L'Inde

[Mani]

Russia ready to negotiate with India on MiG-35 fighters

New Delhi: Russia is keen that India buys its MiG-35 fighter aircraft, a top Russian official said.

The Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (RAC MiG) has proposed to India to consider the possibility of concluding a contract on the supply of the MiG-35 multipurpose fighter jet, RAC MiG Director General Sergei Korotkov told Itar-Tass in an interview.

"Despite the fact that we lost the tender for the supply of 126 multipurpose fighters to the Indian Air Force, the RAC MiG fulfilled all the requirements set the tender committee," Korotkov said. "The aircraft has demonstrated good results, sometimes even exceeding expectations."

According to him, the corporation hopes that "India will consider the possibility of concluding a contract on the supply of the MiG-35 fighters."

"And we will have the opportunity to implement it," he said. "Within this bundle of knowledge that India received during this tender, I would like the MiG-35 issue to be continued against the background of our common history and 50 years of partnership."

According to preliminary information, the winner of the tender for the supply of fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force was the French Dassault Rafale. However, neither party has announced the official timeframe of the contract conclusion.

"This year the next batch of four aircraft will be delivered," said the head of the MiG Aircraft Corporation.

He also took part in the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the start of the Soviet MiG-21 fighters' deliveries to the Indian Air Force.

The agreement on the supply of the MiG-21 planes to India was signed in 1962, and the deliveries began a year later. In 1967, the Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over to the Indian Air Force the first MiG-21 fighter that was built here under the USSR license.

IANS

IAF to get 9 new planes

A top decision-making body of the Defence Ministry has cleared an Indian Air Force (IAF) proposal to buy nine aircraft for Rs 1,100 crore to boost its signal intelligence gathering capabilities.

Officials said the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister A K Antony on Saturday, approved the proposal for procuring the nine planes that are likely replacements for the now phased-out Canberra fleet.

“The IAF will now  issue a Request for Proposals for buying these planes,” officials said.

[zx]

c'est de l'idrw

New aircraft deal crucial for IAF: Browne | idrw.org

http://idrw.org/?p=21176

[TMor]

D'après le cabinet Syldy sur Twitter, la doc du Rafale est en cours de traduction en Hindi.

[zx]

http://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/phase-cruciale-pour-la-vente-du-rafale-en-inde.N196257?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+a-la-une+%28Usine+nouvelle+-+A+la+une%29#xtor=RSS-215

Pour le PDG de Dassault Aviation, la possible organisation d’élections générales anticipées en Inde ne constitue pas une menace pour l’avancement des négociations exclusives entre l’avionneur français et le gouvernement de New Delhi.

Dans sa course de fond pour convaincre l’Inde d’acheter 126 exemplaires de son avion de combat omnirôle Rafale, Dassault Aviation entre dans une phase cruciale. Celle de l’endurance longue, comme l’appellent les marathoniens. Les négociations, même exclusives entre New Delhi et l’avionneur de Saint-Cloud, prennent depuis quelques semaines un goût plus âpre.

De l’aveu d’Eric Trappier, le PDG de Dassault Aviation, les discussions sont récemment devenues plus lourdes entre Paris et New Delhi. Le nœud du problème ? L’implantion en Inde de l’assemblage du chasseur.

UNE VINGTAINE DE SALARIÉS DE DASSAULT MOBILISÉS EN INDE

On le sait, le groupe aéronautique public Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) exige l’assemblage sur le sol indien de 108 appareils sur les 126 prévus par le deal. Les indispensables transferts de technologie entre Dassault et l’industriel local sont encore en cours de négociation.

Et, avec eux, la question du partage des responsabilités concernant les Rafale assemblés par HAL. Dassault Aviation n’entend pas assumer la responsabilité de ces appareils, alors que l’indien exige pour sa part des garanties. Après une entente sur le transfert de technologies, ce point constitue aujourd’hui le tropisme des discussions franco-indiennes.

Pour parvenir à signer ce contrat historique, Dassault Aviation est en ordre de bataille. Vingt à trente salariés opérationnels de l’avionneur sont mobilisés en Inde, multipliant les allers et retours entre Paris et New Delhi, jouant les émissaires auprès des commissions concernées, négociant chaque détail avec HAL.

En marge des festivités organisées par Dassault pour le cinquantenaire de sa famille de jets d'affaires Falcon, Eric Trappier l’a assuré, des élections générales anticipées ne changeraient pas la donne à ce stade des négociations. Côté indien, les médias et commentateurs ne cessent pourtant de rappeler que si elles sont avancées à novembre prochain au lieu du printemps 2014, les négociations avec Dassault pourraient être encore prolongées. Sans parler d'une remise en cause pure et simple de l'appel d'offres remporté par l'industriel français en cas de victoire d'une nouvelle majorité politique.

Arrivé deuxième lors de la compétition MRCA pour l'équipement de l'armée de l'air indienne, le chasseur multirôle Eurofighter Typhoon du consortium BAE-EADS-Alenia reste en embuscade en cas de faux-pas de son concurrent français.

La signature du contrat avec l'Inde est devenue capitale pour Dassault Aviation, qui peine à écouler son chasseur à l'export. Et même en France, les réductions successives des budgets militaires imposent une stagnation des commandes de Rafale. Dans son Livre blanc sur la défense et la sécurité nationale dévoilé le 29 avril, l'exécutif évoque "225 avions de combat (air et marine)" dans son modèle d'armée, suggérant que le ministère de la Défense ne débloquera pas de crédits pour aller au-delà des 180 Rafale déjà commandés à Dassault.

[zx]

Ca confirme Tmor pour le tweet de la doc en Indi. ca doit prendre pas mal de temps à traduire.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130430/DEFREG03/304300015/India-s-New-Rules-Could-Mean-More-Overseas-Tie-ups

NEW DELHI — India’s decision to buy foreign weapons only if it can’t find a domestic source is likely to drive more joint ventures between Indian and international firms, while further slowing down an already notoriously slow and tedious procurement system.

New amendments to India’s Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) approved April 20 by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) require that foreign-made weapons be purchased only after all other options are exhausted.

The new order of precedence for acquisition categories is:

■Buy Indian;

■Buy & Make Indian, through joint ventures with overseas vendors;

■Make Indian, in which the domestic company is asked to design, develop and build a full-fledged system;

■Buy & Make with Transfer of Technology, which would come from overseas firms; and

■Buy Global.

“Any proposal to select a particular category must now state reasons for excluding the higher preferred category/categories,” states the MoD release describing the policy changes.

The amendments do not apply to ongoing procurement programs, however, so the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft program, in which France’s Dassault Aviation has been chosen as the preferred vendor for its Rafale fighter, is unaffected.

Analysts here view the amendments as a knee-jerk reaction to recent defense-related scandals, especially one involving Italy’s Finmeccanica, whose former CEO was arrested this year in connection with alleged bribes paid to India to secure an order of helicopters.

But because the domestic defense market is still in its infancy, Indian firms generally are ill-equipped to meet high-end military requirements on their own.

A senior executive of an overseas defense company said the new rules could lead to forging tie-ups with domestic companies to sell their equipment “repainted” as made in India.

Making “Buy Global” a last resort will also mean delays in finalizing tenders as the bureaucracy must now ascertain whether the weapon can be bought from home, said a senior Indian Air Force official. “In the end analysis, there will only be further delays in procurement as the policy has been made cumbersome and complicated.”

Rahul Bhonsle, retired Indian Army brigadier general and defense analyst, however, said the policy is not anti-overseas. “Contrary to popular belief, the latest policy is not unfavorable towards foreign companies. Given that ‘Buy Indian’ entails only 30 percent [indigenous content] and ‘Buy and Make Indian’ only 50 percent indigenous content, the policy encourages joint ventures by Indian companies with foreign companies, which should be effectively exploited,” he said.

India imports nearly 70 percent of its weapons from overseas; the domestic sector, especially the private sector, has a meager contribution of less than US $500 million a year.

The new amendments aim to boost indigenous weapons production, but analysts here are unsure whether that will become reality.

“It is very difficult to say how the whole process will be done,” said Bhupinder Yadav, CEO of New Delhi-based defense consulting firm Q-Tech Synergy. “It is a good move, will push Indian firms to make investments and capability acquisition. Even if this would push some major project by a couple of years, still it will be worth a try. As with every project, a thorough evaluation of Indian industry’s capabilities will be done to come to any conclusion.”

Domestic defense lobbyists welcomed the move, but domestic defense companies were cautious in their response to the amendments. “The devil lies in the detail,” said Rahul Chaudhry, CEO of private-sector defense major TATA Power SED. “ can only comment after DPP 2013 is released.” The full DPP incorporating the amendments is expected to be released in two months.

Defense analysts here were unanimous in the notion that while emphasis should be made toward indigenous products, India cannot afford to overlook imports.

“Prioritization of procurement categories is a step in the right direction, yet its implementation must be taken in true spirit, else despite emphasizing on ‘make,’ India would still be dependent on outside sources,” said Deba Mohanty, CEO of New Delhi-based defense consulting firm INDICIA Research & Advisory

Samir Advani, vice president, Strategic Business Development for domestic defense major Mahindra Defense said, “Currently, the Indian industry does not have the technical capability to provide the required weapon technologies that the Indian defense services want.”

On making buying from overseas the last resort, Advani said, “This is a necessary evil, which needs to be accepted as part of the development of indigenous capabilities.”

Prospects for Rafale

In Paris, the amendment is seen mainly as a bid to win votes in parliamentary elections due in April or May 2014, as there has already been a steady move over time to promote buying from domestic sources, said a defense expert with knowledge of the Indian market.

Although the amendment will not affect talks over a planned buy of 126 Rafale fighters, the tender’s terms reflected a policy to boost local industry.

If India does sign an order with Dassault, only the first 18 units will be built in France, with the remainder assembled from kits and eventually built, from raw materials to components to full systems, in India.

In the first stage of negotiations, Dassault has been asked to hand over full documentation of Rafale production plans so Indian authorities can assess the work for local industry.

But Dassault is reluctant to hand over the papers, as India also insists on the French company acting as overall prime contractor providing guarantees for program performance. Dassault is concerned over the Indian partner’s ability to deliver the aircraft to standard, on time and on budget. That single corporate guarantee is seen as “deal-breaker,” the expert said. ■

[zx]

pas grand chose de neuf, ca négocie toujours, ca coince sur les échéances de livraison.

DASSAULT AVIATION : L'Inde doit encore finaliser les termes de l'accord sur le Rafale avec Dassault

http://bourse.lesechos.fr/infos-conseils-boursiers/infos-conseils-valeurs/infos/l-inde-doit-encore-finaliser-les-termes-de-l-accord-sur-le-rafale-avec-dassault-877650.php

NEW DELHI (Dow Jones)--L'Inde doit finaliser les conditions de l'acquisition de 126 chasseurs Rafale auprès de Dassault Aviation , plus d'un an après la sélection du groupe français pour ce contrat, estimé à plus de 10 milliards de dollars.

Les négociations commerciales se poursuivent avec Dassault, et aucune échéance précise ne peut encore être fournie pour la livraison des avions de combat, a expliqué lundi le ministre indien de la Défense, A.K. Antony, devant la chambre basse du Parlement.

Selon les termes de l'appel d'offres, les 18 premiers chasseurs doivent être acheminés entre la troisième et la quatrième année suivant la signature du contrat, a-t-il indiqué. Les autres avions seraient assemblés en Inde entre la quatrième et la onzième année.

Le responsable de l'armée de l'air indienne, N.A.K. Browne, avait indiqué en février s'attendre à ce qu'un accord soit signé avec Dassault dans le courant de l'actuel exercice, qui a commencé le 1er avril.

Dassault a été choisi en janvier 2012 pour cet appel d'offres, le Rafale ayant été préféré aux chasseurs proposés par Boeing (BA), Lockheed Martin (LMT), MiG, Saab (SAAB-B.SK) et Eurofighter.

[zx]

We have no problem with HAL : Dassault chairman and CEO

http://idrw.org/?p=21806

MMRCA negotiations "back on track", il semble que c'est reparti, il doit plus rester grand chose à négocier

http://www.spsaviation.net/exclusive/?id=198&h=MMRCA-negotiations-back-on-track

May 06, 2013: After weeks of being stalled, commercial negotiations for the MMRCA are back on track and in full flow, top sources confirm. Since March, negotiations had been held up on multiple counts, including a tussle over contractual modalities, a split contract between Dassault Aviation and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for flyaway and license-built aircraft, transfer of technology and offsets. Sources in Dassault inform that mutual discussions have yielded a way forward.

HAL Chairman R.K. Tyagi had made a presentation during Aero India (a month before troubles began in the CNC) detailing the potential problems ahead in terms of absorbing technology from Dassault, Snecma and Thales. Indian Air Force (IAF) officials are also breathing a sigh of relief that it has been made clear that the request for proposal (RFP) obligations will have to be met, and that none can be altered at this stage. The IAF has also sent out a message by insisting publicly that it has no "back-up plan" for the MMRCA, following reports that more Su-30MKIs were being considered as an emergency measure in case the MMRCA did not fructify. As things stand, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is hoping to wrap up negotiations and begin work on a draft agreement by August-September, about three months behind schedule as per the IAF's expectations.

[glitter]

Est ce que le bruyant voisin Chinois n'est pas un soutien involontaire de leur part pour une signature de ce contrat ?

[Darkjmfr]

Si si, d'ailleurs en ce moment ils campent dans le jardin Indien: http://livefist.blogspot.fr/2013/05/of-india-china-border-meetings.html

[actyon]

Indian LCA Tejas Test Fires R-73 Air To Air Missile

http://globalmilitaryreview.blogspot.fr/2013/04/indian-lca-tejas-test-fires-r-73-air-to.html?utm_source=BP_recent

[Henri K.]

Si si, d'ailleurs en ce moment ils campent dans le jardin Indien: http://livefist.blogspot.fr/2013/05/of-india-china-border-meetings.html

L'Inde a accepté de démolir les bunkers et les fortifications qu'ils ont construit au delà de leur ligne de contrôle effectif et qui sont (trop) près de la ligne de contrôle effective chinois, ça fait deux jours que les 2 côtés sont rentrés chez eux sans incident.

Les médias chez nous ont tendance à diaboliser la Chine quand il s'agit de l'Inde et "oublient" de publier la vérité.

Henri K.

[Kovy]

Indian LCA Tejas Test Fires R-73 Air To Air Missile

http://globalmilitaryreview.blogspot.fr/2013/04/indian-lca-tejas-test-fires-r-73-air-to.html?utm_source=BP_recent

A noter : le HMD Israelien Targo

[zx]

En gros, ils disent que le compte n'y est pas pour financer l'achat du MMRCA au niveau budgétaire pour le Mod,  qui nécessiterait un versement de 500M$

pour cette année.

IAF funds crunch to hit MMRCA deal

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/iaf-funds-crunch-to-hit-mmrca-deal/1111890/

The financial crunch that has led to one of the lowest hikes in defence expenditure in decades is set to hit modernisation hard with new statistics revealing that the Defence Ministry has set aside only a few million dollars for new purchases, putting the future of critical purchases like fighter aircraft in question.

A detailed breakup of the new budget that has recently been made available has revealed that the Air Force, which is hoping to sign several new projects this year including the Medium Multi Role Aircraft (MMRCA), has been allotted only $372 million for new schemes.

While the total modernisation budget for the IAF is $6.8 billion, the majority of it is under the committed liabilities head for projects that have been signed in the past. This includes projects like the C 17 transport aircraft, modernisation of the Mirage 2000 and MiG 29 fleet and deliveries of the Su 30 MKI fighters.

Under the head of 'new schemes', the IAF has been allotted a mere $372 million that experts say will not be adequate to cover the purchases planned this year. The MMRCA in particular, which will cost upwards of $12 billion, has not been budgeted for. As an industry norm, a payment of 5-10 per cent of the contract value has to be made at the time of signing. This itself will amount to $500 million, going by very conservative figures.

Sources conceded that the MMRCA has not been budgeted into this year's capital allotment to the IAF. However, they asserted that if the contract does reach a conclusive stage, money will be made available through other means to cater for the signing fees. Air Force Chief N A K Browne in particular has been expressing confidence that the deal would be signed in the coming months.

[zx]

MMRCA: A do or die contract for Dassault's military

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/mmrca-a-do-or-die-contract-for-dassaults-military-business/1114761

France cuts Rafale purchase, no export customer yet for the Rs. 1390cr aircraft.

Dassault Aviation, the French maker of Rafale fighter jet which is in exclusive negotiations with the Indian ministry of defence for the $12 billion Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender is facing rough weather at home.

In the latest strategic defence review carried out under the insistence of the French government, last month, France has capped the purchase of Rafale fighter jets to 225. Originally, the Rafale programme envisaged production of 320 aircraft for the French government but this was cut to 286 later and now to 225. Till date, only 180 of them have been ordered; all of them by France. The company is yet to find an export customer for its front-line fighter jet.

As a result, the cost of Rafale to France has climbed steadily. The French Senate assessment of the 2013 national defence budget pegs the total cost of the Rafale programme, including development expenses, to the French exchequer at €44.2 billion. Dividing the total programme cost with number of aircraft to be built i.e. 225 gives a per aircraft cost of €196.4 million or approx. Rs. 1,390 crore at today’s exchange rate.

A cut to Rafale numbers for France poses a challenge to Dassault’s military business which is mainly dependent on Rafale sales.

Given the situation, bagging MMRCA, which envisages purchase of 126 aircraft with an option for buying 63 more, is critical for Dassault. However, contrary to initial expectations of a quick contract signature, Dassault-MoD negotiations have dragged on for over a year.

As reported by FE earlier, cost has been an issue since the start besides the company’s reluctance to transfer sophisticated technology to India and meet offsets requirements. In the last few months, questions have been raised by Dassault regarding the role of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the MMRCA. Moreover, the French company is unwilling to be held liable for the quality, timely and on-cost delivery of the 108 aircraft to be license produced at HAL. This is in breach of tender conditions and has emerged as a major threat to speedy contract conclusion.

Sources FE spoke to said: “Given the slow pace of negotiations it looks increasingly likely that MMRCA will spill over to the next government.” But, Dassault CEO Eric Trappier is optimistic. Reportedly, Trappier said: “I hope 2013 should be the year.”

As things stand, for Trappier’s wish to come true, either Dassault will have to give in to India’s demands which it has resisted until now or the Indian side will have to relax its tender criteria. Currently, both look unlikely. Given Dassault’s financial situation the company cannot afford any business risk. Whereas, enhanced scrutiny of defence deals in a season ridden with corruption scandals precludes Indian negotiators from extending any concessions.

In this case, the French company will have to do something special. Eyes are on the Paris Air Show which opens 17th of June at Le Bourget in France. Dassault

is expected to lay out a red carpet for the Indian delegation. However, in what could come as a dampener to the French company, rumours in the defence ministry corridors suggest that given the sensitive phase of negotiations, the ministry is expected to tone down this year’s participation at the show.

Will Mukesh Ambani's defence aerospace gambit pay off for RIL?

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-company/corporate-trends/will-mukesh-ambanis-defence-aerospace-gambit-pay-off-for-ril/articleshow/20007427.cms?curpg=1

Mukesh Ambani’s aerospace gambit: Battling monopoly in Defence Aerospace, will it pay off for RIL

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which enjoys absolute monopoly in India's military aviation, is the butt of many jokes. American defence historian and strategist Edward Luttwak refers to it as a "fossil of a company" famous for not delivering "operationally ready Tejas Light Combat Aircraft after 30 years of trying". Notes Neelu Khatri, head of defence and security advisory services at KPMG India: "HAL is overbooked (with orders). And it is a fait accompli that giants will emerge."

Khatri is referring to the "emergence" of big private sector players in Indian aerospace. One of them is Reliance IndustriesBSE 0.15 % Ltd (RIL). "They will focus more on technology partnerships and on building up infrastructure [to start manufacturing products]," she forecasts. Dhiraj Mathur of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has no doubts either. "As a company that has a track record of working on large-scale projects, it (RIL) definitely has an advantage like other players such as the Tatas and Mahindra. Having deep pockets helps," he says.

To Replicate Success

RIL, one of the latest major private-sector entrants into aerospace, had cash reserves of Rs 82,975 crore as on March 31, 2013. The Mukesh Ambani-controlled conglomerate recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Boeing to grab the offset work when the aerospace giant begins work on supplying P8I naval reconnaissance aircraft to the Indian Navy.

India's biggest private sector company by revenue is looking to spend $1 billion (almost Rs 5,500 crore) in the sector and hire some 2,000 engineers over the next few years in its aerospace division; it has now agreed to partner with the world's second-largest aerospace company in the latter's offset programme — which requires for-eign aerospace sellers to source 30% of its inputs from domestic partners.

RILBSE 0.15 % entered the fast-growing segment two years ago after hiring then Boeing India chief and Nasa scientist Vivek Lall as its head. According to the MoU signed between Boeing and RIL — documents of which are available with the Indian Navy and reviewed by ET Magazine — the two companies may go for "a more definitive agreement" in future. "Like in refining and [oil] exploration, RIL is really in for the kill in aerospace," says a Mumbai-based defence consultant who has tracked the company for years. "Maybe they are looking to do here [in aerospace] what they did some time ago in oil and gas," says this consultant who didn't wish to be named because he isn't authorised to speak to the media. Neither RIL nor Boeing responded to queries from ET Magazine.

The Long-Haul Game

Built from scratch by Dhirubhai Ambani, RIL went public in 1977 and over the next couple of decades pursued backward vertical integration — from textiles to polyester, fibre intermediates, plastics and petrochemicals. Towards the end of the 90s, the Ambanis had further integrated into refining by commissioning the world's largest grassroots refinery at Jamnagar in Gujarat.

Soon, it went another step backward — into oil & gas exploration — when it secured a bid for 12 exploration blocks auctioned by the government of India. In 2002, RIL located the largest Indian natural gas field in the Krishna-Godavari basin.

Following the split in the group between brothers Mukesh and Anil in the mid-2000s, the former inherited the oil & gas and refinery business. In fiscal year 2013, RIL — now an oil & gas major with joint ventures with the likes of Chevron and Pioneer Natural Resources for shale gas in the US and a petrochemicals giant coupled with a relatively fledgling organised retailing business and a subsidiary that will soon provide broadband wireless access — had racked up a net profit of Rs 21,000 crore on a top line of Rs 371,000 crore.

[zx]

New Sukhoi base to cover south India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-Sukhoi-base-to-cover-south-India/articleshow/20020893.cms

NEW DELHI: Even as the western and eastern fronts with Pakistan and China are bolstered with additional Sukhoi-30MKI squadrons, India has also kick-started plans to base its most lethal "air dominance'' fighter in south India to keep a "strategic eye'' over Indian Ocean.

Defence minister A K Antony will inaugurate the new airbase at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu on May 27, which will eventually house a Sukhoi squadron (16 to 18 jets) after the requisite "tech-flight hangers, avionic bays, labs, fuel dumps and other infrastructure'' comes up over the next few years.

"Till then, IAF will keep sending regular fighter and transport aircraft detachments to Thanjavur since the runway and other facilities are in place there now. Long-range fighters (Sukhois have a cruising speed range of 3,200-km) operating from Thanjavur will be able to dominate the crucial Andaman and Nicobar archipelago as well as the Bay of Bengal,'' said a source.

India has so far inducted over 170 of the 272 Sukhoi-30MKIs contracted from Russia in deals worth Rs 55,717 crore ($12.4 billion). Pune and Bareilly already have two Sukhoi squadrons each, while Tezpur, Chabua, Halwara and Jodhpur have a squadron each.

Another squadron is coming up at Sirsa, with Tezpur, Chabua, Jodhpur and Halwara slated to get their second squadrons thereafter. "Thanjavur will get the last Sukhoi squadron by 2018,'' he said.

The Sukhoi squadrons at Tezpur, Chabua and Bareilly are part of the larger "dissuasive deterrence'' being put in place against China. With eight operational airbases in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), China can rapidly deploy 21 fighter squadrons against India. China, incidentally, has even taken to conducting major exercises with its J-10, Sukhoi-27UBK and Sukhoi-30MKK fighters in the high-altitude Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in recent times.

The Sukhoi squadrons in Halwara, Sirsa and Jodhpur are meant to counter any misadventure by Pakistan, which is rapidly bolstering its air combat capabilities with American F-16s as well as Chinese JF-17 'Thunder' and F-7 fighters.

IAF would like more fighter squadrons since it is down to just 34 at present, with ageing MiG jets being progressively retired. "Airpower plays the pivotal role in shaping modern battles," an officer said.

To achieve the aim of operating 44 to 45 squadrons over the coming decade, IAF is banking upon the early inking of the $20 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project to acquire 126 French Rafale fighters.

The first 18 jets under the MMRCA project will come in "fly-away condition'' from 2017 onwards, with the rest 108 fighters being manufactured under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics. After being derailed for some months due to differences between HAL and French aviation major Dassault, the complex final negotiations in the MMRCA project are back on track now.

[Mani]

India’s defence needs FDI

The Hindu

The government has finally started taking small steps to change procurement policy but what is required is to free it from the inefficient public sector.

Last Friday, the Ministry of Defence took yet another step to signal that it is serious about turning around the pathetic state of India’s defence industry. It did so by requesting proposals from eight foreign vendors for 56 medium transport aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing fleet of HS 748 Avros. What is striking about the deal is not its value of around Rs 28,000 crore, but the fact that the ministry has deliberately kept the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd away from the competition. The deal involves off-the-shelf purchase of 16 aircraft with the balance to be made in a facility in India established by the foreign vendor and an Indian private sector partner of its choice.

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/indias-defence-needs-fdi/article4712277.ece?homepage=true

[Henri K.]

Une intention d'achat de plus... Il serait temps pour l'Inde de lancer des programmes indigènes, ne serait-ce qu'en parallèle des projets d'achat vers l'extérieur...

India puts out RfP for medium tactical transport

Rahul Bedi

  New Delhi

Additional reporting by

James Hardy

  London

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) despatched a request for proposals (RfP) on 9 May to eight overseas vendors to supply 56 light/medium tactical transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) via a joint venture (JV) with an indigenous private sector manufacturer.

The selected aircraft will replace the IAF's fleet of 30 1960s-era Avro 748M transport aircraft, which were licence-built by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Sixteen of the aircraft will be acquired off-the-shelf and the remaining 40 built locally in a deal estimated to be worth USD2.5-3 billion.

The RfP was sent to Airbus Military (manufacturer of the C295 and CN235, based in Europe); Alenia Aermacchi (C-27J, Italy); Antonov (An-148, Ukraine); Boeing (United States); Embraer (Brazil); Ilyushin (Il-114, Russia); Lockheed Martin (C-130J, US); and Saab (Sweden). It requires the aircraft to have a 6-8 tonne payload, cruise speed of 800 km/h and operating range of 2,500-2,700 km.

It also mandates that the first 16 aircraft built under the JV - designated the Indian Production Agency (IPA) - will have 30% indigenous components, rising to 60% for the remaining 24. The IPA will also need to secure a transfer of technology for maintenance to provide lifetime product support for the proposed platform.

The aircraft is in addition to the joint Indian and Russian Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA), which under current design criteria will have a payload of between 15 and 20 tonnes and a cruise speed of around 926 km/h. The joint MTA programme is being designed to fulfill a requirement for the Indian and Russian air forces, as well as being offered as an export solution to third-party countries.

COMMENT

The MTA is the IAF's first programme specifying local private sector involvement rather than HAL, which for decades has monopolised licence production of Indian military aircraft. "This project presents a great opportunity for the country's private sector as the state-owned entities are excluded from the project," Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said in October 2012.

Defence industry analysts, however, told IHS Jane's that the project could ultimately prove financially unviable as local construction of just 40 aircraft may not justify the considerable investment required to develop manufacturing infrastructure.

MoD officials argue that the projected outlay would be offset by growing requirements in the country's expanding commercial aviation sector.

Related Articles

   Aero India 2013: Alenia considers regional C-27J production options should it win Indian competition, ihs.com/janes, 13.02.13

Copyright © IHS Global Limited, 2013

Henri K.

[actyon]

Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage 2000 Fighter Jets At night

Indian Air Force will upgrade its Mirage-2000H fighter jets to the Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 standard which will allow the use of MICA beyond-visual-range missile (BVRAAM).

http://globalmilitaryreview.blogspot.fr/2013/04/indian-air-force-iaf-mirage-2000.html?utm_source=BP_recent

[zx]

Sur un forum indien, recup d'un scan

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[FATac]

Autant mettre le lien officiel : SP's Aviation est disponible publiquement, gratuitement en téléchargement PDF pour les éditions passées, lisible en ligne pour l'édition actuelle (mai 2013). C'est ici que ça se passe : http://www.spsaviation.net/ebook.asp?Id=130510173534-99acff04e5da41e19cdf3a82b6dd950d&Name=sp_s_aviation_may_2013&Info=SP%27s%20Aviation%20May%202013&t=1368503909333&r=28&mob=10024607&year=2013

C'est une bonne source d'information, mais qui nécessite beaucoup de recul et des croisements avec d'autres sources pour confirmer. Comme souvent, en Inde, les écrits publiés engagent plus leurs auteurs que les autorités, même quand les auteurs en question font partie des autorités, en sont proches ou en ont fait partie par le passé (un grand nombre de signatures des articles militaires de SP's Aviation sont des officiers en retraite de l'IAF.

Dans l'édition de mai, outre les 3 pages montrées ici, l'éditorial page 3 est intéressant, ainsi que la page 12 qui parle de la reprise des négociations et de l'absence de plan B. Accessoirement, les pages qui suivent l'article sur le Rafale évoquent "la mère de tous les programmes", le F-35 de ses origines à maintenant.

[zx]

Vu sur un forum, post olybrius, va y avoir du missile russe sur les raffy ?, affaire à suivre

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?137433-Rafale-News/page300

Russian missiles for the Rafale fighter ?

May 17 ; According to the French bulletin "TTU", the French company Dassault Aviation has begun negotiations with the Russian company "Tactical Missiles Corporation" about the possible integration of Russian missiles on the Dassault Rafale fighter . This may play a role in the context of the sale of Rafale fighter jets to India.[...]

traduit du russe en anglais (systran)

VVS of India are armed with the significant number of rockets of Russian production, especially numerous are air-to-air missiles R-73 and RVV-AE, and also rockets of the class “air-surface” of a series X-31.

Earlier in the company of Dassault they declared, that Rafale was not selected with the number of potential customers because of too high a cost “rocket packet” of French production, which was also the component element “large” purchasing contract of fighters.

From:

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/522044.html?thread=17869884

(TTU is a reliable source but i did not find the original article)

[prof.566]

Ca sent bon!!!

Manu Pubby ‏@manupubby 29 Mai

#MMRCA commercial negotiations with Dassault to end by July. Contract should be signed soon after - Air Chief

(journaliste de l'indian express qui cite le CEMA indien)

[Mani]

Long-range Missile Boss Is DRDO's New Chief

India's Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has a new chief! Have interviewed him several times on the Agni programme of which he is considered creator. I'll allow the organisation itself to introduce him to you in this full press statement:

Dr Avinash Chander has been appointed as the new Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, Secretary Deptt of Defence R&D and DG DRDO. “I feel honoured to take up this new responsibility. Dr Saraswat  has set DRDO on a good course, I have to continue and take it to the next level” said Dr Avinash Chander on his appointment.

In recognition of his immense contributions towards strengthening the National Defence, Government of India has recently honoured him with the prestigious PADMA SHRI Award.

Dr Avinash Chander, is an eminent Missile Scientist and the Chief Architect of the Long Range Ballistic Missile System AGNI. He  Envisioned and evolved the Strategies for Long Range Missiles and led the design and development of AGNI series of Missile Systems – AGNI A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 providing cutting edge, decisive Strategic Weapon systems to the Armed Forces, leading to the Successful development of the Nation’s pride, ‘5000+ Km range AGNI 5 Strategic Weapon System’ propelling India to join the elite club of five advanced nations. Development of Agni Range of missiles in highly restrictive International Control Regimes was possible only out of his technology forecast, perspective planning and relentless efforts. He created the infrastructure, industry base, production lines, and integration facilities to produce different classes of AGNI Missile Systems. Today, the AGNI A1, A2, A3 Missiles occupy the pride of place in the inventories of the Indian Armed Forces

His pioneering research in the Innovative Energy Management Guidance Scheme has enabled utilization of Solid Propulsion, the main thrust and the backbone of Long Range Missile System. Under his leadership, DRDO carried out extensive Research and indigenously developed the critical technologies such as Composite Rocket Motors, Re-entry Carbon Composite Heat Shield, Advanced High Accuracy Navigation Systems, Flex Nozzle Control System, High-end Real-time computing techniques. His long term expertise has been providing the necessary thrust for the Programmes of National importance such as Underwater Missiles, BrahMos Cruise Missiles, Nag, Air Defence systems etc. He laid the Technology Roadmap for Missile Complex Laboratories and led the R&D in the advanced Navigation Systems, Onboard Computers, Servo Valves and Seekers.

Dr Avinash Chander had joined DRDO in 1972 after completing graduation in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi. He obtained M.S in Spatial Information Technology from JNTU, Hyderabad. He is a Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineers, Fellow of Systems Society of India, Fellow of Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences and Vice-President of Astronautical Society of India.

The distinguished scientist has received numerous awards and honours including DRDO Scientist of the Year, Astronautical Society of India Rocketry and related Technologies Award, Dr. Biren Roy Space Science and Design Award, Agni Self-reliance Award, Path Breaking Research/Outstanding Technology Development Award, Outstanding Technologist Award by Punjab Technical University, Technology Leadership Award,  Distinguished Alumnus Award of IIT, Delhi.

[Mani]

IAF to get BrahMos by year-end

BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which can travel three times faster than sound, is expected to be inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) by end of 2013, said A Sivathanui Pillai, chief executive officer and managing director of BrahMos Aerospace, in his address at Vellore on the occasion of the 22nd convocation day of Thanthai Periyar Government Institute of Technology on Sunday.

“Two Su-30MKI aircraft will be equipped with the missiles, which will enable them to hit targets on the ground accurately,” Pillai said. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, said Pillai, who is also the chief controller (research and development), Defence Research and Development Organisation.

“Today, the Indian Army is the only army in the world to possess the supersonic cruise missile,” informed Pillai, adding,“In the next stage, we will be developing hypersonic cruise Mach 7 missiles. This is expected to be completed in five years.”

“We have received enquiries from several friendly countries and Russia has agreed to supply it to other countries. He said ISRO could be launching its Mars mission by November this year. He said the technology developed by DRDO has several civil applications. One of them is the fiberglass technology which can be used to produce light weight callipers for those suffering from polio and cerebral palsy and  find it difficult to walk.

[prof.566]

Et l'asmpa c'est quoi???