A question regarding the Il-78’s : Where exactly is the fuel stored inside the aircraft because in the above picture ,it seems they have retained their ramps and are using the aircraft to transport goods and possibly fuel?

Hamburger , which country owns that Mi-24 from the pic you posted ? Superb paintjob!

Yes i am waiting for that India decision. You better read Aviation Week 1994 issue where Russia clearly force down MIG-21 upgrade on India and It is from Indian airforce officials. Same is the case with Tu-142 upgrade. India also got alot of free and discounted suff from Soviets.

Yeah Right ! You really are slow are’nt you ? Do you know that the Soviet Union collapsed ? There are no free meals from Russia nowadays.
Let me say this Again ,India’s purchases arent dictated by a begging bowl or how we orient our Foreign Policy due to outside pressure , it’ with hard cash and India has numerous accounting agencies that keep you on your toes .
CAG for instance.

Wow ! Would like to have the above picture in colour. Any chance ?

I wonder if the “news story” is’nt made up ?

If anyone finds this Pic in colour, please post.
Pic shows a Su-30MKI,Su-30M(?)K and a Singaporean F-16C

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1091589016814

Israel may purchase Indian choppers
Israel is seriously considering procuring Indian helicopters for transporting VIPs as part of the privatization efforts the Defense Ministry is taking to save money.

The Indian-built helicopter was topping the list because it would be seen as part of the reciprocal purchases Israel Aircraft Industries was obligated to make when it sold New Delhi the lucrative Phalcon airborne radar system.

The IAI is offering the Defense Ministry’s procurement and production directorate the Dhruv Advance Light Helicopter to transport senior defense officials and VIPs. The Dhruv is the fruit of a joint project between the Indian Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and IAI’s Lahav division. The chopper is built by HAL and includes an advance avionics suite made by Lahav.

Last month, the Dhruv was revealed in Chile, where four of the helicopters underwent flight tests by the Defense Ministry there. Its avionics give it day/night flight as well as an electronic warfare protection system. It can also be armed with offensive weapons.

Until now, the IAF has had the task of transporting Israeli VIPs, such as the prime minister and other cabinet members, across the country. But the IAF has long pushed to end this arrangement. Defense officials agreed and have decided to seek private options.

At least one Dhruv is being rented by the Defense Ministry for testing with the option of expanding the order, said Defense Ministry spokeswoman Rachel Niedak-Ashkenazi.

“Since IAI and HAL have started a joint company for the marketing of the Dhruv, the option of using their services will be examined on the basis of rental of the services of one helicopter at this stage,” Ashkenazi said.

She said the move was part of the ministry’s examination of ways to cut costs through privatization.

The IAI refused to comment on the matter and referred all calls to the Defense Ministry.
Reports in the Indian media have said that US Customs was also likely to purchase the Dhruv.

http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=820870&fid=942

IAI to transport IDF officers, VIPs for millions of sheke

Israel Aircraft Industries will buy Indian-manufactured ALH Dhruv helicopters for the purpose.

Felix Frisch 3 Aug 04 15:41

Sources inform “Globes” that Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is expected to obtain a contract for helicopter transportation of senior Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officers and some VIPs. The Israel Air Force dispersed its light helicopter squadron a year ago. The contract is estimated at several million shekels per year.
The Ministry of Defense procurement and production directorate is currently negotiating with IAI. IAI plans to buy Indian-manufactured ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Dhruv helicopters for the new mission.

The IAI Lahav plant is a partner in developing an advanced version of the Dhruv, which will be equipped with Israeli avionics. IAI is expected to purchase the helicopters at a low price. IAI is committed to reciprocal procurement in India in exchange for the India’s purchase of the Phalcon early warning airplane, and the helicopters will count as reciprocal procurement.

Various defense industry sources said that IAI was expected to obtain the project without a tender, as part of the distribution of projects to various defense industries.

IAI declined to respond to the report. IAI sources said that negotiations were underway, and details could not be given at this stage.

The Ministry of Defense had not responded to the report, as of web posting.

Published by Globes [online] – http://www.globes.co.il – on August 3, 2004