India Expands Fleet with 15 C-295 Maritime Patrol/ASW Aircraft Following Acquisition of 56 C-295 Transport Units

India has taken a step towards bolstering its strategic position in the Indian Ocean by finalizing a groundbreaking deal with Airbus. This monumental agreement entails an investment of around USD $3.5 billion for the procurement of over a dozen maritime surveillance aircraft. Spearheaded by Defense Minister, the acquisition council has given the green light for the purchase of nine aircraft destined for the Indian Navy and six for the Coast Guard. This significant move not only enhances the nation's surveillance and interception capabilities but also underscores India's unwavering commitment to safeguarding its maritime borders.

The acquisition comprises 15 maritime patrol aircraft, based on the C-295 transport aircraft, a collaborative effort between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. This fleet, comprising nine surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy and six patrol aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard, represents a formidable endeavor to enhance India's maritime vigilance. Valued at Rs 29,000 crore, this deal stands as a testament to the nation's strategic vision in strengthening its reconnaissance, surveillance, and patrol capabilities across the Indian Ocean. The adoption of the C-295 aircraft, coupled with advanced radars and sensors, positions India as a dominant maritime power in the region.

At the core of this historic procurement lies the 'Make in India' initiative, a visionary campaign by the Indian government to boost indigenous manufacturing. The project, a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus, not only signifies a significant leap in domestic defense production but also sets a precedent for future partnerships in the defense sector. While four of the C-295 planes will be manufactured in Airbus' Spanish acilities, the subsequent assembly and customization, including anti-submarine and surface warfare capabilities, will occur in India. This initiative not only fosters self-reliance in defense manufacturing but also propels the Indian defense industry towards unprecedented levels of innovation and technological advancement.

The new maritime patrol aircraft, equipped with a sophisticated suite of sensors and weapons developed by India's Defense Research & Development Organization, are poised to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. This acquisition, part of a larger Rs 84,560 crore procurement of military hardware, underscores a strategic shift towards strengthening India's maritime surveillance and combat capabilities. Custom-engineered for a multi-mission role encompassing anti-submarine and surface warfare, the maritime versions of these aircraft augment the nation's defense architecture against evolving maritime threats.

The procurement of 15 maritime patrol aircraft signifies a pivotal moment in India's maritime defense strategy. This acquisition, highlighting the synergy between strategic foresight and indigenous manufacturing, not only reinforces India's surveillance and interception capabilities but also heralds a new era of self-reliance in defense production. As these aircraft are integrated into the Indian Navy and Coast Guard fleets, they represent a significant stride in India's pursuit of maritime dominance and security in the Indian Ocean region. The strategic ramifications of this endeavor, extending beyond mere acquisition, bode well for India's defense diplomacy and its standing in the global defense arena.

India near to sign deal for 26 French Rafale M for Indian Navy

Following the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Indian Navy will receive Rafale fighter aircraft from France. The Rafale was previously chosen by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its new squadron, and now the Indian Navy is set to acquire the Rafale M to deploy on INS Vikrant.

The Indian Navy rejected the American F/A-18 Super Hornet in favour of the Rafale deal. The Navy tested both fighter jets earlier this year at the Indian Naval Station Hansa in Goa.

The Indian Navy intends to retire 43 obsolete Russian fighter jets, the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB, from its fleet operating out form INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya carriers.

INS Vikramaditya is a Kyiv-class aircraft carrier of the Soviet Union which has been modernized in India. Both these warships are STOBAR aircraft carriers.

businessworld

India approved the purchase of 24 MH-60R for its Navy

India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the purchase of 24 Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters for its navy.
A green light from the CCS is the final step before the inking of a formal contract under India’s procurement process.
Deliveries are expected within five years of contract signature. Media reports suggest the deal could be consummated during a visit to India by US president Donald Trump from 24 to 25 February.
The MH-60R will be acquired via the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route and provide anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities, which has also contracted for weapons such as AGM-114 Hellfire, Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, Mk54 torpedoes, and two types of crew served guns.
flightglobal

India Could Be Interested in Canadian Navy SH-3 Sea Kings

It seems the air force's venerable CH-124 Sea King helicopters will find life after retirement from the Canadian military following six informal expressions of interest from either countries or organizations interested in buying them.
While Public Works will not reveal the potential bidders, it is known that India is one country that might want to keep flying the aircraft.
An official in Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan's office confirmed on background that the matter was raised in one of the meetings during his visit to India last spring.
The Indian navy already flies Sea Kings and is reportedly in urgent need of helicopters, according to the Financial Express, one of the country's business publications.
The introduction of the CH-148 Cyclone helicopters has allowed the Canadian air force to take 16 of its 28 Sea Kings out of service, but spokesperson Capt. Trevor Reid said they have not yet been turned over to Public Works for disposal.
The federal government began soliciting interest in selling the old helicopters in the fall of 2015. Spokesperson Pierre-Alain Bujold said National Defence has also not formally served notice that it intends to sell the helicopters.
Once that takes place there is only a limited number of buyers who would qualify.
"Due to the controlled nature of military assets, [Public Works] does not sell these assets to individual persons," said Bujold in an email. "Assets are sold exclusively to pre-approved foreign governments, original equipment manufacturers, and their licensed representatives."
The last Sea King is slated to be taken out of service in December 2018
cbc.ca

Indian Navy prepares to retire its Sea Harriers

The Indian Navy (IN) has retired its fleet of Sea Harriers. A flight of six single-seat Sea Harrier FRS Mk 51s was officially 'disembarked' from INS Viraat , the IN's 57-year-old, 23,900-tonne Centaur-class aircraft carrier, on 6 March, prior to the Sea Harriers being officially retired from service on 22 March.
The most recent figures available put the IN's Sea Harrier strength at 10 or 11, with two of these two-seat.
IN officials told IHS Jane's that keeping the Sea Harriers operational for an air-defence role and/or training purposes would have been "logistically problematic and hugely expensive".
"Even readying ... six Harriers to participate in the IN's International fleet Review [IFR] in February in Visakhapatnam by cannibalising five other platforms was a major feat," said a senior naval officer. He added that keeping them functioning for longer would be impossible.
The surviving aircraft will probably be mothballed at INS Hansa, the navy's shore-based facility at Dabolim in Goa, before being dispatched to various naval stations around the country to serve as exhibits.
The IN originally acquired a total of 30 Harriers as the air arm of Viraat (ex-HMS Hermes ). But over the years 15 of them crashed, killing eight pilots. The last Harrier fatality occurred in August 2009 in the Arabian Sea off the Goa coast.
In 2008-09 India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) partially upgraded the Harriers by replacing their Sea Fox radars with Israeli ELTA EL/M-2032 multimode fire control radars and arming them with Rafael Derby beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles.
janes

India Deploys P-8I Submarine-Hunting Surveillance Aircraft to Seychelles

The Indian Navy has dispatched the P-8I Neptune, to Seychelles for aerial surveillance of the island nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for the firs time.
The aircraft has been deployed since March 20 to conduct surveillance flights until March 23.
thediplomat

India Deploys P-8I Sub-Killer Planes to Counter Chinese Subs

India has deployed two of its most advanced maritime patrol/anti-submarine warfare aircraft, the Poseidon 8I, at a military base in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, The Times of India reports.
The deployment comes as a response to repeated forays of Chinese conventional and nuclear submarines into the Indian Ocean, according to Indian defense officials who spoke to The Times of India on the condition of anonymity.
The two aircraft are just about to complete their two week deployment at India’s farthest military outpost, 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) away from the Indian mainland.
In addition, the India has also deployed drones at the island.
thediplomat

India To Evaluate Rafale for Navy

In an expected move, the Indian government has directed the Navy to undertake detailed briefings with Dassault Aviation regarding the Rafale aircraft.
An Indian Defence Ministry source said the government wants commonalities between logistics and spares for fighters with the Navy and Air Force.
A detailed briefing on Rafale for the Indian Navy is planned for Jan. 29.
A Navy official said the service needs 54 fighter aircraft but refused to say if Rafale has been shortlisted.
Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande will arrive in India Jan. 24 along with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to sign the protocol agreement (an inter-governmental agreement ) on purchase of 36 Rafales and a formal agreement will be signed in New Delhi Jan. 25.
defensenews

Indian Navy to get 4 more MiG-29K this month

Four MiG-29K carrier-variant fighter jets are ready to be shipped to India in two weeks depending on the weather, and the contract is on course to be completed by next year, officials of the MiG Corporation say. Two aircraft were delivered last week and were accepted by the Navy after testing.
India had contracted 45 MiG-29K carrier-based fighters from Russia in two batches — 16 fighters in 2004 along with the contact for acquiring aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and another 29 fighters in 2010. In fact, India is the first launch customer of the carrier variant of MiG-29 even before the Russian Navy. While 16 aircraft currently fly from INS Vikramaditya, the remaining Mi9-29K are to operate from the under-construction indigenous carrier Vikrant, scheduled to enter service in 2018.
thehindu

India to Test INS Vikrant, First Homegrown Aircraft Carrier

India is set to begin testing its first indigenously built aircraft carrier.
On Wednesday, India undocked its first homegrown aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, after all structural construction of the ship was completed. Major equipment have gone in. Cabling, piping, electrical works, heat and ventilation works will take place now. Delivery of systems and components for the aviation complex is expected anytime now.
The INS Vikrant makes India only the fifth country to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier after France, the United Kingdom, Russia and the United States.
The INS Vikrant will be 40,000-tons, with a length of 260 meters and a width of 60 meters. It has two take-off runways and a landing strip with three arrester wires, capable of operating STOBAR aircraft including the indigenous LCA, as well as a range of helicopters.
nationalinterest

First Live Firing of a Harpoon missile from an Indian Air Force Fighter

The Indian Air Force launched an anti-ship Harpoon missile from a fighter plane for the first time at a pre-designated target in the Arabian Sea last week. The missile, was launched on May 22 from a Jaguar maritime strike fighter that flew 200 nautical miles off the west coast to carry out the mission.
The fighter belonged to the IAF’s maritime strike squadron.
An official confirmed it was the “first live firing” of the Harpoon from a warplane in India after integration by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The navy tested the Harpoon last year when a Boeing P-8I long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft launched the subsonic missile to take out a ‘target’ in the Bay of Bengal.
India has bought a package of 24 Harpoon Block II missiles for its navy and another 22 for the IAF.
India is also looking at arming its Shishumar class submarines with the all-weather Harpoon missiles.
hindustantimes

French Carrier Charles de Gaulle Bound for India After Two Months of Strikes Against ISIS

French carrier Charles de Gaulle has left the Persian Gulf after about two months of strike operations against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL).
The nuclear carrier is now bound for India for exercises with the Indian military.
In its time in the region, the carrier launched an average of 10 to 15 sorties a day with its compliment of about 20 strike aircraft — a mix of Dassault Rafale M aircraft and Dassault Super Etendard Modernisé (SEM).
The strike missions were in support of the U.S. led Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) missions against ISIS.
The departure of the carrier “brings France’s contribution to the anti-Isis air effort down to six Rafales based in the UAE and six Dassault Mirage 2000 in Jordan.
usni

Airbus bidding with Six Indian Companies to manufacture Helicopters for Indian Navy

Airbus has bid for a $2-billion naval utility helicopter deal in association separately with the Tata Group, Punj Lloyd, L&T, Pipavav, Mahindra & Mahindra and Reliance.
Airbus Helicopters made separate presentations with each of its six local vendors to the navy between March 30 and April 1.
However, the desperate move by Airbus has the Indian Navy cautious. This is because some of the demands from the multinational made during the presentations were in deviation of Defence Procurement Procedure, 2013. Key changes requested by Airbus include 100% credits even if 30% Indian content is achieved, full management control with 51% or higher equity stake and complete discretion on technology transfer.
During the recently concluded Aero India, vice-president for sales and customer relations in India told “Airbus Helicopters has initiated the process to get approval for a joint venture with an Indian partner to manufacture helicopters in India, with a majority stake held by the European company. And the company is going to compete for an order for NUH to replace the Chetak, with the AS565 MBe Panther.”
The navy has been facing a severe shortage of helicopters with its continuing induction of new warships. Currently, the navy has 42 vessels on order in addition to warships already in service, most of which will require between 01-02 helicopters on board. The navy uses the Chetak (Alouette III), Ka-28, Sea King, Ka-31 and the Dhruv advanced light helicopter.
The navy has received as many as 10 bids from Indian companies for the NUH programme.
financialexpress

India to Purchase Harpoon Missiles

The Indian MoDs Defence Acquisition Council has cleared the purchase of another 22 Harpoon anti-ship missile.
This was in the pipeline as a foreign military sales deal with the department of defence of the USA.
The missiles will be integrated with the Sihsumar class submarines.
Indian navy had earlier procured 26 such missiles for itself to be fitted on P81 surveillance aircrafts for. Another 26 were brought by the Indian Air Force.
defenseworld

Indian Navy Submitted an RFI to Dassault about the Rafale M Carrier Capable Variant

Dassault Aviation announced the French company has replied to a request for information from the Indian Navy on the naval Rafale M carrier-capable variant of its fighter.
India and France are in final negotiation for the procurement of 126 Rafale fighters for the Indian Air Force.
Indian Navy's current (INS Vikramaditya, INS Viraat) and near term (INS Vikrant) aircraft carriers are all fitted with a ramp for STOBAR type operations (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery). While likely capable of STOBAR operations, the Rafale M capabilities would be maximized with a CATOBAR type aircraft carrier (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) like the French Navy aircraft carrier.
Indian Navy's future INS Vishal might be nuclear-powered carrier with CATOBAR system.
navyrecognition

Indian Navy Set to Accelerate Second Indigenous Carrier as INS Viraat is Set to Decommission Next Year

The Indian Navy is accelerating the design and construction of its second domestic carrier as its oldest carrier leaves service next year.
The work to develop the carrier — thought to be called INS Vishnal — has been given a top priority to shore up capability gaps in the service following the planned retirement of INS Viraat — the former U.K. Royal Navy carrier Hermes next year.
Vishnal — the indigenous aircraft carrier-II (IAC-II) program — would take 10 to 12 years of construction and is seen as a hedge against China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) own domestic carrier program.
The PLAN has started to patrol more in the Indian Ocean in the last several years, which has prompted concern in Indian leadership.
The Indians are reportedly leaning toward a nuclear powered carrier and have determined it will feature a catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) — in line with the current generation of U.S. Nimitz-class carriers (CVN-68).
India’s other carriers — the Soviet-built Vikramaditya and the domestically built Vikrant (IAC-I) — currently are built around a short-take off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) system which require a sloped “ski-jump” ramp to allow aircraft to take off.
A CATOBAR system would allow Vishnal to not only launch heavier fighters than its current crop of Mikoyan MiG-29Ks but also heavier airborne surveillance aircraft.
The Indians have inquired about the inclusion of the General Atomics Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) that will launch aircraft off the new U.S. Gerald R. Ford-class of nuclear carrier.
A 65,000-ton nuclear powered CATOBAR Vishnal would be an exceedingly more complicated shipbuilding program.
Under the accelerated timeline, Vishnal could commission as early as 2033.
usni

HAL awarded contract for 14 Do-228s for Indian Air Force

HAL has been awarded a contract to provide 14 Do-228 twin-turboprop light transport and utility aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The contract, includes six spare engines, one flight simulator, and associated equipment.
The Do-228s will join 40 that began to enter IAF service in 1987.
HAL has licence-built 125 Do-228s for a variety of customers, including the Indian Navy and coastguard, and Seychelles and Mauritius.
janes

Indian Navy seeks US MQ-4C UAVs for ocean surveillance

The Indian Navy has earlier shown interest in acquiring six to eight of the maritime variants of the US high altitude, long endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for extended ocean surveillance MQ-4C Triton.
The Global Hawk has been deployed by the U.S. in Japan, and the U.S. this week approved the sale of four Global Hawks to South Korea. Australia and Japan too have expressed interest in these drones, though Australia later backed out because of the high price.
If the deal goes through, it will be a huge force multiplier for the Indian military in carrying out round-the-clock surveillance across the border or tracking suspicious vessels in the open seas. Apart from the UAVs, both sides are also working to conclude final negotiations of the $2.5 billion helicopter deal for 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy lift helicopters.
thehindu

First Naval LCA-Tejas Takes off from Ski-jump

The prototype of India's 4+ generation indigenous Light Combat Aircraft for the Navy taking off from the Shore-Based Test Facility ski-jump at INS Hansa naval air base in Goa on Dec. 20, 2014.
timesofindia

Indian Navy Will Exercise Options Clause for Four P-8I

At present, Boeing has a contract to supply eight P-8Is, six of which have been delivered on schedule beginning May 2013 and the last two should be in India by mid-2015. There is an option clause for another four aircraft in the existing contract and the navy chief's remarks indicate that this will be exercised, in the first half of 2015.
ndtv.com