The Week that Passed Us By:
Weekly column on military and geopolitics from an Indian Perspective
8th April, 2023
The week that went by has been rather notable from an Indian military watcher’s perspective :
1. Former IAF chief, ACM RKS Bhaduria caused a bit of a controversy when he stated in an interview that 5 more squadrons of Air Defence missiles in the same category of S400 are to be procured and made in India.
Of course media channels picked it up and reported as S400 missiles are going to be purchased again under Make in India.
What the Air Chief was probably referring to is the XRSAM system under development by DRDO.
2. Finland just joined NATO, and immediately bought Israel’s David Sling Air Defense System.
The David Sling Missile Defense System is a missile defense system developed by Israel to defend against short and medium-range ballistic missiles, as well as cruise missiles and other airborne threats. The system is named after the biblical story of David and Goliath, in which David uses a sling to defeat the giant Goliath.
The system is designed to operate alongside other Israeli missile defense systems, such as the Iron Dome and the Arrow systems, to provide a layered defense against different types of missiles and threats. The system uses advanced radar and electro-optical sensors to detect and track incoming missiles, and can engage multiple targets simultaneously.
The system's interceptor missile, called the Stunner, is a highly maneuverable missile with a range of up to 300 km (186 miles). The Stunner is designed to intercept missiles in the terminal phase of flight, meaning that it engages the missile as it approaches its target. The missile uses advanced guidance and control systems to maneuver and intercept the incoming missile, even in the presence of countermeasures.
The Stunner is rather well known for its very unique Dolphin nose and is a JV between Rafael Advanced Defence Systems and Raytheon. The acquisition, valued at $345 million, “will create a new capability for the Finnish Defense Forces to intercept targets at high altitude,” Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen said in a statement. “At the same time we are continuing the ambitious and long-term development of Finland’s defense capability in a new security environment.”
Of course this purchase comes in the midst of the Russo-Ukrainian war and is no doubt aimed at bolstering Finland’s defenses against cruise missile attacks.
3. TKMS, the German submarine maker will likely submit a fresh bid for manufacturing its Type 214 AIP equipped SSK submarines with MDL to the Indian govt.
This, is of course part of the ongoing lamentable saga that is the P75I submarine program which was to see 6 advanced AIP submarines being built in India with a foreign OEM. The Program has been stuck in purgatory with several firms pulling out, stating the IN’s unrealistically high Requirements. The proposed submarines are most likely going to be derivative of the Type 214 SSK, and TKMS will most certainly rely on Indian Navy’s positive experience of operating 4 older Type 209 submarines (which were incidentally, the first submarines to be built in India (at MDL too)) to further its prospects.
4. Rolls Royce announced that it had secured export license for developing next generation powerful jet engines, hinting that it could very well be the partner of choice for India’s fifth generation AMCA fighter aircraft program – which seems to have picked up steam now, with DRDO approaching the Cabinet Committee on Security for funding to initiate prototype construction, post freezing of final designs.
5. On 7th April, the Defence Secretary inaugurated a 3rd line for manufacture of the Tejas fighter at HAL’s Nashik Division. This brings the theoretical capacity to 24 aircraft a year, or one Squadron + spares a year. This comes as rumours are rife about additional 50-56 Mk1A Tejas’ being ordered on top of 83 already on the book.
This comes right on the heels of the first Final Operation Clearance certified twin seat Tejas Trainer taking to the skies on April 5th - Tejas jets have been enjoying the lime light of late!
The IAF’s declining fighter squadron strength is a source of constant worry, and the looming deinduction of older Jaguars, and the few remaining MiG21 Bisons mean that this could not have come a day sooner.
Additionally, the DefSec handed over the 100th Su30MKI to be overhauled at Nashik – meaning that an increasing number of Sukhois are being upgraded and their service life extended, just as the Super Sukhoi upgrade program is gathering pace; again – a very good news for the IAF.
The Indian Navy handed over a Fast Attack Craft, the INS Tarmugli to the Maldivian Coast Guard, where she will be soon be recommissioned.
