News Report: Crashes Cripple Indian Already Inadequate Fighter Jet Strength Over Last 3 Years

Already short of more than 200 fighter jets from the required strength, the Indian defense ministry revelation that 37 fighter jet and helicopters were lost in accidents have further clouded the capability of Indian armed forces to tackle a hypothetical two-front attack by China and Pakistan.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The Indian defense ministry revelation comes in the backdrop of the standoff between India and China in the Doklam plateau of Bhutan. A few days ago, the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa had said in an interview that the IAF does not have the required fighter jets to fight a full-spectrum war.

"37 fighters and defense aircraft have crashed during the last three years in which 55 people were killed," Subhash Bhamre, India's Minister of State for Defense told the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian Parliament. Bhamre provided details of the accidents where IAF lost 24 planes and five helicopters in the last three years.

News Story: Russia and India Negotiating Su-30 Combat Jet Support Deal

Su-30MKI (Image: Wiki Commons)

by Reuben F. Johnson

Russia and India are close to signing a long-term support agreement for the fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI combat aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). It includes an improved schedule for the delivery of spares from Russia, local manufacturing of some spares and the creation of logistics hub for the aircraft at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) production facility in Bangalore. India has contracted for the delivery of more than 300 of these aircraft. 

The Su-30MKI is a specialized variant of the Su-30MK-model series and was developed and built at the Irkut factory in Russia. It features several modifications that differentiate it from the original Su-30 design. These include a set of canard foreplanes and a thrust vector control (TVC) module coupled to the aircraft’s fly-by-wire flight control system; the N011M passive electronically scanning array (PESA) radar set produced by the NIIP design bureau in Moscow; and a mix of Israeli, French and Indian-produced avionics.

It is this unique configuration of this aircraft, which is different from the other Su-30MK variants sold for export, that complicates the logistics chain for this aircraft, say Russian aerospace specialists familiar with the program. Indian officials had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the declining availability rates for the Su-30MKI, but have seen improvements in those numbers recently.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Report: Indian Air Chief Flies MiG-21 as Vote of Confidence in Soviet-Era Jet

MiG-21 (Image: Wiki Commons)

For over 50 years, MiG-21 variants have been doing duty in Indian skies and their quick reaction time still makes them potent for interception and ground attack roles. The new chief flew the Type-96 fighter as a mark of trust in the backbone of the IAF.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The newly appointed Indian Air Force (IAF) chief flew solo in a MiG-21 Type 96 fighter on his first visit to a forward operational base.

"The Air Chief Marshal flew MiG-21 Type-96 aircraft solo, which is the oldest fighter fleet in the IAF inventory. He flew the same type of aircraft during Kargil Operations and carried out many night strike missions in the mountainous terrain," read a statement by the IAF.

News Report: India Plans to Find Foreign Single-Engine Fighters Manufacturer

HAL Tejas (File Photo)

Eleven Squadrons of Indian Air Force (IAF) equipped with Russian MiG-21 and MiG-27 aircraft are scheduled to retire by 2024 on completion of their Total Technical Life.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — India plans to replace all these aircraft with a foreign manufacturer setting up shop for a single-engine combat jet. The locally made Tejas, a single jet fighter, will also make up the numbers.

India has decided against banking only on its locally made Tejas combat fighter to make up for the shortfall in squadron strength after the retirement of mainly Russia-made fighters.

India has drawn up plans for a global tender to select a new single engine fighter aircraft that will be locally manufactured under an extensive technology transfer contract. Sources told Sputnik that apart from the indigenous Tejas aircraft, the Government will invite bids for 200 new single engine fighter aircraft once it finalizes the guidelines for choosing a strategic partner. Strategic Partnership is a concept to select the right Indian private company to jointly execute certain types of high-value defense items. India's Defense Ministry expects the Strategic Partnership guidelines to be finalized this month.

News Story: India Launches Global Search for Single-Engine Fighter Jets

Concept Art for Lockheed Martin F-16IN (File Photo)

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI - India has begun a fresh program to acquire single-engine fighter aircraft to be built in India on the basis of foreign technology, as invitations have been sent privately through Indian Embassies to "some overseas participants" to partake in the program, according to an official at the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Among the planes expected to be in the running are Lockheed Martin's F-16 Block 70 and Saab's Gripen E. 

"If it is single-engine fighter, there are mainly two: Lockheed Martin and Saab," Muthumanikam Matheswaran, retired Indian Air Force Air Marshal says.

SAAB JAS-39D Gripen (File Photo)

"It appears that Lockheed Martin and Saab would get shortlisted if it is confirmed that only three countries, including Russia, have been  approached to seek their response," Daljit Singh, retired IAF Air Marshal and defense analyst, said.

The announcement for a fresh fighter program comes within a month after India committed to buying 36 Rafale fighters from France at a cost of $8.85 billion.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: N. Korea air show thumbs nose at sanctions

North Korean MIG-29 (Image: Wiki Commons)

By Giles HEWITT

Just weeks after carrying out its fifth nuclear test, North Korea put on an unprecedented civilian and military air force display Saturday at the country's first ever public aviation show.

The two-day Wonsan International Friendship Air Festival was held at the newly refurbished Kalma Airport -- previously a military airfield -- completed last year to boost tourism in the area around the eastern port city of Wonsan.

The festival was already scheduled before North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test on September 9, triggering international outrage and threats of still further sanctions against the deeply isolated nuclear-armed country.

The show kicked off with an aerial display by a US Hughes MD-500 military helicopter -- one of a number acquired in the 1980s by using a third country to circumvent US export restrictions.

North Korea's aviation industry was targeted by provisions in the UN Security Council resolution passed after its fourth nuclear test on January 6.

The provisions prevent member states selling or supplying North Korea with aviation fuel, aviation gasoline or naptha-type jet fuel or kerosene type jet fuel.

But a recent report by the Nautilus Institute for Security concluded that domestic supply of jet fuel was probably adequate to keep air force aircraft flying, especially given their very low annual exercise rate.

The Hughes helicopter was followed by an extended solo acrobatic display by the most advanced aircraft in the North Korean air force -- an early-model Soviet built Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum which made several ear-splitting low passes over the crowd.

The rest of the air force fleet is largely comprised of antiquated Chinese built copies of the MiG-17, MiG-19 and MiG-21. Experts say the low number of flying hours and training their pilots receive compounds the air force's technical deficit compared to neighbouring South Korea.

North Korean airports are generally high security areas, but the Kalma tarmac and surrounding airfield were opened for the festival to several thousand local spectators, foreign media and several hundred slightly over-excited aviation enthusiasts from 20 countries.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

Editorial: A Coming Shift in Vietnamese Military Aviation?

By Robert Farley

Vietnam’s People’s Air Force (VPAF) could begin flying Western fighters. Here’s why that matters.

If Vietnam buys the Gripen, Typhoon, or Rafale, what exactly will it be getting?

As several other writers have noted, the acquisition of Western aircraft (most likely the Gripen, Rafale, or Typhoon) would represent a huge shift in Vietnam’s defense trajectory. Vietnam hasn’t flown a Western warplane since the Vietnamese People’s Army overran Saigon, capturing 41 F-5 Tigers in the process. The Tigers that didn’t end up in the Soviet Union or the Eastern Bloc were soon grounded for lack of spares.

To be sure, Vietnam has experience with modern jet fighters, currently flying a few dozen advanced Flanker variants purchased from Russia. These aircraft are far more capable than the older MiG-21s that make up the bulk of the Vietnam People’s Air Force (VPAF), but they remain Soviet kit. Any European aircraft will require what amounts to a revolution in maintenance, spares, weapons, and handling procedures.

Thus, the sale would likely represent a long-term relationship between Vietnam and whatever country is lucky enough to get the sale. It would likely require some technology transfer (especially if Vietnam can generate a competitive bidding process), the presence of engineers and maintenance personnel on the ground, and a long training regimen. The aircraft will (undoubtedly) return to the host country for periodic upgrades and overhauls as new weapon and software systems become available.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

News Story: JF-17 Still an Option in Egypt-Pakistan Defense Cooperation Drive

By Usman Ansari

ISLAMABAD — Despite having opted for French and Russian fighter aircraft earlier this year, Egypt has reportedly expressed an interest in the Sino-Pakistan JF-17 Thunder. This has come as a surprise to analysts who had considered the possibility of Egypt acquiring the JF-17 to be lost.

The interest comes as part of a wider push to increase defense industry cooperation between the two countries, according to a Dec. 4 news release by the Pakistani government's Press Information Department. It outlined how the Egyptian ambassador to Islamabad, Sherif Shaheen, met Pakistan's Minister for Defence Production Tanveer Hussain to discuss improving bilateral defense cooperation.

A cadet exchange program is already in place, but both sides were "looking at collaboration in defense industry as the core of relations between Pakistan and Egypt," according to the news release.

As a matter of policy, officials in Pakistan do not discuss potential defense deals until they are signed.

However, author, analyst and former Pakistani Air Force pilot Kaiser Tufail says there are two main reasons the JF-17 appeals to developing nations.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Editorial: The Human Cost of India’s LCA Program

By Jayant Singh

The troubled development of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft has had dire consequences for Indian pilots.

Make in India – for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this has become a maxim of state policy. Ever since he graduated to the prime minister’s office in 2014, Modi’s message to the world has been unchanged: Come, Make in India. From day one the government’s articulated policy has been clear: The way forward involves increasing manufacturing growth and raising it to global competitiveness standards. Make in India would not only revitalize India’s ailing manufacturing sector, it would also gainfully employ millions of young Indians that enter the workforce each year. Underneath the hype and the glib marketing campaign, Make in India offers enormous potential for India’s stuttering defense industry. The policy takes its cue from the high levels of imports that currently make up India’s military arsenal. A quick study of the Make in India website reveals that more than 60 percent of India’s defense requirements are met through imports. The precincts of limited resources within which the armed forces budget must operate makes the logic of Make in India even more compelling.

While Make in India may be the administration’s new poster child, defense indigenization is an old story. Achieving self-sufficiency in the defense sector has been an aspiration of the Indian defense establishment for many years. As early as 2004, the UPA Government set up the Kelkar Committee to recommend changes in acquisition procedures to enable greater participation of the private sector in defense production. The Kelkar Committee Report – “Towards Self-Reliance in Defence Preparedness” – was submitted in April 2005 and was the first to propose a direct offsets policy to bring technology and investments into the Indian defense sector. Although attempts to put in place structures and procedures for defense indigenization have been evident for well over a decade, the establishment’s long-cherished target of 70 percent self-reliance through in-house development has remained elusive. In the meanwhile, the downturn in foreign acquisitions and the absence of indigenous alternatives have affected armed forces preparedness.

The administration’s decision to encourage domestic industry, in line with its Make in India policy, is a major fillip for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program. Over the years, the Indian Airforce Force (IAF) has remained unconvinced about the LCA’s capabilities and has been reticent to guarantee orders for the Tejas fighter aircraft, as it is informally known. The renewed emphasis in the program has come by virtue of the new administration, which is unable to fiscally sanction large numbers of the Dassault Rafael aircraft and was thus forced to look into alternatives. Over the course of its development the LCA program has gone through many ups and downs, all well documented by the media. However, what has flown under the radar – and is now the remit of this article – has been the cost to human life by way of aircraft failures of other platforms that were pressed into service on account of delays to the LCA program.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Editorial: India’s Air Force Will Field 42 Combat Squadrons by 2027

By Franz-Stefan Gady

The Indian Air Force chief is optimistic about expanding the number of IAF combat squadrons.

The head of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, recently announced that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will in all likelihood be able to deploy 42 combat squadrons by 2027 the Business Standard reports.

“We are looking forward to building up our combat fleet to 42 squadrons by the end of the 14th plan, by 2027. I think it is possible, it is viable, there are a lot of options available with us, and discussions are already on,” he told reporters last Saturday in New Delhi.

The Indian Air Force currently operates 32 (some sources say 35) combat squadrons. However, the Indian government’s 35-member Standing Committee on Defense said in a report this April that the number of squadrons could drop as low as 25 (See: “The Indian Air Force’s Big Problem: Not Enough Pilots”).

The reason for the decline in active combat squadrons is that aircraft (primarily MIG-21) are more rapidly retired or are lost in crashes than replacements are available. Next to MIG-21 squadrons, the IAF’s 5 MIG-27 and 7 Jaguar squadrons will also have to be slowly phased out over the next years since the aircraft will have reached the end of their service life in the 2020s.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Editorial: Indian Air Force Still Plagued by Poor Procurement Process

Dassault Rafale Fighter (File Photo)

By Franz-Stefan Gady

The Indian Air Force (IAF) continues to underperform.

“The Indian Air Force’s capabilities are continuing to deteriorate, despite the arrival of a government that seems ready to make big acquisition decisions,” summarizes a recently published (PDF) Jane’s Defence Weekly briefing on the current state of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Among aviation experts, the IAF  has been notorious for its high accident rate in its MIG-21 fleet. For the last few years, it has also been suffering from a shortfall in the number of trained pilots. In addition, the number of combat squadrons has fallen to 34 despite an authorized goal of 42.

The report quotes a previous IHS Jane’s World Air Forces from 2006, which states that the IAF is “a competent, technology-intensive service” yet also, “in a state of flux, and force structure decision-making is complicated by politics, sensitivity to past corruption in procurement projects, conflicting budget priorities, continuing problems with indigenous systems [and] bureaucratic delays in tendering processes.” In 2015, the situation does not seem to have changed too much. According to an internal IAF assessment obtained by IHS Jane’s, the operational availability of the force for the previous three years was on average as low as 60 percent. 

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Editorial: Does the JF-17 Finally Have Buyers?

By Robert Farley

The Sino-Pakistani jet could finally have found prospective buyers.

The JF-17, a joint Sino-Pakistani fighter project, is a single engine fighter developed, conceptually, as a modern MiG-21. Given how global fighter fleets have deteriorated since the end of the Cold War, the idea seemed sound; a low-cost fighter that didn’t present major technical challenges, and that could serve as a cheap option for revitalizing many air forces. Like many such low-end projects, however, the “maybe good enough” JF-17 has yet to catch on with defence ministries fixated on prestige and technology.

Recently, however, indications have emerged that a few countries might have an interest. 

Read the full story at The Diplomat

News Story: India's 20-Year Late LCA Faces Fresh Delays

Tejas LCA Fighter (File Photo)

By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI

NEW DELHI — India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark-1, already 20 years late, likely will miss its final operational clearance (FOC) deadline set for the end of 2014, an Indian Air Force source said.

In the run-up to the FOC stage, handling tests are being performed on only one aircraft while the remaining five are still in production. Ideally, handling flight tests should be performed on at least six aircraft to ascertain their operational readiness, the source said.

“With handling tests on only one aircraft, and the remaining not even manufactured, it is impossible to get FOC by December’s end,” the source said.

The initial operational clearance (IOC) for LCA Mark-1 was received in December. Now the aircraft must demonstrate full performance as defined by the design and agreement of the Indian Air Force.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

India: The Indo-French Air Exercise “Garuda-V” Successfully Concludes today at AFS Jodhpur

1. The Indo-French Air Exercise “Garuda V” which commenced on 03 June successfully concluded today, where both the air forces engaged in various combat roles including Air to Air refuelling. The exercise provided great cross learning to both Air Forces. During the exercise, the IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and his French counterpart General Denis Mercier flew combat sorties in Rafale and Su30 respectively and interacted with the pilots and technicians of both the Air Forces. 

2. The challenging and realistic missions executed throughout Garuda-V as well as the sharing of know-how and operational lessons has enhanced the operational capabilities of both sides as well as reinforced the cooperation between French and Indian Air Forces. Conducted in a professional and friendly spirit, Garuda-V contributed significantly to the camaraderie between the units involved, in the spirit of the strong Defence relationship and strategic partnership between France and India. 

3. The French detachment comprised of 4 Rafales and 1 C-135 French Refueller aircraft while the IAF fielded 4 Su-30MKI, 4 MiG 21 Bison, 4 MiG 27 (Upg), as well as an IL-78 tanker aircraft and an Airborne Warning and control system IL-76 (AWACS).

Indian Press Information Bureau

India: Air Exercise Between Indian Air Force and French Air Force (Exercise Garuda V) Commences at Jodhpur

With the aim of enhancing Operational Co-operation and to validate capabilities, the Indian Air Force & French Air Force commenced the bilateral exercise “Ex Garuda V” at Jodhpur Air Base today. During this fortnight long exercise both the Air Forces would engage in Operations based on their Operational Philosophy and methodology of operations practicing various challenging air situation scenarios. The Exercise would help both Air Forces in appreciating the intricacies of planning and conduct of combat missions in an Operational Environment. 

Frontline fighter aircraft of the IAF including the SU 30, Mig-27 (UPG), Mig 21 Bison and force multipliers such as the AWACS and Flight Refueller Aircraft IL 78 would be participating from the Indian Air Force while the French AF has fielded their frontline Rafale Fighter aircraft along with their KC 135 Refueller. 

The Fifth Indo-French bilateral Air Exercise “Garuda-V” is scheduled from 2-13 June at Air Force Station Jodhpur. The previous edition of the exercise was held at Istres, France during 2010. The exercise will involve the assets of IAF’s main operational formations including the Gandhinagar based South Western Air Command and Allahabad based Central Air Command. 

During the war game, both the Air Forces will practice aerial warfare which would include maneuvers to carry out surgical strikes. 

Indian Press Information Bureau

News Story: Rafale To Fly in Indo-French Joint Air Exercises

By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI

NEW DELHI — The French Rafale fighter aircraft, shortlisted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its $12 billion Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program, will engage with IAF aircraft in June 3 joint exercises over the Rajasthan desert.

The Indo-French air exercise, Garuda-5, will include four Rafale multirole fighter aircraft and one air refueler that will participate with IAF’s multirole Su-30MKI, MiG-27 and MiG-21 aircraft.

While the exercise is unlikely to test the performance of the Russian or the French aircraft, it will expose to IAF personnel the French aircraft’s capabilities in maneuvers, said an IAF official. The MMRCA deal, in which Rafale is the preferred aircraft, has been in the contract negotiations stage for more than a year and is awaiting finalization.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Editorial: Pentagon North Korea Report for 2013 - Unimpressive Hardware, Focus on Cyber Attacks

By Ankit Panda

The Pentagon’s annual report on the North Korean military is dismissive of its hardware.

The U.S. Department of Defense released its annual report on the state of North Korea’s military earlier this month. The short 22-page document (PDF) paints a picture of a North Korean military that is slowly atrophying under a lack of funding. Nevertheless, the report begins by acknowledging that North Korea “remains one of the United States’ most critical security challenges.” The reason for that status isn’t its military might but its proclivity to act erratically, provoking South Korea, and Pyongyang’s “willingness to proliferate weapons in contravention of United Nations Security Council Resolutions.”

The DoD’s report is quite dismissive of North Korea’s actual hardware – the report states that the DPRK’s military technology is “outdated.” Despite this, North Korea continues to field a large military (especially for its population and GDP) that is forward-position, ready to strike South Korea with scant warning. The Pentagon sees the immense risk in this scenario despite the North’s hardware shortcomings. 

Read the full story at The Diplomat

India: Modernisation of IAF

Tejas (LCA) Fighter (File Photo)

There have been delays in the indigenous development of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA-Tejas) and the Project to co-develop Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). The LCA has attained Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) on 20th December, 2013 paving its way to induction into IAF. In the FGFA project the PD phase has been completed in June, 2013. 

The MiG-21 and MiG-27 aircrafts of the IAF have already been upgraded and currently equip 14 combat squadrons. These aircraft, however, are planned for being phased out over the next few years and will be replaced by the LCA. Steps have been initiated for upgradation of other fighter aircrafts like MiG-29, Jaguar, Mirage-2000; transport aircraft like AN-32 and Mi-17/Mi-17 IV helicopters. 

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri Jitendra Singh in a written reply to Shri Dharmendra Yadav and Shri Anandrao Adsul in Lok Sabha today. 

Indian Press Information Bureau

News Story: IAF to phase out MiG 21 FL variants on Dec 11

Egyptian MiG-21 (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki)

NEW DELHI (PTI): The iconic Mig-21 FL fighter jet, one of the first variants of the MiG 21 combat aircraft, which dealt severe blows to Pakistan Air Force in the 1971 war, will be phased out from the IAF on Wednesday.

"The deafening roar of the MiG-21 FL afterburner, an iconic delta-wing fighter aircraft that heralded the 'supersonic era' in IAF will no longer be heard after December 11, 2013, the day it is set to fly into the annals of military aviation history," an IAF release said here.

On the occasion, four MiG-21 FL aircraft flown by pilots from the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) in the northeast will fly a 'box formation'. IAF chief N A K Browne will salute at the ceremonial parade to bid them adieu.

Read the full story at Brahmand

News Story: Pakistan May Speed AF Procurements Despite Economy

JF-17 Thunder (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons)

By USMAN ANSARI

ISLAMABAD — Despite its crippling economic situation, Pakistan may be forced to fund its Air Force’s most important procurement programs on an emergency basis, or at least ensure sufficient finances for their regular progress.

Salma Malik, assistant professor in the Department of Defence & Strategic Studies, at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, said the “linkage between economic progress, energy sufficiency and security as well as physical security” has never before been so deeply felt in Pakistan.

This is highlighted by the predicament facing the Air Force, which has not received any finances for its modernization efforts since 2007 under the Armed Forces Development Plan 2025 (AFDP2025).

Also, it has received only a portion of its allocated share of the general defense budget under the recently ousted Pakistan People’s Party government.

In addition to the financial woes, Malik highlights the “qualitative” and “quantitative edge” of the India Air Force developed through “upgrades or procurements.”

Read the full story at DefenseNews