Indian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Brumby said:

There are two pertinent points worth emphasizing. First is the idea of mating Russian platform to French missile with Israeli ECM in between. This is not a recipe I believe is technically sound even if by some miracle Russia agrees or the French is willing to go along. I think this offers an insight on how disjointed and myopic India’s procurement approach is when deciding on aircraft procurement. Realistically, India is stuck with whatever Russia can offer in terms of future prospect as long as it operates the SU-30MKI.

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It is very unlikely to be Israeli ECM on an upgraded Su-30MKI package. Especially given the Indians will likely follow the Russian Su-30SM upgrade path closely for commodities of scale. Small possibility of an Indian system, but what I think realistic is the RWR would be Indian via their DR-118 program, and the ECM system would be the Russian SAP-518. Upgraded engines will cover the additional weight and power requirements that this and a new radar would require.

Brumby said:

The second point is that a missile effective range is limited by the accompanying sensor range. For example, even if the Meteor can be integrated to the SU-30MKI its NO11M radar would not be able to take advantage of the Meteor’s extended range. In the recent border skirmish, the SU-30MKI was out-sticked by the F-16 due to a sensor/RCS combination. The NO11M while supposedly has impressive detection is not what it seems when examined in detail. I will use the border exchange example with the F-16 to demonstrate this point

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I think the H035 Irbis, which is what I expect to be the upgrade radar for the Su-30SMs and Su-30MKIs, would be more than capable of tracking and locking for a Meteor class of BVR missile to a range exceeding that of the RBE2-AESA on the latest Rafales. But as I've come to understand, this is unlikely in the extreme from the perspective of both France and Russia as previously discussed.

Brumby said:

According to public records, the NO35 has a slightly better performance than the NO11M and I will use its data since I am more familiar with the underlying details. Source :

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The NO35 has a detection range of 200kms against a 3 M2 RCS This however needs to translate to a meaningful level in its exchange with the F-16 which has an RCS of 1 M 2 against the SU-30MKI which has a RCS of between 10 to 15 M2. The excel sheet below provides the details of the conversion.

What should be noted is that the impressive detection number of the NO35 is based on a 50 % probability of detection unlike Western radars that use 80 % PD. I am also assuming that the F-16 used by the PAF was the Block 52 which has a AN/APG-68 radar. I am not sure whether it has the better ranged (V) 9 and so I have used both in the analysis. Radar lock is based on tracking range and not detection and this has to be further adjusted. The net result is that the F-16 would have been able to secure a radar lock on the SU-30MKI at around 100 kms (due to its higher RCS) and according to public records it was around this distance that the AIM-120C 5 was released. In contrast, it is not likely that the SU-30MKI was able to lock onto to the F-16 beyond 80 kms and that was what happened although the blame was placed on the limitation of the R-77. As I said before, even if the SU-30MKI was integrated with a Meteor at that time the end result would be the same as the accompanying sensor was the limiting factor. In summary, sensor, missile and relative RCS matters and the SU-30MKI has a big RCS disadvantage.

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I don't want to get too lost in the weeds here so I'll try to follow your overall point and keep it related to India: When discussing Radar comparisons (and why I say H035 Irbis would be more than capable of launching a 200km BVR), we have pretty good information on detection ranges, but track and lock ranges are all secret. Anything you find will be a guesstimate at best.

The Russians describe the H035 Irbis as a hybrid ESA, X-Band Radar using a single high power amp transmitter (PESA), versus low power distributed transmitters (AESA). So you can't compare T/R modules since one is not distributed, but you can still look at peek power outputs and array sizes (dictated by the aircraft nose and ability to reduce electronic package sizes). Again, without getting into the weeds of pure radar discussion we can safely say PESA typically has a larger peek output, however AESA has much more flexibility in scanning wavelengths, reduced signal attenuation, steering and ECCM, due to its distributed nature. There are pros and cons, but overall a pure AESA design is the ideal solution, which Russia has on its Su-57 (N036 Byelka). Russia's probable issue is manufacturing good yield T/R modules without a major domestic electronics base like the US or Japan or China. Which does not mean they cannot do it, but there will be a very high cost. And budget is a big issue.

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Yes the Flankers have a large RCS, but they also have a large nose for a large array, a large combat radius on internal fuel, very good maneuverability and other offsets as compared to say, the Rafale. ECM/ECCM conditions aside, I see no issue with an upgraded Su-30MKI firing the latest in BVR missiles using the H035.

A couple of good reads/reference material for the H035 as well as one I dug up from when Rafale switched to AESA (RBE2 was originally PESA):

Brumby said:

F-35 is not a realistic option for the same reason that Turkey was removed from the program. If I was a betting person, I would not rely on the prospect of a timely AMCA given India’s historical performance. That leaves the SU-57 and India has a better insight than anyone outside Russia. The reason they pulled out is because they don’t think it was up to expectation. That leaves the Rafael as a decent stopgap.

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No its not, for reasons pertaining to the S-400s and other operational constraints that would be placed upon India in the aircraft's usage and data sharing. That's why I believe a Su-57 purchase is in the cards within the next 10 years or so. The pullout was primarily in the context of development work and technology sharing (or lack of) for the money India would have needed to contribute. With their existing capital requirements and minimal return on tech that they could then port over to the AMCA program, they bailed. Off the shelf purchase is absolutely on the table however.

Brumby said:

Finally I see quite a bit in this forum the idea of AWACs providing off board targeting solutions. I am not convince that this is technically feasible given that AWACs operate the frequency bands that do not have sufficient resolution beyond providing bearing information. I would like to see technical papers arguing how this would actually happen.

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I cannot point to an authoritative source for this but it has been talked about for a long time (as a capability the USAF had), that targeting updates could be sent from AWACS via the Link network. I believe it goes back to the AIM-54, and this evolved on the Naval side into CEC (Cooperative Engagement Capability) with ship based combat systems.

**Also, a correction/update on the India MWF or Tejas 2.0. I refreshed some of my info on this program since my previous posts were based on knowledge I had from the last year or so. Although design work has still not been made public (or started?), word is that it is no longer envisioned as a dual engine aircraft, but still an iteration of Tejas MK1A, with the addition of canards.**

Are their any actual engineers here with hands on experience in a engineering environment ?
Its a global world and no one makes everything in house or even within the national boundaries, because its not Practical. I am talking about tejas. Also to even remotely compare Indian and Pakistani inputs into tejas and Jf17 is laughable. Better to compare mki and Jf17 on basis of outside design and offshore assembly.
Problem with tejas is not the expertise available in India but the expertise available in HAL. More importantly the lack of any pressure to do a good job. More than enough experise is available in the private sector.
Before we start talking about shifting goalposts, the IAF's requirement is just reflecting the reality of our neighbourhood. If your neighbours have j20 and f16 block 52, how will a 40 year old specification list meet the challenge. Something like the f1 cars, if you want to compete, than the car has to have the best features.
Time for Russia to up its game, for its own good. Americans are not gods, but they have enough conflicts boiling around to test and fine tune their weapons. That's how you make weapons effective. Russia had a golden chance when their fighter jet was shot down by Turkey. They could have gauged the effectiveness of their fighter jets by a few punitive air to air or air to ground sorties against Turkey. Their wvr and bvr capabilities are totally unproven. Just writing 398 km detection range for su30 means nothing, as in the chart above. Competitive weapons wont just appear magically overnight incase of a more serious conflict.
In the short term, India buys more rafales. No two ways about it.
At the moment, their is no one to give a serious challenge to American jets, with the French Rafale and the typhoon in 2nd place. Rest incl the Russians and chinese are all just staying in the game.

maint1234 said:

Are their any actual engineers here with hands on experience in a engineering environment ?
Its a global world and no one makes everything in house or even within the national boundaries, because its not Practical. I am talking about tejas. Also to even remotely compare Indian and Pakistani inputs into tejas and Jf17 is laughable. Better to compare mki and Jf17 on basis of outside design and offshore assembly.
Problem with tejas is not the expertise available in India but the expertise available in HAL. More importantly the lack of any pressure to do a good job. More than enough experise is available in the private sector.
Before we start talking about shifting goalposts, the IAF's requirement is just reflecting the reality of our neighbourhood. If your neighbours have j20 and f16 block 52, how will a 40 year old specification list meet the challenge. Something like the f1 cars, if you want to compete, than the car has to have the best features.
Time for Russia to up its game, for its own good. Americans are not gods, but they have enough conflicts boiling around to test and fine tune their weapons. That's how you make weapons effective. Russia had a golden chance when their fighter jet was shot down by Turkey. They could have gauged the effectiveness of their fighter jets by a few punitive air to air or air to ground sorties against Turkey. Their wvr and bvr capabilities are totally unproven. Just writing 398 km detection range for su30 means nothing, as in the chart above. Competitive weapons wont just appear magically overnight incase of a more serious conflict.
In the short term, India buys more rafales. No two ways about it.
At the moment, their is no one to give a serious challenge to American jets, with the French Rafale and the typhoon in 2nd place. Rest incl the Russians and chinese are all just staying in the game.

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I'm a professional engineer and I disagree with your statement. There are many industries where everything is made in house for either proprietary reasons or quality reasons. Vertically integrated companies are a dime a dozen in some industries.

If the industry use a lot of contractors and subcontractors, happens all the time. But often some industries with high proprietary information are very vertically integrated and do as much in house as possible. Often some of the subcontractors are wholly owned by these conglomerates to keep it all in house.

Just look at CAC.

Agreed, from the viewpoint of indian armed forces, comparing tejas and jf17 is nugatory. Both planes are to satisfy tasks assigned to them based on different strategies from different air forces.
The jet that is more proficient at completing majority of missions assigned to it can be considered more successful than a jet that isn't as good at fulfilling duties assigned to it, even if it trumps the former in tech specs.
In case of tejas program, affordability of jets and indigenous support are integral to its success. There is major focus on not only achieving decided parameters of payload, range etc., but also achieving them within the cost constraints. Constant scope creep negatively impacts the program in both time and cost terms.
A much better competitor to compare it to would be gripen since it was actively being considered by IAF and provides comparable abilities. If tejas isnt affordable enough after the required parameters are achieved, i'm afraid it'll give the gripen a chance to nibble away tejas numbers.

An Indian facility that makes Su-30MKI jets may shut down, toppling 400 local suppliers


The news worthy piece to me is how much more it cost India to produce the SU-30MKI locally

“Each HAL-built Su-30MKI fighter costs around $70.3 million, where as a Russia-supplied fighter costs around $42.15 million,” the senior Air Force official said.

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and that

“The HAL built Su-30MKI fighter is not fully indigenized, only 51 percent is homemade, where the remaining 49 percent of supplies still comes from Russia,” said Bhim Sigh, a retired wing commander with the Indian Air Force.

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India cancels Jaguar upgrade over Honeywell’s $2.4B price tag

@Zool
The figures quoted in many of them are not reliable and personally I would not use them as reference. For example, I have gone through in detail in an earlier post the detection claim of the NO35 and why that 400 kms claim is a farce

BTW, IRBIS is not an AESA radar and is not some kind of hybrid which is claimed by Kopp..

Zool said:

The Russians describe the H035 Irbis as a hybrid ESA, X-Band Radar using a single high power amp transmitter (PESA), versus low power distributed transmitters (AESA). So you can't compare T/R modules since one is not distributed, but you can still look at peek power outputs and array sizes (dictated by the aircraft nose and ability to reduce electronic package sizes). Again, without getting into the weeds of pure radar discussion we can safely say PESA typically has a larger peek output, however AESA has much more flexibility in scanning wavelengths, reduced signal attenuation, steering and ECCM, due to its distributed nature. There are pros and cons, but overall a pure AESA design is the ideal solution, which Russia has on its Su-57 (N036 Byelka). Russia's probable issue is manufacturing good yield T/R modules without a major domestic electronics base like the US or Japan or China. Which does not mean they cannot do it, but there will be a very high cost. And budget is a big issue.

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I want to follow up on a specific theme that I had been percolating on for some time which dovetail into your comments above and to a reference development that you highlighted in one of your earlier post.


We know that Russia had been working on an AESA radar for quite awhile such as the NO36 for the SU-57. To-date we have not heard of real progress and generally we know Russia had been struggling with AESA radar development including with Zhuk.. AESA is not easy because it is highly complex and I have my reservation including with the Chinese until I actually see some technical specs performance data and not unsubstantiated claims inferring advances from forum boards.

The point is the Russians had been promising a pathway of a "Super Sukhoi" with an AESA radar upgrade but where has that gone? The Russians are now proposing an upgrade path for the SU-30MKI to SU-35 standard as per your reference link. Yet no AESA radar in that proposal. I think the Russians are stuck and that means the Indians too.

This is what I had been percolating on. The SU30M upgrade to SU-35 standard makes sense because that is driving economies of scale besides getting an upgrade What I am speculating is that Russia in tranche one of the SU-57 will downgrade its electronics to SU-35 standard. In other words a stealthy SU-35 and that will be the export version until tranche two when the real developments are in place i.e. AESA radar and engine. This will drive down cost by standardising the electronics of SU-30M, SU-35 and SU-57 to one single platform. This is how I think Putin will get his SU-57 for $35 million and maybe a bit more for India. .

Brumby said:

An Indian facility that makes Su-30MKI jets may shut down, toppling 400 local suppliers

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The news worthy piece to me is how much more it cost India to produce the SU-30MKI locally



and that

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Thats weird.. Lets give the Indian manufacturer a benefit of doubt and consider it produces 50% of the jet by value too. That just means it takes $50 mil to produce the same equipment that russia produces at $20 mil.. ?!?!. Since the 50% is imported at around $20mil anyways.

Brumby said:

I want to follow up on a specific theme that I had been percolating on for some time which dovetail into your comments above and to a reference development that you highlighted in one of your earlier post.

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We know that Russia had been working on an AESA radar for quite awhile such as the NO36 for the SU-57. To-date we have not heard of real progress and generally we know Russia had been struggling with AESA radar development including with Zhuk.. AESA is not easy because it is highly complex and I have my reservation including with the Chinese until I actually see some technical specs performance data and not unsubstantiated claims inferring advances from forum boards.

The point is the Russians had been promising a pathway of a "Super Sukhoi" with an AESA radar upgrade but where has that gone? The Russians are now proposing an upgrade path for the SU-30MKI to SU-35 standard as per your reference link. Yet no AESA radar in that proposal. I think the Russians are stuck and that means the Indians too.

This is what I had been percolating on. The SU30M upgrade to SU-35 standard makes sense because that is driving economies of scale besides getting an upgrade What I am speculating is that Russia in tranche one of the SU-57 will downgrade its electronics to SU-35 standard. In other words a stealthy SU-35 and that will be the export version until tranche two when the real developments are in place i.e. AESA radar and engine. This will drive down cost by standardising the electronics of SU-30M, SU-35 and SU-57 to one single platform. This is how I think Putin will get his SU-57 for $35 million and maybe a bit more for India. .

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Before the hiatus of the Russia/India Su-57 affair, Russia had quoted 250 million per copy of the Su-57 to India, I think that was the straw that broke the camels back. This was after FGFA had been rolled way, way back.

It was a number of years ago, and economies were much healthier, lol.

anyway, I would be beyond shocked it the Su-57 comes in much below 80 million, even if the electronics are down graded??