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Thursday, November 26, 2020

Those Were The Days!

Back in 1981, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had attained two critical milestones: service-induction in April of its first BVR combat-capable air superiority combat aircraft—the MiG-23MF—and the raising of two such squadrons, the No.223 ‘Tridents’ and the No.224 ‘Warlords’ (raised on July 4, 1983); and the service-induction of eight MiG-25R ‘Garuda’ recce platforms on August 8 that year. The MiG-23MFs were then armed with Vympel R-23R and R-23T beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) and were housed at Adampur AFS near Jalandhar, Punjab. The MiG-25Rs were based at Bareilly AFS in Uttar Pradesh and were inducted into service on August 17, 1981. The first operational MiG-25R sortie was flown on August 25, 1981, with Wg Cdr A J Singh, the then CO of 102 ‘Trisonics’ Sqn and the then CAS of the IAF, ACM Idris Hasan Latif being the pilots.

One of the principal missions of the MiG-23MFs between 1981 and 1997 was to escort the IAF’s English Electric Canberra PR.57 recce aircraft belonging to No.106 ‘Lynx’ Sqn during both summertime and in autumn for photo-reconnaissance sorties over Skardu Airport. Such missions were already clouded in secrecy, with the MiG-23MF pilots being informed only a day earlier in the afternoon that the following morning they were to escort a Canberra PR.57 on a mission ‘up north’, with the actual details being released only four hours before takeoff. One such mission took place in April 1988, with Wing Commander ‘Cheech’ Brar and his wingman took off from Adampur and carried out an aerial rendezvous with the Canberra PR.57 well before arriving at the LoC, which had also taken off from Adampur. Cruising at 26,000 feet, the three aircraft headed north of the Burzil Range that separates the Kashmir Valley from Gilgit-Baltistan. Using the Nun Kun peak as the navigational reference point, the three aircraft then reduced altitude to 500 feet above the terrain soon after crossing the range for terrain-masking purposes. Since Skardu lay 150km away from the nearest point of the LoC any aircraft cruising at a speed of 700kph could reach Skardu within 13 minutes. The Canberra PR.57’s tasking was to make a sole high-speed overflight of Skardu Airport and then head back southwards, while the MiG-23MFs were tasked to provide visual air cover and prevent interceptions by any Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16As that were then known to be making periodic seasonal deployments to Skardu.

But unknown to ‘Cheech’ Brar, an identical mission had been launched from Adampur with another flight comprising two MiG-23MFs and one Canberra PR.57 on that day, but from a different ‘run-in’ direction. After flying along the Nubra Valley in the Siachen Glacier area at an altitude of 26,000 feet, this second photo-recce flight crossed Kumar FLB and headed on a westerly course, crossed the Bilafond La area and dropped altitude to 500 feet over the terrain and headed for Skardu. ‘Cheech’ Brar’s wingman was the first to spot this second flight coming in from the east and was tempted to raise the alarm about incoming ‘bogeys’. But after deciding to wait for another few seconds, he recognised the incoming platforms as MiG-23MFs as well and decided not to break radio silence. Both photo-recce missions were thus successfully conducted.

During another such mission, the MiG-23MFs and Canberra PR.57s noticed two F-16s parked on the tarmac in Skardu. There were also two interdiction missions that used to be carried out every year in this period that involved both MiG-23MFs and MiG-23BNs. However, the PAF never bothered to attempt any interceptions with its F-16s for two reasons: there were no airspace surveillance radars on permanent deployment at Skardu, thereby no early warning about airspace intrusions/violations was available; and the PAF until 2005 did not possess any BVR air combat capability and hence were always vary of engaging any IAF combat aircraft flying over PoK. Hence, all such IAF missions flown over PoK were described as ‘milk runs’. The IAF’s MiG-25Rs (each equipped with twin AM-70 LOROP cameras), on the other hand, conducted at least two high-altitude photo-recce sorties well inside Gilgit every year between 1981 and 1997, but they never required any escorting air superiority combat aircraft and instead always flew solo.

Indian Army’s EX TRIDENT & 

OP HAMMERHEAD Explained

The operational planners at the Indian Army’s HQ Northern Command, when planning for OP MEGHDOOT, had originally advocated advancing down further west of the Saltoro Ridge, pushing through the Bilafond La Glacier, to reach and capture the town of Gyari, which was the gateway to the approaches to Skardu. However, such plans were shot down due to fears of logistical overreach and conflict escalation. However, EX TRIDENT, conducted in August 1986, involved a rehearsal by the Indian Army’s 19 Infantry Division to advance into PoK via the Burzil Pass, while the main offensive advance through Kargil was to be carried out by the fully acclimatised 3 ‘Trishul’ Mountain Division and 28 Infantry Division. To replace 3 Mountain Division in the defensive role in Ladakh, 6 Mountain Division was flown into Ladakh from Barielly, with the IAF logging in 70 IL-76MD air transportation sorties for this airlift. During the summertime of 1987, the Indian Army’s then COAS, Gen K. Sundarji, had decided to militarily resolve the Siachen Glacier imbroglio and to this end, he asked the then CO of the Army’s 50 Independent Parachute Brigade, Brig Sapatnekar, to plan an audacious air-assault operation against Khapalu, about 60km north of the LoC. Codenamed OP HAMMERHEAD, its principal aim was to sever the Pakistan Army’s lines of communications stretching out eastwards towards Goma and Gyari. Next, the paratroopers were to link up with Indian Army formations advancing from Chalunkha and ultimately capturing the major Pakistani logistics/administrative hubs like Dansum and Gyari. However, such a bold plan eventually proved to be impractical, unsustainable and risky on three counts: the Parachute Brigade’s parachutes were not built for paradrops at high altitudes and consequently their rates of descent would have been much higher, thereby endangering the lives of the paratroopers; the envisaged timeframe for the link-up between the paratroopers and the advancing friendly ground forces was not achievable in the absence of supporting air-droppable indirect fire-assault assets, which would be required if the adversary offered concentrated ripostes; and lastly the IAF found it impossible to undertake a simultaneous two-Battalion air-drop by IL-76MDs and air-maintenance with An-32Bs and Mi-17 helicopters at a time when its air transportation assets were fully committed to supporting the IPKF’s OP PAWAN in Sri Lanka and OP FALCON in northwestern Arunachal Pradesh.

Customised MiG-29UPGs For IAF

The 21 MiG-29UPG M-MRCAs that are expected to be ordered for the IAF next month will be of a hybrid design that will feature the same strengthened landing gears as those used by the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier-based MiG-29Ks. Such a design modification, easily achievable by the Russian OEM, has been specified by the IAF due to its eagerness for deploying the customised MiG-29UPGs to Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), where the existing 3km-long sandy airstrip at an altitude of 12,037 feet is now being converted into an asphalted, reinforced runway. This will, by late 2021, transform the existing ALG at DBO into a full-fledged forward operating air base that will be capable of fully instrumented landings and takeoffs. Since landings by MRCAs at such high-altitude forward air bases involves a much higher rate of descent, the probability of hard landings cannot be ruled out and consequently strengthened landing gears are imperative. The Rafale M-MRCAs too feature such strengthened landing gears and thus they too will be able to operate out of DBO forward air base.

42 comments:

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

30FFM FFG From Mitsui E & S For JMSDF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLAh3cF7wkU

MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAV Demonstrations For Japan Coast Guard:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3IDVkl7yZc

Suffren SSN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIuEuy3FsyY&t=107s

F-21 HWT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z00VV5mqi2A

MKU & THALES To Make NVDs in UP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaShZBTwPr4

Wellington Experience: A Study of Attitudes and Values Within the Indian Army:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G5f0_kCVpE&t=40s

stimson.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TheWellingtonExperience-SA-100820-WEB.pdf

dilbert said...

"The Rafale M-MRCAs too feature such strengthened landing gears and thus they too will be able to operate out of DBO forward air base. "

Hmmm... are you saying that IAF's Rafales come with Rafale-M (i.e. French navale Rafale) landing gear?

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To DILBERT: In the history of military aviation, all those combat aircraft that were designed from the outset as dual-use platforms, i.e. land-based & carrier-based, they all always had the same type of landing gear. So, just like the Rafale, the F/A-18 family's variants all have the same landing gear design, i.e. no two designs for land-based & carrier-based MRCAs. The ONLY 2 EXCEPTIONS to this rule are the MiG-29 & Tejas Mk.1 families, i.e. different landing gear designs for different variants. And most probably the same fate awaits the AMCA too! The only visible difference in the Rafale variants is that the naval Rafale-M has the rear-mounted arrestor-hook while the land-based variant does not have it.

DAshu said...

ahh "Those Were the Days".
A general question.
Am curious to know what do you feel when you see this level of incompetence in govt functionaries after repeatedly nudging to walk in the correct direction?

What is the thought process behind this leasing of platforms concept? how is it beneficial?

Anway said...

Sir,

1) As per your reply IAF doesn't need HAL HJT-16 Kiran replacement?
IAF may select HAL HJT-36 Sitara for HJT-16 Kiran replacement.

2) By the way ALH ‘Dhruv’ Mk-III for IN & ICG.
https://verticalmag.com/news/indian-navy-coast-guard-alh-dhruv-mk-iii/

Anonymous said...

Will the to be acquired 21 Mig29s have AESA Radar & latest variant of RD-33 :- RD33MK?

THANKS!
AVENGER

joydeep ghosh said...

@Prasun da

a few querries

1. will IAF go for the 34 Mig 29s kept in store 2(now 21 later 13)?

2. there is talk of extending the Brahmos rage to 800 kms and even 1500 kms, is that possible and viable even as 2nd strike weapon?

3. sometime back heard MDL will get order from IN to build 3 additional Scoepenes now i am hearing that not only that under new P75I RFP to be issued soon its tailor made for Scorpene SMX 3.0 subs the french equivalent to Russian kilo subs in IN?

4. Since UAE is getting both Rafales and F35 in good numbers isnt it a better idea that IAF should ask UAE for the 67 Mirage 2000 that it wanted to sell to Iraq but was force stopped by France, heard most of these 67 jets sparingly used have atleast 50% service life left in them. these jets could shore up IAF numbers till MWF / Tejas mk2 arrives, your take?

5. any possibility of andaman like tri service command in lakswadeep?

6. heard now govt wants only 2 LPDs surely these will be sister ships of INS Jalashwa?

7. will the INS Chakra 2 lease be extended

8. why is Bhutan denying that China has built a village inside its territory near doklam?

thanks

Joydeep Ghosh

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To DASHU: LoLz! What is there to feel? Only options are to either live with it, or to fight it out. Leasing of military hardware is a temporary arrangement in lieu of buying the same hardware at a later date. Or, it can also take the lease-to-purchase route of procurement methodology.

Tales of 3 Islands (two off Karachi & one off Bangladesh):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEt2scuORsU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGjvt36K_eQ

And talking of professional incompetency, kindly go through this webinar & have a good laugh:

PLAAF & India’s Response: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh45oV4QZ34

To ANWAY: 1) Haven’t you read successive reports of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence that I had previously weblinked? Today, everyone is adopting the BTT-AJT-LIFT flying training concept & those who are aspiring for the BTT-IJT-AJT concept are living in a world of their own! 2) ALH Mk.3 for the IN & ICGS comes only as a shore-based variant, not a shipborne solution.

To AVENGER: The avionics suite for all MiG-29UPGs will be the same & no AESA-MMR has been specified. They will also use the RD-33-3 turbofans. The marinised version of this engine is the RD-33MK.

To JOYDEEP GHOSH: 1) Possible. 2) Neither possible nor viable & hence it is FAKE NEWS since it violates all laws of physics & mathematics. However, there will always be some ‘desi’ retards claiming to have developed a new higher energetic fuel that uses both kerosene & cowdung! 3) What’s new? I have been stating this since 2016. 4) UAE has NOT placed any orders for the Rafale. Only France, Egypt, Qatar & India have. I will any day prefer the MiG-29UPG to upgraded Mirage-2000s since the latter does not possess any IRST sensor. 5) What for? Exactly how many human beings are currently staying in Lakshadweep? 6) Looks like my advice has been accepted in toto. 7) Yes, but a replacement will be reqd since the INS Chakra will take 20 months to undergo a mid-life refit in future. 8) What else can it do? If it admits to the encroachment, then Bhutan’s rulers will be under great pressure to deploy the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) for evicting the PLA. Do you reckon the RBA is strong enough to do that, or is the IA willing to join forces with the RBA to forcibly evict the PLA?

bhoutik said...

sorry for reposting questions from your earlier post:

* there's talk in the US of a a new '1st fleet' based in the IOR. your thoughts please.

* why were the P-8Is unable to locate the new SAM sites in Zanda & Gartok? would space based ELINT be more succesful here?

* https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Mauritius-makes-play-for-future-with-US-base-on-Diego-Garcia

what should be our position with respect to the above? should we try to establish a small presence there alongside the US?

* at 12:28 here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55TzHgKaO1M - it is mentioned that after AON for the helo by a service, it will take 2 years for proposal submission, commercial & technical eval, price negotiation - can this process not be done faster? & wouldn't further technical eval. be redundant since it seems to have been done already?

asd said...

Dear Prasun,

I'm a layman and facing difficulty in comprehending some of your explanation. You have been saying that China is going aggressively to capture Ladakh by 2025 either by war or by taking inch by inch.
You have told earlier that by 2021 PLA will be fully mechanised.

1. Now my question is what the adversaries of China i.e. Taiwan and India are doing? Are they taking equivalent measures to thwart China?

2. Once you accepted to my words about India getting back PoK. I told that China won't sit tight and mum. You agreed to me. But you didn't throw any light upon it. What would be China's reaction to India getting back PoK. Certainly it will bring an end to Chinese road project and other billion dollars investment. More worse is that it will destroy the logic of claiming Ladakh as you yourself told that China wants India to accept PoK as part of Pakistan.

Please enlighten us.

shukant chatrath said...

Sir a few questions

1) I was read the news of Israeli Sa'ar 6 class corvette just launched and a cursory look at its armament It has 52 VLS for launching various SAM and 16 slanted launchers for anti ship missile in 1900 tons ship. But when compared to the Shivalik class (@6500+ tons) with 64VLS and Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam class (@7500+ tons) with 48 VLS. Why are Indian Navy ships so lightly armed. I can understand they are armed with heavier weapons but still why so less and how can the situation be fixed at a later date......

2) According to your link given about the Suffren SSN, the project started in 1998 and the first sub was just delivered, now the french have amazing submarine designs and yet it took them 22 years to get the first Suffren class sub commissioned. Now comparing to the Indian SSN program where the designers barely have xp in designing such Subs how long do you think it'll take us to commission our first SSN.....

3) Sir all our SAM's even the quick reaction ones carry such a large footprint ie 1*launcher vehicle, 1*radar vehicle, 1* command post vehicle and many other such vehicles, Why cant India design a system that has the missile, radar and command post within just one vehicle like Gun Missile SPAAAG, that'll be more able to keep up with the armored column... Why are we still trying to import the same (the Biho, Pantsir etc) that dont meet are requirements fully.....

4) As now the US military is moving towards the 6.8mm cartridge, do you think the DRDO MCIWS that was 6.8mm capable can make a comeback or another rifle design based on it.....

5) With the MQ 9 being inducted now in limited numbers, shouldn't the DRDO try fast tracking the Rustom 2 to meet the larger demands for such a system....

6)With the Chinese testing Swarm Drone designs, what type of system will form a proper counter against it (like rapid guns, an opposing Drone Swarm or an electronic warfare system) that can keep up with the armored column or facility that can come under its attack.....

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To BHOUTIK: 1) It is definitely reqd by the US for the sake of having a permanent presence in the IOR under the Indo-Pacific Command, since the US Navy’s expeditionary deployment demands have increased under both the CENTCOM & Indo-Pacific Commands. 2) How can IN P-8I’s conduct ELINT missions if the PLAAF & PLAGF are observing strict emissions-control norms? Isn’t that why the PLAGF has laid bifre-optic cables? 3) Mauritius has made available other islands to India for such purposes. 4) Such timeframes can be reduced to 8 months, but only if sound common-sense is applied & this in India is becoming increasingly difficuly with each passing day. For instance, how many high-profile visits to the R & D centres for ‘desi’ COVID-19 vaccine development by the ‘netas; have so far been conducted/publicised? Should it not be a matter of pride & prestige that such efforts be highlighted through regular updates? Instead, the priorities seem to be the never-ending electioneering processes, passage of retrograde ordinances for morality policing & justufucation of mass civil disobedience ‘aandolans’ & agitations.

To ASD: 1) The mechanisation process of the PLAGF has been rescheduled to 2025. 2) Taiwan is rapidly enhancing its anti-invasion capabilities & capacities by inducting additional MLRS launchers, SeaGuardian UAS platforms & coastal-defence RGM-84A Harpoon ASCM launchers. India on the other hand is dithering & has yet to issue RFPs for coastal ASCM systems & UAS platforms for broad-area maritime surveillance. That’s the difference. 2) The answer is obvious: China will do everything possible to ensure that Pakistan’s hold over GB remains.

To SHUKANT CHATRATH: 1) Because Russia-origin guided-weapons like SAMs & ASCMs are bulkier & consume far more volume/space than their far-higher automated Western counterparts. 2) That is exactly why the designs of the IN’s SSBNs & SSNs are all of Russian origin as they are proven designs. None of them are brand-new designs. 3) Not correct. All such comparable systems worldwide have similar footprints. 4) No. 5) You are expecting & asking for the impossible. Where is the ‘desi’ diesel engine that is to be used for powering the ‘Tapas’ MALE-UAS? If even a simple diesel engine takes decades to develop, what can one then expect to be the fate of far more complex R & D endeavours involving the HTFE-25, HTSE-1200 & Kaveri powerplants? 6) A combination of soft-kill & hard-kill solutions, i.e. electronic jamming & laser-effectors.

সুমন্ত নাগ said...

Prasun Da, so to keep GB in Pakistan, PLA can even try to attack IA if necessary or make a deal with Pak opposition so not the control of PA never weakens, also can it reach out to Afghanistan to settle Durand line, so that their grip on Pakistan remains, more or less Pakistan has become PRC colony.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To SUMANTA NAG & DASHU: 24 Hours ago this is what I had stated:

Hence, instead of the IN, it is the IA that has leased such UAS platforms, since the non-existence of such capabilities had resulted in the PLAGF advancing from their breakout areas to their final destinations in the critical first 2 weeks of May by taking advantage of non-existent persistent ISR capabilities of the IA, IAF & ITBP. Anyone specialising in persistent ISR will know that even the availability of four or six overhead recce satellites cannot ensure persistent ISR of the kind provided by a fleet turboprop-powered or turbofan-powered MALE-UAVs. And that’s precisely why even China chose not to use its limited-endurance CH-4 UAS platforms, & instead made use of up to 6 turbofan-powered EA-03 Soar Dragon HAL-UAS (flying from Shigatse) to obtain persistent ISR coverage of the LAC alongside Ladakh between March & May 2020. And this practice continues till this day. That’s why the IAF has since 2016 been clamouring for inducting the General Atomics-built, turbofan-powered Avenger UAS equipped with SAR sensors, but such requests were turned down after the DRDO managed to con the country’s decision-makers & obtained funds for developing an ISR platform by making use of a regional jetliner airframe!!!

And now a former COAS of the IA is almost confirming it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Oeh-XpKJA

DAshu said...

Exactly, when I was watching that reminded me of your words.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

A MiG-29KUB operating at sea met with an accident at about 1700 hrs on November 26, 2020. One pilot recovered and search by air and surface units in progress for the second pilot. This is the fourth MiG-29K airframe loss in less than 4 years.

On February 23, 2020 morning at around 1030h a MiG-29K on a routine training sortie crashed off Goa. The pilot of the aircraft ejected safely and was recovered.

On November 16, 2018 the crash of a MiG-29KUB in Goa was captured by several citizens on the ground, but none had apparently captured the actual ejection of the two pilots Capt M Sheokhand and Lt Cdr Deepak Yadav. The accident was caused by a bird hit shortly after the jet, from the INAS 300 ‘White Tigers’ squadron, took off from the INS Hansa naval air station, part of Goa’s Dabolim airport. Both pilots, including White Tigers CO Shekhand, were rescued by locals in Verna, the area where the aircraft impacted the ground, and were later airlifted to the base hospital in a Dhruv helicopter.

On January 3, 2017, a MiG-29KUB overshot the runway during its takeoff roll. Both pilots had managed to eject in the nick of time.

In June 2014, a MiG-29K suffered damage to its undercarriage during a hard landing on aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

joydeep ghosh said...

@prasun da

this Mig 29k loss for engine failure/bird hit/shody maintenance?? seems to me SOP not followed otherwise no AF sees 4 crashes in 4 (2 in 1) in the world, or Is it the eagerness to ditch these jets.

even Ruskies have lost only 2 Mig29 k so far (AFAIK) seems to be IN isnt rotating the jets properly. all the more reason to buy (now after 4 loss) 15 more of these jets taking the number to 56 so that 36 are in squadron, 12 are kept exclusive for training and remaining 8 in reserve for rotation.

this is imp since these jets due to hard/forced landing/takeoff every time will suffer problem (anjar panjar dheela har baar) so these need to kept under stricter maintenance protocols and to cut wear/tear after every few flights each jet should get extended rest.

your take

Joydeep Ghosh

Harsh said...

The airframes which met accident in 2014 & 2017 were written off?

Millard Keyes said...

T-90M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSHM2Xtdx_I

Anway said...

Sir,

1) https://theprint.in/defence/maritime-theatre-command-could-bring-coast-guard-ships-under-its-control/553228/

2)Now IN have only 40 Mig-29K + KUB...follow on order possible in near future?

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To JOYDEEP GHOSH: All previous MiG-29K accidents occurred due to human error & hence this instinct for always blaming the hardware must be avoided. Even electro-mechanical malfunctions almost always occur due to human negligence. Furthermore, the MiG-29KUB tandem-seater is available in limited numbers & hence cannot be rotated for staggered usage.

To HARSH: No, the one in 2014 was repaired while the one in 2017 has been cannibalised for spares.

To MILLARD KEYES: India's military & political 'netas' promoting Made-in-China commercial hardware:

https://theprint.in/pre-truth/soldiers-still-in-stand-off-in-ladakh-cds-rawat-bjp-mp-lekhi-flag-off-chinese-car-in-delhi/553144/

https://twitter.com/MGMotorIn/status/1331522013739905024

joydeep ghosh said...

@prasun da

Mig 29 k/KUB are not in enough numbers, all the more reason for IN to buy 18/21 more of these jets. if i remember correct in sometime late 2017 Russia had asked India to order more Mig 29 k/KUB as its production line was suppose to go idle from 2019

but at that time serviceability excuse was used to not order more of these. other countries wont keep their production line idle for more than 6 month, but russia which is set to launch its new gen carriers under Project 23000E froM 2025 onwards

in all likelihood Russia will use the mig 29 k/kubs (the design proposed is flat top but russia doesnt have jets to takoff from that so it will be Mig 29 k ONLY)

hope better sense prevails

thanks

Joydeep Ghosh

Anway said...

Sir,

Mosad behind this killing?

https://twitter.com/SouleFacts/status/1332371363504459778?s=19

Ganesh said...

Hello Prasun,
A comment; why fall for jingoism of the presstitutes; Morris Garages (MG) is indeed a Chinese owned company; however, what has that got to do with fighting Chinese (say in Ladakh). If India (our country) has to grow, it is better to follow taqiya rather than being foolhardy currently.
You are highlighting that BJP is another form of East India Company aka Congress and India cannot get sensible politicians. The event was promoting electric vehicles. This is as if India has to totally cut China off its trade and since they are wrong, India should cut off all forms of liaison; this is silly; don't think India is so weak. Thanks, Ganesh

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To JOYDEEP GHOSH: The MiG-29K/KUB, like any other MRCA with FBW flight-controls, is a fail-safe aircraft & hence it is not meant to crash due to any on-board malfunction UNLESS the liad-down servicing SOPs aren’t followed. Hence, long gone are the days when attrition replacements running into tens of aircraft had to be maintained. Hence, 45 aircraft for operating from two aircraft carriers is more than enough. And unless the IN releases more info about what probably led to the crash, we will never know. It also remains to be seen if the downed aircraft’s FDR/CVR can be salvaged.

To ANWAY: Most probably, but the perpetrators are 100% locals since there’s no dearth nowadays of disgruntled & vengeful Iranians who want to get rid of the ruling Mullahs. The proposal to bring the ICGS under the Maritime Theatre Command is a trick by the IN to usher in through the ‘backdoor’ an increase in the number of vessels under the IN’s control (which could then be announced by the IN’s CNS on his December 1 press conference on the eve of Navy Day) since the IN’a earlier projections about its fleet strength cannot be met due to the steadily rising costs of procuring domestically produced warships.

To GANESH: It isn’t jingoism, but pure stupidity that sends a very negative signal as far as symbolism & information warfare goes. As for the real India & whether or not she is weak, a check with the IA HQ’s Adjutant-General Branch will reveal that only 50% of the IA is living up to the laid-down standards for combat-ready formations. For, as I had said before, a highly disciplined army does not automatically qualify to be labelled as being an educated & combat-effective army. That’s why former COAS’ of the IA like Gen V P Malik can still get away with remarks about ‘intelligence failure’ WRT the ongoing LAC standoff, but he has yet to explain how & why during his tenure he left the area between Fingers 4 to 8 undefended & un-patrolled, which allowed the PLA to construct a road from Finger-8 to Finger-4 at a time when the IA was conducting OP Vijay in mid-1999. Similarly, none of this was mentioned in the infamous Kargil Committee Report. Hence, for as long as intellectual dishonesty prevails from the top to the bottom, such ‘mishaps’ will continue to happen & this in turn will lead to further widespread acts of civil disobedience of the kind witnessed yesterday & shown here:

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

Perhaps the only saving grace is the highlighting of lapses by me in this blog & call it a matter of coincidence or not, within 24 hours such ‘lapses’ get addressed, like this:

PMTo Review COVID-19 Vaccine Development In Ahmedabad, Pune & Hyderabad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eliar3rvUlk

And this is the heliport now being used by the PLAGF at Shiquanhe near Ngari (32 29 50.7 N, 80 04 11.5 E) where the casualties from Panggong Tso Lake are flown in to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwdNJGZGCr0

TheHundred said...

Hopeless situation for India.. Pakistan is free to inflict as much damage as it can, for years to come while Indian forces are tied up on LAC

https://www.news18.com/news/india/the-great-gall-of-china-in-midst-of-grim-ladakh-winter-concern-mounts-an-even-more-savage-summer-might-lie-ahead-on-lac-3121160.html

"Logistics experts have estimated the networks of rail and roads already in place could allow the PLA’s 76th and 77th combined-arms Group Armies to move up to seven division-sized formations into the TAR inside a week, and over 32 inside a month."

Ganesh said...

Hello Prasun, thanks for your response; you are the expert on the defense affairs and I do not have anything to offer; my first hand knowledge tends towards zero on these matters. I respect and trust your perspectives. I talk only on the aspects that I have details and knowledge about. Definitely, the event of CDS attending does not warrant adverse press and I sense bias and vendetta in the tone and tenor of the commentary by the presstitutes; look for every possible opportunity to glorify or vilify the current dispensation. In short, all I am saying is the matter is blown out of proportion and it does not warrant negative vibes from you. Thanks, Ganesh

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To THEHUNDRED: Not quite, since the tyranny of the terrain comes to India's defence all along TAR as the ground in TAR is relatively flat but starts to develop into steep climbs the moment one approaches India-controlled & India-held areas all along the LAC. Hence, especially along the eastern sectors adjoining Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh & even Bhutan, the PLA's frontline logistics networks will be minimal & be subject to interdiction from both the air & ground-based artillery fire-assaults. And that's why despite overwhelming numerical superiority at Walong back in 1962, the PLAGF could never achieve any major tactical breakthrough on the ground. And that road & rail networks mentioned in that report are all in the hinterland of TAR. Moving & deploying such formations close to the mountainous LAC areas is a challenge that the PLAGF will never be able to overcome & this is why the PLAGF has been unable to move its formations too close to either Himachal Pradesh or Uttarkhand. The likes of Praveen Swamy need to study in detail all such terrain-related information that can easily be gleamed from Google Earth.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

Jallikattu in Space: India's remote sensing satellite CARTOSAT-2F is "dangerously close" to a Russian earth observation satellite (Kanopus-V) in the near earth orbit, and space agencies of both countries are monitoring them closely. Russian space agency Roscosmos, on November 27 said that according to the TsNIIMash main information and analytical center of the Warning Automated System of Hazardous Situations in near-Earth Space (part of Roscosmos), CARTOSAT 2F satellite weighing over 700kg dangerously approached the Russian Kanopus-V spacecraft on November 27, 2020 at 01:49 UTC. According to the TsNIIMash calculations, the minimum distance between the Russian and foreign satellites was 224 metres. ISRO claimed that it is about 420 metres.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

Ill-informed speculation has already begun:

https://theprint.in/defence/engine-design-deficiencies-third-crash-puts-russian-mig-29k-back-in-focus/553973/

asd said...

Dear Prasun,

1. Musharaf once commented that Pakistan inflicted thousand cuts upon India. Don't you think that he is justified? Our impotent political leadership failed to respond to Pakistan sponsored terrorism. Pakistan took the advantage of it.

2. If India's space of military modernization goes in this pace, do you think that India will be able to face China in 2025? All those advantage of mountain tops will be colored red at the sacrifice of our soldiers.

3. What does stop India having full diplomatic tie with Taiwan? Why can't India say that Tibet is different from China? Only stop importing or banning apps doesn't hurt China where it is supposed to.

just_curious said...

Prasun,

can non after burning model of kaveri be used for jaguar engine upgrade?

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To GANESH: ‘Negative Vibes’ for you, but irrational, ill-advised & retrograde actions for me.

To ASD: 1) Not 1,000 cuts, but 10,000 cuts have been inflicted, thanks to the sheer stupidity & incompetence of India’s civilian & military decision-makers. Here are some evidences of this:

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/26-11-mumbai-terror-attacks-modi-congress-tavleen-singh-7072204/

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/12-years-on-nearly-half-of-indias-fishing-vessels-still-without-transponders-7069795/

https://openthemagazine.com/cover-story/the-unfinished-agenda-of-masood-azhar/

Meanwhile, the latest MiG-29KUB crash incident has all the hallmarks of the first IAF Su-30MKI crash in 2009, about which one can read more here:

http://trishulgroup.blogspot.com/2009/05/stop-abuse.html

2) If even after 70 years of independence India has to continue relying on imports of small arms & ammunition, then there’s something fundamentally wrong with the way the country has been run all this while. 3) Because of sheer stupidity & lack of spine.

To JUST_CURIOUS: There is no certified version of Kaveri available—afterburning or non-afterburning. The Kaveri that has been shown at successive Aero India expos is just a full-scale laboratory model that was subjected to very limited test-flights on board a Russia-owned IL-76MD airborne testbed & the results obtained were dismal, to say the least. Only after this did HAL begin work on developing the HTFE-25 turbofan for the Jaguars, but this effort too seems to have not produced the desired results.

Meanwhile, yet another instance of a DPSU securing a potential contract through nomination & making a mockery of the DPP:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/drdo-ready-with-anti-drone-system-for-armed-forces-pm-modi-to-have-drone-killer-as-part-of-his-security-detail/story-ZzSLytENkCubX9CuP0XV7N.html

PLAGF's ZTZ-96A MBT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT4QjrYwZtY

Anway said...

Sir,

Fake news:-

https://smartinvestor.business-standard.com/market/story-667852-storydet-Artillery_import_embargo_put_off_doors_open_for_Rs_23_700_cr_Israeli_guns.htm

joydeep ghosh said...

@prasun da

1. 'http://trishulgroup.blogspot.com/2009/05/stop-abuse.html' is exactly the reason i earlier said SOP was not followed and unauthorized maneuvers were performed all the more reason to follow stricter SOPs and with punishment to pilots for unauthorized maneuvers, and with just 41 left its time Russia India deal for atleat 15 more Mig 29k is necessity. simply bcoz 16 each flying off Vikramaditya & Vikrant will leave just 9 in on-shore training, a scary situation indeed

2. HAL is offering HTFE 40 r Jaguar jets but how fast can it be developed, as per my calculation, out of total 116 jaguar in inventory(correct me if wrong) the oldest will start retiring from 2025 onwards

3. when Armenia was at fault from start why did India support it

4. India must never recognize Israeli occupatiof Jerusalem, West Bank, Golan Heights, Jordan Valley or even illegal israeli settlements, if it does India will lose moral right to question occupation by Pak on Gilgit baltistan, pok and china on Asai chin/saksgham valley (trans karakoram tract)

5.the LCH MK3 seems to be ideal for naval op[s, your take

thanks

Joydeep Ghosh

just_curious said...

Prasun,
1- so are u suggesting that the Mod needs to give a go ahead to the recent req by hal to develop HTFE40 ver? are IAf-MoD regretting not opting for F124 engine? Also since Drdo is already developing anengine for the unmanned "ghatak" UCAV.. can't both these req be rolled into 1?
2- what is Oli's game here now that he is courting both India & china?
3- another dam on bhramaputra ... is china tighting the screws ? read that there was also https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/china-to-build-a-major-dam-on-brahmaputra-river-official/articleshow/79479127.cms
4 - OIC back to being its own shitty self by making references to Kashmir after all the bonhomie with Jaishankar.. r we suckers or that the arabs are afraid of pakis- who r being cunning in hinting that they will go to town(ummah) to undermine Saudis status as the leader of the muslim world. guess the saudis have fallen for it lest they lose their heft to that upstart erdogan... clever play by the pakis??
5- while the MoD can be blamed to be showing exceptional love for DRDO..atleast they r making them work :) which other Indian manufacturer has offered an alternative so far?

sandeep said...

Shukla is again spinning ATHOS story .. your take

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To ANWAY & SANDEEP: Not entirely. There are 2 options: either import 400 as ATHOS-2052 & licence-build 1,180 as the Kalyani Group’s Bharat-52; or import 400 ATHOS-2052 now & procure 1,180 ATAGS at a later date.

To JOYDEEP GHOSH: 1) LoLz! In any MRCA controlled by FBW-FCS, no ‘unauthorised manoeuvres’ are possible. The first Su-30MKI crashed due to unsuitable cockpit ergonomics that should have been corrected during evaluations by the IAF's ASTE test-pilots in Russia in the late 1990s. HAL had promised to develop the HTFE-25 turbofan for Jaguars. And only 64 Jaguars are being upgraded to DARIN-3 standard, i.e. only they will be re-engined, if necessary. 3) India never supported any of the two countries & instead gave the usual guarded statement. 5) A 5.5-tonne ALH will never meet the IN’s NSQRs. Only a 7.5-tonne helicopter will.

To JUST_CURIOUS: 1) Not at all. I’m not in favour of either the HTT-40 BTT or the HJT-36 IJT. For me, both are a waste of scarce resources. And how can the DRDO develop any turbofan for any other flying platform when it has not yet succeeded in developing even the Kaveri? Hence, all such statements by the DRDO about developing turbofans for UCAVs are factually wrong & highly misleading. Let the DRDO's GTRE prove its turbofan-developing meetle by first offering a solution for the Nirbhay LACM. Only then can one talk about more complex developmental challenges/targets.

https://theprint.in/diplomacy/india-wants-bhutan-to-settle-china-border-issue-so-it-can-define-trijunction-area-near-doklam/554740/

just_curious said...

Prasun,
why is the govt wanting Athos??? I recollect you had mentioned in some prev repllies thatb this was not the case sue to ATAGS & Dhanush. what has changed?

just_curious said...

prasun,
Why has ATHOS suddenly come into picture .. what abt dhanush, atags, dhanush mgs??

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To JUST_CURIOUS: That's because the IA still believes in fighting the previous war! Towed howitzers worldwide are giving way to MGS & tracked SPHs. Sound co0mmon-sense therefore dictates that the ARDE & OFB should have teamed up to develop a modernised version of Dhanush-52 MGS, with the Kalyani Group developing the lighter 155mm/39-cal MGS & another 60 K-9 Vajras being supplied by L & T for Ladakh. Both ATAGS & Athos-2052/Bharat-52 are just not viable in any modern-day battlefield where the speed & tempo of battle are of prime importance.

Dev said...

I have always wondered why we haven't used the MiG25 airframe and engines to build our own version of a long distance, quick reaction, area defense jet fighter. A MiG25 derivative/rejigged MiG25 with augmented range Astra-s (Mark 3) and powerful radars should be able to take care of both the H6 threats and the F16/JF17 threats while staying well within our airspace. It doesn't have to be dogfight-agile as that close-combat role would be played by the MiG29 and LCA-s.Spares could be sourced from the Algerian Air Force.