Defence Aviation News

Air power has played a critical role in the conflicts that have set the Asian political scene since World War II. From the Korean War to the Vietnam Conflict to the several wars between India and Pakistan, air forces have helped tip the strategic balance in war, and frame the terms of peace. But effective air forces need more than flashy fighters. They need transport aircraft that can provide strategic and tactical airlift, and Aerial Early Warning (AEW) planes that can maintain surveillance and control of the sky. They need a defense-industrial base that can keep the warplanes in the air. This article looks at the three most effective air forces in Asia, in the context of their ability to put planes in the sky, to make sure those planes are well flown, and maintain a reliable supply and procurement base.Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) The JASDF was established in 1954 as the air branch of the Japanese Self Defense Force, the quasi-military mandated by the post-W...

India’s Defence minister Manohar Parrikar in recent Television Interview hinted that if MMRCA deal with France does collapse, India will not order Regular Sukhoi-30MKI which are currently manufactured in India but an upgraded version of the Su-30MKI aircrafts . Hints are much clearer now that Parrikar certainly has Plan B and he is not ready to negotiate RFP Clauses with French Company Dassault over Purchase of Rafale Fighter jets. Sources close to idrw.org have hinted that Parrikar is going to push for more Ingeniously upgraded Sukhoi-30MKI with many key Technologies currently been developed in India for Lca Tejas and Tejas MK-2 . “Super 30″  first coined in 2012 was to upgrade Current Su-30MKI fleet with 5th-generation fighter jet technology to keep the jet relevant in Air combat for next two decades, before 5th generation fighter aircrafts like FGFA and AMCA takeover  front line roles in IAF. Original “Super 30″ upgrades proposed to include a new radar probably an AE...

The Sukhoi Design Bureau of Moscow, Russia has developed the Su-47 (previously called the S-37 Berkut or Golden Eagle) fighter aircraft, which first flew in September 1997. Su-47 is in a forward-swept wing configuration and uses a highly unstable triplane (with three main lifting surfaces) aerodynamic configuration. The Su-47 was introduced in January 2000 and completed the first stage of flight trials in December 2001. The aircraft is operated by the Russian Air Force In May 2002, Sukhoi was selected as prime contractor for the next-generation Russian PAK FA fighter programme. The PAK FA fighter aircraft is a development of the Su-47 but without the forward swept wings. The first flight test of the PAK FA fighter aircraft was completed on 29 January 2010. The design of the very high maneuverability prototype is based on the avionics and aerodynamics technologies developed for the Su-27 upgrade programme. Some of the systems and component designs from the Su-27, (the all wea...

Russia and India have completed the preliminary design for the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), the regional director of international cooperation at the united Russian-Indian aircraft manufacturing company said Saturday. “As of now, we and our Indian colleagues have completed the creation of the export version of the [Sukhoi] PAK FA, known in India as FGFA. We already have documents and understanding of the scope of the next phase of design, the scale of future production,” Andrey Marshankin said in an interview with the Russian News Service radio. Marshankin noted that while the Russian version of the fifth generation fighter jet is operated by a single pilot, the Indian Air Force prefers aircraft that are operated by two pilots. “In difficult conditions of modern warfare it is extremely difficult to simultaneously maneuver [the aircraft] and attack the enemy. Currently, the Indian side suggests that the Indian version of the fifth generation f...

It has been repeatedly emphasised by this analyst that the IAF misconceived the MMRCA requirement, disregarded the uncommonly high costs involved in procuring the chosen Rafale and France’s past record of unmet transfer of technology promises, and the Su-30s/MiG-29M2s as sustainable alternative. I also warned that the massive expenditure on the Rafale would starve the indigenous programmes (Tejas and the advanced medium combat aircraft — AMCA) of funds, and stifle the Indian aviation industry trying to get back on its feet. The reasons for the nose-diving deal are many, and they are serious. The unwillingness of Dassault Avions, the Rafale manufacturer, to guarantee the performance of this aircraft produced under licence at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd  despite the original RFP (Request for Proposal) requiring bidders to transfer technology, including production wherewithal, procedures and protocols, to this public sector unit for the aircraft’s local assembly, has been repor...

More than 10,000 lines of unique part numbers, amounting to nearly 75,000 quantities are processed, reconditioned, repaired, overhauled and assembled back on the aircraft during overhauls. BENGALURU: In first overhauled Su-30 MKI (SB 027) aircraft reached the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday. Su-30MKI is currently the backbone of fighter fleet with IAF, has long needed an overhaul. In an official press release issued here, HAL said: "After the overhaul, the Su-30MKI aircraft (SB 027) is ready for IAF's use. The serviceability levels of Su-30 MKI fleet will enhance greatly resulting in strengthening of air defence capabilities." The twin-seater, long range, multi-role, air superiority aircraft are being overhauled at HAL's Nashik facility. More than 10,000 lines of unique part numbers, amounting to nearly 75,000 quantities are processed, reconditioned, repaired, overhauled and assembled back on the aircraft during overhauls. "After successful testing...

A pair of Russian-origin naval MiG-29K fighters will fly overhead US President Barack Obama on the Republic Day, making their maiden appearance on the annual display of India’s military might. The two fighters – the most potent weapons on board aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya – are to leave their home base in Goa shortly to arrive in the North for the practice drill. They will be accompanied by a US-origin P8I maritime surveillance aircraft. The threesome would fly in a “Vic” formation with P8I in the front. This would be the first appearance of naval fighters on the Rajpath in a growing reflection of India’s maritime strength, sources said. Almost three decades back, a young naval aviator Arun Prakash – who rose to become the Navy chief – flew with Sea Harrier jets over the Rajpath as a part of the Beating the Retreat ceremony. That was the last time when naval combat aviation came to the capital. New Delhi purchased 45 naval fighters from Russia to fly from the decks of I...

According to Defense Analysts of reputed Aviation Magazine VayuAerospace, IAF is unlikely to get Futuristic stealth fighter anytime before 2024-2025. Even after visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month Technical and Price differences continue to mar the joint Project with Russia to develop the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA). Russian media house ITAR-TASS in its report recently had informed that Russian air force will start getting first T-50 aircrafts by 2016 and Production variant of Pak-Fa will have its first flight by 2019 and Russian air force will get them by 2023. While IAF is unhappy by lack of access given by Russians on the T-50 Project to them and has also questioned the development of new engines and Avionics suite since Sukhoi is also not sharing any information about their status and technical specifications. Once an agreement is reached by India and Russia. Sukhoi will supply 3 T-50 Prototypes within 5 years timeframe for testing and customi...

The Type 096, China’s third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, has given the PLA Navy the means to strike the continental United States from the Chinese coast for the first time, according to the Singapore-based Lianhe Zaobao. China is estimated to have four Type 094 Jin-class second-generation ballistic missile submarines. Together, those four submarines can carry 48 JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles and 200 nuclear warheads, which is 35% of China’s nuclear arsenal. With an attack range of 6,000 kilometers, the JL-2 missile’s threat to American forces is confined to the Western Pacific. China is developing Type 096 Tang-class ballistic missile submarines to replace the Type 094 by 2020, according to a study from the Moscow-based Russian Military Analyst. By then, the PLA Navy is looking to have at least six Type 094 and Type 096 submarines operational. It will control 80 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with about 300 nuclear warheads. The ne...

India could consider buying more Sukhoi-30 fighters if the $25 billion proposed deal to buy 126 Rafale jets from France collapsed, a top government official said as reported by Hindustan Times. HIS Defence has quoted India’s defence minister Manohar Parrikar as having said at a press conference in New Delhi that negotiations with Dassault over the purchase of 126 Rafale fighters have suffered ‘complications’. Parrikar did not specify these difficulties, but stated that additional Russian licence-built Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole fighters would be “adequate” for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the event of the Rafale deal being scrapped. The Hindustan Times source attributed the delay in the fighter project to France reneging on “key conditions” laid down in the global tender for acquiring the jets. India had selected Rafale fighters over Eurofighter Typhoons in January 2012 after French firm Dassaul...

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday expressed confidence that India and US will be able to sign big defence deals during President Barack Obama’s visit to New Delhi for the Republic Day celebrations. At the Adamya Chetana Seva Utsav here, Parrikar said, “It is quite obvious that defence deals will be finalised during Obama’s visit.” “There are many things on the radar and we are working on the shape and size of these deals. We are facing issues in terms of technology, and these are being tackled. But I cannot divulge further details,” he added. Speaking about the frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the border, Parrikar said the government will not take things lying down. “Whenever there has been a ceasefire violation, we have responded with double vigour. The incident that took place recently was not an infiltration. It was a mere attempt. They attempt to fire at night so that terrorists can sneak in. But we have been alert and have given them a powerful res...

The Pentagon’s fighter jet F-35 may not be fully operational until 2019 due to a newly discovered computer glitch. The $400 billion ultra-sophisticated jet, the most expensive in US history, was expected to enter service in 2015. F-35 is the fifth generation combat aircraft which is designed in three variations for US Air Force, Navy and Marines to replace out of date aircraft. It was planned to join the Marines in 2015 and Air Force in 2016. It is planned to replace the Air Force’s A-10 Warthog ground attack plane and Lockheed F-16 multirole fighter, the Navy instead of Boeing F/A-1 8 Hornet carrier-based fighter, and the Marines instead of Boeing AV-8B Harrier II jump-jet. However, the most awaited plane’s main weapon will not be able to fire due to a computer glitch. The four-barreled rotary cannon for the Air Force version of the F-35 cannot function until new software is elaborated, despite jet scheduled to join the army this year. “There will be no gun until [the Joi...