Z10 vs ALH-Rudra : In Battle of Gunships, Rudra wins first
round in Ladakh
The 116 Helicopter Unit, which is equipped with the Advanced Light Helicopter Mark IV Rudra has been lauded for its superior offensive operations at a high altitude airfield in the Ladakh area after the Galwan Valley clashes between Indian and Chinese troops by the Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary on Friday who awarded ‘unit citation’ to three squadrons of the Indian Air Force for their role in boosting India’s military presence in eastern Ladakh last year following the military standoff with China in the region.
The Z10 is designed primarily for anti-tank warfare and many
call it not appropriate for high altitude operations. China, in cooperation
with a European partner, has reportedly been working on a more powerful engine,
the WZ-16 that will have offer better performance at high altitude operations
but the new engine has not entered serial production yet.
India’s first purpose built Light Combat Helicopter LCH
gunship powered by the same Indo French Ardiden 1H1 Shakti engine has shown
better performance at high altitude operations than ALH Rudra since it is
better optimized for high altitude. LCH has entered service in limited numbers
and soon more units will be ordered by the Army that will be its biggest
operator.
Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited BAE offers CIWS to Secure Indian
Airforce Base
Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited along with its strategic partner BAE
Systems has completed Internal trials of the close in weapon systems (CIWS)
that it plans to offer under the “Buy & Make Indian” procurement category
in response to the 2018 Request for Proposal issued by the Indian Airforce to
domestic companies for procurement of a new generation close in weapon systems system
to replace obsolete Swedish L70 and Russian ZU-23-2B air defense systems.
CIWS will be used in the terminal defense of IAF Airbases
against hostile precision guided munition, laser guided bomb, Sub sonic cruise
missiles, and low flying aerial platforms. Airforce plans to induct 244 air
defense guns, 228 fire control and search radars, and 204,000 programmable
bullets under a $1.5 billion program.
Other than KSSL-BAE systems, Six other domestic companies are
also in the race that includes offers coming from Adani, Mahindra Defence, Punj
Lloyd, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Aerospace & Defence, Reliance Defence all
have offered their CIWS that are either developed in-house or with an
international strategic partner.
Russia's Sukhoi 57 Fighter is Only as Dangerous as its Best
Missile: Why the K-77M Will be a Game Changer?
As the US and China move to develop new generations of even
more capable missiles, Russia is at risk of being left behind. Thus a new
highly specialised long range air to air missile, the K-77M has been developed
for the Sukhoi 57 and is set to give it an advantage over its main competitors.
With a range of over 190 kilometers, it is not the longest-range air to air
missile Russia has developed, but it is in many ways the most sophisticated.
Its range lies between that of the Chinese PL-15, at 200 to 300km, and the
American AIM-120D at 160 to 180 kilometers, providing a comfortable range
advantage over Western fighters. The missile notably also reportedly uses an
AESA radar like the Chinese PL-15, but unlike the AIM-120D, which makes it more difficult to jam
and provides better lock on capabilities against stealth aircraft. K-77M is
optimised to target small and agile targets at extreme ranges.
Clash between India China troops in Arunachal Pradesh, many
Chinese soldiers injured
Chinese soldiers injured in a clash between India China
troops in Arunachal Pradesh as Patrol of both sides came to face to face last
week. Indian soldiers heavily outnumbered the PLA.
Clash between Indian and Chinese troops took place last week
at Yangsi in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh near the Line of Actual
Control. Two forces encountered each other during a routine patrol in the area.
Due to non determination of the Boundary Line, such clashes
continue due to different views of the two countries on the Line of Actual
Control and in this case also the dispute was resolved through talks. No
casualties were reported.
This is the first encounter between the two countries troops
on the border with Arunachal Pradesh after violent clashes with Chinese troops
in the Galwan Valley last year.
