India Is World’s Largest Buyer Of Weapons

LONDON – India has emerged as the world’s largest importer of major conventional weapons worldwide, according to new data on international arms transfers published on Monday. The top five importers of major conventional weapons worldwide are all in Asia: India (12% of global imports), China (6%), Pakistan (5%), South Korea (5%) and Singapore (4%).

India’s arms imports were 109% higher than those of China, the second biggest arms importer. India imported 59% more arms in 2008-12 than in 2003-2007, according to the data released by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Asia and Oceania have accounted for almost half (47%) of global imports of major conventional weapons.

The institute’s release said India improved its long-range military capabilities in 2008-12 with the import of over 100 Su-30MKI combat aircraft from Russia, three A-50EhI airborne early warning aircraft (combining components from Israel, Russia and Uzbekistan), an Akula nuclear-powered submarine from Russia and the first of eight P-8I anti-submarine warfare aircraft from the United States.

Meanwhile, China replaced UK as the world’s fifth largest exporter of major conventional arms worldwide, according to SIPRI. This is the first time China figures in top five of arms exporters since the end of Cold War. Overall, the volume of international transfers of major conventional weapons grew by 17% between 2003-2007 and 2008-12. Pakistan accounted for 55% of Chinese arms exports and is likely to remain the largest recipient of Chinese arms in the coming years due to large outstanding and planned orders for combat aircraft, submarines and frigates from China. Last year also saw the commissioning of China’s first aircraft carrier, Liaoning.

The five largest suppliers of major conventional weapons during the five-year period 2008-12 were the United States (30%), Russia (26%), Germany (7%), France (6%) and China (5%). This is the first time the UK does not figure in the top five since at least 1950, the earliest year covered by SIPRI data. China’s displacement of the UK is the first change in the composition of the top five exporters in 20 years.

India test fires missile from under sea, completes nuclear triad

India may buy up to 189 French Rafale combat jets in $18 billion dollar deal

India could buy up to 189 of the Rafale fighter jets currently being used by France to bomb Islamist militants in Mali, sources close to negotiations on the multi-billion dollar deal have told AFP.

The possibility of an additional 63 jets being added to an expected order for 126 was raised during a visit by India's Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid to Paris last week, they said.
"There is an option for procurement of an additional 63 aircrafts subsequently for which a separate contract would need to be signed," a source said.

"Presently the contract under negotiation is for 126 aircraft but we are talking about the follow-up."

A 50 percent increase in the number of planes ordered would take it to around $18 billion, in a huge boost for the struggling French defence industry, although much of the economic benefit will be shared with India.
New Delhi selected France's Dassault Aviation as its preferred candidate to equip its air force with new fighter jets in January 2012.

Under the deal on the table, the first 18 Rafales will be built in France but the next 108 will be assembled in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in the southern city of Bangalore.
"The first aircraft will be delivered three years after signature of the contract," the source added.
An industry expert said the time lag reflected India's request for two-seater jets rather than the one-seater model that Dassault currently produces.

India has insisted that the deal involves significant technology transfer and that Indian suppliers secure work equivalent to around half of the value of the contract.
"The negotiations for off-sets are progressing well," the source added.
The conclusion of the deal has been repeatedly delayed, with India having initially set a target of the end of last year, which slipped to March 31, 2013, the end of the current fiscal year.

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Indian Airforce SU30MKI aircraft over the Indian Ocean

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Indian Navy : After successful launch, K-15 missile ready to join Arihant nuclear submarine

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) ends 2012 on an upbeat note, successfully launching the underwater missile K-15 off the Visakhapatnam coast on Wednesday. The missile darted 20 km into the air, after a gas generator ejected it from the pontoon that lay submerged a few scores of metres in the Bay of Bengal, and sped 650 km before splashing into the sea in its 11th flight trial. 

After one more flight, the two-stage missile will be integrated with Arihant, India’s nuclear-powered submarine, and test-fired from the ship. “It is a fantastic system. It is a very powerful and accurate system,” said A.K. Chakrabarti, Programme Director, K-15, and Director of the Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), which designed and developed the missile.

“India is the fifth country to have an underwater launch system. The other countries are the U.S., Russia, France and China,” he said. 

Avinash Chander, Chief Controller (Missiles and Strategic Systems), DRDO, termed it “a good flight” and said the test “formed part of the pre-production clearance.” Twelve K-15 missiles, each 10 metres long and weighing six tonnes and capable of carrying nuclear warheads, will form part of the deadly arsenal of Arihant, which is powered by an 80-MWt reactor that uses enriched uranium as fuel and light water as coolant and moderator. 

Informed sources said the reactor had already been integrated with the Arihant at Visakhapatnam. “The commissioning process is on,” they said. The reactor would reach criticality within the first few months of 2013. The harbour trials of the ship have been completed, and it is ready for sea trials.

India has been developing the K-4 missile, to be launched from submarines. It will be more powerful than K-15, with a range of 3,000 km.

Indian Air Force : Dassault Mirage 2000s

12/12/12 - Third P-8I 'Neptune' [IN 322] Carries Out Maiden Flight

via painairport.com

First Indian Air Force C-17A CB-8001 Globemaster

The first Indian Air Force C-17A (F-253/IAF-1) CB-8001 is bathed in the bright white light of the flight ramp flood lites on December 7, 2012 just hours after emerging from the production hanger at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB)

Exercise EKUVERIN-12: India-Maldives Military Engagement

The exercise that lasted for around 13 days, started on November 12, 2012. 45 soldiers of the Madras Regiment represented the Indian side, with an equal number of MNDF Marine Corps soldiers. Named 'EKUVERIN-12'⁺, it focussed primarily on Counter-Terrorism/Insurgency & hostage rescue missions. The next round would be held in 2013, with Maldives playing host.