Yup, that’s the most advanced & powerful NOPV of the IN. But the questions that now arise are: why not build more of these, such as five more for the IN & 12 for the ICGS? Why waste almost four years post 26/11 in trying to select a new NOPV design & get it built by Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering? Why could this very design not be selected for the five more NOPVs that the IN wants & why was this design not shared with Pipavav for licenced-manufacturing? The existing Termit ASCMs of the IN will all be replaced by a new-generation ASCM for which RFIs were recently issued.
To VIKRAM GUHA: The EW suite for FGFA will be integrated by DRDO’s DARE, but will contain several sub-systems from varied sources, i.e. Russia, Italy, France & India. Not all Russian EW sub-systems are on par with their Western counterparts. For instance, Russia or even Israel has yet to come up with AESA-based EW jammers like the ELT-568 & similar systems that make up the Spectra EW suite from THALES.
To VIKRAM GUHA: By the way, the IN’s INSAT-4F/GSAT-7--a multi-band 2,330kg geo-stationary satellite carrying payloads in UHF, S-band, C-band and Ku-band & having a nine-year lifespan, is due to be launched by Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou in the French Guyana in June 2013. The IAF’s GSAT-7A telecommunications satellite too will be launched by Arianespace, but next year. And the first of seven GPS satellites--IRNSS-1—is due to be launched by a PSLV launcher in May 2013.That France will be launching the GSAT-7 & GSAT-7A satellites is seen as a major step by Paris in consolidating its strategic relationship with India, since Arianespace has never before launched military satellites for non-NATO countries.
To VIKRAM GUHA: It is a SAR-equipped satellite of the type the Soviets had used before, hence usage of the term ‘remote-sensing’. But such satellites are most unlikely to detect or track deeply submerged SSKs, SSNs, SSGNs or SSBNs.
In ''Iran-Iraq War in the Air 1980-1988'' [Cooper and Bishop] it's mentioned how the Iraqis found the RWRs on their Mig-25s to be far superior to anything on their F-1s and Entendards.
1.will pak.fa-50 come to india for aero india 2013 if not when will it be transfered to india? 2. has the detailed design for fgfa finished ( there where images of fgfa wind tunnel model posted on def. forums some time back ) 3. how much of the aircraft do u expect to be manufactured in india?(will the deal be similar to su 30mki assembly?) 4. how much of engine tech will be trasfered to india. can we use it to reengine the su 30 mki as their engine survice life would be completed by then.
To Anon@2.24AM: 1) Why should an aircraft that has already been firmed up (i.e. paid for) for procurement for the IAF be ever showcased at an expo in India by its OEM? 2) Detailed design only got underway late last year after HAL’s designers were dispatched to Moscow. 3) Barring the turbofans & some avionics like IRST sensors & EW sub-systems, most of it will be built in India. 4) No one will ever undertake any form of ToT for building any turbofan of foreign origin in India. Not, the Russians, not the French, not the US, not the UK, nor anyone else.
"why not build more of these, such as five more for the IN & 12 for the ICGS? " In May 2012, GSL signed contract with MOD for building 6 similar vessels for ICGS.
"Why waste almost four years post 26/11 in trying to select a new NOPV design & get it built by Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering?" Is the design of Pipavav NOPV frozen ? If not, then is it still possible that MOD decides to share the same Saryu class design with Pipavav if not then why ?
I think India's missile boats should be based on the same design. Our previous missile boats were very small.
Apparently the Rafale deal will now only be signed at June 2013 at the EARLIEST, more likely it will be Sept 2013 and more than likely the Rafale deal will now be put off till after the 2014 elections,no? So we are looking realistically at early 2015 for the signing of this deal so first deliveries in 2018?
Do you really, genuinely still belive we will see the Rafale contract signed before March 31st 2013??
**Why should an aircraft that has already been firmed up (i.e. paid for) for procurement for the IAF be ever showcased at an expo in India by its OEM?**
But Prasun, in last AI show the Yanks displayed both their C-130Js and C-17As, no? We had already paid for them too (by then), as of the C-130Js, we had already procured them.
1. is it true that the 1st stsge of agni-5 is made of metal and only stage 2 and 3 are composite stages? 2. there was a report on astra mk3. on papers is this true and what is it? 3. what is your expectations on the new exoatmos. interceptor. how does it fair in relation to others? 4. in your reply you said "3) Barring the turbofans & some avionics like IRST sensors & EW sub-systems, most of it will be built in India." does this mean that radar willbe fully manufactured in india 5. what about T-R units? 6. how much of Bars radar is manufactured in india do we make the PESA array for it in india? 7. what happened to the proposed upgrade of AESA radar for su 30 mki
Yes, I too recon it is a SAR . Just to clarify , I was referring to satellite-born radars.Over the Horizon Back scatter radars can detect the rise in sea level generated by a submarine passing through the water.
What the Russians are doing now are (a) designing thermal sensors that detect the cooler water churned up by the passage of a submerged sub, & (b) more sophisticated a blue green Lidar that can detect objects hundreds of metres below the sea surface are the most likely options.
i have been reading your blog recently and in one of your threads you had commented on UFO sightings near Indo-China border at ladakh and give referecnce to Hindu mythological scipture such as Mahabharat, etc Would you pls give me some details such links or book from shich i can get the details for reading thank you
To Anon@4.50AM: Corvettes, especially those armed with ASCMs, require gas-turbine propulsion systems. The 105-metre NOPV does not have it.
To UNKNOWN: I had already stated in my previous thread last week that no major deals will be inked this fiscal year. The contract cannot be held back till 2014 since all political parties want this contract to be inked ASAP.
To GESSLER: The C-130J displayed in 2011 belonged to the IAF, while the USAF C-17As were supporting the deployments of the UAEAF F-16Ds & USN F/A-18Fs & were not there for display or evaluation purposes.
Regarding the EW sub systems for the FGFA about which you have mentioned in reply to a question can you plz throw some light as to which sub system is being procured from Russia, France , Italy etc .
So DRDO is basically doing the integration right .... not developing any EW system per se ?
Prasun, my understanding is that there are three (3) more of these in the works at GSL and they are all in some stage of construction and expected to report to duty over the next 18 months or so.
To Anon@7.23AM: 1) All 124 Arjun Mk1s have been delivered to the IA. 2) Dunno. 3) Still being worked upon. 4) More than 6.2 tonnes. 5) Specs were uploaded in the previous thread.
To Anon@10.23AM: 1) yes. 2) It was a typo error. The only one under development is the Astra Mk2. 3) It will be similar to the THAAD & Arrow-3. 4) Yes, that’s the plan. 5) Will be built in India. 6) PESA antenna array is built in India along with the complete radar bulkhead & some wiring harnesses. 7) That will happen as part of the Super Su-30MKI project.
To AKHIL SURI: The various sub-system contenders are still being evaluated. By the time they’re chosen, most of them will already be in service with either the MiG-29UPGs or the Rafales. DRDO by itself will not be developing any new piece of hardware, & DARE will be the systems integrator for the EW suite.
To Mr.RA 13: The Dhruv Mk3 ALH for Ecuador, Israel & Maldives; BEL-built BFSR-SRs for Indonesia; NO-11M Bars PESA-MMR’s RC-1 & RC-2 radar data processors for Algeria’s Su-30MKAs & Malaysia’s Su-30MKMs; BEL-built tactical air-control radios for the Royal Malaysian Air Force; FAC-Ms for Seychelles; AOPVs for Sri Lanka Navy; NiCad batteries for MiG-29Ns of Malaysia, Myanmar, Syria, Peru & for MiG-27Ms of Sri Lanka; submarine batteries for Iran’s Type 877EKM SSKs; HAL-built SA.315 Lama helicopters to Namibia; BEL-built coastal surveillance systems for Mauritius; HAL-built Do-228MPAs for Mauritius; spares for L-70 & SA.316B Alouette IIIs for Malaysia & Nepal; etc, etc.
To SUBHO: VMT & you’re absolutely right about the data on the remaining three NOPVs. The same design with minor alterations (in armaments/sensor packages) has also been selected for the ICGS, which will procure six of them. Then there are the five NOPVs to be built by Pipavav & the design for this NOPV is supposed to come from Russia’s Severnoye Design Bureau.
Here’s a pop-quiz for those interested: 1) Which OEM supplied the Indian Navy with its first VLF transmission facility, which is now sited at INS Kattabomman? 2) Which company has supplied the VLF towed-antenna arrays for Type 877EKM, Class 209/Type 1500 & Scorpene SSKs?
Prasunda could u tell me what happened to MSMC, recently herd of a new carbine developed by OFB-DRDO in a joint venture alled MILAP.Does that mean the MSMC is thrown down the ditch
To Anon@2.03AM: BEL manufactures only the DEAL-developed VLF receivers for platforms like warships & submarines. BEL never developed shore-based VLF transmission hardware.
KSHITIZ: MSMC is being subjected to on-going field-tests rght now & is most likely to be ordered for the CAPFs. Am unaware of MILAP.
1. if the first stage is not made of composite then there is more room for improving the range of the missile considering that it is the most massive of all stages. what is your expectationin range and timeline when the first stage is converted into a composite stage? 2. why they didnt convert 1st stage into an composite one was ther any tech. complications?
To Anon@2.46AM: As I had stated earlier, once the definitive Agni-5 ICBM emerges in the latter half of this decade, it will have a range of 7,200km. For geo-political reasons, the first Agni-5 test-firing was expedited & that's why it was decided not to tinker with the first stage, lest it further delayed the maiden test-firing. Neither the Russians nor the Soviets had ever supplied any VLF-related technologies or hardware to India.
Hi Prasun, This may sound silly but why is the new NOPV built with such low capabilities? I mean there is no mention of the marines embarked nor is there a proper description of the electronics on board, while there are the AK-630 CIWS systems and the Oto-Melara SRGS present what is the point of having them with no long range sensors. Additionally the IN doesn't seem to have advanced helicopters which can be embarked on these ships indefinitely while the ships themselves are expected to actually patrol all year round!
Additionally a question that keeps bothering me is that there is no definitive fleet air defence destroyer being built like the arleigh burke or the type 45? Shouldn't the IN focus on building a synergistic CBG if they are to defend the Carriers they're acquiring from rapidly advancing AShM technologies? I apologize in advance if my queries are retarded/presumptuous!
To MERRITT: Low capabilities??? The information poster above clearly lists out most but not all the on-board electronics fit. In addition, the topmost photo clearly shows the Consilium Selesmar X-band radar, the BEL/Rademec optronic fire-control director & RAFAEL-supplied S-Pearl ESM suite. Countermeasures dispensers atop the helicopter hangar are also clearly visible. The NOPV also has a portable L-RAD system on-board. As for data on MARCOS or VBSS teams on-board, no navy lists out details of such detachments. The reason there’s no on-board helicopter like the 5.5-tonneDhruv ALH is because HAL has so far been unable to develop folding main rotor blades for this helicopter & therefore such a helicopter cannot enter the hangar. Consequently, what will go on board will be a 10-tonne MRH, for which the Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk and Eurocopter’s AS.365M Dauphin are now competing. As an interim measure, SA.316B Chetaks will be embarked on-board. The three Project 15A Kolkata-class DDGs & four follow-on Project 15B DDGs will cater for area air-defence reqmts of a CBG.
**The reason there’s no on-board helicopter like the 5.5-tonneDhruv ALH is because HAL has so far been unable to develop folding main rotor blades for this helicopter & therefore such a helicopter cannot enter the hangar.**
Prasun, it ain't true that Dhruv's wings can't be folded. The problem I think is that they can't be AUTOMATICALLY folded, they need to be folded MANUALLY. Correct me if I'm wrong.
"Corvettes, especially those armed with ASCMs, require gas-turbine propulsion systems. The 105-metre NOPV does not have it. " When did this rule came in ? Right now India has Kora class corvette and they don't have gas turbine propulsion. Is this some new standard brought by IN for future ?
Can we not use gas-turbine propulsion systems on the same NOPV design instead of the ones which are installed right now ?
"The reason there’s no on-board helicopter like the 5.5-tonneDhruv ALH is because HAL has so far been unable to develop folding main rotor blades for this helicopter & therefore such a helicopter cannot enter the hangar." I know this is one of the biggest problem with Naval-Dhruv. If this is resolved is IN still gonna go for foreign opetion or then they will opt for Dhruv ? Why can't HAL develop this tech and if its such a big problem for someone who wants to produce Rafale and FGFA and MRTA, why can't they get this tech from Russians or French ? I think even Americans might give it to us.
Sir got some questions 1.when will the msmc get inducted? 2.Is the Prahaar missile really meant to replace smerch systems in india then why is a mbrl of smerch range is being developed,by what time will it get inducted? 3.Is the indian army really looking for new type of standard camo under f-insas? 4.what happened to the deadline of providing new weapon systems(guns)by 2012 under f insas?ANY UPDATES 5.Read one of your replies that global rfi has been sent to firms like beretta etc but no a rfp has been sent and field trials are going can u investigate on it please? 6.what is status if NLCA? 7.What is the status of MTA or UAC/HAL IL214? 8.Do u believe india should increase its training facillities and bring it on par of USA?and should we have something like Marine corps? 9.Their was a competition of antitank missiles for IA featuring Javelin and Spike Family.Is it true that Spike was selected due to US not providing us license for indigenous manufacture,if true is spike inferior to Javelin? 10.What happened to the competion for a MANPADS competition for IA, who o u believe should win?
although the questions are long and too many please answer in detail(a request)!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry for multiple posts one more question sir 11.Why does IA have no shotgun in their arsenal?if they have what model 12.did IA really inducted IWI negev if so is it in significant numbers? 13.Did IA induct some miniUAVs like u showed in one post the golden hawk etc.? 14.Any other updates on F-insas?
1) I've read in your previous articles that IN wants another 4 FACs in addition to the 10 Car Nicobar-class FACs currently in service. What will these FACs be like? Are they just follow-on Car Nicobar vessels or a new design?
2) So 10 NOPV-type ships of the current design will be built ultimately? 4 for IN and 6 for ICGS. ??
3) Does PAF JF-17 have an LDP?
4) What HMDS is currently being used on Block-1 JF-17s?
5) Are we going to turn HAL Rudra into something like OH-58 Kiowa Warrior with a mast-mounted radar?
6) If HAL-developed LUH fructifies, will IN cancel the foreign procurement for 56 ship-borne LUHs as well?
7) Who is developing the RAMJET engine for the LRCM supersonic ALCM?
1. in your point of view how much does the chinese turbine engine tech. ahead in relation to india. 2. hal e mag. talks about Single Crystal Blade manufacturing division in Koraput i was under the belief that we are yet to mature the tech. 3. in your prev. reply u said that the pesa array is manuf. in india is it done by private ind. or psu. 4. who manufac. the AESA on DRDo AWACS proj. 5. today there is a post on air to surf. anti radiation missile under dev. by drdo but does not elobrate much whats ur take? 6. why would the iaf abandon an injured man in the copter after crash landing a prof. air force does not do that. does that mean they dont have proper training in rescue ops? 7. whats ur openion on these saffron terror training capmps? 8. can isro design the lander for chand. 2 mission 9. what is the progress on cryo. and semi cryo engines for gslv? 10. whwt is the ans. for ur ques.on vlf station of navy.
@prasunda 1)What do you think is the percentage of Muslims in India at the present moment? And do you think the projections that India might turn Muslim majority anywhere between 2025-2050 s any true?
Regarding the question that you have raised about defending carriers what I would say is that I do NOT find any reason why India needs carriers in the first place . We cannot use them against China , against Pakistan the will not be required .
Carriers or any such slow moving vessel is an unwanted asset in the modern battlefield as they can be easily targeted .
The US & NATO uses carriers against Islamic shitholes like Iraq and Libya who in any case have no commendable defense .
I think India should instead use it's meagre resources in designing nuclear submarines and submarine launched cruise missiles with ranges in excess of 5000 kms .
To Anon@7.51AM: Project 25 & Project 25A corvettes armed with Termit & Uran-E ASCMs are not the optimum platforms for maritime interdiction today, since there are far more high-speed platforms like gas turbine-equipped corvettes & waterjet-powered catamarans available to do the job far more effectively. The Project 25 & Project 25A corvettes are therefore at best employed as either coastal patrol vessels for defending the offshore island-territories, or for gunboat diplomacy against foreign island-nations. Gas-turbine propulsion systems can be easily accepted by the 105-metre NOPV’s hull design. The IN’s NOPVs make use of SEMT Pielstick diesel engines mated with RENK gearboxes (the latter was selected after Kirloskar failed to supply the gearboxes, & this is what had delayed the entire NOPV programme). As for the Dhruv ALH’s future, if the main rotor blades are automatically foldable & the helicopter’s internal fuel capacity is marginally increased, then it will become an ideal 5.5-tonne MRH for both the IN & ICGS. In fact, HAL also ought to examine the prospect of arming such shipborne Dhruvs with MMW-guided ATGMs & lightweight torpedoes.
To KSHITIZ: 1) Most likely by the year’s end. 2) No. Smerch-M is a long-range MBRL whereas the Prahaar is a NLOS-BSM—two totally different weapon systems for totally different roles. 3) Yes. 4) Project implementation has been delayed to 2014. 5) Not field-trials, but in-country demonstrations by OEMs at their own cost. This is a routine affair. 6) Still in R & D mode. 7) Detailed designing is now in progress. 8) Of course. 15,000-strong Sagar Prahari Bal will eventually grow into a Naval Infantry force. 9) Not true. 10) The Sadral from MBDA is the frontrunner. 11) Perhaps it isn’t reqd. 12) Yes, for the Rashtriya Rifles & some CAPFs. 13) Not yet.
To Anon@10.22AM: 1) Same design. 2) Yes. 3) Yes, the WMD-7 LDP, a reverse-engineered ATLIS-2 LDP. 4) None. 5) No. 6) No, the AUW categories of the naval LUH & the HAL-developed LUH are totally different. 7) DRDO & RAFAEL.
TO Anon@7.45PM: 1) They’re ahead by 15 years, in the very least. 2) Single-crystal turbine blades are only machined into their final shape by HAL. The raw material (single-crystal alloy) is imported from Russia. 3) BY HAL. 4) DRDO along with Astra Microwave. 5) ARM will be making use of Astra Mk2 BVRAAM’s airframe, since any ARM meant for launch from MRCAs like Tejas Mk2 cannot weigh more than 350kg. I’m highly surprised that the DRDI took so long to realise this obvious spunoff from the Astra’s R & D project. Logically, from Day 1 the DRDO should have strived for making use of the Astra’s airframe to develop three distinct products: a BVRAAM, a VL-SHORADS & an ARM. 6) This incident happened because the rules of engagement (ROE) were not properly adhered to. Before any MRH approaches the landing zone, the entire perimeter of the landing zone should be first secured, so that the MRH is not subjected to hostile sniper fire or RPG attacks. In this case, since this wasn’t done, the IAF Mi-17’s aircrew was absolutely right in taking the necessary steps aimed at securing the safety of his helicopter & that of his fellow aircrew. This incident only reveals the fact that unless proper ROEs are devised & scrupulously adhered to, the IAF should not be asked to lend a helping hand in such combat zones. 7) Where’s the proof of their existence? 8) Of course. 9) Still under development. 10). Just wait for just a a little while longer.
To Anon@7.50PM: Hull construction has already begun & it will be delivered by August 2018. Its indigenous content will be less than 50% in terms of hardware content.
To ABS: In my estimation, the Muslim population within India has been in quantitative decline since the late 1980s.
To VIKRAM GUHA: Why can’t CBGs be employed against the PLA Navy or Pakistan Navy if & when the need arises? A CBG located anywhere in the high seas can deploy to its earmarked sector if operations within less than six hours, mount offensive expeditionary air campaigns for another six hours & retreat back to the high seas in another six hours. Such operational flexibility cannot be matched by even an expeditionary air force with aerial refuelling support. And in any case, naval expeditionary power is omni-directional in terms of projection & in the IN’s case, was never conceived for employment against only China or Pakistan. SSNs & SSGNs are indispensible for any credible navy as are long-range SLCMs, but not the 5,000km-range type.
To UNKNOWN: Answer to the 1st question is: Continental Electronics of the US, which supplied & installed the VLF transmission hardware in 1985. This OEM last year also did an upgrade of the existing facilities. Answer to the 2nd question is: NEREIDES of France. And let’s see what new hardware is unveilled tomorrow at the full dress-rehearsal of this year’s Republic day Parade.
sir , how can u say that the IAF was right in leaving a wounded policeman in the helicopter..there were 6 IAF personnel in fighting fit condition..even if ROE's were not adhered to on police's and crpf's part the iaf personnel should have carried the injured with them..or atleast 2-4 personnel could have been left with injured for his safety till the time reinforcements could have arrived.. 2) why didn't the iaf asked for help over radio & stood there till it arrived?
To Anon@3.13AM: 6 IAF personnel in fighting-fit condition? Who has proven this? And fighting-fit to fight against whom? Any subsequent enquiry will clearly reveal the fact that ROEs for CASEVAC in a combat zone were clearly not adhered to & that this particular CASEVAC sortie should never have been carried out in the first place. And what's the use of incurring more casualties by staying behind to protect the wounded Police radio-operator when the Maoists always attack in large groups numbering between 50 & 300? In my view, therefore, the IAF personnel displayed better judgement by taking the tactical initiative to retreat to safety for the sake of alerting a CRPF search-and-rescue party & facilitating this party's arrival at the site of the crash-landing ASAP. The only way of avoiding such incidences in future is to totally do away with the idea of using military helicopters flown by military personnel for such missions. It is high time the CAPFs had their own integral SAR assets making use of helicopters like SA.316B Alouette IIIs, since this COIN operations against Maoists won't be successfully concluded for at least another decade. Using nimble & noisy Mi-17s for such operations is a spectacularly disastrous decision.
1.I beleve RBS 70 should win what do u say? 2.what is the status of NAG missile or NAMICA and HELINA?Induction time 3.When will the new camo come and do you know the cammos being evaluated? 4."http://ajaishukla.blogspot.in/2013/01/none-so-blind-as-those-who-will-not-see.html"is this report true do u know its status? 5."http://www.indianexpress.com/news/near-tiger-hill-point-5353-still-pakoccupied/488505" is ti true or desi media
HI prasun There are claims that the Israeli barak 8 is superior to the aegis or the pac-3 system , what`s you take on that. Now we hear that a ARM is going to be designed , they it nearly 13 years since the project to make the ASTRA aam began and it is no where in sight.The same thing is going to happen to the ARM . Can the country afford to let some crazy guys claim or be practical and go in for a collaboration with some one like israel and develop a version of the barak into an ARM .The other option would be to go t o the russians and improve on the kh-31 series of ARM missiles .
1. who manufac. the electronics for defence applications like processors, ram, hard disc 2. how do they differ from the ones used in commercial computers 3. the designing for circuit boards are done by who (are these bought of the shelf too) 4. what happened to the Semi-Conductor Laboratory of isro upgradation by israel? 5. what is their purpose? 6. what happened to the 5 billion $ initiative to attract fab. manufac. in india? 7. you said that AESA TR is manuf. by drdo have they set up any dedicated manufac. site or these are lab manuf. samples? 8. is india making aviation grade Aluminium alloys (chinese are procuring this alloy for their ARJ21 project from forign source) so the aluminium alloys used in defence. and civil apps. differ?
I recon aircracft carriers cannot be used against China because they will be very vunerable to Chinese counter strike primarily because the Indian carrier will have to go all the way upto Vietnam to launch strikes against China bringing them within range of Chinese anti ship cruise missiles like CJ 10 or Ballistic Missiles like DF 21D.
Case in point , realizing how vunerable carriers are the US Navy war doctrine says that if any US carrier is attacked the US will strike a major urban center of the adversary with a tactical nuclear weapon .
I therefore feel that since our defense budgets are not as high as that of US or China we should initially spend the limited resources in building nuclear submarines that can launch SLBMs and cruise missiles with ranges of 7000 kms + which will enable us to strike deep inside enemy territory from great distances .
/" In Friday’s mission, personnel of the Strategic Forces Command fired Agni-III from a rail mobile launcher at 1.20 a.m. after it was randomly picked up from the production lot. "//
the above article mentions that the Agni-III that was test fired was a 'rail mobile', as far as i know, our missiles are road mobile, but here the article mentions that the missile was 'rail mobile', is this true? are our missiles rail mobile?
To KSHITIZ: 1) Bad choice. 2) Nag ATGM is ready for service induction. NAMICA is being re-engineered for a second phase of user-trials. HELINA is still in R & D mode. At best, all three will enter service after 2015. 3) Dunno. 4) Of course it is true. 5) That’s true as well. 6) It is in service.
To RAD: The Barak-2 when combined with the MF-STAR’s EL/M-2248 & EL/M-2258 AESA versions is definitely a cut above the SPY-1 family of PESA volume-search radars. I’m not too sure about claims that the Barak-2 will be better than MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3. The airframe of Barak-2 is too long for usage as an air-launched ARM. The airframe of Astra Mk2 BVRAAM is the best bet when developing an indigenous ARM. One really wonders why the DRDO took such a long time to realise this elkementary fact of life. The same goes for the ‘Maitri’ SR-SAM project, for which a VL-Astra Mk2 would have been the obvious choice to opt for.
To Anon@4.19PM: 1) It is immaterial who manufactures them. What matters is where are the components of such hardware sourced from. 2) Such components are ruggedized & have to sustain high G-tolerances in case of guided weapons. For ground-based systems, COTS-level hardware will suffice. 3) Foreign OEMs based in Israel & ROK. 4 & 5) Dunno. 6) Still in the works. 7) Series-production is undertaken by Astra Microwave. 8) No. They’re all imported.
To VIKRAM GUHA: Like I stated yesterday, the IN’s CBG was never China-centric from a conceptual standpoint. There are many other scenarios for which CBGs would play a useful role in the Indian Ocean Region, Bay of Bengal & Arabian Sea. There is also a strong case for the IN’s futuristic principal surface combatants to be armed with Prahaar-type vertically-launched NLOS-BSMs and vertically-launched 1,200km-range land-attack/maritime strike cruise missiles armed with conventional warheads, provided India before 2020 succeeds in deploying the IRNSS constellation of GPS satellites plus a network of RISAT 1-type SAR-equipped overhead recce satellites.
To Anon@9.43PM: India’s present-day inventories of strategic ballistic missiles are neither road-mobile or rail-mobile. If they were, they would have to be cannisterised (as is the global norm), which, as we all know, they’re not. Each such missile is keep in a semi-assembled state & the n-warheads too are stored in the same state. Only after launch authorisation will final assembly of both the missile & warhead commence & after that the warhead will be integrated with the missile-body. Only after all this has been done will the missile be rolled out on a trailer by a motorised vehicle out of its hardened tunnel-based shelter to a nearby pre-surveyed launch area. This practice is very similar to that of China’s 2nd Artillery Corps. The rail-mobile launcher you refer to is actually the experimental TEL used by DRDO at Wheeler Island & it is used only for transporting the to-be-launched missile from its integration hangar to its launch site a few tens of metres nearby. The only available road-mobile missile systems today are the Prithvi SS-150 NLOS-BSM, BrahMos-1 Blocks-2/3 cannisterised NLOS-BSMs, & the Shaurya cannisterised TBM. In future, the cannisterised Prahaar NLOS-BSM, cannisterised Agni-4 & cannisterised Agni-5 will all be truly road-mobile weapon systems.
To Anon@10.38PM: In fact, it is better than the Super Hornet’s integrated EW suite.
To UNKNOWN: NO. At best by August this year. There are many other far more important deals to be inked between France & India when the French President visits India. You seemed to have missed the importance of what I had stated earlier above about the pending launches of GSAT-7 & GSAT-7A, plus the seven IRNSS satellites. For both France & India, the Rafale deal is thus only one of the many deals in the basket.
To BHASWAR: The third Project 28 ASW is due to be launched this March. The first unit is likely to be commissioned next year.
68 comments:
is this the most powerful NOPV we have?
is their any plans to replace the p-15 termit missiles operated by the Indian navy?
to add to the above question, the recent 120 km missile the navy is looking for, are they for replacing the p-15 termit.?
Yup, that’s the most advanced & powerful NOPV of the IN. But the questions that now arise are: why not build more of these, such as five more for the IN & 12 for the ICGS? Why waste almost four years post 26/11 in trying to select a new NOPV design & get it built by Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering? Why could this very design not be selected for the five more NOPVs that the IN wants & why was this design not shared with Pipavav for licenced-manufacturing?
The existing Termit ASCMs of the IN will all be replaced by a new-generation ASCM for which RFIs were recently issued.
Prasun Da ,
(1) Will the EW system for the T 50/ FGFA come from Israel or will DRDO develop it in house ?
(2) Are Russian EW systems at par with western ones ?
Thanks & Regards,
Vikram
To VIKRAM GUHA: The EW suite for FGFA will be integrated by DRDO’s DARE, but will contain several sub-systems from varied sources, i.e. Russia, Italy, France & India. Not all Russian EW sub-systems are on par with their Western counterparts. For instance, Russia or even Israel has yet to come up with AESA-based EW jammers like the ELT-568 & similar systems that make up the Spectra EW suite from THALES.
To VIKRAM GUHA: By the way, the IN’s INSAT-4F/GSAT-7--a multi-band 2,330kg geo-stationary satellite carrying payloads in UHF, S-band, C-band and Ku-band & having a nine-year lifespan, is due to be launched by Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou in the French Guyana in June 2013. The IAF’s GSAT-7A telecommunications satellite too will be launched by Arianespace, but next year. And the first of seven GPS satellites--IRNSS-1—is due to be launched by a PSLV launcher in May 2013.That France will be launching the GSAT-7 & GSAT-7A satellites is seen as a major step by Paris in consolidating its strategic relationship with India, since Arianespace has never before launched military satellites for non-NATO countries.
Hi Prasun da
Lot of news coming reg. the LRCM missile...Can u shed some light...Is it air launced or surface launched??Whai is the range?
And which CIWS is used in this GSL NOPV?..VMT
Supersonic LRCM is air-launched, just like France's ASMP. Range will be about 600km. CIWS for NOPV is 2 x AK-630M.
Many thanks Prasun Da. And that makes sense , with GSLV not making much progress India will have to depend on countries like France and Russia.
BTW staying with satellites I hear that the Russians are fine tuning a satellite that can track submarines including nuclear ones .
Regards,
Vikram
To VIKRAM GUHA: It is a SAR-equipped satellite of the type the Soviets had used before, hence usage of the term ‘remote-sensing’. But such satellites are most unlikely to detect or track deeply submerged SSKs, SSNs, SSGNs or SSBNs.
Vikram GUha,
In ''Iran-Iraq War in the Air 1980-1988'' [Cooper and Bishop] it's mentioned how the Iraqis found the RWRs on their Mig-25s to be far superior to anything on their F-1s and Entendards.
is the steel for ship building is it still being imported or has the mass production of ab grade has begun
1.will pak.fa-50 come to india for aero india 2013 if not when will it be transfered to india?
2. has the detailed design for fgfa finished ( there where images of fgfa wind tunnel model posted on def. forums some time back )
3. how much of the aircraft do u expect to be manufactured in india?(will the deal be similar to su 30mki assembly?)
4. how much of engine tech will be trasfered to india. can we use it to reengine the su 30 mki as their engine survice life would be completed by then.
To Anon@2.16AM: SAIL has been supplying it.
To Anon@2.24AM: 1) Why should an aircraft that has already been firmed up (i.e. paid for) for procurement for the IAF be ever showcased at an expo in India by its OEM? 2) Detailed design only got underway late last year after HAL’s designers were dispatched to Moscow. 3) Barring the turbofans & some avionics like IRST sensors & EW sub-systems, most of it will be built in India. 4) No one will ever undertake any form of ToT for building any turbofan of foreign origin in India. Not, the Russians, not the French, not the US, not the UK, nor anyone else.
"why not build more of these, such as five more for the IN & 12 for the ICGS? "
In May 2012, GSL signed contract with MOD for building 6 similar vessels for ICGS.
"Why waste almost four years post 26/11 in trying to select a new NOPV design & get it built by Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering?"
Is the design of Pipavav NOPV frozen ? If not, then is it still possible that MOD decides to share the same Saryu class design with Pipavav if not then why ?
I think India's missile boats should be based on the same design. Our previous missile boats were very small.
Prasun,
Check this out:
http://www.air-cosmos.com/defense/vers-un-nouveau-report-du-contrat-rafale-en-inde.html
Apparently the Rafale deal will now only be signed at June 2013 at the EARLIEST, more likely it will be Sept 2013 and more than likely the Rafale deal will now be put off till after the 2014 elections,no? So we are looking realistically at early 2015 for the signing of this deal so first deliveries in 2018?
Do you really, genuinely still belive we will see the Rafale contract signed before March 31st 2013??
**Why should an aircraft that has already been firmed up (i.e. paid for) for procurement for the IAF be ever showcased at an expo in India by its OEM?**
But Prasun, in last AI show the Yanks displayed both their C-130Js and C-17As, no? We had already paid for them too (by then), as of the C-130Js, we had already procured them.
when will be the first flight of LCH TD3 ?
Hello Mr. Prasun...
1. How many Arjun Mk-1 MBTs have been delivered so far to IA?
2. What is the max altitude Agni-V can reach?
3. Any progress on India's Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) ASAT weapon?
4. Will Tejas Mk-2's external stores capacity be 5,000 kgs or 6,200 kgs?
5. What is DRDO AEW&CS radar's maximum detection range for a 2 square meter RCS target?
1. is it true that the 1st stsge of agni-5 is made of metal and only stage 2 and 3 are composite stages?
2. there was a report on astra mk3. on papers is this true and what is it?
3. what is your expectations on the new exoatmos. interceptor. how does it fair in relation to others?
4. in your reply you said "3) Barring the turbofans & some avionics like IRST sensors & EW sub-systems, most of it will be built in India." does this mean that radar willbe fully manufactured in india
5. what about T-R units?
6. how much of Bars radar is manufactured in india do we make the PESA array for it in india?
7. what happened to the proposed upgrade of AESA radar for su 30 mki
Hey... How effective is the Russian ciws compared to European and American.. Is it comparable.. Do you know any parameters.. Thanks man
@ F Thank You .
Prasun Da ,
Yes, I too recon it is a SAR . Just to clarify , I was referring to satellite-born radars.Over the Horizon Back scatter radars can detect the rise in sea level generated by a submarine passing through the water.
What the Russians are doing now are (a) designing thermal sensors that detect the cooler water churned up by the passage of a submerged sub, & (b) more sophisticated a blue green Lidar that can detect objects hundreds of metres below the sea surface are the most likely options.
Regards,
Vikram
dear sir
i have been reading your blog recently and in one of your threads you had commented on UFO sightings near Indo-China border at ladakh and give referecnce to Hindu mythological scipture such as Mahabharat, etc
Would you pls give me some details such links or book from shich i can get the details for reading
thank you
To Anon@4.50AM: Corvettes, especially those armed with ASCMs, require gas-turbine propulsion systems. The 105-metre NOPV does not have it.
To UNKNOWN: I had already stated in my previous thread last week that no major deals will be inked this fiscal year. The contract cannot be held back till 2014 since all political parties want this contract to be inked ASAP.
To GESSLER: The C-130J displayed in 2011 belonged to the IAF, while the USAF C-17As were supporting the deployments of the UAEAF F-16Ds & USN F/A-18Fs & were not there for display or evaluation purposes.
Hi Prasun,
Regarding the EW sub systems for the FGFA about which you have mentioned in reply to a question can you plz throw some light as to which sub system is being procured from Russia, France , Italy etc .
So DRDO is basically doing the integration right .... not developing any EW system per se ?
Thanks,
Akhil
What defense items have India successfully exported so far to the satisfaction of the customers.
Prasun, my understanding is that there are three (3) more of these in the works at GSL and they are all in some stage of construction and expected to report to duty over the next 18 months or so.
Follow on vessels being built at GSL are - INS Sunanya , INS Sumedha &
INS Sumitra and expected to be commissioned by mid-end 2014.
To Anon@7.23AM: 1) All 124 Arjun Mk1s have been delivered to the IA. 2) Dunno. 3) Still being worked upon. 4) More than 6.2 tonnes. 5) Specs were uploaded in the previous thread.
To Anon@10.23AM: 1) yes. 2) It was a typo error. The only one under development is the Astra Mk2. 3) It will be similar to the THAAD & Arrow-3. 4) Yes, that’s the plan. 5) Will be built in India. 6) PESA antenna array is built in India along with the complete radar bulkhead & some wiring harnesses. 7) That will happen as part of the Super Su-30MKI project.
To AKHIL SURI: The various sub-system contenders are still being evaluated. By the time they’re chosen, most of them will already be in service with either the MiG-29UPGs or the Rafales. DRDO by itself will not be developing any new piece of hardware, & DARE will be the systems integrator for the EW suite.
To Mr.RA 13: The Dhruv Mk3 ALH for Ecuador, Israel & Maldives; BEL-built BFSR-SRs for Indonesia; NO-11M Bars PESA-MMR’s RC-1 & RC-2 radar data processors for Algeria’s Su-30MKAs & Malaysia’s Su-30MKMs; BEL-built tactical air-control radios for the Royal Malaysian Air Force; FAC-Ms for Seychelles; AOPVs for Sri Lanka Navy; NiCad batteries for MiG-29Ns of Malaysia, Myanmar, Syria, Peru & for MiG-27Ms of Sri Lanka; submarine batteries for Iran’s Type 877EKM SSKs; HAL-built SA.315 Lama helicopters to Namibia; BEL-built coastal surveillance systems for Mauritius; HAL-built Do-228MPAs for Mauritius; spares for L-70 & SA.316B Alouette IIIs for Malaysia & Nepal; etc, etc.
To SUBHO: VMT & you’re absolutely right about the data on the remaining three NOPVs. The same design with minor alterations (in armaments/sensor packages) has also been selected for the ICGS, which will procure six of them. Then there are the five NOPVs to be built by Pipavav & the design for this NOPV is supposed to come from Russia’s Severnoye Design Bureau.
Here’s a pop-quiz for those interested:
1) Which OEM supplied the Indian Navy with its first VLF transmission facility, which is now sited at INS Kattabomman?
2) Which company has supplied the VLF towed-antenna arrays for Type 877EKM, Class 209/Type 1500 & Scorpene SSKs?
VMT for the knowledgeable reply.
Usually com. system is provided by BEL.
Prasunda could u tell me what happened to MSMC, recently herd of a new carbine developed by OFB-DRDO in a joint venture alled MILAP.Does that mean the MSMC is thrown down the ditch
To Anon@2.03AM: BEL manufactures only the DEAL-developed VLF receivers for platforms like warships & submarines. BEL never developed shore-based VLF transmission hardware.
KSHITIZ: MSMC is being subjected to on-going field-tests rght now & is most likely to be ordered for the CAPFs. Am unaware of MILAP.
1. if the first stage is not made of composite then there is more room for improving the range of the missile considering that it is the most massive of all stages. what is your expectationin range and timeline when the first stage is converted into a composite stage?
2. why they didnt convert 1st stage into an composite one was ther any tech. complications?
isnt vlf tech supplied by russians
To Anon@2.46AM: As I had stated earlier, once the definitive Agni-5 ICBM emerges in the latter half of this decade, it will have a range of 7,200km. For geo-political reasons, the first Agni-5 test-firing was expedited & that's why it was decided not to tinker with the first stage, lest it further delayed the maiden test-firing.
Neither the Russians nor the Soviets had ever supplied any VLF-related technologies or hardware to India.
Hi Prasun,
This may sound silly but why is the new NOPV built with such low capabilities?
I mean there is no mention of the marines embarked nor is there a proper description of the electronics on board, while there are the AK-630 CIWS systems and the Oto-Melara SRGS present what is the point of having them with no long range sensors. Additionally the IN doesn't seem to have advanced helicopters which can be embarked on these ships indefinitely while the ships themselves are expected to actually patrol all year round!
Additionally a question that keeps bothering me is that there is no definitive fleet air defence destroyer being built like the arleigh burke or the type 45? Shouldn't the IN focus on building a synergistic CBG
if they are to defend the Carriers they're acquiring from rapidly advancing AShM technologies?
I apologize in advance if my queries are retarded/presumptuous!
To MERRITT: Low capabilities??? The information poster above clearly lists out most but not all the on-board electronics fit. In addition, the topmost photo clearly shows the Consilium Selesmar X-band radar, the BEL/Rademec optronic fire-control director & RAFAEL-supplied S-Pearl ESM suite. Countermeasures dispensers atop the helicopter hangar are also clearly visible. The NOPV also has a portable L-RAD system on-board. As for data on MARCOS or VBSS teams on-board, no navy lists out details of such detachments. The reason there’s no on-board helicopter like the 5.5-tonneDhruv ALH is because HAL has so far been unable to develop folding main rotor blades for this helicopter & therefore such a helicopter cannot enter the hangar. Consequently, what will go on board will be a 10-tonne MRH, for which the Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk and Eurocopter’s AS.365M Dauphin are now competing. As an interim measure, SA.316B Chetaks will be embarked on-board.
The three Project 15A Kolkata-class DDGs & four follow-on Project 15B DDGs will cater for area air-defence reqmts of a CBG.
**The reason there’s no on-board helicopter like the 5.5-tonneDhruv ALH is because HAL has so far been unable to develop folding main rotor blades for this helicopter & therefore such a helicopter cannot enter the hangar.**
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/145/dhruvfoldingwings.gif/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/dhruvfoldingwings.jpg/
Prasun, it ain't true that Dhruv's wings can't be folded. The problem I think is that they can't be AUTOMATICALLY folded, they need to be folded MANUALLY. Correct me if I'm wrong.
"Corvettes, especially those armed with ASCMs, require gas-turbine propulsion systems. The 105-metre NOPV does not have it. "
When did this rule came in ? Right now India has Kora class corvette and they don't have gas turbine propulsion. Is this some new standard brought by IN for future ?
Can we not use gas-turbine propulsion systems on the same NOPV design instead of the ones which are installed right now ?
"The reason there’s no on-board helicopter like the 5.5-tonneDhruv ALH is because HAL has so far been unable to develop folding main rotor blades for this helicopter & therefore such a helicopter cannot enter the hangar."
I know this is one of the biggest problem with Naval-Dhruv. If this is resolved is IN still gonna go for foreign opetion or then they will opt for Dhruv ? Why can't HAL develop this tech and if its such a big problem for someone who wants to produce Rafale and FGFA and MRTA, why can't they get this tech from Russians or French ? I think even Americans might give it to us.
Sir got some questions
1.when will the msmc get inducted?
2.Is the Prahaar missile really meant to replace smerch systems in india then why is a mbrl of smerch range is being developed,by what time will it get inducted?
3.Is the indian army really looking for new type of standard camo under f-insas?
4.what happened to the deadline of providing new weapon systems(guns)by 2012 under f insas?ANY UPDATES
5.Read one of your replies that global rfi has been sent to firms like beretta etc but no a rfp has been sent and field trials are going can u investigate on it please?
6.what is status if NLCA?
7.What is the status of MTA or UAC/HAL IL214?
8.Do u believe india should increase its training facillities and bring it on par of USA?and should we have something like Marine corps?
9.Their was a competition of antitank missiles for IA featuring Javelin and Spike Family.Is it true that Spike was selected due to US not providing us license for indigenous manufacture,if true is spike inferior to Javelin?
10.What happened to the competion for a MANPADS competition for IA, who o u believe should win?
although the questions are long and too many please answer in detail(a request)!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Atlas elektronic is the answer to second question I hope
Sorry for multiple posts
one more question sir
11.Why does IA have no shotgun in their arsenal?if they have what model
12.did IA really inducted IWI negev if so is it in significant numbers?
13.Did IA induct some miniUAVs like u showed in one post the golden hawk etc.?
14.Any other updates on F-insas?
Atlas electronik what sis that?
Prasun ji,
1) I've read in your previous articles that IN wants another 4 FACs in addition to the 10 Car Nicobar-class FACs currently in service. What will these FACs be like? Are they just follow-on Car Nicobar vessels or a new design?
2) So 10 NOPV-type ships of the current design will be built ultimately? 4 for IN and 6 for ICGS. ??
3) Does PAF JF-17 have an LDP?
4) What HMDS is currently being used on Block-1 JF-17s?
5) Are we going to turn HAL Rudra into something like OH-58 Kiowa Warrior with a mast-mounted radar?
6) If HAL-developed LUH fructifies, will IN cancel the foreign procurement for 56 ship-borne LUHs as well?
7) Who is developing the RAMJET engine for the LRCM supersonic ALCM?
To GESSLER: You're absolutely right.
1. in your point of view how much does the chinese turbine engine tech. ahead in relation to india.
2. hal e mag. talks about Single Crystal Blade manufacturing division in Koraput i was under the belief that we are yet to mature the tech.
3. in your prev. reply u said that the pesa array is manuf. in india is it done by private ind. or psu.
4. who manufac. the AESA on DRDo AWACS proj.
5. today there is a post on air to surf. anti radiation missile under dev. by drdo but does not elobrate much whats ur take?
6. why would the iaf abandon an injured man in the copter after crash landing a prof. air force does not do that. does that mean they dont have proper training in rescue ops?
7. whats ur openion on these saffron terror training capmps?
8. can isro design the lander for chand. 2 mission
9. what is the progress on cryo. and semi cryo engines for gslv?
10. whwt is the ans. for ur ques.on vlf station of navy.
When the last of Scorpine is built how much of it would be indigenously manufactured.
WHO SUPPLIES TH GEAR BOX AND TRANSMISSION FOR ALH. THERE WAS SOME TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION CHIPPING AND REDUCING THE RELAIBLITY HAS IT BEEN FIXED
@prasunda
1)What do you think is the percentage of Muslims in India at the present moment? And do you think the projections that India might turn Muslim majority anywhere between 2025-2050 s any true?
Prasun Da ,
Regarding the question that you have raised about defending carriers what I would say is that I do NOT find any reason why India needs carriers in the first place . We cannot use them against China , against Pakistan the will not be required .
Carriers or any such slow moving vessel is an unwanted asset in the modern battlefield as they can be easily targeted .
The US & NATO uses carriers against Islamic shitholes like Iraq and Libya who in any case have no commendable defense .
I think India should instead use it's meagre resources in designing nuclear submarines and submarine launched cruise missiles with ranges in excess of 5000 kms .
Regards,
Vikram
To Anon@7.51AM: Project 25 & Project 25A corvettes armed with Termit & Uran-E ASCMs are not the optimum platforms for maritime interdiction today, since there are far more high-speed platforms like gas turbine-equipped corvettes & waterjet-powered catamarans available to do the job far more effectively. The Project 25 & Project 25A corvettes are therefore at best employed as either coastal patrol vessels for defending the offshore island-territories, or for gunboat diplomacy against foreign island-nations.
Gas-turbine propulsion systems can be easily accepted by the 105-metre NOPV’s hull design. The IN’s NOPVs make use of SEMT Pielstick diesel engines mated with RENK gearboxes (the latter was selected after Kirloskar failed to supply the gearboxes, & this is what had delayed the entire NOPV programme).
As for the Dhruv ALH’s future, if the main rotor blades are automatically foldable & the helicopter’s internal fuel capacity is marginally increased, then it will become an ideal 5.5-tonne MRH for both the IN & ICGS. In fact, HAL also ought to examine the prospect of arming such shipborne Dhruvs with MMW-guided ATGMs & lightweight torpedoes.
To KSHITIZ: 1) Most likely by the year’s end. 2) No. Smerch-M is a long-range MBRL whereas the Prahaar is a NLOS-BSM—two totally different weapon systems for totally different roles. 3) Yes. 4) Project implementation has been delayed to 2014. 5) Not field-trials, but in-country demonstrations by OEMs at their own cost. This is a routine affair. 6) Still in R & D mode. 7) Detailed designing is now in progress. 8) Of course. 15,000-strong Sagar Prahari Bal will eventually grow into a Naval Infantry force. 9) Not true. 10) The Sadral from MBDA is the frontrunner. 11) Perhaps it isn’t reqd. 12) Yes, for the Rashtriya Rifles & some CAPFs. 13) Not yet.
To Anon@10.22AM: 1) Same design. 2) Yes. 3) Yes, the WMD-7 LDP, a reverse-engineered ATLIS-2 LDP. 4) None. 5) No. 6) No, the AUW categories of the naval LUH & the HAL-developed LUH are totally different. 7) DRDO & RAFAEL.
TO Anon@7.45PM: 1) They’re ahead by 15 years, in the very least. 2) Single-crystal turbine blades are only machined into their final shape by HAL. The raw material (single-crystal alloy) is imported from Russia. 3) BY HAL. 4) DRDO along with Astra Microwave. 5) ARM will be making use of Astra Mk2 BVRAAM’s airframe, since any ARM meant for launch from MRCAs like Tejas Mk2 cannot weigh more than 350kg. I’m highly surprised that the DRDI took so long to realise this obvious spunoff from the Astra’s R & D project. Logically, from Day 1 the DRDO should have strived for making use of the Astra’s airframe to develop three distinct products: a BVRAAM, a VL-SHORADS & an ARM. 6) This incident happened because the rules of engagement (ROE) were not properly adhered to. Before any MRH approaches the landing zone, the entire perimeter of the landing zone should be first secured, so that the MRH is not subjected to hostile sniper fire or RPG attacks. In this case, since this wasn’t done, the IAF Mi-17’s aircrew was absolutely right in taking the necessary steps aimed at securing the safety of his helicopter & that of his fellow aircrew. This incident only reveals the fact that unless proper ROEs are devised & scrupulously adhered to, the IAF should not be asked to lend a helping hand in such combat zones. 7) Where’s the proof of their existence? 8) Of course. 9) Still under development. 10). Just wait for just a a little while longer.
To Anon@7.50PM: Hull construction has already begun & it will be delivered by August 2018. Its indigenous content will be less than 50% in terms of hardware content.
To ABS: In my estimation, the Muslim population within India has been in quantitative decline since the late 1980s.
To VIKRAM GUHA: Why can’t CBGs be employed against the PLA Navy or Pakistan Navy if & when the need arises? A CBG located anywhere in the high seas can deploy to its earmarked sector if operations within less than six hours, mount offensive expeditionary air campaigns for another six hours & retreat back to the high seas in another six hours. Such operational flexibility cannot be matched by even an expeditionary air force with aerial refuelling support. And in any case, naval expeditionary power is omni-directional in terms of projection & in the IN’s case, was never conceived for employment against only China or Pakistan. SSNs & SSGNs are indispensible for any credible navy as are long-range SLCMs, but not the 5,000km-range type.
To UNKNOWN: Answer to the 1st question is: Continental Electronics of the US, which supplied & installed the VLF transmission hardware in 1985. This OEM last year also did an upgrade of the existing facilities. Answer to the 2nd question is: NEREIDES of France.
And let’s see what new hardware is unveilled tomorrow at the full dress-rehearsal of this year’s Republic day Parade.
To Anon@7.57PM: HAL does. The transmission problem has been fixed.
sir ,
how can u say that the IAF was right in leaving a wounded policeman in the helicopter..there were 6 IAF personnel in fighting fit condition..even if ROE's were not adhered to on police's and crpf's part the iaf personnel should have carried the injured with them..or atleast 2-4 personnel could have been left with injured for his safety till the time reinforcements could have arrived..
2) why didn't the iaf asked for help over radio & stood there till it arrived?
To Anon@3.13AM: 6 IAF personnel in fighting-fit condition? Who has proven this? And fighting-fit to fight against whom? Any subsequent enquiry will clearly reveal the fact that ROEs for CASEVAC in a combat zone were clearly not adhered to & that this particular CASEVAC sortie should never have been carried out in the first place. And what's the use of incurring more casualties by staying behind to protect the wounded Police radio-operator when the Maoists always attack in large groups numbering between 50 & 300? In my view, therefore, the IAF personnel displayed better judgement by taking the tactical initiative to retreat to safety for the sake of alerting a CRPF search-and-rescue party & facilitating this party's arrival at the site of the crash-landing ASAP. The only way of avoiding such incidences in future is to totally do away with the idea of using military helicopters flown by military personnel for such missions. It is high time the CAPFs had their own integral SAR assets making use of helicopters like SA.316B Alouette IIIs, since this COIN operations against Maoists won't be successfully concluded for at least another decade. Using nimble & noisy Mi-17s for such operations is a spectacularly disastrous decision.
1.I beleve RBS 70 should win what do u say?
2.what is the status of NAG missile or NAMICA and HELINA?Induction time
3.When will the new camo come and do you know the cammos being evaluated?
4."http://ajaishukla.blogspot.in/2013/01/none-so-blind-as-those-who-will-not-see.html"is this report true do u know its status?
5."http://www.indianexpress.com/news/near-tiger-hill-point-5353-still-pakoccupied/488505" is ti true or desi media
6.is the Windy fast attack vehicle inducted.Is it good.On what basic model is it made?Is it as good as jackal(britain)
HI prasun
There are claims that the Israeli barak 8 is superior to the aegis or the pac-3 system , what`s you take on that.
Now we hear that a ARM is going to be designed , they it nearly 13 years since the project to make the ASTRA aam began and it is no where in sight.The same thing is going to happen to the ARM . Can the country afford to let some crazy guys claim or be practical and go in for a collaboration with some one like israel and develop a version of the barak into an ARM .The other option would be to go t o the russians and improve on the kh-31 series of ARM missiles .
1. who manufac. the electronics for defence applications like processors, ram, hard disc
2. how do they differ from the ones used in commercial computers
3. the designing for circuit boards are done by who (are these bought of the shelf too)
4. what happened to the Semi-Conductor Laboratory of isro upgradation by israel?
5. what is their purpose?
6. what happened to the 5 billion $ initiative to attract fab. manufac. in india?
7. you said that AESA TR is manuf. by drdo have they set up any dedicated manufac. site or these are lab manuf. samples?
8. is india making aviation grade Aluminium alloys (chinese are procuring this alloy for their ARJ21 project from forign source) so the aluminium alloys used in defence. and civil apps. differ?
Thank You Prasun Da.
I recon aircracft carriers cannot be used against China because they will be very vunerable to Chinese counter strike primarily because the Indian carrier will have to go all the way upto Vietnam to launch strikes against China bringing them within range of Chinese anti ship cruise missiles like CJ 10 or Ballistic Missiles like DF 21D.
Case in point , realizing how vunerable carriers are the US Navy war doctrine says that if any US carrier is attacked the US will strike a major urban center of the adversary with a tactical nuclear weapon .
I therefore feel that since our defense budgets are not as high as that of US or China we should initially spend the limited resources in building nuclear submarines that can launch SLBMs and cruise missiles with ranges of 7000 kms + which will enable us to strike deep inside enemy territory from great distances .
Regards,
Vikram
//" http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3922230.ece "//
/" In Friday’s mission, personnel of the Strategic Forces Command fired Agni-III from a rail mobile launcher at 1.20 a.m. after it was randomly picked up from the production lot. "//
the above article mentions that the Agni-III that was test fired was a 'rail mobile', as far as i know, our missiles are road mobile, but here the article mentions that the missile was 'rail mobile', is this true? are our missiles rail mobile?
Hi Prasun,
With the new upgraded EW package for the MIG 29UPG is the MIG 29UPG at par with the F 18 Super Hornet ?
Sir,
Yes or no-
will the MMRCA deal be signed bfore April 1st 2013?
if not when?
And is there no hope of the deal being signed when the French President comes to India in Febuary as has been reported?
Prasun Sir,
Any idea on when the Kamorta Class ASW corvettes will be commissioned and when we'll get to lay our eyes on the completed article?
To KSHITIZ: 1) Bad choice. 2) Nag ATGM is ready for service induction. NAMICA is being re-engineered for a second phase of user-trials. HELINA is still in R & D mode. At best, all three will enter service after 2015. 3) Dunno. 4) Of course it is true. 5) That’s true as well. 6) It is in service.
To RAD: The Barak-2 when combined with the MF-STAR’s EL/M-2248 & EL/M-2258 AESA versions is definitely a cut above the SPY-1 family of PESA volume-search radars. I’m not too sure about claims that the Barak-2 will be better than MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3. The airframe of Barak-2 is too long for usage as an air-launched ARM. The airframe of Astra Mk2 BVRAAM is the best bet when developing an indigenous ARM. One really wonders why the DRDO took such a long time to realise this elkementary fact of life. The same goes for the ‘Maitri’ SR-SAM project, for which a VL-Astra Mk2 would have been the obvious choice to opt for.
To Anon@4.19PM: 1) It is immaterial who manufactures them. What matters is where are the components of such hardware sourced from. 2) Such components are ruggedized & have to sustain high G-tolerances in case of guided weapons. For ground-based systems, COTS-level hardware will suffice. 3) Foreign OEMs based in Israel & ROK. 4 & 5) Dunno. 6) Still in the works. 7) Series-production is undertaken by Astra Microwave. 8) No. They’re all imported.
To VIKRAM GUHA: Like I stated yesterday, the IN’s CBG was never China-centric from a conceptual standpoint. There are many other scenarios for which CBGs would play a useful role in the Indian Ocean Region, Bay of Bengal & Arabian Sea. There is also a strong case for the IN’s futuristic principal surface combatants to be armed with Prahaar-type vertically-launched NLOS-BSMs and vertically-launched 1,200km-range land-attack/maritime strike cruise missiles armed with conventional warheads, provided India before 2020 succeeds in deploying the IRNSS constellation of GPS satellites plus a network of RISAT 1-type SAR-equipped overhead recce satellites.
To Anon@9.43PM: India’s present-day inventories of strategic ballistic missiles are neither road-mobile or rail-mobile. If they were, they would have to be cannisterised (as is the global norm), which, as we all know, they’re not. Each such missile is keep in a semi-assembled state & the n-warheads too are stored in the same state. Only after launch authorisation will final assembly of both the missile & warhead commence & after that the warhead will be integrated with the missile-body. Only after all this has been done will the missile be rolled out on a trailer by a motorised vehicle out of its hardened tunnel-based shelter to a nearby pre-surveyed launch area. This practice is very similar to that of China’s 2nd Artillery Corps. The rail-mobile launcher you refer to is actually the experimental TEL used by DRDO at Wheeler Island & it is used only for transporting the to-be-launched missile from its integration hangar to its launch site a few tens of metres nearby. The only available road-mobile missile systems today are the Prithvi SS-150 NLOS-BSM, BrahMos-1 Blocks-2/3 cannisterised NLOS-BSMs, & the Shaurya cannisterised TBM. In future, the cannisterised Prahaar NLOS-BSM, cannisterised Agni-4 & cannisterised Agni-5 will all be truly road-mobile weapon systems.
To Anon@10.38PM: In fact, it is better than the Super Hornet’s integrated EW suite.
To UNKNOWN: NO. At best by August this year. There are many other far more important deals to be inked between France & India when the French President visits India. You seemed to have missed the importance of what I had stated earlier above about the pending launches of GSAT-7 & GSAT-7A, plus the seven IRNSS satellites. For both France & India, the Rafale deal is thus only one of the many deals in the basket.
To BHASWAR: The third Project 28 ASW is due to be launched this March. The first unit is likely to be commissioned next year.
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