Salute the BRAVEHEARTS: Who fought in 1962 despite all odds

Army-Air Force battle for attack helicopters family problem, solution soon: Antony

Few days after the Indian Air Force (IAF) dismissed the Indian Army’s demand for attack helicopters as unnecessary duplication of assets, Defence Minister AK Antony indicated that the an “amicable” solution is in the offing.

Sources in the ministry to confirmed to the New Indian Express that the Defence Ministry was “sympathetic” to the Army’s demand despite a strong opposition from the IAF.

Terming the bitter wrangling between the two forces as “family problem”, Antony said: “There is no tussle. There is no war. There are family problems, we will find solutions.” Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of Prime Minister’s Territorial Army Day parade, Antony added: “We are in final stages of finding a solution, amicable solution. Don't go beyond that."

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne on October 5 reacted sharply to the question of the Army demanding air assets for itself as “duplication” of assets. "We cannot afford to have our own little air forces. Tomorrow coast guard will ask for submarine will we give it to them?" Air Chief Marshal Browne added. The IAF Chief also revealed that in 2011, the IAF has conceded the Army’s demand for attack helicopters but the land force also wanted medium lift helicopters and it was then that the Air Force put its foot down. 

On 80th anniversary IAF gears up for inventory sans MiG-21s

As the Indian Air Force (IAF) turns 80 on October 8, it is gearing up for an inventory without Soviet-vintage MiG-21s often dubbed “Flying Coffins” for their dubious flight safety record – first it will stop training its young pilots on the fighter jet and thereafter retire it by 2015-16.

The present acquisition spree and the phase out of the obsolete platform will ensure that the air force gets younger even as it crosses 80^th anniversary mark.

The IAF had taken the decision to stop training its pilots on MiG-21s in 2011, when IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal announced after a spate of crashes that the last batch of pilots was being trained on the fighter jets.

Confirming this, the Air Chief Marshal Browne said: “Last batch of pilots is being trained. Now these three squadrons’ batches will be the last batch and all the training will shift on Hawk (Advanced Jet Trainer) aircraft.”

After their first two levels of training, half the pilots used to go to British-built AJTs and the rest to MiG Operational Flight Training Units (MOFTU). However, the present batch of MiG-21s Type 77 – the oldest of the MiG-21s that were the force’s mainstay in 1971 Indo-Pak War – will finish its syllabus by January 2014 paving the way for their retirement. Whereas the two squadrons of Type-96 MiG-21s will revert back to operational role from training and will continue to serve the force.

“We need to keep force levels going. By 2015 they will continue to serve,” the IAF Chief added. In fact four squadrons of MiG-27s will be retired in a phased manner by 2016-17. “MiG-29s will be the last of the MiG series aircraft remaining,” Air Chief Marshal Browne said. MiG-29s are presently undergoing an upgrade and the programme will conclude in 2020.   

According to data, the IAF had purchased a total of 872 MiG aircraft of various types between1966-1980. The MiG series aircraft were inducted starting from MiG-21 in 1960s/1970s to MiG-29 in 1980s. Nearly half of the procured MiG aircraft - 482 - met accidents between financial year 1971-72 to 2012-13. A total of 171 pilots, 39 civilians, 8 service personnel and 1 aircrew lost their lives in these accidents. The causes of accidents were both human error and technical defects.

The fourth largest air force in the world is now entering its biggest modernization cusp as it has already signed contracts worth Rs.1.50 lakh crore in the past five years. The force has planned to raise four more squadrons of frontline fighter jets Sukhoi Su-30MKI – two each for western and eastern border. The 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) – French Rafale – shall be inducted in the services by 2017 giving a major firepower to the force.

Besides the fighter jets, the IAF is also modernizing its transport and helicopter fleet as it plans to acquire state-of-the art heavy lift transport C-17 Globemaster and one more squadron of  special operations transporter C-130 Js and 300 different types of helicopters- ranging from attack and medium lift helicopters. 

IAF to begin night operations in Naxal-hit areas

Intending to go all out against the naxals, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is all geared up for starting day and night operations in the naxal-hit regions and has even asked the Union Home Ministry to have more foot on the ground.

 

 

Admitting that lack of infrastructure on the ground has been a very big concern in operating helicopters in the region even for defensive purposes, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne on Friday said that the force has requested the state governments to spruce up infrastructure in the areas as the helicopters have to be parked in open during the monsoon season.

With IAF completing three years of its engagement in anti-naxal operations in December, the IAF Chief said that he does not see an end to it in near future. However, Air Chief Marshal also ruled out augmenting assets for the operation saying the force has deployed six Mi-17 helicopters and they are “more than adequate”.

“We are close to getting Mi-17 V-5 helicopters and in due course of time we will be able to switch to full night operations. These are far more capable aircraft in terms of safety and the helicopters will be able to access the areas which they were not able to meet,” Air Chief Marshal Browne said during his annual press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8. The IAF helicopters have flown more than 5,000 sorties and facilitated movement of more than 30,000 paramilitary troops during their deployment in the anti-naxal operations.

Sources said the decision has come in the wake of the observation that the paramilitary forces deployed in the region also stop their operations post sun-down and the naxalites were having a “free-run”. So it was decided to scale up the operations with the air support for casualty evacuation and troops movement being made available through day and night.

The IAF Chief also made it clear that there was requirement of more effective operations by the men on the ground.  “We have also explained to the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) that you can t rely on heavy-lift helicopters for every little job that you have. You also need to start clearing the roads as well and the foot on the ground should start making the difference. We are there to support them in terms of logistics support, transportation, casualty evacuation and etc,” he said.

IAF has also requested the state governments to set up infrastructure for its men and machine on a semi-permanent basis.

“As far as the infrastructure in naxal-affected areas is concerned, yes, we have a problem. We were sure of certain amount of infrastructure which was to come up by the state government unfortunately that has not happened,” Air Chief Marshal Browne said.

 

He said the rules of engagement for the force will not change in the anti-naxal operations. “The rules of engagement do not change. There is no offensive fire unless they are fired upon,” he said.

I am proud of pilot who refused to fly Rahul Gandhi: IAF Chief

The Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne heaped praise on the young pilot who withstood the pressure from Rahul Gandhi to fly through inclement weather in the North East and refused to fly the VIP.

The IAF Chief said that the safety of passengers was paramount and the IAF will not bend any rules to achieve the tasks jeorpardising the life of the pilot or the crew.

"I am very proud of the pilot who refused to fly Rahul Gandhi because it is not the question of allowing or

refusing. It is the question of doing it right," he said.

The safety of the occupants safety of the helicopter pilots' life and crew has its importance and we

will not break any rule to achieve the task," Browne added.

Last month the pilot had refused to fly back Rahul Gandhi who was visiting the riot hit areas of Assam. He was travelling with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Initial Operational Clearnance for LCA slips further

It has been the aircraft in the making for over 25 years now. And the IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal on Friday said the delivery dates of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has slipped further. "Yes the IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) has slipped further. DRDO is now looking for the middle of third quarter next year," the Chief said.

The LCA, however, will be participating in the Iron Fist Fire Power Demonstration planned next year. It will be the first participation of this domestic-built fighter jet.

Regarding progress of LCA Mk-II, Air Chief Marshal Browne said that it was linked with the progress of the Mk-I. Presently the Mk-1 is powered by G-404 engine whereas Mk-II will be powered by G-414 engine. The DRDO will be signing contract for the engines soon and the aircraft will have to be made around the engine. The time line for the aircraft to materialise is 2016-18.

Govt's announcement not final grant of OROP

Concurring with the ex-servicemen,who called the government's announcement regarding increasing in pension as a mere hogwash, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne on Friday said that the measures were "just a small incremental change". And it is not "the final" thing and not what the servicemen have been asking for. "Much more still needs to be done," the IAF chief said.

IAF Chief reaches Jamnagar to reassure his men

As a somber Indian Air Force (IAF) began processes to lay to rest its nine warriors who died in the freak mid-air collision of two Mi-17 helicopters, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne flew down to Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat on Friday to instill confidence among his men.

 

In the second mid-air collision of two IAF helicopters (the first was in 1967 when two Mi-4 collided with each other) on Thursday the force had lost five officers and four other ranks. On Friday, the force started taking the remains of its bravehearts to their respective families after identification and post-mortem of the bodies.

“The IAF Chief was in Jamnagar to meet the pilots, technicians and ground crew at the base and to reassure them to continue with their mission,” IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Gerard Galway said. The IAF Chief’s visit came as the force suffered its fourth crash on Thursday. 

“Interacting with them, he acknowledged the fine job being done by the aircrew and technicians and urged them to continue to do so with grit and determination while maintaining high standards of efficiency with adequate margins of operational safety,” the IAF spokesperson added. Earlier the IAF Chief, an experienced pilot himself, had flown in Sukhoi Su-30MKI to instill confidence in the bird after they suffer a slew of crashes.

After ceremonies and wreath-laying by the IAF Chief and other top brass of the Air Force, the remains of the two pilots, two co-pilots, two Engineers, two gunnery officers and one other IAF personnel were taken to their families. The cremation of the air warriors will take place on Saturday will complete military honours. The dead included some top aviators from the IAF’s Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment, the force’s equivalent of the US’ Top Gun institute for marine pilots.

IAF Chief to review 5th Generation Fighter Jet progress in Moscow

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne will embark on three day visit to Russia next week where he will review strategic joint ventures with age old patron in defence field including Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA).

The visit, beginning August 8, will be first for Air Chief Marshal Browne after assuming the charge.

According to sources, the IAF Chief will be visiting Sukhoi Design Bureau and some other Russian Air Force establishments. India and Russia have been working on crucial FGFA and MTA under a fifty-fifty partnership.

The co-developed advanced stealth aircraft FGFA is expected to compete with the US F-22 Raptor, presently the world's only fifth generation fighter, and the under-development F-35 Lightning-II, at an estimated cost of $35 billion.

The Preliminary Design contract for the project was signed in 2010 and the two sides are in “hectic consultations” to freeze the design of this highly advance fighter.

As per US classifications, aircrafts in service from 1980 to 2010, or based on the designs of the 70s are categorised as 4th generation aircrafts. However, 5th generation aircrafts are more advanced with better stealth capabilities and higher speed potential in comparison to the former. The FGFA is being developed under Sukhoi's PAK FA project. The Indian aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is its Indian partner.

The 30 tonne fighter jet will have very advanced avionics, stealth to increase survivability and enhanced lethality. The aircraft is expected to enter service in the 13th plan (2017-2022) period around 2019. So far, the Indian side has put aside $250 million for the Preliminary Design Contract phase. India will be responsible for developing software for on-board computer systems, aircraft self-defence systems, and a host of other important components.

While India is developing its own two seater version of the FGFA, Russia's version is single seater jet. The IAF alone plans to acquire 214 of the combat jets and the option to acquire more has been kept open. The IAF is looking for 166 single seater and 48 twin-seater versions of the aircraft. IAF Chief in the review meeting would apprise Russians about his requirements in the designs of FGFA, sources said.

The HAL has also signed a tripartite general contract with Russia for the MTA project. HAL and UAC-TA have proposed to design, develop and produce the multi-role transport aircraft in the 15-20 tonne class, jointly by the Indian and Russian agencies to meet the requirements of 100 aircraft for the Russian Air Force, 45 aircraft for the IAF and 60 for other countries. The total requirement for the present is 205.

Besides FGFA and MTA, the IAF Chief will also be raising the issue of malfunctioning ‘fly-by-wire’ system of the Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs resulting in crashes.