DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Navy To Mark 60 Years of Naval Aviation

Asia News Report: DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Navy To Mark 60 Years of Naval Aviation

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Zee News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 6, 2013: Indian Navy is celebrating the diamond jubilee of its aviation wing May 11 with the commissioning of its first shipboard Mig-29K combat jet squadron in Goa. 

The aircraft will be deployed on the carrier INS Vikramaditya, currrently undergoing sea trials in Russia and which is expected to be inducted later this year. 

Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the spearhead Western Command and Inddia's seniormost naval aviator, told India Strategic (www.indiastrategic.in) defence magazine that the occasion is a proud moment for the naval personnel because of the rich history on the one hand and, on the other, the impending transformation into a formidable force in the coming years. 

In April, the defence ministry had approved the Navy's Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) for 2012-27, he disclosed, pointing out that the key is to ensure a 24x7 ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) capability in the Indian Ocean as well as a deterrent presence with at least one carrier task force each on India's western and eastern seaboards. 

The ISR capability means an integrated network of ships, aircraft, submarines, UAVs, helicopters, satellites and ground facilities. The process has been on for some time and in the coming years, it should be implemented in a structured step-by-step but multi-pronged approach. 

As the senior most naval aviator, Vice Admiral Sinha has the sole and unique distinction of being honoured as the Indian Navy's Grey Eagle. 

Meanwhile, Rear Admiral D.M. Sudan, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (ACNS) Air, said that the navy had received some 20 of the 45 Mig-29K aircraft ordered from Russia. They would form INAS 303 Black Panthers Squadron. 

Till then, these jets are based at INS Hansa, set up as a Naval Air Station on June 18, 1964. 

Defence Minister AK Antony, Indian Navy chief Admiral D.K. Joshi and top officers of the three armed forces and the defence ministry would be present on the occasion. 

The navy will raise a second squadron of Mig-29Ks for the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) being built at Kochi. It is likely to inducted in about four years. 

There are plans to acquire two more indigenous aircraft carriers in the coming years. However, their size, their type of aircraft, their launch systems - steam or electromagnetic catapults - are still under study. Notably, all aircraft carriers built so far use steam-powered catapults but in the US - where most of their building capability is located - the US Navy has now gone in for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) built by General Atomics, starting with the new generation CVN-21 Gerald Ford Class of carriers. 

India's carriers, including INS Vikramaditya, use ski-jumps. 

According to Rear Admiral Sudan, the navy is set to receive the first of its eight Boeing P8-I maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft within weeks while in the coming years, the number of aircraft (all types) should double to more than 400. 

The navy, in fact, has plans for about 500 aircraft and helicopters of various types. 

The Navy is looking at a minimum of 100 combat aircraft while those of the P8-I type should range from 20 to 24. Twelve of these are already in the pipeline. 

The P8-I is designated by the Indian Navy as an LRMR (Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance) aircraft. Its diet version, withuot the ASW capability is also being acquired as MRMR (Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance) aircraft. 

The Navy's Fleet Air Arm was created with the induction of Sealand amphibians and the commissioning of the first air station, INS Garuda at Cochin on May 11, 1953. 

Rear Admiral Sudan said that the Navy was also in the process of strengthening its helicopter strength for ship-based integral flights and that "induction of Multi Role Helicopters (MRH) as replacements for the Seaking 42As and to embark new ships is planned." 

So are the replacements for Alouette III/Chetak helicopters "in the near future". 

Future inductions, he said, "would see our current naval aircraft inventory increase substantially" and "transformed into a potent multi-dimensional networked force as a decisive instrument of maritime power". 

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Zee News
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing P-8I Begins Flight Test Program / Boeing P-8I Aircraft For India Successfully Tested

Asia News Report: DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing P-8I Begins Flight Test Program /  Boeing P-8I Aircraft For India Successfully Tested

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 11, 2012: Boeing's [NYSE: BA] first P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy began its official flight test program July 7, taking off from Boeing Field in Seattle at 9:15 a.m. and landing three hours and 49 minutes later after demonstrating flying qualities and handling characteristics. The flight went as planned with all test objectives met.

The P-8I is one of eight long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft Boeing is building for India as part of a contract awarded in January 2009. During the coming months, Boeing test pilots will put the P-8I, a Next-Generation 737-800 derivative, through its paces over a U.S. Navy test range west of Neah Bay, Wash., and a joint U.S./Canadian test range in the Strait of Georgia.

"Today's flight is another on-time milestone for the program," said Leland Wight, Boeing P-8I program manager. "We'll start out testing the P-8I's mission system, which includes its sensors and communication systems. The team then will transition to 'stores' tests during which the P-8I will carry inert weapon shapes under its wings to demonstrate that the aircraft is capable of carrying all the weapons the Indian Navy will use during regular missions."

The stores the P-8I will carry will have the identical shape and size of real weapons, including the Harpoon anti-ship missile, depth bombs and torpedoes.

"This is an important milestone for the program and sets the stage for operational testing and weapons certification as we move closer to P-8I aircraft joining the Indian Navy," said Rear Adm. DM Sudan, assistant chief of Naval Staff (Air), Indian Navy.

P-8I flight and weapons testing follows on the heels of similar testing for the U.S. Navy's P-8A Poseidon. P-8I is a variant of the Poseidon.

In order to efficiently design and build the P-8I and the P-8A, the Boeing-led team is using a first-in-industry, in-line production process that draws on the company's Next-Generation 737 production system. Assembly is complete on the second P-8I aircraft and it will make its first flight in the coming weeks.

The P-8I features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment. P-8I aircraft are built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.

The Boeing-led team is on track to deliver the first aircraft to the Indian Navy in 2013.

Boeing offers India a broad spectrum of defense, space and security solutions that are relevant to India's current and future military and humanitarian needs. Boeing India's corporate office is in New Delhi. For more information, visit www.boeing.co.in.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 61,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

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Surveillance & Engagement Communications
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Amrita Dhindsa
India Communications
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
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amrita.dhindsa@boeing.com

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
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DTN News - MALABAR 2012: Delhi Scales Down US War Games - Air force Request To Join Exercise With American Navy Turned Down

Asia News Report: DTN News - MALABAR 2012: Delhi Scales Down US War Games - Air force Request To Join Exercise With American Navy Turned Down
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Sujan Dutta - The Telegraph Calcutta
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 29, 2012: The Centre recently turned down an air force request to participate in the war games with the US navy in the Bay of Bengal that concluded last week.

The seven-day Malabar 2012 exercise involved the American and Indian navies.

The Centre’s move followed a quiet policy decision in the defence ministry to scale down — but not stop — the friendly military engagements with the US armed forces, which have gathered pace and increased in complexity over the past decade.

The defence ministry is wary of the “hype” that the US builds around joint military exercises with India.

Among the most important of the war games that the Indian and US forces conduct is the Malabar series involving the two navies. An air force component is integral to the exercises because the US deploys a carrier battle group.

The Malabar exercise in 2007 in the Bay of Bengal involved the armed forces of five countries and was easily the largest international war games that India has hosted. The exercise involved three aircraft carriers and the Indian Air Force (IAF).

That drill irritated the Chinese so much that Beijing asked New Delhi if it was forging a military alliance against it.

For this year’s Malabar exercise, based out of Chennai, the US deployed the Carrier Strike Group-1 with the Nimitz-class carrier USS Carl Vinson in the lead. The US also deployed a Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine.

When the IAF asked to be part of the exercise, the ministry turned down the request. While it was reworking its proposal, air headquarters communicated its desire to naval headquarters.

The navy was of the view that involving the air force would require a change in the “Con Ops” (concept of operations).

The air force wanted to deploy its Shamsher (Jaguar) fighter-bombers that are assigned to the maritime strike role. The IAF’s Maritime Air Operations are headquartered in its southern command.

After the navy told the IAF that it was too late to change the “Con Ops”, the air force wanted a separate exercise with the US navy, the second-largest air force in the world. The USS Carl Vinson alone carries 85 aircraft in its hangars and flight deck.

The highlight of the seven-day Malabar 2012 in the absence of complex maritime-aerial drills was the refuelling in high sea of the USS Carl Vinson by the Indian Navy’s new Italy-built feeder vessel, the INS Shakti. India also deployed the INS Satpura, the indigenously built stealth frigate commissioned earlier this year.

The Carrier Strike Group-1 included, apart from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97).

It also deployed the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship, the USNS Bridge. The Indian assets included the frigate INS Satpura, destroyers INS Ranvir and INS Ranvijay (D55), and the corvette INS Kulish along with the replenishment oiler INS Shakti.

The exercise took place in approximately 450 nautical miles of sea and air space. The INS Satpura led one group and the USS Bunker Hill another.


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Sujan Dutta - The Telegraph Calcutta
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Government Sanction $ 1Billion For Navy Aircraft Deal

Asia News Report: DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Government Sanction $ 1Billion For Navy Aircraft Deal
*Govt Nod For $1Bn Navy Plane Deal
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources TOI
 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 27, 2012: The government has finally approved the naval proposal to acquire nine advanced medium range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft, which will cost upwards of $1 billion, to ensure Indian Ocean can be guarded against both conventional and terror threats. 

These MRMR planes will be in addition to the 12 long-range (LRMR) aircraft already being acquired for the Navy at a $3.1 billion price tag. After first inking the $2.1 billion contract in 2009 for eight Boeing-manufactured P-8I LRMR aircraft, which will be inducted in the 2013-2015 timeframe, the defence ministry is now finalizing the follow-on deal for four more such planes. 

The MRMR project got the "acceptance of necessity'' from the Defence Acquisitions Council, chaired by A K Antony, last week, sources said. Several global aviation majors, ranging from American Boeing and Lockheed Martin to Swedish SAAB, French Dassault Aviation, Brazilian Embraer and European EADS are in contention for this big contract. 

The radar-packed MRMR planes, much like the LRMR ones, will be armed with deadly missiles, rockets and torpedoes for potent anti-warship and anti-submarine warfare. With an operating range of over 350 nautical miles, the multi-mission MRMR planes will be Navy's "intelligent eyes and ears'' over Indian Ocean in the medium range. 

While the P-8Is, with an operating range of around 1,200 nautical miles, will patrol the outermost layer of India's three-tier maritime surveillance grid, Israeli spy drones like Heron and Searcher-II as well as Dorniers make up the innermost layer. 

India is really stepping up acquisition of its naval air assets as well as warships to take care of its primary area of strategic interest stretching from Persian Gulf to Malacca Strait. The country has a vast 5,422-km coastline, 1,197 islands and 2.01 million sq km of Exclusive Economic Zone to guard against all threats. 

India will spend around Rs 85,000 crore just on naval aviation over the next few years, sources said. This includes already-inked contracts for around Rs 28,000 crore, with another 16 to 17 firm proposals worth about Rs 18,000 crore in the pipeline. 

This includes the ongoing induction of 45 MiG-29K fighters, contracted from Russia for about $2 billion, which will operate from both the refurbished 44,570-tonne INS Vikramaditya(Admiral Gorshkov) and the 40,000-tonne indigenous aircraft carrier being constructed at Kochi. 

Then, American Sikorsky S70B and European NH-90 choppers are currently battling it out after field trials to grab the over Rs 2,000 crore initial contract for 16 multi-role helicopters. The Navy, in fact, is looking to induct 90 such helicopters, with both combat and search-and-rescue capabilities, to replace its older Sea King helicopters.  


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources TOI
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - BRAZIL DEFENSE NEWS: Brazil Minister Heads To India To Improve Defense Ties

Asia News Report: DTN News - BRAZIL DEFENSE NEWS: Brazil Minister Heads To India To Improve Defense Ties
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Defense News - AFP
 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 3, 2012: Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim is to travel to India this week for talks on boosting bilateral military cooperation, his office announced.

Brazil and India are members of the BRICS group of emerging powers (along with China, Russia and South Africa) and Brasilia views its multi-faceted partnership with New Delhi, including in the defense field, as a “strategic priority.”

Amorim was due in New Delhi on Feb. 7 at the start of a five-day visit that will include talks with Prime Minister Manmoham Singh and Defense Minister A.K. Antony as well as visits of military installations, his ministry said in a statement released Feb. 1.

India “has one of the world’s biggest armed forces” and like Brazil “seeks to reduce its technological dependence on other countries,” the statement added. “There is a great potential for scientific, technological cooperation (with India), to develop projects of mutual interest.”

Brazil is keen on expanding its own defense industry and its military purchases to upgrade its air and naval forces are conditioned on technology transfer and construction in this country.

Amorim was expected to discuss naval cooperation with his Indian counterparts, particularly plans to build aircraft carriers and Scorpene-class submarines, in addition to expand exchanges between military academies of the two countries.

India announced Feb. 1 that it has selected the Rafale, a modern multi-role jet built by French firm Dassault Aviation, as its preferred next-generation interceptor, but details of the $12 billion (9.1 billion euros) contract remain to be ironed out.

Last December, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said during a visit to Brazil that he was confident that Brasilia would buy the Rafale because the aircraft’s technology cannot be matched.

The Rafale is competing against U.S. aviation giant Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet and Swedish manufacturer Saab’s Gripen jet to supply Brazil with 36 multi-role combat aircraft.

India has also purchased Legacy 600 business jets from Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer.

Meanwhile, Amorim was to stop in the southern Italian city of Palermo on Feb. 6 for talks with his Italian counterpart Giampaolo Di Paola And on Feb. 10, the Brazilian minister will be in Rabat for talks with Moroccan Defense Minister Abdellatif Loudiyi and Foreign Minister Saad Eddine Othmani.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Defense News - AFP
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Navy Gets Ready To Add More Muscle

Asia News Report: DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Navy Gets Ready To Add More Muscle

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources TOI

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / NEW DELHI, India - November 25, 2011: India is all set to formally launch the hunt for over 75 heavy-duty "stealthy'' naval helicopters with potent anti-submarine and anti-warship warfare capabilities, as also customized for amphibious assaults and commando operations against conventional, terror, piracy and other threats.

The Defence Acquisitions Council, chaired by defence minister A K Antony, on Friday discussed the mega naval multi-role helicopter (NMRH) project, which is likely to cost well over $2 billion.

"The global tender for NMRH will be issued soon. The project is likely to get even bigger at a later stage, with more such helicopters being ordered after the first 75. An initial lot will be obtained off-the-shelf from abroad, while the rest will be manufactured in India with the foreign collaborator's help,'' an MoD source said.

The NMRH acquisition will be in addition to the ongoing Rs 2,000 crore procurement of 16 multi-role helicopters, wherein the field trial evaluation report of European NH-90 and American Sikorsky-70B is now being examined by MoD to select the final winner.

Navy is also going in for new carrier-borne fighter jets, maritime patrol aircraft and drones, which together will cost around Rs 85,000 crore. These include 45 Russian MiG-29Ks for $2 billion and 12 American P-8I long-range reconnaissance aircraft for over $3 billion.

With China looming large on the radar screen, India wants to build a powerful three-dimensional Navy to protect its geostrategic interests stretching from Hormuz Strait to Malacca Strait. As part of the over Rs 300,000 crore long-term naval plans, 48 warships are already on order, as first reported by TOI.

"The NMRH, weighing 9-12.5 tonne each, will operate from the flight decks of frigates, destroyers and aircraft carriers. Five global aviation majors indicated their interest to our initial queries,'' said a source.

The new helicopters, with an operational life of over 30 years, will replace the older Sea King helicopters and meet requirements of the expanding Navy. Their "primary roles'' will include anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, special and commando operations, and amphibious assault and troop carriage.

The "secondary roles'', in turn, will include electronic intelligence and anti-piracy, search and rescue, casualty evacuation and external cargo carrying. Navy wants the helicopters to be equipped with advanced avionics and weapons suites - including state-of-the-art-radars, light-weight torpedoes, depth charges, 70mm rockets and 20mm guns -- to "detect, identify, classify and destroy'' aerial, surface and sub-surface threats.

Incidentally, the Indian armed forces are planning the induction of over 900 helicopters over the next 15 years. They include 384 light-utility and observation, 139 medium-lift, 114 light combat, 22 heavy-duty attack, 15 heavy-lift, 12 VVIP, five maritime early-warning and, of course, 186 Dhruv advanced light helicopters.

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*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources TOI

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