vikasrehmanI am a big fan of the Mirage 2000’s – with RDY-2 radar, a full glass cockpit, airframe life extension, complete overhaul, and an all internal brand new EW system, these will be very potent aircraft, even in the IAF vs PLAAF contest. While the Mica is shorter ranged than the AMRAAM, its Mica IR version is a very potent system & guided by AWACS, the Mirage 2000’s could carry out near silent interceptions.
More on the Mirage 2000, note the details on its avionics suite, the radar & the EW suites on offer. I’d wager the IAF will definitely go for the Thales-Elettronica IMEWS as it is the latest developed.
That’s a mighty upgrade, almost like a new aircraft, and this is probably the very thing that is causing the delay.
Political push from Paris for Mirage-2000 upgrade
So far, during negotiations, Thales has argued that if India insisted on a cheaper upgrade for the Mirage-2000 fleet, it should be prepared to upgrade fewer systems. If, for example, the IAF was willing to upgrade only the weapons systems, the cost would be considerably cheaper. But the IAF insisted on a full upgrade.
On Mig-29K front;
Indian Navy’s first four MiG-29K fighters arrive in knocked down condition
The jets arrived in the country Dec 4, celebrated as Navy Day.
vikasrehmanI Wonder where these Malaysian Mig-29s would be going…Very expensive to operate though.:)
And who would be receiving RFI/RFPs for replacements? Five countries might include Russia (MKM), US (F-18), France (Rafale), Typhoon consortium (well lets suppose that’s only one country) and may be Sweden (Gripen). But then Gripen is a single engined fighter, and Malaysia doesn’t seem to like operating single engined fighters.
16 RMAF jets to be sold lock, stock and barrel by next year
Sat, Dec 05, 2009
By Zulkifli Abdul Rahman and Embun Majid
LANGKAWI – Malaysia’s intention to sell the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s MiG-29 fighter jets has attracted the interest of two parties.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said 10 would be sold by June 2010 while the remaining six jets would be sold by the end of next year.
“The interested buyers had agreed to buy the Russian-made aircraft lock, stock and barrel,” Zahid said.
He said the sale would depend on the requirements stated in the sale and purchase agreement signed between the Malaysian and Russian governments and the United Nations security council regulations, which denies sales of military assets to countries deemed as a threat to international security.
However, Zahid declined to reveal the identities of the interested parties. “The replacement aircraft that Malaysia needs will be in the form of a multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA),” he said.
“The Malaysian government will advertise tenders by invitation to the suppliers and the competing bidders will be finalised to five countries.
“We are also looking at a deal that will give us benefits arising from the plane’s capabilities, its price, and the seller’s offer to offset transfer programmes and training for Malaysians,” he told reporters after visiting the exhibition booths at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) 2009 show here yesterday.
To a question, Zahid said the MiG-29 could still be used for the next 20 years.
…………………
vikasrehmanPolitical push from Paris for Mirage-2000 upgrade
French asked for $56 mil/plane initially, have come down to $41 mil, and would come down even further. I dont know what their bottom or Indian upper limits are…probably $25-35 mil/plane?
French know that no upgrade (now) means earlier retirement of the bird, and no money at all. A loss of profit on the upgrade would keep the M2K-5 in Indian service for another 15-20 years, and French could cut some of their losses-read lost profit-through the supply of precious spares.
vikasrehmanhttp://www.presidencia.gov.ec/
I presume this is the presidential Website? Does it have an English button?
If not, where’s the official original announcement that spawned this AFP report?
I tried to do a simple search for the word China (official website), and put one of the results through an online translator. This is what it says;
Ecuador and China sign three agreements of economic and technical cooperation Quito (Pichincha). –
The President of the Republic, Rafael Strap, participated like honor witness in the company/signature of three agreements of economic and technical cooperation between the Government of Ecuador and the Republic of China, by approximately $52,6 million.
The date for this news was 24 Nov 2009, same as the date for the article I posted earlier. Although, this article quotes different figures (that is why I questioned whether these figures were in USD), the amount ($52.6 million) from the presidential websites also matches the figure from the Janes article.
vikasrehmanIs it me or does a lot of this sound like promising the stars to deliver the top of a hill?
No its not just you.:)
I dont know how realistic/practical/futuristic this monitoring of soldier’s minds in real time thing is, and it might well be possible in decades to come, but it brought an old DRDO-related article back to mind. I have genuinely wondered over the years about the outcome of these projects.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1986595.stm
vikasrehmanI must pre-warn you. The source is TOI.
Day after crash, IAF grounds Sukhoi fleet for checks
TNN 2 December 2009, 04:11am
NEW DELHI: The country’s entire Sukhoi-30MKI fleet has been grounded for “precautionary checks” after one of these “air dominance” fighter jets
crashed in Rajasthan on Monday. IAF has sought the help of Russia and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to investigate the crash.
…………………..
“Preliminary indications are that it was caused due to a technical defect. The pilots ejected after they saw fire alarm buttons glowing red… Probably the engines were on fire,” said a source.
“The airframe and systems of the entire fleet will undergo a thorough inspection before they are allowed to take to the skies again,” he added.
vikasrehmanASDF jet loses tail piece during aviation show
Following the accident, the ASDF began an immediate inspection of the tail planes on the 202 F-15s in its possession, and they will be removed from active service until it’s complete.
vikasrehmanRs.64 mn outstanding from VIPs for using military aircraft
2009-11-30 19:40:00
VIPs flying in military aircraft and helicopters have run up a staggering Rs.64.59 million in unpaid bills, parliament was informed Monday.
‘A total amount of Rs. 64,592,973 is outstanding,’ Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, adding: ‘Bills of airlift are raised by Air Headquarters against the concerned and necessary follow up action is taken thereon.’
No names or details of those against whom the bills are outstanding were given. Neither were the steps being taken to recover the money specified.
Antony also detailed the dignitaries who were entitled to fly in military aircraft, They include the president, the vice president, the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, the defence minister, the finance minister and other ministers of central government.
Besides them, the cabinet secretary, the defence secretary, the three service chiefs, foreign heads of states, the vice presidents and heads of foreign governments on state visit to India and foreign service chiefs on official visit to India are also eligible to travel by military aircraft, Antony added.
vikasrehmanPeople, I did mention that whereas the ‘linked’ article mentions a figure of $438 mil for 4 military aircraft, Janes Defence Weekly gives a figure of $52 mil.
Now $438 mil (if it is indeed USD) for 4 military aircraft is rather confusing in terms of which type (and only 4), but $52 mil (USD) could mean a few K-8s or J-7 etc.
vikasrehmanVeil off Indo-UK defence courtship
SUJAN DUTTA
New Delhi, Nov. 29: India is considering a pact assuring the UK that bases of the Indian air force, army and navy will refuel British military aircraft and warships and facilitate the changeover of its troops and war material.
Minister of state for defence M.M. Pallam Raju told a visiting UK delegation last week that “an MoU on Host Nation Support (HNS) was under examination of an inter-ministerial committee”.
vikasrehmanNow Ecuador is buying military aircraft from China. Any guesses as to which type?
Although the article given below mentions the figure of $438 mil (I assume its USD?), Janes puts it at $52 mil.
Ecuador buys Chinese warplanes
Quito (AFP) Nov 24, 2009
Ecuador and China signed three cooperation agreements on Tuesday worth 442 million dollars and obtained credit to buy four warplanes, officials here said.
The agreements were signed during the visit of Jia Qinglin, chair of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, who met with President Rafael Correa as part of a tour of Latin America.
According to Correa’s office, the economic and technical cooperation agreements include a 1.4 million dollar donation, as well as two lines of credit — one for 2.9 million dollars payable within ten years, and another for 438 million dollars to buy the four Chinese military planes, destined for Ecuador’s Air Force.
vikasrehmanVenezuela to take delivery on Chinese planes next year
Caracas (AFP) Nov 27, 2009
Venezuela will take delivery in 2010 of the first six of 18 K-8 Karakorum trainer or light attack planes it bought from China, the Air Force’s top commander said Friday.
“A total of 18, K-8 18 aircraft will be delivered, in addition to radar equipment that will help ensure national security,” General Jorge Arevalo told ABC news agency.
vikasrehmanOh for crying out loud – relying on dodgy reports from the TOI which does not know its rear from its front does not get you or anyone for that matter, far. But mark it up for consistency – TOI continues to mark its time as the TOIlet paper of defence journalism.
Yes. I should have known this about TOI. Its such common public knowledge.:)
The NLCA is hardly “floundering” – the 2 seaters flown, the engine selections being progressed, and so is consultancy for a strengthened gear system & navalization.
The Indian Navy has always been interested in a more advanced type than the 29 K, as it stood, the 29 K was all that could be available for the Gorshkov for a variety of reasons & at the time, its competitors did not offer anything much over it either.
That does not mean it will be the only type, forever – the JSF has been high for instance on the IN’s list of things of interest & per what I know for a certainty, a F3+ Rafale with AESA & some other kit is also very…interesting.
The 29K is good, but funding permitting, its not a surety the IN will stick only to that type forever.
I dont have any problem with the logic that IN wants something more advanced that Mig-29K. That still does not answer my question though. Why would IN want three types of fighters for three (?) careers…provided its serious with both NLCA and the new (more advanced) type?
vikasrehman[B]Why has the Russian industry (thus far) failed to meet the needs of Russian armed forces in terms of UAVs?[B] Is it the lack of resources, foresight, or both? Or maybe something else? And how accurate is the claim that within one year they would start producing UAVs on par with those from Israel?
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091126/156997623.html
Air Force to Russian UAV makers: ‘Thanks, but no thanks’
19:1926/11/2009
The Russian Air Force considers the unmanned aerial vehicles offered by domestic manufacturers to be inferior in quality, the force commander said on Thursday.
Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said the Russian-made UAVs delivered to the Air Force failed to meet the required specifications.
“To put such drones into service is simply a crime,” he said.
“I am, therefore, refusing to sign any acceptance papers.”
Russia recently bought 12 UAVs from Israel in a deal worth $53 million.
Military officials are on record as saying that “in literally one year,” Russia will start the production of its own unmanned planes, on a par with Israeli versions.
According to various estimates, the Russian military needs up to 100 UAVs and at least 10 guidance systems to ensure effective battlefield reconnaissance.
The Russian military has stressed the need for advanced means of battlefield reconnaissance in the wake of a brief military conflict with Georgia in 2008, when the effectiveness of Russian military operations was severely hampered by the lack of reliable intelligence.
vikasrehmanGood to see the trainer version flying. Those working on the project deserve a pat on the back.
A few days back, Times of India stated that, and I quote “With the development of the naval version of the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) floundering, the Navy has launched a hunt for a new fighter to operate from its aircraft carriers…”, end quote. In my view, the Times of India has “spoken too soon”. That it was inaccurate and unsubstantiated, is anyway but a characteristic of the newspaper. It may be observed that The Times of India reports about impending foreign imports only, even though they are just being “toyed with”, and nothing concrete has been decided upon.
May be unsubstantiated, but how could you say it is inaccurate? How can you explain IN operating three different types of fighters (Mig-29/NLCA/western type) from its carriers (only three carrier I think?)? How many other navies around the world are doing so? Mig-29 is a reality. NLCA is being developed. How hard it is for someone to think that IN might be seeking for further information on western types, just in case NLCA does not materialise on time?
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