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Q & A Series (Part 3): INDIGENISATION
In various interactions questions are asked during the Q & A session. Started this series on addressing these valid and interesting questions by giving my views and commenting on them.
RECENT QUERRY AND MY TAKE ON IT
Question. Questions related to IAF and Atmanirbharta, Indigenisation and Make in India.
Comments. IAF has always encouraged the development of indigenous defence production. IAF firmly believes that indigenisation reduces our dependence on foreign sources and leads to economic growth of the nation. IAF always endeavours to achieve self-sufficiency through focused, sustained and evolved indigenisation programmes. It is one of the key result areas of the IAF.
Various Indigenised inductions and projects being supported are as follows:
- Induction of LCA (IOC, FOC, Mk I and Mk 1A) and support to LCA Mk II and AMCA.
- Earlier Induction of Ajeet and HF-24 Marut ac.
- Induction of AEW&C ac and support to indigenous AWACS project.
- Induction of ALH.
- Support to replacement of Avro ac through make in India route.
- Support to CIWS through make in India route.
- Induction and support to several indigenous radars. (Indra, Rohini, Arudhra and Long range surveillance radar).
- Indigenous production of chaffs and flares, ammunitions and fuses for bombs.
- Integration of Astra Air to Air Missile and Brahmos Air to surface missiles.
- Support to weapons projects like New Generation Anti-tank Missile, Smart anti airfield weapons, new generation anti-radiation missile and Glide bombs etc.
- Induction of trainer aircraft (Kiran Mk I and Mk II, HT-2, HTT-40).
- Induction of Akash SRSAM system and support to MRSAM and LRSAM projects.
Other efforts include:
- Support to Aeronautical Development Agency and National Flight Test Centre.
- Identification of MSMEs for MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) of military aviation equipment.
- Upgrades through indigenous route. Mig-29 upgrade by Base Repair Depot, Jaguar and M-2000 upgrade by HAL, AN-32 upgrade and Digitisation of Pechora SAM systems
- Indigenisation of thousands of lines and spares.
- Creation of Nodal Technical Centres at BRDs and EDs to give impetus to innovation.
- Conducting regular seminars on indigenisation along with all the stake holders.
IAF has been many times accused of not supporting indigenisation with remarks like “Air Marshals always want to play with foreign toys”. This is far from the truth.
Comments and value additions are most welcome
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Q & A Series (Part 2): International Exercises
In various interactions questions are asked during the Q & A session. Starting a new series on compiling these valid and interesting questions with comments.
RECENT QUERRY AND MY TAKE ON IT
Question. What are various facets related to joint exercises with friendly foreign countries? What advantages accrue out of these exercises?
Comments. IAF conducts regular exercises with friendly foreign countries. These exercises involve lot of detailed planning and preparation. The preparations start almost six months prior or earlier.
These exercises are bilateral or multilateral, single service or multi service. The trend is changing from bilateral single service exercises earlier to multilateral multi service exercises now.
IAF has carried out exercises with Air Forces of many countries including USA, Russia, UK, France, Australia, South Africa, UAE, Singapore, Oman and Thailand etc.
The level of exercise (i.e. number of aerial assets, duration of exercise and type of air combat missions) depends from country to country. These vary from short duration exercises with few assets on themes like HADR to full fledged combat exercises with large number and variety of platforms carrying out complex LFE (large scale engagement) missions.
The frequency of carrying out exercises also varies from country to country. With some countries it is regular once every two or three years. With others it is less often, once in 3 to 5 years. Generally during transit for bigger exercises, some smaller exercises are carried out during the stop overs en route (Out bound or inbound leg). These are called hop exercises.
There are many advantages of these exercises. These exercises are part of defence diplomacy and political signaling in the larger scheme of international relations and engagements. At operating level, the participants learn about the best practices from each other and It broadens their horizon and prepares them for their future assignments. Further it improves interoperability between the participating forces. The advantages accrued out of these exercises far outweigh the effort and money spent on them.
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