MOSCOU, 7 février - RIA Novosti

L'aviation navale de la Flotte russe du Pacifique a effectué des vols réguliers dans la région des Kouriles du sud (Extrême-Orient russe), sans violer l'espace aérien japonais, a annoncé jeudi aux journalistes le porte-parole de la Région militaire de l'est, le capitaine de vaisseau Roman Martov.

"L'aviation navale de la Flotte du Pacifique effectue régulièrement des vols dans cette région en stricte conformité avec les règles internationales de navigation aérienne et sans violer les frontières d'autres Etats", a déclaré M. Martov.

Plus tôt, l'agence Kyodo a rapporté, citant le ministère japonais de la Défense, que Tokyo avait adressé une note de protestation à Moscou suite à la violation de l'espace aérien japonais par des avions militaires russes. Selon les autorités nippones, deux chasseurs russes Su-27 ont pénétré jeudi dans l'espace aérien du Japon au sud-ouest de l'île Rishiri, non loin de Hokkaido. Les appareils russes y sont restés une minute et 11 secondes, forçant l'armée japonaise à mobiliser ses capacités d'interception.

Selon le porte-parole de la Flotte du Pacifique, le 7 février, des équipages d'avions de lutte anti-sous-marine ont effectivement survolé les Kouriles du sud, en mer d'Okhotsk, afin d'améliorer leur expérience de pilotage dans de mauvaises conditions météorologiques.

D'après M. Martov, les équipages avaient également pour mission d'explorer la situation glaciaire dans les détroits au profit de la navigation civile.

Des exercices interarmes d'envergure se déroulent depuis mercredi sur l'archipel des Kouriles, réunissant des troupes d'artillerie, des unités d'aviation de chasse, d'assaut et tactique, des bâtiments de guerre de la Flotte du Pacifique, ainsi que des troupes de gardes-frontières déployées dans la région.

L'incident lié à la pénétration présumée de chasseurs russes dans l'espace aérien japonais s'est produit sur fond de litige territorial entre les deux pays. Le Japon revendique quatre îles faisant partie des Kouriles du sud (Itouroup, Kounachir, Shikotan et Habomai) rattachées à la Russie au lendemain de la Seconde guerre mondiale. Aucun traité de paix n'a été signé entre la Russie et le Japon à l'issue de la guerre. La revendication japonaise constitue le principal obstacle à la conclusion de la paix entre Moscou et Tokyo.

Feb. 7, 2013 - By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI  - Defense News

BANGALORE, India — India has rejected Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, offered to the Indian Air Force nearly two years ago.

Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, told reporters at Aero India 2013 that Iron Dome is not suitable for the service.

The announcement puts to rest speculation in the media that India is negotiating to buy Iron Dome from Israel. Sources in the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) attending Aero India said India and Israel have been discussing the purchase of Iron Dome and the David Sling air defense system, jointly made by the U.S. and Israel, for more than two years.

No MoD official would comment on Browne’s statement, but sources say his announcement will make it difficult for India to buy the system. The fate of David Sling is also uncertain now, added MoD sources.

David Sling is jointly produced by Raytheon and Rafael Advanced Systems of Israel, while Iron Dome is manufactured by Rafael.

Israel showcased the Iron Dome at Aero India alongside David Sling. Israel has used Iron Dome against short-range rockets fired by Hamas and Gaza groups. The David Sling system is a medium- to long-range rocket and cruise missile defense system to provide ballistic missile defense.

In early 2009, India inked a $2.2 billion joint venture with Israel under which India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation works with Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael to develop a 70-kilometer medium-range surface-to-air missile program. The system would be used by the Indian Air Force and also sold to the Israeli defense forces.

India also is developing its own ballistic missile defense system called the Prithvi Air Defense system. The first phase is expected to be completed in 2013-’14.

Feb 7, 2013 Spacewar.com (AFP)

Bangalore, India - France's Dassault Aviation hopes to conclude its $12-billion deal to sell Rafale jets to India this year, with negotiations set to be taken up by President Francois Hollande next week.

"The ideal would be to sign it in 2013," Dassault chief executive Eric Trappier told AFP in an interview about the world's biggest defence deal at India's air show in Bangalore.

"It's not that surprising that it takes a bit of time," he said, pointing out that the contract involved production of 126 state-of-the-art fighters in France and India over a 15-20 year period.

He also confirmed Indian negotiators had detailed their needs for an additional 63 planes beyond the initial order of 126, as reported after a visit by India's Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid to Paris in January.

"It's to let us know that they'll need the assembly lines for a long time," he said.

Hollande is to visit New Delhi on February 14-15 on his first trip to India since being elected in May. Trappier will be in the delegation.

"I don't think there are military aircraft sales without good political relations," said Trappier.

Dassault is one of the big names at this week's Aero India as it shows off the Rafale which beat competition from six rivals from Russia, the US and Europe last year.

Exclusive negotiations are under way to determine the final price and amount of technology transfers, with Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony giving an indication of the complexities involved in a Wednesday news conference.

The deal will have to pass through "six or seven layers" of vetting before being presented to the finance ministry and the cabinet committee on security.

Antony, seen as a clean operator in India's notoriously dirty politics, also said his officials would ensure "no malpractice is there" and denied budget cuts in his ministry would have an impact on "the mother of all contracts".

France is desperate to make its first foreign sale of the Rafale, which has struggled to find buyers after investments of tens of billions of euros.

The conclusion of the deal has been repeatedly delayed. India initially set a target of the end of last year, which slipped to the end of the current fiscal year in March.

Hollande will be followed days later in Delhi by British Prime Minister David Cameron who has lobbied on behalf of the Eurofighter, a rival jet made by a partly British consortium which is ready to step in if Dassault fails.

Under the proposed Rafale deal, the first 18 aircraft are to be made in France with the remainder to be produced under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-run Indian aerospace behemoth.

Dassault must conclude licence deals with about 20-30 different Indian partners, according to Trappier. "We've done more than half of the work so far," he said.

The French group has also formed a joint venture with the Indian conglomerate Reliance, which has no former military production experience but will be involved as a supplier.

Indian Foreign Minister Khurshid likened the negotiations to a fine French wine while in Paris.

"The contract details are being worked out. A decision has already been taken, just wait a little for the cork to pop and you'll have some good wine to taste," he said.

The Rafale has carried out bombing missions in Afghanistan, Libya and most recently in Mali, where it is currently flying sorties targeting Islamist militants.

Feb 7, 2013 by Greg Waldron – FG

Singapore - New Delhi is considering a proposal from Honeywell to upgrade the engines of 125 Sepecat and Hindustan Aeronautics-built Jaguar strike aircraft, after issuing a sole-source request for proposals (RFP) in late 2012.

Honeywell recently submitted a bid for 270 F125IN powerplants to the Indian defence ministry, says an industry source at the Aero India show.

The US company says the F125IN will allow for 23% shorter "hot and high" take-offs, 17-40% higher thrust, greater mission range and better fuel efficiency. It adds that the Jaguars, introduced in 1979, have become overweight and underpowered following years of avionics and weapon systems upgrades.

New Delhi's Hindustan Aeronautics-produced Jaguars are now powered by Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour 811s. The UK engine manufacturer had proposed upgrading these to the Adour 821 standard. However, the company says that in November 2010 the Indian government issued an RFP to itself and Honeywell calling for a new design.

In February 2011, R-R threw the planned upgrade into limbo when it decided not to tender for the work. This created a single-bidder situation that is generally not allowed under Indian procurement policy.

Although sole-source bids contravene normal acquisition practice in India, the air force and defence ministry appear to be making an exception in the case of the Jaguar, says the source.

07/02/2013 M.C– LaTribune.fr (AFP)

Les négociations du contrat du siècle sur la vente de 126 Rafale se poursuivent sereinement. "En termes d'accords industriels, on a fait plus de la moitié du chemin", a assuré le nouveau PDG de Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier, à l'AFP.

Le PDG de Dassault Aviation, Eric Trapppier, espère conclure cette année la vente de 126 avions de combat Rafale à l'armée de l'air indienne, un contrat de 12 milliards de dollars en vue depuis un an. "L'idéal serait de signer en 2013", a déclaré Eric Trappier à l'AFP lors du salon aéronautique militaire, qui s'est ouvert mercredi à Bangalore. La longueur des négociations, ouvertes après que l'Inde a retenu le Rafale fin janvier 2012 contre son concurrent européen, le Typhoon du consortium Eurofighter, ne l'émeut pas. Selon des informations de "La Tribune", Dassault Aviation vise une signature cet été. Eric Trappier accompagnera le président François Hollande les 14 et 15 février à New Delhi où ce contrat évalué par certains experts à 12 milliards de dollars et d'autres évoquent un contrat de 18 milliards d'euros, sera évoqué mais pas signé. Les contrats d'armement en Inde prennent souvent de longues années à aboutir. "En Inde, on n'a pas la maîtrise du temps, a expliqué un industriel établi de longue date dans le pays. Le ministère de la Défense est chroniquement incapable de dépenser son budget en raison de la lenteur des procédures".

"Plus de la moitié du chemin"

"Ce n'est pas choquant que ça prenne un peu de temps", a expliqué Eric Trappier car ce contrat sera exécuté sur 15 et 20 ans. Après les 18 premiers exemplaires, construits en France, les suivants seront assemblés en Inde. Des accords de licence doivent donc être passés avec des partenaires indiens pour tous les équipements et 20 à 30 sociétés indiennes seront impliquées dans le contrat. "En termes d'accords industriels, on a fait plus de la moitié du chemin", a assuré le nouveau PDG de Dassault Aviation. Eric Trappier, qui a pris ses fonctions en janvier, a confirmé que les négociateurs indiens parlaient déjà de commandes au-delà des 126 premiers appareils. D'après des sources proches des négociations, ils évoquent trois tranches supplémentaires pour porter le total à 189 appareils. "C'est pour prévenir qu'il peut y avoir des lignes d'assemblages longues", a-t-il expliqué. Les Indiens veulent ainsi s'assurer que Dassault continuera à produire et moderniser le Rafale pendant des décennies.

L'Indien Reliance participera au programme

Le maître d'oeuvre de l'assemblage en Inde sera Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL), un conglomérat d'entreprises publiques. Mais l'avionneur français a fait monter dans l'accord le groupe privé Reliance, un des plus gros du pays, avec lequel il a créé une co-entreprise. Reliance entrera ainsi dans le domaine de l'aéronautique militaire, et Dassault aura un partenaire qui lui permette d'opérer légalement en Inde. "HAL va faire beaucoup, Reliance va faire un peu", a indiqué Eric Trappier sans dévoiler la nature de la contribution industrielle de Reliance.

Sérénité de Dassault Aviation

Le patron de Dassault peut se montrer d'autant plus serein sur la conclusion du contrat, le premier du Rafale à l'exportation, que les dirigeants indiens multiplient les signes encourageants. Le ministre de la Défense A.K. Antony, a assuré mercredi qu'il n'était "pas question" que les restrictions budgétaires à venir pour la défense affectent le programme du Rafale. A.K. Antony a assuré que ses subordonnés s'efforçaient d'éviter tout risque de faute professionnelle. "Nous voulons, a-t-il dit, accélérer ce processus et avoir un contrat propre". Dans le même temps, le ministre a indiqué que le contrat finalisé devrait passer par "six ou sept niveaux" de vérifications avant d'être soumis au ministère des Finances et au comité ministériel de sécurité nationale. "Les bons vins français mettent du temps à parvenir à maturité, il en est de même pour les bons contrats", avait déclaré le ministre des Affaires étrangères Salman Khurshid en visite à Paris en janvier.

07 février 2013 Romandie.com (AFP)

PEKIN - Pékin a accusé jeudi Tokyo de vouloir salir l'image de la Chine, en réponse au Premier ministre japonais Shinzo Abe qui a estimé extrêmement regrettable l'utilisation par un navire militaire chinois d'un radar de tir verrouillant une cible, en l'occurrence un bâtiment nippon.

Le Japon a récemment fait s'aggraver la crise et renforcé de façon intentionnelle la tension pour salir l'image de la Chine, a déclaré Mme Hua Chunying, porte-parole de la diplomatie chinoise.

Le problème actuel n'est pas que la Chine manifeste son assurance, il est que les navires et les avions japonais se livrent de façon répétée à des activités illégales dans l'espace aérien et les eaux des îles Diaoyu, ce qui sape la souveraineté territoriale chinoise, a encore déclaré la porte-parole.

Cela va contre l'amélioration des relations avec le Japon, a-t-elle ajouté lors d'un briefing quotidien.

Mme Hua répondait à une question sur un incident survenu le 30 janvier en mer de Chine orientale, près de ces îles administrées par le Japon mais revendiquées par la Chine, à l'origine des tensions diplomatiques entre les deux pays ces derniers mois.

Selon le ministre japonais de la Défense mardi, une frégate chinoise a verrouillé son radar de tir le 30 janvier sur un navire militaire japonais, une procédure qui annonce généralement un tir imminent.

Le lendemain, le Premier ministre japonais, Shinzo Abe, a jugé devant le parlement que le navire chinois s'était livré à un acte dangereux qui peut mener à des situations imprévisibles.

C'était dangereux (...) c'est extrêmement regrettable. Nous souhaitons qu'ils (la Chine, ndlr) fassent preuve de retenue afin d'éviter une escalade inutile, a déclaré M. Abe.

Le ministre japonais de la Défense, Itsunori Onodera, avait ajouté qu'un hélicoptère militaire japonais avait été verrouillé de la même façon quelques jours auparavant.

Se servir de ce type de radar est tout à fait anormal (...) et cela pourrait créer une situation très dangereuse à la moindre erreur, avait-il averti.

07 février 2013 Romandie.com (AFP)

TOKYO - Deux avions chasseurs russes sont entrés jeudi dans l'espace aérien japonais, a annoncé le ministère nippon de la Défense qui a fait immédiatement décollé quatre appareils des forces nippones.

Ces avions russes ont pénétré quelques secondes dans l'espace nippon à 14H59 locales (05H59 GMT), au large de l'île septentrionale de Hokkaido, peu après que le Premier ministre nippon a dit vouloir trouver une solution mutuellement satisfaisante à un différend territorial entre les deux pays à propos des îles Kouriles.

February 7, 2013 idrw.org (PTI)

 New inductions in the IAF such as Apache attack helicopters will be in support of operational plans of the Army, which is raising a new Strike Corps along the borders with China in the northeastern sector, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said here today.

“Whatever inductions are taking place in the IAF, they will fully support the Army’s plans. All the strike helicopters like the Apache…They will all support the Army's plans,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar here.

The proposal was first sent by the Army but it was returned by the government which asked the three services to work together on plans to strengthen their capabilities in that region.

“We sent the revised plan to the Defence Ministry in December,” Browne said. The IAF is planning to deploy majority of its new inductions such as the additional C-130 J transport planes and six new midair refueling tanker aircraft at the proposed headquarters of the new Corps in Panagarh in West Bengal to strengthen country's defence capabilities in that sector, IAF sources said.

The force is also planning to station part of the fleet of 22 Apache helicopters being procured from the US in that sector.

The proposal is awaiting clearance from Defence Ministry’s Finance Wing and its cost is being estimated.

Commenting on how the cut of around Rs 12,000 crore in the defence budget was affecting his force, Browne said, “Well we have the 42 Su-30MKI aircraft. The contract (for the additional planes) has to be signed. Payments have to be made for that because the first four aircraft deliveries will take place in March. We have to find money for it.”

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had signed a deal with Russia for the additional 42 Su-30MKIs in December last year and of these 28 will be produced under licence by HAL in the country and the rest would be built in Russia.

On Defence Research and Development Organisation’s proposed Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, Browne said it was “too early” to talk about the plane being a fifth-generation one.

“When all requirements are firmed up, then we will see what technologies are possible and what are not possible. Then you put it in that bracket,” he said.

February 6, 2013, by  Vladimir Karnozov - AIN News Live from AeroIndia » 2013

The Indian Navy is set to receive four additional Kamov Ka-28 anti-submarine warfare and five Ka-31 radar picket helicopters when its new Vikramaditya aircraft carrier is delivered, hopefully by the end of 2013. The new rotorcraft will supplement nine Ka-31s delivered between 1999 and 2004 and 16 Ka-28s that entered service in the late 1980s. The Indian Navy has been a good customer to the Russian helicopter manufacturer and has five Ka-25PLs that it inherited from the former Soviet navy in the 1980s. If India opts to order more Talwar-class frigates from Russia, this could lead to further contracts for Russian-made naval helicopters.

Elbit Systems ATMOS gun provides an autonomous,

highly manoeuvrable and advanced artillery system

February 7, 2013 defense-update.com

Elbit Systems and Bharat Forge Limited announced today plans to establish a Joint Venture Company (JVC) to address the Indian Ministry of Defence and other potential Indian government customers’ requirements for advanced artillery and mortars systems solutions. in addition to addressing current programs and operationally proven systems the JVC will also address future looking programs, including the Advanced Indian Gun System.

“The Strategic Cooperation between Elbit Systems and Bharat Forge, and specifically the JVC, will address Indian defence requirements with operationally proven systems from Elbit Systems that have been customized and adapted for Indian conditions and manufactured at the World class manufacturing facility for end-to–end solutions for artillery systems and armored vehicles upgrades established by Bharat Forge recently in India,” said Mr. Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge Limited.

The JVC will offer solutions in the artillery guns and mortars segment based on Elbit Systems’ operationally proven portfolio, which currently includes systems such as the ATHOS 155/52 Towed Gun System, the ATMOS 155/52 Mounted Gun System and the upgraded 130 mm M46 Gun to a 155/45 Gun (KARAN). The JVC will also role out a range of futuristic products like the Advanced Indian Gun System.

Elbit Systems’ ATHOS towed howitzer system

Mr. Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, Elbit Systems’ Executive Vice President – President and CEO Designee, and formerly General Manager of Elbit Systems Land and C4I Division, noted: “We believe that offering innovative solutions, based on our combined vast operational experience and technological capabilities will position the JVC as a leading supplier to the Indian Ministry of Defence and other potential Indian government customers”.

Bharat Forge Limited, the flagship company, of the Kalyani Group, and Elbit Systems Land and C4I Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd., The JVC will bring together Elbit Systems’ cutting edge technology and system integration capabilities and Bharat Forge’s advanced capabilities in the areas of design, engineering, manufacturing, testing and validation.

February 07, 2013 by Shiv Aroor - Livefist

"The MMRCA is very much on track. The Contract Negotiation Committee process is currently on. I expect contract negotiations to be complete by April/May this year. We should be in a position to sign the contract by the end of the year," Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Norman Browne said today at his press conference at the Aero India show.

He indicate that CNC had been on for only a year now -- they began in February 2012 after the final downselect -- and that he was "keen that it's all wrapped up this year". As a comparison, Browne pointed out that a contract for the IAF's Mirage 2000 upgrade had take more than two years, but that he hoped the MMRCA negotiations wouldn't take as long.

photo Livefist

In response to a question about reported "discomfort" in workshare negotiations, Browe said there were "no issues" from the IAF's side. "Our interest is with the direct supply of 18 aircraft. The other 108 will be license produced by HAL. Dassault is free to choose production partners in India and abroad for kits. But these kits finally have to go to HAL for license production. We don't get into that. That isn't our concern."

photo Livefist

07 February 2013 Pacific Sentinel (source Security Risks )

As Aero India 2013 opened in Bangalore, Russian Ambassador Dr Alexander Kadakin, cautioned Indian defence ministry from being lured by many foreign suitors using the analogy of a rich Indian bride, wooed by many bridegrooms he said. Israel was seen hard selling the new anti missile and rocket defence system, while the French continued to be in a dilemma as to whether HAL or Reliance will be the Indian partner.

Defence Minister Mr A K Antony highlighted that Aero India provides enormous business opportunity not only to India but also to different regional markets of the world. Inaugurating the 9th edition of Aero India-2013, at Air Force Station, Yelhanka, Bangalore today, Shri A K Antony said, in view of immense opportunities available in the aerospace industry the revised Defence Procurement Policy of 2010 has provided for more public-private partnerships model to the industry as per a Ministry of Defence Press release. He appealed to all stakeholders of defence industry to take advantage of this policy initiative and develop world-class products and technologies so as to make India a hub in the entire sub-continent. He hoped that this premier air show of Asia will provide enough avenues for growth of Indian aerospace industry. On this occasion Shri Antony unveiled Aero Space Policy of Karnataka state in the presence of Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri Jagdish Shivappa Shettar. He also announced that the 10th Aero India will be held at Bangalore from 18-22 February 2015.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ajit Singh described Aero India as a ‘knowledge platform’. Giving a brief report card of Indian aviation, he said that since this is one of the fastest growing aviation sectors in the world, concentrated efforts have to be made by all stakeholders to sustain this momentum. Shri R K Mathur,Secretary ,Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Mrs Naina Lal Kidwai,President,FICCI, Shri Jagdish Shivappa Shettar, Chief Minister of Karnataka also spoke on the occasion. Marshal of The Air Force Shri Arjan Singh, Minister of State For Defence Shri Jitendra Singh, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal N A K Brown, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and DG, DRDO Dr V K Saraswat and Defence Secretary Shri Shashikant Sharma were also present.

A magnificent aerobatic show commenced after the inaugural function when visitors were thrilled to see the slow but graceful flight displays of 1930s vintage Tigher Moth aircraft, which made its flight appearance after a gap of 22 years. Then the much awaited LCA Tejas showed some breath taking loops and vertical charlies in the skies of Yelhanka, which was followed by aerobatic displays of Flying Bulls of Czech Republic as reported by a Ministry of Defence Press Release.

The success of Aero India 2013 in attracting a large number of foreign governments as well as companies to participate in the event has egged on the Indian Ministry of Defence to pitch it as a much larger event in the future. With the surge of interest in Aero India as the largest air show in Asia the Defence Minister Mr A K Antony has even pitched for the same becoming a hub for regional sales pitch by the participants. The South Asian region may have limited demand for aero space platforms sales per se but there is likely to be a major interest in the South East Asian region though Singapore also holds a similar air show. However in the Indian case the advantage is of a large domestic market with India’s continued dependence on imports for sustaining the armed forces, Bangalore may remain far more attractive to exhibitors than Singapore. Similarly China’s Zhuhai air show is seen by many as more for domestic displays than foreign manufacturers.

Feb 7, 2013 ASDNews Source : Rockwell Collins, Inc

    Companies pursuing Indian Air Force's Software Defined Radio program

Rockwell Collins, a world leader in software defined radio technology, and Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division (Tata Power SED), a proven and well-established system integrator in the Indian defense industry, today announced a teaming agreement as part of their pursuit of the Indian Air Force Software Defined Radio program.

“Together, our companies provide the expertise to deliver the best-value software defined radio (SDR) solution for the Indian Air Force while offering an unmatched opportunity for technology transfer,” said Ram Prasad, managing director of Rockwell Collins India. “This announcement formalizes what has been a long-standing and positive working relationship with Tata Power SED and will provide the Indian Air Force with advanced air and ground connectivity to meet their requirements. This relationship is very strategic in nature and would provide Indian defense with not only a local, within country, long-term support and maintenance provider, but also access to state-of-the-art technology.”

Rahul Chaudhry, CEO of Tata Power SED remarked, “Tata Power SED has a four-decade long defense research and development experience and has now emerged as one of the largest private sector defense prime contractors. Our teaming agreement with Rockwell Collins for the Air Force’s Software Defined Radio Program allows us to harness our core competencies in the hi-tech arena of SDR for which Rockwell Collins is an acknowledged world leader with proven solutions. With this collaboration, we bring to India a proven hi-tech communication technology with indigenous security, platform and system engineering as a trustworthy solution.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Tata Power SED is the prime contractor and Rockwell Collins will provide technology for the team’s software defined radio offering. If selected, the team of Tata and Rockwell Collins plan to perform the majority of the program effort in India, providing faster delivery times, as well as more responsive in-country service and support for the customer.

For the Indian Air Force program, Rockwell Collins is providing industry leading software defined radio technology designed to provide the best value in features, technology and growth capabilities. This technology features a digital radio architecture that allows easy reprogramming with different waveforms and operating modes through the use of digital signal processing technology.

Rockwell Collins is a leader in airborne tactical communications, having provided more than 36,000 radios on 180 platforms worldwide.