Indian Army Air Artillery, SHORAD, VSHORAD & Radar Systems

Rs 27,000-crore anti-aircraft missile deal hits hurdle

A mega deal to procure shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles for the Indian Army has hit controversy after competitors alleged that a Russian system was qualified even though it failed to meet technical requirements and could not fully demonstrate capabilities during trials.

The Rs 27,000 crore deal to procure Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) missiles was initiated in 2010 under the previous UPA government and has gone through several twists and turns over the years that has left the French, Swedes and Russians in the fray.

Sources have told ET that after the IGLA S system was qualified in January after five years of trials by the Army, competitors have approached the defence ministry with protest letters, alleging that the system did not meet specified requirements, contending that norms have been tweaked to favour the Russians.

TRICKY PROCUREMENT
The high value VSHORAD procurement has gone through a tricky phase since 1999, when the file was first moved to replace the Russian IGLA M systems that were being used by the Army since the 1980s. Despite the urgent requirement of a missile to take down aerial targets at a short range, the procurement process did not begin until 2010 when global tenders were floated.

Out of the four respondents, the Koreans did not make it but others, including SAAB’s RBS70 NG, MBDA’s Mistral and the Russian IGLA S were found to be compliant to requirements in January.

However, official complaints by the competitors are also being examined, given the scale of the deal. It is learnt that one point raised by competitors is that the IGLA S did not demonstrate low level target hits in desert environments during summer season and failed to lock into targets at long distance.

FAILED TESTS
The particular test – to intercept a target at a distance of 500 meters, travelling 10 meters above ground – is alleged to have not been passed by the Russian system in the summer season, when the hot sand makes it difficult to track incoming aircraft.

It has also been alleged that the Russian side modified the sights of the IGLA S during trials by changing the optics and sensor, in a violation of rules that permit only minor alternations. And, that the Russian side did not turn up for trials ate least two times, in a violation of norms. Detailed questionnaires sent to the three competitors and the defence ministry by ET did not fetch any comments.

MONEY WOES
A critical milestone for the contract will be on Friday when commercial bids are set to be opened by the defence ministry. However, it is unclear how the Army will muster the funds needed to ink a deal of such value this year, given that it is extremely short on budget.

In a presentation to the parliament panel on defence in March, the Army had said that the VSHORAD procurement is likely to be impacted as it has been given Rs 17, 756 crore less in the annual budget than what it had requested. The Army had also named the light specialist vehicle procurement as a project that would be impacted, however a contract is believed to have been signed now with Force Motors for the same.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ni8mare
BEL_Webiste_top_banner_4_ADFCR20180517183528001.jpg
BEL_Webiste_top_banner_4_ADFCR20180517183528001.jpg
 
Last edited:
AK 203 and Kamov delayed, India and Russia aim for missile deal ahead of Modi visit

The VISHORADS deal had run into trouble with two competitors officially registering complaints against the trails which gave Russians the heads up.

By Snehesh Alex Philip
10 February, 2020 5:34 pm IST
modi-putin-696x391.jpg

PM Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin | PTI file photo

Lucknow, New Delhi: With the much anticipated deals for AK 203 assault rifles and the Kamov helicopters getting delayed, India and Russia are aiming to seal a multi-billion-dollar missile deal before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow in May.

Russia’s IGLA-S system was chosen as the lowest bidder for India’s short-range air defence missile system (VSHORADS) programme. The Army has an immediate requirement for 800 launchers and over 5,000 missiles.

The deal had, however, run into trouble as two other competitors – SAAB of Sweden and the European firm MBDA – officially registered complaints against the trials that gave the Russians an edge.

These missiles are meant to counter low-flying aircraft as the last line of defence against flying objects in a multi-layered air defence system.

The procurement process for the VSHORADS began shortly after the Kargil War in 1999.

This was after two Indian aircraft — a MiG-21 and a MiG-27 — were possibly shot down during the war by a Pakistani close-in weapon called the Anza (probably the derivative of a Chinese system).

Defence sources told ThePrint that both India and Russia are aiming to ink the deal ahead of Modi’s visit or during the trip itself.

“The issues with AK 203 will be resolved soon but not in time for Modi’s visit. The Kamov deal is still a work in progress. The only defence deal that can be completed by May is the VISHORADS,” a defence official told ThePrint.

This would be yet another major deal between the two countries after the one for S400, frigates and lease of a second nuclear submarine amid the threat of US sanctions.

However, both New Delhi and Moscow have worked out a deal to circumvent the banking restrictions. Initial payments for both the frigates and the S 400 have been made by India.

Economic Times has reported that New Delhi is again likely to change the bank it uses for payments to Russia in the future.

The delay in AK 203

The delay in the AK 203 assault rifle deal has been the cost factor. The Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited, established between the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), the Kalashnikov Concern and Rosoboronexport — the Russian state agency for military exports — have failed to arrive at an offer price for the rifles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself inaugurated the joint venture in March last year.

According to the plan, the 7.62×39 mm Russian weapon is meant to be manufactured at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district. It is expected to cater to the Army’s need for 6.5 lakh rifles.

“In the meeting held this month, the JV could not come to an agreement about the offer price to the Army, which is a must before things are to move on,” a source said.

It was expected that the price of each rifle would be around $1,100 per piece but it has risen due to a number of issues, sources said.

Sources said that the problem is that while Make in India will work out to be cheaper in the long run with high volumes, the initial investment is very high keeping the requirements and setting up of facility is concerned.

Sources said that another round of meeting is planned soon and it is hoped that the offer price will be firmed up but a contract is not possible before Modi’s visit.

Kamov gets delayed too

The deal for the minimum 200 Kamov 226T, announced by Modi in 2015 to replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak choppers, is also getting delayed.

The main issue is with the cost and the indigenisation content, sources said. Incidentally, the Indo-Russian joint venture, set up to make the light utility choppers in India, won’t meet the 70 per cent indigenous content requirement, as reported by ThePrint.

Under the original RFP, there is a requirement of 70 per cent indigenisation of Russian content — which stands at 74 per cent — in the lightweight military helicopters.

“The Kamov deal will take much longer than the AK 203. And hence the only focus right now is the contract for VISHORADS,” one of the sources cited above said.

AK 203 and Kamov delayed, India and Russia aim for missile deal ahead of Modi visit
 
Question for the experts:

Does India operate any over-the-horizon radar systems? If no, are any in development or are they looking at acquiring an existing platform?
 
Question for the experts:

Does India operate any over-the-horizon radar systems? If no, are any in development or are they looking at acquiring an existing platform?
I posted about this on another thread

this guy is a scientist at LRDE. The way he talks....it's hard to believe if he even knows anything about radars or the things he talk about. yet he has designed antenna pressurisation system for arudhra radar allegedly.
Listen from 2:55 onward.
he talks about push towards OTH capability by LRDE using space based radars. It was funny how he explained it but if it is true is this how they will engage target at longer ranges using SAM system like S-400 ?

@Gautam @Arpit @randomradio
@screambowl
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ginvincible
India could buy Pantsir-S1 air defense missile system according to Russian sources


The Russians are conducting an intensive advertising campaign to encourage India to buy short-range “Pantsir-S1” anti-aircraft systems, learned BulgarianMilitary.com citing Defence24.

Read more: Serbia has received Pantsir-S1 missile system and prepares for policy pressure

For now, the Russians have to enjoy the 2018 contract when they managed to sell five S-400 “Triumph” anti-aircraft batteries to India for $ 5.43 billion.


Indians are not taking any serious actions yet, which would indicate their strong interest in subsequent “air-to-air” systems.

That is why the Russians must take the initiative and try to emphasize everywhere how good and modern their anti-aircraft systems are. Particular emphasis is placed primarily on the advertising of self-propelled rocket artillery anti-aircraft “Pantsir-S1” sets.

Any occasion is used for this – including a visit to Moscow of the Indian delegation with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh at the end of June this year. During the negotiations, intensive negotiations were conducted on the supply of 33 MiG-29 and Su-30MKI fighters [the latter are manufactured under license at the HAL plant in India – editor’s note] to India [not concluded, however, with the conclusion of the contract].

But according to the Russians, the issue of signing the contract for the purchase of “Pantsir-S1” sets in their latest version was also to be discussed then. The incentives were primarily to be positive combat experiences that this system gained during operations in the Middle East.


Particularly useful for Indians is the ability to combat unmanned aerial vehicles and beyond the range of their weapons. The Russians believe that operations in Syria have confirmed the effectiveness of the Pantsir-S1 kits in this area, and the imperfections noted at that time will be removed in the version provided to India.

Indians were offered the latest version of the set with “full technical adaptation to Indian needs and creation of an effective service network”. This network would be connected to the global system of users of “Pantsir-S1”.

An additional incentive for India is to be able to transfer technology by transferring the production of some system components. However, there is no talk of transferring the ability to design and manufacture anti-aircraft missiles.

Read more: Turkey will arm itself with hundreds of Kargu ‘kamikaze’ drones


The matter was given high publicity, and it was ensured that information on this subject also appeared in the Indian media. These publications were then cited in Russia, but only in the case of positive opinions.

A statement by one of the representatives of the Indian Ministry of Defense was also reprinted, which was supposed to assess that: “Russian Pantsir-S1 sets, due to their high mobility and versatility of use, are what India needs to strengthen the potential of its anti-aircraft defense, and which can be highly effective oppose the dangers of using unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, Pantsir-S1 can be easily integrated into a broader air defense network and can work together with S-400 batteries that the Indian side requested earlier.”

But the Russians are also taking advantage of the current situation in India. It is not without reason that, for example, “Pantsir-S1” would be useful in the Ladakh region, where territorial disputes have been going on between India and China for years, and where there has recently been a clash between Chinese and Indian soldiers.

Pantsir-S1 missile systems are useless against Turkish drones


BulgarianMilitary.com recalls that on June 20 Russian experts said that Russian-made Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile-cannon systems [ZRPKs], which are used in Libya, are useless against Turkish operational-tactical multi-purpose unmanned aerial systems Bayraktar TB2.

In May, BulgarianMilitary.com called the successful Bayraktar TB2 attack on Carapace “real genocide.”

According to them [sources – ed.] the modification of this ZRPK and its export version used by the Armed forces of Russia are different. In particular, the second is equipped only with an optical control system, while the first has a three-coordinate target detection station with a semi-active phased array antenna and a dual-band centimeter-millimeter radar tracking system for targets and missiles.

Read more: Pantsir-S1 missile systems are useless against Turkish drones, Russia admitted


“Infrared channels in various ranges are used to track targets and missiles. Radar and optoelectronic devices make up a single system and can operate in different wavelengths,” the newspaper writes, recognizing that Russian-made air defense missile systems “are only poorly adapted to combat targets such as Turkish Bayraktar TV2”

The weekly notes that the Turkish drone strikes with precision weapons from four or more kilometers and is able to barrage for a long time at high altitude, which “significantly complicates its detection by the optical-electronic station ZRPK.”

They [sources – ed.] said that the Pantsir-S1 operators in Libya do not have access to highly mobile radar stations that could carry out external target designation for air defense missile systems.

Pantsir-S1 – Russian land and sea-based self-propelled anti-aircraft missile and cannon system (ZRPK).


The complex was developed by a number of structures of the military-industrial complex of the USSR and Russia, headed by the Instrument Design Bureau. Designed for close cover of civilian and military installations [including long-range air defense systems] from all modern and promising air attack weapons. It can also protect the defended object from ground and surface threats.

Work on the creation of the complex was completed in 1994, it was first demonstrated at MAKS-1995. Since that time, the complex has been significantly modernized, the last known modification was demonstrated at MAKS-2007.

Read more: Another Pantsir-S missile system was destroyed by Turkish drone in Libya

On November 16, 2012, by order of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, D. A. Medvedev, the Pantsir-S1 ZRPK was adopted by the Russian Armed Forces.


In 2015, the new “Pantsir-S2” complex with improved characteristics was adopted. In 2016, the development of the modification of the Pantsir-SM complex was completed, in which, due to the use of the newly developed multifunctional aiming station, the target range was increased to 40 km.

***
 
India could buy Pantsir-S1 air defense missile system according to Russian sources


The Russians are conducting an intensive advertising campaign to encourage India to buy short-range “Pantsir-S1” anti-aircraft systems, learned BulgarianMilitary.com citing Defence24.

Read more: Serbia has received Pantsir-S1 missile system and prepares for policy pressure

For now, the Russians have to enjoy the 2018 contract when they managed to sell five S-400 “Triumph” anti-aircraft batteries to India for $ 5.43 billion.


Indians are not taking any serious actions yet, which would indicate their strong interest in subsequent “air-to-air” systems.

That is why the Russians must take the initiative and try to emphasize everywhere how good and modern their anti-aircraft systems are. Particular emphasis is placed primarily on the advertising of self-propelled rocket artillery anti-aircraft “Pantsir-S1” sets.

Any occasion is used for this – including a visit to Moscow of the Indian delegation with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh at the end of June this year. During the negotiations, intensive negotiations were conducted on the supply of 33 MiG-29 and Su-30MKI fighters [the latter are manufactured under license at the HAL plant in India – editor’s note] to India [not concluded, however, with the conclusion of the contract].

But according to the Russians, the issue of signing the contract for the purchase of “Pantsir-S1” sets in their latest version was also to be discussed then. The incentives were primarily to be positive combat experiences that this system gained during operations in the Middle East.


Particularly useful for Indians is the ability to combat unmanned aerial vehicles and beyond the range of their weapons. The Russians believe that operations in Syria have confirmed the effectiveness of the Pantsir-S1 kits in this area, and the imperfections noted at that time will be removed in the version provided to India.

Indians were offered the latest version of the set with “full technical adaptation to Indian needs and creation of an effective service network”. This network would be connected to the global system of users of “Pantsir-S1”.

An additional incentive for India is to be able to transfer technology by transferring the production of some system components. However, there is no talk of transferring the ability to design and manufacture anti-aircraft missiles.

Read more: Turkey will arm itself with hundreds of Kargu ‘kamikaze’ drones


The matter was given high publicity, and it was ensured that information on this subject also appeared in the Indian media. These publications were then cited in Russia, but only in the case of positive opinions.

A statement by one of the representatives of the Indian Ministry of Defense was also reprinted, which was supposed to assess that: “Russian Pantsir-S1 sets, due to their high mobility and versatility of use, are what India needs to strengthen the potential of its anti-aircraft defense, and which can be highly effective oppose the dangers of using unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, Pantsir-S1 can be easily integrated into a broader air defense network and can work together with S-400 batteries that the Indian side requested earlier.”

But the Russians are also taking advantage of the current situation in India. It is not without reason that, for example, “Pantsir-S1” would be useful in the Ladakh region, where territorial disputes have been going on between India and China for years, and where there has recently been a clash between Chinese and Indian soldiers.

Pantsir-S1 missile systems are useless against Turkish drones


BulgarianMilitary.com recalls that on June 20 Russian experts said that Russian-made Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile-cannon systems [ZRPKs], which are used in Libya, are useless against Turkish operational-tactical multi-purpose unmanned aerial systems Bayraktar TB2.

In May, BulgarianMilitary.com called the successful Bayraktar TB2 attack on Carapace “real genocide.”

According to them [sources – ed.] the modification of this ZRPK and its export version used by the Armed forces of Russia are different. In particular, the second is equipped only with an optical control system, while the first has a three-coordinate target detection station with a semi-active phased array antenna and a dual-band centimeter-millimeter radar tracking system for targets and missiles.

Read more: Pantsir-S1 missile systems are useless against Turkish drones, Russia admitted


“Infrared channels in various ranges are used to track targets and missiles. Radar and optoelectronic devices make up a single system and can operate in different wavelengths,” the newspaper writes, recognizing that Russian-made air defense missile systems “are only poorly adapted to combat targets such as Turkish Bayraktar TV2”

The weekly notes that the Turkish drone strikes with precision weapons from four or more kilometers and is able to barrage for a long time at high altitude, which “significantly complicates its detection by the optical-electronic station ZRPK.”

They [sources – ed.] said that the Pantsir-S1 operators in Libya do not have access to highly mobile radar stations that could carry out external target designation for air defense missile systems.

Pantsir-S1 – Russian land and sea-based self-propelled anti-aircraft missile and cannon system (ZRPK).


The complex was developed by a number of structures of the military-industrial complex of the USSR and Russia, headed by the Instrument Design Bureau. Designed for close cover of civilian and military installations [including long-range air defense systems] from all modern and promising air attack weapons. It can also protect the defended object from ground and surface threats.

Work on the creation of the complex was completed in 1994, it was first demonstrated at MAKS-1995. Since that time, the complex has been significantly modernized, the last known modification was demonstrated at MAKS-2007.

Read more: Another Pantsir-S missile system was destroyed by Turkish drone in Libya

On November 16, 2012, by order of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, D. A. Medvedev, the Pantsir-S1 ZRPK was adopted by the Russian Armed Forces.


In 2015, the new “Pantsir-S2” complex with improved characteristics was adopted. In 2016, the development of the modification of the Pantsir-SM complex was completed, in which, due to the use of the newly developed multifunctional aiming station, the target range was increased to 40 km.

***
Why we are going with failed russian systems again and again? Earlier its igala, which failed in trial cleared for induction, now the pantsir. The battle feild failed system.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Himanshu