With 22 Apache helicopters set to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) by March 2020, there is need for integrating the multi-role combat choppers with ground forces for better operational capabilities, logistics and training. The eight units of the Boeing manufactured combat helicopter Apache AH64E (I) known as 'Tank Killers', provide close air support to armoured formations and...
Army Aviation Modernization Plans
The Army Aviation 10-year modernization plans aims to induct at least 350 helicopters including two kinds of utility choppers and three types of combat helicopters. The present position of helicopter procurement is as under:-
- 70 Rudra (Advanced Light Helicopter 'Dhruv' armed with 20 mm Gun), have already been inducted and 10 more will join...
IAF to procure Bird-Detection Radars
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is to issue RFI for procuring bird-detection radars or avian radars fourth time in 10 years. The earlier tenders for bird-detection radars had drawn the interest of M/s Robin Radar Systems, M/s Data Patterns (India) Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Axiscades Aerospace and Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The plan is likely to procure 45...
IAF to equip Su-30 MKI fighters with Spice 2000 bombs
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to integrate the Israeli Spice 2000 guidance kit-enabled bombs on Russian-origin combat aircraft Su-30 MKI that will give a boost to its offensive capabilities. This would be the second non-Russian and non-indigenous weapon to be integrated with the Su-30 MKI; the first being the MBDA manufactured advanced Short Range Air to...
155 mm Excalibur Artillery Ammunition
Indian Army has recently procured 155 mm precision-guided Excalibur ammunition from United Stated based Raytheon and BAE Systems Bofors. Excalibur is capable of hitting targets even in densely populated areas 50 kilometers away with an error margin of less than 2 metres. The ammunition will be used in all 155-mm artillery guns with the Army. The proposal and...
Indian Military Aviation Transformation
The Indian Armed Forces would be requiring more than 500 aviation assets to sustain and bolster their capabilities. These include combat, surveillance and transport aircraft, light utility helicopters, attack helicopters, heavy-lift helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles including combat aerial vehicles. An estimate of the cost of the above with requisite support systems is about USD 60-70 Billion. In...
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is likely to get approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) early next year. It is being developed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) as the design firm with manufacturing carried out by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the primary contractor and main assembly firm. The aircraft is expected to undertake its...
Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria is new CAS
Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria, PVSM, AVSM, VM, currently the Air Force's Vice Chief has taken up as Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force after superannuation of Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa. A recipient of 'Sword of Honour' in the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned in the fighter pilot stream of the...
Vice Chief of the Air Staff
Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora, AVSM, succeeds Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria as Vice Chief of the Air Staff. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1981 and has a vast experience of operational flying on modern and legacy fighters in the IAF. Earlier, he was Air Officer...