‘Surya Kiran’ team re-formed

The Indian Air Force has re-established its aerobatic display team, the Surya Kirans, with new BAE Hawk Mk.132 aircraft. The team, which was disbanded in 2011 owing to a critical shortage of flying training aircraft, originally flew the HAL HJT-16 Kiran aircraft in a distinctive orange-and-white paint scheme, and were one of only three aerobatic teams in the world that displayed with nine aircraft in formation. The revitalised Surya Kirans will reportedly make their public debut on Air Force Day 2015 at Hindon AFS, initially flying a limited profile with only four aircraft, but will commence full nine-aircraft displays in 2016.

The new Hawk aircraft have received an updated livery, different from the original colours displayed on the older HJT-16 aircraft, with a distinct ‘sunbeam’ motif originating at the tail (photo above).

DAC clears additional Mi-17, Akash, Chetak purchases

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved various procurement programmes worth over Rs 14,400 crore ($2.2 billion) on 1 September 2015. These included 48 more Mil Mi17V-5 medium-lift helicopters worth Rs 6,900 crore and seven more locally developed Akash-2 surface-to-air missile squadrons worth Rs 4,700 crore for the IAF. The Air Force will also receive four surveillance radars for Rs 270 crore and four of its airfields will receive new air traffic control radar systems for Rs 230 crore.

For the Navy, the DAC cleared eight HAL-built Chetak helicopters worth Rs 300 crore, nine tugs for Rs 300 crore, dockyard repair facilities for Revathi radars at a cost of Rs 30 crore and electronic warfare systems amounting to Rs 200 crore. The Army was cleared to purchase 102 short-span bridges (Rs 490 crore).

The DAC has reportedly given a ‘go-ahead’ to the MoD committee negotiating the purchase of 36 Dassault Rafale fighters for the IAF, indicating that the deadlock over pricing, offsets and IAF-specified configuration changes was under resolution. “The MoD hopes that a government-to-government agreement between Indian and France would be signed in the near future to finalise the contract for the IAF to induct this aircraft.”

The DAC, however, deferred decisions on two major proposals : the Rs 80,000 crore Project-75 (India) for construction of six conventional submarines and a Rs 15,000 crore project for 110 naval utility helicopters to replace the ageing Chetak fleet. Both these long pending proposed projects are to be undertaken in India with foreign collaboration.

Report of Standing Committee on Defence

The latest report of the Standing Committee on Defence presented at the end of Parliament’s Monsoon session has brought out several shortcomings “to be addressed by the government.” The thrust of the report concerns arms and ammunition, vehicles to carry missiles and the below acceptable standard of INAS rifles developed by DRDO. The committee has questioned as to why replacements have not been procured from other sources. Another significant issue highlighted by the report is the lack of progress of HAL’s Intermediate Jet Trainer project forcing the IAF to extend the life of obsolescent Kiran trainers.

The committee has also pointed out the current shortage of officers, especially in junior ranks : the Army is short of 9,642 officers, the Navy 1,561 and the IAF 659. While more attractive service conditions are being planned, the Committee has urged the Ministry of Defence to explore reasons why “a defence services career has ceased to attract the youth of India”.

Armed Heron UAVs ordered

In early September 2015, the Indian government reportedly approved the procurement of ten missile-armed UAVs from Israel, in a deal valued at around $400 million. The armed Heron