After MH 60 ‘Romeo’, Is India eyeing MV-22B Osprey?
Indian Navy recently issued Request for Information to procure Four Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), what raised many eyebrows were RFI had called for at least 2 Heavy Lift Helicopters that would be parked on the deck in blade folded configuration.
RFI
called for helicopter spot to be strengthened to operate a Heavy Lift
Helicopter, with a maximum All Up Weight of 40 Tons. In 2010, the Indian Air
Force showed interest in the MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft.
Indian
Navy was impressed by the demonstrated capabilities of MV 22 but talks never
wandered around the purchase of the assets due to controversial technical
issues surrounding its tilt rotor technology.
MV-22B
Osprey that is comparable to the C-130 in feel and speed and can take off and
land vertically like a helicopter but fly farther and more quickly like an
airplane. IAF wanted it for rapid troop insertion in border areas and the Navy
as an airborne early warning and control to replace the short range Kamov Ka-31
and also for anticipated deployments of troops in India’s island chain.
Russia
offers Palma Shipborne air defence system to India
Russia’s
state arms exporter Rosoboronexport At Army-2021 has offered its Palma
Shipborne automated anti aircraft artillery system with a Sosna-R surface-to-air
missile system that is designed for protection against anti-ship missiles, anti-radar
missiles, guided aerial bombs, aircraft, and helicopters as well as for
engagement of small displacement vessels and small size sea and ground targets
to India.
Palma
can engage aerial targets at distances between 0.2 kilometers and 4 kilometers,
while the Surface-to-Air Missiles are capable of engaging aerial targets at a
range of up to 10 kilometers.
The
Palma’s ammunition load integrates 1,000 30 mm cartridges and eight ready to use
missiles. The station’s reaction time reaches 3-5 seconds. A combat module of
the Palma weighs 6,900 kg and can be mounted on small surface ships.
India
has equipped the newest Project-15A (Kolkata)/Project-15B (Vishakhapatnam)
destroyers and Project-28 (Kamorta) frigates with Russian 30mm AK-630 close in
weapon systems (CIWS). AK-630 is a much heavier system than the Palma CIWS that
has been offered to India.
Quad
countries starts Malabar exercise in Guam
The
navies of India, United States, Japan and Australia kicks off the 25th edition
of the Malabar naval drills off the coast of the Pacific island Guam on
Thursday.
The
latest edition, called Malabar-21, will be held from August 26-29. The aim of
the exercise is to increase interoperability amongst the participating navies,
develop common understanding and standard operating procedures for Maritime
Security Operations.
Two
Indian warships, INS Shivalik and INS Kadmatt, P8i maritime reconnaissance
aircraft, and the navy’s marine commandos (MARCOS) will be taking part in this
year’s Malabar drill.
Exercise
will involve destroyers, frigates, corvettes, submarines, helicopters, long range
maritime patrol aircraft and elite special forces elements including the US Navy
SEALs and MARCOS.
US
Navy’s Advanced Anti Radiation Guided Extended Range Missiles ( AARGM-ER ) To
Enter Production
The
US Navy’s Advanced Anti Radiation Guided Extended Range Missile,
received approval on August 23, allowing the program to move into its first
phase of production.
The
first live fire testing was conducted in July to verify system integration and
rocket motor performance.
Captive
and live fire flight testing is planned to continue through 2022 and initial
operational capability is planned for 2023.
The
Navy is integrating Advanced Anti Radiation Guided Extended Range Missile on
the F/A 18 Hornet and E A 18G Growler, and it will be compatible for
integration on the F-35 fighter jets, the Advanced Anti Radiation Guided Extended
Range Missile with a new rocket motor and warhead will provide advanced
capability to detect and engage enemy air defense systems.
Russia
to Market New S-500 Space Warfare System For Export By 2030 - Who Are the
Likely Clients?
After
multiple delays, Russia’s S-500 long range air defence system is expected to
enter service before the end of 2021, with serial production of missiles for
the system having begun in the second week of August.
The
system is prized for a number of advanced features including its very high
degree of situational awareness, its 600 kilometers engagement range, its
ability to intercept hypersonic and space targets including satellites and Ballistic
Missiles, and its ability to network with older air defence systems such as the
S-400 to maximise situational awareness.
The
two leading potential clients are thought to be China and Algeria, although
India, Belarus and possibly even Vietnam or Iran could potentially show an
interest in the system.
