DABOLIM (PTI): Admitting "setbacks" in its relations with Russia over delays in defence supplies, India said the two sides have signed an agreement which will help in improving the product support from that country.
"There may be delays and setbacks sometimes but we have a long relationship with Russia... There have been delays in delivery and product support in the past. But after the signing of the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with Russia, issues have been sorted out, things are moving faster now," Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters after the induction of Russian-made MiG-29K maritime fighters into the Navy at a ceremony here on Friday.
He was asked if India needed to review its defence relations with Russia in view of the delays in delivery of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov and various other defence supplies.
India had placed orders for Admiral Gorshkov in 2004 as part of a USD 1.5 billion deal and it was supposed to arrive in India in 2008 after refurbishment in Russian shipyards but the delivery has been delayed after constant review of its price by Russia.
Russia is now asking India to give USD 2.9 billion more for the trials and refurbishment of the 44,500 tonne warship, which India is not willing to pay.
The Defence Minister said the negotiations on the price issue are in "final stages".
Antony said in the next couple of years, India is planning to induct a couple of aircraft carriers, including the Admiral Gorshkov and the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier.
He said India was expanding its relations with other countries, including the US, but "that doesn't affect our relations with Russia and it will be strengthened further."
In reply to a query on India's plans to procure more MiG-29Ks, the Minister said, "We have already placed orders for 16 of these aircraft. In the second batch, we will place orders for 29 more as the Navy has shown interest in it.
Feb 22, 2010
Iran launches indigenous missile destroyer "Jamaran"
TEHRAN (AFP): The Iran Navy has launched in the Gulf its first domestically made destroyer in a ceremony attend by the supreme leader and the commander-in-chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the media reported.
"Iran's navy today took the delivery of the first indigenously designed and developed guided missile destroyer "Jamaran" in the Persian Gulf," Iran'sEnglish-language Press TV reported.
The vessel has a displacement of around 14,000 tonnes and is equipped with modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities, the report said.
"Jamaran, a multi-mission destroyer, can carry 120-140 personnel on board and is armed with a variety of anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles with a top speed of up to 30 knots and has a helipad," the report added. "The vessel has also been equipped with torpedoes and modern naval cannons."
State television also showed footage of the vessel and the ceremony at which it was launched by Khamenei flanked by the top Iranian military commanders.
Much of Iran's naval equipment dates from before the 1979 Islamic revolution and is US made. Since the revolution, Tehran has purchased a number of Russian-made submarines.
In the past year Iranian navy has carried out a number of missions in the Gulf of Aden and offshore Somalia where it was commissioned to escort Iranian merchant ships and oil tankers.
"Iran's navy today took the delivery of the first indigenously designed and developed guided missile destroyer "Jamaran" in the Persian Gulf," Iran'sEnglish-language Press TV reported.
The vessel has a displacement of around 14,000 tonnes and is equipped with modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities, the report said.
"Jamaran, a multi-mission destroyer, can carry 120-140 personnel on board and is armed with a variety of anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles with a top speed of up to 30 knots and has a helipad," the report added. "The vessel has also been equipped with torpedoes and modern naval cannons."
State television also showed footage of the vessel and the ceremony at which it was launched by Khamenei flanked by the top Iranian military commanders.
Much of Iran's naval equipment dates from before the 1979 Islamic revolution and is US made. Since the revolution, Tehran has purchased a number of Russian-made submarines.
In the past year Iranian navy has carried out a number of missions in the Gulf of Aden and offshore Somalia where it was commissioned to escort Iranian merchant ships and oil tankers.
Israel unveils new Heron TP drone fleet
TEL NOF, ISRAEL (AP): Israel's air force has introduced a fleet of large unmanned planes that can fly as far as Iran.
Air force officials say the Heron TP drones have a wingspan of 86 feet (26 meters), making them the size of passenger jets. They say the planes are primarily used for surveillance.
The drones, built by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries, were first used during Israel's Gaza war last year. The company has said the aircraft can reach the Persian Gulf.
At an inauguration ceremony today, Israeli officials refused to say how large the fleet is or whether the planes were designed for use against Iran.
Israel believes Tehran is trying to develop nuclear weapons and has repeatedly hinted it could strike Iran if diplomacy fails to curb Iran's nuclear programme.
Air force officials say the Heron TP drones have a wingspan of 86 feet (26 meters), making them the size of passenger jets. They say the planes are primarily used for surveillance.
The drones, built by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries, were first used during Israel's Gaza war last year. The company has said the aircraft can reach the Persian Gulf.
At an inauguration ceremony today, Israeli officials refused to say how large the fleet is or whether the planes were designed for use against Iran.
Israel believes Tehran is trying to develop nuclear weapons and has repeatedly hinted it could strike Iran if diplomacy fails to curb Iran's nuclear programme.
US Army awards Rolls-Royce multi-million dollar contract
HOUSTON (BNS): US Army has awarded the Rolls-Royce a multi-million dollar contract to design and develop a dual channel FADEC (full authority digital engine control) for the M250 powered OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter.
According to a news release by the Rolls-Royce, the dual channel FADEC will draw from the latest commercially-derived Rolls-Royce technology. The results will include increased functionality, decreased pilot workload and lower cost of operation.
"This FADEC is part of an overall modernisation programme that will significantly extend the life of the Kiowa Warrior platform and keep it at the forefront of military reconnaissance missions," said Ken Roberts, President of the Rolls-Royce Helicopter Engine business.
The Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopter is used for observation, utility, and direct fire support.
According to a news release by the Rolls-Royce, the dual channel FADEC will draw from the latest commercially-derived Rolls-Royce technology. The results will include increased functionality, decreased pilot workload and lower cost of operation.
"This FADEC is part of an overall modernisation programme that will significantly extend the life of the Kiowa Warrior platform and keep it at the forefront of military reconnaissance missions," said Ken Roberts, President of the Rolls-Royce Helicopter Engine business.
The Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopter is used for observation, utility, and direct fire support.
Feb 4, 2010
Russia's future fighter makes its maiden flight
MOSCOW (PTI): Russia's fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), which is a joint project with India, Friday made a "succesful" maiden flight in the country's far east, boosting hopes that the stealth fighter may be ready for induction in the next five years.
"The 5th generation fighter made its maiden flight at Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The flight lasted about 45 minutes and was a success," Sukhoi Corporation's spokesperson Olga Kayukova told state-run 'Rossiya 24' TV.
Describing the flight as a textbook, she said, “All the expectations of the scientists were met.”
With the aircraft getting airborne, Russia is the second country in the world to produce a 5th generation fighter, which is 90 per cent made up of composite fibre.
Sukhoi's KNAAPO aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur is reported to have built three prototypes of FGFA with the technical name T-50 under its PAK FA project to rival US Lockheed F-22 Raptor and its newer version F-35.
Under an agreement signed in October 2007, India has also joined the FGFA project by taking a 50 per centinvestment stake in the project. For the Indian Air Force, a lighter, two-seater version is to be developed to meet its specific requirements.
The Russian Air Force intends to begin the induction of FGFA from 2015. India is also expected to induct at least 250 combat jets, which would be manufactured by HAL - the nodal partner of Sukhoi in the project.
The Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has a 25 per cent share of design and development work in FGFA, with India contributing largely to composites, cockpit and avionics.
The Indian systems onboard would be mission computers, navigation systems, most of the cockpit displays, the counter measure dispensing. The Russian expertise in Titanium structures would be complimented by India's experience in composites for the new fighter.
The Indian version of the futuristic fighter will also have weapon of Indian origin including Astra, the beyond visual range missile being developed by the DRDO.
At the initial stages, 500 FGFA are to be developed with options kept open for both Russian and Indian Air Force.
While the Russian military has ordered 200 single seaters and 50 twin seaters, the IAF has projected 200 twin seaters and 50 single seaters.
"The 5th generation fighter made its maiden flight at Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The flight lasted about 45 minutes and was a success," Sukhoi Corporation's spokesperson Olga Kayukova told state-run 'Rossiya 24' TV.
Describing the flight as a textbook, she said, “All the expectations of the scientists were met.”
With the aircraft getting airborne, Russia is the second country in the world to produce a 5th generation fighter, which is 90 per cent made up of composite fibre.
Sukhoi's KNAAPO aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur is reported to have built three prototypes of FGFA with the technical name T-50 under its PAK FA project to rival US Lockheed F-22 Raptor and its newer version F-35.
Under an agreement signed in October 2007, India has also joined the FGFA project by taking a 50 per centinvestment stake in the project. For the Indian Air Force, a lighter, two-seater version is to be developed to meet its specific requirements.
The Russian Air Force intends to begin the induction of FGFA from 2015. India is also expected to induct at least 250 combat jets, which would be manufactured by HAL - the nodal partner of Sukhoi in the project.
The Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has a 25 per cent share of design and development work in FGFA, with India contributing largely to composites, cockpit and avionics.
The Indian systems onboard would be mission computers, navigation systems, most of the cockpit displays, the counter measure dispensing. The Russian expertise in Titanium structures would be complimented by India's experience in composites for the new fighter.
The Indian version of the futuristic fighter will also have weapon of Indian origin including Astra, the beyond visual range missile being developed by the DRDO.
At the initial stages, 500 FGFA are to be developed with options kept open for both Russian and Indian Air Force.
While the Russian military has ordered 200 single seaters and 50 twin seaters, the IAF has projected 200 twin seaters and 50 single seaters.
Asteroids collide to leave behind trail of debris
WASHINGTON (BNS): Astronomers have come across a mysterious X-shaped debris pattern and trailing streamers of dust in space, which they believe, is the outcome of a head-on collision between two asteroids.
In an interesting catch, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has spotted for the first time this smashup between two asteroids.
“This is quite different from the smooth dust envelopes of normal comets. The filaments are made of dust and gravel, presumably recently thrown out of the nucleus. Some are swept back by radiation pressure from sunlight to create straight dust streaks. Embedded in the filaments are co-moving blobs of dust that likely originated from tiny unseen parent bodies,” principal investigator David Jewitt of theUniversity of California at Los Angeles said.
The image captured by Hubble is that of P/2010 A2, a comet-like object. The main nucleus of P/2010 A2, estimated to be 460 feet in diameter, lies outside its own halo of dust, which according to astronomers, is an aberration.
‘Normal’ comets fall into the inner regions of solar systemfrom icy reservoirs in the Kuiper belt and Oort cloud. As they near the Sun and warm up, ice near their surface vaporises and ejects material from the solid nucleus via jets.
However, P/2010 A2 does not follow this pattern. It orbits in the warm, inner regions of the asteroid belt where its nearest neighbours are dry rocky bodies lacking volatile materials, NASA said.
This leaves the possibility that the complex debris tail is the result of an impact between two bodies, rather than ice simply melting from a parent body.
“If this interpretation is correct, two small and previously unknown asteroids recently collided, creating a shower of debris that is being swept back into a tail from the collision site by the pressure of sunlight,” Jewitt said.
Hubble captured the images on January 25 and 29 when the comet was nearly 180 million miles from the Sun and 90 million miles from Earth.
In an interesting catch, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has spotted for the first time this smashup between two asteroids.
“This is quite different from the smooth dust envelopes of normal comets. The filaments are made of dust and gravel, presumably recently thrown out of the nucleus. Some are swept back by radiation pressure from sunlight to create straight dust streaks. Embedded in the filaments are co-moving blobs of dust that likely originated from tiny unseen parent bodies,” principal investigator David Jewitt of theUniversity of California at Los Angeles said.
The image captured by Hubble is that of P/2010 A2, a comet-like object. The main nucleus of P/2010 A2, estimated to be 460 feet in diameter, lies outside its own halo of dust, which according to astronomers, is an aberration.
‘Normal’ comets fall into the inner regions of solar systemfrom icy reservoirs in the Kuiper belt and Oort cloud. As they near the Sun and warm up, ice near their surface vaporises and ejects material from the solid nucleus via jets.
However, P/2010 A2 does not follow this pattern. It orbits in the warm, inner regions of the asteroid belt where its nearest neighbours are dry rocky bodies lacking volatile materials, NASA said.
This leaves the possibility that the complex debris tail is the result of an impact between two bodies, rather than ice simply melting from a parent body.
“If this interpretation is correct, two small and previously unknown asteroids recently collided, creating a shower of debris that is being swept back into a tail from the collision site by the pressure of sunlight,” Jewitt said.
Hubble captured the images on January 25 and 29 when the comet was nearly 180 million miles from the Sun and 90 million miles from Earth.
India will receive nine aircrafts from Boeing in 2010
MUMBAI (PTI): American aircraft-maker, Boeing, said it will deliver nine aircrafts to Indian firms, including Air India, this year.
Other airlines scheduled to receive planes from Boeing include private-carriers Jet Lite, Jet Airways and SpiceJet, Boeing India President Dinesh Keskar told reporters here on Tuesday.
At present, Boeing has a backlog of 85 aircraft from Indian companies, which will be delivered over the next 4-5 years Keskar said.
Boeing expects to deliver the first Dreamliner Boeing 787 aircraft to Air India in the second-quarter of 2011, he said.
The plane-maker has not received any fresh orders from Indian firms in the past 18-months, Keskar said, adding that it expects to get orders from next year.
"We have not received any orders in the past 18-months from Indian companies...we expect fresh orders from Indian companies from 2011," he said.
Other airlines scheduled to receive planes from Boeing include private-carriers Jet Lite, Jet Airways and SpiceJet, Boeing India President Dinesh Keskar told reporters here on Tuesday.
At present, Boeing has a backlog of 85 aircraft from Indian companies, which will be delivered over the next 4-5 years Keskar said.
Boeing expects to deliver the first Dreamliner Boeing 787 aircraft to Air India in the second-quarter of 2011, he said.
The plane-maker has not received any fresh orders from Indian firms in the past 18-months, Keskar said, adding that it expects to get orders from next year.
"We have not received any orders in the past 18-months from Indian companies...we expect fresh orders from Indian companies from 2011," he said.
BrahMos - A bright illustration of India-Russia cooperation: Nikolay Patrushev
NEW DELHI (BNS): The Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Nikolay Patrushev and the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to India, Alexander Kadakin, visited the BrahMos Complex here on Tuesday.
Dr. A.S. Pillai, CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace, explained to the official the progress made by the Joint Venture in the last 10 years and the possible areas for future collaborations between the two partnering countries.
The Russian Security Adviser, who was accompanied by a high level delegation, said that he was delighted by such an "excellent visit" and lauded BrahMos for its remarkable achievement in a short span of time.
"The JV BrahMos is a bright illustration of successful work of Russian & Indian scientists and designers. It is based on highest trust and respect. I wish great successes in future ventures in further strengthening of Russia-India friendship," Patrushev said.
Kadakin said that the BrahMos project is a dream made true by the joint efforts of the Russian and Indian scientists and congratulated the pioneers of BrahMos with its magnificent work.
"Bringing together the best of the brains of the two countries not only brings down the cost but makes the system developed highly advanced and reliable overtaking other countries. BrahMos is on the helm of the world of cruise missiles and is a great tribute to the power of scientific communities of our two nations," said Kadakin.
Dr. Pillai said that the high level visit is highly encouraging for the JV to show more results. He said that BrahMos is already inducted in the Indian Navy in number of Ships and also in the Indian Army. He also mentioned that the first ship being built in Kaliningrad has been installed with Vertical launcher and FCS delivered by BrahMos with ITF launch being planned this year itself as per schedule in Baltic sea. We have now 4 versions- Sea to Sea, Sea to Land, Land to Sea and Land to Land already fully developed and operational. The work on the underwater launch and air version development is under progress, he added.
Dr. A.S. Pillai, CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace, explained to the official the progress made by the Joint Venture in the last 10 years and the possible areas for future collaborations between the two partnering countries.
The Russian Security Adviser, who was accompanied by a high level delegation, said that he was delighted by such an "excellent visit" and lauded BrahMos for its remarkable achievement in a short span of time.
"The JV BrahMos is a bright illustration of successful work of Russian & Indian scientists and designers. It is based on highest trust and respect. I wish great successes in future ventures in further strengthening of Russia-India friendship," Patrushev said.
Kadakin said that the BrahMos project is a dream made true by the joint efforts of the Russian and Indian scientists and congratulated the pioneers of BrahMos with its magnificent work.
"Bringing together the best of the brains of the two countries not only brings down the cost but makes the system developed highly advanced and reliable overtaking other countries. BrahMos is on the helm of the world of cruise missiles and is a great tribute to the power of scientific communities of our two nations," said Kadakin.
Dr. Pillai said that the high level visit is highly encouraging for the JV to show more results. He said that BrahMos is already inducted in the Indian Navy in number of Ships and also in the Indian Army. He also mentioned that the first ship being built in Kaliningrad has been installed with Vertical launcher and FCS delivered by BrahMos with ITF launch being planned this year itself as per schedule in Baltic sea. We have now 4 versions- Sea to Sea, Sea to Land, Land to Sea and Land to Land already fully developed and operational. The work on the underwater launch and air version development is under progress, he added.
BRAHMOS Missile to be test-fired in Russia for the first time
NEW DELHI (PTI): For the first time, 290 km-range BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile will be test-fired in Russia in September during its installation on Indian Navy's warships.
Installation test-flight of the missile will be held in the Baltic Sea from Navy's Talwar Class stealth frigates being constructed in Kaliningrad in Russia, Defence Ministry officials said on Wednesday.
Till now, the various versions of the missile have been test-fired 21 times and have been inducted in the Navy and the Army.
This would also be the first time when the missile would be test-fired from a newly-built warship, they added. Till now, the missiles were being fired from warships that were retrofitted to carry out the launches.
India has ordered three Talwar-class warships to be built in Russia and all three of them would be fitted with vertical launchers.
The vertical launchers and fire control system for the September test have already been shifted to Russia, officials said.
There are four versions of BRAHMOS including the sea-to-sea, sea-to-land, land-to-sea and land-to-land and the joint venture company is working on developing the cruise missile for submarine and fighter aircraft.
For the air-launched version, the first missile is expected to be test-fired from a Su-30MKI in Russia by December this year and the trials are planned to be completed by 2012.
The submarine-launched version is expected to be tested in the next couple of months where it will be fired from a pontoon off the Orissa coast.
BRAHMOS is an Indo-Russian joint venture cruise missile and has a top speed of 2.8 mach. Work is also on for developing the hypersonic version of the missile, which will have a speed of over 5 mach.
Installation test-flight of the missile will be held in the Baltic Sea from Navy's Talwar Class stealth frigates being constructed in Kaliningrad in Russia, Defence Ministry officials said on Wednesday.
Till now, the various versions of the missile have been test-fired 21 times and have been inducted in the Navy and the Army.
This would also be the first time when the missile would be test-fired from a newly-built warship, they added. Till now, the missiles were being fired from warships that were retrofitted to carry out the launches.
India has ordered three Talwar-class warships to be built in Russia and all three of them would be fitted with vertical launchers.
The vertical launchers and fire control system for the September test have already been shifted to Russia, officials said.
There are four versions of BRAHMOS including the sea-to-sea, sea-to-land, land-to-sea and land-to-land and the joint venture company is working on developing the cruise missile for submarine and fighter aircraft.
For the air-launched version, the first missile is expected to be test-fired from a Su-30MKI in Russia by December this year and the trials are planned to be completed by 2012.
The submarine-launched version is expected to be tested in the next couple of months where it will be fired from a pontoon off the Orissa coast.
BRAHMOS is an Indo-Russian joint venture cruise missile and has a top speed of 2.8 mach. Work is also on for developing the hypersonic version of the missile, which will have a speed of over 5 mach.
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