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Inside this issue:

Inside this issue:

4
Tejas Mk-2 will incorporate 5 gen fighter ele-
Tejas Mk-2 will incorporate
ments
5 gen fighter elements
6
7
SEA HARRIER
Sea Harriers RETIREMENT
and Mig-29k dog fight over Goa

8
AURA: New
India’s Ballistic Dawn of New Age
Missiles

10
11
US leaving
IAC-3 might Afghanistan in 2011
be nuclear powered – Reason
Aircraft and
carrier
EDITORIAL PANEL Impact for Pakistan

MANAGING EDITOR
14
11
AJAY NAIK
The MMRCA
MMRCA Deal:Game
Why We Need It-Points &
EDITORIAL ADVISOR Counterpoints

VINAYAK SHETTY
India’s artillery woes: 18
13
RAKESH SHARMA Indian Navy’s indigenous ship building: A
success story
EDITORIAL PANEL
VINAYAK SHETTY
Did we IAF’s
really strategic
reach theairlift
moon? capability: 20
14
AJAY NAIK

SUJIT KULKARNI

SANKAR BALU
AMCA/NGFA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft or
SUJIT KULKARNI Next Generation Fighter Aircraft) 20
NEERAJ KAKAR
Star Wars VII - The KALI strikes back 23
DINAKAR PERI
Super Carrier required for BrahMos 26
JOYDEEP GHOSH
Strategic Long Bombers: Mission Accomplished. 27

Conventional Submarines: Their new found role 29

Email Managing Editor

Idrw.org@gmail.com

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SECURITY SEPTEMBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR DOWNLOAD

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Tejas Mk-2 will incorporate 5 gen fighter elements

Vinayak Shetty security Editorial Panel

Tejas MK-1 is fast approaching its IOC which will happen in December 2010 , but ADA
officials have already done their preliminary design of Tejas Mk-2 , and to avoid further
delays , Two Tejas MK-2 were designed keeping in mind the dimensions provided by two
Engine manufactures who were in race to provide 100 + plus engines to the Tejas Mk-2
program .

Ge’s F414IN engines were logically chosen for the Tejas Mk-2, since they had same di-
mensions and length of F-404 engines which were powering Tejas MK-1 .but Tejas Mk-2
as per sources will incorporate advance technology developed keeping in mind MCA over
a decade has a parallel in house development now officially known has AMCA.

India currently is working on Indigenous AESA again with inputs from a international
partner. Officials close to the program have told www.lca-tejas.org that major avionics
will be ready for the aircraft within next two or three years, Tejas Mk-2 will have lot of
key elements which will find its way into AMCA and FGFA later.

Tejas MK-2 will also have a newly laid out cockpit layout with better computing power
since it also be housing new mission control computer, Samtel Display Systems (SDS) is
also working on touch based Multi Function Displays (MFD) for Tejas Mk-2 , which will
later find its way in AMCA too .

Tejas Mk-2 will also see structural changes in the aircraft which will be noticeable in wid-
er wing span to carry extra weapons load along with extra fuel, aircraft will also have
large air intakes to let the high thrust engine generate additional power for the air-
craft, engine change for Tejas Mk-2 will result in the rear fuselage being changed too .

Commonality between Tejas Mk-1 and Tejas MK-2 will be digital Fly by Wire (FBW)
Flight Control System (FCS) along with some avionics which both aircraft will share, but
sources also told us that FBW Software will require some modification in them to support
structural changes which Tejas MK-2 will have.

When asked about development of Tejas MK-3 sources told us that it all depends how
Tejas Mk-2 develops and how IAF responds to it , further development can happen but
AMCA will be logical choice if it comes out in time for IAF rather then Tejas MK-3 .

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INDESEC Expo 2010

India's only exhibition and conference dedicated to homeland security

INDESEC Expo 2010 is India’s only exhibition and conference dedicated to homeland security. Building on the phenomenal
success of 2009, INDESEC Expo 2010 maintains its total focus on the Indian Governments urgent need to procure the most
advanced technological solutions to meet their homeland / national security requirements. Senior visitors will include ministers
and decision makers from the Ministry of Home Affairs, central police and paramilitary organisations, the intelligence services,
Ministry of Defence, Coastguard, individual state ministries and senior police representatives – the people in india responsible
for determining and meeting India’s maritime, border, airport, transport, critical infrastructure security and disaster

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SEA HARRIER RETIREMENT

Vinayak Shetty security Editorial Panel

Indian navy plans to retire Sea Harrier VTOL/STOVL jet fighter from its service from
2014 onwards , Naval officials based in Ins Hansa have confirmed this report , Ins Hansa
is also a major base for Naval fighter squadrons and currently has Sea Harriers , recently
acquired Mig-29k along with Kiran-Mk2 aircrafts .
India Acquired 30 jets in mid-80’s and later ten more were acquired in late 80’s , bringing
this numbers to 40 jets which included single and two seat aircrafts used for training pur-
pose , Sea Harriers operated from the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Viraat.
Sea Harriers had very troublesome history with Indian navy, jet was very difficult to mas-
ter and operate , 28 jets were lost in this short service of 25 years with Indian navy , re-
cently many of the jets have been upgraded with Israeli Elta 2032 MMR radar which ena-
bled it to fire Rafael 'Derby' medium range BVR air to air missile , almost 14 jets were
upgraded with this new radar giving it BVR capability along with mid-air refueling probe
which was re-installed in them to carry midair refueling .
Even with upgraded Sea harrier has been lost in accident recently which killed its co-pilot
of the Goa coast, Indian Navy in 2005 has decided to purchase 8 retired British navy Sea
harrier to keep a Squadron of this VTOL fighter jets till 2020, but the plans to bring addi-
tional jets with additional engines fell flat since, price for acquisition and up gradation
turned up to be in the higher side.
Since this jets have already been retired from British navy in 2006, spares are getting
harder to come, with a small numbers of jet it possesses decision to retire them was made
recently, retirement will start from 2014 onwards,

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Indian navy also recently signed contract to acquire more 29 Mig-29k for its aerial opera-
tions and it fully committed to Countries Naval-Tejas fighter jet program, first flight of
Naval-Tejas is expected by early 2011.
Indian navy also wants to acquire more 40 modern jets other than Mig-29k and Naval
Tejas, and already has send RFP to international Aircraft manufactures, many defense
have hinted that additional aircrafts from IAF’s MMRCA aircraft deal might go to Navy.

Since this jets have already been retired from British navy in 2006, spares are getting
harder to come, with a small numbers of jet it possesses decision to retire them was made
recently, retirement will start from 2014 onwards, Indian navy also recently signed con-
tract to acquire more 29 Mig-29k for its aerial operations and it fully committed to Coun-
tries Naval-Tejas fighter jet program, first flight of Naval-Tejas is expected by early 2011.
Indian navy also wants to acquire more 40 modern jets other than Mig-29k and Naval
Tejas, and already has send RFP to international Aircraft manufactures, many defense
have hinted that additional aircrafts from IAF’s MMRCA aircraft deal might go to Navy.

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AURA: New Dawn of New Age

Vinayak Shetty security Editorial Panel

Scenario
Year 2022 major infiltration is taking place on the Line of Control in Uri Sector of north
Kashmir, small pack of 10 to 12 Pakistani Terrorists are trying to sneak into Kashmir. but
they have little idea that Two Hunter Killer UCAV developed under India’s prestigious
AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft) have tracked their movement using
infrared and motion sensors and are losing altitude fast, this new breed of Stealthy UCAV
hunt in pairs and can be on CAP (Combat Air Patrol) 24 hours a day, powered by a modi-
fied Kaveri K10 engine armed with four Air to Surface missiles and 2 Air to Air missiles
for their own self protection.
UCAV have already alerted movement of intruders to the zonal head quarters and soon go
head confirmation comes from Head quarters , both UCAV fire ASM at the intruders and
terrorist have no idea what hit them , half of them are killed near loc and others run and
hide in a abandoned concrete shelter UCAV is able to track their movement and sends a
video feed to the Zonal Army Head quarter for reinforcement , well reinforcement comes
in shape of Bomber UCAV again derivate from AURA program , bomber UCAV is able to
carry large LGB or joint direct attack munitions ,powered by two modified

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Kaveri K10 engine , it is much bigger then Hunter UCAV but is able to carry more pay-
loads .As soon it arrived at the scene of action Hunter UCAV starts moving out area of op-
eration, Terrorist seeing UCAV move have a sign of relief but they have no idea that soon
whole complex where they are hiding will be brought to ground in seconds.

This is just a possible scenario where future UCAV of India will operate.

Why a UCAV?

Longer CAP: Fully Autonomous Unmanned Combat aircraft will have longer endurance
in war or in conflict zone since everything is controlled by on board computers level of
efficiency from take off to landing will be same ,fatigue and stress factors will be negligi-
ble since pilot is absent .

Design of UCAV: it has been openly discussed and told by Aviation community that de-
sign of aircrafts is limited to “Human endurance “ UCAV will always have design ad-
vantages over manned aircrafts even if they are stealthy in nature, risk to pilots live in
combat zone is also reduced since UCAV will not need one, another major advantage will
weight since UCAV will not require any pilot-support systems this will reduce weight in
the aircraft and will enable it to better utilizes space for other purpose , which in turn can
reduce size of the airframe of the aircraft , with same payload that a manned aircraft might
have .

Lower R&D Cost: Why many of the European Countries are engaged in development of
UCAV on other hand same countries are cutting down their own defense budgets in time
of recession in their Economy? that Simple, development of new 5 Gen Fighter aircraft
will be tremendous pressure on already shaky economic of this countries and since many
of them will be operating American –European Jointly developed F-35 soon, need for a
new manned 5th Gen aircraft have disappeared and many of them have been actively
working on UCAV which will have half the cost for development of a stealthy Fighter or
Bomber aircraft, but also be cheaper to operate in future since it will also reduce training
of pilots and support crew.

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Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle Technological Challenges for India?

Well India has taken baby steps for the development of its own Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
for surveillance but not to be fooled , almost each and every lab of DRDO and HAL has
been working on different types of UAV from Hand held battle field UAV to be operated
by foot soldiers to larger MALE ,HALE type of UAV’s for Countries armed forces .
sharing of many of the technology or spin offs from this program will help ADA help in
development of AURA UCAV’s ,other than this following new developments needs to
take place for UCAV .

*Reconfigurable control station for multi Situational operations.

*Development and integration off-board/onboard sensors, weapon targeting, and load

outs.

*Battle management sensors for better Situation Awareness among similar or other
UCAV.

*Full autonomy Mission computers which will enable it to think for its self in the
whole assigned missions.

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US leaving Afghanistan in 2011 – Reason and Impact for Pakistan

& India
Sankar Balu. security Editorial Panel

As we’re eagerly waiting for 2010 to end, the year to come 2011 will have a big impact
on India, Iran, Pakistan and Israel. To understand this, we need to review few of the key
Geo-Political NEWS unfolding in the last few months.

Picture
courtesy, Foreignpolicy.com

1) US don’t want to stay beyond 2011 in Afghanistan (see here) – We all might’ve
heard this very often nowadays, if not outside US, in US it’s talk of the town, that too
2012 election campaign is nearing.
This is also partly due to the commitment US President Obama had made
during his 2008 presidential election campaign and considering that they’re not
going to get anything out of Afghanistan, useful and anyway Taliban had moved
their bases to Pakistan.
2) Afghan President Karzai confirms Taliban talks (see here) – As per the US/
International media, this is the latest NEWS for Today.
This is not only a Treat to Pakistan; it’s a pre-cursor to 2011/2011 US moves.
This move is making Afghan Karzai government, a corrupt one, as by any
means, known by everyone including US, but, the later doesn’t have any oth-
er choice other than that.

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3) “The cancer is in Pakistan”, Obama – Yes, this NEWS had its course outside US
and made headlines all over the world, especially Indian media, and yes, the GOI
too.
Do we sense anything here, No? Considering Obama is a weak President in
US, in 2010 November US election, the Democrats are going to lose the con-
gress, the one and only thing Obama can make Republicans accept after No-
vember 2010 would be, calling for a War against Pakistan/Iran, right ?
4 ) Israeli Prime Minister visits Moscow, puts pressure to Russia for Iran sanctions –
The news about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s highly publicized secret
visit to Moscow (see here) by UK media “The Sunday Times” was denied by few, but,
people who follow Iran Nuclear sanctions might’ve believed it to be true, without know-
ing whether that would work on Oct 7th ’10.
Yes, you’ll believe that on Oct 11th ’10, that it worked, read on.
5 ) “Russia cancels S-300 missiles to Iran will return $166.8 million”, RIA Novosti –
Yes, now we believe it worked.

This is crucial step for making Iran aware that US is readying for a WAR
with Iran, if need be so.
Now, it’s time for us, to analyze these three distinct NEWS (as 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 are relat-
ed one’s), to understand what US is intended to do with Afghan, Pakistan, Iran and how
it’s going to impact Pakistan and India.

Let’s go step by step again, this time by linking, each of these distinct NEWS, on
the Geo-Political space happening in 2010, how it may unfold in 2011/2012, the time
2012 US Election unfolds.
As US had already decided, based on inputs that Iran is very close, not decades, but
just years away from having Nuclear Weapons, which in near clear terms, not at all ac-
ceptable to Israel/US and other regional Middle East nations.
US is just preparing for the Next WAR against Iran with these, hence setting the stage
for leaving Afghan, allowing Taliban to rule Afghanistan in an ISI dictated Democratic
manner.

To do this, US had to leave Afghan, allow Pakistan more control over Afghan, which
by any means doesn’t need India to have a greater say in Afghan. This is definitely re-
quired by US; otherwise they can’t regroup for Iran WAR, if required in 2011/2012.

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Now, Pakistan had upstaged India in Afghan, by having US to have Karzai talk to Tali-
ban, making Taliban a legitimate one, right in the Afghan government. By this India had
to manage Kashmir as a separate issue, Afghan as another issue, which India thought will
have a greater say, once, if at all Afghan is rebuilt. This option is also ruled out with US
backing out from the plan, India left out with two options.
As now it’s clear after Indian officials talking to Hadley, it was ISI who did Mumbai
attack, not as US told in the beginning, it needs to go out in PoK for a Military pre-
emptive strike.
This I don’t’ think it’s going to happen, will never happen based on previous
incidents.
Sit and watch Afghan + pro-ISI (Taliban) takeover Afghan, Pakistan move all the
troops to PoK again, Mushraf come to power/Pak Military do another coup attempt,
and try to infiltrate to J&K or wait for another Mumbai style attack, as Hadley men-
tioned the Indian officials, there’ll be another attack.
This is the likely one going to happen, at this time, it’ll be 2012/2013, US
will be busy with Iran, we again push Pakistan out of LOC, and come back
and watch again what ISI is going to do next.

Let’s see what happens, do we’ve any other option ?

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MMRCA Deal: Why We Need It-Points & Counterpoints

JOYDEEP GHOSH Security Editorial Panel

Why Gripen Is a Good Choice for MMRCA

IAF is desperately short of fighters with its strength now below 32 squadrons, and ex-
pected to go down further with more aircrafts being retired. While a sanctioned strength is
39.5 squadrons with healthy level of 44 squadrons which India reached only in mid 80s,
the aging MiG21 retirement and delay in induction of Tejas meant India had to go for
MMRCA. With the announcement date for MMRCA deal winner coming near people are
talking a lot of things. Here is a comparison and reasons why Gripen is favorite to win the
MMRCA deal of 126 aircrafts with option for 74 more. Here a few things need to be
clearly mentioned
a) MMRCA deal was launched to replace MiG-21s.
b) The aircraft chosen has to be a 4.5 generation aircraft with all latest systems.
c) The aircraft has to be a low cost fighter that is easy to maintain.

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Eurofighter
1) Some said Eurofighter held the edge with the 99 EJ-200 engine deal for Tejas Mk2
almost in its pocket.

A) But then grounding of Eurofighters across Europe due to concerns over

faulty ejection seat (that killed a Saudi pilot) is a major setback.

B) The DOD announcement that GE414 has been selected for Tejas Mk2 pretty
much cuts out Eurofighters.

C) Deliveries can be a problem as the aircraft is assembled at one place after

sourcing it from various other units.

D) Eurofighter is a double engine heavy class fighter that’s expensive to buy and
maintain.

E) It has some US parts; if the US gets upset with India over any issue it can be
problem to keep them flying.
Super Hornet
2) The selection of GE414 as Tejas Mk2 engines has bolstered the chances of F/A-18
Super Hornet as its powered by the same engine. But chances of Super Hornet are
bleak because

A) Super Hornet is very expensive to buy as well as maintain, IAF has specified
it wants a aircraft that’s low cost and easy to maintain.

B) Super Hornet are double engine heavy class aircrafts

C) India will be required to sign CISMOA, BECA and various other agreements
before IAF can use these aircrafts to maximum

D) If the US gets upset with India over any issue, it can starve India of crucial
parts, software packages to keep them flying.

E) Its nearly 30 year old design.

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Rafale
3) Like F/A-18 Super Hornet has everything going for it because it has virtually no US
parts, is a very latest design. But its chances dwindle when we look in to the fol-
lowing

A) Its twin engine heavy class aircraft that’s expensive to buy and maintain.

B) It’s in service with just with French forces.

C) Deliveries have been behind schedule.

D) It lost out on several deals earlier, considered a black mark.

E) It has some US parts; if the US gets upset with India over any issue it can be
problem to keep them flying.
Mig-35
4) Mig-35 is from the trusted old friend Russia, but there are several problems leading
up to its non selection

A) Based on Mig-29 its still an experimental aircraft with all sorts developmen-
tal work still needed to be done.

B) IAF does not want to put all its eggs in Russian basket.

C) Its priced low but like all other Russian aircraft is expensive to maintain in
the long run.

F-16
5) One of the most widely used and combat proven aircraft in jet era F-16 in its IN ver-
sion has no chance of winning it, because
A) Its over 30 year old design
B) Its in service with PAF a disadvantage that IAF cant let itself exposed to,
even if US says India has been offered a design leagues ahead of what PAF
has.
C ) India will be required to sign CISMOA, BECA and various other agreements
before IAF can use these aircrafts to maximum

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D ) If the US gets upset with India over any issue, it can starve India of crucial
parts, software packages to keep them flying.

Gripen
6 ) Gripen NG in its IN version has the brightest chance of winning the MMRCA deal.
Though some said it will kill Tejas but its not the fact because

A ) Maturation limit of Tejas is likely to be similar to Gripen NG. If India selects

Gripen NG, then Tejas & Gripen will compliment each other.

B ) Being single engine aircraft and developed around the millennium design the
aircraft is the latest

C ) Its low cost and easy to maintain compared to other jets

D ) Is a purely commercial deal with no political constraints attached?

E) If selected Saab is willing to setup a entire production unit in India itself in

association with HAL and work on further developing Gripen

F ) Gripen selection and production in India will help DRDO and HAL to expe-
dite the development and roll out of Tejas Mk2 & 3.

G ) Since both Tejas Mk2 and Gripen NG IN will use the same engine, i.e.
F414, with India going for licensed production of this engine from USA it
cuts out chances of interference from USA, the only major US component on
the plane.

H ) Option for further development on AESA radar, thrust vectoring for Tejas an
added advantage

I ) Once India goes for buying cheaper Gripen, Pakistan can be kept out of the
deal to buy it in future as we know it’s financially difficult to them to buy
F18, EF, Rafale.

J ) It is reportedly the only aircraft to have cleared the Leh trails.

All these points very much prove that Gripen is the front runner for winning MMRCA
deal but in the end it will be ultimately a political decision.
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Indian Navy’s indigenous ship building: A success story

Dinakar Peri security Editorial Panel

On 20 April 2010 the country's first Anti Submarine Warfare Corvette (ASWC) for the In-
dian Navy under project P28, the 2500 tonne INS Kamotra was launched at the Garden
Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. Four are of them are on order and in
all 12 are intended to be built. On 29 April 2010 the Indian navy commissioned the indig-
enously built multi-role stealth frigate INS Shivalik and at 5300 tonnes it is the largest
stealth frigate in the world. The hard to detect warships will form a crucial component of
the Indian Navy for the first half of this century. These events herald the strides India has
made in ship building and the coming of age of its shipyards. It can be undoubtedly said
that the navy is the only service of the Indian armed forces carrying out modernization
and indigenization with a long term plan with indigenization being the mantra. Setting
aside the depleting submarine levels and delays in newer sub-surface inductions, the over-
all modernization and strategic planning of the Indian navy is going at a commendable
pace with all the bureaucratic bottlenecks and political laxity notwithstanding. Even the
Scorpion submarine project after all the delay is finally on track and construction is pick-
ing pace. There are currently as many as 39 warships and submarines on order with vari-
ous Indian shipyards not including a couple of recently approved projects. The navy’s Di-
rectorate of Naval Architecture and the shipyards have come a long way from designing
and constructing small offshore vessels to constructing aircraft carriers.

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Recently the defense ministry has given the green signal the much awaited Rs.50,000
crore project to manufacture the second line of conventional submarines after the Scor-
pene’s with the help of a foreign collaborator. After the recent nod to the over Rs50,000-
crore project for a second line of six submarines, the defense ministry has cleared another
major program to indigenously construct four guided-missile stealth destroyers. Designat-
ed Project-15B for the four destroyers and valued around Rs.30,000 crore, it has been sent
for final approval to the finance ministry. The P-15B program will be undertaken at
Mazagon Docks (MDL) after the three Kolkata-class destroyers being constructed there
under a long-delayed Rs 11,662-crore project, are finally delivered in 2014. The P-15B is
basically a follow-on project of the 6,700-tonne Kolkata-class destroyers and will feature
greater stealth and advanced sensor and weapon packages. The government also approved
the construction of seven follow-on stealth frigates of project P17 (Shivalik class) to be
constructed by MDL in Mumbai and GRSE in Kolkata. As is known, the construction of
the indigenous aircraft carrier being built by Cochin shipyard Ltd. is going smoothly and
should be launched to sea by this year end and commissioned in 2014. At 40,000 tonnes
this is the largest ship ever built in India and with this India becomes only the seventh
country in the world to design and construct aircraft carriers. The design for the IAC-II is
also underway and this will be a much bigger and more sophisticated compared to IAC-I
displacing about 65,000 tonnes.

But on the downside, the rate of building is very slow and doesn’t match the rate of phas-
ing out of ships from service. Even the Navy chief has expressed displeasure over the de-
lay in executing orders. The shipyards need to undertake a huge modernization drive to
cope with the increasing qualitative and quantitative demands. Recently few private Indi-
an conglomerates have forayed into ship building and have established world class facili-
ties. The government and Navy should encourage and give an impetus to the private sec-
tor to strengthen the Indian military industrial complex.

With the changed threat perception after 26/11 combined with the aggressive Chinese for-
ay into the Indian ocean region with its string of pearl’s strategy and the soon to expand
exclusive economic zones have all highlighted the need for a strong Navy and finally the
government seems to have woken up to the harsh reality. Slowly but surely, India is build-
ing a powerful three-dimensional blue-water Navy to protect its geo-strategic interests
stretching from Hormuz Strait to Malacca Strait and with the indigenous route, is saving
billions of precious foreign exchange. Hope the other services of the armed forces also
take a leaf out of the Navy’s book for their modernization process.

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IAF’s strategic airlift capability:

Dinakar Peri security Editorial Panel

There is a huge modernization drive underway in the Indian Air Force to augment the
transport fleet with life extension programs for existing platforms and the induction of
new heavy and very heavy lift aircraft as most of the aircraft have reached the end of their
operational life. The airlift capability has come under criticism during the 26/11 attacks in
Mumbai, when NSG commandos had to be airlifted from Manesar near New Delhi where
NSG are based but were delayed due to non availability of large aircraft there at that time
and an IL-76 was called from Chandigarh. Learning from the lessons the government has
charted out a blueprint to augment the fleet on a priority basis. The An-32’s and IL-76’s
procured from Russia in 80’s have served very well but are now technologically obsolete,
maintenance intensive and have almost reached the end of their service life.
AN-32: This is the workhorse of the transport fleet of the air force and the 105 AN-32
medium transport planes are undergoing a complete overhaul and complete systems up-
grade in Ukraine under a $600 million deal signed in June 2009 of which 10 have already
been sent and two of the refurbished planes are to be delivered this month. This will ex-
tend the service life of the fleet by 15-20 years from the current 25 years. Under the
agreement, 40 aircraft will be upgraded in Ukraine while the remaining 65 will be done at
IAF’s base repair depot in Kanpur. The AN-32 is considered to be the lifeline of the armed
forces in the Jammu & Kashmir and northeast where soldiers depend on it for rations and
supplies.

IL-76: There are 17 IL-76 heavy aircraft in the IAF inventory which are extensively used
for strategic airlift operations but have almost reached the end of their life and are also un-
dergoing a limited service life extension. It has a payload of 45 tonnes and has a crew of
six. With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, like for much other military hardware,
there is a shortage in availability of quality spares and the aircraft itself is out of produc-
tion
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MTA: In September, India and Russia concluded an agreement to set up a joint enterprise
to co-design and develop a Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) for the Indian and Russian
armed forces and eventually export to mutually agreeable third countries. The initial re-
quirement is 100 aircraft for Russia and 45 for India. With a payload of 20 tonnes, top
speed of 800 kmph and service sealing 12km it will be a replacement to the AN-32 and is
yet another milestone in the Indo-Russian strategic partnership and evolving relationship
in co-developing weapons and weapon systems. The aircraft will have two engines, state
of the art features such as fly-by-wire, full authority digital engine control, modern avion-
ics and glass cockpit. The total development cost is expected to be approximately $600
million to be equally shared by both the sides. The first flight is expected to take place in
six years. Going by the successful joint development of BrahMos by India & Russia, this
project is going to be a success and will set a benchmark in its category.

C-130 Super Hercules: The tactical airlift capabilities of the armed forces will get a shot
in the arm by December when India will receive the first of the six Lockheed Martin built
C-130J Super Hercules airlifters purchased for $1 billion. Last week the first C-130J with
IAF overalls has undertaken its maiden flight and will undergo further certification and
user trails before transfer to India. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt
strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile are-
as. It signals a paradigm shift in the capacity of the Indian armed forces to carry out spe-
cial operations. These will be mainly in use by Indian Special Forces and for the first
time, the IAF will be able to conduct precision low-level flying operations, airdrops and
landings in blackout conditions as the aircraft will be equipped with an infrared detection
set (IDS) and other In India specific equipment and the manufacturer has even offered a
long term maintenance contract to ensure that 80 percent of the fleet is available at any
given time. It is a multirole aircraft and the same aircraft can be midified to perform vari-
ous roles. The required facilities like hangers and maintenance facilities are being set up
at IAF’s Hindon airbase outside New Delhi where the aircraft will operate from and a
cockpit simulator is also being installed for training purposes. There is an option in the
deal to purchase six more aircraft which the Air force is contemplating to exercise.

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C-17 Globemaster: Indian is further looking to augment the force with the Boeing built
C-17 Globemaster III very heavy transport aircraft from the US through the foreign mili-
tary sales program in a deal worth over $3 billion and preparations are underway to ink
the deal during President Obama’s trip to India in November. The C-17 is the only plane
in the very heavy category with a maximum payload of over 77 tonnes and can take off
and land in 3000 feet or less. Reportedly, India is looking to rise the number from 10 to
16. Despite its massive size it can be operated with a small crew of three, thanks to its
high degree of automation and power assisted systems.
With these inductions and upgrades in place by 2015, the airlift and special operations ca-
pabilities of the Indian armed forces will see a radical transformation in their ability to un-
dertake out of area operations and respond to contingencies.

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Rafale – The obvious choice for India’s Strategic Forces

Command

Neeraj Kakar security Editorial Panel

What is strategic forces command: In January 2003 the cabinet committee on security
formed the Executive Council & Political Council of the Nuclear Command Authority to
be chaired by the National Security Advisor and the Prime Minister respectively, who
would thereon decide and authorize to push the nuclear button. The directives of the NCA
are operationalized by the Strategic forces command (SFC) which formulates the nuclear
war plan, handles the storage of India’s some 100 odd nuclear warheads and their delivery
systems.

The need for a strategic bomber: For many reasons and circumstances the country has
gone through in the last seven years, for many strategic war plans that were put on the ta-
ble for discussion at Sena Bhawan, for the failed missile tests marking them unreliable for
nuclear delivery, the SFC has finally decided to order its own fleet of strategic bombers
which are reliable enough to ensure a nuclear bomb delivery.

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India’s nuclear triad is hardly operational. The K-15 is not yet operational; neither does it
have the range to hit Lahore, while safely sailing in the Arabian Sea. The Prithvis and the
Agnis do not have the reliability that is required when you are shooting something like a
N-bomb across the border. The Brahmos does not have enough range to hit Beijing, or hit
Karachi without mobilizing the warheads far away from their trenches making them vul-
nerable to detection thereby losing the surprise and probably face neutralization. The IAF
however does have the SU 30 MKI, MIG-29 and Mirage 2000 which can deliver the
bomb embedded in Moskits or as gravity bombs, but in a war, each IAF plane will be
committed to a mission thus not leaving the SFC with anything at hand to plan, rehearse
and prepare for a second strike. So the SFC now needs its own aircraft to ensure that there
are no hiccups at the time of war.

The Mission: So what does it take to air drop a nuclear weapon? Well the B-29 super for-
tress could do it. But times have changed. Today the bomber has to be stealthy, laden with
the most latest of ECCM and jammers to be able to cross the border without activating the
SAMs, It needs to be a robust platform and a heavy lifter to carry a 1000 pounder along
with fuel pods enough to make the round trip from central India, say Pune. And at the
same time it has to be a great dog fighter to be able to make its journey back evading the
F-16s that would have scrambled by then. So one thing is clear, it needs to be a multi role
fighter- stealthy, maneuverable and with substantial external load capacity.

Nothing but the Rafale: The SU-30 MKI is mainly an air superiority fighter, it is meant
for defending, or to provide cover. While it does have the capability to strike deep inside
Pakistan, it is much more vulnerable to detection, being a heavier, bigger aircraft. With a
high RCS it doesn’t really fall into the stealth category. The Eurofighter while being ex-
tremely stealthy and a great dogfighter, is not a great air to surface weapons delivery plat-
form. The F-16 & The FA-18 super hornet have to be kept out of the SFC hangars I’m
sure, considering that Pentagon is never, in all practical sensibilities, going to allow us to
use them for Nuclear weapons delivery. MIG 29 is an old platform, already running out of
steam and probably spares too. I don’t think anyone is interested in buying a MIG nowa-
days. Infect after the merger, Sukhoi is not even interested in selling them. The Rafale is
the Knight in shining armor. It is a proven ground attack platform, it has the best avionics,
ECM and ECCMs, It’s soon to get a top rated AESA. The cockpit is a pilot’s dream. It’s
proven its mettle in Afghanistan, and guess what, has a carrier version too, just in case we
start drooling…

Tools and reuse: However what really goes in the favor of the Rafale is that the Indian
Air Force is more than happy with its older sibling - the Mirage 2000. In fact the Rafale
had almost been finalized as the MMRCA, before the Americans got interested in the deal
and the French quoted too high a price as a spoiler. The Mirage 2000 was used extensive-
ly to drop 1000 pounders with pin point accuracy at Kargil heights. India already has the
capability to refurbish Dassault aircrafts. Rafale is going to be absorbed into the force
mush easily. And it is also going to help us save a fortune on pilot training, tools and
many reusable components.

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Geopolitics: What is strikingly co-incidental is that the number of aircraft that have been
put out on paper (40) as a requirement by the SFC exactly matches with what was offered
by the French last year as a fast track deal. Sarkozy will be here in December; right after
Obama would have made the MMRCA pitch for Boeing in return for ‘something’ at the
Security Council. However the French have the guts and I’m sure the ‘frank’ will to veto
it out. And that is why the Rafale will be chosen as the stallion of the Strategic Forces
Command.

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NEW ENTRY IN NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM GOA

Vinayak Shetty security Editorial Panel

A Big surprise waited me at Indian Navy lonely Naval Aviation Museum in Goa, I have
visited NAM many number of times but other than some minor changes I could never find
anything more, I usually visit nearby INS HANSA base to keep touch with my friends
there, but this time after visit with them, I decided to go to NAM.
Nothing much had changed same Sea Harrier, Sea Hawk, Sea King ASW Helicopter
greeted me, has I was almost ready to exit NAM I spotted something in orange I had

never seen before, closer I went I was surprised to see Northrop built Chukar III aerial tar-
get drones on display, I never knew that Indian Navy had them in their possession. Back
at my house little search on internet never hinted that Indian navy had operated them.

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MQM-74C Chukar III earlier production variant was exported to many NATO coun-
tries and more than 1,600 were produced, but what’s surprising is that Internet could
not fetch me much info on their Indian navy connection.

Two more of MQM-74C Chukar III was kept little further from the lonely MQM-74C
Chukar III, it seems to be recent addition or did they come with INS Jalashwa (L41)
Formerly the USS Trenton, it was procured by India for USD 48 million.

It entered service in 2007, becoming the second largest ship of the Indian Navy
May be someone with better information will email me their information in regards to
their service with Indian navy.

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S-400 Surface to Air Missile – The last Defender

NJS security Editorial Panel

The Triumf S-400 is a new generation of air defense and theater anti-missile weapon de-
veloped by the Almaz Central Design Bureau as an evolution of the S-300PMU family.
This new system is intended to detect and destroy airborne targets at a distance of up to
400 km (2- 2.5 times greater than the previous S-300PMU system). And it has maximum
speed up to 12 mach, can easily detect and destroy enemy aircraft and in coming Ballistic
and Cruise missiles .

The Triumf system includes radars capable of detecting low-signature targets. and the anti
-missile capability of the system has been increased to the limits established by the ABM
Treaty demarcation agreements -- it can intercept targets with velocities of up to 4.8 km/
sec, corresponding to a ballistic missile range of 3,500 km.
It is important to note that no F/A-18 variant, nor the Joint Strike Fighter, were designed
to penetrate the coverage of the S-300P/S-400 systems. The survivability of these aircraft
will not be significantly better than that of legacy combat aircraft. and its range is claimed
to be at least twice that of the MIM -104 Patriot SAM (Surface to Air missile )system. At
present no other SAM’s in world has capable more than Triumf in long range .
Israel and United states has known plan to have airstrikes against Iran , in the name of its
nuclear capable . Even though Iran has better capable resources in Surface missiles /
Aircrafts/Naval warfare , Israel mainly objected for supply of S-300 SAM systems from
Russia to Iran, because theses Sam’s have capable to engage any aircraft / missiles from
Israel, that could make more difficult for both US & Israel Fighter Jets .

According to Russian sources, the S-400 is capable of detecting and simultaneously en-
gaging six targets and it has flight ceiling of 40 kms with cold launch ejection system. At
present Russia Operates 5 battalions as of 2010 and will arm more before 2020.
India already has 6 Sqns of S-300 SAM systems which is less capable than Triumf S-400
in all aspects , India bought these systems in earlier days to defend incoming Pakistani M-
11(supplied by china) and other surface to surface missiles , but India so far has not real-
ized the need of S-400 against its dearest Chinese missiles from north east , these things
should not realized in war times . India’s AAD is still in development and testing stages ,
it takes much more tests to get certify. At least to save our valuable bases close to China
need this type of protection . Even china has more numbers of S-400 and has plans to pro-
duce massive numbers for its self defense.

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Why The Hell We Need MMRCA-An Argument Against

JOYDEEP GHOSH Security Editorial Panel

We all know IAF is desperately short of fighters with its strength now below 32 squad-
rons, and expected to go down further with more aircrafts being retired. While a sanc-
tioned strength is 39.5 squadrons with healthy level of 44 squadrons which India reached
only in mid 80s, the aging MiG21 retirement and delay in induction of Tejas meant India
had to go for MMRCA. With threat from China looming large and people saying China
likely to attack India in 2012, we need to get aircrafts in the air very fast. Here is how we
can make do without MMRCA
1. We are entering into US$2.1 billion TOT deal with Dassault for upgrading our 56 Mi-
rage 2000 (a 4 generation aircraft) so that they continue flying till 2025 and beyond till
our latest fighters start arriving (LCA,AMCA, FGFA, more Su-30MKI). Few points
should be noted
a. UAE is reportedly exchanging all its 68 Mirage 2000 with Rafale and Dassault will buy
them back (as it did with 12 Mirage 2000 of Qatar, which India wanted to buy but backed
out due to high price) to export to other countries.
b. A South American country which has Mirage 2000 kept in storage is planning to sell
(over 10 in nos) them back to Dassault.
2. India is going for US$ 12 billion MMRCA deal for 126 aircrafts (essentially 4.5 gener-
ation) from 6 contenders with TOT to tide over our shortfall in aircraft numbers. Few
points should be noted

a. India reportedly doesn’t want to buy Mig 35, being wary of putting all eggs in one Rus-
sian basket.
b. India reportedly doesn’t want to go for Gripen (it will not help forge greater political/
economic ties),
c. The Rafale/Eurofighter are both good aircrafts but very expensive.

d. F-16 is already 30 yr old platform and in service with PAF and F-18 Super Hornet is
very expensive.
e. India is wary of saying no to US as it can hamper our future deals and antagonize the
US with ramifications in political, economic and other areas.

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Then what we should do

1. Instead of going for MMRCA deal for 126 aircrafts (whoever will be lucky), the first
of which will arrive only by 2014; we can easily buy the nearly 90 Mirage 2000 sold back
to Dassault (by UAE, Qatar, and a South American nation) in relatively good flying con-
dition before 2012. These will start arriving before start of 2012 if selected
2. With TOT for upgrading our own 56, we can have 146 Mirage 2000 by 2012 (if all buy
backs for 90+ Mirage 2000 go well and we purchase them from Dassault). Then we can
steadily upgrade all of these for our requirement (to 4.5 generation), the only thing miss-
ing possibly will be a AESA radar, and thrust vectoring.

3. Once we start upgrading, we can sign a deal with Dassault to manufacture 100 more
Mirage 2000 in India becoming sole manufacturer of these. We should remember Das-
sault had offered Mirage 2000 TOT for production in India itself in 1980s and but India
refused. Its known that India is now the sole maker of Jaguars and if its same for Mirage
2000 what is the problem.
4. We can also keep 40 Mirage 2000 exclusively for nuke strike mission as wanted by
SFC, and we know it’s a top contender for the deal if RFP is given.
5. If we try to find which will be more costly? The MMRCA deal for 126+74 option that
will ultimately cost around US$17-18 billion or the upgrade of 56 Mirage 2000 and buy-
ing the 90+ Mirage 2000 from other countries (through Dassault) + making 100 in India
that will cost around US$10-11 billion at the maximum. It turns out that the second option
is a better option, so India should cancel MMRCA deal and go for Mirage 2000.

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American heart for Tejas

Pratik Sawerdekar Security Editorial Panel

Defense community in India was once again taken by surprise when an almost certain
contract of 99 engines for the country’s most ambitious military project went not to the
Europeans but the American’s. Many believed that Eurojet’s EJ-2000 was certain to win
given the fact that it had IAF’s support and was expected to be the lowest bidder. But it
was the Americans who prevailed just by luck. Now LCA-Tejas Mk-2 will be powered by
General Electric’s GE-414 engine also used by F/A-18 Super Hornet and SAAB JAS-39
Gripen.
Eurojet as a matter of fact is believed to be the lowest bidder but it submitted its re-
valued figures just a day before the deadline hence the committee evaluating the offers
didn’t had enough time to go through the revalued offer and hence the earlier submitted
bid was taken into consideration which was higher than that of American firm’s bid. Now
since both the engines meet all the requirements the committee declared the GE-414 as
the winner as it was the lowest bidder. Many people were disappointed by the news and
declared that India succumbed to US pressure.

We may not know the entire truth but the chances of the above story being true and “US
pressure” being false is very likely. GE Aviation is a financially much stronger company
than Eurojet and it is a subsidiary of General Electric which is a “multi-hundred” billion
dollars company. Also the GE-414 program has backing of American Govt. thus lot of fi-
nancial support too. The GE-414 engine has also paid its R&D cost as around 1000 of the-
se engines are already built and scores more are on order thanks to US Navy’s massive
orders of Hornet fighters.

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not only means that GE-Aviation is in a better position to provide the engine at lower cost
but also keep the price low after the contract is signed. They for instant are providing
tools and equipments to HAL to manufacture these engines for free where as the Eurojet
is charging for it. We could have expected cost escalation with Eurojet as it did make mis-
takes while bidding.
The potential of this deal is huge; it will make the Super Hornet and Gripen cheaper
in the MMRCA competition. This means the GE-Avaition not has a contract of 99 engines
plus 50 in option but also has chances of winning 126-252 engines with option of 64-128
more. Also every aircraft needs atleast one engine change in its life time hence in longer
term GE-Aviation can end up supplying upto 700 engines to India.
Many have raised alarm that India will have to depend upon the Americans even for
their own aircraft. This is true, as USA is known for changing its policies and imposing
sanctions within a short span of time but Indo-US relation has grown and US sees India as
an important ally against China and hence would like to keep the relation warm. Even if
we look this in a most

negative sense we can come to a conclusion that it is still the best possible move by India.
This is because if in next 3-4 years US imposes sanctions on India, we cannot expect the
Europeans to keep supplying the EJ-2000 had they won the contract and support the Tejas
program as European Union follows the US decisions blindly and won’t supply EJ-2000
either. Thus, sanction threat is not all gone if the Eurojet engine was chosen. Secondly
time frame is important, if by the time US imposes sanctions and we have learnt how to
build the engines than it won’t be a issue as HAL in past has proven that it can maintain
American engines without their support and since we have learnt to build the engine on
our own we can keep doing it with sanctions denying GE support.

Ultimately India seems to have played its cards right and has given its most ambitious
project a final boost. India can now truly focus on getting the Mk-2 variant developed and
hope for quick production to replace IAF’s obsolete fleet.

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E-ZONE

BLACK SQUADRON
Introduction

This is story based on Two ex IAF pilots inducted into a Black Squadron flying EW ver-
sion of NGFA , operated by our intelligence agencies ,is story is based in the year 2020
this is totally fractious characters and events which never have taken place or likely to
take place , this story is brain child of Vinayak Shetty , and totally his imagination . This
is done to keep interest in magazine and also for Entertainment purpose only

Plot

Story involves two Serving IAF Sukhoi Su 30 pilots who are kicked out IAF due to an in-
cident ,which will be revealed in first episode and how they are approached by nonexist-
ence Squadron operated by our Intelligence agency and it will cover their adven-
ture ,missions, and other things they are made to do when flying in this “ BLACK
SQUADRON “.

Next Month we will carry the first Episode , to keep viewers interaction at maximum , we
are letting viewers suggest names of the pilots and also squadron they were operating be-
fore been kicked out , and also reason of they been kicked out , they can also send mis-
sions and operations they are likely going to conduct in future episodes.

Any one Good in Photoshop or Corel Draw can also design a Electronic warfare based
NGFA based on Pak-FA , and Squadron patches for the Pilots

We are proud to announce the name of the first episode

DRAGONS CAVE
(Spoilers : Mission Inside Chinese territory)

Please send your suggestions and art work ,stories to

Idrw.org@gmail.com

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