Indian Defense
Sukhoi `Checkmate’ For India: Could Be Discussed Later This Year With Russia
The new fighter jet from Sukhoi is scheduled to take to the skies in 2023
The possibility of exporting the latest Sukhoi `Checkmate’ Light Tactical Aircraft (LTA) aircraft will be discussed in case India expresses substantive interest in this new fighter. “For our part, we are open to cooperation and are ready to consider all proposals. Our countries are already actively developing cooperation in the field of aviation technology,” a top officer of Russia based ROSTEC has told Financial Express Online. Adding, “The Indian military aviation fleet is almost 80% equipped with Russian equipment, such as Su-30, MiG-29UPG multirole fighters, or shipborne MiG-29K/KUB.”
Director of International Cooperation of ROSTEC (ROSTEC: Russia’s state aerospace and defence conglomerate), Viktor Kladov tells Financial Express Online, “Checkmate is a project with high export potential. The combination of high combat payload, modern equipment and low cost per flight hour makes the aircraft extremely cost-effective considering its combat capabilities. The flexible use of various configurations allows us to accurately customize it to meet the needs of almost any potential customer.”
“The Matryoshka automated logistic support system, specially created for this aircraft, allows organizing personnel training, planning maintenance with high precision and delivering necessary components on time. The system will reduce after–sales services costs while increasing its efficiency, and ensure a high level of combat readiness of the fleet, even during high-intensity operations,” Director of International Cooperation of ROSTEC, adds.
In July at the MAKS air show in Zhukovsky, Moscow, United Aerospace Company, an umbrella corporation that includes the Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) and Sukhoi design bureaus unveiled the fifth generation stealth fighter, Sukhoi `Checkmate’. This new Light Tactical Aircraft (LTA) aircraft is not operational yet, but is considered to be budget friendly and is mainly meant for the export market.
An official statement issued during the show last month, “This fifth generation single-engine light fighter, has no analogues in Russia yet. And it combines innovative solutions and technologies, which includes artificial intelligence support for the pilot’s work. Also on board there are proven solutions that have already been tested in practice.”
“This fighter has low visibility and high flight performance. Supercomputer technologies are being used extensively on the Checkmate project.”
The new fighter jet from Sukhoi is scheduled to take to the skies in 2023 following which the first batch of the fighters will be produced in 2026. And once the serial production begins the plans are to produce around 300 aircraft over 15 years.
More About Checkmate
The LTA has an engine intake below the cockpit and has a pointy nose. And it has an internal weapons bay which has been designed to preserve its anti-radar shaping. It has the capability to carry both air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance: guided and unguided bombs, and unguided rockets; infrared and radar-guided air-to-air missiles; air-to-ground and anti-ship missiles; both guided and unguided bombs, and unguided rockets.
Capabilities of Checkmate As Available
It can travel up to 1,500 km in a single sortie loaded with weapons and payload and has been developed as a short take off-and-landing fighter jet.
Is capable of supersonic flight uninterrupted and can share data with other fighters in the air.
Compared to the F-35 (approx. USD 75 million) of the US, this aircraft is expected to cost around USD 30 million each and the company is expecting orders from Latin American countries, Middle East as well as Asia Pacific Region.
IAF & Russian Aircraft
Indian Air Force (IAF) is already flying Russian fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 which are the frontline and multi-role as well as the MiG fighters as well as helicopters. Now, the IAF has started gradually phasing out MiG-21s and has started inducting French `Rafale’ and the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft `Tejas’.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
-
Solar Energy3 years ago
DLR testing the use of molten salt in a solar power plant in Portugal
-
world news11 months ago
Gulf, France aid Gaza, Russia evacuates citizens
-
Camera11 months ago
DJI Air 3 vs. Mini 4 Pro: which compact drone is best?
-
Solar Energy11 months ago
Glencore eyes options on battery recycling project
-
Camera4 years ago
Charles ‘Chuck’ Geschke, co-founder of Adobe and inventor of the PDF, dies at 81
-
world news11 months ago
Strong majority of Americans support Israel-Hamas hostage deal
-
Camera11 months ago
Sony a9 III: what you need to know
-
TOP SCEINCE6 months ago
Can animals count?