Indian Military Aviation; News, Updates & Discussions

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Few days old, but this is video on Agni-Prime MRBM being launch from Train-Rail base mobile launcher. Similar thing that China and Russia already prepared.
 

swerve

Super Moderator

When I read this, I always wonder why after all this year India still have faith with HAL ? They are late on delivering Tejas Mk1, late with Mk 1A then will definetely late again with Tejas Mk2.

They should let Tata group take over the project. Then again as coming from a country that also keep pushing SOE on strategic projects (no matter how many times those SOE screew up), I also understand why India Administration keep pushing HAL as projects implementor.
HAL is a state-owned firm with a huge network of connections & patronage. It can mobilise armies of politicians, trade unions (with their own connections, & although they fight HAL, they'd fight anyone trying to take it down harder), etc. It's very hard politically to move against it.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

India MRA getting traction for 80 target of 18-30 ton capacity airlifter. Embrear already move with Mahindra Aero to push KC-390 as candidate.

G3c7Hb4WkAAOpUW.jpeg

Looking at the number it is possible this can evolve to similar licensing like Airbus and Tata Aerp done for C-295. Wondering though on tonnage target range of this can fullfill with only one type of Aircraft.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member

India MRA getting traction for 80 target of 18-30 ton capacity airlifter. Embrear already move with Mahindra Aero to push KC-390 as candidate.

View attachment 53663

Looking at the number it is possible this can evolve to similar licensing like Airbus and Tata Aerp done for C-295. Wondering though on tonnage target range of this can fullfill with only one type of Aircraft.
Maximum payload for the C-390 is 26 ton, and they still have the Il-76 and C-17. That should be enough for the next two decades. And if the current Il-76 fleet will worn out, India can still order the Il-76MD-90A.
 

koxinga

Well-Known Member
Previously, there were rumours of Indian interest to acquire more Rafales, to the tune of 114. Now, there is further details (from the French) that they are looking at (90 units) F4 and the future F5 (24 units) variants.

 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

India DRDO conduct their own dynamic ejection seat tests for Tejas Mk1A. This increasingly important after the accident in Dubai Airshow.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
In 1978, the Indian Air Force became the largest export customer of the Sepecat Jaguar, with a $1 billion order for the Jaguar aircraft. The order included 40 aircraft to be built at Warton, and the 120 aircraft to be licence-built at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). India placed an order for 17 additional Jaguar trainer (IB) aircraft from HAL in 1999 and a further 20 strike aircraft (IS) in 2001–2002.
In 2018, India received 31 airframes purchased from France, and 2 airframes each from the UK and Oman, for spares.

And now the Royal Air Force of Oman has agreed to transfer its retired SEPECAT Jaguar fighter-bombers to India. The aircraft, which have seen extensive use, will be dismantled and employed as spare parts.
The last four operational Omanian Jaguars were officially retired on 6 August 2014, so these Jaguars are at least 11 years in storage.

India to receive former Oman Air Force Jaguar fighters
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group


India and France seems on final negotiation to set up final assembly facility in India for Rafale if the MRCA 114 aircraft deal being given to India. India also want access to computer code to make Rafale integrate to India own weapons.

18 from 114 will still build in France, while the rest in India with F4 standard. India has also rights to improve existing 36 Rafale and 26 Rafale M with F3 standard to F4. They also have rights to get F5 standard later on.

If this sign and become effective, it is also clossing the chapter for India MRCA long process. India on other source hope to use this as development process to get their own MRCA on next decades.
 
Last edited:

John Fedup

The Bunker Group

India and France seems on final negotiation to set up final assembly facility in India for Rafale if the MRCA 114 aircraft deal being given to India. India also want access to computer code to make Rafale integrate to India own weapons.

18 from 114 will still build in France, while the rest in India with F4 standard. India has also rights to improve existing 36 Rafale and 26 Rafale M with F3 standard to F4. They also have rights to get F5 standard later on.

If this sign and become effective, it is also clossing the chapter for India MRCA long process. India on other source hope to use this as development process to get their own MRCA on next decades.
If Germany bails on FCAS then perhaps France may partner with India.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Germany bails on FCAS then perhaps France may partner with India.
Not just India, France already reach out with non Euro big Rafale order nation like Gulf Kingdoms and Indonesia on potential tied up and long term access to FCAS. India have their own program, so it could be coop more on tech development. France increasingly looking outside Euro Nato allies for FCAS future market.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Wire India is known more to Congress voice, thus it is can be seen as opposition voice. Still even tough it is shown that BJP wins in the end after more then a decade back to Dasault again as Congress previously want (thus wasting time and resources). It is also shown one India made obstacle that not yet change, the Bureaucracy maze of India procurement process.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Additional media info on Rafale deal. 114 aircraft with 18 directly from Dasault facility and 96 build/assembly with license in India. Total cost predicted around USD 36 Mio.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

India MinDef got green light to purchase 288 S-400 missile and 5 more S-400 system in a deal worth USD 1.1 bio. This also shown thar India air defence arsenal deplation rate is higher then previously admitted.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group



La Tribune claim on top of 114 Rafale F4, India also seeking another 31 Rafale M. If this become effective, Indian AF order 114 + 36 existing making 150 and Indian Navy order 26 + 31 Rafale M, and making 57. This shown India Navy will replace all Mig 29 with Rafale M.

For me, this is shown HAL capabilities to deliver their own MRCA being doubt by their own MinDef. Perhaps it is better for HAL to finish Tejas Mk1A, and work with Dasault for MRCA.
 

He needs to elaborate more, what exactly GoI/MoD intends.
He didn't say that VCE will be imported straight.
When GTRE can't make afterburning 4gen engine then either it needs unrestricted R&D money to make 5gen & 6gen engine,
OR domestic private consortium should do it, like our own GE, P&W, RR, Safran,
OR domestic PPP,
OR international PPP.

which may take 10+ years for-
- 5gen afterburning engine for AMCA Mk2, 5+gen TEDBF.
- 6gen afterburning VCE for 6gen AHCA/HFA for IN+IAF.

But with AI/ML, robotics, other automations, the R&D time might reduce a lot.
Either ways both have to begin this year.

For 5gen AMCA, F414 80% ToT is being arranged,
but for 6gen TD jet , we can't wait for ToT, but should negotiate any powerful 5gen or even 4gen engine w/o ToT, w/o arm twisting, to fly the TD airframe & test basic equipments.

Actually in worse case, IMO even if we don't get VCE to switch b/w power & increased fuel economy modes of BPR, still a 5gen engine would suffice for thrust, stealth, electricity.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

More then a week old, but just have time. to catch up and put it here. HAL finally being told to move away from AMCA project. Basically it is consider have too much work already. This in my opinion an awakening call from India Administration to basically tell HAL to get their act and finish their current workload first, before entering other projects.
 
Top