India plans ballistic protection for under-fire helicopters
India is looking at the procurement and installation of lightweight fibre-based armour plating in the cargo compartments of seven Mi-17V-5 helicopters under a national competitive bidding process, for which results are awaited.
This requirement released last year by the Indian Air Force (IAF) stated that ballistic protection is needed for helicopters being used by paramilitary forces since they are coming under increasing ground fire from 14.5mm ZPU and 12.7mm DShK heavy machine guns plus shoulder-fired man-portable missile systems of domestic insurgents in remote areas.
These helicopters are also used to carry IAF special forces to secure the helicopter and conduct CSAR operations.
Government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been working on an airborne ballistic protection solution for more than seven years based on user requirements, Shephard has learned.
However, according to one engineer, the requirements are very exacting and even unachievable. The MoD expects an armouring solution of 25kg/m² against 12.7mm rounds, which is ‘too light’, he said.
Last year the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) claimed to have achieved an armoured-panel solution for the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) to resist 7.62mm armour-piercing incendiary (API) bullets with a velocity of 636m/s and with an areal density of 28kg/m².
Armoured-panel trials were also conducted against 12.7mm API bullets with a striking velocity of 703m/s at an areal density of 43kg/m².
HAL has received an RFP for 15 limited-production LCHs from the IAF and Indian Army last December and these and subsequent LCHs will need to be armoured.
Meanwhile, Indian company MKU Defence said its advanced-materials Polyshield V6 armouring technology helps save ‘effective payload’ by approximately 40% in armoured helicopters. It has an areal density of only 14.5kg/m² and offers rifle protection as per NIJ Standard-0108.01 Level II.
The company has also armoured more than 300 Indian and 80 Sri Lankan boats against small-arms fire.
Singapore Airshow 2018: India plans ballistic protection for under-fire helicopters - DH - Defence Helicopter - Shephard Media
India is looking at the procurement and installation of lightweight fibre-based armour plating in the cargo compartments of seven Mi-17V-5 helicopters under a national competitive bidding process, for which results are awaited.
This requirement released last year by the Indian Air Force (IAF) stated that ballistic protection is needed for helicopters being used by paramilitary forces since they are coming under increasing ground fire from 14.5mm ZPU and 12.7mm DShK heavy machine guns plus shoulder-fired man-portable missile systems of domestic insurgents in remote areas.
These helicopters are also used to carry IAF special forces to secure the helicopter and conduct CSAR operations.
Government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been working on an airborne ballistic protection solution for more than seven years based on user requirements, Shephard has learned.
However, according to one engineer, the requirements are very exacting and even unachievable. The MoD expects an armouring solution of 25kg/m² against 12.7mm rounds, which is ‘too light’, he said.
Last year the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) claimed to have achieved an armoured-panel solution for the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) to resist 7.62mm armour-piercing incendiary (API) bullets with a velocity of 636m/s and with an areal density of 28kg/m².
Armoured-panel trials were also conducted against 12.7mm API bullets with a striking velocity of 703m/s at an areal density of 43kg/m².
HAL has received an RFP for 15 limited-production LCHs from the IAF and Indian Army last December and these and subsequent LCHs will need to be armoured.
Meanwhile, Indian company MKU Defence said its advanced-materials Polyshield V6 armouring technology helps save ‘effective payload’ by approximately 40% in armoured helicopters. It has an areal density of only 14.5kg/m² and offers rifle protection as per NIJ Standard-0108.01 Level II.
The company has also armoured more than 300 Indian and 80 Sri Lankan boats against small-arms fire.
Singapore Airshow 2018: India plans ballistic protection for under-fire helicopters - DH - Defence Helicopter - Shephard Media
What is the status of your helicopter fleet? What is the assessed requirement in the next five to 10 years? What is there in the pipeline already and are delivery schedules being maintained by the concerned manufacturers?
CAS: Our helicopter fleet is undergoing transformation with induction of several modern platforms. The fleet has undertaken all the assigned tasks in a befitting manner, including HADR missions and in support of Anti Naxal Operations. The ALH Mk III & ALH Mk IV were contracted by IAF with HAL. The deliveries for ALH Mk III have been completed and ALH Mk IV deliveries will be completed soon. The delivery of Chinook and Apache helicopters will commence in 2019 and be completed by 2020. Additional Cheetal helicopter deliveries will be completed by June 2019. RFP for LCH Limited Series Production (LSP) for IAF & IA was issued to HAL in Dec 2017. Procurement of Kamov helicopters is under progress and the case is currently at RFP stage. Procurement of additional MLH is at contract negotiation stage. The IAF is also upgrading its Mi-17 helicopters and the contract has been signed in January 2017.
CAS: Our helicopter fleet is undergoing transformation with induction of several modern platforms. The fleet has undertaken all the assigned tasks in a befitting manner, including HADR missions and in support of Anti Naxal Operations. The ALH Mk III & ALH Mk IV were contracted by IAF with HAL. The deliveries for ALH Mk III have been completed and ALH Mk IV deliveries will be completed soon. The delivery of Chinook and Apache helicopters will commence in 2019 and be completed by 2020. Additional Cheetal helicopter deliveries will be completed by June 2019. RFP for LCH Limited Series Production (LSP) for IAF & IA was issued to HAL in Dec 2017. Procurement of Kamov helicopters is under progress and the case is currently at RFP stage. Procurement of additional MLH is at contract negotiation stage. The IAF is also upgrading its Mi-17 helicopters and the contract has been signed in January 2017.
Deliveries of ALH Mk III and Mk IV will be completed soon? , does it mean that more orders will not be placed?
Honestly will like more info in the Status of LCH - only 3 Prototypes and nothing more
15 LSP cleared for IAF/IA. Production starts this year.
First images of the CH-47F Chinook meant for IAF, from the first-flight conducted at Mesa, Arizona:
(via Boeing India twitter handle)
Dynamatic Technologies and Tata Advanced Systems manufacture major airframe components for the Chinook (including those for IAF).
@randomradio @Ashwin @Abingdonboy @vstol Jockey @Bon Plan @Kvasir @nair @BMD @sunstersun @Aashish
(via Boeing India twitter handle)
Dynamatic Technologies and Tata Advanced Systems manufacture major airframe components for the Chinook (including those for IAF).
@randomradio @Ashwin @Abingdonboy @vstol Jockey @Bon Plan @Kvasir @nair @BMD @sunstersun @Aashish
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A free combat fall from an ALH
An ALH, undertaking a mission along with a sub-surface killer Shishumar class submarine
An ALH performing a ‘10-10 Method', flying just 10 feet above the water, at 10 knots with divers being dropped one by one into the water.
India already operates around ~240 Mi-17 helicopters and it phased out all Mi-8s after 45 years of service. Negotiations are undergoing for additional 48 units of Mi-17 V5 .
Overhaul
@randomradio @Parthu @Abingdonboy @vstol Jockey @Bon Plan @Kvasir @nair @BMD @Aashish @Ankit Kumar
- 53 Mi-17 ordered in Feb 86 (47 to IAF , 6 to Ministry of Home Affairs)
- 40 Mi-17-1V ordered in May 2000
- 80 Mi-17-V5s for USD1.34 billion in 2008
- 70 Mi-17-V5 for USD1.53 billion in 2012. (12 for MHA)
Overhaul
- Indian Air Force gains independence in overhaul of Mi-17 1V .
- 30 Mi-17-1Vs got overhauled in 2017 with ToT (A delegation of aeronautical engineers from India have gone to Novosibirsk for a special training)
- IAF is already fully assembling the latest V5 version at its BRD in Chandigarh.
@randomradio @Parthu @Abingdonboy @vstol Jockey @Bon Plan @Kvasir @nair @BMD @Aashish @Ankit Kumar
It's the best performing medium weight helicopter in the world.
Advanced Light Helicopter gives teeth to Navy's airborne ops
Advanced Light Helicopter gives teeth to Navy's airborne ops | Videos | Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter | Indian Navy | Indian Army
Advanced Light Helicopter gives teeth to Navy's airborne ops | Videos | Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter | Indian Navy | Indian Army
INDIA
India seeks to buy US helicopters worth Rs 13,500 crore
Rajat Pandit | TNN | Nov 16, 2018, 03:33 IST
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204
AA
MH-60 ‘Romeo’ helicopters (Image courtesy: Lockheed Martin)
HIGHLIGHTS
The government-to-government deal for the MH-60 choppers, manufactured by Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin, under the US foreign military sales programme is likely to be inked within a year.
The US has already notched military sales worth $17 billion to India since 2007, even overtaking Russia for three to four years during the last decade.
NEW DELHI: With the US waiver for India’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 Triumf missile systems hanging in the balance, New Delhi has kicked off the formal process for yet another mega defence deal with Washington as a sweetener for the Trump administration.
The NDA government on Thursday issued the “letter of request” to the US government for the Rs 13,500 crore acquisition of 24 naval multi-role MH-60 ‘Romeo’ helicopters, armed with torpedoes and missiles for potent anti-submarine warfare capabilities, said top sources.
The induction of these heavy-duty choppers in the 2020-2024 timeframe will come as a shot in the arm for the Indian Navy, whose warships are virtually bereft of such helicopters at a time when Chinese nuclear and diesel-electric submarines are making regular forays into the Indian Ocean Region.
The government-to-government deal for the MH-60 choppers, manufactured by Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin, under the US foreign military sales programme is likely to be inked within a year. The US has already notched military sales worth $17 billion to India since 2007, even overtaking Russia for three to four years during the last decade.
The FMS route is considered much swifter and cleaner than the cumbersome global tender process, which takes several years and is often derailed by allegations of corruption in India. India has brought most of its weapon systems from the US, like the C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlifters, C-130J “Super Hercules” planes and M-777 ultralight howitzers, through FMS programme.
Acquisition of new multi-role helicopters has been pending for well over a decade, with the Navy identifying them along with submarines and minesweepers as the top three “critical operational necessities” for it. The 140-warship force has just about a dozen old Sea King and 10 Kamov-28 anti-submarine warfare helicopters.
The preliminary “acceptance of necessity” for the MH-60 choppers and the $1 billion acquisition of the American National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System-II (NASAMS-II), slated for deployment as a missile shield for New Delhi, was accorded by the Nirmala Sitharaman-led Defence Acquisitions Council just before the inaugural “two-plus-two” dialogue between India and the US here on September 6.
Both US defence secretary Jim Mattis and secretary of state Mike Pompeo have strongly argued India’s case for a “national security waiver” under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act), which seeks to prevent countries from buying Russian weapons or Iranian oil, for its $5.43 billion S-400 missile deal.
But the final call still has to be taken by President Donald Trump, who will need a transactional quid pro quo in terms of a major Indian defence deal as well as India’s strategic commitment to progressively reduce its dependence on Russian weapon systems.
The US, of course, is in contention for more Indian defence deals. Washington, for instance, is aggressively hawking its F/A-18 or F-16 fighter production line for the IAF’s over $20 billion “Make in India” competition for 114 jets as well as the Navy’s quest for 57 carrier-capable fighters.
India and the US are also in advanced talks for 22 armed Predator-B or weaponised Sea Guardian drones. Then, after the first 24 multi-role helicopters, the Navy also has long-term “Make in India” projects for another 123 such choppers as well as 111 armed light utility choppers.
India seeks to buy US helicopters worth Rs 13,500 crore
Rajat Pandit | TNN | Nov 16, 2018, 03:33 IST
WhatsappFacebookTwitterEmail
204
AA
MH-60 ‘Romeo’ helicopters (Image courtesy: Lockheed Martin)
HIGHLIGHTS
The government-to-government deal for the MH-60 choppers, manufactured by Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin, under the US foreign military sales programme is likely to be inked within a year.
The US has already notched military sales worth $17 billion to India since 2007, even overtaking Russia for three to four years during the last decade.
NEW DELHI: With the US waiver for India’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 Triumf missile systems hanging in the balance, New Delhi has kicked off the formal process for yet another mega defence deal with Washington as a sweetener for the Trump administration.
The NDA government on Thursday issued the “letter of request” to the US government for the Rs 13,500 crore acquisition of 24 naval multi-role MH-60 ‘Romeo’ helicopters, armed with torpedoes and missiles for potent anti-submarine warfare capabilities, said top sources.
The induction of these heavy-duty choppers in the 2020-2024 timeframe will come as a shot in the arm for the Indian Navy, whose warships are virtually bereft of such helicopters at a time when Chinese nuclear and diesel-electric submarines are making regular forays into the Indian Ocean Region.
The government-to-government deal for the MH-60 choppers, manufactured by Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin, under the US foreign military sales programme is likely to be inked within a year. The US has already notched military sales worth $17 billion to India since 2007, even overtaking Russia for three to four years during the last decade.
The FMS route is considered much swifter and cleaner than the cumbersome global tender process, which takes several years and is often derailed by allegations of corruption in India. India has brought most of its weapon systems from the US, like the C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlifters, C-130J “Super Hercules” planes and M-777 ultralight howitzers, through FMS programme.
Acquisition of new multi-role helicopters has been pending for well over a decade, with the Navy identifying them along with submarines and minesweepers as the top three “critical operational necessities” for it. The 140-warship force has just about a dozen old Sea King and 10 Kamov-28 anti-submarine warfare helicopters.
The preliminary “acceptance of necessity” for the MH-60 choppers and the $1 billion acquisition of the American National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System-II (NASAMS-II), slated for deployment as a missile shield for New Delhi, was accorded by the Nirmala Sitharaman-led Defence Acquisitions Council just before the inaugural “two-plus-two” dialogue between India and the US here on September 6.
Both US defence secretary Jim Mattis and secretary of state Mike Pompeo have strongly argued India’s case for a “national security waiver” under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act), which seeks to prevent countries from buying Russian weapons or Iranian oil, for its $5.43 billion S-400 missile deal.
But the final call still has to be taken by President Donald Trump, who will need a transactional quid pro quo in terms of a major Indian defence deal as well as India’s strategic commitment to progressively reduce its dependence on Russian weapon systems.
The US, of course, is in contention for more Indian defence deals. Washington, for instance, is aggressively hawking its F/A-18 or F-16 fighter production line for the IAF’s over $20 billion “Make in India” competition for 114 jets as well as the Navy’s quest for 57 carrier-capable fighters.
India and the US are also in advanced talks for 22 armed Predator-B or weaponised Sea Guardian drones. Then, after the first 24 multi-role helicopters, the Navy also has long-term “Make in India” projects for another 123 such choppers as well as 111 armed light utility choppers.
The 2nd IAF Chinook is flying (this is N280RN, the first one was N279RN):
