Indian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Very interesting news and article.

My thoughts are these:

1) I would be surprised to see the Russians lease a Yasen to India.. It is theircrown jewel of SSNs and is actually an SSN/SSGN hybrid. The Russians are doing all they can right now to get these vessels built for their own Navy...any boat for India is going to cut directly into availability for Russia..

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they may just lease the Kashalots
and built their own SSN at home with russian assistance


after all the Arihant has a russian hand in it

and there are some who see an influenceof the Borei and the kilo?? in it , at least the hull.


one question @Jeff Head ,could you tell me what is that silverish material where the bow sonar sits, some tell me its fibreglass

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Talks between the Navy and Boeing for four additional P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft are at an advanced stage with the Cost Negotiating Committee (CNC) having recently completed the negotiations. The Navy already has eight aircraft on order. Ministry sources told The Hindu that cost negotiations have been completed recently and the file would soon be sent to the Defence Ministry's finance wing. From the finance wing, the file will go to the Finance Ministry before being put up for final approval before the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by the Prime Minister.In 2009, India signed a contract for eight P-8Is in a deal worth $ 2.2 billion from Boeing under a direct commercial deal with an optional clause for four more. The Navy which is quite satisfied with the aircraft has decided to exercise the optional clause and negotiations have been going on for about a year. Seven aircraft have already been inducted and are based in Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu. The last aircraft is expected to be delivered by October. The P-8I is a next generation surveillance aircraft based on Boeing 737 commercial airliner and India is its first international customer. It is meant to replace the legacy of Russian aircraft currently in service. India had also purchased 26 Harpoon anti-ship missiles from the US to equip the P-8Is.

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aksha said:

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"'Navy which is quite satisfied with the aircraft has decided to exercise the optional clause and negotiations have been going on for about a year."

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Yes...it looks like the additional four aircraft are just a matter of time now.

I have also heard that India will consider a purchase for twelve more at a later datye, making a total of 24 aircraft in all, should they elect to buy the additional 12.

BTW, Aksha, the bow coloring is surely for the covering of the bow sonar. Many nations paint them a different color. The material would be whatever the Russians designed to protect the sonar, but not to hamper its operation.

Only for mentioned right now.
Russia and India would have begun talks to lease to India a Project 885M Yasen-M
But this request seems premature because this SSN are for Russian Navy

Surface-to-air missile 'Akash' inducted in IAF

GWALIOR: The indigeniously-developed supersonic surface-to-air missile "Akash" that can target aircraft upto a distance of 30 km, was on Friday formally inducted in the Indian Air Force here by defence minister Manohar Parrikar.

IAF has given an initial contract for eight squadrons of Akash defence system. Each squadron has two firing units with four launchers. Each launcher has a capacity to fire three missiles in quick succession.

The missile system can target aircraft upto 30 km away, at altitudes upto 18,000 metres. It has the capability to neutralise aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles.

The Akash system has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) is the production agency.

Akash has already been deployed by IAF at its bases in Gwalior, Hashimara, Tejpur, Jorhat and Pune. The deployment started in 2013

"It is pertinent to note that Akash is the first made-in-India missile system and is a hallmark of sustained and focused jointmanship between DRDO, BEL, private sector and more importantly the IAF," a statement by the IAF said.

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, who formally received the 'key' of the Akash system from Parrikar, said that a total of 27 missiles had been fired after inking of the contract, to ascertain the serviceability of the system in various conditions and a high success rate had been achieved.

He said that plans were afoot in the IAF for procurement of additional Akash systems.

Akash is a potent supersonic mobile multi-directional, multi-target point, area air defence system that can simultaneously engage multiple air targets using sophisticated multi-function phased array radars.

The advanced ECCM (electronic counter-countermeasures) features provide secure communication links with other air defence command and control networks to handle the counter electronic warfare scenario, the statement said.

Indigenous development of Akash system has given impetus to the defence industrial base of the country and generated business of more than Rs 20,000 crore, it said.

Akash is the outcome of successful partnership between DRDL, the nodal lab in DRDO, along with 13 other DRDO labs, 19 public sector units, 5 ordinance factories, 3 national laboratories, 6 academic institutions and more than 265 private industries across the country.


For AF in order 32 TEL whose 8 delivered for 8 Sqns each have 4 TEL
For Army also 40 TEL for 2 Rgts ordered, TEL on a T-72 chassis.

India, F414 engine for the Tejas MKII

Aeronautical Development Agency of India (ADA) announces that the first of the eight pre-series engines General Electric F414-GE-INS6, for the new version of the fighter HAL Tejas MkII will be delivered to the end of the year.

The engine of F414-GE-INS6 that generates 90-98 kN thrust, will replace the General Electric F404-GE-IN20 providing thrust 80-85kN team and currently the standard of Tejas MkI.
In total, the Indian manufacturer HAL has pre-ordered 99 General Electric F414-GE-engines INS6 to launch production of Tejas MkII including equip the Navy version of the aircraft.

In addition, HAL is planning to obtain a license to build the F414 engine in India, HAL provides for the manufacture of 500 to 600 motor units to equip the navy and Tejas MKII which orders are still pending.

Calendar of Tejas MkII:

The ADA says that with the delivery of the first prototype Tejas MkII to have its maiden flight in 2017 and will go into production two years later. HAL's engineers have had to change the rear of the Tejas order to receive the new, more powerful engine and heavier than the old.

The Indian Air Force has planned to acquire four squadrons (80 aircraft) of Alternative MkII 2020 and then increase the order by 2025.

Series devices are equipped with the General Electric F414-GE-INS6-the Indian Kaveri engine having been abandoned.

An AESA radar:

Moreover, the Indian Defence Research and Development Organization (IDRDO) is working on the development of active antenna radar (AESA) to power the Tejas MkII. India has started production of TR modules for future radar antenna. A model of the future radar was recently shown at the last air show this year. Nothing is specified by cons, the possible assistance of the Israeli radar operator Elta Systems, indeed it seems that the future of AESA radar MkII, be from the radar Elta ELM2052.

Comments:

India demonstrates once again want to develop its Tejas and enter the circle of privilege able to build a combat aircraft countries. However, this announcement shows a new shift in schedule (not admitted), the MkII will be delivered with a delay another 12 months, at least for now. Other important information, commentary IAF which states that it would need an additional 44 Rafale, "if" (note the conditional) deliveries were still to be postponed. In short, the French plane is a plan "B" and it could rightly (too bad for HAL) well out of the game with a new order, if by chance the Tejas MKII was to be a delayed again . It would be far from the planned 126 Rafale, but at least this grant would have a little common sense. That said, history shows us that we must be cautious in India, some of the assertions contradict the decisions of others.

kwaigonegin said:

Like I said in my post, Indian army would be foolish to pass up on this tank! Not only it is better technically, it's indigenous and locally produced! It's win win all around!
Army gets a good tank probably cheaper as well, and a big boost to local economy and jobs!

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Real reason why Indian Army doesn't like Arjun Mk I is its gun . It's a 120mm piece , but unfortunately it is rifled . Because of that it has better accuracy then smooth-bore guns like that on T-90 , but performance of APFSDS rounds is not that good , i.e. penetrating power is inferior. Also, it is difficult to fire missiles from such guns, as mentioned in report . On top of that, according to some reports , lower front glacis is not adequately armored. Basically, in usual frontal tank-to-tank duel between T-90 and Arjun Mk I , T-90 would win .
Indian army requested some changes for Arjun Mk II , and most important is the improved gun and up-armoring the tank without loss of mobility .

thunderchief said:

Real reason why Indian Army doesn't like Arjun Mk I is its gun . It's a 120mm piece , but unfortunately it is rifled . .

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It was the army that put the requirement for a rifled gun .

The Arjun mk2 has passed trials

thunderchief said:

On top of that, according to some reports , lower front glacis is not adequately armored.

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untrue , usual nonsense by import lobbyists

i can also say that i have heard anti russian arms lobbyist ajai shukla say that the Invar missiles repeatedly failed in desert conditions

In terms of protection, the Mk-2 will have full frontal Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) and since commonality was desirable, it will use the same structuring as the T-series.

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There will also be a mine plough to deal with pressure based mines, magnetic mines and tilt based mines. The driver’s seat on the Mk-2 is now suspended from the roof, compared to being fixed to the floor on the Mk-1 — this provides better mine protection capability. With the Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) and mine plough together weighing 3 tonnes and additional add-ons expected, the MK-2s weight is expected to increase from 62 tonne to 67 tonne. The suspension has been re-designed to handle 70 tonne. To cater to complaints of track shedding, the revised tracks will have an increased horn length (19 mm) and the wheels have become slightly bigger. The tracks are imported from Germany but the rest is indigenous. The engine will remain the same on the Mk-2. With the original power pack on the Mk-1, the final drive catered to a top speed of 72 kmph. For the Mk-2, the final drive has been changed by increasing the reduction ratio from 4.4 to 5.3 and the top speed is now reduced 58.5 kmph but the torque and the force available at the contact between the track and the road has increased which can cater for the increased weight. Despite the increased weight, CVRDE claims that the acceleration is better than the Mk-1, while fuel efficiency remains the same.

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The Arjun managed to fare very well. Army sources have freely admitted to FORCE, that there is a mind block with regard to the Arjun, by those who have operated the T series tanks. But they also admit that the Arjun is appreciably more modern in comparison to the T-72 & T-90, in many respects. For example, the Arjun can fire almost twice the number of rounds the T series tanks can, from its main gun.

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We decided after studying the power pack (MTU engine with RENK transmission), that it is excellently suited for Indian desert conditions. We have steadily made this engine and transmission more and more rugged over the last many years, besides improving things like the air filtration system and cooling system. Hence, we have convinced the user that the same power pack, with a new final drive using a higher reduction ratio, can be used for the Arjun Mk-2. This was proved to the Army last year, when we drove 1350 km with the power pack modified to this standard and simulated weights of up to 66 tonne. We converted production vehicle P-1 into Mk-2 with 53 improvements, to obtain feedback. This tank took part in an exercise last summer that lasted almost two weeks, with temperatures of 46 degrees. We have improved the suspension — to provide the same life to components despite the increase in weight. To cater for this new suspension, we have developed a new hull for the Arjun Mk-2.

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Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) which is not present in T series tank is present. It has been enhanced from 4.5 kW to in excess of 8 kW for the Mk-2. With regards to the Chassis Automotive System, we have digital communication systems, advanced navigation systems etc. We have increased the track width, to ensure that the ground pressure remains the same in spite of the increased weight.

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thunderchief said:

Also, it is difficult to fire missiles from such guns

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firing of LAHAT was demonstrared in2004, but won't be on operational use on arjuns due to smoke issues

The major improvement in the Arjun Mk-2, is its missile firing capability from the gun barrel. This was demonstrated in 2004, with Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI’s) Laser Homing Attack/Anti Tank Missile (LAHAT). But the tank did not have an integrated Laser Target Tracker (LTT) at that point of time. That is now in the final stages of inspection and is being demonstrated to the user. The army has also asked for more types of ammunition on the Mk-2. This includes Thermobaric rounds and Penetration cum Blast rounds that will be developed in India. Thermobaric warheads create a sustained and intense pressure wave, which can be used against bunkers and hardened targets, while causing minimum damage to the surrounding areas.

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Tata Motors today said it has bagged an order for supplying 1,200 multi-axle trucks to the Indian Army. It is the single largest order awarded to an Indian company in land systems by the Indian army and comprises 1,200 units of high- mobility 6X6 multi-axle trucks, Tata Motors said in a statement. The trucks will be used for loading-unloading and transportation of ammunition pallets, spares and other operational equipment, it added. Developed indigenously, the Tata 6X6 high mobility all- terrain all- wheel drive vehicle, has completed a total trial duration of 25 months, demonstrating maximum performance in the most demanding conditions, the company said. "We at Tata Motors are extremely proud to have bagged the single largest order, among Indian OEM's from the Indian army, for the most technologically advanced high mobility load carrier system ever built here in India," Tata Motors, Vice President, Defence & Government Business, Vernon Noronha said. The order is a validation of Tata Motor's strategy and growth potential, he added. "As leading suppliers of mobility solutions to the country's security forces, we will shortly commence delivery of these high-mobility vehicles," Noronha said. Tata Motors stock was trading at Rs 401, up 0.72 per cent, on the BSE.

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