IAF grounds Sukhoi till ‘precautionary checks’ over

A frontline Sukhoi-30MKIcrashed near Pune on Tuesday afternoon soon after taking off from the Lohegaon airbase, forcing IAF to temporarily suspend flying of the country’s most potent and advanced fighters till “precautionary checks” are carried out.  Fortunately, the two pilots Wing Commander G S Sohal and Flight Lieutenant U Nautiyal managed to eject safely before the “air-superiority” twin-engine fighter went down in an open field at around 1.10 pm. 

The pilots ensured the crashing jet would not cause casualties on the ground, said Lohegaon airbase chief, Air Commodore V R Chaudhari.

Added another senior officer, “The Sukhois have not been grounded…But yes, they will undergo some systematic technical checks now before they take to the skies again. The multi-role fighters have had a great safety track-record.”

The Sukhois are not the new MiG-21s, having recorded only three crashes in the last 13 years unlike the latter that go down with alarming regularity, the crash has heightened long-standing concerns about the poor servicing and the maintenance record of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

HAL is manufacturing under licence the bulk of the 272 Sukhois ordered from Russia in deals worth Rs 55,717 crore. IAF has inducted over 130 Sukhois, with a couple of squadrons even coming up in Tezpur and Chabua airbases in Assam in the last couple of years as “a strategic deterrent” against China.

Though IAF ordered a court of inquiry to ascertain the exact reason behind Tuesday’s crash, what accentuated concerns is that preliminary reports held the mishap was due to “technical problems”, possibly due to the failure of “fly-by-wire (FBW) control system”.

“There was no engine failure or `flame-out’. It seems the pilots lost the controls of the fighter, leaving them with no option but to undertake planned ejection,” said an officer.

The main reason behind one of the two earlier Sukhoi crashes in 2009 was attributed to the FBW system (the other was due to “a fuel leak”), which led to summoning of Russian engineers to probe the crash and the entire Sukhoi fleet being grounded for three weeks.

Later, it emerged that one of the pilots had accidentally switched off the FBW system, located behind him in the cockpit, while trying to change the radar mode from one frequency to another.

“It was a combination of pilot error and a design flaw in the FBW system master-switch. Since then, all Sukhois have been modified to add a safety guard to prevent the accidental switching off of the FBW system,” he said.

The suspicion is again on the FBW system now. If the technical defect is major in terms of system malfunction or design problem, Russian engineers might once again be called to assist HAL and IAF in probing the crash. IAF itself is keen to clear the air soon, with plans already underway to base Sukhoi squadrons in Halwara (Punjab) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) for the western front.

As reported earlier by TOI, 39.5% of the over 1,000 crashes recorded by IAF since 1970 have been blamed on “technical defects”, with “human error” being the second major reason with 39%. Since 2008, over 30 fighters (16 of them MiG-21s) and 10 helicopters have crashed, killing 26 military personnel and six civilians.

Source:TNN

Defence spend in 5 years to cross Rs 5,20,000 crore

NEW DELHI: Defending long unresolved borders against two potentially hostile nuclear-armed neighbours does not come cheap. Besides, acquiring a wide array of weapon systems for billions of dollars, India will spend upwards of Rs 60,000 crore over the next five years on developing military infrastructure and capabilities for the western and eastern fronts.


If the cost of raising the already-sanctioned new mountain strike corps in the north-east is pegged at another Rs 60,000 crore and a conservative estimate of defence capital outlay in the 2012-2017 timeframe crossing Rs 4,00,000 crore are taken into account, it adds up to a staggering Rs 5,20,000 crore. This does not include the huge day-to-day cost of maintaining a 13-lakh armed forces.


Defence minister A K Antony on Monday gave figures for the planned development of military infrastructure, with new fighter bases, helipads, bunkers, forward ammunition dumps and the like, to strategically counter China and Pakistan.


Responding to queries on major projects of Military Engineer Services (MES) in Lok Sabha, Antony pegged the planned ``development'' of Army infrastructure and ``improvement'' of IAF infrastructure in the north-east at Rs 7,374 crore and Rs 1,753 crore, respectively.


Similarly, capability development along the northern borders will cost Rs 24,312 crore, while upgrade of storage facility for ammunition will come for Rs 18,450 crore.


Construction of suitable habitat for soldiers deployed in high-altitude areas like Kargil, Siachen-Saltoro Ridge and Ladakh, which includes insulation, dome and fibre-glass based shelters, will cost another Rs 6,000 crore.


Sources say the infrastructure coming up in the Eastern Army Command includes 5,572 ``permanent defences and bunkers'' along the Line of Actual Control with China as well as helicopter and drone bases at Missamari, Kumbhigram and Lilabari in Assam.


This is in addition to IAF deploying Sukhoi-30MKI fighters in Tezpur and Chabua as well as progressively upgrading ALGs (advanced landing grounds) in Arunachal and eastern Ladakh.


The Army's offensive punch will, however, come when the new mountain strike corps, with headquarters in Panagarh (West Bengal), takes concrete shape in the 12th Plan, with two new specially trained and equipped divisions under it.


Two divisions, with 1,260 officers and 35,011 soldiers, with their HQs in Zakama (56 Div) in Nagaland and Missamari (71 Div) in Assam, have been raised over the last couple of years.


Together, the four new divisions add up to around 75,000 troops. ``For decades, our posture against China in North-East has been defensive. This is the first time we will have offensive capabilities in the mountains if they are needed,'' said a source.


They are needed, even if for deterrence. With five fully-operational airbases, an extensive rail network and over 58,000-km of roads in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), China is capable of rushing over 30 divisions (each with over 15,000 soldiers) at their ``launch pads'' on LAC in double-quick time, outnumbering Indian forces by at least 3:1 in the region.


Source:TOI

Rolls-Royce, HAL setting up aero engines production facility

India’s public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and British aero engines manufacturer Rolls-Royce Wednesday commenced construction of a new joint manufacturing facility in Bangalore, where components of Trent family of civil aero engines, marine, and energy gas turbines will be produced beginning 2012.

The production facility, about 7,200 square metres in size, is owned by International Aerospace Manufacturing Private Limited (IAMPL), a joint venture between HAL and Rolls-Royce formed in 2010, according to a release from the company.

‘This purpose-built production facility will produce components for the technologically advanced Trent family of civil aero engines, as well as for a number of marine and energy gas turbines. Located near the HAL airport, the facility will start production in 2012,’ it said.

IAMPL will incorporate the latest Rolls-Royce manufacturing techniques and create job opportunities for highly-skilled technicians and engineers in India.

On the occasion, HAL chairman P.V. Deshmukh said: ‘Rolls-Royce and HAL have been strategic partners since 1956 when HAL started producing the Orpheus engine under licence. As a result of our strong collaboration, we have progressively contributed to the development of the Indian aerospace industry. This ground-breaking event marks a milestone in the relationship between both our companies that will extend, well into the future.’

Rolls-Royce president India Anil Shrikhande said, ‘This new manufacturing facility demonstrates our commitment to the long-standing partnership with HAL. We plan to develop IAMPL as a centre of excellence, with the latest manufacturing techniques and training programmes. IAMPL furthers our common objective of enhancing high value-added manufacturing in India and will also contribute to the country’s growing aerospace and technology industry.’

Rolls-Royce has a significant presence in India stretching back 79 years and now has more than 1,300 engines in service, across four global market sectors – civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy – all well represented in the country.

Rolls-Royce has about 200 employees in India and 650 engineers work on a sub-contract basis in engineering centres in Bangalore

Source:IANS

DRDO successfully conducts maiden flight of AEW&C

NEW DELHI: The DRDO has conducted the maiden flight of Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system at a special facility in Brazil, taking a major step forward in the development of such system indigenously. 


The first maiden flight of indigenously developed AEW&C took place yesterday at Sao Jose dos Campos in Brazil with about 1000 mission system components provided by Bangalore- based DRDO lab, the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), a DRDO spokesperson said here. 


DRDO chief V K Saraswat, in his message after the successful first test-flight of the AEW&C, said, "The flight is a major milestone towards realising the dream of indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control system, which will put India into a select club of countries." 


The aircraft will now undergo full certification process over next two years, but first two aircraft will be delivered to us by the middle of 2012, the spokesperson said. 


"After the aircraft are delivered, the mission systems developed by various DRDO labs will be integrated into them. Currently these systems are undergoing ground integration and evaluation at CABS," he said. 


The delivery of these aircraft with fully integrated mission control system is expected to take place by the end of 2013, he said. 


The systems developed by DRDO are being integrated on specially designed Embraer aircraft with capability of tracking airborne objects in all directions.

High-end DRDO unit in Hyderabad

VIGNYAN KANCHA (Hyderabad): The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is all set to launch its new hi-tech facility at the outskirts of the city.

Housed in a concrete masterpiece built just under four years, the Navigation and Embedded Computer Complex will house some of its discreet and critical missile technologies.

The facility, situated close to the Shamshabad airport and Pahadisharief Dargah and set in a picturesque background of lakes, hillocks and manicured lawns, will be inaugurated by former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on December 9.

Part of DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), the new Complex will develop navigation sensors like fibre-optic gyroscopes (FOGs), ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs), accelerometers (for accuracy requirements of longrange missiles), resonating gyros and star sensors - all pivotal to missile and military applications.

An advanced very large scale integration (VLSI) and simulation lab for the design of integrated circuit and system on chip (SOC) is also being incorporated into the building.

While DRDO is tightlipped about the details about the new Complex, defence sources told Express that the facility will house gen-next clean rooms of the Class 10- 10000 (parts per million particles) category.

The Complex will also have a limited series production facility, with industry participation on governmentowned- company-operated basis, to manufacture some of the systems and components.

While technologically and design-wise, the Complex is sure to outsmart many of DRDO establishments in India, the icing on the cake is a museum featuring navigation and computer equipment from the latest to those dating back to 100 years.

This Xshaped installation with a tow, is tipped to play a lead tole in DRDO's current and futuristic tactical and strategic missile programmes.

Though the state-of-theart facility will go fully live only in the next four months, it will be yet another fulfillment of Dr Kalam's dream to be on par with world leaders in the art of making home-grown missiles.

The denial of technology stemming from the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) unleashed by the West, forced the lab to derive ways and means to develop FOGs (control grade and inertial grade) for missiles, tanks and aircraft, RLGs for long-range long-endurance missiles and flight vehicles.

Source:IBN

Sea trials soon of India's indigenous n-submarine

NEW DELHLI: The sea trials of India's indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant are scheduled in a few months from now and it is likely to be inducted into the navy by the end of 2012, when it will lurk in the deep seas awaiting its prey.

Indian Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma said at the force's annual press conference Friday ahead of Navy Day on Dec 4 that the process of readying the nuclear-powered submarine was "on track".

"By and large we are on track. A firm date can be given when we go for sea trials that will hopefully happen in a few months from now," Verma said when he was asked about his last Navy Day promise that INS Arihant will go out on high seas patrols by 2012-end.

India had launched the 6,000-tonne submarine into the waters at Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard on July 26 in 2009. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur were present on the occassion.

INS Arihant has been built under the navy's advanced technology vessel (ATV) programme at a cost of $2.9 billion. The vessel is critical for India possessing the capability to launch nuclear weapons from an underwater platform.

With India's declared "no first use" policy on nuclear weapons, the country's weapons system must survive a first strike for retaliation. To that effect, INS Arihant's primary weapon is stealth as it will be able to lurk in ocean depths of half a kilometre or more and fire missiles from under the sea.

The submarine is powered by an 85 MW nuclear reactor and can acquire surface speeds of 22 to 28 kmph or 12 to 15 knots, apart from a submerged speed of 44 kmph or 24 knots.

With a crew of 95, it will be armed with torpedoes and missiles including 12 ballistic missiles. Four more nuclear-powered submarines of this class have already got government's nod, adding to navy's underwater combat potential in the years to come.

On the safety of the nuclear submarine, the navy chief said there was a requirement of a regulatory authority and Baba Atomic Research Centre will play a major role in this.

He said the issue was not about nuclear safety while the vessel is at port but while it is at sea and hence the modalities for that and basing of specialist on board the vessel are under consideration.

Source:ET

Indian Navy to induct 24 long-range reconnaissance aircraft

Indian Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma told India Strategic defence magazine (www.indiastrategic.in) in an interview that the force was satisfied with the progress of the first eight Indian P-8Is being built by Boeing under a 2009 order and that a second order for four more aircraft was being processed to be placed within the current fiscal ending March 2012.

At a later date, it was being planned to acquire 12 more LRMR aircraft for offshore surveillance and protection of the Indian waters and interests, bringing the total to 24.

The exact type of the 12 additional aircraft would be worked out later.

India's coastline exceeds 7,500 km, besides which there are several island territories and economic interests off the east and west coasts.

Hitherto, the Indian Navy has been using old, Soviet-vintage maritime reconnaissance aircraft. But, after the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai, the government cleared the first eight P-8Is within three months of the horror. Four more were cleared earlier this year.

In fact, it was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself who had asked the defence ministry to ensure the navy's modernisation after the 26/11 attack, in which 10 Pakistani terrorists easily managed to infiltrate into Mumbai and killed 166 people and injured more than 300.

It may be noted that there had been a virtual paralysis in the government on defence modernisation after the V.P. Singh government instituted an inquiry in 1989 over the controversial Bofors gun deal with Sweden. The Kargil War over Pakistani occupation of strategic Himalayan heights inside India triggered the first round of modernisation and 26/11 the second.

Verma said that the P-8I is the most advanced LRMR platform with a capability to observe even small boats and destroy hostile submarines. India is the first export customer for this aircraft, and the advantage is that India will benefit from the hi-tech systems being developed for the US Navy, which has ordered 117 aircraft.

Most of the specifications of the US and Indian navies are reportedly common but details are understandably being kept secret.

There would be some Indian components though, thanks to the offsets and transfer of technology requirements. India's Bharat Electronics Ltd has already started supplying its Data Link II system to facilitate the P-8I's communications with Indian space, naval, and land based-assets.

The US aircraft, designated the P8-A poseidon multimission maritime aircraft (MMA), has the capability of broad-area surveillance and launching Harpoon anti-ship and land attack missiles, depth charges and torpedoes against submarines and underwater unmanned assets. The aircraft can also perform electronic intelligence (ELINT) missions with its highly sophisticated Raytheon APY-10 radar and Northrop Grumman electronic warfare (EW) systems.

The first Indian P-8I, which first flew on Sep 28 in the presence of Indian Navy officers, is due to be delivered in January 2013. The first US Navy P8-A flew in April 2009 and is due to be delivered mid-2012. Indian Navy officers periodically visit the Boeing factory at Renton in Washington state to monitor the progress of the project and installation of specified systems.

India Strategic quoted Verma as saying that he expected all the P-8Is to be delivered in about six to seven years but did not give the planned schedule.

The P8 aircraft is a next-generation military version of the Boeing 737-800 fuselage with wingtips from the 737-900. The engines are also from the same CFM family used on commercial 737s but more powerful, permitting the aircraft low level cruise over the waters and launch sonobuoys to detect submarines.

There are five stations for systems and weapons operators, and the aircraft can remain in the air for several hours.

According to a Boeing statement, "All sensors contribute to a single fused tactical situation display, which is then shared over both military standard and internet protocol data links, allowing for seamless delivery of information while simultaneously providing data to everyone on the network."

Source: IANS