India to soon become self-reliant in making fighter jets: Former Tejas designer
India will become self-reliant in making fighter jets in the next few years, said Kota Harinarayana, the former programme director and chief designer of India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.Harinarayana, the Padma Shri awardee, said the ecosystem of manufacturing of aircraft has been developed in the country.The technology for the production of indigenous aircraft has also improved, and within a few years, India will make a series of fighter jets of all categories to address the need of the Indian Air Force (IAF), he said.advertisement
"I hope that in the next few years, India will make all fighter jets required for defence and will also start exporting these to our friendly countries," Harinarayana said.The technology that the country had developed for Tejas has been carried forward from small- to medium-sized and unmanned aircraft, he said.'Time will come, not very long, India will become the exporter of defence products...the country is now procuring some of these products from Russia and France," said the 82-year-old aviation scientist who was here to attend the convocation of a private university on Thursday.The wider use of Tejas by the IAF has proven the significance and importance of the indigenously built aircraft, he said.India has shown its capabilities in the defence sector by successfully countering Pakistani attacks following the 'Operation Sindoor' that was launched against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, he said.advertisementThe development and successful utilisation of defence products clearly showed the country's capabilities in the operation, which he termed as a first phase, said the former professor at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).Harinarayana also hailed India's successful trial of 'Bhargavastra', an indigenous, budget-friendly counter-drone system, in Gopalpur in Odisha's Ganjam district on Wednesday.Must Watch
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New Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
US hyphenating India, Pakistan; PM must drop 'stubbornness' and call special session of Parliament: Congress
Recently, the head of the US Central Command also stated that Pakistan is a "great partner" of America in the fight against terrorism, Ramesh said. "The Modi government is saying that Operation Sindoor is still going on. In such a situation, the Pakistani army chief's participation as a guest in the US Army Day is definitely a matter of serious concern," he said. Ramesh said the Trump administration is constantly making statements which can only be interpreted to mean that it is "hyphenating" India and Pakistan. "The prime minister is welcoming the delegation that returned after informing the entire world, including the US, about Pakistan's role in supporting terrorism, and at the same time, such news is coming from Washington DC makes India's diplomatic position even more uncomfortable," Ramesh said. "The prime minister should now leave aside his stubbornness and concern for prestige and call an all-party meeting and a special session of Parliament, so that the nation can clearly express its collective will and a concrete roadmap can be presented to the country," he said. Decades of diplomatic progress cannot be allowed to be weakened so easily, he added. With US Army General Michael Kurilla, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), calling Pakistan a "phenomenal partner" in the counterterrorism world, the Congress on Wednesday asked what PM Modi had to say about this and whether it was not a "diplomatic setback".
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First Post
43 minutes ago
- First Post
Make-in-India Rafale fuselage: A strategic move forward
Rafale fuselage will be produced in India for both domestic and global markets. This marks the first time in history that Rafale fuselages will be manufactured outside France read more In a big boost to Make-in-India, Dassault Aviation of France and India's Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will partner for Rafale aircraft fuselage manufacturing at a dedicated facility in Hyderabad. The key structural sections of the aircraft, to be manufactured in India include the central fuselage, rear section, lateral rear shells, and the front section. The first fuselage sections are expected to roll out by FY2028, with a production capacity of up to two complete fuselages per month. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rafale fuselage will be produced in India for both domestic and global markets. This marks the first time in history that Rafale fuselages will be manufactured outside France. Four Production Transfer Agreements (PTA) have been signed between the companies. Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, emphasised that this partnership is a 'decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India,' noting that it aligns with the company's long-term strategy to collaborate with Indian aerospace firms like TASL. Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of TASL, described the partnership as a milestone in India's aerospace journey, demonstrating both India's manufacturing prowess and the trust international aerospace leaders place in Indian partners. 'The production of the complete Rafale fuselage in India underscores the deepening trust in Tata Advanced Systems' capabilities and the strength of our collaboration with Dassault Aviation. It also reflects the remarkable progress India has made in establishing a modern, robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem that can support global platforms,' Singh said. This facility will represent a significant investment in India's aerospace infrastructure and will serve as a critical hub for high-precision manufacturing. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has already acquired 36 Rafale and they have demonstrated their combat skills in the recent Operation Sindoor. The Indian Navy is procuring 26 maritime variants of Rafale-M. The IAF's case for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) procurement is in an advanced stage. Rafale is one of the contenders. Will these two developments tilt the case in favour of Rafale? IAF transition from Mirage 2000 to Rafale was like from one dream machine to another. In the initial training for test pilots, one is taught to assess an aircraft's characteristics by just looking at it. One look at the wing-body blending, the shape of the intakes, the twist in the wing, the incline of fuselage, the size of the vertical stabilizer, the base of the wheels, all indicate great design features. France has made some great aircraft. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Initial Aviation's French Connect After WW-II, aviation designer Marcel Dassault re-established the aviation industry. The M.D.450 (Marcel Dassault) Ouragan was the first French-designed jet fighter-bomber to enter production. The Ouragan was later operated by France, Israel, India and El Salvador. In June 1953, India ordered 71 Ouragans (Toofani). Finally 104 were bought, and were operated by IAF till 1965. The IAF started to replace the Ouragan gradually by the Dassault Mystère IVA in 1957. India procured 104 'supersonic-in-a-dive' Mystere. The aircraft were used extensively in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. On 7 September 1965 an Indian Mystere, piloted by Squadron Leader Devayya shot down a Pakistani Lockheed F-104 Starfighter in a raid over Sargoda. Mystère IVs were also very successful in surface strikes. The aircraft were phased out by 1973. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), licence-built versions of French Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama (designated Cheetah) and Aérospatiale Alouette III (designated Chetak) in the mid-1960s. Indian Navy procured 14 French Bréguet Br.1050 Alizé in 1960 for carrier operations. French Turbomeca TM 333 2B2 engine powered initial HAL Dhruv, later replaced by the Shakti engine, which was jointly developed by HAL and Turbomeca. TM 333 2M2 powers HAL Cheetal and Chetan, upgraded versions of the Cheetah and Chetak, respectively. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India bought the Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar deep penetration strike aircraft (DPSA) in late 1970s, but the contract was serviced by the British. IAF built and upgraded many Jaguars and continues to fly significant numbers even today. Finally, IAF bought the Mirage 2000 that was inducted in 1984. It was the first relaxed stability fly-by-wire aircraft with active controls technology to induct in IAF. It also brought a modern Air Interception (AI) radar with look-down/shoot-down capabilities, and the first BVR missile, the Super R530, Later the all-aspect Magic 2 missile changed the dynamics of close combat. IAF also got the first comprehensive EW suite on any aircraft with a self-protection jammer, RWR, chaff and flare dispenser, an escort jammer and an Elint Pod. The aircraft was later upgraded to the Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 standards, and extended its useful life for another 20–25 years. The upgrade included a new mission computer with higher memory, new radar, advanced navigation and electronic warfare systems, advanced communication and identification systems. It also has a new glass cockpit, and helmet-mounted displays. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Re-designated Mirage 2000I, aircraft also got the MICA air-to-air missiles. It can also carry the Israeli Spice-2000 glide bomb and the indigenous Astra AAM. Mirage 2000 performed exceedingly well in the 1999 Kargil conflict, which took place over some of the highest terrain in the world. Easy maintenance and a very high sortie rate made the Mirage 2000 one of the most efficient fighters of the IAF. Later Mirage was the chosen platform for the Balakot Strike, and took active part in Operation Sindoor. Rafale, the Winner of MMRCA Competition IAF needed additional medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA). The aircraft in the fray for this Indian tender were Lockheed Martin F-16C/D, Mikoyan MiG-35, Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The 126 aircraft were to fill the gap between the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and the in-service Sukhoi Su-30MKI air superiority fighter. On 27 April 2011, after an intensive and detailed technical evaluation by the IAF, two fighters, the Typhoon and Rafale, cleared technical evaluation. On 31 January 2012 it was announced that Rafale won the competition due to its lower life-cycle cost. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Rafale Aircraft The French twin-engine delta-wing fighter aircraft is an omni-role fighter with frontal-stealth capabilities. It can simultaneously undertake air supremacy, interdiction, reconnaissance, and the airborne nuclear deterrent missions. Rafale was inducted in the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations in the French Navy in 2000. Rafale has been used in combat over Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, Syria, and in Operation Sindoor. The aircraft uses digital fly-by-wire controls and has a very high level of agility. The aircraft's canards improve aerodynamic performance. The Rafale's glass cockpit was designed around the principle of data fusion that prioritises information display to pilots. The primary flight controls are arranged in a hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS)-compatible configuration. The Rafale also features an advanced avionics suite. The passive front-sector electro-optical system can operate both in the visible and infrared wavelengths. The total value of the radar, electronic communications and self-protection equipment is about 30 percent of the cost of the entire aircraft. The Rafale features an integrated electronic survival system named SPECTRA, which protects the aircraft against airborne and ground threats. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The system incorporates radar warning receiver, laser-warning, Missile Approach Warning (MAW) for threat detection plus a phased array radar jammer and a decoy dispenser for threat countering. Areos all-weather, night-and-day-capable reconnaissance system used on the Rafale has the ability to transmit information such as images in real-time to ground stations. The RBE2 AA active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar has a range of 200 km. The 36 aircraft, €7.87 billion (Rs 58,891 crore), Government-to-Government (G2G), Rafale deal included 28 single-seat, and eight twin-seat aircraft. The deal included tailor-made IAF specific enhancements including the integration of an Israeli helmet-mounted display (HMD), radar warning receivers and low-band jammers. It included a weapons package and a performance-based logistics agreement. The aircraft's 14 hard-points can carry 9,500 kg external load. The air-to-air missiles include Matra Magic II, MBDA MICA IR or EM, and MBDA Meteor. Meteor is an active radar guided BVRAAM that offers multi-shot capability against long range manoeuvring jets, UAVs and cruise missiles in a heavy electronic countermeasures (ECM) environment with range of around 180 kilometres. The no-escape zone of over 60 km is the largest among air-to-air missiles according to the manufacturer. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India also procured SCALP air-to-ground cruise missiles. Subsequently, the HAMMER (highly agile modular munition extended range) glide bomb was bought. The Indian Rafale is a modified version of the F3R standard. The two squadrons are located at two different air bases. Both these airbases have infrastructure and capacity for an additional squadron each. French has already tested the F4 variant with upgraded radar, improved HMDS, OSF (long-range optoelectronics system) will add IRST for detecting and identifying airborne stealth targets at long range. It will be more effective in network-centric warfare, with more data exchange and satellite communication capacity. Make-in-India Rafale Win-Win for India, France Indian Navy has just ordered 26 Rafale-M, French Air and Space Force and Navy have combined orders for 286. Other operators with confirmed orders are IAF (36) Croatia (12), Egypt (54), Qatar (36), UAE (50), Indonesia (42), and Serbia (12). More orders are on the way. The current production rate is 25 aircraft a year. It will take nearly 10 years to meet existing orders. France desperately needs another production in India will be for all global customers. India's capability to make global class aero-structures has been proven with cabins of Apache AH-64, Sikorsky S-92 helicopter and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. India also makes Lockheed Martin F-16 wings. India makes the entire indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Making the Rafale fuselage in India will work out much cheaper for France. Induct 114 Rafale: Best Way Ahead Traditionally India and France have been enjoying an exceptionally warm relationship, which is the fruit of deep affinities and the unwavering trust between the two countries since India's independence. France is considered as the most reliable Western 'friend'. France has never imposed any sanctions or tried to arm-twist India. IAF regularly carries out Garuda series of air exercises with the French Air Force since 2003. The latest 'Garuda VII' was held at Jodhpur in November 2022. French air and Space Force (FASF) also participated in IAF multilateral exercise 'Tarang Shakti' in August-September 24. IAF is already down to 30 fighter squadrons' vis-à-vis the authorised 42. India has a two-front war threat. IAF urgently needs more fighter squadrons. The Request for Proposal (RfP) for 114 new 'Make-in-India' is still to be sent out. A full-fledged selection process could take 6-8 years. Rafale is a tried and tested aircraft. India has already paid for one time India specific enhancements. We have spare capacity at existing IAF Rafale bases to take more squadrons. There is 95 per cent commonality between the IAF and Navy Rafale. Most recent aircraft deals have all been G2G. Rafale has already been a winner of a contest in which similar competing aircraft were involved. India already has a large variety of fighter fleets. Multiple fleets are a logistical nightmare. To save time, it would be prudent to acquire 114 Rafale 4.5 generation aircraft. Initially, India would mostly make the fuselage airframe. As we go along, more sub-parts and components will be manufactured. If India chooses to make 114 Rafale for IAF, the order numbers along with the Navy would go up to 140. India could thus insist on making the entire aircraft in India. India could also tie-up with France's Safran for India's fighter aero-engine development. It will make better economic sense for IAF also to choose Rafale and acquire the latest variant F4 in a G2G deal and make it in India in larger numbers to amortise costs. The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Long-range precision weapons make geographical barriers irrelevant
NEW DELHI: India's use of long range precision-guided munitions like the Scalp and BrahMos missiles launched from fighter jets to strike targets on the ground in Pakistan, without crossing the border during , show geographical barriers have become almost meaningless, chief of integrated defence staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said on Wednesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The senior IAF officer, speaking at a seminar here, also underlined the critical role of real-time situational awareness and 'deep surveillance' in contemporary conflicts, while stressing that advances in technology have fundamentally altered the relationship between distance and vulnerability. 'When we look at global conflicts commencing from Armenia-Azerbaijan to Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas and to our own experiences in Operation Sindoor, one truth emerges with crystal clarity: the side that sees first, sees farthest and sees most accurately, prevails,' Air Marshal Dixit said. The existing principles of war are being challenged, with new ones emerging rather rapidly. 'Earlier, the horizon marked the limit of immediate threat. Today, precision-guided munitions like the Scalp, BrahMos and Hammer have rendered geographical barriers almost meaningless, as strikes with beyond visual range air-to-air missiles and supersonic air-to-ground missiles have become commonplace,' he added. Referring to China's military space program expanding from operating just 36 satellites in 2010 to over 1,000 by 2024, with over 360 of them dedicated to ISR (Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) missions, Air Marshal Dixit said Beijing's creation of an independent aerospace force last year signals its recognition of space as the ultimate high ground in modern warfare. 'Yet, even as we acknowledge these challenges, we must also celebrate our own remarkable achievements. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Operation Sindoor demonstrated that indigenous innovation, when properly harnessed, can match and even exceed international benchmarks,' he said. Towards this end, he cited the success of the IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), integrated with the Army's AkashTeer system, in compressing the sensor-to-shooter timelines and ensuring effective air defence during Operation Sindoor. 'Not a single Pakistani aircraft breached our airspace, while our precision strikes successfully degraded their air defence capabilities and aerial infrastructure,' he said. With weapons capable of striking targets hundreds of kilometers away with pinpoint accuracy, he said, 'This new reality demands that we extend our surveillance envelope far beyond what previous generations could have even imagined. 'We must detect, identify and track potential threats not when they approach our borders, but when they are still in their staging areas, airfields and bases, deep within an adversary's territory. This existed as a concept even earlier but today we have the means to realise it,' he added.
