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Active Aircraft in Indian Air Force

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   The Indian Air Force (IAF) has a diverse inventory that consists of aircraft built by Russia, Britain, France, and indigenous manufacturers. With over 1,700 aircraft in its fleet, the IAF operates approximately 32 combat squadrons. This mix of foreign and domestically produced aircraft ensures a robust and versatile operational capability. IAF Jaguar: The SEPECAT Jaguar, jointly developed by Breguet Aviation of France and the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1979. It is Designed for precision strike missions, it carries a variety of weapons including bombs, rockets, and air-to-ground missiles. The Jaguar's robust design and low-level flying capability make it well-suited for both conventional and counter-insurgency operations. Key Specifications:  Engines: Twin Adour Mk 804 turbofans  Max Speed: Mach 1.6  Range: Approximately 850 miles (1368 km)  Armament: Typically equipped with a combination of bombs, rockets, and air-t...

Kaveri Dry Engine Program

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The Kaveri dry engine, an indigenous aircraft engine developed by DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization). GTRE is entrusted with the design and development of Kaveri Engine which is low bypass twin spool turbo fan engine of 80 kN thrust class. The engine incorporates flat rated characteristics to mitigate the thrust drop due to high ambient intake temperature and / or high forward speed. Development and Achievement : The Kaveri engine, designed and developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), has demonstrated impressive performance metrics. The engine achieved a wet thrust of 70.4 kN and a dry thrust of 46 kN. The core of the Kaveri engine, now stable and free of past issues, has met its dry thrust requirement of 46 kN, although certification is still pending. GTRE has scheduled comprehensive performance and operability tests across the flight envelope at an altitude test facility in 2022, with the initial flight release (IFR) certification expected by 2024...

LCA Tejas Mk-1 & Mk-1A

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The first production series fighter of LCA Tejas Mark-1A, an advanced variant of the LCA Mk-1 that has already been inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) completed its maiden flight in Bengaluru. The Mk-1A will come with digital radar warning receivers, a superior AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar, advanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles and external self-protection jammer pods, among other improvements. HAL, which has delivered 32 single-seat LCA fighters and two of the eight twin-seat trainers of the 40 Tejas Mk1 order worth Rs 8,802 crore, will now have to begin delivery of 83. On Nov 23, 2023 , PM Narendra Modi flew in a trainer that was delivered in Oct 2023, Putting his personal stamp of approval on the indigenous Tejas fighter, which will become the mainstay of the IAF in the years ahead instead of foreign jets.The IAF already has two Tejas squadrons, the ‘Flying Daggers’ and ‘Flying Bullets’, one of which is now deployed in the southwestern sector...

India to get its own 5th Gen fighter! AMCA prototype to get approval next year

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  Stage is getting ready for the launch of India’s own fifth generation stealth fighter aircraft — Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The prototype design for the twin engine AMCA is in the process of being finalized and is expected to be sent for approval to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). This will happen at the end of consultations between all the stakeholders including Indian Air Force (IAF), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Ministry of Defense & Ministry of Finance. Expected Cost of AMCA: - The estimated cost of just developing the prototype of AMCA is pegged at Rs 15,000 crore and the rollout of the first prototype is scheduled for 2025-26. The design and development of AMCA has been carried out by ADA for almost a decade and as reported in Financial Express Online earlier, ADA officials had indicated that the prototype of AMCA will be ready by 2025. However, the engin...

ABHYAS High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target Successfully Completes Developmental Trials with Enhanced Booster Configuration

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      Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully completed six consecutive developmental trials of High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) ‘ABHYAS’ with improved booster configuration from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandpur, Odisha. With this, ABHYAS has successfully completed 10 developmental trials demonstrating the reliability of the system. The trials were carried out with improved Radar Cross Section, Visual and Infrared augmentation systems. During the trials, various mission objectives covering safe release of booster, launcher clearance, and endurance performance were successfully validated. Two launches were conducted back-to-back within a gap of 30 minutes, demonstrating the ease of operation with minimum logistics. Representatives from the Services witnessed the flight trials ABHYAS has been designed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru, and developed through Production Agencies - Hindustan Aeronautics...

Elevating Indigenous Defense Manufacturing: India to forge domestic ecosystem with S-400 air defense squadrons

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       In 2018, India made a deal with Russia to purchase five S-400 squadrons for about INR 40,291 crore ($5.43 billion) which includes 6,000 missiles.   After the Indian Air Force (IAF) receives all five squadrons of the S-400 air defense system, plans will be made to start producing parts of this system in India. India has received three S-400 squadrons so far and they have reportedly been used to intercept airstrikes along the borders with China and Pakistan. The S-400 air defense system can stop any kind of air attack from a range of 2 km to 400 km. With this system in place, any air strike from China or Pakistan can be fully prevented. The next two S-400 air defense missile squadrons will be arriving in India from Russia by third-quarter 2026, according to local media reports. Specifically, defense sources mentioned by India Today indicate that these final squadrons will arrive by August 2026. This delivery will significantly enhance India’s air defiance s...

ISRO's SSLV-D3 Gears Up for Launch, Poised to Make Small Satellite Launch Highly Affordable 10 July 2024

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ISRO's SSLV-D3 Gears Up for Launch       India's space agency, ISRO, is all set for the third and final developmental flight of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), designable SSLV-D3 The launch is scheduled for NET (Not Earlier Than) July 10th, 2024, marking a significant milestone forward making SSLV fully operational. SSLV is a cost-effective launch vehicle specifically designed for mini, micro, and nano satellites. Built for industry production, it caters to the growing The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a small-lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO with payload capacity to deliver 500 kg (1,100 lb) to low Earth orbit (500 km (310 mi)) or 300 kg (660 lb) to Sun-synchronous orbit (500 km (310 mi)) for launching small satellites, with the capability to support multiple orbital drop-offs. SSLV is made keeping low cost, low turnaround time in mind with launch-on-demand flexibility under minimal infrastructure requirements demand for a launch on demand plat...

Argentina may sign for LCA Tejas Mk1A

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 Argentina may sign for LCA Tejas Mk1A   LAC Tejas  It is expected that South American nation Argentina may sign a contract for LCA Tejas Mk1A from HAL. The chief of defense staff of Argentina has arrived in Bengaluru for the Aero India 2023. On 13th Feb they meet defense minister of India Shri. Rajnath Singh. Tejas is a 4th generation fighter aircraft. It is a single engine, light weight, multirole supersonic fighter aircraft. It has a delta wing design just like F22 Raptor. Tejas is a wing weight aircraft with delta wing design which makes it one of the most maneuverable aircraft.  Argentina top officials delegation will be having a meeting with the top officials of Hal. According to the sources, "Argentina is interested to buy a squadron of LCA Tejas Mk1A in which 15 are Tejas Mk1A and 3 Trainer. This number might have change at the time you are reading it.   

F-35 in Aero India 2023

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 F-35 in Aero India 2023 F35 lightning II On 15th Feb 2023 Day-3 of Aero India, two F-35 of US Air Force (USAF) fled in India Airspace for 1st time. In fact it was first time ever that any 5th generation stealth aircraft landed in India.  Out of this two fighter 1st was F-35A Lightning II and 2nd was F35A Joint strike fighter. It is a fifth generation super sonic multi role fighter aircraft aircraft. Its mainly know for its impressive super stealth capabilities. Here are some videos of F35 taking off in Aero India F-35 sent in Aero India speaks lot about the defense relation between India and USA. Media asked US house member about F35 to be offered to India, he said, "It would be premature to have this deal early on". Major General Julian C Cheater said," India has no plan about F35 as AMCA is already in development phase"  Very few countries operates F35 like Israel, Japan, UK, Australia. Cause its so advance that US had only offered to its allies. And US sending i...

What is TEDBF fighter aircraft ?

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 TEDBF Fighter Program  Model of TEDBF India's New Indigenously developed Aircraft carrier got commissioned last year. So a new aircraft carrier requires fighter aircrafts to be operated with its full capabilities. At first Mig-29k were to be commissioned on INS Vikrant but, Mig 29k are aging and are set to be replaced in up coming years.  Why not Naval version of  LCA Tejas ? Naval version of LCA Tejas  LCA Tejas Mark 1A made its successful landing on Vikrant and also had completed its sea trails. Navy was impressed with its performs and its capabilities. But Admiral Sunil Lanba (Chief of Naval staff) said," It does not meet the weight and thrust ratio requirement to be able to takeoff with maximum payload".  Though LCA achieved several milestones throughout the sea trails like launch from INS Vikramaditya on 15 Jan 2017 and landing on Vikramaditya with arrested hook precisely connecting with arrester wires. Single engine delta wing air...