TeerThe source said the IAF would get 120 Tejas light combat aircraft, another 120 twin-engine mediumweight aircraft to be built in India in collaboration with a foreign manufacturer, and an equal number of single-engine fighter planes. India is currently negotiating a deal with France for buying 36 Rafale fighters and 72 Sukhoi-30 fighters are on order.
So the Tejas order can be doubled and if the Mk2 comes about.
TeerTHAAD has not been offered, nor did India inquire about purchasing the system. There was some interest in the PAC-3, India was briefed on the system and participated in some BMD simulations with U.S. That was as far as it went.
Addition- I don’t believe there is a contract in place for the purchase of the S-400 system by India. There has been talk for the last two years. Anyone know the status of this?
The S-400 has been approved by the DAC – that is the official GOI Defence Acquisitions Council. That means they clear the formal negotiation of terms with the MOD and the vendor/s. So, yes, no contract but formal stated intent to purchase (as versus reports of interest etc). All dependent on funding, which might get eaten up by the Rafale deal.
Right now funding is also being put in place for LRSAM and MRSAM programs – those will be expensive too.
TeerAdd to that the fact that US lost MMRCA race with 2 aircraft F-16 and F-18 were part of race , Israel winning Spike ATGM against US Javelin , India choosing S-400 even though PAC-3/THAAD availabe to them etc …..
Agree.
Yama is right in that India does tend to have its own specific requirements. One of which is local customization or production. US/ FMS deals by virtue of ITAR will be light on those.
BTW S-400 and Spike wont come anytime soon. S-400 because of funding being focused on Rafale for the time being (if it happens), and Spike because Israel wants more for the seeker tech. Its even likely this program may supplant Spike and become the new IA mainstay, over the long run.
http://bdl.ap.nic.in/MediaRelease.pdf
TeerAviation Week on Tejas – courtesy Kartik
India’s troubled little fighter jet Tejas is cruising toward operational service; its first squadron of jets is to be formally commissioned later this year.
Despite the fledgling fighter’s lack of real-world experience, the platform has already elicited interest from potential customers abroad.
Through their foreign offices in New Delhi, Sri Lanka and Egypt are asking for information to support a potential purchase. Sri Lanka recently aborted a plan to acquire JF-17 fighters, designed by China and built by Pakistan. The country has dismissed speculation it was swayed by intense diplomatic pressure from neighboring India, with which it has shared a close but turbulent history. In New Delhi’s strategic circles, the decision appears a tactical victory in efforts to stave off Chinese influence with Indian Ocean nations.
Egypt, traditionally friendly with India, recently signed on for 24 Rafale fighters. Still, Egypt is deeply interested in discussing Tejas as a front-line tactical interceptor, and for training.
These conversations follow Tejas’s international debut at the Bahrain International Airshow in January.
International interest comes as the Indian air force has moved past the program’s developmental difficulties and finally defined its Tejas procurement plan. The service will buy 120 Tejas fighters in a configuration designated the Mk. 1A. The variant includes maintainability improvements such as access to equipment and interchangeable panels; air-to-air refueling capability; an internal radar-warning receiver and external self-protection jammer pod to enhance survivability; an indigenously developed active, electronically scanned array radar and the ability to deploy different types of beyond-visual-range and close-combat air-to-air missiles.
In February, a Tejas limited series platform fired a beyond-visual-range missile—a Rafael Derby—for the first time. And it has already fired the Vympel R-73 close-combat missile. Upcoming trials will test air-to-air refueling and supersonic flight with drop tanks.
India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), which builds Tejas, plans to ramp up production to 16 or more aircraft a year from nine.
The company says its primary commitment is to the Indian air force, for now. “The [ministry of defense] has cleared an extensive marketing campaign for the Tejas to potential customers abroad,” says a senior HAL official. “There will be significant activity toward that end this year and the next.”
The service flew a Tejas at its recent Iron Fist 2016 firepower demonstration in the country’s western desert ranges, a display ritual to which ambassadors and foreign diplomats are invited. This year, Tejas flaunted a precision bombing mission to underscore an important step forward in its capability.
While HAL now has firm orders for 120 Tejas Mk. 1A jets, it has not committed to the Mk. 2 platform already under development. The Mk. 2 program will continue even without firm orders: It has financial sanction from the government, says a senior officer at the Aeronautical Development Agency, which is developing the Tejas.
Ultimately, the air force is likely to buy the improved Mk. 2 version, which promises at least on paper to address service complaints with the original type.
“The [Indian air force] needs light tactical fighters. Nearly 200 MiG-21 jets still in service will be gone in the next few years,” says the officer. “There is a big void to fill. And it can’t do that with more heavy jets.”
HAL is in parallel discussions with Sweden’s Saab to sign it up as technology partner for the Mk. 2 version of Tejas. The improvement centers around the replacement of the existing GE F414 engine with one offering a wider operational envelope—including an increase in aircraft thrust-to-weight ratio, initial rate of climb and maximum speed, apart from an entirely new suite of sensors.
While Saab has expressed interest in the past in collaborating on the Tejas program, it has separately offered to build its new-generation Gripen NG in India under the “Make in India” manufacturing initiative that seeks to incentivize local production.
TeerManohar Parrikar, the Defence Minister who cries Rafale: “The Rafale is coming !! The Rafale is coming !! The Rafale is coming soooooo~~~~n this June !!!”
I suspect Indian citizens will be more than happy even if Parrikar gives a statement on the Rafale every month (or not) but fixes the basic issues he seems focused on (which is a big step up from previous DMs). Namely
1. Serviceability of existing equipment in Indian service (Su-30s, ammunition stocks)
2. Fillip to Indian programs which were stuck due to deliberate disinterest (Tejas etc)
3. Continued focus on transparency in acquisition & getting India the best deal (if that mean’s no Rafale, but more Tejas and Su-30, so be it).
TeerIncorrect, M777 was still in production for US services when the Indian acquisition project was started and was for many years thereafter.
The point is that there is nothing in history of Indian acquisition projects to suggest that any prospective F-16 or F/A-18 project would go smoother. They might just as well be unhappy about the cost there too.
Yama, the present Indian Govt is very wary about some of the deals signed by the previous UPA. That is the reason the Rafale deal was dropped and then renegotiated to 36 and a new framework sought. That may or may not apply to any new deal. Fundamentally, in the past 8 years (before the current Indian Govt was elected), corruption in India went way way out of control.
All those interested
I would encourage people to read through these three links to understand the basic issues underlying what GOI had become & what its being brought out of. These issues are directly linked to arms procurement.
Read this first link to get the scale of the issue and the uphill struggle current admin has in kicking out entrenched players.
Transfer-posting raj ends
How the PMO dismantled the sleazy nexus of power, cash and influence at the heart of the Delhi Durbar.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/transfer-posting-raj-ends/1/531599.html
Transfer-posting raj ends
How the PMO dismantled the sleazy nexus of power, cash and influence at the heart of the Delhi Durbar.November 25, 2015 |
A little over a year ago, the marbled lobbies of five-star hotels and colonial clubs in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi buzzed with businessmen eyeing government contracts, liaison men dangling favours, and government servants seeking lucrative postings. A cozy nexus of cash, influence and favours that greased the wheels which ran India’s capital. Today, these antechambers to the erstwhile Delhi Durbar have fallen silent, the result of a clean-up by the Narendra Modi government and the setting up of a new mechanism in the top bureaucracy to eliminate nepotism and bring in honest bureaucrats. This new system, insiders say, has posted nearly 450 joint secretaries, additional secretaries, secretaries to ministries and government departments, and around 300 officers in banks and public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the past 18 months. The only two criteria for selecting officials, according to PMO officials, are honesty and efficiency
Modi runs the most powerful, centralised PMO in decades. His government has reshuffled the bureaucracy three times in the past 18 months, fired the foreign and home secretaries, and shifted out a second home secretary. Ministers can no longer pick and choose their bureaucrats. That task is done by the PMO.
This is why Vinod Rai, former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, calls the new system “exemplary”. “The earlier practice of allowing ministers to choose their key officials, in fact, destroyed the civil services because it led to massive lobbying at the ministerial level for extraneous considerations,” he says.
Vinod Rai, for those (understandably) not familiar with India – is the former CAG who exposed the previous Govt’s scams, withstanding extreme pressure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinod_Rai
Manohar Parrikar, the current Defence Minister interview.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/manohar-parrikar-agustawestland-bjp-two-years-anniversary-rafale-deal-defence-minister-defence-procurement-2815916/
When you were assigned this job, did the PM give you any framework?
Yes, general discussions did take place. Definitely, one was that defence deals mein kafi garbadi hoti hai [a lot of corruption takes place in defence deals], so work out a team and develop preparedness, and other issues.
For 10 years we saw a frustratingly complex and slow-moving weapons buying system. We haven’t seen much of a difference in the last two years. How can you say that Antony was honest but an output was absent?
You are talking like this because you don’t know figures of acquisition. For example, the CAG 2013 report says most of the ammunition stock in India has gone down below critical level. Now, out of 170 only 38 items are insufficient, but in the coming months only 21 items will be below critical level… The output of the ordnance factory has improved for the first time by 17 per cent. It was stagnant for four to five years and hovering around Rs 10,000 to Rs 11,000 crore… Ammunition expenses were around Rs 4,500 crore in 2013-14 but have now reached Rs 6,800 crore, increased by 50 per cent. What I am trying to point out is that if you go case by case, things are moving up. Two, all PSUs and ordnance factories have shown a increase in turnover from around Rs 43,000 crore to Rs 51,000 crore, around a 20-per-cent growth. Three, in aviation Tejas has been inducted, a second Tejas delivered, the third will be delivered in June, and in July or August the first squadron will be formed.
But, then, ADA and HAL [Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ] weren’t delivering the final version of Tejas.
That is what leadership is all about. I ensured that ADA delivers what the Air Force wanted. I had 18 meetings with them, we sorted it out. Finally, the Air Force says it will buy 120 Tejas aircraft… We are offering to friendly countries and we may start exporting also. Tejas aircraft were made and dumped, I made it operational. Basically, what I want to say is that there was a mess created over a period of 10 years due to no decisions. Now decisions are being made and its impact will be felt as the days pass. Whether it’s intelligence or counter-insurgency, whether decisions are about equipment supplies to armed forces, we are taking decisions. In the last two years we have finalised contracts for almost Rs 1.15 lakh crore. But, what is more important is that contracts for another Rs 1.15 lakh crore are in the pipeline. We have brought it near a conclusion. In another one or two years, we will sign those contracts. What is needed is to look at the total impact of ten years of the UPA government. They could mainly procure government-to-government sales from the US. For 36 years there was no gun prepared for India. I am pleased to tell you that the Dhanush trial has been successfully done in the desert. There will be one more final desert trial and even a cold weather trial. By the year-end we will start manufacturing the gun, which will be better than Bofors. The original technology was transferred from Bofors but we have indigenously developed it and the Ordnance Factory Board, Kanpur and Jabalpur, will manufacture it. By August or September we will finalise an order for Vajra (self-propelled Howitzer gun) to the private sector. First time in 36 years, decisions on guns, tanks and aircrafts are being taken in the ministry.
So artificial needs were created due to a deliberate absence of decision making and hence the push for imports.
After all, if there was no Tejas or shortage of ammo (even if local production capability lay idle or could have been modernized), then the rush for an aircraft or ammo imports is always very important.
I can quote a 100 more reports but bottomline, this current admin will NOT be forced into willy nilly imports because of arms vendors using their “contacts”.
TeerISanctioning a gap-filler Rafale purchase was an entirely discretionary decision made by Modi, bypassing the MoD. And if a contract does end up being signed, the credit or blame (depending on how one views it) lies primarily with the PM
This is a complete fallacious argument.
Before visiting France Modi was briefed by Parrikar. He clearly took the decision with the MOD in full confidence and attempted to meet both the IAF’s demand for the Rafale in urgency as well as the MOD’s concerns about the flawed earlier deal in tandem by attempting to have the French Govt work with GOI for a new revised deal.
Claiming that the contract is entirely due to the PM when he has given full carte blanche to the MOD to negotiate the deal is also not factual.
The PM is doing what the PM is meant to do, intervene at the highest levels and attempt to have a partly political solution to serious issues. The details are left to the concerned officials. If it doesn’t work out, that can happen too but he doing what Parrikar was clearly informed about and was aware of.
TeerJ-10s probably would have been quite a bit more expensive than JF-17s, and China may not have been willing to sell J-10As in the same timespan that PAF may have required JF-17s.
Did Pakistan try though?
I think buying JF-17s en masse and investing to upgrade them with better avionics is the best way to go. Even if China’s not willing to sell its best targeting pods or export a JF-17 sized AESA they can try with a European alternative instead.
Its the only option left now.
Even with J-10s, the Chinese military seems to be uninterested in using it as a true multirole platform and content with using it as an A2A platform primarily, so PAF would probably have to fork out quite a bit of money for integrating precision A2G capabilities on any J-10s themselves.
I thought the PAF was putting LGBs and all sorts of A2G kits on J-10s? Why would they use it as A2A when they have the J-11?
TeerI think what the PAF has done over the years is outstanding with in the most part good leadership. this is shown in the upgrade of the J-7 fleet the ROSE upgrade of the Mirage 111/5 fleet and the JF-17 project which now has block 2 airframes coming off the line and block 3 on the drawing board. It also looks like the PAF is putting the tried and tested program it used on the Mirage fleet on to the F-16 picking up airframes when it can and upgrading them
Question though is how much of that Mirage fleet is even serviceable today? And would PAF not have been better off investing in the more capable J-10? At the end of the day, its assembling the JF-17 locally from Chinese kits with some local input in airframe and other assembly to pick up over time. They could have done the same for the J-10 and a 100+ J-10 fleet would have surely been a much better force.
TeerYes, Pakistan has done a great job of getting the most from its money. Scouring the world for retired Mirage III/Vs for spares, for example, has been very cost-effective.
Which is nothing but obsolescence management. IAF did the same for MiG-21/23 spares (the ones it didn/t make inhouse), USMC for Harriers and so forth.
TeerWe can debate all we like but the real outcome can be very different so no point in wasting time on this, one thing is clear that given the massive increase in capabilities on both sides (AEW, BVR, AAR) its not going to be a cakewalk.
A rational reply, which I agree with as versus “Even with Baraks IN will not be risking their principal assets atleast 300-400km from Pakistani coast. ” which was way over the top, and which began the exchange.
Teerholy hell, $6 billion for 5 sams
Those 5 systems are probably large units with many batteries. TR1 might have more details.
Lemanskiy et al describe the system composition as four core components:
The 30K6E battle management system, comprising the 55K6E Command Post and 91N6E Big Bird acquisition radar;
Up to six 98Zh6E Fire Units, each comprising a 92N6E Grave Stone “multimode” engagement radar, up to twelve 5P85SE2 / 5P85TE2 TELs, each TEL armed with up to four 48N6E2/E3 missiles;
A complement of SAM rounds, comprising arbitrary mixes of the 48N6E, 48N6E2 and 48N6E3;
The 30Ts6E logistical support system, comprising missile storage, test and maintenance equipments.
http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-S-400-Triumf.html#mozTocId422270
So that’s up to 3000 missiles (assuming at least one set of reloads, if not more), 5 Big Bird radars, 30 Grave Stone radars, 240 TELs.
I do hope the price includes a full service contract (hitherto a weak point of our deals) and also some of the more advanced Nebo series anti-stealth radars.
TeerThe SAM and radar sensor network of the IAF has seen a huge change over the past few years. Confirmed orders at this point.
SAMs
MANPADS:
SA-7/Igla
Trials underway for replacement. Mistral vs Korean Manpads vs Igla-S vs RBS-70NG
Close range
Current: OSA-AKM
On order, in delivery: 8 Units SpyDer
Future: Local QRSAM thereafter (in development) or IAF variant of MBDA-DRDO SRSAM (basically VLMica + Indian radars & C3I)
Medium-Long range
Current: SA-3 Pechora, 30km
On order: Akash, 30km – 15 squadrons (comes with 200km surveillance radar & fire control radars)
On order: MRSAM, 70km – 9 squadrons (comes with EL/M-2084 radar variant)
Future: Akash Mk2 in development. Expected to be 50km class & MRSAM judging by Indian Navy details likely to be actually 100km.
VL SAMs
S-400 program (5 “systems”)
Local VLSAM in development (formal approval unknown)
C3I: IACCS (Integrated Air Command & Control system). Key nodes opposite Pakistan and China completed. Next phase cleared for rest of India.
New fiber optic network to network all bases completed, use.
Radars:
On order:
Indian
38 DRDO 3D Surveillance radars (150km range)
21 DRDO 3D lightweight radars (AESA, 60km)
In development/trials
8 3D Medium Power Radars (AESA, 300km range)
19 3D Low Level Radars v2 (AESA, 150km)
Imports
18 EL/M-2084 MPRs (AESA, 300km)
19 Thales GSM-100 LLRs (AESA, 150km)
~19 Elta LLWRs (60km)
AWACS
3 Phalcons (2 more on order)
2 DRDO AEW&C (1 more to be used as testbed).
So while the aircraft situation with the Rafale fracas is a challenge, the IAF has done well for itself viz its other modernization programs.
Similarly, Indian Army:
Manpads:
Same as above
Radars:
Indian
29 DRDO 3D Surveillance radars
18 DRDO 2D lightweight surveillance radars
SAMS
Manpads: SA-7
Trials in progress.
SA-8 variants. Tungushka. Schilkas (being modernised)
QRSAM or the new SAM mentioned below a replacement
IA operates a huge number of Flycatcher, Reporter radars and L-70, ZSU-23 guns as well. Programs underway to replace, upgrade those.
Medium Range
Current: 2SA-6 Kvadrat Missile Groups
2 Akash regiments to replace above w/strike corps. Kvadrat units go to other
RFP for high mobility SAMs – probably Tor is the only one that meets their requirement. If IA compromises, SpyDer is a possibility.
Longer Range
IA version of IAF MRSAM likely (70-100km range)
C3I:
ADC&RS system
Teerhttp://sputniknews.com/asia/20160510/1039377247/india-russia-s400-triumf.html
S400 coming to India in 2017-2022: Parrikar
NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — The Indian Air Force plans to introduce Russian S-400 Triumf Missile System to its military arsenal next year. The cost of the deal has not been divulged by India but according to other sources, India is likely to pay approximately USD 6 billion for five S400 units.
Expressing enthusiasm over the performance of the S-400 Triumf Missile System, Parrikar said in Parliament today that the S-400 has better performance parameters compared to the S-300 in many respects, such as maximum and minimum target engagement range, minimum target engagement altitude, and maximum speed of target engaged. Parrikar also said that the S-400 is better in terms of the number of targets and maximum radar cross-section of targets engaged simultaneously as compared to the S-300. It also takes less deployment time as compared to the S-300.
India’s Defense Acquisition Council approved the purchase of the S-400 Triumf Missile Systems along with associated equipment and missiles from Russia. According to the Defense Minister, a separate contract has been signed for the supply of five Full Mission Simulators for SU-30 MKI aircraft with a Russian firm during 2015-16.
TeerIndian Army rejects homegrown missile in blow to ‘Make in India’
There is a good reason why some Indian defence journalists are considered to be the nadir of stupidity, going by the hyperbolic report the above “article” is based on.
Some random security analyst is trotted out to make stupid soundbytes.. and some whoppers are included in the article (Navy doesn’t want Akash because of stabilization problems.. when the Akash was never planned for the Navy in the first place ; the Navy has had its own 70km (>2x the Akash range) LRSAM)
For instance, take the political slant above – “Indian Army rejects missile… bla bla…blow to Make in India”.
Running down successful programs, local efforts, anything is ok to score a few points for their political masters (the current Indian opposition, who ruled the country for 60 odd years and are in the doghouse, but their poodles are still barking on their behalf..) and vested vendors.
Make in India is a flagship program of the current Govt so its every success like the Akash (http://asian-defence-news.blogspot.in/2015/08/india-to-buy-seven-squadrons-of-akash.html) has to be disparaged.
If the idiots did a modicum of research, they would have known the reality. But even if they did, would they report it?
Here’s the reality.
1.Akash stands at a 15 squadron order for the IAF, with 7 ordered just this year – some blow to Make in India indeed. Effectively doubling its order book.
MOD Annual Report, 2015:
During the year, DAC approvals has been accorded for six BrahMos systems and 89 missiles for Delhi and Talwar Class ships; additional 7 squadrons (14 firing units) of indigenous
Akash Missile System for IAF;
2.The Indian Army ordered two regiments for its larger units but also wanted a more mobile unit. Those orders remain and are equivalent to around 8 IAF squadrons. Some blow to Make in India.
3.Since the Indian Army requirements were known a long time back, the DRDO already launched a new program called the QRSAM (Quick Reaction SAM) specifically for the Indian Army, which has advanced fairly fast & even the MOU with the production agency has been signed already.
All these so called journalists had to do, was visit the DRDO site itself and see this:
http://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/npc/2016/may/din-01May2016.pdf
The Hans India
01 May, 2016
BDL and DRDO sign MoU for Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Defence Research and Developm
ent Organization (DRDO)
have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Joint Development and Production of the
indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM).
The missile will be designed and developed by DRDO and will be
manufactured by BDL, the Ministry of Defence nominated Production Agency, for supply to
the Indian Army. The MoU was signed by Shri V. Udaya Bhaskar, CMD, BDL and Dr K.
Jayaraman, Director, DRDL on 29 April 2016 at DRDL. Directors and Senior officials from BDL and DRDO were
present on the occasion. QRSAM has an advanced RF seeker with multiple target handling
capability. It is canister launched and has a range upto 30 kms.The Hindu
01 May, 2016
BDL, DRDO to produce missile
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint development and production of the
indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM).
The missile will be designed and developed by DRDO and will be manufactured by BDL, the
Ministry of Defence nominated production agency, for supply to the Indian Army.
The MoU was signed by V. Udaya Bhaskar, BDL Chairman and Managing Director, and K.
Jayaraman, Director of DRDL, on Friday at DRDL. QRSAM has an advanced RF seeker with multiple target handling capability. It is canister launched
and has a range up to 30 km, according to a DRDL press release.
If these were real journalists, they could have correlated it to the MOD Annual Report, which details the progress with the QRSAM program including its radar work.
Or the fact that DRDO is contacting its suppliers for a 100 unit missile production run for testing.
Since the development has reached a fairly advanced stage, a MoU with BDL has been signed for production beyond the LSP runs at DRDO
Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile
(QRSAM): QRSAM weapon system is capable of search on move, track on move and fire on
short halts while engaging multiple targets at ranges of about 30 km with two vehicle
configuration for Area Air Defence. System design has been completed and most of the
sub-systems including X-Band Quad Transmit Receive Modules (QTRMs), Two Way Data
Link (TWDL) onboard segment etc. are under realization. Missile configuration has been
finalized.
The QRSAM was noted, way back. Even in March this year an update was provided. In all likelihood, the QRSAM is a modified Astra AAM, the same way the US modified its AMRAAMs for the GBAD role.
But suddenly, moment Akash gets follow on orders from AF, negative reports about the Army have to emerge. Note no mention of the order book being doubled from IAF end at all.
Yet there is only mention of the SpyDer – no mention of the fact that it has issues with mobility trials & also, the QRSAM is not mentioned.
But this is the reality of Indian defense journalism, corrupt, lazy and compromised. Acting as agents for shady wheeler dealers always out to run down local programs and push for imports.
AgustaWestland exposes a severely compromised media
When the full details of this case emerge, some well-known bylines will have nowhere to hide.Co-option of journalists occurs in several ways. Individual journalists in the AgustaWestland case, for example, wrote favourable stories on the helicopter deal.
Middleman Christian Michel, now a fugitive from justice, had been given a six-million-euro (Rs 45 crore) budget to “manage the media”.
The money was well spent. Between 2010 and 2013, few critical articles appeared on the AgustaWestland deal, though a large dark cloud of scandal hung over it. The irregularities leading up to signing the contract have been spelled out in detail in the verdict delivered by the Italian court of appeal. The staggering level of corruption in the deal, with kickbacks estimated at 30 million euros (Rs 225 core), would not have gone unnoticed had the media done its job. It didn’t
.
So, pretending the Akash has somehow failed (it hasn’t – its orders have doubled thanks to the IAF in particular) & the decision makers now need to rush for the next magical import, has significant benefits for some Indian “journalists”.
Here is what really happened with the Akash.
The IAF/IA/IN are creating a ring of systems.
The close in was Gecko/next SA-6 or equivalents for IA/Pechora for IAF. Its being replaced with a mix of systems.
1. Akash secured a whopping order book, putting a spoke in the plans of many vendors to get large deals in India. Akash is 25km range & replaces Kvadrat in IAF & Pechora units in IAF. Not planned for Navy.
http://tarmak007.blogspot.in/2011/12/happy-hours-2500-missiles-112-launchers.html
HAPPY HOURS: 2,500 missiles, 112 launchers, 28 MPARs & 100 3-D CARs
That’s the first tranche of orders with around 128 radars (28 fire control and around 100 surveillance).
2. IAF in particular has liked it so much that it has doubled it order (8 squadrons to 15). That means add around 50% to the missiles and radars above.
Akash was a unique development specifically for the IA/IAF wherein they mixed and matched long range systems (to compensate for the lack of existing radars and sensors in IA/IAF) with equivalents to existing missiles in terms of range performance (~30km). So you have a huge setup wherein 200km range radars and complex C3I management goes along with what would otherwise be a short-medium ranged system.
Since then, the situation has changed as Indian Air Force feels that its requirements could be met by indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile weapon system.
The IAF went ahead with its Akash.
http://asian-defence-news.blogspot.in/2015/08/india-to-buy-seven-squadrons-of-akash.html
An air force plan to induct seven squadrons of the Akash anti-air missile systems has been cleared at several levels and is likely to get a final approval from the high-powered defence acquisition committee shortly, sources told ET. Fourteen firing units of the missile will be bought for the seven squadrons.While state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd will be given the main contract under a ‘repeat order’ – the air force has already contracted for eight squadrons of the missile systems out of which two have been inducted – the major system providers include Electronics Corporation of India, Hindustan Aeronautics, Tata Power SED and L&T, defence ministry officials said.
3. Akash replaces existing two SA-6 Missile Groups of IA as planned.
IA comes up with new strategy, highly mobile fast moving units aka Cold Start – no more large Strike Corps. Hence less capable (ie radar footprint, power etc) system is ok since coverage has to be for smaller groups.
But mobility paramount, in other words high power long range surveillance radars will no longer be required (are part of Akash) but mostly a vehicle based single system (think Tor).
QRSAM program launched and is now at an advanced stage of development.
The QRSAM is expected to be the long term answer for SHORADs for the AF, Army and even the Navy.
Pros: Active seeker, more mobile, distributed TELARs likely
Cons: Less powerful radars & coverage, more expensive missile rounds
4. The Indian Navy has argued that its needs are specific & it want’s its own program as quickly as possible.
The oft quoted argument that one can make a naval system suitable for land ops but not necessarily the other way around since it can be more difficult. They have the SRSAM program. Basically VL Mica with Indian radars and C3I.
However, the QRSAM will also be available for evaluation later and may supplant the SRSAM.
5. The Akash Mk2 program has also been launched given success of Akash and will follow the Akash in production. This doubles its coverage and the range is expected to be around 50km in between the QRSAM/Akash (30km) and LR/MRSAM (70km).
6. LR/MRSAM – basically whose export variant is known as the Barak-8, is set to go into production. Again, Naval system first, adapted for the AF.
Initial orders for AF version are 9 squadrons.
http://tarmak007.blogspot.in/2011/12/mrsam-india-israel-developing-450.html
Most IN large ships will carry the system. Range increase from 70km to 100km demonstrated, which will presumably benefit the AF as well.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/long-range-missile-in-the-halo-of-its-success-navy-to-arm-23-top-warships/1/559243.html
7. Long range SAM. A local one is in initial stages of development, but reports note the S-400 has been cleared for acquisition.
…..
In short, there is a lot of complexity to the topic with technical choices for each service driving procurement decisions as versus one size fits all. The media however, in its quest for salacious bylines, is not averse to cooking up claims.
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