SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
India’s Air Force operates a formidable fleet of aircraft, including the Bison, MiG-29, and Su-30 MKI, which play a pivotal role in the nation’s air defence. These aircraft are equipped with the R-73 E missile, a short-range air-to-air missile of significant importance. In line with the Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) scheme, there is a growing need to manufacture these missiles within the country. To achieve this, the proposal is to produce the R-73 E missiles under the “Make III” procedure outlined in Chapter III of the Defense Acquisition Procedure 2020 (DAP 2020).
The R-73 E missile, known for its exceptional performance, is a critical component of India’s air defence strategy. Developed by the Russian Tactical Missiles Corporation, this short-range air-to-air missile has a range of 30 kilometres, and its latest version, the RVV-MD, extends this reach to 40 kilometres. This missile is designed for dogfights and is capable of engaging air targets from any direction, day or night, even in challenging electronic countermeasure (ECM) environments.
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In the bustling city of Amritsar, a trailblazing defense startup, DG Propulsion, is making waves with its innovative mini-jet turbine engines tailored for military applications. With a focus on enhancing the capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and bolstering defense efforts, DG Propulsion has introduced a trio of potent engines – DG J20, DG J40, and DG J60 – each designed to meet the unique demands of modern military technology.
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In a poignant moment in the history of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the iconic MiG-21 Bison aircraft took their final flight over the skies of Uttarlai in the Barmer district of Rajasthan. The occasion marked the end of an era as these legendary aircraft soared alongside the formidable Su-30 MKI, bidding a fond farewell to their service in the IAF.
Despite the IAF’s ongoing commitment to maintaining three MiG-21 squadrons, comprising around 50 aircraft, a significant change has been set into motion. With the retirement of the MiG-21 Bison, one of these squadrons, No. 4 Squadron IAF, also known as the “Oorials,” based at Uttarlai Air Force Station in Barmer, Rajasthan, has been officially number-plated. This decision reduces the total number of active squadrons to just two.
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In a significant move to bolster its air defence capabilities, India is progressing swiftly with Project Kusha, a mission aimed at developing a state-of-the-art air defence system that rivals the effectiveness of the renowned S-400 system. This visionary initiative, greenlit by the Cabinet Committee on Security in May 2022, is now in full swing and has garnered considerable attention.
Project Kusha encompasses a multifaceted approach to enhance India’s air defence capabilities. The defence ministry recently granted the much-anticipated Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the acquisition of five squadrons of this advanced system, designed specifically for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This pivotal development comes with an estimated budget of Rs 21,700 crore, signifying the nation’s commitment to building a formidable defence infrastructure.
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The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is taking significant steps to enhance the capabilities of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Air Force Mk2. ADA has entered into collaboration with Safran Data Systems, a reputable French company, to facilitate software modifications for Unified Video Cum Digital Recorder (UVDR) Airborne Units and Ground Replay System (GRS).
This partnership aims to cater to additional requirements for the LCA Air Force Mk2, which is a crucial advancement in India’s defence technology.
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In a significant move towards self-reliance and indigenous defence production, India is embarking on the manufacturing of advanced missiles used in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) formidable Su-30 MKI aircraft. With the Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) scheme taking centre stage, there is a pressing need to produce these missiles within the country. This initiative aligns with the “Make III” procedure outlined in Chapter III of the Defense Acquisition Procedure 2020 (DAP 2020).
The R-27 ET1 missiles are vital components of India’s air defence capabilities, designed for use with the Su-30 MKI aircraft. IAF is planning to buy approximately 200, with a primary focus on enhancing air combat capabilities.
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India’s defense landscape is undergoing a transformation, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) poised to present a compelling proposal at the upcoming meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The proposal includes a request for approval to acquire an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, Super-30 upgrades for 84 Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, and other critical enhancements, marking a significant stride in India’s modernization efforts.
The 97 additional Tejas Mk1A fighter jets are a follow-up to the 73 Tejas Mk1A units that received the green light for acquisition in 2021. The IAF, in collaboration with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is poised to determine whether any substantial modifications are required for these new jets or if they can be tailored to boost indigenous content, effectively minimizing the potential for system obsolescence. This commitment to indigenization reflects India’s resolve to strengthen its self-reliance in the defense sector.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to play a more hands-on role in the Tejas MkII Program as it assumes responsibility for the integration phase of weapons testing. This marks a shift from the Tejas Mk1A Program, where the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handled weapons testing, including the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configuration testing.
In the Tejas MkII Program, the focus will be on successful integration testing and safe separation releases of weapons systems. The IAF, in collaboration with ADA and HAL, will clear weapons systems based on hardware and software integration, as well as results obtained from computer simulations.
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India’s state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has initiated discussions with the French Naval Group regarding the procurement of three additional Advanced Scorpène class submarines for the Indian Navy. This move is part of a broader effort to bolster India’s naval capabilities, following the successful delivery of six Scorpène class submarines (Kalvari) to the Indian Navy.
These three additional Advanced Scorpène class submarines are expected to come for 10,000 crores each. The increased expense is due to several enhancements made to the submarines, including the incorporation of additional Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system plugs and the integration of advanced Lithium-ion battery packs. Furthermore, various changes in submarine sensors and equipment have contributed to the elevated price.
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In a significant development, the Ordnance Factory Medak is set to roll out the Carrier Command Post Tracked (CCPT) vehicles on October 30. These highly specialized vehicles are designed to perform crucial tactical and technical fire control functions, ensuring the effective deployment of Self-Propelled (SP) Artillery guns.
The CCPT vehicles play a pivotal role in modern warfare scenarios, enhancing the capabilities of military forces in terms of operational control and strategic deployments. These vehicles represent a noteworthy modification of the Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-II, specifically engineered to meet the demands of contemporary military operations.
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In a strategic move, Armenia is turning to India to tap into its expertise in modernizing Soviet and Russian defense equipment and integrating them with Western systems. This collaboration aims to bolster Armenia’s defense capabilities, particularly in light of concerns about potential regional conflicts.
Armenia operates a fleet of Russian T-72B3 tanks but has experienced significant losses to loitering ammunition deployed by Azerbaijani forces. Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry stated that the Armenian army lost 260 tanks and armored vehicles, 277 artillery and rocket systems, 60 air defense systems, one S-300 long-range air defense system, 11 command and control and observation posts, and eight ammunition depots.
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The Indian Navy is actively exploring collaboration with the private sector for the development of Replenishment at Sea (RAS) and Fuelling at Sea (FAS) capabilities. The primary aim of these initiatives is to enable fleet ships to sustain prolonged periods at sea, bolstering the Navy’s operational capabilities.
RAS and FAS operations involve fleet tankers and auxiliary vessels equipped to replenish ships while they are underway. This replenishment includes the transfer of fuel, provisions, stores, and spare parts, allowing naval vessels to remain deployed at sea for extended durations. These operations are crucial for maintaining the readiness and endurance of the fleet.
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As Russia’s after-sales support for Su-30MKI/MKK/MKA operators diminishes, India is eyeing not only overhaul orders from countries with Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters but also orders for mid-life upgrades for these platforms. According to sources familiar with the matter, told idrw.org that several nations operating Russian-origin Su-30MKI-based variants have been in contact with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and closely monitoring the “Super-30” upgrade program.
The “Super-30” upgrade initiative aims to modernize India’s current fleet of over 270 Su-30MKI fighters by replacing Russian-origin equipment and systems with Indian-made counterparts. This overhaul includes significant hardware upgrades to the aircraft, such as the integration of the Uttam AESA Radar, advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, enhanced weapons systems, a modern Mission Control Computer, Infrared Search and Tracking (IRST) capabilities, digital cockpit, and various other systems.
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The development of India’s Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) has reached a crucial juncture as the program undergoes a series of design changes to meet the specific requirements of the Indian Navy. These changes include enhancements to the aircraft’s frontal Radar Cross Section (RCS) measures and the addition of three semi-recessed missile bays, a significant design adaptation that has not been seen in scaled models showcased till now.
The TEDBF program is closely monitored by the Naval Project Office located in Bengaluru, which was initially established to coordinate the development of the Light Combat Aircraft (Navy), or LCA (N). TEDBF, a canard delta wing, twin-engine, carrier-based, multirole combat aircraft, is being classified as a “5th generation minus” fighter by Dr. Girish S Deodhare, Director General of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which is overseeing the program.
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In modern warfare, the role of attack helicopters has evolved significantly. The recent experiences in conflicts such as the Ukraine War have highlighted the vulnerabilities of advanced attack helicopter systems. As the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) plan to procure a significant number of indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), they are also focused on equipping these helicopters with advanced weapons and technologies to reduce vulnerability and increase their effectiveness on the battlefield.
Recent reports from the Ukraine War have raised concerns about the vulnerability of attack helicopters. Russian Ka-52 Attack Helicopters, known for their advanced capabilities, have been experiencing significant losses. These helicopters are becoming increasingly susceptible to short-range surface-to-air missile systems and modern air defence systems. Flying at low altitudes, once a successful tactic, is no longer as effective, and it has become imperative to enhance the protection and capabilities of attack helicopters.
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