MunsJANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY – SEPTEMBER 13, 2006
India cuts aircraft crash rate
Rahul Bedi JDW Correspondent
New Delhi
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) accident rate, among the world’s highest for more than three decades, has dropped to its lowest ever level.
The rate for April to August was 91 per cent lower than for the corresponding period 12 months earlier.
IAF officials said the dramatic reduction in accidents, mostly involving combat aircraft, was achieved through modifying the pilot training syllabus, increased use of simulators, stricter supervision by instructing staff and enhanced accountability.
The IAF operates 26 different types of aircraft and senior officers said closer co-operation with manufacturers to overcome “technical deficiencies” – especially in fighters such as Russian Aircraft Corporation (RSK) MiG MiG-21s, MiG-23s and MiG-27s – had also helped contain accidents. According to an IAF analysis, 41 per cent of the accidents over the past three decades were due to technical defects, 40 per cent were due to human error, 9 per cent were caused by bird strike and 10 per cent had other causes. Since 1 April, the IAF has recorded only a single Category One accident: a MiG-29 multirole fighter aircraft crashed near Jamnagar in western India on 8 June. In Financial Year 2005 the IAF lost four MiG-21s, two SEPECAT Jaguar IM maritime attack aircraft, one Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter, one BAE Systems Canberra reconnaissance aircraft and one HAL HJT-16 Kiran trainer.
Between 1971 and 2004 the IAF recorded 700 crashes, or nearly 39 squadrons, which is equivalent to its entire strength today. Around 180 pilots and scores of civilians lost their lives in the crashes, 300 of which involved the IAF’s 793 MiG-21 fighter variants, which first entered service in 1963.
During this period, the IAF averaged 1.09 accidents per 10,000 flying hours, which in turn equalled an annual attrition rate of 23 aircraft and 10-14 pilots.
Air Marshal P S Aluwalia, the IAF’s outgoing director general (inspection and safety), said the improved accident rate between April and August, however, averaged a mere 0.01 accidents per 10,000 flying hours.
MunsIndia to Modernize Russian MiG-29 Fighters Under $250M Deal
Under the deal Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will make 120 RD-33 series 3 jet engines at its Koraput plant. The engines will then be used to upgrade the MiG-29 fighters, which are currently being used by the Indian Air Force.
This deal will help HAL master the assembly of next generation jet engines, including RD-33MK (Sea Wasp) engines for deck based MiG-29K naval fighters.
Later this month MiG Corporation will sign $1 billion deal with India for modernization and upgrade of 66 MiG-29 fighters in service with the Indian Air Force.
Munsby Roy Cochrun
ROY’S RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT RESOURCE
The Long Creeping Out of the “Sea Dragon”
India is examining alternative proposals for basic patrol airplanes
In September 2001, Russia and India signed a contract worth 250 million dollars for the upgrade of five basic Il-38 patrol airplanes into the Il-38SD variant ((suffix in Latin letters)) (with the “Sea Dragon” aircraft search and targeting complex.) According to reports of the information agencies, transfer to the customer of the first IL-38SD had been planned before the end of 2003. Now they are calling the second half of 2005 as the approximate period for dispatching the first two Il-38SD.
The basic patrol airplanes are the “eyes and ears” of the military sailors. Because of delays with the realization of the Il-38 upgrade project, the Indian navy has remained “blind” and “deaf” for several years. What decisions will the customer make, having restored “hearing” and “sight”?
It is possible, instead of upgrade of the Tu-142MKEh, by analogy with the Il-38, the Indians will prefer to purchase P-3C Orion ((in English)) airplanes in the U.S.A. In meetings with Indian journalists, India’s naval chief of staff, Admiral Arun Prakash ((phonetic)) named the “Orion” as a “strong pretender for the role of a large basic airplane for Indian naval aviation.”
Right now, when the Il-38SD, by all appearances, has come about and soon will enter India’s 315th navy aviation squadron, it is seems to be appropriate to look into the situation. In order avoid a repeat of the unpleasantness, it is necessary to draw the correct conclusions on the basis of the completed and on-going projects.
India’s navy occupies a special place in the structure of the armed forces. Very likely, India has the most powerful naval forces among the states of the Asian and Pacific Ocean region. Included are aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, corvettes and submarines of European, Soviet and their own construction. The country is involved with the creation of its own aircraft carriers and atomic submarines which are called upon to replace the English and Soviet analogs.
The aerial reconnaissance and observation missions, and also antisubmarine operations in open sea, have been entrusted to the Soviet built Tu-142MKEh and Il-38 airplanes. Lightweight German Dornier 228 ((in English)) aircraft bear patrol of coastal waters and maritime boundaries.
No problems have been noted with the latter. India has extended contracts for the licensed assembly of Dornier airplanes at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ((in English)) facilities. There is a tender at the present time for a new lightweight patrol airplane. Among the aspirants are the An-140MP, ATR-42MP ((in English)), C-235/295 FIT ((Latin letters)), and also special variants of the Embraer EMB145 ((in English)) and Gulfstream G-550 ((in English)). Russian proposals in the competition are not being examined for a number of reasons, including those connected with the long “creeping out” of the “Sea Dragon.”
In the area of naval aviation with a long radius of action, the Indian side has trusted in Russia, having ordered serious upgrade of a good deal of aging in service time Soviet manufactured basic patrol airplanes.
After several years of negotiations four years ago, Delhi agreed to the plan proposed by Moscow. True, the customer preferred “consecutive” to “parallel” upgrade of the Il-38 and Tu-142MKEh.
In September 2001, the sides concluded a contract for the upgrade of five Il-38 into the SD (Sea Dragon) ((in English)) variant. After the loss (as a result of an aerial collision) of two Indian airplane sin October 2002, they looked at the deal again. Two airplanes from the Russian Federation defense ministry were offered on an uncompensated basis to India.
The Il’yushin Aviation Complex extended the calendar period for use of airplanes of the Il-18 type (the Il-20 and Il-38 military variants are included in the family) to 40 years. The first upgraded aircraft flew as early as the start of 2001. It was reported in November 2002 about the start of complex tests of the targeting apparatus.
The “Sea Dragon” is a multipurpose complex which resolves missions in the detection of submarines, the survey of the water’s surface, reconnaissance of ground targets, the conduct of search and rescue operations and ecological monitoring. It has a range of more than 300 kilometers in the water surface survey mode and up to 100 kilometers – of air space, and is capable simultaneously to track thirty and more targets.
The complex, a development of the Leninets holding company, became the main reason for the delays with execution of the contract. In February 2005, at the Aero India 2005 exhibition the FGUP Rosoboronehksport deputy director, Viktor Komardin, answer like this to a VPK question on the condition of the Il-38SD project: “You understand, the “Sea Dragon” is so advanced a complex in the technical regard that it can be called equipment of tomorrow. And ‘tomorrow’ in no way can ensue.”
There is a proposal that the developers of the “Sea Dragon” had counted on the “parallel” variant of the Il-38 and Tu-142MKEh upgrade. But events really went via the “consecutive” scenario. As a result, less funds arrived that were expected for the creation of the complex. Most likely, “under-financing” also became the root of the extended operational development of the complex.
The appearance in India’s navy of the ship-based Ka-31 radar observation helicopters with the “Oko” observation radar somewhat defused the situation with aerial reconnaissance. Very likely, only with the introduction into service of project 11356 frigates of the newest construction and of the new ship-based helicopters, the Indian navy restored the ability to a well-known degree to resolve missions of aerial reconnaissance in the open sea. When the first Ka-31 arrived in India, naval aviation had available only two Il-38. True, flight of the Tu-142MKEh continued, but their limited quantity (eight units) and aging avionics complex (a 1986 model) imposed definite limitations.
It is planned to equip the 185-tonne giant also with the “Sea Dragon.” Russian industry is not offering alternative variants. The customer, undoubtedly, has gotten interested in the upgrade of the given airplane and its reequipping. The Tu-142MKEh is able to cover a distance up to 12,000 kilometers or “hang” in the air up to 17 hours. However, the present weapons composition (it is limited by bombs and torpedoes) does not allow the use of the airplane as a strike ((vehicle.)) The installation of the “Sea Snake” make the use of cruise missiles possible. But the drawn out history of the preceding project, very likely, is compelling the customer to think about the advisability of such an upgrade.
AK Il’yushin also bears a definite share of the responsibility for the delay of the Il-38SD project. Owing to a number of reasons, the airplane’s developmental firm was not able to create a single solitary project management team, hence also a whole series of problems…
Be that as it may, right now it is extremely important that the Indian navy receive the long awaited Il-38SD. Regular delivery delays, while not speaking of possible complaints for operation of the new aircraft complex, may be used by the enemies of military and technical cooperation between Moscow and Delhi for the breaking up of other Soviet and Russian manufactured armament and military equipment which serves in the inventory of the Indian army and navy.
And the Russian power structures also need modern reconnaissance airplanes. The domestic navy is awaiting a revised variant of the “Sea Dragon” for internal use, for the upgrade of its own Il-38 and Tu-142 based on engineering solutions paid for by the foreign customer.
In this connection, experts recall that as early as 2002, representatives of the Russian navy noted at the hydro aviation salon in Gelendzhik that the technical aspect of the “Sea Dragon” accommodates them in principle, while expressing, however, at the same time the desire that Leninets work on it more actively and purposefully. The desire, judging by everything, has been disregarded.
A special “Sea Dragon” variant may be of interest for Federal Security Service aviation. They need airplanes with a reconnaissance, observation and control complex for the resolution of missions for guarding coastal waters and anti-terrorist activity in the North Caucuses.
Source: 17.06.05, Voenno-Promyshlennyy Kur’er Vladimir Karnozov
The fully digital Sea Dragon suite is designed to detect & intercept surface vessels and submarines, as well as detect mines and carry out surveillance. It can track more than 30 targets at one time from a distance of up to 320 kilometers. The suite can also detect airborne targets and can be linked to the Russian Glonass satellite navigation system. It encompasses a new synthetic-aperture/inverse-synthetic-aperture radar located in a canoe fairing on the belly, a high-resolution FLIR (forward-looking infra-red) sensor, a LLTV (low-light television) camera, a new ESM (electronic-support-measures) system and a new MAD (magnetic anomaly detector) system in the aft section of the aircraft. The IL-38s will also be fitted with radio-frequency and infrared sensors, as well as decoys. Indian elements are a key part of the upgrade with DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) supplying the aircraft’s new electronic intelligence system, electronic countermeasures station system, digital firing decoys and radio communication system. The addition of the R-73RDM2 short-range, air-to-air missile is also being contemplated.
MunsRemembered a link and posted in the Indian Navy thread on the sea dragon, for what its worth never heard yet that the IN is dissatisfied with the sea dragon or thats its been downgraded for the IN.
MunsAgreed, with above. Not only do we constantly have ongoing arguments about what the PN might acquire to what the IN has presently, it always degenerates with the losing party claiming US always better than Russian/Israeli/Indian etc systems.
Even looking at phalanx ciws we can see the IN has several layers of defense before it even gets to a ciws. Dehli’s having Kashmir 9M38M1 SAMs, Baraks and then finally 30mm AK-6304 as the ciws. And can we say Kashtan anyone? Thats with built in missiles and guns?
Isn’t there a modern version of the phalanx being the baseline 2C and the 1B which pakistan is getting is older? Wikipedia has a nice story of an iraqi silkworm having to be destroyed by a british sea dart missile, because the phalanx on one US ship targeted the flares on another, missing the missle.
In my opininon, the PN was outclassed before, is totally outclassed now and will be far outclassed in the future with IN acquisitions. The only thing PN got going for it is those 3 Agostas…but again 3 subs a fleet they don’t make.
MunsI find the above report suprising myself, ISRO has always lent a hand to the defense forces when requests made. From leasing transponders to the TES satellite when the army critically needed photgraphic views over kargil and pakistan. Cartosat 2 being launched next year will only enhance their requirement, previously the navy used to use the Indian Remote Sensing satellites (IRS) series for imagery.
It would be a poor show if the navy had to find a foregn vendor to lease transponders or satellites when dedicated Indian channels are available, but the report needs to be confirmed first however.
ISRO no doubt has the capability and indeed might be able to put a pilot system in place temporarily by using a couple of existing transponders…i get the feeling the navy wants its own satellite relatively quickly and ISRO has got a pretty packed schedule. Even then no excuse to turn down an offer from the armed forces which they critically need.
More news will come out further to confirm what exactly the navy is asking for…but i doubt ISRO has shrugged them off with a final NO.
MunsWell the six that have reached have already made up for attrition replacements leaving 5 Bonus….now for those qatari Mirage 2005….
MunsThanks Sverodvinsk,
A recent comment from the Naval Chief from Bharat Rakshak :
India To Clinch French Sub Deal Next Year: Naval Chief
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, NEW DELHI
The Indian government is likely to give final approval early next year to a two billion euro ($2.5 billion) deal with a French firm for the building of six Scorpene submarines, the naval chief said Nov. 30.
Admiral Arun Prakash said the deal has been cleared by the defense and finance ministries and was awaiting final approval of the security cabinet, India’s highest strategic decision-making body headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“We hope to get this cleared in 2005 because restoration of our submarine building capacity is our top priority,” Prakash said, describing the Scorpene deal as a “much-delayed project.”
Highly-placed Indian sources told Agence France-Presse the Scorpene deal was likely to be on the agenda of the security cabinet next February.
Other Indian sources said French state-owned shipbuilder Naval Constructions Directorate (DCN) would transfer technology to New Delhi which would then build the six 1,600-tonne submarines in India.
The vessels, although diesel-powered, could be adapted to fit a nuclear power unit, which matches India’s long-term defense strategy.
Prakash said the construction of the Scorpenes was part of the navy’s ambitious plans to induct a Soviet-era aircraft carrier, build a similar vessel here and acquire 19 other warships now under construction at various Indian shipyards.
He said the Indian navy had this year inducted three frigate-class ships — one of them of Russian origin — and two fast attack vessels in its fleet of warships.
Prakash also said the Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov, would be refurbished and handed over to the Indian navy on schedule by 2008.
Gorshkov, which joined the Soviet forces 18 years ago, would fill the vacuum left by the 1997 scrapping of India’s first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, which had been in service since 1961.
The delivery will coincide with the mothballing of India’s remaining aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, four years later.
The admiral said the November 7 test-firing of a nuclear-capable missile from on-board a frigate offered India’s 137-ship navy a new dimension in strategic warfare.
“The proof of the concept is now established. It can now be carried and fired from a ship and how we use it is a different issue,” Prakash said of the 350-kilometre (217-mile) range missile named Dhanush (Bow).
He also said the navy was also ready to induct BrahMos, a supersonic cruise missile jointly built with Russia, in all its new and old warships.
“Our maritime interests are vast and need protection.
“We have a 7,000-kilometre (4,340-mile) coastline, 1,200 islands and an economic zone of 2.01 million square kilometers (0.77 million square miles).”
“Ninety percent of India’s trade volume and 77 percent by value is sea-borne, much of it carried by Indian merchant vessels and naturally they need protection,” the naval chief said.
MunsAgostas MESMA will give it greater submerged endurance, its sonars and its SUBTICS integrated command and control system and F17P Mod 2 torpedos are years ahead of anything in the Indian fleet
How many Agostas right now are equipped with Mesma? As far as i know they are to be retrofitted into the first 2 and its only the third thats being fitted to be commisioned in 2006? I could equally claim India’s 636 Sindhushastra could be retrofitted with a AIP as well by that time or even the induction of SSN’s. Care to comment on how the sonar bring the TM 223 might be better than the MGK 400 or are you gassing by claiming numbers as you copy and paste? How are the torpedos better exactly?
We have 2 P-3Cs in service and being refurbished, we have asked for 8 more, US has priced it up and sent Congress a notice, lets not pretend India is anywhere near that stage yet
Again you evaded the question of how maritime surveillance right NOW is an advantage that the PN currently enjoys. Those 8 P 3C’s are to be delivered within a unstipulated timeframe and even then will have to compete with IL 38 Seadragons and upgraded Bears. Do you have any idea how these might match up? Even then the IN has noted further additions are necessary, and is looking into additional procurements.
Wrong again, Phalnax is already in service and another 6 are being ordered
And again u’ve read what u want to read and evaded the rest of questions brought up. Do you suffer from a heminopia? The Phalanx in service is a block 0 and is to receive upgrades as well to bring it up to standard with 1B. This of course ignores wolverines comments about far better systems in service in the IN to deal with threats. Kashtan and Barak ring bells?
We have Seakings too,
Lynx “In service”
Your Naval Dhruv wont be in the IN fleet for another few years will it!?
U’ve still failed to explain whats so special about Lynx helo’s and why they’re are an advantage to the types the IN employs. Dhruv Helo’s are already in service in the IN.
So much for your advantages held by the PN, even if taken singly. This of course fails to realise the depth and size of the IN, its surface fleet and new addtions taking place over the next few years including its research and family of sonars being developed by DRDO that are entering service.
Think Holistically! Of this is in abundance in the Navy thread under IN news and discussion which you’ve repeatedly ignored and hence Reported for.
MunsAgosta 90B
Advantage? Perhaps you like to take it up in the navy thread of how the Agosta’s would fare against India’s Kilo fleet including INS Sindhushastra delivered in 2000. Debatable at best and rules out the holistic approach that lies in navy.
Orion 3PC
Yet to be delivered, nothing is known about delivery schedules and what block of harpoon to be carried etc..but the wishlists have begun. Besides they’re plenty of reports out there of the US pushing india to buy the same or 3+ orions. And of course ruling that out…its yet debatable how these future Orions would fare against IL-38 Sea Dragons which ARE being delivered this month.
Phalanx
Again Yet to be delivered, in what time schedules and still debatable how they’d fare against a Kashtan system.
Navy thread please.
Lynx Helicopters
What 3?
Against Naval Dhruvs and Ka-28’s and Seakings? you gotta be joking.
Munstiger, could you please provide a source or a link to your articles.
Its plainly obvious who keep’s shafting threads around here. star 49 has come in with his usual BS of ridiculous assumptions and of course has never bothered to verify any sort of data or read threads even on this forum where answers are abound to his questions. Indeed he indulges in his favorite one liners of FC1 is 35% as capable as F16. Arjun is 20.2% indigenous…and so on forth…
I can’t believe we’re still trying to prove the existence of what exactly the H2 and H4 are. Ah but they’re inducted! And these mythical weapons are to be the equaliser in any future battle with the IAF…uhhh but what do they actually do and any specs or a link to prove the same…..aaaahhhh NO but the PAF chief said it and ive got VERY DEEP sources to prove it…forget the small details about what it actually does….itll do something.
This seems to be the general trend of reporting among the pakistanis here, making pompus statements without giveing an inkling as to what they actually mean…or perhaps they’d like to expand in the navy thread.
In terms of modern weapons systems, PN outclasses IN in several areas, its just numbers that give IN a huge edge
Could you expand on this please perhaps in the navy thread? If ur referring to just 3 agostas’s…have you cared to look at the depth of the IN’s fleet and its family of Indian sonars…its induction schedule. But of course this seems to be the general trend of pakistani reporting. 310 T- 80 tanks a better army make. 3 Agosta’s a better navy made.
Of course factor in wishlist as to what and how many Orions to be delivered in what time schedule will have the latest block of Harpoon.
Any discussion as to the ridiculousness of such statements immediately starts to put the pakistanis on the defensive with arguments to stop, claiming superiority/inferiority complexes and should the Indian navy or armed forces wished to attack they would have done so by now.
If India was able to swiftly attack Pakistan it would have done so several times
Reading about the past will show them, how much they’ve lost…and how much the borders have adjusted to our favor…but still perhaps they are right on this…for whatever reason my Elected government has still offered to pursue a policy of peace. It may not be my own personel choice or even the armed force but perhaps that trend in the future may change…and the people will finally reach a consensus about a policy to deal with pakistan. Until then my comrades, the forces will not ‘swiftly attack pakistan’ democracy and all that….
MunsIs that a Dhanush missile on the front right side? (starboard bow?)
Any comments on SRBM’s being loaded onto ships and their advantages in future combat?
MunsAdm Gorshkov’ to hit city in 2008
The Russian-built 45,000-ton aircraft carrier ‘Admiral Gorshkov’ will be commissioned into the Indian Navy by end of 2007 and arrive in Mumbai in early 2008, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Madanjit Singh announced on Tuesday.
Addressing mediapersons on board the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, he said a team from the Indian Navy was already in Russia to oversee the refurbishment work, which is progressing ahead of schedule.
The Rs 7,000-crore deal was signed on January 21, 2004, by former defence minister George Fernandes and his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov. The financial package includes the supply of the naval variant of 28 MiG-29s. “These planes will be superior to the ones operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). With an upgraded radar and more powerful engines, the performance of the fighters will be closer to the Sukhois,” he stated. “Admiral Gorshkov, which will be a part of the Western Naval Command, is expected to remain in service till 2033.”
MunsAnd at the same time the Indians are asking US to stop selling outdated F16’s to pakistan. Tilting the ballance. The Indian tactic of asking every producer to sell more to India is getting standard. No wonder Pakistan is trying to get J10. Maybe we will see IAF ask for 125 F10’s.
its perhaps more to put some pressure against pakistans request. Its perhaps now well known game of the indian establishment. We will just have to wait and see.
Forget that the IAF requires 126 multirole combat aircraft to replace stocks and has called a global tender and invited firms to place bids…its really to stop the poor PAF from acquiring gripens for they’re soon to be signed erieye awacs.
Tilting the balance? What balance? Its no secret that India considers itself to be in a vicious atmosphere and is arming itself to deal with any future skirmishes in the shortest space of time available. We’ve had to learn the hard way with attacks across our border, occupying territory and even attacks on our parliament. Hence we will fight tooth and nail in our strategic interest to prevent pakistan from getting a spitball (pen included), even if it means using as much economic muscle as we can.
And you guys are reported for trying to change topic of thread.
MunsCivilised perhaps could be taken to mean how u could explain the delivery or thereabouts, or years, or any reference apart from the Flight International orbat as stated instead of asking us to write to headquarters for more info.
Who knows the above adress might actually work..
I guess now i can infer that you have no information to cross reference and we can procede along with the rest of the wishlist thread…
Continue please…
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