Indian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

"India and the European Union are looking to firm up ties in the defence and security domain this year, with a series of proposals being on the anvil. The proposals include a new strategic dialogue on foreign-related issues and the elevation of security and defence partnerships at the level of the defence secretary.[...]"

"[...]In terms of naval cooperation, the European Union is keen to place a liaison officer at Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean region in Gurugram.
The Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) is India’s eye in the Indian Ocean, from the Strait of Malacca to the Gulf of Aden, and enhances maritime security through cooperation with regional partners.[...]"

This 2023 paper offers a high-level overview of India's submarine programs, focusing on the failure to achieve the objectives laid down in the "30 year plan" of 1999 to induct 24 SSKs by 2030, half of indigenous design (reality: 6 of foreign design with a few more on order).

I note that the paper attributes the success of the ATV nuclear submarine program to a decoupling from force structure requirements alleviating pressures for induction. No doubt there is something to be said for this, and also to the fact that a direct import path was simply unavailable, and it is indeed to India's credit that she has progressed to operate now two, and shortly three nuclear submarines with (short-range) SLBMs. Yet the project duration matches that of the much-maligned LCA Tejas, and the ongoing reliance upon Russia for reactor technology, and likely ancillary expertise, is clear. The commitment and progress is real, yet the Hindu rate of growth remains.

Elsewhere, there is much chatter about the Indian Navy reportedly having the notion of a three-carrier navy, with a notional IAC-2 carrier now seen as replacing INS Vikramaditya rather than serving alongside her and INS Vikrant. Given that the dream of a three-carrier Navy never remotely approached the horizon of reality, I'm not convinced that a retreat from it is particularly noteworthy. It certainly makes the already dubious unit economics of the allegedly extant TEDBF program even more so, and it probably says something about notional timelines for IAC-2 in the context of other budget priorities, such as nuclear submarines. Or maybe IN just really, really dislikes Vikramaditya.

Lethe said:

Elsewhere, there is much chatter about the Indian Navy reportedly having

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the notion of a three-carrier navy, with a notional IAC-2 carrier now seen as replacing INS Vikramaditya rather than serving alongside her and INS Vikrant.

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Seems buying the Vikramaditya from Russia was a very bad decision. The project has been a series of blunders and problems since the contract was signed until induction into the Indian navy . It seems it's more like museum piece and cash Blackhole for the Indian navy nowadays. An unfortunate program. Think they should retire it earlier and focus on submarine program for now until country'sbudget can allow dor more. Operating 2/3 carriers is too expensive and will drain the navy's limited fund.

Michael90 said:

Seems buying the Vikramaditya from Russia was a very bad decision. The project has been a series of blunders and problems since the contract was signed until induction into the Indian navy . It seems it's more like museum piece and cash Blackhole for the Indian navy nowadays. An unfortunate program. Think they should retire it earlier and focus on submarine program for now until country'sbudget can allow dor more. Operating 2/3 carriers is too expensive and will drain the navy's limited fund.

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It was a Russian predatory service provider vs. an Indian scammer. The Indians thought they had bagged a cheap aircraft carrier, only for the Russians to fleece them.

Michael90 said:

Seems buying the Vikramaditya from Russia was a very bad decision. The project has been a series of blunders and problems since the contract was signed until induction into the Indian navy . It seems it's more like museum piece and cash Blackhole for the Indian navy nowadays. An unfortunate program. Think they should retire it earlier and focus on submarine program for now until country'sbudget can allow dor more. Operating 2/3 carriers is too expensive and will drain the navy's limited fund.

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Both are live possibilities but, if I had to guess, my bet is that Vikramaditya isn't going anywhere. This news about abandoning a three-carrier Navy is likely emerging now because now is when that third carrier would've had to be authorised and funded to be in service by late 2030s to serve alongside both Vikrant and Vikramaditya That is to say, I suspect that IN has recently declined to prioritise funding for IAC-2 in the near future, therefore necessarily implying that, by the time it is eventually built, Vikramaditya will be approaching retirement.

Some news on the Rafale-M deal but still not that close and IMO still too many "likelys" in this report ... so from "ready to be signed" it progressed to "deal likely to be mentioned"

India, France set to sign Rafale marine fighters deal
PM Modi to be in France from Feb 10-12
Deal likely to be mentioned
Likely to be signed during French defence minister’s visit to India in April

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JayFalsum said:

It was a Russian predatory service provider vs. an Indian scammer. The Indians thought they had bagged a cheap aircraft carrier, only for the Russians to fleece them.

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Lol If I didn't know better I would have said you are just joking and making fun of that program but surprisingly you are actually right.
This is an extract from this article below:

"By 2004, the Indians were ready to finance a deal with Moscow. The government in New Delhi agreed that year to spend a whopping $974 million on the clunky Admiral Gorshkov.
But since it was under a billion dollars, the Indians thought they made a prudent purchase and had a potential hit on their hands. They should have known better.
The biggest problem was that the Gorshkov had been inactive all those years. As I explained above, the Russian Navy is not known for its maintenance prowess.
This artifact was going to need some love and attention."

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In short, Russia was a better scammer.

Russia's fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jet has arrived in India to participate in the Aero India 2025 air show. The Su-57E will be showcased at the international aerospace exhibition to be held from February 10 to 14 at the Yelahanka Indian Air Force Base. India is a long-standing strategic partner that operates a significant amount of Russian equipment. Rosoboronexport will offer India the supply of Su-57s, as well as the organization of their production in India and assistance in developing its own fifth-generation fighter jet.

Soldier30 said:

Russia's fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jet has arrived in India to participate in the Aero India 2025 air show. The Su-57E will be showcased at the international aerospace exhibition to be held from February 10 to 14 at the Yelahanka Indian Air Force Base. India is a long-standing strategic partner that operates a significant amount of Russian equipment. Rosoboronexport will offer India the supply of Su-57s, as well as the organization of their production in India and assistance in developing its own fifth-generation fighter jet.

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Is Rosoboronexport bringing in some SU-57 production in India to prevent more possibilities of Ukraine bombing the factory in Russia?