http://lankadailynews.com/2008/10/interceptors-missile-%E2%80%98lock-on%E2%80%99-failure-jolts-slaf/

Interceptors’ missile ‘lock on’ failure jolts SLAF

Kelanitissa loses capacity to generate 275 mega watts: Tuesday’s failure to shoot down a single LTTE aircraft despite timely detection by radar has jolted the SLAF into investigating its limitations amidst evidence that the enemy has acquired a capability to neutralise the threat of a heat seeking missile attack.

An authoritative source said that Chinese F7s launched from Katunayake air base had failed to zero-in-on the enemy aircraft. Chinese F7
“Their (F7s) missile systems failed to ‘lock on with the enemy aircraft,” the source said. This would necessitate an overall review of the SLAF’s strategy, the source said. The military asserted that the LTTE could try to exploit the situation.
The initial detection had been made north-east of Mannar at 10.18 p.m. by 2D radar installed by the Government of India at the SLAF base at Vavuniya.

Thaladdi had come under attack within minutes after the detection, the source said.

LTTE air craftBoth the Indian radar and a Chinese 3D radar station located in the Western Province had detected the enemy aircraft but interceptors failed to carry out a successful missile strike. 2D radar provides direction and the distance of a target whereas the Chinese radar provides even the altitude of a target.

Last September, a heat seeking missile fired by an interceptor brought down one of the two LTTE aircraft returning to their base after attacking Vavuniya air base. Although the LTTE denied the SLAF claim, a senior military official pointed out that the LTTE had deployed only one aircraft to carry out Tuesday’s operation. Each previous raid directed at military and economic targets had involved two aircraft, the official said. “May be they are now left with one aircraft,” he speculated. But the possibility of their having additional aircraft couldn’t be ruled out, he said.

Expect a massive raise in defence budget and RFP for second sub-line soon.;)

F-35 internal anti-ship missile???

Nice designs. I wonder if MEKO will pitch it for Indian navy’s P-17a frigate.

Magnusta is in race but I doubt anything other than Mi-28N will be selected even if the rubbish Ah-1z (more of LCH category) or Ah-64D were competing.

No fear russians have till 2011 to get it fixed. But still ahead of the imaginary CVF..has it been scrapped yet?

Latest pics of Vikramaditya

http://picasaweb.google.ru/R.Igor.W/UfeDDK#

http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=18484

Finally, Indian Navy to patrol Somali waters
10/15/2008 7:40:47 AM
The hijacked vessel, MT Stolt Valor

The Indian government has finally allowed the Indian Navy to patrol the Somali waters to ensure that the safety of Indian sailors is not compromised.

In a statement issued yesterday (October 14), the government said,” Neighbouring powers and international agencies are working with India to free the sailors.”

The move came over a month after the Somali pirates set an ultimatum of 48 hours for paying ransom for the release of the 18 Indian sailors onboard the hijacked MT Stolt Valor.

The angry families have been demanding proactive action from the government and want the Navy to patrol the Somalian gulf in order to escort the ship back and avoid clashes with the pirates, as it could prove counter productive.

Seema Goyal, wife of captain of the ship Prabhat Goyal said she do not know which door to knock andcollect the money.

“Assurances don’t work. This is the time when I want help from any quarter and solve the matter,” she added.

She also urged the Indian government to take more initiatives. “I have never asked the government to pay ransom. I want the government to take initiatives and pressurise the Japanese
government to get our people back home soon,” she said.

The seafarers on board MT Stlot Valor have been held hostage by the pirates who hijacked the cargo ship on September 15.

The ship is owned by a Japanese company and managed by Fleet Marine Ltd in Mumbai. The hijackers had earlier demanded a ransom of USD six million for the release of the crew and have now come down to USD two million.

The Somalian pirates have seized more than two dozen ships this year off the Horn of Africa.

Apart from the Valor, pirates have seized MV Faina – a Ukrainian ship loaded with weapons. US warships have surrounded Faina to prevent pirates from unloading the weapons. NATO is also sending seven ships to the treacherous waters where the Faina is being held, and the Russian missile cruiser Intrepid is on its way to rescue the loaded Fiana.

But there is a glimmer of hope to the family of the sailors, as in the last three months Somalian pirates have freed the crew of at least three vessels which they hijacked.

Yesterday, the pirates freed a cargo ship with 11 crew members, held for five days, after losing an offensive launched by the authorities to free the ship.

Four days ago, pirates freed 20 Filipino seamen who were held for more than 80 days.

Pirates also released 29 Iranian crew members and their cargo ship hijacked off Somalia’s coast in late July.