13 August, 2010, ZEENEWS.COM
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive the first two C-130J special operations aircraft from the United States in February 2011 and the remaining four ordered by the end of the year.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik told India Strategic defence magazine (www.indiastrategic.in) in an interview that the IAF was giving equal importance to the acquisition of combat and transport aircraft as part of the "transformation process" now underway and that the infrastructure to operate the C-130Js from the Hindon airbase near the Indian capital was nearing completion.
The IAF and the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) had signed an agreement with the US Air Force (USAF) and Department of Defense (DoD) to buy six Lockheed Martin C-130Js in January 2008 in a package deal of around $1 billion.
There is an option to buy an additional six aircraft, without any cost escalation, but Naik said that while the IAF was considering this, a decision was likely after the first C-130Js would be received.
"We will see them, and then exercise the option," India Strategic quotes him as saying in its coming edition.
The US government is selling the aircraft under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, through the USAF.
According to Lockheed Martin, all the six aircraft are under various stages of construction. A picture of three of them being built has already been released while one C-130J has been painted in IAF colours and is undergoing pre-delivery flying tests.
The C-130J is a multirole airlifter with night landing capability from football field-sized air strips and battlefields.
The IAF's C-130Js will also be equipped with a midair refuelling probe.
The USAF and DoD are involved in overseeing the fulfilment of contractual obligations by Lockheed Martin, and at present, 10 IAF pilots are undergoing training as part of the support package. Eight more will be sent shortly.
Naik said that all aircraft now come with their simulators and support and training packages. There is renewed emphasis on training and safety, both of which are crucial for mission success.
On an earlier occasion, the air chief has observed that mission succes means destruction of an enemy and safe return of own aircraft and pilots.
IANS
11 August, 2010, AviationWeek.com
By Anantha Krishnan M.
BENGALURU, India
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) will have to step up Su-30MKI production at its Nasik facility following the announcement for 42 more fighters being ordered from Russia.
“The ball is now in HAL’s court and it needs to speed-up the delivery of the current order so as to take the additional load,” a senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official told AVIATION WEEK. HAL has been told to complete the ongoing Su-30MKI blocks (under the compressed schedule) by 2015 at all costs. “There are concerns expressed by us time and again and we are watching the progress at the other end,” the official said.
When asked to explain what the IAF “concerns” were, the official declined to elaborate.
Sources in HAL said that the overall production rate of Su-30MKI during the current financial year is falling far behind expectations.
The IAF already have inducted more than 110 Sukhois (out of original 230 aircraft) and the additional 42 would take the total strength to 272 (Aerospace DAILY, Aug. 11). The IAF fleet has been steadily declining the last few years. It is operating with 32 fighter squadrons, short of the approved 39.5, and fleet strength could dip to 27 by 2017.
Indian defense minister A.K. Antony told the Indian Parliament that the Su-30MKIs would be delivered to the IAF during 2014-2018. The IAF currently operates five Su-30 squadrons, with three in Pune and two in Bareilly. Two more squadrons are likely to come up in Halwara (Punjab), Jodhpur (Rajasthan) and Tezpur, Chabua (Assam). The fighter will soon carry a version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
The Sukhois are built under license at HAL’s five Divisions (Nasik, Koraput, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Korwa) and are later assembled, integrated, test-flown and delivered from Nasik. Fifty Sukhois initially came directly from Russia between 2002 and 2005. All of these divisions will be participating in the raw material phase of manufacturing the new Sukhois.
Green Flag-West 10-09 begins Aug. 8.
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Southern Nevada and Southern California residents will see increased military aircraft activity as the U.S. Air Force hosts exercise Green Flag-West 10-09 from Aug. 8-19.
Aircraft will depart from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., twice daily for missions at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. Flying will take place Sunday through Friday both weeks. Takeoffs are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. with flights Air to Air Refueling and landing around 5:00pm then taking off again at 7:30 p.m. to land around 10:30 p.m. The exercise flight path includes areas within Las Vegas valley, near Mount Charleston, and north of Pahrump in Nevada; as well the Mojave Desert near Fort Irwin in both Inyo and San Bernardino Counties in California.
This is the first Green Flag exercise for the Pakistani Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force. Their participation increases the interoperability between air forces and the ability to safely execute Close Air Support. Units from the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps regularly participate in this exercise, which takes place 10 times annually and involves anywhere from 6,000 to 9,000 troops on the ground at the NTC in addition to aircraft overhead.
Green Flag-West's realistic air-land integration and employment training prepares U.S. and allied nations for deployment and modern Close Air Support combat operations worldwide. Aircraft work out of the 549th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis while the Air Force's Battlefield Airmen work out of the 12th Combat Training Squadron at Fort Irwin.
Green Flag-West provides a large-scale training opportunity that is similar to what can be found in Afghanistan and Iraq. Joint Terminal Attack Controllers imbedded with the Army on the ground direct aircraft to provide CAS via low passes, strafing and dropping bombs on targets or providing armed escort to convoys through the 1,000-square-mile National Training Center.
Aircraft and squadrons participating in Green Flag-West 10-09 include the Pakistan Air Force's F-16s; the Royal Saudi Air Force flying F-15Ss; the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron from Nellis AFB, Nev., flying F-16s and F-15Es; the 319th Air Refueling Wing from Grand Forks AFB, N.D. flying KC-135Rs; the Civil Air Patrol's Clark County Squadron located at the North Las Vegas Airport flying C-182Qs; the 10th Air Support Operations Squadron JTACs from Fort Riley, Kansas and USMC Anglico JTACS from Camp Lejune, North Carolina.
Pakistan Air Force Trains at Nellis AFB
LAJES FIELD, Azores (AFNS) -- It took six days and four stops for six Pakistan Air Force pilots to fly six F-16Bs over 7,700 miles from Mushaf Air Base in northern Pakistan to Las Vegas to fly and train in Red Flag 10-4 and Green Flag 10-9 exercises at Nellis AFB.
Approximately 100 maintenance, support and aircrew personnel arrived here in mid-July and have already completed the intense two-week Red Flag exercise, which concentrates on large force combat employment.
"Red Flag has given the PAF the opportunity to deploy its assets and personnel around the world," said Group Captain Javad Saeed, the Pakistan Detachment commander. "It has also provided a contemporary air combat training environment for our less experienced aircrew members."
The PAF flew 57 air interdiction sorties in 12 days. "For PAF to participate in Red Flag, it required training and proficiency on air-to-air refueling operations," Captain Saeed said. The PAF, with U.S. Air Force support, was able to gain that proficiency and refuel 50 times for a total transfer of 110,900 pounds of jet fuel.
The captain said deploying to Nellis has given them the opportunity to interact and operate in a joint environment, allowing every person, unit and nation involved to learn from each other. He added that Red Flag provides a rich training environment shaped by different professional forces and nations.
Red Flag 10-4 had personnel from 16 different countries, including units from Pakistan, Singapore and Saudi Arabia. Also participating was a NATO unit from Germany and U.S. Navy, Marines and Air Force units.
"The Pakistan Air Force's participation in this world-class exercise helps to build international air force cooperation, interoperability and mutual support," said Vice Adm. Michael LeFever, the U.S. Defense representative to Pakistan.
"The participation, together in this exercise, is not only valuable but also essential in that allied forces are the key to success," said Col. Don Godier, 20th Fighter Wing vice commander and Air Expeditionary Wing commander for Red Flag.
Captain Saeed said that Pakistan's participation in Red Flag was useful, adding that he felt the best thing was the debriefing methodology and the tools used to bring out valid lessons.
The Pakistan Air Force didn't leave after Red Flag but is staying for an additional three weeks in order to participate in Green Flag 10-9. Green Flag runs from Aug. 8-19 and is an exercise that focuses on close air support of ground troops. Joint terminal attack controllers working on the ground talk to pilots flying overhead and direct them in to provide close air support on the 1,000-square-mile National Training Center near Fort Irwin, Calif.
"Pakistan and the U.S. have participated in normally scheduled exercises since 2006," said Capt. Lisa Spilinek, chief of media operations for U.S. Air Force Central Command Public Affairs. "These exercises are designed to improve U.S. and Pakistani interoperability, enhance security relationships and demonstrate U.S. resolve to support the security and humanitarian interests of our friends and allies in the region."
"The Green Flag exercise will be a new experience for us... something new that we are looking forward to as a whole," Captain Saeed said. "Participating in both exercises gives us an opportunity to understand each other culturally and professionally, which is crucial for forces and nations dependent on each other, working for common objectives."
These unique exercises allow the U.S. and Pakistan the opportunity to enhance air force interoperability and show mutual support. By coming to Nellis to participate in Red Flag 10-4, both air forces' personnel have improved their skills and worked with and learned from one another. Green Flag 10-9 will provide the opportunity for continued growth.
Lajes Field Airmen support Pakistan air force on deployment to exercise
LAJES FIELD, Azores (AFNS) -- On their way to the U.S. to sharpen their close-air-support skills, six F-16 fighter jets from Pakistan and their crew members stopped at here July 14 through 15 before heading to a Red Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
About 100 Pakistan air force pilots, maintainers and support personnel, accompanied by a U.S. tanker, are attending Red Flag, a premier, large force employment and integration exercise.
Airmen of the 65th Operations Support Squadron here were on standby and ready to foster bilateral relations with the international delegates.
"This visit to Lajes is historic to us and the Pakistan crew, because we are hosting them here for the first time," said Tech. Sgt. Jose Ramon, a coronet liaison technician with the 65th OSS. "It is also very crucial in the career of the Pakistan (airmen) since it is their first deployment to the exercise. By welcoming and giving them world-class support, we are ensuring that their short stay here is a wonderful and lasting experience."
Airmen here ensured the crew's billeting, locker and food arrangements were made. They quickly dispersed the necessary aerospace ground equipment support the jets needed, such as jet fuel and lavatory services, among others.
"We did everything we could to make their stay here a memorable one," Sergeant Ramon said.
Sergeant Ramon said that since Lajes Field is the stopping point for smaller aircraft trying to make it across the Atlantic Ocean, Airmen here have a sense of urgency and readiness and they "make it happen."
"In no time, we took the jets off the runway and showed them where to park," said Staff Sgt. Sean McGrath, a 65th OSS transient alert team member.
While some Airmen of the transient alert team, who are mostly crew chiefs, said they see this visit as an opportunity to do what they are trained to do. Some said it allows them to interact with the military of other nations while stationed at Lajes.
"Dealing with international air force members, even though there could be a complete culture difference, is very exciting because it creates an avenue for us to find a common ground to communicate and learn from each other," Sergeant Ramon said. "Such a visit helps us to learn from what they do best and for them to see how we do business."
Making sure the pilots and their crew members want to keep coming back is a goal of the 65th OSS Airmen.
"We'd like crew that pass through Lajes (Field) to know that our service here is first-class," said Maj. Robert Sweeney, the 65th OSS director of operations. "We would also like them to come back here knowing that they will be well taken care of, no matter what time of the day, the weather and where they are going . Whether they are heading to the States or overseas toward deployments or their countries, we would want them to feel like this could be a second home for them."
India to get 57 more Hawk jet trainers for Rs 9,400 crore
25 July, 2010, TNN, TIMES OF INDIA
NEW DELHI: With British PM David Cameron slated to come visiting next week, India is getting all set to order another 57 British Hawk AJTs (advanced jet trainers) in a project worth around Rs 9,400 crore.
As reported by TOI earlier, this will be "a follow-on" order to the ongoing Rs 8,000-crore AJT project, finalized in March 2004 with BAE Systems, under which IAF is already getting 66 Hawk AJTs.
The AJT project has been dogged by some controversy, hit as the Hawks were by the disruption in the supply of some spares from BAE Systems. But the glitches seem to have been ironed out now.
As per the original contract, while IAF received 24 of the twin-seater trainers in "flyaway condition" from BAE Systems, the other 42 are being progressively manufactured indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd under transfer of technology.
The Navy will get 17 of the 57 new Hawks, which will also be manfactured by HAL, for its own aircraft carrier-based fighter training. Towards this, Navy inked a Rs 3,042-crore deal with HAL on Friday. "We will get the delivery over 36 months from 2013 onwards," said a Navy officer.
The Hawks already inducted at the Bidar airbase are being used to train rookie IAF pilots on the intricacies of combat fighter jet flying.
The AJTs help the young pilots to bridge the quantum jump from flying sub-sonic aircraft like HPT-32 and Kiran trainers to directly handling the supersonic 'highly-unforgiving' MiG-21s, without any transitional training to improve inadequate flying skills as was the norm earlier.
Apart from their sheer usefulness in training rookie pilots, the Hawks can also be used as ground attack or air defence aircraft in times of war, capable as they are of carrying 6,800 pounds of weapons, rockets, bombs and air-to-air missiles.
