Germany to Plan Air Force Exercise with India

Lt. General Aarne Kreuzinger-Janick, the Air Chief of Germany has told FE that his country will explores the option for air combat exercises with the Indian Air Force soon. Germany is in talks with India about these joint exercises. He said that when Air Marshal NAK Browne of Indian Air Force visits this September it will be the agenda of their talks. He also added that the two countries had already discussed its possibility. India already conduct several military exercises with other countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia and also with China but their military interaction with Germany is still limited until now. As of now, exchange pilots are offered for specific training.

Eurofighter Typhoon is part of the 126-aircraft MMRCA that is worth $10.4 billion in deal that is being seen by many people as a possible driver for the expansion of the relationship of the two countries. The Air Chief of Germany also said that the Eurofighter was ready to be sharing its technology with India up to a degree no one else had offered. They are transferring some of their operations to India so they could beat the French Dassault “Rafale” challenge. They have set up military research & development center in Bangalore already.

It's very interesting to see that how the joint air exercise diplomatic step influnce mmrca...it's already heard that Rafale is put a low bid for mrca.

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Indian Navy recieves the second batch of MiG-29Ks

Now the Indian Navy has 9 MiG-29Ks fighter jets after they received their second batch of jets from Russia.The new batch of MiGs is more superior as compared to the Sea Harrier jump jets of the Indian Navy. This aircraft is going to be deployed on the INS Vikramaditya. This carrier is getting refitted for India.

A deal between Russia and India signed in 2004 is for Russia to supply India with 12 of these single seater MiG-29K fighter aircrafts and with 4 of the two-seater MiG-29KUBs. And as a part of their bargain, Russia’s MiG Aircraft Corporation also delivered a flight simulator and technical equipment for the Indian Navy. In addition to this agreement, they have signed another contract in March of 2010 for another purchase worth $1.5 billion for 29 MiG-29K Fulcrum-D carrier fighter jets and the delivery will begin in 2012 which is the same time that Moscow is also going to deliver their retrofitted aircraft carrier.

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DRDO, ISRO Miliary, ISR Platforms being tested during Indian Army, Air Force Joint Exercises

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would be testing some of the new military platforms during the Indian Army's six day-long ongoing exercise -- Vijayee Bhava -- in northern Rajasthan.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would also be testing its satellite capabilities to connect to a real-time war-like situation. "ISRO is keenly watching the efficacy and robustness of its satellite down-links for the field forces," an army spokesperson said here today.

Western Army Commander, Lieutenant General S R Ghosh today reviewed the six day-long exercise and briefed the operational commander.

Over 50,000 troops are taking part in the exercise, which is being conducted by Chandigarh-based Western Army Command. Army is putting into test some of the new concepts derived from its transformational studies carried by it in the last few years.

"The purpose of the exercise is to transform Army into a lean, agile and enabled force ready to tackle the developing security situation in today's scenario"

-- Western Army Commander, Lieutenant General S R Ghosh

The concept of dedicated Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) units would also be validated during the exercise to enhance operational situational awareness.

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Rafael Derby Air-to-Air Missiles for Indian Air Force HAL Tejas Fighter Jets

Leading defense and aerospace publication FlightGlobal has quoted industry sources confirming the integration of Rafael Derby Air to Air Missiles with India's indigenous HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Delivery of the missiles is to begin in 2012.

From FlightGlobal:

A contract to integrate Rafael's Derby medium-range air-air missile with India's Tejas light combat aircraft will be signed soon, according to industry sources. Delivery of the missiles is expected from the second half of 2012, following the final phase of integration tests that are planned for early next year.

The active radar- and infrared-guided Derby, which provides an all-weather, beyond visual-range capability, has previously been acquired for the Indian navy's British Aerospace-built Sea Harrier FRS51 fighters. Fourteen aircraft have been modified to use the weapon, said Indian sources.

The Derby missile can be fired in lock-on before launch mode for short-range engagements, or in lock-on after launch mode for use against medium-range targets.

India's air force has so far signed for 40 production examples of the single-engined Tejas, but the service could eventually acquire up to 100 more in an improved Mk II configuration. The service is now evaluating more Israeli-made systems for the fighter, including additional weapons.

The Indian navy also could buy 60 of the Aeronautical Development Agency-designed Tejas.

The Derby contract is an example of the huge potential market that Rafael is trying to exploit in India. Company sources have described the nation as its current first priority, due to the size and diversity of its requirements.

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