Vayu Aerospace & Defence Review,NovDec2015

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Aerospace & Defence Revie

VI/ 2

Interview with the CNS

Exercise Malabar 2015Super Carriers Ahoy !

Imperatives of Amphibious Aircraft

Airbus DS/Military in Spain

The Hawks of Dega and Surya Kirans



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The opinions expressed in the articlespublished in the Vayu Aerospace andDefence Review do not necessarily reflectthe views or policies of The Society for Aerospace Studies.

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VI/ 2015

Regular features :Commentary, Opinion, Geo Politics, Aviation & Defence in India , World Aviat ion & Defence News, Ancient Aviator Ane cdo tes , Vayu 25 YearsBack, Tale Spin.

EDITORIAL P ANELMANAGING EDITOR

Vikramjit Singh Chopra

EDITORIAL ADVISOR

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EDITORIAL PANEL

Pushpindar Singh

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Dr. Manoj Joshi

Lt. Gen. Kamal Davar

Lt. Gen. BS Pawar

Air Marshal M. Matheswaran

Gp Capt JC Malik

Cdr M Nirmal

Monica Arora

Angad Singh

Richard Gardner (UK)

Reuben Johnson (USA)

Bertrand de Boisset (France)

Dr Nick Evesenkin (Russia)Tamir Eshel (Israel)

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A e r o s p a c e & D e f e n c e R e vi e w

VI/ 2015

Interview with the CNS

Exercise Malabar 2015

Super Carriers Ahoy !

Imperatives of Amphibious Aircraft

Airbus DS/Military in Spain

The Hawks of Dega and Surya Kirans

Indian Navy P-8I of INS 312A at INS Rajali,

Arakkonam (photo : Angad Singh)

‘An Ocean ofOpportunities’

Dedication ceremony at INS Rajali,home base of INAS 312A whichoperates the Navy’s Boding P-8I eet

took place in October 2015 even as5000 ight hours of the P-8I eet wascelebrated.

Al so : EM AL S; Wor ld Ma rk et for Conven tional Submar ines ;

Admiralty Shipyards; DCNS sailsahead !; Rolls Royce and IN; The Yak -1 3; Turk is h Co as t Gu ar d Aviation; Flying the ‘Hump’; Alongthe Aluminium Trail.

Airbus Militaryin Spain

In Vayu’s exclusive interview, AdmiralRK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staffreviews the Indian Navy’s determinedmodernisation process and projectedcapabilities. The CNS highlights themultitude of opportunities offered to

India’s aspiring classes looking to theNavy for a way of life.

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ExerciseMalabar 2015

Warship s and submarines from theIndian, Japanese and US Naviesconverged in the Bay of Bengal for a weeklong joint exercise in October2015. Vayu’s Angad Singh was onhand to le this rst hand report fromChennai as well as from on board theUS Navy’s Nimitz-class supercarrier,USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Super CarriersAhoy !

Aspects of the strategic partnership with America are reviewed by AjaiShukla, the most important of whichcould involve design of the IndianNavy’s future (super) carriers, possiblyequipped with the revolutionaryEMALS.

Boeing P-8I :Enhancement for the IN

The IN’s‘Super Fighter’

The Indian Navy’s MiG-29K/KUB wascommissioned with INAS 303 some years back and in this update, SayanMajumdar writes about its key systemsand its primary role in establishing local

air superiority (photos by Angad Singh).

The Imperatives ofAmphibious Aircraft

Cmde Sujeet Samaddar writes on themultifarious missions of amphibiousaircraft and focuses on the ShinMaywaUS-2i which has been subject ofdetailed negotiations and could wellbe manufactured in India.

Battle Stations !

After visiting the guided missile stealthdestroyer INS Kochi (D64) earlier this year and being briefed on its featuresand technology, Vishnu Som of NDTVpresents a possible naval scenarioinvolving the Indian Navy’s latest andmost lethal warship.

The Hawks of DegaVayu’s Angad Singh spent time with the Indian Navy at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam and reports on theNavy’s advanced jet training squadronINAS 551 Phantoms.

Vayu’s UK Editor Richard Gardnerreports from Seville, Spain, after the Airbus Defence and Space annual TradeMedia Brieng (TMB’15), with focus on various programmes, many of them ofinterest and relevance to India.

Surya KiransNew Avatar

The Indian Air Force’s Surya Kirans aerobatic display team has been re-established with new BAE HawkMk.132 aircraft. In an exclusive, Vayu’s Angad Singh reports on their currentand future plans.

DSEI 2015

The biennial Defence and SecurityEquipment Exhibition (DSEI) inSeptember 2015 is covered in detail byVayu’s Editorial team, led by UK EditorRichard Gardner, with an overview of the 1600 exhibitors that took part, withnational pavilions from 42 countries and8 visiting warships. Indian capabilities were also on display, both from thepublic and private sectors.



VAYU2

The Sense of Shock and Awe

he downing of a Russian aircraft by urkey is the latesttwist in centuries of tangled relations between two

great powers with a long history of tension and rivalry, onethat dates back to the Crimean War (1856). Contextualisedwith the past, the targeting of the Su-24 jet will be recordedas the first time since the Cold War that a NAO memberhas shot down a Russian military aircraft. Lessons of historywould suggest that such incidents have the potential toignite deadlier confrontation and not least in the contextof Syria that has reached boiling point. On the face of it,urkey has bared its angst over continued breaches of itsairspace over the past two months, more accurately eversince Russia began its air-strikes on Syria on 30 September,as much against the rebels as against ISIS.

On this day, however, as a urkish map has indicated,the plane had entered its airspace only briefly as itcrossed a piece of urkish territory that projects intoSyria. ranscending the map-pointing conclusions, theSyrian factor is pivotal in the evolving game theory. Tegovernment in Ankara is acutely aware that its attempt toget rid of President Assad has come a cropper, and thatit now has diminishing influence over developments inSyria. Te international power-play now includes Russia,the USA, and France and the military involvement mightin due course of time include Britain as well.

While the response of NAO is awaited, its member-nations will almost certainly lend rhetorical support tourkey, a fellow-member. Tat said, the Western alliancecannot afford to be impervious to President VladimirPutin’s accusation that urkey is the “accomplice ofterrorists”. Ankara has been known to lend its support tothe Syrian armed opposition, including extreme groupslike Jabhat al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham, over the pastthree years. At another remove, it is said to have allowedthe self-declared Islamic State to sell oil through urkey.

Altogether, geopolitics has assumed a lethal dimensionin the midst of the international power-play, and the

downing of the Russian plane is but a symptom of theoverwhelming crisis that confronts Europe and the Arabworld. Both President Putin and his urkish counterpart,President Recepayyip Erdogan, will have to countenancea daunting challenge. Of course, the latter is on a robustdomestic wicket, having won a sweeping victory in theparliamentary elections on 1 November. Foreign policy isa different kettle of fish, however. His strong position in

the wake of the Arab Spring (2011) has declined over theyears. And at this juncture, it can be damaging for urkeyif its relations with Russia and Iran deteriorate - powerful

neighbours both. On its part, NAO can be expected toprevent further Russian-urkish hostilities... in the interestof Russian cooperation in combating ISIS and ending theSyrian conflict.

Te sense of shock and awe is frightfully overwhelming.

From Te Statesman

The Dragon sets sail

China has signed a 10-year agreement that will allowit to set up and use a naval logistics base in Djibouti,

an enclave-sized African nation near the strategic maritimechokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

With this, Beijing has overturned its long proclaimed policythat China would never set up overseas military bases.

Chinese military bases are sprouting all over the SouthChina Sea, which Beijing claims as its own. Te Djiboutibase will be overseas even by China’s own definition.China has drawn a thin veil over its Indian Ocean baseby claiming it is designed to support anti-piracy activities.But no one should take that claim seriously. Te Somalipirates’ problem has almost disappeared.

New Delhi has accepted Beijing has legitimate securityconcerns and interests regarding the Indian Ocean. India

has also urged a multilateral dialogue on China’s otherconcerns about the Indian Ocean.China, however, has declined to discuss the issue

and preferred to woo littoral countries, while developingmaritime capacities in and around the ocean. India canonly presume that China sees their respective military andpolitical influence in this region as a zero sum game.

Beijing’s strategists argue that the slow but steadywithdrawal of US naval power from the Indian Oceanmeans that China must take up some of these policingactivities. Tey also argue India is not up to the task. Tesorry record of India’s investment in naval power makes it

difficult for New Delhi to argue otherwise.Ultimately, however, India must do a lot more to

expand its influence in the ocean that bears its name. Tisis not merely about warships. It is also about cementingpolitical and economic ties with strategically importantlittoral countries.China had claimed it would not be agreat power in the Western imperial tradition. With eachpassing year this is being shown to be untrue. If anything,





VAYU4

Beijing is an imperial nation on steroids. Even thoughthe Indian Ocean is a tertiary theatre for Beijing, theDjibouti agreement is a reminder that New Delhi should

not presume that will last much longer.From Hindustan imes

Right to Fight

In a much awaited announcement, the defence ministryhas said that the first women fighter pilots will be selected

from the batch currently undergoing training at the Air Force Academy. Te selected pilots will enter a fighter cockpit by2017. Tis heartening development comes on the heels of theDelhi high court recently noting that “sexist bias or servicebias” cannot be allowed to block the progress of female naval

officers who have been demanding permanent commissions– which women in the army and air force won in 2010. Women in the IAF have so far been working in fields

like logistics and administration or flying transportplanes and helicopters. But elsewhere in the world, theyare already active in combat roles. Tey have been flyingfighter jets across the US, Israel, France, Pakistan, China,urkey and Russia. Once upon a time, women wereconfined to nursing and support roles in these countriestoo. But modernisation of the armed forces has to do withits human resources as much as technology. And if India’slag on the second frontier is much discussed, fixing the

lag on the gender frontier is important as well. In greenlighting the induction of women into the combat streamof IAF, the defence ministry correctly noted that thisprogressive move is both in keeping with the aspirationsof modern Indian women and in line with contemporarytrends in armed forces of developed nations. But equallyimportantly, it follows from proven performance, forexample from the fact that since their induction into IAF’stransport and helicopter streams women have performedon par with their male counterparts. Teir victory todaymarks an important step on the road of equal opportunity.

From Te imes of India

A Sky More Open

he government has unveiled a draft aviation policythat features a regional connectivity scheme (RCS)

aimed at improving access to remote areas, fiscal and otherconcessions aimed at helping airlines and operators tolower their operational costs, a 2 per cent levy to ensure an

all inclusive airfare not exceeding Rs 2,500 per passengerfor one hour of flying on some regional routes and plansto revive at least 300-odd airports in various parts of the

country that are not in use by upgrading their infrastructureto equip them as no-frills airports at an investment of Rs50 crore each. It also talks of allowing higher foreign directinvestment, of up to 50 per cent, and a review of the ruleson allowing Indian carriers to fly abroad. Some of theseproposals, such as those designed to encourage the buildingof airport infrastructure and concessions or incentives,both fiscal and regulatory, are sensible, considering theinvestment in the sector over the last decade, which hasseen a rise in passenger traffic in India. Tis would alsomean building airport infrastructure beyond Mumbai,Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad to keep pace with

growth in a market projected to emerge as one of the topfive over the next few years, in line with the broader growthof the Indian economy. Tis is where roping in states asstakeholders could help. Kerala’s experience in building itsairport in Kochi is a case in point.

Te industry may have a point in being scepticalabout the RCS which the government hopes to kick-offby April 1, 2016, by subsidising air travel to underservedand unserved destinations. Tis is because of the trackrecord of airlines, many of which have folded up afterhaving positioned themselves as regional operators, keenon serving India’s growing tier-two cities and towns. It

may not be easy to justify such a cross subsidy unless itis to link areas such as the Northeast with a larger policygoal in mind. As in the case of many other industries,in a price-sensitive market such as India, the big playerswould prefer to operate on key trunk routes in a businessthat is fragmented and cash-guzzling.

A higher FDI of 50 per cent, linked to open skies,should help boost operations and profitability, besidesensuring competition. But it falls way short of the 100per cent foreign investment that an expert committeehad recommended a few years ago. It may be of somecomfort that globally, airlines will collectively end up

with a net profit of $25 billion — half of it coming fromNorth American carriers, according to estimates of theInternational Airport ransport Association. o ensuresustained growth, India’s policymakers at the Centre and inthe states will have to focus more on lowering operationalcosts while building infrastructure.

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6 VAYU

O P I N I O N

he recent attacks on Paris by the so-called Islamic State may not markthe beginning of a “piecemeal

World War III”, as Pope Francis called it,but there are parallels to previous globalconflicts. For one, we are seeing severalnations, including some fierce rivals,come together to defeat a totalitarianorganisation. If the United States, Russia,France and other NAO powers caneffectively mobilise their military powerand secure the active participation of Arab countries, Islamic State (commonlyknown as Daesh) can be destroyed, but

not the transnational menace it poses.Eliminating the perverted ideology thathas attracted many disaffected youth worldwide will be a much harder, longer-term challenge.

Te double shock of 129 innocent,mostly young people dead in Paris and224 passengers in a Russian jet blownout of the sky has jolted countries intoaction. France’s hitherto soft-spokenPresident François Hollande pledged“merciless” response to the terroristsand immediately intensified bombing inSyria. President Vladimir Putin vowedthat, “We will find them anywhere onthe planet and punish them.” Te G-20meeting in urkey allowed PresidentBarack Obama and Putin, who have notbeen on the best of terms since Russia’sinvasion of Crimea and Ukraine, to meetand coordinate action against Daesh.Moscow’s surprise intervention in Syriain support of Bashar al-Assad angeredthe White House, but now Obamahas asked Putin to direct his bombersagainst Daesh targets. Mobilising airpower against Daesh infrastructure,especially oil fields and oil tankers couldsubstantially reduce its revenue and

thus ability to buy weapons and pay itsfighters’ salaries.

Aerial bombing alone, though, wouldnot destroy Daesh: Ground troops wouldbe needed to clear and hold territorypending a political solution. Despitethis fact, no Western country wouldeven consider sending combat troopsinto Iraq or Syria. Te harsh lessons of

US and NAO intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively, are too freshin the public memory. Tis leaves onlyKurdish forces in Syria and Iraq who haveshown great determination and courage in

fighting Daesh, and Iranian proxies likeHezbollah and Shiite Iraqi militias.

However, relying on these irregularand largely unaccountable forces wouldrequire some fundamental revisions inthe foreign policy approaches of regionalpowers. o cite just one example,urkey, whose participation is critical (itshares a 500-mile border with Syria) isopposed to helping Kurdish forces whoseaffiliates have been fighting Ankara forautonomy. Similarly, the deep animositybetween Iran and Saudi Arabia makes ithard to imagine any Gulf Arab support

for an Iranian role in fighting Daesh.In a speech this week Secretary of State John Kerry praised growing internationalcooperation against Daesh, but noted thedeeper ideological problem. Hinting atthe age-old Shia-Sunni conflict, he said,“Tere are forces at play that have beenat play long before the United States of America became a country.”

Even if joint pressure by Russiaand the US secured Saudi Arabia’sacquiescence in an Iran-backed Shiitemilitia’s role in fighting Daesh, that would not be the end of the problem. Te

group’s so-called headquarters in Raqqamay be in ruins, but terrorist affiliateshave declared that ungoverned territoryin Egypt, Libya, Afghanistan and Nigeria

comprise “wilaayat”, or provinces, ofDaesh’s proclaimed caliphate.

he geographic spread aside, theassaults on Paris show that Daeshhas metastasised into a new type of

multinational terror group. For the firsttime, European suicide bombers haveblown themselves up signalling a radicalchange in the type of indoctrination theyhave undergone. Teir act of self-sacrificefor an apocalyptic cause raises serious newconcerns that cannot be addressed bybombing buildings in Syria.

Te thrill of violence, the seduction ofsex and the promise of a meaningful lifeas a jihadi have drawn tens of thousandsof young Muslims to Daesh. Otherrecruits have less worldly objectives inmind: French researchers who have

interviewed terrorists say some long totake immediately satisfying radical stepsto obtain meaning through self-sacrifice.Tey believe in the self-anointed Caliphal-Baghdadi’s call to create “a new-old world of universal justice and peace underthe Prophet’s banner”.

And it is precisely here that the parallels with previous World Wars fall short .Multinational military strikes and groundtroops mobilising against Daesh cancertainly destroy weapons depots andrevenue-generating oil infrastructure. Butthey stand little chance of discouraging

thousands of young Muslims eager to diefor an incomprehensible millenarian cause.

Nayan Chanda in Te imes of India

With Russia warning Turkey that “inevitable consequences” will

ensue as a result of the incident, the ofcial Chinese Community

Party mouth piece (Global Times) asserts that the situation, “Could be one

of the most critical moments since the end of the Cold War.”

“Ankara must be well aware of what it means to shoot down a Russian

warplane …next it will be careful enough not to give Russia a chance to

down one of its warplanes in retaliation. Moscow probably has to cross

the Syrian-Turkish border to implement retaliation, which however risksescalating military confrontation.”

“If Russia strikes down a Turkish warplane in Turkish airspace, or strikes

a Turkish air base, it will touch NATO’s nerve. If NATO takes no action, its

pledge to protect smaller alliance members will be discredited. However,

if NATO adopts substantial action toward Russia, Europe will confront an

unprecedented turbulent situation not seen since World War II.”

Paul Joseph Watson in INFOWARS

World War III ?

‘Most Critical Moment since End of the Cold War’



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8 VAYU

A Most Dangerous Time

Geo Politics

wo big powers supporting differentfactions in the Syrian civil warclashed with each other on 24

November 2015 when urkish fightersshot down a Russian combat aircraft thaturkey said had strayed into its airspace.Te tensions immediately took on Cold Wa r over to ne s wh en Ru ss ia re ject edurkey’s claim and Ankara responded byasking for an emergency NAO meeting,eliciting more Russian anger and ridicule.

After the meeting, the NAO secretarygeneral, Jens Stoltenberg, called for “calmand de-escalation” and said the allies “standin solidarity with urkey.”

It was thought to be the firsttime a NAO country has shotdown a Russian aircraft in half acentury. And while few expect amilitary escalation, with neitherRussia nor NAO wantingto go to war, the incidenthighlighted the dangers ofRussian and NAO combataircraft operating in the same

theatre and has soured chancesfor a diplomatic breakthroughover Syria.

As Pre sid ent Fra nçoi sHollande of France met wi th Pre si den t Ob am a in Washington to urge a closerand more aggressive alliance with Russia against the Islamic

State, urkey’s decision to fire on a Russian warplane attacking targets in Syria has raisedtensions between Moscow and NAO andundercut efforts to persuade Russia to dropits support for President Bashar al-Assadof Syria.

urkey wants President Assad of Syriagone, and has allowed its border with Syriato be an easy crossing point for Syrian rebels,including those whom the West regards asterrorists or radical Islamists; Russia wants

to prop up Assad and his government. While Moscow say s it is attacking theIslamic State, for the most part Russian

aircraft and troops have been attacking theSyrian rebels, some of whom are supportedby the United States and the West, whomost threaten Assad’s rule. Obama hassaid that Russian air attacks on moderateopponents of Assad had only helped himand that they should be directed at theIslamic State (IS).

Hollande and Obama clearly hoped thatthe sabotage of a Russian passenger airlinerover Egypt, claimed by the Islamic State,

would cause Moscow to make defeating the jihadists more of a priority than proppingup Assad. But events of 24 November will

make that a tougher sell, forPresident Vladimir V. Putin ofRussia wants to be seen as anequal player in the conflict, notbeholden to Western policies.

urkey, especially underthe increasingly authoritarianrule of its nationalist president,Recep ayyip Erdogan, hasbeen fierce in defending itsairspace, shooting down Syrian

jets that have strayed in the past.urkey insisted that it issued10 warnings over a five-minuteperiod to the Russian pilot of theSukhoi Su-24 to pull away. ButPutin, clearly angry, respondedthat the Russian jet had neverviolated urkish airspace and wa s shot do wn over Syri a.Conlicting versions of the events



9 VI/2015

Speaking in Sochi, he called the downingof the aircraft a “stab in the back deliveredby the accomplices of terrorists,” warningthat it would have “serious consequencesfor Russian-urkish relations.”

Putin said that instead of “immediatelymaking the necessary contact with us, theurkish side turned to their partners inNAO for talks on this incident. It’s as if we shot down the urkish aircraft and notthey, ours. Do they want to put NAO atthe service of the Islamic State?”

A United States military spokesman,Col. Steven Warren, said that urkish pilotshad warned the Russian pilot 10 times, butthat the Russian pilot ignored the warnings.Colonel Warren also stated that Americanofficials were analysing radar track data todetermine the precise location of the aircraft when it was shot down.

At the emergency NAO meeting,

urkish officials played recordings of the warnings urkish F-16 pilots had issuedto the Russian aircraft. Te Russian pilotspurportedly did not reply. Te urkishaccount of the episode was described byseveral diplomats, who asked not to beidentified because they were discussinga closed-door session at the alliance’sheadquarters in Brussels. After urkishrepresentatives presented their side of theencounter at the meeting, they receivedexpressions of support for their country’sterritorial integrity, according to thediplomats’ account.

Te Russian Su-24 that was struck wasover the Hatay region of urkey for about17 seconds, according to one diplomat who attended the NAO meeting. Butthe aircraft re-entered Syrian airspace afterbeing hit and therefore crashed in Syria.ensions between Russia and urkey hadincreased lately over Russian bombingof urkmen tribesmen in northernSyria, whom urkey regards as under itsprotection and who are fighting to oust Assad. Recently, urkey summoned theRussian ambassador in Ankara to demandthat Moscow stop targeting urkmen

tribesmen in Syria. “It was stressed thatthe Russian side’s actions were not a fightagainst terror, but they bombed civilianurkmen villages, and this could lead toserious consequences,” the urkish ForeignMinistry said.

What may make matter s worse isthat those same tribesmen said they shotboth Russian pilots as they floated to

earth in their parachutes, havingapparently ejected safely after theplane was hit by air-to-air missiles.he navigator of the aircraft was later rescued by Syrian andRussian special forces, but that thepilot had been killed by groundfire. Te tribesmen also reportedlydestroyed a Russian helicopter with a OW antitank missile asit tried to rescue the airmen. TeMinistry of Defence confirmedthat a marine deployed on thesearch-and-rescue helicopter diedbut that the rest of the crew hadescaped.

NAO countries have beenconcerned about Mr. Erdogan’sincreasingly authoritarian tendenciesfor some time, and NAO officialsacknowledge that urkey’s agenda in Syria

does not always match that of Washington,Britain or France - let alone Russia. And while he has recently allowed Americanaircraft to use Incirlik air base for sortiesinto Syria, Erdogan’s own troops havelargely turned their fire on the Syrian Kurds, whom Washington regards as its best localally so far against the Islamic State. urkeyhas been in a struggle for decades withKurdish separatists in urkey, labeling themterrorists, and regards the Kurds in Syria andIraq as sharing the same desire to break awayand form a Kurdish state. Erdogan has saidin his speech on the same day as the strikes

that there would have been more incidentsif urkey had not exercised such restraint.

While Hollande is pressing Obama fortougher action against the Islamic State andplans to travel to Moscow on 26 Novemberto meet Putin, Washington-Moscowtensions, high over Russia’s annexationof Crimea, were highlighted again whenObama complained that Russian airstrikesagainst moderate opposition groups inSyria were bolstering the Assad governmentinstead of trying to destroy the Islamic State.

But the United States and Russia havedifferent interests in Syria, and Putin has

been clear about the need to preserve theexisting Syrian government, if not Assadhimself as leader. Obama, like Hollande,is committed to the ouster of Assad andbelieves that the Syrian strongman iscomplicit with the Islamic State, from which his government buys considerableamounts of oil, as a means of dividing hisown opposition.

In a news conference in Washington with Hollande, Obama said, “I do thinkthat this points to an ongoing problem with

the Russian operations in the sense thatthey are operating very close to the urkishborder and they are going after moderateopposition that are supported by not onlyurkey but a wide range of countries.”

Russia’s retaliation so far has beenlargely symbolic. Foreign Minister SergeyV. Lavrov canceled a visit to urkey, and alarge Russian tour operator, Natalie ours,announced it was suspending sales tourkey. Russians accounted for 12 percentof all tourists to urkey in 2014.

Te two countries are also significanttrade partners. But “Russia-urkey relations

will drop below zero,” Ivan Konovalov,director of the Centre for Strategic rendsStudies, said on the state-run Rossiya 24cable news channel.

Wa sh in gt on is not in te re st ed ingetting deeper into Syria with groundtroops or having a conflict with Russia. Socautious are the NAO countries about Arti cle 5 of the NAO reaty , whichcalls for mutual self-defence, that whenHollande declared “war” on the IslamicState after the Paris attacks, he invokedthe European Union’s toothless Lisbonreaty and sidestepped NAO. Hollande

was a lso, French officials have said, eagernot to offend Putin by making Syria aNAO issue.

Reported by Neil MacFarquhar from Moscow and Steven Erlanger from Paris.Contributed by Ceylan Yeginsu from Istanbul,Ivan Nechepurenko from Moscow, and PeterBaker, Eric Schmitt and Michael R. Gordon

from Washington DC.

Russian aircrew with their Sukhoi Su-34 strike aircraft,

seen at Latakia, Syria. [photo: Russian Defence Ministry]



VAYU10

DEFENCE&AVIATION

India In

French PresidentChief Guest at R-Day

he President of France, Francois Hollande, will be Chief Guestat the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations in India during January 2016, his second state visit to the country in three years.Tere is intense speculation about the timing of this event, whichis considered as culmination of the decision to order 36 DassaultRafales for the Indian Air Force, as announced by Indian PrimeMinister Narendra Modi visiting Paris in April 2015.

agreed to take the initiative forward. A report on the necessity andscope of operations of what would be the Navy’s only amphibiousplatform has been requested by the ministry. Te report has since

been submitted by the navy in consultation with the Coast Guardand has been given the go-ahead as part of the ‘Make in India’initiative.

Elta EL/M-2052 AESAfor Tejas LCA

he IAF has reportedly cleared specifications of an improvedejas LCA – termed Standard of Preparation-2018 (SoP-18)

– with a view to ordering around 100 LCAs built to this standard. A key capability of the new SoP-18, will be incorporation of anIsraeli AESA radar, “to be jointly developed with India.” Te ejas iscurrently equipped with the Elta EL/M-2032 mechanically scanned

radar, while the new AESA is to be based on the company’s EL/M-2052 electronically scanned offering. Earlier, HAL Chairman Suvarna Raju had stated that the IAF’s Jaguar DARIN III upgradewould include fitment of the EL/M-2052 radar, and hinted thatother aircraft in the Air Force inventory, such as the Mirage 2000,may eventually receive the radar as well. Other aspects of the SoP-18 ejas are air-to-air refuelling, a podded self-protection jammer(SPJ) and “improved maintainability.”

It is reported that the formal contract for the Rafales willbe signed preceding President Hollande’s arrival in India, thisgovernment-to-government deal having been worked upon overthe past eight months. According to reliable sources, the first batchof the 36 Rafales would be delivered to the Indian Air Force threeyears after contract and the last of the aircraft, within seven years.

It has been “rumoured” that the two IAF Squadrons selected forconversion to the Rafale are Nos. 3 and 4, presently operating theMiG-21 Bison.

India, Japan poised tofinalise US-2 agreement

R eliable reports have it that the Governments of India and Japanare shortly to sign an agreement for joint production of the

Shinmaywa US-2i amphibious military aircraft during the upcomingvisit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tis would be the firstmajor defence deal between the two countries.

While the Indian Navy has an initi al requi rement of 12

aircraft, more orders are anticipated in the future, including fromthe Indian Coast Guard, as well as for export customers in theregion. Japanese manufacturer ShinMaywa have reportedly sent theIndian government details of plans to make the aircraft in India incollaboration with Pipavav, which is now controlled by the Anil

Ambani group.It is understood that the Rs 7,440 crore US-2 proposal was also

discussed during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modito Kuala Lumpur, where he met Shinzo Abe, and it was jointly



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LCH close to certification

he HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) has completed itsperformance trials, paving the way for finalisation of basic

(IOC) configuration. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar visitedHAL’s Helicopter Complex in Bangalore on 16 October, wherehe was briefed on the programme and its impending operationalclearance from CEMILAC, the Centre for Military Airworthinessand Certification. G Gouda, Officiating Chief Executive ofCEMILAC handed over a letter on completion of performanceflight trials of LCH to Dr M Vijaya Kumar, General Manager,HAL during the Defence Minister’s visit.

steps have already been taken for India to transfer the rotorcraftfrom its fleet to Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Afghan military forces havestated that US-supplied light helicopters have proved “ineffective”in anti-aliban operations, and sanctions against Russia prevent the

USA, or indeed any Western powers, from providing Russian-builthelicopters as aid to Afghanistan. Tis significant deal would marka shift in Kabul’s recent approach in the region.

Te Indian Air Force presently operates some 20 Mi-25/35sin two Squadrons, and is to receive 22 Boeing AH-64E Apaches,which will reportedly replace the Soviet-origin attack helicopters.

Pilatus completesPC-7 Mk.II deliveries

On 10 November 2015, Pilatus announced that the 75th andlast PC-7 Mk.II basic trainer aircraft (BA) procured by the

Indian Air Force under a Rs 4,000 crore contract signed in May

2012 had been delivered. Te aircraft (P175) was delivered bearingspecial markings to commemorate the milestone. Te first trainerwas delivered in February 2013, with delivery of the entire contractcompleted in 42 months.

LCH performance trials have involved development testing atBangalore, and also under extreme environmental conditions suchas cold weather trials at Leh, hot weather at Jodhpur and ‘hot andhigh’ tests at Leh (see Vayu V/2015 ). With these tests complete,the helicopter can be cleared for weapon trials, after which HAL

can commence production of the LCH. “LCH is the only attackhelicopter which can operate above 10,000-12,000 feet altitudewith considerable load of armament,” observed Suvarana Raju,CMD HAL.

India to transfer Mi-35 attackhelicopters to Afghanistan?

A ccording to reports in New Delhi, Afghanistan is “poised toacquire” four Mi-35 attack helicopters from India to fight the

growing aliban insurgency. Te reports presume that necessary

Since commencing operations with the IAF, the PC-7 Mk.IIfleet “has flown more than 40,000 hours and accumulated well over80,000 landings,” while the reliability of the platform versus legacytypes has allowed the IAF to “increase the basic training syllabusin terms of flight hours by 220 per cent, and also increase the soloflying content from 1 to 14 sorties.” Under an option clause thatwas part of the original contract, the IAF is likely to order another38 PC-7Mk.IIs, at a price estimated to be around Rs 1,550 crore.

Although the defence ministry has already cleared this purchase,the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will need to give formalsanction.

194 Pipistrel aircraft to IAF,IN and NCC

Slovenian light aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel will equip theIndian Air Force (IAF), Indian Navy (IN) and National Cadet

Corps (NCC) with a modern, carbon-fibre microlight aircraft, theVirus SW 80 ‘Garud,’ which was selected as the winning bidder in



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a tendering competition among eleven international manufacturers.Te SW 80 is a two-seat light trainer, capable of take-off and landing

on standard as well as semi-prepared surfaces. Pipistrel will begindeliveries in eight months, with contract completion 30 monthsfrom the signing date of 12 October 2015. Te contract also hasoptions for a further 100 aircraft after the third year.

Ukraine completes delivery ofupgraded An-32REs

Ukraine’s state-owned defence conglomerate Ukroboronpromhas delivered the eighth (and final) batch of 5 refurbished

Antonov An-32RE aircraft to the Indian Air Force, completingthe Ukranian portion of the $400 million upgrade programme.

Indian, US and Japanese Naviesin Exercise Malabar 2015

Naval ships, aircraft and personnel from India, Japan and theUSA took part in Exercise Malabar 2015 , held off the east coastof India from 14 to 19 October 2015. Te exercise featured extensive

joint training, both ashore and at sea, with participants from theUS Navy including the Nimitz -class aircraft carrier USS TeodoreRoosevelt with embarked Carrier Air Wing 1, iconderoga -classguided-missile cruiser USS Normandy , Freedom-class littoral combatship (LCS) USS Fort Worth, a Los Angeles -class attack submarineUSS City of Corpus Christi , and a Boeing P-8A patrol aircraft fromVP-45 ‘Pelicans’ currently forward deployed to Kadena in Japan.Indian participation included two indigenous guided missile frigatesINS Shivalik and INS Betwa , Rajput -class guided missile destroyerINS Ranvijay , fleet support ship INS Shakti , Sindhugosh-classsubmarine INS Sindhudhvaj , and Boeing P-8Is from INAS 312A.Te Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force sent a single Akizuki -classguided missile destroyer, JS Fuyuzuki .

Te remaining 64 aircraft were to have been upgraded in India,but no contracts have been awarded for local companies to carryout the work, and the conflict in Ukraine has led to unavailabilityof the required parts or Ukrainian specialists. Te status of theupgrade of the remaining An-32 fleet remains nebulous at themoment, with recent reports suggesting that the work could becarried out either by HAL or the IAF at one of its Base RepairDepots (BRDs).

Upgraded AN-32RE departing Kiev (photo: Oleg Belyakov)

Te Malabar series of joint exercises, which commenced in1992, is seen as a key enabler of enhanced interoperability betweenthe US and Indian Navies, along with regional allies (see exclusive feature in this issue ).

INS Sahyadri to NW Pacific andSouth China Sea

he indigenous Shivalik -class guided missile frigate INSSahyadri , commanded by Captain Kunal Singh Rajkumar,

conducted a long-range deployment to the South China Sea andNorth West Pacific, in keeping with the Indian Government’s



Around the globe, V-22 Ospreys are making a cr itical dif ference in combat operations—suppor ting day and night missions,

delivering time-sensitive cargo and providing vital search and rescue and MEDEVAC capabilities. The tiltrotor’s unique blend

FIGHTS HARD.

DAY AND NIGHT.

C O M B A T · H U M A N I T A R I A N · L O G I S T I C S · R E S C U E · S P E C I A L O P S · R E F U E L I N G



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‘Act East’ policy. Te vessel called at various ports includingDa Nang in Vietnam, Sagami Bay in Japan, Incheon in SouthKorea and Manila in the Philippines. Te warship, spent severaldays at each port, carrying out various activities aimed at

enhancing Indian cooperation with these important Indo-Pacificnations. In Japan, INS Sahyadri participated in an InternationalFleet Review conducted by the Japanese Maritime Self DefenceForce (JMSDF).

International Fleet Reviewannounced, China toparticipate

Chief of the Naval Staff Ad mir al RK Dh ow an

has announced the IndianNavy’s plan to conduct anInternational Fleet Review(IFR) on the Eastern Seaboardat Visakhapatnam from 4 to 8February 2016. Te CNS said thatover 50 navies from across the globe –including the Chinese PLA Navy – are expected to berepresented at this event, which will be reviewed by President PranabMukherjee on 6 February.

Admiral Dhowan said, “During the International Fleet Review,the navies of the world will come together at Visakhapatnam tostrengthen bridges of friendship. We may be separated by geography,but we are certainly united through oceans. Te visiting navies willalso have the opportunity to display their professional skills asthey sail together for exercises to increase mutual cooperation and

interoperability, with the underlying theme of keeping the globalcommons safe and secure in the 21st century.”

Shipwright School commissionedas INS Vishwakarma

he Navy’s Shipwright School, a technical establishment to trainNaval Architect Officers, Shipwright Officers and Shipwright

Sailors, was commissioned as Indian Naval Ship Vishwakarma by Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, at a ceremony on14 November 2015 in Visakhapatnam. Vice Admiral Satish Soni,

FOC-in-C ENC, Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, FOC-in-C SNC, andother senior naval officers were present. Commodore Ajay Ghule isCommanding Officer (Designate) of INS Vishwakarma .

Speaking at the event, Admiral Dhowan emphasised that the

commissioning of INS Vishwakarma would enhance the Navy’sin-house design and maintenance capabilities, and would go a longway in transforming the Indian Navy to a designer’s and builder’sNavy in keeping with the ‘Make in India’ vision.

CSL delivers ICGS Arinjay FPV ahead of schedule

On 12 October, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered ICGS Arinjay , the fifteenth Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) in a series of twenty

under construction for the Indian Coast Guard. Te Protocol ofDelivery and Acceptance was signed between Sunny Tomas, Director(echnical), CSL and Commanding Officer of the vessel Cmdt Ajay

Kumar Mudgal, some 2 months ahead of contract schedule. Te vesselwill be operated from the Coast Guard Station at Okha, Gujarat.

Launch of the 18th FPV and keel-laying of the 19th FPV werecarried out on 28 September, and while the contract calls for thelast vessel of the order to be delivered by March 2017, the currentpace of construction at CSL will likely see this accomplished bymid-2016, nearly a year sooner than planned.

INS Kalvari commences sea trials

he first of six Scorpene -class diesel-electric attack submarines onorder for the Indian Navy was floated out at Mazagon Dock

Limited (MDL) in Mumbai on 29 October 2015. Te submarineINS Kalvari was ‘undocked’ in April this year (see Vayu III/2015 )

in the presence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, and hassince been berthed at MDL for shore trials. With the submarinenow finally having set out under its own power, it will commencesea trials that will continue for around 10 months, following whichthe vessel will be formally commissioned into service.

Te $3.6 billion Project-75 contract for six conventional attacksubmarines was signed in October 2005, but has been marked bysignificant cost and time overruns. However, with INS Kalvari scheduled to enter service by September 2016 and the remainingsubmarines on order expected to be delivered at nine-month intervals,the MoD has stated that Project-75 will be complete by 2020, forming“the core of the Navy’s submarine arm for the next two decades.”





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New Indian Navy Commands inGujarat and Maharashtra

he Indian Navy has carved out a separate command dealingexclusively with the 1,214 km Gujarat coast and will stationfour warships at the newly set up base INS Sardar Patel in Porbandar.Until now, the Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval area had been underone command under a FOMAG (Flag Officer Maharashtra andGujarat Area) and has now been divided under Flag Officers ofMaharashtra and Gujarat.

Te division of the Naval areas took place on 21 October 2015,as Rear Admiral Satish Namdeo Ghormade, assumed charge as FlagOfficer Maharashtra Area. Rear Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawarwill officiate as Flag Officer Gujarat Area and will be stationed at

Ahmedabad while the Naval Officer in charge for operations willbe based in Porbandar.

‘Defence of Gujarat’exercise conducted

he Western Naval Command’s annual operational ‘Defence ofGujarat Exercise’ (DGX) was conducted in the first week of

November “to test operational readiness of the littorals of Gujaratand Maharashtra.” Te aim of the exercise was to practice combatmanoeuvres to defend coastal areas as well as vital offshore assetssuch as oil refineries from a potential threat.

Over 30 warships, including frontline destroyers, stealthfrigates and submarines, as well as a number of fighters, maritimepatrol aircraft, helicopters and drones took part in the intensivemanoeuvres that extended all along the coasts of Gujarat andMaharashtra. Maritime strike Jaguars and Su-30MKIs of the IAF

also took part in the exercise, firing PGMs and other ordnance atsimulated targets.

Brahmos test-fired from INS Kochi

On 1 November 2015 a BrahMos cruise missile was test-fired from the second Kolkata -class destroyer, INS Kochi ,

successfully hitting a decommissioned target ship (Pondicherry -classminesweeper INS Alleppey ) in the Arabian Sea. Te test was partof acceptance drills conducted off the west coast. wo similar testfirings were carried out in June 2014 and February 2015 fromINS Kolkata .

INS Astradharini commissionedINS Astradharini , an indigenously-built orpedo Launch and

Recovery Vessel, was commissioned into the Navy on 6 October2015 by Vice Admiral Satish Soni, FOC-in-C Eastern NavalCommand, at Visakhapatnam.

Te design of Astradharini was a collaborative effort betweenNSL, Shoft Shipyard and II Kharagpur, which has a uniquecatamaran hull form that significantly reduces power requirements.Built with indigenous steel, the vessel has a length of 50 m and is

capable of speeds up to 15 knots. It can operate at high sea statesand has a large deck area for deploying and recovering variouskinds of torpedoes.

INS Astradharini will be used to carry out technical trials ofunderwater weapons and systems developed by NSL, a navalsystems laboratory of DRDO. It is an advanced replacement forINS Astravahini , which was decommissioned on 17 July 2015.

Naval Commanders’ Conference

he biannual Naval Commanders’ Conference 2015 took placein New Delhi from 26 October, to discuss issues of operational

relevance, identify capability gaps and to review the future plansof the Navy, and was inaugurated by Defence Minister ManoharParrikar, who also interacted with Chief of the Naval Staff AdmiralRK Dhowan, Commanders-in-Chief of various Naval Commandsand other Navy commanders.

Parrikar emphasised the need for continuous readiness to

respond to contingencies in India’s area of interest and took note ofthe numerous long-range deployments, from the South China Seaand Sea of Japan in the East to the Persian Gulf and the AtlanticOcean in the West, expressing “satisfaction at the high operationaltempo maintained by the Indian Navy.” He also appreciated theNavy’s proactive anti-piracy operations off the Gulf of Aden, whichrecently resulted in a decision by CGPCS (the Contact Group onPiracy off the Coast of Somalia ) to shift the eastern limit of theHigh Risk Area from 78 degrees East to 65 degrees East, further away



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from Indian shores. Tere have been no piracy incidents involvingIndian-owned ships since 2008.

Te Defence Minister also stressed on indigenous developmentof naval capabilities, highlighting strides made by Naval Designers,

and urging for increased the indigenous content in high-technologyareas such as weapons and propulsion. He accepted that there arecapability shortfalls in areas such as ship borne helicopters, minecountermeasures vessels (MCMVs) and submarines, but assured theConference of the support of the Government in addressing theseissues. Released at the Conference was the follow-on edition of theNavy’s strategic guidance document titled ‘Ensuring Secure Seas:Indian Maritime Military Strategy’.

34th ICG Commanders’ Conference

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated the 34th CoastGuard Commanders’ Conference at Coast Guard HQ, New

Delhi on 28 September. Te conference was attended by senior

officers of the Ministry of Defence, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) aswell as the ICG Director General and Additional Director General.

and maritime patrol. Te ship is also capable of carrying pollutionresponse equipment to contain oil spills at sea. Samarth displaces2,450 tonnes and is propelled by two 9,100 kW diesel engines thatallow it to attain a maximum speed of 23 knots. It has an enduranceof 6000 nm at economical cruising speeds.

Navy Chief visits Sri Lanka

A dmiral RK Dhowan visited Sri Lanka between 23 and25 November 2015 to participate in the sixth edition

of the Annual International Maritime Conference, or ‘GalleDialogue’ which event is aimed at bringing together a host ofprofessionals to discuss matters of maritime interest, and hostedby the Sri Lankan Navy in the historical port city of Galle.Over 105 delegates from 36 countries attended the event, whoseconcept was ‘Secure Seas Trough Greater Maritime Cooperation.’Te Indian CNS shared his views on the ‘Significance of DevelopingMutually Beneficial Architectures and Partnerships for Maritime

Security’ during the first session of the event. Admiral Dhowanalso called on Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickramasinghe, the DefenceSecretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi, and Vice Admiral RC

Wijeguneratne, Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy.

South China Sea dispute: Indiaurges “peaceful resolution”

Speaking at the South-East Asian Defence Ministers meetin Kuala Lumpur on 4 November 2015, Defence Minister

Manohar Parrikar said that “India hopes all parties to the disputesin SCS [South China Sea] will abide by the 2002 Declaration ofthe Conduct of Parties in SCS.” Te Minister urged that nations

in the region must strive to resolve territorial disputes in a peacefulmanner in accordance with international laws. Te declaration wassigned in 2002 by China and the ASEAN countries for peacefulresolution of disputes in the South China Sea.

Tough the meet did not result in the release of a planned jointdeclaration due to China’s objection to any mention of South ChinaSea disputes, Defence Minister Parrikar made it a point to voiceIndia’s concern by stating that “Te seas and oceans in our regionare critical enablers of our prosperity.”

Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Minister said, “India’s

unique geographical disposition affords us a unique leverage in theIndian Ocean, one that must be pursued for our national objectivesand more importantly one that needs to be safeguarded diligently.”He also promised all help from the MoD in pursuing critical casesof the Service.

ICGS Samarth commissioned

Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samarth, the first in a series of six105-metre Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) was commissioned at

Goa by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on 10 November 2015,in the presence of Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Director General IndianCoast Guard, and CMD Goa Shipyard (GSL) RAdm Shekhar Mittal(Retd). ICGS Samarth will be based at Goa, and will be deployed

extensively for EEZ surveillance and other related duties.Te Samarth-class has been designed and built indigenously

at GSL and fitted with advanced navigation and communicationequipment, sensors and machinery. Te class incorporates anIntegrated Bridge System (IBS), Integrated Machinery ControlSystem (IMCS), Power Management System (PMS) and highpower external fire fighting system. Te ship is designed to carry atwin-engine light helicopter and five high-speed boats including twoQRIB’s for VBSS operations, search and rescue, law enforcement



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President’s Standards for Nos. 18and 22 Squadrons

President Pranab Mukherjee awarded President’s Standards toNo.18 and No.22 Squadrons in a ceremonial parade held at AirForce Station Hasimara on 28 November 2015. Group CaptainKJ Singh, Commanding Officer of No.18 Squadron and GroupCaptain Sandeep Singh, Commanding Officer of No. 22 Squadron,received the Standards. Both Squadrons are currently equippedwith the HAL-MiG-27ML, which type is due to be phased outover the next few years.

Women pilots in the Navy

Following the IAF’s announcement, the Navy has decided toaccept women pilots in service, with the caveat that “they remain

shore-based until necessary infrastructural needs are addressed.” TeNavy does not permit women to serve aboard ships and submarines,so the Navy’s female pilots would perforce be restricted to flyingwith the Navy’s land-based SAR and maritime patrol squadrons.

Women aircrew have been operational with the Indian Coast Guardfor well over a decade.

Speaking at the Naval Commanders’ Conference held in NewDelhi in October, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said, “Wewant to give women equal status as long as there are no logistical,infrastructure and training issues.”

IAF Exercise ‘Livewire’

he Indian Air Force commenced its annual large-scale

combined force exercise, Livewire on 31 October 2015,involving utilisation of all types of IAF air assets across the country.“Te aim of the exercise is to validate the full spectrum of IAFcapability in undertaking operations in response to likely futurethreats and operational contingencies, and also to exercise its latestacquisitions effectively in a network centric environment,” as perthe spokesperson

Tis year’s edition of Livewire concluded on 8 November, withthe IAF having flown hundreds of missions at various air basesaround the country. Te operational philosophy of the IAF wasvalidated after numerous tactical and strategic missions conducted ina dynamic warfare environment, including joint operations with theIndian Army and Navy. Some of the missions flown included long-range strikes, air-to-air refueling, air defence in a network-centricenvironment, counter surface force operations and operations invaried kinds of terrain.

Walong ALG becomes operational

A ir Marshal C Hari Kumar, AOC-in-C Eastern Air Commandinaugurated the reconstructed Advanced Landing Ground

(ALG) at Walong in Arunachal Pradesh on 23 October 2015. Walong ALG was used during 1962 Chinese operations, but wasdisused thereafter, until the decision in 2013 to reconstruct it.

Despite the remote location and natural obstacles in sustainingsupply of material and machinery, the project was completed in a

IAF to induct women fighter pilots

Following Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha’s remarks on Air ForceDay 2015, stating that women would shortly be allowed to fly

frontline combat aircraft in the IAF, the MoD has since confirmedthat the first Indian women combat pilots could possibly be clearedto fly combat aircraft in the Air Force from 2017 onward. Presently,flying roles for women in the IAF are limited to the ‘non-combat’transport and helicopter streams.

MoD spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said that first women fighterpilots would be selected from the batch presently undergoingtraining at the Air Force Academy. “Tose selected will begin totrain as fighter pilots early next year, and after successful completionof training, will join operational squadrons in June 2017.”



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record time of 21 months. Te ALG will now support air operationsin the area and facilitate civil administration in managementof border areas. Walong ALG will also provide air support inresponding to natural calamities, casevac, humanitarian assistanceand supply of equipment to troops posted in far flung areas.

CAS cautions on ChinaIn a speech read by Air Marshal KK Nohwar (retd), ADG Centrefor Air Power Studies, at the 12th Subroto Mukerjee Seminar, Air

Chief Marshal Arup Raha wrote that China was making “strategicmoves” in order to “contain India.” Te Air Chief cited variousdevelopments, such as the world’s highest airport (Daocheng

Yading) and rail link in the ibet Autonomous Region, developmentof Gwadar part in Pakistan, an economic corridor through PoK, andincreasing economic and military ties with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh,Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar as examples. He also pointed outthat China is making “efforts to make its presence felt in the IndianOcean Region.” He described the PLAN deployment of submarinesin the area, ostensibly for anti-piracy operations, as “strange logic.”

ACM Raha visits Brazil

A ir Chief Marshal Arup Raha made a four-day official visit toBrazil from 25 October 2015, visiting various establishments of

the Brazilian Armed Forces, and met with the Chiefs of the Brazilian Army and Air Force, the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces,and the Defence Minister of Brazil, Jose Aldo Rebelo Figueiredo.

In Sao Paulo, the Air Chief Marshal Raha visited the headquartersof Brazilian aircraft company Embraer, and the Department of

Aerospace Science and echnology. At Manaus, he visited the Centrefor Jungle Warfare raining and the Amazon Military CommandHeadquarters, where he saw riverine operations by the Brazilian Navyand Marines on the Amazon River. At the end of his tour, the AirChief visited the Superior War College at Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian

equivalent of India’s National Defence College.Te visit was aimed at enhancing the bilateral cooperationbetween the two countries in defence related matters. Te Indian

Air Force presently operates the Embraer 135 business jet in the VIPtransport role, and the indigenous AEW&C programme, which isnearing completion, uses the Embraer 145 platform. Te CAS wasreportedly briefed by Brazilian officials on a range of operationalmatter, including selection of the Gripen E/F multirole fighter bythe Brazilian government.

IAF Commanders’ Conference

he 2015 Air Force Commanders’ Conference commencedat Air Headquarters in New Delhi on 13 October, and was

inaugurated by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. Other MoDleadership present included Minister of State for Defence, RaoInderjit Singh, G Mohan Kumar, the Defence Secretary and AKGupta, Secretary Defence Production.

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Air Staff updatedthe Defence Minister on operational status of the IAF, highlightingefforts to enhance serviceability of aircraft, especially those of thecombat fleet. Te Air Chief lauded the work done by IAF personnelduring the humanitarian assistance mission in Nepal and in the

Yemen evacuation operations this year. He also stated that afterthe successful landing of a Mirage 2000 fighter on the Delhi-AgraExpressway in May this year, the Air Force was looking to expand itsrange of operations from such surfaces in the near future. Prominentissues that were discussed during the Conference included inductionplans for the LCA, helicopters and other combat systems beingprocured, infrastructure creation and enhanced training.

DAC clears proposals worth Rs 12,000 crore

On 29 October, the Defence Ministry approved proposals wortharound Rs 12,000 crore for military modernisation. Key among

these were pending proposals to procure four multi-purpose vesselsfor the Navy, each worth Rs 700 crore, and procurement of twoDeep Submergence Rescue Vessels (DSRVs) for Rs 750 crore each.

For the IAF, a proposal to upgrade the avionics and engines ofthe Il-76 transport and Il-78MKI mid-air refueler fleets was also



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cleared, at a cost of around Rs 4,300 crore. Upgrade of air defencesystems and digitalisation of the Pechora surface to air missilescurrently in service was also approved.

Te DAC also cleared purchase of two additional Pinaka multi-

barrel rocket launcher regiments (the 3rd

and 4th

such regiments inthe Army) at a cost of around Rs 3,300 crore, as well as 149 BMP-2armoured vehicles and associated training simulators worth a totalof Rs 1,000 crore.

Su-30MKI ROH facilityat HAL Nasik

A ir Chief Marshal Arup Raha inaugurated the structural repairshop for Su-30MKI, ROH (Repairs and Overhaul) at HAL’s

Nasik Division on 25 November, with HAL Chairman SuvarnaRaju in attendance. HAL plans activities such as aircraft handling,airframe structural repair, overhauling of hatch covers, repair and

servicing of looms and repair and overhaul of mechanical rotablesat this facility.During his visit, the Air Chief also inaugurated a seminar on

‘Challenges for Make in India Initiatives’ as part of HAL’s platinum jubilee celebrations. Congratulating HAL in the landmark year, theCAS urged HAL to turn challenges into opportunities as “the IAFdepends on HAL for its various platforms.”

“However, the actual number of nuclear weapons India builtfrom its stocks of weapons-grade plutonium must be less. Whenaccounting for the amount of plutonium in the weapons productionpipelines and in reserves, it is reasonable to assume that only about

70% of estimated stock of weapon-grade uranium is in nuclearweapons,” the report adds. Te report, co-authored by David

Albright and Serena Kelleher, concludes that “the predicted numberof weapons grade plutonium at the end of 2014 is about 97 witha range of 77-123.”

Future defenceprogrammes with Russia

On 1 November 2015, during his visit to Moscow, DefenceMinister Manohar Parrikar reportedly discussed several

military projects with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu. Tismeeting of the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on

Military-echnical Cooperation (IRIGC-MC) is in advance ofexpected agreements during the Modi-Putin summit in Moscowin early December.

File photo of the S400 Triumph air defence system

Speaking at the event, HAL Chairman Suvarna Raju dispelledthe notion that “defence PSUs come in the way of the private sector.”He pointed out that HAL has “developed an eco-system by hand-holding more than 2,500 business partners across India. Under‘Make in India,’ core capabilities should be developed through PPPto create a vibrant domestic industry.”

“India possesses 75-125

nuclear weapons”

US-based think tank Institute of Science and InternationalSecurity, has released a report stating that India has enough

weapons grade plutonium to possess an estimated arsenal of 75 to125 nuclear weapons. Te report states that “an estimate of India’snuclear arsenal can be derived by considering its weapons-gradeplutonium stock. Te resulting estimate has a median of 138 nuclearweapons equivalent with a range of 110 to 175 weapons equivalent.”

India is reportedly finalising the procurement of ten S400 airdefence systems at an estimated cost of $5 billion, in addition toa $1 billion project for the manufacture of around 200 RussianKamov Ka-226 light utility helicopters under the ‘Make in India’initiative. Also under consideration is lease of a second nuclear-powered submarine.

A key topic of discussion was the fifth generation fighter aircraftproject, which has appeared to have stalled both in India and inRussia, with the latter having restricted initial orders to a singlesquadron of the type (see Vayu V/2015 ).

BEL Defence SystemsIntegration Complex

Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is setting up aDefence Systems Integration Complex at Palasamudram in

the Anantapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh, which will be thelargest such facility in the country covering an area of over 900



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acres. As part of diversification and business growth, BEL is lookingtowards major expansion into new generation SAM systems, high-end image intensifier tubes and thermal imaging detectors for nightvision devices, inertial navigation systems, electronic ammunition

fuses, air traffic management radars, intelligent traffic managementsystems and solar power plants.

Te proposed complex will feature automated vehicles andindustrial robots for material movement and handling. Te facilitywill be built in stages as various projects mature and the estimatedinvestment will be about Rs 500 crore over 3 to 4 years. BEL alsoplans to expand this facility for the creation of a ‘military industrialcomplex’ to set up the necessary ecosystem for manufacture ofelectronic components and equipment for various upcoming defenceprojects in collaboration with SMEs as part of the Government’s‘Make in India’ initiative.

BEL pays Rs 139.23 crore dividend

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has paid a dividend of 292%to the Government of India for the 2014-15 financial year. BEL

CMD SK Sharma presented the 232% final dividend cheque ofRs 1,392,329,672 to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at NewDelhi on 21 October 2015. BEL had already paid a 60% interimdividend for the year 2014-15 in February.

MKU, a leading manufacturerof ballistic protection solutionsfo r bo th pe r son n e l a n dplatforms, recently showcased

an indigenously developed andmanufactured Floatation Jacketcalled ‘Instafloat.’ Developedfor the Navy, Coast Guard andother marine law enforcementagencies, these vests “not onlyprovide ballistic protection butalso help keep the wearer afloatin water, a central requirementfor marine operations. Te vestscome with a patented quickrelease mechanism that enablesthe person wearing it to divestthe vest with a single pull.”

India-ChinaJoint ExerciseHand in Hand

he 10-day India-China Combined Military raining ExerciseHand in Hand 2015 took place from 12 October at Kunming

Military Academy, Yunnan, China, also participating in mixedgroups. A joint field exercise depicting counter terrorist operationson India-China border areas was held 21-22 October, to validatethe exercise objectives.

MKU unveils ‘Instafloat’

D

uring trials for an Indian Coast Guard tender, MKU’s FlotationBallistic Jacket successfully cleared not only the ballistic

evaluation trials but also remained afloat in seawater conditions withan 80 kg load after firing trials. Tere has been a spate of incidentsin which coastal police have come under fire while engaging with‘parties of interest’ in Indian and international waters, bringingfocus on the safety of security personnel on board naval vessels.Understanding the need for equipping marine forces with essentialprotection gear suited for the marine environment, the Governmentof India initiated steps for the procurement of a suitable FlotationBallistic Jacket.

BEL CMD SK Sharma presenting the inal dividend cheque to the Defence

Minister in the presence of (left to right) Anandi Ramalingam, BEL GM

(National Marketing), AK Gupta, Secretary Defence Production and PC

Jain, BEL Director (Marketing)

Lt Gen AL Chavan, head of the Indian Observer Groupaddressed the gathering at the closing ceremony, while Maj GenZhang Bing, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Chengdu MilitaryCommand and head of the Chinese Observer Group stated that theexercise “highlights the determination and vision of both countriesto maintain regional security, stability and develop a conduciveenvironment for development.”



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India-Sri Lanka Exercise Mitra Shakti

he third India-Sri Lanka Joint raining Exercise MitraShakti -2015 culminated on 12 October 2015 at Aundh

Military Camp, Pune. he 14-day joint exercise reviewedtransnational terrorism, developing interoperability and conductof joint tactical operations controlled by a Joint Command Post.“Te exercise demonstrated the determination of the two Armies inworking closely with each other to eradicate the menace of terrorismin all forms.” Te joint training culminated with a parade, jointlyreviewed by Brigadier apan Lal Sah of the Indian Army andBrigadier KP Aruna Jayasekera of the Sri Lankan Army.

Industrial Licences for RelianceDefence approved

On 6 November, the Departmentof Industr ia l Policy andpromotion (DIPP) approved12 industrial licences for eightsubsidiaries of Reliance Defence(R-Defence). Eight subsidiaries ofReliance Defence which got licencesfor ‘full-spectrum’ manufacturing,were for aircraft, helicopters, missiles,night vision, naval and land systems.“New defence projects by R-Infra subsidiaries will cover all criticalrequirements of the Indian Armed Forces under the ‘Make in India’programme.” Tese projects are to be located in Gujarat whereR-Infra has acquired Pipavav Defence and Offshore EngineeringCompany Limited together with sole management control.

Of particular importance is the Reliance plan to establish anaerostructures production facility near Nagpur in Maharashtra whichis reportedly part of the plan to fulfill the Dassault commitment forfulfilling the 50% offsets required under the Rafale programme. AirMarshal (retd) M Matheswaran (see photograph) has been appointedas President Aerospace Business for Reliance.

Tata to produce Apacheparts for Boeing

Boeing and ata Advanced Systems Limited (ASL) haveannounced a joint venture to manufacture aerostructures for

the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter and collaborate on integrated

systems development opportunities in India. Te JV will initiallycreate a manufacturing ‘centre of excellence’ to produce Apacheparts, and to compete for additional manufacturing work packagesacross Boeing platforms, both commercial and military.

Indo-Russian Exercise Indra

A14-day Indo-Russian joint training Exercise Indra commenced on7 November at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges near Bikaner in

Rajasthan. Te exercise was focussed specifically on ‘Counter terrorismoperations in desert terrain under a United Nations Mandate,’ and wasconducted in two phases. Te first phase involved combat conditioningand tactical training, which was then put into practice in the secondphase. Both the contingents jointly took part in a validation exercise,which included clearing of an axis, establishment of observation post,cordon and search operations and house clearing drills.

Tis year’s Exercise Indra involved a total of 500 military personnelfrom a Russian Motorised Brigade and an Indian Mechanised InfantryRegiment, and was intended to train soldiers to defeat current and futureterrorist threats. Te exercise “aimed at strengthening and broadeningthe inter-operability and co-operation between both the Armies.”

“Tis partnership will capitalise on India’s industrial capability,innovation and talent to contribute to Boeing’s long-termcompetitiveness and position us for future growth in the globalmarketplace,” said Chris Chadwick, president and CEO ofBoeing Defence, Space & Security. “It is a demonstration of ourcommitment to further accelerate our partnership with one of theworld’s fastest growing economies.”



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Airbus BizLab expands to Bangalore

A irbus has inaugurated a BizLab in Bangalore, its third aftersimilar facilities in oulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany,

as part of a strategy to establish a global network of aerospacebusiness accelerators. In parallel, Airbus has opened a first round ofapplications for start-ups seeking support in the region. Applicationsare open until 9 December 2015 and can be accessed from the AirbusBizLab website. A screening committee, which includes Airbus’sChief Innovation Officer Yann Barbaux and the Head of the AirbusBizLabs, Bruno Gutierres, will select the most promising ideas.

Airbus BizLab in India will be co-located with NUMA, France’sbiggest business accelerator and one of the most active in Europe.Both will create strong synergies between their accelerators, fromstart-up selection to specific events to benefit from their respectiveecosystem (mentors, experts, investors).

Tata delivers Cobham 908Erefueling pod structures

“India’s Time to Fly” :Boeing Chairman

Speaking at the inauguration of ‘India’s ime to Fly,’ anaerospace innovation summit in New Delhi on 16 October,Boeing Chairman Jim McNerney said India is poised to play apivotal role in the evolutionof the global aerospace anddefence industry. “We livein a world that’s demandingmore for less. Companieslike Boeing are always on thelookout for the competitiveadvantages that come withinnovative new technologiesand long-term partnerships.India, with its broad, deepengineering capability andskilled workforce, is a naturalpartner that offers us thelong-term opportunities thatcan differentiate us in themarketplace and bring mutual success to the company and thecountry,” he said.

Boeing organised the summit in collaboration with II-Bombay as part of Boeing’s centennial celebration. Participantsincluded government officials, industry leaders, and academia andresearch institutions. It showcased the ideas and innovations “thatare changing the industry and the people in the Indian aerospaceindustry who are creating them.”

Global Vectra Smart PBH for H130Global Vectra Helicorp (GVHL), India’s largest private

helicopter company, which inducted the first Airbus H130light helicopter in India (see Vayu II/2015 ), signed a ‘Power Bythe Hour’ (PBH) contract with Airbus for its sole H130. AirbusHelicopters’ redefined customer service offer, called HCare, wasintroduced early this year and has been developed with considerationof the support required by operators of l ight helicopters.

Thales partnership with IndiGo

Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has extended its long-termmaintenance agreement with Tales for its growing fleet of Airbus

A320 aircraft. Te contract will cover avionics maintenance for a

fleet of up to 250 aircraft, including the A320neo, first deliveriesof which will begin in late 2015.

Tales has been a partner to IndiGo since the airline tookdelivery of its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 2006. Trough thisagreement Tales provides spares availability and replenishment toIndiGo with stocks located onsite at their main hub in New Delhi,the airline’s main base. Tales also offers IndiGo direct access toa pool of spare parts located in Tales’ Asia-Pacific repair hub inSingapore.

At the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) facility in Hyderabad, are seen,

Russ Bradley (Senior VP, Strategic Sourcing, Cobham Plc), Alan Ephgrave

( VP, General Manager, Cobham Mission Systems), Sukaran Singh (CEO &MD, TASL) and Masood Hussainy (VP & Head Aerostructures, TASL), at thehandover ceremony of the irst two 908E pod structures assembled by TASLand destined for use on the Airbus A400M.

CAE A320 full-flightsimulator for Air India

A ir India has ordered an A320 full-flight simulator from CAE,the 7000XR Series full-flight simulator being equipped with

the latest CAE ropos 6000XR innovative visual systems. Te CAE7000XR FFS will be delivered in the first quarter of 2016 at theairline’s Central raining Establishment (CE) in Hyderabad. AirIndia ordered its first simulator from CAE in 1971. “We are pleasedto be ordering a third full-flight simulator from our long-standingtraining partner CAE. Te state-of-the-art all-electric motion systemprovides more accurate and authentic cues for pilot training”, said

AS Soman, Air India’s Executive Director. “By adding this newgeneration simulator, Air India will now be able to put on fasttrack the comprehensive training provided to its pilots with thelatest technology.”

Boeing Chairman Walter James

McNerney Jr speaking at the summit



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Lady Aviator re-creates history in Iconic Boeing Biplane

A dventurous British female aviatorracey Curtis-aylor landed at Hindan

Air Force Base near Delhi in her classic1942 Boeing Stearman on 24 November2015. Having successfully flown fromCape own to Goodwood in 2013, raceyCurtis-aylor has taken on the challengeof flying beautiful open-cockpit vintage

biplane from the UK to Australia with stopsat 50 locations along the way. US aerospaceand defence giant Boeing is a sponsor of thisincredible 21,000-km journey that will takeracey through 23 countries.

Stearman ‘Spirit of Artemis ’ around the

world, following in their footsteps.”“I am delighted to have arrived in NewDelhi. Te flight has already exceeded allmy expectations and delivered unforgettablemoments and incredible challenges. Fromnasty European weather delaying us acrossRomania to the beauty of flying at 100feet over the desert, and vibrant cities ofIndia, every moment is an extraordinaryexperience.”

“We are proud to welcome raceyCurt i s -ay lor to Ind ia . Boe ing’ ssponsorship of racey’s adventure stemsfrom an admiration for history and spirit

of accomplishment captured in this epic journey, which is an example to a newgeneration of aviation enthusiasts,” saidPratyush Kumar, president for BoeingIndia. “racey’s flight in the 1942 BoeingStearman will reach Australia in early2016, a year in which we will celebrate ourcentennial and our own onward journey ofachievement into Boeing’s second centuryof aviation,” remarked Kumar.

“It’s fitting that racy landed at Hindan Air Base where the C-17 Globemasters ofthe Indian Air Force are stationed. Tis isa unique moment where one of the oldestand one of the newest Boeing aircraft aretogether at the same base. racy’s visit toHindan also highlights the long relationshipthat Boeing shares with the Indian Air Forcewhich began when the Harvard trainer wasused to train pilots,” said Dennis Swanson,vice president, Boeing Defense, Space &Security India.

hroughout the flight to Australia,racey Curtis-aylor will be stoppingin a number of cities to engage with thelocal communities, with a particularfocus on women and women aviators.Commemorating the fact that Amy Johnsonwas the first president of the Women’s

Engineering Society, she will promote theachievements of women in every spherearound the world, especially their historicand contemporary role in aviation andengineering. Later,racy interacted withwomen officers and pilots of the Indian AirForce at Hindan Air Force Base and alsoconducted a fly past in formation with theIAF Vintage Flight’s iger Moth.

Tracey Curtis-Taylor with men and women pilots of the IAF and the Boeing team in front of the

Boeing Stearman vintage biplane and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III at Hindan. (photo: Boeing)

The Stearman and Tiger Moth in formation over Hindan (photo: IAF)

Curtis-aylor has undertaken theflight to celebrate the pioneering days ofearly aviation in the 1920s and 1930s, andespecially the achievements of revolutionaryBritish aviator Amy Johnson. A celebrityof her time, Amy Johnson became the firstwoman to fly solo from Britain to Australiain 1930. Speaking on arrival in New Delhi,

racey Curtis-aylor said, “For my wholelife, I have been moved by the achievementsof pioneers like Amy Johnson. My ownflight to Australia is the realisation of aburning desire to fly my beloved Boeing



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Airbus facility in Uttarakhand

A irbus is planning to set up a manufacturing facility at Sitarganjin Uttarakhand, with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. Meeting

commitments made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Aprilvisit to the Airbus facility at oulouse in France (see Vayu III/2015 ),the European aircraft manufacturing company is planning to acquire100 acres of land at the Sitarganj Industrial Estate in the Kumaonregion of Uttarakhand.

Jet Airways orders 75Boeing 737 MAX

Jet Airways placed an order for 75 Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft andthis was announced at the Dubai Air Show 2015. “Tis marks

the largest order in Jet Airways’ history and supports the airline’sreplacement strategy to have the most modern and environmentally

progressive airplane fleet. Te order, previously attributed to anunidentified customer, includes conversions of 25 Next-Generation737s to 737 MAX 8s, as well as options and purchase rights for anadditional 50 aircraft,” a Boeing executive said.

Draft of new Indian Civil Aviation Policy

he Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation released the draftof its new policy on 30 October with various schemes

which would liberalise bilateral rights and allow India to enterreciprocal agreements with South Asian nations and othercountries beyond 5,000 km. Tis will result in unlimited flightsto and from Europe and the SAARC (South Asian Associationfor Regional Cooperation).

While proposing to libera lise rules that allow foreignairlines to enter India, the draft has kept options open onthe controversial 5/20 policy. Fledgling airlines like Vistaraand AirAsia have been seeking abolition of this rule, whichprevents domestic airlines from flying abroad before theyhave completed five years of operations and own 20 aircraft.Vistara chief executive Phee eik Yeoh stated, “Te 5/20 policy

has to be abolished without condition, as it is detrimental tothe interests of Indian carriers. India is the only country thatpenalises its own carriers. Dubai airport alone handles 150airlines. Dubai’s gain is India’s loss.”

Te draft proposals seek to improve regional connectivity,bring down fares for short-haul flights and facilitate higherforeign investment. Te government has also drawn up plansto boost air cargo, maintenance, repair and overhaul activitiesthrough tax incentives and favourable policies. However, thereare major issues which the policy does not address such as thefuture of Air India. “We would have liked to have seen moreemphasis on addressing the negative fiscal environment airlinesface, like sales tax on jet fuel, service tax on fares, airport charges,and withholding tax on aircraft leases. Tere is no reference

to the future of Air India. Te government’s ownership of thenational carrier negatively influences policy decisions and hascost Indian taxpayers billions of dollars,” observed Kapil Kaulof the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

Te government plans to revive 476 airstrips/airports inthe country, of which 75 are in use. No-frills airports wouldbe built at a cost of Rs 50 crore, depending on the demand inthe sector. Scheduled commuter airlines would get viabilitygap funding (VGF), which would be indexed to jet fuel pricesand inflation. Te VGF would be shared by the centre andstates in 80:20 ratios.

“Incorporating the latest design and technology features, thehighly efficient 737 MAX will allow us to drive our operationalefficiency and reaffirms our commitment to providing a best-in-class full service travel experience to our guests,” said NareshGoyal, chairman of Jet Airways. “Tis order is an endorsement ofour confidence in the long-term prospects of the Indian aviationsector, which reflects the positive forecast for the country’s economyand offers tremendous potential for growth and development.” Te737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM InternationalLEAP-1B engines.

Jet Airways orders 150

LEAP-1B engines Jet Airways has also placed an

order for 150 LEAP-1B enginesto power its 75 Boeing 737 MAX8 aircraft, the largest order in theairline’s history. Jet Airways beganoperation in May 1993 with fourCFM56-3-powered Classic Boeing737. Jet Airways presently operates



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a fleet of more than 70 CFM56-7B powered Next-Generation737 aircraft. “Jet Airways is an impressive airline,” said Jean-PaulEbanga, president and CEO of CFM International. “We are excitedto launch this new phase of our relationship with them and look

forward to introducing all the benefits of our advanced LEAP engineinto their fleet.”

SpiceJet to order 150 aircraft

SpiceJet is in talks with aircraft manufacturers to place ordersfor around 150 aircraft, according to Ajay Singh, chairman

of SpiceJet. He said that SpiceJet is looking to purchase 100narrowbody aircraft (Boeing 737 MAX or Airbus A320neo) and 50turboprop aircraft, and is hopeful that the orders would be placedby the end of this financial year. SpiceJet currently operates a fleetof 20 Boeing 737s, one Airbus A320 and one A319 (on wet leasefrom BH Air) and 14 Bombardier Q400 turboprops.

On the occasion, St.John Gould, India Director of UK radeand Investment (UKI) said that tourism and trade between theUK and India is “booming,” and that he was “confident that trafficbetween [the] two great nations will continue to expand at a rate

of knots.” Robert Williams, Head of Asia Pacific Sales at British Airways echoed this, saying, “Tis expansion reinforces our strongfocus on India as a market, which already enjoys the second largestposition for us globally, after the US and outside the UK.”

AI raises Rs 7,000 crore via saleand leaseback of Dreamliners

Debt-ridden national carrier Air India has raised almost Rs 7,000crore by selling nine of its 21 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners to

a Singapore-based lessor and then leasing the aircraft back. AI hadearlier sold and leased back 12 Dreamliners, which now means theentirety of the carrier’s Dreamliner fleet is being operated on lease.

Ajay Singh confirmed that a decision to change SpiceJet’s chosenaircraft type from Boeing to Airbus would be based on the aircrafttype that benefits the carrier most in the future.

Delhi is debut destination forBritish Airways 787-9

British Airways elected to make Delhi the first destination forscheduled services with the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner,

the first flight arriving at Delhi on 26 October, with the callsign‘Speedbird 257.’

(photo: Alan Wilson)

Approximately Rs 6,000 crore of the total amount raised fromthis transaction will go toward reducing the airline’s aircraft purchaseloans. Air India has a combined aircraft purchase and workingcapital loan of Rs 40,000 crore, apart from accumulated losses ofRs 30,000 crore.

Alliance Air to operateshort-haul flights

A lliance Air, an Air India subsidiary, is to operate flights toconnect major cities to small towns in the near future. A

number of states are planning to bridge the airline’s expense-revenue

gap through viability gap funding (VGF), enabling the airline tooperate on a ‘no-profit, no-loss’ basis.

Services are reportedly to start soon from Delhi to Bhuj, Jamnagar and either Keshod or Kandla under a VGF arrangementwith the government of Gujarat. Similar arrangements are likely tobe made with the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.Te present Alliance Air fleet of 10 AR-72s will be augmentedwith an additional 10 AR-72s.



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60 Airbus A320s“operational” with Air India

Rockwell Collins India. “We chose Bangalore because of the highconcentration of engineering talent there and the fact that it is anaerospace hub.”

Rockwell Collins has also appointed Sunil Raina as Managing

Director of Rockwell Collins India. In this role, Sunil’s experiencein building solid customer relationships in India, his provensuccess in developing strategies that deliver winning results, and hiscommitment to meeting the needs of our growing customer basein the region make him well-suited to lead our operations,” said

Jim Walker, Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacificfor Rockwell Collins.

Zen Technologies unveils‘ShootEdge’

Zen echnologies, a pioneerin simulation technology

has unveiled its latest product,the ShootEdge, a weapon systemthat encases a pistol, revolver or similarly-sizedhandgun and allows firing from an angle. ShootEdgeenables shooting at an adversary without risk of exposureto retaliatory fire, providing the ability to fire from behindprotective cover. Such systems are seen as necessary in encounterswith terrorists and insurgents in operations ranging from closecombat in built up areas to hostage situations. ShootEdge can beused by day and night and comes with a camera and standard sight

MKU showcases future personalarmour in France

MKU, a leading Indian manufacturer of armour solutions andnight vision devices, showcased future generation personal

armour solutions for defence and security personnel at Milipol 2015, adefence exhibition held in Paris. Te company claims that the armourshowcased is over 40% lighter and stronger and features most of thecapabilities desired by current and future generation soldiers.

Neeraj Gupta, MD of MKU explained that the weight carriedby a soldier is of critical importance as it impacts his performanceand survivability in a theatre of operation. Te scientists and

A ccording to Air India’s chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani, Air India has certified 60 Airbus airliners from

its fleet of 66 as “operational”, surpassing the national carrier’s targetand giving a boost to its effort to increase on-time performance.Meanwhile, Air India’s engineering subsidiary is also seeing businessgrowth after the announcement of the new civil aviation policywhich proposes waiver of service and value-added tax for themaintenance repair and overhaul sector. “If these tax incentives areimplemented, the servicing cost of an aircraft in India will get about30 per cent cheaper than now and would make us as competitive asour peers in Colombo or Singapore,” stated an official of Air IndiaEngineering Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Air India.

Rockwell Collins expandsIndia operations

R ockwell Collins has opened a new, expanded facility inBangalore that bolsters the company’s presence in India. “Te

opening is a reflection of our commitment to India, as well asthe increasing demand for services from our India Design Centre(IDC) in Hyderabad,” said Sunil Raina, Managing Director of

Company Executives at opening of the Bangalore ofice



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designers at MKU have combined the capabilities of ultra-lightweight 6thgeneration ‘Ammoflex’ armour with the versatile andcomfortable quick release ‘Instavest,’ making the Instavest G6 oneof the lightest advanced tactical vests in its category.

ISRO launches Astrosat,six other satellites

On 28 September 2015, ISRO successfully launched India’s firstastronomy satellite, Astrosat, eleven years after the government

cleared the project. A Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C30)carrying Astrosat and six other satellites lifted off from the SatishDhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and then injected Astrosat andthe other satellites — four US nano-satellites, a microsatellite fromIndonesia and a nano-satellite from Canada — into their respectiveorbits. Tis was the first time India launched an American satellite.

Astrosat prior to being integrated with the PSLV

Regional dust storm activities over Northern Hemisphere

of Mars captured by the Isro spacecraft

board the spacecraft, along with results obtained by the spacecraft’sscientific payloads.

Te Mars Orbiter was designed, built and launched in a recordperiod of under two years, and carried five scientific instrumentsfor collecting data on surface geology, morphology, atmosphericprocesses, surface temperature and atmospheric escape processes.Te Mars Orbiter Mission began its nine-month journey to theRed Planet on an indigenous PSLV rocket that launched fromSriharikota on 5 November 2013.

Prithvi II tested fired

he Strategic Forces Command test-fired another nuclear-

capable Prithvi-II missile, with a strike range of 350 km, on26 November, missile test carried out from a mobile launcherfrom Launch Complex-3 of the Integrated est Range (IR) atChandipur in Odisha. Te missile was randomly chosen from aproduction batch and launch trajectory was tracked by DRDOradars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stationslocated along the coast of Odisha. Downrange teams on board aship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengalmonitored the terminal events and splashdown.

GSAT-15 launched on Ariane 5

he ISRO GSA-15 satellite was successfully launched intoorbit on 10 November 2015, by an Arianespace Ariane 5

rocket. Tis was the tenth launch of the year from the Guiana SpaceCenter (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana, and the sixth with the

Ariane 5 heavy launcher. It was also the 69th successful Ariane 5launch in a row.

GSA-15 is the 19th satellite to be launched by Arianespacefor ISRO. Te two companies have a 30-year relationship, with

Arianespace having launched 91% of ISRO geostationary satellitesthat used non-Indian launch systems, dating back to the launchthe experimental satellite APPLE on Ariane Flight L03 in 1981.

Astrosat, which had a lift-off mass of 1,513 kg, will now embark on afive-year astronomy mission studying distant celestial objects. It willobserve the universe in the optical, ultraviolet, low and high-energyx-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, compared to mostother scientific satellites that are capable of observing a narrow rangeof wavelength band. Te two telescopes on the Ultraviolet Imagingelescope (UVI) on board Astrosat are designed to achieve an excellentimage resolution. Te other payloads are a Large X-ray ProportionalCounter (LAXPC), Soft X-ray elescope (SX), Cadmium Zincelluride Imager (CZI) and Charge Particle Monitor (CPM).

ISRO marks one year of MarsOrbiter Mission

he Mars Orbiter spacecraft has completed one year of its lifearound the red planet. After successfully completing one year

of the mission around Mars, a large data set has been acquiredby all five payloads of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). ocommemorate the first anniversary of the orbital insertion, ISROreleased an atlas containing photos taken by the colour camera on



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Vice Admiral Karambir Singh isDeputy CNS

V ice Admiral KarambirSingh, AVSM, assumedcharge as Deputy Chief of theNaval Staff on 31 October2015. Commissioned into theIndian Navy in July 1980, the

Admiral earned his wings as ahelicopter pilot in 1982 and hasflown extensively on the Chetak,Kamov Ka-25 and Ka-28 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)helicopters. He is a graduate of the DSSC, Wellington; College ofNaval Warfare, Karanja and has served as Directing Staff in boththese Institutions.

In his 35-year career, the Admiral has commanded ICGSChandbibi , INS Vijaydurg as well as the destroyers INS Rana andDelhi . He has also had the privilege of being the Fleet OperationsOfficer of the Western Fleet. Ashore, the Admiral has servedas Joint Director Naval Air Staff, Captain Air and Officer-in-Charge Naval Air Station Kunjali and as a member of the AircrewInstrument Rating and Categorisation eam (AIRCAS).His other appointments include Chief of Staff, Eastern NavalCommand, Chief of Staff of the Unified Command at Andaman& Nicobar Islands and Flag Officer Maharashtra and Gujarat Area(FOMAG). As Vice Admiral, he has been the Director General ofProject Seabird , the naval base at Karwar. He is presently the ‘GreyEagle’ (senior-most serving Naval Aviator) of the Indian Navy.

Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh is FOCWestern Fleet

R ear Admiral Ravneet Singh,NM assumed command

as Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet (FOCWF) on 12October 2015, which took place atsea on board INS Viraat . A fighterpilot and qualified flying instructor,Rear Admiral Singh has over 2,500hours of flying experience on tendifferent types of aircraft.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1983, he has

commanded Rajput -class destroyers INS Ranvijay and Ranvir aswell as the Nilgiri -class frigate INS Himgiri . Rear Admiral Singhhas also commanded INAS 300 ‘White igers,’ and later alsothe unit’s home base, INS Hansa . He has been posted at NavalHeadquarters as Assistant Controller Carrier Projects (ACCP)and Assistant Controller Warship Production and Acquisition(ACWP&A), during which time INS Vikramaditya was inductedand commissioned. Before taking over as FOCWF, he was FlagOfficer Goa Area and Flag Officer Naval Aviation.

Rear Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh is ACNS (CS&NCO)

R ear Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh has assumed charge as AssistantChief of Naval Staff (Communication Space and NetworkCentric Operation), which focusses on the Indian Navy’s drivetowards networked operations and utilisation of space-based assets.He is the second officer to holdthe post and takes over fromRear Admiral Kishan K Pandeywho has moved as the FlagOfficer Fleet Review, in chargeof planning for the forthcomingInternational Fleet Review.

Rear Admira l San jay Jasj it Singh is a special ist inNavigation and Direction, andalso attended the AdvancedCommand and Staff Courseat UK. He has undergonethe Naval Higher CommandCourse at Naval War College, Mumbai, and the National SecurityStrategy Course at the National Defence College, Delhi.

His sea command appointments include command of frigatesINS aragiri and INS rishul . In staff appointments, he has servedas the Joint Director of Personnel, Indian Naval Attaché at Iran,Principal Director of Naval Operations and Principal DirectorStrategy, Concepts and ransformation, wherein he was responsiblefor drafting the revised ‘Indian Maritime Security Strategy’ andthe ‘Strategic Guidance to ransformation,’ both of which werereleased recently.

Rear Admiral SV Bhokare isFOC Eastern Fleet

R ear Admiral SV Bhokare, YSM, NM, took over command ofthe Navy’s Eastern Fleet from Rear Admiral AB Singh, VSM

on 6 October at Visakhapatnam. Rear Admiral AB Singh has moved



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to HQ Strategic Forces Command in New Delhi. Rear AdmiralBhokare is a specialist in Navigation and Aircraft Direction anda graduate of National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla and theDefence Services Staff College, Wellington.

Rear Admiral Bhokare is a submariner, and has commanded threeKilo-class boats, INS Sindhughosh, Sindhudhwaj and Sindhushastra ,and the Navy’s Western submarine base, INS Vajrabahu in Mumbai.He has also commanded the Brahmaputra -class frigate INS Beas .His various Staff and Operational appointments include Commandof Submarine Squadron as Commodore Commanding Submarines(West) and Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at Eastern NavalCommand. Prior taking over as FOC Eastern Fleet, he was servingas Flag Officer Submarines.

Rear Admiral PK Bahl isFOGA, FONA

R ear Admiral Puneet Kumar Bahl, VSM, assumed charge as FlagOfficer Naval Aviation and Flag Officer Goa Area from Rear

Admiral Ravneet Singh on 6 October 2015. Rear Admiral Bahlwas commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1984 and isalumnus of NDA, Khadakvasala. He has undertaken the staff courseat DSSC Wellington and the Naval Higher Command Course atTe College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai. An experienced maritimereconnaissance pilot, he has flown six different types of aircraft. Hisoperational experience includes active participation in Operationsasha and Vijay . He is also a qualified diver.

Air Marshal SRK Nair is AOC-in-CTraining Command

A ir Marshal SRK Nair, AVSM, VM, took over as Air OfficerCommanding-in-Chief, Headquarters raining Command,in Bengaluru on 1 September 2015. A Qualified Flying Instructorand an Air Force Examiner, the Air Marshal has over 7,000 hoursof flying experience in transport and trainer aircraft.

His appointments include : Chief Operations Officer ofa ransport Base, Commanding Officer of a strategic AirliftSquadron, Director Operations (ransport), at Air Headquarters,

Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Chandigarh, AssistantChief of Air Staff (Personnel Airmen and Civilians) and AssistantChief of Air Staff Operations (ransport and Helicopter) at Air HQ.He was Senior Air Staff Officer of Headquarters raining Commandprior to appointment as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

He was instrumental in commencing An-32 and C-130Hercules operations at the extreme altitude airstrip of Daulat BegOldi near the Karakoram Pass. Te Air Marshal was at the helmof affairs the Operation Rahat disaster relief effort in Uttarakhand.He is the Commodore Commandant of No. 44 Squadron ‘TeMighty Jets.’

Air Marshal Virender MohanKhanna is AOM

A i r Marsha l Vi render

Mohan Khanna, VSM, AVSM, took over as AirOfficer-in-charge Maintenance(AOM) at Air Headquarters,on 1 November 2015. He wascommissioned in the Mechanicals t r e a m o f Ae ron a u t i ca lEngineering branch in IAF on25 July 1977.

Prior to his elevation to Flag Rank, he was the CommandingOfficer of INS Rajali , the premier maritime reconnaissance airstation of the country (see Vayu VI/2014 ), from October 2011to January 2015. During this assignment he successfully oversawthe smooth induction and operationalisation of Boeing P-8I MR/

ASW aircraft. He has also commanded the guided missile frigateINS Betwa and offshore patrol vessel INS Sujata .





32 VAYU

‘An Ocean of Opportunities’

Admiral RK Dhowan PVSM, AVSM,

YSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff

Interview withVAYU

VAYU : In its determined modernisation process, the Indian Navy continues toinduct assets such as multi-role destroyers,stealth frigates, replenishment tankersand so on. Yet there remain shortfallsin certain areas: what is the Navy’simmediate ‘wish list’ essential for it to

become a veritable ‘blue water’ force to face future challenges?

CNS: he Indian Navy is already ablue water force, as may be seen in its wideoperational footprint and full-spectrumcapabilities. oday, the Indian Navyoperates a balanced force comprisingaircraft carriers, multi-role destroyersand frigates, fleet tankers, offshore patrolvessels, amphibious ships and a multitudeof aviation and underwater combatants,capable of both blue water and littoraloperations. hese enable the Navy toundertake multiple activities under its

military, diplomatic, constabulary andbenign roles, to promote and protect India’smaritime interests.

Te Navy’s roles and responsibilitieshave expanded significantly over the years,in response to changing geo-economicand geo-strategic circumstances. In orderto meet the entire spectrum of challenges,our force structure planning is dictated



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primarily by capabilities to be achieved,threat perceptions in the prevailingmaritime security environment, emergingtechnologies, and the availability of funds.

In overall terms, our fleet is young,while there are some gaps in certain nicheareas such as minesweepers, submarines,and multi-role and utility helicopters. TeGovernment is seized of these issues andimpetus has been accorded to overcomethe delays and progress all pending cases ina time-bound manner. We have 47 shipsand submarines under construction, whichwill be inducted progressively into the Navy.

VAYU : In the context of nearer-term pro gr am me s, ha ve th er e be en an ysignificant developments with regard todesign and configuration of the secondindigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-2)? Canany details be shared from the CarrierWorking Group that toured facilities inthe USA this summer?

CNS: IAC 2 is still in its conceptualstage and various facets of the aircraftcarrier and newer technologies are still beingevaluated. Te Joint Working Group for Aircraft Carrier echnology Cooperation,formed under the ambit of the US-India

Kilo-class submarines (INS Sindhurakshak pictured here) are presently the mainstay of the

Navy’s submarine arm, and will be supplemented by P-75 and P-75(I) boats in the future

(photo: Brian Burnell)

The IN’s two carriers, INS Vikramaditya and Viraat steam in formation in the Arabian Sea (photo: Indian Navy)

Defence echnology and rade Initiativeframework, aims at information exchangeon such technologies. In addition, the Joint Working Group is also exploring otherareas of cooperation such as carrier designand construction. Te Indian delegationthat toured US facilities in August this yearbenefited from the exchange of views withtheir US counterparts on these issues.

VAYU : Even though there has been someheadway with Project-75(I), the DAChas repeatedly deferred decisions on the

programme. Is this a financial issue ora technical one? Has the Navy formallyidentified suitable Indian yards withthe capability to execute this ambitious

project, and if so, which are these? CNS: A case for procurement of six

state-of-the art conventional submarineswith Air Independent Propulsion (AIP)

under Project 75(I) is being progressed bythe Indian Navy. All six P75(I) submarineswill be constructed at a suitable Indian yard,in collaboration with an identified foreigncollaborator under ransfer of echnology. A cor e commi ttee was consti tut ed bythe MoD for identification of suitableIndian shipyards, both public and private,for construction of the six submarines.he core committee has submitted its



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36 VAYU

report to the MoD, and the same is beingprocessed expeditiously in accordance withcomprehensive guidelines.

VAYU : Te shortage of integral ship-borne helicopters appears to be reachinga critical point, with a large number of

ships commissioned without organic airassets, and many vessels sailing withoutembarked rotorcraft. Te 16-helicopter

MRH contract has been hanging fire for years now, even after selection of a suitable platform. Similarly, the larger NavalUtility Helicopter (NUH) programmehas been repeatedly delayed. How is theNavy dealing with its rotorcraft issues inthe short term, and what are the plans torectify delayed acquisitions?

The rst indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS

Arihant, has successfully tested underwater ejection of an unarmed

missile during its ongoing sea trials in the Bay of Bengal. This test,crucial for validating operational capability of the submarine’s missile

silos, was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command on 25 November.

The submarine has also successfully completed a range of surfaced

and submerged open water tests, including deep diving trials, and has

reportedly met nearly all design parameters, including maximum power

tests on the indigenous pressurised water nuclear reactor. The nal step

before the submarine enters operational service will be a full-range test

ring of an operationally representative ballistic missile.

INS Arihant tests missile ejection

CNS: Yes, there is a capability gap thathas arisen from the shortage of helicopters

in the Indian Navy. However, this is beingmitigated in a systematic manner throughupgrade of existing helicopters as wellas acquisition of new platforms, such asthe ALH, MRH and NUH. Te case forprocurement of additional ALH is in the finalstages of negotiations with HAL. Further,the case for Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) of10 Kamov-28 helicopters is also likely to

be concluded shortly. Te Indian Navy isalso actively pursuing the procurement of

additional Chetak helicopters, NUH andNaval Multi Role Helicopters, to meet itscurrent and future operational requirements.

VAYU : In Vayu’s 2014 Navy special issue(VI/2014) you had said with reference tothe MRMR programme, that you were“targeting contract conclusion in or abouta year’s time.” Does that timeline stillstand? Has a platform been selected as yet?

The Kamov Ka-31 is the Navy’s only relatively new rotorcraft acquisition in recent years (photo: Angad Singh)

CNS: As you are aware, the Request forProposal (RFP) for procurement of nine

Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissanceaircraft was issued in 2013. However, withlesser numbers of bids being received, thecase became a single vendor case at theechnical Evaluation stage. Tis resultedin the RFP getting retracted earlier thisyear. Te acquisition case for the MRMRaircraft would have to be re-initiated postdeliberations on the options available.





38 VAYU

VAYU : Te Navy has been at the forefrontof international military engagement,

flying the flag far from domestic shoresand conducting a range of internationalmaritime exercises. How important are

these bilateral/ multilateral exercises in your view, and what are the importantlessons?

CNS: Te Indian Maritime SecurityStrategy is centred on shaping a favourable

and positive maritime environment toeffectively overcome the wide array ofmaritime challenges spread across the IndianOcean. Tis needs enhanced presence, anda cooperative and coordinative framework. Accordingly, the Indian Navy has expandedits presence and operational footprint inrecent years. In the last one year, our shipshave deployed as far East as the WesternPacific, and as far West as the Northern Atlantic, whilst also covering the PersianGulf, the islands of the South-West IndianOcean, and regions as far South-East as Australia. In addition, we regularly undertakebilateral as well as multilateral navalexercises with many countries. Tese serveto enhance mutual understanding, developcooperation, and build interoperabilitybetween the maritime forces. Tey also helpus in benchmarking our capabilities andexchanging best practices. Te cooperation

and interoperability generated in the processis a valuable tool, both in coordinating effortstowards safe and secure seas for all-roundbenefit, as also in advancing our maritimecooperation initiatives in the region.

VAYU : One has seen and been impressedwith the Indian Navy’s image projectioncampaigns, particularly during thecurrent year, to attract candidates to

join the Navy in order to bridge the gapbetween the desired and actual strength of

personnel. Could you please indicate thedegree of success achieved and its impact

on the human resources of the Navy? CNS: A particularly strong thrust

has been given to the enhancement ofawareness amongst the youth, with regardto the Navy as a career option, and this isbearing excellent results. Extensive publicitycampaigns are being undertaken to attractthe right kind of youth to join the Navy.Te Indian Navy’s advertorial campaigntitled ‘An Ocean of Opportunities’ was verywell received by the youth. Te naval recruittoday comes from India’s aspiring classesand looks to the Navy for a way of life thatprovides high professional and personal

growth. Terefore, the theme highlights themultitude of opportunities offered by theNavy to the aspirants. As a result, the Navy isgetting adequate response to its recruitmentdrives from the youth of the country, witha substantial increase in applicants for bothofficers and sailors. Terefore, the Navyis able to select the best amongst a largerresource pool and eligible volunteers.

The Navy Chief in his ofice (photo: Indian Navy)

Kolkata-class destroyers are being commissioned at one-year intervals, with two ships in service

and the third expected next year (photo: Indian Navy)



39 VI/2015

he turboprop drone becomes relaxing– almost somnolent – after an houraloft, and indeed I might have even

been able to snatch a few winks if not for thegiddy anxiety that had taken up residence inmy stomach. Te Grumman C-2 GreyhoundI am currently strapped into is about tomake an arrested landing aboard its carrier,USS Teodore Roosevelt , cruising in the Bayof Bengal some 250 km east-southeast ofChennai. Tere is a light rumble as we pass

through the stream of turbulent air – knownas the ‘burble’ – trailing in the wake of thecarrier’s immense superstructure and a split-second later, we slam onto the deck. Tedeceleration is tremendous as the 20-tonneaircraft goes from around 200 km/h to acomplete standstill in a hundred metres. Itfeels like little more than a barely-controlledcrash! And just like that, I am a ‘tailhooker’

Warships and submarines from the Indian, Japanese and US Navies converged in the Bay of Bengal for a

weeklong joint exercise in October 2015. Vayu’s Angad Singh was on hand to file this first hand report fromChennai as well as from on board the US Navy’s Nimitz -class supercarrier, USS Teodore Roosevelt .

Exercise Malabar 2015

Vayu on board for

Multilateralism in action — Indian Navy tanker INS Shakti conducting simultaneous replenishment training with USN carrier USS

Theodore Roosevelt: and JMSDF destroyer JS Fuyuzuki (photo: USN/Mass Comm Specialist Seaman Chad M Trudeau)

The C-2 Greyhound that brought Vayu to and from the carrier being towed

on the light deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt



40 VAYU

– part of an exclusive group of people to haveexperienced an arrested landing aboard anaircraft carrier at sea !

‘The Big Stick’USS heodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) isusually referred to simply as ‘R,’ andsometimes as ‘the Big Stick,’ in referenceto President Roosevelt’s famous proverb

“Speak softly and carry a big stick; youwill go far.” Te 29-year old carrier iscurrently executing an around-the-worlddeployment as part of a three-carrierbase swap initiated by the departureof USS George Washington (CVN-73)from Yokosuka in Japan to Norfolk,Virginia on the US East Coast inpreparation for a scheduled Refueling and

Complex Overhaul (RCOH), akin to acomprehensive mid-life refit and upgrade.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) hasdeparted her homeport of San Diego to replaceCVN-73 at Yokosuka, and R has given upher place in Norfolk to move to San Diego.he ship’s commanding officer, CaptainCraig Clapperton, noted that the lengthydeployment has afforded the ship and her crew

A Sikorsky HH-60H Rescue Hawk from Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron HS-11 ‘Dragonslayers’ coming in to land

on USS Theodore Roosevelt while the cruiser USS Normandy conducts a PASSEX in the background

Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) parked on board the carrier as the JMSDF destroyer JS Fuyuzuki conducts a PASSEX



41 VI/2015

a number of unique opportunities to conductvarious engagements along the way, includingOperation Inherent Resolve against the IslamicState, during which the ship operated fromthe Persian Gulf, as well as this first-timeparticipation in a Malabar -series exercise.

Te 70 aircraft on board USS TeodoreRoosevelt are provided by Carrier Air

Wing One (CVW-1), which consists of 9squadrons, which are: Tree Strike Fighter Squadrons, VFA-11

‘Red Rippers,’ VFA-136 ‘Knighthawks,’

and VFA-211 ‘Fighting Checkmates’with Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron

VMFA-251 ‘Tunderbolts’ with F/A-18C/D Hornets.

Carrier Airborne Early WarningSquadron VAW-125 ‘igertails’ withNorthrop Gurmman E-2D AdvancedHawkeyes.

Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-137 ‘Rooks’ with Boeing EA-18GGrowlers.

Fleet Logistics Support Squadron VRC-40 ‘Rawhides’ with Grumman C-2Greyhounds.

Helicopter Anti-submarine SquadronHS-11 ‘Dragon Slayers’ with a mix

of Sikorsky HH-60H and SH-60FSeahawks. Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron

HSM-46 ‘Grandmasters’ with SikorskyMH-60Rs.

During my day aboard the 100,000-tonnefloating airfield on 17 October, we wereable to witness a small part of the larger

Malabar 2015 exercise that would runfor another three days : from perfectlychoreographed flight operations on R, to apassing exercise (PASSEX) conducted by thevarious participating warships, and detailedbriefings by key US Navy officials. A numberof Indian Navy officers and sailors were alsoon board the carrier, including Captain AnilKumar, who heads the MoD’s aircraft carrierproject. With the Indian Navy expected toturn to the USA for assistance with its nextgeneration of aircraft carriers (see article inthis issue ), it was clear at the exercise thatspecial measures were being taken to exposeIndian personnel to SOBAR technologyand operations.

Malabar 2015

Te Malabar series of joint naval exercises wasinitiated in 1992 as a bilateral arrangementbetween the Indian and US Navies. Sincethen, the exercise has been carried out 19times, with the scale and complexity ofoperations steadily increasing, and oftenexpanding to include multiple participatingNavies. Te most recent of these, Malabar2015, saw the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) join the Indianand US Navies for the fourth time, evenin the face of strenuous Chinese protests.

Although this is neither the largest edition

of Malabar , nor the first time Japanesewarships have exercised alongside theirIndian and American counterparts, Beijingclearly believes that the exercise is aimed atcontaining its influence in the region, andtakes a dim view on the US ‘pivot to Asia’and the increasing closeness between Japan,the USA and India.

Based out of Chennai and held between14 and 19 October 2015, this year’s

Malabar saw a ‘modest’ total of ten shipsexercising in the Bay of Bengal. However,it was noteworthy for two principal reasons

: this was the first time the Indian Navydeployed a Russian-origin Kilo-classsubmarine for the exercise, was also thefirst ever deployment of US Navy BoeingP-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft toIndia, operating alongside their Indian P-8Ibrethren from INS Rajali at Arakonam.

Te Indian Navy was represented bytwo indigenous guided missile frigates INSShivalik and INS Betwa , the Rajput -classguided missile destroyer INS Ranvijay , fleet

A Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye taxiing next to some of the ighter types that it

controls in the air

Dramatic high speed pass by a VFA-136

‘Knighthawks’ F/A-18E Super Hornet



42 VAYU

support ship INS Shakti , and Sindhugosh-class submarine INS Sindhudhvaj . Te shipsdeployed HAL Chetak and Westland SeaKing helicopters, which were joined duringsome segments of the exercise by BoeingP-8Is of INAS 312A ‘Sealions’ from ashore.

he US Navy deployed four shipsfrom the 7th Fleet, which is based at Yokosuka, Japan. Tese were the Nimitz -class aircraft carrier USS Teodore Roosevelt ,iconderoga -class guided missile cruiserUSS Normandy , Freedom-class LittoralCombat Ship (LCS) USS Forth Worth,and Los Angeles -class nuclear poweredattack submarine (SSN) USS City of CorpusChristi . USN airborne assets included theaforementioned P-8A Poseidon aircraft,

various integral helicopters, and a hostof combat and support types operated byCarrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) aboardthe USS Teodore Roosevelt .

Te JMSDF sent a lone Akizuki -classguided missile destroyer, JS Fuyuzuki , withan integral Sikorsky/Mitsubishi SH-60Khelicopter. Fuyuzuki is equipped with anindigenous battle management systemnamed AECS, that has been favourablycompared to the Lockheed Martin AegisCombat System, and is sometimes referredto as the ‘Japanese Aegis.’ Akizuki -classvessels serve as air-defence escorts for the JMSDF’s larger vessels such as Hyūga - andIzumo-class helicopter carriers, as well asKongō - and Atago-class destroyers, which

are more focused toward the ballisticmissile defence (BMD) role. Nevertheless,all modern Japanese warships are multirole,capable of operating in the air defence, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare roles.

Training together

Te exercise began as usual with a two-day shore phase, which saw participatingpersonnel training together at Chennai. Tethree navies covered topics such as carrierstrike group operations, airborne maritimepatrol, surface and anti-submarine warfare,explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), VisitBoard Search and Seizure (VBSS), and joint Humanitarian Assistance and DisasterRelief (HADR). Te shore phase allowedall three Navies to achieve a degree offamiliarisation with each other’s proceduresfor various common tasks, as well as toestablish protocols for clear, unambiguouscommunication during the at-sea phaseof the exercise. Cultural programmes andsports fixtures were included to build a senseof camaraderie right from the start, so as toease joint operation, often aboard foreignvessels, in the days to follow.

On 16 October, the ships departed

Chennai for international waters off the eastcoast, and kicked off the at-sea portion withan air defence exercise (ADEX). Tis firstengagement featured cooperation betweenUSS Teodore Roosevelt , USS Normandyand Indian stealth frigate INS Shivalik , who worked together to defend the high-value target (the carrier) from a combinedaircraft and missile attack simulated by

Indigenous guided missile frigate INS Shivalik cruising alongside USS Theodore Roosevelt

An F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-211 ‘Fighting Checkmates’ being launched from the waist

catapult on USS Theodore Roosevelt



43 VI/2015

elements of USS Teodore Roosevelt’s ownCarrier Air Wing. While USS Normandytypically serves as the air defence escortfor the high-value asset in Carrier StrikeGroup 12 (CSG-12), that role was handedover to both Japanese and Indian shipsduring the course of the exercise. Te closecooperation in the opening at-sea exercise was welcomed, with one US Navy officerremarking that the ADEX “supports theoverall Malabar exercise by sharing how we control aircraft and learning how theIndian navy controls their aircraft. We’reup on the same voice circuit, so it’s a niceopportunity to collaborate and compare andcontrast our procedures. We’ve sent liaisonofficers to the Indian vessels and welcomedtheir officers aboard our vessels as well toobserve and learn.”

Rear Admiral Roy ‘rigger’ Kelley,Commander of CSG-12, reinforced this

point during Vayu’s visit to the aircraftcarrier, saying, “the whole idea is to getthe three different Navies together, andfigure out how we operate differently, andhow we can communicate and coordinatein our operations…. We want to makesure that when we operate together, we’recomfortable with each other.”

Te Rear Admiral also indicated thatfollowing Malabar 2015, the exercise wouldbe expanded to include Japan as a permanentparticipant. “Te Indo-Asia-Pacific, this vast

area of ocean, is very, very important tothe rest of the world, mostly because of thecommerce that comes through it. If youlook at the Straits of Malacca alone, 600merchant ships travel through that straitevery single day. We want to make sure thatthese lines of communication, the lines ofcommerce, continue to stay open. Tus, theNavies working together for interoperabilityhelps to make sure that happens,” he stated.

While US and Indian offi cers werecareful to reiterate that this exercise was notaimed at countering China or the People’sLiberation Army Navy (PLAN), theemphasis placed by all three participatingNavies on the importance of open oceansseemed a clear reference to China’s variousterritorial claims in the region and thechallenges that Chinese land-reclamationand artificial island building pose tofreedom of navigation.

As if to underline this very point, theremaining at-sea tasks were far from thebenign HADR and maritime policingactivities that one often hears of fromexercises such as this. Apart from the usualprofessional exchanges and cross-embarkingof officers on different ships, the ten vesselsat sea carried out further joint air defenceoperations with different combinations ofattacking and defending forces, engaged insearch and rescue operations, a range of anti-submarine warfare exercises with Indian and

US submarines, surface warfare exercises,medevac, communications exercises, live-fire gunnery, Visit Board Search andSeizure (VBSS), replenishment at sea (RAS)exercises with INS Shakti , and a full ‘war-at-sea’ exercise.

In fact, on 17 October, the day thatVayu was aboard USS Teodore Roosevelt ,and the day after the opening ADEX, aSikorsky Seahawk helicopter from the carrierflew to INS Shivalik to fetch an explosiveordnance disposal (EOD) detachment ofIndian Marine Commandos (Marcos), ledby an IN Lieutenant. Teir task was to workalongside a US EOD team to de-mine thearea around the carrier – precisely the sortof joint operation that might someday beneeded if a recalcitrant regional nation shouldattempt to deny access to contested waters.

Between the present Indian government’s‘Act East’ policy and the USA’s strategic

rebalancing toward Asia, there is no questionthat the Malabar series is only going togrow with each successive edition. Te USNavy’s assertive posture during ‘Freedomof Navigation’ operations (FONOPS)conducted around Chinese artificial islandsshortly after the exercise seems to have driventhis point home, and both Indian and USofficials are privately hopeful that future Malabar exercises will involve other keyregional Navies, such as those of Vietnam,Indonesia, Singapore and even Australia.

A US Marine Marine Corps F/A-18C in asymmetric coniguration coming in to land, with Indian Navy frigate

INS Betwa and JMSDF destroyer JS Fuyuzuki visible in the distance



44 VAYU

In early August 2015, an Indian Navydelegation including senior FlagOfficers visited the United States on a

three-day mission that could significantlybind together the two Navies in thetimes to come. A newly-formed ‘Joint

Wo rk in g Gr ou p (J WG ) on Ai rc ra ftCarrier Cooperation’ held its inauguralmeeting in Washington DC followingthe Agreement between President BarackObama and Prime Minister NarendraModi for cooperation in this strategicarena during the former’s Republic Dayvisit to India in January 2015. Te JWGhas reportedly reviewed on how the USNavy — the world’s most experienced andtechnologically advanced aircraft carrierpower — could assist India in building itsown fleet of modern aircraft carriers. WithIndia looking to build a ‘blue water navy’

that can project power across thousands ofmiles of the Indian Ocean and beyond, thefirst indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC I), INSVikrant , is already at an advanced stage ofconstruction (see earlier Vayu Issues).

Indian naval planners have for longargued on the need to have three aircraftcarriers in service. Tis would allow twoaircraft carrier battle groups (CBGs) —

Strategic Partnership with America

Super Carriers Ahoy !

each a self-contained flotilla with air,surface and sub-surface capabilities — tocover the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengalsimultaneously, even whilst the thirdcarrier undergoes routine maintenance oroverhaul. Each CBG, which would include

an aircraft carrier, escort vessels (multi-roledestroyers and frigates), anti-submarinecorvettes, missile boats, logistics supportvessels and submarines, is charged to engagein intense combat even without supportfrom shore-based fighters.

Still, the three-carrier endeavourremains elusive, even with two carriers,INS Viraat and INS Vikramaditya , inoperational service today and a third, INSVikrant , likely to be completed in CochinShipyard Ltd (CSL) by 2018. INS Viraat ,launched in 1953, already has the dubiousdistinction of being the world’s oldest

serving aircraft carrier and will retire whenVikrant enters service. India’s third aircraftcarrier, therefore, would only be Vikrant’ssuccessor, whenever that is built. Currentlyon the drawing board and referred to asINS Vishal (a name the Indian Navy hasnot confirmed) or IAC-2, this could wellbe the vessel that sees US-India high-technaval cooperation bearing fruit.

So why does India need the US Navy’shelp to build IAC-2, even after designingand building INS Vikrant at the CochinShipyard ? Tis is because India has onlyoperated relatively smaller aircraft carriers

which displace less than 45,000 tonnes.

Te size of a carrier determines how manyaircraft it embarks, the ballpark calculationbeing one aircraft for every 1,000 tonnes.Te 45,000-tonne Vikramaditya embarks amaximum of 36 aircraft : thirty MiG-29Kfighters and six Kamov Ka-31AEWhelicopters. Tis is not enough. Ideally, aCBG should deploy at least 50-55 aircraft

when operating well away from shore-based air support. Tat calls for at leasta 65,000-tonne carrier, something thatIndian shipyards have never built.

As important as numbers, is the typeof aircraft that the carrier embarks. A

crucial element of air battle is ‘airborneearly warning’, delivered by AEW aircraft :radar-equipped, airborne command poststhat scan airspace for enemy aircraft anddirect friendly fighters towards developingthreats. For this task, US Navy aircraftcarriers embark the Northrop GrummanE-2 Hawkeye, a relatively large, twin-turboprop aircraft that could never



45 VI/2015

get airborne from small carriers likethe Vikramaditya or Vikrant . For thispurpose, the US Navy has long operated100,000-tonne ‘supercarriers,’ whichlaunch aircraft with steam catapults : asteam-driven piston that hooks onto thebelly of an aircraft and accelerates it totake-off speed in just 2-3 seconds. Tenewest American supercarriers, starting

with USS Gerald R Ford , which will jointhe fleet next year, feature the revolutionaryElectro-Magnetic Aircraft Launch System(EMALS) that will replace steam catapults.EMALS is smaller, lighter, quicker andmore powerful, and allows the take-off speed to be carefully calibrated for differenttypes of aircraft, reducing stress and wearon their airframes. he electric power

requirements of an EMALS system aretoo large for conventional generators todeliver; so nuclear propulsion is essentialfor a carrier fitted with EMALS.

Tis effectively is the Indian Navy’sdilemma for its third aircraft carrier. Itmust choose between what it alreadyhas, relatively small, conventionallypowered vessels that embark 30-35 combat

INS Viraat is to be retired next year, bringing the Indian Navy’s carrier force back down to a single carrier as it awaits

commissioning of INS Vikrant (photo: USN/ Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Stephen W Rowe)

USS Gerald R Ford (CVN-78) under construction at Newport News Shipyard, Virginia

(photo: USN/ Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Aidan P Campbell)



46 VAYU

aircraft that can be launched slowly or,alternatively, a large, nuclear-propelledvessel with EMALS that embarks 50-55aircraft of varying types including forcemultipliers like long range AEW aircraft.Te benefits of this are attractive, since thisgreatly enhances the power that a CBG canproject. Even so, some strategists believeIndia would be unwise in investing so muchmoney, capability and symbolism into asingle vessel that could be vulnerable in

war. Opponents of the ‘big carrier’ schoolof thought argue for greater numbers ofsmaller vessels like destroyers and frigates,covered by land-based aircraft (includingthose operating from archipelagic bases likethe Andaman & Nicobar Islands) with theirranges extended by air-to-air refuelling.

It will be interesting to see in which

direction the Indian Navy goes, whetherit chooses a conservative, tactical approach,like the Army and the Air Force, or abolder doctrine based on sea control andextended reach, of the kind that the USNavy imbibed from strategist Alfred TayerMahan. Henry L Stimson, US Secretary of

War all through World War II, memorablydescribed “the peculiar psychology of the

[US] Navy Department, which frequentlyseemed to retire from the realm of logic intoa dim religious world in which Neptune wasGod, Mahan his prophet and the UnitedStates Navy the only true church.”

Regardless of which doctrine evolvesin the Indian Navy, their Americancounterparts already regard them asinevitable long-term allies. he Indiandelegation that travelled to the USA in

August 2015 was taken to the Virginiashipyard where USS Gerald R Ford is beingcompleted, and introduced to EMALS.

With the Defence echnology and radeInitiative (DI) touted as the vehiclefor easing US restrictions on technology,Defence Secretary Ashton Carter seesUS assistance in aircraft carrier buildingas the lynchpin and the two Navies as

torchbearers, of a close defence relationship.Strategist Ashley ellis has argued that

Washington might well assist India withdeveloping a nuclear reactor for poweringINS Vishal and future Indian aircraftcarriers. But for that, a top-level request

would be essential (i.e. PM-to-President)along with firmer assurances of strategicalignment. In the US system, every grant of

assistance must be sponsored by the militaryservice it relates to and the US Navy willenthusiastically support the provision ofcutting-edge technology to the IndianNavy if it believes that would bring it clearoperational benefits.

Despite New Delhi’s ambivalence onstrategic partnership with America, USvendors are delivering an increasing share ofIndia’s arms imports, inexorably easing outRussia’s share. India has already spent closeto $10 billion in outright US purchases;most of them government-to-government,

while co-developing platforms like aircraftcarriers have not gotten off the ground.Very significantly, during a recent speechat the Observer Research Foundation inNew Delhi, the US Ambassador to India,Richard Verma, told the audience, “I see

no reason why the United States and Indiacannot build fighter aircraft together, righthere in India.” While that may be a distantdream, New Delhi could well work withthe world’s unchallenged aircraft carrierpower to retain crucial control over ourregional waters.

Ajai Shukla [Adapted froman article in Business Standard ]

An F/A-18E Super Hornet prepares to launch during a test of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS)

at Naval Air Systems Command, Lakehurst, New Jersey (photo: USN)



EMALS: Electro-Magnetic

Launch System tested

Test sled ‘Ledder Rip’ in place on the EMALS track

aboard the under-construction USS Gerald R Ford

W ith successful launch of the firsttest sled from the starboard bowcatapult on 16 June Naval Air

Systems Command (NAVAIR) continuedto make history with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) aboardthe future USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78).

Hurling of the dead-load sleds, whichrepresent different aircraft weights, marks asignificant testing milestone for the first newaircraft launch technology employed by theUS Navy in more than 60 years.

In a ceremonial gesture, Susan FordBales, the ship’s sponsor and daughter ofthe late President Ford for whom the ship isnamed, gave the launch signal by extendingher left arm while on one knee.

“Te adrenaline of seeing the speed ofthe launch was amazing,” Bales said.

Dead-load testing is a joint effortamong NAVAIR, the Naval Sea SystemsCommand, the crew of CVN 78, EMALSprime contractor General Atomics, andHuntington Ingalls Industries Newport

News Shipbuilding, the shipbuilder. Teship’s test data will be compared to land-based test data, and after adjustments,becomes the basis for test launching thefirst manned aircraft off the ship in 2016.

Before the launch, Bales and otherdignitaries signed the dead-load, which wasfirst used on June 5, and nicknamed ‘LedderRip,’ after John D Ledder, the Newport

News lead for NAVAIR’s Carrier and FieldService Unit (CAFSU) and had significantrole in supporting the EMALS installationon CVN 78. Ledder died in 2012.

“It is truly fitting we recognised Johntoday,” said Captain Douglas Belvin,deputy programme manager for futuresystems in the Aircraft Launch and RecoveryEquipment Programme Office (PMA-251).“Behind this event are thousands of talentedcivilian engineers and technicians whodedicate their life’s work to delivering newtechnologies to the fleet.”

An example of NAVAIR’s civilian talent,CAFSU is the link between the aviationprogramme offices and the hands-on workof building, maintaining, and overhaulingthe Navy’s aviation-capable ships.

“CAFSU plays a very important rolefor NAVAIR,” said Robert Puakea, thecurrent CAFSU lead at the Supervisor ofShipbuilding Newport News office. “Notonly do we ensure NAVAIR’s equipmentgets installed and tested correctly, we

interface daily with the shipbuilder tomake real-time decisions as needed andreach back to the teams at Lakehurst [andPatuxent River], so they know how to adjustdesigns or procedures to make future aircraftlaunch and recovery equipment systems work better.”

Puakea said EMALS testing is stillmaturing. “We are very early in collecting

the test data. We have to remember that interms of EMALS, everything we are doingis brand new. Tis is the only place on theplanet where electromagnetics are going tolaunch tactical aircraft off a carrier.”

Elect romagnet i c s o f f e r severa ladvantages over steam-powered catapults.he newer system has a wider energyrange over the current steam-poweredcatapults. A wider energy range expandsthe Navy’s future aircraft carrier operationalcapabilities, supporting the launch of thecurrent and planned air wing composition,from lightweight unmanned aerial systemsto heavy strike fighters.

EMALS also provides increased sortierates, more accurate end speed controland smoother acceleration, which reducesstresses on aircraft during launch.

he system automates much ofthe maintenance and trouble shootingprocedures and employs a modulararchitecture, allowing for easier repairs orcomponent replacements. Tis then permits

a reduction in the human workload requiredto operate and maintain the system, with asubsequent cost reduction over time.

Removal of a significant amount ofsteam, hydraulic, and air piping also meansthat sailors will enjoy cooler and quieter working and living spaces!

Source: US Naval Air Systems Command

47 V/2015



Defence Minister Manohar Parrikarhas dedicated the Boeing P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance

and anti submarine aircraft to the nation,at a special ceremony held at INS Rajali ,

Arakkonam, about 70 kilometres fromChennai in October 2015.

As pe r th e re le as e is su ed by th eMinistry of Defence, “the P-8I wouldboost the firepower and arsenal of the Indian

Armed Forces. Te P-8Is enhance India’sintelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

capabilities and have been extensivelydeployed to assist during disaster reliefand humanitarian missions for aerialreconnaissance and data gathering.”

Te Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft fleethas demonstrated an excellent record insupporting the missions they have beendeployed for, with the Defence Ministerand Navy leadership having expressed

Boeing P-8I :Tremendous Enhancement for the Indian Navy

satisfaction about the operational readinessof the aircraft. Tis has been possible owingto the enhanced capabilities of the platformmanufactured by Boeing and the focus ontimely and affordable services and support.

Te dedication ceremony at INS Rajali ,home base of Indian Naval Air Squadron(INAS) 312A under the command ofCommander Venkateshwaran Ranganathan,

which operates the Navy’s P-8I fleet (seeVayu VI/2014 ), was held in presence of theChief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan,

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief EasternNaval Command Vice Admiral Satish Soni,INAS 312A personnel and the Boeing team.

Minister Parrikar, who flew in to INSRajali on board a Boeing P-8I from PortBlair, described the aircraft as “one of thebest for maritime surveillance in the worldtoday.” During the flight, Parrikar wasbriefed on the various sensors and other

sophisticated state-of-the-art equipmentand their capabilities. He said the aircraft

would provide the Indian Navy the necessaryreach and flexibility to undertake extensivesurveillance as also to respond swiftly andeffectively to contingencies in our areas ofinterest.

Mr. Parrikar complimented the Navyand its air arm for expeditiously inductingand operationalising this force multiplier,

which would enable the nation’s armedforces to dominate the future battle space.

Te Minister praised the efforts put in byINS Rajali and its personnel, taking note ofthe fact that, even in the short phase of trialsand testing, the P-8I aircraft had achieveda number of operational milestones whichincludes participation in the search effort forMalaysian Airlines Flight MH 370, the firstsuccessful firing of air launched HarpoonBlock II missile in the world, torpedo firing

48 VAYU



date, all eight aircraft have been inductedinto the Indian Navy and are fully integratedinto its operations.

Dennis Swanson, vice president, BoeingDefense, Space & Security in India, explainsthat delivering on commitments to theIndian Navy has been one of Boeing’s toppriorities in India. “Te Navy is pleased

with the performance of its P-8I fleet andhas deployed its aircraft for several missions.Tis is testament to the hard work of Boeingteams and trust we have built with thecustomer by meeting their expectations. In2016 we will continue to focus on deliveringtraining, support and service to ensurethe Indian Navy experiences high aircraftavailability and mission readiness rates.”

Te 2009 contract also included optionsfor four additional aircraft. “We’re currentlyin discussion with the Indian Navy abouttheir options for more P-8Is”, said Mark

Jordan, P-8I programme manager. “Teteam has done a tremendous job providingthose first eight aircraft and we’re lookingforward to continuing our work together

with the Indian Navy.”Te P-8I aircraft is equipped for long

range anti submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, int el ligen ce, sur vei llance andreconnaissance in support of broad area,maritime and littoral operations. heDefence Ministry spokesperson mentionedthat the communication and sensor suiteincludes indigenous equipment developedby Indian defence companies. “With its

high speed and high endurance of about 10hours, the aircraft is capable of thrusting apunitive response and maintaining a watchover India’s immediate and extended areasof interest,” the statement said.

Boeing and Indian Navy oficials celebrate 5,000 light hours of the P-8I leet at INS Rajali

(photo: Indian Navy)

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan with Navy

oficials at dedication ceremony of the P-8I at INS Rajali (photo: Indian Navy)

and active participation in major navalexercises (see Exercise Malabar 2015 report

in this issue ).om Bell, senior vice president, Global

Sales & Marketing, Boeing Defense, Space& Security, commended the Indian Navyfor its high standards of professionalismand said Boeing was proud to support thenavy’s long range maritime surveillance andanti-submarine requirements.

“Te Boeing teams have been committedto building, delivering and supporting thisamazing aircraft for our important customer– the Indian Navy,” Bell said. “Over the lastsix years, we have learned together, growntogether and cemented a foundation for a

long term relationship that will last decades.o see this aircraft come to life at INS Rajaliand perform the missions it was envisioned todo under the very able handling of the IndianNavy’s sailors and officers has been trulyamazing. Tis is a tremendous achievementfor the country.”

he P-8I aircraft is a variant of theP-8A aircraft that Boeing developed as

Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar (seated) is briefed on the P-8I’s

mission readiness by oficers of INAS 312A (photo: Indian Navy)

a replacement for the US Navy’s ageingP-3 fleet. Indian Navy became the first

international customer for the P-8 aircraft with the conclusion of an approximately$ 2.1 billion contract in January 2009 fora total of eight aircraft. Te first aircraftarrived in India on 15 May 2013 and as of

49 VI/2015



he Indian Navy’s latest combat

aviation asset, the MiG-29K/KUB multi-role strike fighter

were formally commissioned into service with INAS 303 ‘Black Panthers’ on 11May 2013 (see Vayu III/2013). Te initialcontract for their purchase was signed on20 January 2004, along with the ex-RussianNavy ‘heavy aviation cruiser’ Adm iralGorshkov which has since been modified

MiG-29K/KUB: the Indian

Navy’s ‘Super Fighter’into a SOBAR aircraft carrier in service

as INS Vikramaditya . Te initial contractcovered delivery of twelve single-seatMiG-29K and four dual-seat MiG-29KUBfighters, as well as facilities and proceduresfor training of pilots and technical staff,delivery of simulators, spare parts, andestablishment of maintenance facilities atIndian Navy installations. Te aforesaid‘super fighters’ will be operated from the

45,000-tonne INS Vikramaditya as wellas the under-construction INS Vikrant (IAC-1).

Te MiG-29K was initially intended tofulfil the role of a multi-role strike-fighteroperable from aircraft carriers like theUnited States Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet butfinancial troubles at the end of the Cold War temporarily terminated the MiG-29Kprogramme after nearly 450 flights. estflights of MiG-29Ks were resumed from2002 in anticipation of export sales to theIndian Navy.

On board INS Vikramaditya , theMiG-29K/KUBs will make a 14.3-degreeski-jump assisted short take off followingattainment of full power thanks to hydraulicrestraining blocks that hold the aircraft inplace. Tree arrestor cables are fitted onthe aft part of the angled flight deck along with navigation and carrier-landing aids

including the LAK optical-landing systemto facilitate SOBAR (short take-off butarrested recovery) operations.

he MiG-29K’s exterior airframe isonly slightly different from the standardMiG-29, prominent differences beingincorporation of Leading Edge RootExtensions (LERX), an arrestor hook andspecial Radar Absorbent Material (RAM)coatings. Under the skin, however, it isa different aircraft altogether. Te MiG-29K boasts a triplex digital Fly-By-Wire(FBW) Flight Control System (FCS) withmultiple-redundancy in all three channels

and a mechanical back-up in roll-and-yaw channels. Te cockpit is all-glass andfeatures a ShKAl wide-angle monochromeHead-Up Display (HUD) and MFI-10-7liquid-crystal Multi Function Displays(MFDs). Additionally, the MiG-29K/KUB flight and navigation system is basedon an ‘open architecture’ principle builtaround the MIL-SD-1553B standard databus enabling integration of weapons andsensors from a variety of sources, mirroringthe architecture of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI.

Enhanced range is a vital attribute ofany aircraft carrier based platform and

in this respect additional fuel tanks havebeen accommodated in the dorsal spineand LERX, increasing total fuel capacityby some fifty per cent compared to earlyvariants of the land-based MiG-29. Afurther combination of ‘combat rated’drop tanks, Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR)capability and the option of a centreline‘buddy refuelling’ tank is set to enhance the

50 VAYU



range to considerable extent. While IndianNavy MiG-29Ks may be in a positionto refuel from the IAF’s Il-78MKI AARplatforms, ‘buddy refuelling’ from fellowMiG-29K/KUBs will likely be the option whilst deployed away from Indian shores.

Te main sensor, the on-board radar,is the Phazotron Zhuk-ME, an X-bandmono-pulse pulse-Doppler radar, with an

aerial target detection range of 150 km.It can initiate track beginning at 130 kmrange, against a target with RCS of 5 squaremetres and can rack-While-Scan (WS)20 targets and simultaneously engage fourtargets. Te passive detection kit consistsof an Infra-Red Search and rack (IRS)sensor and laser range-finder, an area theRussians are traditionally considered strong

at, and perhaps their answer to the emergingstealth designs, particularly those of theUnited States.

Te only weak link in the system lies inthe lack of AEW&C support. Te E801MOko (Eye) pulse-Doppler 6x1 metre planararray radar used by Kamov Ka-31 AEWhelicopters are capable of providing themuch needed support in detecting fighter-

sized targets at ranges at leastup to 110 km, but are unable

to guide Indian Navy fighterstowards their targets. Lackof endurance of an AEWhelicopter platform is alsoa critical shortcoming. hisproblem will appear less acutehowever if the Indian navalplanners visualise grand scalenaval operations in futureas part of Coalition Forces where mutual AEW&C and AEW cover will be available.Te aircraft will also featureSagem’s Sigma-95 Inertial

Navigation System/GlobalPositioning System (INS/GPS). In future the aircraftare likely to sport an ActiveElectronically Scanned Array(AESA) set plus encryptedIntra -Fl ight Data Link(IFDL) to permit networkingof multiple MiG-29K/KUB

51 VI/2015



platforms effectively providing AEWcoverage of respective sectors alongsidevectoring appropriate fighters in pursuit.

Te MiG-29K/KUB is equipped withtwo smokeless Klimov RD-33MK turbofanengines producing 9,000 kg thrust inafterburner, a significant increase overthe land-based MiG-29’s baseline RD-33engines. Te direct benefit is in the areaof greater payloads stated to be in theregion of 5,500 kg, including RussianRVV-AE BVRAAMs, R-73 CCMs cuedby the Tales ‘opsight E’ helmet-mountedtargeting system, and variants of the Kh-35 anti-ship missile alongside standardair-to-ground munitions such as unguidedrockets. However as the MiG-29K/KUBflight and navigation system is built aroundthe MIL-SD-1553B standard data bus,incorporation of the European MBDAMeteor inertial navigation/active-radarhoming BVRAAM with 150 km range isa possible option to fulfil the BVR role for‘outer-air battles’ alongside the dual-modesolid-fuelled RVV-BD BVRAAM unveiledat MAKS 2011 for the first time. Te RVV-BD weighs 510 kg, has a range up to 200km and is capable of destroying targets withoverload up to 8-g at an altitude from 15 mto 25 km. For dogfights the MiG-29K hasa handy a 30-mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-301 single-barrel gun, with a capacity of 150rounds. A robust combination of Russian,Indian and Israeli Electronic CounterMeasures (ECM) suites (including Elta’sEL/M-8222 ECM pod) provides a shieldaround the MiG-29K/KUB platformsagainst hostile threats.

Te primary role of INS Vikramaditya will be to establish local air superiority inopen oceans even within the range of enemy

fighter and strike aircraft. Tus it will providethe vital integrated air support in termsof fleet area air defence, and also include

the strategic oriented defensive postures toprotect the Indian Navy nuclear-poweredballistic missile armed submarine (SSBN),in holding areas or ‘bastions’ in and aroundthe Indian Ocean. If necessary, offensivemissions can to be undertaken to sweepaside enemy barrier Anti-Submarine Warfare(ASW) forces in key areas to facilitate transitof Indian Navy SSBN units from oneoperational theatre to another adequately, tobe supported in these roles by Akula II-classnuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN).

Enemy operated Long Range MaritimePatrol/Anti-Submarine Warfare (LRMP/ ASW) platforms are presently anticipatedas the greatest threat to Indian Navysurface units and SSBN platforms especiallyif guided to their targets by an enemy AWACS aircraft. Te MiG-29K/KUBs inconjunction with Kamov Ka-31 AirborneEarly Warning (AEW) helicopters will be

instrumental in intercepting and destroyingenemy strike and LRMP platforms at greatdistances effectively debarring them from

conducting LRMP/ASW operations orbefore they can close in and fire anti-shipmissiles such as the AGM-84 Harpoon orExocet AM39.

Al so a Comb at Ai r Pa tr ol (CAP)or Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) froma ‘forward floating base’ in the ArabianSea can be established to destroy enemyairborne strike platforms in defence of ourvital nuclear and oil installations on the West coast. An added advantage of INSVikramaditya is its superstructure profilethat has the potential to accommodatepowerful planar or phased array radarsystems with ‘billboard style’ antennae firstnoted in United States Navy cruiser USSLong Beach along with extensive commandand control facilities to conduct an aerialcampaign.

Sayan Majumdar Photos: Angad Singh

52 VAYU



53 VI/2015

An IN Hawk gets airborne at INS Dega for a training sortie

Over the last few years, the IndianNavy has been feverishly workingto augment its infrastructure

around the country, and nowhere is thisdrive more apparent than at INS Dega inVisakhapatnam. In addition to a host ofimprovements to already-existing facilitiesat the base, as well as construction of all-

new infrastructure including additionalhangars and aprons, the Navy is a lso aimingto acquire more land to expand this airstation to make it linchpin of the EasternNaval Command’s aviation capabilitymuch in the same way as INS Hansa inGoa serves the Western NavalCommand. Indeed, like its WNCcounterpart, INS Dega is eventuallyintended to serve as shore basefor an operational squadron ofRussian-origin MiG-29K/KUBcarrier fighters. Once INS Vikrant ,the first indigenous aircraft carrier

(IAC-1) enters service, the entiretyof its air wing will also be basedat Dega . he station’s presentcommanding officer, CaptainDebanil Bhattacharya, noted thatthe development work underway would also allow an increase inboth military as well as civil aircraftoperating on India’s eastern

seaboard, an important considerationgiven that the air station also doubles upas the only air link to the ever importantcity of Vizag.

INS Dega got off to a rather modeststart, with the formation of a helicopterflight under INS Circars adjacent toVisakhapatnam airfield in December 1972.

Over a decade later, on 12 March 1986, theairport at Visakhapatnam was transferredfrom the DGCA/AAI to the Navy andcommenced operations as ‘Naval Air Station,Visakhapatnam,’ with one Chetak flight anda few helicopters disembarked from various

ships. Construction of additional hangars,aprons, maintenance facilities and anoperations complex soon followed and on21 October 1991, Admiral LaxminarayanRamdas formally commissioned the baseas INS Dega .

Te base is home to some 40-odd aircraftat any given time and hosts a number of

Naval Air Squadrons : INAS 311 ‘Kites,’ apatrol and EW squadron operating Dornier228 aircraft, INAS 321 ‘Angels,’ with HALChetak helicopters in the search and rescue(SAR) role, INAS 333 ‘Eagles,’ with anti-submarine warfare (ASW) Kamov Ka-28

The Hawks of Dega

Vayu’s Angad Singh spent some time with the Indian Navy at INS Dega in Visakahapatnam and reports onthe Navy’s advanced jet training squadron, INAS 551 Phantoms.



54 VAYU

helicopters, INAS 350 ‘Harpoons,’ with theSikorsky UH-3H Sea King helicopters thatcame with INS Jalashwa (ex-USS Trenton),and a flight of DRDO Lakshya unmannedtarget drones. Te station’s newest tenant isINAS 551 ‘Phantoms,’ which traded ageingHAL HJ-16 Kiran Mk.IIs for brand newHAL-built BAE Systems Hawk Mk.132advanced jet trainers (AJs) and relocatedto Vizag from Goa in late 2013.

The PhantomsIn its earliest avatar, the squadron existed asthe Naval Jet Flight (NJF), which was set upin September 1957 at Sulur and equipped with four de Havilland Vampire jet aircraft.In mid-1959 the Naval Jet Flight was re-constituted as INAS 550A, and then a littleover two years later, was re-designated as anindependent squadron and commissionedas INAS 551 on 5 September 1961. Tesquadron was to train pilots in tacticalflying and air combat before they moved onto the operational fighter squadron, INAS

300 ‘White igers.’ By 1962, a handful ofHawker Sea Hawks from INAS 300 hadbeen inducted into INAS 551, which wasconducting the bulk of training flying onVampires, and using the Sea Hawks onlyfor conversion training prior to assignmentof pilots to INAS 300.

In 1970, the squadron switched to HALHJ-16 Kiran trainers, with all subsequent

An INAS 551 Hawk taxis out while other aircraft of the squadron prepare for light in the background

Taxiing to the runway amid the lush greenery of INS Dega

Navy fighter training carried out on theseaircraft. An improved variant, the KiranMk.II, was inducted in 1986. In 1990, theSea Harrier Operational Flying rainingUnit (SHOFU) was set up and INAS 551

was bifurcated into two flights. INAS 551Aoperated Kirans while INAS 551B operatedHarrier trainers, conducting conversiontraining onto the aircraft for pilots joiningINAS 300. In May 1995, INAS 551A and551B parted ways and the latter squadronbegan to function independently, underthe moniker ‘he Braves.’ INAS 551B was formally commissioned as INAS 552

on 7 July 2006, conducting Sea HarrierConversion Courses (SHCC) for SeaHarrier pilots and re-familiarisation ofaircrew returning to Sea Harriers after abreak in flying.

Meanwhile, in May 2003, the Phantoms made history as the parent unit of the Naval Aerobatic eam ‘Sagar Pawan’ (Sea Breeze).Te Indian Navy became only the secondNavy in the world (after the US Navy) toestablish a fixed-wing display team, and theSagar Pawan aircraft enthralled millions intheir distinctive dark-blue-and-white paintscheme.



55 VI/2015

INAS 551 Hawk getting airborne after a touch-and-go

Hawk coming in for a missed approach with hills and buildings of Vizag in the background

Over the years that followed, thesquadron continued to receive nascentnaval aviators, strength from the Indian Air Force’s flying training pipeline andmoulded them into naval fighter pilotsbefore sending them to convert to SeaHarriers with INAS 552 just across theapron at INS Hansa .

TransitionFor half a century, the Phantoms werethe bedrock of the Navy’s fighter stream,but in the 2000s, some cracks began toshow as HAL Kirans in service with boththe Navy and IAF started approachingthe end of their service lives, the HALHP-32 basic trainer was grounded (and

eventually phased out), and the IAF’s badlystove-piped training system struggled toprovide enough training slots for Navycadets to carry out basic flying and Stage-2training, let alone crucial Stage-3 ‘combat’training that was to be conducted beforethey were posted to INAS 551. With newMiG-29K fighters already in service (albeit



56 VAYU

without a pa rent squadron being formallycommissioned), the situation appearedparticularly troublesome.

From around 2005 onward there wereincreasingly limited vacancies in the IAFpipeline, particularly at Stages 2 and 3,owing to shortage of aircraft. At this time,the Navy was accepting approximately 34pilots per year, but Naval Aviation wasexpanding at a rapid rate and the IAFhad made clear that accommodating theburgeoning number of Naval cadets in the Air Force training pipeline would continueto be a problem. herefore, the Navybegan sending pilots to train in the USAthat same year, with 32 pilots having beentrained with the US Navy by 2013. A freshcase for an additional 24 pilots to undergothe same training was moved in 2012, andthe first pilots of this batch departed in

February 2014.For selection to train in the USA, the

Navy picks two pilots who have showedmost promise at the end of Stage-1 flying, soas to maximise the value of this admittedlyexpensive endeavour. Te tempo of Stage-1training with the IAF means that one pair ofpilots is sent to the USA every six months.Once in America, these pilots start from

scratch, doing all three training stagesagain (1-2-3) on Beechcraft -6 exan IIs,Northrop -38 alons, and finallyMcDonnell Douglas -45 Goshawks forcarrier qualifications (CQ). Te US Navyrequires a minimum of 10 ‘traps’ (arrestedrecoveries on board a carrier) to qualifya pilot for aircraft carrier operations. Inaddition, once the aircraft have successfullylanded on deck, they have to be catapultedfor their subsequent traps, so there are alarge number of Indian naval aviators now with requisite catapult experience.

In the meantime, a number of fortuitousevents allowed both the IAF and IN tobegin to remedy the training situation athome. In 2013, Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II basictrainers were inducted for Stage-1 training, with the IAF with successive deliveries overtime relieving pressure at this critical phase

of flying instruction. Meanwhile, the Hawkproduction line at HAL Bangalore wasable to finally fulfil the IAF’s longstandingdemand for a contemporary advanced jettrainer. Moreover, the Indian MoD hadsigned a supplementary contract that calledfor part of HAL’s Hawk production – 17aircraft – to be supplied to the Navy, to re-equip INAS 551.

Te only hurdle that remained (and stilldoes) was Stage-2 training, hamstrung by itsreliance on Kiran Mk.IIs and the fact thatHAL’s IJ programme, intended to replacethe Kirans, has been mired in problemsalmost since inception.

oday, the training conducted by INAS551 at INS Dega involves 3 broad categoriesof pilots: the first of these have completedthe aforementioned training syllabus in theUSA (i.e. Stages 1 through 3, includingCQ) and arrive at Dega simply to do a‘naval orientation’ on the Hawks. Tey havenever actually flown with the Indian Navy,and therefore need time to “familiarise”themselves with Indian procedures, tactics,doctrine and so on. Tese pilots typicallyconduct 60-70 hours of flying with INAS551 to get used to “fighting with the Navy,”even though they already have over 200

hours of cumulative flying time on varioustraining aircraft by this point. After thisfamiliarisation course, the pilots moveonward to Goa to convert to the bisonicMiG-29K/KUB.

Pilots of the second category are thosethat have done Stage-1 training at the AirForce Academy in Dundigal, Stage-2 onKirans at Hakimpet and have now been

Hawk on landing with brake parachute deployed – a rare sight given the comfortable runway length at Dega



57 VI/2015

sent to INS Dega to complete Stage-3 training before operationalconversion in Goa. In the past, Stage-3 training was also done with the IAF, and pilots came to INAS 551 only to learn how todo things “the Navy way,” as is the case with the first category. After the transition to Hawks, however, the Navy has elected tomove the entirety of Stage-3 flying in-house, adapting the IAF’sexisting syllabus for their needs. Tis stage calls for approximately150 flying hours, and even includes weapons training (gun androcket pod attacks) at sea. After graduation from this particularcategory, pilots will typically have a cumulative 350 hours offlying on various types.

Te final category covers pilots with prior experience with theNavy’s fighter squadrons. Tese are former Sea Harrier pilots whoplay a largely ‘supervisory’ role at INAS 551, and are there so thattheir experience in operational units can inject a touch of “fightingspirit” into the unit. Nearly all the senior officers in INAS 551 areformer Sea Harrier pilots, and with Sea Harrier training havingstopped in 2014, the younger pilots will probably move laterallyto MiG-29s, while older pilots will continue to come to INS Dega to train and oversee the nurturing of the new generation of navalfighter pilots.

Although the bulk of the Navy’s Hawk training at INS Dega appears similar to the IAF’s Stage-3 training at Bidar, there are somekey differences in procedures and syllabus. For instance, the survivalkit in the Navy Hawks is geared toward survival at sea for extendedperiods of time, because of the differences between land-based andmaritime SAR. One of the fundamental operational disparitiesbetween IAF and IN Hawk training is the large amount of low-levelflying that pilots are required to conduct over the sea. Althoughseemingly trivial, training for low-level flight over the sea off the

Coasting to a halt courtesy of the additional deceleration provided by the brake parachute

INAS 551 Commanding Oficer Capt Dalip Singh with a young Lieutenant

about to depart for a training sortie



58 VAYU

training the crews of Indian warships as well.Te Hawks of INAS 551 simulate enemyassets that allow ship-board personnel tohone their skills at operating radar and othersensors, conducting air defence operationsand so on. Te aircraft are also invaluablefor calibration of sensors, fire control andgunnery. In short, INAS 551 supports anysort of maritime training that might requirean aircraft or an aerial platform.

The Final StretchOnce a pilot graduates from INAS 551,he will head to Goa to convert onto theMiG-29K. Although MiG-29Ks do deployto INS Dega on frequent detachments, theShore-Based est Facility (SBF) is located with INAS 303 ‘Black Panthers’ at INSHansa in Goa, so all conversion trainingfor the foreseeable future will be conductedthere. At INS Hansa , pilots receive between

85 and 100 hours of shore-based flyingtraining, operating from the runway, theSBF ramp and even practice arrestedrecovery on the SBF’s two arrester wires. At the end of this conversion training, pilotsare declared ‘ops’ for air defence, and are

Eastern Coast of India is a far cry from flyingfrom the relatively benign environs of AFSBidar: there are no visual terrain referencesout at sea, and atmospheric conditionsoften throw up visibility challenges as well.Maintaining orientation and awarenessduring missions over water is a centralelement of naval aviation, and is dealt withaccordingly at INAS 551.

Fleet Support As of September 2015, there were 11 Hawksin service with INAS 551 at INA Dega .Tree more are expected by the end of 2015, with the final three aircraft of the 17-aircraftorder to be delivered in 2016. Under presentprojection, these numbers are expected tobe sufficient for the Indian Navy’s needs,covering both training and the squadron’srole as a ‘Fleet Support Unit’ (FSU) or ‘FleetRequirement Unit’ (FRU).

While the Hawk is a hugely capabletrainer in the Navy’s estimation, and hasfinally allowed the IN to take greater controlof the final (and arguably most crucial)phase of combat flying training, this aircrafthas an additional purpose, as it helps in

ready for carrier qualifications. All pilots,including those already CQ after trainingin the USA, must nevertheless make a freshseries of traps in the MiG-29K before theyare qualified to operate from the carrier.Following CQ, routine additional training(strike, night ops, etc) is conducted asneeded within INAS 303.

Still, it is important to note that even with INAS 551 operating with only 11Hawks out of a total of 17 ordered, theprimary bottleneck in Indian military flyingtraining remains at Stage-2. It is estimatedthat if four naval aviators were able to enterStage-2 training every six months, all flyingtraining could be moved back to India. Evenas PC-7s and Hawks have taken pressure offat either end of the training pipeline, theageing Kiran fleet has created significantproblems in the middle. As of this writing,the IAF is trialling a plan (see Vayu V/2015) to

have a handful of pilots conduct their Stage-2syllabus with additional flying hours on thePC-7 Mk.II. Whether this plan is practical ornot remains to be seen, but as ever, the Navyis making the most of the resources available.

Photos and text by Angad Singh



59 VI/2015

The Imperatives of Amphibious Aircraft

Cmde Sujeet Samaddar reviews

In what could have been another attemptto unleash havoc on Indian shoresalong similar lines as the 26/11 terror

strikes, the Indian Coast Guard intercepteda suspicious Pakistani fishing boat, laden with explosives, in the Arabian Sea in theearly hours of 1 January 2015. Detectedalmost 24 hours earlier by a Coast GuardDornier aircraft, it took a nearby patrolvessel some 14-16 hours to intercept theboat. Despite warning shots the boat did notsurrender and apparently blew itself up withthe crew and any hard evidence of terroristcomplicity in conducting this operation was lost . An amphibious aircraft wouldhave provided the capability of rapid andsimultaneous surveillance and arrest, leavingno time for scuttling or obtaining directions

from ‘handlers.’ An arrest effected by anamphibious aircraft would have been a hugedeterrent to any future such operations.

During the evacuation of Indiansstranded in Yemen an expensive militaryforce of three warships, two Indian AirForce C-17 aircraft and two passengerships were utilised, in addition to Air Indiaairliners. he C-17s and the Air India

flights operated from Djibouti while theships ferried evacuees from Sanaa. A totalof about 4,000 Indian were evacuated overa period of a month at substantial costand risk. With a transit time direct to the Yemen coast of about 4 hours, amphibianaircraft operating from Mumbai wouldhave achieved the evacuation in perhaps100-120 sorties conducted over a periodof 5-7 days by landing directly in Yemenicoastal waters. Te cost savings and theoperational flexibility that amphibianaircraft provide by way of access, airspace,sea landing capability and immigrationcontrol are apparent.

On 14 August 2013, INS Sindhurakshak was lost to a fire on board. Whilst alongsideseveral rescue systems are in place the Indian

Navy would not have been able to organisea rescue effort had the incident occurred atsea. Only an amphibious aircraft could havebeen dispatched with divers, welding setsand experts to save the submarine and moreimportantly, its crew. A few decades ago, the world was witness to the tragedy of 7 April1989, wherein forty-two submariners of aSoviet nuclear-powered submarine died in

the Barents Sea, while rescue aircraft circledpowerlessly overhead watched freezingsubmariners perish literally before their eyessince the rescue ships had not yet reachedthe location. Just one capable amphibiousaircraft would have averted the tragedy.Most importantly, the human tragedy ofthe loss of the highly trained and specialisedsubmariners far exceeded the cost of thesubmarine. Tis is a lesson of history thatIndia can learn, and amphibious access isa contingent capability that India mustpossess.

MV Pavit , a derelict, washed upundetected on a Mumbai beach in theearly hours of 31 July 2011. About six weeks earl ier, another merchant vessel,MV Wisdom, broke tow and ended up on

Juhu beach after drifting dangerously closeto the Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge. Hadthe ship collided with the Sea Link, there would have been a massive disaster. Bothships had pierced the coastal surveillanceenvelope undetected. Such derelicts are notonly hazardous upon beaching but also are amenace to navigational safety at sea. Withina fortnight, MV Rak , sailing from Indonesia



60 VAYU

to Dahej in Gujarat with 60,000 tonnes ofcoal, sank barely 20 nautical miles off theMumbai coast after developing two holes inits hull. Aircraft, helicopters and ships wereunequal to the task of salvaging it. Advancedtechnology amphibious aircraft operatingeven in rough sea conditions, ferryingsophisticated damage control equipmentand a specialist and experienced naval teamrapidly and directly to the stricken ship would have easily averted this disaster.

Te most suitable amphibious aircraftthat can conduct a near all-weather,high-speed rescue operation for the entirecrew of a ditched aircraft is of particularrelevance to the Indian Navy, and in

faster and surer with amphibious aircraftthan using ships or even helicopters.Combat missions may also be undertakenby suitable amphibious aircraft. Rapid andprecision insertion and extraction of troopsalong undefended coastlines for covert orforce projection operations is one example.Such an asset builds confidence in thecrew that they have a very good chance ofrecovery even at sea – a capability that doesnot exist as of now.

Amphibious aircraft are also being usedas airborne firefighters, carrying severaltonnes of seawater to douse fires ashore oron oil rigs. Amphibious aircraft can alsosupport remote communities in distant

The Amphibian Century Amphibian aircraft made their debut on28 March 1911 when the Fabre Hydraviontook-off from water at Martigues. By end of World War I, amphibians had completedtranscontinental flights and in some

instances even been refuelled by ships andsubmarines at sea. Post-1918, amphibianaircraft were at their zenith. After World War II, however, these aircraft lost theircharm somewhat, although limited civil andcommercial applications continued.

oday, modern technological advanceshave made it possible for amphibian aircraftto conduct a variety of naval missionsranging from benign to constabulary and

fact all Services that operate long range

missions over water with aircraft suchas the Boeing P-8I long range maritimepatrol aircraft and MiG-29K deck-basedfighters of the Navy, to the IAF’s shorebased AWACS and MiG-29, Su-30MKIand Jaguar maritime interdiction fighters. An aircraft is more easily replaced than i tshighly trained aircrew. Similarly, the rescueof a crew of distressed ship or submarine is

islands or remote land frontiers – those in

proximity of deep lakes and rivers – withlogistics and medical support.

Amphibi an aircraft there fore havemultifarious applications for naval forcesand as the technology is maturing theseaircraft are under induction by several naviesincluding China, which would possibly puta 60 tonne amphibian aircraft in the IOR waters by next year.

even to military operations. Indian Naval

Aviation, which formal ly ‘to ok off ’ atCochin on 11 May 1953, began operatingthe Short Sealand, an amphibian aircraft, asthe first Indian Naval Aircraft. However, thecapability of operating such aircraft fadedthereafter, as the Indian Navy progressed toinduct conventional aircraft and developed acarrier-borne capability. With the advent ofmodern technology in amphibian aircraft,





62 VAYU

income bracket were to take just one flightper year, it would result in a sale of 300million tickets, a big jump from the 70million domestic tickets sold in 2014-15.Tis will be possible if airfares, especiallyon regional routes, are brought down toan affordable level. Te growth in aviation will create a larger multiplier effect in termsof investments, tourism and employmentgeneration, especially for unskilled andsemi-skilled workers.

Based on this policy and the vastcoastline and several exotic islands in theLakhshadweep and Andaman Seas thatIndia is endowed with the stage is set tocreate a positively buoyant market forseaplanes or amphibians as a mode of civilair transportation in the future. With theanticipated growth in civil aviation, land-based airports would be bursting at theseams to accommodate increased passengerand freight traffic. Moreover, new airports would require additional real estate, withattendant land acquisition issues andsubstantial capital expenditure toward

associated infrastructure development.Induction of amphibious aircraft in thecommercial segment would not onlydecongest existing airports loads but wouldalso allow the use of sea ports as an alternateoperating area for civil aviation.

Various market segments for potentialuse of amphibian aircraft in the civilapplication are:

Leisure and tourism/ semi-commercialsegment, which is presently the largestsegment for seaplanes/amphibianaircraft.

Commuter market segment: whilethe traditional commuter trafficoffers scheduled flights from smallerairports to the hubs or point–to-pointconnections between smaller airports,the amphibian aircraft could providethree alternative variants in the local

passenger transportation segment:- Flight from the nearest major land

airport to the seaport or return.

Flight between two water landingfields.

Flight between a land airport and seaport located at a far distance (flightbetween selected large airports andisland tourist resorts)

Special markets for cargo movementand fire-fighting capability could useamphibious capabilities very effectively.

At the international level , commercia l

applications of seaplanes are alreadyenjoying great success in the Maldives andMauritius islands, as also in Polynesia, theMediterranean and the North Atlanticregion including the Great Lakes, wherelocal operators are using more than 70seaplanes. However, these aircraft arelimited to less than 19 passengers, andcover short distances at low speeds. Longer

endurance and higher speed seaplanes withthe ability to tackle rough seas are likelyto be a favoured mode of transportationfor tourist traffic, particularly since thedemand for exotic and distant localesare on the rise. Tis would also spur ademand for freight and cargo to sustainthese resorts.

With the growth of such platforms,new traffic routes can be developed withthe advantage of short flights, including

point-to-point connections to nationaland international airports using naturallanding strips on the sea. Scheduledcommuter seaplane/amphibian operationsare non-existent in the Indian marketthough they proliferate in Canada, Maltaand the Pacific islands already. Very limitedseaplane services are being used in the Andaman Islands, Kerala and Maharashtra,as the current Indian market and aircraftoperators not only lack a modern seaplane ofinternational standards and regulations theyalso face non-existent infrastructure andcomplete lack of expertise in maintenance

and operations of mid-size amphibians asregional transport aircraft.

An Indian Amphibian With such capability already on the vergeof induction into the Indian ArmedForces, in the recent future, it would be worth a measured guess that the necessaryinfrastructure, operating philosophy and



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maintenance infrastructure including MROtechnology of such aircraft would also becreated in India. Te Government has beenin the process of developing India’s ownRegional ransport Aircraft (RA) underthe aegis of NAL and HAL. It would be worthwhile therefore to carry out a costbenefit analysis and explore the feasibilityof an indigenously-designed amphibianaircraft as the Indian regional transportaircraft for meeting both domestic and

export demand. his may make goodbusiness sense since the RA market isalready overcrowded with the lead playerssuch as Bombardier, Embraer, AR andmore recently some Chinese and Russianentry level aircraft for this segment withmultifarious product profiles.

Tese considerations certainly createthe possibility of a potential businessopportunity with new technology andinnovative applications that can find asufficiently vibrant potential customerbase. It may therefore be a viable optionfor the Government to consider a

technical collaboration or partnership with an established amphibious aircraftmanufacturer to develop the RA as anamphibious platform for commercialapplications which is a niche market withvery limited players in both the domesticand global market and thus may offersubstantial opportunity for India to be anexporter of amphibious aircraft.

In addition to the obvious benefits oflow infrastructure requirements, point-to-point connectivity and decongesting ofpresent airports, with adequate numbers,commonality of platform and maintenanceinfrastructure even the operating cost ofsuch a platform could be reduced to a greatextent for both military and civil operators.It must be understood that there are manyisland territories in the Indian sub-continent with poor access ibility. Accessibility can

be improved drastically by introductionof amphibian air traffic. Such operationsthat would connect distant islands withthe mainland will have several downstreambenefits of developing these areas andrelocating populations, enhancing tourismrevenues and creating a modern aerospaceindustry in India.

he market demand is promising ifamphibian aircraft/seaplanes could providecompetitive flights to inaccessible islandareas or coastal locations or to industrial/business areas by saving valuable timecompared to other available means of

transportation. For many passengers,amphibious/seaplane operations may offerthat ‘unique’ or ‘special’ type of journeyand also provide aeronautical cultureopportunity to people who do not liveclose to the established airports. Last butnot least, amphibious aircraft/seaplanesmay provide a 'sense of freedom' forpassengers to move outside the artificial

world of airports, controlled airspace andaeronautical bureaucracy.

So, while the amphibious aircraft is aforce multiplier for maritime forces the timehas come for India to carry out a seriousstudy towards the relevance of ‘flying boats’in easing the ever-increasing demand of airtraffic in the near future. Te opportunitiesare many but options are limited. Civiloperations of a credible amphibian platformdesigned to suit Indian market could surely

be one solution. Of course key operationalparameters such as Short ake Off andLanding (SOL) ability, high sea stateoperations, good payload, long range andhigh-speed flight is a necessity for successfuloperations.

Cmde Sujeet Samaddar, NM (Retd)



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On a dark but moonlit night, an Indian warship pierced the waters of the South China Sea at a brisk 25 knots. Teonly sound to be heard was of waves slapping the sides of

her sleek hull. o the untrained eye, she was all but invisible. Hersleek silhouette and her grey paint scheme ensured she blended in with the sea around her. And her distinct, angular lines were meantto make it difficult, if not impossible, for enemy radars to track her :she was, after all, a stealth warship.

But tonight would be different. onight, INS Kochi , a state-of-the-art Indian Navy destroyer, built in India over a decade, wouldbe challenged by a worthy adversary : another stealth ship, a ype052D destroyer of the Chinese Navy, the Changsha . Commissioned

just a month ahead of the Kochi in August 2015, the Changsha represented the pinnacle of Chinese naval design and engineering,carrying a world class load of surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles.

Inside the Kochi , there was tension. Men moved aroundpurposefully and silently. Tey had been briefed about the situationthey were in. For several days, the Kochi and two other ships of theIndian Navy, the frigate Shivalik and the fleet tanker INS Shakti ,had been repeatedly challenged. Unlike the Kochi and the Shivalik ,the Shakti was not armed but her role in this mission was essential :

Vishnu Som of NDV, after visiting the guided missilestealth destroyer INS Kochi (D64) earlier this year andbeing briefed on its features and technology, presentsa possible naval scenario involving the Indian Navy’s

latest and most lethal warship.

A chilling but plausible scenario in the

South China sea

Battle Stations !

INS Kochi’s 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid Gun Mount in the foreground

with the large IAI Elta EL/M-2248 MF-STAR phased array radar visible

on top of the mast



65 VI/2015

she would refuel the Indian task forcethrough the course of their journey.

“You have entered Chinese waters,”announced the radio transmission broadcaston an international maritime alert frequency.“Please change course. You are now inChinese waters. Alter course now or you will be challenged.”

And on the instructions of the Indianfleet Commander, an Admiral on board theINS Kochi , the Indian Navy had replied,politely but with a firm resolve. “We areoperating in international waters en route to Japan for joint exercises. It is our intentionto remain on course.”

But the Indian task force commanderknew that he was being monitored. Hislong-range Russian-built surface searchradar had picked up intermittent contacts,at least two of which matched the profileof Chinese warships. But no one could besure. Te contacts were at the very end ofthe radar’s range. For now, the Indian taskforce Commander would wait and watch.

Who would blink first in this gameof high stakes Naval brinkmanship? TeChinese Navy, which considered much ofthe South China Sea as its personal fiefdom,or the warships of the Indian Navy, nowoperating far from their own waters ?

Te answer would come very shortly.Deep inside the Kochi , several decks

below her bridge, her Commanding Officer,his XO (Executive Officer) and 15 of hismost skilled weapons and sensor experts

manned their stations in the OperationsCentre of the 7,500-ton destroyer.

Te Kochi was at battle stations, alert toany hostile Chinese presence, her leadingofficers using radars and sonars to searchfor hostile contacts : enemy aircraft, missilesor submarines. Spread across 17 metres,the width of the entire warship, the OpsCentre was the nerve centre of the Kochi ,a rectangular, windowless, black roomdimly lit by blue lights that added to theillumination of more than a dozen colourmulti-function displays.

Officers scanning the airwaves for

electronic emissions from enemy warshipsmanned the Electronic Warfare (EW) suite.Equipped with an Indian EW suite calledthe ‘Ellora’, theKochi’s sensors mounted onher mast behind both sides of her Bridgehad two primary functions : ElectronicSupport Missions (ESM) to detect faintradar emissions from ships in the areaand Electronic Counter Measures (ECM)

The 76mm main gun in action during pre-commissioning trials

employed for jamming the signals of enemyaircraft, incoming anti shipping and cruisemissiles if they were detected.

Next to the ECM crew, a gunneryofficer was checking the status of his 16anti-ship Brahmos missiles, among thefastest and most lethal weapons in its class :a missile designed to fly at close to threetimes the speed of sound to penetrate thedefences of enemy warships 300 kilometresaway.

With its massive warhead, a singleBrahmos missile could blast through thehull of an enemy ship, causing an explosionthat could sink a relatively large frigate ordestroyer in minutes.

But at this moment, the Commander ofthe ship and his First Officer, monitoring allof the ship’s sensors and systems from theirstation in the middle of the Ops Centre,had a more immediate concern.

Te Electronic Warfare suite ‘Ellora’,had picked up emissions from the same

area where the Kochi’s surface search radarhad earlier detected a contact. And theinformation was getting worse. ‘Ellora’had classified the threat. It was indeed aChinese ype 052D destroyer, a ship ofthe same class as the Kochi and the pride ofthe Chinese Navy.

Seconds later, a loud buzzer sounded.“Incoming missile!” shouted ‘SAMs,’ the

Officer manning the Surface-to-Air Missile(SAM) console. Far above him, electronicbeams from the Israeli-built MF-SAR(Multi-Function Surveillance, rack AndGuidance Radar) had homed into a clearand present threat.

Te Chinese destroyer had fired a longrange YJ-18 ‘Eagle Strike’ missile directlyat the Kochi . “Second missile incoming!”shouted SAMs, as the radar began trackinga second and then a third Chinese subsonicmissile headed straight in Kochi’s direction.

But INS Kochi had an antidote : theBarak-8 Long Range Surface to Air Missile(LR-SAM) system jointly developed byIsrael and India. Te Kochi had 32 suchmissiles onboard, designed to deal withexactly this threat.

“Another missile inbound. Tat makesit four missiles inbound!” : this was a worst-case scenario : a saturation attack. Te fateof the 390 officers and seamen on theKochi was now effectively in the hands of a highly

automated weapon system.Now at full-auto mode, the first Indian

Barak 8 blasted off its vertical launcherahead of the bridge of the destroyer. Accelerating quickly to four times the speedof sound, the missile shot straight up beforearching in a parabola in the direction of theenemy missile it was assigned to intercept.Te missile was not flying blind : critical



66 VAYU

data indicating the direction, speed andlocation of the incoming Chinese anti-shipmissile was being fed to the Barak, enablingit to lock on to the first Chinese missileprecisely.

In the final few seconds of its flight, theBarak, now being directed by data fromits own radar, streaked down towards theChinese missile. In moments, its warhead would detonate, activated by a proximityfuse triggered when the distance betweenthe Barak and the incoming enemy missile was no more than a few feet. Te firstChinese ‘Eagle Strike’ missile had beendestroyed more than 70 kilometres awayfrom the Kochi .

But with the Chinese destroyerlaunching its missiles in quick succession,the second, third and fourth ‘Eagle Strike’missiles, some flying different trajectoriesthan the first, continued to close in on theKochi which kept firing as the incomingmissiles approached, the automatic systemassigning two missiles each to the final twomissiles.

Inside the Ops Centre, the Commanderof the Kochi focussed on a large LCD screenthat dominated the Ops Centre. On it,

critical data from the SAM officer’s console was now being displayed. And as theytried their best to focus on their individualsystems, different officers manning othersystems would glance up at the big screento get an idea of what was happening. Teyall knew that this was life or extinction. And they all knew there was nothing reallyleft for them to do. Unless they chose

to deliberately intervene, the system wascompletely automated : Barak 8 surface-toair missiles would keeping launching off thefore and aft deck of the Kochi until every lastincoming missile was destroyed - or everylast Barak missile had been fired.

And if the ‘Eag le St rike ’ mi ss il es weren’t intercepted, Kochi would still keepfighting. wo of four Russian-designed AK-630 anti-missile guns on board the destroyer would collectively spew out 10,000 roundsper minute, creating a wall of lead betweenthe Eagle Strike and theKochi . Te incomingmissiles, it was hoped, would be obliteratedas they tried to pierce this wall. And even asthe missiles approached, there were otherdefensive systems on board the Kochi .

‘Ellora’, the Electronic CounterMeasures system would try and jam theradars of the incoming ‘Eagle Strike’ while‘Kavach’, an indigenous system would firealuminium chaff in the area to confuse thesensors of the Eagle Strike and make themissile veer away harmlessly from the ship.

In the end, none of this was required.Te Barak system was up for the challengeand every one of the subsonic Chinese anti-ship missiles were destroyed, the last one

just 10 kilometres away from theKochi , herexplosion easily visible to the naked eye onthis dark night.

Tis was now a Naval war. A frontlineIndian asset had been attacked ininternational waters. Te Indian fleet werebound to respond and that process hadalready begun. As Kochi defended herself,critical targeting data was being constantly

shared between Kochi and the Shivalik , thefrigate accompanying her. Tey were linkedthrough the Indian Navy’s tactical network,a communications highway routed throughthe Navy’s own satellite, the Rukmini .

For Indian warships deployed overlarge parts of the Navy’s area of interest,the Rukmini gives a cohesive and heavilyencrypted tactical picture : the location ofother ships in their area, details of whattheir sensors are tracking, the ability to talk,transmit video and even access the internet.Te two warships and also the unarmed fleettanker accompanying them were sharingdata of the battle through a secure tacticalnetwork operating through encrypted radiotransmitters.

As she warded off the enemy missiles,the Kochi had provided Shivalik with theexact coordinates of the enemy Chinese warship , data which was fed into the

Shivalik’s Brahmos missiles, two of which were ripple-fired even as Kochi fought off the enemy missiles heading her way.

Blasting off the vertical launch tubeson the deck of the Shivalik, the Brahmosmissiles quickly accelerated to Mach 2.8and headed towards the Changsha nearly300 kilometres away. Ill-equipped to takeon a weapon as fast and manoeuvrable asthe Brahmos, the Chinese destroyer firedoff her defensive guns, and her own chaff-dispensers. But by then, it was too late. She was obliterated.

Chilling ? Still, the scenario described

above is not entirely unrealistic.In 2011, INS Ai ravat , an Indian

amphibious assault ship was challengedby the Chinese Navy at a distance of45 nautical miles from the Vietnamesecoast in the South China Sea by a calleridentifying himself as Chinese Navy. Te Airavat continued on course, ignoring thechallenge which said, “You are enteringChinese waters.”

India continues to have significantcommercial interests in oil and gas inassociation with Vietnam, one of the countriesinvolved in a heated maritime dispute with

Beijing. And Vietnam, incidentally, has closeNaval ties with India, which is known to havetrained Vietnamese sailors.

And this is where a ship like the INSKochi comes in. Te second of a class ofthree advancedKolkata -class destroyers, the7,500 ton Kochi is a perfect example of howthe government’s mantra of ‘Make in India’can be realised.

INS Kochi’s RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launcher, LR-SAM and Brahmos vertical launch cells,

and 76mm main gun visible from the bridge, while its sister ship is seen moored in the distance



67 VI/2015

Te data provided by the MCR’s systems are part of the Ship’sData Network (SDM), the backbone of what is an informationhighway on board the ship. Data from the SDM can be tappedacross the ship on a need to know basis. A key part of the ShipData Network System is the Combat Management System (CMS), which processes data from the sensors (radars, sonars and electronic warning systems) and the weapon systems. All of this is primarilyrouted to the Operations Centre of the warship, though in the eventof damage to the Ops Centre during a battle, can be accessed fromseveral stand-alone consoles spread across the ship.

Tough she has been commissioned, INS Kochi and her sistership INS Kolkata are yet to become fully battle-worthy. Te long-range Barak 8 surface to air missile, one of her primary weapons,is presently being tested on board Israeli warships. It is understoodthat there are no major hurdles in the development of this newgeneration weapon, which will be installed on the INSKolkata , theINS Kochi and their yet-to-be-commissioned sister ship, the INSChennai within the next few months.

Captain Gurcharan Singh, the Commanding Officer of INSKochi , has a glint in his eye when he tells us that he has beenlucky enough to have been a part of the commissioning crew of

three warships entering the Indian Navy, a rare feat for any sailoranywhere in the world.

At 46, he has the awesome responsibili ty of commanding40 officers and 350 sailors on board the Kochi . According to theCaptain, “Its a wonderful experience. For us as a commissioningcrew, it’s a great opportunity to take charge of a warship. We are veryproud of the ship for two reasons. For one, the ship is a very potentand powerful platform and secondly, this ship is an outstandingexample of our indigenous ship-building capability.”

Tis article first appearedon ndtv.com

The Machinery Control Room (MCR) on board INS Kochi

Te product of decades of experience in Naval ship designand manufacture, the INS Kochi , which was commissioned intothe Indian Navy on 30 September 2015, incorporates the bestNaval technology available anywhere in the world, technologycustomised and delivered to the state-run Mazgaon Docks Limited(MDL), Mumbai, which has integrated these systems onto anIndian-built hull.

Unlike most other warships of its class in the Indian Navy,the Kochi is large. Tere are no cramped gangways here, typicalof other warships. Tere are abundant spaces and crew comfort,unlike in the past, is a real priority. ‘Hot bunking’ where sailorsshare the same bunks as colleagues when they are on another shiftis a thing of the past. Instead, every sailor has a bunk and adequatelocker space. Te sailor’s dining area is large and the gal ley is highlyautomated and includes, among othersystems, an automated dosa maker !

Te Kochi can speed along at more

than 30 knots, close to 56 kilometresper hour, and be deployed in theopen seas for several weeks if need be.Her Indian-built generators provideenough power to run a small townindefinitely. Te generators are crucialin powering the air-conditioningsystems on board. he Kochi needs200 tons of cooling to ensure that herdelicate electronics and weapon systemsremain operational in our intensely hotand humid conditions.

While Machinery Control Rooms(MCR) of previous warships featured

manual controls and analogue dials, theMCR on board the Kochi is completelyautomated. Officers here monitorfire fighting systems, propulsion andauxiliary systems, power generation, theship’s stabilisers, her air conditionersand four large Reverse Osmosis Plantsthat provide the ship and her crew withabundant fresh water.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, seen with Admiral Robin Dhowan, CNS and Vice Admiral SPS

Cheema, FOC-in-C Western Naval Command at the commissioning of INS Kochi



68 VAYU

World Market for Conventional

Submarines

Current State and Trends

A Russian Kilo-class boat

heading out to sea (photo: USC)he market for non-nuclear (thatis diesel-electric, or conventional)submarines, like any other market,

has numerous segments. Te conditions in which submarines are required to operateare not uniform. he Australian Navy,for example, requires ocean-going boats, whereas the Singaporean Navy’s interestsare limited to coastal waters. he tasks which submarines are required to performalso differ widely. Some customers want

boats capable of engaging an adversary’smost advanced ships, submarines, andcoastal targets, while others regard the useof submarines merely as an instrument fortraining their own anti-submarine forces.hese different market requirementsresults in a great variety of boats on offer,from ocean-going to coastal models, withtechnology ranging from decades-old to



69 VI/2015

the most advanced and extremely bold.Te products on offer are also shaped bythe financial capacity of the buyer. Tereis plenty of demand for very complexand expensive submarines with extremelyhigh performance characteristics, as wellas relatively cheap and far less capablemodels. Obviously, there is a close linkbetween the financial and military aspectsof submarine programmes. Long-rangeand high-performance submarines arebought by the leading regional powers, orby countries that aspire to that position,and can afford such costs. Countries withlimited military budgets, meanwhile, donot place such ambitious tasks before theirNavies, and prefer to buy cheaper and lesscapable submarines.

Additionally, supply and demand on themarket for submarines undergoes variouschanges over time. Te end of the Cold War

resulted in falling European demand for warships and submarines, forcing the mainsuppliers to look for alternative markets and whipping up international competition. As technology progre sses, the price andperformance characteristics of submarineschange accordingly. Some suppliers leavethe market, others emerge, while still othersmerge or break up. Te priorities facingthe buyers’ navies change over time dueto shifting geopolitical circumstances andchanging economic fortunes. For example,the growing buying power of the Chinesearmed forces has driven up demand for

submarines in the entire South East Asianregion. Te importers’ attitudes to buyingsubmarines also undergo various changes,as some of them choose to develop theirown indigenous capability in submarinebuilding in order to reduce their relianceon imports. All these market processes takeplace almost simultaneously, making themarket extremely complex and difficult topredict.

International SuppliersTere are currently about 35 submarinesbeing built under export contracts. Tere

are three main international suppliers:Germany’s KMS consortium, France’sDCNS, and the Russian tandem of Rubinand Admiralty Shipyards. Buyers choose oneof those three suppliers depending on varioustechnological and economic considerations,as well as political preferences.

Submarines are also designed and builtfor their own national navies by Chineseshipyards, Spain’s Navantia, Sweden’s

ype 207, and ype 540 boats, France’sDaphné -class submarines, and SovietProjects 613 and 633.

larger boats of about 2,000 tonnes,such as Britain’s Oberon type and SovietProject 641.

Over the past 50 years, submarines inboth segments have become larger. Lookingat the history of Germany’s ype 209programme, submarines in the ‘medium’segment had reached a total displacementof 1,100 tonnes (ype 209/1100) by theearly 1970s, and approximately 1,500tonnes (ype 209/1400) by the mid-1980s.France’s Agosta boats, launched at about thesame time, had similar dimensions. Temedium segment is currently representedby Russia’s Amur 1650 boats, Germany’sype 214, and France’s Scorpene , whichrange between displacements of 1,600 to

1,800 tonnes. A simi lar trend can be observed inthe ocean-going segment. Oberon-typesubmarines were replaced by the largerUpholder boats (which, incidentally,failed to enthuse potential buyers). SovietProject 641 boats were succeeded by thelarger Project 877EKM and Project 636submarines. Te Collins boats designed byKockums for the Australian Navy were even

Saab (the Kockums shipyard), and Japan’sMitsubishi and Kawasaki. Shipyards inIran and North Korea also build small andmidget submarines of indigenous design fortheir own navies.

Several companies have the capability tobuild non-nuclear submarines using foreigntechnology. Tese include Australia’s ASC,South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industriesand Daewoo Shipbuilding & MarineEngineering, and Italy’s Fincantieri. Finally,several shipyards have in the past assembledsubmarines from kits supplied by KMSor DCNS.

here are also a growing number ofindependent suppliers. South Koreancompanies are developing the firstindigenously designed submarine for thenational Navy. Te Dutch company Nevesbuis working to restore its former ability todesign and build submarines. Britain’s

BM design bureau also comes up with newsubmarine designs from time to time.

Changes in market segments Analysis of the submarine models currentlyon offer yields the following observations,firstly that two distinct market segments haveemerged since the 1960s: medium submarines of 500 to 1,100

tonnes, such as the German ype 205,

HMAS Rankin, a Collins-class submarine designed by Kockums (now Saab) and built in Australia

for the Australian Navy (photo: USN/ Mass Communication Specialist Seaman James R Evans)



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The Indian Navy’s first Scorpene-class boat, INS Kalvari, was launched earlier this year (photo: Indian Navy)

larger (3,000 tonnes). Te latest models onoffer in this segment include Germany’sype 216, France’s SMX-Ocean , andBritain’s Vidar-36 , all of them weighingover 3,500 tonnes.

Several years ago, when the globalfinancial crisis broke out, all the majorsuppliers started to offer smaller versionsof their medium boats, ranging from 700to 1,100 tonnes. Tese include Germany’sype 210mod, France’s Andrasta (currentlyknown as the Scorpene 1000 ), Russia’s Amur 950 , and Britain’s Vidar-7 . Eventhough these models have so far failed toattract any buyers, it is safe to say that theyhave created a new ‘budget’ segment of thesubmarine market.

Submarines that represent the ocean-going segment naturally have betterperformance characteristics and a muchhigher price. Tey have also become more

capable, bigger, and more expensive overtime. Tis has given rise to the emergence(or resurrection) of the ‘budget segment’ andthe secondary market for used submarinesdecommissioned from their parent naviesand sold to new buyers after repairs and/or upgrades.

Standard and customised projectshe export market for submarines canalso be divided into standard and bespoke(customised) segments. All three of theleading international suppliers offerstandard designs, such as ype 214, the

Scorpene , or Russia’s Project 636 and Am ur 1650 submarines. hese boatsare not built to any specific customerrequirements; their specifications aretailored to suit an ‘average’ set of demands. Adapting a standard project to individualcustomer requirements usually comes toinstalling customer-specified weaponssystems, and sometimes electronic systems.Tis approach represents a legacy of theperiod when foreign customers wereoffered submarines designed to meet therequirements of the exporter’s parentnavy. Obviously, when contractors designa standard model, one of their top prioritiesis to minimise their own costs and tomaximise profit through the use of triedand tested solutions. Such an approach alsohas its own advantages for the customer asit reduces the price tag and minimises therisk of delays. Tese standard programmes– such as Germany’s ype 209 - can have

a very long lifespan. For example, the firstype 209/1100 boat was delivered by theGerman supplier to the Greek Navy in1971. Te first ype 209/1400 boat wasdelivered to the Brazilian Navy in 1989.Tree ype 209/1400 boats are now beingbuilt under an Indonesian contract. Teype 209 programme has therefore beengoing strong for over 40 years now. Russia’sProject 877EKM/636 has proved almost aslong-lived. Te first boat in the series wasdelivered to the Soviet Navy in 1980. Tefirst export delivery was made in 1986 tothe Indian Navy, and more of these boatsare now being built under a Vietnamesecontract.

Buy ing ‘bespoke ’ submar ines ,meanwhile, is something that only themost economically and technologicallyadvanced countries can afford. Suchboats meet the customer’s individually

tailored requirements, and they differ invery significant ways from the standardmodels. Tey are designed for a specificcustomer, and their series productionends once the initial contract has beenfulfilled. Clearly, there are for fewer ofthese boats in operation compared with



71 VI/2015

the standard designs. Te cost of theseprogrammes is a lot higher, as are thetechnical and financial risks. A mismatchbetween the customer’s requirements andthe capabilities of the boat’s designer orbuilder can cause the entire programmeto fail. Examples of customised submarinemodels include Germany’s ype 210boats (developed for the NorwegianNavy) and Dolphin boats (developed forthe Israeli Navy), as well as Sweden’sCollins –class submarines (developed forthe Australian Navy). New submarinesto be built for the Australian Navy (theSEA-1000 programme) and for the IndianNavy (Project 75I) can also be categorisedas ‘bespoke’.

Growing complexity and costTe third aspect of the submarine markethas to do with advances in technology.

Submarines are becoming more complexand capable, which translates into highercosts. he growing complexity andcapability is clearly in the interests of thesuppliers, who want to secure a higher pricefor their product. Operating more complexand expensive submarines also requiresincreasingly costly infrastructure, trainingprogrammes, and other spending items.In other words, the growing complexityof the boats serves to expand the marketfor related services. From the supplier’spoint of view, this largely compensates forthe fact that as submarines become moreexpensive, customers tend to place ordersfor smaller batches.

Improvements in submar ines ’specifications and characteristics areachieved by incorporating new equipmentand upgrading the existing systems. Forexample, over the past 30 years non-nuclear export submarines have acquired water discharge torpedo launching systems,the capability to launch missiles (includingsurface-to-air versions), anti-torpedosystems, advanced sonars, air-independentpropulsion systems, anechoic coating,and many other advanced features.Development of many of these technologies

began in the final years of the Cold Warunder contracts with European naviesand the Soviet Navy, but due to changesin the political and financial situation, bythe time those technologies were finallyready, suppliers were forced to offer themto foreign customers.

echnological advances have also ledto a stratification of the market. Not all the

customers require top-performance boats,and not all the naval budgets can shoulderthe cost of the world’s best submarines. As a result, there is much demand in themarket for a combination of innovative, i.e.expensive, technologies with conservativeand affordable solutions. Incidentally, thehigher performance of ‘bespoke’ submarinemodels is achieved precisely through a greateruse of innovative and advanced technologiescompared to standard models. On theother hand, boats in the ‘budget’ segmentthat has emerged in recent years utilise abare minimum of innovative solutions.For example, they lack such options asair-independent propulsion systems orcomplex sonars; their weapons systems usethe swim-out principle, etc. Te greatestvariety of technology can be observed in thestandard projects of the medium segment. At present, suppliers are building ype

214 boats with air-independent propulsionsystems, the equally advanced Scorpene boatsthat lack such propulsion systems, and ype209/1400 and Project 636 submarines, which represent 1980s technology. Othermajor differences include the lines of theboats, the composition of the sonar complex,the use of anechoic coating, the approach toequipment suspension, etc. In fact, it cannotbe said that any specific submarine model isclearly superior to all the others. Obviously,the variety of the models on offer reflects thevarying needs and buying power of differentcustomers.

Increasing indigenisationIn yet another consequence of the growingprice of non-nuclear submarines, mostcustomers now make an effort to involvetheir own national industry in building –or at least outfitting – the submarines theybuy for their navies. It has become quitecommon for submarines to be built orassembled at the customer’s own shipyards,and to be fitted out with equipmentsupplied by domestic producers. Suchprogrammes require the designer andthe ‘parent’ shipyard to adapt theirtechnologies. Tey must take into account

the capability of the customer’s shipyard where the submarine it to be built, andthe capability of the importer country’sindustry in general. Te ‘parent’ shipyard,for its part, must be prepared to supplymaterial packages and components ratherthan finished submarines, and to establisha working relationship with the customer’sshipyard.

ConclusionsClearly, the submarine market is verycomplex, and it is impossible to describeall the recent trends in such a brief article.Nevertheless, the following conclusionscan be made:

Tere are a great many models of non-nuclear submarines on offer due tothe varying requirements of differentcustomers.

None of the three leading suppliers hasan ‘ideal’ solution that fits every possiblemarket niche and customer requirement.

Tere is healthy demand in this marketfor a great variety of technologicalsolutions, and even though submarinesare generally becoming more complexand capable, there is always demand formore advanced and expensive boats as well as for simpler and cheaper models.

Suppliers compete mainly on price,and one of the ways of reducing it is tomass-produce standard models, whichcan then be adapted, to a greater orlesser degree, to suit the requirementsof each individual customer.

Russian submarine designers andbuilders offer standard models inevery market segment. Tey also offer‘bespoke’ designs, including boatsthat can be built at the customer’sown shipyards and/or include manydomestically produced components and

materials.

Article courtesy Igor VilnitCEO, Rubin Design Bureau





73 VI/2015

Admiralty Shipyards uses different types of cutting methods for different applications — from plasma cutters as seen above…

… to computer-controlled waterjet cutting machines pictured here

Workshop No.9 is one of the locations where larger

submarine and surface vessel sections are built and tested

before being sent on for inal assembly

Even with all the machinery in the world, sometimes

there is simply no substitute for human power!



74 VAYU

All but two of the Indian Navy’s Project 877EKM (Kilo- or Sindhughosh-class) submarines passed through Workshop No.9 at Admiralty Shipyards

The inal product, a completed Kilo-class

boat, viewed from across the Neva



DCNS sails ahead!

DCNS has floated the FrenchNavy’s FREMM multi-missionfrigate Auvergne in Lorient. Tis

achievement took place on 2 September andmarked an important step in the constructionof the “most modern front-line ship of the21st century”. Te FREMM Auvergne is thesixth frigate in the programme and fourth ofthe series ordered by OCCAr on behalf ofthe DGA (the French defence procurementagency) for the French Navy. With threeFREMMs currently under construction inDCNS’ Lorient site, DCNS is acceleratingthe production speed in order to deliver sixFREMMs to the French Navy before mid-2019. wo additional frigates equipped with strengthened anti-aircraft capacit ies will be delivered before 2022. wo further

units have also been sold to internationalclients; Te Royal Moroccan Navy and theEgyptian Navy.

“Te floating of the FREMM Auvergne,after the delivery of the FREMM Tahya Misr to the Egyptian Navy and the delivery of theFREMM Provence in June, demonstrateDCNS’s ability to successfully achieve aserial production”, explains Anne Bianchi,

On 13 October in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), the President of the King Abdulaziz

City for Science and Technology (KACST), Dr Turki bin Saud Mohamed Al

Saud, in the presence of Prince Muhammad bin Salman and of the French Prime

Minister, Manuel Valls, signed a cooperation agreement with the Chairman

and CEO of DCNS, Hervé Guillou. The goal of this agreement is “to foster the

development of a Research and Development centre dedicated to the naval and

maritime domain.”

The FREMM multi-mission frigate ‘Auvergne’

75 VI/2015





77 VI/2015

Rolls Royce :long term commitment to the Indian Navy

R olls-Royce has a deep relationshipin India stretching back morethan 80 years and is contributing

significantly towards the modernisationof the armed forces. We are proud tohave powered the first aircraft of both theIndian Air Force and Indian Navy and arecommitted to continuing this relationshiplong into the future. oday, we are deeplyembedded in India as an investor, a highskills employer and as a supplier of powersystems for use in the air, on land and at sea.

Rolls-Royce has worked alongside theIndian Navy since the induction of itsfirst aircraft in 1953 and today we power anumber of the Indian Navy’s fleet, includingthe Sea Harrier, the Sea King and the Hawk.

INAS 300, the Indian Navy’s carrierstrike squadron have been continuallysupported by Rolls-Royce since its formationin 1960, a legacy that continues today withRolls-Royce personnel embedded withthe Squadron in Goa. With induction of

the Sea Harrier in the early 1980s, Rolls-Royce helped to train the initial cadre ofIndian Navy personnel, both alongsidethe Royal Navy and at our Bristol factorybefore moving with the Squadron to India.In the 1990s, Rolls-Royce supported theestablishment of the Indian Navy’s overhaulfacility in Kochi. Tis is part of our long termcommitment to Indian self-reliance.

In the short term, our priority is tosupport today’s fleets, in particular the SeaHarrier as it plays a vital role in India’smaritime security. In the medium term we will continue to support the operation of theSea King, a critical military asset, which hasyears of operation remaining. We will alsohelp the Indian Navy maximise its use of theRolls-Royce powered Hawk Advanced Jetrainer, which is an expanding fleet, crucialto the Navy’s combat aircraft capability.Looking to the longer term, there are anumber of Rolls-Royce powered aircraftthat we believe could be of interest to theIndian Navy. Te most obvious of these isthe US-2i amphibious aircraft which shareslargely common engines with the Indian AirForce’s C-130J fleet.

Rolls-Royce is playing a leading rolein the government’s ‘Make in India’initiative. We have been undertakinglicense production in India for nearly 60years with increasing levels of capability

transfer throughout this time. In recentyears we have moved beyond the licenseproduction model, undertaking worldclass manufacturing for our global civilcustomers through our IAMPL jointventure. Te IAMPL facility is now at fullproduction employing over 130 peoplefor a wide range of engine programmesincluding the rent XWB. In addition,

around 1000 engineers, through ourpartnership with QuES & CS, work atRolls-Royce managed engineering centresin Bengaluru. For our new facility inBangalore, we plan to employ around 500people by 2017. Te engineering facility wil l produce components and developtechnology in support of our Aerospacebusiness.

India is one of the most importantstrategic markets for Rolls-Royce and wecontinue to build on our long-standingpartnership with the country. We willcontinue to support India’s infrastructureand modernisation needs and will remaincommitted towards delivering ‘better powerfor a changing world’.

Steven Gillard, Vice President, CustomerBusiness - Defence, Rolls-Royce



78 VAYU

Airbus Military in Spain

An Amazing Spectrum

hey say “he rain in Spain fallsmainly on the plain” and even

as delegates arrived from aroundthe world to attend the annual AirbusDefence and Space (Airbus DS) Trade Media Briefing at Seville, this reputation was easy to understand as the skies werestorm-filled and it was extremely wet at theHeadquarters of what was formerly knownas Airbus Military. But whereas previousannual briefings had also reflected stormyprospects for the company’s latest product,the A400M Atlas transport, this time theatmosphere was noticeably more upbeat.

Te 2015 briefing was due to take placeearlier in the year, but had to be cancelled

at the last moment owing to a fatal accidentin May involving an A400M making itsfirst flight after completion. he reportinto the cause is due to be released beforethe end of 2015, but the problem was soonidentified and rectified and now every effortis being made to get the programme back onschedule, with deliveries steadily buildingup, as visitors were able to see for themselves

in October. Tere have also been significantmanagement changes within the groupand this is part of the major reassurance

campaign that has been launched to pacifycustomers waiting for delayed deliveries andexpecting improved quality control.

Vayu’s UK Editor, Richard Gardner reports from Seville, Spain, as Airbus

Defence and Space presents its annual Trade Media Briefing (TMB’15)

Airbus lightline at Seville





80 VAYU

Efforts to further expand applicationsfor this versatile platform have includedmodifications to allow a fire-fightingrole and a version for Special Forces asa transport or a fire-support gunship.Te capacious cabin of the C295 allowsroom for extensive mission systems anddisplays so that the aircraft can act as aSignals Intelligence or Ground Surveillanceplatform, with specialist sensors and

multiple target tracking radar, includingcommunications intercept and jammingequipment. Modifications to give theC295 more weapons capability in theMaritime Patrol (MPA) and anti-submarine(ASW) roles is being undertaken so thatair-launched homing torpedoes and air-tosurface missiles can be carried. Te largerC295 and CN235 can both be given a cost-effective MPA or SAR role as they featurehigh levels of manoeuvrability at low levelabove the sea surface, combined with anendurance of up to 11 hours.

Te US Coast Guard uses a large fleet

of CN235s for law enforcement, borderpatrols, and para-rescue operations. Speciallarge size bubble windows give excellentvisual coverage for crew members, whileelectro-optical video cameras, includinginfra-red, allow all-weather and nightoperations. During the author’s visit, a well-equipped Omani C295 MPA/ASWaircraft was present on the flight line

The Airbus plant at Seville, Spain

Airbus CN235 of the Philippine Air Force

phase. Other upgrade programmes includeimproved ornados for Saudi Arabia andP-3s for the German Navy.

An updated review of the C295 andCN235 programmes was given by FernandoCiria, Head of Marketing for Light andMedium ransport and ISR programmes.He started by highlighting the fact that theC295 was the best- selling military aircraftin its category. Over 160 aircraft had

been sold to 23 operators in 22 countries.Eleven of these were repeat orders. Tenew C295W features enhanced engine

performance and has winglets. heseimprovements give an 8% increase in range(out to 2,300 nm with a 4 ton load). Te winglets provide an aerodynamic gain thattranslates into a 5.5% fuel advantage on atypical mission. Te engine mode upgradealso allows a larger payload from hot andhigh airfields – 7.85 tons at 500 nm froman altitude of 6,000ft. Te first flight of theC295W development aircraft took place on

11 April 2014 and has now been certified.Te first delivery took place in April 2014to the Mexican Navy.





82 VAYU

Meteor is intended as an air dominancelong range air-to-air missile with a two waydata-link and has an unprecedented NoEscape Zone. Tis is also due to be clearedover the next year. Te next enhancementscover the carriage of the latest PavewayIV precision bombs. Available in 500lbsand 1000lbs versions, the weapon haslaser guidance, GPS/INS guidance andyphoon can be configured to carry upto six while retaining its full air defencerole. Te third new missile, being pushedas a priority by the UK is the clearance

for Brimstone II attack missiles. Tesehave been developed from the standardBristone, which has a proven combatrecord over Afghanistan and Iraq, andfeatures a dual mode high accuracy seeker with a very good performance against smallmoving targets. It has all-weather day ornight capability and is very compact soup to twelve can be carried on four triplelaunch mountings, without compromising AAR missile capability. Te most anxiouslyawaited upgrade remains the adoption foryphoon of the Captor-E AESA radarfrom Selex. Tis features the biggest “field

of regard” for any AESA of its type, thanksto its mounting on a moveable rather thana fixed plate. Tis wide angle capabilityallows even more multiple targets to beidentified, tracked and addressed, withmultiple uses, from air-to-air interceptionto sea search and surface strike. It has ahigh resistance to jamming and can operate with various active and passive detection

settled down to being a very capable andmature military air asset, and the clear leaderin its field, offering more usable cabin spaceand fuel off-load capacity, endurance and amore modern airframe than its nearest rival.

It then delved to Joey Borkenstein,Senior Advisor Air Combat Operations,to provide an update on the Eurofighterprogramme. A steady programme ofupgrades continues to roll forward, thoughthis has proceeded at a slower pace thanoriginally intended as a result of variousspending cuts and delays across the defence

budgets of the main European partnernations. Keeping the momentum goingon these upgrade packages has not beenan easy task as some customers have beenslower to respond as they have not beenso actively engaged in combat operationsas others, who have long recognised theneed to adopt progressively better avionics,radar and weapons systems. However, thefirst four upgrade packages are identifiedand are being implemented over the nextfive years, with others following out to atleast 2030, ensuring the yphoon has along operational future ahead of it. One

of the most immediate upgrades is theclearance of new missiles. Te first of these will be the Storm Shadow/aurus, whichis a very long-range stand-off weapon foruse against well defended key targets. TeStorm Shadow is battle proven aboardornado and combines low observability with high precision. It is to be delivered forservice on yphoon by 2017. Te MBDA

options. Other developments include anupgraded defensive aids suite with a morepowerful jamming capability and passivegeolocation.

During the last year Eurofighteryphoon operations have continued at ahigh pace with some operators, notablythe UK and Saudi Arabia, where they havebeen in daily combat in the Middle East.Increasing surveillance “probe” missions byRussian long-range reconnaissance aircrafthave resulted in round-the-clock interceptscramble missions to escort the interlopersaway from national and NAO air regionsfrom Norway to urkey. Continuousdeployments of NAO yphoon squadronsto the independent Baltic States haveprovided additional reassurance of NAOsupport at a time when these former SovietUnion states have felt threatened by thesituation in the Ukraine and Crimea.

But it was the flight test programmefor the A400M Atlas which was to forma major part of the update briefing atSeville. Since the last rade Media Briefingthe A400M flying totals have risen to7,903 hours on 2,901 flights. Particularachievements during 2015 have includedmany important way points including: thefirst flight refuelling receiver trials froman A330 MR, and fuel delivery to twoF-18 fighters, two-ton load extractionusing parachutes, DASS (Defensive AidsSub-System) and RWR self-defence tests,paratroop deployment trials and off-runway

surface tests. Associated with low-levelflights was certification of an enhancedvision system with night vision goggles.Certification of low level free-flight downto 150ft was achieved in late 2014, withheight down to 500ft using NVGs. Infraredsensors and flare systems were also testedunder many different conditions andincluded full flare jettison. Te A400Mhas a very extensive DASS system, whichincludes radar warning receivers and othersystems, some of which are customerspecific. During the period of the mediavisit several RAF A400Ms had returned to

Spain for fitting and integration of the UK’sDASS system.

Various dynamic air drop tests havetaken place with live jumps carried out. Tesetests confirmed that there are issues involvedin using the two rear side doors for troop airdrops. Te turbulence from the powerfulengines causes cross-over problems whichcan bring departing paratroops into contact

At Airbus Seville integration stage



83 VI/2015

with each other after exit, so measures arein hand to find and evaluate a solution. Atest aircraft is being fitted with a spoiler which ‘it is hoped’ may solve the problem,but tests will continue into 2016 usingfull-size representative dummy troopers.Free-fall jumps from the cargo ramp doorhave been certified for departures of up to29 jumpers at a time. Sticks of 12 jumperscan be despatched from the rear ramp.Further tests in early 2016 include despatchof two x 58 paratroops in one stick and highaltitude paratroop drops. Heavy cargo dropsof loads of up to 4 tons have been certifiedfor gravity and parachute extraction. otalloads of 12 tons have been despatchedusing three platforms carrying 4 ton loadseach. Te art and science of air delivery isa complex one, especially involving such anautomated fly-by-wire aircraft and the testshave included despatching different size

loads from different positions on the cabinfloor and rear cargo door. Te capability will be expanded so that 25 ton loads canbe despatched in safety. Every aspect of the

despatch trials has been carefully recordedand the final standard of clearance will allowthe aircraft to fully undertake the tacticaltransport as well as strategic transport roles.Further tests in September and October2015 have included landings and take-offsfrom grass runways and soil surfaces. Tethird stage in these tactical op tests involvesfurther operations from sand surfaces. Telanding gear of the A400M incorporatesthe first certification of technology based onmicro-strain measurement to indicate to thepilots that the gear has functioned correctlyand wheels are on the ground or in flight. Tetraditional system based on proximity sensorshas been changed by a calibrated pin (strainmeasurement) design. Due to the aircraft’slanding gear configuration this new systemhas significantly improved the landing runperformances on low friction surfaces.

During 2016 additional capability will

include Polar area navigation, automaticaerial delivery of parachutists via static lineand refuelling other aircraft from wing-mounted HDUs. Te intended capability

for aerial refuelling of helicopters by the A400M has been dropped for the present.ests have led to the conclusion that thisproblem is not easily solved without anunacceptably extensive modification of theHDU design, which performs very well forall fixed-wing AAR requirements, meetingthe majority of operational needs.

he briefing contained much moreinformation on various technical projectsthat reflect a very active continuousimprovement policy. Te company is keen tosimplify the manoeuvres involved in tryingto get the maximum feasible automationin reaching important improvements inoperational and safety aspects of aerialrefuelling. Tese improvements are aimed tosave time, costs and reduce risks. Currentlyundergoing feasibility studies the follow upstep would be to move to a proof of conceptin a flight test environment to validate thetechniques.

But, this is another story!

Article and photos: Richard Gardner

Head-on view of the Airbus A400M



84 VAYU

Hindan AFS, October 2015 : Tedrone of a Pilatus PC-7 trainerfades away at the Air Force Day

‘Parade Square’ at Hindan Air ForceStation as the type’s solo display concludes.urboprop trainers, helicopters, specialoperations aircraft, strategic airlifters andfrontline fighters have already had their

turn in the sky over Hindan, yet it is onlynow that necks crane and eyes franticallyscan the murky haze that unfortunatelyblankets the national capital region eachyear around October. Every one of thethousands gathered here are lookingeagerly for a flash of sunlight to illuminatethe bright red-and-white painted wing ofan approaching Hawk jet trainer.

Surya Kirans in

their new avtaar

Ten suddenly, there they are : foursleek Hawks emerge from the smog in adiamond-shaped formation and the crowderupts as they begin their display with apass from left to right at show centre.

Te Surya Kirans are back !

Established in 1996 as part of No.52Squadron (‘Te Sharks’) based at Bidar AFSin Karnataka, the Surya Kiran (‘Sunbeam’in Sanskrit) team served for 15 years asrepresentatives of the IAF at home andabroad, and were a vital publicity andoutreach asset for the Air Force. Such was(and remains) the strength of the SuryaKiran “brand” that the IAF has elected notto rename the team (there were optionsaplenty including resurrection of the

Tunderbolts and the evocative iranga butthe consensus was to retain Surya Kiran.

Only the livery has changed, and eventhere the visual link to the past paint schemeis retained, although the dayglo orange hasgiven way to a richer, darker colour that iscloser to red. Te scheme itself more closelyevokes the meaning of Surya Kiran, with

alternating red and white rays emanatingfrom a ‘sun’ painted on the vertical fin. Additiona l red and white longitudinalstripes near the wingtips and ends of thestabilators add a touch of ‘visual weight’ toextremities of the aircraft.

Te team was formally re-establishedon 16 February 2015, with No. 52Squadron resuming operations at Bidar.

As reported earlier this year (see Vayu II/2015), the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kirans aerobatic display teamhas been re-established with new BAE Hawk Mk.132 aircraft. Te team made their public debut on Air ForceDay 2015 with a four-aircraft display at Hindan AFS, where Vayu’s Angad Singh spent time with them andreports on their current and future plans.



85 VI/2015

Six select pilots commenced conversiontraining on Hawk AJs toward the endof March. Tis initial nucleus of the teamconsisted of three former Surya Kiranpilots, including the CO, Wg Cdr AjitKulkarni, who had no prior experience with the Hawk, and three Hawk Qualified

Flying Instructors (QFIs) with no priorexperience in formation aerobatics. Tetwo groups combined expertise in differentareas to ensure a smooth start for the team,and were soon joined by a fourth ex-SKApilot to make a total of seven pilots in theteam.

Formation aerobatics training –practising for actual display flying – beganfor the team around July, after all the pilotshad achieved the requisite level of experience with the Hawk. At this point, the objectiveof being able to perform their maiden displayat the Air Force Day Parade began to look



86 VAYU

increasingly achievable, and despite themonsoon weather that limited training timein the air, the pilots took every opportunity toperfect their four-ship routine. By 8 October2015, four pilots were fully qualified to flythe formation display, allowing the team’spublic debut to proceed as planned.

From here on, the team has planned ameasured work-up to a full nine-aircraftdisplay, regaining their status as one ofa small handful of aerobatic teams in the world flying with such a large number ofaircraft in formation.

At present, the team operates six BAEHawk Mk.132 aircraft (two for trainingand reserve) that, unlike the SKAKiran Mk.IIs of old, are not functionallymodified and therefore remain availablefor use as regular advanced jet trainers. Ofcourse, they no longer sport the typicalIAF grey of their Bidar-based brethren, with the new livery being executed in itsentirety - from concept to completion –in a mere 28 days, overseen by Wg CdrRN Sinha, the team’s Senior EngineeringOfficer (SEO). Hindustan AeronauticsLimited (HAL) subcontracted the paintingof the Surya Kiran aircraft to Bangalore-based firm Matcon, who imported specialpolyurethane paint from the UK tocomplete the task to specification.

With aircraft and initia l aircrew inplace, their short-term goals are simple:display as often and in as many differentplaces as possible. Te most basic part of

training – transition to the Hawk AJ – iscomplete for all members of the team. Tisinvolved 48 conversion sorties and roughlyas many hours of flying for each pilot. Teteam constantly called on the expertise oftheir Bidar-based compatriot Hawk units(‘HOS’) to maintain high levels of safetythroughout the conversion programme. Allnew manoeuvres and routines were initiallysupervised by the AOC of Bidar AFS as wellas the Chief Instructor at the base. Seniorex-SKA personnel were also attached toaudit for safety, which was and remainsparamount in the team’s efforts.

Now, Wg Cdr Kulkarni reckonsthat eight to ten displays in a range ofunfamiliar locations will be adequate toget the team accustomed to the rigors offormation flying in varied conditions andmake them more adaptable so that theycan be comfortable flying their displaysanywhere in the country – and indeed the world. After Hindan, the team was slated to

display over Mysore in October itself, andis then hoping for opportunities to performat as many scheduled Air Force eventsas possible, including such proceedingsas passing out parades, awarding ofPresident’s Standards and Unit Citationsand a planned firepower demonstration inMarch next year.

When all seven pilots are fully qualifiedfor the four-ship display and the team isat ease with their aerobatics, training fora six-aircraft display, including a ‘synchropair,’ will commence. Initially, Wg CdrKulkarni estimates that it will take 4 to 6 weeks of dedicated training to transit ionto what is called a six-ship ‘composite’



87 VI/2015

display, which means all six aircraft willdisplay in formation together, much asthey did on Air Force Day this year.Only then will the team create and begintraining for a more dramatic routineinvolving a ‘synchro pair,’ which wouldsee two of the six aircraft detach from themain formation and perform a differentrange of manoeuvres together in betweenpasses by the main formation. heseinclude splits, level and rolling crosses,hesitation rolls, and the ‘heart loop’ madefamous by the previous Surya Kiran team.If all goes as planned, the six-aircraftdisplay including the synchro pair willbe performed in time for Air ForceDay 2016.

Te final step, from six aircraft tonine, is “the most difficult” accordingto Wg Cdr Kulkarni. It will take at leastanother full year to make this transition,

and the transition itself will also beentirely contingent upon delivery of abatch of smoke-capable Hawks. Whilethe present Hawk aircraft in use by theteam cannot generate smoke trails likethe Kiran Mk.IIs used to, the contractfor an additional 20 Hawks speciallyconfigured for display flying with theability to generate white and colouredsmoke, so as to allow the Surya Kiransto provide the same visual spectaclethey did in the past, is imminent. Tesedefinitive SKA aircraft will likely alsosee some changes to the livery as inputs

from various sources in the interveningyears are taken into account.



on-the-spot reportsVAYU

Vayu’s UK Editor Richard Gardner

reports from the largest defence andsecurity show of the year

his September London hosted thebiggest ever Defence and SecurityEquipment Exhibition at the Excel

Centre in London. Over 1,600 exhibitorstook part and there were national pavilionsfrom 42 nations and 8 visiting warships, with an external exhibition site for militaryaircraft and helicopters. But it was in thevery large exhibition halls that could beseen examples of the latest vehicles, missiles,

UAVs and the many seminar theatres wherea continuous programme of briefings anddiscussions took place throughout the week, covering all aspects of defence andsecurity, from the changing internationalthreats and progress on new programmes,to cyber defences for commercial andmilitary organisations. Tere were manysenior representatives of armed forces

An operational RAF Typhoon FGR4 on static display itted with cruise missiles, LGBs, Brimstone

PGMs and Meteor BVRAAMS

88 VAYU



and security agencies from all over the world while keynote spea kers from theUK’s Armed Forces gave presentations oncurrent UK defence policy and capabilities,outlining how future programmes weredeveloping. Most major internationaldefence companies were present and it

was clear that the competitive defenceexport sector was entering a new era wherea new generation of products would soonbe entering service, aimed at offeringimproved capabilities, but with affordabilitya recognised factor. Te show was decidilyinternational and within its exhibition site were areas devoted to Air, Naval and LandForces, and also Special Forces, Unmanned

2 missiles from MBDA. Tere was also aseparate Brimstone display stand in the hall where the performance of the new Mk 2dual-mode version of the missile was beingpromoted. Tese can be carried on triplelaunchers used in conjunction with anystandard NAO pylon. Te weapon system

has highly accurate precision-guidance with enhanced tracking capability againstmultiple small, fast moving targets, whichcan be armoured vehicles, pick-up trucks orFast Inshore Attack Craft. Tey are smalland light and can be carried on medium sizeUAVs or almost any attack aircraft. MBDAalso had a display of its new Brimstone2 derived missile optimised for use as a

multirole precision weapon for the British Army’s next generation attack helicopter, which has not been chosen but is expectedto be latest version of the AH-64 Apache.Te new missile would be for combating fastand agile land and maritime threats.

hales had a very large exhibition

stand at the show and this was dividedinto different areas covering land, seaand air applications, including displaysfor airborne command and control,surveillance and anti-submarine aircraftplatforms, radars, lightweight missilesystems as also its Watchkeeper UAV, which is being developed further for exportcustomers. he company announcedthe Watchkeeper-X as an export versionof the system supplied to and in service with the British Army. Tis new versionoffers different options for particularcustomer needs and has a rough airstrip

capability and is rapidly deployable byair or surface transport. As well as havingtwo sensor turrets, the UAV can alsobe fitted with the Tales I-Master radarfor high-resolution surveillance andmoving target identification and tracking. Weapons can be carried and other usesinclude electronic and communicationsintelligence gathering.

Te new AMASCOS mission systemis a fully integrated mission system formaritime and ground surveillance, and canbe carried aboard a wide variety of jet andturboprop platform aircraft. Demand for

maritime surveillance and patrol aircraft isgrowing with the need for tighter control

Air Vehicles and a zone featuring medicalservices and disaster relief. Tis article willfocus mainly on air, missiles, UAVs andrelated systems for air and naval operators.

News broke as the show was openingthat Kuwait had ordered 28 yphoonmulti-role fighters as an Italian-Kuwaitigovernment-to-government agreement. Tefull details have not yet been announced, asthe contract is not yet signed, but sourcesindicate that the aircraft will be new buildand to the latest ranche 3 standards,

which will almost certainly include the newCaptor-E AESA radar and the associatedavionics, mission system and weaponsupgrades. Te missile choice is presentlyunknown, but no doubt the final contract will include crew training and an extensivesupport package. At DSEI there was ayphoon FGR4 on static display, whichincluded Meteor, ASRAAM and Brimstone

MBDA’s proposed Future Attack Helicopter Weapon based on the company’s Brimstone missile

Thales Watchkeeper model at the show, itted with FFLMM glide bombs

89 VI/2015



of desert and frontier regions. Te newhales offering can deal with multiplemission requirements and is configured with the latest generation of sensor suitesand innovative, user-friendly interfaces. Tesystem is built around a tactical commandsystem and with its modular architecturecan be configured to optimise the crewtask. A particularly outstanding feature isthe touch-screen format of the displays, which is fully interactive and a llows a veryefficient operator work load thanks to highlevels of automation, including data fusion,target identification and integration withonboard library data for classification oftargets. Tere is a high level of hardwareredundancy for enhanced reliability witha massive database to support the sensors,such as infra-red, electro-optical and radar.Operators can select displays to match themission but the layout of the touch-screen

controls is moveable overlaid on the samemain screen and becomes familiar and easyto use in a very short time.

to engage surface targets, such as smallboats or coastal targets. Te sensors includedaylight video and thermal imaging witha stabilised guidance unit and the systemhas a 24-hour day or night capability.he launcher can be in the form of aman-portable tripod for rapid deploymentor mounted on a lightweight vehicle orboat deck. Malaysia is the first confirmedexport customer, and has also ordered theStarstreak missiles for the system.

At t ra c t i ng mu ch in t e re s t wa sRheinmetall Defence which displayed twoexamples of advanced High Energy Lasers(HELs) for use against low- and slow-flyingUAVs. Tis was shown on an OerlikonSkyshield turret and also on a naval gunmounting in place of the usual 27mmcannon. he company has developed arange of HEL systems from a 5kW unit onan APC to 10kW, 20kW and up to 50kW

models offering an impressive surface-based air defence capability, with pin-pointaccuracy and instant reaction.

Another major exhibitor at DSEI wasFinmeccanica, which includes Selex ES, Ag us ta We st la nd , and Al en ia . Se le xannounced a new scalable disabling systemfor use against UAVs, known as theFalcon Shield. he company recognisesthat individual or swarms of small UAVsrepresent a growing threat to defence andcivil targets and Falcon Shield is a non-kinetic countermeasure which is rapidlydeployable and uses electro-optical andelectronic surveillance sensors and radar toprovide threat detection, identification andtracking. It works in day or night conditionsand can discriminate from false signals evenin urban environments to defeat potentialthreats using radio frequency intervention.he threat vehicle can be disrupted orcontrol captured and the integrated securityframework can include kinetic solutionsif required by the customer. Another

anti-drone disrupter was announced bya consortium of UK specialist companiescomprising Blighter Surveillance Systems,Chess Dynamics and Enterprise ControlSystems. Claimed to be the first Anti-UAVDefence System (AUDS) to go to market,this blocks command and control signals tothe UAV and (in trials) was able to detectand disrupt rotary wing and fixed wing smallUAVs within 15 seconds.

Ag us ta We st lan d ha ve re sp on dedto UK MOD requests for capabilitydemonstration flights for a Rotary WingUnmanned Aerial System (RWUAS).

his is aimed at forthcoming RoyalNavy studies into what it may need todeploy to provide a future maritimeunmanned air system. Te use of smallScan Eagle UAVs from Royal Navy shipshas confirmed the extra flexibility thesegive in providing short-range surveillanceand tracking information. Te UK trials,now completed, involved 27 hours of

Tales also displayed its new, advancedLightweight Multiple Launcher - NextGeneration (LML-NG), - which combinesin one small launcher the capability to fire

surface-to-surface or surface-to-air missiles.Tis incorporates a new head and sensorassembly for firing two types of laser-beam riding missiles, the Starstreak or theLightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM).Starstreak is a high-velocity anti-aircraft weapon for use against any air target froma UAV or helicopter to a fast jet, and can befired from any angle. Te LMM is designed

Interactive Thales AMASCOS consoles at the show

The FFLMM is a free-fall glide bomb variant of the Thales LMM missile

90 VAYU



simulated unmanned demonstration flyingand 22 automatic simulated deck landingsusing the SW-4 RUAS Solo technologydemonstrator. Te trials included launchand recovery, mission management andmission system integration with theship Combat Management System. Te

second set of tests involved simulated decklandings and the third phase involved theuse of mission sensors to identify varioustargets of interest. Te Solo demonstratoraircraft was flown as an Unmanned AirSystem under automated control froma ground station, but with a safety pilot

onboard. Te Royal Navy is reportedlyconsidering results of the demonstrationto assess see how such a system couldprovide persistent maritime capabilityfrom a rotary-wing platform operatingfrom the deck of a frigate-size warship.Te demonstration programme also lookedat using rotary-wing UAVs for minehunting, hydrographic survey and airbornesurveillance. AgustaWestland also gave anupdate on progress of the new AW159 Wildcat military helicopter in service withthe British Army and Royal Navy.

Existing rotary wing UAVs includethe Schiebel Camcopter S-100, which hasrecently been tested by unisia. Te testflights took place over different terrain andcoastal areas, with use of an L-3 Wescammulti-sensor turret. It can fly by day or nightand is robust, enabling flight to continue inbad weather.

Raytheon was active at DSEI with itsfull range of missile and weapon products ondisplay. Te new SeaRAM is a close-in rapidreaction surface-to-air missile launch systemcombining Raytheon’s Rolling AirframeMissile (RAM) in a new 11 round launcher, which replaces the 20mm chain gun in aPhalanx turret. Te existing architecture ofthe Phalanx system is retained, complete

The Rheinmettal High Energy Laser turret attracted considered interest

Lockheed Martin SC-130J model showing search radar and electro-optical turret, AShMs, MAD boom, and weapons bays housed in enlarged sponsons

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with multiple search and track sensors andSeaRAM can replace a standard Phalanxmounting with minor modifications,opening up optional close-in air defencesolutions for major warships, including theUS Navy’s destroyers. Raytheon also briefed journalists on the latest Paveway 4 andSmall Diameter Bomb II precision weapondevelopments and live fire tests.

Te subject of Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft was a major theme at the showeven as the UK considers replacementof its retired Nimrod aircraft. A ‘splitsolution’ was one idea supported by many

transport, as well as being chosen by the USCoastguard with a search radar and opensystems architecture, it could become a veryflexible air asset.

Lockheed Martin revealed its latestproposals for a long-range multi-role airplatform based on the SC-130J. his would feature a roll-on 5-console missioncabin module with extra soundproofingand insulation and a mission system basedon that supplied to the Royal Navy on itslatest AgustaWestland Merlin Mk. 2 ASWhelicopters. It would also have a new AESAradar capable of detecting small targets

Model of India’s DRDO-Embraer AEW&C aircraft at the show

Indian Navy frigate INS Trikand was the largest warship in attendance

at DSEI, arriving after completion of the Indo-UK Exercise Konkan 2015

with one platform performing specialisedoceanic maritime air cover and another,smaller platform taking over more localisedsurveillance. Airbus is promoting a solutionbased on a comprehensive ASW missionsystem aboard a C-295 twin turbopropaircraft, with provision for search radar andanti-submarine weapons. Finmeccanica’s Alenia offered a C-27J multi-role MPAplatform that could carry out a wide range

of missions from maritime surveillance andsearch and rescue as well as anti-submarineand anti-surface warfare, Special Forces airsupport and logistical supply. Te companyhighlighted its export successes (78 aircraftordered by 12 air forces) and suggestedthat as the aircraft had a proven operationaltrack-record in acting as an Electronic Warfare platform and battlefield support

in high sea states and on land, includingmoving targets, with a comprehensivesuite of self-defence and electro-opticalsurveillance sensors. Lockheed Martinclaimed that it would be a low-riskprogramme, using well-proven airframesand engines and the mission system andsensors were also well proven, and wouldbe fully integrated. Elongated side sponsons would contain weapons bays for torpedoesand missiles that would be dropped at lowlevel, and underwing fuel tanks give theaircraft a maximum unrefuelled enduranceof 14 hours. ypically this might translateinto a six and a half long mission on stationat a distance of 1,000 miles. Te aircraft would have provision for in-flight refuellingin addition to the built-in long range.

India was well represented at DSEI2015 with a large stand exhibiting modelsof current aircraft and missiles and visual

displays highlighting national research anddevelopment activities as well as productioncapabilities. Tere are a growing numberof joint programmes with global partners,including Embraer, which has been closelyinvolved with the new EMB-145 ISARradar surveillance and electronic warfareplatform which was represented in modelform. he ‘Make in India’ theme wasprominent and this message was clearlyunderlined at DSEI 2015 by the presenceof the Talwar -class guided missile frigateINS Trikand , which was tied up alongsidethe show halls, and was one of the largest

warships in at tendance. [see followingarticle].

Text and photos: Richard Gardner

92 VAYU



Indian Capabilities

on display

Indian defence and security capabilities were once again on display at Defence& Security Equipment International

(DSEI). A total of 12 companies attendedand the importance which India attachesto DSEI was highlighted by the plannedpresence of an Indian Navy frigate which was part of a squadron visiting Europe.

As Admiral Sir George Zambella s,First Sea Lord and Chief of the NavalStaff, said: "Te Royal Navy is intenselyproud to welcome the Indian Navy backto London on their first visit in recenttimes to our great global capital. Te UKand India are both great maritime tradingnations, with fast growing economies. Weare both investing in our navies as highly

UK Naval Chief: “intensely proud to welcome

the Indian Navy back to London”

93 VI/2015



MKU’s new 6th Generation (V6) armouring technology, reduces the weight of

armour solutions for helicopter platforms by 40 per cent, thereby improving

the performance and endurance capacity of armoured helicopters. This technologyhas been developed after extensive research, development and trials by MKU’s

team of engineers based in Germany.The use of Polyshield V6 technology helps

save the ‘effective payload’ capacity of the helicopter without compromising on

its protection. As an example, the use of Polyshield V6 technology enables the

pilot of a Sikorsky CH-53 helicopter (with 50 sqm of armouring) to carry three

extra soldiers, or 325 kg of ammunition or provisions, or an additional 415 litres

of fuel in the aircraft, for increased ight radius. A reduction in the gross weight

creates favourable conditions for take-off, further assisting in its rate of climb,

aided by its engine power and the atmospheric conditions.

MKU introduces new 6th Genarmouring technology

MKU stand at the Exhibition

Indian Navy Talwar-class frigate

INS Trikand sails to DSEi

practical contributions to hard and softdefence power, as well as reflecting ourstrategic ambition, but also because weboth know that you cannot have prosperity without proper security . So, as historicmaritime friends, there is a huge amount we can learn from one another, whilst weseek to contribute to the stable, peacefuland rules-based world order. Te visiting warship has already participated in exercises with the Royal Navy, together with visits toPortsmouth and Plymouth. Teir presenceat DSEI now presents an ideal opportunityto demonstrate their technology andcapability to a global audience".

Te Admiral further stated that “India,under the Modi government, has beenlooking to create an extensive defencemanufacturing capability. India has madesignificant advances in terms of technologyand capability in recent years; DSEI

offering a valuable platform for Indiancompanies to tap into export markets andbuild relationships in the defence sector,supporting the aim of Modi's 'MakeIn India' strategy, which is targeted totransform India into a manufacturingleader”, he Confederation of IndianIndustry (CII), the main driver behind theinitiative, also had a significant presenceat DSEI. CII is a non-government, non-profit, industry-led and industry-managedorganisation that works to create andsustain an environment conducive to the

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A

t DSEI 2015, OIS-AT was looking “to accelerate global sales of its

latest solutions and innovative products - itscomprehensive range of 3Dradar systems which have already attracted an ‘unprecedented level of buyer

interest’.” Recognising that the international defence and security sectors’

needs are in continuous evolution as new threats to national security have

to be countered, OIS-AT’s four dual-use radar systems leverage advanced

technology developments that are under patent lings. Explaining the rationale

for developing the dual use radar

systems, Sanjay Bhandari, Founder

Chairman & Managing Director of

the OIS Group of companies said “It

is almost impossible to understate

the value and importance of radars in

terms of being a real game changer in

commercial technological applications

as well as creating military advantage.

As Ind ia’ s leading private sector

radar house our experience in radar

systems design, manufacture, and,

most importantly, integration and

use of the technology in the real-world

environment to meet each customer's

specif ic business operational

requirement is unmatched.”

DSEI’s focus on important newer

areas, such as Unmanned Systems

Zone, was a signicant platform for

OIS-AT, which has designed, developed and manufactured another industry’s

rst: the 3D Multi-function, Multi-mode UAV Detection and Tracking and Air

Surveillance Radar System. This radar system can be automatically tuned for

detecting UAVs or high speed ghter aircraft and helicopters with a click. Unlikemost air surveillance radars today, it includes a unique Sense-N-Avoid feature

to identify UAVs that may be on a collision course, allowing the controller to

take remedial action.Another Radar that is part of OIS-AT’s portfolio, is the

3D Bird Detection, Tracking and Monitoring and Deterrence Radar System

targeted for aviation safety for both military and civilian airports.

development of India, partnering industry,Government, and civil society, throughadvisory and consultative processes.

raditionally an importer of defencehardware, India certainly has the capabilityto design and develop complex militaryproducts. he country is seeking worldmarkets for its capabilities, which includemissiles, radar, avionics equipment andnaval systems. Exhibitors at DSEI 2015included AGLAYA, Applied Systems,Bharat Dynamics (BDL), Bharat Electronics(BEL), Brahmos Aerospace, Mishra DhatuNigam (MIDHANI), Garden ReachShipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE),Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), MKU Offset IndiaSolutions (OIS) and Zen echnologies.

OIS-AT’s Dual-Use Radar

Systems at DSEI 2015

OIS’s W-101 UAV

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Biggest ever display of

waterborne demonstrations at

DSEI 2015Defence and Security EquipmentInternational (DSEI) featured its largest everdisplay of small boats and equipment for

military and security use. Te programmehad two dynamic demonstrations daily,displaying the remarkable capability ofat least 10 specialised boats and UAVs,together with associated equipment. Boatsundertaking demonstrations included AtlasElectronik ’s Aramis, an unmanned surfacevessel for mine detection; Delta Power’sPhantom rib; Safehaven’s Barracudahigh speed stealth interceptor; Norsafe’sMagnum project boat and Zodiac’s SRASeaRib. a semi rigid boat from Survitec which deployed vessel stopping gear;Supacat showcased an eight metre rib witha new OXE 200hp diesel engine and BAESystems showed a Pacific 24 Rib from theRoyal Navy ype 23 Frigate. Equipmentfrom Chemring , Drumgrange, Pontoonand Dock and Versadock also featured aspart of the demonstration.

Tis year’s DSEI had 43 CommandoRoya l Mar ine s who provided ademonstration of their boarding capabilityon two ORCs (Offshore Raiding Craft),assisted by the SeaOwl Group’s VN Partisanacting as a target. Te Partisan, which is acommercially owned naval training vessel,also provides a flight deck for the launch ofUAVs - Datron World Communications’

Sky Ranger remote unmanned surveillancehelicopter were launched from the Partisan’sdeck to showcase this capability. heinclusion of Partisan marked the first timeDSEI had featured a commercial vesselin its waterborne demonstrations. Otherdemonstrations included a presentation ofthe Atlas SEA FOX remote mine huntingequipment.

Saab’s latest Carl-Gustaf

M4 and AT4 debutSaab presented, for the first time at DSEI,the next-generation Carl-Gustaf M4

system were also exhibited for the firsttime at DSEI. hese enhanced variantsdeliver extended range (ER) performanceand improved high explosive (HE) effects.

alongside new capabilities for the A4. TeCarl-Gustaf M4 is the next evolutionarystep in the development of Saab’s multi-role, portable weapon systems and canbe deployed in any combat environmentto effectively dictate the outcome of eachengagement. Important new capabilitiesdeveloped by Saab for its A4 weapon

“With an A4, any soldier can now defeatmore targets with greater flexibility and inmany more scenarios.”

Elbit Systems showcases

GRX-8000Elbit Systems showcased its adiran GRX-8000, the latest generation of its High

AssortedHighlights

96 VAYU



Capacity (HC) Frequenty Hopping (FH)

line-of-sight broadband radio systems.he GRX8000 is a Software DefinedRadio System (SDR), designed to meetthe growing need for reliable data capacityin the modern battlefield. It significantlyextends the range and throughput of militarywireless networks while maintaining uniqueimmunity and anti-jamming capabilities foroperation under very harsh environments.

Te system supports the latest IP services and

interfaces along with legacy communicationprotocols for backward compatibility. Withits extremely high system gain the GRX-8000 supports very long distances in Point-o-Point and Point-o-Multipoint networktopologies. he system supports a widevariety of services ranging from traditionaltelephony to broadband multimedia and verylatest C4 ISR data.

‘Virtual reality’ from Airbus

Defence and Space Airbus Defence and Space displayed itscutting-edge products, technologies andservices using virtual reality in a first at amajor show. In an innovative step, its entirestand was designed around bespoke virtualreality cockpits; with visitors transportedinto a virtual world wearing Oculus Riftheadsets. Airbus Defence and Space hastaken the ground-breaking move to createa more compelling customer experience at

one of the world’s key defence events, whichwill also allow it to convey the breadth ofits current portfolio across defence, space,military and civil aircraft in a unique way.Visitors were invited to experience threescenarios: disaster relief, a virtual air showand even a trip to Mars. Te disaster reliefscenario featured the Airbus A400M militarytransporter bringing aid to a small town

A range of innovations from Rafael

The RecceLite XR

Torbuster (hard kill torpedo defence)

Spike NLOSThe Sea Spotter IRST system

Elbit’s GRX-8000

97 VI/2015



that has been devastated by an earthquake.It demonstrated how effectively the fullportfolio could be utilised in aid situations.he user leaves the A400M and movesinto a waiting vehicle which drives themthrough part of the disaster, en-route to aNAO Deployable Communication andInformation Systems (DCIS) tent. It alsodemonstrated how the Airbus Defence andSpace DCIS mobile communications systemcould help frontline troops from across theworld organise and co-ordinate complexmissions in theatre where communicationshad been compromised.

he virtual air show presented avirtual line-up of Airbus platforms fromanan UAV to Zephyr, C295 MPA,

A4 00 M, A3 30 MR Vo ya ge r and A380. Te virtual trip to Mars featured ademonstration of the ExoMars rover vehicleshowing it manoeuvring across the RedPlanet conducting experiments. Te moveto ‘virtual reality’ is designed to present theentire Airbus Defence and Space portfolioin a way that enables visitors to experiencethe full range of capabilities.

Sagem: delivering high

performance and innovationSagem (Safran) showcased its expandedoffering of systems and equipment forland and naval forces. Tese systems spana wide range of demanding operationalrequirements, including intelligence,

protection, engagement, precision strikesand asymmetric combat.

Sagem’s stand was organised in severalmain areas: infantry and dismountedcombat, navigation, optronic systems forland and naval platforms, surveillancedrones, fire support and missile seekers.

Front-line targeting and intelligence: ocarry out this critical function, Sagem offersthe JIM LR (Long Range) multifunctioninfrared binoculars, as the core of a tacticalintelligence and targeting system operatingas part of a network.

Modernisation of infantry and special forc es: he company

offers an infantrysoldier modernisation system that integratesoperating feedback and the latest technologies,while also calling on the company’s expertiseas supplier of the FELIN modernisationsystem for the French army.

Patro l ler long-endurance drone : Developed in France by Sagem, the Patrolleris a surveillance drone system based onthe EASA-certified S15 Stemme-Ecarysairframe. Te Patroller offers enduranceexceeding 20 hours with a payload of over250 kg. Te Patroller’s modular architectureis such that it can carry out both militaryand homeland security missions.

Multi-mission optronic systems: Sagem’srange of optronic systems covers intelligence,engagement and protection requirementsfor land and naval forces (including bothsubmarines and surface vessels).

Mockup of the Patroller at the Safran stand

98 VAYU



Inertial navigation for ships and landvehicles: Sagem’s Navigation unit presentedits Sigma 40 laser gyro systems for surfaceships and submarines, the Sigma 30 inertialunit for artillery systems, BlueNauteMattitude and heading units for maritimenavigation, and the Sigma 20 tactical landnavigator.

MBDA highlights the Sea CeptorMBDA highlighted the progress of SeaCeptor, the next-generation, ship-based, all-weather, air defence weapon system orderedby the UK MoD. Utilising the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM), SeaCeptor provides complete protectionagainst all known and projected air targets.he weapon system is now in full-scaledevelopment for the as the principal airdefence capability for the Royal Navy’sype 23 and ype 26 frigates.

The Sea Venom on display

technology reduces system weight andprovides flexible installation. Te weapon’sCommand and Control system is designedto be integrated into new or existing navalcombat systems. A dedicated tracking radaris not required as Sea Ceptor is able to usedata provided by the ship’s surveillance radar.

Controp and the iSea FamilyControp Precision echnologies Ltd.presented the comprehensive iSea Family ofmaritime payloads at DSEI 2015. Teir newline of seven short, medium and long-rangemaritime payloads (iSea-10U, 20U, 20, 30,30HD, 40HD and 50HD) was uniquelydeveloped and ruggedised for the challenging

and often harsh maritime environmentand they provide solutions for most typesand sizes of maritime platforms. Featuresinclude a continuous IR zoom lens, gyro-stabilised gimbals and multi sensor options,which provide ‘outstanding capabilities’.Te iSea systems can be installed on RIBs,Patrol Boats, OPVs, Corvettes, Frigatesas well as special vessels like hovercraftand USVs, and can be integrated withthe vessels’ systems. “Ideal for manned orunmanned maritime security and defenceplatforms,” the iSea systems are successfullyoperated and deployed by Special Forces,Law Enforcement, Coast Guard, Search andRescue (SAR), Anti-Piracy units and others.

iSea-10U

Mati Hindrekus and Loïc Piedevache of

MBDA at their stand

Sea Ceptor is designed to protect both

the host ship and high value units in thelocal area. Capable of multiple channels offire, the system will also counter saturationattacks with a range of 25 km. Te missilecan operate from the DCNS Sylver andLockheed Martin Mk41 launchers usinga quad-pack configuration to maximisepacing density and for optimum installationon smaller ships. Te soft vertical launch

99 VI/2015





101 VI/2015

WORLDDEFENCEAVIATION&NEWS

owing to Pakistan’s continued support of regional terrorist groupsand differences over Pakistan’s posture on nuclear weapons.”Should the sale of additional F-16s go through, the PAF wouldhave a substantial inventory of F-16s, both the earlier model withupgrades and a squadron of F-16 Block 52s. Disagreements couldstill cause a review in the process, which has been done in the past.In March this year, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs froze$150 million in foreign military financing and held back deliveryof used US Navy ships, stating that they were “not essential” forfighting militants in Pakistan.

Kuwait orders 28 Eurofighter Typhoons A s reported earlier (see Vayu V/2015), Kuwait has confirmed itsintention to purchase 28 Eurofighter yphoons with an MoU

signed in Rome on 11 September to purchase 22 single-seat and sixtwin-seat such aircraft through a government-to-government dealwith Italy. Italian Eurofighter partner Alenia Aermacchi had beenleading the efforts to sell the yphoon to Kuwait, the aircraft tobe produced on the Italian production line at Cameri. Te aircraftwill be to ranche 3 standard and the first export variants with thenew airborne electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Deliveriesare expected to begin in 2019.

Operational conversion training has commenced at the USAF’s

Hill Air Force Base, Utah, with the newly delivered LockheedMartin F-35A Lightning IIs of the 388th Fighter Wing’s 34th FighterSquadron ‘Rude Rams’. Te first two operational F-35As to bestationed at Hill had arrived there on 2 September and shortlycommenced their weapons employment, range familiarisation andmission system proficiency.

French fighters in action

R enewed airstrikes were launched by French Air Force Rafales andMirage 2000s against IS targets including arms depots in and

around the city of Raqqa in Syria, after the string of terrorist attacksaround Paris in mid-November 2015. Te French Defence Ministrysaid that immediately there were ten sorties against ‘Division 17’

and ‘Avant-garde Camp’ of the IS around Raqqa, the radical group’sself-proclaimed capital.

Eight more F-16 Blk. 52 for Pakistan?

A lthough no official announcements have been made, it has been

widely reported that preceding Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif’svisit to Washington DC in October 2015, the US administrationwas considering the sale of eight additional F-16 Block 52 fightersto Pakistan. he move is reportedly “aimed at improved thebilateral ties between the nations, which have become strained

Artist’s depiction of a Kuwaiti Typhoon

First USAF F-35As at Hill AFB

Te first airstrikes in Syria had been launched by Rafales of theFrench Air Force on 27 September as part of ‘Operation Chammal’which involved attacks on an IS training camp located in theEuphrates Valley, south of Deir-ez-Zor. Five Rafales, an Atlantique2 and an C-135FR were involved in the mission, the aircraftreportedly based at Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi. According to reports,the Rafales used their Reco NG pods on their earlier missions whichincluded intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) overareas controlled by IS and Syria.



WORLD

102 VAYU

DEFENCEAVIATION&NEWS

Indonesia’s Su-35 purchase

Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has confirmed

that the Sukhoi Su-35 has been selected to replace the TentaraNasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara , Indonesian Air Force’s, F-5E/F

Te Su-30MKA and Su-30SM are derivatives of the Su-30MKIdeveloped for India, which operates some 200 of the type. Algeriaalready has 44 of the aircraft while the Russian Navy operates eightin the maritime strike role from Crimea. Deputy Defence Ministerfor Procurements Yury Borisov also recently said that a larger75-aircraft Su-30SM contract is planned for the Russian Air Force.

Eurofighter Typhoon ‘enhancements’

iger fleet, eventually expected to involve a total of around 16aircraft (see Vayu V/2015). Te buy would be staggered and theaircraft bought in smaller batches to spread the cost, the initialtranche probably involving eight aircraft. NI-AU pilots are alreadyfamiliar with Sukhoi fighters with Indonesia currently flying twoSu-27SKs, three Su-27SKMs, two Su-30MKs and nine Su-30MK2s.

China orders 24 Su-35s

R ussia and China havecontracted for 24

Sukhoi Su-35 fighters,at an estimated $2bn.“China has officiallybecome the first foreigncontractor of the Su-35aircraft. he contracthas no precedents in thehistory of military aircraftdel iver ies ,” DirectorGeneral of Rostec, SergeyChemezov stated. heSu-35s will be

built at the‘Gagarin’ Komsomolsk-

na-Amur facility in Russia’s Far East, which is part of SukhoiCompany, Russia’s largest aircraft manufacturer.

Additional Su-30 contracts

A ccording to Sergey Chemezov, head of Russian state defenceholding company Rostec, additional orders for 22 Su-30

multi-role fighters have been received. Te first is an agreement with Algeria for delivery of 14 Sukhoi Su-30MKAs, while the secondis with the Russian Navy and covers 8 Su-30SMs. Both orders areexpected to be fulfilled by 2017.

Russian Air Force Su-30SM in light

(photo: Alex Beltyukov)

In November 2015, capability enhancement work on theEurofighter yphoon included flight testing for the P2E

Programme, the Phase 2 Enhancement Capability Update whichintroduces a broad range of capability enhancements to theaircraft. Along with the Storm Shadow and Meteor missiles, thereare enhancements to the radar, DASS (defensive aids sub-system)and other avionics which will enhance the aircraft’s lethalityand survivability across all roles. Te effects deliverable by bothweapons are enhanced by the high-kinetic characteristics and highlyintegrated sensors of the Eurofighter yphoon. Tis improves theweapons’ range and gives the pilot the situational awareness toemploy them most effectively.

MBDA’s Marte ER on the Typhoon





WORLD

104 VAYU


‘Project Habibi’

he Iranian Aircraft Industries (IACI) are restoring the Islamic

Republic of Iran Air Force’s (IRIAF) fleet of 24 Dassault MirageF1s to fully mission-capable status and have added new weaponsunder ‘Project Habibi’. Further, seven years after the project, IACIre-delivered a fourth Mirage F1EQ to the 102nd actical FighterSquadron at FB, in August 2015. Five years back, two new roleswere defined for the Mirage F1 fleet, being air-defence of south-eastern Iran and for anti-ship strike.

Yak-130s for Bangladesh

Delivery of the first Yakovlev Yak-130 jet trainer/light attackaircraft for Bangladesh has taken place, transported onboard

an Antonov An-124-100 heavy transport aircraft. Te Bangladesh Air Force is buying 16 Yak-130s, which are being built at the Irkutsk

Te PAF has in the past employed -37s for pilot training butphased them out some decades back and replaced them with theK-8 Karakoram jet trainer. Now, receipt of these obsolete jets can

only be explained by their eventual employment perhapsin thecounter-insurgency role in mountainous terrain.

New Chinese Armed Drone revealed

On 21 November 2015, China displayed its latest and biggestmilitary unmanned aircraft at an industry expo in Shenzhen,

Guangdong province, in an attempt to attract more buyers for itscombat drones. Te CH-5 combat/reconnaissance drone, developedby China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics under China Aerospace Science and echnology Corp, made its first flight in August, becoming the heaviest military drone in China.

Considering that China’s defence sector normally never publiclydisplay advanced weapons designed for the People’s Liberation

Aviation Plant. Financing for the deal, which is estimated to beworth around $800 million, is understood to be provided as partof a $1 billion credit agreement between Bangladesh and Russiathat was signed in January 2013.

Turkey transfers 34 T-37s to PAF

In an agreement signed on 28 October 2015, the government ofurkey will transfer 34 -37 jet trainers and their spare parts

to Pakistan “free of cost” in a landmark deal signed between thetwo countries in Ankara. Te agreement was reached during themeeting of Pakistan-urkey High Level Military Dialogue Group(HLMDG) which concluded in Ankara.

File photo of the Yak-130

Army (PLA), the public debut of CH-5 at the China (Shenzhen)International Unmanned Vehicle Systems rade Fair indicates thatthis is a marketing strategy. “We have sold the CH-3 to severalforeign nations and now we plan to launch the export version ofthe CH-5 to the international market. It can perform air-to-groundstrike, reconnaissance and transport operations,” stated Shi Wen,chief designer of the CH series at China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics.

CH-5 is produced from composite materials and has a wingspanof 20 metres. With a size twice as big as its previously developedcounterparts, the drone can be airborne for upto 40 hours andoperate at an altitude of up to 10 km. Compared with other militarydrones that usually have a maximum take-off weight of less than1,500 kg, the CH-5 is much more powerful-it is able to fly with a

weight of 3,000 kg and carry 900 kg of equipment and weapons.

Pakistan’s Scan Eagle

It is understood that Insitu has been contracted to provide its ScanEagle to Pakistan under the foreign military sales programme.

Te company was awarded a $15.18 million US Naval Air SystemsCommand contract for hardware and technical data with contractcompletion completed in August 2016.



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Fourth in the series of Air Exercises between the Air Forces

of Pakistan and China, ‘Shaheen-4’ took place in the first half ofSeptember 2015, but this time in an unusual area : Central ibet.Te first such air exercise took place in north-western Pakistan,around Peshawar and Kamra, the second in China’s western Xinjing-Uygur region, around Hotan, the third in Pakistan’s Punjabprovince, around Shorkot in May 2014.

Although the PLA Air Force spokesman did not specify theexact location, it is leant that Shaheen-4, was held at several PLAAFair bases in Central ibet, some north of Nepal and south-west ofLhasa, including Yinchuan air base.

While the PAF deployed elements of six fighter squadronscomprising JF-17s, Mirage III/5s and Shenyang F-7PGs apart froma KJ-200, the PLAAF had J-10As, J-11Bs, Su-27UBKs, F-7s and itsown KJ-200 AEW&C aircraft taking part from tactical transportaircraft and helicopters. During the exercise, the two arms wereformed as ‘Red Force’ and ‘Blue Force’ and as Wang Xu, Professor

‘Shaheen-4’: Air Exercises between the PLAAF and PAF

PAF oficers with PLAAF personnel and J-11BS two seat multirole ighter

of Pakistan Studies at Peking University said, “We can learn a lotfrom Pakistan’s training philosophy and system and in preparingto fight terrorism in north-western China, such drills could boostChina’s capacity to tackle tough situation”.

Te PAF’s Air Vice Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan and PLAAF’sLt Gen Zheng Qun Liang, represented their respective countries.

Such Air Exercises and other flying operations in ibet haveobviously been followed closely by Indian authorities and the IAFCAS made particular reference to this during his pre-Air Force DayConference at New Delhi. “In the ibet Autonomous Region,flying operations (of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force)have increased exponentially and the capability (has been) increasingthroughout the year… We also have our assets, our infrastructureand are deploying our forces (along the border). Terefore, there is

no need to worry,” Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha stated.

PAF and PLAAF personnel seen with a Chinese J-11BS,

copied from the Su-30MKK

PAF personnel with Mirage 5F



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Additional CH-47s ordered by Turkey

Boeing has received an order for additional CH-47F Chinook

heavy-lift helicopters ffrom urkey. Te number involved wasnot revealed in the US Department of Defence announcement, butapproval to buy five CH-47s for the T ürk Kara Kuvvetleri (KK or

prior to No. 279 will be flying out later in November 2015 as TeBoeing Company officially shuts down its final assembly plant.(Te IAF currently operates ten C-17s but has had a requirementfor three more).

SAR S-76Ds for China

Sikorsky have delivered the final two of an order for eight S-76Dsto the China Ministry of ransport (MO). MO’s helicopter

fleet, which is the basis of China’s airborne search and rescue(SAR) maritime operations, now totals 16 S-76s, eight of which

urkish Land Forces) was announced on 7 January 2015. urkey’srequirements for a heavy-lift helicopter go back some six years butinsufficient funding for the full procurement led to a letter of offerand acceptance eventually being signed on 9 July 2010, for just sixCH-47Fs. As part of a $3.4 billion US Army multi-year CH-47Fproduction contract awarded to Boeing on 17 June 2013, a portionof the funding was allocated to support FMS helicopters for urkey.

14 CH-47Fs for Netherlandshe Netherlands are to procure 14 new Boeing CH-47F Chinooktransport helicopters to replace the 11 older-model CH-47Ds

currently in service. Tese will join six previously purchased CH-47F(NL) variants, which will be modernised, bringing the RNLAFChinook fleet to 20, with deliveries to begin in 2019.

Thailand orders KAI T-50s

he Royal Tai Air Force is to buy four -50 H Golden Eagle jet trainers from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), with the

contract signed on 17 September in Seoul, the deal worth around$110 million. Te aircraft will replace elderly Aero L-39 Albatros jettrainers currently in Royal Tai Air Force (RAF) service. Although

the limited Tai defence budget has only been able to finance aninitial four -50s, KAI said that it expected follow-on orders fromthe RAF “when funding allowed.”

Last C-17 built at Long Beach

he 279th and last C-17 Globemaster III built at Long Beach,California, departed on 14 November 2015, flying to San

Antonio before being delivered to Qatar. One last C-17 built

are S-76Ds, operated by the China Rescue and Salvage Bureau.In December 2012, the China MO purchased four S-76D SARhelicopters and then in July 2013 contracted for another four ofthe same model.



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Russian FSS order Ka-226Ts

R ussia’s Federal Security Service (FSS), has ordered six Kamov

Ka-226 light twin helicopters to complement the Ka-27PSsfor maritime patrol tasks. Te new helicopters will operate off thedeck of the newly-procured Project 22460 ships assigned to theFSS’s border patrol arm. Te budget for the Ka-226 procurement

First F-16V with advanced AESA radar

he first F-16V fitted with Northrop Grumman’s advanced

APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) flew on 16 October 2015 at Fort Worth.Te F-16V ‘Viper’ advanced avionics configuration also includesa new cockpit Centre Pedestal Display, a modernised mission

computer, a high-capacity Ethernet data bus, and several othermissions systems enhancements that collectively add significantcombat capabilities “to address the dynamic threat environmentsemerging in the coming decades.”

Network-Enabled Harpoon in flight test

he US Navy completed a free-flight test of the new network-enabled Harpoon missile system on 18 November at the Sea

Range at Point Mugu, California. Te upgraded missile, knownas Block II+, will have the ability to receive in-flight updates thatimprove the targeting and engagement of moving maritime targets.

Te free-flight missile event was the first end-to-end functionalitytest of an inert Harpoon Block II+ from pre-flight to target impact.

Te test proved that the missile could receive target location updatesfrom an F/A-18 while in-flight through its network-enableddatalink. It then successfully acquired a moving ship target usingits active radar seeker and guided itself autonomously to impact thetarget. Tis test, the culmination of 152 lab-test sessions, 15 aircraftground tests and 16 flight tests, will be followed by another moredemanding developmental test in fiscal year 2016. Te AGM-84NHarpoon Block II+ will also have a new GPS guidance kit thatwill enhance the weapon’s navigation. Harpoon is an all-weather,over-the-horizon weapon designed to execute both land-strike andanti-ship missions against a range of targets.

amounts to 2.3 billion roubles (US$35million). Te Ka-226,powered by urbomeca Arrius 2G1 engines de-rated to 580shp havesignificantly enhanced hot-and-high capability as well as one engineinoperative margins to boost operational safety. Te FSS sub-versionis designated Ka-226.57 and will feature upgrades to meet the FSS’srequirements for operations from the decks of border patrol ships.

Rafale adds SATCOM

he Dassault Rafale omni-role fighter has demonstrated a newsatellite communications (SACOM) capability with two of

its aircraft equipped with the new system, at Mont-de-Marsan airbase. Te single-seat Rafale C and a two-seat Rafale B assignedto Escadron de Chasse et d’Expérimentation (ECE) 5/330 ‘CôtedArgent’ flew a test mission accompanied by a C-135FR tanker, athree-and-a-half hour flight to Lajes ar base in the Azores, duringwhich a number of messages, both operational and experimentalwere exchanged by ‘chat’. (Ed: Te Indian Navy’s Dornier 228s arealso equipped with SACOM.)



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ASRAAM for the RAF

MBDA has received a contract worth over £300M from the

British MoD to equip the RAF with the ASRAAM infra-red guided air-to-air missile. Te missiles will be produced atMBDA’s new Bolton manufacturing and assembly site that will becommissioned in mid-2016. Te engineering activities are beingcarried out at MBDA sites in Stevenage and Bristol. ASRAAM isthe Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile in service with the RAFon the ornado and yphoon, the Royal Australian Air Force onthe F/A-18 Hornet and on order for the Indian Air Force’s Jaguars.

C-27Js for “undisclosed” African AF

Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi has received orders for two C-27Jtactical airlifters from an “undisclosed” African Air Force, the

two aircraft to be delivered in 2017. Te C-27J is already operational

in several countries including Lithuania, Italy and the United Statesas also in the Sub-Sahara with Chad. Te C-27J has also been

Hermes 900 UAS systems and an intelligence gathering system.Elad Aharonson, General Manager of Elbit Systems ISAR Divisionstated “Since establishing the ISAR Division, we have witnessed a

growing demand for solutions combing a range of ISAR in-housetechnologies, and we are pleased to be able to supply our customerswith our cutting-edge systems, creating a power multiplier”.

Boeing KC-46A Pegasus flies

AKC-46A Pegasus tanker (EMD-2) made its first flight25 September from Paine Field in Everett, Washington. Te

EMD-2 completed its flight as a KC-46A tanker, which will nowbegin flight testing in support of the next programme milestone. Te

ordered by the Air Forces of Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania,Romania, Morocco, US, Mexico, Australia, Chad, Peru and SlovakRepublic, with a total of 82 aircraft delivered to date.

Elbit Intelligence Integrated Systems

Elbit Systems

will supply intelligence integrated systems, forhomeland security applications to an “undisclosed country” in

South American region. Under the contract, to be supplied withinless than a year, Elbit Systems will provide the customer with

US Air Force contracted with Boeing in February 2011 to acquire179 KC-46A refueling tankers to begin recapitalising the agingtanker fleet, this flight being a step toward fulfilling a requirementfor 18 KC-46A aircraft plus necessary support equipment by August 2017.

Upgraded C-130s for Israeli Air Force

he first improved C-130 (‘Karnaf’, Hebrew for Rhino) heavytransport aircraft has flown from Nevatim Airbase in southern

Israel after a long process in which new and advanced systems wereinstalled on it and its main wing was replaced, as part of an overallrenewal project for the C-130 division. It is expected that within afew years, the concerned squadron will only operate the improvedC-130s which are to be in service till 2040.



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Thales Spy ‘Ranger’ mini-drone

hales have unveiled the Spy ‘Ranger’, the latest-generation

surveillance and reconnaissance mini-drone specifically forarmed forces, security forces and essential operators. Spy ‘Ranger’ hasbeen designed by a team consisting of Tales and French aerospaceSME, Aviation Design. Its development follows four technologicalpillars: a robust and innovative electric powered airframe, themost advanced gimbal in the world to optimise observed frontlineand range, the highest tactical datalink standard, and a combat-proven command and control software so as to maintain combateffectiveness under most adverse conditions.

Chinese submarines for Pakistan

A t an event in Islamabad on 6 October, Pakistan’s Ministerfor Defence Production, Rana anveer Hussain, stated

that four of the eight conventional submarines to be acquiredfrom China would be built at the state-owned Karachi Shipyardand Engineering Works (KSEW). Te remaining four will bebuilt in China, with both sets of submarines to be constructedsimultaneously.

warhead has included IM threat tests (to demonstrate insensitivity)and underwater trials (to demonstrate performance).

Sagem optronic masts for Swedish Navy

Sagem (Safran) has been selected by Swedish shipyard SaabKockums to supply the optronic masts for four submarines to

be deployed by the Swedish Navy. Te contract provides for SagemSeries 30 optronic surveillance masts to outfit two future A26 classsubmarines and two Gotland -class submarines, already in service,along with initial logistic services and options for additional systems.Saab Kockums’ selection of Sagem’s optronic mast was based on itshigh-performance optronic sensors, easy integration in the ship’scombat system, and a human-machine interface that allows foroptimised operation of its high-definition imaging functions.

Raytheon SeaRAM missile fired from LCS

he US Navy has successfully fired a tactical missile from aSeaRAM launcher on an ‘Independence’ littoral combat ship,

off the coast of California. USS Coronado (LCS 4) fired a Rolling Airframe Missile from a SeaRAM anti-ship defence system, bothproduced by Raytheon, during which test, the SeaRAM detected,tracked and engaged an inbound threat target, and fired a RAMBlock 1A that successfully intercepted the target.

Although Hussain did not reveal what type has been selected,it is widely believed that China is offering the ype 039A (Yuan-class) AIP-equipped diesel-electric submarines, or an exportderivative thereof.

Upgrade of Royal Navy’sSpearfish torpedo

DW GmbH has been awarded a contract from BAE Systemsfor qualification and delivery of the insensitive munition (IM)

blast warhead to be used in upgrade of the Royal Navy’s heavyweightSpearfish torpedo. Blast warheads are used to combat both surfaceand underwater targets effectively. Ships in particular can becombated most effectively using a blast warhead, which generatesa shock wave. Trough the initial assessment and developmentphases, DW have played a leading role in the design and testingof the new Spearfish warhead. o date the testing performed on the



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Ka-32A11BC helicopters for China

R ussian Helicopters (part of State Corporation Rostec) has signed

a contract with China’s Jiangsu Baoli for delivery of 4 Ka-32A11BC fire-fighting helicopters in 2016-2017. “Tese helicoptersare being successfully operated in China. Tis contract confirmsour interest in developing mutually beneficial cooperation, and weplan to continue to grow it through additional deliveries and newprojects,” stated Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheev.

competitive with its global peers. Pre-flight and certification testingare also currently underway.

Te Mi-171A2 represents latest development of the medium

multirole Mi-8/Mi17 series, with improved technical featuresas well as a higher level of safety, comfort and automation. Tepower plant comprises a full FADEC VK-2500PS-03 engine andan auxiliary power plant by Safir, which enables the engine to bestarted at altitudes of up to 6,000m. Te main rotor systems of theentire Mi-8/17 series have been completely overhauled.

LM completes acquisition of Sikorsky

Lockheed Martin has formally acquired Sikorsky Aircraft, theleading military and commercial rotary-wing aircraft producer

and aligned under the Lockheed Martin Mission Systems andraining (MS) business segment, Sikorsky Aircraft is now knownas Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company . “We are proud to welcome

the Sikorsky team to Lockheed Martin,” stated Marillyn Hewson,Lockheed Martin chairman, president and CEO. “Lockheed Martinand Sikorsky share a legacy of innovation and performance that hasshaped the history of aviation for more than a century. ogether,we are even better positioned to provide the best value for ourcustomers, employees and shareholders.”

Russian Helicopters testMi-171A2 prototype

R ussian Helicopters, has started flight testing of a secondprototype of the medium multirole Mi-171A2 at Mil Moscow

Helicopter Plant. he new Mi-171A2 prototype includes allthe unique features typical of this type of helicopter, making it

Maiden flight of MRJ

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation and Mitsubishi HeavyIndustries, Ltd. (MHI) conducted maiden flight of its first

MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet), the next-generation regional jeton 11 November 2015. Te MRJ took off from Nagoya Airportand confirmed its basic characteristics and functionality in ascent,descent and turning in airspace off the Pacific coast during its 1.5-hour maiden flight. Hiromichi Morimoto, President, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation stated, “We will make our utmost effortstowards type certificate acquisition, committing all our resourcesto develop and produce the finest regional jet aircraft, to enter

commercial service in 2017.”



111 VI/2015


Fatigue Strength testing of SukhoiSuperjet 100 At the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after NEZhukovsky (sAGI), fatigue strength testing of Sukhoi Superjet

100 long range version was initiated to confirm the designed servicelife of the aircraft of 70 000 flight hours and 54 000 cycles. In 2014,this SSJ100, certified model RRJ-95LR-100, with productionnumber 95075, was delivered dis-assembled by the An-124 ‘Ruslan’freighter to Zhukovsky, near Moscow. Fuselage, wings and tail were

kilometres, will make its first test flight in 2016, but this could wellbe delayed by another year. COMAC has orders for 517 of its C919salmost all of them from domestic companies while, among foreign

airlines, Tailand’s City Airways is the first customer.

H130 for Bhutan

A irbus Helicopters has delivered the first H130 heliocopter ofthe Ecureuil family, to the Kingdom of Bhutan. Tis is the

first of two helicopters acquired by the Royal Bhutan HelicopterServices Limited (RBHSL) for para-public and commercial tasks.Te second H130 is expected to be delivered in June 2016

put together and special purpose load complex, measuring sensorsand structure health monitoring systems were adjusted to theassembled SSJ100 airframe. Te confirmed designed service life ofthe aircraft is presently 9000 flight hours and 6000 cycles. In 2013,the Aviation Register of the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC AR) certified the long range Sukhoi Superjet 100 and confirmed itscompliance with IAC AR regulations while works are undergoing toachieve the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certificate forthis model of Sukhoi Superjet 100 - RRJ-95LR-100. Te SSJ100long range is powered by SaM146 engines with increased by 5%

takeoff thrust performance.

Chinese C-919 airliner rolled out

On 2 November 2015, the new Chinese 158-seater C919airliner was rolled out at a hangar at Shanghai’s Pudong

International Airport. As Jin Zhuanglong, chairman of Commercial Aircraft Corp of China COMAC stated at the launch ceremony,“Te rollout of the first C919 aircraft marks a significant milestonein the development of China’s first indigenous airliner”, whichwould be approximately the same category as the Airbus A320 andBoeing 737. Te C919, which has a reported range of up to 5,555

RBHSL’s H130s have been equipped with a tracking system,cargo sling, bambi bucket and stretcher to perform a wide range ofparapublic missions, such as emergency medical services (EMS),fire fighting and disaster management. At the same time, the quick-role change capabilities allow the interior to be converted for VIPtransport or for panoramic helitour flights.

Bombardier CS100 flight testprogramme

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft’s CS100 aircraft flight testprogramme is close to completion with only a few tests remaining

and Bombardier is on track to have the aircraft certified this year withransport Canada. Function and reliability (F&R) testing on the CSeries aircraft commenced with a four-leg flight by the CS100 F&Rtest aircraft. Te first F&R flight, which started and ended in Mirabel,Québec, included stops in Moncton, New Brunswick; Halifax, NovaScotia and St-John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

‘Escorted’ by a Su-35, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 in light



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Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97’s test flight

he Rolls-Royce rent XWB-97, the most powerful version

of the rent XWB engine which will power the longer range A350-1000 aircraft, has been test flown in an Airbus A380 flyingtestbed aircraft, which flew with one of its four rent 900 enginesreplaced by a rent XWB-97, at oulouse, France. Tis marked thefirst flight of the world’s largest 3D printed aero engine structure, theengine’s front bearing housing has aerofoils made by the AdditiveLayer Manufacturing technique. Rolls-Royce is developing thetechnology, which has potential to improve manufacturing andproduct functionality in terms of design optimisation, cost and speed.

2013 Dubai Air Show, Emirates had placed a record $76 billion(USD) order for 150 Boeing 777X twin-engine aircraft, poweredby GE’s new GE9X engine. Te single largest order by value in thehistory of US commercial aviation, included 300 units of GE9Xengines, themselves worth US$16 billion.

Emirates also signed a 12-year OnPoint solution contract withGE Aviation worth $36 million (USD), covering the maintenanceand inventory support for various avionics, electrical power andmechanical systems on all Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft in currentlyservice and the 44 more 777-300ERs on order.

PurePower for Philippine A320neos

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with Pratt & Whitney to power its order of 15

firm plus 15 purchase right A321neo aircraft, with deliveries tobegin in 2017. “We pride ourselves on the fact that we embraceinnovative technology within our aircraft fleet,” said Jaime Bautista,

ATR 72-600s for Air New Zealand

A ir New Zealand and AR will purchase 15 additional AR72-600s for some US$ 375 million. Te airline, which ordered

seven AR 72-600s in 2011, had already exercised all of its fiveoptions as well as converted two purchase rights into firm orders. With the arrival of all aircraft, Air New Zealand will operate, by2020, a total of 29 AR 72-600s, the third largest fleet of ARaircraft worldwide. Air New Zealand’s AR ‘-600’ fleet willprogressively replace the AR ‘-500s’, while strengthening theairline’s network and services across the country.

president and chief operating officer, Philippine Airlines. “Te A321neo aircraft with PurePower engines helps us keep our fleetyoung and modern. With these aircraft, we will be able to reduceour fuel burn and subsequent operating cost, which is great newsfor our business.”

GE9X-powered Boeing 777X fleet forthe Emirates

Emirates has signed a $16 billion (USD) OnPoint solutionagreement with GE Aviation for the maintenance, repair and

overhaul (MRO) of the GE9X engines that will power the airline’sfleet of 150 Boeing 777X aircraft over a period of 12 years. At the



113 VI/2015


Pegasus Signs$500 m. agreement with CFM

One of urkey’s leading low-cost carriers, Pegasus Airlines, hassigned an eight-year ‘ime & Materials Support’ agreement

with CFM International to cover a total of 90 shop visits for theCFM56-7B engines powering its fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft.Te agreement, which also includes the purchase for four spareengines, is valued at $500 million. Te Istanbul-based low costairline has been a CFM customer since it launched its charterflights in 1990.

required to succeed and prosper in international competition.” Inaddition, it offers its European and NAO customers the opportunityof increased standardisation and interoperability for their defence

equipment, with a dependable industrial base.

BAE’s Archer System for Sweden

B AE Systems has delivered the first production series Archerartillery system to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration

(FMV) during a ceremony at the company’s Karlskoga facility.“Te Archer system is one of the world’s most advanced artillerysystems with high mobility and precision”, providing fire supportthat is powerful and flexible, and features high levels of autonomousoperation under protection. It is based on proven subsystems andhas an extensive ammunition portfolio.

MBDA and BAE Systems

agreement on APKWS

B AE Sys tems has an agreement with MBDA to suppor tmarketing efforts for the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon

System (APKWS) laser-guided rocket in Europe. Te APKWSsystem is a mid-body guidance section fitted between the motorand the warhead, transforming a standard unguided 70 mm (2.75in) munition into a precision laser-guided rocket to provide alow-cost surgical strike capability. Tis highly innovative approachrequires no modifications to the rocket, launch platform, or firecontrol/launcher system and allows militaries to leverage existinginfrastructure and munitions investment.

Merger of Nexter Systems and KMWNexter Systems and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, two of Europe’sleading manufacturers of military land defence systems have

agreed to merge into one joint holding company. Te alliance of thetwo groups under the umbrella of a joint holding company createsa Franco-German defence technology group with a current annualturnover nearing 2 billion euro, an order book of around 9 billioneuro and more than 6,000 employees. “Te alliance of KMW andNexter creates a group with the momentum and innovative force

RADA’s tactical radars for Israel

R ADA Electronic Industries Ltd, have been selected by the IsraeliMinistry of Defense (IMoD) to supply its tactical radars for

the protection of communities adjacent to Israel’s southern borderagainst short range threats, including fires and aerial threats. Tecompany is also expanding its Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar(MHR) family, introducing 3 new variants in various sizes andranges for air & surface surveillance.



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Thales new generation lightweightmultiple launcher

he Tales Lightweight Multiple Launcher New Generation(LML NG) system has been displayed for use on a tripod or

vehicle mount, and supporting swift deployment of SARStreakand/or the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) systems. Tesystem provides two ready to fire missiles, allowing it to handlesaturation air attacks or provide a complimentary surface tosurface capability. Te man-portable system is designed to suit

a wide range of missions from lightweight rapid reaction rolesto air droppable operations. Te SARStreak missile, with anextremely fast time of flight can be deployed to tackle a variety ofthreats from head on or fast crossing aerial targets, to targets suchas Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters. When usedwith the LMM, a capability is provided to enable the defeat ofsurface targets such as Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs), trucksand fixed installations and aerial targets such as UAVs. Bothsystems utilise Tales unique laser beam riding guidance system.

IAI’s ‘Terra’ dual band radar systemIsrael Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled the ‘erra’ dual-

band radar system for optimisation of early-warning, detectionand accurate tracking ofvery long range targets suchas ballistic missiles, satellitesand air-breathing targets.he erra, developed andproduced by ELA SystemsLtd., IAI’s Subsidiary andGroup, comprises the UltraUHF band radar (ELM-2090U), and the new ELM-2090S Spect ra S-band

very - long-range sea rchand track radar. erra’senhanced performance isachieved through automatichandover and redundancybetween the ULRA andSPECRA radars, combined

with improved target load sharing, Electronic Counter-CounterMeasures (ECCM) and severe-weather resilience.

Pakistan helps China export HJ-8 missile

Owing to Pakistan’s “assistance”, the China North Industries

Corporation (Norinco) has exported its HJ-8 anti-tank missilesto 20 different countries around the world. Pakistan currentlyproduces the HJ-8 under license from China, which has helped itbuild an independent production line to manufacture the anti-tankmissile. In the late 1980s, the Pakistan Army, which had alreadybeen equipped with the American-built BGM-71 OW anti-tankmissile, also ordered the Chinese-made HJ-8. Owing to Pakistan’sstrong diplomatic ties with various South Asian and South American

nations, nearly 10,000 HJ-8 missiles have since exported to around20 countries, which include Bangladesh, Bolivia, Egypt, Ecuador,Kenya, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, Sri Lanka, the Sudan, Syria, theUnited Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

Saab BOL self-protection

pods for AustraliaSaab has received an order from Australia for a number of

additional BOL countermeasure dispensers to be used on F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft. Deliveries will take place during 2016.BOL is a high-capacity countermeasure dispenser for chaff andflares, which provides pilots with a sustained defensive capabilityto successfully accomplish their missions. Australia acquired BOLin 2008 for the F/A-18A/B Hornets of the Royal Australian AirForce (RAAF). Tis new order for an undisclosed number of BOLsystems “will increase the RAAF’s operational capability.”



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Saab Barracuda mobilecamouflage systems

he demand for advanced signature management duringoperations in urban environments is constantly growing. Now

Saab is presenting a new configuration of the Barracuda MCSsystem to meet these needs. With this improved camouflage solutionadapted for urban warfare Saab has taken the first steps into thefuture of camouflage solutions. Te new urban warfare configurationbuilds on Saab’s Barracuda MCS technology which is a tailor-made, multi-purpose covering with optimised colours, designsand properties for all environments. It enhances survivability,sustainability and logistics of vehicles and equipment, while allthe time providing a ‘stealth’ or masking capability in the visual,near-infrared, thermal infrared and broadband radar wavelengths.

Saab Giraffe radar’senhanced anti-UAS skills

Saab has demonstrated and proven an improved capability forits Giraffe AMB radar to detect low, slow and small targets.

Tis ‘Enhanced Low, Slow and Small’ (ELSS) function allowsthe Giraffe AMB to undertake dedicated counter-Unmanned

Air Systems (UAS) operations, while conducting its full suite ofregular air surveillance functions. Te new ELSS function wasdemonstrated in April during a UK-government sponsored trial to

test and evaluate radar performance against demanding air targetsin a complex environment. Known as ‘Bristow 15’ and conductedover the ranges at West Freugh, in Scotland, the trial is thought tobe the only one of its kind held outside the USA.

AT4CS RS systems for Saab

Saab has received anorder from the US

Army for the shou lder -launched A4CS RS(reduced sensitivity) anti-armour weapon system.Del iver i e s wi l l t ake

place during 2016. he A4CS RS is a disposable,preloaded weapon witha specially developed,unique shaped-chargewarhead that deliversoutstanding behind-armour-effects inside thetarget. hanks to thisnew warhead the A4CSRS also has improvedinsensitive munition (IM)characteristics. In 2014,new versions of the weapon were introduced to the market. Tese

new variants are part of the A4CS family and build upon Saab’smodular 84-mm product range including the Carl-Gustaf multi-purpose reloadable weapon system and the A4 family of disposableweapons. Te new A4 variants – the A4CS ER (extended range)and A4CS HE (high explosive) provide multi-purpose, direct firesupport with confined space capabilities.

UK orders Giraffe

Saab has received orders from the UK Ministry of Defencefor additional Giraffe AMB radar systems plus upgrades

of the existing systems and associated equipment valued at isapproximately SEK 610million. Deliveries will startlate 2015 and continueuntil 2018. he Giraffe AMB radar provides afull 360° update of the airsituation out to 120 kmevery second. It can operatein challenging environmentssuch as mountains, complexcoastal regions and wind



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farm areas. Te upgrade will take the UK’s existing systems tothe same production-build standard as the new Giraffe AMB,enhancing the primary radar’s performance and capacity.

RBS 70 missiles for Latvia

Saab has received an order for RBS 70 missiles from the Ministryof Defence of the Republic of Latvia. Deliveries will take place

during the period 2015-2016. Latvia has been an RBS 70 systemcustomer since 2004. Tis order for missiles is part of Latvia’slong-term plan to further increase its air defence capabilities. Tecontract includes the delivery of missiles, training and associatedequipment plus an option for additional orders.

RBS15 successfully test-fired byCroatian Navy

he Croatian Navy has conducted its second firing this year of anRBS15 anti-ship missile, at the beginning of October. Earlier

this year, in May, Croatia conducted an RBS15 test firing from oneof its land-based launchers. Te October firing was conducted by avessel of the Croatian Navy, the firing was part of the wider Exercise Joint Force 15, which was held in the Eugen Kvaternik military

training area, Slunj, and on the naval ranges at Dugi otok. Temissile was fired from the Kralj -class missile boat Dmitar Zvonimir .

Te RBS15 in its latest version, the RBS15 Mk3, can be

integrated on ships, land batteries and mobile launchers. It is also inservice as an air-launched weapon that is integrated on the Gripenfighter and compatible with other NAO aircraft.

Airbus DS support forC295W water bomber

A irbus Defence and Space and Te Coulson Group of Canadahave signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering the

industrialisation, supply and support of the new water bomberversion of the Airbus C295W transport aircraft. Under the termsof the agreement Te Coulson Group of Alberni BC, Canadathrough its operating company Coulson Aircrane Ltd, will develop

and manufacture a version of its Retardant Dropping System (RDS)which is already in operation with the world’s most demanding

firefighting agencies. Te system installed in the C295W will consistof two roll-on-roll-off internal tanks, which after the fire season canbe easily removed. Te highly versatile C295W will then be availablefor its conventional role as a ramp-equipped, multi-role transportable to carry cargo, troops, paratroops or stretchers. Te RDS forthe C295W comprises two internal tanks of 3,500 litres each ableto transport water or retardant and able to be refilled in underseven minutes. When dropping, the flow-rate can be adjusted viathe cockpit control panel according to the desired coverage, aircraftspeed and height over terrain. A prototype C295W water bomberhas been flying since 2013.



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Ultra-Long Range A350-900variant launched

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has selected Airbus’ newly launchedUltra-Long Range version of the A350-900 for non-stop flights

to the USA. Under an amendment to the carrier’s existing orderfor 63 A350-900s, seven of the aircraft will now be delivered withan Ultra-Long Range capability for flights of up to 19 hours. Inaddition, the carrier has placed an additional order for four A350-900s, taking its total firm orders for the A350 XWB Family to 67.

process across all A320 Family Final Assembly Lines worldwide.Te A320neo Family incorporates latest technologies includingnew generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, whichtogether deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day oneand 20 percent by 2020 with further cabin innovations.

CAS orders 30 A330 Family and100 A320 Family aircraft

China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) has signeda General erms Agreement (GA) with Airbus for the

acquisition of 30 A330 Family aircraft and 100 A320 Familyaircraft. Te 30 A330s are a firm up of the commitment signed in

The World of Airbus

Optimised for non-stop flights to the US, the aircraft, designated A350-900ULR (Ult ra-Long Range), wil l include a modifiedfuel system to increase the fuel carrying capacity, an increase inMaximum ake-Off Weight, plus aerodynamic improvements,enabling service to the US West Coast, as well as to New York.Involving a distance of some 8,700 nautical miles, the New Yorkservice will be the world’s longest commercial passenger route,with an expected flight time of up to 19 hours. Moreover, the‘unique flexibility’ offered by the A350 XWB allows operators toreconfigure their A350-900ULR to the standard long-haul A350-900 specification should they require it.

A320 production increased to

60 a month by mid-2019

o match ongoing high demand for its A320 Family, Airbuswill to further increase production rate of the Family to 60

aircraft a month in mid-2019. o enable the ramp-up Airbus willextend its capacity in Hamburg with the creation of an additionalproduction line. In parallel Airbus will integrate cabin furnishingactivities for A320 aircraft produced in oulouse into the Final Assembly Line in oulouse, thereby harmonising the production

June 2015. Te GA was s igned in Beijing by Li Hai , Presidentand CEO of CAS, and Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO of Airbus, in the presence of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visitingGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel. Te first agreements on setting



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up an A330 C&DC in ianjin, China were signed by Airbusand Chinese partners in March 2014 and witnessed by FrenchPresident Francois Hollande and visiting Chinese President Xi

Jinping. Tis was followed in October 2014, when Airbus, theianjin Free rade Zone (JFZ) and the Aviation IndustryCorporation of China (AVIC) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) inBerlin, Germany, and a framework agreement that was signed in July 2015 in oulouse.

R-R Trent 700s for newBeluga XL transporter

R olls-Royce has been selected by Airbus to provide rent 700engines and long-term otalCare engine service support, worth

$700m for five new Beluga XL air transporter aircraft. Te aircraftwill replace the current Airbus Beluga fleet, which is powered by

engines GE CF6. Te Beluga XL, based on the A330 design, waslaunched in November 2014 to address the A350 XWB ramp upand the transport capacity requirements for other programmes.

Compared to the current Beluga, the Beluga XL will provide Airbuswith an additional 30 per cent air transport capacity.

China Eastern Airlines receives 50th A330

China Eastern Airlines has taken delivery of its 50th A330 aircraftat a ceremony in oulouse, France. Powered by Rolls Royce

rent 700 engines, the A330-200 features a two class cabin layoutseating 30 passengers in business class and 203 in economy. “With afleet of that has grown to 50 A330s over nine years, China Eastern isdemonstrating its continued confidence in the superior performanceand comfort of the A330,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President andCEO, “We are confident that with one of the world’s largest A330fleets, China Eastern will strengthen its position as one of Asia’s

leading international carriers and continue to offer its passengers thebest flying experience.” China Eastern began operating the A330 in2006 and today its fleet has grown to be one of the world’s largest.

China Eastern also operates a fleet of around 230 single aisle A320Family aircraft, taking its Airbus fleet to some 280 planes in total.China Eastern is one of Mainland China’s three major airlines.

Finnair is firstEuropean A350 XWB operator

Finnair has taken delivery in oulouse of the first of 19 A350 XWBs on order, thus becoming the first European operator and

the third worldwide of the all-new airliner. Te aircraft is configuredin a three-class layout, with 297 seats, comprising 46 business class,43 economy comfort and 208 economy.

Assembly of first A350-1000

A irbus began fuselage assembly of the largest member ofthe A350 family at its Hamburg and Saint-Nazaire plants.

Germany-based subcontractor Premium Aerotec handed over thefirst complete front fuselage section for the first A350-1000, nowdelivered by air to Hamburg where it will be equipped before beingflown to Saint-Nazaire on board one of Airbus’s Beluga fleet ofaircraft. Te front fuselage section is largely manufactured fromcarbon fibre composite material (CFRP). Airbus will incorporatethe section into the first -1000 test machine (MSN59). Tisfuselage section will be completed by a CFRP door frame, whichPremium Aerotec said will bring significant weight and cost savingscompared to a traditional aluminum section.

Honeywell technology for A320 and A330sHoneywell Aerospace’s latest navigational technology will beavailable as an option on Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft

from early 2018. Te new Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver willoffer Airbus customers access to the latest precision navigationcapabilities, a cost-effective solution that increases airport trafficcapacity while decreasing weather-related delays, noise andoperating costs through more efficient routing and improvednavigation performance. Honeywell’s Integrated Multi-Mode



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Receiver (IMMR) navigation receiver will enable airline operatorsto take advantage of the latest in satellite-based navigation suchas Honeywell’s SmartPath Ground-Based Augmentation System

(GBAS), which allows more accurate approach and landing accessthan today’s land-based systems. Te new navigation receiver willalso offer expanded capabilities for landing in very-low-visibilityweather conditions.

Singapore Airlines’ 1st A350 XWB

he first A350-900 for Singapore Airlines has been revealed in theairline’s livery following completion of painting in oulouse.

Te aircraft is now set to move to the next stages of production,including the installation of engines and cabin furnishing, before

Heino Ostermeier, Airbus’ Senior Vice President of Cabin Procurement,

congratulates Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO and Shareholder of Recaro Aircraft

Seating, Sunitha Vegerla, General Manager of Recaro Aircraft Seating

Americas, Inc., and Jochen Weidner, Director Programme Management

at Recaro Aircraft Seating, on the Airbus Innovation Award 2015

(from right).

long-term partnership of our two companies. In our customers’view we made an impressive track record in the aircraft seatingindustry with innovation leadership, high annual growth rates, an

outstanding operational performance and a strong global brand”,explained Dr. Mark Hiller, Chief Executive Officer and Shareholderof Recaro Aircraft Seating.

A400M completes grass runwaycertification tests

starting ground and flight tests. Te aircraft is scheduled for deliveryto Singapore Airlines in the first quarter of 2016. Singapore Airlineshas ordered a total of 67 A350s and will operate the aircraft onlong haul routes to Europe as well as on ultra-long range non-stopservices to US and selected regional routes.

Recaro receives Airbus Innovation Award

R ecaro Aircraft Seating of Germany received the Airbu sInnovation Award for proactive innovation supporting Airbus

in the field of Systems and Equipment, Cabin and Propulsion. “Ourcollaboration and this new award are an important milestone in the

A irbus Defence and Space has successfully completed certificationtesting of the A400M new generation airlifter on a grass

runway. Te tests using the development aircraft MSN2 tookplace over a three week period at the airfield of Écury-sur-Coolein France in September and examined the aircraft’s behaviour ongrass and natural soil runways. Te A400M demonstrated ‘excellentperformance’ both in taxiing manoeuvres, such as U-turns, andduring take-off and landing on the 1,500m strip. Tese testsfollowed earlier successful results on the gravel surface at Ablitasin Spain and will be followed by tests on sand surfaces next year.

RAAF A330 MRTT refuels F-35 fighter

A n Airbus A330 Multi Role anker ransport (A330 MR)of the Royal Australian Air Force has successfully refuelled a

F-35A Joint Strike Fighter of the US Air Force. During a four-hoursortie from Edwards AFB, California, the tanker, known in RAAFservice as the KC-30A, conducted 59 contacts including five “wetcontacts” during which 19,600kg (43,200lb) of fuel were passed. All the refuelling was performed used the A330 MR’s Airbus Airborne Refuelling Boom System (ARBS).



The Yak-130:

Combat trainer with a punch !

R ussian aircraft manufacturer Irkuthas commenced deliveries of Yak-130 combat jet trainers to the

Bangladesh Air Force, the first batch ofsix aircraft delivered to Dhaka aboard an

Antonov An-124 transport. Te 16-aircraftcontract with Bangladesh was signed in2013, with a $1 billion credit line providedby Moscow for acquisition of militaryhardware.

Bangladesh is the third foreign customerfor the Yak-130, the first being Algeria,

which received its first batch of trainers in2011. Algerian media reports state that the

Algerian Air Force is using Yak-130s both astrainers and as light attack aircraft in warfareagainst terrorists, essentially as jet-poweredcounterinsurgency (COIN) platforms. Te

Yak-130’s armament allow ground targets tobe engaged with both guided and unguided

weapons and for engaging airborne targets,

the aircraft is armed with Vympel R-73Einfrared-homing close combat missiles.Te Yak-130’s maximum payload is threetonnes, giving it significant striking powerin low intensity conflicts.

Te Republic of Belarus, the secondexport customer for the Yak-130, receivedfour aircraft in April 2015 ( see VayuIV/2015 ). At the MAKS 2015 air show

in August, Belarus signed a contract with Irkut for a second batch of four Yak-130s, Major General Oleg Dvigalev,Commander of the Air Force and AirDefence of Belarus, stating that there wereplans to acquire eight additional Yak-130s,

and that Belarus may replace its Su-25ground attack aircraft with Yakovlev strikeaircraft, presumably the strike-modifiedvariant of the Yak-130 that was displayedduring MAKS 2015 (see Vayu V/2015 andbelow ).

Aperture of the laser rangeinder on the nose of a modiied Yak-130 at MAKS 2015

120 VAYU



Alongs ide export deliveri es , Irkutcontinues to hand over Yak-130s to theRussian Air-Space Forces (RASF) with theRASF training centre in Armavir madeoperational with Yak-130s, the RussianMoD having ordered a total of 80 suchaircraft.

here is also interest in the Yak-130 from a number of Asian and Latin

American nations, likely because its subsonicperformance characteristics are quite similarto those of various 4 and 4+ generationfighters already in operation with many ofthese countries. For example, the Yak-130is stable and steady at angles of attack up to35°, like many in-service fighter aircraft. Teaircraft features twin-engine configurationto maximise safety and survivability, whilean active safety system prevents possiblein-flight errors by trainees. For instance,an automatic spin recovery system activates

during emergencies, ensuring safety of theaircraft as well as aircrew. In any event, the

Yak-130 is fitted with a ‘zero-zero’ ejectionseat.

he aircraft is also rugged and‘maintenance friendly’, allowing it to deployautonomously to airfields that are often in

poor condition. Protective inlet covers,much like those of the MiG-29, close duringtake-off and landing, preventing foreignobjects from being sucked into the enginesand causing damage. An on-board oxygengenerating system obviates the need for acrucial support item during deployment ofthe aircraft to far-flung locales.

Irkut is now making the Yak-130even more attractive to foreign buyersby expanding its combat capabilities. AtMAKS 2015, an experimental Yak-130

was displayed in the static park, equipped with a range of modifications aimed atmaking it a formidable strike platform,incorporating a laser rangefinder in thenose. Te system is intended for visualidentification of ground and surfacetargets and measurement of slant distanceto them. Te type also featured a newself-defence system mounted as a pod on

the wing. Te Yak-130 is be fitted with a wide range of guided and unguided air-to-ground munitions and short-range air-to-air weapons, both for aircrew training as

well as strike missions. Te aircraft’ s openarchitecture avionics suite allows usage ofvarious ons of Russian or foreign origin.

“Yak-130 (tail number 01) wasupgraded by Yakovlev design bureau (partof Irkut Corporation) in accordance withthe requirements of foreign customers;the upgrade is focused on increasing the

jet’s combat effectiveness (Yak-130 maybe used as a light attack aircraft),” read anIrkut statement. Te laser rangefinder allows

Yak-130s to operate better in mountainousregions or any area with varied terrain andimproves accuracy in target location andusage of weapons, according to Irkut.

Te ‘alisman-N’ self-defence systemseen mounted on the Yak-130 at MAKS thisyear drew significant attention. It is designedto substantially increase the aircraft’ssurvivability in combat missions. Te system

was developed by designers from Belarusand is being proposed for integration withall versions of the aircraft, including thosefor export. Further developments planned

for the Yak-130 include provisions forin-flight refueling and addition of a fire-control radar.

Yak-130 at MAKS 2015, with its laser rangefinder and ‘Talisman-NT’ EW pod on the outermost pylon

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A

dnan Menderes International Airport at Izmir is the main hub foraviation operations of the urkish

Coast Guard (CG), known as SahilGüvenlik Komutanlığı (SGK) in urkish.Opened in 2001, the airport is used fortraining and maintenance, being one offour Mission Coordination Centres of theCoast Guard, the other three being Ankara, Antalya and Samsun.

Te CG is a part of the urkish ArmedForces and responsible for controlling themaritime jurisdiction areas and coastline ofurkey, as well as countering illegal actionsin these domains. Te CG is also the mainSearch and Rescue Coordination Authorityin the urkish Search and Rescue (SAR)Zone. During peacetime, the CG and its5,500 personnel are under command of theurkish Interior Ministry, however, duringemergency and wartime, the urkish Navyexercises control over the Coast Guard.

Te CG is organised into four areacommands: Black Sea, the Sea of Marmaraand Adjacent Straits, the Aegean Sea, and theMediterranean Sea.

Until 1956, General Command ofthe Customs Guard was responsible forduties concerning security of the maritimeborders of urkey. Under Law No. 6815the duties of prevention and pursuit ofsmuggling, protection and security of theborders, coasts and territorial waters weredelegated to the General Command of theurkish Gendarmerie under the Ministryof Internal Affairs. he GendarmerieRegional Sea Commands were founded inSamsun, İzmir and Mersin. In addition,the Maritime Branch was formed withinthe General Command of the Gendarmerieheadquarters. Between 1957 and 1971the Aegean Sea Region Command, BlackSea Region Command and lastly theMediterranean Sea Region Command wereformed.

As a consequence of changes in theinternational security environment duringthe 1960s, and because of the geo-strategiclocation of urkey, the length of its coasts,and pre-requisites of being a maritimenation, it became clear that urkey neededa new and more professional Coast Guard

Command. Efforts on the establishment ofthe Coast Guard Command gained pacein 1967 owing to the absence of necessarylaw enforcement forces that could imposevarious bans and laws by Ministries havingduties over territorial waters. Within thisframework, the Coast Guard CommandLaw was adopted on 9 July 1982, andthe urkish Coast Guard Commandestablished. he urkish Coast GuardCommand started to operate independentlyfrom1 September 1982.

In 1993, the main sub-commands ofCoast Guard Command were designatedas regional commands: Marmara andStraits Region Command, Black Sea RegionCommand, Mediterranean Region Command and the Aegean Sea Region Command.

he Maritime Search and RescueCoordination Centre is located in Ankaraand is responsible for coordination ofoperations and tasking the various regionalcommands,” explains Commander MuratOglakci, responsible for operations with the Agusta AB-412EP/SAR helicopters locatedat Izmir-Adnan Menderes International

Turkish Coast Guard Aviation



123 VI/2015

airport on the Aegean Coastline. “Te Coast

Guard control areas range from Hopa toIgneada, Marmara Denizi and the area fromEnez to Cevlik. Tis is basically the wholepart of the urkish Search and Rescueregion,” observes Cdr Oglakci.

History of the urkish Coast Guard Air Command goes back to November1992 when the Command was establishedat opel Naval Air Station, 100 km east ofIstanbul. Shortly after that, the first aircraft,three Agusta AB-206s and one Moulin

MX-7-were added to the inventory. Te

latter was the first fixed wing aircraft for theurkish Coast Guard but was withdrawnfrom use in July 1996. In 1999 an Augusta A109 was added to the inventory and sawservice till 2005 and is now ‘preserved’ atthe Izmir Coast Guard Air station. Te AB-206s were phased out of serv ice inDecember 1998.

In December 1999 a major relocationand modernisation process was initiatedfor the aviation component of the urkish

Coast Guard. New facilities were establishedat the international airport of Izmir AdnanMenderes in 2001, and the relocationprocess included the procurement of new Augusta AB-412EPs, of which fourteenare currently in use. As of 2013 threenew CASA CN-235 maritime patrolaircraft have been delivered as part of the‘MELEM II’ programme. A replacementprogramme (Multi-mission HelicopterProject) has also commenced to identify anew helicopter type for Coast Guard Airmissions. A decision on this is pending, withno fixed timelines.

Currently, backbone of the SGK AirCommand remains the AB-412EP of whichfourteen are in operation and positionedacross Coast Guard stations Izmir, Antalya,Samsum and Istanbul. Furthermore thereare heliports available on demand at Mersinand Amasra. “It is expected within 2-3

years a dedicated location will be builtfor the Coast Guard in the Istanbul area,”according to Cdr Oglakci.

he first two contracts (MARI 1and 2) for initial batch of the AB-412EP were signed during March 1998 and inthe same year an additional contract wassigned with urkish companies Aselsanand Netas for domestic production ofthe ASELFLIR 200, IFF, monitor, radioequipment and video and digital cameras.

AB-412EP/SAR helicopter parked at Izmir

Pair of TCG CN-235 MSAs equipped with search radar, EO/FLIR and SLAR at Izmir



124 VAYU

he other contracts (MARI 3 and 4) were s igned on December 2004. “A newMulti-mission Helicopter Project has beenstarted to procure helicopters which havelonger endurance and capacity than the AB-412EP helicopters; we need a heaviertype of helicopter to conduct our missionsmore effectively,” says Cdr Oglakci.

“he AB-412EPs (locally designated AB-412SAR) are equipped with a numberof modifications to allow over sea operations. A glass cockpit with four displays, autohovering function, more powerful engines,Full Authority Digital Engine Control(FADEC) system, night vision capabilities,cameras in both the hoist and cabin whichallows crew and pilots to oversee the rescueoperations have been installed. Furthermore aso-called ADEL (Automatically DeployableEmergency Locator ransmitter) has beeninstalled recently to identify the potential

crash area of an AB-412,” states Lt (ElectronicEngineer) Baris Dündar at Izmir CoastGuard station.

Te first two AB-412EPs were deliveredin June 2002. AB-412EP CSG-502 wasused for initial pilot training, with threeurkish Coast Guard instructors receivingtheir training in Vergiate, Italy by late2002. Presently new Coast Guard pilotsreceive their initial pilot training at the Army Aviation training school located at Army AirBase Güvercinlik near Ankara. “We havebeen following the same training path as the Army students,” says one of the new junior

Coast Guard pilots, Hakan Kuru. “We trainfor 51 weeks with 100 hours of flying on the AB-206 and about 80 hours on the UH-1H.”

Te effective range for rescue operationsfor the AB-412EP is about 90 nautical miles, which includes 15-20 minutes on scene.In case of emergency the response timeis 30-90 minutes for both day and nightoperations across urkey. Te Coast GuardCommand Centre in Ankara is responsiblefor dispatching assets to perform search andrescue operations. Currently the urkishCoast Guard is heavily involved in the rescueand tracking of illegal immigrants who are

trying to get out of urkey, with the Aegeanand Mediterranean Seas being the routesmost often used by immigrants. Other tasksperformed by the Coast Guard are SAR,anti-terrorist operations, pollution control,border control and homeland security.

Fixed Wing OperationsBesides helicopter operations, the urkishCoast Guard has started to operate the

A view of the operator consoles in the TCG CN-235 MSA

fixed wing CASA (now Airbus Defenceand Space) CN-235 MSA (MaritimeSurveillance Aircraft) from 2013. he

procurement and development of theMSA dates back to 1998, when the initialcontracts were signed. Te first two aircraft were delivered in 2001, while the third was delivered in January 2003 as part of‘MELEM I.’ Te urkish Navy (TürkDeniz Kuvvetleri ) ordered six CN-235sas part of the same order. ‘MELEM’is till date the most ambitious maritimesurveillance and patrol programmeconducted in Europe over the last decade.For ‘MELEM II,’ which started inSeptember 2002, hales has modifiedthe three CN-235 MSAs for Exclusive

Economic Zone surveillance missions by theurkish Coast Guard and six CN-235s foranti-surface and Anti-Submarine Warfare(ASW) configuration for the urkish Navy. Aselsan, as a subcontractor, was awarded acontract to develop a actical CommandSystem (CS), actical Command andControl Information System (CCIS),Ground Control Station (including aneducation system), System Integration estBench and Mission Systems. he MSAversion is now equipped with video anddigital cameras, radar, Aselflir 200, OceanMaster 400 radar, Side Looking Airborne

Radar (SLAR) and the integration of the AMASCOS (Airborne Maritime Situationand Control System) developed by Tales.

o support SAR tasks, smoke markers(Mk.25 Mod 2) and Aerolite 6 life raftshave been installed. “Te CN-235 MSAis able to deploy life rafts for about 100persons in one drop,” according to a CN-235 pilots. Te crew of the MSA consists oftwo pilots, two observers, two operators and

one flight technician. Te radar has a rangeof 200 nmi and is able to track 200 contactssimultaneously. Te Aselflir 200 has an

effective range of about 20 nmi. Te SLARis capable of detecting sea pollution up to20 nmi when operating at 15,000 feet. Tenewly installed UV-IR scanner can alsodetect sea pollution through infrared andultraviolet radiation.

CG pilots fly about 15 missions toadapt to the MSA version of the CN-235,according to a former urkish Navy pilot.“We had representatives from halesfor two years at Izmir, who were formerFrench Navy pilots, to instruct on MSA. We are very satisfied with the new aircraft,and are now able to detect many more

pollution incidents.” On average, pilots flyaround 175 hours a year, mainly focusingon training. “Te amount of flying hoursincreases each year due to the demand,”according to a CG CN-235 crewmember.“Currently we are focusing on trainingour Sensos (Sensor Operators). As wehad to start from almost scratch with thenew MSA aircraft we are also developingdocumentation and building our unit. Wehave 75 per cent of our pilots operational, with focus on operators now. We are highlyinterested to cooperate with other countriesas we feel there is much to learn for us,however we are still in training modus.”

Te first Coast Guard CN-235 MSA was test flown in December 2012 followedby a formal acceptance ceremony held aturkish Aerospace Industries (AI) facilitieson 28 January 2013. Te CN-235 gives a wider reach, and allows for new missions tosupport the urkish Coast Guard.

Carlo Kuit & Paul Kievit/

Bronco Aviation



125 VI/2015

Flying the ‘Hump’

On 8th April, 1942, Lt. Col. William D. Old of the US Army Air Force flew a loaded Douglas

DC-3 from Dinjan in the upper reaches of Assam to Kunming in China. Tus beganone of history’s greatest large-scale airlifts,over the forested jungle tracts of lower Assam and the formidable heights of theEastern Himalaya, the ‘Hump’.

In the months following Pearl Harbour,the Imperial Japanese Army had invaded andsubdued much of South East Asia, includingTailand, the Philippines and Singapore.Realising that the capture of Burma wasimperative to defeat Chiang Kai-shek andthe Chinese resistance as well as make inroadsinto British India, the Japanese crossed theTai border in January 1942, aiming to severthe road link between India and Kunming,thereby stopping vital supplies from reachingthe Chinese Generalissimo. With the BurmaRoad cut off, General Stilwell’s troops beganlaying a new road from Ledo in Assam, but it was clear that if they intended to keep ChiangKai-shek’s forces in the war, the Americans would have to look to an air route.

Franklin Roosevelt had his own reasonsto order the flying of supplies over the

treacherous Hump into China. He believedthat more than a million Japanese troops were tied down in China, so it was essentialthat Chiang Kai-shek remained in thefight. He also envisioned a democraticChina rising in the power vacuum that thedefeat of Japan would bring in the Easternsector. Following the fall of Lashio, thesouthern terminus of the Burma Road, the

US President categorically told GeneralHenry ‘Hap’ Arnold, commander of the Army Air Forces, that the ‘ ‘route to Chinabe kept open, no matter how difficult’’.Hap Arnold in turn instructed the enth Air Force to commence opera tions toimplement an ‘air bridge’ to China.

Indian Airfelds

In order to fly over the ‘Hump’, the USenth Air Force was based out of severalairfields in North-Eastern India: Chabua,Mohanbari, Sookerating, Jorhat and Dinjansaw round the clock operations, with

C-47 Skytrains and Chinese National AirCorporation (CNAC) DC-3s transportingtonnes of supplies on a daily basis to thebeleaguered Chinese. Te aircraft carriedcrucial aviation fuel to keep the Flyingigers (1st American Volunteer Group)

and the 500 aircraft strong Chinese AirForce aloft, as well as troops, ammunition,materials, heavy machinery and medicalsupplies. Overall, the enth Air Forceand the CNAC flew almost 1000 tons ofmaterial in the first two months of flyingover the hump, much lower than whatthe Chinese demanded. Having beenreorganised from the enth Air Force intothe Air ransport Command (AC) underGeneral Alexander, the AC stepped upthe scale of its operations, flying throughtreacherous weather and in the face ofmarauding Japanese fighters. onnage

steadily increased in the following months,but so did the accidents caused by rough weather and inexperienced pilots.

In addition to the AC and theCNAC, General Arnold also deployed B-29Superfortresses of the wentieth Air Force in

A lone C-46 Commando over lying the Hump

Air War History



126 VAYU

India as part of Operation Matterhorn, the strategicbombing of Japan. Te 40th Bombardment Group was based in Chakulia, the 444th at Chara andDudhkundi, the 462nd at Piardoba and the 468that Kalaikunda. Flying from their bases in India, the20th Air Force would land at advanced air fields inSzechaun province, before hitting Japanese targetsin occupied China or on the Japanese mainland.Similarly, bombing runs from the Indian peninsula were made on Rangoon, Bangkok, Saigon as wellas targets as far as Singapore and Sumatra. On 5th June, 1944, the 404th Bombardment Group hitthe Makasan rail yards in Bangkok, the 2261 mileround trip mission being the longest yet attemptedin the war.

The Aluminium Trail

raversing the Hump was precarious business, thesuccess of each mission subject to the capricious weather. Flying over peaks that soared over 15,000feet with alarming regularity, the AC and CNAC

pilots had to face some of the worst flying weatherin the world. Te monsoon months were the mostdisconcerting, with low visibility, gale force winds,thunderstorms prevalent throughout the route andtorrential showers making takeoffs and landinghighly risky. But the stormy weather meant thatthe pilots did not have to deal with raiding JapaneseZeros. In winter, the clear skies masked the perilsof the invisible jet stream which hindered flights, while the cold would lead to instances of icing with terrible regularity. Japanese advances intonorthern Burma and the fall of Myitkyina meantthat the aircraft had to fly a route that stretchedfurther north, over the ‘high hump’, the north

eastern spur of the Himalayas where none of thepasses dipped below 3000 metres. Tis was farmore treacherous territory to fly through, with vile weather conditions.

Although attacks by Japanese fighters decreasedsubstantially, aircraft were still lost with frighteningconstancy. Te challenges posed by foul weather were compounded by a dearth of reliable weathercharts, navigational aids and lack of reliable airfieldson both sides of the border. In addition, the C-47s,C-87s and C-109s were unsuited for high altitudeoperations and unable to clear the high peaks ofthe hump, forcing the pilots to weave throughperilous mountain passes. Te accident rate of theC-109, a tanker version of the C-87 that inevitablycaught fire and exploded in mishaps, earned it thesobriquet of ‘C-One-oh-Boom’. Te introductionof the C-46, which could fly higher and faster thanany of the other aircraft being used, meant thattonnage improved and accidents reduced, evenif they still occurred with alarming frequency. With the cessation of hostilities in late 1945, theglittering remains of wrecked aircraft dotted theroute over the hump, and became known as the

‘Aluminium rail’, a gruesome and silent witness to the countless lives lost in keepingChiang Kai-shek’s army in the war.

In flying countless sorties over the hump, what the pilots of the AC and CNACachieved was no mean feat. Te remains of aircraft and pilots among the Aluminiumtrail are testament to that. By the war’s end, the AC had transported from Indiaa momentous 650,000 tons of men and materiel, with the CNAC chipping in75,000 tons, albeit at terrible human cost. Te AC lost over 1400 aircraft in their

three years flying the hump in the China-Burma-India theatre, with 3861 personnellaying down their lives. Te CNAC lost 37 aircraft, with 81 fatalities. Te casualtiessuffered by the AC in the China-Burma-India theatre were the highest among allnon-combat units, and in several cases higher than combatant units. Although theairlift could not bring about the defeat of the Imperial Japanese Army in China as was its objective, the lessons the Americans learnt from the years of airlifting men andmateriel were invaluable later in the decade, as they provided a lifeline to thousandsas Stalin’s forces cut off all road and rail links to Berlin.

Legend goes that all pilots downed over the Hump ended up in Hogy aw, alittle Burmese village which was the pilots’ version of Shangri-la, a sort of paradise.Te US Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command (JPAC)has been combing the forests of Arunachal Pradesh since 2008 for remains of menand aircraft along the Aluminium rail. Over 400 air crew are still unaccountedfor. One can never be certain, but perhaps many of them ended up at Hogy aw.

It’s what their fellow hump pilots would like to believe! Vijay Matheswaran

Jagged peaks of the Hump as seen from a C-46

(Pictures courtesy Life Magazine)





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An aircraft in the jungle? I immediatelybombarded him with questions… the oldman just pointed to the blue mountains inthe distance and said it lay behind the thirdmountain range. A very vague indicationindeed and so it’s taken me a decade tofind it.

was off-road. Now the only reason I wasable to attempt this route to begin with wasbecause my steed for this expedition wasa Polaris RZR SW 800 all terrain vehicle(AV). Not only is this perhaps one of theonly vehicles on the planet able to traversethis kind of terrain, but there’s also poetryto the fact that we’re using an Americanoff-roader to search for the remains of adowned American aircraft.

Rain plagued me as I drove out fromGuwahati, and it didn’t let up until I passedthe Kaziranga National Park where a friend,Tejakielie, joined me. Te RZR SW 800 hasa roof and a windshield, but against the heavyrain it provided about as much protectionas standing under a papaya tree! We boughtplastic sheets to save ourselves from the rain(not that it helped much), and also to protectour bags and cameras. Te RZR has a luggagerack at the back, which we filled to the brim with a spare wheel, tent, oil, coolant, someelectrical equipment, rucksacks and four cansof petrol. Since we would be covering groundat night, we also fitted a couple of aftermarketheadlamps on the roof.

We crossed into Nagaland a little aftersundown through the Sonari border. Te

Te remains of the WWII-era aircraftlay scattered over a large area underthe jurisdiction of a new village namedsurevong, in the Kiphire district. o getto surevong from Guwahati, I had chartedout a route through the remote areas ofNagaland and of course, a large part of it



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topography changed immediately after wecrossed the bamboo barricade – and so didthe condition of the roads. It was only 45kilometres to the town of Mon, but it tookus the better part of four hours to cover thedistance. Te road disintegrated and totallydisappeared at some stretches. Te RZRobviously didn’t mind the bad roads, but it was difficult to drive fast through slush inthe heavy rain. Te last thing we wanted wasto slide off the mountain at night.

Our lights cut a lonely furrow throughthe rain and the black mountains, butclose to midnight we drove into the HelsaResort. Built atop a hill, the resort has lovelybamboo cottages built in the traditionalKonyak manner.

Mon is the headquarters of the KonyakNagas. Among all the Naga warriors, theKonyaks were the most feared, mainly fortheir reputation as fierce head-hunters!

After breakfast, we drove 42 kilometresto reach Lungwa village. his villageseems caught in a time warp. It shares aninternational boundary with Myanmar,and the border passes right through themiddle of the huge thatched house of theChief (referred to as the Angh). And so wehad tea in Myanmar, and returned for asmoke in India!

Te Angh is not a rich man in monetaryterms, but he wields enormous influence.Te Angh of Lungwa controls about 50villages inside Myanmar. he Konyak warriors practiced headhunting till quite

recently in fact. When a warrior would bringback the head of his enemy during a battle,he was decorated with tattoos on his faceand body. Te more heads he collected, themore intricate the tattoos became, and themore his esteem in society rose.

Head-hunting is a thing of the past ofcourse, and all the tattooed warriors are onthe wrong side of 50 – in a few years’ time,there will be none left.

Te Konyaks are master craftsmen –they make beautiful artefacts out of wood,bamboo, copper and bone. hey have

amazing handmade muzzle loading gunsand manufacture their own gunpowder. According to some books, they had beenmaking guns even before the British landedin India.

After topping up the fuel tank and the jerry cans early the next morning, we startedout for Mokokchung. Tirty kilometresout of Mon, we reached the small town of



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Wakching, where the road dropped downand disappeared. It was rainy and sunny atthe same time, and after a couple of hoursof total off-roading, we came across a smallhut where the lady of the house offered ussome tea and biscuits. It was in the middleof nowhere, and I wondered how on earththey sustain themselves.

We crossed an ancient looking ironbridge over the roaring and muddy Dhikuriver, and rested under a huge jackfruit treefor lunch. Riding a Polaris AV sure makesone hungry!

Te short wheelbase of the RZR SW800 makes sliding through corners abreeze. And we hardly slowed down at all while negotiating big pools of water, safein the knowledge that it wasn’t going tostall. After more than five hours of slipping,sliding, jumping and getting drenched inmuddy waters, we suddenly emerged outof a thick canopy of very tall grass and

hit a brilliant highway at the village ofMerangkong, in the Mokokchung district. All this while, we hadn’t seen any othervehicles at all, and had to guess which pathto take at intersections because there wasno one to ask for directions. Mokokchunghas the loveliest roads in all of Nagaland,but the Polaris isn’t exactly meant to bedriven on tarmac.

Te next day we had another coupleof hours on good roads before we tooka nondescript left turn from the villageof Longkhum. At some point after thebulldozer cut through the hills, they laidstones on the track and then seeminglyforgot all about it. It was good news for usthough, as we got a stretch of more than 50

kilometres of off-road tracks with no traffic whatsoever.

After a brief stop at Wokha, we carriedon to Kohima. o have called ourselves dirty would have been an understatement, andTejakielie was rightly apprehensive about whether or not his family would let us walkin through the door of his house – which was en route. Tankfully, they did!

Rokovor, a photographer, joined usat Kohima. We passed a number of smallvillages and towns, most of which hadmagical oriental names: Mima, Cakhabama,Pfutsero, Chizami, Losami, Jessami, Meluri,

Akhegwo, Longmatra, and Pungro. As we approached Pungro, I watched

the beautiful Zinki river flow gently anddisappear across around the bend as itmade its way into the Chindwin river inMyanmar.

he next morning, we had another45 kilometres to cover off road before we were to hit the village of surevong. Along

the muddy road, we drove past Pungrovillage, New Vong, the Lekhimro HydelElectric project, Moya village, and finallyto surevong – the village beyond the bluemountains!

Te RZR’s 4x4 option came into play when we were forced to take a detourthrough a mountainside that had been

charred for felling. Te RZR tackled thesteep ascent and descent with aplomb. Wehad to drive through deep tracks made bylogging trucks that were filled with water.It was no problem, though, as the 12-inchesof suspension travel did the trick. hedrive-shafts and the suspension arms tookregular impact on the logs and rocks, butthey withstood the punishment withoutcomplaint.

surevong, with just 38 households,has no electricity, no proper roads and noschools for the village children. Tey all goto school in Pungro. It’s in these far-flung

villages of Nagaland that one gets to seevillage life in all its unvarnished rustic glory.

On an earlier visit, old man Kimusaiand I sat on a large rock in the midst ofsome teak and alder trees that overlookedthe valley. He had a faraway look on hiseyes as he narrated the story. His memory was sha rp and his sto ry tel ling abi litybrilliant. He spoke as if it had happened



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yesterday. By the time he finished, thesun was setting and the sky had turned aflaming red. He stood up with a deep sighand made his way home.

“Te place was haunted by the spiritof the men who died there,” Kimusai said.He didn’t specify further, and I didn’tprobe more.

It was probably a C-47 transportaircraft that had taken off from Chabua in Assam. American pilots flew these supplysorties across the high snow covered jaggedpeaks of the Himalayas to ferry much-needed material to the armies of ChiangKai-shek, who were fighting the Imperial Ja pa nese ar my in Kunm ing in south western China.

Tese missions were fraught with danger.Te aircraft were up against natural elementslike snow and 200 mph winds, as well as Japanese fighters such as the A6M Zero.Tis infamous route was nicknamed ‘TeHump’ and ‘Skyway o Hell’ by the braveairmen who flew these perilous sorties. Morethan 700 aircraft went down in this regionduring WWII. Many fell in the deep junglesof Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipurand Myanmar (the ‘Aluminium rial’).

Like so many others, this aircraft nevermade it back to base after dropping its cargoin Kunming, China. Te evergreen junglesoon overgrew the wreckage, and it was onlyin 1967 when the villagers started clearingthe forest for cultivation that the remains ofthe downed aircraft were revealed.

he villagers knew the worth ofaluminium of course, and so they piled logson top of the fuselage and set it on fire. Somemade utensils out of the melted aluminium, while others made fantastic machetes andknives out of the steel.

Te site is a few kilometres below thevillage, which is where we left the Polaris.Since some of the forest had been burntrecently for jhum cultivation, it made thetrek to the crash site a bit easier.

Te grass at the site was tall and thick,and the trees massive. I could hear a stream,but couldn’t see it initially because of the

thick undergrowth. he village pastor,Retringia, slashed a path with his razor sharpmachete and we followed close behind.It was deadly quiet, and except for theoccasional call of the lone eagle that circledthe sky, ours were the only sounds.

We first found the still shiny landinggear, a few twisted wheels, parts of thegearbox and engine – including a crankshaft,

a fan of some sort, and some other heavyparts that were scattered over a large area. We walked downstream, slashing away atthe thick foliage and found a number oflarge engine parts.

A wh ol e lot of pa rt s ar e bu ri edunderground, and they keep popping upduring cultivation every year. A couple ofyears ago, a villager dug up a radio set anda rusty but still-loaded revolver!

It was an overwhelming sense ofdiscovery, as this was something that I’ve waited to uncover for a very long time. Andthe fact that the headman told me that I wasthe first person from ‘mainland’ India tovisit the site made it even more satisfying.It had been quite a journey, and I couldn’thave done it without my trusty steed – thePolaris RZR.

As I sat on a fallen tree and lookeddown towards the valley, I couldn’t help butimagine the plight of the aircrew as they camedown in flames. Even if they had survived thecrash, it would have been near impossible forthe wounded airmen to survive in this dense jungle crawling with wildlife.

Tese remains lie in a far and obscureplace, but it’s well worth the effort –especially with the RZR as your companion.

It’s a true reminder, though, of the kindof hell that the soldiers and airmen wentthrough during this long and bitter war.

After more than 70 years, nobody knew where the three graves were laid but I saida silent prayer for the men who died so faraway from their homeland.

Text: Shahwar Hussain Photos:

Rokovor Vihienuo and Shahwar Hussain



132 VAYU

he very nature of aviation requires itspractitioners to remain constantlyon the right side of the learning

curve! Consequently, aviators (even longretired ones like this writer) can neverignore news of an air crash anywhere inthe world. On 22 August 2015, while inLondon on a visit, I caught the tail end of aV news broadcast which described a planecrash during an air display to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Whatdrew my immediate attention was that theaircraft was a Hawker Hunter. Tis type is

now near sixty years old and was part of ourown air force for some forty years.

I had special personal interest havingflown the Hunter for ten consecutive years(1962-72) in peace and war. I was naturallyinterested in the cause factors for the crash ofone of the safest, reliable and most delightfulaircraft ever designed and built. Te UK Air Accident Investigation Board, in it’s interimreport, stated that ‘the aircraft was too lowin a looping manoeuvre’ and crashed killingeleven bystanders and injuring more on the A-27 motorway in one of Britain’s worstair show disasters. Amazingly the pilot was

pulled out alive from the blazing wreckagein critical condition.

he 51-year-old pilot had flownHarriers in the RAF, had over 14,000flying hours with British Airways and had40 hours of experience on the Hunter. Heheld a valid display authorisation issued bythe UK CAA to “display the Hunter to aminimum of 500 feet agl during standard

“Last of the Hunters”

Air Vice Marshal Cecil Parker’s

category aerobatic manoeuvres.” From themany amateur and professional pre-impactvideo footage repeatedly aired, I couldimmediately identify the unmistakablesilhouette of the Hunter (rainer) in a nearvertical attitude above the tree line. Te pilothas an excellent professional reputation butapparently misjudged his height and gotinto an aerodynamic stall too low.

While in the UK I was in personaltouch with some of the ex-IAF officerssettled there. Tey included an ex-squadroncommander, ex-station commander cdr, old

flying instructor, fellow fighter pilot anda coursemate, three of whom themselvestoo were experienced Hunter pilots. Ourconversation was therefore dominated bynews of the Shoreham Air Show disasterand we recalled our own many ‘errors of judgement’ and lessons learnt therefromincluding one in which this writer waslucky to survive sixty years ago in anotheraircraft type.

Over the years, 1957-97 our air forcehad seven Hunter-equipped units and I hadthe privilege of raising and commanding theIAF’s first Hunter Operational raining

Unit (1966-69) and commanded No.20Sqn (1969-72). Tough this aircraft type was phased out before the millennium, thelast vintage IAF Hunter was scheduled toparticipate in the Air Force Day Flypastto mark it’s 69th anniversary on 8 October2001. Unfortunately, owing to bad weather,that flypast (to which I had been invited)had to be cancelled. I was however destined

to view on V the dying shots of probablythe last vintage RAF Hunter and bereminded once again that very rarely doaircraft cause accidents;–people do. Tegood news is that, on the day of our return,the pilot had recovered and been dischargedfrom hospital.

A Doctor In The Air

In the air force, medical officers, thoughon the posted strength of squadrons,function directly under the Senior MedicalOfficer (SMO) of the air base where

their squadron is located. As doctors theyreport professionally to the SMO and asofficers, to the CO of their units. Tis dualreporting can be a trifle confusing to newdoctors recruited directly from civilianmedical colleges. Unlike their counterpartsfrom the Armed Forces Medical College(AFMC), their introduction to the armedforces is a brief orientation course at the Army Medical Corp (AMC) Centre beforedonning uniform. In view of their relativelylong training period, all medical officers aresomewhat older at entry and are also granteda higher rank.

In 1970, a new medical officer from civvystreet reported on posting to the squadronI was in - command of. I welcomed him,explained his role and hoped he would findtime to interact with squadron personnel toguide and help them whether they requiredmedical help or not. He seemed receptivebut was still a bit uncomfortable in his newFlt Lt’s uniform. He told me he was married



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but would be staying in the mess as his wife was to deliver a son soon. (I attributedhis confident prediction of gender to hisprofession).

I received reports of our Doc’sunhappiness with the ‘unhygienic’conditions of our squadron tea club andflight crew room. I had a rather high spiritedbunch of young officers at that time andour new medical officer seemed to resentbeing referred to as ‘Doc’ by them. Beinga teetotaler he cautioned them againstvisiting the bar and threatened to have them‘grounded’ if he felt they were imbibingunwisely. Tese veiled warnings resultedin some mischief when Doc’s scooter was‘misplaced’ and he received a telegraminforming him of the birth of a son. Doccame around happily distributing sweets butthree days later was in a disappointed mode when he received actual news of the birth of

a daughter. I had to make special efforts tohelp him adjust to squadron life!

One afternoon I was required to carryout a routine air test on our Hunter traineraircraft. Tere is a little known old IAFregulation that authorises medical officersto be given an air experience sortie onaircraft at their base. I spoke to my FltCdr and asked him to ascertain from ourDoc if he was free and would like to fly. When I reached the aircraft I saw himfully kitted out in borrowed flying kit,briefed and ready for the very first flightin his life. He coped well, seemed to enjoy

the experience and post–flight appeared abit less judgmental and more friendly allround (I was informed the next morningour Doc conducted his sick parade wearingflying overalls)!

During the 1971 Indo Pak War, Doc,though with his leg in plaster owing to ascooter accident, stayed continuously withour pilots and technicians on the tarmacand blast pens in Pathankot helping in any way he could, a very valuable asset to thesquadron indeed. A few months later whenmy own posting orders were received, hecame to request my help in getting him a

pair of flying overalls which strictly speakinghe was not entitled to! I had an extra pairon which I had the squadron crest and aHunter shoulder patch attached and giftedthem to him.

Over the years Doc kept in touch and Ilearned that he had become a specialist andreached air rank. Years after we had bothleft the IAF we met in the NCR where

Doc was now a consultant in a corporatehospital. With great pride he told me thathe had fathered three daughters, two of whom were in the medical profession. Heenquired about each of the officers in oursqn by name. His prosperity was quiteevident in his girth hence I fully understoodhis one regret; he could no longer fit intohis flying overalls!

On Parade

Te first words of command we aspiringflight cadets heard on reporting to the AirForce Academy (AFA) 64 years ago, were‘Fall In’. Te joker in our boisterous younggroup of new arrivals, called back, ‘Fall in to what yaar?’ Our laughter died down whena tall uniformed person (we were yet torecognise ranks) identified the voice, cameover and said in a slow measured tone, ‘Fallinto line Mr Whateveryournameis’. We

‘fell in’ and soon learned that air force pilottraining also required a great deal of learningand discipline in the classroom, drill squareand the Mess. We were soon drilling smartlyon the parade ground, learned to take pridein our movements and turnout and putup a fine Passing Out Parade (POP) 18months later.

In the IAF, Monday was observedas a Maintenance Day when there wasno flying but the activities commenced with a compulsory sta tion parade . Weyoung squadron officers were detailed as‘supernumeries’ in the rear rank. Not being

a very exciting activity we sought to attend‘Sick Parade’ on Monday mornings. Temedicos marshaled all their resources andsent us back to the parade ground withadvice to return after the parade if thesudden ‘aches & pains’ had not subsidedby then! (No wonder I never saw an airforce medical officer on parade!). As wegrew in service and rank we graduatedto being a Flight Commander, SquadronCommander and eventually the ParadeCommander after which one only reviewedparades.

In March 1965 I was Flight Commander

in a squadron based in Palam. We were toldthat His Highness (HH) Prince Philip,Duke of Edinburgh was arriving and thata Guard of Honour (GoH) was to bepresented. Another squadron leader andI were detailed as ‘Escort Officers’ to HH while a wing commander was nominatedas the GoH Commander. Hindi wordsof command had been introduced; our

wing commander (from the deep south) was fluent in Malayalam and English buta trifle hesitant in Hindi. He howeversoon memorised the words of commanddiligently and put up an impressive displayat our two rehearsals. On the actual day, weescorted HH to the saluting dais to whichthe GoH Commander marched smartlyand said in a loud parade-ground voice, ‘Sammana garada aap ke nirikshen ke liyehazir hai shriman’. HH leaned forward andsaid clearly, “Commander could you pleaserepeat that in English?” For a fraction ofa second time froze while the linguisticmemory circuits of the three of us withinearshot were working overtime! After abrief pause the Commander replied thatthe GoH was ready for inspection. Terest of the ceremony went off very welland, after HH having thanked us anddeparted, we heard the wing commander

exclaim with feeling, “we must be theonly armed forces in the world required tospeak and think in two different languagessimultaneously!”

In the late 1970s, as AOC Adampur I was somewhat surprised to receive a signaldetailing me to attend the coming RepublicDay Parade in New Delhi. ill then my onlyparticipation had been in several Flypastsfrom ‘tail-end-charlie’ on Vampires toleading the Hunter block. It turned outthat a decision had been taken to include war decora ted gallantry awardees in theparade. Accordingly six senior recipients of

the Maha Vir Chakra (three from the army,two from the air force and one from thenavy) were required to ‘sit-to-attention’ intwo open jeeps in ceremonial uniform. Werather enjoyed the experience especially afterpassing India Gate when we hijacked the jeeps to the nearest Mess for much neededliquid refreshment.

As Commandant of the AFA in the1980s my entire schedule stretched fromone Graduation Parade (GP) to the next.Over the years GPs had added bothstyle and substance by way of flypasts,aerobatics, para drops, band music, rifle

drills and live commentaries all of whichmake for a spectacular event our airforce can be proud of. Certainly quite adevelopment from my simple POP in 1952on conclusion of which, we heard a familiarvoice call out ‘Fall in Sirs’ and our genialDrill Instructor (Sgt Krishnamurthy) came with a smile to congratulate us while stillon parade.



134 VAYU

25 Years Back

From Vayu Aerospace

Review Issue VI/1990

First Indian AEW Demonstratorhe first Airborne Early Warning echnology Demonstator(AEWD) aircraft of the Aerospace Surveillance Warning andControl System (ASWAC) Project has been test-flown in Bangalore. With its distinctive saucer-shaped rotodome, the specially modifiedHAL/Bae 748 demonstrator was first flown on 5 November by pilotsof the Aircraft and Systems esting Establishment (ASE) Bangalore,

piloted by Air Vice Marshal AS Lamba, Commandant of the ASE,and Group Captain Ravish Malhotra, Chief est Pilot at ASE.

Te organisation was initially headed by Air Marshal CV Goleand later by Dr K Ramchand. Te initial project for configuringtwo HAL/Bae 748s were funded at some Rs 200 crores ($85m)1985 prices.

AI order 5 Boeing 747-400s Air India has decided to exercise its options for the purchase of fiveadditional Boeing 747-400 aircraft. Te airline is also consideringother aircraft-types to augment its fleet of medium-capacity long-range aircraft. For its long-range operations. Air India now has onlya fleet of Boeing 747s which are too big for use on some routes.Hence, the look at medium-capacity aircraft.

Tree aircraft are being considered for the purpose are the Airbus A340, McDonnell Douglas MD-11and the Boeing 777.

IA order 12 more A320sTe Government is going ahead with the purchase of 12 more Airbus A320 aircraft. Te Minister for Civil Aviation said thatIndia could not afford to “miss the slot” of getting the A.320s inview of the growth in the air traffic in the country and the hugebacklog of orders with aircraft companies. Te 12 A.320s, costingan estimated Rs 800 crore, were scheduled to be delivered in batchesof six each in 1990-81 and 1991-92. Discussions between officialsof India Airlines and Airbus Industrie would be held to firm theexact delivery schedule.

INAS 339 commissioned

Vice-Admiral S Jain, FOC-in-C Western Naval Command,commissioned the new anti-submarine/anti-surface vesselhelicopter squadron INAS 339 dedicated to the defence of offshoreinstallations, on 23 November, at Bombay. Te squadron comprisessix recently-acquired Westland Sea King Mk. 42B helicopters,equipped with sophisticated ASW/ASV sensors and weaponsincluding modern torpedoes and BAe Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles.Te squadron is the third in line after INAS 330 and 336, alsoequipped with the Westland Sea King.

Nag test-fredIndia’s third-generation anti-tank missile, the Nag (“Cobra”) wassuccessfully test-fired at the Interim est Range (IR) at Chandiporeon 29 November. Te Nag has fire-and-forget and top attackcapabilities as the “important mission requirements with a view toovercome the disadvantages of present systems. Te reaction timeof the missile from ‘seeker’ lock-on is under two seconds. Nag hasbeen designed to defeat futuristic armour including reactive armourof ranges upto four kilometers. Te missile system can be deployedon tracked and wheeled vehicles and helicopters.

MiG-29 vs. F-16In simulated air combat and what may be described as a mostsignificant lesson for air defence planners of the Indian Air Force,

the MiG-29 has proved “superior” to the F-16 in a simulatedone-versus-one dogfight. Conducted by the Luftwaffe’s aircraft &systems testing centre at Manching, north of Munich in Bavaria,a former East German MiG-29B was matched against a F-16and the Soviet-built fighter reportedly scored a kill against its USbuilt adversary at a range of 60 km. Although the mark of theF-16 has not been revealed, it is assumed to have been a USAFEF-16C which does not, yet, have a beyond-visual range (BVR)capability. Future variants of the F-16C will have an APG-66radar matched to the AIM-20 Advanced Medium Range Air-to- Air Missile (AMRAAM). Luftwaffe analysts, meanwhile, were saidto be “surprised” at the effectiveness of the MiG-29’s radar andBVR missile combination.

PAF gets 32 MiragesTe first batch of 32 Mirage IIIO fighters purchased from Australiaby the Pakistan Air Force, arrived at Karachi port in late November.Te Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan said that the rest ofthe Mirages would be shipped to Pakistan “soon”.

Flash Point in the Gulf

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General

Colin Powell has stated that apart from concentrated

and sustained aerial strikes to dislodge Iraqi forces from

Kuwait, the USA would “force the Iraqis to consider

the consequences of a combined and overwhelming air-

land-sea campaign against a powerful coalition force”.

In an action which was aimed clearly to demonstrateits attitude, two missiles were launched by Iraq from a

site west of Basra in the westernly direction and these

impacted at a target 300km away (in Iraq), indicating that

they were either ‘Al Abbas’ or ‘Al Hussein’ derivatives of

the Soviet ‘Scud B’ missile. It is believed that there are

some 500-1000 similar missiles in Iraqi inventory, with

either conventional HE or chemical warheads.



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Out of my mind !



136 VAYU

Tale Spin

Afterburner

Agyat Udan VastuTis is the season in India for unidentified flying objects (UFO) “amysterious object seen in the sky for which it is claimed no orthodox

scientific explanation can be found, often supposed to be a vehiclecarrying extraterrestrials”. And since there have been a rash of UFOsightings across the country since the past issue of Vayu, these canbe titled in the vernacular.

from Makhdumpur, similarscenes were witnessed in Jamui and Bhagalpur wherethere was virtual frenzy as

the helicopters hovered.Te real constituency ?

Fighters byCredit CardSweden could well becomethe world’s first cashlesssociety, thanks to the country’sembrace of information technologyas well as the crackdown on organisedcrime and terror. With digital girosystems, early electronic paymentservices and other advances in online

financial services, Swedish banks havebeen early adopters of advanced Isystems.

With Sweden offering its Gripenmultirole fighters to India, couldthis be a revolutionary relationshipbetween two I countries as per the manner that next generationfighters are paid for ?!

Breach of FormIn a finding described as “inescapable”, the Bombay High Courtheld that the nearly 150-year-old Breach Candy Club in southMumbai with a veritable who’s who of Mumbai as its members canbe governed only by Europeans, still. Te HC held that the presentmanaging committee with Indians appointed at the helm “primafacie appears to be illegal” and disbanded it ! And this too 68 yearsafter India’s independence.

Hark back to 1942 when a rapidly descending de HavillandDragon Rapide of the IAFVR Coastal Defence Flight almost jettisoned a 250 lb bomb on the Royal Bombay Yacht Club whichthen had strict rules barring Indians from its premises.

Tis is hardly a Tale Spin and deserves the full McCoy in afuture Issue !

In early October 2015, there were ‘star-like’ objects overPuducherry, then a ‘Fireball’ over Bhor in Maharashtra, a ‘Sphere’over Kanpur, a ‘Disc’ over Lucknow the same day, which changedto a ‘Sphere’ over Chandigarh in mid-November and then as thisIssue goes to press, a ‘riangle’ over Pune. But wait ! Te imageabove has the ‘UFO’ adorned with the tri-colour. So, what andwhere was this ?

Momos of TibetEver since ibetan refugees crossed the McMahon Line to flee

Chinese repression in the late 1950s, they have lived happilyin India, bringing their uniqueculture and ways with them. Perhapsthe most visible of these are theirmomos, now one of the most soughtafter snack in India. Te fact that theGovernment has just appointed aformer head of the Aviation ResearchCentre (ARC) as an adviser in theMinistry of Home Affairs (MHA)to handle ibetan affairs, is deliciousaffirmation of this relationship !

‘Heli dug dug !’Te recent State elections in Bihar created great expectations invarious constituencies which were contested with no holds barred.Te results are now well known but easily the most enduringmemory is that of the helicopters ! Most crowds gathering to listento netas were more interested in the rotorcraft that brought themthan the inevitable speeches and in fact, a former Chief Minister wasvisibly upset about low turnouts. So the new modus operandi wasfor his helicopter to deliberately circle villages before landing. Apart



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Vayu Aerospace & Defence Review,NovDec2015