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Scramble 468
301 Carrier Air Wing apr18
This is the first time pictures have been shown of the AEW
version of the Z18. Until now only a prototype without any
serial had been noted.
Z9D
372 Carrier Air Wing apr18
Manufacturers (NY)
J10C
Following a few months of internet buzz, at last pictures have
emerged of a J10C with a WS10 engine version with a thrust
vectoring exhaust. This technique was not yet available in
China and using it on airplanes like J10 and J20 will signifi-
cantly improve their manoeuvrability.
India
Indian Defence (DF)
The Ka-226T helicopters which are being developed by Indo
Russian Helicopter Pvt Ltd (IRHL) will be manufactured at
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) helicopter plant in
Tumakuru in the state of Karnataka. A statement given by
the Ministry of Defence said that the facility will function
as an independent division of HAL in Biderehalla Kaval,
which is located 107 km from Bengaluru. The Government
of Karnataka has allocated 610 acres of land for the project.
The Indo Russian Helicopter Pvt Ltd (IRHL) is a joint venture
cum subsidiary between HAL, Russian Helicopters and
Rosoboronexport.
When we go back in history, we can make up the following
timeline for the Ka-226. In May 2015, the Defence Acquisition
Council (DAC) accepted Russia’s offer to build 200 light-utility
helicopters under the Make in India initiative. The Russian
proposal was to assemble the Kamov Ka-226T helicopters in
India. These helicopters will replace the fleet of Cheetahs and
Chetaks currently used with the various defence services.
A Defence Ministry source said it is likely that the Russian
helicopter will meet all future needs of the military for light
utility helicopters, which has demanded more than 400 LUHs.
Details of the joint production of the Ka-226T will be worked
out later.
In February 2016, we mentioned that India’s plan to produce
100 Kamov Ka-226T helicopters locally encountered
turbulence as Russian Helicopters is only willing to be
responsible for its own systems and components in the
“Make in India” helicopter. These type of discussions can be
related to the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between
Russia and India made up during Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s visit in December 2015. The IGA requires New Delhi
to negotiate separately with third country vendors into the
indigenization effort to meet the “Make in India” goals.
Next milestone on the Ka-226 timeline is March 2017. We
mentioned that the Indian Army wants to retire 41 of its
oldest Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, the licence-built
versions of the Aerospatiale SA315B and SA316B assembled
by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) in the 1970-1980s. Some of
the more than 600 built have already been replaced by the
HAL Dhruv but 280 remain in service with the Army and Air
Force, albeit grounded after the fatal crash in West Bengal in
December 2016. Since 2011 nine personnel have been killed
in six accidents involving the Cheetah and Chetak fleet.
HAL has been commissioned to carry out detailed safety
inspections of the surviving aircraft, clearing them to return
to service in batches pending the eventual acquisition of 200
Kamov Ka-226T helicopters. For the Army, which presently
has 150 Cheetahs and Chetaks on strength, replacing the
legacy helicopters is a priority. Both types are essential to
supporting outposts in high altitude areas along the China
and Pakistan borders. The Cheetah in particular plays a
crucial role, flying at more than 6,096 metres (20,000 ft) to
support Indian troops on the Siachen glacier.
The latest information on the Ka-226 timeline is that Russian
Helicopters is due to supply 60 Kamov Ka-226T helicopters
direct from the Kumertau production line, with a further 140
to be assembled in India, but the programme is still awaiting
a final go-ahead. In the meantime the larger Dhruv will be
assigned to support the most critical outposts and replace the
41 retired Cheetahs and Chetaks, pending the arrival of the
first Ka-226Ts. To be continued.
Bharatiya Vayu Sena (AF)
India withdraws from FGFA project. According to Jane’s
Defence Weekly the Indian Air Force stopped the already
11-year old collaborative programme with Russia for
development of the so-called FGFA programme (Fifth
Generation Fighter Aircraft). The main reason for ending the
collaboration are differences over its development costs and
technological capabilities.
The JASDF is replacing the two B747-47Cs with B777-3SBERs. Since 2016 the first Triple resides at Basel, Switzerland, for cabine outfitting prior
to redelivery to 701 Hikotai. It is registered as N509BJ.
