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. 

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.

IAF Chief in France, will visit Rafale production line

In a first high-level visit post selection of French Rafale as the lowest bidder for the 126 fighter jets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne is in France for a four-day visit. The Chief will also be going to the production facility fo Rafale "to get a first hand impression of the MMRCA". 

Hers is IAF release-

"Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, is on a four day goodwill visit to France. During the visit, he is scheduled to call on Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, the new French Defence Minister, Admiral Édouard Guillaud, French Chief of Defence Staff, Ingenieur Général de l'Armement (IGA) Laurent Collet-Billon, Director-General of the French Defence Technology and Procurement Agency (DGA) and General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Chief of Staff of the French Air Force, to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues on the ongoing defence cooperation between India and France.

The visit that aims at expanding the already robust bilateral military to military ties between the two countries, would see the IAF Chief visit, Cognac, Istres and St.Dizier airbases of the French Air Force (FAF). At St.Dizier, he would be visiting the Rafale Squadron to get an first hand impression of the MMRCA, selected by the IAF, as also to see Rafale’s Production facilities at Mérignac, besides overseeing the progress of the various projects being carried forward as joint ventures between the two countries. He would also be interacting with the IAF’s Project Management Team members for the Mirage- 2000 Upgrade Project.

The visit is significant, as it is the first high level official visit from India to France after the new government has taken office.

The Chief of the Staff, French Air Force, General Jean-Paul Paloméros, had been on a Air Force to Air Force visit to India during September last year, where he had also visited some of the IAF’s airbases including Jaisalmer and Gwalior."

IAF to induct 6 LCA squadrons by 2022

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to raise six squadrons of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas by the end of 2022. With six squadrons of MiG-21s to be phased out by 2017, the IAF will need some force augmentation at the earliest.

Here is the statement made by Defence Minister AK Antony in the Parliament-

"There has been delay in the manufacturing of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. This is a design and development project and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is the nodal organization for the development of Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas. The Initial Operational Clearance-1 (IOC-1) for the Tejas has been achieved on the 10th January, 2011. Presently, LCA development activities leading to final operational clearance are in progress.

The deliveries of aircraft are scheduled in the 12th plan period (2012-2017). It is planned to induct six LCA squadrons by the end of 13th Plan (2017-2022)."

IAF to lose conventional edge over PAF, Squadron strength to hit all time low

With the defence ministry dragging its feet on crucial defense purchases, for the first time since independence the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to lose conventional edge over Pakistan. It fighter strength is set to hit all time low of 31 in the next two years.

Since the decisive victory against Pakistan Military in 1971, the Indian defence strategy has been based on having a superior air power over Pakistan and China. In the event of a conflict with either of these countries, the IAF will be a critical fighting instrument of first resort.

According to the recent finding of the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Defence the fighter assets of the IAF are dwindling fast and the force will not be able to attain its required sanctioned strength of 42 until 2032 thus adversely affecting the “operational capability” of the IAF.

“During evidence a representative of the Ministry (of Defence) has candidly admitted that to some extent, the reduction of the squadron from 34 to 31 during the 12th Plan would affect our operational capability,” the Committee said.

The Defence Ministry is aware of the alarming situation but the only reaction it could offer was that “even if the contracts are signed today it cannot accelerate the process of aircraft induction. So the best efforts are to continue to induct the aircraft”.

The committee has found that the IAF has at present 34 fighter squadrons against the sanctioned strength. As the Committee understands the strength is likely to be reduced further to 31 during the 12th plan (from 2012-2017).

“It has been aimed to build eventually to 45 numbers of combat squadron of air force. The number of sanctioned strength now is 42 but finally the need will be to have 45 squadrons, which will happen only by the 15th plan (2032),” said the committee’s report tabled in the Parliament.

As early as 1959, the IAF had projected the requirement of 64 squadrons, including 45 combat aircraft squadrons, to prepare for an eventuality of facing war on two fronts. The debacle in 1962 reaffirmed the requirement. But since then the snail-paced acquisition has hurt the IAF badly. The IAF managed to maintain an edge against the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) giving the IAF a 2.9:1 advantage in combat aircraft.

Presently the PAF has around 26 squadrons and the IAF needs to have 39.5 squadrons to maintain its edge. The PAF is undergoing a major augmentation of its capacity. And as recently as in 2006 it ordered 28 F-16CD Block 52 fighters from the US. Out of these 14 has already been delivered. It has also placed order for 36 J-10 combat jets with China.

Pakistan is also doing series production of JF-17 Thunder aircraft – the Chinese equivalent of the home-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) – with China. Pakistan has produced 26 such fighters with Chinese help since 2009. China has also agreed to provide 50 JF-17 Thunders equipped with sophisticated avionics to Pakistan.

The decline in India’s combat squadron will come as it begins its “obsolete” MiG-21 fighter jets in 2014 and the phase-out will complete by 2017. Already the force has decided to stop training its fighter pilots on the Soviet-vintage war-jet following a series of crashes last year. According to data 482 MiG aircraft have crashed since 1971-72 resulting in the death of 171 pilots, 39 civilians and 9 service personnel earning a moniker of “Flying Coffins”.

With the development of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas taking place facing constant time over-runs and the procurement of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft progressing painfully slow, the force had been unable to write off the MiG-21s. After a long winding procurement process spanning nearly ten years, the deal for 126 fighter jets is now in price negotiation stage and the first of the aircraft is likely to be delivered by the end of this decade only.

The conventional edge of the air force has already been compromised qualitatively, as these MiG-21 variants have already out-flown their initial prescribed life span of 20 years. Presently, there are four versions MiGs flying with the IAF - Type-77, Type-96, Type 75 and Bisons. Of these Type-77 jets are the oldest and Bisons are the upgraded versions. Flying for the last four decades, these aircraft have been given life extensions several times over.

CCS approves acquisition of 75 basic trainer aircraft

The Indian Air Force (IAF) moved a step closer to acquire 75 Swiss Pilatus basic trainers– absence of which have been affecting the training of its pilots – as the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Thursday gave its nod to the long-pending deal. 

The approval by the Prime Minister-led committee has come as a respite for the IAF, grappling with the lack of a basic trainer since June 2009 when its entire fleet of initial trainer HPT-32s was grounded following over 100 engine failures and crashes.

The nearly $ 1 billion contract has been awaiting CCS nod for over five months now and was running into rough patches repeatedly, even after the IAF zeroed in on the Swiss Pilatus P-7 Mk-II basic trainer by mid 2011.

The acquisition of the 75 Pilatus aircraft has become “critical” for the IAF that has been facing flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for its faulty training process resulting in shortage of pilots. The first of the aircraft will be delivered 24 months after signing of the contract.

Lack of basic trainers hits naval pilots' training

It is not only the Indian Air Force (IAF) that is grappling with the absence of the basic trainer aircraft but also the Indian Navy that has been forced to send its pilots to the US for initial training.

Since 2009, the HPT-32 basic trainers of the IAF have been grounded following a spate of engine failures and fatal crashes. The Indian Navy was earlier training its pilots with the IAF for initial period of four years. However, the grounding of the basic trainers for the past four years adversely affected their training.

“The lack of basic trainers has affected us badly. Earlier we used to have four years training with the IAF. But now we are going overseas,” said sources.

Naval aviation, especially operating a fighter jet from the deck of an aircraft carrier that looks like a match-box tossing and turning in the sea, is a difficult skill to acquire. The rookie naval pilots now undertake the first step of their training at Pensacola, Florida.

The effort had begun to train the pilots for the MiG-29 Ks that will be operating from Russian-built Admiral Gorshkov. However, the grounding of the entire fleet of the basic trainers and thereafter the delay in the acquisition of new trainers made the programme necessary for the training of naval pilots.

 MiG-29Ks during induction

Earlier, the Navy’s pilots used to undergo six months of training at the Air Force Academy on the HPT-32s. From there they used to graduate to Kirans and then on the MiG-21s at the MiG-Operational Flying Training Unit.

The deal for 75 basic trainers is likely to get the nod of Cabinet Committee on Security this week, addressing the woes of the two forces.

The Indian Navy is facing a peculiar situation, as the number of its Sea Harriers (presently down to five) – operating from INS Viraat is dwindling - it needs to give the pilots requisite flying hours. Also the new MiG-29Ks arrived nearly two years back whereas Admiral Gorshkov or INS Vikramaditya will arrive only in December this year. Till then the MiG-29 Ks will be doing off-shore flying and will need to move abroad for their carrier flying.

 Sea Harrier taking off from INS Viraat

The naval variant of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is still long away from induction and the home-built aircraft carrier will join Indian Navy’s fleet around 2018 only.

 LCA Navy before its maiden flight

Realisation of a dream…. Two aircraft carrier navy

On board INS Viraat: It was a dream that India saw just two years after the debacle along the Indo-China border in 1962 – to have a two aircraft carrier navy. And it will be in 2012 that India will be able to realize this long cherished dream as Admiral Gorshkov rechristened as INS Vikramaditya joins its fleet by year end.

 

The aircraft carrier is floating Indian city with tricolour atop declaring to everyone that it is a sovereign India where only Indian law of land applies. As India rises in its stature, these aircraft carriers will help in projecting power beyond its border.  

The importance of strong military was brought home to the political class after India’s loss at the hands of Chinese military in 1962. An Emergency Cabinet Committee in 1964 gave approval for operating two floating deck carriers that will help Indian Navy to operate its strike aircraft well beyond its coastline.

Sources say that 44,000 ton Admiral Gorshkov with a full-fledged runway and a battery of MiG-29 K aircraft and helicopters will be inducted on December 4, making Indian Navy a two aircraft carrier navy – one each for Western and Eastern seaboard. Many of the sailors experienced in operating aircraft carrier will get transferred to Vikramaditya.

The achievement will add another punch to the Indian Navy’s maritime capabilities as it is only the fifth country after the US, UK, Russia and France to operate an aircraft carrier. The skill has been honed over a period of over 25 years.   

With INS Viraat undergoing a massive refurbishment in 2009 at Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), it is going to be in service till 2018. And the indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) named INS Vikrant – named after Indian Navy’s former floating runway – will be joining its fleet when INS Vikrant will be on way out around 2018.

“INS Vikrant was floated out recently from CSL and was again brought into dry dock after some testing,” said an official.

The capability to operate an aircraft carrier at long distances for long durations has been a reflection of a country’s might and when navies like Germany and Australia lost their aircraft carrier operating capability they were reduced to merely coastal police role.

Also this is one capability of Indian Navy that even makes China’s PLA Navy turn green with envy as it has also been striving to attain long maritime legs by acquiring a floating deck carrier. And even if is able to acquire an aircraft carrier today it will take them nearly a decade to excel in operationalising their strategy around aircraft carrier. “Any navy worth its salt will like to operate an aircraft carrier and one aspiring to operate one will be envious of the force already having it. But it is a skill acquired over a period of time we have taken over 25 years,” said INS Viraat skipper Captain AB Singh.

(Also read Captain of Viraat and A day on Viraat )

Defence Ministry's data confirm MiG-21s dubious distinction of IAF's "Flying Coffins"

There are no dissent in the top brass of the Indian Air Force and defence establishment that the MiG-21s have become obsolete. But nonetheless, the IAF is compelled to fly these vintage war machines owing to its low squadron strength. 

The IAF has openly praised these machines - which no doubt were a delight for the aviators during its hey days, but behind the doors they do accept that they are needed to be replaced immediately.   

Statistics tabled in the Parliament-

"A total of 872 MiG aircraft of various types were purchased from 1966-1980. The MiG series aircraft were inducted starting from MiG-21 in 1960s/1970s to MiG-29 in 1980s. These aircraft were purchased as per rules/procedures of that period. At present the procurement of capital equipment is carried out as per Defence Procurement Procedure.

The training of initial batches of pilots for MiG series aircraft was carried out in erstwhile USSR, followed by training for the rest of the pilots in India. The procurement cases involving Russian origin MiG-21 Bis & MiG-27 aircraft involved Transfer of Technology (ToT) and license production by HAL.

482 MiG aircraft accidents took place since Financial Year (FY) 1971-72 to FY 2012-13 (till 19th April 2012).

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."

(Also read Death by Flying Junk )

Pics: Finally LCA Navy makes its maiden flight

The indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft Tejas LCA Navy NP1 today made its maiden flight in Bangalore when Commodore JA Maolankar, Test Pilot and Wg Cdr Prabhu, Flight Test Engineer completed a 22 minutes flight.  During the flight the aircraft was put through various manoeuvers including low speed handling and even undertook a close formation flying at slow speed with another aircraft.

Earlier the LCA Navy NP1 had completed various intensive Ground testing regimen including Low Speed Taxi Trials (LSD), High Speed Taxi Trials (HSD), Ground Vibration Test (GVT), Structural Coupling Test (SCT) and extensive system integration tests with power plant using State-of-the-Art facilities at Bangalore HAL airport.

With this India has crossed a major milestone in Design, Development, Manufacturing and Testing of a “four plus” generation Carrier Borne Fly-by-Wire STOBAR aircraft.

LCA Navy aircraft is the first attempt in the country to provide a complete marine force multiplier that will give unique battle punch to the Naval Aviation Arm of the 21st Century to fulfil national dream of a blue water Navy. LCA Navy is the second STOBAR (Ski Take Off But Arrested Recovery) Carrier Borne aircraft in the world, after the Russian deck based aircraft. However, this will be the only Carrier borne Fighter aircraft in the Light category.

Along with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) who are the Principal Partners with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in association with more than 100 agencies ranging from users, DRDO, CEMILAC, DGAQA, CSIR, PSUs, Private Industrial Sector and academia, spread all over India including Indian Navy and Indian Air Force are involved in the Programme. The key responsibility of LCA Navy design, build, integration and testing is with various Divisions of HAL. ADE has played a lead role in Design and Development of the Integrated Flight Control System in unison with NAL, Bangalore for Testing and Integration of Flight Control Laws to ensure safe functionalities for various phases of flight. AMAGB has been designed and manufactured by CVRDE, Chennai up-to the certification level. NSTL, Visakhapatnam and RCI, Hyderabad has rendered critical support for shock testing of LRUs. Significant Private Industry partnership with ASL (DRDO), Hyderabad for high energy Carbon-Carbon brake pads, and CADES for LEVCON and stub wing design, as examples, has helped maturing of Private Sector of the country. This Project will give us self reliance capability in a true sense and also help in taking up more Naval Aircraft Projects in future. Productionisation of indigenously developed Hydraulic system and Fuel system Line Replacement Units (LRUs) have been assigned to GTTC, Bangalore (Government Tool Room and Training Centre) and CTTC (Centre Tool Room and Training Centre), Bhubaneswar respectively. Above all this, constant support, regular participation, keen observation and continuous guidance from CEMILAC and DGAQA have ensured stringent certification and quality requirements are met on the aircraft.

The Design of first indigenous Naval aircraft imposed huge technological challenges to the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) to meet the peculiar requirements of Naval aircraft; starting from saline and humid environment of operation, restricted availability of deck run for launch and recovery and high operating load conditions. Basic design changes required to suit the carrier operations are strengthening of aircraft structure and Landing Gear, Arrester Hook, improved engine, enhanced aerodynamic performance and incorporation of special metal/material. A host of other systems like the Leading Edge Vortex Control (LEVCON) surface fitted at the front end of the aircraft wing operated by a concealed rotary actuator with aerodynamic profiling to ensure low landing speed, good controllability and better vision for the pilot. The feature of launch and recovery onboard Carrier at high sink rate of 7.1 rn/sec, flareless landing with engine to full throttle till arrested by deck cable impose five times of loading on Main Landing Gear as compared to the IAF version. Also such axial load calls for re-certification of all Line Replacement Units (LRUs), components and associated systems of naval version to ensure fail safe operation repeatedly.

ADA has set a world class Telemetry and Monitoring facility at the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC) to enable conduct of flight test activities at Bangalore. Intuitive on-line monitoring and control of the aircraft are carried out by the Test Director and various System designers. To facilitate proving the aircraft for carrier borne applications, a Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) is being set up at the Naval Air Station, Goa replicating an aircraft carrier with a ski-jump for launch and arresting gear for deck recovery. Take off area is ready, with landing readiness scheduled for end of 2012. This test facility readiness is as per schedule.

The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma in a communication to the Scientific Adviser to the Raksha Mantri, said, “… I express my appreciation and congratulations to all members of the ADA, HAL and DRDO teams for the first successful limited test flight of the LCA (Navy) aircraft… We must ensure that today’s accomplishment leads to the timely fructification of the operational requirements for carrier borne operations….”

Air to sea defence – India has many gaps to plug

It is not just the Indian Army that has chinks in its armour, but the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy are also grappling with acute shortage of weapons and platforms to defend the aerospace and maritime borders of the country respectively.

The IAF is the fourth largest air force in the world but for the last decade or so it is also struggling to complete its required strength of 42 fighter squadrons, projected in 1980’s. Presently its squadron strength is down to 33.5 and to maintain its conventional edge over the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), IAF cannot phase out its obsolete Soviet vintage MiG-21 fighter jets. 

Overcoming the delay in indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme and in the acquisition of 126 medium multi-role fighter jets, the IAF is hoping to get desired 42 squadrons by 2022.

LCA

According to senior officials, the other issue concerning the force is the lack of basic pilot trainers to train its pilots. Since 2009, its fleet of HPT-32 initial trainer aircraft remains grounded following a series of crashes and engine failures. This comes at a time when the force is already short of about 400 pilots.

The shortage of quality pilots will impact the air force adversely as it sets on an ambitious modernization plan. The Basic Trainer Aircraft are the first step in the training of a pilot in the air force. Now that the force does not have them, the rookie pilots directly move to their second step of training that is the Suryakirans and then MiG-21s or Hawks.

IAF has received flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for their flawed training schedule for pilots. But the force, which has an urgent requirement for these aircraft, is awaiting approval of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The deal for 75 Swedish Pilatus-7 trainer aircraft was expected to be through in 2011 and the delay is only adding to the woes of the force.

The third problem is the upgradation of its existing fleet of fighter jets. The fleet of ground attack fighter jets Jaguar, which will cross into the enemy territory during a war situation, is underpowered – meaning they “cannot take off with the full weapon complement and fuel tank”. But the proposal to procure new engines for the fighter jets is still gathering dust.

“With the induction of mid-air refuellers, the problem has been sorted to the extent that the aircraft take off with all weapons and get refueled while in the air. But being underpowered can be a limitation should the aircraft gets engaged in combat or need to escape,” sources said.

An IL-76 carrying out mid-air refuelling of Sukhoi fighter jet during Indo-French exercise Garuda

IAF is mandated for the air defence of vital installations in the country like the Bhakra Nangal Dam and nuclear power plants. However, it is presently equipped with three kinds of Russian-made air defence missile systems – S-125M Pechora, OSA-AK and Igla 1-M – reaching obsolescence and in need of replacement and upgradation. Of these Pechora - the most vital link in the air defence of the country as it will defend against the incoming enemy fighters – was inducted in 1974-1990 - and most of the systems have become defunct by now.

The IAF currently has 1,100 Igla shoulder-fired missiles, as against a sanctioned 1,200. Of the existing Igla missiles about 880 are on life extension. In comparison to this, Pakistan is about to start manufacturing third-generation shoulder-fired Anza MKIII missiles with technology from China.

Despite, the 26/11 attack, the maritime security of the country remains to be Achilles’ heel as the Indian Navy is facing acute shortage of submarines and helicopters.

The present strength of submarines in the Indian Navy is down to 15 and by 2015 it will have only 10 underwater platforms in the flotilla. On the contrary the biggest navy in Asia China is known to have 8-10 nuclear powered submarines and 50-60 diesel submarines. Now Beijing is actively helping Islamabad in augmenting its fleet and signed a contract for constructing six conventional submarines for Pakistan Navy in 2011.

Even as the Indian Navy has an advantage over Chinese navy in terms of experience in conducting operations as a true blue water navy, its next cause of concern is shortage of helicopters. The helicopter fleet of the navy comprises of Sea Kings and 1970s vintage Chetak-Cheetahs – all these helicopters have already crossed their life cycle of 20 years. The situation has been accentuated by the delay in the production of the naval variant of the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv. 

ALH Dhruv

The navy is planning to float world’s biggest tender for 75 multi-role helicopters, but seeing the pace of the acquisition in the country, the materializing of the contract might take a decade.

The Indian Navy is aspiring to become a three aircraft carrier force. But the existing Sea Harriers (only 11 are remaining after a spate of accident) operating from aircraft carrier INS Viraat have become old. The newly acquired MiG-29 Ks for Admiral Gorshkov are forced to do shore-based flying due to the delay in the delivery of Admiral Gorshkov. Also the delay in development of the naval variant of LCA is giving nightmares to the force, which will have its indigenous aircraft carrier launched by the end of this year.

 Sea Harrier taking off from INS Viraat

“We do not want to end up in a situation with an aircraft carrier sans the fighter jets,” officials said.

Mirage fleet remains grounded for over a month now

 Mirages flying with Eurofighters during Exercise IndraDhanush with Royal Air Force

Crash of two Mirage-2000 fighter jets, which boast of an enviable safety record, in a span of 10 days had left the Indian Air Force (IAF) flummoxed. Now after 35 days of the crashes caused by the engine flame out, the court of inquiry constituted by the IAF and the French makers of the aircraft Dassault technicians have not been able to zero in the fault. The engine failure was first for a Mirage in the world.

What adds to the agony of the recent Mirage crashes is that the aircraft, based in Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), are in their Silver Jubilee year into the IAF.

Sources said that the IAF is suspecting "material failure". Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the engines Snecma has taken the engines of the crashed jets to France for further investigation. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said on Tuesday that the fleet will be flying by month end.

On the sidelines of the Annual Commanders Conference, Browne said : “Checks are being carried out and after that the fleet is expected to start flying again by the end of this ."

The same aerospace major Dassault's product Rafale has been selected as the lowest bidder for the big-ticket contract for 126 fighter jets expected to value Rs. 42,000 crore. If the price negotiations go well and no disgruntled vendor put a spoke in the wheel, the IAF is likely to sign this deal in the current financial year.

For the reports on the crashes of the Mirages read this report - Second Mirage crash in 10 days, IAF grounds fleet and Air Marshal survives Mirage crash

New maintenance shelters for Sukhoi

Following a crash in 2011 and two in 2009 of its air superiority fighter Sukhoi Su-30MKI's and media reports claiming lack of maintenance shelters affecting the winged beauties, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has procured all weather maintenance shelters "to provide protection from environmental hazards and boost the morale of aircraft maintenance crew working on tarmac".

The shelters have been procured for the first time fore the Su-30MKI squadrons. Initially 27 shelters have been procured for two squadrons and another 50 are in final stage of procurement.

Presently, IAF has Sukhoi squadrons in Pune, Bareilley and Tezpur.

Here is a story on Sukhoi safety from the blog - Sukhois winging it on safety