Indian Defense
Hawker Siddeley 748, IAF’s Luggage Hauler In The Skies Will Soon Slide Into History But Not Its Glory
![Hawker Siddeley 748, IAF’s Luggage Hauler In The Skies Will Soon Slide Into History But Not Its Glory Hawker Siddeley 748, IAF’s Luggage Hauler In The Skies Will Soon Slide Into History But Not Its Glory](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJpc7RvOHjk/YTw3eCG1W8I/AAAAAAADJKM/ketQZqnCAigrqq_J_0E_RLNjeYJx8JXnwCLcBGAsYHQ/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/AVRO_748_Transport_Aircraft.jpg)
The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 or Avro is a medium-sized turboprop airliner
originally designed and initially produced by the British aircraft
manufacturer Avro
The sole bid by Airbus and TATA with the C-295 aircraft for the Avro
replacement programme was approved by the DAC in May 2015, but the contractual
negotiations have been repeatedly delayed
India’s Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the purchase of 56 C-295 medium
transport aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing fleet of Avro-748
planes, the defence ministry announced on Wednesday.
The Avro replacement project was in the works for almost a decade. The sole
bid by Airbus and Tata with the C-295 aircraft for the Avro replacement
programme was approved by the DAC in May 2015, but the contractual
negotiations have been repeatedly delayed.
Before the new planes take on the ‘tasks’ of the ageing fleet, let’s take a
look at Hawker Siddeley 748, which served IAF and Vayudoot with distinction.
Background
The Avro Hawker Siddeley HS748 is a twin-engine turboprop military transport
and freighter of British origin. The aircraft, which could carry 48
paratroopers or six tonnes of freight, has been in the IAF fleet since the
1960s.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had initiated the manufacture of the Avro
(later Hawker Siddeley and still later British Aerospace) 748, in technical
collaboration with the British aircraft and its engine manufacturers.
These aircraft were essentially acquired and subsequently manufactured to meet
the requirements of the Indian Air Force.
In view of the need for a similar aircraft type for Indian Airlines, the
government determined that the same Avro 748, delivered from HAL should fulfil
this need which precluded further purchases of the Dutch-origin Fokker F-27s.
In order to help in the sale of HS 748s to Indian Airlines, these were
actually subsidised by the government such as to make the HAL delivery price
equal to that of the imported F-27.
The Aircraft
The HS 748 was a versatile regional airliner powered by two Rolls-Royce Dart
engines. Designed and built as a replacement for Douglas DC-3, HS 748 could
carry 44-52 passengers in the cabin.
The type entered service with launch customer Skyways Coach-Air on 1 April,
1962.
Variants
The variants included the Series 1, of which 24 were built before production
switched to the 52-seat series with more powerful Rolls-Royce Dart RDa7 MK.531
engines. This was followed by the upgraded Series 2A and 2B and the ‘Super
748’.
The HS 780 ‘Andover’ was a modified version of the 748, created for the Royal
Air Force as a tactical transporter. The model featured an unswept rear
fuselage and raised tail to accommodate a large rear loading camp.
Operated around the world from war-torn countries to the Arctic, the HS 748
found a niche within the market. Production continued until 1988 when 381
airframes had been built.
Significant users included Indian Airlines (Hindustan Aeronautics-built);
Aerolineas Argentinas; VARIG; Phillipine Airlines; Thai Airways; LAN-Chile;
Bouraq Airlines; the Indian Air Force (Hindustan Aeronautics-built); Brazilian
Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force.
The last British HS748 to be built made its maiden flight at Woodford on 1
December 1988.
In India, two of the locally-built HS 748 Srs 2M aircraft were modified with a
large, circular, pylon-mounted surveillance antenna carried above the fuselage
as the HAL 748 ASP (Airborne Surveillance Platform).
One HS748 Andover C.1 PR (XS596) remained in use with the RAF at least until 2008, being used as the nominated UK aircraft under the international Open Skies treaty. A small number of aircraft were also converted for electronic calibration duties, these being designated as HS748 Andover E.3 or hs748 Andover E.3A.
The BAe ATP was effectively a stretched and re-engined development of the HS748, designed for commuter airline and freight use.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
![INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’ INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZma1qWeuxixzWQNFcr4E4SAi5H75pCMZo9JakaQJiVRexORL1lXrVoTdk5qG1ZDkW-5fVJWE_6fplkC26hngBLsrFykHim9DHPap9wRCkdY_N749Uwptd47uWs05vhF6gG2R0rXxDyTUddYLuUH9busYEaBLNDmJXJB8Izz9Z5EOpYw7OAPC62TlOJLY/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/K-4_Submarine_Launched_Missile.jpg)
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.
![](https://i0.wp.com/blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19SGuw5MDtceMDoa0iWWc6lzi_A9iQxNxQL85xBe_cjW19y1MJH_m0JQ6re1ywjpNTyBFKdBQ1cjAHGjteRJrEPDtiAPFF-PKnijwEJh4DyiJ0hcmhl2qzNMeyknnFjFoZlJF4ldSscTnJ67yEy9G1O_gsd9vkL3I9rg19smXdVkwIddBSPQJV9Y3QaQ/s16000/K-4_Submarine_Launched_Ballistic_Missile_SLBM.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
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%
![After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78% After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gqEMaVLWzwfWoT_TYd9Nq6l_8hzGBwBcYv73-7NyZhMMOVESTbGDkgJ3-och4WjuFOk_g77IqZ4X6X0w9rasItBPQV8nZJXEL4XLy-DjFQbSXdhAkkJnJ3LDFF89t6DWWfsoaB0lH44jZtimqJ1gcelysqmbPAMJE5dRUMhjbOYBH2TG5D8BUPiwQHU/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Sukhoi_Su30MKI_Fighter_1.jpg)
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
![Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DIV1319opVfF8xXfP0sNkvUWwmHz1_Z_uMnNlj6rmFdhUAIsZ3TlJ-SweWhTSzvDmv3bGOZBeWERJE6U8S2Va_JDYmX2_SVcIpjshN1r7OE_efYIvjPOmD0npIS3qa1DhofPsHi41veOUyKwhAGftQmO3iSnldJoWS-JOaTYn8iUKxo4JC7XcN-AZpI/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Akash_Air_Defence_Missile_1.jpg)
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.
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