Tejas fires first BVRAAM

Building on recent flight envelope ( G- limit) expansion achievements, the LCA programme achieved a milestone on 5 February, when aircraft LSP-7 (KH2017), piloted by Gp Capt Madhav Rangachari, fired a beyond-visual-range (BVR) Rafael Derby missile for the first time. The aircraft was operating from Jamnagar for the missile firing trials, having only recently returned from the Bahrain International Air Show held in January. This initial test was an unguided firing of the missile while flying straight and level. As further testing is carried out, additional capabilities will be validated, including target engagement at varying ranges, target speeds and target manoeuvring capabilities, as well as clearance of an expanded weapons release envelope, so that the Tejas can fire the missile while manoeuvring, and across a wide range of speeds. BVR trials are part of the LCA programme’s test campaign toward Final Operational Clearance (FOC), with integration and firing of the aircraft’s cannon as well as a short-range missile, the Rafael Python, still pending.

India, Russia revive FGFA discussions

In a major development in the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme, India and Russia have reportedly restarted talks on co-development and co-production of this futuristic fighter. A Russian delegation was in New Delhi during February 2016 to hold negotiations on the FGFA as well as the Kamov 226T helicopter project. FGFA talks have resumed after Moscow reportedly agreed to reduce India’s share of development costs to $3.7 billion from an earlier figure of $5.5 billion. The Russian government “will also ensure technical know-how is transferred to India along with three prototype Sukhoi T-50 fighters built under the PAK-FA (Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) programme run by Russia as its own fifth-generation project.”

The talks had been stalled since January 2015, after Russian and Indian engineers had completed a preliminary design for the FGFA and India had already paid nearly $300 million. India’s objections were related to high development costs, given that prototypes were already built and flying in Russia, as well as technology transfer issues. This held up India’s commitment of $5.5 billion toward the next phase of the programme. The revised $3.7 billion figure is said to cover an expanded development effort involving India, as well as an increased work share for production.

Additional contract for 48 Mi-17V-5 helicopters

Russia’s Rostec State Corporation, parent company of Russian Helicopters, announced in February 2016 that it expects to close a new contract for 48 additional Mi-17V-5 helicopters for the Indian armed forces. A commercial proposal was presented earlier that month and a firm order is expected this year. Between 20112015, Russian arms export agency Rosoboronexport had already supplied a total of 151 units of the Mi-17V-5, produced at the Kazan Helicopter Plant and assembled in India at No. 3 Base Repair Depot (3 BRD) Chandigarh. The 151 already-delivered Mi-17V-5s have been replacing ageing Mi-8 helicopters, and the additional order is expected to supplement older Mi-17 variants in service.