IAF Chronicles - A side view of whats going on behind the closed doors in New Delhi

[Shajida Khan]

That is the point. If India is under the perennial insecurity of losing Mumbai or Delhi then your phrase "Complete Domination" in conventional forces means nada. Insecured people with fancy toys do not win the wars. Look no further than GCC.

We all can agree that Nuclear option is a sort of a great equalizer. It is kind of a bullet or poison dart. With that even a weak old cripple can kill a macho WWE winner.

Actually 'Complete Domination' still means a lot. If your opponent has to use nuclear threat on every single agenda then it becomes a global boogeyman. So, even in peacetime people have hard time investing and associating with such country. The country goes crazy and it can blow up itself with your investment. Ever wondered why China keeps such a tight leash on Pakistan and punctuates her nuclear cries everytime? Pakistan is a monkey not only on our backs -- because of her Nuclear war-cries -- it is a monkey for Chinese banks too. A rabid monkey which is needed to be kept on tight leash.

In the common analogy, it is same as a person who brandishes a gun at every party they visit. No one invites them to their party and those who have to, need to make them suite up in a straightjacket.

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

My statements are as credible as @Bon Plan 's claim that French withdrew from Russian Mistral deal not under US pressure but to protect its own interests in EU.

It was well known that prior to the coup in Ukraine, Germany & France were sprinting ahead to improve the relations with Russia. All that changed after the coup and pressure from US on EU to do more.

Remember EU is Russia's one of the biggest gas customers and they did not have any incentive to make the relations worse.

And my answer is that relation didn't deteriorate between France and Russia which prove that US pressure if any was a failure. Do you know that during the first attacks in Paris against Charlie Hebdo, when France sent a naval group in the Middle East with the CDG carrier, Russia offered to consider us as allies and to share with us all of their Intelligence? We refused, but it was a nice gesture.

 

[A Person]

Will France do a Mistral on India under pressure in the future?

So long as you don't try to annex land from a European country, you should be safe. Now if you decide that the Roma people's origins in India means that you are entitled to invade and annex Romania, then you might have problems with France, yes, but I don't see this as being very likely to happen.

 

[randomradio]

guerrilla type tactics are part of battle field tactics in conventional warfare.

Military tactics - Wikipedia

If that is all Pakistan can use against us, it's good enough.

 

[randomradio]

At present, we are looking to air lift a division sized force through combination of aircraft’s in a single go.

Whoa.

 

[randomradio]

Why don’t we adopt asymmetric warfare and be proactive in it. Why should we always be reactive to their actions.

The civilian govt needs a change in mindset. They have room for showing more aggression.

Let's hope the govt is much more pro-active after the Doklam incident.

Also, I think the govt is being passive in order to get more concessions from the international community, like the entry into NSG, even the UNSC. We won't get into the UNSC and other high profile groups if we are too hawkish about everything.

 

[lcafanboy]

The civilian govt needs a change in mindset. They have room for showing more aggression.

Let's hope the govt is much more pro-active after the Doklam incident.

Also, I think the govt is being passive in order to get more concessions from the international community, like the entry into NSG, even the UNSC. We won't get into the UNSC and other high profile groups if we are too hawkish about everything.

The only reason Modi Govt. has brought down the aggressive rhetoric & tone is to show India as a responsible Global entity unlike reckless Pakistan and China, to claim spots in NSG & UNSC both. Global powers are now ready to accommodate India, Japan & Germany to sit with them on higher tables of power and if we lose our concentration due to China's Pest it will cost us dearly there (which is also China's main intention to tie us down with pakistan), so our hands are tied for now.

But having said that present Govt. is our best bet as they are not letting Pakistan get away with its action as for every Pak Action there is Equal or much more opposite reaction from India but all under table.

 

[Arbit]

I went through your earlier posts and believe I understand your point. I replied earlier in a broad manner rather than point wise, however consider this.

Pakistan will keep playing this game of thousand cuts and India needs to keep building the muscle (military) and blood (economy) fast enough to make those cuts pin pricks. Let our actions speak rather than our false bravado.

But giving warning after warning with no action on the ground will result in India losing its credibility. This is what needs to be avoided.

You basically downplay the importance of power projection. Warfare is merely not a function of equipment but also includes psychological aspect to it. Chinese adhere to it and I completely concur with this line of thought. A loud voice amplifies the power of the fist is all I am saying.

If we were to wait for the ideal time till we build the military and economy to a projected vision then that time may not come at all. Keeping the mouth shut and head down works very well in economic sphere not so much in military matters.

As far as credibility goes we already are at rock bottom. Its only now some action is being taken on threats made, however we still have a long way to go and that way is not to completely shut up but rather act on some of them and keep the other guy guessing on which to take seriously or which to ignore.

 

[lcafanboy]

Can someone confirm this.

Reports are coming Kaveri Engine is up again and now running Smoothly without any screeching problem.
And also whether this is completely indigenous effort by DRDO GTRE combine or Snecma rectified it with M-88 core...............
Things are looking positive and they are trying to ready Kaveri for LCA by 2019.

 

[screambowl]

It is part of non-conventional warfare. Do no confuse things for members.

BAT team conducts ambushes
an ambush is a surprize attack, please get some knowledge before you join forums. Just like Ghatak conducts surprize attacks

It's the non state actors who intrude into the valley and then try to carry out asymmetric warfare.

 

[screambowl]

Can someone confirm this.

Reports are coming Kaveri Engine is up again and now running Smoothly without any screeching problem.
And also whether this is completely indigenous effort by DRDO GTRE combine or Snecma rectified it with M-88 core...............
Things are looking positive and they are trying to ready Kaveri for LCA by 2019.

Not surprized, Because India ia now a member of wassenar agreement.

 

[_Anonymous_]

BAT team conducts ambushes
an ambush is a surprize attack, please get some knowledge before you join forums. Just like Ghatak conducts surprize attacks

It's the non state actors who intrude into the valley and then try to carry out asymmetric warfare.

He's right @Hellfire . Please don't try to mislead him . This member is extremely well read .I suspect he also has inside info.He has to have some connections with Counter Insurgency operations .

@screambowl

Sir ,

Are you by any chance from the RR ?

 

[randomradio]

It may be good enough for you to enjoy posting on forums just for the sake of discussion

But not for those who get martyred.

By saying this you actually insult their sacrifice.

They are not conscripts, they are volunteers. They know what they have signed up for.

 

[randomradio]

BAT team conducts ambushes
an ambush is a surprize attack, please get some knowledge before you join forums. Just like Ghatak conducts surprize attacks

It's the non state actors who intrude into the valley and then try to carry out asymmetric warfare.

 

[screambowl]

The only reason Modi Govt. has brought down the aggressive rhetoric & tone is to show India as a responsible Global entity unlike reckless Pakistan and China, to claim spots in NSG & UNSC both. Global powers are now ready to accommodate India, Japan & Germany to sit with them on higher tables of power and if we lose our concentration due to China's Pest it will cost us dearly there (which is also China's main intention to tie us down with pakistan), so our hands are tied for now.

But having said that present Govt. is our best bet as they are not letting Pakistan get away with its action as for every Pak Action there is Equal or much more opposite reaction from India but all under table.

He is aiming for nobel peace price.

 

[Bon Plan]

Thanks! for being candid. So India should expect and be prepared for

1) Cancellation of RAFALE spares if Government of India (GoI) takes actions against Dutch NGOs in India

2) Leaking of Radar signature if GoI takes action against Khalistan Sikh and Kashmiri terrorists operated from UK

3) Renege on offsets should GoI decide to have a diplomatic mission in Turkey to the disliking of Germany

4) Restrict Transfer of Technology if GoI has issue with Italy on marines standing trial for killing Indian fishermen


France has fallen from grace and no longer follows the independent foreign policy of the erstwhile era. Where is USP of RAFALEs which were touted to be better than Eurofighter as GoI needs to deal with only one country instead of 4 countries?


Having said this I fully support RAFALEs and RAFALE deal. It is best of the worst options that India has.

I just wanted to highlight the fact that RAFALE is neither the silver bullet nor the panacea to the troubles that India is facing.

You are over exagerating, and you know it !
You can't compare a war action against a european country (Falklands and Crimea) and a diplomatical initiativ (even if it's not well seen from France).
Remember Kargil ! Remember what follow the nuclear tests era ! I think it's enough to rely on us.

 

[dadeechi]

You are over exagerating, and you know it !
You can't compare a war action against a european country (Falklands and Crimea) and a diplomatical initiativ (even if it's not well seen from France).
Remember Kargil ! Remember what follow the nuclear tests era ! I think it's enough to rely on us.

One should always plan for the worst case scenario not the best case scenario.

 

[dadeechi]

I went through your earlier posts and believe I understand your point. I replied earlier in a broad manner rather than point wise, however consider this.







You basically downplay the importance of power projection. Warfare is merely not a function of equipment but also includes psychological aspect to it. Chinese adhere to it and I completely concur with this line of thought. A loud voice amplifies the power of the fist is all I am saying.

If we were to wait for the ideal time till we build the military and economy to a projected vision then that time may not come at all. Keeping the mouth shut and head down works very well in economic sphere not so much in military matters.

As far as credibility goes we already are at rock bottom. Its only now some action is being taken on threats made, however we still have a long way to go and that way is not to completely shut up but rather act on some of them and keep the other guy guessing on which to take seriously or which to ignore.

I agree but even for psychological effect, one cannot abuse it to the point it becomes useless. Care should be taken when and how that message would be sent.

Actions too speak for themselves. For example, When China conducted ASAT test the message was clearly sent. They do not need to go on a jingoism mode to openly declare that all western satellites can now be hit by China during war.

 

[_Anonymous_]

Dear Screambowel.


My sincere apologies to you. I will certainly make haste and learn things and come back. You are right, have to learn as have not set foot in valley since 2014. Your definitions must be the latest on Revolution im Military Affairs.

That's quite okay.Next time please read up before you post . You must know that there are plenty of extremely intelligent and experienced members out here who may or may not have requisite experience but can call out people when they smell something fishy like our esteemed member screambowel.

 

[Nick]

Over the resources available to the preference of platform? Yes.

Plus stores and loads. I have told you the reasons why it was being considered over the C-17s. The air mobilisation allows us to pour in troops much faster than rail lines. That is the primary reason.

I agree on the fact that A-330 are much better troop transports and is required for mass mobilization.

All i'm asking for is a public statement where IAF or any MoD official states that IAF has a need for more A-330 transports (over and above the 6x MRTT requirement)

IAF is going through a funds crunch and has much important acquisitions to make from their list of priorities.

At the time, IL-76s were carrying out all the necessary tasks as required. Since there is a perennial crunch in the available funds for fresh inductions, staggered procurement dictated a boost in airlift capacity in terms of manpower and personnel as opposed to of oversized cargo as C-17 is capable of. It was a question of priority. But being a political deal, the same was 'realigned'.

This was an issue of relative preference. Even now, C-17 is being staged out of Chandigarh for continuous TD just to preserve the flying hours of IL-76 and doing the same task that was being done by IL-76. They volunteered to airlift the armour to Leh for the new raising brigade, just to get flying for their crew and pilots.

This is an example of over capacity under utilisation.

Again I will disagree on this.

There is a deliberate policy by IAF, which has been badly singed with Fighter replacement saga as being played out, of having AOGs (Aircraft on Grounds for benefit of those who may not be aware) to preserve airframe flying hours. IL-76s have maxed out now, AOGs have been undertaken to ensure you have a dedicated number ready for contingencies.

As you said, the IL-76 are being preserved for their airframe lives and the availability consciously kept on the lower side. Hence there was indeed a requirement for more IL-76 airframes or another heavy-lifter. This is where the C-17s came in, under the VHTAC.

The main problem for the IAF's transport fleet is not the under utilization of the IL-76 fleet, but the lack a medium-lift transport between the 7.5 ton An-32 and the 40 ton IL-76. This meant that the Candids were over-utilized during their lifetime for missions that were unnecessary. We still face the same problem today and was supposed to have been fixed with the introduction of the 20 ton MTA.

As for open source, the details will not be available as it was not reported in media. But we carried our first line ammunition to Rajasthan

Not cargo, i was asking about the mobilization exercise where troops were mass airlifted to the forward positions.