Bharat Dynamics will be able to offer a ‘Make in India’ 70mm laser guided solution for India’s WSI (Weapons System Integrated) Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters and Prachand Light Combat Helicopters.
It’s also showing off its Laser Beam-Riding MANPAD System (LBRMS), Lightweight Multi-role Missiles (LMM), Laser-Guided Rocket and mortar systems.
Even after two decades since the acquisition case, the Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) search has seen a system absent from trials and failing trials, being passed as technically compliant and ending up as, apparently, the cheapest. Also problematic is the difficulty its purchase could pose by provoking U.S. sanctions under their CAATSA.
StratPost was invited to visited Airbus Military facilities at Getafe in Spain last week to get a sense of the aircraft acquisition under consideration by the IAF, after the A-330 MRTT was announced as the preferred bid in the refueler competition. Here’s a look at what goes into the aircraft.
Although the case for the acquisition of the two single-engine trainers is still at a preliminary stage, the IAF is ‘desirous’ of getting their ‘numbers up from 49 to 51’ again and is planning to make a pitch for the aircraft to the Ministry of Defense.
A recent French media report offers insight into the French position in the negotiations with the Indian defense ministry on the MMRCA fighter aircraft purchase by the IAF. Here’s an edited translation of the report and an analysis of what it could mean.
Heat seeking, Russian officials say the launcher can fire two missiles simultaneously, which is uncommon, as otherwise the missiles would end up targeting each other.
StratPost understands that four Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have been selected for the trials which will take place in India for an initial order estimated to be worth INR 27,000 crore (USD 5.4 billion) for over 800 launchers and over 5,000 missiles.
Russian aviation company, Irkut, is to display its MC-21 airliner for the first time in India, at India Aviation 2012 in Hyderabad, next week.
French firm MBDA will supply 450 MICA interception and aerial combat missiles as part of the second phase of plans for upgrading the Mirage fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). India had last July signed a $2.4 billion deal with French defense firms Thales and Dassault for upgrading the Mirages.
India and France Monday began their first-ever joint army war game with platoon-sized forces from each side undertaking counter-terrorism operations at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand.
The RBS 70 NG is a ‘beam-rider’, steered by a user-operated laser beam and is not susceptible to deception by counter-measures dispensed by target aircraft, like chaff or flares.
With the USD 2.4 billion Mirage-2000 upgrade deal with France in its final stages, India’s defense ministry and air force top brass seem to be split over the high costs and likely benefits to the country’s future air power needs.
