October 03, 2011 by Shiv Aroor LIVEFIST

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Norman Browne today said the two final commercial bids in the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) -- from Dassault for the Rafale and EADS for the Typhoon -- will be opened by the end of this month. On October 7, the MoD's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) will hold a final meeting on the programme, and, according to the IAF chief, "sort out any final issues before the bids are opened".

03/10 Yann Rousseau, Les Echos - CORRESPONDANT À TOKYO

Le Japon doit attribuer avant la fin décembre un programme d'achat de plus de 40 chasseurs, estimé à 6 milliards de dollars. Boeing, Lockheed Martin et Eurofighter viennent de remettre leurs offres. Les liens unissant Washington et Tokyo pourraient troubler la compétition.

A Tokyo, les lobbies accélèrent leur travail pour tenter de peser sur les choix du gouvernement qui doit enclencher avant la fin décembre le programme de renouvellement de sa flotte d'avions de chasse. Après avoir repoussé cette décision stratégique pendant plus de trois ans, le ministère japonais de la Défense a reçu en début de semaine les dernières offres des groupes étrangers cherchant à emporter ce marché estimé à près de 6 milliards de dollars.

Pour remplacer sa flotte de F-4 Phantom basés sur des technologies des années 1970 et ses F-15 Eagles, le Japon envisage d'acheter entre 40 et 60 appareils. Il hésite, officiellement, entre le F-18 Super Hornet de Boeing, le F-35 Lightning II JSF de Lockheed Martin et le Typhoon européen Eurofighter. En déclarant il y a quelques jours que le choix du gouvernement serait « ouvert » et se fonderait sur des considérations purement techniques et non politiques, le ministre de la Défense, Yasuo Ichikawa, a flatté les espoirs du consortium européen et notamment des cadres du britannique BAE Systems qui ont dépensé, ces derniers mois, beaucoup d'énergie dans le pays pour promouvoir leur appareil. Le Japon avait initialement espéré acquérir des F-22 Raptor de Lockheed avant de se voir opposer un refus humiliant de Washington, et s'inquiète des retards de développement du F-35. Du coup, Tokyo pourrait oser pour la première fois choisir un partenaire non américain, espèrent les Européens.

Pour tenter de l'emporter, Eurofighter a laissé entendre qu'une victoire du Typhoon enclencherait de multiples transferts de technologies vers les industriels japonais. Boeing, dont le F18 est présenté comme le moins coûteux de la compétition, mais également comme le moins moderne par ses rivaux, a également promis de confier à des groupes japonais la fabrication d'au moins 75 % des composants de l'appareil.

« Décision trop stratégique »

S'ils reconnaissent que la compétition apparaît plus ouverte qu'à l'accoutumée, les observateurs indépendants ne semblent, pour la plupart, pas croire à la réalité des chances d'Eurofighter. « C'est une décision beaucoup trop stratégique », souffle un industriel européen qui pointe les liens forts qui unissent toujours le Japon et les Etats-Unis. « Tokyo, qui a déjà froissé Washington sous le Premier ministre Hatoyama, fait tout depuis des mois pour se réconcilier pleinement avec les Américains, et ne va pas risquer un nouvel accrochage sur un dossier de défense aussi sensible », explique-t-il.

Selon ces experts, les récents discours d'ouverture du ministre de la Défense ne viseraient dès lors qu'à prévenir le courroux des Européens, qui ne manqueront pas de dénoncer une nouvelle fois, en cas de victoire des entreprises américaines, l'iniquité du marché japonais. Plusieurs capitales de l'Union, telles que Paris, ne cachent pas qu'elles retarderont le lancement des négociations sur un accord de libre-échange avec Tokyo tant que le pays ne cessera pas de favoriser aveuglément les entreprises américaines dans tous les grands appels d'offres.

RNZAF Beechcraft King Air B200 (photo : NZFF)

03.10.2011 DEFENSE STUDIES

The Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp, has announced moves to develop a new advanced pilot training capability for the RNZAF. This will include new advanced trainer aircraft.

“In future pilots will train on fast and manoeuvrable aircraft which provide much more rigorous and realistic training. This will prepare them effectively for the demanding military flying they will be called upon to perform in service,” said Dr Mapp.

“The upgraded P3 Orion and C-130 Hercules aircraft and the NH90 helicopter are frontline military aircraft that are routinely flown well beyond normal civil parameters.

“Currently advanced pilot training is done using King Air B200s. These twin-engine civilian planes are limited in the power, manoeuvrability and cockpit visibility needed for training at this level.


Comparison with Australia and Canada (photo : Beehive)

“They are also not equipped with the modern generation electronic instruments, communications and situational awareness aids that are important features of our new and upgraded aircraft and helicopters.”

Dr Mapp said last year’s Defence White Paper was clear that pilot training needs to match the full range of operational demands made on aircrew.

“A Request for Information from industry has been released today, covering provision of suitable aircraft as well as different training options including the use of simulators.”

“The Government is open to either leasing or purchasing aircraft, and innovative ways of managing the support and operation of new aircraft. We will be encouraging industry to work with the RNZAF to introduce this new training capability as quickly as possible.

“The project exemplifies the Government’s openness to working with industry to develop innovative solutions that deliver better services more efficiently.”

Dr Mapp noted the King Air fleet would still be needed for multi-engine and continuation training and utility transport tasks. A project to upgrade or replace the current King Airs, for which the lease expires at the end of June next year, is underway.

(Beehive)

See Also :

Defence Capability Plan launched
03 Oktober 2011

The Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp, today launched the new Defence Capability Plan.

“This plan sets out how Defence will carry out the Defence White Paper strategies over the next decade,” said Dr Mapp.

“It will guide our decisions on shaping frontline units and on the equipment and capability they will have. It takes into account affordability, resources and defence priorities”.

“The plan is not just a list of projects and equipment. Capability for the Defence Force is about transporting and sustaining a deployable Defence Force here and overseas. It is about using modern technology to give the entire defence force a common operating picture. And it is about ensuring our men and women in uniform are equipped to meet all the challenges they face, from combat through to disaster relief.”

The plan includes new projects covering the next decade, including upgrading or replacing the Seasprite helicopters, a systems upgrade for the ANZAC frigates, a Special Forces Battle Training facility, and a land transport capability programme.

“An important project is a new pilot training capability, including finding advanced training aircraft to replace the current King Air B200s,” said Dr Mapp.

There are also plans for network-enabled systems which are interoperable across the Defence Force and multinationally.

Dr Mapp said the plan signals good opportunities for local industry.

“Industry is a key partner in delivering new and upgraded equipment, and in maintaining it. We already work closely with a number of companies, and there will be many more opportunities for industry, particularly in infrastructure and information technology projects.”

He said the projects in the Capability Plan could be funded for the next ten years from accumulated depreciation, with no need for extra capital. Any increase in costs would be met by reallocating existing resources within Defence.
(The Defence Capability Plan can be found at http://www.defence.govt.nz/pdfs/reports-publications/defence-capability-plan-2011.pdf).

(Beehive)

Photo / Lockheed-Martin

October 03, 2011 by Shiv Aroor LIVEFIST

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Norman Browne today showered praise on Lockheed-Martin's execution of the Indian C-130J Super Hercules contract. With a contract for six more C-130Js in the final stages (through the foreign military sales or FMS route), the IAF chief revealed that the Indian government would be benefitting from a discount of approximately Rs 400 crore in the new contract as a result of savings accured during the execution of the contract for the original six (five delivered, with the sixth to arrive next month). "It is the first time in history that we have received aircraft earlier than the agreed date, and I commend the programme for its execution," the IAF chief said at his annual press conference today. When I asked him if the six follow-on C-130Js would be of the same configuration as the original six, he said, "There will be some improvements."

2011-10-02 India Defence

Augmenting its chopper fleet, the Indian Air Force will induct the first batch of Russian-origin Mi-17 V5 helicopters by mid-October. India had in 2008 signed a deal with Russia to induct 80 Mi-17 V5 helicopters for strengthening its chopper fleet for humanitarian and disaster relief missions and transport operations.

"We are going to induct the first batch of Mi-17 V5s from Russia by the second week of the month, and by March next year we will have 26 of them," an IAF official said in New Delhi.

They said one of the first few helicopters would be sent to the northeast sector and will be deployed at the Bagdogra air base under the 156 helicopter Unit. The compliment of all 80 helicopters is likely to be inducted by late 2013 or early 2014, IAF sources said. The IAF is also looking to induct another 59 such choppers to replace the older Mi-17 variants and the Mi-8 choppers.

The IAF chopper fleet has also been augmented by the induction of around 19 Mi-17 IVs which were operating in the UN missions in Congo and Sudan. "These missions have been closed and the choppers flown back from there have been provided to units located in central and eastern parts of the country," they said.

The Mi-35 attack helicopters, which were also part of the UN operations, have been deployed in the desert sector and an attack helicopter squadron has been revived at the Suratgarh air base.

The IAF has plans of procuring over 230 helicopters including heavy, medium and light utility and attack choppers. It has also placed orders for procuring 12 VVIP helicopters for ferrying the President, Prime Minister and other important dignitaries in the country.

2011-10-02 (China Military News cited from the-diplomat.com and by Mark Stokes & L.C. Russell Hsiao)

A Chinese government-affiliated publication recently identified Maj. Gen. Liu Qide as the newly assigned commander of 55 Base (96301 Unit), China’s premier intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) command headquartered in the western Hunan city of Huaihua.

Liu has replaced Maj. Gen. Lu Fu’en, who was promoted to Second Artillery chief of staff in December 2010. Lu, in turn, replaced Lt. Gen. Wei Fenghe, who was assigned as People’s Liberation Army (PLA) deputy chief of the General Staff Department. Wei’s move to a senior position within the GSD reflects the Second Artillery’s growing prominence within the Chinese defence establishment. In addition, these personnel shifts suggest the significant role of the 55 Base in the Second Artillery’s organizational structure and the importance that the Chinese leadership attaches to the ICBM units’ function in its overall missile defence strategy.

Liu’s Bright Future

Given his relative youth, Liu appears to have a bright future. Born in Shandong’s Jining County in February 1957, Liu has roots in the Second Artillery’s ICBM community. He was assigned to 55 Base’s 803 Brigade in Jingzhou as a junior officer, and remained in the unit for more than a decade. Liu was a junior member of the DF-5 operational test and evaluation unit within the brigade, and participated in test launches in the early 1980s. He served as 803 Brigade Commander from 1997, and was subsequently assigned as director of the 55 Base Equipment Department in 2004. In this position, he oversaw the integration of the DH-10 land attack cruise missile and new ICBM variants into the base’s missile inventory. He transferred to the Second Artillery’s Communications Department in July 2007, where he managed the force’s nuclear command, control, and communication system. He returned to Huaihua in early or mid-2010 to serve as 55 Base chief of staff until his promotion to commander.

The importance of 55 Base

The Central Military Commission directed the initiation of launch site preparations in Hunan in August 1966, and 55 Base was formally established in May 1968. An engineering unit (306 Engineering Command) that had returned to its home base of Guangxi Province after service in Vietnam was responsible for infrastructure development. Deployed to the remote south-western Hunan town of Jingzhou, the command moved to Huaihua in 1970. The first 55 Base commander and political commissar were Mo Yiming and Deng Bo, respectively. Mo and Deng remained in their positions for over a decade. Initial DF-4 and DF-5 missiles entered service with two operational test and evaluation units in the first half of the 1980s.

As 55 Base commander, Liu and his staff oversee three brigades equipped with the DF-4 and DF-5 ICBM systems, and a fourth equipped with the 2,000 kilometres range DH-10 LACM. With an estimated range of at least 13,000 kilometres, the silo-based, liquid-fuelled DF-5 is capable of striking targets throughout most of the continental United States. The DF-4, with a range of at least 5,500 kilometres, is capable of reaching targets throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including US facilities on Guam.

There are four missile brigades at 55 Base:

803 Brigade (Jingzhou)

Established as an operational test and evaluation unit in October 1968, the Jingzhou brigade has been equipped with the DF-5 ICBM since 1984. However, media reporting in November 2007 highlighted the unit’s acceptance of a new missile, possibly the DF-5A, in the 2006-2007 timeframe. The brigade’s six battalions are located in Jingzhou and Suining Counties.

805 Brigade (Shaoyang)

Also established as an operational test and evaluation unit in the 1960s, the Tongdao 805 Brigade was equipped with initial DF-4 theatre-level nuclear missile systems in the early 1980s. Within the last two years, the brigade headquarters appears to have relocated from Tongdao to Shaoyang, a prefectural-level city in central Hunan Province. There are indications the brigade began conversion to a new missile variant in 2007, possibly an improved variant of the DF-4. By July 2010, the unit was becoming increasingly proficient in day and night-time operations. A 2010 Shaoyang City report identified Senior Col. Yi Decai as brigade commander. Yi previously commanded Base 55’s nuclear warhead and missile depot. Colonel Dai Weide was transferred from the warhead depot to serve as the brigade’s political commissar in 2010.

Original Full Article

October 2, 2011. David Pugliese - Defence Watch

There’s been some recent developments in the submarine world in Asia.

First, the Bangkok Post is reporting that Royal Thai Navy’s plans to purchase six used German submarines has been recently rejected by the country’s Defence Minister after an oversight committee recommended that the navy reexamine the cost-effectiveness of the project.

The previous Thai government approved the creation of a submarine force which has so far been fully manned, though does not currently possess any boats. The six U206A diesel-electric submarines proposed for purchase were introduced into German service in 1971, and were decommissioned in 2010, according to the report. Similar plans by Indonesia to purchase the subs fell through in the late 1990′s, as did later interest on the part of the Greek navy.  Thai officials say that if their current plans to buy the German boats fail, they will seek the purchase of other submarines, either new or used, from a defence committee list that includes boats from Russia, China, and South Korea.

Meanwhile, Channel News Asia and the Yonhap News are reporting that North Korea is increasing its submarine exercises in the Yellow Sea and East Sea.

South Korea’s Defence Ministry pointed out the North Korean drills in the Yellow Sea began a month in advance this year and increased from 28 to 50 in the first eight months of 2010 compared to 2009, while the number of North Korean submarine drills in the East Sea went up from 25 to 39 over the past year.

Visakhapatnam, Oct. 1: thehindubusinessline.com

The Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri is bullish on the Indian market and is hopeful of further strengthening its ties with India for delivery of vessels to the Navy, according to the Chairman, Mr Corrado Antonini.

He was speaking to the press here on Saturday, after INS Sakti, a 27,550-tonne fleet tanker, was commissioned at the naval dockyard by the Navy Chief Nirmal Verma. It was built by the Italian shipyard.

Mr Antonini said Fincantieri had earlier delivered another ship, Deepak, in January, and also an oceanographic vessel, Sagar Nidhi, for the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai. “We are also involved in the design of the propulsion system of the indigenous aircraft carrier currently being built by India at the Cochin shipyard,” he said.

cruise ships

He added that Fincantieri, with a turnover of €3 billion, was ranked number five in the global industry and it was the number one in building cruise ships. “It is a difficult task to build a cruise ship, as so many complex technologies are involved. But in India we are building ships for the Navy and we are also interested in assisting the Indian shipyards in construction of vessels,” he said.

Niche markets

Mr Antonini said the global scenario was very bleak, as the shipbuilding industry was passing through a difficult phase which may last till the end of the decade. “However, our company has certain niche markets. We specialise in those areas and have to an extent escaped the downtrend. But, in general, it is not encouraging. The Chinese have entered the market in a very aggressive manner and are giving the Koreans a stiff competition,” he said.

He said many countries, such as the US, Iraq, Turkey, the UAE and Algeria, were strengthening their navies and “we are delivering ships to all these countries. We were awarded a major order by the US Navy for 10 littoral combat ships. We will build those ships in the shipyards we have in the country.”

Warships for India

He added that both Deepak and Sakti - the warships built for India - had double hull, making them safer, and in accordance with the regulations of the International Maritime Organisation. “We have constructed these fleet tankers in less than 36 months and delivered them ahead of schedule, fully complying with all the quality standards and requirements of the Indian Navy,” he explained.

source rusnavy.com

30 septembre 2011 Par Rédacteur en chef. PORTAIL DES SOUS-MARINS

A la suite d’une inspection par des officiers indiens de haut-rang au chantier naval russe Sevmash, le calendrier général de la modernisation du porte-avions indien INS Vikramaditya a été modifié.

Une délégation d’officiers de la marine indienne, dirigée par le chef du département de la construction navale, le vice-amiral N.N. Kumar, est arrivée le 20 septembre au chantier naval russe JSC Sevmash. La principale conséquence de cette inspection est le changement de la date de début des essais à la mer du Vikramaditya.

La délégation indienne a rencontré un groupe de personnes de haut rang, conduite par le président de la compagnie JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), Roman Trotsenko, et les dirigeants du chantier naval Sevmash — le directeur général Mikhail Budnichenko et le responsable technique Alexei Alsufiev, le vice-président d’USC Anatoly Tiukov, le directeur de la coopération technico-militaire Igor Ponomariov, l’adjoint au chef du service "marine" de Rosoboronexport Evgeny Odintsov.

Les parties ont signé un protocole de travail résumant les résultats de l’inspection. Les délégués de la marine indienne étaient satisfaits de l’avancement des travaux et ont convenu avec les responsables de Sevmash de repousser le débuts des essais à la mer en mai 2012, au lieu de décembre 2011, sans pour autant retarder l’ensemble du programme d’essai, puisque le certificat d’acceptation serait signé à la date prévue, soit le 4 décembre 2012.

Selon le protocole, bien que les travaux aient 4 mois de retard, le chantier russe s’est engagé à rattraper le retard d’ici le début des essais à la mer. A ce jour, les travaux sont terminés à 85%. Sevmash devra terminer d’ici mars 2012 les travaux d’équipement, l’aménagement de l’intérieur et les essais au mouillage.

Les mesures de champ électromagnétiques sont prévues pour avril 2012. Au vu de leurs résultats, il sera décidé si le bâtiment doit être démagnétisé.

D’ici 2012, le chantier naval doit terminer les salles à manger, les cuisines, les chambres et l’hôpital : cabines, quartiers de l’équipage, douches et toilettes.

De plus, le bâtiment doit être contrôlé par l’inspection de sécurité de navigation et une des conditions obligatoires est que l’équipage d’essai vive à bord du bâtiment 90 jours avant la première sortie à la mer. Par conséquent, l’équipage russe de l’INS Vikramaditya doit s’installer à bord à la mi-février 2012.

Le vice-amiral Kumar a attiré l’attention du chantier sur un certain nombre d’autres problèmes, comme l’entraînement de l’équipage indien, le transfert de la documentation, etc.

De façon générale, la partie indienne a noté des progrès considérables. La prochaine équipe d’inspection doit arriver au chantier naval Sevmash en janvier 2012, pour suivre les essais de la partie propulsion.

Référence : RusNavy (Russie)

01.10.2011 DEFENSE STUDIES

The FMU-139 C/B Bomb Fuze is an electronic impact/impact delay fuzing system developed for use by both the U.S. Navy and the Air Force in the MK 80 series and M117 low drag and high drag, guided or unguided, high-explosive bombs. In addition to impact/impact delay, the fuze is capable of accepting a signal from a separate proximity sensor. (photo : L3)

Typical weapon configuration for Mk-80 bomb series (image : ATK)

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Sept. 30 (UPI)

The head of the air force said Taiwan's defense capabilities won't suffer despite the refusal of Washington to sell the island country F-16C/D fighters.

Instead of allowing the sale of new fighters to Taiwan, the United States has agreed to a major $5.9 billion upgrade program of the country's 145 General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon jets.

An ongoing three-year upgrade program of 71 Indigenous Defensive Fighters will be complete late next year just as upgrading begins on Taiwan's F-16A/B fighters, Taiwanese air force Gen. Chang Huey-zon said during a legislative session.

Upgrades to F-16A/Bs will be conducted on a gradual basis, with around 24 aircraft overhauled annually, a report a report by the national news agency CNA said. All the F-16 upgrades will be completed by 2023.

"The decision was made to ensure a balanced military capability," Chang said.

Upgrades to another 56 IDF jets is set to be carried out from 2013-16 at a cost of around $530 million, Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu told a parliamentary committee.

"Besides making foreign arms purchases, we have to continue our efforts to advance military manufacturing technology," Kao said.

Kao said that by showing resolve to maintain self-defense capabilities Taiwan could persuade the United States to agree to the sale of more advanced weaponry in the future.

The ministry also plans to spend $2.63 billion on the acquisition of 50 training aircraft which could be designed and manufactured in Taiwan, although no firm decision has been taken, Kao said.

Development of the IDF -- also known as the AIDC F-CK-1 -- came about because of another refusal by the United States, that of selling Northrop F-20 Tigershark and also F-16 aircraft to Taipei in the 1980s.

However, the sale of the F-16 aircraft went through in 1992, at the same time Taiwan ordered 60 Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters. The Taiwan government also already had committed to the IDF program.

Delivery of all F-16s was completed in 2001.

The IDF was designed and built by the Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. in Taichung, Taiwan, with assistance from U.S. defense corporations.

Airframe development was done in cooperation with General Dynamics.

Power plant and propulsion were designed with Garrett, now Honeywell.

Avionics came from Smiths Industries with some components purchased directly from Lear Astronics, Litton and Martin-Baker.

Maximum speed is around Mach 1.8 from two Honeywell F125-70 engines with a ceiling of 55,000 feet. Range is around 680 miles.

Taiwan remains the sole user of the IDF which first flew in 1989. The aircraft entered active service in 1994 and 130 had been manufactured by 1999.

While the refused sale of the F-16C/D aircraft was a disappointment to Taiwan, the announcement of the upgrade package to the older A/B variants was sternly denounced by Beijing.

"The wrongdoing by the U.S. side will inevitably undermine bilateral relations as well as exchanges and cooperation in military and security areas," China's Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun said in a statement.

Zhang summoned U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke to Beijing to personally deliver the protest and warn of repercussions, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Zhang told Locke the proposed sale was a "wrong decision" that the Obama administration should "immediately cancel" before it produces "serious harm," Xinhua said.

source defencetalk.com

30 September 2011. by Saurabh Joshi - stratpost.com

The first sea trials of the INS Vikramaditya, the erstwhile Russian carrier, Admiral Gorshkov, have been postponed by five months. Russian website RUSNAVY.com reports that the sortie, which was earlier scheduled for the end of this year, is now being planned for May 2012.

This comes after the visit of Vice Admiral NN Kumar, last week, to the Sevmash shipyard in Russia, where the carrier is being refit. Kumar, who is the Controller of Warship Production &. Acquisition for the Indian Navy, was on a visit to inspect the work being done on the carrier.

However, it is understood that while the beginning of the trials will be delayed, the shipyard has committed to completion of the trials by the earlier timeline, with the acceptance certificate still scheduled for December 2012.

Indian Defense Minister Arackaparambil Kurian Antony will be visiting Russia from Monday as co-chairman of the 11th meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) with his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov, where the issue of the delivery of the Admiral Gorshkov will also be on the agenda.

Sources in the Indian Navy said that this was not a wholly unexpected development, with the seas in the waters off Northern Russia known to be difficult in winter. They confirmed, however, that the overall delivery schedule remains unaffected, so far.

30 September 2011. by Indo-Asian News Service & By Nallan Chakravarthi Bipindra

New Delhi: India’s topline Sukhoi-30 MKI combat aircraft will soon be a permanent fixture in the skies over Rajasthan, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) deploying a squadron of the air superiority fighter jets at the Jodhpur air base on Saturday, from where the Pakistan border is a mere two minute flight away.

“This will be the first time a squadron of the Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft is being based in Rajasthan, that too close to Pakistan border,” a defense ministry official told IANS here Friday.

With the induction of the Sukhoi squadron in Rajasthan, the IAF’s strike capability has been ramped up considerably.

“The squadron will formally assume its duties with effect from Oct 1 from Jodhpur air base,” defense spokesperson at Jodhpur, Colonel SD Goswami told IANS.

“The squadron taking to the Western sector skies — with its lethal strike force, multi-role function and weaponry carrying capability — will give unassailable advantage to IAF in this sector,” Goswami said.

The twin-engined Russian-origin Sukhoi-30 MKI, with a capacity to touch 2 Mach or 2,450 kmph speeds, are now produced under license in India.

These war birds are set to get deadlier with the integration of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile very soon. The aircraft has a range of 5,200 km and a capacity to carry 8,000 kg of warheads.

The Sukhoi squadron will have 16 aircraft in its inventory.

The planes have already arrived Jodhpur from Pune in Maharashtra, where they were previously based, officials said.