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Inside this issue: Inside this issue:

LCH TD-2 Gets Digital camouflage prior Tejas to the Aero India 2011 Mk-2 will incorporate

5 gen fighter elements

Army aviation all set for expansion Sea Harriers and Mig-29k dog fight over Goa

9 8 Indias Ballistic Missiles

Stuxnet: The Trojan horse of Natanz

11 10

EDITORIAL PANEL
MANAGING EDITOR
AJAY NAIK

IAC-3 might be nuclear powered Aircraft carrier Battle of Unmanned combat air

vehicle (UCAV)
19 11 The MMRCA Game Rafael confirms offering Iron Dome and

EDITORIAL ADVISOR
VINAYAK SHETTY RAKESH SHARMA

Davids Sling to Indian armed forces but do we need them?

Indias artillery woes: 21 13

Sea Gripen will be ready for Indian Navy in no time: SAAB Official

EDITORIAL PANEL
VINAYAK SHETTY AJAY NAIK SUJIT KULKARNI SANKAR BALU SUJIT KULKARNI NEERAJ KAKAR

Did we really reach the moon?

22 14

Gripen NG did had Prototype AESA radar in Indian trials: Saab Official

AMCA/NGFA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft or Next Generation Fighter Aircraft) 20 Star Wars VII - The KALI strikes back 23 26 27 29

DINAKAR PERI JOYDEEP GHOSH

Super Carrier required for BrahMos Strategic Long Bombers: Mission Accomplished.

Email Managing Editor Idrw.org@gmail.com

Conventional Submarines: Their new found role

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SECURITY DECEMBER MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR DOWNLOAD

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LCH TD-2 Gets Digital camouflage prior to the Aero India 2011
Ajay Naik Security Editorial Panel

HAL built Light Combat Aircraft might have not taken its first flight yet, but it will be a head turner at the Asias Premium Aero Show to be held at Bangalore from Today thats Aero India 2011, LCH TD-2 is first aircraft in India to sport a Dessert digital camouflage, and pictures of it have started emerging on defence blogs, LCH in fact is the first attack helicopter in the world to get a Digital Camouflage, which was manly reserved for Fighter jets and Transport aircraft. While Australian Army did experimented with digital camouflage on transport helicopters. Our Defence Expert Rakesh Sharma further Explains about digital camouflage Digital camouflage is used in an effort to make the aircraft appear to blend into the background The theory is that when small points of colors are viewed from afar they tend to merge together. The amazing part of this optical illusion is that the dominant color of the background visually enhances a similar color in the scheme and fools the mind into seeing the two as the same.

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INDESEC Expo 2010

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While Digital camouflage is ongoing process of better blending of the object whether its Humans, Vehicles, and Planes with the background. More and more research has been done to improve and bring better patterns .But most widely used Digital camouflage with be further discussed below. LCH TD-2 currently is using Dessert Camo pattern for Desert warfare, there are other Digital Patterns like Army Green for Heavy Jungle Warfare to blend with Tress and backdrop greenery. Woodland green which is used to blend with background which has lesser greenery long with bare land, while Digital blue camo which is mostly used by Naval Aircrafts to blend with Sea and Sky background and winter variant of digital Camo is also widely used in Russia and parts of Europe which helps blend with winter surface background of the winter snow. Coming back to TD-2, first flight of the attack helicopter is expected during Aero India 2011 but we expect it to be kept for Static display and TD-1 will do the flying honors, Our sources have told us that Digital camouflage was done on Advice of Indian Army, LCH was built for Indian air force but the LCH after trials will also go to Indian Army and as per Media reports Indian Army will also be the largest user of the LCH in terms of sheer numbers.

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Army aviation all set for expansion

Ajay Naik Security Editorial Panel
Indian army is finally acknowledging need for separate air power assets under its wings, worlds third largest standing army is set to explore all possibilities to upgrade and enhance their air fire power, and we will look at aerial assets Army plans to acquire in coming decade. HAL Dhruv: Indian Army already has inducted more than 40 indigenously manufactured Dhruv helicopters and plans to induct 3 times more than in its current fleet ,Army will be largest operator among three service and is actively supporting Dhruv WSI Armed variant which is still under testing . HAL Light Observation Helicopter (LOH): Hals Light Observation Helicopter project has full backing of the India army; LOH will be replacing ageing Cheetah and Chetek helicopters which form backbone of the India armys aviation fleet. LOH is based on Single engine powered Shakti engine, which have similar appearance to HALs Dhruv helicopter, Army will also be acquiring LOH which will be purchased directly from a foreign vendor for which Contenders have already completed their trials.

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HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH): a multirole combat helicopter which already has made it first flight last year and its second TD-2 prototype has already been displayed at recently held Aero India 2011 airshow in Bangalore. Combat helicopter have always been in Indian air forces possession, well it all going to change soon, India army has taken keen interest in the Project and has already deputed high ranked Helicopter pilots from its Aviation wing to the Project. As per sources Army has been actively guiding HAL on various fronts to improve the combat aircraft, and is also keen to acquire it in much bigger number then Air force, HAL has firm orders of 114 LCH from Indian Army but plans are to acquire more with better future variants, this will enable Indian Army to have the largest fleet of combat helicopters not only among three armed services but also in whole of Asia region. LCH equipped with Helina ATGM will play the role of Tank Busters for the Indian Army in near future.

Hal- Irkut Corporations Multi-role transport aircraft (MRTA): Hal and Russian company - Irkut Corporations is already working on 20 tons MRTA to replace aging An-32 from Indian air force, while An-32 was operated solely by Indian Air force, Indian Army is all set to order at least two dozen of this aircrafts for its own Aviation wings to help in transport of logistics and troops. This will be first time Indian army will be operating larger aircrafts. While MRTA will take to air by 2015 only and production will start by 2017, initial batch will go to Indian air force and Army will get them at near end of this decade. UAV: Unmanned aerial Vehicles are already been planned by Indian army and some Foreign and locally developed UAVs have already been inducted into Army , more currently in development like DRDOs MALE and HALE UAVs are also under radar of Indian army ,plans are there to induct them when their trials are over .

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Stuxnet: The Trojan horse of Natanz

Neeraj Kakar Security Editorial Panel

The history of post-world war geopolitics has proven time and again that treachery and deceit has always won over chivalry and sword brandishing. While an outspoken Ahmadinejad was trying to convince the American populi about its illegitimate support of Israel in the middle east by holding lectures and debates at American universities, he was little aware of the fundamentals of American democracy where Jewish corporate funding forms the backbone for winning elections and keeping governments in power. So while Ahmadinejad was making trips to the US and Europe, Israels Unit 8200 with its friendly secret services was for another time in history being innovative, stealthy and notoriously precise. During 2009 and 2010, around 1500 of Irans 5000 uranium centrifuges at Natanz and Bushehr had malfunctioned. They were reportedly running at variably low and high frequencies causing excessive vibration and thereby causing permanent damage to the centrifuges and the subsidiary machinery. Last month Iran declared that its nuclear program suffered a major setback due to stuxnet, and the Iranian administration reported through a media campaign that it was the start of a cyberwar against Iran. Stuxnet is a computer worm that affects a specific set of PLCs. The PLC (programmable logic controller) is a computing device used for automating industrial electromechanical machinery. It controls assembly lines, boilers, lighting, industrial robots etc. SCADA is one of the types of PLCs and while it is more widely used for controlling the spinning rates of yarn spindles, it also finds use in controlling the rates of uranium centrifuges and that is what was happening at Natanz.

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The Siemens SCADA PLCs which were the primary target of stuxnet, run on Windows operating system. Off course Mossads friends in NATO could arrange for easy access to vulnerabilities in WinCC and hence designing zero day attacks was not difficult. Stuxnet exploits four such vulnerabilities and its ability to reprogram the machines while hiding and then self destructing itself make it a Category 0 worm. So how are we sure that Stuxnet was bred by Israel and NATO secret services. Firstly WinCC vulnerabilities could be gathered from Microsoft only under state pressure. Secondly, accessibility to PLCs and centrifuges to program the worm perfectly would need very high funding that no amateur developer can afford. And thirdly and more convincingly, the reason that it hits only a particular series (S7-300) of SCADAs which have a specific variable frequency drives, makes it easy to guess the beneficiaries. This is now known that more than 60% of the world affected systems have been detected in Iran. At half a megabyte in size it is unusually heavy to be an amateur worm, and might have taken months or years to build. So how did the Stuxnet worm get into the Natanz facility, considering that none of the systems were connected to the internet. It is to be noted that Atomstroy export has had a major role in the construction and execution of all Iranian nuclear facilities. Mossad agents could have easily planted it on some of the Russian scientists laptop, with or without their knowledge is trivial information in the current context, and it could have transferred onto the network via a contaminated USB drive and moved further using peer to peer remote procedure calls. However it is all guesswork and it will take many years for the US to officially de-classify its documents for us to know who really did it and how much damage it really caused. And it did cause some collateral damage as well, because it is speculated that Indian INSAT-4D malfunctioned due to stuxnet. Or lets wait for another round of wikileaks cables to mention who actually planted the stuxnet in Natanz. As of now it is celebration in Meir Dagans camp, as he may have postponed their proclaimed Annihilation by a few more years.

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Battle of Unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV)

VINAYAK SHETTI Security Editorial Panel While United States of America was the first country to test fly worlds first 5th generation stealthy fighter aircraft (YF-22 first flight in 1990) and Second 5th generation stealthy fighter aircraft only took to air nearly two decades later (Russias T-50 first flight in 2010), this was the technological gap United states had maintained over this years even among its closed rival, but when it comes to UCAV United states is facing serious competition from many section , lets explore UCAV platforms currently under development .

Boeing X-45: Boeings X-45 unmanned combat air vehicle had its first flight technological demo flight in 2002 and has been rumored to be in service when grainy pictures of it emerged on internet which was taken from Kandahar airbase in Afghanistan. X-45 is a subsonic UCAV powered by a single Honeywell F124-GA-100 turbofan engine with Combat radius of 600 km.

Northrop Grumman X-47: X-47 performed its first flight on 23 February 2003 which has been selected by US navy to be a carrier-based unmanned combat aircraft; X-47 is a subsonic UCAV still under active development.

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BAE Systems Taranis: is a British demonstrator UCAV program which has been developed by BAE systems, named after the Celtic god of thunder, Taranis it is currently powered by a Rolls-Royce Adour Mk.951 turbofan engine and is in size similar to the BAE Hawk. On 12 July 2010 prototype Taranis was unveiled by BAE Systems Flight trials are expected in 2012 only.

Dassault nEUROn: is an experimental UCAV for the testing of various technologies for the future UAVs and UCAVs and will not enter serial production. nEUROn first test flights is scheduled in 2012. nEUROn is powered by Snecma's M88 engine which also powers Dassault Rafale fighter jets .

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EADS BARRACUDA : Barracuda is a joint venture between Spain and Germany under development by EADS , it had its first flight in 2006 but after fatal crash where the first prototype was lost ,program was suspended for a while before it was reactivated in 2008 with the development of the second prototype Not much is known about the Barracuda as it is still in development. However the Barracuda is thought to have an operating ceiling of around 20,000 ft and carries a maximum payload of 300 kg .

MiG Skat: Russians not to be left behind have come up with their own UCAV which has been developed by legendary Mig Corporation, Skat will be powered by Klimov RD5000B turbofan engine, a variant of the RD-93 which currently powers Chinese JF-17 fighter jets. Single-engine subsonic design has an 11.5 meter wingspan, and it is 10.25 meters long, first flight is still not disclosed by Russian authorities.

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Chinese CH-3: In Previous edition of Zhuhai airshow, Chinese have shown CH-3 UCAV rumored to be under Production, CH-3 is a medium-range, long-endurance UCAV developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). A CASC spokesman present at Zhuhai airshow told media that CH-3 had completed testing and was now entering production and which was later confirmed by a film shown by CASC of CH-3 UCAV flying.

Chinese WJ600: Second UCAV in line for CASC is WJ-600 have several missiles and a jet engine and is the Chinese drone of greatest potential concern to the U.S. not much information is currently available on this UCAV currently yet .

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Chinese Anjian (Dark Sword) UCAV: "Dark sword" unmanned combat aircraft first made its appearance in Zhuhai airshow, Anjian is a conceptual UCAV by Shenyang (SAC), and its designed for high maneuverability in supersonic condition, to be applied for air to air mission. Its under fuselage intake and swing canards are somewhat associated with J-10. Large intake implies high speed, agility and angle-of-attack flying; therefore a turbofan engine will be required. Not much information is currently available on this UCAV currently yet.

DRDO AURA UCAV: India not to be left out revealed its own UCAV program last year, AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft) is been designed by ADE which are developers of Tejas and also will be developing Countries 5th generation fighter aircraft AMCA . AURA has been described by ADE has "self-defending high speed reconnaissance UAV with a "weapon firing capability" Aura is still in its project definition stage and is rumored to be powered by a downgraded Kaveri engine , ADE plans better and more advanced UCAV based on technological knowhow gained from the Aura project , that includes a Bigger ground attack variant . ADE has not given any time frame for its first flight yet.

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Rafael confirms offering Iron Dome and Davids Sling to Indian armed forces but do we need them?
VINAYAK SHETTI Security Editorial Panel

While at Rafael stall in Aero India 2011, representative of the Rafael in the Rafael stall confirmed that Iron dome and Davids Sling has been offered to Indian armed forces, but he could not confirm if Indian armed forces have shown any interest in the Advance defence system. Iron Dome is mobile air defense system developed by Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems which has been specifically designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells.it was designed to stop Hezbollah fired World war -2 eras Soviet made Katyusha rockets and motors which have caused heavy casualties in Israeli civilian population area. But is it the ultimate super weapon? Well Experts have described it has using a sledgehammer to crack a nut' since each intercept missile in Iron Dome cost $35,000 and above while a latest M72 LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon) cost just $ 1,045. Using a $35,000 missile to bring down a Soviet Era Rocket which hardly costs few hundred dollars have not gone well with Israeli Defense experts and its critics ,some have even questioned if it can really stop a Rocket or artillery shells which hardly takes few seconds to crash land and explode once fired ?. Well coming to Indian scenario, Iron Dome was designed to fight in a urban warfare where civilians can be target by low flying rocket or artillery shells which have a range of 40 to 70 km, while rarely artillery shelling is done by Pakistani army near line of control in J&k which mostly lands away from the civilian population, in a war Indian army could like to destroy the artillery and Rocket firing assets of Pakistani army using its own Artillery and MBRL with help from Weapons locating radar rather than try to bring down their Artillery shells .

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David's Sling has been designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and American company Raytheon; it has been specifically designed to intercept medium- to long-range rockets and slower-flying cruise missiles (Below 300km ranged missiles). So is it effective in Indian Scenario? Well again it has been designed to bring down old Soviet era Rockets and Short legged Cruise missiles which are in possession with Hezbollah. A Professional army like Pakistan will always have a better Rockets and longer ranged Cruise missiles against which this system will be a Lemon pretty much a useless system.

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Sea Gripen will be ready for Indian Navy in no time: SAAB Official
VINAYAK SHETTI Security Editorial Panel

At Saab Aero India 2011 Pavilion, Indian air forces MMRCA competition was highly discussed topic at each six aircraft manufactures Pavilion, but we managed to get some information on Sea Gripen which has been offered to Indian navy which seeks buy a new naval fighter for its second line of 4++ Gen fighter rather than already purchased Mig29k. Saab official re-confirmed that SAAB has responded to Indian navys request for information (RFI) on a new naval fighter last year, he also added that Sea Gripen would be part of long term industrial development package for India if it selects Gripen NG for its MMRCA Competition . When asked about the changes that are required in Sea Gripen, he responded Sea Gripen will require Stronger and longer nose wheel, with larger tires and new shock absolvers and new under carriage with 6.3m/sec sink rate, new materials to avoid corrosion risk and new FCS system for carrier landing and takeoff When asked how long will it take to make these new changes? , official responded that since Sea Gripen is targeted only for few countries (Brazil and India) technical and feasibility study has already been carried out but Demo aircraft can be ready in no time if interest are shown for the platform, well he could not disclose time required to carry out this changes, but experts put it at 2 years for the SAAB to carry out this Structural changes in the aircraft. When asked about the developmental cost required for making a Demo Sea Gripen? Official responded I could guess it will be half of the developmental cost of Gripen NG since Sea Gripen will be based on Gripen NG platform When asked if Rafale and F-18 SH holds a upper hand in Navy deal since they already have a developed Naval version of it ? , Saab official first tried to be evasive but finally did agree that Rafale and F-18 SH will have upper hand since this aircrafts are in operational with their respected navies and are Carrier capable, but also added the SAAB had already conducted in depth study on Sea Gripen for years now, and aircraft will be ready if Gripen NG is selected for IAF and Navy also selects the same in no time. I SECURITY I FEBRUARY 2011
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Gripen NG did had Prototype AESA radar in Indian trials: Saab Official
VINAYAK SHETTI Security Editorial Panel

At Aero India 2011, Saab officials did confirm that Gripen NG when in India for second time (first time it was Gripen C/D variants) did had Prototype AESA which was combined with new active antenna with processing hardware taken from existing PS-05/A radar . Official also confirmed that Saab-Selex have already entered into an agreement on the swash plate design mooted AESA radar by Selex. Saab had mounted Thales active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar on the Gripen but the French government and Dassault had blocked the export of production radar. Since Gripen Ng was seen as a competitor in India and Brazil. Seless swash plate design mooted AESA radar has a 200 degree field of regard in azimuth and elevation and is strong in off-bore sight performance, an area where the fixed AESA is weak because the latter loses performance off-bore sight and can't scan more than 120 degrees at all. Official also added that Seless swash plate AESA has already been integrated with Gripen NG Demo and further trials are been conducted to enable it to have smooth integrations with Weapons package.

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Navy keen on AMCA Project

VINAYAK SHETTI Security Editorial Panel

Not to be left out of the countries 5th generation fighter program, Indian navy has asked for a briefing on the AMCA project which ADE is heading and they were briefed on AMCA project by the ADE which was attended by Navys high ranked officers. Navy earlier had shown interest in American made F-35 for their 5th gen platform requirements but it seems that Navy has decided to stick with Indigenous program. Navy will join the program once AMCA begins its Technological demonstration phase after its first flight somewhere near end of this decade. Navy is keen that N-LCA program is successful so that they can move to N-AMCA project soon after its completion. N-LCA had some issues with its landing gear which needed to be redesigned to operate on an aircraft carrier and survive hard deck landing .N-LCA NP-1 is almost ready for its first flight and will have its first flight in mid or end or March if Ground and taxi trials are conducted in time. Our sources have confirmed that Navy has received a Briefing and also a copy of ASR (Air Staff Requirements) issued by Indian air force on AMCA aircraft , Navy is also working out how N-AMCA will fit its doctrine and into its plans of operating larger aircraft carrier from IAC-2 onwards .

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India trying to get Brazil in AMCA Project?

VINAYAK SHETTI Security Editorial Panel

Buzz word at this years Aero India 2011 was that India is trying to get a partner for its the 5th Gen Fighter aircraft program Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), while VK Saraswat, director general of the Bangalore-based Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) was the one to suggest Brazil be part of Indias 5th Gen Fighter aircraft program and Brazilian aircraft manufacture Embraer be part of that cooperation. While Experts where puzzled on what expertise Embraer can bring to the table, Brazil has successful history of manufacturing larger civilian and military aircrafts, no one doubts their abilities on that but when it comes to fighter jet, Brazil have only worked with Italians on light ground-attack aircraft AMX fighters in mid-80s and Embraer company has only worked on a turboprop based EMB 312 Tucano which Brazilian air force uses for Training and also for lite ground attack role. Brazil is in process of selecting a 4 ++ Gen fighter in their F-X2 Program , Is Brazil interested in a 5th Gen platform is experts asking , does Brazilian air force have any plans for a 5th gen fighter aircraft ? , they currently have few handy secondhand near 4 gen Mirage 2000C in service. Is India and DRDO is trying to get an export customer for AMCA? This question has puzzled experts, and only DRDO will be able to clear the air on this matter.

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Dragons Eye: In-depth study of Growing Chinese AEW Assets

VINAYAK SHETTI Security Editorial Panel In 90s PLAAF with Fleet of more than 3000 fighter aircrafts in the inventory was a formidable force to reckon with but what changed all might be related to Total American Air power Domination in the Gulf War -1, which lead to an internal study in PLAAF, which stumbled upon Outdated fighters, poor serviced aircrafts, and total lack of Aircrafts to fight new Modern Electronic Warfare .

KJ-1 AEW aircraft KJ-2000 AEW aircraft might be the first of the modern lot of AEW aircrafts which PLAAF has inducted in recent time, but it was never first AEW bird for PLAAF, PLAAF first so-called aircrafts was KJ-1 AEW aircraft which was based on Russian Tupolev Tu4 ,were limited numbers were inducted in early 60s but the aircraft was phased out of service from 1970 onwards ,due to their unreliable AEW suite and also due vulnerability to the airframe , but few survived till late 80s on ground of research and training . Another AEW Project which had the same fate as KJ-1 was Y-10 AEW, Shanghai Aviation Industrial Company (SAIC) had developed Y-10 to compete with Boeing in the commercial Aviation field, and a AEW based Y-10 Project was also started, Project was officially cancelled in mid-80s for unknown reason many officially said cost rise was factor, but others blamed it on Chinese inability to make a reliable radar for the aircraft. In 90s due to improving relationship with western countries they was a confirmed proposal by British to make a AEW aircraft based on Russian IL-76 aircraft and also rumored French proposal, but due to Tiananmen massacre all countries were cancelling their Joint partnership with China then and only Israeli offer of Phalcon based on a IL-76 aircraft stood ground, Russians came with their own counter Proposal of A-50 AEW Beriev to Chinese , A-50 offered to China and India during this time was a heavily downgraded export aircraft which failed to meet requirements of both the air force and after testing it was outright rejected by both air forces . I SECURITY I FEBRUARY 2011
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Russians refused to give clean A-50 Airframe for the Chinese Phalcon and the whole project was held up for a long time on this matter, finally in 1997 Russians agreed to supply clean IL-76 transport aircraft which will be modified with Russian help to integrate Israeli Phalcon AEW System, a per deal Russians supplied first IL-76 airframe to Israel in 1999 but due to American pressure to withdraw from the deal, In 2000 deal was called off by Israel and the aircraft was returned to china with all the Phalcon AEW systems removed from the aircraft . China suffered a huge humiliation due to this break of deal by Israel under American pressure, Chinese took this with great pinch and started their own AEW system development which later went into same IL-76 aircraft which was returned by Israels , PLAAF gave the Project highest of the attention and funds were allocated with the same speed , First A50 aka Chinese name KJ-2000 made its first flight on 2003 with Type-88 Aesa radar ,after grueling testing there were inducted into PLAAF but due to limited availability of the airframe meant that less than five were ever inducted and contract dispute with Russian on purchase of more airframe also meant that China was seriously considering other platforms for similar role .

KJ-200 / Y-8 AEW: To supplement very limited KJ-2000 in the PLAAF fleet, Chinese developed KJ-200 AEW aircraft based on Turbo Prop Y-8 transport aircraft which has already found its first export customer in the region which will be PAF (Pakistan air force).

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Tejas is pilots Aircraft: Group Captain Suneet Krishna (Tejas Test Pilot)
VINAYAK SHETTI Security Editorial Panel

In a recent interview to Indias Popular Weekly Magazine The Week just prior to Tejas Getting IOC (Initial operational clearance), Veteran test pilot in the Tejas Program, Group Captain Suneet Krishna has described Tejas has a pilots aircraft, he further added by saying Its designed by Pilots and for the pilots . When asked how it compares with Migs! Group Captain Suneet Krishna described it has Well Balanced aircraft, capable of fulfilling the roles for which it has been designed and developed. he also added that Tejas is the state-of-art technology and we can keep improving on it as Tejas is going to be there for many year and we can keep adding or modifying it as per our requirements .The good thing is that the technology is in our hands and we do not have to depend on anyone else When asked about any more improvement is needed to the aircraft? , Krishna said Whatever was needed has been improved as of now. Lt. Commander Ankur Jain, who is Second Naval Test Pilot to join Tejas Program after Captain JA Maoulankar, is a Veteran Sea Harrier Pilot and he had this to say about the Fighter aircraft The best thing about the aircraft is that its a pilots delight. Group Captain Suneet Krishna has been associated with the Tejas Program for the last 10 years, and also the first Test pilot to cross 100 hours in Various Tejas aircrafts flown by him, as per sources Group Captain Suneet Krishna is not only senior most test Pilot in Tejas Program but also Pilot with highest number of flying hours in the fighter aircraft, he has close to 300 Hours of flying experience in Tejas. Group Captain Suneet Krishna was a Veteran pilot of Indian air forces Mig-27 and was based in West Bengal before joined Tejas Program in 2001.

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MMRCA : BVR Silver Bullets for IAF

VINAYAK SHETTI Security Editorial Panel

Lot of discussions have taken place on aircrafts in the race for providing 126 fighter jets to Indian air force for MMRCA tender , but very little has been discussed about the weapons which will come with this , particularly Beyond visual range (BVR) Air to Air missiles (AAM) which is essential weapon in any fighter aircraft now . Indian air force chief has recently disclosed that whichever aircraft will be selected of the MMRCA tender, Aircrafts will be deployed near Chinese border which will replace old Mig-21s currently guarding north eastern borders of our country, and this is a considerable shift in IAF strategy and planning. earlier in late 80s saw arrival of brand new Mirage-2000h and Mig-29A which were mostly deployed in western sector towards Pakistani border , but recent decision to base IAF frontline Sukhoi Su-30MKI and also upgrade many North eastern airbase and runways to keep heaver fighters is the indication that best will be kept to face Chinese air force in case of border conflicts and Pakistani border will be guarded by Upgraded Mirage-2000h and Mig-29SMT along with indigenously developed LCATejas which will be based in western sector from 2012 onwards . Coming back to BVRAAMs which will come with the aircrafts if selected by IAF

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MBDA Meteor: Termed has one of the best BVRAAM is a Next generation BVRAAM developed by MBDA. Meteor is a light weight BVRAAM which incorporates stealthy profile and lesser drag with advance sensors, Meteor has data link capability and can be guided by another aircraft like AWACS or by another fighter aircraft. Gripen and Eurofighter are the aircrafts which will be have them has a standard BVRAAM package but they are Plans by IAF to acquire them in any case to improve Sukhoi-30 MKI BVR fighting capability and integrations will be done with assistance from MBDA , when MKIs Mid-life up gradation program which will start in another two years from now . Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM : American mostly likely table Family of AIM-120 AMRAAM which will be offered with F-18 SH and F-16IN , latest in the family are AIM120D and AIM-120C7 , Saab Gripen also can carry this missile which gives Swedish an edge in MMRCA tender since both Meteor and AIM-120 can be offered has the standard BVRAAM for their jet .AIM-120 Family of AMRAAM will serve USAF and other countries till 2020 still a replacement which is under development become active and hits production . Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder: One more offering will come from Americans will be Sidewinder, it does not fall in category of BVRAAM but still is a potential AAM in close range dogfight, both of the American Missiles are standard missiles in almost all of fighter jets operated by USAF and USN which includes F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35 and even F-18SH, both AAMs are battle proven and has very high rate of success in dog fights. MBDA MICA: another BVRAAM coming from MBDA is MICA which is a standard BVRAAM for Rafale jets and can also be integrated with Eurofighter, IAF is already procuring them for their Mirage-2000H which will be upgraded soon with new avionics package and radar and will also get MICA BVRAAM. MICA has been rumored to be already operational with 10 IAF Mirage 2000s which were purchased from the excess French Air force stock. PYTHON-5 and DERBY: Israelis are keen to offer there PYTHON-5 which actually is not a BVRAAM but is still an advance AAM missile and currently operational with Israeli F-15 and F-16s, while DERBY is a standard BVRAAM with Indian Navys Sea Harrier fleet, while IAF has not yet integrated any of this missiles with their fleet of fighter jets, but recently Indian navy have told they could like to have DERBY in Naval Tejas too

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Personal experience of Aero India 2011

VINAYAK SHETTI Security Editorial Panel Date: 10/02/2011 Venue: Bangalore Well we landed in Bangalore after a 12 hour bus journey, I and my brother were all excited to attend this years air show because i knew deep down in my heart that next airshow will not be that attractive since MMRCA competition is already in its last leg and losing competition will not attend 2013 airshow for sure, it also that Surya Kirans were getting dismantled for temporary period before they are back when BAE Hawk or HAL IJT are in good numbers in IAF. GATE 1: I had done on-line booking of tickets and was provided with a unique registration ID number which I need to show at the gate to get a Radio tagged entry pass with a photo on it, well been a second day it had a long queue of general visitors and was frankly quite chaotic, but then someone in Air force uniform came and asked all those who have done on-line ticket booking to go in a line to first layer of security checks ,well I thanked my stars since I could see Tejas already doing stunning air display and I was getting nervous that I will miss most of the air display standing in the queue . Confusion at venue entrance: there was lot of confusion regarding from where to enter the venue for those who have done online booking of tickets, after wasting more than 20 minutes walking here and there and asking numerous officials we were guided to the correct entrance point to ADVA point. What came has surprise was that even though officials were checking our registration ID number which we were caring with us, it was more of visual checking nothing through the system, when we finally entered my brother asked me, any idiot can write any random numbers and claim it to be his registration id and enter the venue, well I disagreed to show organizers in better light but I knew that he was right.

Aerial display: Aerial display was excellent and wonder full to watch but by the time we entered half the aerial display was over but I was happy that it will be repeated again in the noon ,so rest assured Red Bull s Flying bulls were really amazing and so where flight of all competitors of MMRCA competition , Rafaels aerial display was amazing , Sukhoi 30 was crowed puller and loudest of them all , but I was somewhat not happy with Eurofighter and F-16 aerial display , Eurofighter was loud but I could see afterburners on most of the time . F-16 aerial display was more kind of lazy display nothing new, nothing amazing.

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Exhibition Area off limits? : I was told that General visitors cannot access Exhibition area, well right!, after aerial display was over ,I watched many entering exhibition area , I knew I was not allowed with a General ticket but after few minutes I observed many who were in line with us , were entering Exhibition area without much difficulty , I went near the Private Security guards who were manning the entrance showed them my registration id and just entered it , well that was a surprise but visiting all the Exhibition area was fun and it was a good experience . Only Standing?: More than 25000 people at the venue but not even few bench to sit ! , I could see few senior citizens were struggling to stand all day long, I was pretty much surprised organizers did not consider that the Air show will be attended by old and young who will have difficult time standing all day long, even me and my brother had to sit behind BAE Systems Pavilion to escape burning mid-day sun and tired legs before aerial display started again.

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E-ZONE

BLACK SQUADRON
Introduction This is story based on Two ex IAF pilots inducted into a Black Squadron flying EW version of NGFA , operated by our intelligence agencies ,is story is based in the year 2020 this is totally fractious characters and events which never have taken place or likely to take place , this story is brain child of Vinayak Shetty , and totally his imagination . This is done to keep interest in magazine and also for Entertainment purpose only Plot Story involves two Serving IAF Sukhoi Su 30 pilots who are kicked out IAF due to an incident ,which will be revealed in first episode and how they are approached by nonexistence Squadron operated by our Intelligence agency and it will cover their adventure ,missions, and other things they are made to do when flying in this BLACK SQUADRON . Next Month we will carry the first Episode , to keep viewers interaction at maximum , we are letting viewers suggest names of the pilots and also squadron they were operating before been kicked out , and also reason of they been kicked out , they can also send missions and operations they are likely going to conduct in future episodes. Any one Good in Photoshop or Corel Draw can also design a Electronic warfare based NGFA based on Pak-FA , and Squadron patches for the Pilots We are proud to announce the name of the first episode

DRAGONS CAVE
(Spoilers : Mission Inside Chinese territory)
Please send your suggestions and art work ,stories to Idrw.org@gmail.com I SECURITY I FEBRUARY 2011

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