quadbikeIndia announces first manned space mission
India’s space agency has said it will launch its first manned mission to space in 2016.
A senior official of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) in Bangalore said that two astronauts would take part.
“We are preparing for the manned space flight,” Isro Chairman K Radhakrishnan told reporters.
“We will design and develop the space module for the manned mission in the next four years,” he said.
Observers say India is emerging as a major player in the multi-billion dollar space market.
In September it launched seven satellites in a single mission, nearly a month after the country’s inaugural Moon mission was aborted.
Key architect
Isro says that it will soon shortlist two astronauts to train for the space flight.
The manned mission will cost 124 billion rupees ($2,676,740,597).
Delhi has given its approval for the mission, space officials told the BBC.
India’s space agency is also setting up a full-fledged training facility in Bangalore to train the astronauts.The country’s first unmanned Moon mission, Chandrayaan, was launched last year.
The second unmanned project, Chandrayaan-II, will be launched in the first quarter of 2013 – a prelude to the manned space mission.
India’s first Moon mission had to be terminated because of a failure of critical communication components, but Isro officials termed the mission a success because 95% of the scientific objectives were completed.
India also plans a mission to Mars in 2030.
quadbikeI was about to say I always liked an aircrafts rear, i meant exhaust.
quadbikeThe Indian Air Force Mirage 2000H carries R73E.
quadbikeIndia, South Korea sign accords on space and IT co-operation
New Delhi, Jan 26 (ANI): South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who is on a four-day visit to New Delhi, witnessed the signing of four pacts to enhance co-operation in various programmes related to science and technology along with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
Apart from the signing of these pacts, both Dr Singh and the South Korean President discussed ways to enhance bilateral and regional co-operation, including in areas such as renewable energy, defence and the biotechnology
Both leaders recognised the importance of strengthening co-operation in science and in the peaceful use of outer space
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further peaceful uses of space.
India is regarded as one of the top three space technology leaders in Asia.
The two sides also discussed ways to boost co-operation in the area of civil nuclear energy.
South Korea is a member of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and had supported a waiver for India at a meeting of the 45-nation grouping in September 2008.
Dr Singh said, “There is great admiration in India for rapid progress made by Korea in all fields. The economic growth model followed by Korea has brought unprecedented prosperity to the people of Korea.”
“We would like to learn from Korea as we enhance our own efforts to achieve rapid and inclusive growth in India. We are committed to developing a robust and comprehensive framework for strategic engagement with Korea,” he added.
In August 2009, both countries had signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). (ANI)
quadbikeIndian Army Demands More Missile Regiments
January 26, 2010: The Indian Army is trying to get the government to buy it two more regiments of BrahMos block II missiles. Each regiment would have 61 missiles, 12-24 mobile launchers and two mobile control centers. The new regiments would have a more advanced version of the missile than the existing BrahMos block I regiment (with five mobile launchers). The first regiment cost $83 million. The block II missiles are more accurate and reliable at hitting pinpoint targets (like headquarters or technical installations) in crowded urban environments.
A year ago, the BrahMos block II cruise missile failed its first operational test as a ground launched weapon. The cause was a defective guidance system, which was fixed.
Two years ago, India ordered 800 more of the new PJ-10 BrahMos missiles. The Indian Army plans to buy 80 launchers in the next ten years. Russia has not yet ordered any BrahMos, while India is also working on lighter versions for use by aircraft and submarines. The 3.2 ton BrahMos has a range of 300 kilometers and a 660 pound warhead. Perhaps the most striking characteristic is its high speed, literally faster (at up to 3,000 feet per second) than a rifle bullet. Guidance is GPS or inertial to reach the general area of the target (usually a ship or other small target), then radar that will identify the specific target and hit it. The warhead weighs 660 pounds, and the high speed at impact causes additional damage (because of the weight of the entire missile.)
India and Russia developed the weapon together, and now offer the BrahMos for export. The high price of each missile, about $2-3 million (depending on the version), restricts the number of countries that can afford it. The weapon entered service with the Indian navy in 2005. Different versions of the PJ-10 can be fired from aircraft, ships, ground launchers or submarines. The maximum speed of 3,000 kilometers an hour makes it harder to intercept, and means it takes five minutes or less to reach its target. The air launched version weighs 2.5 tons, the others, three tons or more.
The 9.4 meter (29 foot) long, 670mm diameter missile is an upgraded version of the Russian SS-NX-26 (Yakhont) missile, which was still in development when the Cold War ended in 1991. Lacking money to finish development and begin production, the Russian manufacturer eventually made a deal with India to finish the job. India put up most of the $240 million needed to finally complete two decades of development. The PJ-10 is being built in Russia and India, with the Russians assisting India in setting up manufacturing facilities for cruise missile components. Efforts are being made to export up to 2,000, but no one has placed an order yet. Russia and India are encouraged enough to invest in BrahMos 2, which will use a scramjet, instead of a ramjet, in the second stage. This would double speed, and make the missile much more difficult to defend against.
India indicates it plans to make the missile a major weapon system. The BrahMos can carry a nuclear warhead, but is designed mainly to go after high value targets that require a large warhead and great accuracy. The BrahMos could take out enemy headquarters, or key weapons systems (especially those employing electronic or nuclear weapons.)
quadbikeBeijing unlocks doors for Indian Navy
India and China may eye each other suspiciously along the Line of Actual Control, but Beijing seems eager to unlock the doors to advance maritime cooperation.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) rolled out the red carpet for the current batch of officers attending the prestigious Naval Higher Command Course (NHCC) at the College of Naval Warfare, Karanja (Maharastra).
Perceived to be potential leaders in the Navy’s future hierarchy, the 29 officers were granted access to the PLAN headquarters in Beijing, the Naval Command College in Nanjing and the Shanghai naval base under the East Sea Command during the visit from Jan 15-19.
The PLAN, however, made sure that its indigenous aircraft carrier programme at the Shanghai naval base was kept off-limits for Indian officers. Sources said, “They accepted they were building a carrier but were hush-hush about the details.”
China plans to deploy aircraft carriers as it currently lacks robust blue-water power-projection capability to deploy forces far away from its shores. The Pentagon estimates that the PLAN may not have a domestically produced aircraft carrier before 2015, but China has begun training its future carrier pilots. It may begin operating Varyag — a Russian carrier bought in 1998 — as a training ship in around two years.
Navy sources said, “The PLAN tried to project an image different from popular western perception. But … China is beginning to turn the corner in terms of modernising its navy.”
India is worried about China’s navy modernisation, particularly its presence in high seas surrounding the country.
quadbikeIndian Navy mock drill depicts its prowess along eastern coastline
The hallmark of the exercise was to provide an opportunity for the family members of naval personnel and select civilians to watch manoeuvres of ships at close quarters. They were specially ferried to the INS Jalaswa one of the ships participating in the exercise.
Briefing media persons aboard the ship, Rear Admiral P Murugesan, Flag Officer Commanding of Eastern Fleet, said the exercise was aimed at ensuring battle preparedness of the ships in case of any eventuality.
“To show the naval capabilities, that we are fully ready to address any eventualities as for as the coastal security is concerned. The main aim was that and we have given today a glimpse of various naval activities that we do at the sea, a glimpse that’s what you have seen today. But we much more than what you have seen,” Murugesan added.
Among the various manoeuvres on the high seas was the search and rescue operations conducted by helicopters.
With clear blue skies and calm seas, the 11 warships displayed their maritime prowess.
Manoeuvre of submarines in deep blue sea, followed by jackstay, a seamanship evolution carried out in very close proximity to enable transfer of stores and personnel from one ship to another while moving through the water also lent moments of thrills to the onlookers.
The INS Rajput, INS Rana, INS Jalaswa, INS Kulish, INS Nirbhik, INS Nishank, INS Cheriyam and INS Baratang took part in the exercise apart from Seaward Defence-58 and Fast Attack Craft-84.
The drill concluded with demonstration of Close Range Anti Aircraft (CRAA) firing.
For the family members of the naval personnel, this exercise depicted the life that the naval sailors and officers have to endure at sea, particularly while confronting the enemies.
“By looking at this demonstration we have come to know what all hardships our Indian Navy goes through in order to ensure the safety of people living in the coastal areas. We have seen every thing with our own eyes and I think it’s so much educative and informative for the young children to watch and experience. I am spellbound and lucky to have witnessed the event,” said Neenu, a visitor aboard INS Jalaswa.
After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the Indian Navy and the Indian Coastguard have joined hands to step up coastal security through constant patrolling of the territorial waters. (ANI)
quadbikeIndia to soon test N-capable Agni-III, missile defence system
NEW DELHI: After beginning to base Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets in the North-East, India is now finally gearing up to the China-specific 3,500-km-range Agni-III ballistic missile in February-March.
DRDO scientists are also on course to shortly test their fledgling two-tier ballistic missile defence (BMD), which has been tested three times till now and is designed to track and destroy hostile missiles both inside (endo) and outside (exo) the earth’s atmosphere.
As reported by TOI earlier, the ongoing Phase-I BMD system is geared towards tackling enemy missiles with a 2,000-km range, Phase-II is being designed to intercept incoming missiles in the 5,000-km class range. But it will take some years for the BMD system to become fully operational.
Similarly, Agni-III will be ready only by 2012-2013. The first test of the rail-mobile missile, which is 16.7-metre tall and has a lift-off weight of 50 tonnes, in July 2006 had flopped miserably. But the subsequent two tests, in April 2007 and May 2008, were deemed successful.
Agni-III is crucial since it will provide India with the capability to strike deep into China, bringing cities like Shanghai and Beijing within its potent reach.
India’s most ambitious strategic missile Agni-V, with a 5,000-km range, in turn, will be ready for its first test only by early-2011 or so.
Both Agni-III and Agni-V are primarily designed to bolster India’s “active credible deterrence posture” against China, especially since it has a clear-cut “no-first use” nuclear doctrine.
China’s expanding nuclear and missile arsenal, of course, has even the US worried. The Chinese DF-31A ICBM, with a strike range of 11,270 km, for instance, can target any location in the continental US.
India’s missile programme is rudimentary by these standards, and even lags behind Pakistan in certain aspects. In fact, only the Prithvi (150-350 km) and Agni-I (700-km) missiles, primarily meant for Pakistan, can be said to be fully operational in the armed forces till now.
The Agni-II missile, with a 2,000-km range, failed to meet its laid-down flight parameters in two tests last year. DRDO scientists, however, hold that the tests failed due to manufacturing glitches rather than technological ones. There is need to fine-tune the industry involved in Agni-II’s production to achieve higher efficiency, they say.
quadbikeWhat idiocy. If India is so keen to start a new cold war against a country who’s foreign reserves is greater then India’s GDP and who’s growth rate India has never been able to even match, then more fool you.
Not keen at the moment. Do you think India will stand still and the GDP difference between the two countries will remain the same. You are delusional actually many think that India will come out on top in the long run.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6947567.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8273464.stm
http://www.hvk.org/articles/0703/6.html
(there are more that i can give) India need not overtake china it only needs to have enough wealth to spend a similar amount on defense.
And dependency on foreign technology is a hinderance as much as it is an advantage, but I guess the likes of you are too blinded by nationalism to see it. When the likes of America and China spends on defense, it boosts their domestic economy. When the likes of India spends on defense, it harms the local economy. Even if India is as rich as China, thats a reciepe for disaster.
Actually you say it because of your stereotypical belief of what India does when it purchases foreign equipment. India has a 50% offest clause for imports so half the value of the contracts are to be reinvested in the country. And the domestic defense industry is also making considerable progress offlate. It need not grow as fast as China’s because our armed forces have more choice than to develop its own.
The J10B uses AESA and a Chinese ramjet AAM is in development so thats a transcant advanatge at best.
The real performance of Chinese AAMs and AESA are still a mystery. The Gripen for example uses a revolutionary swashplate design for its AESA I doubt the J 10 B has it.
More blind idiocy and wet dreaming and typical of too many Indians, sadly. :rolleyes:
What I see from you is sheer arrogance and dismissive attitude shown by some Chinese. Especially the government like asking neutral countries not to honour Chinese dissidents, etc. The world is not your backyard not even South Asia is.
India might be growing rapidly, but it has never been able to even match Chinese growth in terms of percentage points or absolute value in modern history. How is that closing the gap in any way shape or form? At best that is limiting the speed China is opening up the gap.
That is the current situation because our idiotic politicians took a decade more than the Chinese ones to introduce liberal policies. But we do have significant advantages in many fields. Have you ever wondered why Intel and other companies have their R&D facilities in India and their manufacturing base in China ?
Any schoolkid knows you don’t go pick a fight with someone who is bigger, stronger and more influential then you, especially when they comprehansively kicked your butt the last time you tried. China has little interest in India and India would do well to keep things that way and look to feeding and educating its starting millions instead of indulging in dillutions of grandure.
Despite its growth China still has many millions who are in poverty (not as much as India and that in itself is a remarkable achievement, but then again the percentage of poor in India at the time of independence was more than that of China after the revolution to begin with). As for your school-kid comment, its an admission that China is a bully & bullies in school always get their ass kicked by smaller kids ganging up on him.
The short term plan for India is to have a minimum credible deterrence against China. It will be achieved by a second strike option (which is only a few years from being operational) using SSBNs and a rapid modernization of the Navy which is going very well.
If you looked at the Indo China border regions you can see its not an open plain where a superior force can have its way. India is developing border infrastructure, constructing and reviving airfields, basing Sukhois etc. in the north east. The recent proposal for FMS procurement for Ultralight Howitzers and RFI for 150-300 light tracked and wheeled tanks (possibly Stryker) are with a view to deter china from a limited war.
The Cold War I was predicting will come much later nearing the 2050s.
quadbikeflirter
quadbikeEquals are called “Threats” and Poodles are called “Friends(Allies)”.
Human equality and by extension Equality of Nations is a purely theoretical concept.
Yes and by your theory North Korea is America’s equal. 😉
quadbikei can only speak for australia/usa, it is very much a 2 way street and both usa has benefited from aussie tech and aussies have benefited from usa tech
we have found them very generous, to the point of even financing our IP that they have liked, which we own and sell, how much better do you want it
Well Europe has a bigger and matured aviation and defense industry than Australia. For Australia to build and market a fighter on its own is next to impossible, in Europe’s case its different. That is why many members here feel they got a rough deal with the F 35, because they could have developed their own equivalent.
Saying that my personal opinion is that they are being a bit paranoid over certain things, after all Western Europe and U.S have been all weather allies since WW2.
quadbikeIndia tests rocket booster for heavier satellites
India successfully conducted the static test of its largest solid booster for launching heavier satellites using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-Mk III), the space agency said Sunday.
“The solid booster (S200) will form the strap—on stage for the GSLV-Mark III, which is in advanced stage of development for launching four—tonne class of communication satellites,” the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement here.
The test was conducted earlier in the day at ISRO’s spaceport (Satish Dhawan Space Centre) at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, about 80 km north-east of Chennai.
The successful test makes S200 the third largest solid booster in the world, next to the reusable solid rocket motor (RSRM) solid booster of Space Shuttle of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and P230 solid booster of Ariane-5 of Arianespace, a launch service and solutions consortium of European countries.
quadbikeIndian Navy commissions six new crafts
The Indian Navy has augmented its fleet of fast attack crafts with the commission of six new ones as part of enhancing coastal security to prevent infiltration of possible terrorists and prevent 26/11 type terror attacks.
The acquisition of six new fast attack craft, which could touch a speed of 70 kmph and the proposed commissioning of 50 to 60 intermediate and small fast crafts to be deployed at various ports along the western and eastern coasts were aimed at
enhancing the coastal security and to augment the Navy’s fleet, Rear Admiral P Murugesan, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, told reporters on board Navy Ship ”INS Jalashwa”.To a question of ‘aging’ ships in the Indian Navy, he said all ships were being maintained well.
”Every year we constantly maintain and upgrade ships and its accessories. Everything is new including, weapons, radars and communication equipment,” he said.
He said the Indian Navy also has the responsibility in safeguarding merchant ships as nearly 90 per cent of India’s export and import was being done through the sea.
Earlier, a contignent of media and the families of naval personnel were shown the wide range of operations carried out by Navy in the sea as part of ”Day at Sea” programme during which naval ships ‘Rajput’, ‘Ranjit’, ‘Rana’, ‘Jalashwa,’ ‘Kulish’, ‘Nirbhik’ and ‘Nishank’ called on at the Chennai Port.
quadbikeIndian Navy’s Foxtrot submarines to be history soon
New Delhi, Jan 24 : They have been of valuable service to the Indian Navy for more than 35 years. The Soviet-built Foxtrot submarines, with which the navy’s submarine arm came into existence, will be history soon with the two remaining submarines of this class being retired by 2011 – bringing an era to an end.
The Russian Navy had retired its last Foxtrots between 1995 and 2001. However, the Indian Navy is still operating two of them – INS Vela, commissioned in 1973, and INS Vagli, commissioned in 1974.
“One of the Foxtrot submarines, INS Vela will be de-commissioned this year. The last one INS Vagli would retire in 2011,” a senior Indian Navy official, wishing anonymity, told IANS.
The Foxtrot class was the NATO’s reporting name of a class of diesel-electric patrol submarines that were built in the Soviet Union. The first of the submarines was laid down in 1957 and commissioned in 1958. By the time the last submarine was completed in 1983, the Foxtrot class had become obsolete.
“The Indian Navy’s submarine arm had begun with the acquisition of four Foxtrot submarines from the Soviet Union. The first four were called Kalvari class submarines. The problems experienced with them were fed back to the design bureaus in Russia.
“Improvements were gradually introduced and we contracted for another four submarines in 1971. These Vela class submarines arrived between 1973 and 1975,” said the official.
According to senior navy officials, out of these eight submarines acquired only two are operational now. The condition of the first four submarines deteriorated fast due to delay in the six-yearly refits.
The Indian Navy lacked the expertise at that time to do the refit. The Russians, because of their own submarine refit workload, were reluctant to accept Indian submarines in their dockyards.
Submariners of the Indian Navy who have operated this vessel feel a sense of nostalgia over the Foxtrots being retired.
“The boats are of German design of World War-II. But the fact that are still able to run it after 35 years of service means that the boats are very good,” anIndian Navy officer, who has commanded INS Vela, told IANS.
Being an older submarine, the vessel had its own problems of space.
“Space is actually a constraint in the older submarines. As the submarines are old, and the equipments are bigger – it increases space constraint. The bunk space is so small that some people had to squeeze to get inside. But we had wonderful camaraderie onboard,” the formersubmarine commander reminisced.
Another navy officer, who commanded the submarine in the 1980s, said: “Well, like in all submarines, fresh water was in very short supply. We used to get half a litre water daily for drinking. There was no question of having a bath or the luxury of using it for other things. But the adrenaline rush of the chosen few who could run the machine kept us going.”
The submarine can be deployed underwater for 45 days at a stretch and surfaces once in a day to replenish oxygen.
One of the de-commissioned submarines of the Foxtrot class has been kept in Visakhapatnam and converted into a Submarine Museum.
“The Submarine Museum is one of its kind in Asia. It is a difficult task to lift a 1,500 tonne submarine and put it on the road,” said another navy official.
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