Chinese Stealth Fighter J-20 Mighty dragon Goes Low RateInitial Production

In a Christmas gift for Chinese fighter pilots, December 25th saw the unveiling of a new J-20 fighter in fresh yellow fuselage primer on the runway of the Chengdu Aviation Corporation (CAC) factory. More notable than its paint color, however, was the numbering of the plane: "2101." As opposed to "2018" or "2019" to follow the eighth flying prototype "2017," "2101" suggests the plane is the first of the low rate initial production (LRIP) airframes, which signify the move away from prototype production to building fighters for actual military use.

"2101" rolled out of the factory on December 26, 2015, still in its bright yellow factory primer. 2101 is structurally most similar to "2016" and "2017", the 7th and 8th J-20 prototypes. With the first LRIP squadron likely to be completed by the end of 2016, Chinese pilots will quickly put the J-20 through the paces to push every bit of capability out of their new stealth fighters.

LRIP is the stage in the program where CAC will build enough production fighters (about 12-24) for test and evaluation flights by the PLAAF to understand the J-20's capabilities, before further committing to large-scale production. Initial operational capability should come around in the 2018-2019 timeframe, once the Chinese Test Flight Establishment (CTFE) regiment develops the technical proficiency and competence to use the J-20 to the fullest in combat operations.

"2101" is the ninth J-20 fighter built by the CAC in under five years (the first J-20 prototype flew in January 2011). In comparison, the first production F-35A (AF-6) flew in February 2011, five years after the first F-35 prototype flew in February 2006. The F-22 also took about five years to transition from first flight to LRIP (September 1997 and February 2002).

Given over a decade's worth of global technology advances, intensive investment and competent program management, it should come as no surprise that China will be the second nation in the world to start production of stealth fighters. The J-20 will give the PLAAF a technological advantage over every other Asian air force. While the J-20 may not be able to supercruise (fly at supersonic speeds without using fuel-thirsty afterburners) with its current Russian AL-31 turbofan engines, its high level of stealth, long range and electronic warfare capabilities will make it a very formidable foe for other fighters.

The J-20 also carries a powerful active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, nose-mounted infrared search and tracking sensors, and fuselage-mounted cameras to give its pilot a VR 360 degree imaging (similar to the F-35's avionics). For weapons, the J-20 would have long-range missiles like the PL-12, PL-15, and PL-21, and short-ranged infrared-guided PL-8 and PL-10. Networked with other platforms such as the Divine Eagle anti-stealth drone, the J-20's array of sensors will give it the ability to go toe-to-toe with other stealth fighters.

While the J-20 certainly a formidable foe today, in the next several years of development advances, its capabilities can be expected to grow. Future J-20's will likely have super-cruise capable Chinese WS-15 turbofan engines and improved gallium nitride AESA radars, with further out options including pilot controlled UAVs. As J-20 testing wraps up, the PLAAF will also have many other new projects to roll out, like the J-31 stealth fighter, H-20 stealth bomber, Sharp Sword stealth UAV and hypersonic weaponry.

Source: Popsci

French Army Orders & Eurocopter Tiger Attack Helicopter

On Dec. 17, France ordered a further seven Tiger attack helicopters, aimed mainly to boost support for troops deployed against insurgents in sub-Saharan Africa, the defense procurement office said today. “The Direction Générale de l’Armement ordered Dec. 17 2015 through the Organization Conjoint de Cooperation en Matière d’Armement (OCCAR) a further seven Tiger combat helicopters from Airbus Helicopters,” the DGA said in a statement. “The aim is to strengthen the capability of the French forces to conduct air-land operations, particularly in the sub-Saharan Sahel region,” the DGA said.

A DGA spokesman declined to give the value of the order, which was announced in May as part of the revised 2014-19 military budget law. The seven helicopters will be delivered between 2017-18. The Tigers will be the attack version, or hélicoptère appui-destruction (HAD), which are equipped with a more powerful engine, improved targeting system, additional combat external fuel tanks, and certified for Hellfire and Spike air-to-ground missiles in addition to the Mistral air-to-air weapon.

The latest order brings the French fleet to 67 Tigers and follows a request last year from the French Army to send a mixed batch of some 10 attack and transport helicopters to boost the present deployment of helicopters supporting troops in the Barkhane anti-insurgency operation in the Sahel. In 2012 prices, the French share of the Tiger program was €6.3 billion (US $6.9 billion), based on 80 units ordered separately by France and Germany, and 22 by Spain, a French Senate report on the draft 2013 defense budget said. The unit cost, excluding development, was then €27 million for the escort, and €35.6 million for the attack version.

France previously cut the Tiger order to 60 from 80 units for budgetary reasons, then this year added the seven in response to the request from the ground forces. The defense ministry has also pledged to speed up delivery of six NH90 transport helicopters, also seen as needed to support the 3,500 troops spread across five African countries partnered in the Barkhane mission. France has ordered a retrofit of the 36 escort models to bring the full Tiger fleet to the more capable attack version.

Afghan Air Force Will Get Its Hands on Super Tucano Very Soon

Afghanistan’s air force will be getting its first block of fixed-wing aircraft in early 2016, expanding the force's limited close-air support capability, defense officials said. The delivery of the first four A-29 Super Tucanos, a turbo prop light attack aircraft, will arrive in Afghanistan in January, and a total of eight are due before the end of 2016. A fleet of 20 will be in place by 2018, according to a senior U.S. defense official.
 

The Afghan air force will receive its first A-29 Super Tocano next month.

"In the next few months the Afghan air force will start to take off with greater firepower into the air. A-29s arrive and provide close-air support, which will be a key element to increasing the superiority of Afghan forces over Taliban forces," U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said during a visit here Friday. For the past 15 years the Afghan military has mostly relied on U.S. aircraft to provide close-air support for combat units on the ground. But the U.S. military scaled back its commitment to provide that air support when it formally ended the American combat mission here in December 2014.

The arrival of the new aircraft will give Afghanistan a chance to develop its own close-air support capability. “I think it’s going to be a really important component in how they do aerial fires next year and the kind of overmatch they need to be able to have against a Taliban insurgency,” the senior defense official said. Afghan Defense Minister Mohammed Masoom Stanekza said his country's military will continue to rely on U.S. aircraft for some time to contain the array of insurgent forces roiling the troubled nation.

“Building the air force of Afghanistan is not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take a long time and a lot of investment,” he said Friday in a joint press conference with Carter Currently the U.S. military is providing pilot training at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, where the U.S. Air Force's 81st Fighter Squadron plans to train 30 Afghan pilots over the next five years. “The critical piece of this is making sure that they have the human capital, the pilots, available to fly the platform,” the defense official said. For now the Afghan military is unable to provide the kind of logistics and maintenance support that A-29s require. The U.S. has helped arrange and pay for a logistics and maintenance contract support for those aircraft. While there is a long-term plan for the Afghans to develop self-sustaining logistics and maintenance capabilities, for the near future the contract support will be “absolutely critical,” a senior defense official said.

The Pentagon purchased the Super Tucanos in a $427 million contract with Sierra Nevada Corp. and Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company. The aircraft are manufactured at Embraer's facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The Super Tucanos carry two 12.7mm machine guns in the wings, and can be configured with additional underwing weaponry of up to 1,500 kg. They will augment the Afghan forces' Russian-made Mi-17 'Hip' helicopters and American-made MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters that can also provide ground attack and close-air support. The aircraft are designed to operate in high temperature and humidity conditions in extremely rugged terrain.

Marrakech Air Show Invites Pakistan to Showcase JF -17 Thunder Fighter Jet

The Marrakech Airshow 2016 has invited Pakistan to showcase its JF-17 thunder fighter jet at the 5th Annual International Exhibition of Aerospace Industries to be held on April 27-30, 2016. Under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, this upcoming Annual International Exhibition of Aerospace Industries in Marrakech will be a valuable opportunity for aerospace giants as well as investors in aeronautics industry to display their newest projects.

“The JF-I7 is a lightweight multi-role combat aircraft manufactured at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, Pakistan. It can be used for aerial reconnaissance, ground attack and aircraft interception,” said a communique by the Pakistan Embassy in Rabat. “The JF-I7 can deploy diverse ordnance including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles and is equipped with a 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel autocannon.’It is powered by a Guizhou WS-13 afterburning turbofan engine and has a top speed of Mach 1.6,” the communique concludes.

Moroccan daily newspaper Al Massae said in its December 4 issue that Morocco has expressed interest to buy the JF-I7 for its Air Force. The organizers said this year’s exhibition is part of “Morocco’s strategy to develop its aviation base and strengthen the aviation sector, notably in terms of industrial investment and technology transfer.”

The four-day airshow expects more than 20,000 visitors and more than 200 participants from 20 different countries. “These aircraft manufacturers see Morocco as the gateway to the promising African market for civilian, military aviation and business aviation,” the organizers added.

Iran-Oman Joint Naval Drills Underway in Persian Gulf

A two-day maritime joint exercise of the Iranian and Omani naval forces started on Wednesday in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz and will continue in the Persian Gulf, Iranian media reported. According to Farsnews agency, the two countries develop strong military cooperation and have already conducted several joint naval exercises.

"It is the fifth joint wargames by Iran and Oman of this type and level, with a set of specified goals," Commander of the Iranian Navy's First Zone Rear Adm. Hossein Azad told journalists as quoted by Farsnews.

According to Azad, the purpose of the drill is to train Navy's ability to provide vessels, cargo ships and oil tankers, constantly passing through the region, with necessary security level. The decision to hold joint naval drills was made on December 19 at the opening of the Omani-Iranian Joint Military Friendship Committee's 12th meeting in Tehran.

Iran and Oman singed a memorandum of understanding for military cooperation in 2013. The memorandum includes cooperation in fighting against drug and human trafficking, strengthening of educational and cultural ties between the two countries` armed forces.

Are Turkey and Saudi Arabia Going to be Busted!?

King Salman and Turkish President Erdogan are about to spark a new war for control over Middle Eastern oil but the plan, which was in fact devised by Washington, will ultimately backfire, F. William Engdahl asserted. Riyadh, assisted by Qatar and Turkey, is striving to bring oil fields and pipeline routes in Iraq and neighboring Syria "under direct Saudi control," the expert on oil politics noted. "Unfortunately, as in all wars, there will be no winners," Engdahl wrote in an opinion piece for New Eastern Outlook. He also named the EU, the Iraqis, Syrians and Kurds as the main losers. 

The historian named four key groupings, which will be involved in the upcoming conflict. Sunnis, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Daesh and the recently formed Saudi-led anti-terrorist coalition, make up the first group. The second one consists of Syria, Iran, Iraq and Hezbollah, with Russia also being a factor. The analyst named Israel as the third player. Engdahl maintains that the fourth group, led by the United States, is "playing the most sly, deceptive role" at the moment.

"Washington is preparing a devastating trap that will catch the foolish Saudis and their Turkish and other Wahhabi allies in a devastating defeat in Syria and Iraq that will no doubt then be proclaimed as a 'victory over terrorism' and a 'victory for the Syrian people,'" the historian assumed.

Daesh, according to Engdahl, is instrumental to the Saudi plan. The oil kingdom wants the group to perform "ethnic cleansing of the legitimate Syrian populations" living in oil-rich regions so that it would then be able to transport fuel from Qatar and Saudi Arabia to Turkey through Syria. "Erdogan's Turkish military and most especially his Turkish intelligence, MIT, headed by close crony, Hakan Fidan, is playing a key role in the planned Saudi-Turk-Qatari coalition's move to destroy the regime of Assad and at the same time seize control for them of the rich oil fields of Iraq between Mosul and Kirkuk," the historian explained.

Although many see the recently-adopted UN Security Council resolution on Syria as an achievement that will help to bring lasting peace to Syria, Engdahl views the document as a "a near-perfect deceptive maneuver" designed by Washington to "set the stage for the imminent Saudi-Turk oil wars and subsequent debacle in Syria and Iraq." The agreement paves the way for a ceasefire, which is expected to be followed by the UN-supervised free and fair presidential election. "That ceasefire excludes Saudi and Turkey-backed Daesh, and the al-Qaeda affiliate, al-Nusra Front. At the same time, it calls for an immediate, simultaneous start of a 'political transition' which means completely contradictory things for the United States, Germany, France and the UK as it does for Syria, Iran, and Russia," Engdahl warned.

The expert maintains that Russia, Damascus-led forces, Hezbollah and Iran will abide by the resolution, while Daesh and the like will "have free reign to grab the oil riches" in Iraq and Syria. "At that point, the trap will have been set and Washington will no doubt spring it, with Russia, Iran and Assad … able to do little to prevent it," he observed.

The S-400 Triumf Mobile Multiple Anti-Aircraft Missile System (AAMS)

Chinese DF-41 Goes Train-Mobile With MIRV

China this month tested a new rail-car-mounted long-range missile capable of hitting targets in the United States, according to American intelligence agencies monitoring the test. A canister ejection test for a DF-41 missile mounted on a rail launch platform was detected December 5 in western China, defense officials familiar with reports of the test told the Washington Free Beacon.

Beijing has been developing rail-based missile launchers since 1982, according to declassified CIA documents. The most recent test is a significant milestone for Chinese weapon developers, demonstrating that Beijing is moving forward with deploying the DF-41 on rail cars, in addition to road-mobile launchers, officials told the Free Beacon. Military analysts say the mobile basing of missiles is designed to complicate preemptive attacks on nuclear forces. The train carrying the missiles includes missile launch cars, a command car, and other system support railcars, all disguised as passenger train cars.

Beijing's current warhead stockpile is currently estimated to include around 300 warheads. China is believed to have obtained rail-mobile missile technology from Ukraine, which, during the Soviet era, built the SS-24 rail-based ICBM, according to a report by Georgetown University’s Asian Arms Control Project. China also is developing an extensive rail and tunnel system in central China for the missile train, according to the report. Phillip A. Karber, a defense expert who heads the Potomac Foundation, said his organization recently identified a DF-41 at a launch site at Taiyuan.

"If that missile train hosts the DF-41 ICBM it means it will also have a MIRV potential," Karber told the Free Beacon. "The combination of high-speed mobility, launch cars disguised as civilian passenger trains, tunnel protection and secure reloading of missiles, coupled with multiple warheads, makes the system extremely hard to regulate or verify the number of systems."

China Going to Start Its First Overseas Military Base in Africa

In November, China signed an agreement to open its first military base in Africa. This move will enable Beijing to control the most important "container-road" in the world, a German media report. Beijing is pursuing a clever strategy in military and geopolitical fields. In the Middle East, the Chinese have joined an alliance with Russia, while in Africa it is planning to build its first military base in Djibouti, one of the key trade hubs and strategically important territories in the world.

China's activities and its — both political and economic — expansion have alarmed the United States, who are anxious that they may lose their positions as the only superpower in the current world order. The Chinese are coming into direct conflict with US global interests and are making Washington nervous. Americans are now having the new experience of dealing with China as an equal opponent.

Some Background Into Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Project

Previously known as the LAH (Light attack helicopter), and not to be confused with the Lancer LAH (Light attack Helicopter), which is a derivative of the Cheetah helicopter, HAL's recently rechristened Light Combat Helicopter (LCH ) is a dedicated combat and gunship variant of the existing Advanced Light Helicopter(Dhruv/ALH), being developed to a draft IAF and IA requirement. The LCH belongs to the 5.5 ton class, with a narrow fuselage accommodating a pilot and a gunner/co-pilot in tandem configuartion. The LCH will feature a full glass cockpit for both the pilot and gunner,as well as eye level displays.

A wooden mockup of HAL LCH (Aero India 07).

The Light Combat Helicopter is powered by engines made by Turbomeca of France, and fitted with anti-tank missiles, air-to-air missiles and electronic warfare equipment, will perform anti-tank and counter insurgency roles, as well as scout duites, escort to heliborne operations and support for combat SAR operations. Armament includes a chin mounted twin barrel 20 mm cannon, rockets, air to surface and air to air missiles.

The LCH will have a glass cockpit with multifunction displays, a target acquisition and designation system with FLIR, Laser rangefinder and laser designator. Weapons will be aimed with a helmet mounted sight and there will be an electronic warfare suite with radar warning receiver, laser warning receiver and a missile approach warning system.

Aero India 2003 revealed a full scale mock up of India's new Light Combat Helicopter from HAL. At that time it was expected to be operational within four years. The IAF offered Rs. 300 crores to fund in part the LCH project, and according to HAL Chairman N.R. Mohanty, the helicopter will make its maiden flight in 2005. The LCH proposal was at an advanced stage, and would need 25 months to fly from date of project launch and another two years for weaponisation.

The Light Combat Helicopter proposal sponsored by the IAF may face rough weather in its weapon fit, if the Army is not taken on board, now that it has issued its new Doctrine and attack helicopters form a major feature. Rumors of Israeli participation in the project have proven to be unsubstantiated.

Specification:

Maximum Weight 5500 kg
Max. Cruise at SL 260 km/h
VNE 330 km/h
Max. Operating altitude 6500 m
Ferry range with interm.load 700 km
Max. height 5300 mm
Main rotor diameter 13300 mm
Max. Length 16000 mm
Wing Span 3550 mm
Tail rotor diameter 2054 mm
Armament 20 mm gun
Air to surface missiles
Air-to-Air missiles
Unguided rockets
Iron bombs,Cluster bomb units,Grenade launchers
Anti-radiation missiles

10 Killed in Indian BSF Plane Crash

Ten personnel of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) were killed as a small plane crashed near the Delhi airport on Tuesday morning, soon after take-off, Indian media reported. All on board, including three BSF officers and seven technicians were killed. The plane, a Super King aircraft, was flying to Ranchi. Reports suggest it was trying to return after a technical snag was noticed five minutes after take-off.

The crash took place at around 9.50 am, moments after technicians lost contact with ground control. The plane hit a wall and landed in a sewage treatment plant. The aircraft burst into flames and was almost completely wrecked. A part of it was submerged.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma has said that an investigation has been ordered. Talks in Dhaka between the BSF and its Bangladesh counterpart have been put off because of the crash. These aircraft are often used by top officials and ministers. The plane that crashed had senior technicians who were flying to Ranchi to repair a helicopter.

India Trying to Get in Russia Amid Dangerously Secret-Nuclear Facility Anxiety

India is expected to offer a site in Andhra Pradesh to set up units five and six of Kudankulam nuclear power plant by Russia in sync with broad principles of 'Make in India' initiative and a decision in this regard is likely to be finalised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow this week. The two countries are likely to sign an agreement for the two units with provisions for involvement of India's private sector in the project including in supply of various components. "We will follow principles of 'localisation' as per Make in India initiative for setting up Kudankulam nuclear power plant five and six," sources told PTI. They said a site in Andhra Pradesh has been finalised for the project in line with government's policy for ensuring optimum use of the available nuclear sites in various states to accommodate more atomic reactors.

Incidentally, Centre has already shortlisted the Kovvada site to build a project with the assistance of US-based nuclear vendor, GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy. Modi is scheduled to visit Russia from December 23-24 to hold an annual summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Russia has been a key partner of India in the civil nuclear energy sector. In the last summit between Modi and Putin, it was decided that Russia will build at least 12 nuclear reactors in India by 2035. In April last year, India and Russia had signed an agreement to build units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam project at a cost of Rs 33,000 crore. However, work on the ground is yet to start. The units 3 and 4 are be coming up in Tamil Nadu's coastal district of Tirunelveli.

Earlier this month, Nikolai Spasskiy, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Rosatom - the Russian counterpart of the India's Department of Atomic Energy, visited India and he is believed have discussed with DAE brass about various aspect of the proposed pact for Kudankulam 5 and 6. Units 5 and 6 of VVER technology are expected to be of the same MW like units 1-4, but the cost details of the project are yet to be finalised. The government is constructing six reactors in new projects like Jaitapur (EPR 1000x6) in Maharashtra built with French technology, Kovadda in Andhra Pradesh (1000MW x 6) and Mithi Virdhi in Gujarat (1000MW x 6).

To Counter China, India Urged For Predator XP and Armed Avenger UAV’s to U.S.

With an objective to bolster its arsenal amid recurring incidents of incursions by Chinese troops, India has sought the latest versions of unmanned aerial vehicles, both the armed and surveillance ones from US. Industry sources familiar with New Delhi’s interest and ongoing talks between the two governments, said that India is looking for about 100 such drones worth USD $2 billion.

Predator XP UAV.

India had requested for the latest Avenger drones, which is basically an unmanned combat air vehicle, and is mainly being sought after with an eye on China. It has also sought Predator XP category which is a surveillance version for internal security issues and terrorist threats. However, while talks in this regard have accelerated in the past few months, the United States has not made any formal commitment or given a public indication pending India’s application to joining Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

Italy, which is upset with New Delhi’s treatment of its marines, appears to have currently blocked India becoming a member of MTCR. However, both Indian and US officials are confident that they would be able to get through the last hurdle in the next few months, thus making them possible to take the defence trade which would include armed drones to the next level. “Yes, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc is aware of India’s interest in Predator-series Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA),” Vivek Lall, chief executive of the US and International Strategic Development of General Atomics told PTI.

Predator-C Avenger-5 stealth capable UCAV, which one General Atomics Aeronautical Systems offering to Pentagon.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems produces Predator series of remotely piloted aircraft. “Due to US export laws, the US government has to approve the export of a Predator-series RPA to the Indian government. GA-ASI remains very encouraged by the recent India-US bilateral engagements at the highest levels and we are hopeful that we can play an important supporting role in these discussions,” he said.

“Predator-series RPA could provide a world-class Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability for India which would include both high-definition radar and Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) coverage along India’s borders,” Lall said in response to a question. Additionally, the RPA can perform humanitarian aid/disaster relief surveillance over both land and sea, said Lall, who had previously played a key role in US sale of high tech military assets to India during his stint at Boeing.

Afghanistan 'Poised To Acquire' Military Helicopters From India

India has delivered its first major offensive military platform to Kabul, with a Mi 25 attack helicopter reaching Afghanistan earlier this month. The first of the four Russian origin choppers that have been gifted to the neighbouring nation has arrived in Afghanistan, with three more on the way, senior officials have told ET.The attack helicopters, designed to take on fortified enemy positions and flying in troops to locations prone to heavy ground fire, will join the Afghanistan Air Force that already operates three of the Indian built Cheetal light helicopters.

The delivery marks the first time India has gifted offensive combat capability to Afghanistan, a sensitive topic in the past due to strong objections by Pakistan. Under the agreement, which has the approval of Russia which is the original manufacturer, India will also train Afghan defence personnel on operations.In the past, India has transferred non-lethal equipment, including vehicles, transport choppers, communication equipment and medical supplies to Afghanistan. However India is a major training partner with Kabul sending across cadets for various courses as well as basic officers training programs.

India is currently in the process of retiring its Mi 25 chopper fleet that are being replaced with newer generation Apache choppers that have already been contracted from the US this year under a government-to-government deal.The Mi 25 transfer is the second helicopter dispatch to take place this year. In April, India delivered three military choppers to Kabul weeks ahead of the first visit by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. The three Cheetal utility helicopters were manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) with Afghan pilots and technicians trained to operate them.

Two Foe Forces, Indian and Chinese Troops to Hold Exercise First Ever

Troops from India and China will for the first time meet in a joint military exercise on the heavily manned, disputed border that has been the reason for several armed face-offs and a major war between the two neighbours. In a move aimed at building confidence among soldiers from both sides that patrol the Line of Actual Control (LAC), local garrisons will take part in a tactical exercise that would be focused on cooperation in disaster management. While the scope of the exercise is limited, this is the first time that troops which frequently track each other on patrols along the disputed border and even physically block attempts of transgression will meet for a military drill.

Senior army officials told ET that the joint exercise is expected to begin within a few weeks and the first of the series will take place on the Chinese-controlled side of LAC. Such tactical exercises are expected to become a regular feature with the next one taking place on the Indian side of LAC. The location for the first such exercise is also steeped in the disputed history of the border with Chushul being chosen for the engagement.The Chushul area saw some of the fiercest engagements of the 1962 border war and was one of the few places where Indian troops managed to thwart the Chinese push.

"The first engagement will be on disaster relief and is aimed at building confidence. Local commanders will exchange notes and the first exercise will be followed by one on the Indian side. The modalities and the date for the exercise are being finalised," a senior official told ET. Besides a small number of troops on the ground, the engagement would consist of a table-top exercise in which commanders from both sides would jointly plan operations.

From A National Pride Tejas Gone National Shame Amid Stingent Failures

Starting in 1983, the Tejas fighter aircraft was touted as the marvel of Indian technology which would make an entire nation of a billion people proud, the dream however is yet to materialize. After having spent tens of thousands of crore rupees and almost three decades of development, the program has not brought pride but a national shame for India, all the while India’s enemies like Pakistan and China are building and exporting their own fighter aircrafts. In a recent report, it was stated that the aircraft now has some 53 technical flaws which have a crippling effect on its operational performance, there are serious problems with its radar and electronic warfare suites, the training variant is unavailable which makes training Tejas pilots an uphill task. 

 Not only that the reports suggest that the Indian content in Tejas is just 35% while the rest is imported from states like the United States, Israel, France and Britain. The story of failure doesn’t end here, after back to back delays; the aircraft is now incapable of housing a critical self protection system which will protect the pilot from enemy aircraft. The Indian Air Force has all but lost interest in Tejas as it was an aircraft of yesterday which is being pushed down its throat by an ultra nationalist Modi govt which lacks any strategic vision for India’s security interests. Its high time, the Indian govt decides to scrap this white elephant and direct funds to imported solutions like SAAB Gripen and other western fighter aircrafts to meet the ever rising threat from India’s enemies like Pakistan and China. 

The Tejas program is meant to do nothing more than satisfying the ego stock of the Modi govt which is bent on projecting India as a technological superpower while ignoring the genuine capability constraints faced by Indian aviation industry. This mindset has also been exacerbated by Indian Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder envy, a successful program across the border pulled off jointly by Pakistan and China. It seems as if Tejas is the only answer to ‘keeping up with the John’s’ for the Indian politicians and military brass in Delhi. The truth is, Tejas has utterly and truly failed, it’s time to scrap it and focus on real capability development for the Indian airforce.

Malaysia Approaching Toward Thunder

Malaysia in advance negotiations with Pakistan on the JF-17 Thunder sale for the Malaysian Air Force. Royal Malaysian Air Force already equipped with both US and Russian platforms like F/A-18 Super Hornets, Sukhoi-30 MKK and Mig-29Ms. As regional security threats evolving and neighbors building increased military arsenals Malaysia left with none but options open for its own military build ups.

India Buying Five S-400 Triumf and Could Sign Deal For Building Ka-226T in India

In late November, the Indian Foreign Ministry told the media that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit Moscow on December 24-25.

Russian advanced S-400 Triumf air defense system.

According to the Kommersant newspaper, breakthrough deals in the military-technical sphere could be expected from Modi’s visit. The total package of contracts is estimated to be worth more than $7 billion.

Russian Armed Forces Ka-226T multirole helicopter. 

A source close to the Indian Defense Ministry told RIA Novosti last week that an agreement on joint Russian-Indian production of Ka-226T helicopters was likely to be signed either during or after Modi’s visit. An ambassadorial source told the media outlet that India’s arms purchase committee had approved the purchase of five S-400 air defense systems which could be worth around $5.8 billion.

Source: Sputnik News

Turkey Have Tested Armed UAV

Bayraktar Tactical UAV has been successfully tested with two laser guided Mızrak missiles.

Tejas: A Two Decade Long Wait for Fothing

Russia-Egypt Signed The Deal to Overhaul Egyptian Air Force Mi-8T, Mi-17 Fleet

Russian defense and aerospace equipment manufacturer Russian Helicopters says that,over the next two years, it will undertake comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul works on 41 Mi-8 T and three Mi-17 helicopters of the Egyptian Air Force at the country's main military industrial complex outside Cairo.

Egyptian Mil Mi-8 HipC helicopter.

In a statement released on Dec. 8, Russian Russian Helicopters Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alexander Mikheev said the agreement with Egypt also provides for the retooling and upgrading of the aircraft repair plant at the Helwan Factory for Developed Industries (HFDI) to provide technical support to the MRO program.

"The Egyptian Air Force's fleet of 41 Mi-8Ts and 3 Mi-17-1V helicopters will all undergo comprehensive repair work at this facility," he said. "We feel it is vital to build upon the already positive image that Russian-made helicopters have abroad."

"That is why we are prioritizing work to establish an after-sales network providing first-class maintenance and repair services for Russian-made helicopters throughout their full life-cycle," Mikheev said.

In addition, the company will train Egyptian Air Force aviation technicians and mechanics in the conduct of comprehensive repair and overhaul works on Mi-8T, Mi-17v-5 and Mi-17v-1 helicopter models at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Repair Plant, its main factory in Russia.

Mikheev said all operators of Russian Helicopters in the Middle East and North Africa regions should take advantage of the new Egyptian facility to get genuine after-sales technical support, spares and accessories to avoid aircraft accidents and costly equipment loses arising from the use of copy-cat components on its products.

"We urge all those who operate Russian Helicopters globally to take this opportunity to use the after-sales service provision offered by Russian Helicopters or certified enterprises, and to steer clear of dubious suppliers and providers," he said. "After all, the lives of pilots and many others depend on the quality of the components used and of the repairs and maintenance work carried out."

The Helwan facility is the second Russian Helicopters MRO center to be set up in Africa. It comes two years after the company certified South African defense and aerospace equipment manufacturer Denel Aviation to provision of maintenance, repair and overhaul works for its models of military and civilian helicopters in Africa.

Last year, the Russian company announced that it was negotiating for the possible establishment of an additional MRO facility in Nigeria to serve the operators of its military and civilian aircraft in West Africa.

Russian Helicopters products — especially the Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-26, Mi-28 and Mi-35 models — are operated in combat and transportation roles by the majority of airforces in North, East, West, Central and Southern Africa.

Hundreds of broken-down earlier models, some of which can be salvaged for repair, are also being held by many African air forces, which lack funds for essential equipment repairs.

Russian-made civilian helicopters are also used extensively in the transportation of personnel and humanitarian aid, search and rescue, medical evacuation and off-shore aviation services, which are expanding with the discovery of more hydrocarbon resources on either side of the African continental shelf.

USMC's V-23 Osprey Getting Its Much Needed Missiles & Rockets Next Year

The future of MV-22B Osprey technology may be fast arriving. In late March, the Marine Corps teamed with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to test-fire a precision-guided missile from an airborne Osprey. In a unique twist, the air crew coordinated the shoot with ground troops operating handheld tablet technology. The PCAS, short for persistent close air support system, was featured at Talon Reach, a regular exercise conducted in the southwestern U.S.

During the demonstration, a joint terminal attack controller used the mapping software on his tablet to identify a target near an unmanned truck and then communicate its position to a PCAS module inside the Osprey, DARPA officials explained in a recent news release. Troops in the air and on the ground then confirmed the shot before the Osprey fired.

The munition was a nonexplosive version of the tube-launched AGM-176 Griffin missile. It traveled about 4.5 miles. "The length of time from initiation by the JTAC to missile impact on target was just over four minutes — even better than PCAS' goal of six minutes, and more than seven times faster than the half hour or more it can take using current methods that rely on voice directions and paper maps," DARPA's news release states.

Officials are touting this enhanced communication and accuracy as another major leap forward for the Osprey and the Marines' ability to quickly plan and execute missions. Lt. Gen. John Davis, the service's deputy commandant for aviation, referenced the demonstration during a discussion in mid-April at the Sea-Air-Space conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Using tablets to link Marines on the ground with those inside an aircraft is becoming almost commonplace among those who've trained with such technology, he said.

"Bottom line," Davis said, "they're acting like this is standard gear." He called the PCAS test a positive byproduct of the service's otherwise challenging fiscal constraints. When money is tight, leaders are forced to find new and creative ways to do more with the gear available to them, Davis said, adding it "leads to better thinking."

The general also hopes to see the service maximize resources by developing a mid-air refueling capability for the Osprey. With it, these passenger and cargo transports would double as aerial tankers, a function performed now by the Marine Corps' fleet of KC-130J Hercules. This would enable them to regularly fly about 2,000 miles, he said.

These ideas are among several concepts outlined in the Marine Corps' 10-year aviation plan, released last fall. The recent testing reveals how determined officials are to make those concepts reality.

Davis said the work will enable Marines to stay ahead of enemy capabilities and to be prepared for a variety of operations while facing evolving threats around the world. "Be ready for the high-end fight; it's coming our way," he added. "Any fight, any time."

The Navy's Yellow Submarine is About to Sail — But No One Lives There

The Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, an experimental sub built by the Office of Naval Research, is set for a sea voyage in 2016 from San Francisco to San Diego.

ARLINGTON, Va. (April 7, 2015): First publicly released photo of ONR's Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicle - Innovative Naval Prototype (LDUUV-INP). The LDUUV-INP technologies will develop enhanced capabilities in endurance, energy, and autonomy. (Photo credit Office of Naval Research/Released).

The drone sub is ONR's attempt to crack a persistent problem in the development of underwater drones: the ability to operate autonomously underwater for a long time, using its sensors, while navigating safely. The head of ONR, Rear Adm. Mat Winter, told a crowd on the exhibition floor at the Sea-Air-Space Expo that the drone, which the Navy will start acquiring this year, can already operate for up to 30 days, but the goals are much loftier.

"I'm talking power generation, fuel and battery technology, that can approach months and years of underwater domain activity," Winter said.

The Navy eventually wants to use the Large Displacement Unmanned Undersea Vehicle for a range of missions, from underwater reconnaissance and mine countermeasures to launching aerial drones for surface reconnaissance.

But that's something the Navy is still figuring out. The test platform on display at Sea-Air-Space is being run on a number of types of fuel cells and power generation constructs as they work up extending the underwater time, he said.

Winter said getting the LDUUV's longevity up — along with keeping it from bumping into underwater obstacles, from submerged mountains to fishing nets — are the goals for the program.

"We're doing various [test] runs to understand the best configuration, best chemical reaction configuration, and fuel cell technology ... ONR scientists are really making some groundbreaking headway on that."

Those capabilities will be put to a big test next summer, Winter said.

The Navy has a grandiose vision for the LDUUV. According to recent requirements documents posted on the federal contracting database FedBizOps, the Navy ultimately wants to use the LDUUV for a range of missions from underwater reconnaissance and mine countermeasures to launching aerial drones for surface reconnaissance.

The LDUUV is being designed to launch from a Virginia-class submarine's torpedo tube, a littoral combat ship or a dry dock shelter, according to the requirements.

The LDUUV would help backfill demands from combatant commanders for attack submarine intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, said a retired submarine captain and UUV expert who spoke on background.

"When [Adm. Gary] Roughead was CNO he tasked ONR with creating a UUV that could do 'real misions,' " the source said. "An SSN can go out for 45 to 60 days at a time, so that's what ONR is trying to do."

The source said the Navy needs to have realistic expectations of what these drones can accomplish, given the complexities of navigating underwater autonomously, the severe limitation on data transmission between the sub and its controllers while submerged, and the difficulty of creating enough power from either fuel cells or batteries to keep the sub operating over long periods of time.

One option the Navy is exploring, the source said, is creating a network of underwater data transmission stations, like telephone booths, that the sub could navigate to and upload data from its sensors at a high data transmission rate.

But all of that comes later, the source said, because right now the focus is just getting LDUUV to operate without bumping into things.

"Right now they are trying to just build the truck," the source said. "What they load onto it, that comes later."

Bell-Lockheed Martin JV's V-280 Valor Upraising for US Military's FVL Program

As the Pentagon considers the future of military vertical lift, Bell Helicopter is talking with the US services about designing a next-generation tiltrotor solution that could begin low-rate production in the mid-2020s, one company official said.

Bell Helicopter's V-280 Valor concept

Bell is partnered with Lockheed Martin to build a rotorcraft flight demonstrator as part of the US Army’s Joint Multi-Role program, which will gauge the art of the possible for the path ahead. The demonstrator program will inform the Army’s Future Vertical Lift effort to buy a new state-of-the-art family of helicopters in the 2030s.

The demonstration effort may have implications beyond the Army. The Pentagon has indicated that FVL may eventually replace the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force military helicopters as well. But for now, Bell is working with the Army and Marine Corps to shorten the time line for fielding the aircraft, the V-280, program manager Chris Gehler told the media on Nov. 16.

“Bell Helicopter is working closely with the Army and the Marine Corps on informing the requirements of FVL, exploring the options for shortening the time required to field this aircraft,” Gehler said. “We’ll work with our primary customers in the Army and Marine Corps to explore different ways to enter into a low rate production by the mid 2020’s. We are in close communication with the DOD to bring the V-280 onboard as soon as possible with limited risk to better take advantage of the industry and DOD investment.”

The Bell-Lockheed team is offering its V-280 Valor tiltrotor, which builds on the technology developed for Bell-Boeing’s V-22. The competing team, made up of Sikorsky Aircraft and Boeing, is working on a coaxial helicopter known as the SB-1 Defiant for the demonstrator effort.

Although the demonstrator prototypes will fly in 2017, the Army is currently not planning a contract award until the late 2020s, Richard Harris, Bell’s vice president for international military business sales, said in an interview with Defense News. But he stressed that company officials believe the Bell-Lockheed team could achieve initial operational capability by 2025.

“The Army and DOD are exploring options for shortening the V-280 development timeframe, given the significant investment by DOD and industry,” Gehler said. “The Army intends to enter a technology maturation and risk review (TMRR) phase around 2020. We feel a case could be made to instead jump ahead to the Engineering Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase, given the technology readiness levels we will demonstrate. This has the potential to move the entire timeline up, and deliver this leap-ahead capability to the warfighters years earlier.”

Bell’s goal is ultimately to replace all the Pentagon’s helicopters with the V-280, Harris said, touting the plane’s speed and flexibility. The Valor will have twice the speed and range of the Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk, more than doubling operational reach, according to Bell’s website. The future plane will also outperform the V-22, Harris said, with a combat radius of 1,200 nautical miles compared to the Osprey’s 900 nautical miles.

In one major difference between the two tiltrotors, the Valor’s engines remain in place for transition to forward-flying position, while the rotors and drive shafts tilt, Harris explained. The V-280 will also build on the V-22’s offensive capability. Unlike the Osprey, the Valor will have a forward-firing capability, likely achieved by integrating Hellfire missiles into the plane’s side panels, he said.

While the new aircraft’s cabin will look much like a Black Hawk’s, the advanced glass cockpit uses similar technology to the F-35, Harris said, touting the plane’s fly-by-wire flight control system.

Bell just received the first cabin, and is getting ready to integrate the wings and engine onto the plane, Harris said, adding that “it went together like Lego blocks.”

“When you take a look at the dynamic world that we live in these days and how fast things happen and how far away things happen, a conventional helicopter just does not meet the requirements of all the services,” Harris said. “We are trying to define the standard for what future vertical lift is based upon [Bell’s] legacy and the fact that we are the ones that developed the secret sauce for the V-22.”

French Land Weapons Company NEXTER Offering Upgraded Version of "Caesar-155mm" Cannon for Export

French land weapons specialist Nexter drew on lessons learned by the French Army's overseas deployment of the Caesar to develop an export version of the truck-mounted cannon, a company spokeswoman said.

Export version of Nexter Caesar with a 8*8 armored vehicle. 

Nexter displayed at the DSEI trade show the 155mm, 52-caliber artillery piece fitted on an extended eight-wheel drive chassis, longer and heavier than the six-wheel drive version the French Army deployed in Afghanistan and Mali.

The proposed export model is heavier, reflecting an armored cabin, carrying more fuel and 30 shells compared to the present 18.

Caesar-155mm in an undisclosed mountains.

That extended version is intended for deployment by road rather than flown in by air transport. There is a tweet on the Internet with a photograph of a Saudi National Guard deployment of the Caesar “near Yemen.”

The Caesar in the French Army is fitted on a Renault chassis, reflecting a preference for a domestic supplier, while export customers can pick foreign suppliers such as Mercedes Unimog. Nexter teamed with Ashok Leyland for a six-wheel chassis in an Indian artillery tender.