Monday, February 12, 2007

Bangalore: India is set to spend $ 35 billion on military aviation over the next 20 years as most of its existing fleet needs to be replaced sooner or later. This will put Pakistan at a strategic disadvantage with the country finding it difficult to get sellers to maintain the military balance with India.
Two different reports, released at Aero India show, clearly indicate that buyers, may they be Russian, American or European, were flocking to offer the best in military technology to India and there was immense competition for the Indian Air Force's 126 fighter-jet order, besides other aircraft, to replace an ageing Indian fleet.
In a direct contrast, the reports say, the range of fourth-generation fighter jets being offered to India is not on offer to Pakistan indicating India's rise as a superpower in the region.
According to a report by Mr Gulshan Luthra and Air Marshal Ashok Goel (retd), published in the latest issue of the India Strategic Defence magazine, most of the IAF's planes, including the MIG-21, 23,25 and 27, besides the Jaguars or Mirage 2000, and the IL-76 and AN-32 transport aircraft are either due for replacement or upgradation.
It says after Rajiv Gandhi, there was a paralysis in the acquisition process triggered by a spate of inquiries which blocked even the normal process of replacing outdated equipment.
This is a costly mistake, it says, adding the IAF has only been able to acquire the Sukhoi 30MKI which is presently its mainstay to deliver key missiles.
Another report, which has compared the acquisitions India is likely to go through vis a vis Pakistan, says Pakistan will find it nearly impossible to maintain the military balance in the region. The study, conducted by US-based think-tank Strategic Forecasting Inc (Stratfor), says the Aero India expo is “a reminder of India’s continuing rise as a military power”.
The report says India’s plan to spend $ 30 billion on defence purchases in its eleventh plan was causing concern to Pakistan as this amount was almost half of the country’s GDP.Even if Pakistan can acquire new F-16s from the US, it will help maintain the military balance only for now, it notes. It says the Chinese J-10 fighters can be a substitute “but not quite as good in terms of technology, sensors or accompanying armaments”.
IANS adds: India will be spending a massive $35 billion on military aviation over the next 20-25 years for the simple reason that most of the existing aircraft need replacement sooner or later and there is also a requirement for more aircraft with newer technology.
11/02/07 Jangveer Singh/The Tribune

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Sunday, February 11, 2007

Bangalore: With the Indian indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv putting up a sterling display at the ongoing Aero India air show at Yelahanka Airforce Base in Bangalore, many eyes are now starting to look at the ALH’s more warlike cousin, the Light Combat Helicopter, which is at present just a mock-up in the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) pavilion at the show.
The Indian Army needs a helicopter gunship capable of operating at high–altitude.
Now HAL is poised to fill this gap. The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is designed to carry a 1,500 kilo weapon load even at very high altitudes. Armed with cluster bombs and air-to-surface missiles, one of the two-man crew will be solely in charge of targeting and firing the weaponry. It has a narrow airframe for stealth and will complement the IAF’s Russian-made Mi–35 gunship, which cannot operate at altitudes.
A mean looking machine, the LCH looks like any advanced chopper gunship.
The LCH weighs 5. 5 tonnes, with a narrow fuselage accommodating a pilot and a gunner/co-pilot in tandem, in an armoured cockpit. It incorporates a number of stealth features such as low visual signature, a low radar cross section and a low IR signature. It has crash-resistant landing gear for better survivability. The Dhruv's current external structure, comprising 67 per cent composites, has been significantly improved.
10/02/07 domain-B

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Bangalore: Displays of more than 40 Russian defence manufacturers have been placed together in an impressive 1,375 sq ft display by Rosoboronexport, the Russian government defence export arm, at the Aero India 2007 Air Show under way at Yelahanka Air Force Base, Bangalore. The display comprises several hundred different types of armaments, military equipment and systems.
The united Rosoboronexport delegation is headed by Viktor M Komardin, deputy director general of Rosoboronexport, while Vyacheslav K Dzirkaln, deputy director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, heads the overall Russian delegation. Russia's strong presence at the show is meant to reinforce the strong ongoing military cooperation between the two countries, especially Indo-Russian joint defence production.
The pride of the Russian exhibition is the MiG-35 multi-role frontline fighter, which is a leading contender for the Indian Air Force's requirement of 126 MRCAs. Its main rivals are Lockheed's F-16, Boeing's FA-18, the Swedish Gripen fighter and the French Rafale. The Russians believe the MiG-35 has overwhelming superiority over its rivals owing to its superior manoeuvrability, thanks - among other things - to its optional thrust vectoring engine.
Also in the fray for orders are the Mi-17, among a range of helicopters.
10/02/07 domain-B

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Bangalore: The focus has shifted from fighters to choppers. Not just in the Indian Air Force, which will be headed by a helicopter pilot for the first time, but also at Aero India which wraps up on Sunday.
After Air Chief-Designate Air Marshal Fali Homi Major went for a spin in the American CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Boeing IDS (Integrated Defence Systems) capped off its offerings to the armed forces with a feverish sales pitch for the multi-mission helicopter.
The IAF plans to buy 12 heavy-lift helicopters to buttress its tactical and combat support requirements, in a deal that is estimated to be upwards of $500 million. Tom Cunningham, director, International Business Development, said once the deal goes through, his company would take 24-30 months for deliveries. Sikorsky's CH-53K is also likely to compete for the IAF's helicopter tender. The IAF is yet to release the the request for proposal for the heavy-lift choppers.
During the airshow, Boeing flew several IAF pilots in the Chinook to give them a glimpse of the chopper's "versatility and maneouverability".
10/02/07 Rahul Singh/Hindustan Times

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Friday, February 09, 2007

Bangalore: The draft of the India-Russia multi-billion dollar programme for the PAK-FA fifth generation stealth fighter aircraft is in its final stages and will be concluded by this summer. The US would give a presentation of its fifth generation F-35 aircraft to New Delhi in a couple of months.
The PAK-FA project which stands for Perspective (Future) Aviation Komplex for Frontline Aviation in Russia is a heavy aircraft modeled on BrahMos, which was proposed by Sukhoi to the Russian Defence Ministry in 2002 for the programme, and was officially approved by the ministry in the same year.
Alexsey A Poveshchenko, advisor to Director General of the Sukhoi Aviation Holding Company, today said here that fourth generation fighter aircraft have been in service for around 30 years, so it was expected of the fifth generation fighters to be around for 40-45 years, keeping their capability and heavy tonnage in mind.
The first prototype of the eight ton aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, jointly developed by both countries will fly in 2009.
Poveshchenko further elaborated that it will be a 50-50 partnership between both the nations and the joint venture would include research, development and production, though it is still not clear, who will do what and how much.
09/02/07 Suman Sharma/DailyIndia.com, US

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Thursday, February 08, 2007

The government is on the verge of inking a $1.6 billion deal with Russia for the supply of 40 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters. The air superiority fighters will be inducted into the Indian Air Force's combat fleet "in about three years".
Air Chief SP Tyagi, who is in Yelahanka for Aero India 2007, revealed on Thursday that the contract would be signed before the current financial year ends.
This means the deal will be sealed before Tyagi retires on March 31. The government has invoked the fast-track procedure to buy the Su-30s.
The IAF will also be inducting, in the short-term, 80 medium-lift helicopters, 12 VIP choppers, advanced light helicopters, 10 Cheetahs and Israeli Phalcon AWACS (airborne warning and control systems).
Then there are the 126 multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) that the air force seeks to acquire and the request for proposal (RFP) for which is likely to be released anytime now.
The IAF is also planning to acquire six C-130 J Hercules aircraft from the US for special forces. This year the IAF will also receive the first of the 66 Hawk AJT (advanced jet trainer) being bought from the UK.
08/02/07 Rahul Singh/Hindustan Times

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A consortium of French defence and aerospace companies led by Thales has put in a formal bid for upgrading the Mirage 2000 fighters of the Indian Air Force (IAF).A team from Thales met with defence ministry officials last week to discuss the finer points of the proposed upgrade and also submitted a formal proposal to increase the life of the aircraft, inducted by the IAF in the 1980s, by around 20-25 years, officials said.'If we are given the go ahead today, we should be able to retrofit the first set of two aircraft in two years,' a senior Thales official, here for the Aero India show, told IANS. 'Then one can look at two-three aircraft a month.The IAF has 52 Mirage 2000s in three squadrons.The French consortium for Mirage upgrade includes Dassault, which shut down the production line for Mirage 2000s some five years ago. The French company is also in the race for selling 126 multi-role combat aircraft, Renault, to the IAF for replacing the ageing MiG-21 fleet.
08/02/07 India eNews.com

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Bangalore: Ever seen a combat aircraft fly in the reverse gear? In a breathtaking display of aerobatics, fighter pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) performed this feat and many more awesome manoeuvres at the inaugural ceremony of the Aero India show here Wednesday.
From daredevil formations by the Jaguars and Sukhois to aerial ballet by the Suryakiran aerobatic team, visitors to this inauguration event, including Defence Minister A.K. Antony, were treated to a scintillating display of precision flying by some of IAF's sharpest pilots.The women especially had a special treat during the hour-long show when smoke-emitting Suryakirans painted the rich blue skies above the Yelahanka air force base with a heart, pierced by a cupid's arrow in a tantalising manoeuvre.T
he hour-long show in the skies also featured formations like Dhruv, Small Boy, Albatross and Stallion with aircraft and choppers, including the IJTs, TU-142 Tanker, IL-78 Mirage 2000.Also seen enjoying the feat were Kingfisher airline's flamboyant chairman Vijay Mallya, and Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata, who is set to fly an F-16 combat aircraft Thursday.
07/02/07 Andhra Cafe

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Bangalore: U.S. aircraft manufacturers -- Boeing and Lockheed -- have apparently decided to lock horns with each other at the ongoing Aero India show here, and the target they are gunning for is Ratan Tata, the Chairman of the Tata group of companies.
With Lockheed having belled Tata first, by getting him to fly in its F-16 aircraft today, Boeing sources announced that they might get the Tata honcho to fly their F-18 aircraft from the Yelahanka Air Force base here tomorrow.
Boeing sources, however, were unwilling to confirm the report, saying that Tata may or may not fly the aircraft.
The F/A-18 "Hornet" is a single- and two-seat, twin engine, multi-mission fighter/attack aircraft that can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases.
The F/A-18 fills a variety of roles: air superiority, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close and deep air support, and day and night strike missions. The F/A-18 Hornet replaced the F-4 Phantom II fighter and A-7 Corsair II light attack jet, and also replaced the A-6 Intruder as these aircraft were retired during the 1990s.
08/02/07 Suman Sharma/DailyIndia.com, US

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Approximately 500 aircraft manufacturers have come to the Aero India 2007 in hopes of making deals with the country's booming aviation industry.
The event is held at Yelhanka air base in Bangalore.
The 5-day event showcases both civilian and military aircrafts.
India is on its way to acquiring a new fleet of aircrafts -126 fighter jets to be exact - to replace its retiring MIG-21s.
With more and more Indians taking to the skies, the nation will need about 1,000 new planes over a period of 20 years.
According to a industry projection, air traffic in India is likely to increase two-fold by 2010 to 50 million passenger journeys a year.
More than 35,000 visitors are expected to the air show.
Analysts observed that many firms are in Bangalore to try to get their foot into India's rapidly emerging defense market.
Over a span of five years, the Indian air force is expected to spend close to $10 billion to refurbish military requirements.
And the deal for the 126 fighter jets is the most coveted contract at the show.
08/002/07 Jacob Cherian/All Headline News

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BANGALORE: Russian Aircraft Corporation-MiG on Wednesday unveiled its newest MiG-35 fighter jet to the world at the Aero India show here with an eye on New Delhi's plans to purchase 126 multi-role combat aircraft.
The jet made awe-inspiring manoeuvres in the skies over Bangalore soon after the inauguration of the sixth edition of Aero India, South Asia's biggest aerospace show that has attracted major civil and defence aircraft makers.
The test prototype of MiG-35 was on display at MAKKS Airshow in Russia in 2005 and at Faranborough in Britain in 2006. The MiG-35 is considered Russia's serious answer to its Western competitors.
Russia is in the race to sell India 126 jets, pitting itself against the F-16 and F-18 of the US, Sweden's Gripen, Eurofighter and France's Rafael.

The MiG-35, the company said, is available in single-seat and double-seat versions. At the heart of the MiG family is the MiG-29K/KUB fighter that is being produced for the Indian Navy.
07/02/07 Times of IndiA

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Bangalore: India will soon invite bids from combat aircraft makers for the 126 fighter jets the country's air force plans to buy, Defense Minister A.K. Anthony said Wednesday.
The deal is estimated to be worth between $6.5 billion and $10 billion.
"It is in the final stages," said Anthony, without giving a specific timeframe, speaking to reporters at an air show in the southern technology hub of Bangalore.
India also is considering buying nearly 200 army reconnaissance and observation helicopters, Anthony said.
Aviation companies from around the world have flocked to the air show, hoping for a piece of the billions of dollars in defense contracts the South Asian country plans to spend in modernizing its military.
The five-day event at the Yelahanka air base has drawn 500 companies, including 275 foreign companies, more than ever before, Defense Production Secretary K.P. Singh told reporters.
Forty-five foreign delegations and 28 air force chiefs are also attending the biennial show, which comes as India is emerging as one of the biggest buyers of military hardware in the global market.
Inaugurating the air show earlier in the day, Anthony said India's rapid economic expansion in recent years has added to its role in international affairs, which in turn demands that the country also boost its military capabilities.
"India has been called upon to play a more decisive and responsible role in world affairs, particularly in the Asian region. This has led us to rethink our priorities," he said. "We are in the process of acquiring fresh capabilities for all three wings of our armed forces to optimize their operational effectiveness."
The Indian government's decision to allow foreign and private investment has also encouraged many global companies to explore partnerships with local firms to set up manufacturing and research facilities.
07/02/07 Rajesh Mahapatra/Ap/CBS News

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Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Gripen International, the Swedish company responsible for marketing and selling the Gripen new generation multi-role combat fighter worldwide, is proud to be once again supporting the Aero India 2007 International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, being staged at the Yelahanka Air Base in Bangalore, India between 7-11 February 2007.
This year, the historic 75th anniversary of the Indian Air Force, sees the Gripen team’s biggest ever commitment to India. With the opening of Saab/Gripen offices in New Delhi and Bangalore, three (3) Gripen new generation multi-role combat aircraft taking part in the flying and static displays at the Aero India exhibition, and the full support and attendance of Swedish government officials and Saab/Gripen International’s senior management, Saab/Gripen International has made record investment in the Aero India 2007 exhibition.
Amongst the senior representatives attending the exhibition are Tony Ogilvy, Gripen International’s Director for India, Ingemar Andersson, Saab AB’s Vice President and Deputy CEO and Bengt Johansson, Deputy Trade Commissioner from the Swedish Trade Council, all of whom will be available ahead of, and during the Aero India exhibition.
05/02/07 Newsdesk, Sweden

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Sunday, February 04, 2007

New Delhi: After sealing the $12-billion jumbo deal to buy Anglo-Dutch steel-maker Corus, Tata group chairman Ratan Tata is set to pull off another surprise by flying a fighter jet at the Aero India Show in Bangalore Feb 7-11.
The 69-year-old trained pilot will fly Lockheed Martin's F-16 multi-role combat aircraft during the show that the Bethesda, Maryland-based defence and aerospace major will feature. It proposes to sell 126 of them to the Indian Air Force.
'Lockheed Martin officials are handling this matter. The finer details of when, where and what is being finalised,' a Tata official told IANS, confirming the proposed sortie on an F-16 by the group's chairperson who enjoys flying.
'I don't get much spare time, but what little spare time I have is spent flying. I am a trained pilot for both planes and helicopters,' Tata has been quoted as saying in an interview posted on the group's Web site
According to defence industry sources, Lockheed Martin has also been in talks with the Tatas and the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics to outsource components manufacture for the aircraft.
04/02/07 India PRwire (Press Release)

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Saturday, February 03, 2007

Moscow: Russian jet engine maker Salut will showcase a modernized engine for Su-family fighters at an air show in India, the company said Friday.
The company has spent $40 million on developing the AL-31FM1 engine for Su-27, Su-30, Su-33 and other Sukhoi aircraft and successfully completed its tests in October last year.
The modernized version of the famed AL-31F engine features improved thrust characteristics, a 15% increase in combat effectiveness and cycle life, and reduced maintenance costs.
The AL-31FM1 will be initially installed on Su-27SM Flanker fighters in service with the Russian Air Force, but it also has a high export potential, a company official said.
In addition, Salut is planning to conduct talks with the Indian military on the prospects of equipping MiG-27K Flogger fighter bombers from the Indian Air Force with AL-31F engines.
02/02/07 RIA Novosti, Russia

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Friday, February 02, 2007

New Delhi: As India and the US enhance their defence ties, 20-odd American defence behemoths will display their cutting-edge fighter jets and weaponry at India's biggest air show in Bangalore Feb 7.
'There's going to be a major contingent from the US defence industry,' US ambassador to India David C. Mulford told reporters here Thursday.
'There will be more people, more technology and more things on display,' the envoy said while alluding to three F-16s, two F-18s and a PC3 Orion the US defence majors will be displaying at the five-day show at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, on the outskirts of Bangalore.
The show will provide US companies an opportunity to showcase their competitive edge as they compete with Russian, Swedish and French companies for an Indian Air Force tender for 126 fighter aircraft.
Official delegations from over 40 countries, as also business representatives of corporations will be attending.
01/02/07 Monsters and Critics.com, UK

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Monday, January 29, 2007

New Delhi: US aerospace major Lockheed Martin is aggressively pitching its F-16 fighter for an Indian Air Force - order, terming it 'the most successful international combat aircraft programme in history', even as it will display an array of aircraft and equipment at the upcoming Aero India 2007 show.
The other aircraft showcased at the Feb 7-11 show at Bangalore will be the C-130J Super Hercules, the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft and the MH-60R maritime-dominance helicopter.
Also featured will be the Patriot PAC-3 missile defence system, the ship-mounted Littoral Combat Solution - system, and the MK-41 vertical launching system - for firing missiles at sea.
'Most of these products have potential to support the growing strategic military relationship between the India and the United States,' a Lockheed Martin statement said.
The company's focus, however, is clearly on the F-16 as it eyes a soon-to-be-floated tender for 126 multi role combat aircraft - to replace its ageing fleet of Russian-built MiG-21 jets.
The IAF had, in 2004, sent out a Request for Information - for four jets - the F-16, the Russian MiG-29M/M2, the French Mirage 2000-5, and the Swedish JAS-39 Grippen.
28/01/07 IANS/RxPG NEWS, US

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Friday, January 26, 2007

Kuala Lumpur: Russia's state-controlled MiG aircraft manufacturer will publicly unveil the final production model of its new MiG-35 fighter at an air show in India next month, the company said Wednesday.
The full technical specifications of the MiG-35 will be shown at the Yelahanka air base in Bangalore, India, on Feb. 6, a day before the opening of the Aero India exhibition, Vladimir Barkovsky, director of MiG Corp.'s Mikoyan Design Bureau, said in a statement.
Only the test prototype of the MiG-35 has been shown to the public so far at the MAKS Airshow Russia in 2005 and at Farnborough, Britain, last year, according to the statement issued by MiG through the Kuala Lumpur-based Asian Defense & Diplomacy magazine.
The aircraft is based on Russia's existing MiG-29M fighter, but is widely expected to have significant improvements in maneuverability, flight range and weapons systems.
26/01/07 China Post, Taiwan

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Thursday, January 18, 2007

Washington: A sales and marketing dogfight between American fighter jets F-18 Super Hornets and the much-ballyhooed F-16s will be just one of the star attractions in the Aero India 2007, which will be held in Bangalore from February 7-11.
Both Boeing, which makes the F-18, and Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the F-16, are flying down their machines and men for the Bangalore show, the first time that Americans are turning up in strength after the Aero India began in 1996.
Reason: The Bush administration has given the green signal for US arms merchants that India is no more out of bounds.
Besides two F-18 Super Hornets, Boeing will also be sending a giant C-17 transport aircraft and Chinook heavy-lift choppers for the show, a senior Boeing official said.
While one of the F-18s will be on display, the other one will be put through the paces at the show by Boeing's chief test pilot Ricardo Traven, who is flying down to Bangalore for the show.
The American jets will have to contend with three other international competitors who are lining up to bid for the 126-aircraft deal that the Indian Air Force is expected to call for shortly, one of the single largest fighter plane contracts in the history of aviation, worth a massive $7 billion at least.
Also in the race, Sweden's Grippen and Russian advanced MiGs. The prospective deal has been the talk of military aviation circles for several months now.
18/01/07 Times of India

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