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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Indian Army, Air Force Begin Six-Day Joint Exercise Along Western Deserts

A six-day joint exercise of the Army and the IAF will begin Monday in the deserts of Bikaner and Suratgarh near Pakistan border. "Vihayee Bhav" -- the exercise, will involve tank-to-tank wars, helicopter operations and others, Army officials said.

According to the Army, it has conducted 10 major exercise near the Pakistan border in the past six years and this exercise will boost synergy between the Indian defence forces.

"Battlefield tactics for warfare are being practiced in the exercise which also aims at fine-tuning the concept of Cold Start doctrine," an official said. Cold Start was a military doctrine developed by the armed forces in 2004 and involves joint operations between the three main services Army, Navy, and Air Force.

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Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon Emerge Favorites in Air Force M-MRCA Deal

In the past week, a number of mainstream and defense / military specific media sources revealed that the French Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets have made the shortlist while the American Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Lockheed Marting F-16, Sweden's Gripen and Russian MiG-35 fighters have been rejected. Dassault and Eurofighter have been asked by the Ministry of Defence to extend the offer validity thus making them part of the shortlist.

India Defence had earlier reported that these two fighter jets had emerged favorites after the Indian Air Force conducted extensive field trials between 2009 and 2010. See:
-- Air Force MRCA Deal - Eurofighter Typhoon Ahead on Technical Parameters

India has agreed to provide the United States with relevant data based on which its fighters were rejected for the lucrative USD 11 billion dollar deal. The United States, however, has been rapidly growing its share in the Indian defense market and Boeing alone envisions deals worth USD 50 billion in the coming decade.

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