India's First indigenously built aircraft carrier undocked in cochi shipyard!!! Stunning Images!!!

Image credits: https://twitter.com/livefist and  https://twitter.com/S_Anandan76

Sukhoi-30 MKI and Brahmos deadly combination!!!

Image credits: http://airheadsfly.com

Image credits: globalaviationreport.files.wordpress.com

Without refuelling the range of SU-30MKI is 3000 KM and it can be extended up to 8000 KM with air to air refuelling! Add a additional 300 KM to that as the range of Brahmos missile.  With its range of 300 km brahmos allows SU-30MKI to be in safe standoff distance and launch the missile and return to its base with out waiting for the missile to hit the target as Brahmos has it own guidance system!

This makes the combination deadly lethal!!

But when Su-30MKI is carrying Brahmos, it has to sacrify some of its menuvaring capability because of the weight of the cruise missile. Also it cannot carry the full array of air defence weapons to counter enemy fighters. So some sort of escort by other SU-30MKI may be needed!

IAF MiG-21s cannot be replaced with advanced Dassault Rafales!! And it will be replaced by Light fighters like LCA Tejas and possibly SAAB Gripen NG!!

LCA TEJAS MK I

Mig-21

Swedish SAAB JAS Gripen

The logical thing according to our defence minister is that Rafale fighter cannot replace MiG-21 on a 1 to 1 basis. Also at present form LCA tejas is not there to fully replace the supersonic and versatile MiG-21 . so the following startegy will be adapted.

1. LCA MK I will be inducted in limited numbers both in IoC-2 and FoC configuration- because it has less than half of the combat radius compare to MiG-21  although it brings lot of capablities to the table!
2. Work will be accelarated on LCA tejas MK II with an uprated GE engine (F-414) and the first prototype may be ready by 2020 or sooner and then the serial production will start!!
3. Given the production capabilities of HAL, it cannot take for granted to produce the 600+ numbers(may be a bit less) of LCAs required by IAF, so a different single engine fighter will be considered which will have ToT to India along with the complete assembly line.
4. This will accelerate the induction of light fighter in to IAF.
5. The additional light fighter being considered here is latest version of Gripen-NG which sweden is very keen to manufacture in india!!
6. Some of the matured technologies in this light fighter will be carry forwaded to LCA-MK II developement!!
7. This is the reason only 36 Rafale fighters are inducted for strategic purpose!!
8. This will dramatically increase the number of light fighters with IAF and will be a perfect replacement to MiG-21s!!

Renewed Swedish SAAB's Gripen NG offer to India!!

         Image courtesy: http://airheadsfly.com/

Nobody will come and fasten LCA tejas project with their hard earned technologies.... We cannot dictate here...how much ever you pay they may sell what ever they want and also there is a limit what and all you will get for money!!! IAF is in dire need of light fighters to replace might 21 and Tejas is not even there...Also expensive Rafale cannot replace Mig-21 nor match its manoeuvrability with its heavier pay load!!  so a fully developed light fighter is the need of the hour!! So Gripen NG is a good fit both technologically and strategically....because the same engine as Gripen NG is going to be used in LCA Tejas mk 2...also India already have a contract with GE to import and license manufacture! Also Saab is fully ready for "maximum" ToT!!!.......so again we cannot dictate...but can have a level playing fielding while negotiating the deal....

Indian Defence

Hi everbody,

This is blog is specifically created to follow Indian defence developments......

Thanks,
Sivbal