Indian Military

New Delhi — The Indian Navy continues to suffer delays in acquiring multi-role helicopters (MRH) as bids from international manufacturers have expired. The Indian Defence Ministry has indicated that the commercial bids from US firm Sikorsky and British-Italian firm Agusta Westland for the MRH have expired last month.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 16 MRH worth $1 billion was issued in August 2008 and since the commercial bids are valid for two years only, they stand expired. The Indian Defence Ministry now intends to request the firms to revise their offers. While the technical evaluation has been wrapped up, Indian Navy is yet to pursue the Flight Evaluation Trials for the two contenders.

The two contenders for the MRH for the Indian Navy are the US firm Sikorsky’s S-70B Sea Hawk and British-Italian Agusta Westland’s NH-90 helicopters. Once the contract is decided and awarded, the Indian Navy would get the delivery of the MRH within 46 months in three phases and the RFP provides an option of placing follow-on orders for another 44 helicopters.

New Delhi — Indo-Russian military ties are set to grow stronger as India will soon order an additional 59 Russian Mi-17 helicopters from Russia. This decision to acquire 59 helicopters on top of the 80 helicopters ordered earlier has been taken by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The defence acquisition council has cleared the proposal and the request will be forwarded to the cabinet committee on security clearance soon.

The IAF has been trying to augment its fleet of medium-lift helicopters and the acquisition of an additional 59 Mi-17 helicopters aims to fulfil that mission. The existing fleet of medium-lift helicopters will be phased out soon. The Mi-17 helicopters will enhance the IAFs capability to carry out missions in high-altitude areas and relief operations. India had signed a deal with Russia in 2008 to supply 80 Mi-17s to augment its existing fleet of around 150 Mi-8 and Mi-17 medium-lift choppers. These helicopters have over five tonne load carrying capability and are also used to ferry troops.

New Delhi — The Indian navy will receive a major fillip in its maritime reconnaissance capabilities since the Indian Defence Ministry has cleared the purchase of four long-range surveillance aircraft and four big amphibious assault warships.

The entire project has been cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council and the naval projects consisting of the acquisition of warships and surveillance aircraft will amount to the tune of over $4 billion. The four new aircraft will be the P-8I Poseidon long-range maritime patrol aircraft besides the four amphibious warfare ships called Landing Platform Docks (LPDs).

The acquisition of P-81 surveillance aircraft will enable the Indian Navy to monitor the Indian Ocean region besides augmenting its anti-warship and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The P-81 aircraft will be armed with torpedoes, depth bombs and Harpoon missiles besides long-range radars and sensors.

As for the amphibious warships or LPDs, it will enable the Indian Navy to transport infantry battalions and their equipment to long distances besides helping in disaster management and other relief operations.

New Delhi — The Defence Minister AK Antony today called for an adoption of ‘cooperative approaches’ for ensuring the security of sea lanes in the Asia-Pacific Region. Addressing the first ever ASEAN Plus Eight Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Hanoi today, Mr Antony said India is participating in two projects together with the Malacca countries, within the framework of IMO, to improve the safety of navigation in this region.

He said the Indian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrolling and escort operations in the Gulf of Aden for over two years now. Mr Antony said Piracy remains a serious challenge for the world community and expressed India’s commitment to work together with other countries to address piracy.

A press release issued by the Indian defence ministry said, “The security of sea lanes of communication is vital in today’s world. It is in the common interest of nations to keep sea lanes open, secure and free for navigation, trade and energy supplies. Piracy remains a serious challenge for the world community, as we have witnessed in the Gulf of Aden and adjoining areas.

New Delhi – With the Indian Ocean region becoming very vulnerable to terror threats, the Indian Navy has decided to beef up its security along the Indian shores and has decided to go in for additional surveillance planes as well as spy drones.

The Indian Defence Ministry has floated a global Request for Information (RFI) for the medium range maritime reconnaissance aircraft (MRMR) with an operating range of over 350 nautical miles, and HALE (high-altitude, long-endurance) unmanned aerial vehicles or spy drones, with a service ceiling above 40,000 feet and endurance over 25 hours.

According to the Indian Navy, the acquisition of MRMR planes and spy drones can only compliment the surveillance on the Indian shores. The MRMR planes will be equipped with radars as well as anti-ship and submarine warfare capabilities. The Indian Navy has already finalised the acquisition of 12 P-8I Poseidon long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft from Boeing at $3.1 billion. The first P-8I is slated for induction in early-2013.

New Delhi – The recent visit by the US President to India has paved the way for greater defence cooperation and is expected to boost military ties to a high level. With greater freedom in technology exchange and defence import/export and relaxation on controls, it is likely that Indo-US co-development of high tech weaponry will reach the maximum possible level.

Due to US sanctions and other US government restrictions, the Indian Defence Ministry and its Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has never joined hands with the US defence industry to produce critical weaponry or big-ticket projects.

On the other hand, India is doing joint development contracts like the $12 billion Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project with Russia which will be signed next month and there is the $2-billion partnership between the DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to co-develop an anti-aircraft missile. The US has not come close to any projects of such magnitude because of government policies and sanctions.

New Delhi — The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has revealed that it is seeking funds to the tune of $2 billion from the Indian government for the development of the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA).

Speaking at the recently concluded Aviation Conclave 2010, PS Subramanyam, programme director (combat aircraft) and director of the ADA, indicated that the $2 billion fund will initially be utilised to develop two technology demonstrators and seven prototypes. The first flight test of the AMCA is expected to take place by 2017. The ADA falls under the Department of Defence and Research and Development of the Indian defence ministry. The work on fifth generation AMCA has already been initiated with the government giving Rs.100 crores and the rest of the $2 billion is expected in the next couple of years.

The AMCAs are aiming to bridge the gap between light combat aircraft ‘Tejas’ and Sukhoi heavy weight fighters. The AMCA will be designed with a small radar cross-section and will feature internal weapons and advanced electronic systems.

New Delhi — The Indian Defence Ministry is currently liaising with the Russian RAC-MiG Corporation to sort out a recurring problem with the newly-inducted MiG-29 K fleet. India is negotiating a price for the draft supplement agreement (DSA) with Russia to acquire equipment to resolve the problems pertaining to the MiG-29 K fleet.

As per the Indian Navy, the newly acquired MiG-29 K fleet is witnessing tyre-bursts during the use of emergency brakes. Apparently, the emergency brakes are applied when there is hydraulic failure. In addition, the emergency applications are jamming the brakes and heightening the chance of tyre skidding and tyre-bursts.

The Indian Navy has suggested that a DSA is expected to address that shortcoming. The DSA is expected to ensure supply of ground support items and spares as well as life-long serviceability. Currently, all the six MiG-29k with the Indian Navy are still under warranty.

Apparently, the DSA for the MiG-29 K has become imperative since only last week, a pilot of a MIG 29 K fighter aircraft brought the aircraft to a halt safely after the aircraft suffered a tyre burst because of  hydraulic failure while landing.

New Delhi — With a view to achieve substantive self reliance in design, development and production of defence equipment, weapon systems and platforms, the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony unveiled the first ever Defence Production Policy (DPrP) here today. The policy also aims at creating conditions conducive for the private industries to play an active role to achieve the objective. The DPrP will act as a catalyst to enhance potential of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for indigenisation as also for broadening the defence research and development base of the country.

Releasing the document, Antony said the Policy aims to achieve maximum synergy among the Armed Forces, DPSUs, OFBs and Indian Industry and Research and Development institutions. The Defence Production Policy has been prepared after extensive consultations with various stakeholders such as the three Services, Coast Guard, Integrated Defence Staff, DRDO and Indian Industry Associations – CII, FICCI, and ASSOCHAM etc.

New Delhi — Admiral Vladimir Sergeevich Vysotskiy, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy is visiting India from 17 -19 Jan 11 at the invitation of Admiral Nirmal Verma, Chief of Naval Staff.

A press release issued by the Indian defence ministry said the two Admirals had discussions on issues of common interest ranging from the maritime environment in the IOR, operational philosophies of the two navies, ongoing projects of Indian Navy and mutual training exchanges. Discussions on ongoing projects included detailed deliberations on the training of Indian Naval personnel for the operation of aircraft carrier Vikramaditya, scheduled to commence later this year.

Whilst discussing the maritime environment, specific emphasis was laid on the growing threat of piracy in the IOR and various possibilities for the two navies to co-operate. Other matters discussed included possibilities for instituting Navy-to-Navy interactions with ’staff talks’ and the feasibility of enhancing the scope of the INDRA exercises between the Indian Navy and the Russian Navy.