of the CLGM, which is launched from the same manportable launcher as that prescribed for the Konkurs-M ATGM. Funny thing is, while BDL was right in modifying the CLGM as a manportable ATGM, it utterly failed to develop a homegrown lightweight launcher! I wonder why. Guess shit happens(!), just like the recent press-release put out by HAL about the LCH's hot-and-high certification trials. Now just ask yourself this: how can such a helicopter ever be awarded its certificate of airworthiness & how can its performance parameters be fully established & authenticated when the helicopter is clearly shown devoid of its EW/self-protection suite & without its complement of ATGMs & Mistral ATAMs?

It is this kind of premature release of data & photos that makes HAL the world's laughing stock! And if someone confronts HAL with all this, the standard reply then will be: oh, these are only the preliminary flight-trials. There will be subsequent user-trials which will then lead to the usual IOC-1/2/3/4... & FOC-1/2/3/4... procedural sequences!!!

Unknown said...

sir, tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan had tested missile omar-1 few months ago. can you tell us anything about this missile ?

Rajesh Mishra said...

When Pakistan names Gulaam Kashmir as Azad Kashmir, so it has to be completely unreliable in such matters.

LOST said...

Look at out retarded babus:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indias-big-ticket-rafale-deal-for-36-jets-stuck-in-negotiations/articleshow/49000655.cms
So that DAC green light was MEANINGLESS, the Rafale saga drags on with no end in sight only thing this new govt has done is reduce the number!! NOTHING has been achieved.

Mark my words we will never get a single Rafale. In a few month we will STILL be talking with the French and then the PMO will scrap the entire process.


You were saying we would be getting 189 rafales a few days ago. What nonsense was was that???

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To LOST: So you think once the DAC approves a contract, nothing can stop it from being inked? I had repeatedly explained that the DAC's approval only means that competitive evaluations & contract negotiations can be undertaken by the Defence Procurement Board & only after final approval is accorded by the Cabinet Committee on National Security can contract signature take place. All this talk of 50% offsets for only 36 MMRCAs is sheer nonsense. No OEM in the world will agree to such terms & conditions. The offsets clause will therefore apply to only 189 MMRCAs to be procured. The real & only impediment is about the IAF's refusal to forego the existing discredited practice of maintaining a customised BRD for each aircraft-type. The way ahead lies in appointing the OEM-specified Indian vendor or Indian representative of the foreign OEM as the total support services provider. Only this way will the MMRCA's through-life MRO costs come done. Nothing else will work. The MoD & Union MoF is however unwilling to accept this fact-of-life. And both these ministries are headed by civilian politicians as ministers, & not Babus.

Anonymous said...

Hi Prasun,

Very good morning.

When can we expect the MMRCA's through-life MRO problem to be solved and the deal for the 189 MMRCAs to be signed? Please enlighten us.

Also expecting some exciting news report from you as always, through your report on the part-2 of MAKS 2015 Show, as promised by you.

Thank you.

With regards,

Pallab.

financeblogger said...

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/unsc-reform-ditched-by-us-and-betrayed-by-russia-but-india-still-tore-down-chinese-wall/articleshow/49008779.cms

Request you to throw light on the above issue.


Also where would India's relation stand visavi Russia and America post the above incident.

Also going ahead what would be the implications be on the defence procurement from Russia?

Gessler said...

Sir ji, your views on the supposed Su-35 deal between Russia and pakistan?

joydeep ghosh said...

@prasun da

Lot of Questions this time

1. Heard ARC of RAW will be shutdown on other hand read somewhere ARC was vying for 6 V22 Ospreys, how and why when it may be shut down

2. the Chinese build up of airstrips in SC Sea is being seen by many as clear violation of laws and threat to security, why on earth no one of all the USA is trying to stop it

3. You said once that Russia will go for Chinese balls to extract money from China for the copies being made, but have learnt that Russia and China will sign deals for latest IL76 and more weapons

4. You said IN will unlikely fly single engine jets from its carriers but then why ADE/ADA/HAL are working on single engine NLCA mk2

5. Is it true that China has started dumping US debt

6. Why is M777 deal still not done

7. just came to know .303 rifles are slowly being replaced with shotgun style weapon atlast but who is supplying those guns

8. the Saudi diplomat was taken off by saudi govt virtually admitting his role in the case, but if he had immunity what about 6/7 others who were also involved in the case will they be prosecuted

9. Anything on Nirbhay, Prahaar missile trails

10. Learnt that 120 km Pinaka mk3 will be guided rockets, what is so special of them, do you know about any other such guided rockets

thanks

Joydeep Ghosh

Ved said...

Dear Prasun,
Rafale deal is getting prolonged so much so that in some forums it is even been labelled as a mirage. When do you expect it to go through ?

Now that Cobham has started delivering the quartz radome and refuelling probe when is the FOC of Tejas mk1 going to happen?

Ved said...

Further please confirm if the test trials of python5 and Derby missile from tejas are sceduled next month.

Mayur M Manapure said...

http://www.dawn.com/news/1207810/paf-badaber-camp-attack-was-planned-controlled-from-afghanistan-dg-ispr

in coming Days blame will be shifted to its Eastern neighborhood....

Arpit Kanodia said...

Obviously @Mayur as TTP is jointly funded by Afghanistan and India, which was previously designed by Pakistan to kill Indians and Afgans. Lolz.

Mayur M Manapure said...

After this attack... Few F-16s and Jf-17 will bomb the terrorist hideout in Tribal Areas and 50-100 terrorist will be killed to avenge the terror attack ....surprisingly... All of them would be terrorist...

Arpit Kanodia said...

@Mayur Also with some RAAAAW agents, not of R&AW, not of Directorate of Military Intelligence, not of NDS,not of CIA or Mossad, but only and only of RAAAAW.

Unknown said...

http://idrw.org/ditched-by-us-and-betrayed-by-russia-but-india-still-tore-down-chinese-wall/#more-73910

sir, can you please comment on this news !!

buddha said...

sir how are u ?
watched the vdo clip... really mind blowing and eye opening....
thank u so much....

Mayur M Manapure said...

http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/former-terrorist-3-year-old-son-shot-dead-at-their-home-in-sopore-1219334

http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/former-terrorist-3-year-old-son-shot-dead-at-their-home-in-sopore-1219334


Now they are killing and fighting among themselves ...killing an Infant will surely book them a place in Heaven...
Does these killings have to do with the RM's comment about taking out a terrorist with a terrorist?

Rajesh Mishra said...

There is an ongoing Global Protracted War of the Muslamic Terrorist infighting due to the sharpening of their own deep and inherent contradictions.

Govind M said...

Sir,
I've noticed a marked difference in the uniform and associated equipment of Indian Army soldiers undergoing joint exercises in the US at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Is this something new or is it associated with future upgrades(F-INSAS)?
I'd be highly obliged if you could share your views.
Thank You

sweet said...

what's the status of Makar-class survey catamarans?-for what purpose they were built and have all of them been built?

Pakistani air-force till now has been operating only single engine fighter aircraft, any logic behind this?

Pindiana said...

Like most middle class Hindus, especially Gujaratis, I grew up with particular ideas about nationalism and religion. When one is young, it is easy to be attracted to the idea of Hindutva, because its essence is quite basic and unexceptionable. It seems to rest on a surging love of nation and culture, and both of these are folded into one element, which is the Hindu religion. So the word Hindu carries not only the markers of religion, but also nationality and culture. And all of this we accept as true because some very great people said it.

In India we revere more than we read and so it is natural to think of the greatness of people purely because their names are repeated to you often enough. I was in my twenties when I actually read Savarkar’s text Hindutva and it disappointed me. I couldn’t understand why he was thought to be so great. I thought it was a very ordinary text and had nothing of originality. Savarkar himself was not well read and there were few references to the works of others. His main idea was unconditional love of nation, but that is something, as I have said, that comes to most of us quite easily in India.

Encountering Vivekananda’s writing (his collected works, mainly speeches and letters, are in eight volumes) continued my puzzlement. It was after I finished reading Golwalkar (also mainly speeches and interviews) and the slim works of the RSS ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya that it dawned on me that this was all there was to Hindutva. It was an ideology for those who were closed of mind, and it was more about passion than intellect.

Pindiana said...

This discovery was a relief, because by now I had come to dislike its essence. I began to see how Hindutva was shaped by negatives. Its three main demands were: Ram Janmabhoomi (Muslims should not keep their mosque), Uniform Civil Code (Muslims should not keep their family law) and removing Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (Muslims should not keep their constitutional autonomy). None of the three demands offered anything positive to Hindus. The Hindutva ideology only offers resentment and hatred. It is an ideology of finger-pointing and blaming others. It assumes that others, not we, must act to make India a great nation again, assuming it ever was a great nation.

To me this was childish and I could not subscribe to it. If Hindutva did not do so much physical damage to India and Indians, I would ignore it and its proponents. But of course one cannot. India’s Culture Minister, Mahesh Sharma, has been in the news a lot because Hindutva is mostly about culture. It has no contribution to economics. Many Hindutva sympathisers would be surprised to know that though he is called their ideologue, Deen Dayal Upadhyay was a socialist whose economic ideas have been totally discarded by the BJP. Hindutva has zero contribution to science of course, and Hindutvawadis get very upset and murder those academics who challenge their ideas. It has no contribution to anything of substance other than ‘culture’, where it insists that its narrative is the only right one.

This is why it is people like Sharma who make the headlines and not the science minister (whoever he/she may be) because Hindutva is not interested in that. It is interested, despite its name, not in Hindus, but in Muslims. Sharma first said that the Bible and the Holy Quran are not central to the soul of India as Gita and Ramayan are. Then he said this about former president Abdul Kalam: “Aurangzeb Road ka nam bhi badal kar ek aise mahapursh ke naam par kiya hai jo Musalman hotey hue bhi itna bada rashtravaadi aur manavtavadi insaan tha — APJ Abdul Kalam, unke naam par kiya gaya hai (Aurangzeb Road has been renamed after a great human being who, despite being Muslim, was a great nationalist and humanist — APJ Abdul Kalam).”

I am not surprised that a Hindutvawadi should be saying such rubbish. I am only slightly puzzled by why the minister is so childish. I know why he was attracted to bigotry in his youth because I also was, as I admit. It is easy to be prejudiced and close-minded when one is in one’s teens. But adults should view the world as adults, not as squabbling and petty schoolchildren. It would be a great help to Hindus if Hindutva, finally, would stop talking about Muslims and look at Hindus instead. I would consider subscribing to such an ideology.

Rajesh Mishra said...

Hinduism is all about developing the soul and not about the Pakistanis coming and playing foul.

GuruD said...

I think the A-5 in PAF were twin engined. The reason they are looking at Su-35 & J-11D are simple. They need a deep strike aircraft with ASEA. They also want to be able to load any of their missiles/ALCM on it. They also want to give coverage over the arabian sea. This will push IN back by 200-300km from their operating area. Think of these with the 8 extra subs they are getting from Cheen. They have a game plan. There are reports that they may simply go for the J11D, which is supposed to be as agile and low RCS as the Su-35. It is because of this that the Ruskis apparently are offering them Su-35S with 5th Gen tech. PAF have found that j17 is as good as the f-16 in air to air. So no more f-16 or J10, which again is too close to performance of j17. This leaves them option to get 40-80 SU-35S instead. Will makes things more interesting for the SU-30mki's. Unless you can really reduce the RCS of the MKI's, they are screwed if they come up against the Su-35S/J11D's. That is the really issue. How to reduce the elephant size RCS of Su-30? How to avoid being detected first by J11D/Su-35S?

http://www.popsci.com/j-11d-surprise-china-upgrades-russian-flanker-fighters-its-own

openUReyes said...

The new nexus is between Russia-China-Iran-Pakistan. They are aligned in UNSC, Afghanistan. Modi has completely f***ed up.

Devopriyo said...

Dont you think you would be better off reading the constituition of india. All indians are supposed to be equal which essentially means no separate laws. Maybe understanding the literature would be better then reading them.

Mayur M Manapure said...

^^ SU-35 with 5th gen "tech"... "Stealthy"...what are u smoking... And those subs are more than half a decade away...

Anonymous said...

Prasunji
What will be the impact on IAF and Indian foreign policy if Russians go ahead to sell SU 35 to Pakistan?

Devopriyo said...


http://swarajyamag.com/politics/why-kalam-represents-india-and-aurangzeb-does-not/

Unknown said...

I am extremely happy with the news of paf buying the su35. India should welcome this news.they should infact push this deal behind the scenes.
This aircraft will require the Pakistanis to build a completely new infrastructure for maintenance and buy simulators for the same.also it will be much more expensive to run than anything else the Pakistanis have coz of its hourly running costs.The Russians will sell the missiles package separately as nothing the Pakistanis have is compatible with the su35.
So the per plane cost will easily end up north of $150 million mark at the very least.
Russian aircrafts are known to have low availability rates. Iaf su30mkis have a 50-55 % availability inspite of having such a large fleet.
So the pakis will have to buy larger numbers.
All this means, a significant increase in the defense budget for Pakistan.
Pakistan is already highly indebted and doesn't have the forex reserves for paying the ruskies upfront and will most probably buy these birds with borrowed money.
What this really means is that the Modi government has succeeded in scaring the shit out of Pakistan and the Pakis are going for expensive toys they can't afford.
This means India has managed to drag Pakistan into an Arms race by making it feel insecure inspite of having nuclear weapons.
This is one contest where the Pakistanis just can't win.After all,Indian defense budget is roughly as big as the entire budget of Pakistan.
Read this
http://nation.com.pk/columns/08-Jun-2015/defence-budget-analysis

And indian gdp in nominal usd terms is increasing by around $200 bilion per year. This is equivalent to adding the entire gdp of Pakistan every year to the over $ 2 trillion indian gdp.
Read this
http://www.forbes.com/sites/edfuller/2015/09/10/india-asias-next-economic-dynamo/

If this deal really happens then it will be one of the major achievements of the modi government.
Let Pakistan stay poor and let its people stay deprived. I hope the paf buys atleast 100 su35s and 100 j10b and hopefully even the chinese j31 and j20 over the next decade along with atleast 150 jf17
They must also not retire their f16,mirage and the other chinese crap they currently have.
This might just give them the courage needed to do another kargil,thus giving india the ultimate opportunity to get back POK.

sweet said...

@Jay Bhanushali

you are over interpreting things.

Russia will not sell su-35 to Pakistan.

Russia never put su-35 on offer list to Pakistan. Pakistanis want the su-35 since from nowhere they can get such a top-notch fighter (china doesn't have the capability to produce an equivalent of su-35). Pakistanis have over enthusiastically stated in the media that they are discussing the su-35 with Russia-nothing has come from Russia.

Russia might offer some more Mi-35's, some engines and some other tech, but not su-35.

GuruD said...

@Mayur

You have a problem reading dont you> Where does it mention stealth. Look up what the russians are saying about the Su-35S. I simply repeated.

Anyway came across this by the Russian Institute, which advises Putin.

http://en.riss.ru/analysis/18882/?_utl_t=tw

Arpit Kanodia said...

@Anonymous I am not able to find where Russian minister stating about SU-35, or any Russian newspaper about SU sale to Pakistan? Where you read this? I only read the Russian FM talking about Mi-35.

Arpit Kanodia said...

I only heard this a senior Pakistani official (without name) confirmed to Jane that Pak is in talks about SU-35, seriously a senior Pakistani official (without name) become Russian Minister? Lolz.

Arpit Kanodia said...

I believe in confirmed news, the only confirmed news is that Russia selling "only" 4 Mi-35 and even not more than that. And still Pakistani talking like there is sudden change in balance of power in Indian Subcontinent.

james said...

India made offer for another 3 c17 transport aircraft, boeing already stopped production line on c17, currently what will be the result.

This time will they ink 145 m777 howitzer.

Is Their any chances for Su35 /mig35 or any russian jets will be inked, while mr modi's visit by this year end to russia

james said...

To, Arpit Kanodia ,
Its Deputy foreign minister (http://defenseblog-njs.blogspot.in/2015/09/pakistan-eying-sukhoi-35-fighter-planes.html)

james said...

SU35S for india ((http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20150310000075&cid=1101)

raw13 said...

All of Prasuns dreams have become hogwash. He was dreaming about China, India, Russia, America and Iran all pressing Pakistan to follow suit. Instead Pak stuck to its guns...no India and we can talk. Even Putin has realised that Pak sticks close to its friends. I am waiting for Prasuns next pet project, de-nuking my warrior nation.

Arpit Kanodia said...

@James Seriously you giving me news of a blog, hilarious. What I do? Cry of laugh?

For your enlightenment, which I definite about you dont have slightest hint who cracked this news. It was IHS Jane, not any Russian newspaper or Pakistani or Indian.

http://www.janes.com/article/54532/pakistani-official-confirms-su-35-talks

And this time please read it carefully, then grasp it.

james said...

@ Arpit don't be funny , read it carefully its not news from a blog , its published in a blog which came in online magazine.

Arpit Kanodia said...

@James I am giving you link where it came from, plz for godsake start to use your brain.

Arpit Kanodia said...

BTW, this from your link, if you know how to read.

The official was responding to Russian media reports that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had said talks were underway for an unspecified number of Su-35s, which follow a recent agreement to provide Mi-35M 'Hind E' attack helicopters to Pakistan.

This statement is from Sergei Ryabkov? Lolz.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To GESSLER: Why is everyone going into a tizzy about the Su-35? Instead, the following need to be considered: Was the PAF’s CAS invited to see the Su-35 during the MAKS 2015 expo last month? No. Did a senior PAF delegation visit MAKS 2015? No. Have the Russians sent a Su-35 to Pakistan for in-country demonstration flights? No. Has the PA inked any contract with Russia to procure the four Mi-35Ms? No. Will China & the US who are helping Pakistan survive financially ever allow Pakistan to procure major weapons platforms from Russia? Never. Between the AH-1Z Viper, ZW-10 & Mi-35M, which one will the PA prefer? Definitely the AH-1Z. Now to why the Ruskies warmed up to the PA’s COAS a few months back. The reason was the PA during Op Zarb-e-Azb eliminated plenty of ragheads from Chechnya & Uzbekistan who were sworn enemies of Russia in the north Caucasus, & since the PA will be preoccupied with such low-intensity conflicts for the next 10 years at the very least, the PA requires more Mi-171s plus more product-support for these helicopters. And that’s exactly what Russia will end up selling to the PA. Nothing else. In addition, the Ruskies will most probably supply a RD-93 turbofan NRO facility that will be cited in Kamra. Furthermore, since the PAF can no longer bank on Ukraine for supporting its four IL-78MKPs, it will have to approach Moscow for MRO support with a begging bowl. The same goes for the spare 125mm main gun barrels for the PA’s T-80UD MBTs. So let’s bury the ghost of Su-35s destined for Pakistan once & for all. In fact, the same can be said even for China, especially after Beijing blatantly embarrassed Moscow by including Chinese clones like the J-11B & J-15 in the September 3 flypast. Russia is now asking for an enormous amount of liquidated damages from China for cloning the Su-27/Su-30 families, for cloning the S-300P & for cloning all the naval radars I’ve mentioned above. Russia also wants China to promise that none of these cloned items will ever be exported. If ever China starts exporting these items, especially the cloned & cheaper J-11s & J-15s & J-16s, it result in Russia being ousted for good from the global weapons export market. So, for all intents & purposes, the Su-35s are no longer on offer to China as well.

BTW, here’s a good animated rendering with maps & charts of the 5-day armoured battle of Asal Uttar in 1965: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e32IFuu7pEA

And here’s something on the state of Indian cyber-security:

http://www.outlookindia.com/article/what-the-hack/295300

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To MAYUR MANAPURE: You will find these interesting:

http://www.outlookindia.com/article/pokistan-did-you-perchance-see-that-exhibition/295239

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Refugees-from-conflict-ridden-areas-of-Pakistan-also-heading-to-Europe/articleshow/49062498.cms

BTW, did you know that the surcharge of Rs.1 levied by Pakistan on its citizens for the sake of funding the 1971 cyclone relief operations in East Pakistan is still be levied till this day to fill up Pakistan’s coffers???

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAW13: Actions always speak louder than bombastic bravado. Therefore, see & hear for yourself how & why is Afghanistan diverting all its container traffic from Karachi to Chah Bahr & Bandar Abbas:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xxET3XtKQQ

This is the actual ‘velvet divorce’ that has taken place, & not the one being daydreamed by the likes of your ‘guru’ M K Bhadrakumar.

Bottomline: No one trusts Pakistan to keep its word. Especially the ‘barader’ Muslim countries. And why should the Muslim Ummah ever bother about a bunch of blasphemous deviants of the kind that have ruled & are ruling Pakistan? Analyse the YouTube clips I had posted earlier this month about all the ISPR-sponsored visits to the PAF air bases & you will find out about the hypocrisy of these deviants. For instance, slogans like “command rests with none but Allah” & “they died for the cause of Allah”. If one really believes such slogans, then I can only conclude that Allah had willed in 1965 that the PA would never secure J & K by military force, & in 1971 Allah had decreed that East Pakistan should become Bangladesh. So, why resort to brazen distortions of history through blasphemous sloganeering? Do you really think this will make the warriors of Pakistan’s armed forces more resolute? On the contrary, it will only brainwash these warriors into undertaking more mis-adventures & bring even more misery upon the pseudo-Islamic Republic.

The same goes for all the propaganda surrounding the ‘homegrown Burraq’ armed UAS. While the Khaki-clad morons in Rawalpindi & Kamra never tire about claiming that this UAS is indigenous, all of them remain silent when it comes to saying anything about the guided-missiles launched by this Made-in-China CH-3A UAS? Why is this so? If the Burraq was developed at Kamra, surely then the guided-missiles too would have had to be developed in-tandem by AERO in Kamra. It therefore looks like someone this time has really screwed-up big time by choosing to go full-blaze about the Burraq while forgetting to explain how & with what this UAS was weaponised. If this is the kind of attention paid to detail by the PA, then even Allah I’m afraid will be at his wits’ end!

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

Watch this hilarious talk-show, aired yesterday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn9dqobAfvk

Pakistani intellectuals are now admitting that the US & India, not China, hold all the cards regarding Afghanistan. Now, imagine a scenario that sees the PA venturing into some eastern Afghan provinces to launch surgical strikes. When that happens, all the gloves will come off, giving India the perfect excuse & opportunity to launch ground campaigns across the LoC to re-capture Gilgit-Baltistan.

RAD said...

hi prasun
the out look article on cyber espionage is really fright full. I had a friend who works for Ericsson , supplying cell phone tower equipment .He says that whenever they approached a chines provider for support they were arrogant and would not help them to over come a problem , but would do it them selves. The buggers in the UPA gov ie raja and co must have got millions to give the go ahead to buy hte and huwawei stuff. India has been prostituted by the congress and its allies because minority vote and swindling money was the only criteria.
will the new Indian boss OS using linux prevent this to a large extent?
If defense network use windows then i fear it would have been hacked long ago.
WHAT os DOES THE AIRFORCE AFNET OR ARMY NEW SECURE NETWORK USE?

Sk said...

Prasun,

What is the correct amount of the recent Chinook/Apache deal with US Govt? Some are saying $ 3 billion, 2.5 billion, 2.2 billion, even 3.5 billion. What is the exact figure and why so much confusion? I thought US-India deals were quite transparent!!! Can you clarify?

financeblogger said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQJWaSY16KY

Your opinion about the above link, alleging that Karan Thapar pushing Pakistan's agenda. Also your opinion about the way he interviewed Narendra Modi, Ram Jethmalani.

http://elmihiro.blogspot.in/2007/05/karan-thapars-hatchet-job-on-sam.html

The above link mentions the way Karan interviewed Sam Maneckshaw as well as what has been written about Karan Thapar's father.

Your opinion of the above as well.

Unknown said...

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34335224

Egypt agrees to buy warships built for Russia from France !!!

Subho said...

Egypt buys Mistrals originally destined for Russia :

http://www.wsj.com/articles/france-to-sell-mistral-warships-to-egypt-1443009701

Question is who's financing the purchase ( since Egypt is practically bankrupt) ? France or the Saudi's ? From other reports it appears that it is the Saudis that are paying for this as a bribe to Alsisi for baying and barking against the Iran deal.

That apart this marks yet another departure of the Egyptian military from buying from the U.S to buying from the French. First the Rafales & frigates and now the Mistrals. Does Egypt really need a helicopter carrier ? It is possible that the Saudis are the actual owners but are using Egypt as cover so as not to escalate tensions in the hood.

Finally, this is a clear indication that India is unlikely to go with a DCNS design for its own helo-carriers - otherwise they would have bought at least one of these at a discounted price. This increases the odds in favor of Navantia's Canberra class LHDs for the "Make in India" project. Further, the Royal Australian Navy also operate Canberra class and this could lead to increased interoperability between the RAN & the IN.

raw13 said...

Actually surprised IN didn't go for these carriers. They would fit in perfectly but then again, Modi is going to the USA and need to be sure that he gets to meet Obama, so the purchase from USA took priority. Egypt, what can they use these for, nothing practical apart from maybe carrying (its and GCC) troops to Yemen. Yep Egypt is involved, it has lots of money has GCC paid it a wooping 10+ Billions to join the war.

@Prasun, I am not being bombastic, though on occasions I do pull your leg. Not sure what has happened to you but since Modi got elected, you have become the premier earth-quake predictor in Pakistan. Cheer up, if Pakistan makes progress, which we are finally both politically and socially. It will eventually help the whole region.

Whether SU35 comes or not, a twin engine will be joining PAF. Main reason is that we need an offensive system. Why, because JF-17 is deemed capable enough to withstand all of IAF current fleet in defensive.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To SK: The confusion is only on the minds of the ‘desi’ journalists. Financial figures are available & you can Google about it. While the Apaches will be procured through the FMS channel, the Chinook procurement will be a direct commercial sale between India & Boeing. In addition to the platforms & weapons, several types of simulators & MRO equipment will be procured. The there’s the aircrew & groundcrew training package. All these together constitute the total nett value of the contracts.

To SUBHO: Of course the KSA & UAE are co-financing this deal so that Egypt can mobilise & sustain an army expeditionary warfighting force in Yemen & elsewhere in the Middle East as & when reqd. The laughable part is, these LPDs are equipped with heating & de-icing systems so that they can operate under Arctic conditions! Hardly the conditions prevailing in the Middle East or the Mediterranean! What the IN requires are LPHs with air-conditioning & cooling, & not heating equipment. That’s why these DCNS-built LPDs were given a miss by India.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAW13: Have already explained why the IN refrained from procuring the LPDs (they’re not carriers). NaMo’s election has nothing to do with my points-of-view. I have always been & remain an objective analyser of events on the ground. Hardly any Pakistani is aware of NaMo’s links with the Muslim communities of India, especially the Dawoodi Bohras & consequently most Pakistanis jump to ill-conceived conclusions which sells well within Pakistan because most of the commentaries & criticisms are inevitably aimed at exploring India’s social & communal faultlines in the hope that these will eventually justify Pakistan’s totally flawed two-nation theory. No wonder the Pakistani Muslims have totally misread the actual reality & were horrified after NaMo’s visit to the UAE!

Of course I want to see Pakistan to progress & continue evolving. I have many friends within the Pakistani diaspora. However, I don’t see any sign of Pakistan willing to embrace the concept of peaceful co-existence with any of its immediate neighbours. And why is this so? Because Pakistan has yet to tackle the root of all its problems, i.e. its blasphemous aspiration of creating a land exclusively for Muslims. As a result, while trying to unite its populace in the name of Islam, it is Islamism & all its deviant strands—not India or R & AW--that stand to bring Pakistan down. This in turn has directly impacted Pakistan’s educational system which today preaches all school-going children that the West & India; & that Christianity, Judaism & Hinduism have been & are responsible for all the ills plagueing Pakistan. Soul-searching is totally absent among most Pakistanis & that’s when emotions take precedence over objectivity, as in the case of East Pakistan morphing into Bangladesh. On the other hand, look at Germany, whose citizens never label their Chancellor Angela Merkel or her predecessor as traitors for going to Moscow to celebrate VE Days (i.e. the destruction of Nazi Germany). It is this kind of objective & mature mindset is what distinguishes a developed country from an underdeveloped one. Take another example: although Musharraf had stated in late 2001 that all Madrassas would be registered, the registration forms are being readied for release only later this year!

As for twin-engined interdictors, yes the PAF does require them as will any other air force that wants to launch deep-strike missions by flying low to evade radar-based air-defences. But the Su-35 hardly fits the bill since, as I had explained earlier, none of the members of the Su-27/Su-30 family with the exception of the Su-32FN/Su-34 were designed as interdictors & therefore their airframes are incapable of sustaining low-level flight regimes. Therefore, all hopes of the PAF now rest on China’s RD-93-powered FC-31 MMRCA.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To FINANCEBLOGGER: Will reply back later today, rest assured.

Unknown said...

sir, india has ordered total 45 mig29k. are 45 enough for 2 carriers ?
is army ordering more t-90 tanks ?
arjun ka kya hoga ?
recently a soldier died while testing arjun tank !
sir can you please clarify the major pros & cons of t-90 over arjun tanks

& even if we have to buy, then why t-90ms? why not armata ?

financeblogger said...

For everybody on this blog, would wish to go through the following links.

http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/no-proof-required-pds-or-nrega-corruption-must-go-on/99/

https://indiagoodmorning.wordpress.com/2013/10/12/indian-media-in-bed-with-congress-politicians-from-pvvgswamy/

Vijay said...

@RAW 13

Pakistani economy is in DEEP Shit

Forget about TWIN engined planes

Your Finance Minister is taking new loans to repay old loans

S Nair said...

@Prasun
Any of our forces using Digital camouflage or UCP or Scorpio or Multicam or anything on similar lines ? If so you have any pics ? and what is the adaptation level ?

Rithu Ghosh said...

Hi prasun,
Do you have any info on Rustom-2 current status ? Apparently it had started with taxing trial for sometime now, i think atleast 6 months now.But no news on first flight so far.

Arpit Kanodia said...

PKS Sir,

Why not the "Mango" Pakistani asking for some retaliatory strikes and SOF missions in Afghanistan for PAF attack. The nuclear Pakistan is frightened of retaliation from Afghanistan, whose economy is dependent on opium? Still blaming Afghanistan and India for this attack, why not they asking this same question from ISI and PA, whose job is to protect there motherland.

the SSG and ISI which are compared with Navy SEALs and Mossad, but still they failing to protect the country interests and life of common people. In conclusion any one can say, PA and ISI become a pathetic institution of highest order. But still in the eyes of mango Pakistanis they are protector of country. Lolz.

This is pretty hard to understand the psyche of Pakistanis.

SUJOY MAJUMDAR said...

PrasunDa,

The Indian Navy recently released RFPs for

(1)Towed Wire Antenna for Submarines; and

(2) Simulator for Propulsion System

Which companies in your opinion are best placed to supply these items?

(3) Is the Next Generation Missile Vessel deal making any progress? If yes, can you plz shed some light?

Thanks,
Sujoy

raw13 said...

@Arpit,

Most Pak's are smart enough to know that most of the Afghanistan is not under Afghan gov control. Infact most of our criminals end up taking shelter in these same places, now that FATA is off limit to them. We are well aware of the areas and we know afghans well too. They are our brothers. We take no pride in their loss. Our SF have been doing fair amount of targeting there, its just we don't do what you guys do...like on the border with Burma. Full style Bollywood action drama.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAW13: LoLz! Dude, have you ever stepped even 50 feet inside Afghanistan??? I got back earlier this week from Afghanistan after visiting at least 7 provinces in the north, south, east & west, & nothing of the rubbish you're belching out holds true, rest assured. And if you call them your brothers, why deny them supplies through the land corridor of even high-energy biscuits from India? If this is the way you folks treat your brothers, then it is best not to have brothers like you in this planet.

As for river-names, do read up about where the Kishenghanga originates & ends & where the Jhelum starts from & ends.

As for Pakistan's educational curriculum, any reason why the names & write-ups of certain Maj Gens & Brigadiers that used to be glorified as 1965 war-heroes were totally whitewashed out of each & every history textbook in 1973? Was it because they were Ahmadiyas?

All this explains that anyone trying to establish cordial bilateral relations with Pakistan will only end up with diminishing returns. Hence, better to end up with such 'ghaate ka saudaa'. The Chinese are now learning it the hard way, after their companies involved in the Nandipur power-generation project have now been blacklisted by none other then the ruling PML-N. I sincerely hope such trendsetting events continue to occur with increasing frequency (as they inevitably will without fail, given the utterly corrupt practices of Pakistan's politicians & bureaucrats), so that China too finally decides to cut its losses & bury the CPEC once & for all, inshallah!

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To SUJOY MAJUMDAR: 1) French company Nereides, represented in India by its agent FLASH FORGE, is the frontrunner, since it has already supplied them before to the IN. 2) Depends on the type of platform. Both TATA Power SED & ECIL can supply such simulators.

To VED: Regarding the operationalisation of Tejas Mk1, you may be forgetting that the pilot ejection system & the cockpit canopy sevarance system have yet to be tested & certified. Unlerss the Martin Baker ejection seat is certified on Tejas Mk1, other pending certification schedules won't take place.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To All: Do read this: https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/vol47no3/article02.html

This guy, Adolf Georgivich Tolkachev, between 1979 & 1985, supplied all technical documentation to the CIA Station in Moscow concerning the N-003 Sapfir, N-006 Ametist/Sapfir-23MLA/Sapfir-23PA & N-008 Sapfir-23MLA-2 radars of the MiG-23MF; N-005 RP-25MN Smerch-A, N-005 Sapfir-25 & N-007/RP-31 Zaslon radars of the MiG-25 and MiG-31; the RPLK-29 N0-19 Rubin radar of the MiG-29; the N-001 Myech /RPLK-27 radar of the Su-27; the Shmel AEW & C control radar; radar beam-riding seekers of the R-23R, R-24R, R-33R, R-27R BVRAAMs and of the S-300P LR-SAM; IR seeker of the R-60T WVRAAM; & IFF codes of the SRO-2 Krom, SRO-2M Krom-2M & SRZO-2M IFF transponders, which had severely compromised the USSR’s IFF national secure operating mode of operation. Due to his efforts, the US military-industrial complex was able to save funds worth US$4 billion in R & D.

I wonder if this espionage operation was in any way connected to the infamous Larkins brothers’ case in the early 1980s, when the then French Defense Attache in Delhi, Col Alain Boley, was also trying to procure similar performance data on the then newly-ordered MiG-23MFs. Were the French then acting at the behest of the US, or were they just trying to sell more Mirage 2000H/TH, which was then pitted against the MiG-23MF, MiG-23BN, MiG-27M & MiG-29B-12?

For those who don’t know much about the Larkins brothers’ case, do read this comprehensive coverage of this case, which had by early 1985 resulted in an extensive purge of officials in both the PMO & the MoD:

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arrests-of-senior-retired-military-officers-present-a-sordid-picture-of-spying-game/1/372293.html

http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1985/Former-Military-Officers-Sentenced-On-Espionage-Charges/id-0d902f1f44ebe1f1158c8eac544d6a70

http://articles.latimes.com/1985-01-20/news/mn-10451_1_spy-scandal

vijay kant said...

sir,I have few questions...
1-what is going on wrt Rafale deal?any new developments?
2-why is it that it has taken almost 3 years to get the deal??
3-GOI has cancelled MMRCA tender and yet you say that the deal will conclude...
4-is India opting for of the shelf purchase of pakfa?
5-why Russia has not backed India on un security council reforms?
6-considering plaaf air force number of fighters what are the options for Indian govt. and air force if Rafale deal fails to frutifies.
7-Pakistan got mi35 helo from Russia,what might be the reaction of this?

Arpit Kanodia said...

@raw13 no surprise, I expected this answer.

In the eyes of common Pakistanis Afgans are killing citizens of Pakistan, but still calling them "BROTHERS". Lolz.

This is why I say this is pretty hard to understand the psyche of Pakistanis, they not aware that how confused they are about there own.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To VIJAY KANT: Pak got Mi-35Ms? Only a sale-and-purchase contract draft documentation has been sent to Islamabad. Nothing has been signed or ordered, leave alone any Mi-35M delivery.

raw13 said...

@Arpit,

If you know of our culture, you would be shocked & surprised. We are not at all like you guys or how you think we are. And, Yes our psyche & temperament is very different to an indian one.

@Prasun,

Can you tell me which Brigs names were taught in schools and are not these days and in which books? I can tell you the only hero's that actually get mentioned (that i still remember) in detail are the Nishan-e-Haider ones...Like I said before, get hold of year 1-12 books and read them. They will surprise you, of how little if any mention of India or Hindu in them. When reference is made the tone is always neutral and factual.

raw13 said...

Agree Pakistan's politicians & bureaucrats are utterly corrupt and in-competent. Though things are changing there too. Accountability is becoming big in Pak, this is why PML-N is in hot water now.

Must say CPEC has you guys running for cover, like never before!!!

prateek said...

sir,
it was fascinating to read the india today article on larkins affair.

could you more links to articles that sum up well the capabilities or the lack of it, successes & failure of indian intelligence agencies.. specially the r&aw,IB,NTRO.

if you can please recommend some good books on the subject as well.

Unknown said...

sir, is india losing russia for usa ?

whatever diplomatic maneuvering india is doing is it a blunder or a masterstroke ?
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2015/09/modis-sweet-diplomatic-overtures-are.html

rad said...

Anon and all,

have a read of this and tell me what you think?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-34356306

Alex said...


Why are muslims not allowed to eat Beef in India?

I hear that muslims are not allowed to buy a flat in Hindu area's, is that true?

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To ALEX: From where are you getting all this? I myself consumed Beef a number of times in the recent past in both Patna & Kolkata. As for purchases of real-estate for accommodation, you ought to pose this question to those Muslim Indian & Muslim Pakistani filmstars residing in Mumbai who own their own dwellings amidst ‘Hindu’ communities.

To PIYUSH DAS: What made you reach this conclusion? Reality is totally the opposite. The number of projects involving joint development of weapons & their launch platforms with Russia far outnumber those being undertaken by India with either the US or Israel. Only difference these don’t make headline news. But do read this:

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/m-k-narayanan-writes-great-power-greater-responsibility/article7686049.ece?homepage=true

To PRATEEK: Unfortunately, books on such topics published in India are very, very few. The reason I remain interested in this topic is because I saw first-hand the jockeying for market access in the early 1980s between the French & the Soviets/Russians. While the former was very eager to sell the AMX-40 MBT & Mirage 2000H/TH, the massive purchases of various types of weapons platforms in large numbers from the USSR by India since the early 1980s truly unnerved the French, especially because the IA & IAF in particular wanted to look for military-industrial convergences & synergies for the sake of developing the LCA & Arjun MBT at that time. During all my visits to the Farnborough & Paris Air Shows from the mid-1980s till the early 1990s, the French always used to ask me all sorts of questions of how exactly the Indian decision-making system functioned & why India had since the early 1980s decided to put almost all eggs into the Soviet basket. I also remember how an IAF Group Captain in the late 1980s who was qualified on both the Mirage 2000 & MiG-29B was being courted (without much success) by several Western military officials when this Group Captain was officially visiting the Asian Aerospace 1988 expo in Singapore.

To RAD: What the BBC doesn’t know is that even Muslims desist from slaughtering female cows. It is the males that are slaughtered & their beef consumed. Read the J & K legislation carefully & this is what the law states. It therefore does not mean that beef consumption is legally banned. Like I said several times before, the devil always lurks within the detail. Overlook this, & the devil will haul all our arses to hell. The riots are always confined to only 2 or 3 localities in Srinagar, especially those where the so-called separatists (they’re actually India’s Trojan horses) have their residences. Again, the BBC glosses over such details.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAW13: Of course those living in Pakistan are not like Indians…the former mostly in a lower stage of evolution because they believe that humanity originated only 1,600 years ago. Those very few who are bright & enterprising migrate to Canada & the US. As for the Ahmadiya military officers whose memories have been officially erased, they are Maj Gen Akhtar Hussain Malik (battle of Chhamb-Jaurian) & Brig Abdul Ali Malik (battle of Chawinda), both of whom were awarded the Hilal-e-Jurrat b y FM Ayub Khan. In 1973 their photos & write-ups were removed from the Class 5 history textbooks. Only the photos & write-ups of martyr Maj Aziz Bhatti & Brig Ehsan Rashid were retained. Hell, this was disclosed even on Pakistani TV channels on September 7, 2015.

As for the CPEC, India is the least bothered about what happens inside Pakistan. But when it comes to PoK inclusive of Gilgit-Baltistan, any Chinese activity without India’s approval is illegal as per international law, since the UNSC resolution clearly accepts the legality of J & K’s Instrument of Accession & also demands that Pakistan first vacate its aggression before India can take measures to ensure right to self-determination (& not plebiscite as falsely touted by Pakistan) of the populace of J & K. And that is precisely the reason why this Govt of India has already fired the first shot in this new diplomatic battle by publicly stating that the only Kashmir matter to be resolved is for Pakistan to return the portion of the state of Jammu & Kashmir that it has illegally occupied. Indian officials have also therefore invoked India's 106km-long border with Afghanistan, a cartographic claim that becomes real on the ground only if India retakes Pakistan-occupied Kashmir by any means. It is for this reason that India objects to the CPEC’s component inside PoK, & not that part that is due for implementation inside Pakistan. .

But Pakistani officials in general will always shy away from such deep details. No wonder the likes of Maleeha Lodhi cannot distinguish the WB from the LoC & what these two terms mean. That’s why when it comes to India’s plans for constructing a 10-metre high and 135-feet wide embankment (wall) along the 197km Working Boundary between J & K and Pakistan, this planned wall, according to Pakistan & Maleeha, is meant to convert the LoC “into a quasi international border”.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

Documentary aired on September 23, 2015 on the Pak Army units deployed below the Saltoro Ridge:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUrnvu16Wkg

financeblogger said...

Hi Prasun,

Awaiting ur revert as stated.

Sk said...

Prasun,

Can you clarify the Indian Navy's Light Utility Helicopter requirement? I believe IN is trying to replace its fleet of Chetak helos with a new twin engine helicopter. One of the main contenders is the Airbus 565 Panther helicopter which is about 4.3 ton MTOW. I believe most of these helicopters will be deployed on mid sized corvettes and above category of vessels.

Its difficult to understand though that a corvette that can accommodate a 4.3 ton helicopter will also not be able to accommodate a 5.5 ton helicopter. How much difference can 1.2 ton make for a sip sized 1500 ton and above. There are 1600-1800 ton O P vessels from Damen which can even accommodate NH-90 class helicopters.

If that is the scene then why is Indian Navy looking to import a new category of helicopter when it can use a modified version of Dhruv helicopter for its LUH requirement? Even if it takes care of 75-80% of Navy's requirements, over the years in future, further upgrades will make it a superb platform. Dhruv has almost all ingredients to become AW159 Lynx helo in due time.

What happens to Navy's indigenous credentials in this helicopter area, especially when rotor folding issue has been resolved and by its own admission, the Rudra helicopters have impressed the IN. Please explain.

Arpit Kanodia said...

PKS Sir,
Whenever a new docu release about Siachen from Indian POV, most of the officers of IA talk about how they doing air lifts, MedEvac, how they developed concepts of MRE, how they developed cambers for HAPO and HACO, and virtually eliminating the fatalities caused by this. How they using new materials for tents and for posts. How they developed training and acclimatization process for Siachen.

But whenever a docu release from Pakistan POV, they always talk about they are here to protect there motherland and with "allah ke rehmo karam par". Seriously nothing else.

This is amazing, they are so much incapable of to develop a decent mountain warfare strategy for Siachen?

Gessler said...

Prasun ji, a huge thanks for your replies, btw I think you're absolutely right regarding where the actual velvet divorce has taken place -

http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/21398-afghan-pakistan-trade-drops-40-percent-in-past-three-months-pajcci

Do read the article when you have time.

james said...

Cleared for takeoff. Marillyn Hewson, Chairman of @LockheedMartin discusses aerospace industry w/ PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/nmQDtR10qt
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 24, 2015


prasun will india go or f16I

G said...

agree with arpit about the PAK POV .... sad!

buddha said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=103&v=fcm1RjpwYa4
can india make such kind of thing

Ram Bharadwaj said...

Is the Nirbhay Planned to be deployed on the Kolkatta Class Destroyers?

radha said...

HI Prasun
I think someone is using my handle. I did not post that on September 26, 2015 at 1:45 AM, for which you replied about beef etc.

So who ever you , are please kindly desist from using my handle. I rarely post views on politics and religion, i post mostly about missiles,ac,ew etc.

Prasun, There seems to be a revelation about the brahmos A . It has far greater range than the original one due kinetic energy imparted to it b y the carrying ac.Please shed some more light on its capabilities. Does the nirbhay use the same rf seeker as well.

prateek said...

sir ,
you might have read this article, if not please read & give your perspective/critique..

" http://www.ajaishukla.blogspot.in/2015/09/1965-war-anniversary-50-years-on-little.html "...

the gist of the article is that the various systems like TCS,BMS,CIDSS,ACCCS,BSS,NEWN,AF-NET which are under development or at various stages of deployment can't seamlessly communicate with each other.
is this allegation true, sir ?
if yes , what are reasons due to which army opted for this situation.
by reading the article one gets the feeling that the senior officer cadre of the indian military is completely inept.

hopefully you can also tell your readers about these systems in some detail & how are they going to effect network-centricity.

i wish you will explain in some detail sir , i hope to learn on this topic.

Unknown said...

I WAS READING ONE OF YOUR ARTICLE FROM 2013. & YOU'VE SAID THAT WE,LEGITIMATELY, DON'T OWN AKSAI CHIN !!!
I KNOW THAT YOUR ARGUMENT IS SOME MAP PUBLISHED BY INDIA.
I'M VERY UPSET AFTER READING THAT ARTICLE.

DO WE HAVE ANY ANY ANY CHANCE OF GETTING CHINA OCCUPIED LAND BACK ?
WAS AKSAI CHIN HISTORICALLY PART OF INDIA ?
HAVE YOU DOUBLE CHECKED YOUR FACTS ? I MEAN CAN'T YOU BE WRONG ON THIS MATTER ?
MODI GOVT IS RECTIFYING MANY PREVIOUS MISTAKES. CAN THIS GOVT MAKE CHANGES IN INDIA'S OFFICIAL MAP ?

Unknown said...

Dear Sir,

Has the range of the LRSAM / Barak-8 increased or is this the Extended Range Version i.e. LRSAM - ER? Will the same range increase be effected for Astra AAM and Akash Mk-II SAM or are these unrelated as there are claims made than the Akash Mk-II might use two pulse rocket motors instead of ramjets? Does all such speculation not seem like publicity stunts as the projects have not fructified but taller claims are being made? I guess that ranges are never specified in exact detail and is more difficult to define in the case of Surface to Air and Air to Air Missiles due to manoeuvers, radar and even seeker limitations. But a detailed explanation in your usual logical style would be very informative and clarifying.

There are ofcourse similar claims being made for the Surface to Surface and Cruise missiles such as K-4, Agni-4/5/6, Brahmos-Block 1/2/3/A/NG, Nirbhay. Looking forward to some detailed write-ups or even a new post on these developments, if they are not speculative, ofcourse.

financeblogger said...

http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/parrikar-volte-face-opens-door-for-more-rafale-fighters-115052700033_1.html

From the above link, seems more Rafales going to be bought off the shelf, Dasault being freed from the responsibility of Make In India also.

Could Reliance Industries have been a probable partner for Dasault in the MAKE-IN-INDIA policy for the Rafale fighter?

Your view on the above.

Also awaiting your response to my previous queries.

Mayur M Manapure said...

http://idrw.org/theres-an-indo-pak-cyber-war-afoot-and-the-governments-have-nothing-to-do-with-it/#more-74569
http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/just-in/mallu-cyber-soldiers-hits-back-hacks-pak-websites.html

Brute force retaliation...

VIKRAM GUHA said...

PrasunDa,

Not sure if our Bandalbaaz friends are having a field day, but this report sounds good.

India may purchase nuclear subs from USA & France

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-may-get-us-french-cos-as-partners-for-building-nuclear-submarines/articleshow/49131287.cms

Would appreciate if you can shed some light.

Thanks,
Vikram

Arpit Kanodia said...

Sir,
How you see this event?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34377565

When the Ghani going to realize the Pak's role behind the situation?

How you see Taliban overrunning the Kabul in coming near future? Did India follow the same 90s strategy in case Taliban capture the Kabul?

Anonymous said...

Hi Prasun,

Whats happening in Nepal? From the news it seems they are pissed with India again.


Best Regards
Raj

raw13 said...

@Prasun, According to you everyone in Pak is confused and incorrect. Its a viewpoint. Regarding beef, agree we mainly eat the males between 1-3 year olds butwe also eat lots of old female cows. Main thing here is the freedom to do what we want and not be told what we can or cannot do. Now my compatriots in IOK will eat far more beef than they used to. The price of beef has already starting climbing in IOK. If you think things are normal there, why switch off the internet? This is not just happening in Srinagar but all over IOK.
@Arpit, What can Ghani do, call in the Indian army with their 56" chests, to fight the Taliban? Prasun said he has recently been to Afghanistan and seen the conditions on the ground. Ask him who the people around Kunduz support. Did you know many Afghan soldiers switched sides?

Mayur M Manapure said...

http://m.ibnlive.com/news/world/pakistan-muzzles-pro-india-voices-in-pak-occupied-kashmir-with-brutal-force-human-rights-violations-1122655.html#disqus_thread

Just look at the number of protestors.... ...This is what Land of Pure "Papistan"...errr Pakistan has to offer....it's a shame that only one Channel is playing these clips.....

সুমন্ত নাগ said...

Prasun Da kindly share your views on Afghanistan:

1. http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-afghan-forces-battle-to-regain-control-of-kunduz-city-after-taliban-takeover-2130010

As well as

2.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/ISIS-claims-presence-in-Bangladesh-kills-Italian-man-in-Dhakas-diplomatic-zone/articleshow/49155447.cms

সুমন্ত নাগ said...

http://atimes.com/2015/09/cable-operators-in-nepal-blackout-indian-channels/

"Even as cable TV operators in Nepal began blocking as many as 42 Indian channels to protest blockade of a key trade checkpoint with India by agitators opposing Nepal’s new Constitution, the Nepal government has sought clarification from the operators for stopping the broadcast, agencies report.

Ministry of Information and Communications asked clarification from various cable operators as to why action must not be taken against them as they have violated Article 11 of the National Broadcasting Act, 2049. The ministry claims the cable operators violated the provision and stopped broadcasting without any prior notice."


http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2015-09-29/nepal-india-standoff-may-be-resolved-in-a-couple-of-days.html

Speaking on the occasion, National Planning Commission (NPC) member Chandra Mani Adhikari also stressed the need for resolving the issue at the earliest said that the ongoing turmoil has severely hurt country’s economy. “Nepal and India have a strong socio-cultural and economic bonding. There can be some differences of opinion. But that should not affect the relationship of the two nations,” Adhikari said.
Sashi Kant Agrawal, vice president of the NICCI, said that the ongoing tension between the two neighbours can have negative implications for Nepal in the long run while calling for a political solution to the problem at the earliest. “The concept of importing goods from China isn’t feasible. India is our largest trading partner with two-thirds of the country’s total trade volume taking place between the two countries,” Agrawal said.

Arpit Kanodia said...

Lolz @Mayur, this is irrefutable evidence about how much suppression of media going on in Pakistan. Even Pak media have no clue whats going on in GB and AJK.

And they still talk about freedom of media, suppression of rights and human rights in J&K,rofl.

সুমন্ত নাগ said...

Prasun Da, I could not ponder why there is a sudden desperate move by minuscule section of Indian media , of course supported by some morons in forums, to potray netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as 'Nazi Sympathiser' and 'Japanese stooge' with out any concrete evidence, a baseless charge that was unsuccessfully used 70 years ago by the Colonial British and the then communists, as well as section of INC , is there any correlation between it and declassification of 64 files by the Government of West Bengal ? Kindly enlighten with yours views ?

Raw14 said...

@Raw13 please tell us how many afghan soldiers switched side..

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAW14: LoLZZZZZZZZZ! RAW13 wouldn't know a damn about that, because his 'Guru' M K Bhadrakumar has yet to come up with another one of his spectacularly outrageous conspiracy theories! To get a sense of the reality on the ground, the following report will be more illuminating:

http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/in-fact-why-the-fall-of-kunduz-could-bury-afghan-government/

To SUMANTA: The truth always lies somewhere in between. Of course Indians in general always blindly assume that their national icons are all angels who can do no wrong. While it is true that the Imperial Japanese Army did commit barbaric atrocities against the indigenous inhabitants of the Andaman & Nicobar islands during WW-2, it is also true that Subhas Chandra Bose sought assistance from the Axis Powers because he correctly believed in the dictum "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". So, no need to get emotional or hot-headed about it. Just analyse matters objectively & non-passionately.

To SOUBHAGYA: Because they're desperately trying to clutch at straws while dwelling in a world of make-belief. Shit happens, especially after that country's national leaders have not given their citizens proper nutrition & instead forced them to eat only grass since 1974. It's therefore elementary, my dear 'ol chap.

To RAW13: Nepal has been in a state of civil war for the past 15 years. If you haven't yet grasped that, then you are habitating cuckooland. If you wish Nepal to go Pakistan's regressive way, that's fine with me. Just make sure that all the shit and trash from such failed states does not affect Nepal's & Pakistan's neighbouring states.

As for Afghanistan, everyone concerned had forewarned President Ghani not to give a bear-hug to Pakistan. But he persisted in a last-ditch attempt to give Pakistan one last chance. And predictably, Pakistan proved yet again to be massive disappointment. Now just watch what happens in the following 3 weeks & how Pakistan's western borders become too hot to handle.

Also, you have far greater headaches now than beef-bans & what not. Just go through these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJykCvgtFho&hd=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvsi-yPmmwo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdL7BzFrDqQ&hd=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD8NQ5AONTQ&hd=1

Such exposures of atrocities in PoK on a global-scale will soon attain industrial levels. This is just for starters. By 2017, therefore, all indications are that a mass popular uprising will occur throughout PoK & just guess what will happen next.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To SUMANTA: This is one of the reasons why the ANA is unable to effectively counter the Afghan Taliban barbarians:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/world/asia/us-is-struggling-in-its-effort-to-build-an-afghan-air-force.html?_r=0

To VIKRAM GUHA: LoLz! That was a good find! Probably such bandalbaazes weren't present present at DEFEXPO 2012 when the Barracuda SSN was showcased. Reality is that the IN has zeroed in on the Scorpene's SSN version & the all-electric propulsion system (that does away with reduction gearboxes) to be driven by the PWR will come from GE-Alsthom, a US-French JV company. That's what it's all about. NO US-based submarine manufacturer has either been approached by India nor has any such OEM approached India.

To KAUSTAV BHATTACHARYA: During R & D work, it often happens that the final product's performance parameters exceeds its initially estimated parameters. That's exactly what's happened with the Barak-2 LR-SAM version of the IN. While a 70km-range was specified, what was eventually achieved was 90km. The IAF's LR-SAM version of the Barak-2, called Barak-8, will have an extra rocket booster to help attain a range of 120km.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAJ: This is what's actually happening inside Nepal:

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nepals-missed-tryst-with-destiny/1/481271.html

To PIYUSH DAS: How can I be wrong when I presented official maps of the Survey of India between 1950 & 1953? India had 2 full years to demarcate & delineate its territorial boundaries before the establishment of the PRC in 1949. And yet Pandit Nehru & Co did nothing!!! And when the first official map was published, it showed the boundaries being undefined! Only a moron could have authorised such a move. It's like you buying a plot of land & then turning up 3 years later to fence the perimeter of that piece of land. Would you ever engage in such action? Pandit Nehru & Co certainly did.

Historically, Aksai Chin wasn't owned by anyone because the climate there was far too inhospitable for human habitation. The colonial Brits then made matters worse by drawing at least 11 different maps showing different boundaries over a 200 year-period. And Communist China today does not possess even a single copy of any such map because when Chiang kai-Shek fled the mainland to Taiwn, he took with him ALL the imperial treasures & treaties & such documentation with him & they now lie in hardened underground caverns in Taipei, with Chiang's statue over them--this being the Chiang kai-Shek Memorial. That's why everytime India asks China to produce its maps & treaty copies for purposes of verification, China always backs off. And this is what prevents the LAC from being demarcated & delineated.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

China will launch its first domestically built 53,000-ton aircraft carrier, known as the Type-001A, on December 26, 2015 to mark the 122nd birthday of Chairman Mao Zedong. Last August, President Xi Jinping had visited the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) to inspect the progress of work on the aircraft carrier.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Prasun da for answering the queries.

Hope to see a new article on your blog which i think will be as exciting as all the previous ones, especially waiting for the second part of your MAKS-2015 report.

With regards,

Pallab.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To PALLAB: VMT. Will try to upload Part-2 of MAKS 2015 show report tonight, focussing on the cut-throat competition between Russia & China in the global weapons export market. Meanwhile do view this short film on the PLA Navy's CV-16 Liaoning aircraft carrier:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oVXMg7GEnM

sandeep said...

Sir ndtv report says IAF inducting seven squadrons of LCA mk 1 A.... http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/despite-flaws-india-to-induct-tejas-mark-1a-fighter-1224355... Pls opine

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To PRATEEK: Do read this: http://www.theweek.in/theweek/current/hunt-for-beant-singhs-killer-ended-in-thailand.html

To RAD/RADHA: You may find this interesting:

http://www.theweek.in/theweek/business/bsnl-how-a-profit-making-public-sector-company-was-reduced-to-zilch.html

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To SANDEEP: LoLz! Just analyse the way that story has been drafted. 7 sqns each with 18 aircraft translates into 126 aircraft! The joker who wrote that story was smoking something which we fortunately are not, & hence this what is happening:

Based on what I had been advocating all along, the IAF has decided to essentially go for the NP version of the Tejas Mk1, & nopt the Tejas Mk1A. However, this NP version will come in both single-seat & tandem-seat versions (the latter acting as a LIFT) & both will have LEVCONS that confer greater agility/manoeuvrability. The lighter landing gear in fact will be the same as that on the NP (LCA Navy Mk1) that has been developed, so that the IAF-operated versions can land with full weapons load on the runway (in case of aborted missions). Thus, in essence, this version of the Tejas Mk1 will be optimised for all-weather ground-attack. It will also have EL/L-8222 self-protection pod, thereby doing away with the need for an internal jammer. The only integration challenge that remains is that of the RWR suite & the new ADA management has proposed that the RWR sensors be mounted siderways & rearwards in twin underwing pylons. If this can be achieved on time & with reduced risk, then we all can rejoice, since this will give the IAF an excellent ground-attack platform that will be a worthy successor to the MiG-27M/MiG-27UPG.

So, all in all, time has come for many (especially RAJESH MISHRA) to rejoice.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

BTW, contracts for the 15 CH-47Fs & 22 AH-64Es were inked in New Delhi yesterday at the MoD by both MoD & Union MoF officials on one hand, & the Us DoD & Boeing Co on the other.

Unknown said...

goodmorning sir

thanks for answering my queries !

by your answer i conclude that there still is some chance of getting aksai chin back.

BTW iaf is buying 7 sq of tejas. will it have any effect on overall order of rafale ?

AniOne said...

Prasunda,

Article published on NDTV website on INS Kochi.

Hope it is worth your time.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/inside-indias-new-and-deadliest-warship-1224090

Anonymous said...

That's really exciting news on the Tejas mk-1 Prasun da. Plus your prediction on the tandem-seat versions of the Tejas mk-1 acting as a LIFT is coming true.
That's why i along with many other blog readers are a great fan of your reporting which they will agree i am sure. Your precise and to-the-point reporting of most of the issues is really refreshing and exciting which gets us hooked to your blog, which i think most of your blog readers will agree.

Do you really see 1000kgs of weight reduction taking place on the future Tejas mk-1? How much is realistic according to you?

Will this modified Tejas mk-1 have the Selex ES IRST SKYWARD-G and the DARE developed dual color IR-MAWS?

Thanks.

With regards,

Pallab.

rad said...

hi Prasun
good news that the iaf has at last accepted to induct the lca. It should have happened long ago and avoided this critical mess that they have created. The drdo seems to be confident that they can shave of 1000kg ! if that is done them the problem of thrust will be solved!.Are they giving empty promise again?. Is it feasible to do that?
You said the ada is gong to fix the rwr on pylons, this will take a away precious pylon space reserved for weapons.Is there any reports of better agility and turn rate due to the levcons. The levcons are going to enhance to enhance the pitch only? can they deflect in opposite direction to enable better roll as well? There seems to be no literature available on that.Again another pylon gone for the external elm 8222 jammer. .The 2 pylons nearest to the fuselage are always loaded with tanks. So that leaves just 2 pylons for missiles and bombs.This configuration is going to restrict the lca weaponload.Please explain.

MR said...

Prasunda,

What's happening on the Rafale front?

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/49144963.cms

$9Bn for 36 aircraft does not make any sense.And the 50% offset as well. Is it for a bigger number including the "Make in India" part? Or it it still 'shooting in the dark' for our reporters?

joydeep ghosh said...

@Prasun da

welcome back, too many querries this time

1. Heard ARC of RAW will be shutdown on other hand read somewhere ARC was vying for 6 V22 Ospreys, how and why when it may be shut down

2. the Chinese build up of airstrips in SC Sea is being seen by many as clear violation of laws and threat to security, why on earth no one of all the USA is trying to stop it

3. You said once that Russia will go for Chinese balls to extract money from China for the copies being made, but have learnt that Russia and China will sign deals for latest IL76 and more weapons

4. You said IN will unlikely fly single engine jets from its carriers but then why ADE/ADA/HAL are working on single engine NLCA mk2

5. Is it true that China has started dumping US debt

6. Why is M777 deal still not done

7. just came to know .303 rifles are slowly being replaced with shotgun style weapon atlast but who is supplying those guns

8. the Saudi diplomat was taken off by saudi govt virtually admitting his role in the case, but if he had immunity what about 6/7 others who were also involved in the case will they be prosecuted

9. Anything on Nirbhay, Prahaar missile trails

10. Learnt that 120 km Pinaka mk3 will be guided rockets, what is so special of them, do you know about any other such guided rockets

11. Does the recent Boeing deal also includes option of 11 more AH64E and 8 more CH47 for IAF. In that case how many AH64E will AAC acquire alomg with options, will AAC also go for
MH47 specops version

12. Looks like the next destroyer class after the P15B/visakhapatnam class will include 155 mm gun, Brahmos ASCM, Nirbhay LACM and will be 9k ton plus near the light cruiser category, design may start once Rajput class start retiring

13. Why the sudden halla over rights violation in PoK

14. When u visited Afghanistan (as per you) did you visit Salma dam (area of Ishmail Khan) what about influence of Iran

15. The Kunduz capture by Taliban is a wakeup for India and world to not leave afghanistan in lurch this time, did you expect this to happen in your visit, why Kunduz in always in news be it the airlift, OBL hideaway & others

thanks

Joydeep Ghosh

Mayur M Manapure said...

http://www.opindia.com/2015/09/demolishing-the-aurangzeb-apologist-cabal/

Must read...

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAD: Why should RWR sensor-equipped pylon be devoid of any weapons? There are pylons today that can host weapons as well as RWR sensors & countermeasures dispensers. ASPJ will be mounted on the centreline station in the belly. Fuel tanks won't be necessary as the aircraft will have inflight refuelling probe & since the aircraft will be used for close air-support only (battlefield air-interdiction, not tactical interdiction), fuel-tanks won't be reqd at all.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To PALLAB: Remember what I stated about India-UAE cooperation in space applications technology matters? Well, here's further proof:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/UAE-space-agency-seeks-cooperation-with-Isro/articleshow/49169963.cms

Roy said...

Prasunda, There wont be a 1 ton decrease in empty weight in mk1A over mk1. Rather it would be a modest figure. Mr Suvarna has confirmed that Tejas mk1A will have an internal jammer and this coupled with an aesa from Israel will really boost its capabilities both from the oerspective of air-ground and Air-to-air domain. This wil be a qualitative gapfiller for IAF and will help in checking the depleting numbers . Hope,IAF goes forward with its plans to acquire upto 7 squadrons of mk1A. It will be an added advantage if IAF asks for integration of pylon mounted maws from Cassidian -Milds-60 .

Do post a piece on the progess of various Indo Russian JV in aerospace and missiles and please shed some light on the Fgfa program. Also are we sure about more MKI orders over and above the 300+ already acquired? can we expect a deal to be signed in the upcoming Inter governmental meeting?

Anonymous said...

Hi Prasun da,

We all belief in your reports, the hardships that go into the collection, integration and publication of information on various subjects, not to mention the answer to most of our queries. Thanks.

Can you please shed some light on whether the HAL will be able to shed off about 1000kgs from the Tejas mk1? Will it have pod mounted IR MAWS?

You said that the modified Tejas mk1 will be used for battlefield interdiction. Can it be used for air defence role like the Mig 21 Bisons? since it will be more agile & maneuverable thanks to LEVCONS and reduced drag due to weight reduction plus increased thrust to weight ratio?

With regards,

Pallab.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To ROY & PALLAB: The ‘desi’ journalist who was the first to splurge out disinformation about the non-existent Tejas Mk1A was a chap called Gulshan Luthra , who owns INDIA STRATEGIC. He was previously just a news-bureau chief & therefore possesses ZERO (0) knowledge about aviation/aeronautical/avionics matters & consequently he can’t even ask elementary questions pertaining to any aircraft or any on-board system. So here are the facts dictated by the laws of physics:

1) Weight reduction isn’t necessary at all, be it 1kg or 1,000kg. This figure of 1,000kg is another figment of a ‘desi’ journalist’s wild imagination. What matters most is internal volume to accommodate the MMR’s environment control system, on-board oxygen generation system (absent on Tejas Mk1), hydraulically actuated in-flight refuelling probe (absent on Tejas Mk1), and an internal CW/Pulse ASPJ.

2) Since the Tejas Mk1’s design is that of a light MRCA, internal volume is severely restricted when compared to that of M-MRCA or heavy-MRCA. Therefore, the nose-section has to be heavily redesigned to house an AESA-MMR for catering to extra cooling/power/processor reqmts. If this were to be done, it will create the need for brand-new jigs & toolings for the final assembly line, which in turn will drive the production costs through the roof. Sanity therefore demands that no ‘deep’ airframe redesign be undertaken. Hence, the IAF has decided to stick to the EL/M-2032 MMR with slotted-array antenna for the 40 Tejas Mk1s on order & the 86 more to be ordered.

3) The same also holds true for the internal ASPJ, since when the Tejas Mk1’s design was frozen for series-production, no spare internal volume was available for the ASPJ’s installation, since the ASPJ at that time was still under development by DARE & its design was frozen in only mid-2011. Early R & D on the airborne ASPJ & its interfacing with the RWR sensors also wasn’t possible because neither the CABS nor DARE had an airborne avionics integration testbed, like a Do-228 that CABS only recently acquired. Had this been acquired by 2005, matters would have been much better. Now, HAL has decided to use one of the Tejas Mk1 PV vehicles as an airborne avionics integration testbed & this is what is known as the Tejas Mk1A. It is only a testbed, meaning it will be used for testing & certifying A) the airborne ASPJ prototype; B) its interfacing with the pylon-mounted RWR sensors; & C) testing & certifying an internally-mounted MAWS suite using MILDS-F sensors. And for this to be done, some other avionics LRUs will have to be removed so that internal volume for the ASPJ & MAWS becomes available. Consequently, this Tejas Mk1A testbed cannot ever be labelled as being a fully functional light MRCA. The internal ASPJ & MAWS will therefore make their way only on-board the Tejas Mk2 MRCA, which is still on the drawing boards.

4) Lastly, procuring only 126 Tejas Mk1s for CAS & defensive counter-air/interception missions will fill the gap only to an extent. Therefore, the Combat Hawk option also needs to be exercised. For, the IAF in the 1980s itself had planned a CAS aircraft force structure of 258 aircraft, for which it had acquired 93 MiG-23BNs & 165 MiG-27Ms.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To PALLAB: Yes, both the Tejas Mk1 (naval variant to be acquired by the IAF) & the Combat Hawk will be agile dogfighters & they will also be the IAF's workhorses for defensive counter-air operations. The Derby/Python-5 AAM combination, combined with the TARGO HMDS & EL/M-2032 on the Tejas, & the Derby/Python-5 AAM combination, combined with the TARGO HMDS for the Combat Hawk will make these two platforms potent interceptors. These two aircraft-types will be equally potent close air-support/battlefield air-interdiction platforms if armed with small-diameter laser-guided or IIR-guided PGMs, which will enable them to carry a greater number of such PGMs on dual or triple ejector-pylons. As for MAWS, only two rearward-facing sensors will suffice & these can mounted on the aircraft's tail-root section on either side of the bulkhead containing the drag-parachute ( so as to avoid unnecessary aerodynamic drag), similar to what has been done for the JF-17 Thunder/FC-1 light-MRCA.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Prasun da. That cleared all our doubts.

Good night.

With regards,

Pallab.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To ANIONE: VMT for highlighting the sheer buffoonery of these ‘desi’ bandalbaazes. For instance:

Report: The only sound to be heard was of waves slapping the sides of her sleek hull.
Reality: That is what appears to anyone when he/she is being briefed when the warship is moored to its pier or is at anchorage. In reality, when cruising, the warships gas-turbines & diesel engines do make noise, the quantum of which depends on where one is located/positioned, be it in the interior or outside.

Report: Her sleek silhouette and her grey paint scheme ensured she blended in with the sea around her.
Reality: Paint schemes only seek to camouflage the warship’s superstructure during daytime at moderate distances. Silhouette on the other hand can never be minimised at nighttime, especially when long-range IRST sensors are the norm on board wearships.

Report: "You have entered Chinese waters". "Please change course. You are now in Chinese waters. Alter course now or you will be challenged."
Reality: Such warnings are issued ONLY when an unidentified warship enters a country’s territorial waters without prior permission. They are NEVER issued when warships are transiting another country’s EEZ, especially in peacetime, by any navy. In the South China Sea, the PLAN has only asked foreign warships transiting its EEZ to identify themselves & shut down their air-/surface-search radars.

Report: "We are operating in international waters en route to Japan for joint exercises It is our intention to remain on course."
Reality: No CO of any warship will ever reveal his final destination to any navy. Just info on heading & course is reqd to be provided when cruising in international waters.

Report: His long-range Russian-built surface search radar, had picked up intermittent contacts--at least two of the contacts matched the profile of Chinese warships.
Reality: Total hogwash. Long-range radars for air & surface search on INS Kochi are the Thales Nederland supplied & BEL-assembled LW-08 long-range volume search radar & EL/M-2248 MF-STAR. The 50km-range Russian Garpun Bal-E is only a target acquisition radar for fire-control assistance for the BrahMos-1 Block-1 ASCMs only out to the horizon.

Report: Deep inside the Kochi, several decks below her bridge, her Commanding Officer, his XO (Executive Officer) and 15 of his most skilled weapons and sensor experts manned their stations in the Operations Centre of the 7,500-ton destroyer.
Reality: Not Operations centre, but the Combat Information Centre, or CIC.

Report: Spread across 17 metres, the width of the entire warship, the Ops Centre was the nerve centre of the Kochi.
Reality: Not 17 metres, but 17 square metres.

Cont'd below...

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

Report: The Chinese Type 052D destroyer had fired a long range YJ-18 'Eagle Strike' missile directly at the Kochi.
Reality: Not YJ-18, but C-602 ASCM. YJ-18 is a cannister-encapsulated, submarine-launched ASCM version of the supersonic YJ-12 air-launched ASCM.

Report: As she warded off the enemy missiles, the Kochi had provided Shivalik with the exact coordinates of the enemy Chinese warship, data which was fed into the Shivalik's Brahmos missiles.
Reality: All 3 Project 17 FFGs, Shivalik included, each host eight Novator 3M54E Klub-N supersonic 220km-range supersonic ASCMs, not BrahMos.

Report: In 2011, INS Airavat, an Indian amphibious assault ship was challenged by the Chinese Navy at a distance of 45 nautical miles from the Vietnamese coast in the South China Sea by a caller identifying himself as Chinese Navy.
Reality: It was NEVER challenged. Instead, it was just asked to identify itself & reveal its final destination.

Report: Unlike most other warships of its class in the Indian Navy, the Kochi is large. There are no cramped gangways here, typical of other warships.
Reality: Cramped gangways are only to be found on earlier-generation warships of Soviet/Russian design, & never on board any IN-designed warship.

Report: Her Indian-built generators provide enough power to run a small town indefinitely.
Reality. Totally false. For electricity generation, 2 Bergen/GRSE KVM-diesel engines drive 4 Wärtsilä WCM-1000 generator sets. All of them are imported & only assembled locally.

Report: While Machinery Control Rooms (MCR) of previous warships featured manual controls and analogue dials, the MCR onboard the Kochi is completely automated.
Reality: There’s no MCR. Instead, it is called the integrated platform management system or IPMS, that includes propulsion control/management suite, battle damage-control suite & air-conditioning suite.

Report: INS Kochi is manned by 40 officers and 350 sailors.
Reality: Totally wrong. The actual figure is 55 officers & 260 sailors.

Bottomline: The concerned NDTV news-reporter/journalist never bothered to do his homework & consequently, never paid attention to detail. And his most probable excuse will be: well, shit happens!

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAJ & JON: RE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiPjcRawvsM&hd=1

Here are the interesting parts:

1) Nawaz Sharif never referred to J & K as Indian Occupied Kashmir or India-Administered Kashmir. He used only the word Kashmir. Nor did he label India as the occupying party.

2) He used the term 'foreign occupation of Kashmir, without referring to India by name. Was he subtly hinting that the term foreign occupation also included Azad Kashmir & Gilgit-Baltistan?

3) His emphasis was more on the the formalisation of CBMs that were first offered to India in vain during the term of Gen A P Kayani as COAS, such as a gradual reduction of military personnel on both sides of the LoC, & withdrawal of medium field artillery howitzers 30km away from the LoC.

In my view, therefore, the Pak PM's speech at the UNGA yesterday had China written all over it. For, China was clearly rankled & upset by the present-day COAS of the Pakistan Army's speech of September 7, during which he boisterously & provocatively used terms like Hot-Start & Cold-Start, which only served to increase the heated exchange of threats. Therefore, this time Beijing clearly was determined to reduce tensions & prevailed upon Islamabad & Rawalpindi to tone down the latter's rhetoric & strive for something like the 'peace & tranquility' CBMs inked between India & China since 1993. This in turn, Beijing hopes, will result in a positive impact on the projected CPEC.

RAD said...

hi prasun
The center line station on the lca can haul heavy stuff, will it not be an under utilization in carrying a 200kg jammer?.
Is the project to arm hawks approved or is it just another proposal .
It seems today the hawk is the only viable stop gap ac to fill dwindling numbers, is it a good idea to import more mig-29 k of the navy so that we have commonality . Can we get 2nd hand mirage 2000s?

Arpit Kanodia said...

Sir,
How you see this statement which in issued by MEA in reply?

http://mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/25872/Statement_by_First_Secretary_Permanent_Mission_of_India_to_the_United_Nations_exercising_Indias_Right_of_Reply_during_the_General_Debate_of_70th_sessi

Anonymous said...

Looks like the video from Pok has hit a raw nerve in Pakistan. Aslo, this guy seems to be obsessed with an Indian item girl.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdQHL0-hiIE

Best Regards
Raj

Anonymous said...

Hi Prasun,

With China's economy in serious trouble, do you think they will still be willing to go ahead with the CPEC project?

Best Regards
Raj

BEMUSED said...

Military sources said this would involve 12-14 Mi-17V-5s, which would be diverted to the IAF's Communication Squadron to transport VIPs such as the Indian president, prime minister, and other senior officials.

http://googleweblight.com/?lite_url=http://www.janes.com/article/54846/india-looks-for-ew-suites-for-mi-17-helos&ei=hlLElGmY&lc=en-IN&s=1&m=350&ts=1443617801&sig=APONPFl7J6rwFgpc3u32aC9X1u615AEjow

So sir, your talk of the IAF being able to use those AW101s it had ordered was comepltly off the mark


It looks like we are going to have to put up with our PM flying around in the inherently unsafe Mi-17V5s for the next 20 years then.

The AW101 is off the table now for good it seems, what will happen to those 3 AW101s in IAF storage? Will they be sold for scrap now? What a fuck up, how much money have we lost in this deal now?

And what about the Attorney General's ruling? That seemed to pave the way to get the AW0101s in service but the IAF have shyied away from doing so and are pushing for the V5s in stead.


I am throughly depressed.....



Despite never being part of the VVIP helo deal the V5 has ended up winning the damn thing!! We should at least go for the second place helo the S92 in a FMS deal. The V5 isn't up to the task.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAJ: Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmvVd6D2In0

It is an excellent analysis pf the Pak PM's UNGA speech by well-intentioned, discerning & level-headed Pakistanis

hoods said...

I had earlier asked a question regarding the 'trophy' system for T-90 tanks.A reply would be appreciated,if possible.

if IN envisions atleast 2-3 CBGs why isn't there any development of dedicated 'air defence destroyer'to deal with 'saturation' attacks because right now P-15A,B's load of 32 barak 8 seems light compared to 48-64 missiles for type 45 and horizon class of western navies and to some extend even chinese navy.

In your opinion with launch of dedicated satts and other force multipliers what is the true expeditionary capabilities of navy in particular and indian armed forces in general.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

Excellent revuttals from India's MEA at the UNGA:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/India-replies-to-Pakistan-at-UN/listshow/49179091.cms

spanky's Blog said...

Hi Prasun,
Nice thread!!! hope to see the second part soon. Btw do have a look at this below piece. I dnt knw what the author was smoking.I dont't agree with this view. your opinion

http://www.dailyo.in/politics/indian-navy-ins-kochi-project-15-nopv-mmrca-iaf-mirage-2000-rafale/story/1/6559.html

Anonymous said...

RAW13, this is for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnD66BJ7oGk

raw13 said...

@Prasun,

You had predicted this, years ago: Question is do you have the balls to leave this comment up?

---------------

A 50-year-old Muslim man in a village in northern India was killed in a mob lynching on Monday night allegedly over rumours that his family had been storing and consuming beef at home.

Even minor incidents of fights between children are taking on a religious hue.

Muslim-owned shop in Jarcha village in Dadri was shut down after protests

Ahsaan Chaudhary, headman of Jarcha, says his house was also attacked by a group of men last month.
"Armed men barged inside and assaulted my family members. My neighbours confronted the men and forced them to go away. These groups hold meetings and say that the ancestors of Muslims living in the villages were Hindus so they have to convert to Hinduism," says Mr Chaudhary.

"The situation now is such that a Muslim villager can't buy a cow and bring it home. We will be attacked or may even be killed. It is easy to accuse that the cow is being taken to be slaughtered," says Mr Chaudhary.

-------------------------

Prav said...

Oh Raw13 .. Do you want me to start posting stories of lynchings in Pakistan ? It won't end well for you ...

Arpit Kanodia said...

@Prav Actually lynching is legal in Pakistan in shape of Blasphemy. So, its better not to reply, and let him think that 2 Nation Theory was right. And let him thank Quaid for Pakistan.

Kunal Jadhav said...

1) Is Navy going for Rustom 1 uav ?
2)Is DRDO developing armed variant of rustom 1 ? If yes will it be effective platform for army ?
3)I read that Rustom 2 flight is being delayed because of delay in supplying actuators by US ? Is DRDO developing indigenous actuators so that it wont have to depend on US .

Muhammad Annas Faqar said...

@raw13 can you tell me why your parents abandoned pakistan and went to UK if it is such a great place? first come and live in pakistan for a few months and then start talking about how great it is.
i will tell you how horrible life of a common man in pakistan really is.
i am a Gay Muslim Pakistani.but if i tell this to my parents they will definitely kill me.this is not an overstatement. i had to marry my sister last month due to extreme parental pressure.now her life is also ruined.she is depressed because i cant satisfy her but if she tries to leave me,her life will get even more miserable.she might even be murdered. i used to believe in allah but not anymore. i blame islam and pakistan for the hell that i am experiencing.
it is easy for your type of people to show superficial patriotism sitting in rich modern countries because you dont have to face all this ignorance and discrimination that is so rampant in pakistan.
at least in india such discrimination is rare enough to be highlighted in the news and people on news channels oppose such acts.
in pakistan the media is itself so ignorant that if something like this happens to a minority in pakistan the media would condone it rather than condemning it, or in most cases just ignore it because its so common.
i request you to stop being a hypocrite, if you really love this shithole soo much then come and live here.i am confident all your pseudopatriotism will go down the drain in a day when you sit in a corner of your house without electricity for 18 long hours..

sweet said...

@Muhammad Annas Faqar

Sorry to hear about your situation man, but isn't there anything you can do about it?

I know, Pakistan being Islamic, there is no scope for humans to express their natural tendencies and feelings. My only advice to you is to let go the woman you're married to. Don't make her suffer because of her parents mistake to force her to marry you. May be she will have hard time rebuilding her life if you divorce her, but eventually she will rebuild, and may be one day, she will respect you for who you are, and also for letting her go and giving her a chance to rebuild her life again. By trying to pretend that you're straight, by trying to pretend you love her, it is assured that you'll both end up in a disaster. May be you still have a chance to avert that disaster.

Let her try to find someone who will be willing to marry her. I know life is tough, but going through difficulties make people stronger. My suggestion to you is to stay calm, time has the power to heal.

Your wife still has a chance, she has dreams, she has her own wishes, if you cannot be with her, just let her go. it is best for both of you. Don't tell that your gay to your parents, let that secret remain with you until your parents are old enough that they cannot do anything about it. But do tell them the truth, later at some point.

I only hope you will live a happy and peaceful life. May be, if you cannot afford other places, move to India with your partner, I know it is tough, I know India is not heaven, but you won't be hunted down for being gay. That's all I can suggest you. If you need help, I'm here for you my man.

The incident of lynching the muslim man was tragic and inhuman in all sense, this incident shows many fault lines in our society, that people believe in hearsay rumours and the level of intolerance too. The killing was absolutely barbaric. I hope all the people are jailed for their inhuman acts. My only request is for people to understand and respect each other cultures. If Muslims were totally against the burning of Holy Koran in US, even the Hindus feel the same for slaughtering of the cows. May be for Hindus, slaughtering of cows is like burning of the holy Koran to Muslims.

PS: I don't belong to any religion.

lachit said...

my point being states like up assam the goverments are very weak .
there is no fear of law.
anti social elements from both sides indulge in incidents meant to incite voilence.
end result is innocent people get caught , or are forced to take stand .
u have to see how people are living in villages, proverty, lack of education,jobs , fundamentalism from both sides , sickularist , TRP hungry media etc , lack of proper / late implementation of justice etc makes a fertile breeding ground for such incidents.
nothing happens in isolation remove all madressa, mullahs , sanghs etc and see the change.
minority appesement at the expense of majority is never going to work.
plus i have been to up people there r divided based on caste , religion , villages , families.
in assam millions on bangladeshi muslims have stained the economic employment of the local people so there is always a tension there and i have stayed in assam for 17 years plus.

if everthing was so simple and could be put down to hindus responsibility only then i guess god only knows what is in store for us

raw13 said...

@Anon and others,

Its not about how many killed. Its the fear! At partition many muslims came to Pak not because they had a bad life in India. No, it was the fear that their children would stand no chance. The muslims that remained in India accepted that they would not get any help from the government of india and that they had to do everything themselves. Those were the good old days! Now a new fear has come, convert, stop eating beef, close your shops, stop using the loud speakers for azaan, we will come to your homes at night, convert or die!

lashit said...



http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/china-drops-interest-l8o8a8n-speed-new-pakistan/

china giving free loans to pakistan for port at gwadar and airport

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To SPANKY's BLOG/SWAROOP: Obviously that journalist wasn't going into the detail. That's surprising, because his dad was a fine polite IN Commander who was once the CO of the Project 1234E Nanuchka-class guided-missile corvette INS Hosdurg, and later he dabbled in journalism too.

What he doesn't realise is that it should never be a querstion of this or that. Instead, it should be about procuring both. Without DDGs, there will be no carrier battle-groups, while additional NOPVs are reqd for protecting India's growing offshore installations & SLOCs against pirates & non-state actors. Also, indigenous warship construction efforts have 120% cost escalations NOT because of shipyards, but because of 1) IN's inability to freeze the final design of a warship; 2) Lack of shore-based systems trials-and-integration facilities, or trials warships; 3) foreign vendors, especially Ukrainian, failing to meet delivery schedules; & 4) lack of coordination between the MoD & domestic state-owned steel manufacturers. In any case, the report by this journalist has elicited some critical comments, one of which I'm reproducing below:

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

1.Let me try to shine the light as a Layman.

2. India is huge a country which cannot survive even one day without sea commerce which is multiplying exponentially.
a. Let Mr Sandeep forgo his Car. Navy is not required.
b. Let India freeze its population and reverse its fertile DNA. Navy is not required.
c. Let Sandeep not wear a shirt. A shirt bought in Walmart store in US, after the cash is paid, the Computer places an orders for a shirt in Vietnam, it reaches US in 7 days via Hong Kong.
d. Let Sandeep not wear a watch, Navy is not required.
e. Let Sandeep not avail of his Mobile, TV, AC, what not, Navy is not required.
f. Let Sandeep forgo his onions, Navy is not required.
Let Mr Sandeep be aware that India cannot go forward without sea trade. This is not some thing which can travel on line.

3. Just as Sandeep secures his house, seaborne trade has to be secured. If India is to develop like the West, the entire earth's resources would not suffice for China and India which would need to come from entire globe. And India has to export to pay for imports. Naturally, every great war has been fought in the past to ensure supplies of raw materials and slaves. 20 Million Indian Diaspora working outside India [ literally as slaves ] and sending you home $ 50 US Billions home every year, you let it go in smoke for your car and travel and 5 stars.

4. In order to ensure uninterrupted supplies for Sandeep profession, he Needs Navy. Since India would be importing from all over world, India needs 3 formations of Navy.

a. What Sandeep is talking about is Coast Guard. Territorial waters are treated as Sovereign possessions and the laws of land equally apply there. Air Force and Navy Air Force help Coast Guard, Marine Police and Customs to patrol and secure the Territorial Waters. Up to 24 nautical miles, others have the right to international trade and right of innocent passage. Indian Ships will be loaded with Sea Marshall. Two Italians killed Indian Fishermen as targets. SC and International Arbitration go while the 2 Marines enjoy 5 star life having already paid blood money to the Families of Fishermen.
b. Beyond that, Navy & Air Force secure EEZs and Continental Shelf up to 350 nautical miles which is almost equal to the size of India's land expanse.
c. Real battle grounds for disruption of sea trade are Blue Waters. India tomorrow can just manage Indian Ocean. Beyond that friendly would be on mutual help basis with other major sea powers.
d. Piracy has become the 4th serious dimension. Piracy is an integral part of Non-State Actors where Al-Qaeda and ISIS are ruling the roost. These are the choke points in Gulf of Aden, Mallaca Straits, Persian Gulf, Indonesian Archipelago and China Seas, South of Cape Good Hope. For these functions Sandeep would need bigger ships with bigger bellies to operate for 2/3 months to patrol the choke areas, thousands miles away. Its like Humans and Animals have to be bigger in size to survive in extreme cold.

Cont'd below...

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

If Sandeep is held captive by Pirates, India has to indirectly pay millions of dollars, otherwise the Families come to Delhi and petition the President. The Indian Diaspora in Persian Gulf is about 8 Millions. They send dollars for Sandeep. This Diaspora is a captive body there. And in private these countries ask for 2 Indian Divisions to be stationed there. How would Sandeep provide logistics.

5. The biggest incorrect/canard floated by pacifist Indians including some HUKMARAN is that Kochi is not required. Patrol Boats would secure his oil & gas, his luxury necessities. Kochi is not only a technology demonstrator but a technology breeder as well. It is a like Smart City which show cases India's industrial and human endeavour India has achieved and what it lacks and needs. Navy also ensures technological breakthroughs which become technological multipliers and thus create wealth for Indians, indirectly. Navy is the biggest R&D Developer.

6. Sandeep has a choice-either to go back to GULAMI or pay up for enjoying liberty which itself is equity for him in his future!!!!!

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAW13: Loooooolzzzzzzz!!! And I had also 'predicted' this years ago:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/hindu-neighbours-helped-muslim-family-in-bisada-escape-mob/story-pGuksRjH5k4aQKyzrlAyuI.html

Hope you have the balls, brains, buttocks & spine to digest it.

During Partition, tens of thousands of Muslims hailing only from nobility & the privileged classes voted with their hands for the two-nation theory & pelted westwards. The tens of millions of poorer Muslims, however, voted with their feet against the two-nation theory & reposed faith in India. And it is for this reason that Muslim communities have never become extinct in any corner of India, whereas Pakistan's non-Muslim communities & even Muslim minorities like the Shia Ismailis & Ahmadiyas have dramatically shrunk.

Inference: an economically-deprived third-class citizen of India is far far better off than even a second-class Pakistani. On the global stage, Pakistan gives everyone migrains. That's why the Italian govt had summoned Pakistan's federal interior minister to Rome to issue an ultimatum about Pakistanis leading the human trafficking efforts in Europe, the Middle East & North Africa, while the UAE has decided to reduce by a third the existing Pakistani expatriate workforce in the emirates.

Bottomliner: no one wants to play/wrestle with a pig in the mudpit, because only the pig enjoys getting dirty, while the rest don't.

Pawan said...

Dear Prasunji,

1.Excellent rebuttal to Sandeep's article.

2. I hope that Indian Govt intensify its efforts in PoK like you predicted in past. :)

BTW which ME Country is asking for IA deployment?

Regards,

Kunal Jadhav said...

Prasun sir,

Will air force buy more 40 tejas mk1 that were initially ordered to fill gap in depleting fleet.

lachit said...

@raw13
"http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/china-drops-interest-l8o8a8n-speed-new-pakistan/

china giving free loans to pakistan for port at gwadar and airport"

dont u have the guts to post it using ur own id instead of playing jackass

nobody is interested in porkistan so dont waste ur time

Unknown said...

sir, what possibly can be the cause of delay in rafale deal ?
is it because MOD is trying to sign deal for 90 followup rafales as well !
what doyou expect from modi's moscow visit this year

SUJOY MAJUMDAR said...

Prasun Da,

ADA chief Dr.Kota Harinarayana said that Su 30MKI has no EW system.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Tejas-lacks-the-teeth-IAF-needs/articleshow/45926119.cms

Will you clear the mist on this as to why the Su 30MKI has no EW systems? Thanks.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To SUJOY MAJUMDAR: This is what was said: "The aircraft is combat-ready. They should begin using it, understand the platform and then upgradations can be made. The Su-30 platform, four times the size of LCA, isn't equipped with electronic warfare. Have we stopped using it?"

Here are the facts: How can an aircraft be labelled as being combat-ready when it has not even been flown with its full combat load? Has ADA ever released any photos showing the Tejas Mk1 flying or airborne with its full weapons load? Has ADA finished developing low-drag supersonic drop-tanks? Has the EL/L-8222 ASPJ pod been integrated with Tejas Mk1? Has ADA completed certification of the Martin Baker ejection seat on Tejas Mk1? Has ADA completed certification of the cockpit canopy severance system? Have the Derby & Python-5 AAMs been test-fired as yet from the Tejas Mk1?

It is such ridiculous & ill-informed statements emanating from DRDO-associated technocrats that tend to muddy the waters & cause greater confusion. As for the Su-30MKI, he was referring to the absence of an internal EW jammer, but does he know that the Su-30MKI carries the EL/L-8222 pod? In other words, when he opened his mouth to offer soundbytes, he was speaking out of sheer ignorance. And the news-reporter who lapped it all up didn't even bother to cross-check all this with the IAF, i.e. classic yellow journalism.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To PIYUSH DAS: Negotiations are underway on whether to procure just an initial 36, or a first tranche of 80 Rafales. That's because Dassault has come up with a refined offer that makes it possible to order 80 Rafales that will be accompanied by a suitable direct/indirect industrial offsets package. Main problem was that the MoD never had a crafted guidelines/regulations governing indirect industrial offsets packages (thanks to the brain-dead AKA) & consequently it was let to the present RM to come up with realistic/viable indirect offsets possibilities. That's what caused the procedural delays. The 'desi' journalists had got it all wrong BECAUSE they ASSUMED that the procurement figure revolved around the figure of 36, instead of realising that the figure had increased to 80.

Unknown said...

wow ! now we are talking !!
french are very patient people. we have to give them that.

best part is when you said "first tranche of 80 rafales". means we'll go for more....

Arpit Kanodia said...

Sir, what do you mean by indirect offset?

Like helping India in space based assets or helping India in designing SSN etc etc?

Anonymous said...

Prasun da,

You are just.....awesome, true in-depth journalism at it's best. This is what i call real knowledge. That's why we all are great fan of your kind of reporting, which i think many will accept. Thanks as always.

By the way waiting for part 2 of your report on MAKS 2015.

With regards,

Pallab.

RASAYAN said...

Hi Prasun,
still waiting for you replies on the Indo-Russian collaboration.
I am just curious why all of a sudden Russia starts bombing Syria. Is this to help President Bashar al-Assad or to put pressure on US and allies for their intervention in Ukraine and sanctions? Both russia and US and its allies are bombing in the same airspace, its a lot of heat.
Tahnks

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To PIYUSH DAS: Were you ever in any doubt about the eventual Rafale fleet-strength? Even today at noontime at IAF HQ the CAS of the IAF during his customary pre-Air Force day press conference had stated on-the-record that the IAF requires six squadrons of M-MRCAs, although he added that there are other M-MRCAs available. In my view, he should have been more careful with his words before babbling such soundbytes, because such remarks directly contract PM NaMo's statement in Paris about procuring Rafales directly from France ASAP. And when such contradictory statements are made, the PMO is bound to take IAF HQ to task for being careless with words. Another remark by the CAS today was that the Tejas Mk1, Tejas Mk1A & Tejas Mk2 don't exist--only the Tejas MRCA exists. What he meant by this will now be the subject of various conspiracy theories emanating from the band of 'desi' journalists, rest assured. And no one at the press-conference even asked him to clarify, or ask if the Tejas Mk2 doesn't exist physically or in the form of an R & D project, then for what have 99 F-414 turbofans been ordered from GE & why are they now being delivered since last June? Not a single question about the future of the An-32RE upgrade project or about the future of the AW-101 VVIP helicopters.

To ARPIT KANODIA: Of course! That's exactly it. Indirect means offsets in any other sector, not just that particular industrial sector connected with a procurement deal. In addition, now that the EMALS from US-based General Atomics has been officially selected for the CATOBAR-design IAC-2, then by default IAC-2 must also have nuclear propulsion, since gas turbines cannot produce enough electrical power for EMALS. Furthermore, a CATOBAR IAC-2 will require twin-turboprop aircraft to function as AEW platforms as they have far greater endurance than helicopters like Ka-31. So, which platform will be selected for the AEW reqmt?

To PALLAB: VMT, but I'm no journalist & can therefore at best claim to be engaging in citizen-journalism.

To RASAYAN: That will become evident in the following thread, which will reveal how Russia is hell-bent on conquering the weapons export market in an arc stretching from Iran, flowing through Iraq & ending in Syria. Obviously the Ruskies are therefore extremely anxious to demonstrate their weapons platforms as being 'combat proven'. And what better way of doing it than taking part in actual hostilities! But just keep your fingers crossed & hope that the Russian Su-30SMs & Su-25s don't get shot by USAF F/A-22 Raptors due to deficient IFF protocols (LoLz!. Afterall, such incidents do happen within the fog of war.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To GESSLER, PAWAN & Everyone Else: Watch this interesting video about an Indian Army (Arunachal Scouts) interception in mid-September of a transgressing PLA patrol contingent in an area east of Walong in Arunachal Pradesh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuBnSJlyekY&hd=1

The PLA personnel were probably trying to find out about new border infrastructure developments, especially after the commissioning on August 26 this year of the IAF’s ALG at Walong.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAW13: You really love to be a standup comedian, don't you (LoLz)! How can you bring or drag anyone down when you are unable to even stand up on your knees, let alone your feet? In a way this is a reflection of how many Pakistanis are totally detached from reality. For instance, watch this programme where its moderator & another guest (who is a former diplomat) proclaim themselves as Azad Kashmiris, but both of whom are Pakistani citizens & Pakistani passport-holders:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY9eAeM2JeI

If this is the convoluted nature of Pakistan's official narrative, do you really then expect any discerning individual hailing from this world to take any heed of Pakistan's PoV? On one hand, the official narrative advocates independence for J & K. On the other Bilawal Zardari Bhutto shrieks in London about wresting J & K from India for Pakistan, & then there's Article 257 of Pakistan's post-1973 Constitution, which demands that Pakistan should capture J & K first, & then offer Kashmiris the right to self-determination. Dude, this being the case, Pakistan's PoV on J & K is a riddle wrapped up in a mystery inside an enigma, & which consequently is totally beyond anyone's comprehension! And you expect such a state of affairs to drag India down??? No wonder the Presidents of China, Iran & Russia had no time to even exchange common courtesies with Nawaz Sharif during his 10-day stay in the US. At the end of the day, only NaMo had the decency to wave his hand to Mian Sahab. This is what's meant by having a high heart, as opposed to Pakistan refusing India land transit facilities for even supplying humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

Jon said...

Just As PKS had said:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistani-Canadian-deportation-punches-holes-in-Islamabads-terrorism-narrative/articleshow/49212686.cms

Excellent article on LET from Christine Fair:

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/the-lashkars-empire-of-jihad/1/470905.html

G said...

Another sad reason to hate such ill informed Reporters

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-undertaking-major-rejig-of-fighter-induction-to-meet-threats-from-Pak-China/articleshow/49212314.cms

Why Q here is why do this reporters fail to talk abt the upgrade programs that is underway? like the Jaguar, Mig 27, Mig 29, Mirage 2000. All this aircraft are been upgraded to their respective latest variant. ALL can hold their own against what the opposition has to offer.

Sad

By the way what is the latest on each aircraft?

G said...

Also Has any one seen the New HBO Series "BRINK" , Season 1 is all Abt Pakistan

https://youtu.be/z9SJxSXySSo

A Fun Watch!! :)

Unknown said...

Any scope for revival of LTA Saras and other regional transport aircraft programmes in view of the move towards creating small town airline connectivity or are such programme dead as a dodo even with private participation

Unknown said...

@G this video is sure a treat.

i've found another video from this series

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FfVNMIzy0Y

in this american pilots are trying to bomb pakistani nukes in islamabad !!!

raw13 said...

@Prasun,

Interesting programme. You are aware that if you are from Azad Kashmir, you have a Pakistani passport but not the citizenship. Off course you can get it, if you want but you then have to give up the citizenship of Azad Kashmir. However no Pakistani can get an Azad Kashmir citizenship.

Jon said...

Article on the Kamorta Class:

http://defencyclopedia.com/2015/09/18/kamorta-class-analysis-of-indias-deadly-anti-submarine-corvette/

RASAYAN said...

Hi Prasun,

There is a news that India has accelerated plans to buy armed drones. India does posses drones but they are used for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes. Does India have armed drones or UAV? Of Course we need armed drones but is there any urgent need for armed drones? India has applied for the MTCR membership. Since US and other countries are supporting the India's application, is it going to be accepted (Italy is opposing India's application to MTCR). If India becomes a member of MTCR, what are the long term benefits? ISRO is developing and testing cro-engines which was denied due to objections from US.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

Hey Prasun , Now this loud chatter on US shifting the F16 Production line to india lock stock and barrel ?
Please clear the cobwebs of confusion for us.

CSC said...

Prasun da isn't it time for part 2 of the maks report

Arpit Kanodia said...

Sir,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7mta-K7FaA

Why CAS is in so much confusion?

Firstly, he clearly said IAF required 6 squadrons of Tejas Mk2, then he revert back his position and then replied they need Tejas not Mk 1 and Mk2, but a product that available now.

Further, he clearly mentioned IAF needed 6-7 MMRCA squad in context to Rafale question asked by a jurno.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RASAYAN: Clearly only the IN requires armed drones for anti-piracy operations, but certainly not the IA or IAF. Even the USAF or US Navy don't operate them, only the CIA does. Armed drone usage by both the US & Israel have caused enormous civilian collateral damage when used for 'signature strikes' in both Gaza & the Af-Pak region. They're useful only when used for ambushes of mobile terrorist convoys over flat terrain. Does India face such threats? Not at all. On the other hand, usage of armed drones by the CIA & now the PA in the tribal areas has served to aleniate an entire generation of the local inhabitants there & they will therefore be seeking bloody revenge for decades to come. In other words, terrorism of any time is always the cause & never an effect. For as long as Pakistan's rulers don;t digest this reality, it will continue to unleash air-strikes of all types against its own citizens & in return the whole of Pakistan will continue to bleed profusely, with Pakistanis targetting fellow Pakistanis.

To CSC: It is long overdue for sure, but regretably, I'm travelling & haven't had physical access to my mother server where the narrative & illustrations are stored. But, before this Wednesday, I will be able to reach my firm-base & matters will definitely take a turn for the better, rest assured.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To ARPIT KANODIA: The confusion is arising because the 'desi' journalists are unable to grasp the essence of the problem facing the IAF. As for the genesis, it goes back to the mid-1990s when Russia suddenly decided to withdraw from service all its MiG-23BNs & MiG-27s (while retainiong its Su-25s for CAS), which really came as a deep shocker to the IAF. For, until then, the IAF had anticipated only the termination of product-support for the MiG-21s, but this decision of Russia came as a double-whammy. Since then, the IAF has been under severe pressure to acquire two types of combat aircraft: fourth-generation M-MRCA & CAS aircraft. Post-May 1998 the AirLand warfighting doctrine also underwent a drastic overhaul, when limited war became far more important than all-out conventional war, which dictated that future conventional wars--being limited in nature--would have to be waged withion short timeframes (not more than 10 days) during which the adversary's warfighting abilities will have to be destroyed in detail. And to do this, overwhelming offensive firepower will be required, especially for CAS since the IA has not been re-equipped with its required 155mm/52-cal howitzers. Consequently, the IAF now has to fulfil 2 demands from Day-1 of hostilities: tactical interdiction through terrain-hugging sorties to destroy the enemy's logistics with MMRCAs; & unceasing CAS in the IA's support during the contact battles with Tejas Mk1 & Combat Hawk. Had the IAF opted for producing the Su-25 instead of MiG-23BNs & MiG-27Ms in the 1980s, it would have had more breathing space. Now, with 93 MiG-23BNs already decommissioned & another 165 to follow suit by 2017, & the IA still being devoid of 155mm/52-cal howitzers, imagine the pressure on both the IAF & IA! And to make matters worse, even though the MoD had in principle decided to transfer attack helicopters from the IAF to the IA as far back as 1986, till this day the IA has to make do without them. The LCH's LAH version should have been ordered by the IA in large numbers for immediate CAS, but nothing's happening! And the IAF has not even selected any ATGM for its LCH. Therefore, quite a messy situation due to systemic faulty decision-making over the years, & that's why today the present-day decision-makers are hard-put/coy/shy to admit all this. So, don't expect any straightforward answers from anyone.

birbal said...

Hi Prasun da,

Morning. Really logical answer to the query from Mr. Arpit Kanodia.

With regards,

Pallab.

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