GAGAN to be operational by middle of next year.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/all-7-irnss-satellites-to-be-in-orbit-by-march-2016-isro/articleshow/49271801.cms
All satellites to be put in orbit by March.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Isros-desi-GPS-system-is-here/articleshow/49264167.cms

System to be operational by July next year.

Regarding plans for additional Il-76/Phalcon AEW birds, how does this mesh with production & service plans for both DRDO’s existing ERJ 145-based AEW platform and the recently tendered A330-based program? Do additional Phalcons mean backtracking on the plan to put the smaller ERJ 145 AEW into production/service? Alternatively, does it mean the A330 program will be kicked further down the road? Or is everything going ahead and IAF to end up with 20+ AEW birds?

Q. What’s been the progress on the Air Force’s requirement for more AWACS, beyond the three that you already have mounted on the IL-76 platform? What is your assessment on the requirement for such platforms, including the AEW&CS for the Indian Air Force? Do you foresee the use of more Aerostats and such airborne radars in ISR roles and what could be your ISR platforms requirement, say in 2030?

A. We have already inducted three IL-76 based AWACS and are in the process of procuring another two. The Embraer based AEW&C aircraft is nearing completion of its flight testing. The indigenous AWACS programme, AWACS (India), is currently at contract negotiation stage. We had inducted two Aerostat systems in May 2002. A case is being processed to procure additional Aerostats.

http://armingindia.com/Defense%20Space%20Agency%20Coming%20Up%20As%20An%20Interim%20Before%20Aerospace%20Command%20ACM%20Arup%20Raha.htm

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/4-More-French-Submarines-to-Meet-Indian-Navy%E2%80%99s-Requirement/2015/10/06/article3064871.ece

4 more scorpenes likely.

Also, old news, but HAL wants private sector to take up assembly, sales & servicing of the Dhruv Mark III.
http://www.aame.in/2015/09/hal-looks-to-private-sector-for-alh.html

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iafs-su-30-fighter-pilots-gear-up-for-installation-of-game-changer-brahmos-missiles/articleshow/49196212.cms

Su-30Mki shall finally begin flight testing with Brahmos next month.

The first test, a dead weight one, of the BrahMos integrated Sukhoi is likely to take place early next month or even this month-end.

The second test will be by firing a dummy missile while the third and fourth stages of testing will be with actual missile, but without the 200 kg warhead to validate the guidance system and accuracy. Two Sukhois will be used for the tests which will be completed in the next one year.

The fourth generation Sukhois were inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2002 and is the frontline fighter aircraft of the country. But the DRDO, HAL (the production agency) and the Sukhoi Design Bureau in Russia are working together on ‘Super 30’ Project.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/govt-okays-technological-leap-for-iaf/136886.html

11 Aerostat radars confirmed in IAF service. Also-

The IAF now has all-weather low- and medium-level airspace surveillance for this 67 new low-level air transportable radars (LLTR) are being added in phases. New -generation S-band long-range surveillance radars (LRSR) will be mated with the IACCCS and IAF now has 11 of the Israel’s ELTA -built L-band ‘Airstar’ aerostat-mounted high-power radars (HPR).

Also the added advantage will be the integration of Airborne Warning & Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft — a rotodome platform from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) fitted onto the Russian transporter the IL-76. The plane, once airborne, can beam in pictures and videos of any troop build up or aircraft movement besides being able to pick up airborne threats 1000 kms away.

Three such planes have been delivered; two more are in the pipeline and the IAF wants another five. The software of the onboard systems has already been mated to the IACCS as well as other aircraft and aerostats. The IACCS will also be mated with aerial reconnaissance pods procured from Israel.

IAF wants another 5 Phalcon AWACS.

LCH looks much better with different paintjob!

I am unclear on the relationship between LCH and the “Rudra” variant of Dhruv. Are they intended to serve different roles? Was Rudra a backup in case LCH was delayed or otherwise didn’t work out?

LCH for strike corps, Rudra for pivot corps.

http://www.oneindia.com/india/lch-becomes-first-attack-helicopter-to-land-at-siachen-1857693.html

LCH undergoes testing at Forward Landing Base at Siachen, highest for any attack helicopter. IOC is close now. Weapons trials in 2016.