PODCAST: The Pentagon’s Plan to Mix Fourth and Fifth-Gen Fighters

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  October 8, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  India : Army plans to buy 350 helicopters over 10 years to modernise its Aviation Corps

  The Aviation Corps currently operates Chetak and Cheetah choppers, the ALH Dhruv since 2001, and its armed variant Rudra since 2013. By AMRITA NAYAK DUTTA New Delhi: The Army is working on a 10-year modernisation plan for its Aviation Corps and aims to induct at least 350 helicopters, including the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter and the battle-proven Apache. The long-pending plan includes increasing the surveillance features of the choppers already in the Aviation Corps' inventory, with the induction of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). What does Army plan to buy? The Army plans to induct two kinds of utility choppers and three combat helicopters. This will include squadrons of Rudra (the armed version of the Advanced Light Helicopter ‘Dhruv'), which will have 20mm guns and 70mm cannons and are to be inducted within one year. The LCH squadrons are to be inducted within seven to 10 years, while 200 Kamov Ka-226s, which are for reconnaissance and observation, are expected to be procured within 10 years through an inter-government agreement. By 2021, the Army also expects to procure six Apache choppers and an additional squadron of ALH Dhruv, to add to what is already functional. Dhruv can fly over all terrains in India, including high altitudes. What will the new choppers replace? The Aviation Corps currently operates Chetak and Cheetah choppers, the ALH Dhruv since 2001, and its armed variant Rudra since 2013. Each squadron of the Aviation Corps is supposed to have three ‘flights' and each ‘flight' is supposed to feature five aircraft each. However, in the current scenario, all squadrons have only two ‘flights' of five aircraft each. The inductions will replace the Army's ageing Chetak and Cheetah helicopter fleet at a time when a Cheetah crash recently killed the Indian Army's Lt Col. Rajneesh Parmar and Captain Kalzang Wangdi of the Royal Bhutan Army, raising questions about the choppers' flight-worthiness and bringing the focus back on their long-pending replacement with the Light Utility Helicopter. Probable advantages Army sources said the plans would be a game-changer in future conflicts, and expressed confidence that they would be put into action in a time-bound manner. “More emphasis is being put on prioritisation, rationalisation and economy of expenditure. Greater value for money is being achieved by encouraging procurements from indigenous sources in support of the government's Make in India initiative,” an Army source said. Army officers further said that the transfer of the RPAS to the Aviation Corps would ensure a comprehensive surveillance picture, utilising both manned and unmanned platforms, while sharing support infrastructure. “The operation of these assets under the common umbrella of Army Aviation Corps and a common aviation adviser to the ground forces commander will help achieve battlefield transparency,” the source added. https://theprint.in/defence/army-plans-buy-350-helicopters-10-years-modernise-aviation-corps/302506/

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  August 17, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  The list is here: Find out how global defense companies performed in FY19

  By: Mike Gruss The adage is that it is difficult for an aircraft carrier to turn on a dime. The same could be said for the defense industry or Pentagon budgets and as such, the Defense News Top 100 list. Changes are slow and can take time to appear on our list. For example, for the first time, this year's list reflects the result of the L3-Harris merger. L3, ranked 18th on last year's list, and Harris, ranked 26th a year ago, merged to form what everyone expected: one of the world's largest defense corporations in L3Harris Technologies, ranked 9th on our list. Next year, observers will see the results of the merger between Raytheon, ranked 5th on this year's list, and United Technologies Corp., ranked 10th on this year's list. Thematically, the shifts that defense and military leaders have spent years discussing are becoming fully reflected in industry. China's heavy investments in defense are becoming evident by the inclusion of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (6th), China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (8th), and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (11th) on this year's list. The role of integration and communication tools is becoming more important, as is evidenced by Leidos, Peraton and Perspecta's inclusion. Medium-sized businesses are becoming increasingly critical players. And, for years, U.S. military leaders have heard from Silicon Valley startups that it remains too difficult to break into the defense market in a meaningful way. Advocates will likely point by how few are in the list. Other companies have complained that the big primes have too much of a lock on Pentagon contracts, perhaps seen in how the top five bring in more than twice the revenue of the next five. Each year, the Defense News Top 100 is part art, part science. Every year, the Defense News team tries to push it a bit closer to science. This year's list, like years past, is a snapshot of what's happening in defense markets and maybe, just maybe, a hint of what's to come. https://www.defensenews.com/top-100/2020/08/17/the-list-is-here-find-out-how-global-defense-companies-performed-in-fy19/

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  May 15, 2024 | International, Land

  US and Japan sign agreement to co-develop hypersonic interceptor

  The Japanese government has flagged hypersonic missile defense as an urgent capability, citing recent developments in the region.