Indian Airforce Get 56 C-295 Airbus Transport Aircraft in Make in India deal

The Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the long pending Procurement nearly USD 3 billion-deal for procuring 56 Airbus C-295MW transport aircraft for the Indian AirForce (IAF). The aircraft will replace the ageing IAF fleet of Avro 748 transport aircraft that first flew in 1961.

In first of this, 16 aircraft being delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract. 

The remaining 48 aircraft will be manufactured in India by the TATA Consortium within 10 years of signing the contract.

This is the first defence contract the European firm Airbus has signed with India since the 1960s despite being in the country for over five decades.

It is also the first project in India in which a military aircraft will be manufactured by a private company.

All 56 aircraft will be installed with the indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite. 

The C-295 is a medium tactical transport aircraft that was designed by the Spanish company CASA in the 1990s as a development of the CASA-Nurtanio CN-235. When CASA was incorporated into the European aeronautical group EADS in 2000, the aircraft was designated as the EADS CASA C-295. It made its first flight on 28 November 1997.

The C-295 is manufactured and assembled in the Airbus Defence and Space facilities in San Pablo Airport, located in Seville, Spain. It is a development of the Spanish–Indonesian transport aircraft CASA/IPTN CN-235, but with a stretched fuselage, 50% more payload capability and new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines.

Key Features:-

Crew: 2

Capacity: 73 troops / 48 paratroops / 12 stretcher intensive care medevac / 27 stretcher medevac with 4 medical attendants

Maximum payload: 7,050 kg (15,543 lb) normal

9,250 kg (20,393 lb) overload

Max takeoff weight: 21,000 kg (46,297 lb) normal

23,200 kg (51,147 lb) overload

Maximum landing weight: 20,700 kg (45,636 lb) normal

23,200 kg (51,147 lb) overload

Engines:- 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines, 1,972 kW (2,644 hp) each for take-off (normal)

2,177 kW (2,919 hp) with APR

Propellers: 6-bladed Hamilton Sundstrand HS-586F-5, 3.94 m (12 ft 11 in) diameter composite propellers with auto-feathering and synchro-phasing

Others :-

Cruise speed: 482 km/h (300 mph, 260 kn) at optimum altitude

Range: 1,555 km (966 mi) normal payload

Ferry range: 5,000 km (3,100 mi) 

Service ceiling: 4,125 m (13,533 ft) on one engine

Absolute ceiling: 9,145 m (30,003 ft)

g limits: +2.53 (normal MTOW)

+2.25 (overload MTOW)

Take-off run: 844 m (2,769 ft) Sea level, ISA

934 m (3,064 ft) Sea level, ISA + 20

Take-off distance to 15 m (49 ft): 1,025 m (3,363 ft) Sea level, ISA

1,103 m (3,619 ft) Sea level, ISA + 20

Landing run: 420 m (1,378 ft)

Landing distance from 15 m (49 ft): 729 m (2,392 ft)

Weapons & Armament:-

6 Hardpoints (optional: three under each wing) with a capacity of inboard pylons 800 kg (1,764 lb), centre pylons 500 kg (1,102 lb), outboard pylons 300 kg (661 lb)

Radar:-

Honeywell RDR-1400C weather radar

IFR instrumentation, comms and FMS as specified by customers

However, it is yet unclear where the Airbus aircraft will be built, though TATA has an aviation set up in Hyderabad.

Before completion of deliveries, ‘D’ Level servicing facility (MRO) for C-295MW aircraft is scheduled to be set up in India and it is expected that this facility will act as a regional MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) hub for various variants of C-295 aircraft, the defence ministry said.

A large number of detail parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of aero structure are scheduled to be manufactured in India. The programme will act as a catalyst in employment generation in the aerospace ecosystem of the country and is expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3,000 indirect jobs and an additional 3,000 medium-skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India,” the defence ministry said.

“It will involve development of specialized infrastructure in form of hangars, buildings, aprons and taxiway. During the process of manufacturing in India, it is expected that all the suppliers of TATA Consortium who will be involved in special processes, will gain and maintain globally recognized National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) accreditation,”.

                           Jai Hind🇮🇳🇮🇳

‘‘ASMI” India's First Indigenous Machine Pistol

In another boost to its defence capabilities, India has now developed its first-ever indigenously made 9mm machine pistol 'ASMI'. As per the Ministry of Defence, the weapon has been jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army.

It has been developed by a young officer from Infantry School Lt Col Prasad Bansod in a record time of four months. The weapon has the capability of firing the in-service 9 mm ammunition. The weapon has been named “Asmi” which means 'pride', 'Self-Respect' and 'Hard Work'.

A press statement from DRDO informed that the Army's infantry school in Mhow and the DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune have designed and developed the weapon. 

Structure & Design :

The upper receiver of ASMI is made from Aircraft grade Aluminium while the lower receiver is created from Carbon Fibre. The weapon has an overall empty weight of less than 2 Kg and it features an 8-inch barrel along with 33 rounds high capacity magazine and machine pistol fires the in-service 9mm ammunition. 

A 3 dimensional printing process has been used in designing and prototyping of various parts and the machine pistol is likely to have production cost under Rs 50,000 each and has potential for exports. 

ASMI :

The weapon has been named “Asmi” which means 'pride', 'Self-Respect' and 'Hard Work'. 

Ministry of Defence Statement :

The weapon has huge potential in armed forces as a personal weapon for heavy weapon detachments, commanders, tank and aircraft crews, drivers and dispatch riders, radio or radar operators, for closed quarter battles, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, etc. This is also likely to find huge employability with the central and state police organizations, as well as VIP protection duties and policing.

                           Jai Hind!!!!!!!! 

                                🇮🇳🇮🇳

Indian Navy, Indian Airforce To Get Indigenous SAAW (Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon)

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by the Defence Ministery cleared the procurement of the indigenously developed ‘Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon’ or SAAW for the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.

Developed by the DRDO, SAAW has a range of around 100 km and weighs around 125 kg.

The weapon, which is being procured at an approximate cost Rs 970 crore, will give the Air Force and the Navy the capability to hit Enemy Airfields and Runways, Bunkers, plane Hanger from a standoff distance with high precision during conflicts.

Given that this weapon can be launched from standoff ranges, the aircraft launching it can remain at a safe distance from the enemy target. In many cases, the weapon can be fired by IAF fighters like Jaguar & Sukhoi-30 MKI from within the Indian air space.

Apart from SAAW, the DAC also cleared the procurement of Static HF Trans-receiver sets for field units of the Indian Army and the Air Force at an approximate cost of Rs 540 crore to enable seamless communication.

Indian Army Desi Artillery Guns

Artillery is considered to be single most lethal and widely used tool of battlefield since ages that’s more true in case of modern #artillery systems which are capable of introducing wide range and long distance precise damage to enemy’s camps, Given it’s huge importance in battle field India has not only procured new systems like M777 ultra light #howitzer and K-9 Vajra T from foreign vendor under joint venture with Indian firms, but has also worked in-house to develop multiple #gun systems, more importantly many of them coming from private sectors or through Strategic Partnership Policy between #DRDO and private companies.

         105/37mm Indian Field Guns

This gun system is based on Light field guns of UK and was developed by ARDE. The gun produced since 1984 by Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur weights around 2.4 tons and can be easily air transported by current Indian MI17V5 helicopters. These guns are fast and easy to deploy and are specially useful in mountainous terrain where bigger calibre guns finds it difficult to reach. It has elevation of -5 degrees to 73 degrees and traverse 5 degree left to 5 degree right and 360 degree on a firing platform. The gun can fire 6 rounds per minute for a continuous period of 10 minute in intense mode and 1 round per minute for 2 hours in sustained mode, with round achieving maximum distance of upto 17.2km. The gun is currently being upgraded with Digital Fire Control System and efforts are being made to increase the maximum range to 27km using Base Bleed rounds. There are more than 1500 pieces in service with around 1000+ mk1 variant and 500+ mk2 variants.

             105/37mm Garuda V2

The system is developed indigenously by KSSL by mounting 105/37mm gun on a 4 x 4 go anywhere vehicle(too developed by KSSL). The company claims that it can be fitted on any in-service light vehicle. It can achieve a speed of 100-120 km/h on-road and 70km/h off-road. The gun alone weights around 900kgs, which is quite a feat in itself as similar gun weights around 3 tons, and feature state of art hybrid soft recoil technology. It has an elevation of -5 degrees to 72 degrees and traverse 360 degrees. The gun can fire 3 rounds in 30 seconds in burst mode, 6 rounds per minute for upto 10 minutes in intense mode, and 75 rounds per hour in sustained mode. The maximum firing range is around 27 km while ammunition is carried on a separate vehicle. It features a digital fire control system which allow automatic target laying capability and ballistic computation using INS based sighting system with GPS aid etc. It can be deployed automatically within 1 minute. The system is currently under trial with the Indian Army and has been offered to the Saudi Arabian Army.

  105/37mm OFB mounted gun system

OFB created a lightweight mounted gun system by mounting its 105mm Indian Field Gun on a 6 x 6 truck. It weights less than 10 tons and has an elevation of -5 degrees to 70 degrees and traverse 360 degrees. The gun can fire 6 rounds per minute in intense mode and 60 rounds per hour in sustained mode with range of 19 km. It features a fire control system with GPS aid and also a muzzle reference system. It went through demonstration cum trial at Artillery School, Deolali, but the army was not interested in it.

       105/37mm OFB Tracked SPH

OFB, Medak developed a tracked self-propelled howitzer by combining 105mm Indian Field Gun with BMP chassis. It weights around 16 tons and has an elevation of -5 degrees to 70 degrees and traverse 360 degrees. The gun can fire 6 rounds per minute in intense mode and 60 rounds per hour in sustained mode. The maximum firing range is around 19 km, with vehicle carrying 42 rounds onboard. The vehicle is fully tracked with speed of 65km/h and is also air transportable. It can be deployed automatically within 1 minute. It features a fire control system with GPS aid and also a muzzle reference system, and turret has level III armor protection. This system too found no interest from the Indian Army.

       130mm Catapult SPH MK-I/II

 The CVRDE mounted the Russian M46 guns provided to them by the Indian Army on Vijayanta tank chassis to create 130mm Catapult MK-I SPH. The system got inducted in the Indian Army and the army was reportedly satisfied with its performance, which prompted them to request a more mobile and modern system on Arjun chassis. The CVRDE than mounted M46 on the Arjun chassis creating Catapult MK-II, which was considered better than Catapult MK-I in terms of both mobility and shock absorption while firing charged rounds. Catapult MK-II weights around 54 tons and has an elevation of -2 degrees to 45 degrees and traverse 14 degrees to the left to 14 degrees to the right. The gun can fire 8 rounds in 1 minute in intense mode and 5 rounds per minute in sustained mode. The maximum firing range is around 27.4 km, with a vehicle carrying 35 rounds and 35 bi-modular charges on board as compared to 30 in MK-1. The secondary armament is a 7.62mm machine gun. The vehicle is powered by a 1030 kW engine with a speed of 70km/h on-road and 40/km/h off-road and can clear a slope up to 35 degrees, with a range of 450km. It can be deployed automatically within 1 minute. It features a GPS display for commander and driver, an integrated fire detection and suppression system, and protection up to STANAG Level II. The army had 40 Catapult MK-I which were replaced by 40 Catapult Mk-II in 2016.

               155/45mm Dhanush

This gun system is based on Haubit FH77 famously known as bofors and is developed by Ordinance Factory Board after extensively studying the blueprints of bofors provided under TOT . It weights around 13 tons and has elevation of -3 degrees to 70 degrees and traverse 30 degree left to 30 degree right. The gun can fire 3 rounds in 15 seconds in burst mode, 15 rounds in 3 minutes in intense mode and 60 rounds per hour in sustained mode, with maximum range of upto 38km using base bleed round. It has an auxiliary power unit which allow it to be self propelled at a speed of 5kmph, it also allow operation of its hydraulic arm. It feature a digital fire control system which allow automatic target laying capability and ballistic computation using INS based sighting system with GPS aid, Muzzle velocity radar etc . It has already been inducted into Indian army and is currently under mass production by Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur since 2019 with 114 units on order. Total requirement for this gun is 450-800 units.

                  155/52mm ATAGS

The system is developed by DRDO in collaboration with 2 private sector industries i.e. TATA Advanced System and Bharat Forge. Both companies made 2 slightly different prototypes of the gun. The system currently weights 18 tons and has elevation of -5 degrees to 75 degrees and traverse 30 degree left to 30 degree right. The Bharat Forge variant has burst mode of 5 rounds in 1min, can fire 10 rounds in 2.5 min in intense mode while sustained rate is 60 rounds in 1 hour. On the other hand Tata variant has burst mode of 6 rounds in 1min, can fire 12 rounds in 2.5 min in intense mode while sustained rate is 60 rounds in 1 hour. It is the only system in the world which have 6 round magazine. The Bharat Forge gun set the world record of firing HE-ERFB BB round at 48 km range and HE-ERFB BT at 38.5km, while TATA one achieved range of 47.2km wit base bleed ammunition. The gun has an all electrical drive which is powered by an 110kW auxiliary power unit allowing it self-propelled speed of 18kmph. The ammunition is fed using hydraulic arm and on-board Digital fire control system allow ballistic computing and automatic target laying capabilities using INS based sighting system with GPS aiid, Muzzle velocity radar etc. The order for production of 150 guns has been cleared by DAC and it will be divided among both companies with L1 or company with lower price producing 107 units and L2 producing 43 units at prices offered by L1. Total requirement for this calibre is 2000 units.

155/52mm OFB Mounted Gun System

 

 The 155/52mm towed artillery gun of OFB was mounted on BEML – Tatra 8 x 8 truck to create a mounted gun system. It weighs around 30 tons and has an elevation of -3 degrees to 70 degrees and traverse 360 degrees. The gun can fire  3 rounds in 15 seconds in burst mode, 15 rounds in 3 minutes in intense mode, and 60 rounds per hour in sustained mode. The maximum firing range is around 42 km with a vehicle carrying  18 rounds and 18 bi-modular charges onboard.  The vehicle is powered by a 300 kW engine providing 10 kW/ton of thrust, with the vehicle achieving a speed of 80km/h on-road and 30/km/h off-road. The cruising range without refueling is around 1000km and it can be deployed automatically within 1 minute and in all types of terrain. The gun utilizes 3 round magazine with a hydraulic arm and autoloader. It features a digital fire control system that allows automatic target laying capability and ballistic computation using INS based sighting system with GPS aid, muzzle velocity radar, etc. The system has completed internal trials by OFB and is currently being tested by the Indian Army.

155/52mm Tata Mounted Gun System

Not a 100% indigenously developed system but a system developed by TATA SED (now TATA Aerospace & Defence) in partnership with DENEL Land Systems. The system has around 55% indigenous content. Apart from the vehicle on which it is mounted, the telecommunication system, ballistic computer, hydraulic system, gun management computer, all electrical system, etc are developed by TATA A&D, while gun barrel, muzzle brake, breech mechanism, autoloader, muzzle velocity radar, sighting system, etc. are provided by DENEL. It weights around 28 tons and has an elevation of -3 degrees to 75 degrees and traverse 360 degrees. The gun can fire 6 rounds per minute in intense mode and 60 rounds per hour in sustained mode. The maximum firing range is around 42.5 km with, vehicle carrying 27 rounds and 26 bi-modular charges onboard. The vehicle is powered by a 265 kW diesel engine, with speed of 85km/h on-road and 30/km/h off-road. The operational range without refueling is around 600km, and it can be deployed automatically within 1 minute. Since DENEL was blacklisted due to corruption charges, this project went nowhere, but now DENEL has been removed from the blacklist, so it is to be seen if this project is revived or not. 

              155/52mm Bhim SPH

The system was developed by DRDO with support from DENEL, South Africa. T6 turret by DENEL was incorporated with Arjun MBT chassis. It weights around 56 tons and has an elevation of -5 degrees to 75 degrees and traverse 360 degrees. The gun can fire 3 rounds in 20 seconds in burst mode, 8 rounds per minute for 3 minutes in intense mode, and 2 rounds per minute for 1 hour in sustained mode. The maximum firing range is around 42 km, with vehicle carrying 50 rounds (40 in autoloader) onboard and support fully-automatic ammunition loading and replenishment even while firing. The secondary armament is 7.62mm machine gun. The vehicle is powered by 1030 kW engine, with speed of 70km/h on-road and 45/km/h cross country, and can clear a slope upto 35 degrees. It can be deployed automatically within 1 minute. It features a fire control system with fully automated laying and navigation system, muzzle velocity radar, etc. Self-protection measures include armor protection upto 14.5mm, 81mm smoke grenade launcher for smokescreen, and an escape hatch for the crew. The system was cleared for production but due to blacklisting of DENEL, it was put on indefinite hold. As of 2016, DRDO was trying to revive the project with indigenous turret, but nothing has moved forward since then.

            155/45mm Bharat 45

With purchase of Noricum, Austria, the Kalyani group brought the entire manufacturing line to India. This gun is based on Noricum GHN-45. It weights around 12.5 tons and has elevation of -3 degrees to 72 degrees and traverse 40 degree left to 30 degree right. The gun can fire 3 rounds in 15 seconds in burst mode, 15 rounds in 3 minutes in intense mode and 42 rounds per hour in sustained mode, with maximum range of upto 38km using base bleed round. It has an auxiliary power unit which allow it to be self propelled at a speed of 25 kmph and feature Digital fire control system provided by Elbit. It has semi automatic ammunition handling system with backup manual arrangement. Though in the same category as Dhanush, the gun is most likely for export only.

              155/52mm Bharat 52

This gun is further development of Noricum GHN-45. It weights around 15 tons and has elevation of -3 degrees to 72 degrees and traverse 35 degree left to 35 degree right. The gun can fire 3 rounds in 30 seconds in burst mode, 12 rounds in 3 minutes in intense mode and 42 rounds per hour in sustained mode, with maximum range of upto 41-45 km using base bleed round. It has an auxiliary power unit which allow it to be self propelled at a speed of 21 kmph. It features digital fire control system which allow automatic target laying capability and ballistic computation using INS based sighting system with GPS Aid, muzzle velocity radar etc. The gun is competition to DRDO ATAGS which too is manufactured by Bharat Forge . Indian Army has concern with weight of ATAGS which is on the higher end of 18 ton as compared to other system around the world which weights around 13-15 tons. So this gun can get attraction of Indian Army however it lacks the burst firing capability of ATAGS. Currently this gun is being tested by Saudi Arabia for its army and recent news suggests it is also entered final testing phase of Indian Army.

             155/39mm MARG-T/S

The gun developed by Kalyani strategic Systems ltd as a direct competition to M777 ULH of BAE, US currently being produced under a joint venture with Mahindra. The Titanium version weights only 4.5 tons and is easily deployable in mountain terrain and can also be airlifted using Chinook Helicopter of IAF. The steel version weights 6.8 tons and is cheaper option to titanium version as titanium is costly. It is equipped with Digital Fire Control System which include Advanced Inertial Navigation and Aiming System , muzzle velocity radar etc and has a semi automatic breech operating system. It is manually steered and has elevation of -3 degrees to 70 degrees and traverse 23 degree left to 23 degree right. The gun can fire 4 rounds in 1 minute for 2 minutes in intense mode and 75 rounds per hour in sustained mode, with maximum range of upto 27.4 km using base bleed round. Any future requirement (which maybe around 500units) for Ultra light howitzer is likely to be met with this gun. The system is under trials with Indian Army.  

            155/52mm ULH ER

The indigenously developed towed light weight howitzer of higher calibre by Kalyani strategic systems ltd for mountainous terrains. It weights around 8 tons and is manually steered with elevation of -3 degrees to 70 degrees and traverse 23 degree left to 23 degree right and features a digital fire control system. The gun can fire 3 rounds in 30 seconds in burst mode, 12 rounds in 3 minutes in intense mode and 42 rounds per hour in sustained mode, with maximum range of upto 41 km using base bleed round. Currently requirement of this category of howitzer by Indian Army is unknown but it can definitely tap some export market.

              155/45mm Sharang

These are basically 130mm M46 guns of Russian origin which are upgraded by OFB with 155/45mm Sharang kit. Each upgrade costing less than Rs.75 lakh makes it almost a new gun. The upgrade kit include a new 155mm barrel, a new breech block along with hydraulic rammer to ease the loading. It will also feature a new sighting system. Basically cannot be strictly classified as a howitzer but artillery gun system, weighting around 8.5 tons and having elevation of 0 degrees to 45 degrees and traverse 25 degree to left and 25 degree to right. The range has been increased to 39km. Initially up-gunning 180 units was done with help Israeli company Soltam( now Elbit) under Project Karan. But now under new tender OFB is up-gunning 300 units on its own and is suppose to supply them to army by 2022.