Ten recent bets by India to boost defence might

12 Aug 2013, 10:39 AM IST

1 / 9 Ten recent bets by India to boost defence might Text: Agencies



Considering the threat perception from both China and Pakistan, both the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy have upgraded their capabilities to meet any challenge from the two fronts simultaneously.



From induction of aircraft carriers to fighter planes and surveillance aircraft, defence forces are leaving no stone unturned to boost the country's prowess. We take a look at ten recent developments and upcoming inductions: Agencies

2 / 9 MiG-29K fighter planes Earlier this year, Defence Minister A K Antony commissioned warfare aircraft MiG-29K Black Panther squadron into the Indian Navy. The MIG-29K (K stands for 'Korabelny' meaning "Carrier Borne" in Russian) is a potent carrier borne fighter.



The aircraft is armed with its arsenal of weapons including advanced anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, precision bombs and sophisticated system to support weapon delivery. The MiG-29Ks, with a range of 1,300km and a service ceiling of 58,000-feet, are capable of STOBAR (short takeoff but arrested recovery) operations.



They are armed with R-73 and RVV-AE guided air-to-air missiles, Kh-35E anti-ship missiles, KAB 500KR/OD TV guided bombs and S-8KOM rockets. These are India's first-ever squadron of naval supersonic fighters, which will eventually operate from the decks of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya ( Admiral Gorshkov) as well as the indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC). PTI

3 / 9 Indegenous Aircraft carrier: INS Vikrant India will launch its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, making an entry into a select club of countries capable of designing and building a carrier of this size and capability.



INS Vikrant with a capacity to carry 36 fighter planes would go for extensive trials in 2016 before being inducted into the Navy by 2018 end. Nearly 90% of INS Vikrant's hull has been built indigenously with DRDO and SAIL supplying high quality steel.



The flight deck of IAC will have the capacity to hold 19 aircraft and the hangar inside will have room for 17 fighters. PTI

4 / 9 P-8I planes: Navy's 'intelligent hawk eyes' In May 2013, the first of eight Boeing Poseidon-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti Submarine Warfare (LRMRASW) aircraft India purchased from the US arrived.



Armed with deadly Harpoon Block-II missiles, MK-54 lightweight torpedoes, rockets and depth charges, these sensor and radar-packed aircraft will be the country's "intelligent hawk eyes" over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) that is increasingly getting militarized.



Equipped with foreign and indigenous sensors for maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine operations and electronic intelligence missions, the aircraft is fully integrated with state-of-the-art sensors and highly potent anti-surface and anti-submarine weapons.



Image: Boeing India

5 / 9 C-17 airlifter IAF received its first Boeing C-17 strategic airlifter for flight testing by the US Air Force (USAF) in January 2013. The Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with the US government in 2011, to acquire 10 C-17 airlifters, making India the largest C-17 customer outside the United States.



The pellets for the C-17 and the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules which IAF has already acquired are common and can be moved from one aircraft to another with ease. Also, although the C-17 is a long-range aircraft, it can be refueled midair.



Apart from the pilot and co-pilot, the aircraft carries two loadmasters, but can do with one thanks to its onboard crane and roller floor.



Image: Boeing India

6 / 9 Sukhoi-30 MKIs: IAF's bet Sukhoi claims that Su-30MKI is a two-seat highly-manoeuvrable fighter designed for air-superiority and strikes at ground and naval surface targets using a variety of guided and unguided ADO, with an option of supporting group actions.



When the entire Sukhoi-30 MKIs, including the 42, are delivered to IAF by around 2018, it would become the single largest type of fighters in service, marking a huge technological transition from the dominance of MIG-21 fighters.



IAF plans to upgrade the first 80 Su-30MKIs to the level 'Super Sukhois' which will have highly advanced radars and weapon systems. Su-30 MKIs have been inducted into IAF in four phases. The ones to be upgraded are from the first phase and the project is likely to be completed in the next three to four years.



Image: IAF

7 / 9 Swiss Pilatus trainer aircraft The first of the 75 Swiss Pilatus trainer aircraft procured by the IAF under a Rs 2,800 crore deal to train its rookie pilots arrived in India in February. With induction of Pilatus PC-7 Mark-II trainer aircraft, the trainee pilots will now get a new set of wings to learn their basic flying skills.



Swiss made Pilatus also knows as 'Astra' filled the void in basic flying training after indigenous HPT-32 Deepak was grounded were grounded after a fatal crash in 2009.



Pilatus named after a mountain in central Switzerland is an improved version of the PC-9's airframe and avionics, fitted with the PC-7's smaller turbine ensures lower operating and maintenance costs.



Image: IAF

8 / 9 INS Trikand The Navy inducted its latest guided-missile stealth frigate INS Trikand in June 2013. INS Trikand is the last of the six stealth frigates ordered from Russia. The Navy had earlier inducted three 4,000-tonne Talwar-class stealth frigates ( Talwar, Trishul and Tabar) from Russia in 2003-2004.



The ship also incorporates "innovative" features to reduce its radar, magnetic and acoustic "signatures" to ensure it is relatively difficult to detect by enemy radars.



Powered by four gas turbines, the frigate is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots.



Image: Indian Navy