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Admiral Sir George Zambellas, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Royal Navy, is presently on a three- day visit to India beginning today.

The Admiral was received at South Block lawns today by Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan and was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour.

During the day, the dignitary is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and the three service chiefs as well as various senior Ministry of Defence and other government officials.

The Admiral will be visiting some of Indian Navy's training establishments at Kochi, and interact with the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, the Flag Officer Sea Training and the Flag Officer Naval Aviation at Goa.

While in Kochi, the Admiral will be shown the first Aircraft Carrier, being built indigenously at the Cochin Shipyard .

The Indian Navy and the Royal Navy cooperate with each other in technical training, anti-piracy patrols and Navy to Navy staff talks.

The two navies have been exercising together at sea in the bilateral EX KONKAN since 2004. Warships from both navies call at each other's ports, which provide excellent opportunity for professional interaction and building bridges of friendship.

Issues that are likely to be discussed during the First Sea Lord's visit include enhancement of training exchanges, improving maritime domain awareness by sharing of white shipping information and participation of the Royal Navy in the prestigious International Fleet Review being organised by the Indian Navy off Visakhapatnam in February 2016. (ANI)

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Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar leaves on a three-day visit to France and Germany later this month in a last-minute bid to seek closure to $23-billion Dassault Rafale fighter deal and an early works agreement with Areva on the Jaitapur nuclear power project in return for critical “Make in India” defence technologies and a joint venture for making large forgings for civilian nuclear reactors.

Jaishankar, who will visit both countries between March 25 and 27, will get the groundwork done for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Paris (April 10-11) and Hannover (April 12-13).

While India is looking towards skill development and deepening of economic ties with Germany, the bilateral relationship with Paris is centred on space, defence and strategic ties.

Although it is still early days with agreements work in progress, the finalisation of the deal for 126 Rafale medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) and freezing of technical parameters for the first two 1650 MW nuclear reactors with manufacturer Areva is a distinct possibility as both countries are eager to push their strategic relationship forwardhttp://

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A Sukhoi for India's Aviation Capital -- Bengaluru? If the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has its way, an aircraft that can reach supersonic speeds would enter Bengaluru's celebrated list of fighters enjoying permanent residency.

Sources confirm to OneIndia that the DRDO has already moved a paper to acquire a supersonic aircraft that will act as a FTB (Flying Test Bed). The FTB is an aircraft being used for testing the performance of systems and sub-systems in airborne conditions. The systems can range from engines, radars, data links, EW (electronic warfare) suites, radio altimeters among others.

DRDO says the FTB reduces the cycle time for the development of airborne systems. Also, more FTBs under their command could reduce the dependency on foreign agencies. In May 2014, the DRDO had acquired a FTP Nabhrathna -- a modified and custom-made Dornier (DO-228) aircraft, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Nabhrathna was rolled out from the hangars of HAL's Kanpur-based Transport Aircraft Division. Sukhoi is the best bet as FTB A committee has already been set up to look into the possibilities of acquiring the FTB. In addition to members from the DRDO, the committee has representatives from the Indian Air Force and HAL. While Sukhoi is leading the fray, the advantages of MiG 29 are also being considered by the committee.

The current requirement for a supersonic FTB is being explored for the primary use of Gas Turbine and Research Establishment (GTRE). Although GTRE's capabilities in developing a desi power plant for Light Combat Aircraft Tejas have run into a rough patch, efforts are being made to carry forward the technical expertise for other engine programmes. Sukhoi is being tipped as the best choice with a price tag of around Rs 400 crore. DRDO officials are of the opinion that with HAL's MiG Complex in Nashik already rolling out, they have the advantage of making the modifications with less fuzz. "It's a huge process to make modifications if the aircraft is imported from abroad. We have to save time and money and Sukhoi could be the answer. Even certification too becomes easier in India," an official said.

BrahMos experiments will come handy

DRDO officials say that the modification work on Sukhoi done for launching the air version of BrahMos will come handy for DRDO. "The BrahMos missile weighs around 2.5 tonnes while a Kaveri engine is around 1.22 tonnes. There are two pilots in a Su-30 MKI and one can easily monitor the engine and independently operate it," the official said. With the wind tunnel test results of BrahMos already available, DRDO is hopeful that a decision is taken soon in acquiring the FTB. "Our labs including LRDE, CABS, RCI and other national institutes such as IISC and NAL too will require a supersonic FTB," the official added.

Once DRDO acquires a supersonic FTB, it will be flown by Test Pilots from the Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment of IAF in Bengaluru. Currently, the DRDO operates a low speed FTB (IL-76) suitably modified to carry out Kaveri engine tests at Gromov Flight Research Institute (GFRI) in Moscow. "We felt the need for a high speed FTB capable of high manoeuvres for assessing the engine behaviour during transients. The feasibility of using MiG-29 available at GFRI Moscow is being studied now. We have already assessed the modifications to be carried out on the MiG-29," the official said.

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A Sukhoi for India's Aviation Capital -- Bengaluru? If the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has its way, an aircraft that can reach supersonic speeds would enter Bengaluru's celebrated list of fighters enjoying permanent residency.

Sources confirm to OneIndia that the DRDO has already moved a paper to acquire a supersonic aircraft that will act as a FTB (Flying Test Bed). The FTB is an aircraft being used for testing the performance of systems and sub-systems in airborne conditions. The systems can range from engines, radars, data links, EW (electronic warfare) suites, radio altimeters among others.

DRDO says the FTB reduces the cycle time for the development of airborne systems. Also, more FTBs under their command could reduce the dependency on foreign agencies. In May 2014, the DRDO had acquired a FTP Nabhrathna -- a modified and custom-made Dornier (DO-228) aircraft, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Nabhrathna was rolled out from the hangars of HAL's Kanpur-based Transport Aircraft Division. Sukhoi is the best bet as FTB A committee has already been set up to look into the possibilities of acquiring the FTB. In addition to members from the DRDO, the committee has representatives from the Indian Air Force and HAL. While Sukhoi is leading the fray, the advantages of MiG 29 are also being considered by the committee.

The current requirement for a supersonic FTB is being explored for the primary use of Gas Turbine and Research Establishment (GTRE). Although GTRE's capabilities in developing a desi power plant for Light Combat Aircraft Tejas have run into a rough patch, efforts are being made to carry forward the technical expertise for other engine programmes. Sukhoi is being tipped as the best choice with a price tag of around Rs 400 crore. DRDO officials are of the opinion that with HAL's MiG Complex in Nashik already rolling out, they have the advantage of making the modifications with less fuzz. "It's a huge process to make modifications if the aircraft is imported from abroad. We have to save time and money and Sukhoi could be the answer. Even certification too becomes easier in India," an official said.

BrahMos experiments will come handy

DRDO officials say that the modification work on Sukhoi done for launching the air version of BrahMos will come handy for DRDO. "The BrahMos missile weighs around 2.5 tonnes while a Kaveri engine is around 1.22 tonnes. There are two pilots in a Su-30 MKI and one can easily monitor the engine and independently operate it," the official said. With the wind tunnel test results of BrahMos already available, DRDO is hopeful that a decision is taken soon in acquiring the FTB. "Our labs including LRDE, CABS, RCI and other national institutes such as IISC and NAL too will require a supersonic FTB," the official added.

Once DRDO acquires a supersonic FTB, it will be flown by Test Pilots from the Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment of IAF in Bengaluru. Currently, the DRDO operates a low speed FTB (IL-76) suitably modified to carry out Kaveri engine tests at Gromov Flight Research Institute (GFRI) in Moscow. "We felt the need for a high speed FTB capable of high manoeuvres for assessing the engine behaviour during transients. The feasibility of using MiG-29 available at GFRI Moscow is being studied now. We have already assessed the modifications to be carried out on the MiG-29," the official said.

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The design of the AMCA scale model displayed at Aero India 2015 was identical to the design of the AMCA scale model displayed at Aero India 2013. This wasn't the case during earlier shows - Aero India 2011 AMCA design differed from the 2009 design, and the 2013 design differed from the 2011 design.

As far as the ADA is concerned, the current AMCA design is final, having been tested to full satisfaction in a supersonic wind tunnel in the US. (At the time of Aero India 2013, the design had only been tested in a subsonic wind tunnel in India.)

Going by the displayed design, AMCA will

1. Feature two engines without thrust vectoring, relying exclusively on high power to weight ratio for super-maneuverability.
2. Not have all aspect stealth - engine nozzles are not shaped, though ADA intends to minimize IR signature of the engine exhaust.
3. Be a single seat fighter.

ADA is all set to roll with the AMCA project, but the IAF isn't impressed with the aircraft's current feature set. The service has drawn up very detailed and ambitious PQSR which includes all aspect stealth, super-maneuverability through thrust vectoring and twin seats.

ADA is confident that it can redesign the AMCA for all aspect stealth, twin-seats and thrust vectoring, but points out that these capabilities would push up costs and stretch timelines. ADA is in the process of responding to the IAF PSQRs with feature wise cost and time frame implications.

(No twin seat stealth fighter has been developed so far because adding a second seat reduces stealth.)

Thrust vectoring is likely to be conditional on Russian willingness to transfer technology.

In view of the differences between ADA and the IAF, it maybe a while before AMCA staff requirements are finalized. Hopefully, the IAF will challenge ADA with realistic performance and timeline requirements, not doom the project by asking for the moon as it sometimes tends to do.

Meanwhile, IDP sentinel has learn't that LRDE has been tasked with developing a conformal X-band AESA for the AMCA, which means that the pilot will be able to track and engage threats not just in the front quarter, but also on either side.

Clearly, it's not just the IAF that needs a reality check.

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| Srinagar | Published on:March 12, 2015 6:58 pm
A recruitment rally for 55 posts in the Territorial division of the Army on Thursday witnessed an unprecedented response from the unemployed youths of the valley, with thousands turning up at the venue.

Officials said that around 20,000 youth reached to the JAKLI headquarters- on the city outskirts, to fill up the 55 vacancies of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Battalion (Home & Hearth) of Territorial Army.

The rally was meant for the people of the four districts – Ganderbal, Budgam, Pulwama and Srinagar. Officials said that since morning thousands from different parts thronged the venue ahead of the scheduled time.

“I completed my post graduation two years ago. Today I came here to get a job, as I am jobless for the last two years.” said Waseem Ahmad Wani, a resident of South Kashmir’s Pulwama town. “I reached at 7 am as I wanted to enter the campus first,’’ he added.

Another youth, Shabir Ahad, 27, from Ganderbal told The Indian Express that the salary provided by the army attracted him to opt for the job. “After completing my studies, I failed to get a job and had joined business,” he said. “I am here today because I need a job, that would provide me handsome salary,”

Col Brijesh Pandey, Col GS (IW) HQ, 15 Corps said that around 20,000 youth turned up at the venue. “From the pictures and the inputs we have received, more than 20,000 attended the rally.”

He said that parents in the Valley are now motivating their children to join the armed forces. “Since it provides stable and dignified career, now youth in valley are opting their career in the armed forces,” he said.

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