III/ 2019

Aerospace & Defence Review

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Air Power Issues China’s Mountain Eagles
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 III/ 2019
III/ 2019
Aerospace & Defence Review

Emerging Issues of The challenges that India thus faces

21 Air Power are diverse in their magnitude and
unfortunately, are on the ascendant,
writes Lt Gen Kamal Davar.

47 White Hope or Red

Bison vs Falcon Appropriate Technology RTA Herring ?
Tejas at Langkawi Defence Intelligence
Air Power Issues China’s Mountain Eagles

Cover : IAF MiG-21 Bison climbs into a Organised by The Society for Aerospace
‘vertical charlie’ manoeuvre at opening Studies and the Observation Research
ceremony of Aero India 2019 (photo:
Foundation on 29 March 2019, this
Angad Singh)
workshop was planned under the
compelling circumstances in which air-combat has since been reported and
the Indian Air Force finds itself today, analysed ad infinitum, well beyond the
Editorial Panel
In his well-reasoned article, Professor
with predicted depletion of combat sub-continent, with claims and denials
Prodyut Das writes on the fascinating
squadrons taking place without credible continuing. Intriguing is the speculation
subject of ‘appropriate technology
MANAGING EDITOR replacements in the foreseeable future. that the PAF aircraft was an F-16B
regional transport aircraft’ which is
two-seater as there are visuals of two
Vikramjit Singh Chopra a logical and practical approach as
Following the introductory statements parachutes descending.
the Government of India once again
EDITORIAL ADVISOR made by former CAS Air Chief Marshal embarks on development of such an
Admiral Arun Prakash Arup Raha, was Deputy Chief of the Air The F-16 vs
Staff, Air Marshal VR Chaudhry who 39 MiG-21bison imbroglio
aircraft. In this context, reference
is made to the article Regional Air
EDITORIAL PANEL made focused presentations on what Connectivity which was in wake of the
Pushpindar Singh was termed as challenges for the IAF. International Seminar on Civil Aviation
Air Marshal Brijesh Jayal Dr RK Tyagi, former Chairman HAL during Aero India 2019 (Vayu Issue
Dr. Manoj Joshi and President of the AeSI cautioned on II/2019).
Lt. Gen. Kamal Davar the need for pragmatism in reaching the
IAF’s desired force levels. Dr Prabeen
Lt. Gen. BS Pawar
V Ayachit of ADA and G Syam Nath of 76 China’s Mountain
Air Marshal M. Matheswaran HAL made first public presentations on Eagles and Falcons
Gp Capt JC Malik the LCA Mk.II project and its preceding
Cdr M Nirmal LCA Mk.IA.
Nitin Konde
In his analysis of the much reported
Sayan Majumdar Tejas at Langkawi
Sameer Joshi
26 air combat between the IAF and PAF
on 27 February, Air Marshal Harish
Richard Gardner (UK) Masand queries as to why there are
Reuben Johnson (USA) more questions than answers. He
Bertrand de Boisset (France) also recalls that, as Director of the The almost frenetic pace of Chinese
MiG-21Bis upgrade programme, he ‘next gen’ fighter developments
Dr Nick Evesenkin (Russia)
had continuously urged for an internal continue to dominate the headlines,
Tamir Eshel (Israel) EW system but in the event, the IAF and so Chinese ‘next gen’ lead in fighter
ADVERTISING & MARKETING MANAGER settled for an external EW pod, with trainers (LIFT) get second billing.
Indian eyes (and hopes) were on the predictable consequences. This article, with extracts from China
Husnal Kaur
Tejas LCA which was exhibited at the aviation analysts, reviews developments
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER biennial Maritime and Aerospace Show
42 Sharpening of our beyond the Sino-Pak K-8 Karakoram
LIMA in north western Malaysia. The which is being supplanted by various
Premjit Singh
Tejas is offered to meet the RMAF’s Defence Intelligence new types, including the JL-9/FTC-
requirement for light fighters, and is 2000 Mountain Eagle and the Hongdu

Published By
competing not only with Russian and L-15 Falcon.
Korean aircraft types but the Sino-Pak
JF-17 and Saab’s Gripen C. Also : Ghana Air Force; Frisian Flag
Vayu Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. 2019; EART 2019; Iniochos 2019;
E-52, Sujan Singh Park, ‘Black Holes’ in Space.
New Delhi 110 003 India 32 Bison vs Falcon
Sameer Joshi analyses that air
Tel: +91 11 24617234 combat over Kashmir on 27 February India is located in one of the most geo- Regular features :
Fax: +91 11 24628615 when a lone MiG-21bison of the IAF politically stressed and violent expanses Commentary, Viewpoint, Opinion,
e-mail: [email protected] engaged with a posse of PAF fighters, in the world with two adversaries in National Imperatives, Geo-Politics,
e-mail: [email protected] launching a short range air-to-air its neighbourhood having collusive Aviation & Defence in India, World
missile and claiming a F-16 as shot convergence to deter India from Aviation & Defence News, Ancient
down. This was vigorously denied by its trajectory of economic growth Aviator Anecdotes, Vayu 25 Years Back,
Printed at Aegean Offset Printers Pakistani spokespersons, but this brief and a peaceful, secure existence. Tale Spin.

The opinions expressed in the articles

published in the Vayu Aerospace & Defence
Review do not necessarily reflect the views
or policies of the Publishers. Follow us on @ReviewVayu
Visit us at: www.vayuaerospace.in
C O MM E N T A R Y
Balakot Lessons Personalising the Army
T wo months after the Indian Air Force conducted the air
strikes against a terror camp in  Balakot  following the
Pulwama terror attack, it has conducted a detailed  review
U ttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has a knack for renaming
places. Now, he has gone a step further by referring to the Army
as ‘Modiji ki sena’, as if it’s the Prime Minister, not the President,
and analysis of the operations on 26 February. After the who is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces. Adityanath
unpublicised air operations in Machil sector in J&K in 2002, made the remark while campaigning for none other than former
this is the first time IAF had been used against Pakistan — in Army Chief VK Singh, a minister in the NDA government. He
fact, in the Pakistani mainland and not Pakistan Occupied said: “The Congress leaders would feed biryani to the terrorists,
Kashmir (PoK) for the first time after the 1971 War. while ‘Modi’s army’ gives them bullets or bombs.” This brazen
The significance of these operations can be gauged from personalisation of the Services has expectedly drawn a sharp reaction
the high level of global interest and sustained international from retired officers as well as opposition parties. Former Navy
coverage for weeks following the air strikes, which lent an extra Chief Admiral L Ramdas has asserted that the armed forces don’t
edge to the review which is de riguer for any military operation. belong to any individual but to the nation, while Lt Gen HS Panag
As with any military review, this one has also flagged the has said such comments could lead to politicisation of the Army.
successes and failures of the operation, while highlighting The government has been quick to extract political mileage
the lessons to be learnt by IAF for the future. IAF was able to from the exemplary work done by the defence personnel, be it the
achieve strategic surprise in the manner it was chosen to be surgical strikes after the Uri attack in 2016 or the recent Balakot
employed after the Pulwama terror attack, the selection of a airstrikes in the wake of the Pulwama carnage. The ASAT missile
madrasa at Balakot in a secluded area provided the operational test, a landmark in defence research, was announced with great
surprise while deception provided by the IAF decoy being fanfare and touted as an achievement of the ruling dispensation,
deployed towards Bahawalpur allowed the IAF to hit the but the Election Commission (EC) did not consider it a violation
targets without entering into an aerial combat with Pakistani of the model code of conduct. The EC went by the rule book. But
fighter jets which were more than 150 km away. these are political minefields open to diverse interpretations. 
The accuracy of Israeli Spice2000 precision-guided Such lacunae embolden politicians to ‘appropriate’ national
munition (PGM) was proven beyond doubt, even when institutions for electoral gains. The EC needs to crack the whip —
multiple PGMs hit the same target at short intervals. The while acting within the ambit of the model code’s provisions — so as
review also found that pilot proficiency was of the highest to discourage such practices. Irresponsible statements that denigrate
level. But it also brought home certain shortcomings in the the defenders of the nation can have a disturbing effect on their
operations: One of the Spice2000 PGMs did not leave the morale, besides straining ties between the military and political
Mirage aircraft because of the mismatch caused by the drift in leadership. The Army, the Air Force and the Navy know their job
inertial guidance mechanism of the vintage jet, and the Crystal pretty well and are known for taking decisive action for the sake of
Maze AGM 142 weapon — which would have provided video national security, no matter which party is in power. Piggybacking
of the hit — could not be fired by the pilots because of cloud on the forces’ feats is not only unfair, but also unethical.
cover. In an attempt to find a line of sight to fire Crystal
From The Tribune
Maze, the pilots in fact crossed the Line of Control which
was violation of a major rule of engagement, laid down by
the political leadership for the IAF.
The lack of evidence of hitting the target and causing
Lessons from Jet
destruction is one of the biggest lessons learnt from a
military operation with huge political import. This could
N o promoter can be treated bigger than the company. The last
flight of what once was India’s second-largest private airline
landed in Mumbai at 12.30 am 17 April 2019, the pilot’s message
have happened with better weapon-to-target-matching
said: “We hope to fly again soon. When we do, do book with us.”
and sending another mechanism to send the proof, which
It was a poignant moment for 25-year-old Jet Airways, but the
would have quelled all doubts that have been raised since.
indefinite suspension of operations was hardly surprising for an
With this review, the IAF has discovered the lack of its
airline that had only five functional aircraft after starting the year
technological asymmetry with Pakistan, which tied its hands
with 119. With Rs 28,400 crore of debt, and the failure to receive
after Pakistani jets targeted Indian military installations on
a stopgap loan from its lenders as part of a rescue deal agreed in
27 February.
late March, Jet’s wings had not only been clipped; they were simply
IAF had first asked for more modern aircraft after the
taken away. The airline is now clearly staring down the barrel. It is
Kargil War, and two decades later, it is still awaiting the first
not difficult to figure out why Jet’s lenders developed cold feet after
Rafale. This lack of modernisation has happened under both
announcing on 25 March a resolution plan that envisaged stake
the NDA and UPA governments, and unless that is redressed
sale and “priority funding”. It became simply impossible to extend
on priority, any government will find it tough to use the IAF
the funds for two reasons: One, the airline’s cash flow was severely
against Pakistan in a similar scenario in the future.
impacted and two, the Supreme Court quashed the Reserve Bank
From The Indian Express of India’s 12 February, 2018 circular on stressed assets resolution.

2 VAYU
 C O MM E N T A R Y
The resolution plan was built on the premise of that circular. The satellite in low-earth orbit (LEO) was essentially a technology
fear of witch-hunt by investigative agencies must have also weighed demonstration exercise, akin to the test of the Agni technology
on the bankers’ minds. Even a reduced amount of Rs.2400 crore demonstrator in 1989, or that of the first Ballistic Missile
as requested by the airline was an unviable option, as most of the Defence (BMD) test in 2006. Neither of them saw an over-
funds sought were for the payment of salaries and dues to lessors. the-top prime ministerial response. Instead of deterring the
But this does not absolve banks of the blame for the mess adversary, you end up alarming them, well before your own
that Jet finds itself in. They gave a long rope to Naresh Goyal, the system has matured. Given the as yet limited range of the
promoter of the airline, even though Jet was trapped in a vortex Indian radar and the capability of its hit-to-kill missile, we
with seemingly no end in sight for months. There were many have some way to go before we can claim to have an effective
signals of protracted mismanagement before Jet defaulted on its A-Sat system. The Indian way of broadcasting capabilities yet
repayments at the end of 2018. The airline was careening out of to be fully developed varies sharply with the Chinese who hide
control with continuing losses and a severe cash crunch, and Jet’s theirs for as long as they can.
auditor raised questions over its survival in August last year. Yet, the On the other hand China has not only demonstrated in
banks did not think it was necessary to save the airline by forcing 2007 that it can knock out a satellite as India has done, it has
Mr Goyal to bring in strategic investors. Instead, they convinced also established several other technologies to “kill” satellites.
themselves that they could convert their debt into equity and keep Among these are satellites that come close to “inspect”, refuel
it going, even though past experience with such endeavours has and repair other satellites. This ability means they can also
been hardly encouraging. Banks also refused to take the Insolvency harm them and so they are seen as A-Sat systems. China is also
and Bankruptcy Code route, which was enacted precisely to handle quite advanced in the area of directed energy weapons like high
situations such as what Jet found itself in. powered microwaves, radio frequency weapons and ground
What prompted banks to treat Mr Goyal with kid gloves for so based lasers to dazzle optical satellites and fry the electronics
long is unknown, but it is probably because the Jet promoter had of the others. They carried out a successful experiment in
many important friends on speed dial. The fear of annoying the blinding one of their own at an orbit of 600km as far back as
political powers who would be wary of the nasty optics of large-scale 2005. Americans suspect that a 2013 test of a sounding rocket
job losses and spike in airfares seems to have also played a part, going up 30,000 km was, in fact, related to threatening GPS
though it must be said that the government appears to have stayed and communications satellites which are in medium and high
out of the picture and left it to bankers and the airline management earth orbits. It’s one thing to knock out a satellite in LEO, but
to sort things out, and minimised disruption by temporarily re- destroying or disabling those in the geostationary orbit 36,000
assigning airport slots to other airlines. At this point, however, km away is different by orders of magnitude.
it does appear that a miracle will be needed for Jet to take vying Technology demonstration has its value. It is often the
again. Finding an investor is hardly going to be an easy task, given sensible means of warning off adversaries, without needlessly
that nothing much remains of the airline, except for some flying destabilising the environment. Also, it is much cheaper.
rights, a few landing and parking slots, an eroding talent base, and The problem is that it doesn’t work when the adversary to
a shrinking brand value. The important lesson from the Jet saga is be deterred is a neurotic neighbour called Pakistan. As for
that no promoter should be treated bigger than the organisation.
China, it will be some time before it actually feels threatened
From Business Standard by an Indian A-Sat capability. Far from deterring, India’s
civil nuclear programme in the 1950s and 1960s encouraged
Omission Shakti Pakistan to initiate its military nuclear programme well before
the Indian nuclear test of 1974. Likewise, following India’s
T here is one thing you have to hand to Prime Minister Narendra
Modi: His vast marketing skills. They were evident when he
took a routine, if significant, step in India’s strategic programme,
technology demonstration of the Agni in 1989, Pakistan got
M-11 missiles from China in 1991, along with a factory to
manufacture the M-9, which were ready to use well before
and inserted it into the campaign for the general election that was India had a ready to deploy missile. And when India tested
just weeks away. nuclear weapons in 1998, Pakistan responded within weeks
Naturally, he did not say that he was doing so, and even now with its already pre-tested Chinese bomb.
the Election Commission is probably tying itself into knots to see So don’t be surprised if India’s A-Sat technology
how to play this one. The promotional skill was evident in the demonstration is followed by one in Pakistan. The technologies
naming of the event as ‘Mission Shakti’, an attempt to conflate
to destroy LEO satellites are not all that complicated, especially
the importance of India’s first anti-satellite (A-Sat) test with the
since Pakistan’s “iron brother” China has all of them. It has
far more consequential and game-changing nuclear tests of 1998
a tested SC-19 missile which is both a BMD system and a
which were code-named ‘Operation Shakti’.
satellite killer. The resulting situation will not be particularly
A PM taking credit for an achievement during his tenure is
comfortable for India which has, according to one count, 94
not unusual, neither is the use of a national security event to seek
satellites in orbit today, as compared to just six for Pakistan.
a boost in the polls. But there are some other troubling issues that
need to be considered as well. The test where a missile destroyed a Dr Manoj Joshi in The Times of India

III/2019 3
National Imperatives
Security & Governance
Admiral Arun Prakash writes on crucial challenges for the new Government

A
s readers get this Issue, India will have groups mandated to undertake national Once the elections are over, our politicians
a newly-elected government in place. security reviews and propose reforms. The need to reflect on whether India can
But as far as national security goes, all crucial recommendations of both bodies, afford to have religious majoritarianism
party manifestos appear equally insipid and however, disappeared into the bureaucratic dominating the political discourse.
unfocused, confirming fears that the recent maw of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry Without stepping into this minefield,
hoopla about security was superficial and of Home Affairs and national security reform we need to remind ourselves that the Indian
election-driven. Therefore, as a concerned has remained in limbo thereafter. state can never consider itself truly secure
citizen, one feels obliged to offer advice - albeit The historic void in strategic thinking unless it assures safety and freedom from
unsolicited - to the incoming government on and planning apart, India’s indecisiveness fear and intimidation for each of its citizens.
three areas of national security; all of them and vacillation in the face of repeated A fact unknown to most is that the Indian
“old chestnuts”. provocations were suggestive of timidity, armed forces, as currently structured, are the
The seven decades since Independence masked by the fig leaf of “strategic restraint”. embodiment of sarva dharma sama bhava.
have seen numerous analysts, scholars and While this display of forbearance did garner Our newly-inducted soldier-politicians
researchers — foreign as well as Indian — international applause, it was frustrating and must explain to their parties how the unit
bemoaning the absence of a “strategic culture” demoralising for the Indian citizen. cohesion and fighting efficiency of our
in India and the consequential disregard of All this changed on 29 September 2016, armed forces would suffer unless they can
national security by its rulers. Historically, when the NDA government deployed pursue their tradition of religious tolerance
India suffered a succession of invasions over special forces to deliver a punitive strike and co-existence.
its north-western passes by Persians, Greeks, on terrorist camps across the LoC, thereby Clearly, India’s half-empty arsenal and
Arabs, Turks, Afghans, Mongols and Mughals, breaching the self-imposed taboo that had heavy dependence on arms imports make a
and landing on its shores, by Europeans. paralysed previous regimes. Some years mockery of its claims to “growing power”
While we failed to defeat any of these invaders, later, the February 2019 air-strike on a status. A complacent and unaccountable
let us note that those who came overland terrorist facility in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, scientific community entrusted with defence
were assimilated into India’s rich cultural re-affirmed this government’s resolve that R&D and a languid MoD bureaucracy,
fabric and became “Indians”. The European cross-border terrorism by Pakistan would charged with defence production and
seaborne invaders, not in the least interested not go unpunished. acquisition, has stalled India’s military
in assimilation, stayed for four centuries, only While these resolute actions have modernisation. “Make in India” remains
to exploit, plunder and establish empires. earned well-deserved public approval, two an inspiring slogan that needs to be fleshed
The lacunae that, historically, enabled important aspects need to be highlighted. out and underpinned by a 50-year vision-
foreigners to violate our sovereignty and First, while the government deserved full cum-action plan. Its implementation must
deprive us of freedom were not only lack credit for initiating long-overdue military be accompanied by a drastic re-structuring
of internal unity but absence of strategic action, clumsy use of these operations by of India’s military-industrial complex and
thinking and planning, and technological party apparatchiks for election propaganda the creation of a new “Ministry of Defence
backwardness. Proof that lessons of history has embarrassed the military, trivialised Production & Acquisition”.
have remained unlearnt is to be found in the its achievements and undermined India’s Finally, but the most crucial national
Indian polity’s sustained indifference towards “perception management” campaign. security flaw lies in sequestration of India’s
national security issues, despite five major Then September 2016 became a “missed armed forces from a MoD run exclusively
conflicts, ongoing internal insurgencies and opportunity” for promulgating a national by a generalist civilian bureaucracy, and
frequent terror strikes. Rarely in the past security doctrine — with the objectives of its failure to integrate the armed forces
72 years, has India’s Parliament found the signalling red-lines for adversaries, providing with each other. Consequently, India is
inclination to discuss the defence budget, guidelines for own forces, conveying a clear unique amongst major military powers in
address national security issues or demand message that cross-border terrorism would persevering with a bloated military and an
a defence review/security strategy from the invite guaranteed retribution, thereby outdated higher defence organisation of
government. Not only does Parliament boosting national morale and confidence. dubious utility in this age of cyber, nuclear
ignore the annual recommendations of its Importantly, India’s most crucial and space warfare.
own Standing Committee on Defence, the security challenge is not external, but relates The media tends to fret about China’s
government is seen showing displeasure when to maintenance of domestic harmony and sky-rocketing defence expenditure. But the
the Committee presents unpalatable facts. unity. With every major religion represented, two things that should keep our politicians
The 1999 near-disaster of Kargil brought and with thousands of ethnic groups co- awake are China’s recently downsized,
home to the political establishment that there existing harmoniously, India remains a integrated and modernised regional military
was a great deal wrong with national security. brave but fragile experiment, but one that commands, and the visionary White
Consequently, both the NDA and UPA regimes has stoutly upheld the citizenship rights Papers that its defence ministry issues
that followed constituted high-level expert accorded to everyone by its Constitution. biennially.

4 VAYU
O P I N I O N
Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal prioritises tasks for the next Government

Managing National Security

E
lection manifestos of the BJP and executive control over the external and stuck in the procurement quagmire except
the Congress have both mentioned internal intelligence agencies. He should that a contract has been signed for the
national security challenges in passing also be nominated as India’s cyber Tsar and acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft. The
but neglected to touch upon their plans for given the responsibility to coordinate cyber LCA project continues to lag way behind
revitalising the core issue of decision making security as well as offensive cyber operations. schedule. Meanwhile, the MiG-21 and
at the apex level and measures to enhance  The government must also immediately MiG-27 fleets are long obsolescent. The
defence preparedness so as to manage future appoint a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) or IAF needs force multipliers, more AWACS
threats and challenges. These issues merit a permanent Chairman of the Chiefs’ of aircraft and air-to-air refuellers, besides
informed debate. Staff Committee to provide single-point additional transport aircraft.
 The manifestos do not point out there advice to the CCS on military matters.  All three Services need a large number
is an urgent requirement to formulate a Any further dithering on this key structural of light and medium lift helicopters. India’s
comprehensive National Security Strategy reform in higher defence management nuclear forces require the early operational
(NSS), including on internal security. The on the grounds of the lack of political deployment of Agni-4 and Agni-5 missiles
NSS should be formulated after carrying consensus and the inability of the armed and nuclear-powered submarines with
out an inter-departmental, inter-agency, forces to agree on the issue will be extremely suitable ballistic missiles to acquire genuine
multi-disciplinary strategic defence review. detrimental to India’s interests in light of the deterrent capability against China. The
At present, the procurement of weapons dangerous developments taking place in its armed forces do not have a truly integrated
and defence equipment is being undertaken neighbourhood. The logical next step would C4I2SR system for network-centric warfare,
through ad hoc annual procurement plans, be to constitute tri-Service integrated theatre which will allow them to optimise their
rather than being based on duly prioritised commands to synergise the capabilities of individual capabilities and enable the
long-term integrated plans that are designed individual Services. International experience conduct of ‘effects-based’ operations. Force
to systematically enhance India’s combat shows that such reform has to be imposed multipliers such as combat drones (UCAVs)
potential. from the top down and can never work if are yet to be introduced into service.  The
  The next government must commit the government keeps waiting for it to come central armed police forces (CAPFs) also
itself to supporting long-term defence plans about from bottom up. need modernisation as they are facing
or else defence modernisation will continue  While internal security challenges are increasingly grave threats while continuing
to lag and the growing military capabilities gradually gaining prominence, preparations to be equipped with sub-standard weapons.
gap with China’s People’s Liberation Army for conventional conflict must not be   Of course, all these high-priority
will assume ominous proportions. This neglected. Major defence procurement acquisitions will require extensive budgetary
can be done only by reviving the dormant decisions must be made quickly. Large-scale support. With the defence budget
National Security Council as defence ammunition shortages have been pointed languishing at less than 1.5 per cent of
planning is in the domain of the NSC. The out in several Comptroller and Auditor India’s GDP at present – compared with
Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) General (CAG) reports during 2015-17. China’s 3.0 per cent and Pakistan’s 4.5
deals with current and near-term threats and These must be made up quickly. Many per cent – it will not be possible for the
challenges and reacts to emergent situations. tanks and infantry combat vehicles are still armed forces to undertake any meaningful
 Today, the concept of national security ‘night blind’ and lack suitable night vision modernisation or make up equipment
encompasses many more facets of security equipment. The army is still without towed and ammunition deficiencies. The funds
and is much more wide ranging than and self-propelled 155mm howitzers for available on the capital account at present
merely the defence of territory. While the plains and urgently needs new utility are inadequate to suffice even for the
there is a Defence Minister of Cabinet helicopters, anti-tank guided missiles replacement of obsolete weapons systems
rank, all other aspects of national security (ATGMs). It also needs to acquire weapons that are still in service, well beyond their
are responsibility of the NSA. However, and equipment for counter-insurgency useful life cycles.
the NSA is only an advisor to the Prime operations. The navy waited for long for INS   It is imperative that India’s defence
Minister and has no executive authority, Vikramaditya (ex-Admiral Gorshkov) aircraft budget be substantially enhanced to
and is also not answerable to Parliament. carrier, which was refurbished in a Russian enable the armed forces to meet future
It is necessary to upgrade the post of NSA shipyard at exorbitant cost. Construction of threats and challenges, as also to discharge
to that of a Minister of State (MoS), in the the indigenous aircraft carrier and Scorpene- India’s obligations and fulfil the country’s
PMO and he should be directly answerable class submarines is behind schedule. responsibilities towards making a positive
to the PM. The NSA should be the chief   The plans of the air force to acquire contribution to peace and stability in the
coordinator between the three key ministries 126 medium (weight) multi-role combat Indo-Pacific region. Only then will the
responsible for national security: the MoD, aircraft (MMRCA) in order to maintain environment be conducive to rapid socio-
MEA and MHA. He should be given its edge over the regional air forces remains economic development.

III/2019 5
 VIEWPOINT

Army should be kept out of politics

Admiral Arun Prakash urges that for the survival of democracy, it is vital to keep
our military apolitical. Exploiting it for fleeting political advantage carries the
real risk of creating a Praetorian monster in our midst.

E
gregious neglect of India’s security This Nehruvian legacy has survived Our professional and, so far, apolitical
by successive governments has been successive regimes. Regardless of the party military serves the Constitution through
a perennial target of censure by in power, national security has stayed at obedience to democratically elected
commentators for decades. Independent the bottom of priority lists and the military civilian office-holders, without showing
India’s politicians considered this matter leadership continues to be deliberately preference for any political party or
unworthy of their time because, so far, it excluded from decision-making. Reforms taking partisan positions. Internalised
was not a ‘vote-catching’ issue for a public have been stalled and military modernisation by the Indian military, this principle is
preoccupied with roti, kapda, makan and hindered by meagre budgets and a languid a pillar of India’s democratic system and
lately, jobs and agrarian distress. Political bureaucracy. has ensured a peaceful transfer of power
survival their priority, politicians were The past five years have, however, after each general election. A politicised
happy to leave the higher management seen the emergence of some new and military, loyal to one political party or
of defence and security almost entirely to seemingly contradictory phenomena. On the other, could well start participating
the bureaucracy and devote themselves to one hand, the process of downgrading the in partisan politics. Appropriation of
electioneering. status of the armed forces has accelerated, military achievements by politicians
But the past few months have seen a overturning the well-established relativities could trigger a reverse process, whereby
dramatic shift, with national security taking with the bureaucracy, police forces and even ambitious generals start initiating military
centre stage in election rhetoric. Since subordinate services, not just embarrassing operations to please politicians – a
party manifestos provide little reassurance, the military but also hitting morale and frightening possibility.
it remains to be seen whether the show of operational effectiveness. At the same time, As far as veterans are concerned, they
concern for national security is genuine and hints of political patronage have served to have the same rights and privileges as private
enduring or merely a vote-garnering device. unsettle the officer corps with misgivings citizens. They may serve with think tanks,
Having been thrust into the spotlight, about quid pro quo bargains being struck. engage in public debate and even contribute
the military must find itself puzzled and The most serious development, however, military expertise to political campaigns.
discomfited, given decades of political relates to the assumption of ownership and But, they need to remain conscious of
neglect and the current state of civil-military credit for military operations and their two facts: the Constitution accords them
relations. inclusion in election campaigning by the privilege of using military ranks in
The crux of civil-military relations, political parties. Customarily, military perpetuity and a strong umbilical cord
universally, is to ensure that soldiers operations–especially those by the Special connects them to serving soldiers. So, when
remain in their barracks and refrain from Forces–speak for themselves and are bemedalled veterans, sporting star-studded
interfering or participating in domestic rarely publicised. While governments caps, are seen saluting or genuflecting
politics and governance. This is best may legitimately take credit for ordering before politicians, they send a message of
achieved by implementing “civilian military operations, it is when political subservience that runs contrary to our proud
control” of the forces, exercised directly by parties brazenly exploit them for votes and martial tradition.
elected representatives. Unfortunately, this personal aggrandisement that the plot starts Similarly, political parties, eagerly
principle was subverted post-independence. unravelling. enlisting veterans, without a long-enough
According to American scholar George The puerile and ill-informed political cooling period, cannot but send negative
Tanham, “The role and status accorded to and media debate about the 2016 cross- signals to serving personnel about the
the military in India, is a clear manifestation border raids and the February 2019 benefits of acquiring political ‘connections’
of an unbalanced civil-military equation.” air strikes not only trivialised serious early in one’s career.
He traces its roots to Prime Minister issues but also diluted the message of For the health and survival of the
Jawaharlal Nehru’s pacifism and an anti- punitive-deterrence that India intended Indian democracy, it is vital to keep our
military attitude. Nehru also nurtured a to convey. Equally damaging was the fine military apolitical and non-partisan.
phobia of military coups and neglected the public perception that serving officers Exploiting the military for fleeting political
military, downgrading its leadership vis-a- were making statements to comply with advantage carries the real risk of creating a
vis the police and civil servants. a ‘party line’. Praetorian monster in our midst.

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Air alerts along Indo-Pak border engagements, we came out better because we had upgraded MiG-
21Bisons and Mirage2000 aircraft”. However, referring to next
generation fighters, the Air Chief said that “the results would have
been further skewed in our favour had we inducted the Rafale aircraft
in time”. The CAS was giving the keynote address at the CAPS
Seminar on Aerospace Power in the 2040s : Impact of Technology to
mark the birth centenary of Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh.
In related news, select Indian media apparently had access to
after action IAF reports on the Balakot operation, giving details
of the action where “five of the six designated targets were hit
directly” and that during the mission, a strike element of Su-30s
made feints, flying in direction of Bahawalpur in Pakistani Punjab,
forcing the PAF to scramble fighters from Sargodha, Shorkot,
Kamra and Murid.

Claims and counterclaims on

F ollowing the 26-27 February air actions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
and then over north-west Kashmir, with subsequent closure
of air space over Pakistan, the Air Forces of both countries have
PAF F-16 “loss”
remained on high alert with occasional ‘scrambles’ as air defence
radars detected aircraft and drones close to the international borders.
In early April reports had IAF Su-30MKIs being vectored towards
Pak UAVs near the Khemkaran sector of the Punjab and in turn,
PAF F-16s being scrambled. A PAF spokesmen confirmed that F-16s
were deployed, stating that it “had the right to use any aircraft for
its self defence”.
In early April, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister had claimed that they
had “reliable intelligence” that India was planning another military
action against its western neighbour even as the Indian Government
rejected this, calling it “irresponsible and preposterous”and aimed at
“whipping up war hysteria”. Still, in the run up to national elections,
senior politicians, including Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman
referred to the Balakot air strikes as “striking a chord with people”.

CAS : “Technology on our side”

M edia reports have continued even two months after the brief
air combat action on 27 February 2019, with claims and
counterclaims. According to a US magazine (Foreign Policy), US
personnel did a count of PAF F-16s and “found none missing”.
Official spokesman in New Delhi however refuted the US Journal’s
report with “conclusive circumstantial evidence” cited. In fact,
according to the IAF, the evidence marshaled by IAF ranged from
“electronic signatures” captured by an Indian Phalcon AWACS
aircraft and ground radar stations, which showed the blip of an
F-16 suddenly vanishing from the screens, to intercepted radio
transmissions and “physical sightings” of two parachutes coming
down in the Sabz Kot and Tander areas in PoK.
On 27 February 2019, “IAF fighters successfully thwarted a
strike package of 11 F-16s as well as 13 JF-17s and Mirage-III/Vs
from striking at Indian military installations in J&K….the Army
confirmed sighting ejections at two different places, separated by

R eferring to the IAF’s air strikes against terrorist targets in Balakot

on 26 February 2019, the CAS Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa
said that “we had technology on our side, and we could launch
at last 8-10 km. One was a MiG-21 (Varthaman was captured
in Tander) and the other a PAF aircraft (Sabz Kot) Electronic
signatures gathered by us indicate the PAF aircraft was an F-16”,
precision stand off weapons with great accuracy. In the subsequent stated ACAS (Ops Space) Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor”.

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Two more AWACS for IAF Air Force Commander’s
Conference

T he first bi-annual IAF Commanders’ Conference for 2019

was chaired by Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa who also

A fter remaining dormant for nearly a decade after the first three
Phalcon AWACS were received by the Indian Air Force in
2009-2011 under a $1.1 billion contract between India, Israel and
welcomed Raksha Mantri Nirmala Sitharaman at the venue. The
Raksha Mantri stressed on a proactive role of the IAF in the Indian
Ocean Region and relationships through military interactions and
Russia in 2004, the MoD has reportedly moved the procurement HADR. She added that “the IAF will play a vital role in enhancing
case for three more such aircraft. Integrated in the Beriev A-50, the defence manufacturing capabilities of the nation through its
based on the Il-76 by Israel Aircraft Industries is the EL/W- acquisitions in the form of Strategic Partnership Model and added
2090 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) radar system that she was aware of the critical requirements projected by the IAF”
developed by IAI and Elta Electronics Industries of Israel, with and assured that “as a Nation we need to build those capabilities”.
the primary objective of providing intelligence for air dominance The CAS later addressing the Commanders emphasised on further
and long range airborne surveillance. The EL/W-2090 is a further enhancement of the IAF’s capability in the field of Space, Cyber,
development of  EL/M-2075  and  EL/W-2085, which uses Information, AI and Drone technologies.
an  active electronically scanned array  (AESA) radar. The first
A-50 (Phalcon) AWACS aircraft was received by the IAF in May
2009 going into service with No.50 Squadron.
First Apache Helicopter
‘Final’ IAF C-17A in August formally handed over to IAF
T he first AH-64E (I) Apache Guardian helicopter
was formally handed over to the Indian Air Force at
Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona, USA on  10
May 19. Air Marshal AS Butola, represented the Indian
Air Force and accepted the first Apache in a ceremony
at Boeing production facility, representatives from US
Government were also present. IAF had signed a contract
with US Government and Boeing in September 2015 for
22 Apache helicopters. The first batch of these helicopters
is scheduled to be shipped to India by July this year.

B oeing has confirmed that the eleventh (and final) C-17A

for the Indian Air Force is scheduled for delivery in August
2019. The IAF initially purchased ten Globemaster IIIs under
a deal which included options on a further six. Although India
intended to exercise these options, Boeing terminated production
of the type before the GoI approved purchase. All the ‘white tails’
that Boeing built in anticipation of more orders had been sold
already apart from the one aircraft (c/n 50273/F272, FMS/14-
0003), the IAF was able to order. On 30 March 30, 2018, Boeing
was awarded a contract to modify this to the India-specific
configuration at its facility in San Antonio, Texas, where it had
been in storage awaiting sale since November 2015. The aircraft
(CB 8011) will join No.81 Squadron ‘Skylords’ at AFS Hindon.

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SpiceJet to induct five more Q400s Disinvestment of Pawan Hans

T he Government of India’s plan for disinvestment in Pawan

Hans has still to attract a bidder. The last date for submitting
financial bids for the public sector helicopter company ended in
March, “without success.” Even though the Government would
divest the entire 100% shareholding, this has not attracted bidders.
While the Centre Government holds 51%, the Oil and Natural
S piceJet will add five 90-seater Q400 aircraft so taking its
Bombardier fleet size to 32. The 90-seater variant is part of
SpiceJet’s second purchase order for up to 50 Q400 turboprops
Gas Corporation has the balance 49 % in Pawan Hans, with the
Government even offering an ONGC stake without attracting an
offer so far. Pawan Hans has a fleet of some 50 helicopters, operating
placed in September 2017, the largest ever single order for the Q400 both for domestic flights and offshore operations, charter services,
turboprop aircraft and valued at up to US $1.7 billion. Besides the med evacuations, corporate and special charters. According to
Q400 fleet, SpiceJet has a fleet of 48 Boeing 737s and one B737 sources, Mumbai-based Global Vectra Helicorp and Heligo Charters
freighter, and will induct six more Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft had expressed some initial interest but this was not followed up.
on dry lease, in addition to the 16 B737s in the pipeline. SpiceJet Meanwhile, Pawan Hans and Himachal Tourism have offered
operates 516 average daily flights to 60 destinations, including 51 helicopter flights from Chandigarh to Jubberhatti (Simla), the
domestic and 9 international ones with a fleet of 50 Boeing 737s, 30-minute flight with fare of Rs 2,880 per passenger.
27 Bombardier Q-400s and one B737 freighter.

Northern India growth in 464 more T-90s for Indian Army

passenger traffic
S rinagar International airport recorded a 12.2% growth in
passenger traffic during 2018-19, followed by Amritsar at 8.8%
while Chandigarh actually had a 2% marginal decline. The latter is
attributed to disruptions owing to runway repairs and extension, its
only international destinations being Dubai and Sharjah. In addition
to the three main civil airports in northern India, there are seven
other domestic airports including Bhatinda and Ludhiana in Punjab,
Jammu and Leh in J&K and Gaggal, Bhuntar and Shimla in HP.

T he  Indian Army  is to induct an additional 464 Russian-

origin upgraded T-90 ‘Bhishma’ main-battle tanks at a cost of
Rs 13,448 crore in the 2022-2026 time frame.
According to MoD sources, the “indent” to manufacture
the additional T-90 tanks  would soon be placed on the Avadi
Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF) under the Ordnance Factory Board
following the Cabinet Committee on Security clearance of the
acquisition in March. The Indian Army has some 1,070 T-90
tanks as well as 2,400 of the earlier T-72 version equipping 67
armoured regiments. After the first 657 T-90 tanks were imported

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for Rs 8,525 crore from Russia from 2001 onwards, another 1,000
are being progressively licence-built by the HVF.
This decision is relevant at a time when the Indian Army is
T he Indian Army’s Northern Command and XV Corps have
honoured a hearing and speech impaired bulldozer driver,
Anayatullah, for leading clearance of the snow bound Zojila pass
engaged in re-formatting its entire war-fighting machinery towards which links Srinagar in the valley and Leh in Ladakh, via Dras and
a “Cold Start” or “Pro-Active Strategy”, which envisages fast Kargil. Employed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for
mobilisation to strike hard across the border with multiple offensive snow clearing operations at the 11,575 ft pass, the redoubtable
thrusts. This task will primarily be carried out by restructured and Anayatullah was personally felicitated by Lt Gen Ranbir Singh,
agile integrated battle groups (IBGs) centred around the T-90 GOC-in-C Northern Command and Lt Gen KJS Dhillon,
tanks, along with integrated infantry, artillery, air defence, signals Commanding XV Corps (in photograph).
and engineers, backed by attack helicopters. The Army’s new Land
Warfare Doctrine itself notes that the “action along the western
front will be sharp and swift, with the aim to destroy the adversary’s Record landings in Ladakh
centre of gravity and secure spatial gains”.

Ammo storage in Himalayan caves

O n 30 April, 2019, Group Captain Sandeep Singh Chhabra,

IAF achieved the distinction of completing 1,000 incident-
free landings of Ilyushin Il-76 heavy lift transport aircraft at Leh
and Thoise in Ladakh. Commissioned into the transport stream of
the Indian Air Force in June 1992, he initially flew An-32s in the
A ccording to news reports, the National Hydro Power
Corporation (NHPC) are to construct underground caverns
for storage of ammunition at four locations in the Himalayas, along
narrow valleys and ALGs of North-East India and Uttarakhand
Hills. He subsequently flew Il-76s of No.44 Squadron from
Chandigarh, which type has capacity for 25 tonnes of payload, air
the extensive borders with Pakistan and China, both in northern lifting personnel and equipment, including AFVs, artillery guns and
and north eastern India. A memorandum of understanding to this construction equipment to the difficult airfields in Ladakh, having
effect was signed on 25 April, “the NHPC having great experience elevations above 10,000 feet and surrounded by high mountains.
in making dams with underground tunnels in the mountains.” The
Army’s requirement for such ammunition storage caverns would
be virtually the same strength as tunnels made by NHPC for dams. Naval Commanders’ Conference
Zojila pass reopened T he first edition of this years’ bi-annual Naval Commanders’
Conference began on 23 April 2019 in New Delhi where
the RM addressed Naval Commanders and “appreciated the
Navy’s efforts in areas of indigenisation, self-reliance and support

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to the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government”. Chairing
the conference, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba
addressed the Commanders on various important issues pertaining
to operational readiness, capability enhancement, maintenance,
op logistics, infrastructure development and human resource
management. ‘Functional Reorganisation of Indian Navy towards
improving Operational efficiency’ and ‘Optimal Manning’ formed
the core of discussions relevant to long term road map of the Navy.
“In keeping with the Navy’s ethos of harnessing niche technologies,
concrete plans to incorporate ‘Big Data Analytics’ and ‘Artificial
Intelligence’ for solutions in the domains of naval combat,
convergence of networks/information, logistics, administration
and equipment health monitoring for sustained operations” were
also discussed.
at sea before delivery to the Indian Navy. The contract for series
construction and Transfer-of-Technology for six Scorpene class
Indian and French Navies’ submarines has M/s Naval Group (formerly DCNS) of France as
‘Collaborator’ and built by MDL at Mumbai.
Bilateral Exercise Varuna 19.1 
UK involvement in IAC-II ?

F irst part of the Indo-French joint naval exercise, Varuna 19.1 was
conducted off the Goa coast from 1 to 10 May 2019. The edition
includes participation of the French Navy’s aircraft carrier FNS
Charles de Gaulle, two destroyers FNS Forbin and FNS Provence,
the frigate FNS Latouche-Treville, the tanker FNS Marne and a
R eported for some time, increasingly in recent months,
are discussions taking place between the Indian and UK
Governments on the design and construction of the Indian Navy’s
nuclear submarine. From the Indian Navy, the aircraft carrier INS future indigenous aircraft carrier-II. The IAC-II is projected to be
Vikramaditya, destroyer INS Mumbai, the Teg-class frigate, INS of the 65,000 tonne class, with electric propulsion and EMALS
Tarkash, the Shishumar- class submarine, INS Shankul, and the for conventional launch and recovery of aircraft. Speculated to be
fleet tanker INS Deepak, participated in this exercise, conducted named INS Vishal (although after retirement of INS Viraat some
in two phases. The second part of Varuna 19.2, is to be held end years back, it would be traditional that the Navy’s next carrier be
May in Djibouti. so named), the Indian Navy has for several years been engaged
with the US on the IAC-II, but UK ship builders are now offering
detailed designed based on Royal Navy’s recently commissioned
Launch of INS Vela, fourth aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Scorpene submarine
24 MH-60R helicopters for IN
I NS Vela, the fourth Scorpene-class submarine being constructed
by Mazagon Dockyard and Shipbuilders for the Indian Navy,
was launched on 6 May 2019 by Mrs Veena Ajay Kumar, wife of under FMS
the Secretary Defence Production. The submarine was towed to
Mumbai Port Trust for separation from the pontoon, after which
she  will undergo rigorous trials and tests, both in harbour and
T he US State Department has made “a determination” approving
a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of twenty-four MH-
60R Multi-Mission helicopters for an estimated cost of $2.6 billion.

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O n 1 May 2019, the MoD approved procurement of 10

additional Kamov Ka-31 Airborne Early Warning and Control
helicopters for the Indian Navy, the contract at approx. Rs 3,600
crore. The Ka-31s are to be embarked on board various warships
including the INS Vikrant and Grigorovich-class frigates and will
join the nine Ka-31s presently in service with the Indian Navy’s
INAS 339 (Falcons).

Launch of INS Imphal

As per details given, the Government of India has requested

procurement of twenty-four MH-60R Multi-Mission helicopters
plus the following: thirty APS-153(V) Multi-Mode radars (24
installed, 6 spares); sixty T700-GE-401C engines (48 installed and
12 spares); twenty-four Airborne Low Frequency System (ALFS)
(20 installed, 4 spares); thirty AN/AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral
Targeting Systems (24 installed, 6 spares); fifty-four Embedded
Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) with
Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) (48 installed,
6 spares); one thousand AN/SSQ-36/53/62 sonobuoys; ten AGM-
114 Hellfire missiles; five AGM-114 M36-E9 Captive Air Training
Missiles (CATM); four AGM-114Q Hellfire Training missiles; C NS Admiral Sunil Lanba launched the Guided Missile
Destroyer INS Imphal on 20 April 2019 at Mazagon Dock,
Mumbai. As part of Project 15B, the new destroyer will have “cutting
thirty-eight Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS)
rockets; thirty MK 54 torpedoes; twelve M-240D Crew Served edge advanced technology and comparable to the best ships of
guns; twelve GAU-21 Crew Served guns; two Naval Strike Missile similar class anywhere in the world”. Designed indigenously by
Emulators; four Naval Strike Missile Captive Inert Training missiles; the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design, each ship is of
one MH-60B/R Excess Defense Article (EDA) USN legacy aircraft. 163 metres length and 17.4 metres at beam and displaces 7,300
Also included are seventy AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Devices; tonnes. These ships will be propelled by four gas turbines to achieve
fifty-four AN/ARC-210 RT-1990A(C) radios with COMSEC (48 speed in excess of 30 knots. The P15B destroyers incorporate new
installed, 6 spares); thirty AN/ARC-220 High Frequency radios (24 design concepts for improved survivability, sea keeping, stealth and
installed, 6 spares); thirty AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe manoeuvrability, and will have two multi-role helicopters embarked.
(IFF) transponders (24 installed, 6 spares); spare engine containers,
etc. All the above are at an estimated cost of $2.6 billion.
GRSE delivers 100th warship
10 more Ka-31s approved for IN G arden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers Ltd., (GRSE),
delivered its 100th warship to the Indian Navy on 30 March

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2019, which makes GRSE the first Indian shipyard to build and
deliver 100 warships to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and
the Mauritius Coast Guard. This 100th warship, a Landing Craft
T he Indian Navy’s missile destroyer INS Kolkata and Fleet
support ship INS Shakti visited Qingdao in China to participate
in the International Fleet Review (IFR) during 70th Anniversary
Utility (LCU) IN LCU L56 was formally handed over by Rear Celebrations of the PLA (Navy) on 21 April 2019. The ships were
Admiral VK Saxena, Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, and is welcomed into harbour by officials from PLA (N) North Sea Fleet
sixth of an order for eight such vessels for the Indian Navy. Complete with Naval Bands playing at the welcome ceremony. Participation of
design and development of these LCU Mark IV ships was in-house the Indian Navy in such PLA(N) international fleet reviews, for the
by GRSE. The LCU Mk-IV ships primary role is sea transportation third consecutive time (2009, 2014 and 2019), “demonstrates the
and deployment of MBTs, AFVs, troops and equipment from ship Nation’s commitment to enhance maritime cooperation between
to shore. Based with the Andaman and Nicobar Command, these the two navies and bolster bonds of friendship between the two
would be deployed for multirole activities including beaching Countries”.
operations, search and rescue, disaster relief operations, supply and
replenishment as also evacuation from distant islands. 
AUSINDEX-19
India-Indo CORPAT at Port Blair

T hird edition of AUSINDEX, an acronym for Australia India

Exercise was held at Visakhapatnam in early April 2019. HMAS
I ndonesian Naval Ship KRI Sultan Thaha Syaifuddin and a CN-
235 MPA led by Cmde Dafit Santoso were deployed at Port
Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, for 33rd edition of the India-
Canberra (L02), a Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS New Castle
(06)  and HMAS Paramatta(154), both frigates; HMAS Collins, a
conventional submarine and HMAS Success(OR 304), a Durance-
Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) held from 19 March to class multi-product replenishment oiler were part of the exercise “to
4 April 2019. Warships and aircraft from both countries carried out strengthen and enhance mutual cooperation and interoperability
various patrol exercises on respective sides of their 236 nautical mile between the IN and RAN, providing opportunities for interaction
long International Maritime Boundary line, followed by a closing and exchange of professional views between the personnel of the
ceremony at Belawan in Indonesia on 4 April 2019. two navies”. 
AUSINDEX is the cornerstone of a wider INDO PACIFIC
IN participation at PLA (N) ENDEAVOUR deployment which will see the Task Force conduct
port visits to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand
Fleet Review   and Vietnam. This edition of the exercise had participation of the
highest number of units, with four frontline ships with integral
helicopters, a submarine and aircraft including P-8I and P-8A long-
range Maritime Reconnaissance Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft
from both navies.

“Virtual Reality Centre” 

C NS Admiral Sunil Lanba inaugurated the Virtual Reality
Centre (VRC) at the Directorate of Naval Design (Surface
Ship Group), on 12 April 2019. “This centre is a major boost for
indigenous warship design capabilities of the Indian Navy, providing
impetus to self-reliance and greater fillip to warship construction.

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During his address Admiral Lanba complimented the Directorate remaining four ships in advanced stages of construction. The FPV
for their “untiring efforts, foresight and initiatives to conceptualise is a medium range surface vessel developed in-house by GRSE as per
design and execute the project.” requirements of the Indian Coast Guard, designed for a maximum
The Directorate of Naval Design (Surface Ship Group) had its speed of 34 knots with an endurance of more than 1500 nautical
initial beginning in the 1960s and has since then has made major miles, and powered by 3 main engines.
contributions towards indigenous warship design capabilities of the
Indian Navy, the multi-disciplinary team successfully developing
19 warship designs on which more than 90 platforms have been Cochin Shipyard contract for eight
constructed to date.
ASWSWCs
ICGS Veera Commissioned C ochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi have been contracted
for construction and supply of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare
Shallow Water Crafts (ASWSWCs) for the Indian Navy, the first
ship to be delivered within 42 months from contract signing date
with subsequent delivery schedule two ships per year. These Anti-
Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASWSWCs) are designed
for a deep displacement of 750 tonnes, speed of 25 knots and
complement of 57, being capable of full scale sub surface surveillance
of coastal waters and co-ordinated ASW operations with aircraft.

GRSC also gets ASWSWC contract

I ndian Coast Guard Ship Veera, third in the series of 98 metre-
long Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), was commissioned at A part from Cochin Shipyard which will build eight anti-
submarine warfare shallow watercraft (ASWSWC), Kolkata-
based defence shipyard Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
Visakhapatnam by the COAS General Bipin Rawat, on 15 April
2019 in presence of Director General Rajendra Singh, Indian (GRSE) signed a Rs 6,311-crore contract with the MoD on 29
Coast Guard. This OPV has been designed and built by Larsen & April 2019 for a similar number of such craft. According to Defence
Toubro Ltd. and fitted with advanced technology navigation and analysts, the ASWSWCs “will fill a worrying capability gap to the
communication equipment, sensors and machinery. The vessel has navy the ability to detect enemy submarines in the Arabian Sea,
a 30mm naval gun and also equipped with an Integrated Bridge where the unusually shallow sea bed reflects sonar signals emitted
System (IBS), Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), by submarine hunting vessels, masking the signals reflected off an
Automated Power Management System (APMS) and high power enemy submarine, making it difficult to detect.” The ASWSWCs
external firefighting (EFF) system. The ship is designed to carry are to be equipped with sophisticated sonar, with an algorithm that
one twin-engined helicopter plus four high speed boats and two differentiates the signals reflected off the enemy submarine from
inflatable boats for boarding operations, search and rescue, law those bouncing off the sea bed. The first vessel is to be delivered
enforcement and extended maritime patrol. within 42 months from the contract, by October 2022, and then
two more ASWSWCs annually, completing delivery by April 2026.

ICGS Priyadarshini commissioned Naval radar chain in Maldives

F irst of the new class of Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), ICGS-
Priyadarshini  and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata was commissioned at Kakinada, W ork has resumed in an Indian-assisted programme to establish
a chain of 10 coastal surveillance radars in the Maldive
on 26 April 2019. ICGS Priyadarshini is first in the series of Islands. Manufactured by Bharat Electronic Limited, phase II
of the project is now underway with 7 new radar stations being
installed and the three earlier ones being upgraded. All 10 radar

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stations will be linked to a central control station at the Maldives CNS, protested to the Chief Election
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at Vilingilli island near Commissioner against UP Chief
Male to give the Maldives Coast Guard an integrated maritime Minister Yogi Adityanath’s remarks
picture. The Government of India is setting up the ‘chain of radars’ on “Modi ji ki Sena” even after EC
to link it with the 46 coastal surveillance radars installed all along had issued guidelines advising political
its 7,519 km coast, Sri Lanka hosting six radars, Mauritius eight, parties to refrain from using pictures
Seychelies one while the Maldives will have 10. These will present or images of armed forces in their
comprehensive images of ship movements in the Indian Ocean campaigning for the General Elections.
Region (IOR). This feed will then be used by the Indian Navy and Then Prime Minister Modi’s reference
its allies through the Indian Information Fusion Centre – Indian to India’s nuclear arsenal in an election
Ocean Region (IFC-IOR). speech at Barmer, evoked much reaction both within the country
and internationally, many commenting on such “irresponsible
rhetoric”.
General Dalbir Singh appointed
HC to Seychelles INS Ranjit decommissioned

O ne of the Indian Navy’s earlier missile destroyers of Soviet-

origin, INS Ranjit was decommissioned on 6 May after 36
years of service. The warship was built in the Ukraine in the late
1970s, its original name being Lovkly (agile) and was commissioned
in the Indian Navy in September 1983. This Kashin-class destroyer,

G eneral Dalbir Singh Suhag, former Chief of the Army Staff, has
been appointed as India’s High Commissioner to the Indian
Ocean Island nation of the Seychelles. The Government of India
Soviet designation project 61 was designed as an anti-aircraft guided
missile destroyer, five of which were modified for service with
the Indian Navy as Rajput-class destroyers.
is reportedly developing Assumption Island in the Seychelles as a
naval base to expand its footprint in the strategically-key region
where China has been trying to enhance its military presence. An HAL turnover over 19,400 crore in
agreement to develop the island was signed in 2015 between India
and Seychelles. FY 2018-19
India has given two HAL-built Dornier 228 maritime patrol
aircraft (MPA) to Seychelles, the first in 2013 followed by a second
June 2015. The Seycelles President Danny Faure had stated that “the
S tated-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited achieved a turnover
of over Rs. 19,400 crores (provisional and unaudited) for the
financial year ended 31 March, 2019 (corresponding figure for the
Dorniers have been assisting the Seychelles Coast Guard in rescue previous year was Rs 18,284 crores).  The Company has posted a
operations, air surveillance and securing our EEZ”. revenue growth in excess of 6% during 2018-19 as compared to
3.8% during 2017-18. “Performance of the Company in 2018-
19 has encouraged us to focus more on design & development
Former Chiefs object to “politisation of indigenous products and technologies, develop aerospace and
of India’s Armed Forces” defence manufacturing eco-system and to be more dedicated towards
meeting the current and future requirements of customers” stated

A large number of retired senior officers have strongly objected

to remarks recently made by politicians claiming that the
Indian Armed Forces were “theirs” Admiral L Ramdas, former
R Madhavan, CMD-HAL.  “This strategy will also help HAL to be
on the growth track in meeting expectations of the shareholders”,
he added.

III/2019 15
 AVIATION & DEFENCE
In India

In FY 2018-19, HAL produced 41 new aircraft / helicopters and

98 new engines and carried out overhaul of 213 aircraft / helicopters of the IJT, designed and developed by HAL for stage-II training
and 540 engines.  HAL has produced 12 new ALHs against the of IAF pilots was put on hold after the aircraft had experienced
contract of 40, out of which six were produced ahead of schedule some spin-test problems during 2016. “HAL continued its R&D
for the Indian Army (image above). efforts and undertook modification of IJT LSP4 aircraft based on
extensive and comprehensive wind tunnel studies”, started Mr R
Madhavan, CMD, HAL.
HAL to bid for NUH requirement The HJT-36 is planned as successor to the earlier HAL HJT-16
Kiran basic jet trainer for which HAL was given go ahead in 1999
for development, testing and certification of two prototype IJTs,
the first of which flew in March 2003.  After further development
and extensive testing, the  Indian Air Force  placed an order for
73 aircraft. After over 280 test flights, the aircraft entered limited
series production in 2009 with an initial batch of 12 aircraft to be
delivered. The first flight test for the limited series aircraft occurred
in January 2010,  and initial operational capability was expected by
July 2011, the total requirement for both the IAF and Navy being
over 200 aircraft. However, there were issues associated with critical
stall and spin characteristics and after some consultancy inputs,
the airframe was modified leading to resumption of flight testing.

H AL has submitted its response to the Indian Navy’s Expression

of Interest (EOI), to identify an Indian Strategic Partner
(SP) to build 111 Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH) to meet the
Indra ATM for HAL Airport
Service’s requirement. The SP model, which project is estimated at
Rs 21,738 crore, envisages the indigenous manufacture of major I ndra of Spain will equip the HAL Airport at Bengaluru with
“most advanced technology to strengthen safety and efficiency
in air traffic management”. Indra is the main supplier of air traffic
defence platforms by Indian firms (SPs), in collaboration with a
foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for technologies management systems in India, having equipped more than 38
and production expertise. Indian private defence manufacturers airports, and has deployed radar systems that cover over 80%
who have been awaiting progress of the NUH programme have of Indian airspace. “Indra will provide HAL’s air traffic control
reportedly been surprised by HAL’s move, the public sector centre with new-generation en-route, approach and tower control
undertaking to submit two responses, one for an indigenous positions that will enable and boost air traffic management
helicopter and the other for the Kamov 226T which is to be built efficiency.” The contract also includes provision of a simulator to
by the Indo-Russian Helicopters joint venture. reinforce controllers’ training, voice recorder, surveillance ADS-B,
Aeronautical Information System AIS/ASBS and D-ATIS.

HAL HJT-36 flight testing

Cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’ test-fired
recommences
A fter several years, the dormant HAL intermediate jet trainer
programme has been revived with first flight of a modified
I ndia’s first indigenously designed and developed long-range
sub-sonic cruise missile Nirbhay was launched on 15 April 2019
from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha.
HJT-36 taking place at Bangalore on 17 April 2019. Flight testing Describing the trial as “successful”, DRDO stated that the missile,

16 VAYU
 AVIATION & DEFENCE
In India
BEL receives ‘Green Channel’
Certificate
B harat Electronics Limited has received the first ‘Green Channel
Status’ certificate from the Directorate General Quality
Assurance (DGQA) for supply of spares for a particular radar being
manufactured by Military Radar Strategic Business Unit (SBU) of
BEL’s Bangalore Complex. The Ministry of Defence had earlier
promulgated the Green Channel Policy for promoting ease of doing
business as part of its ‘Make in India’ initiatives, such mechanism
set up to award Green Channel Status to firms with pre-defined
financial and quality credentials for broad categories of items having
continuous requirement in the Defence Forces. Responsibility of
inspection of goods is given to the firms, after their credentials are
verified by the Green Channel Committee (GCC), comprising of
various stakeholders from DGQA and the procurement ecosystem.

Tata Power SED ship-borne 3D Air

Surveillance Radars
T ata Power Strategic Engineering Division (Tata Power SED)
have signed contracts with the Ministry of Defence to supply
23 ship-borne 3D Air Surveillance Radars to the Indian Navy over
the next 10 years. The contract, estimated at Rs 1,200 crore, was
signed under the Buy & Make (India) category of the Defence
Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2013 that will be offering the
Indian Navy a proven solution, with a production arrangement
in India under Transfer of Technology (ToT). The contract will
be executed by Tata Power SED as the prime contractor with the
foreign OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) partner Indra
Sistemas of Spain.
which is capable of loitering and cruising at 0.7 Mach at altitude
as low as 100 metres, covered the designated target range in 42
minutes and 23 seconds. Tata’s combat management system
for IAC-I
BEL turnover of Rs. 11,700 crore
C ombat Management System (CMS) for the Indigenous Aircraft

B harat Electronics Limited (BEL) achieved a turnover of Carrier (IAC), developed by Tata Power Strategic Engineering
Rs.11,700 crore (Provisional & Unaudited) during the Financial Division (TPSED), in collaboration with Weapon and Electronics
Year 2018-19, sustaining double digit growth (an increase of 16%)
over the previous year’s turnover of Rs.10,085 crore. Some major
orders during the year are for Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile
Systems, Electronic Fuzes, L 70 Gun upgrade, weapon repair facility
for Naval Ships, Kerala-Fibre Optics Network (K-FON), Smart
City Projects, Integrated Perimeter Security Solution (IPSS), Video
Surveillance System, Naval Airfield Integrated Security System
(NAISS), Real Time Information System, etc.
Some major projects executed during FY 2018-19 include the
Integrated Air Command & Control System (IACCS), Weapon
Locating Radar (WLR), Cdr TI Sights, Schilka upgrade, Tropo
upgrade, Integrated Communication System (ICS), Long Range
Surface to Air Missile System (LRSAM), Ground Based EW System,
L-70 Gun upgrade, Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), Voter
Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), and others.

III/2019 17
 AVIATION & DEFENCE
In India
System Engineering Establishment (WESEE) and MARS of Russia
was handed over by Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD, Tata Advanced
Systems Ltd. to the Indian Navy’s Chief of Materiel, Vice Admiral
GS Pabby on 28 March 2019. This event assumes great significance,
being the first CMS developed by Private Industry for the Indian
Navy.

The Kalyani Group and Thales in

collaboration
with delegates, who were addressed by senior executives from the
company, representatives from the Government of India, and
Indian vendors that have already joined the BAE Systems global
supply chain network. As Nik Khanna, Managing Director of BAE
Systems India (image above) said: “BAE Systems continues to take
substantive steps in our Make in India commitment. The company
is proud to support the development of Indian suppliers as well as
the creation of a self-sustaining industrial base in this country.”

India’s Moon mission

I ndian Space Reseach Organisation (ISRO) is working on the
launch of Chandrayaan II, the country’s second lunar mission

T he Kalyani Group and Thales have formalised collaboration for in the launch window 9-16 July 2019. Chandrayaan II has three
the design, development and manufacture of next generation modules : the orbiter, lander (Vikram) and rover (Pragyan). “The
weapons systems for defence law enforcement sectors in India orbiter and lander modules will be interfaced mechanically and
and abroad. “The collaboration between KSSL and Thales will stacked together as an integrated module and accommodated inside
leverage Thales’s more than 100 years’ of experience in the design, the GSLGV MK.III launch vehicle. The rover is housed inside
development and manufacture of world leading defence systems in the lander,” stated an ISRO spokesperson. Once Chandrayaan II
Australia”. The agreement was signed onboard HMAS Canberra reaches lunar orbit, the four legged Vikram will and soft land at
on a call in India by MKK Iyer, Vice President (Defence), Kalyani the predetermined site close to the south pole, “which has not been
Group and Emmanuel de Roquefeuil, VP and Country Director explored by other space research missions.”
India, Thales.

Cyient MOU on Remote Pilot

Training
C yient has signed a tripartite MoU with the Government of
Telangana and Telangana State Aviation Academy (TSAA)
to develop and conduct Remote Pilot (Drone Pilot) Training and
Certification Programmes. Cyient will provide the training tools
while TSAA will provide training services and infrastructure to
conduct the courses, developed as per DGCA curriculum guidelines.
Cyient and TSAA will work toward setting up a drone pilot training
infrastructure at TSAA, which will include a variety of rotary and
fixed-wing drones along with simulators to train the pilots.

BAE Systems India Annual Supplier

Summit
B AE Systems hosted its second Annual Supplier Summit in New
Delhi where some 100 vendors from Indian firms attended at
Aerocity. BAE Systems shared viable new business opportunities Courtesy: ISRO

18 VAYU
 AVIATION & DEFENCE
In India
ISRO’s PSLV-C45 launches EMISAT Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh
and 28 customer satellites Bhadauria is VCAS
A ir Marshal Rakesh Kumar
Singh Bhadauria took over
as Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 1
May 2019. The Air Marshal was
commissioned in fighter stream of
IAF and won the coveted ‘Sword
of Honour’. He has over 4250
flying hours on twenty six types of
fighters and transport aircraft, is
an Experimental Test Pilot, a Cat
‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor
and Pilot Attack Instructor. The Air Marshal has held a number
of important appointments, which include command of a Jaguar
Squadron and a premier Air Force Station, Commanding Officer of
Flight Test Squadron at Aircraft & System Testing Establishment,
Chief Test Pilot and Project Director of the National Flight Test
Centre on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project.
Air Marshal Bhadauria was also Commandant of the National
Defence Academy, SASO at HQ CAC, Deputy Chief of the Air
Staff at Air HQ and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern
Air Command. Prior to assuming the present appointment, he was
the AOC-in-C of Training Command.

Air Marshal SK Ghotia takes over

as AOC-in-C Training Command
A ir Marshal SK Ghotia took over
as Air Officer Commanding-
in-Chief of Training Command on
1 May 2019. He was commissioned
in the fighter stream, is a Qualified
Flying Instructor, has undergone
the Air Staff Course, Higher Air
Command Course and holds two

O n 1 April, 2019 India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle

(PSLV-C45) successfully launched EMISAT and 28
international customer satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space
Masters Degrees. He has served
as Directing Staff at the Defence
Services Staff College Wellington. He has also served in a number
Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota. This flight marked first of Staff appointments, which include Director Intelligence at Air
mission of PSLV-QL, a new variant of PSLV with four strap-on HQs, Ops 1 A of Western Air Command, Principal Director
motors. PSLV-C45 injected India’s EMISAT into a 748 km sun- Training (Flying) at Air HQs, Air Attache at Embassy of India,
synchronous polar orbit, 17 minutes and 12 seconds after lift-off. Paris, was AOC of the COBRA Group and ACAS (Intelligence).
After separation, the two solar arrays of EMISAT were deployed Prior to assuming the present appointment, he was the SASO
automatically and the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Training Command.
Network at Bengaluru assumed control of the satellite, the satellite
thereafter brought to its final operational configuration.
Following the separation of EMISAT, the vehicle’s fourth stage Rear Admiral Suraj Berry is FOC
engines were restarted twice to place the 28 international customer
satellites precisely into a sun-synchronous orbit at 504 km. The Eastern Fleet
28 international customer satellites together weighed about 220
kg, and were from four countries, being Lithuania (2), Spain (1),
Switzerland (1) and the USA (24).
R ear Admiral Suraj Berry took over Command of the Eastern
Fleet on 30 March 2019. He was commissioned on 1 January
1987 and is a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Warfare, his sea

III/2019 19
 AVIATION & DEFENCE
In India
IN participates in ‘Group Sail’
exercises

I n the first week of May 2019, the Indian Navy carried out ‘Group
Sail’ exercises with warships of Japan, the Philippines and the
US in the South China Sea.  The six-day long ‘Group Sail’ had six
combatants from the four participating countries and included the
commands includes the missile vessel INS Nirbhik, missile corvette Guided Missile Destroyer INS Kolkata and Fleet Support Ship INS
INS Karmuk, stealth frigate INS Talwar, and the aircraft carrier INS Shakti from India, Helicopter Carrier JMSDF Izumo and Guided
Vikramaditya of which he was the commissioning Commanding Missile Destroyer JMSDF Murasame from Japan; frigate BRP Andres
Officer. His Staff and Operational appointments include those as Bonifacio from the Philippines and Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer
Principal Director Strategy, Concepts and Transformation at Naval USS Williams P Lawrence of the US Navy. 
Headquarters. Apart from these, the IN ships took part in various other
exercises en route to Qingdao in China (see associated item) and on
Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi the return passage visited Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam and Busan in
South Korea. On departing Busan, both IN warships participated in
is Director General Naval ADMM-PLUS MS FTX Phase I exercises off South Korea with the
Navies of Brunei, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South
Operations Korea and the US.  On completion of Phase II, all participating ships
including INS Kolkata and Shakti participated in the International
V ice Admiral MA Hampiholi
assumed charge as Director
General Naval Operations on 27
Maritime Defence Expo (IMDEX) 2019 off Singapore.

March, 2019. A graduate of the

National Defence Academy and
commissioned in the Executive
Branch of the Indian Navy on 1 July
1985, the Flag Officer is a specialist
in Anti-Submarine Warfare and has
held important assignments both
afloat and ashore.  In the initial
years of his career, he served on board IN Ships Himgiri, Agray and
Ganga as ASW specialist officer and subsequently was instructor at
ASW School.   His Command tenures afloat include INS Nashak
(missile vessel), INS Magar {Landing Ship Tank (Large)} and INS
Talwar (stealth Frigate) and Second in-Command of INS Khukri
(Missile corvette). He commanded the National Coast Guard,
Mauritius for two years (2003–05) and was also Commandant,
Naval Academy and Commanding Officer of INS Mandovi. 

20 VAYU
Flagging the

Emerging Issues of Air Power

Excerpts from the Workshop on 29 March 2019

Organised by The Society for Aerospace Studies and the Observer Research Foundation, and held at the
latter’s Conference Hall on 29 March 2019, this workshop was planned under the compelling circumstances
in which the Indian Air Force finds itself today, with predicted depletion of combat squadrons
taking place without credible replacements in the foreseeable future.
The Backdrop
The score of MiG-21 variants and MiG-23/27 squadrons,
which constituted bulk of the IAF combat force for decades, are
predictably and relentlessly being phased out.  Their intended
successor, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme has
had a prolonged gestation period and the very first operational
squadron will achieve unit establishment (still of IOC standard)
by 31 March 2019, at least a decade after that planned. The
next tranche of 20 (FOC standard aircraft) will only commence
delivery from late 2019, and the improved Mk.1A will follow
after a decade.
Genesis of the MMRCA programme is well known, which
began at start of this Century and after due procedure, was
virtually short closed with only 36 Rafales ordered, far from
making up the numbers required. Even with additional LCAs,
Su-30s and Rafales, by 2021-22 the IAF’s frontline combat
strength will have been alarmingly reduced to some 26 combat Dr Manoj Joshi
squadrons, or just 60% of the force levels required.

III/2019 21
T
here were over 25 persons at the which he felt, the Air Force must able to adequate amount of funds to maintain
workshop, including the present deliver. their capabilities. Especially when we have
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, IAF “Relevance of aerospace power in two neighbours (Pakistan and China) who
Air Marshal VR Chaudhry and a number of current and future conflict cannot be over are constantly engaging in challenging
officers from the Air War Strategy Cell at Air emphasised because it is the aerospace our capabilities, we need to have enough
Headquarters. The first Session was chaired elements which are transforming the financial backing to neutralise the incoming
by the former CAS Air Chief Marshal Arup entire armed forces with a strategic force threats from our neighbours.”
Raha who had specially flown to Delhi from with multi spectrum capabilities which is
Calcutta for the workshop and the second also increasing strategic footprints of the Challenges for the IAF
by Dr RK Tyagi, former Chairman HAL nation in terms of power projection, not Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal
and current President of the Aeronautical only military power but Comprehensive
Society of India. The sessions were chaired National Power (CNP)”.
by Dr Manoj Joshi and Mr Pushpindar Air Chief Marshal Raha flagged some
Singh Chopra respectively. issues at conceptual and strategic levels,
military strategy of the nation and the
national security strategy “where there
are huge challenges …. military strategy
has been taken out within the cantors
of the national security strategy and this
military strategy is reflected through the
directive issued by the Government. This
directive which is supposed to depict the
environment in terms of threat to India,
that is our threat perception and how
we are going to tackle all these threats
in future be it from sub-conventional or
non-conventional threats, is formalised
by the Defence Minister. The draft is
basically prepared by the armed forces then
it is worked and fine-tuned by the Chief Air Marshal VR Chaudhry
of the Staff Committee, that is the IDS
Headquarters and once all agree on how VR Chaudhry made his focused presentation
the military strategy should be, the directive on what was termed as challenges for the
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha is prepared and sent to the ministry”. The Indian Air Force in terms of regional threats,
former Chief regretted that this has just the way they will shape up in the years to
Dr Manoj Joshi, Distinguished Fellow remained there “since bureaucrats over there come and how to tackle them. The DCAS
with the ORF made his introductory don’t understand what it contains and how projected the Indian Air Force’s mission
remarks and introduced Air Chief Marshal it is to be affected.” statement, ‘The Indian Air Force aspires to be
Arup Raha, former Chief of the Air Staff, He continued that despite preparing the a responsive, credible and adaptable aerospace
who began with the observation on the topic draft on time and sharing it with the MoD, power with strategic reach and full spectrum
itself ‘Emerging issues of air power’ as he there is some reluctance at both political capability to safeguard our national interests
felt it is an aerospace power because air and and bureaucratic levels to formalise the and provide a decisive instrument for power
space is a one continuum. documents. “The capabilities of the armed projection’.
The former CAS emphasised that forces to tackle and mitigate the incoming He referred to contemporary war
capabilities of the Indian Army, the Indian security threats are heavily dependent on history with the realisation that the manner
Navy, the Indian Air Force, ISRO, DRDO ministry’s directives but due to lack of “we fought wars in the past, the way
and Civil Aviation rely heavily on aerospace understanding and knowledge on security we are prepared to fight today and the
assets, and Network Centric Warfare matters, most of these remain unnoticed for manner in which we will fight in the
(NCW), communications, intelligence, a long time at the MoD”. future, relies heavily on the technology we
surveillance etc. can all be performed only Air Chief Marshal Raha’s other concern acquire.” He focused on the imperatives of
with the help and support of an aerospace was on the National Security Strategy (NSS). technological dominance over adversaries.
network. Any operational contingency in Unfortunately this is not implemented by “The geopolitical landscape I don’t need to
future is going to demand extra control of the experts... it is the domain which needs to elaborate upon, the future threats are likely
aerospace to perform multiple operations be handled by those people from the armed to be diverse, varied, will be requiring an
including intelligence, awareness, robust forces, and not by the bureaucrats. integrated and rapid response, threats posed
NCW capabilities, intelligence surveillance “The other point that I would like by non-state actors, terrorist group and left
and reconnaissance (ISR) and, most to highlight is the budgetary allocations wing extremists are likely to be increase and
importantly, the precision strike capability as armed forces across the globe require the spectrum of conflict will range from air

22 VAYU
 However, where the IAF remains short
is on its airborne network and operational
data links, which capability must be built
up very rapidly, and could be achieved by
procurement of software defined systems.
“Finally of course is the space segment, and
the need to merge all of these to give us the
functional operational datalink that can link
the ground, airborne and space network
to give seamless picture of the air battle to
everyone involved”.
Concerning space, “we need to have
more space assets to provide first signs of
an impending attack, which forms critical
part of the ballistic missile system as also
for conventional use such as for ISR and
communication, promoting network
centricity. Electronic and cyber warfare
cannot be viewed in isolation as all fighter
acquisition and fighter upgrade programmes
focus on robust EW systems”.
In conclusion, the Air Marshal
symmetric to high intensity and to total technology do not exist in a vacuum, emphasised that modernisation is a
war. So we need to enhance the strategic technology would influence tactics and continuous and ongoing process so as to
deterrence potential, attain full spectrum vice versa”. The Air Marshal referred to have technological advantage over the
dominance capabilities”. recent war history which is replete with adversaries. Importantly “We also need to
The Indian Air Force, on its part must examples where technologically inferior bring in the private sector and give them
have the construct to meet its diverse roles, forces claimed victory through superior an impetus on ‘Make in India’ as part of
needing to diversify from traditional roles tactics, giving the instances of what maintaining our operational edge against
of the past, this fact being emphasised. happened in Vietnam, in Afghanistan even adversaries”.
The DCAS alluded to shape of the future where technological inferior forces used
battle space. “We will be facing very dense good tactics, which may not be workable
and integrated defence environment, there every time but then had and could defeat
will be regions and areas which will be very a technologically superior force.
difficult to penetrate, multilayer air defence “The IAF needs to focus firstly on
capability existing with our adversaries network centric warfare (NCW), space
presently and we have to find ways both and cyber and more importantly, we
hard and soft of beating the enemy’s air need to enhance our indigenous defence
defence systems. Stealthy platforms are production capability so that we will
being acquired by our adversaries which are not rely on imports for bolstering our
going to be difficult to detect and engage. technological advantage. That this
This is where we need to enhance our technological advantage be gained through
capability to detect low RCS objects such as indigenous roots, is our mantra for the
cruise missiles or weapons that are released Indian Air Force today”.
from standoff ranges”. The IAF needs to exploit artificial
On the criticality of enhanced intelligence, big data, handling cyber
electronic warfare capabilities, which capability etc. to plug the existing voids.
will finally determine the winner in any He listed four areas of dominance which is Dr Tara Kartha
conflict, he said that “future combat sought to be acquired in the coming decades :
systems will need to operate effectively networking, space based assets, ISR, EW & The DCAS was followed by Dr Tara
in the most congested, contested and Cyber and new generation weapons. “We Kartha, formally with the National Security
complex environment that we have ever have integrated air command and control Advisory Board, who made references to
known, facing new threats that probably systems which ride right at the back of the recent precision air strike at Balakot
do not currently exist. Thus, the debatable AFNet, the fibre-based net which is used by by the IAF calling that “an exercise of
point whether our doctrine is driving the Indian Air Force and is very secure and coercion”. She stressed that “Balakot was
the technology or vice versa. This is the reliable, the ground network fairly robust basically a demonstration intended to
conundrum that we keep facing and and will fulfil are requirements in coming coerce Pakistan into desisting from cross
discussing to realise that both tactics and decades”. border terrorism.”

III/2019 23
 consider that future wars could certainly
also take place in the high seas. If so, are
we going to have separate air forces for the
Indian Navy and the Indian Army”?
Concerning the light combat aircraft
(LCA) Dr Tyagi questioned as to what the
Air Force and Navy really wanted Indian
R&D and the industry to do. He stressed
that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is
a national strategic asset and there was
need for continuity over the next 10 to 15
years involving all levels, be they political,
bureaucratic or industrial, of course keeping
requirement of the Services as paramount.
However he was candid in his remarks
that “the LCA is not going in the right
Mr Pushpindar Singh Chopra direction and the reason is that after
manufacturing 40 LCA Mk.1s, if there is
Chairing the next Session, Mr delay on further orders (Mk.1A) Air Force
Pushpindar Singh Chopra, President of The is right that there will be technological
Society for Aerospace Studies reiterated that advances, and currently the IAF has asked
the key reasons behind this workshop were for four upgrades. However, the fact is that
to address prevailing issues of the Indian ADA does not have the funds for all these
Air Force, flagging these as the need to so according to what I heard, work on the
‘fast track’ the process of replenishing IAF LCA Mk.1A has not really started and the
combat squadrons, particularly the process way it is going, I will not be surprised if this
of acquisition. Also, whether yet another gets delayed further for some more years.
MMRCA-type competition was practical Who owns the LCA anyway ? We must
at this critical juncture, or was there a have a national supervisory committee to
more rational, speedier process to arrest the handle this national, strategic programme”,
steadily declining combat squadron levels he stressed.
of the IAF ? The Indian R&D and Industry
He introduced Dr RK Tyagi, former Representing the Indian aerospace industry
Chairman, HAL and present President of were Dr Praveen V Ayachit from the
the Aeronautical Society of India who in Dr RK Tyagi Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)
his candid address, cautioned the need for and Mr G Syam Nath, from Hindustan
pragmatism in reaching the IAF’s desired reality is that, for this contingency, the IAF Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The former
force levels. “When we talk about 2025, must have a force level of some 60 combat made a first-time public presentation on
which is some six years from now, we squadrons to achieve credible air defence”. the LCA Mk.II project, with graphics to
are looking at some major targets to be On the role of Hindustan Aeronautics illustrate how the LCA Mk.I has evolved
achieved …. including self-reliance in major Limited, he said that “much has been
systems comprising aircraft, helicopters, discussed in the public but the fact is, as
radars etc. followed by augmenting a nation, what do we really want HAL to
indigenous infrastructure to meet the major do ? Option one, close HAL and give it
requirements. All these objectives would to private sector; option two have a joint
be achieved only when there are adequate relationship with HAL and private sector.
funds allocated by the Government for We have already disinvested HAL by 10%,
defence. There are persistent reports on the so expand this further to 40% and invite
continuing financial crisis which means that major players and let HAL, emerge as an
the government must commit funding to national integration company”.
enhance IAF force levels if it really wants On the need for synergy amongst
to accomplish its defence vision by 2025.” various air arms, Dr Tyagi gave an example
Alluding a “two front war”, Dr Tyagi of Russia where planners from all three
said, “We are still living in the myth of being defence forces plan for and implement
technologically superior than our neighbours, acquisition of standard equipment. “I think
which is why we are still hoping to touch the it is time that we take a similar national call.
figure of 45 squadrons to simultaneously I feel the IAF should not only plan for wars
tackle both Pakistan and China whereas, the on the western and the northern fronts, but Dr Praveen V Ayachit

24 VAYU
 Mr G Syam Nath

required by the IAF will realistically not

into becoming a Medium Weight Fighter He also briefly made an overview of the take place before 2024 (which is also the
(MWF), which is 1350 mm longer, 300mm AMCA programme which, powered by reason for the ‘stop gap’ requirement for
wider than the baseline LCA having a 17.5 110kN class engines, “could go into service 114 multi-role fighters as per the IAF’s RFI
tonne AUW, with payload of 6.5 tonnes in 14 years”. (Details in future Issues of the issued in April 2018).
and internal fuel of 3.5 tonnes. Vayu Aerospace Review) A spirited open discussion followed
Featuring canard foreplanes, powered The General Manager from HAL with several senior (retired) Air Marshals,
by the GE F.414 turbofan engine, first concentrated on development of the LCA Generals and Admirals participating. These
flight of this aircraft is aimed for in 2024, Mk.IA, the RFP for which was issued by included Air Marshals KK Nohwar, Ajit
with induction into service from the early Air Headquarters on 20 December 2017, Bhavnani, Jimmy Bhatia, Amit Aneja, Vice
2030s, to supplant present legacy types such with commercial negotiations on at present. Admiral Shekhar Sinha and Major General
as the Jaguar, Mirage 2000 and MiG-29. However, first deliveries of the 83 aircraft Ashok Mehta (seen below).

III/2019 25
The Tejas at Langkawi

And other highlights of LIMA 2019

T
he Langkawi International Maritime
and Aerospace Exhibition (popularly
‘LIMA’) takes place every two years
at this attractive tourist destination on
Malaysia’s western periphery. The 15 th
edition took place during 26-30 March
2019 and witnessed some ‘unusual’ aircraft
sales contests, including those between
Indian, Russian and Korean aircraft types,
all vying to meet the Malaysian requirement
for new light combat aircraft. However,
according to industry observers, a string
of other manufacturers also responded to
the requirement of the Royal Malaysian
Air Force (RMAF) for this requirement,
including Saab which reportedly submitted
its proposal to the RMAF in late February,
offering the latest Gripen C MS20 sub-
variant, with access to the MBDA Meteor card for the Yak-130 and FA/T-50, official discussions during the Malaysian
beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and respectively. The former has exported Prime Minister’s visit to Islamabad a week
other improved weapon systems. The Yak-130s to Bangladesh, Myanmar and earlier.
Swedish National Export Credits Guarantee Laos. Speaking to the media during LIMA, There was understandable excitement in
Board (EKN) could well offer export credit Sergey Gorbenko, Rosoboronexport’s Chief India that the Tejas LCA was being displayed
support and be the possible solution for the of Directorate, said it will be proposing 18 and demonstrated at this international
budgetary issues faced by the RMAF. Yak-130s for the first phase with an option airshow. Two series production LCAs from
Russia’s Rostec and South Korea’s for 36 more in the second phase. No.45 Squadron IAF, commanded by Gp
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) are A no–so–dark horse is the Chengdu/ Capt Samrath Dhankhar had been ferried
both hoping that earlier regional exports PAC JF-17 Thunder which although not from Sulur in South India via Kalaikunda
in Southeast Asia would be a good report present at LIMA 2019, was subject of in Bengal and Yangon in Myanmar to

26 VAYU
Langkawi in Malaysia. The IAF contingent Indian Air Force officials, sat in the cockpit Airbus was much in evidence at the
comprised 27 officers, 42 airmen and 11 of a Tejas and sought some information on show, which included static display of an
HAL personnel, the LCAs accompanied by this aircraft. A320neo operated by Malaysian low-cost
a C-130J and Il-76 of the IAF for logistics carrier AirAsia, the new-generation tactical
and spares support. Other highlights at LIMA airlifter A400M and a CN235 medium
According to reports from Langkawi, Other flying displays at LIMA 2019 aircraft. This company’s rotorcraft display
Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Bin included performances of aerobatic teams consisted of H225M, a Malaysian Navy
Mohamad and Defence Minister Mohamad from the Republic of Korea ‘Black Eagles’ AS555SN Fennec and an AS365 Dauphin
Sabu visited the Show and interacted with and Indonesia’s ‘Jupiter’. operated by the country’s maritime

United Colours of the RMAF

For real ? RMAF A400M, with PC-7s in unlikely formation over a pair of Su-
30MKMs flying lower in the opposite direction at start of LIMA 1019

The RMAF have a small batch of Boeing F/A-18 Hornets and….. ….Sukhoi Su-30MKMs in their present fighter inventory

III/2019 27
 major Chinese platforms. These comprise
the Y-12 light transport aircraft, developed
by AVIC subsidiary Harbin Aviation
Group, and the AC312 light twin-engine
civilian helicopter, developed by subsidiary
AVICopter. The Y-12 and AC312 have
been designed by AVIC for commercial and
military applications.”
Although the HAL-built Tejas LCA was
one of the stars at LIMA 2019, why did the
Government of India and the mandarins
at its Ministry of Defence not follow up
the Malaysian interest in maritime patrol
aircraft ? The HAL-built Dornier 228 is
arguably the world’s most cost-effective
maritime patrol aircraft, with well over
60 aircraft serving in this demanding (and
other) role with the Indian Navy and Coast
The ‘Jupiter’ formation aerobatic team at LIMA Guard. Why is it that the Malaysians are
looking at the far less capable Chinese Y-12
enforcement agency. Airbus Helicopters around Asia-Pacific will continue to spill to meet its requirements ?
also showcased their H145 in emergency into Southeast Asia, and has offered the P-8
The Maritime Dimension
medical services configuration. Poseidon to the RMAF.
Amongst a number of warships of various
RMAF evaluates MPAs Y-12 production in Malaysia Navy’s was the INS Kadmatt, a Stealth Anti
In recent years, the Royal Malaysian A joint venture between Malaysian company Submarine Warfare (ASW) corvette, which
Air Force (RMAF) has placed maritime UA Aerospace and the investment arm was in Langkawi waters for seven days.
surveillance as one of its top procurement of the government of Kedah, Menteri Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, FOC-in-C,
priorities, even ahead of other requirements Besar Kedah Incorporated (MBI Kedah), Eastern Naval Command headed the Indian
including the light combat aircraft signed a partnership contract with China’s Navy Delegation.
programme, so as to protect the country’s biggest defence enterprise, the Aviation The largest presence was that of the
extensive maritime frontiers, especially Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) Americans, both the USAF and US Navy
in the contested South China Sea and during LIMA 2019. Foong Peng Hoong, at LIMA 2019. “LIMA is a phenomenal
pirate-infested Malacca Straits. The RMAF the president of UA Aerospace, stated, multinational event which also showcases
is considering procurement of some four “Under the new partnership contract, UA the military-to-military ties between the US
maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), according Aerospace and MBI Kedah will receive and Malaysian armed forces,” said Col Scott
to Elfien Goentoro, the President Director technologies and training from AVIC to Humphrey, US Mission Commander with
of Indonesia’s PT Dirgantara Indonesia facilitate the Malaysian production of two the Washington Air National Guard.
(PTDI). Options include PT DI’s CN235
MPA variant, and two more to be converted
from the RMAF’s current CN235 transport
fleet. In addition, the RMAF is also looking
at acquiring a CN235 converted for VIP
transport.
In this context, PT DI issued the
Certificate of Completion and Certificate
of Competency to the RMAF for the
CN235 Rewiring Programme, completing
such transfer of technology to the air force.
RMAF’s seven CN235s will undergo a
Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP),
under which the first three airframes will
go through processes such as structural
inspection, rewiring, and replacement of
obsolescent equipment by the end of 2019,
with the remainder following in 2020.
Meanwhile, Boeing is hopeful that INS ‘Kadmatt’ at Langkawi
the P-8 Poseidon’s successful campaign

28 VAYU
 Tejas vs Thunder vs Golden Eagle vs...

On arrival at Langkawi : pilots of the two Tejas LCAs with other IAF officers

I n his well read column, Ajai Shukla

writes that many aviation experts
believe Malaysia will choose between
a single-engine, supersonic fighter to the
current RMAF fleet, which consists mainly
of twin-engined fighters, including the
by-wire system controlled through
a sophisticated mission computer.
While the JF-17 and FA-50 are mostly
three light fighters: India’s Tejas, the Boeing F/A-18D Hornet and the Russian metallic, the Tejas’s fuselage and
South Korean FA-SO Golden Eagle, Sukhoi-30 and MiG-29. wings feature advanced composite
and the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 The Government of Malaysia has materials, which reduces the aircraft’s
Thunder. projected that the procurement would weight and allows it to carry more
Since the RMAF is still deciding cost some $300 million, or $25 million weapons and fuel.
between a supersonic LCA and a sub- per aircraft. That is the estimated cost of However, the Tejas’s big drawback
sonic lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT), the JF-17 Thunder, with the Tejas and is the IAF’’s ‘lukewarm’ attitude. In
three additional jet trainers are also the Golden Eagle priced slightly higher contrast, the JF-17 and FA-50 are
regarded as contenders, including at about $30 million each. However, strongly backed by the Pakistani and
the Leonardo M-346FA aircraft, the there are apprehensions over the JF-17’s Korean air forces, respectively. The PAF
South Korean T-50 Golden Eagle and engine, the Russian Klimov RD-33, which already flies six squadrons of JF-17s.
the Russian Yakovlev Yak-130. requires heavy maintenance and is rather “It would be a travesty if the
In January 2019, Malaysia ‘smoky’ which the RMAF is well aware of Malaysian Air Force likes the Tejas,
issued requests for information (RFI) since its MiG-29s have the same engine. but decides against it because it sees
under its LCA/LIFT procurement In contrast, the Tejas and the Golden IAF reluctance to back the fighter.
programme, expressing interest in Eagle both use the highly reliable General The sooner the IAF throws its weight
acquiring an initial 12 fighters by Electric F-404 engine, which also powers behind the Tejas, the earlier it will
2021-22, with an option for 24 more the RMAF’s F/A-18s. In design and crack the international market, where
in the future. This would be under materials, the Tejas is the most advanced there is already significant interest,”
a its ‘Capability SS’ modernisation of the three light fighters, having an said strategic affairs expert Bharat
programme, which envisages adding unstable design and a quadruplex fly- Karnad.

III/2019 29
 By Invitation

“Mission Readiness”: Boeing and

Indian’s Armed Forces

O
ver the past few years, Boeing airlift, combat operations and Intelligence, joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems
has exponentially strengthened Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles, Limited, Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited
and grown its partnership with Boeing platforms provide warfighters with (TBAL) has already begun deliveries of
the Indian armed forces. From the C-17 the capability to dominate combat areas. fuselages for the AH-64 Apache, the world’s
Globemaster III to the P-8I and now, the As this partnership progresses, Boeing most lethal combat helicopter. This centre
soon to be inducted AH-64 Apaches and sees an opportunity to continue to provide is becoming the sole source of the fuselage
CH-47 Chinooks, Boeing platforms and the Indian armed forces with the capability globally.
services are actively aiding the Indian armed with cutting-edge platforms that will prove Committed to evolving these
forces missions to protect the country’s to be an asset in protecting the sovereign partnerships and investments further,
sovereign borders. borders of the country. Boeing is proposing a world class advanced
Boeing’s commitment to deliver capable Boeing sees an opportunity to provide manufacturing facility in India for the
platforms that meet the Indian armed forces both the Indian Navy and the Indian Air F/A-18 Super Hornet with the very latest
modernisation and mission requirements Force with the F/A-18 Super Hornet, technologies in place. Furthermore, the
spans across the present. Its portfolio has one of the world’s preeminent multi-role Super Hornet is the best aircraft as a step to
a range of proven products that can fulfill fighter aircraft. The F/A-18 Super Hornet India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
a number of roles in present and future is a combat proven, supersonic, all weather (AMCA) programme. Boeing will work
theatres of operations. multirole fighter with a defined flight plan closely with India industry to ensure they
With the F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing to outpace threats into the 2040s. The have the very latest technologies, applying
can help the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Super Hornet Block II is the most advanced lessons learnt from the current Super
Force modernise their fleets with a fighter aircraft of its kind in operation today Hornet production line.
that offers true multi-role capability and a with designed-in stealth (and best stealth The Indian Navy and Indian Air Force
distinct combat advantage. performance), an AESA radar and many can be assured of achieving exceptional
As India expands its air force and other advanced technologies. The AESA operational capability and readiness of their
increases its defensive capabilities, the radar in particular is an expediential leap P-8I and C-17 fleet. Boeing aircraft have high
KC-46 Pegasus is the perfect choice for in technology needed for current and future mission readiness rates of >85%. Boeing’s
a multi-role tanker-transport aircraft. The missions. The Super Hornet not only has investments in services infrastructure,
most reliable and economical tanker to a low acquisition cost, but it costs less per the build-up of local capability and
operate, the KC-46 can provide India with flight hour to operate than any other tactical workforce and local partnership models
the combat capability it needs for sovereign aircraft in US forces inventory. Part of its will accelerate the strategy. C-17 GISP
operations. Pegasus is the best choice for affordability is because the Super Hornet programme has become a model for the
today and the decades to come. The brand is designed to need far less maintenance, future of sustainment. The C-17 Simulator
new KC-46 is designed from the ground-up which translates into the high mission Training Centre, established by Boeing
to be a combat-ready tanker. This means availability it is synonymous with. and Mahindra Defence Systems to provide
that unlike other tankers, it can operate Over 160 Indian suppliers have been training services to the Indian Air Force,
closer to the fight, covertly and with the providing parts and assemblies covering completed over 1700 hours of training for
ability to protect itself. In India’s crowded aerostructures, wire harness, composites, aircrews and loadmasters that operate the
neighbourhood, it means it can be closer to forgings, avionics mission systems, and C-17 Globemaster III.
action to fuel the fight. ground support equipment for some of With imminent induction of the
Boeing has the right platforms and Boeing’s most advanced defense platforms. Apache and Chinook, Boeing anticipates
capabilities to match the evolving mission Boeing’s sourcing from India has quadrupled additional opportunities in rotorcraft
requirements of the Indian armed forces. in the past few years and now stands at $1 training and support centers.
Ranging across the entire gamut of strategic billion. As part of this journey, Boeing’s Courtesy: Boeing

30 VAYU
 Safran and the Indian Defence Sector

S
afran maintains a very long association with the
Indian Army, since the 1950s, offering aerospace
and land solutions.
The company is the leading supplier of inertial
navigation systems for Indian combat aircraft. Sigma
95N navigation systems equip the Sukhoi Su-30MKI,
Tejas LCA, MiG-27, MiG-29, Jaguar and the Hawk
advanced jet trainer.  The company develops and supplies
the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) of the
Dhruv helicopter, comprising APIRS Attitude and
Heading Reference Systems, Autopilot Computers and
actuators, all of which are manufactured and maintained
in India.
More than 500 combat aircraft deployed by the
Indian Air Force and Indian Navy are equipped with
the Inertial Navigation Systems.  Safran is a major
contributor to the 36 Rafale fighters acquired by India in
2016. Safran companies provide a wide variety of systems
and equipment on the Rafale, including the aircraft’s M88 engines, the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a new and unique three-ton,
power transmission system, landing gear, wheels and carbon brakes, single-engine, multipurpose rotorcraft. This engine has a compact
ring laser gyro inertial navigation system, gyros for the fly-by-wire architecture featuring a gas generator made up of two centrifugal
system, the auxiliary power unit (APU) and all wiring. In addition, compressor stages, coupled to a single-stage high-pressure turbine and
Safran is prime contractor for the AASM Hammer modular air-to- a two-stage power turbine. The first technical flight of the Ardiden
ground weapon. 1U in the LUH took place in September 2016, in Bangalore, and
A key element of Safran’s partnership is the Shakti / Ardiden met all its performance targets.
1H1. Certified in 2009, the 1,400 shp engine was co-developed by Inaugurated in October 2016 in Goa is the Helicopter Engines
Safran and HAL and is now built in Bangalore, under the Shakti MRO Pvt. Limited (HE-MRO) a Joint Venture of Safran and
designation, mainly with Indian-made components. This engine HAL, dedicated to supporting of helicopter engines operated by
was first selected to power HAL’s Dhruv, now in service, and powers national and international operators, and primarily the Indian Air
the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) in final stages of qualification. Force and Indian Army. It will be operational by early 2020, and
Today, more than 350 Shakti engines have been produced. Most provide maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) services for both
recently the Ardiden 1U, a derivative of the Ardiden 1H1 specifically TM333 and Shakti engines installed on HAL-built helicopters.
designed to power single-engine rotorcraft, was selected to power Courtesy: Safran

I/2019 31
Bison vs Falcon
Sameer Joshi analyses ‘that’ air combat over Kashmir
Wing Commander Abhinandan
Varthaman of the Indian Air
Force’s No.51 Squadron flying
a MiG-21 Bison, made aviation
history around 10.00 hrs on 27
February 2019, when he targeted
a formation of Pakistan Air Force
F-16s who were engaging IAF
Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters with
their AIM-120 AMRAAM beyond
visual range missiles. Closing in,
he launched a Vympel R-73  heat
seeking  air-to-air missile at the
target over the Lam valley in
Nowshera  sub sector  of  south
western  Jammu and Kashmir,
which resulted in the shooting
down  of a PAF F-16. This was
vigorously denied by Pakistani
spokespersons, but this brief air
combat has since been reported and
analysed ad infinitum, well beyond
the sub-continent, with claims and
denials continuing till today.

W
hat is undeniable is that
Abhinandan’s MiG-21 was also
hit by an AMRAAM missile as
he was heading back towards India, having
crossed the LOC in pursuit of the F-16
just tens of seconds earlier. He ejected
from the stricken aircraft and parachuted
to safety, landing 4 km away from the
LOC near Horan Kotla village in POK.
He was brutally attacked by some locals,
before being dramatically handed over to
the Pakistan Army.
Abhi’s ordeal made him focal point of
the developing crisis, when in gross violation
of the Geneva convention, the footage of
his battered face was intentionally released
on Pakistani television and social media by
MiG-21 Bison of the IAF
Pakistan Army affiliates shortly thereafter.

32 VAYU
 Pak Army troops next to the fallen IAF MiG-21Bison in POK

Just after Abhinandan’s ejection on 27 in that sector at all. Interestingly, the Pak between Indian and Pakistani tweeter
February, the Indian Air Force first reported PM Imran Khan also stated that Pakistan posting a barrage of messages, videos and
through the ANI’s Twitter handle that they had two Indian pilots in custody. Post that photos to bolster their claims, nudged by the
had shot down a F-16 over the Lam valley press conference, the ISPR chief informed ISPR showing the travails of Abhinandan
and also acknowledged the loss of one that the pilot in their custody in the military Varthaman as their POW, in a clear effort
of its MiG-21s. At the same time, Major hospital had passed away. to shift the focus of attention away from the
General Asif Ghafoor, Director-General At 6:19 PM in the evening, the last shooting down of a PAF F-16 and fate of
of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) tweet on the subject from Maj Gen Ghafoor the other downed pilot.
and chief spokesperson of Pakistan Armed clarified that the Pak Army had just ‘one’
Forces, tweeted on the ISPR handle that two IAF pilot in its custody, who was Wing Electromagnetic evidence on
Indian jets had been shot down by the PAF Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. the Air Situation
in POK, with one pilot arrested by the Pak During the time between his first and Let us take a look at the OSINT info and
army and two still in the area. Even as facts last tweet, the social media, particularly the evidence that the Indian Air Force has
were being ascertained and before the IAF on Twitter, spiked up with a virtual war officially revealed on the shooting down of
could give any statement, Pakistani handles
on social media started talking about the
shooting down of two IAF jets and capture
of their Indian pilots.
While addressing a press conference at
noon, an hour or so after his first significant
tweet, Maj Gen Ghafoor said that another
pilot has been arrested. “Our ground forces
arrested two pilots; one of them was injured
and has been shifted to CMH (Combined
Military hospital) and, God-willing, he
will be taken care of,” said the army official
and reiterated that “The other one is with
us.” Maj Gen Ghafoor also assured all that
no F-16 of the PAF had been shot down, The IAF’s PRO and his team displaying part of an AMRAAM missile fired by PAF F-16s
since the F-16s were ‘not’ used in combat against IAF Su-30MKIs on 27 February 2019

III/2019 33
the PAF F-16. That F-16s had engaged with only once they approached north of Poonch, air-to-air missile with a sensitive, dual band
the IAF near Poonch-Naoshera sub sector where they lay in wait to ambush IAF Su- cryogenic cooled seeker with a substantial
on 27 February has been proven beyond 30MKIs who were being ‘pushed’ towards off-boresight capability. The seeker can see
doubt by the electronic signatures, as well them by another formation of 4 F-16s targets up to 40° off the missile’s centreline.
as various video and visual sightings from north west of Poonch at 40,000 feet. This Minimum engagement range is about 300
both sides of the Line of Control. formation had fired 4–5 AMRAAM missiles meters, with maximum aerodynamic range
The IAF’s A.50 Phalcon AWACS, which at IAF Su-30 MKIs as they approached of nearly 30 km at altitude.
while not on station and not controlling the south of Rajouri.
IAF vs PAF air situation, had adequate Having identified the lower formation The IAF Phalcon AWACS air
radar pick up on the aerial engagement of F-16s and seeing that the Su-30MKIs situation snapshot
unfolding via its powerful airborne AESA were effectively being checked by the higher Abhinandan fired his R-73 well within the
radar. In addition, the Phalcon was able formation of F-16s, the IACCS vectored range and tracking capabilities of the R-73
to map the large force engagement (LFE) two MiG-21 Bisons to prevent these 4 missile, with a high closing speed of more
from 10,000 to 40,000 feet, distinguishing F-16s from breaking through towards than 3500 kmph between the missile and
and identifying the various PAF fighters Srinagar-Awantipore. Wg Cdr Abhinandan the F-16, which was at 15,000 feet. At
taking part through their electromagnetic was the lead in this two aircraft MiG-21 those ranges, the missile would have closed
emissions (radars, navigational equipment pair, the approach of which was missed into the target in less than 20 seconds,
and other active sensors), duly picked up, by the F-16s who were busy scanning for its proximity fuse activating the 7.4 kg
processed and analysed by the powerful the Su-30MKIs, but reportedly a Saab warhead to explode and engulf the F-16 in
Electronic Intelligence (Elint) systems. It 2000 ERIEYE Airborne Early Warning frontal quarters with flame and high velocity
identified F-16, JF-17 and Mirage 5s as part & Control (AEW&C) operating in depth shrapnel, in all probability grievously
of the PAF package, spread out from north near Islamabad, tracked the MiG-21s injuring the pilot. The ‘splashed’ F-16 fell
to south J&K on three main axes near the over Naoshera, warning the F-16s. The towards the earth with the pilot ejecting
Line of Control in the POK. IAF’s ground controller saw the defensive out of the stricken aircraft as reported by
The lead image shows the fused radar maneuvering of the F-16s, warning the eyewitnesses.
and Elint signatures accurately depicting MiGs in turn. While his No 2, who was The F-16 ‘kill’ was recorded by the
the presence in time and space of the F-16’s lagging behind, turned ‘cold’ or away from Phalcon’s radar, with the said blip vanishing
APG-68 V9 radar signature over Lam the F-16s which were going ‘hot’ or facing from the radar scope in the radar picture
valley, along with 4 different blips between the MiGs, Abhinandan chose to ignore this processed 8 seconds after the previous one,
10–15,000 feet. The data proves beyond threat and continued towards the F-16s. which had shown the blip in place. This
doubt that F-16s were operating against Both the IACCS and Phalcon AWACS is the first hard evidence on the F-16 kill
the IAF that morning, further confirmed by registered the radar signature of one MiG- based on a concrete electronic signature
the remains of the AMRAAM missile found 21 cross the Line of Control and engage a recordings. The same is corroborated by
in Naoshera sector by the Indian military. F-16 with a R-73 missile. Abhinandan’s call a Thales GS-100 Low Level Targeting
The IAF’s Integrated Air Command on R/T of a missile launch was monitored Radar (LLTR) deployed in that area and
& Control System (IACCS) had initially by the AWACS, being 8–10 km away from integrated into the IACCS. The GS-100
missed tracking the ingress of these the F-16, which was turning towards him, is an AESA radar with low-altitude search
four F-16s towards the LOC since they aiming for a frontal aspect launch with high capability that can track targets up to 180
maintained below the radar horizon of the closing speed between the missile and the km range with high accuracy. The post event
IAF’s ground based radars, picking them incoming F-16. The R-73 is a heat seeking milking out of radar data from the GS-100

34 VAYU
clearly has shown the MiG-21 closing into data. This is the second hard evidence on III converting into a Type IV interception
the F-16s, which were higher, between the F-16 kill. by the F-16 which fired an AMRAAM to
15–25,000 feet. The same LLTR had clearly registered shoot down the IAF MiG-21. The LLTR
The overlapping time and place of the a PAF F-16 manoeuvering towards noticed the MiG-21 blip vanishing after
missile launch and the subsequent ‘splash’ Abhinandan’s MiG-21, as he turned nearly a minute post the F-16 kill, matching
with the blip vanishing is registered very northwards post his missile launch. Guided with the account from Abhinandan’s debrief
accurately, matching with the Phalcon by the Saab ERIEYE, it was a classic Type after his repatriation back to India.

Indian Army sightings of two different aircraft crashing as released by the IAF

The ensuing air combat as viewed from the Pakistani side of line of control

III/2019 35
Visual Sighting (aircraft) and two ‘parinde wale’ (pilots), and A case of two wreckages and
Actually, the air battle was visible in great having bagged one in their custody. While three parachutes: OSINT data
detail on both sides of the Line of Control the first parachute was seen in General Area
Sabzkot, the second parachute was spotted analysis
in J&K, thanks to the contrails formed at
in General Area Tandar. The distance After sifting through a large volume of social
the altitudes where the jets were operating
media videos, images and posts, some very
on most occasions. between the two locations of the F-16 and
interesting OSINT data emerges. With over
As the F-16 fell to the ground after MiG-21 wreckage is about 6–7 kms.
10 different videos of the aerial engagement
being hit by the MiG-21, its downward In an intercept at 1242H, a soldier of
and the subsequent aircraft crashing into
trajectory with parachutes in proximity, 7 Northern Light Infantry, Tandar area,
the ground accessed, there are at least two
was recorded by at least 2 different mentions soldiers from 658 Mujahid
videos which show two different aircraft
geographically apart Indian Army posts, battalion having picked up a second pilot, falling towards the ground. These can
which accurately estimated that the which actually was Abhinandan as seen with be distinguished by their rapidly falling
wreckage would have fallen 7–8 km in the Mujahid soldiers in the various social trajectories towards the ground and the
POK close to Sabzkot in Bhimber. About media grabs. The NLI soldiers already had vapour trails created in the skies. Clearly two
40–50 seconds later, the same army posts one pilot in custody at the time : at 1520 different aircraft had crashed in the Bhimber
noticed and tracked Abhinandan’s MiG- hours, another intercept says that “while one area of POK on 27 February.
21 going down and his ejection in general pilot is in custody, another has been sent to A detailed analysis of Abhinandan’s
area Tandar 6–7 km inside POK, which the military hospital”. crash site by geospatial experts and
through OSINT is close to the village of This clearly shows that a second pilot eyewitness accounts places it near the village
Horan Kotla where the wreckage was seen was also in the Pak Army custody as also of Horan Kotla in Tandar area. Working
vividly on social media. being mentioned in the parralel narrative by backwards from the location of the MiG-21
The sightings and the time of the the ISPR chief. So if one was Abhinandan wreckage, one can plot the approximate area
aircraft (and parachutes), match up with the with the Mujahids, who was the second where the F-16 wreckage might have fallen.
electronic signatures from both the AWACS pilot with the NLI battalion — obviously After the tirade of videos on the MiG-
and the LLTR. This is irrefutable proof of none other than the F-16 pilot ? 21 wreckage surfacing on the social media,
the F-16 being shot down by the MiG- Besides the initial video of locals who there was an initial rush to brand the MiG-
21. Post this, radio transmission picked said two pilots were caught, the sighting by 21’s R-25 engine, as seen in the wreckage
up by the Indian military around 1145H the Indian army and videos showing two as the F-16’s General Electric Engine.
shows Pakistan soldiers from Northern parachutes coming down, all indicate that However, it petered down when experts
Light Infantry talking about two ‘parinda’ a Pakistan jet was shot down. stepped in to debunk these theories.

36 VAYU
 In all probability, just like they tried defeating the redundancy of aircraft systems. to a Military hospital where he may have
to lynch Abhinandan when he landed, The effect is only pronounced as long as succumbed to his injuries as claimed by
the POK locals clearly mistook the F-16 the ring is unbroken, so multiple layers of the ISPR.
parachute to be Indian and lynched the rods are employed in practical weapons to Interestingly, post the aerial melee over
possibly injured PAF pilot. Owing to increase the effective radius. South Western J&K on 27 February, the
extreme injuries, the PAF pilot would have Now when the R-73’s warhead would Pakistani Foreign Minister on 6 March
been taken to the Pak Army CMH where he have exploded and expanded ‘outwards’ spoke in the parliament about  two PAF
would have passed away due to the wounds ‘towards’ the front at over 1000 m/s, the pilots who had shot down IAF aircraft.
sustained. Eyewitness accounts from POK closing speed of over 3500 kmph would These pilots were Squadron Leader Hassan
civilians also confirm that the second pilot have ensured that the F-16 itself would be Siddiqui and Wing Commander Nauman
was taken to a Pak army hospital. coming towards the explosion at 972 m/s. Ali Khan. His statement needs to be analysed
So why didn’t the Pakistanis recognise So if we assume that the proximity fuse objectively for the message it conveys . The
their own pilot before lynching him? would have initiated the explosion in frontal FM said when interacting with the other
For this we need to go back to the exact quarters at around 300m ,  there would members, “One clarification — Bilawal paid
moment when Abhinandan fired his R-73 hardly be any time between the effect of the tribute to Hassan Siddiqui as he’s absolutely
against the PAF F-16. As per Abhinandan’s explosion taking shape, expanding the flame a national hero, But I would like to clarify
debrief after his return, the R-73 missile and shrapnel at high velocity outwards and that two Indian planes were shot down.
was fired when the PAF aircraft was turning the closing in F-16 to absorb the explosion The other one was shot down by Wg Cdr
towards the IAF MiG-21, about to roll effectively. What that means is that most of Nauman Ali Khan,” he added, asking that
out towards him in its frontal quarter. the frontal section of the F-16 would have “the second pilot also be given due credit.”
This means when the R-73 missile, with a flown in through the expanding shockwave, Why did Bilal Bhutto and other
massive closing speed of over 3500 kmph, with damage mostly limited due to shrapnel, parliamentarians praise the younger Sqn Ldr
would have reached the calculated range for rather than the explosive effect. Hassan Siddiqui? Why was his heroism more
its proximity fuse to explode the warhead, Hence the pilot would have survived the significant than Nauman Ali Khan? Why in
the PAF jet would be still be travelling heat and flame effects of the explosion, but the first week of March 2019 did the PAF
towards the explosion. would have in all probability been effected chief urgently visit all PAF bases, particularly
Let us try to understand how the by the shrapnel effect of the explosion , those housing the F-16 squadrons? While
R-73 warhead would have exploded : grievously injuring his upper body , with Wing Commander Nauman Ali Khan was
The R-73 has a continuous rod warhead the flying helmet preventing fatal injuries, seen being congratulated by the PAF chief,
weighing 7.4 kg which is activated by a but not able to prevent rampant injuries to Air Marshal Mujhaid Anwar Khan in a
proximity fuse when it senses an aircraft in the face, neck and chest level. recent PAF video,  why has there been no
close quarters. When detonated, the high In contrast, the AMRAAM hit on photo or video released of Sqn Ldr Hassan
explosive imparts momentum to the rods, Abhinandan’s MiG-21 was from right 7 o’ Siddiqui post the aerial engagement?
thrusting them outward in an expanding clock position, mostly damaging the rear There is an interesting story of Pak
circle. The pressure wave from the explosive portion of the MiG-21, as is visible during TV channels rushing to Hassan Siddiqui’s
acts evenly on the rods over their length. the post-crash analysis of the wreckage. parental house in Karachi on 27 February,
The rods are sufficiently soft to allow the Hence when the PAF F-16 pilot ejected, who spoke to his friends and neighbours.
expansion without breaking the rods or the he would in all probability have been However, after that there is complete
welded joints, and the detonation velocity injured in the upper torso and facial region. radio silence on his status. It is my belief
is limited to approx. 1000 m/s, allowing He may or may not have been conscious that Squadron Leader Hassan Siddiqui
the rods to bend at these locations instead. due to his injuries. After his landing in may be the pilot who was shot down by
At some intermediate point the ring will Sabzkot,  the POK civilians may not have Wing Commander Abhinandan on 27
have a zig-zag (alternating direction) found the classic traces of PAF flight overalls February. The fact that his heroism is
appearance within a cylindrical envelope. and livery/ patches, which would have widely recognised by the Pak parliament
Upon ultimate expansion the ring is circular in all probability been ripped off due the and ISPR is covering his presence with
and contained within a plane. high velocity shrapnel  and may not have fake information, strengthens my theory.
This rapidly expanding ring, when displayed any name indicating he was a Even if I am wrong, the fact of the matter
hitting the aircraft, is more effective than an Pakistani because of bloodied appearance. is that a nameless PAF F-16 fighter pilot has
equivalent fragmentation warhead the ring’s They would not have recognised him as a sacrificed his life for Pakistan.
effectiveness decreasing as 1/R, rather than PAF pilot and assessing from the Indian While any independent viewpoint on
1/R2 for fragments. coloured parachute   would have mobbed the subject is worth a discussion the IAF
Portions of the aircraft intercepted him like Abhinandan, before being handed will need to watch out for articles based
by the expanding ring of the continuous over to the NLI soldiers  injured, and on false claims and twisted data, such as
rod warhead will receive a continuous cut battered. the recent Foreign Policy media piece by
through the skin, light structure, underlying Though circumstantial, this relevant Lara Seligman. Ms Seligman claimed in her
cables, hydraulic lines, and other plumbing evidence proves that a Pakistani pilot was post that two US government sources has
if present. This may cause a structural apprehended and injured by a mob after confirmed to her that ‘no’ F-16s had been
failure, or, if not, can be sufficient for landing and would later have been taken lost by the PAF, based on a head count of

III/2019 37
 all Pakistani F-16s by the USG as part of
the end user compliances post 27 February.
The FP piece created a furore in Indian
media circles because of the damning
information it contained. While the IAF
countered this by showing crystal clear
proof in the form of the electronic signatures
and call intercepts in its possession on the
subject,  Indian agencies were clearly seeing
the hand of ISPR in this unwarranted spin
to the MiG-21 vs F-16 air combat on 27
February 2019.
For the record : a US Government
spokesman later denied any such F-16 count
PAF chief personally congratulating Wg Cdr Nauman Ali Khan for shooting down an IAF MiG-21 having taken place at all.

PAF F-16B of No. 11 Squadron (‘Arrow’)

A ccording to open sources, the Pakistan Air Force currently has some 85 F-16s in service, including 66 earlier Block A
& Bs plus 19 new Block C & Ds. These include 13 F-16s which were earlier in service with the Royal Jordanian Air
Force and which are of the same F-16A/ B Block-15 variant already in service with the PAF.
Some initial reports had it that the PAF F-16s involved during the 27 February action included a twin-seat aircraft,
which was the one reportedly shot down that morning. Hand held mobile videos taken then showed two parachutes
descending which would have been the pilots of the F-16 two-seater.
While much remains speculative, the well regarded international magazine Air Forces Monthly has published the
following in its brief analyses ‘Air War over Kashmir’.
Amid the confusion, it remains possible that two fighters in total were downed – one each from the IAF and PAF.
According to a spokesman from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, one PAF aircraft was shot down during attacks
on installations on the Indian side of Kashmir, the wreckage falling across the LoC in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and
Kashmir. The Indian MoD claimed that a two-seat PAF F-16B was downed by a Bison using an R-73 air-to-air missile.
Both crew members were reported as having ejected. However, Pakistan denies losing any aircraft.

38 VAYU
The F-16 vs MiG-21bison imbroglio

Air Marshal Harish Masand queries why there are

More Questions than Answers
A
n analysis of the much-reported air Thereafter, no further information Pakistani sources. From the Indian side,
combat between the IAF and PAF emerged from Pakistan on its claim of the little has been in public domain, except
on 27 February as a fall-out of the second IAF aircraft and the mysterious for the early display of an AIM-120C-S
Balakot strike the previous morning, has second pilot. However, just as I was writing AMRAAM which can only be fired from the
thrown up a number of theories, conjectures this, I received pictures of some damaged F-16, thus confirming the use of this type
and scenarios particularly with regard to but unfired missiles reportedly carried in this engagement but little to confirm any
the brief but sharp dogfight between an on Abhinandan’s aircraft, as put out by downing of any F-16.
F-16 against a vintage although upgraded,
MiG-21 Bison. Claims and counter-claims
have flown thick and fast, perhaps as thick
and fast as a modern day aerial engagement
between high-speed jets in some numbers.
Very little has been confirmed by the
officials concerned on both sides, except
for the claim of an F-16 shot down by the
IAF as per India’s Defence Minister, Ms
Sitharaman at a Conclave on 12 March.
From the Pakistan side, Prime Minister
Imran Khan initially claimed two Indian
aircraft as shot down, with two pilots in
their captivity. Shortly this turned out
to be just one aircraft and one pilot, the
newest “hero” of India, Wing Commander
Abhinadan Varthaman whose capture and
interrogation were soon flashed on social PAF F-16 of No.9 Squadron (‘Griffins’)
media and TV.

III/2019 39
 Finance Minister Arun Jaitley reiterated
the claim and chase of the F-16 some days
later in an interview on CNN News 18 and
supported this with the story about a retired
PAF Air Marshal’s son being that F-16 pilot,
something earlier negated on social media.
However, Mr Jaitley rightly commented
on the issue of “space-filler” information
versus “scientific evidence” while stating
that “our intelligence and imagery cannot
be put out in public domain for obvious
reasons”. However, in my opinion, that
should not prevent us from going ahead
to confirm such an important claim with
some hard facts which do not compromise
national security.
To be sure, this was the first such
air combat between the two air forces
since the 1971 war, over 47 years earlier.
Large numbers of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI equip the Indian Air Force, this ‘air dominance’ fighter
Thus, this engagement was bound to having long range capability and carrying several BVR air-to-air missiles including the Vympel
generate much interest and comment NPO R-77 missile (export designation RVV-AE) missile seen above
worldwide, to push home pet theories,
glorify one side or denounce the other
but very few to genuinely derive some
important lessons. The first western report
on 3 March had raised doubts on the
efficacy of India’s vintage fighters, perhaps
erroneously criticising the use of MiG-21s
in this encounter (www.nytimes) while a
later one by Joseph Trevithick actually
rubbished claims of the MiG-21 Bison
shooting down the Pakistani F-16, in
some pretty strong language. However, the
latter article then reluctantly listed some
attributes of the upgraded MiG-21, the
Bison, and summarised its 4th generation
capabilities in avionics and weapons after
the upgrade, including the R-77 BVR &
R-73 close combat missiles, the helmet
mounted sight and, most importantly,
in the modern air battle with both sides
having a BVR capability, the carriage of between the two aircraft so the question Having carried out the pre-emptive
self-protection electronic warfare systems is not about which aircraft is superior but strike at Balakot predawn on 26 February
in this case the Israeli ELTA 8222. Such which air force used its resources in more (see Vayu Issue II/2019) it must be assumed
capabilities give the MiG-21 Bison the effective manner. that the IAF was fully prepared for any
ability to take on more modern aircraft Be that as it may, the loss of one of retaliatory action by the PAF. Thereafter,
including the F-15 Eagle, as demonstrated our MiG-21 Bison in this encounter the first question obviously is whether we
during various Cope India exercises with raises certain questions. Quite obviously, used adequate numbers of MiG-21 Bisons
the USAF, particularly when operated in even reasonably knowledgeable outsiders with a mix of the other more modern 4th
a numerically stronger package with some cannot answer these questions without generation fighters like the Su-30MKI and
support from more advanced aircraft like full information on the manner in which MiG-29 to ensure requisite numerical and
the Su-30, Mirage2000 and MiG-29 in the this air combat took place. Again, very qualitative superiority on the intruding force
IAF’s inventory. obviously, we should not even expect to not just deter but shoot down maximum
However, while admitting such such full information from either of the number of enemy aircraft. Just imagine the
capabilities of the MiG-21 Bison, the air forces. However, it is hoped that these situation thereon if we had paraded 8 or
writer does question the absence of hard issues or questions have been addressed by more Pakistani pilots in our captivity as
facts supporting our claim of the F-16. the IAF in order to draw the right lessons against one of ours ! Some reports suggest
Certainly, this was not a one-on-one fight for the future. that while the Pakistanis had a posse of

40 VAYU
 in this interceptor group. Where were
other formation members when Wing
Commander Abhinandan was engaging
or chasing the F-16 and what did they do
and observe? Surely, the transmission calls
between them and from/to the situation
controller would substantiate our claim of
downing the F-16 ? Also, if the MiG-21
was shot down immediately after the F-16,
surely the F-16 wreckage should also be
close to where the MiG-21 came down to
earth, just a few kilometers across the LoC.
If that be so, why is it that we have not
been able to acquire the imagery of that
crash site? Also, why did Abhinandan not
launch the longer range R-77 BVR missile
instead of choosing to chase the F-16 for an
R-73 CCM launch, as has been reported.
It is emphasised that training in the IAF
teaches us that a good fighter pilot never
leaves a formation member behind and
even stays with the downed teammate till
220 numbers of the MiG-21bis (Type 75) were received by the IAF, bulk of which were
he is rescued, fuel and other conditions
produced by HAL at Nasik, the last being delivered in March 1987. 125 of these were
extensively upgraded to the ‘Bison’ standard, with first flight taking place in 2000 permitting. So, did Abhinandan’s other
and subsequently equipping six fighter squadrons of the IAF formation members not stay with him, at
least till his MiG-21 was shot at and could
between 18-24 fighters (of various types), Nevertheless, it does need to be emphasised they not have collectively threatened the
we launched just 6 MiG-21s with some that if we had an internal EW system on the attacking aircraft?
4 Su-30s on air dominance patrol. Surely Bison, even the possibility of the pod not Certainly, the IAF must have closely
with our air defence systems on full alert, we being carried in this engagement would not analysed these issues based on the facts
could have launched a far larger number of have arisen. known only to them but hopefully someday,
fighters to overwhelm the intruders. Another issue worth consideration one will hear the whole story, even in a box-
Since an AMRAAM BVR missile introspectively is on the relative office movie, without politicisation of this
reportedly shot down the MiG-21 fired positioning and presence of other aircraft entire episode !
from an F-16, the second question arises on
whether Wing Commander Abhinandan’s
aircraft was carrying the ELTA EW pod to
thwart such a missile attack. If indeed it did
carry such a pod, did the pod fail to function
or is it inadequate to counter the threats of
today? A capable EW and counter-measure
systems are absolutely critical elements for a
fighter aircraft in air engagement in today’s
environment. But a related issue concerns
the limited number of hard points on the
MiG-21 which carry fuel, weapons or other
stores such as this EW pod. An internal
EW system, therefore, would have made
eminent sense so as to release external hard
points for extra fuel or various ordnance.
As Director of the MiG-21 Bis Upgrade
project till contract signing in 1996, I had
continuously tried for such an internal
EW system but for reasons beyond my
control, the IAF settled for an external EW
pod which lost the IAF a precious external
station (or 25% of the capacity). However,
IAF MiG-21Bison with both RVV-AE and R-73 missiles seen underwing
that is another story for another time.

III/2019 41
Lt Gen Kamal Davar urges
The Sharpening of our Defence Intelligence
India is located in one of the most geo-politically stressed and violent expanses in the world, with two
adversaries in its neighbourhood having collusive convergence to deter India from its trajectory of
economic growth and a peaceful, secure existence. The challenges India thus faces are diverse
in their magnitude and unfortunately, on the ascendant.

I
ndia’s strategic domain spans a vast
geographical realm from the Straits of
Malacca in India’s east to the Gulf of
Aden in the west, running southwards along
the eastern African coastline and down to
the southern reaches of the Indian Ocean. In
addition, the Asia-Pacific region, now being
referred to as the Indo-Pacific also impacts
our security calculus. India’s land borders
are more than 15,000 kms and these borders
are shared with seven nations, being China,
Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan,
Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In addition, India
has a coastline which is 7,683 kms long
and around its 1197 islands, India has
an exclusive economic zone that is over 2
million sq km in size. India also has to be
alive to both overt and covert threats in the
immediate neighbourhood and adjoining
regions.
The Indian Armed Forces have not only
to be well up on credible and traditional
military threats from an adversarial Pakistan
and China but also aware of the diverse
internal security challenges existing in the
country. Terrorism, which has emerged
as the major scourge of these times, is
sponsored, aided and abetted by Pakistan in
J&K and other parts of India. It has to be
dealt with firmly as the terror attacks have
become frequent. The security situation
existing in the North-East region, in J&K
and even in the Naxal-affected region in
India’s hinterland calls for hard, actionable
and a seamless flow of intelligence to the
armed forces. Not only are the armed forces From the Internet
required to be self-sufficient in intelligence
inputs they also have to establish adequate
linkages and coordination with the civil Notwithstanding significance of the truism augmented and streamlined its intelligence
intelligence agencies including the local that “being forewarned is being forearmed”, institutions, added teeth to their capabilities
police set-ups for obtaining information for the criticality of intelligence generally comes and prowess. The Indian Armed Forces,
operational actions. to the fore only when there is a major mandated to defend the nation, have their
military lapse, a terrorist strike or any other responsibilities cut out, remaining aware
Significance of Intelligence cataclysmic event which causes devastating of the myriad and emerging threats to the
The art and science of intelligence is damage to the nation. nation and ensuring victory over adversaries.
the first line of defence for any nation Since independence, India has been Such outcomes are only possible if the
and has been, unquestionably, a vital combating numerous challenges, both armed forces have the intrinsic capabilities
ingredient of statecraft down the ages. internal and external, has progressively to speedily and seamlessly acquire, collate,

42 VAYU
 South Block, in New Delhi, headquarters of the Indian Army, MoD, PMO and IDS

analyse and disseminate optimal intelligence

inputs that would help military decisions at
the strategic, operational and tactical levels.
In India, intelligence as a constituent of
statecraft has been known to be in existence
since the Maurya Empire with the legendary
master strategist, Chanakya, expounding
his views on this strategic requirement. The
roots of the Indian intelligence structure as
existing today, lay in the British intelligence
organisation in India of the late 19° Century.
After independence, the Central Intelligence
Bureau that oversaw all intelligence activities
was re-organised into the Intelligence
Bureau (IB). Subsequently, vast changes Aircraft of the ARC, reporting to the Cabinet Secretariat
have been effected and newer intelligence
organisations established. (SIB) at the state level particularly for helping counter-insurgency operations in the North-
Today there are as many as 14 East. After the 1962 conflict with China, the need was felt for to creating capabilities for
intelligence agencies in India, the result of electronic intelligence (ELINT) and imagery from aerial based platforms in airspace. Thus,
many intelligence reforms committees that under the Directorate General of Security (DGS), the Aviation Research Centre (ARC)
came up after the 1962, 1965 wars and was created and initially placed under control of the IB. In September 1968, the then PM,
Kargil 1999 operations. The IB, in its initial Indira Gandhi, ordered the establishment of an intelligence agency exclusively for external
years, looked after both internal and external intelligence to be called the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). The DGS and ARC
intelligence and in the early 1950s, also were put under the R&AW which itself was put under the Prime Minister’s Office as part
set up the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau of the Cabinet Secretariat.

III/2019 43
Kargil Review Committee (KRC) shortcomings in intelligence collection and Additionally, it also coordinates the
The KRC was set up in aftermath of the reporting.” functioning of all military attaches posted
Kargil Conflict in 1999 in which glaring Based on the recommendations of the in various diplomatic missions abroad.
deficiencies were detected in regard KRC, duly vetted by the high powered The DG DIA is the principal military
to the nation’s intelligence agencies Group of Ministers (GOM), four Task intelligence advisor to the Raksha Mantri
including the military intelligence. The Forces were set up to carry out an in-depth and to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff
KRC conducted an in-depth analysis of analysis of the entire gamut of national Committee (COSC). This role will be
the higher defence management (HDM) as security. The Task Force on Intelligence’s extended to the Chief of Defence Staff as
prevalent at that time and suggested many recommendations were approved by the and when this post is created.
improvements. Since large scale intrusions then Vajpayee government and orders
by Pakistan Army personnel along the were issued for the raising of the Defence TECHINT : surmounting
Kargil heights were later on attributed to Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the technical technological obsolescence
lack of intelligence across the board, the intelligence acquisition agency called the One of the major aids for intelligence
KRC proffered some sound suggestions National Technical Facilities Organisation, gathering in today’s world is TECHINT
for streamlining the intelligence set-up in later renamed as the National Technical which encompasses signals, electronic,
the country including Intelligence inputs Research Organisation (NTRO). aerial and spatial (imagery) and cyber
for the armed forces. intelligence among other emerging
The KRC had succinctly observed that Defence Intelligence Agency TECHINT innovations. As a result of
“....... the resources made available to the The DIA was established in March 2002, the recommendations of the KRC, the
Defence Services are not commensurate again based on the recommendations Technical Coordination Group (TCG)
with the responsibility assigned to them. of the KRC and the GOM Report. The which incorporates both military and
There are two lines of intelligence collection primary role mandated for it has been to civilian technical intelligence gathering
and reporting with a rational division “coordinate the functioning of different agencies has instituted measures to
of functions, responsibilities and areas services intelligence directorates.” It was overcome technological obsolescence
of specialisation....... Indian intelligence created to ensure better integration of and avoid wasteful expenditure due
structure is flawed since there is little back- the intelligence collected by the three to duplication of equipment. Better
up or redundancy to rectify failures and service directorates and also to serve as the coordination and seamless sharing
principal military intelligence agency for of inputs between the DIA, NTRO
collecting, analysing and disseminating all and the ARC is extremely important.
Directorate General of defence-related information. Weaknesses Streamlining of certain TECHINT
existing in intelligence acquisition, analysis roles is also required as there exists some
Military Intelligence and interpretation, as also in the speedy overlapping and duplication in both
(DGMI) and other dissemination of inputs to the three services, COMINT and IMINT of the NTRO,
Service Intelligence are being rectified by the DIA.
The DIA controls the strategic
ARC and DIA. It is a considered opinion
among intelligence experts that currently
Directorates (SIDs) intelligence assets of the services namely the NTRO had too much on its plate

I
the Signals Intelligence Directorate and also and that it might be prudent to take out
ndia’s military intelligence set- the Defence Image Processing and Analysis cyberspace activities for being allotted to
up was established in 1941 and Centre (DIPAC) for imagery intelligence. another new set-up.
initially tasked to generate field
intelligence for the Indian Army.
Its original geographical mandate
was to operate sources up to 50 kms
from the international border/line
of control. The DGMI was tasked
with generating specific intelligence
for small-scale operations and
counterterrorism responsibilities
in the North-East and J&K.
However, for bulk of its intelligence
requirements, the army has largely
depended upon the R&AW and the
IB. The Indian Navy and the Indian
Air Force have their own service-
specific intelligence directorates
which have been augmented
over the years with additional
capabilities. From the Internet

44 VAYU
Cyber security architecture Maritime Domain Awareness
Cyberspace is now as relevant a strategic domain as the other domains of land, air, sea The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard had
and space. India is becoming increasingly exposed to hostile cyber- attacks that can cause been living with inadequate intelligence
electronic paralysis and telling damage to critical infrastructure like aviation control inputs in the maritime domain - a deficiency
and compromise the integrity of India’s digital networks and data banks. India’s Armed which came to the fore during the Mumbai
Forces have to be geared to fight future wars in cyberspace as the internet is getting overly terror attacks in 2008. Major restructuring
weaponised. China’s prowess in information warfare is giving the jitters even to the US. for maritime intelligence was undertaken
India is an obvious target for China. with the establishment of the National
Maritime Domain Awareness (NDMA)
and the National Command Control
Communication Intelligence (NC3lI)
network. This led to the setting up of the
Information Management and Analysis
Centre (IMAC) which is connected to
coastal radar stations and India’s maritime
peripheries and this has augmented
Indian Navy and Coast Guard‘s maritime
awareness. The DIA with its TECHINT
resources would be further enhancing this
awareness.

Strengthening Defence
Intelligence
Right since independence, it was strongly
felt that the intelligence needs of the
The criticality of both offensive and defensive operations in cyberspace will become more armed forces may not be adequately met
pronounced with the passage of time. India needs both a national cyber security strategy by the civil intelligence agencies. This
and importantly a National Cyber Security Agency. The armed forces, since some years, void in intelligence coverage was amply
have been requesting the government for an Inter Services Cyber Command to prepare highlighted during the Kargil Conflict
for future battles in the cyberspace. in 1999 and was, therefore, analysed in-

The Indian Navy’s Dornier 228s are filled out

with advanced ELINT systems

III/2019 45
depth by the KRC and examined by the shared real time with the DIA/ NSC. The of suitable armed forces senior officers for this
GOM - whose report was accepted by the DIA will have to build up its HUMINT role is a good idea.
GOI. The DIA was thereafter established capabilities abroad as well and R&AW and To improve the effectiveness of the
to coordinate the overall functioning of DIA should share all intelligence acquired military intelligence apparatus, creation of a
the SIDs (Signal Intelligence Directorates) by themselves abroad with sincerity and Defence Intelligence Corps is recommended,
and provide strategic intelligence inputs for despatch. with personnel from the three services,
national security planners besides furnishing India must employ, and optimally who are then suitably trained in the myriad
intelligence to the three Services. Having utilise, its knowledgeable and articulate skills of intelligence, namely cyber warfare,
intelligence acquisition skills, espionage
tradecraft, counter-insurgency operations,
overt and covert intelligence operations and
also in linguistic skills specially for South
Asian languages.
The DIA must make further efforts to
have a far larger number of its personnel
well versed in various Asian languages like
Mandarin, Pashtu, Dari, Sinhalese, Burmese,
Uzbeki, Persian etc. The Army Education
Corps personnel should be trained in at least
one Asian language.
The Military Intelligence School, Pune
should be suitably upgraded to becoming
a Defence Intelligence School/Academy.
Necessary skills should be imparted there in
the art and science of intelligence including
expertise sought and cooperation solicited
with intelligence experts from other friendly
nations.
As far as the accretion in TECHINT
expertise is concerned, far better coordination
functioned now for 17 years, DIA is in need armed forces officers in defence diplomacy to is required between the DIA’s strategic
of a further review in terms of allocations for further the nation’s diplomatic endeavours intelligence assets and the NTRO to avoid
its chartered roles and methods to improve in the region and all across the globe. Many expensive duplication. The GOI could order
its overall functioning. governments in the world are military/ a review to streamline India’s TECHINT
It is clear that much more needs to quasimilitary and these will naturally feel acquisition capabilities for cost- effectiveness
be done by the government, MOD and comfortable in dealing with the uniformed and alignment with the emerging technological
importantly the services headquarters community even for diplomacy. Utilisation threats from India’s adversaries.
themselves to ensure that the DIA can
meet its chartered responsibilities, which, in
some areas of intelligence endeavours, has
arguably remained under-utilised.
As the premier coordinating intelligence
agency for the three Services, the DIA will
be able to carry out its chartered role when
the SIDs are placed under its command
and control. The DIA must be made the
single-point contact for the government on
all aspects of defence related intelligence.
The loose arrangement that exists between
the DIA and the SIDs is unsatisfactory and
unworkable. The mandate and the charter
of the DIA may be legislated by an Act of
Parliament. Importantly, the charter for all
defence/military related external intelligence
acquisition should be handed over to the
DIA and all others collecting defence related
intelligence : whatever they pick up while
acquiring external intelligence, must be Note : all images are for representation purposes only

46 VAYU
 White Hope or Red Herring ?
Prof Prodyut Das on ‘Appropriate Technology
Regional Transport Aircraft’

U
nlike the design of military aircraft western equipment to solve part of their Such an emergent market can also be
which is led by the “latest” (even if air transport needs, there being no ‘perfect’ an opportunity for foreign entrepreneurs
unproven) technology, the design equipment to provide an end-to-end to invest in India. The cost of skilled labour
of a successful civil aircraft is more hard transport solution and V/STOL aircraft, for is the single largest factor in development
headed; it is very closely defined by alternate instance, are infeasible to the point of being and production of aircraft. The technology
surface transport speeds, availability, the ‘exotic’. Western designs, whilst acceptable, of civil aircraft is considered “lower”, indeed
density of population, distance between are definitely sub optimal and in fact an the basic technology is almost a century old
population nodules, condition of the imposition on Asian conditions. and well within the existing capability of
economy, connectivity between the airport The India of the 21st century is evolving, India’s Industry, which however still lacks
and the city centre and so on. These factors with changing economic conditions now some ‘know why’ of certain aspects. In the
are quantifiable. The other factors, such opening up new opportunities. This is mid-20th century, Europe had one or more
as expectations in terms of punctuality, becoming a ‘new’ rather than a ‘competition’ aircraft manufacturer for every letter of the
regularity, tolerance to noise, comfort and area and the prospect of collaboration with alphabet, from Avro to Zlin ! However,
economy and their relative priorities go the West does make commercial sense. famous names slowly began to disappear
beyond statistics and slip into the realms of New aircraft designs will be needed not as the cost of aircraft development became
culture and philosophy. If the ‘East is East’ only to meet the expected growth of what prohibitive for most medium and small
then its air transport options should also the Soviets called the Selskoe Khozaistanni scale enterprises of Europe. However the
be ‘Eastern’! (Rural Economy) but also to replace the ‘seeds’ of that genius still exist. The ‘natural’
However, the air transport scene has, for present genre of Western-origin aircraft Indian enterprise and low labour costs plus
a century, been dominated by the Western which would soon enough be phased out. exchange rates of the Rupee, together with
paradigm. Asian countries have used The market is massive ! Western aviation know how would spur

III/2019 47
investments to ‘multiply’ in effect, … the have been identified as the main reason for Kolkata to Mokukchung. Mokukchung
future is exciting ! unprofitability but the underlying reason has a population of about 70,000 and has
Whether such potential can be realised is actually that the earlier specifications several excellent schools, the people are
will depend on the way the Government are being used as ‘template’ for the mass highly educated, with a fair population
of India’s policies evolve. There has been transportation market. An undeniable truth of english-speaking, industrially-trainable
some positive change in recent times but still is that fuel burn is exceedingly sensitive people. The hinterland of Nagaland grows
much remains to do, as has so far been done. to speed. A fifteen percent increase in excellent pineapples which can literally
Since Independence, India’s political leaders speed requires fifty percent more power be had for the asking, because there is no
followed policies on strategic industries and burns thirty percent more fuel over local market ! If air transported to Kolkata,
(weaponry and aviation), that were akin to the same sector. Are airliners for the mass a load of say thousand pineapples (1500
those of ‘a colonial power’ ! Just as the then transportation market actually flying a kilos, with their tops) can well transform
Imperial Government did not allow Lala little too fast to be profitable ? In the West, the village. But, nothing much happens in
Walchand to set up his aircraft company on there is little choice because of the ground Mokukchung because of the difficulty of
Imperial territory, the blinkered Industrial conditions but in Asia, we can certainly dare getting to or getting from there.
Policy of 1956 forbade the manufacture of to be different. If one uses a turboprop airliner, which
aircraft by India’s private sector. takes an hour more than a jet does (but
At the end of World War II, many The Indian Paradigm reduces the time by, say, 15 minutes), it does
leading German aircraft companies The population density in India is fifteen not really matter because once at Kohima,
including Dornier and Messerschmitt times that of the USA, with population one would take surface transport for the
moved to Spain and Argentina as the Allied nodules being relatively close. Agricultural ‘last mile’ anyway ! Mokukchung is about
Control Commission forbade the design 90 kilometers from Kohima which can take
or manufacture of aircraft in Germany. rest of the day. Our traveler would have
The vision of Nehru and Nasser resulted been better served if there was a modern
in German involvement respectively in the equivalent of the Ford Model AT 5 Tin
HF-24 and HA-300 fighter programmes. Goose which would have wallowed directly
However, India’s ‘liberalisation’ era which into Mokukchung from Kolkata within the
began in the early 1990s, sidestepped the time our traveler had even exited Kohima
aviation sector. So recently, when one of airport.
India’s leading industrial houses wanted to I am deliberately being provocative in
enter the light aircraft sector, they found a suggesting the Ford Model AT 5 because I
better opportunity to start in Australia – and land is at “to die for” premium rates and want to emphasise how little is really needed
Australia is hardly the best example of a all new industry perforce must go to areas – especially in terms of speed performance
nurturing Government in this arena. still considered “remote”. Consider the – to be cost effective in our sub-continental
case of a traveler who wishes to go from arenan (see self drawing).
Evolution of Civil Aviation
The foundations of today’s civil aviation
industry are based on the development
of strategic, intercontinental jet bombers
following World War II. Amusingly,
such technology proved quite amenable
transportation of tycoons and the glitterati
who previously had voyaged on luxury
ocean-going ships, either Cunard or P&O !
Whilst the laws of physics restricted aircraft
maximum speed to Mach 0.82, advances in
engine technology then tempted designers
to move into the mass transportation
market, thus changing the entire concept
of air travel from the earlier one of ‘speed
and grace’ (passengers were even gifted
overnight bags on booking their flight) to
becoming today’s ‘max pax’, airliners with
cramped cabins.
A strange paradox has thus unfolded :
the early ‘inefficient’ jetliners were profitable
enough whereas the latest ones with
incredible fuel efficiency, regularly result in Concept Studies: Mixed Freight Passenger Multipurpose Utility Aircraft
many airlines going ‘belly up’. Fuel prices (Figure 1)

48 VAYU
Cost of the ticket The ‘price’ of speed
The optimum cruising speed of such
an aircraft is dictated by that of surface
transport, with a rule-of-thumb calculation
giving us five to six times the average surface
speed (including chai breaks) for a journey.
My experience in shuttling between Baroda
and Nashik – and similar city pairs – gave
me a ground speed of 50 km.p.h. Thus to
be competitive, the aircraft cruising speed
must be between 250 and 300 km.p.h. In
the lands of autobahns and freeways, that
would be closer to 500 and 600 km.ph. The
sky will not fall if a 550 km.p.h aircraft is
operated on the Baroda-Nashik sector but
it will be burning four times more fuel. The
circumventing trick of course is to fly at
higher altitude but then the aircraft will need
pressurisation, which results in increased
weight (the fuselage becomes a large pressure
vessel, which is the worst in terms of weight)
and then there are maintenance problems,
Edward Hillman, the owner of a bus fleet in 1932, was also a pioneer of the low cost airline. seals, barometric units and so on. All this is
He started by using the De Havilland Fox Moth (above) which carried four passengers plus manageable but the idea of a simple large
a pilot at the astonishing economy of 22kW per person. The Fox Moths operated from turbine-engined Dakota concept of an
virtual open fields and being simple, required little maintenance. Hillman engaged retired aircraft is lost and puts up the costs on Mr
RAF Sergeant Pilots who flew for lower pay than did the Officers. As happens in cases of Hillman’s list. An interesting fallout is that
optimum ‘low speed’ shapes are more ‘blunt’
and compact which leads to significant
weight savings for the same ‘cargo/pax’
volume, exemplified by the Dornier 228,
designed by Munich-based engineers and
continuously since produced by Kanpur-
based technicians (more or this anon).

The airports
Much of India has many landing strips,
largely a legacy of WW2, with West
Bengal and Assam literarily having scores
of them. The Government has initiated a
programme to update and upgrade some
of these airfields. It would be wise not to
rely on such plans, but better to carry out a
survey of all the airstrips in the country to
assess where matters stand. I am reminded of
detailed attention to every aspect of operations, Hillman went from strength to strength Ed Heinmann’s approach to the US Navy’s
and was soon looking for bigger equipment and was in part responsible for development request for proposals for a nuclear-weapons
of the twin engine DH Dragon and the Dragon Rapide (below). Mr. Hillman may have capable bomber for their planned 100,000-
lacked much of a formal education but he translated his bus fleet experience to low cost air ton super carrier to replace the Forrestal-
services and the aircraft he chose did not overwhelm him with their technology. Instinctively class. Heinmann chose to examine what
but unerringly, he was tackling and controlling the elements of the cost of an air ticket. could best be done within the limitations
These factors remain today and are the cost of an aircraft; cost of amortisation and of the Forrestal-class and came up with the
financing; fuel bill; airport charges; wages of the crew; cost of maintenance; cost of sales, iconic Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. As foreseen by
marketing and passenger handling. Heinmann, those super carriers never came
These factors are as relevant and significant in shaping the design of our Asian Regional about and the USN learned that whilst the
Airliner, a relatively simple aircraft, flying at two hundred knots (360 km.p.h) to be customer has the privilege of always being
considered, with the probability of significant savings in each of the above areas, resulting right, they lose nothing by listening to
in virtually halving the costs of development. another person’s point of view.

III/2019 49
STOL is KING No, nothing is sacred in the matter
of strategic technology development, and
the way it is marketed. One must review
certification norms for Asian conditions.
Are the existing US/European civil aircraft
certification agencies being scrupulously –
and impartially – fair ? Or are there various
hidden agendas ? Consider the following:
In the late ‘sixties, there was a huge “to
do” on the HAL-built Avro’s inability
to meet phase II of the climb out
requirements. That this requirement
is a safety issue is indisputable. Given
India’s high ambient temperatures,
that the engine’s power and the wings
lift both suffer by about 7%, is also
STOL fairly complements max cruising speeds. The West has produced some remarkable indisputable. However, this resulted
STOL aircraft in the mid-20th century, beginning with the Fiesler Storch and the Westland in pressure to reduce the MTOW of
Lysander. Post war, Dornier produced the Do 27 and the Do 28 Skyservant (above) which the Avro 748 which then had direct
were particularly noted for their STOL performance, as was the Polish PZL Wilga. The impact on profitability of the type. I
Hunting Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer is also interesting because, despite heavy radial can understand that in Switzerland
engines, it could lift 16 fully equipped troops off a ground run of 80 metres from jungles that requirement would be absolute
strips in Borneo and the hills of Nepal. In India where even expansion of existing airstrips considering the terrain. But in India?
may run into local agitations, we should look at STOL capabilities very seriously. Could not the restrictions have been
The Fairey Rotodyne of the 1950s (below) gave VTOL capability to airliner sized (40- applied only to select airports, say in
70 pax) machines and was simpler than the present Osprey whose civil version is yet to mountainous areas ? Or was this an
be marketed. The Rotodyne project needs a re-look at, as noise is less critical in Asia and effort to open the market for imported
collaboration or even purchase of its data could be well examined. types (also given HAL prices ? ).
Western regulations have for long
insisted on twin engines for any aircraft
carrying more than nine passengers and
we have nodded in synch. Statistics
however show that there were more
fatalities when twins lost an engine
because the pilot, under stress, often
feathered the surviving engine and the
aircraft then went in! They say more
Canberra crews died practicing engine
out approaches then during actual
engine out emergencies.
It is interesting to compare the Russian
experience with their Antonov An-2
biplanes. The DOSAAF would allow the
single-engined An-2 to amble off with a
crew of two plus two jump masters and ten
parachutists, each with two parachute packs
plus the odd ‘observers’, which was a load
Actually, Western aircraft designs have come with relatively narrow cabins so as to equivalent of perhaps 18 passengers. So were
reduce drag and as a result, these designs have a tendency to “cube out” i.e they can lift the the Russians being callous in terms of air
load but which cannot be fitted inside the cabin. India being an agricultural country and safety ? The possible logic is that the An-2
with increasing stress on ‘exotic fruits and flowers’ type of agriculture, not cubing out may had a controllable minimum speed of 45
become a significant selling point. kts and so when lost in fog in mountainous
terrain, the SOP was just to fly at minimum
“Is naething sacred” ? speed as the impact energy of an An-2 crash
Decades ago, a Japanese liquor company applied modern analytical methods, including was less than half that of Western types !
allegedly gas chromatography, to analyse Scotch whisky and come up with a Japanese Secondly the very capacious fuselage of the
equivalent, indistinguishable from “the real stuff. “The Scotsman printed such news with a An-2 meant that getting out was quick and,
very plaintive “Is naethin’ sacred”? lastly, Russia being sparsely populated and

50 VAYU
 Avro (HS/BAe) 748

The Junkers Ju-52 and the Curtis C-46

Commando were worthy contemporaries
and need more study. The Ju-52’s demise
can be attributed to the German collapse
and the consequent lack of spares. The
C-46’s relative obscurity underlines the
need to study the needs of each customer
closely. The C-46 carried sixty percent
more at fifteen percent higher speed then
the C-47 but required eighty percent more
power (note this well !) but had only fifty
percent more fuel : the design’s capabilities
was less “harmonised ”.
The C-46 initially also had a reliability
problem. The lack of wing fuel tank
Antonov An-2
drain vents meant leaking fuel vapourised
and after accumulating, sometimes even

terrain quite flat, chances of a successful

emergency landing, were quite high.
Now for a twist in the tale. After
collapse of the Soviet Union, many An-2s
ended up in the USA. Given their safety
record, one would have thought that they
would easily get US certification. I heard
they did, but it was so restrictive (the
aircraft had to return to the takeoff airfield
at the end of each sortie) that commercial
use except for parachute jumping became
ludicrous ! People say that it was done to
protect the US light aviation interests but
the point I really want to make is that before
we quote anybody’s flight safety rules as a Douglas DC-3s
Father’s unalterable curse, let us examine
the relevance and applicability of such rules.
has been suggested, it was so modern that it exploded. This led to unexplained loss of
The Dakota Genre stayed relevant for another eighty years but aircraft which were blamed on the fuel
The Douglas DC-3/C-47 Dakota is a because it was superbly appropriate for the drums being transported, usually ‘over the
necessary reference point on the subject. 300 kmph cruise speed. Wherever that speed hump’ from Assam to China. Little design
The Dakota was successful not because, as was relevant, the Dakota earned its living. details mattered greatly.

III/2019 51
 Assessing the aircraft
There was an advertisement clip on TV
some years ago which depicted the press
conference of a pioneering aviatrix (looked
like Amelia Earhart and her Lockheed
Orion) and then someone in the audience
asked ‘Mileage kitna deti ?’ (How much
mileage does the aircraft give ?) We value
different things. The aircraft has to be
assessed not for speed or comfort or ability
to operate in Cat III weather but on
profitability, utility, versatility, ruggedness
and how much money it would make. Never
mind if air services are irregular during the
monsoons, the passengers will put up with
that if the tickets are affordable for rest of
the year.

Our Regional Transport

Junkers Ju-52
Aircraft (RTA)
Our RTA 70 project is planned to compete
The Baasler BT 67 was a turbine the Table on page 57 shows) in a more with the ATR and Q400. A snowflake in
conversion of the Dakota and its acceptance capable aircraft which nevertheless was hell has a better chance ! Suppose your
proved correctness of the Dakota concept, still a compromise. It had too much wing fairy Godmother (mine has indignantly
plus the advantages and problems of area : a modern aerofoil would have saved refused) were to give us the entire drawings,
‘turbinising’. Its PT 6A-67Rs were almost 60kW.h/hr at cruise and the not quite fully tooling and the civil certification, would
a tonne lighter than the Wrights they circular fuselage cross section precluded we then be in a position to become a
replaced, which resulted in CG problems, pressurisation should the customer have respectable supplier of such class of aircraft ?
but this was simply restored by putting a wished that. A new design based on the Immediate questions would arise about
40 inch plug in the fuselage ahead of the old Dakota would have been a formidable the cost of production, delivery rates and
leading edge. The changes resulted (as contender. their certainty, after sales service and a host

Curtis C-46 Commando

52 VAYU
 Dornier Do 228, with emphasis on
unprepared field/ high altitude STOL
capability. About 3000 kms. of our
northern frontiers are around 6000
feet above mean sea level. A biplane,
with its large light weight wing area and
docile handling in confined airspaces,
might surprisingly prove to be the best
choice. Figure 1 on page 48 shows two
configurations.
ATR72
The second niche exists for a 40 seater,
sized between the Dornier Do 228
Bombardier Q400 and the ATR 42/72 series, and we are
looking at a kind of a “turbine Super-
Dakota”.
The third niche exists as a 6-abreast
seating 100-150 twin turboprop – say
using the cabin of an Airbus 320 or
a Boeing 737 but the entire design
optimised for a cruise speed of 400 kmph
on 200 km sectors. Indian Airlines once
used to operate a Boeing 737 on the
Calcutta-Ranchi-Patna–Lucknow-Delhi
sector. The many stops meant advantages

of such issues. Would Air India/SpiceJet/

IndiGo place big orders? Could we stand
the price war that the fully depreciated
ATR would probably then unleash? Another
example : if the Saras II happens, will this
then stand up to the Beechcraft 1900D for
private operators ?
Instead of going bald headed into
such (mis) adventures, we should look at
the niches and the gaps in the product
range and develop products that are not
Beechcraft 1900D
possible to be economically developed or
produced by the West : simple, labour
intensive, appropriate technology aircraft
which would break their bank if they tried
to compete. India has some ninety cities of
between three million and half a million
populations and another hundred with
populations between half a million and two
hundred thousand, all with rich agricultural
hinterland, the mean distance between the
nearest two being around 190 kms. This
market is ideal for a series of (relatively)
high capacity, mixed freight /passenger,
near STOL rugged transport aircraft, quite
different and not competing with any
Western product.
These could be :
A small 12-15 seat/two-and a-half
ton single engine utility aircraft sized Dornier 228
between the Cessna Caravan and the

III/2019 53
 of jet speeds were simply not realised. A Nec Quis quam Nisi Ajax Khrushchev observing some Morskoya Flota
large turboprop – partially pressurised, The heading actually means “only Ajax can sailors in a rowboat on the River Moskva,
if at all – would certainly have been replace Ajax” or “you can do nothing till said half jokingly, “That is our Soviet Navy”.
more closely matched to the profile and Ajax comes along”. The aviation industry is The Russian Navy was then at one of its
would be significantly more economical. a high risk high profit but ‘full time’ business periodic declines. Gorshkov then went
The target customers are those people and requires all the time, dedication, energy about to build it up to its present size in
who now travel such sectors by Indian attention, knowledge and efficiency that twenty years, with the pioneering move to
Railways AC sleepers. Much of Asia - such business needs. The Soviet Union had it also export Soviet naval equipment helping
but not the West – has such a market. absolutely organised. Their political leaders to finance part of his own formidable vision.
had seen frontline war service; their military Such continuity is not possible in
Finally there is that heavy lifter (which
held cabinet ministerial rank and their top Western Democracies so they, recognising
can be imagined if you are old enough)
engineers held military ranks as also senior reality, as have handed over the knowledge,
as a Blackburn Beverly clone, or just a
party positions. It was cohesion, teamwork passion, and day to day dedication required
Globemaster II but redesigned for its
knowledge and passion at their productive to run such business to the private sector. An
ability to through load a MBT (T-72/90)
best. No time was wasted in trying to ab example would the firm founded by Marcel
or a S 400 system and transport that from
initio educate an intelligent, powerful but Bloch, known today as GA Marcel Dassault.
Babina or Ambala to Leh or vice versa and
sceptical ignoramus ‘team member’ which Marcel Bloch Dassault (1892-1986) started
designed for sub continental rather than
explains the excellence and rapidity of Soviet off as a propeller manufacturer in 1913 and
intercontinental ranges. International air
aircraft development. Despite professions of went on to manufacture aircraft during
freighting is growing and it makes little
equality the performers had no pay bands; the 1920s. Renaming himself as Dassault
sense to air freight equipment from, say
all of General Designer Andrei Tupolev’s during the Second World War (being in
the US only to truck it thereafter across
cheques were unconditionally honoured by the French Resistance) he went on to head
the sub-continent. There will be a need
the Soviet state (await apoplexy epidemic in General Aeronautique Marcel Dassault,
for matching heavy (but short range) air
North Block !). which continually achieved brilliant results
freighting capability.
In such a totalitarian state, it was for its shareholders – and France – by using
Since the profitability of an operator possible for “the man in charge” – for fairly basic technology with great élan.
will depend on how exactly we can meet example Admiral Gorshkov, regarded as Dassault’s passion was so great that as long
his needs, an approach for the design team father of the Soviet Navy’s renaissance – to as he was alive, he apparently did not allow
would be akin to that of a lego brick model stay at the helm for thirty years (he was his worthy successor and son, Serge, to run
with various fuselage cabin lengths, wings retired only at his own request at the age the company ! Between the two, father and
areas and undercarriage options available of 75.). As a senior ‘cabinet minister’ and son, we have seen a century of continuity,
so that the design could be tailored to the political leader, Gorshkov combined job job knowledge and passion. From many
needs. The customer will have options knowledge, national policy and clout all possible names I have deliberately chosen
of pressurised/partially pressurised and in one person. The result was that the Dassault and France because France was the
un- pressurised fuselages and retractable Soviet Navy became a challenge to the European country most affected by leftist
or fixed undercarriages which would mean mightiest Navy, that of the United States. ideals and communism and yet the French
hard – but repetitive – work at certification. The magnitude of the achievement can be Communists were knowledgeable enough,
Here, a ‘pod and twin boom’ layout is a very gauged by the following story. In 1956, pragmatic enough and patriotic enough
strong contender. the year he took over and seeing Nikita to realise that certain areas were inviolable

Russia’s ‘Avro’: the Ilyushin Il-114

54 VAYU
even to politicians. When they nationalised
the French aviation industry they still left
Marcel Bloch (Dassault) in charge of his
company.
So, what do we get for our Ajax? An
IAS; a good student from St. Stephen’s
or JNU with a degree in History or
Economics with perhaps a stint at Imperial
College or Cambridge; usually exposed
to Leftist Economic philosophies. Who,
as a “clod hopping collector”, did good
work in Gonda district in the regime of
rural indebtedness. Articulate, meticulous,
hardworking and upright, he is up from a
stint at the Ministry of Animal Husbandry
where he tied up with the FAO for an
important programme in Holstein/Zebu/
Illawarra cross breeds and this is his third Fokker F-27 Friendship
year in the Ministry and now he is stamping
his feet to move into the PMO which was Ajax as essentially ignorant. He certainly who was a pioneer aviator. Though the
always his lifelong ambition and with his is no Churchill/Hitler or Stalin who were committee was representative, the “say”
abilities and experience, he deserves it ! He interfering busy bodies even in the matters was concentrated with the Bureaucracy. The
has a frequent flyer card with several airlines of weapons design (the privilege of any Committee recommended simultaneous
but prefers Air India. He can lean on his comment is that of the readers !). development of five different types of
Defence Minister who usually has tenure aircraft, covering the entire spectrum of
countable in months not that it matters in Right path of the Buddha air transport as was visualised in 1945.
any way because he is more interested in the The many different ways the British (and the Two of the projects recommended were
politics of his home state. The passion of Americans) set about developing passenger bemusing. These were the Bristol Brabazon
Krishna Menon, the stoicism of Yashwant airliners for the post-WW2 civil market (like the Ford Edsel, the West names their
Chavan or the intelligence of Babu Jagjivan is relevant. Britain started well in time by disasters after the “promoter” !) and the
Ram happens but rarely. Courtesies apart it forming the Brabazon Committee which Saunders Roe Princess mega-amphibian.
is – technically - entirely correct to call our was headed by Lord Brabazon of Tara Mercifully these giants did not progress

Vickers Viscount

III/2019 55
Sud Aviation Caravelle

beyond the prototype stage. The elegant The French Sud Aviation Caravelle the Boeings – the 707 or the 737 - actually
Airspeed Ambassador was hugely popular was hugely popular with passengers, had began and thus stood no chance.
but its slow development, failure to adapt no problems and yet ran out after 280 American aims were identical to those
the new Rolls Royce Dart and inability of orders. The problem of both the Caravelle of the British but their approach was much
the designers to stretch it (partly because of and the Comet was that their development more “worldly wise”. The US Government
its beautiful lines) led to just twenty being was too slow, as a result of Government was never under any compulsion to prove
built. The aircraft could really have been the involvement in everything – development, any political philosophy : it knew that it
Fokker F-27 Friendship success but tardy rectification, and production and the did not know the business. It trusted the
development did the project in. ‘babus’ thought too small. Capacity wise, US Industry to take the lead as it had ample
The Vickers Viscount was a great success the Comet and the Caravelle ended where faith that these people knew more about
in comparison, with 444 sold worldwide
although probably as many more could
have been had the company moved faster
in responding to the customer’s demands.
The last of the pentad was the famous De
Havilland Comet which entered service
in 1952 as the world’s first commercial jet
airliner only to, unfortunately, pioneer the
problem of metal fatigue and had to be
withdrawn from service in 1954. The fatal
cracks were mainly in the forward escape
hatch and the windows for the ADF aerials.
(Over) re-design of the aircraft as the Comet 4
was completed by 1958 when it was re-
launched on the Trans Atlantic run, a year
ahead of the Boeing 707. There are people
who believe that had this “bad luck” not
happened, the Comet may well have “swept
the board” in terms of orders but this is not
Boeing 707
borne out by facts.

56 VAYU
aeroplanes and would move mountains podded engine and pylon approach were What then for India ?
to do what was needed. The Government amply proved in operational service. Asian economics and demographics dictate
relegated itself to the role of being a Vigna Having developed the B-47, Boeing larger airliner capacities, shorter stage
Hanta (destroyer of obstacles) and provider then proposed development of an aerial lengths and more primitive field capable
of venture capital. The story of development tanker, capable of matching the B-47’s aircraft than is in the vision of Western
of the Boeing 707 is a classic example of how speeds, thus making FR less of a hazard. manufacturers. These augur well for the
this alternate approach worked. The result of such marketing effort led to economics of an air ticket. The civil
Having earlier developed the atom an order for hundred and thirty five tankers transport market in India has the advantage
bomb, there now was need to move “the as the KC-135, whose prototype was the of a shorter decision chain and so within the
thing” across intercontinental distances. famous ‘dash 80’. The KC-135 allowed existing capability of our Industry. This can
Of the four contenders who responded Boeing to reduce the launch costs and risks truly be the Great White Hope : whilst we
to the RFP, Boeing’s proposal formulated of the ensuing Boeing 707 airliner. However all wait for the Government to extract digit
from 1943 onwards were for the models their hopes of using the KC-135 fuselage ( i.e. “finger”).
424/432/448/450, the last being submitted jigs were dashed because they now realised A full discussion on the fascinating
in March 1945, hastily revised to incorporate that the fuselage diameter had to increase by subject of appropriate technology air
German data on swept wings ‘captured’ another 8 inches (200mm) if the customer transport is not necessary here. Potential
during American advance to the Elbe and was to be satisfied. private sector operators and the private
with six engines mounted under the wing Legend has it that the fuselage was sector Industry are those people who use
on pylons, an aircraft which emerged as just one inch more in diameter than the earned money and know their business
the XB-47. competing DC 8 but that one inch made and are both equally interested in coming
This new bomber had many technical a world of difference in the packing of to a successful result. Between them they
problems : the slender high aspect ratio passengers in a six-abreast seat layout. This know what is needed and how to do it. A
wing flexed almost two meters up and down required investment in new fuselage tooling comprehensive governmental liberalisation
from the datum in flight, unnerving the and Boeing spent $ 16 million to do so. of India’s aviation industry is need of the day
first crews and there also was reverse aileron Boeing could take the decision to invest and the time to continue with unworkable
effect. At certain speeds and altitudes the within the precincts of then offices, there management is long past. The industry is
stalling speed and the critical Mach number was no need to educate anyone to get the too dynamic and knowledge-based to be
coincided, so appropriately, was called the sanction. The short decision chain helped effectively managed by the present system
“coffin corner”. Nevertheless the structural Boeing to move at the rate demanded by – as the results repeatedly and wearifully –
and aerodynamic advantages of the B-47s the market. show.

A comparison of the economics of speed, capacity and STOL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10
Power / Productivity
Econ. Installed KG.
Pax. Kw / Kg.Km. /
2 Year Type W/We Cr. Power Payload Remarks
(kW/Pax) Cu.M Kwh.
kmph (kW) / kW.

3 1926 Ford AT 5 0.80 180 3X298 68 62.5 3.04 547 STOL

4 1937 DC-3 Dakota 0.49 333 2x820 51 34 2.30 765
5 1990 Baasler BT 67 0.7 405 2x1062 53 52.2 2.9 953
6 1985 US Single engine Utility 1.046 320 1x503 55 52.2 4.1 1312
50 seat “high speed”
7 1990 0.629 530 2x3100 124 116 1.37 726
Turboprop
8 1991 19 seat commuter 0.60 418 2x948 99.7 88 2.6 832
9 1947 Antonov AN-2 0.59 185 1x746 62 61.4 2.75 509 STOL
Scottish Aviation Twin
10 1955 0.52 208 2x402 50 45 2.6 548 STOL
Pioneer
Notes:
1. Column 4 gives disposable load/ empty weight. Indicates lifting potential versus buying cost when suitably factored for technology.
2. Columns 5,7,8 establishes the steep rise in cost of speed per passenger or freight volume.
3. The penalty of STOL is indicated. It will be lower for turbine engine designs.
4. Despite (lack of !) 90 year old technology the Ford AT5 ‘s figures are respectable and indicate scope of modernization with old technology. These rugged aircraft
served for long under particularly arduous and primitive conditions. A fair number still fly!

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Rafale in nuclear strike exercise

NEWS

aircraft rely on Growler escort to increase survivability during high

threat missions. The combination of the Super Hornet Block III
and Growler would provide Finland with superior technological
capability’s HX mission requirements.
Finland is the second foreign country to gain approval for the
Growler. Australia, currently operates 11 aircraft from RAAF Base
Amberley in Queensland. In related news, the final US Marine
Corps unit to operate the Grumman EA-6B Prowler, Marine
Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 (VMA-Q) was disbanded
at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina on 8
March 2019. The US Navy had phased out the Prowler after 45
years, there being no direct replacement for the EA-6B, instead
relying on other platforms such as the F-35B, unmanned air
vehicles and the Navy’s EA-18G Growler-equipped electronic
attack squadrons.

Malaysian RFI for light fighters

T he Government of Malaysia have issued request for information
(RFI) for acquisition of an initial batch of 12 light fighters

A Rafale from the Armée de l’Air’s (French Air Force’s) Escadron during 2021-2022 with an option for 24 more in the future.
de Chasse 2/4 ‘La Fayette’ reportedly undertook an operational There are reportedly six contenders including India’s Tejas LCA,
exercise for the nuclear strike mission in early February 2019. The the Russian Yak-130, the South Korean T-50 Golden Eagle,
two-seat Rafale B operated from Base Aérienne  113 Saint-Dizier Saab Gripen and Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder. While the Tejas
carrying an ASMP-A (Air-Sol Moyenne Portée-Amélioré; Air-to- and Golden Eagle took part at the recent LIMA Show (see article
Surface Medium Range – Ameliorated) nuclear standoff missile. in this Issue), the JF-17 was displayed during Malaysian Prime
The mission lasted more than 11 hours and included refuellings Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s visit to Pakistan on 23 March
from C-135 and Phénix tankers. The unarmed ASMP-A was 2019. According to analysts, the JF-17 Block-III variant has certain
launched over the Direction  Générale de l’armement, (DGA) advantages including AESA radar, efficient ECM and advanced
test range at Biscarrosse. avionics, as also its relatively lower cost.

Finland orders Super Hornets and Chengdu J-10 display at Pakistan

Growlers National Day
C hengdu J-10s of the PLAAF formation aerobatic team took part
at the Pakistan National Day parade at Islamabad on 23 March
2019. The strong presence of Chinese-origin aircraft was evident
with formations of the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder also flying
over the capital city as also the ZDK-03 airborne early warning and
control aircraft. In fact, JF-17s and the ZDK-03 were reportedly in
action during on the 27 February 2019 air skirmish over Kashmir
(see articles in this Issue).

T he US Government has granted approval for the sale of an

undisclosed number of Boeing EA-18G airborne electronic
attack aircraft to Finland. There will be additional to F/A-18
Super Hornets for the Nordic country’s HX fighter replacement
programme. In this context, Boeing’s Vice President of F/A-18
and EA-18G programmes. Dan Gillian, said : “All strike fighter

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Belarusian MiG-29s for Serbia

T he US Navy has declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC)
for its F-35C during the ongoing Initial Operational Test &
Evaluation (IOT&E) phase. The Type’s carrier variant has met all
requirements and the IOC announcement made on 28 February
by the Commander, Naval Air Forces VADM DeWolfe Miller and
the US Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lt Gen
Steven R Rudder.

B elarus formally handed over a batch of MiG-29s to Serbia in a

ceremony at the 558 Aircraft Repair Plant (ARZ) at Baranovichi
air base, Belarus. While these aircraft has been donated by the
Belarusian government, Serbia will pay for a general overhaul,
which will take place at the 558 ARZ. According to a statement
from director of the plant, timeframe for the work will range from
six months to a year, depending on the scope of modernisation.
Improvements will be carried out in co-operation with RAC-MiG
This follows aircraft carrier qualifications by the first frontline
and will include modifications to the radar and integration of
F-35C squadron Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, abroad USS
R-27ER and R-77 air-to-air missiles plus air-to-ground missiles.
Carl Vinson (CVN 70). IOT&E for the F-35C began in December
2018 and is scheduled to be completed in September 2019. By end-
2018, the USN had received 29 Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP)
F-35Cs, assigned to VX-9 ‘Vampires’ at Edwards AFB, California,
Polish Air Force modernisation
VFA-101 ‘Grim Reapers’ (11 aircraft) at Eglin AFB, Florida, and to
VFA-125 ‘Rough Raiders’ and VFA-147 ‘Argonauts’ (11 aircraft),
both at NAS Lemoore, California.

USAF orders new build F-15X

R ecently announced is a Technical Modernisation Plan (TMP)

for updating Poland’s armed forces up to 2026. The Harpia
programme includes the acquisition of 32 fifth-generation multi-
role aircraft to provide an anti-access, area-denial network-centric
capability to work with other components of allied forces. Under
the Kruk programme Poland will buy a modern attack helicopter.

T he USAF is to include eight new F-15X Eagle fighters as part

of a five-year plan that includes purchase of 80 such variants.
The first batch of new F-15s likely to be included in the Fiscal Year
While Airbus Helicopters/Heli Invest are offering the EC665
Tiger, Turkish Aerospace Industries and WSK PZL-Swidnik the
T129, Bell Helicopter and Boeing are promoting the AH-1Z and
2020 budget request. However, the USAF has stated that any new AH-64E and Leonardo proposes the AW249. Alongside, some 200
Eagle acquisition will not affect its plans to purchase F-35As, under UAVs of different classes are to be obtained under the Gryf and
that 1,763-aircraft programme. The F-15X is based on the latest Wazka programmes. The Flame programme consolidates existing
F-15QA version ordered by Qatar, having expanded ordnance fit, plans to purchase maritime patrol and intelligence, surveillance and
with deliveries to begin in 2022, the aircraft unit cost at $80m. reconnaissance aircraft.

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Switzerland’s new fighter programme

NEWS

type will additionally be housed at Lechfeld in southern Germany.

The Luftwaffe has 53 A400Ms on order, some 25 of which have been
delivered to the Luftwaffe till now, all with LTG 62 at Wunstorf,
which will eventually house 40 of this type.

Multi-mission Challenger 650 for UAE

T he United Arab Emirates Air Force & Air Defence
(UAEAF&AD) is to receive a single Challenger 650 business
jet modified to a multi-mission configuration. Aquila Aerospace has
received an initial contract to supply the aircraft in a maritime and
airborne surveillance and search and rescue (SAR) configuration,with
an option to supply a second aircraft. Modification, integration
testing and certification of the aircraft will be carried out at Al Bateen
Airport in Abu Dhabi by Aquila, with support from Bombardier
Specialized Aircraft. Changes to the aircraft will include installation
of various sensors, mission operator stations, observation windows

S witzerland has announced dates for evaluation of five short-listed and air operable doors.
aircraft in the latest round of trials for its fighter replacement
programme. Each of the fighter types will undergo two weeks of
flight tests and other examinations at Payerne Air Base between April
AH-1Zs for Bahrain
and July. First off is Airbus with its Eurofighter, then Boeing and
its F/A-18E then Dassault with the Rafale, Lockheed Martin with B ahrain will get 12 AH-1Z Vipers by the end of August 2022
after the US Department of Defense (DoD) awarded Bell
Helicopter Textron a contract for the attack helicopters. In April
the F-35A and finally Saab with its Gripen E. The placing of each
aircraft in the schedule has been determined by alphabetical position 2018, the US State Department had approved the possible sale of
of the manufacturer in the list of contenders. “Each candidate will 12 AH-1Zs to Bahrain plus spares, support and ancillary equipment.
be permitted to make a familirisation flight before peforming a total This package also included 14 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and 56
of eight missions, one in darkness, using one or two aircraft during Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS) rockets. The
four days of flight operations. Upon completion of the tests a second Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) had earlier received six former US
and final request for proposals will be issued to the manufacturers Army AH-1Ps from 1995 and ten AH-1Es that arrived from 1997,
who will then be required to make their best and final offers in the the another 17 former US Army AH-1Fs handed over in April 2009.
spring of 2020”. The government is expected to announce its choice
in the second half of 2020, for consideration by parliament as part
of the annual armaments programme for 2022. “Deliveries must New batch of MD530Fs for Afghanistan
begin in 2025 and be completed by 2030”.
T he latest batch of eight MD530F Cayuse Warriors were
delivered to the Afghan Air Force (AAF) in February 2019,
delivered by an Atlas Air Cargo Boeing 747. 30 are intended
Luftwaffe A400Ms for Afghanistan, the initial five aircraft from this contract being
delivered in September 2018 and another five in December. The
Afghan AF has received a total of 48 Cayuse Warriors.

T he German Air Force will operate its A400M transport aircraft

from two air bases” stated the German Federal Minister of
Defence Ursula von der Leyen, during her visit to Wunstorf air
base in northern Germany. Wunstorf is currently the sole Luftwaffe
A400M base, where the type is operated by Lufttransportgeschwader
62 (LTG 62, Air Transport Squadron 62). However, in future the

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AW119Kx for Israel
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(ROKAF). While in France, the Korean MRTT received its military

paintwork, most of the aircraft’s colour scheme being previously

T he Israeli Air Force has selected the Leonardo AW119Kx as

its new advanced training helicopter, purchasing seven of the
rotorcraft. The new helicopters will be based at Hatzerim where they
applied by Air Livery at Cambridge International Airport, UK.

will replace the Flight Academy’s current Bell 206 Saifan training Rafales fires the Meteor
helicopters, which have been in service from 1971.

Moroccan F-16s upgraded

F rench Air Force Rafales conducted first test firings

of Meteor air-to-air missiles on 13 February in a test
campaign at Cazaux, involving two missile launches, one

T he Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF, Al Quwwat al Jawyiya

al Malakiya Marakishiya) has taken delivery of two F-16 Block
52s after they underwent extensive upgrades including the addition
each day and night. These were flown by personnel from
the  Centre  d’Expertise Aérienne Militaire (CEAM) flight-test
centre and the Navy’s Centre  d’Expérimentations  Pratiques  de
of the AN/ALQ-211 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic l’Aéronautique Navale  (CEPA/10S), in co-operation with the
Warfare Suite (AIDEWS). The upgrades were implemented under a Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), the French defence
$91m contract awarded to the American Harris Corporation via the procurement agency).
US Army Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme in November
2016. According to the company, the AIDEWS integrated radar
warning system and radio-frequency countermeasures will protect First upgraded Tu-160M2
the RMAF F-16s from a wide range of increasingly sophisticated
“current and evolving” threats. The RMAF has 15 F-16C and eight
F-16D Block 52 variants in service and the last upgraded aircraft
are due to be delivered to Morocco in early 2021.

C-295W for Ivory Coast

T he C295W acquired for the Côte d’Ivoire Armée de l›Air (Côte
d’Ivoire Air Force) is reportedly ready at the Airbus factory in
Seville, Spain. Meanwhile, two An-26s were acquired by the Côte
d’Ivoire Armée de l›Air last year from the Bulgarian Air Force.

Korea accepts A330 MRTT

A second Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT)
has been delivered to the Republic of Korea Air Force
P lans on roll out of the first upgraded Tu-160M2 strategic bomber
in 2021 have been announced. Under the State Armament
Programme for 2018-27, serial production of the Tu-160 for the
Vozdushno-Kosmichesklye Sily Rossiyskoy Federatsii (VKS, Russian
Aerospace Forces) will be resumed with the extensively modernised
M2 version, ten new production Tu-16M2s being ordered last year.
It is likely that the new Tu-160M2 will feature equipment and
weapons similar to those included in the second-stage Tu-160M
upgrade and powered by NK-32-2 engines.

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Rostec delivers sixth A-50U AWACS

NEWS

PZL-Mielec Skytrucks for Nepal

P oland’s aircraft manufacturer Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Mielec,
is to supply two new M28 Block 05 Skytruck aircraft to Nepal. 
This is under a $18.9 million firm-fixed-price foreign military sales
contract announced on 1 March and also provides for associated
initial maintenance training, technical publications, and ferry flights
from Mielec, Poland, to Kathmandu, base of the Nepal Army Air
Wing’s 11th Brigade.

V ega Concern, a member of Rostec’s Ruselectronics holding

company, and Beriev Air Company delivered to the Russian
Aerospace Forces a sixth extensively modernised A-50U AWACS
aircraft. “The new A-50U can track a greater number of targets and
simultaneously control a larger number of fighters. The new variant
has a completely new onboard computing system, new electronics
with greater performance and computing speed improves versatility Kazakhstan Border Service orders
of the functional software. The monitoring systems of operators
have been updated with new high dimension and resolution LCD- Airbus C295
screens, improved ergonomics enhancing the performance of the
tactical crew. Satellite communications equipment is significantly
more reliable and effective, leading to better signal exchange speeds,
volume and quality”.

Nigeria orders Super Tucano

T he Border Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan has signed

a firm order for one C295 medium transport aircraft, which
includes training, spares and ground support equipment, increasing
the overall C295 fleet operating in Kazakhstan to nine such aircraft.
With this new order, the Border Service of Kazakhstan becomes
31st operator of the C295.

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and Embraer are executing US Air Force budgets
Nigeria’s contract for 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, to be built
at SNC’s Jacksonville, Florida facility and modified in Centennial,
Colorado. Work is expected to be completed in May 2024. The
T he USAF’s budget request for this year
does not cater for any increase to
its current number of 312
initial contract amount is for the aircraft, but the Nigerian Air operational squadrons, with
Force will also get weapons and sensors under separate contracts its aspirational goal of 386
including AAQ-22F sensors and laser designator turrets. The NAF nor does the Air Force FY
will also receive Paveway II guided bombs, APKWS rockets, 0.50 2020 budget request contain any
calibre (12.7mn) ammunition and various sensors. procurement money for the light attack

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aircraft programme. The USAF needs 72 new fighters a year, but
the total number of F-35A Lightning IIs requested has been reduced
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The six P-8A Poseidons in the budget will be last for the US
Navy’s total of 117 production aircraft over the programme.
to 48 ($4.9 billion), while research and development spending for Rotary-wing and tiltrotor aircraft requested in the budget include
the F-35 – especially its Block 4 upgrade – has been increased by six CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters and six VH-92A
over 50% to $800 million. Eight new production Boeing F-15EX presidential transport helicopters for the Marine Corps, 38 new
fighters (for $1.1 billion) are included, of 144 planned with 80 by helicopters (of a design to be selected in 2019) to replace TH-57
FY2024. The number of Boeing KC-46A Pegaus tankers, planned at Sea Ranger training helicopters, and ten CMV-22B Osprey carrier-
a steady-state of 15 per year has been reduced to 12 and the number onboard-delivery aircraft for the Navy. Deliveries of more MV-22B
of Lockheed Martin special ops AC-130J Ghostrider and MC-130J Ospreys for the Marine Corps is set for 2020.
Commando II aircraft reduced to eight from a planned 13. General
Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicles, planned at four, are
increased to 12. Two types appear in the request as planned, 12 Kratos unveiled–and airborne
Sikorsky MH-60W combat rescue helicopters and one Gulfstream
EC-37B Compass Call II.

US Army Aviation requests

P rocurement funding for the US Army
Aviation has decreased to $3.7
billion from $4.3 billion, although
an additional 15 UH-60M Black
Hawks have been added, increasing
the buy to 73 (64 for the Army
National Guard). The number of
CH-47F Chinooks has increased
from seven to nine but the number of
AH-64E Apaches remains at 48. Special
Operations Command (SOCOM) require MH-47G
M aiden flight of the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator
took place on 5 March 2019, the robotic jet planned to fly
alongside manned fighters in future combat scenario as a wingman.
Chinook fleet to be upgraded, and the Department of Defence has The Kratos unmanned aerial vehicle will have long range and
added this urgent operational requirement to the budget. high subsonic performance and could be the first step towards
the USAF’s ‘loyal wingman’ concept, in which drones operate
alongside manned combat aircraft in complementary roles. The US
US Navy requests 149 aircraft Air Force Research Laboratory is working with Kratos Unmanned
Aerial Systems to develop the XQ-58A, as part of the Low-Cost
Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) programme, its aim
being “to break the escalating cost trajectory of tactically relevant
aircraft”. The series production Valkyrie could cost $2m, but not
necessarily with limited capability and the next generation of such
‘unmanned wingmen’ are clearly aimed at the high-end air battle
against advanced adversaries.

Boeing’s Australian Airpower

Teaming System
T he US Navy’s FY2020 budget requests procurement of 149
aircraft, an increase over the 134 funded in 2019. The fixed-
wing aircraft requested include ten F-35B and ten F-35C Lightning
B oeing has introduced its latest unmanned platform, the
Airpower Teaming System (ATS), developed in Australia by the
company’s Autonomous Systems division and the firm’s Phantom
IIs for the Marine Corps and ten F-35Cs for the Navy, 24 F/A-18 Works International. The stealthy ATS is intended to provide
Super Hornet Block III strike fighters (more fighters than the Air multi-mission support for air control missions and is described by
Force gets this time), four E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning the manufacturer as offering “fighter-like performance”. Designed
aircraft, six P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, three for in-country customisation, the drone will be deployed using
KC-130J Super Hercules for the Marine Corps, and a one-time “smart teaming” to co-operate with existing military aircraft. The
procurement of 22 Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs for Navy and Marine 38ft-long (11.7m) single-engined unmanned aerial vehicle will have
Corps as adversary training aircraft. a range in excess of 2,000nm.

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Extended Range. The training covered new maintenance procedures,

manuals and ground support equipment associated with the MQ-1C
ER, which is a new Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) produced by
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI).

Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs for Qatar

A series of computer-generated images showed ATS ‘swarms’

working with RAAF F/A-18Fs and E-7As. The ATS will use artificial
intelligence to fly independently or in support of manned aircraft
while maintaining safe distance between other aircraft. As part of the
research and development programme, Boeing and the Australian
government will produce a concept demonstrator, called Loyal
Wingman – Advanced Development Programme, prior to launching
production of the ATS. Its first flight is planned for in 2020.

Testing of A-100 AEW&C

T he Turkish company Baykar Makina has handed over six
Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs), along
with three ground control stations and a simulator, for the Qatar
Emiri Air Force (QEAF). The Turkish company has also completed
a four-month UCAV training course for 55 Qatari personnel,
including pilots and maintenance staff. The order for six TB2s was
announced at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition
and Conference in March 2018.

Japan to lead its F-3 project

T he Government of Japan “favours an indigenously developed
combat aircraft to meet its next-generation fighter requirement,

A ccording to Russian News agency reports, the new A-100 as replacement for the Mitsubishi F-2 multi-role fighter from the
airborne early warning and control aircraft has begun a new late 2030s.” The defence ministry prefers the indigenous option
phase of trials, with first flight in the latest test programme reported over licence-production of an existing foreign-designed warplane, or
on 9 February. Incorporating a new glass cockpit, the A-100 also further development of a foreign type. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
incorporates a digital navigation system and a new phased antenna (MH) is expected to develop the stealthy F-3 in collaboration with
array developed by Vega. an external partner either BAE Systems. Boeing, Lockheed Martin
or Northrop Grumman as contenders.

GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle Extended

Range NET
T he US Army has completed its New Equipment Training (NET)
at Fort Campbell, Kentucky for the MQ-1C ER Gray Eagle

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Vietnam, sent some 20 vessels to join a naval parade at Qingdao. The

Indian Navy was represented by the missile destroyer INS Kolkata
but surprisingly there was no participation by a Pakistan Naval

K ongsberg Defence & Aerospace has entered into contract

with Japan to supply initial deliveries of the JSM (Joint Strike
Missile) for their fleet of F-35 fighters. The JSM development started
warship. China’s aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, and latest nuclear
submarines, destroyers and other warships were amongst the 32
Chinese vessels at the review while 39 aircraft took part in the flypast.
in 2008 and was completed in mid-2018 after a series of successful
validation test firings. The JSM is a long-range sea- and land-target
missile that can be carried internally in the F-35 thus ensuring the Anglo-French FC/ASW Missile
aircraft’s low-signature (stealth) capabilities.
progresses
4 million flight hours by MQ-1B, MQ-9 T wo years into the FC/ASW (Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon)
Concept Phase, MBDA has successfully achieved its “Key
Review”, jointly conducted with Defence Equipment and Support
(DE&S) and the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the
British and French armament procurement agencies. This Key
Review makes it possible to select the most ‘promising’ missile
concepts in order to meet the requirements expressed by both
nations’ armed forces.  More in-depth studies will now be conducted
on these concepts with the aim of identifying solutions to be
selected at end of the concept phase in 2020 to mere both nations’
requirements for long range anti-ship missions, suppression of
enemy air defences and deep strike. The FC/ASW aims to replace
the Storm Shadow/ SCALP air launched cruise missile in operational
service in the UK and France as well as the Exocet anti-ship missile
in France and Harpoon anti-ship missile in the UK.

MBDA Brimstone 3 missile firing trials

T he MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted
aircraft have now flown more than 4 million hours in support
of a 24-hour mission around the world conducting persistent attack
T he Brimstone 3 ultra-high precision missile system achieved
a major milestone during first firing trials at the Vidsel Trials
range in Sweden. In extreme weather conditions with temperatures
and reconnaissance, search and rescue and strike and support to
civil authority missions with multiple combatant commands. The
MQ-1B entered the USAF fleet in 1996 and retired in 2018, while
the MQ-9 mission began in 2007.

PLAN marks 70th anniversary

T he Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) celebrated
its 70th founding anniversary on 23 April with a grand fleet
review. Ten countries, including India, Russia, Thailand and

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below -30°C, the missile was surface launched against a pick-up

truck target. All trials objectives were fully achieved with the missile
Roll out of Boeing 777X
proving, through a telemetry unit, full closed loop guidance with the
seeker progressing into target acquisition and track. Brimstone 3 is
the product of the Brimstone Capability Sustainment Programme
(CSP), announced in March 2018 that will provide new Brimstone
missiles for the UK Armed Forces in order to replenish the country’s
inventory and “to maintain the UK’s battlefield edge into the future”.

Record year for Rafael

D uring 2018 Rafael
continued to develop,
manufacture and market
its systems and capabilities,

B
providing users with end- oeing has rolled out the first 777-9 at Everett, the aircraft due to
to-end solutions for various undertake its first flights later this year before the first customer
air, land, naval, space delivery to the initial operator, Lufthansa in 2020 following flight
and cyber requirements. and certification testing. The General Electric GE9X-powered
Some of Rafael’s major aircraft will seat 400-425 passengers and have 7,525 nautical miles
marketing achievements range. A second 777X family member, the 777-8, will seat 350-375
in 2018 include the US passengers with range of 8,690 nautical miles.
Army’s decision to equip
its Abrams tanks with
Rafael’s TROPHY Active British Airways orders 777X
B
Protection systems and its ritish Airways has selected the Boeing 777X for its long-haul
decision to purchase two fleet, signing an agreement with the manufacturer for up to 42
Iron Dome air defence 777-9s, including 18 on firm order plus 24 options, the airliners
batteries. This joins various other wins, including the SPIKE 5th due to be delivered from 2022 to 2025. BA had earlier introduced
generation missile system to Australia and NATO countries, various the 787, 777-300ER and A380 even while phasing out its older
domestic and international Cyber projects, teaming agreements with 747-400s. The 777-9s will be used to serve the carrier’s long-haul
international companies, etc. trunk routes, replacing earlier 777s and the 747-400s the airline to
In addition, during 2018 Rafael continued investment and operate on their network. BA will also use 18 Airbus A350-1000s to
professional development of human capital, “while maintaining operate on these routes. The A380 is used for routes with the largest
investment in R&D (8% of sales) and significant cooperation with passenger flows and the 787s for network development and routes
academic institutions, as well as the opening of new R&D facilities with thinner passenger demand. With BA’s selection of the 777-9
throughout the country, mainly dealing with cyber, intelligence, AI Boeing has sold 344 777Xs, comprising 291 777-9s and 53 777-8s,
and other emerging technologies”. even though Etihad Airways, one of the 777X launch customers in
2013, had reduced its 777-9 order from 25 to six.

Record high MBDA order backlog

M BDA recorded another strong year of trading performance in
2018, with a further €4.0 billion in orders which has taken
the company’s order book to a record of €17.4 billion. Revenue was
also ahead year-on-year to €3.2 billion. Strong performance in home
markets saw MBDA’s domestic order intake of €2.5 billion exceed
that from exports at €1.5 billion. Significant domestic orders in
2018 included a contract from the French DGA to develop the next
generation MICA air-to-air missile, renewal of in-service support
for the Aster missile across France, Italy and the UK, upgrade and
maintenance work on the Taurus in Spain, among others. Major
export orders included the weaponisation of Eurofighter Typhoon
fighters and NH90 helicopters ordered by Qatar, as well as further
export orders of the Taurus, MMP and Mistral.

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NEWS

T he US Navy’s aircraft carrier fleet is to be reduced to ten by

2025 as the USS Harry Truman (CVN-75) is withdrawn from
service rather than being overhauled for an additional two decades
of service, as had been planned. Of the ten remaining carriers, only aircraft on order (including the latest A350 order) and 574 Airbus
eight or fewer will be available for operational deployment. aircraft in the Group’s current fleet including 28 A220 Family,
420 A320 Family, 100 A330s / A340s, 12 A350s, and 14 A380s.
Etihad changes orders
Airbus’ Skyways drone trials

E tihad Airways has restructured its orders for airliners, the Gulf
carrier now committed to taking far fewer new aircraft than
previously planned. The carrier will buy just 20 Airbus A350-1000s,
six Boeing 777-9s, an undisclosed number of 787s and 26 A321neos.
These compare with previous order announcements from the airline
for 62 A350s, 26 777s, 52 787s and 36 A320neo family aircraft.
“Etihad is to optimise its network and rationalize its fleet by phasing
out older types”, explained the CEO.

Lufthansa orders 20 additional

A irbus has carried out shore-to-ship trials in Singapore with its
Skyways parcel delivery drone. This marks the first time drone
technology has been deployed in real port conditions, to deliver a
variety of small, time-critical maritime essentials to working vessels
A350-900 at anchorage. The maiden shore-to-ship delivery flight was made to

L ufthansa has signed an order for 20 additional A350-900 wide-

body aircraft, following a decision by the company’s supervisory
board. This latest agreement brings Lufthansa Group’s total orders
the Swire Pacific Offshore’s Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel
‘M/V Pacific Centurion’, 1.5km from the shoreline of Singapore’s
Marina South Pier, carrying 1.5kg of 3D printed consumables.
for the A350 XWB to 45 with 12 aircraft already in operation Landing safely on the ship deck and depositing its cargo to the
around the world. Lufthansa’s decision reinforces the Group’s status shipmaster, the Skyways unmanned air vehicle swiftly returned to
as Airbus’ largest airline customer and operator, with 674 Airbus its base, with the entire flight taking within ten minutes.

III/2019 67
WORLD
AVIATION & DEFENCE

STARLUX Airlines orders 17 A350 XWBs

NEWS

Port, achieved a maximum speed of 189 mph, flying for 2.5 hours
over the Mojave Desert at altitudes up to 17,000 feet. As part of
the initial flight, the pilots evaluated aircraft performance and
handling qualities before landing successfully back at the Mojave
Air and Space Port.
The Stratolaunch aircraft is a mobile launch platform that will
enable airline-style access to space that is convenient, affordable and
routine. The reinforced center wing can support multiple launch
vehicles, weighing up to a total of 500,000 pounds.

Ninth FREMM frigate is launched

S TARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has ordered 12 Airbus A350-

1000s and five A350-900s.  The new airline plans to deploy
these aircraft on its premier long-haul services from Taipei to
Europe and North America, as well as selected destinations within
the Asia-Pacific region. The aircraft will be powered by the Rolls
Royce Trust XWB engine.

Historic first flight of Stratolaunch O n 18 April 2019, Naval Group launched the Alsace multi-
mission FREMM frigate for the French Navy. This is first of
aircraft two air defence frigates of the programme for the French Navy with
the same ASW capability of the preceding units, but with increased
air defense assets. Naval Group teams and numerous partners
will deliver the two anti-air defense frigates Alsace and Lorraine,
respectively in the first semester 2021 and the second semester 2022
following the seven FREMM earlier delivered between 2012 and
2018 : Aquitaine in 2012, Provence in 2015, Languedoc in 2016,
Auvergne in April 2017 and Bretagne in July 2018.

Navantia contract for F110 frigates

N avantia have signed contracts for the construction of five
new generation F110 frigates for the Spanish Navy, whose
construction will be in Ferrol. The design of this new frigate
incorporates technological advances, such as the new integrated
mast configured with different solutions of sensors and antennas,
the incorporation of a multi-space mission that expands capabilities
of the ship in all segments of defense and a new hybrid propellant

S tratolaunch Systems Corporation, founded by Paul G. Allen,

have completed first flight of the world’s largest all-composite
aircraft, the Stratolaunch. With a dual fuselage design and
plant. It will also carry UAVs on board and have capacity for future
installation of directed-energy weapons.
The frigates will be equipped with a Spanish combat system,
wingspan greater than the length of an American football field, SCOMBA, developed by Navantia, which acts as the vessel’s
the Stratolaunch aircraft took off from the Mojave Air & Space “brain” and integrates all the frigate’s sensors and weapons, such as

68 VAYU
surface sensors, EW and IFF supplied by Indra, Band S radar and
Lockheed Martin vertical launcher, AAW–SM-2 from Raytheon,
WORLD
AVIATION & DEFENCE
NEWS

the antisubmarine warfare systems and SAES sonars plus the

navigation and communications systems from Navantia Sistemas.

IAI launches the OPAL

I srael Aerospace Industries (IAI) has launched OPAL, an
innovative solution that connects all platforms in the battle
arena, manned and unmanned. OPAL forms a decentralised
communication cloud for all members on the ground, in the
air and at sea, to allow real time information sharing, to achieve
a comprehensive operational picture of the battlefield. OPAL
relies on a secure and proven communication network that
connects different networks and platforms without fixed base
stations. OPAL is compatible with any platform, including
advanced fighter aircraft, tanks, ships or ground troops, which
allows for optimal utilisation of available resources to maximise
effectiveness for a wide range of missions.

IAI Unveils New Loitering Munition- Mini Harpy

situational picture and closing the attack
circle at low cost. The loitering missiles are
launched towards the target area. They
loiter the sky until the threat is detected.
Upon detection, the systems locks in
on the threat and attacks it for a quick,
lethal closure. The system was designed
to provide operators with control up to the
last moment, including cessation of attach
at any stage. Electrically powered, it is
extremely quiet, carries shaped charge of
approx. 8 kg, operates in mission range of
100 km for duration of two house and 45
kg in weight.

I srael Aerospace Industries (IAI)

has unveiled the Mini Harpy, a
newly-developed loitering munition.
Based on unique IAI development and
technology, the Mini Harpy combines
the capabilities of the Company’s two
flagship loitering missiles, the Harop
and the Harpy, offering detection of
broadcast radiation with electro optical
capabilities. The Mini Harpy is a tactical
system designed for field or marine
units. It can be launched from land,
marine and helicopter borne platforms,
providing complete independence in
intelligence collection for an updated

III/2019 69
INDUSTRY UPDATES

Thales:
Thales: Networking tomorrow’s soldier for battlefield superiority

Sophie XF

S
oldiers in past conflicts, even relatively as Pascal Secretin explains, “Information vision. The tools that Thales is developing
recent ones, would not be able to superiority for the soldier’s mind and for the soldier on the ground also are lighter,
recognise today’s – and especially precision weapons for the soldier’s arms more robust, more reliable and provide
tomorrow’s – soldier on the battlefield. provides the critical battlefield superiority”. more autonomy.
Why? Because of the digital technologies Armed forces count on Thales and its Among the tools it is providing today
that are changing the way the soldier sees, technological expertise to empower the vital and perfecting further for tomorrow are
thinks and acts, being connected to other transition for tomorrow’s more effective head-mounted information displays for
troops and support systems for information fighting force on the ground, the objective laser-like focus on the essential, lighter
superiority over the adversary and precision being to personalise the information and digitally-empowered rifles for rapid
engagement. “There’s simply no comparison provided to make it the most useful to target acquisition and the ‘Sophie’ line of
when you look at the next generation of suit the precise role of each member of the thermal imagers, making formerly ‘invisible’
soldiers” states Pascal Secretin, responsible fighting force. And that means personalised objects capable of being targeted day and
for the imagers and sensors for optronics tools. “In that way” explains Pascal Secretin, night. Coupled with the other battlefield
systems at Thales and a former French “better understanding of the fast-changing tools from Thales defence technologies, the
airborne combat unit commander himself, battleground means gaining time for more connected and augmented soldier becomes
“In the past, the soldier on the ground might rapid and more-precise decision-taking and key to a more effective fighting force on
have wait twenty minutes for the arrival of engagement. And with each member of the the ground. 
support or approval to engage. Today, by team having information tailored to his or As Emmanuel Sprauel, Director of
sharing images instantaneously through her needs, by connecting them together Strategy & Marketing for optronic and
cyber-secured communications, decisive you create the most efficient and effective missile electronics at Thales, elaborates, “The
moments get immediate response because collaborative combat imagineable” armed forces rely on Thales for our ability
combat decisions are collaborative, in real- A key reason for Thales leadership to apply our expertise in connectivity, big
time. And they are more precise because in creating such tools for tomorrow’s data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity
Artificial Intelligence is interpreting what more effective fighting force is its ability technologies that are the key their digital
is happening from information sent by to combine technologies to create transformation. This qualifies us to give
the soldier’s sensors and cameras, ground unprecedented performance. To take just the soldier what he or she needs to win on
vehicles, as well as from drone, aircraft and one example, how do you give a soldier the battlefield today and tomorrow: shared
satellite ‘eyes in the sky’, and pointing to near x-ray vision to “see” what formerly was information superiority, precision and speed
the best response.” invisible and precisely a target day or night? of decision-making for mobility, firepower
All this, of course, shortens informed Thales does it by superimposing thermal and protection.”
decision time and that means winning, images in Augmented Reality on classic Courtesy: Thales

70 VAYU
 Developments at Saab
Test flights of Gripen E with Meteor BVRAAM The Hungarian Air Force is currently operating 14 Gripens on
Saab has completed test flights by a Gripen E aircraft with the a lease-purchase agreement with the Swedish government. DAM
Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). will provide the Hungarian Air Force with an increased level of
Carrying two Meteor missiles, the Gripen E aircraft (39-8) flexibility and reduce their dependency on stationary infrastructure
for maintenance and protection of their Gripen fleet. The DAM
solution can be rapidly deployed (in less than 48 hours) to enable
sustainment of self-sufficient operations for extended periods of
time, in any location, regardless of whether they are domestic or
overseas.  

Contracts for Carl-Gustaf M4

Saab has received contracts for the Carl-Gustaf M4 multi-role
weapon system for “an undisclosed customer,” the total order value
being for approximately 492 MSEK with deliveries to take place
in 2019-2024. For seven decades, the Carl-Gustaf man-portable
multi-role weapon system has been supporting infantry around the
world in dealing with a full range of battlefield challenges. The new
Carl-Gustaf M4, has all the effectiveness and versatility of the Carl-
Gustaf system but its improved and lightweight design, weighing
less than 7 kg, offers significant
operated from Saab’s airfield at mobility for the infantry soldier.
Linköping, Sweden, this being This is Saab’s tenth customer
part of the weapon integration for the Carl-Gustaf M4 version.
progress and marking an The new version retains all the
important milestone in the effectiveness and versatility of
programme with the Swedish the Carl-Gustaf system while
Air Force. The Gripen E introducing a range of major
continues to fly with different enhancements, which include
configurations to gradually a lighter weight design, a fired-
expand the flight envelope. round counter, improved safety
The Meteor is an active and intelligent features, such
radar guided BVRAAM, as compatibility with future
and capable of engaging air intelligent sighting systems and
targets autonomously, day programmable ammunition. The
or night, in all weather and weapon is fully compatible with
in harsh electronic warfare various ammunition types.
environment. The missile’s
ramjet propulsion system gives the Meteor high-speed
performance and the energy to defeat fast, moving
targets at very long range. The Gripen C/D of the
Swedish Air Force in 2016 became the world’s first
fighter aircraft to be operational with the Meteor
missile.

Deployable Aircraft Maintenance Facility

Saab will provide enhanced aircraft maintenance
capability to the Hungarian Air Force, using the
mobile solution Deployable Aircraft Maintenance
Facility (DAM) which is a mobile hangar solution
that enables ‘enhanced aircraft maintenance capacity
combined with superior protection’. DAM provides
capability equivalent to stationary maintenance
infrastructure, but at a fraction of the cost.

III/2018 71
FMV orders Giraffe 4A and Arthur radars RBS 70 ordered by Ireland
Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Saab has received an order for RBS 70 BOLIDE missiles from
Administration (FMV) “to develop and maintain the Armed the Irish Defence Forces, at a value of approximately 60 MSEK,
Forces’ artillery and weapon locating capability.” The order includes with deliveries to take place in 2019-2022. Ireland has been a RBS
70 operator for more than 30 years, this order
being for the BOLIDE, the latest missile for the
RBS 70 system. The Saab portfolio of short-
range ground-based air defence missile systems
includes the RBS 70 and the latest version, RBS
70 NG. The RBS 70 system has an ‘impressive’
track-record with more than 1,600 launchers
and over 17,000 missiles delivered to nineteen
countries.

FMV order new Gripen E equipment

Saab has received an order from the Swedish
Defence Materiel Administration (FMV)
for new equipment for the Gripen E,
supplementary the previous Gripen E contract
and valued approximately SEK 430 million.
The original contract, regarding development
and modification of the Gripen E, signed with
FMV in February 2013, required that certain
equipment from existing Gripen C/Ds in the
Swedish Armed Forces be reused. However, the
new equipment will be required for the Swedish
order of 60 GripenEs without affecting the
current Gripen C/D fleet.

Saab’s Giraffe 4A multi-function radar

and life extension of the Arthur artillery
locating system. The modern ground-
based multi-function system Giraffe 4A
and the life extension of Arthur will give
the Armed Forces’ long-range surveillance
capability and provide new possibilities
to handle existing and future threats. The
production will take place at Gothenburg
with deliveries from 2019.
The Giraffe 4A is a multi-function
radar that gives the user a range of
capabilities, the system used for air
surveillance and air defence as well as
warning and artillery locating tasks.
This is a digital multi-channel system
featuring Active Electronically Scanned
Array (AESA) technology based on
gallium nitride (GaN). Arthur and the
Giraffe radar family are produced at
Saab’s Gothenburg premises, a centre for
microwave and sensor technology, with
some of the most advanced radar and
sensor systems available produced there.
Saab’s radar and electronic warfare
activities include the GlobalEye airborne
surveillance solution, sensor systems for
the Gripen fighter and the self-protection Saab’s RBS 70
system family Arexis.

72 VAYU
 MBDA capabilities demonstrated
The 5th Generation MMP multi-platform anti-ship missiles that can flexibility in the area of maritime superiority,
Some 15 foreign delegations, as well as be launched by ships, helicopters, coastal a domain where MBDA in Italy has been
representatives of the European Defence batteries and fast jets. The Marte family able throughout its long history not only to
Agency (EDA) and the NATO Support has a strong and successful history both maintain but also to grow as well as further
and Procurement Agency (NSPA) recently at domestic and international levels, most develop competencies and know-how”.
witnessed the full range of capabilities of recently with Marte ER being ordered
MBDA’s 5th generation MMP (Missile earlier in 2018 by the Qatar Emiri Air Force Sea Venom-ANL missile trials
Moyenne Portée) ground combat missile (QEAF) for their new NH90 helicopters. MBDA’s Sea Venom-ANL anti-ship
during live firing demonstrations. These Marte is a single product family that missile has successfully conducted further
took place in two phases: a dynamic phase, can cover several missions, offering our firing trials, passing a significant new
in which international representatives customers a high level of operational milestone for the Anglo-French co-
watched three firings conducted by the
French Army Technical Section (STAT)
and a static phase, based on presentations
and workshops making use of standard
operational equipment for simulations,
training and support.
The three firings (all of which precisely
struck their targets) showcased the missile’s
various operating modes in different
scenarios, against both fixed and mobile
targets at ranges from 2.5 km to over 4
km, proving accuracy of the MMP in all
conditions, even when fired at hidden
targets beyond line of sight.

Marte ER missile success

MBDA’s Marte ER anti-ship missile has
completed its first firing, successfully passing
a major phase in its development. The

operation programme. This latest trial has

demonstrated the Sea Venom-ANL’s lock
on before launch (LOBL) capabilities,
with images from the missile’s infrared
seeker being used by the operator to
designate the target prior to launch. The
Sea Venom-ANL is capable of being
launched from a wide range of platforms,
and will be used on the UK Royal Navy’s
AW159 Wildcat and French Navy future
HIL (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger)
helicopters.

firing trial was carried out at an Italian test

range where the Marte ER missile flew for
more than 100 km on a planned trajectory
that included several waypoints and the
sea skimming flight, successfully testing
all flying phases. Pasquale Di Bartolomeo,
Executive Group Director Sales & Business
Development and Managing Director
MBDA Italia, commented: “This test is
further confirmation of the robustness
of the ER version of the Marte family of

III/2018 73
 Third MC-21-300 joins flight
test programme
Manturov stated, “MC-21-300 flight tests
are continuing, the third aircraft has joined
them. On this aeroplane, in addition to the
special test equipment, a passenger cabin has
been included“.
According to Denis Manturov, the MC-
21-300 with passenger interior layout will
debut at MAKS 2019, the upcoming Moscow
international aviation and space salon. “This
will allow us to visually demonstrate to
potential customers and future passengers one
of the most important competitive advantages
of the Russian airliner, with increased level
of comfort”. Yuri Slyusar, President of UAC
and Irkut Corporation, added that in 2019
the fourth MC-21-300 prototype, built at

O
n 16 March 2019, maiden flight of
the third MC-21-300 test aircraft
took place at Irkutsk Aviation
Plant’s airfield, the duration of flight being
90 minutes and upto an altitude of 3500
meters with speed of 450 km/h attained.
The aircraft was piloted by test pilots Andrey
Voropayev and Roman Taskaev. According
to the after flight report, the objectives
were met completely, the flight being in
normal mode. The Minister of Industry
and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis

the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, would join the

flight tests.
Also in April, the MC-21-300 test
aircraft, fitted with a passenger cabin made
non-stop flight from Irkutsk to Ulyanovsk
Vostochny airport, where the aircraft was given
a paint scheme according to new production
technologies, after which it flew to Ramenskoye
airport (Zhukovsky, Moscow region) to
continue flight tests. This aircraft was piloted
by a crew of Hero of Russia, honoured test pilot
Roman Taskaev and 1st class test pilot Vasily
Sevastyanov. As Roman Taskayev later stated,
“The flight was normal and without complaint”.
Various Ulyanovsk enterprises are major
participants in the MC-21 programme :
Aviastar-SP Plant produces the fuselage
panels, empennage and many other units for
MC-21-300 aircraft while the AeroComposit-
Ulyanovsk Company builds the wing made of
composite materials.

74 VAYU
 Rosoboronexport
contracts BT-3F AFVs for Indonesia
There is high level of commonality
between the BT-3F armoured personnel
carrier and the BMP-3/BMP-3F for reducing
operational and personnel training costs,
which also eases spare parts inventory and
logistics. 
“Indonesia is one of Rostec’s key partners
in South-East Asia, both in the areas of
military and technical cooperation and civilian
products, plus on transfer of technologies,
jointly with enterprises of the state corporation.
For instance, Rostec is exporting to Indonesia
a wide spectrum of medical equipment. A
subsidiary of the KAMAZ company has
been established in the country to deal with
the supplies of trucks to the local market,
and there is huge potential for co-operative
BMP-3F development. Rostec is not just offering the
entire range of armament and civilian products

J
of the state corporation, but it is ready to build
SC Rosoboronexport (part of the The APC is equipped with energy- industrial partnerships of the highest order,”
Rostec State Corporation) and the absorbing folding seats, providing significant noted Sergey Chemezov, Rostec’s head.
Indonesian Ministry of Defence have reduction in shock loads on spines and in Military and technical cooperation
signed a contract for supply of BMP-3F the event of mine explosions or when between the erstwhile USSR and Indonesia
infantry fighting vehicles and BT-3F driving over rough terrain, the seats being goes back to 1958, with intensifica​tion of
amphibious armoured personnel carriers fitted with five-point seat belts. In addition, military-technical ties between Moscow
(APCs) developed and produced by JSC the vehicles are equipped with aggregate and Djakarta taking place in the late 1990s
Kurganmashzavod for Indonesia’s Marine compressor air conditioning, vital for hot and early 2000s. Since November 1992, the
Corps.  “The contract for BT-3Fs to tropical climates.  Mounted on top of total volume of military products supplied to
Indonesia is the first ever Russian export the BT-3F is a two-axis stabilised remote- Indonesia has been some $2.5 billion, with
deal for these new AFVs. The design has controlled combat module with 12.7 mm Indonesia receiving BTR-80A armoured
reflected the requests of the partners as well machine gun fitted. The combat module is personnel carriers, BMP-3F infantry fighting
as their experience of using BMP-3Fs, which equipped with tele-thermal imaging sight vehicles, Kalashnikov assault rifles of the ‘100’
were delivered to them earlier. Indonesia is with a laser rangefinder, and equipped series, Sukhoi Su-30 fighters and ‘Mi’ type
very meticulous in selection of equipment with a built-in diagnostic system and helicopters, apart from various other types of
for its armed forces, and this contract is ammunition status indicator. weapons and military equipment.
major endorsement of the highest quality of
Russian weapons and their superiority over
competitors,” stated Rosoboronexport’s
Director General Alexander Mikheev.
Development of the amphibious
armoured personnel carrier BT-3F was
based on the BMP-3F and is designed for
transportation of marines, coast guards
and land forces, as well as for fire support
of landed parties in various combat
operations.  The APC can transport17
personnel, including the crew. The control
compartment houses the driver, a member of
the landing party and commander’s assistant
on the left and right sides accordingly, both
being positioned for firing machine guns.  

III/2019 75
Beyond Zhuhai 2018

China’s Mountain Eagles and

Falcons
The almost frenetic pace of Chinese ‘next gen’ fighter developments continue to dominate the headlines, and
thus Chinese ‘next gen’ lead in fighter trainers (LIFT) get second billing. This article, with extracts from China
aviation analysts, reviews developments beyond the Sino-Pak K-8 Karakoram which is being supplanted by
various new types, including the JL-9/FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle and the Hongdu L-15 Falcon.

T
he FTC-2000G is latest avatar of a
well-established family that started
off as the Guizhou JL-9 Mountain
Eagle, unabashedly based on the venerable
MiG-21 and its Chinese clone, the F-7.
Development of the JL-9 began in 2001 as
an advanced lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT)
based on the earlier JJ-7/FT-7 design
and later the JJ-9. Essentially, the JL-9
incorporates a new forward fuselage, the
erstwhile nose intake replaced by a solid
nose accommodating an X-band pulse-
Doppler fire-control radar, with the engine
intakes now relocated on the fuselage sides.
The stepped tandem cockpit section is a new
design, with a single-piece windshield giving
improved forward and downward vision
when compared with the original item. The
aircraft has a double-delta wing without The prototype JL-9 made its first 2006, featuring a new control augmentation
leading edge flaps, has a modern avionics flight on 13 December 2003 with the test system (CAS) for enhanced stability and
suite and the cockpit includes a head up aircraft flight evaluated during 2004-2005. an improved cockpit environment control
display (HUD) as also a multi-function Following some fine-tuning, the modified system. Series production JL-9s were
display (MFD). JL-9 flew for the first time on 23 August first delivered to the PLAAF in 2007 and

76 VAYU
 The JL-9 ‘Mountain Eagle’

operational deliveries began in 2011 with the initial batch already delivered in hardpoints for a maximum armament load
PLA Naval Aviation receiving their first JL- November 2017. The Nigerian Air Force of 3,000kg. Ironically, the FTC-2000G
9Hs soon thereafter. An improved variant, has also expressed interest, probably eyeing may well have spawned competition for the
known as the JL-9A, features new formation the latest, further improved FTC-2000G, JF-17 Thunder amongst many operators of
lighting strips on the forward fuselage and which employs the stronger airframe of the MiG-21 and F-7 fighters in Asia and Africa.
tail fin to enhance visibility in night training navalized JL-9G with the DSI intake and
as also a new VHF omni-directional radio redesigned tail with improved aerodynamics The Hongdu JL-10 (export L-15)
range (VLOC) navigation system. Entering and increased fuel capacity. The FTC- The latest LIFT to enter PLAAF and PLA
production in 2004, this variant is still in 2000G is offered as “an affordable, versatile Naval Aviation service is the Hongdu JL-10
production. aircraft for different types of training as well Falcon, which actually began life with the
Another development of the JL-9 is the as combat missions” and features up to seven export designation of L-15. This advanced
JL-9G, a dedicated naval version, for naval
aviators to practice take-offs and landings on
a simulated aircraft carrier deck, particularly
for take-offs from the ‘ski jump’ ramp,
followed by a conventional recovery. The
JL-9G has been extensively modified, with
strengthened landing gear and enlarged
wings, as also a redesigned forward fuselage
with diverterless supersonic intakes (DSI).
Furthermore, the twin ventral stabilisers are
replaced by a taller tail fin.
Based on the JL-9 is the FTC-2000
trainer, first unveiled as a demonstrator at
the 2016 Zhuhai airshow when, quick off
the mark, a contract was signed with the The Hongdu JL-10 Falcon
Sudanese Air Force for six FTC-2000S,

III/2019 77
 JL -10Hs of Chinese Naval Aviation

jet trainer (AJT), whose design approach with the afterburning AI-222K-25F, first Export potential
is very familiar, was, not unsurprisingly, flew on 26 October 2010. The JL-10 was Three different variants are currently
developed with technical assistance from the unveiled before its first flight on 1 July being promoted in the export market :
Yakovlev OKB, and has been developed by 2013 and several prototypes have since been the standard L-15A, comparable to the
Nanchang-based Hongdu Aviation Industry undergoing testing, based on images from JL-10 and the L-15Z, which is already in
Corporation, the chief designer being Zhang mid-2016. China’s Naval aviation received service with the Zambian Air Force; the
Hong. The JL-10 is designed for lead in its first aircraft (the JL-10H) in March 2017. L-15B, available with combat-capable
fighter training of aircrew moving to the new The series production JL-10 is to receive an avionics and the L-15C, which combines
generation of Chinese fighters including the indigenous turbofan without afterburning the L-15B’s avionics with the airframe of
J-10, J-11, J-15, J-16 and J-20. (actually an AI-222-25 copy), which was the L-15A. The Ukraine, Pakistan and
Two different versions are being flown for the first time in May 2016. Uruguay are amongst the first potential
developed : the standard JL-10 a.k.a L-15A The L-15B is powered by the WS-17 operators but there are no second guesses
AJT, powered by two Ukrainian-origin AI- Minshan turbofan, having a maximum as to which (Western) AJTs and LIFTs
222-25 turbofans and a dedicated L-15B thrust of 4700kg with afterburning, which are being competed against !
LIFT, powered by two AI-222-25Fs with was developed by the Guizhou Aero Still, it would be a brave man indeed
afterburning to give it supersonic capability. Engine Research Institute. In fact, there who could imagine that, in a perfect
The JL-10 has a more modern airframe, are speculations that the JL-10 might (unreal) world, the JL-10 could well have
with prominent leading-edge root extensions well be used by naval aviation as a carrier- been a contender for the USAF’s T-X
(LEX) which gives a maximum angle of attack based trainer, possibly based on the L-15B programme itself !
of 30o, a large vertical tail fin and a modern airframe with the more powerful engines. PS
aerodynamic configuration. The cockpit is
considerably more advanced than the JL-9’s,
having a fully digital glass environment with
HUD, three colour MFDs, hands on throttle
and stick (HOTAS) controls and three-axis
quadruplex digital FBW. For weapons
training, the JL-10 has four underwing and
two wingtip pylons for a wide variety of
stores plus an optional gun pod underneath
the fuselage. The standard JL-10 is equipped
with a small radar, while the L-15B can carry
a small passive electronically scanned array
(PESA) fire-control radar.
First flight of the L-15 AJT prototype
was on 13 March 2006, this first example
powered by two interim DV-2 turbofans
but followed by an improved AJT prototype
using two AI-222-25 turbofans which
flew on 10 May 2008. The LIFT version, The L-15 is being vigorously promoted in the export market

78 VAYU
Vayu exclusive report on

Frisian Flag 2019

F
ighter pilots from various countries
trained in complex missions during
the international exercise Frisian Flag
in April 2019, some 50 aircraft operating
from Leeuwarden airbase. During the
exercise, air-to-air refueling was performed
by tanker aircraft at Eindhoven airbase (NL),
that flew in their own exercise (EART2019).
The Royal Netherlands Air Force
participated with F-16s from Volkel and
Leeuwarden, while the Polish Air Force
brought their new F-16Cs. The US Air
Force sent F-16C aircraft from the 148
Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National
Guard, based at Duluth (MN) airbase, these
F-16s being in special ‘Have Glass’ paint of
dark grey colour.
The German Air Force participated
with Eurofighters and the French Air Force
contributed a number of Mirage 2000Ds
from Nancy. contributed to making the scenario as exercise areas in the North Sea, the exercise
Special participants were the Swiss Air realistic as possible. The new ground-based is based at the Frisian location. Conducting
Force with F/A-18 Hornets, after some Multi Mission Radar (MMR) was also the Exercise, Lieutenant Colonel Ronald
decades of absence. A Cobham DA-20 employed, to add to the complexity. van der Jagt was aware that Frisian Flag has
was deployed from the UK to disrupt Current missions increasingly take place an impact on the environment, yet he hoped
communication of the fighter aircraft, which in a coalition context, which makes training for understanding. “One of the points of
made their operations much more difficult. in an international context necessary. Because attention was to minimise unnecessary
In addition, a number of air defence systems the Leeuwarden airbase is close to large inconvenience. Fixed departure and landing

III/2019 79
times were used as much as possible, so Frisian Flag takes place not only airspace control authorities of the 3
people in the neighborhood were quite over Dutch airspace, but also those of countries. Combat management is with
aware of when the flight movements take neighbouring Germany and Denmark, the Dutch and German Control and
place. which requires close cooperation between Reporting Centre (CRC), and an Airborne

80 VAYU
Early Warning and Control (AWACS) Frisian Flag mission during the first the Swiss aircraft and pilots returned
reconnaissance aircraft from Geilenkirchen week. to Switzerland in the second week.
also took part.  For the young USAF Lt Smidt, with just  Frisian Flag Exercise Director,
During first week of the exercise, all 100 flying hours on the F-16, this was Lieutenant Colonel Ronald van der Jagt
aircraft flew in north-south direction when his first exercise abroad, taking part in a confirmed that the number of personnel
simulated attacks were carried out north of virtual air war, engaged in aerial combat at the airbase had doubled during these
the Netherlands. During the second week, with as many as 50 fighters. 2 weeks. Planning for Frisian Flag 2020
the targets were in northern Germany, with  The Swiss Lt Col Studer was at ‘Frisian has already started following end of this
the aircraft now flying west to the east. Flag’ for the first time. Given the exercise. Given the arrival of first Dutch
Monday April 1, 2019, first day upcoming selection process for new F-35s around October/November 2019
of the Exercise, was also media day at fighter aircraft of the Swiss Air Force, and continuing reduction of F-16s at
the Leeuwarden airbase. We interacted Frisian Flag was the lone foreign exercise Leeuwarden, a decision will also be
with various personalities and give some they will participate this year, and not taken as to whether the FrisianFlag
extracts : going to the NATO TigerMeet at Mont- 2020 can be planned in its current
 The experienced Lt Col Raphael of the de-Marsan, the Tactical Leadership manner.
French Air Force came to Leeuwarden programme in the Spanish Albacete and
with 85 personnel and 4 aircraft to carry the Artic Challenge exercise in Sweden. All photos and text : Joris van Boven
out Composite Air Operation (CAMAO). With 16 pilots and 4 aircraft, the Swiss and Alex van Noye ;
In the role of Mission Commander, he only participated for a brief time in the interview with Swiss Commander
prepared and executed the complete exercise and for operational reasons, by Kees van der Mark

Participating Aircraft Types, Air Forces and Bases

F-16AM of RNLAF of 322 Squadron from Leeuwarden Eurofighter of Luftwaffe of GAF of TLG31B from
F-16AM of RNLAF of 312 and 313 Squadrons from Volkel Noervenich
F-16C of USAF of 148 FW from Duluth F-18 of Swiss Air Force of Staffel 11 from Meiringen
F-16C of Polish Air Force from Poznan (photo below) Mirage 2000D of Armée de l’Air of 3rd Wing from Nancy

III/2019 81
The Supporting EART

T
he European Air Transport Airbus A310 MRTT, an RAF Airbus USAF’s capacity which became obvious during
Command (EATC) at Eindhoven A330 Voyager, a French Boeing C-135F the Unified Protector operations over Libya in
air base were the organisers for this and an USAF Boeing KC-135 participated 2011. Since then, steps have been taken with,
year’s air-air refueling competition, which this year, however the latter aircraft was among other things, the joint purchase of A330
took place during the Frisian Flag exercise only present at Eindhoven for a day, the MRTT tankers, the first of which is expected
at Leeuwarden airbase during first two remaining missions being flown from RAF at Eindhoven in early 2020. Ultimately, eight
weeks of April 2019. This supporting tanker Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. such aircraft will be purchased, some of which
exercise European Air Refuelling Training EART’s Exercise Director Colonel A to be located at Eindhoven with others at
(EART) was conducted from Eindhoven. Massucci gave an overview of the aerial Germany’s Cologne-Bonn.
In addition to the Dutch Air Force’s tankers in Europe. Presently, European The French Air Force is also replacing its
McDonnell Douglas KDC-10, a German countries continue to rely heavily on the obsolescent C-135Fs, dating from the ‘60s, with

82 VAYU
2019

the Airbus A330 Phenix, the first aircraft structure of the EART exercise and about small airspace was also one of the objectives
delivered at Istres airbase last October. the objectives. “Not only was refueling of of this exercise”.
In addition, Airbus A400M tactical fighters part of the exercise, but also the A note on Dutch KDC-10 aircraft,
transport aircraft have been put into service operational deployment of both tankers which are to be retired from service end of
by the German, French, British and Spanish and fighters in limited air space. At 2019. The second such Dutch aircraft has
air forces. This aircraft type can also be used different heights (with a vertical separation recently been upgraded and will continue
for aerial refuelling and the German Air of about 150 meters (500 feet), the tankers to fly for a few years longer but too will be
Force has recently completed flight trials flew close to each other (with a horizontal replaced by the A330.
with the A400M. separation of 1850 metres) in so-called
Major Fred Frolic of the Royal ‘tracks’, where the fighters had to close up Photos and text by Joris van Boven
Netherlands Air Force talked about with the tankers : flying closely in such and Alex van Noye

III/2019 83
 Iniochos

Exercising Greek Air Power !

D
uring the first two weeks of April
2019, the Hellenic Air Force base
at Andravida, home to the 117
Combat Wing and its F-4E Phantoms,
staged the annual medium-scale ‘Iniochos’
exercise, hosted by the Service. Under
auspices of the Air Tactics Centre (ATC),
some 80 fighters participated in the Exercise
everyday, exposing the participants to an
intensive battle rhythm.

How it all began

Given the high (readiness) level of the
Hellenic Air Force (HAF) personnel owing
to the everlasting tensions with neighbouring
country Turkey, for years the HAF has been
looking for a way to verify ability to employ
their weapon systems in a high-density
environment. Iniochos is an annual medium Italian AF Tornado
scale exercise flown from the facilities of

84 VAYU
the Air Tactics Centre at Andravida Air The success of the exercise led to the Demanding missions
Base, located in northwest Peloponnese. It decision on establishing this as an annual While the participants are exposed to
was first conducted in the late 1980s, as a event including international participants non-stop flying by day and night, the flow
small scale tactical level exercise tailored to adopting the single base concept, meaning of information affects every aspect of the
the contemporary necessity for training in that all participants would operate from the mission thus creating a realistic and immerse
combined air operations in accordance with same base as much as possible to maximise environment where the air crews’ tactical
the Hellenic Air Force Doctrine. all benefits like (de-)briefing together – as flexibility in decision making is challenged
Lt Col Gkioles, Director of Operations also social activities. at high levels. To ensure the quality, tactical
of Iniochos for some years, elaborated how
the exercise has evolved to its current
form: “In 2013 the project started with a
small group of people. The then Chief of
Staff, General Tournas, tasked the Fighter
Weapons School to create this type of
exercise from scratch and deliver it within six
months. Nobody believed it was feasible but
General Tournas put his full faith in the then
Majors Karpouzis and myself. We worked
18 hours a day with no vacation. We made
it happen with help of the squadrons – and
at minimal cost. We were dog tired by the
end of the exercise but the smiles on the faces
of the participating pilots were one’s best
reward! A month later I happened to read
the book Sierra Hotel which is the story of
how Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base came USAF F-16
about and the similarities were astonishing!”.

Mirage 2000D of the Hellenic Air

Force at Andravida

III/2019 85
relevance and valid results, the Fighter
Weapons School (FWS) has the oversight
of all tactical aspects of the exercise. The
aforementioned characteristics create a
unique demanding training environment
that can only be provided by Iniochos. The
area used by participating units included
the entire Athens FIR (Flight Information
Region) up to its most southeastern area
near the island of Kastelorizo which lies
very close to Turkey. One might call this
provocative, another a show of force.
The traditional roles of Blue Air and
Red Air were alternated between (mainly)
HAF participants, Lt Col Gkioles explained Israeli F-16 C
why: “The HAF is an Air Defense-focused
Air Force, which is in full alignment with
our doctrine and geostrategial position (at Mirage 2000-9s of 71 Squadron based at first non F-35 programme-country to
the edge of Europe and NATO). Red Air Al-Dhafra Air Base. The Israeli Air Force, receive these jets. “The experience has been
operations are mostly tasked with DCA who have been participants from the very amazing because we had the opportunity
(Defensive Counter Air) missions hence our first exercise, announced their presence at to exploit all capabilities of our weapon
guys get a lot of benefits by these missions.” an early stage but were only present during systems, performing both air-to-air and
Iniochos is known by its participants for first week of the exercise. This year their air-to-ground missions, SEAD (Suppression
its variety of demanding missions, in 117 Squadron flying F-16Cs and 109 of Enemy Air Defenses) and DEAD
conjunction with the simultaneously Squadron F-16Ds brought six jets each (Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses)
held Hellenic Navy (Astrapi) and Army from Ramat David Air Base. They flew missions,” Detachment Commander
(Polifimos) exercises, including Air directly to Andravida with the support of (DETCO) Lt Col Lodato commented after
operations versus Integrated Air Defence KC-707 tankers. The United States Air Iniochos. As expected, the F-35s operated
Systems (IADS), Anti Surface Warfare and Forces Europe (USAFE), joined this year with the Lunenburg lenses installed on
Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance with a small detachment of just 6 F-16s the aircraft ensuring that the actual Cross
(SCAR). from the Spangdahlem-based 480 Fighter Radar Section (CRS) could not be picked
Squadron. Returning after last year’s debut up by those who might be interested in
The Lightnings ! was the Italian Air Force with six Tornados knowing ….... !
Being the biggest exercise for the HAF from 6° Stormo, based at Ghedi Air Base.
during the year, all its combat squadrons Undoubtedly stars of the show this year Pillar of stability
were involved during the exercise. The were the F-35A Lightning IIs of the Italian Greece geographically straddles this strategic
United Arab Emirates also returned to Air Force from its 13° Gruppo (squadron) part of Europe. “The Balkan countries,
Iniochos for the third consecutive year, bringing all their currently delivered six the Middle East, Northern Africa and the
the UAE AF & DF bringing six advanced Lightnings to Greece, this being the Eastern Mediterranean Sea are areas of great
strategic importance and known for its
broad scale of security challenges,” Greek
minister of Defense Evangelos Apostolakis
said during the Iniochos press conference.
“Greece plays a key role in the promotion
of international defence cooperation and
initiatives. Exercise Iniochos enables realistic
international operational air training in
a joint environment and contributes to
strengthening stability and effectively
tackling common security challenges at
international level. Thus, the interaction and
synergy achieved, in addition to the obvious
operational benefits in the area of defence,
also contribute to the strengthening of the
bonds of cooperation and friendship among
the participating states.”
The Greek Government would like to
Focus of attention: F-35 A Lightning II of the Italian AF
take the lead role in organizing international
exercises while the ATC plans to make

86 VAYU
 Greek F-4 E Phantom

Iniochos the most important medium scale

air-exercise for Europe and the Middle East.
To reach this objective, a fully simulated
combat environment is being provided to all
participants, together with the opportunity
of using different kinds of target ranges for
perfect realistic training conditions.
According to US Ambassador Geoffrey
Pyatt, Greece is well underway in reaching
this goal: “It’s very, very impressive to see
how Iniochos has grown. It’s a fantastic
example of the unique role that Greece is able
to play because of its geography, the unique
set of participants that Greece pulls together
for this exercise, the unique opportunities
to fly over sea, high mountains, over a very
large airspace, and to develop the capacity Greek F-16 D
to work together and so to build security. It
reflects the ambition of Greece as a builder
of bridges, as a pillar of regional stability.” also an increased interest on SEAD/DEAD Altitude Long Endurance), Naval air assets
vs IADS missions, so we multiplied the or even an aircraft carrier itself which could
And the Future scenarios involving SBAD (Surface Based make for an even better scenario, especially
Overall, the exercise was a big success once Air Defense) like the Patriot, Hawk and with the ASUW (Anti Surface Warfare)
again and a great opportunity to verify the Skyguard. Although all missions can be missions that take place in the Southern
capabilities of the organising home team. For flown without Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR), and Eastern Aegean Sea.”
the HAF it was interesting to get a “glimpse” because the exercise areas are predominantly But at the end it is the men and women
of the F-35A and its capabilities, an aircraft close to the air base, participants still want who do the job. “Don’t focus on the
which might well be the successor of (part to train thus. So this year we had AAR in machines, it is the people that participate
of) its current F-16 fleet. According to Lt Col five days (one was cancelled due to weather) that make the exercise a great experience
Gkioles, the exercise is still evolving based on supplied by Israel with KC-707s and USAFE and the underlying objective for all exercises
lessons learned from the past: “Participants KC-135Rs flying out of Mildenhall.” is to boost morale across the ranks. This
tend to request extra flights (more than what Looking at the future there are a few has been achieved, the effect is profound!”
they initially request in the Main Planning aspects Lt Col Gkioles would like to add Lt Col Gkiolos concluded after this year’s
Conference) once they arrive and realise to the exercise: “We would like to add Iniochos.
the available training opportunities, so we more diversity in participating assets. For
added more flying slots for side missions example CSAR Helos from other countries, Photos and text: Patrick Smitshoek,
and increased the flying window. There is Remotely Piloted Aircraft MALE (Medium Stephan van Geem and Remco Stalenhoef

III/2019 87
Sound of freedom over the Peloponnese

Iniochos 2019
The Israeli Air Force participated with six F-16D’s, all part of the 109FS at Ramat David AB

T
he Iniochos 2019 Exercise was air forces from Israel, United States, Italy personnel in planning and execution of
conducted at Andravida AB in the and the United Arab Emirates. Apart from Combined Air Operations ( CAMAO) in
north west of Greece from 1 to 12 these countries, there were nations such a realistic environment to test and evaluate
April 2019. Marked as the largest exercise as Canada, France, Germany, Jordan and operational plans and tactics. Through the
in the Mediterranean area, Iniochos 2019 Kazachstan who registered their presence years, this concept became a success and
attracted several foreign countries to join as observers to the Iniochos 2019. the Hellenic Air Force made the decision
the Elliniko Polemiki Aeroporia (Hellenic Air The Iniochos exercise was held for the to make this an annual event.
Force) in an exercise which was organised first time in the late 1980s as a small Exercise Iniochos 2019 was divided into
by the Air Tactics Centre at Andravida. This scale tactical exercise. The focus was four phases: Phase 1 (Exercise Preparation
year’s edition witnessed the participation of to provide realistic training for defence 4-15 March), Phase 2 (Force Deployment
26-28 March), Phase 3 (Execution Phase
1-12 April) and Phase 4 which was Force
Redeployment (on 12 April). All the
missions of Iniochos 2019 were supervised
by FWS, right from planning to debrief.
Some of the missions included Air
Operations versus Integrated Air Defence
Systems; Reconnaissance missions; Combat
Search and Rescue missions; Time Sensitive
Target Missions; Dynamic Targeting /
Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance
/ Close Air Support; High Value Airborne
Asset / Protect – Attack; Slow Mover
Protection; Offensive Counter Air / Airfield
Attack; Air interdiction on special targets
A Mirage 2000EG coming in for landing: two single seat and two twin seat (bridges, power stations, vehicles) and Anti-
Mirages came from 332 Mira at Tanagra Surface Warfare.

88 VAYU
 For the first time at Iniochos, the F-35 participated, six aircraft, coming from 32 Stormo at Amendola AB

A large flying force was tasked to operate

alongside maritime and land forces which
provided a full scale threat with the variety
of hittable targets. During the exercise,
operations were carried out by using
majority of the Athena FIR. The prime
objectives of the 2019 exercise were to
develop interoperability and standardisation
between HAF units and allied nations air
forces, to promote cooperation between
the forces in planning the tactics, practice
of several techniques and procedures during
air-to-land and air-to-sea operations, the use
of combination of classic and modern assets
in a modern combat zone, prepare aircrews
for the future theatre of war.
The Accurate Shot/Event Assessment
was also an important part of the exercise
which was achieved with the use of on-
IDF F-16s on the flight line
board and off-board tracking data, sensors
and specialised debriefing software. All
these devices were used to reconstruct the Base flew missions from their own airfield the mountain areas. The exercise included
missions, under the experience of Fighter as a part for the exercise. More than 1000 two air refuelling aircraft, one KC-135 from
Weapons School instructors who supervised sorties were flown by the participants in nine the USAF and one KC-707 from the Israeli
the debriefing process. operational days. During the operational Air Force, these tankers only used by Greek
Iniochos 2019 had participation from 77 days, two missions usually took place, Air Force F-16s.
fighter aircraft at Andravida and for the first one in the morning and the second in The Israeli Air Force F-16s only
time, witnessed the participation of 3rd, 4th the afternoon, but there were few evening participated during the first week of
and 5th generation fighter aircraft. Rather missions as well. Participants in the morning Iniochos and left Andravida on 5 April with
exceptional was the fact that aircraft from missions flew mostly above the Aegean Sea, the support of one C-130 and Boeing-707.
the two fighter squadrons at Araxos Air while the afternoon participants flew above The participating F-16s consisted of 13

III/2019 89
 Greek F-16D Block 52 from 340 Mira

Tornado IDS from 154 Gruppo (6 Stormo)

The Hellenic Air Force is one of the last air forces still flying the F-4E

90 VAYU
 All units of Hellenic Air Force operating the F-16 participated in Iniochos

The United Arab Emirates flew five Mirage 2000-9EAD/DEAD at the Exercise

aircraft (six F-16Ds and seven F-16Cs), and two carried

some kind of kill marking on the nose. Later on, Israeli
crew members explained that the markings highlighted
the shooting down of a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ( UAV)
which was flying in Israeli air space. Other IDF aircraft
that were seen at Andravida were a Beech 200 and a single
Gulfstream G550.
Given the high level of HAF personnel and the
capability to involve a variety of weapon systems within
one of the largest exercise areas in Europe, the Iniochos
exercise intends to become one of the most competitive
exercise in Europe and in the Mediterranean region.
Text and photos: Vincent Martens
Six USAFE Fighting Falcons were deployed from Spangdahlem AB in Germany to
Andravida. Note mission markings, probably operations against ISIS/Daesh in Syria
Author would like to thank the HAF HQ and the Air
Tactics Centre Comm Col. Zolotas

III/2019 91
Visiting the Ghana Air Force today
The Ghana Armed Forces have a small but smart Air Force, the key to their success being training, as
Patrick Dirksen and Frank Mink found during a recent visit to Ghana.

Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Maxwell Mantserbi-Tei Nagai

A
s Air Vice Marshal Maxwell in Mali, where Ghanaian Forces played a Gao in 2016, damaging a C.295, put an
Mantserbi-Tei Nagai, current Chief major role in the United Nations mission end to that deployment, but the damaged
of the Air Staff of the Ghana Air MINUSMA. However, a terrorist attack at aircraft is operational again.
Force (GAF) said, “our primary role is
support of the army and the navy. Next
to that we assist with governmental issues,
like disaster management. We also support
the police and Ghana Gas as well. But our
main role is support of the army with troop
transport, airborne forces, paradropping,
fighter ground attack and close air support
with helicopters. We also carry out aerial
photography, air transport of the yield from
gold mines in middle of the country and
transport of personnel and logistics of the
Electoral Commission during elections”.

Accra
Accra is the main airbase of the GAF, where
two of the recently acquired C.295s are
flying with the Communication squadron,
having replaced the venerable Fokker F.27s. Mi-171 flying the Ghanaian flag (via GAF)
These aircraft have been put through the test

92 VAYU
 K-8 advanced trainer and strike aircraft (via GAF)

Ghana has participated in dozens of UN

and ECOWAS missions since the ’sixties,
in which helicopters played a big role. A
recent example was in neighbouring Cote
d’Ivoire during the genocide, where A.109
helicopters were used as gunships and
Bell 412s for troop transport. These have
now been replaced by Z-9 and Mi-17/171
helicopters. All helicopters are operated by
No.3 Squadron and are based at Accra AFB.
The main roles of the four Z-9s are patrols
over the gas pipeline and powerline, coastal
fishery protection and ambulance flights.
Also flying from Accra AFB are the
Chinese-origin K-8s of No. 4 Squadron
which replaced the L-39 and MB.339. “The
home base of the squadron is supposed to Two of the female Da.42 pilots (via GAF)
be in Tamale, but at the time that they
arrived, Tamale was not positioned to Ce.172s, although these haven’t flown for hours of flying experience on the Da.42
receive them …. maybe they will move years. Initial flying training is now done before they are sent to Bristow Academy for
there now, we are thinking about it, if the on the Diamond Da.42, which is operated helicopter pilots or Flight Safety Academy
leadership academy is pulled through.” says by No.1 Squadron. After selection process for fixed wing pilots, both in the USA.
Nagai. “The role of this aircraft is strike and in Accra, student pilots get an initial 10 After this the students that transit to fixed
reconnaissance, mostly on the border. The
aircraft can be armed for ground attack and
for such training we have a live firing range
at Bundase, close to Accra. We coordinate
with the army and carry out air power
combat fire training together.” K-8 pilots
are selected after the fixed wing training and
sent to China for K-8 conversion.

Takoradi
Takoradi AFB was taken over from the
RAF in 1961 and since then the Flying
Training School (FTS) has been based
here. First aircraft were Chipmunks
donated by the RAF, later on Beavers,
Otters and Caribous were employed. The A group of K-8 pilots (via GAF)
FTS currently still operates the venerable

III/2019 93
wing squadrons, come back to Takoradi The future recommended the government to have it.
AFB for follow up training on the Da.42, Asked about future plans, Nagai talked It would be used both as a strike aircraft
while helicopter pilots go directly to the about plans to establish an air force base and a trainer, because it could do both. So
squadrons. No.1 Squadron operates three at centre of the country, around Atebubu. far this didn’t get through, but we had a
DA.42 aircraft, of which only one fulfils “Plan is to establish a helicopter squadron long cooperation with the manufacturers in
the training role while the other two are there, so from there we can reach the North Brazil, and the negotiations are not totally
dedicated for surveillance tasks. and also the South. Furthermore there closed. Because we still need it, and while
A DA.42 simulator has also been are plans to have a joint FOB with the we are also looking for alternatives, the
procured from Diamond to facilitate navy somewhere in the west, because of Super Tucano remains the key in our new
instrument flying and in-flight failure oil find. All these are still on the drawing acquisitions.” The intention is to get four
training. The main task however of No.1 board, and we are currently technically aircraft and one simulator. However there
Squadron is surveillance, the ISR capability working towards there. But the final are no plans to get additional helicopters
of the Ghana Air Force assured by the approval of course needs to come from the over the coming three to five years and
two surveillance DA.42s, which are which government.” Nagai continues: “So there an option for a fourth C.295 will not be
equipped with the SAFIRE sensor suite. are plans to expand. The air force is already exercised for now.
These aircraft were modified in the UK by much bigger than when I joined in 1980. Focus has been and will be for the
DO Systems Ltd, which also supplied a But as both the economy and the population coming years on personnel, both on training
dedicated DA.42 crewman trainer simulator. grows, there will be new requirements.” level and comfort. “We try to increase the
Their main roles are maritime surveillance, Regarding the addition of new aircraft housing facilities for air force personnel,
reconnaissance and internal security to the fleet, the Super Tucano is high on because that’s a very serious command
operations in support of police forces. the wish list of Nagai. “In 2013 this came challenge. And we try to train people, for
which we’ve run set courses on our own. In
the past we depended on the programme
for the whole armed forces, and there was a
very big backlog. So we had to find money,
locally, within the air force for training and
to improve the working environment for
our troops. We believe that if the soldier is
happy, well trained and has a place to put
his head, he will come to work leaving the
home baggage at home, do his work, and
we get a good product.” And based on both
reputation and results, this should works
out well indeed!
The authors would like to thank Air Vice
Chinese built Z-9 at Takoradi AFB
Marshal Maxwell Mantserbi-Tei Nagai for
the warm welcome and the time he took for
The Diamonds also contribute to the up. Chief of the Air Staff at the time the interview, and also Squadron Leader
international organisation Oceans Beyond assessed the threat level and we looked Francisca Aholo without whom this article
Piracy. Together with Ivory Coast, Togo, at capabilities of the Super Tucano, and would not have been possible.
Benin and Nigeria, Ghana is responsible for
Zone E and Zone F in the Gulf of Guinea.
There is also a Z-9 detachment at Takoradi,
operating under No.1 Squadron.

Tamale AFB
Smallest of the three airbases is Tamale AFB,
which was built in 1966 with help of the
former Soviet Union. One of the Casa 295s
is based here, flying with No.2 Squadron,
although at the time of writing this was
undergoing an initial heavy maintenance
with Airbus in Spain after being in service
for six years. Also used for training is a F.27
which aircraft had the honour of making
the last operational flight of the type in
2013, then delivered to Tamale for ground File photo of GAF C.295
training.

94 VAYU
 Space is so startling !

Astronomers capture first images of a Black Hole

A
n international collaboration Multiple calibration and imaging the Spanish Sierra Nevada, the Chilean
has presented paradigm-shifting methods have revealed a ring-like structure Atacama Desert, and Antarctica. The
observations of the gargantuan with a dark central region – the black EHT observations used a technique called
black hole at the heart of distant galaxy hole’s shadow – that persisted over very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI)
Messier 87. The Event Horizon Telescope multiple independent EHT observations. which synchronises telescope facilities
(EHT) – a planet-scale array of eight Creating the EHT was a formidable around the world and exploits the rotation
ground-based radio telescopes forged challenge which required upgrading and of our planet to form one huge, Earth-size
through international collaboration – was connecting a worldwide network of eight telescope observing at a wavelength of 1.3
designed to capture images of a black pre-existing telescopes deployed at a variety mm. VLBI allows the EHT to achieve an
hole. In April 2019, in a coordinated of challenging high-altitude sites. These angular resolution of 20 micro-arcseconds
press conferences across the globe, EHT locations included volcanoes in Hawai`i – enough to read a newspaper in New York
researchers revealed that they had succeeded and Mexico, mountains in Arizona and from a sidewalk café in Paris.
in unveiling the first direct visual evidence of
a supermassive black hole, and its shadow.
This breakthrough was announced in a The Universe’s first type of
series of six papers published in a special
issue of The Astrophysical Journal Letters. The molecule is found at last

T
image reveals the black hole at the centre of he first type of molecule that ever formed in
Messier 87, a massive galaxy in the nearby the universe has been detected in space for the
Virgo galaxy cluster. This black hole resides first time, after decades of searching. Scientists
55 million light-years from Earth and has discovered its signature in our own galaxy
a mass 6.5 billion times that of the Sun. using the world’s largest airborne observatory,
Black holes are extraordinary cosmic NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared
objects with enormous masses but extremely Astronomy, or SOFIA, as the aircraft flew high
compact sizes. The presence of these objects above the Earth’s surface and pointed its sensitive instruments out into the cosmos.
affects their environment in extreme ways, When the universe was still very young, only a few kinds of atoms existed.
warping spacetime and super-heating any Scientists believe that around 100,000 years after the “big bang”, helium and
surrounding material. hydrogen combined to make a molecule called helium hydride for the first time.
The EHT links telescopes around Helium hydride should be present in some parts of the modern universe, but
the globe to form an Earth-sized virtual it has never been detected in space — until now. SOFIA found modern helium
telescope with unprecedented sensitivity hydride in a planetary nebula, a remnant of what was once a Sun-like star.
and resolution. The EHT is the result of Located 3,000 light-years away near the constellation Cygnus, this planetary
years of international collaboration, and nebula, called NGC 7027, has conditions that allow this mystery molecule to
offers scientists a new way to study the most form. The discovery serves as proof that helium hydride can, in fact, exist in
extreme objects in the Universe predicted space. This confirms a key part of our basic understanding of the chemistry of
by Einstein’s general relativity during the early universe and how it evolved over billions of years into the complex
centennial year of the historic experiment chemistry of today. The results have been published in a recent issue of Nature.
that first confirmed the theory.

III/2019 95
Air Vice Marshal Cecil Parker recollects...

The Learning Curve

The Tiger Moth

E
very profession has a desired learning also serves as a written version of a particular of 20 other types covering piston/jet,
curve. The curve itself is a notional learning curve. To recheck some facts for a single/multi-engined, fixed/rotary wing
graph that plots the progress of recent article, I unearthed my old log book, aircraft amounting to 4000 flying hours. I
knowledge, skills and competencies on which, of course, has had no entry for the recalled my bail-out from a blazing Tempest
one axis against opportunity, time and past 33 years ever since I left the air force. in 1952, transition from pistons to jets
costs on the other. When knowledge I very soon lost myself in reliving some of (Vampires and Toofanis) and to the learning
and skills are applied over a period of the highlights of my own learning curve experience of actually using these platforms
time, experience is gained which, along in the IAF. to fire rockets, guns and drop bombs plus
with demonstrated performance, should My very first flight as a teenaged air-to-air gunnery. An unexpected posting
determine levels of employment. In the flight cadet, was an ‘air experience’ sortie to a communication squadron enabled me
flying profession, the learning curve is in the rear cockpit of the fabric-covered, to gain experience on twin-engined aircraft,
sought to be maintained by periodic training piston-engined biplane, the Tiger Moth being Devons and Dakotas. Some years
courses, dual checks, simulators, examining in 1951. My last recorded flight was, as later, while undergoing a training course in
boards, categorisation/ratings and exercises. a 53-year old AVM (AOC J&K) on a the USA, this experience was most useful in
Every military aviator has a pilot’s log book familiarisation flight in the front cockpit flying the T-39 twin-jet aircraft. As a QFI, I
that records details of each sortie flown. It of the twin-engined Jaguar T.2 in 1986. relived my great personal delight in sending
is a de facto record of experience and thus, Between these two entries were the records my first pupil solo on the HT-2, in 1955.

96 VAYU
 Hawker Hunter Mk. F.56A

TS-11 Iskra

Teaching is a great learning experience and and flying various marks of this jet fighter a dual role: ‘training’ for which it came
certainly sharpens the learning curve. in 1977-79. While attending a course in under HQ WAC at Palam and ‘operations’
I spent ten consecutive years on the the UK in 1980, I was again fortunate for which it came under an ad hoc HQ WI
Hunter, first as a flight Commander, next to fly familiarisation sorties on the Hawk (Western India) in Poona. On the same
as the CO/CI in raising the IAF’s first OTU and the Harrier. As Commandant of our date I reported on posting and promotion
in Jamnagar (1966-69) and then back to Air Force Academy, we coped with the to wing commander rank to raise the new
No.20 Squadron as the CO (1969-72). non-availability of a basic trainer aircraft unit as its first Commanding Officer &
This was an eventful period some of the by carrying out the IAF’s very first all-jet Chief Instructor. HQ WAC asked me to
highlights of which include the safe landing basic pilot training on the Kiran for five draft its Training Directive which I did; it
of a Hunter with three outboard tanks one courses. My post air force professions had was approved in toto.
of which was a live hang-up napalm bomb. their own learning curves which, thanks to It took a few weeks to obtain the allotted
Others were, ferrying of a Hunter from the my experience in yesterdays air force, were resources, create the syllabus, get organised
UK to India and being privileged to take much easier to master. Finally, let me assure and commence ground and flying training.
up the very first Indian lady to fly in an you dear reader that creative retirement also I had some experienced QFIs, a few staff
IAF jet, a lady doctor in 1970. The high has its own learning curve ! pilots, 16 pupils and technical personnel
point was undoubtedly all the counter air most of whom had some experience with
strike sorties in the 1971 Indo-Pak war in The OTU : A Legacy the aircraft; extensive flying commenced. In
which the demonstrated performance of my On 1 October 1966 the IAF established 1967 tension rapidly built up in the Kutch
squadron was superb. its first Operational Training Unit (OTU) area and ground forces were moved to the
As a station commander (1975-77) I at Jamnagar with 24 Hunter aircraft (four borders. HQ WI immediately stopped
had the job satisfaction of inducting 50 trainers and 20 fighters) drawn from the all our flying training, we mounted an
Polish jet Iskras into our air force and then six Hunter Mk.56 equipped squadrons, as ORP (Operational Readiness Platform),
as the AOC of a MiG airbase, had the was also the ground equipment and most of were assigned targets and prepared for
learning opportunity of converting onto its human resources. The OTU was given offensive air operations along with No.10

III/2019 97
 Scramble....

Squadron’s Maruts which were co-located.

All non-essential flying was curtailed to
conserve flying hours. Our ORP was in
tented accommodation close to two open
blast pens and controlled by our local SU
(Signals Unit) by landline. All eligible
pilots readily volunteered for ORP duties
in the hope of a scramble and the surety of
a dawn/dusk patrol flight. Ground training
for the pupil pilots continued but, when
the prime activity of an air base (i.e. flying)
ceases, in the unnatural silence that prevails,
‘unemployed’ pilots get in everyone’s way
and time hangs heavy.
It was during this waiting period that
the Flt Cdr/CFI brought in a scrabble set
and introduced this word-building game
into the crew room. It proved very popular
and soon loud arguments on word spellings,
meanings and usage rent the air in the flight
office and the ORP. Personal dictionaries
were produced in support of or attack on
words both within and outside our normal
.... and Scrabble
vocabularies. It must be a rare experience
for a flight fund to acquire a dictionary but
eventually one was purchased and accepted The 53 year old OTU, having been the ORP’ in 1967. I explained the meaning
as sole authority to settle disputes! After a equipped with the Hunter, followed by and the context and he had a good laugh.
few days, tension reduced, normal flying the MiG-21, now operates the Hawk My wife and I continue to play the
recommenced and in 1968 the OTU went trainer, is renamed as the HOFTU (Hawk game twice a day and I estimate we have
on to win the HQ WAC ISWM Arjuna Operational Flying Training Unit), based had several thousand such ‘vocabulistic’
trophy. Meanwhile, the new passion at Kalaikunda and has spawned a clone in encounters. However, having been married
for scrabble transferred to our homes and Bidar. In 2012 the (then) CO very kindly for 63 years (to the same lady) I have learned
families. Many a pleasant Sunday/holiday sent me a framed photograph of a MiG-21 that, in the interest of domestic peace and
morning was spent in a scrabble session being flown by ‘The Young Ones’, was harmony, no record of the results should be
followed by beer and lunch in various deeply appreciative of the first OTU diary maintained nor referred to!
homes, including the CO’s as his wife (1966-69) but a little puzzled by the report For us, the game of scrabble is certainly
became an enthusiastic participant as well. of ‘scrabble sessions between scrambles from one happy legacy of the OTU.

98 VAYU
25 Years Back
From Vayu Aerospace
Review Issue III/1994
of the launch vehicle was a SROSS-C2 satellite weighing 113
kg, which carried two payloads, namely the Gamma-Ray Burst
experiment developed at the Bangalore-based ISRO satellite centre
for detecting celestial Gamma-Ray bursts and the retarding potential
analyser designed by the National Physical Laboratory, to investigate
the characteristics of the equatorial and low altitudes ionosphere
and thermosphere.
More F-16s for Pakistan
The US proposes to supply Pakistan with thirty eight F-16s, three Upgrade of IAF MiG-21bis
P-3C Orions and some electronic warfare equipment in return for a It has been officially announced that upgradation of the IAF’s
“verifiable capping” of its nuclear programme. However, Pakistan’s MiG-21bis fleet will be responsibility of the MiG-MAPO Bureau
Prime Minister, the former Army Chief as well as the present one of Russia, thus setting to rest much speculation about the possibility
have already publicly declared Pakistan’s resolve to continue with of Israeli or US companies being given the task. The Minister of
its nuclear buildup. The US administration seems determined to State for Defence Mr Mallikarjun has informed that a letter of
restore supply of military equipment to Pakistan and is finding intent has been given to the Russians for upgrading the 100-odd
means of circumventing the Pressler Amendment, and this “one aircraft and “negotiations stand completed”. Chief designer of the
time waiver” could be a thin end of the wedge. MiG Design Bureau, Rostislav Belyakov said that an agreement
on the joint venture had already been initialed during the visit of a
More MiG-29s for IAF Russian aerospace industry delegation to New Delhi, the agreement
The MoD has declined to comment on reports emanating from signed by the MiG Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics
Moscow that India had finalised a deal for acquiring 30 more MiG- Limited (HAL).
29 aircraft, but reliable sources in New Delhi have confirmed that
negotiations were on for the purchases of this frontline fighter. Jet Airways inducts Boeing 737-400s
While no direct link should be made to the likely transfer of 38 An advanced Boeing 737-400 of Jet Airways was inducted into its
F-16s by the USA to Pakistan, the sources maintained that such fleet on 4 April, 1994. Jet Airways launched its operations on 5
development would definitely have added a certain urgency to May 1993 and is the only private airline to offer the new generation
India’s plans to boost its air defence system in which the MiG-29 Boeing 737-400 on domestic sectors linking 12 destinations with 28
plays a key role. flights daily. An agreement with Malaysia Airlines also establishes
close cooperation between the two airlines for training of pilots,
IN Sea Harrier upgrade plans engineers, ground personnel, technical, simulator and flying training
The Indian Navy and British Aerospace are negotiating an upgrade at the facility in Kaula Lumpur.
for the former’s Sea Harrier FRS 51s, with the package to include
a derivative of GEC-Macroni Blue Vixen multi-mode radar. The Indian Army to acquire attack helicopters
Indian Navy has 22 Sea Harriers FRS Mk.51s serving with INAS The Indian Army has firmed plans to acquire some 15 attack
300 (White Tigers), last of these being delivered in 1992. The IN helicopters to meet its immediate needs. Bids from two US, one
has expressed a long-term interest in upgrading the aircraft. French and an Italian manufacturer have been received for the latest
generation attack copters which will cost between Rs 15 and Rs 20
US asks India not to deploy ‘Prithvi’ crore apiece. The American Apache and Super Cobra, the Italian
The Clinton administration has urged India to consider the Mangusta and French Panther are short-listed.
“dangerous consequences” of deploying its indigenously-
developed medium-range surface-to-surface Prithvi missile. The IAF evaluates Sukhoi Su-30
US ambassador-designate to India said that though Prithvi is a Confirming reports doing the rounds in New Delhi is a dispatch
short-range missile, “I am not aware that it has been configured from Moscow dated 16 June 1994 that an Indian Air Force
for a nuclear warhead but, again, I think a detailed analysis of team is presently evaluating the new generation Sukhoi Su-30
the qualities of Prithvi is something which you should look at in air defence fighter in Russia and has offered India 20 Su-30s
executive (secret) session”. in ‘flyaway’ condition on credit, with licence-manufacture of a
follow-on batch of 60 Su-30s by HAL at their Nasik facilities. An
Successful launch of ASLV-D4 IAF-delegation, led by Air Vice Marshal S Krishnaswamy, ACAS
On 5 May, 1994, the fourth Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (Plans), is currently visiting the Sukhoi plant at Irkutsk which
(ASLV-D4) was successfully launched at the Sriharikota Launch produces the Su-30s and IAF test pilots are flight evaluating the
Range (SHAR), not far from Madras in South India. The payload new fighter and its systems.

III/2019 99
 Tale Spin
Indian aviation history enshrined –
on postage stamps

Much feedback has been received on the India Post first day cover which marked Aero
India 2019 and appeared in the last Talespin. Readers have flooded us with fascinating
images of Indian Indian aviation history on postage stamps over the past 70 years.
Hard to choose from but here are Afterburner’s choice, with some attributes :
Marking Indian Civil Aviation’s Centenary in
2012 (although the world’s first airmail was from
Naini to Allahabad and took place in February
1911) see actual photo below:

Douglas DC-4 Skymaster heralding India’s

Independence, with over a dozen airlines then
flying various types till nationalisation in 1953

On the IAF’s Golden Jubilee, its first aircraft

(Wapiti IIA) was seen alongside trisonic MiG-25

Aviation in the
Nizam’s Dominion

Air India International was the first Asian carrier

to operate the Lockheed Constellation, vying to
become one of the world’s “best airlines”

Fascinating stamps amongst the many at a

recent exhibition highlighted the allegiance
of the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad to
Britain.
What is however forgotten is the
Nizam’s desperate attempts to declare
independence in 1948, even planning for
Alfred Cooke’s Hunter in air combat with Sabre Golden Jubilee of the Indian Navy’s famed ‘White mercenary-piloted ex-RAF Halifax bombers
over Kalaikunda in 1965, the most classic of Tigers’, INAS 300, flying Sea Hawks and then Sea to target Bombay before the ‘police action’
that war ! Harriers (now phased out). put a quick end to all that !

Afterburner
100 VAYU
SU-30MKI
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