The German Military in Mali: Deployment of Tigers

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
04/01/2017

2017-04-01  According to a story by defenceWeb, the German military has added its Tiger helicopters to the Mali operation.

On 25 March the first two German Tiger attack helicopters arrived in Gao in northern Mali, where they joined the United Nations (UN) mission there.

They arrived in Gao after covering the 1 000 kilometres from the capital Bamako, the Bundeswehr said. Last week the two Tigers were transported from Leipzig to Bamako via an Antonov An-124-100 transport aircraft after being partially disassembled. They arrived in Bamako on 21 March.

The other two Tigers will follow shortly, when they will join the first two in providing the Minusma mission with protection and support flights.

Germany’s cabinet on 11 January approved the deployment of four NH90 transport helicopters and four Tigers as well as 350 additional soldiers to Mali. The helicopters are replacing those of the Dutch army, and the additional troops will service and maintain the fleet. The Royal Netherlands Air Force had deployed Apache attack helicopters and Chinooks to Mali.

The first NH90 helicopter, configured for medical evacuation, was flown to Bamako on 27 January by an Antonov An-124-100. A day after taking over medical evacuation duties from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, two German NH90 helicopters carried out a medical evacuation in support of the MINUSMA mission there on 2 March.

Germany from July 2016 took over responsibility for the intelligence unit in Mali from the Netherlands and is flying Heron I unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in support of this. The first operational Heron mission took place on 1 November from Gao airport. On 1 February 2017, the United Nations was informed of the “Full Operational Capability” of the system.

Republished with permission of our partner defenceWeb.

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47296:german-tigers-arrive-in-mali&catid=124:Military%20Helicopters&Itemid=282

 

Inside RUT with the I5th MEU (Part 2)

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
03/29/2017

2017-03-19 By Todd Miller

Todd Miller of the Second Line of Defense joined the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) for live fire Realistic Urban Training (RUT).

The RUT is one mission set of thirteen that must be mastered prior to deployment.

The 15th MEUs workups require about 6 months of aggressive training (crawl-walk-run) prior to deployment this summer with the USS America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

The live fire RUT took place at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), Twentynine Palms, CA.

The sound from the unseen jet at high altitude is disconcerting, yet the muffled explosions seem to indicate it is focused on distant targets.

The uneasy peace that remains is soon shattered.

The distant “whump, whump” of artillery gets the undivided attention of the enemy within the small town.

Within seconds, their fears are realized as the shells explode on the perimeter of their refuge.

The earth trembles, it is their judgement day.

The fear is palpable as the artillery picks up pace and pounds the towns perimeter like a well beaten drum.

The noose is in place.

With each artillery shell the earth shudders, and those within hardly note the thundering rotors.

The approaching UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper identify threats and provide air support.

Rockets and steel rain from on high, targeting anything that threatens the incoming MV-22 Ospreys and CH-53E Super Stallions laden with the combat ready 15th MEU.

The MV-22s approach and subsequently disappear in billowing clouds of dust kicked up by rotor wash as they touch down.

No sooner have they departed when the heavy CH-53Es arrive straight in, launching flares to divert enemy missile attack.

The CH-53Es disappear in clouds of dust no smaller than the MV-22s.

15th MEU Training on the Way to USS America Deployment from SldInfo.com on Vimeo.

As difficult as the dust is, it provides very effective cover for man and machine during the short minutes in the ground.

As the dust slowly clears, the first glimpse of Marines pouring off their rides is made.

The numbers are small, but formidable and their punch will take more than the wind out of the enemy.

The Marines have been here before and there is no question their tactics or procedures.

Their rigorous training to date generates the correct response even as they land and face defensive fire.

Enemy snipers have taken positions on the perimeter of town to attack the Marines on their approach.

No one desires to become a casualty at this early stage.

Battalion leadership barks out instructions between commands, Get down!

Get down! Suppressing Fire!

Marines methodically eliminate immediate threats and assemble for the assault.

Mortar teams establish position and begin to rain down mortars closer to the city – within the artillery perimeter.

The noose tightens.

On command the Marines rush to firing positions and a wall of steel rain showers the approach to the city.

Enemies (“mannequins”) appear in windows and on the perimeter and are quickly neutralized.

The adversary attempts to mobilize armor against the Marines and with a tremendous clap, an anti-tank missile terminates the threat.

A group of Marines move methodically towards the town.

Suppressing fire is unrelenting even as the firing lanes are altered to avoid hitting friendlies. Grenades are tossed, and Marines move from cover to assault in synchronized fashion.

Explosive charges breach doors, flash bangs stun those inside and heavy machine gun fire terminates threats.

Each corner is searched in methodical fashion.

Marines teaming to ensure all are covered.

Building complex after building complex fall to the assault force.

Instructors working side by side the Marines teach real time lessons; “you are taking fire, react!” “you stepped out of cover and did not note the sniper in the distance – you are hit,” “you stepped on an IED – you are down.”

Random and unique threats appear throughout the exercise.

Those not discerning the subtle clues left in the dirt become casualties of simulated IEDs and booby traps.

Marines designated injured to one extent or another must be moved to a single protected position prior to evacuation.

Fortunately, there are no real enemies in this dynamic, yet carefully planned and executed classroom.

As impressive as this day is to an outsider, it is a typical day in the 15th MEUs workups leading to deployment.

Given RUT is only one mission of 13 the MEU will master, this day is the norm in the months working up to deployment.

Tomorrow they will repeat in another setting to hone these skills, and learn more – until they activate like muscle memory.

The Marines have secured the town and reassemble for extraction.

It has been a long, hot, physical day, but the Marines of the 15th MEU appear no worse for wear.

This is the path to create a forward deployed, highly capable Marine Expeditionary Unit fit to respond to a wide variety of crises within hours.

Once deployed to the Pacific theater this summer, the 15th MEU will live and breathe in a constant state of readiness for 6 months (or longer).

This deployment will be to a Pacific filled with uncertainty, be it the North Korean ballistic missile threat, China’s militarization of the South China Sea, or the war on terror that has roots in the area. Given the Trump Administrations signals on the foreign policy challenges that wait – likelihood is higher than typical that the MEU be called upon to exercise any of their mission set.

For those that reflect, it is a sobering thought.

These young Marines have put themselves forward as America’s shield and sword, helping hand – and hammer. “

Thank-you for your service” takes on new meaning as one realizes that it is our own sons and daughters who we trust to carry the leading edge of American diplomacy.

I am honored to have spent the day in their company.

The Second Line of Defense expresses its gratitude to; 1st Lt Francheska Soto, Outreach Officer & Sgt Paris Capers, Mass Communication Specialist, I Marine Expeditionary Force (1st MEF); 1st Lt. Maida Zheng, Public Affairs Officer, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit; the entire 15th MEU; and the trainers and support team at the MCAGCC.

Editor’s Note: The 15th MEU along with other MEUs and MAGTFs are receiving a capability boost from the deployment of three new capabilities.

First, a new generation amphibious ship is where the 15th MEU will deploy from in dealing with threats across the range of military operations. This ship allows for significantly greater support for the assault force and allows the force to operate at greater distance from the area of interest.

Second, the amphibious fleet will operate with the force enhancing capabilities of the F-35, a multi-mission strike, sensor and C2 aircraft all wrapped up into one.

Third, the new CH-53 is coming as well which will significantly enhance as well the capabilities of the insertion force.

The CH-53K as a 21st century air system will add significant capability to the evolution of the amphibious fleet as well, given its capacity for much more efficient heavy lift, which can be delivered to multiple points in the battlespace, faster, and with significantly enhanced integration with the other combat assets.

The aircraft will be able to externally carry nearly three times the current load of the E and offload with much greater flexibility, safety and security.

Given its significantly improved readiness and reliability, greater sortie rates will be generated, coupled with independent triple hook capability, managing logistical throughput will significantly reduce ship to the shore transit time.

https://sldinfo.com/enabling-the-evolving-conops-of-distributed-operations-the-role-of-the-ch-53k/

Learn more about the MEU/ARG

Follow the 15th MEUs workup on Facebook

Editor’s Note: For part 1 please see the following:

15th MEU Readies for Deployment with the USS America ARG (Part One)

 

 

UK and France to Develop New Long Range Weapon

Posted on | by Robbin Laird

2017-03-29 Brexit or not, the UK and France are strengthening their defense relationship.

The latest example is joint investment in a new long-range weapon for the British and French Navies and Air Forces.

The weapon will be developed by MBDA a company with strong working relationships among its various European components, and notably between the British and French sections within the company.

The company has delivered cutting edge weapons, and several very relevant to the integration of 4th and 5th generation air combat systems.

It is a solid example of burden sharing which delivers core capabilities to NATO nations.

Min DP Meets Laurent Collet-Billon – Tuesday 28th March 2017. The Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin MP met with Laurent Collet-Billon to sign a technical agreement. Credit: UK MoD

According to an article published on the UK Ministry of Defence website on March 28, 2017:

Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin and her French counterpart Laurent Collet-Billon today sign an agreement to explore future missile technologies with MBDA.

Signed during a visit by M. Collet-Billon to the Ministry of Defence, the agreement begins a three year concept phase to develop future long range weapons for the British and French Navies and Air Forces. Each country will contribute €50 million to this phase.

The Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon programme will look at options to replace and improve existing Naval and Air Force weapons systems in the next decade. Lasting up to three years, this will help to define the missile designs and reduce risks to inform decisions about the next stage of the programme

Alongside sharing costs, both sides will benefit from access to each other’s national technology expertise, trials and test facilities.

Minister of Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said:

“Our relationship with France is strong and enduring. We have a long history of cooperation in defence and security with our European Ally.

“As demonstrated by having Europe’s largest defence budget, the UK is committed to European security and we will continue to collaborate on joint defence programmes across the continent. Today’s agreement will sustain 80 jobs in the UK.”

Délégué Général pour l’Armement Laurent Collet-Billon said:

“We are launching today a major new phase in our bilateral cooperation, by planning together a generation of missiles, successor to the Harpoon, SCALP and Storm Shadow. The FC/ASW (future cruise/anti-ship weapon) programme’s aim is to have by around 2030 a new generation of missiles.

“This future capability is strategic, industrially as well as operationally. This new programme will be the backbone of our “one complex weapon” initiative.”

The Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin MP met with Laurent Collet-Billon to sign a technical agreement. Behind are from left to right Jacques Doumic, Chris Heffernon, James Sheader, Mark Reason, Dave Armstrong, Antoine Bouvier, Nicholas Coward, Benoit de Poulpaque, unknown, Richard Wray and Charlotte Robinson. Credit: UK MoD

The agreement is a further example of joint work under the Lancaster House Treaty of 2010 and builds on UK and French similarities in missile capabilities and delivery dates, providing significant efficiencies and securing value for money for the taxpayer.

During the 2016 Amiens Summit, the UK and France formally confirmed their intent to launch this project within 12 months. This agreement, which allows the Direction Générale de l’Armement to place the contract with MBDA, illustrates the dynamic nature of UK-France strategic cooperation.

UK-French cooperation already covers a wide range of fields beyond the FC/ASW programme, including research emerging from the partnership on innovation and missile technologies (MCM-ITP), work to align our capability plans, development and production centred on the Future Air-to-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) and the mid-life update programme of the SCALP/Storm Shadow missile systems.

This new project further strengthens MBDA’s industrial optimisation building on their new Centres of Excellence.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-france-strengthen-defence-cooperation-with-new-weapon-system-agreement

For articles which discuss evolving MBDA capabilities for the combat force, see the following:

https://sldinfo.com/joint-complex-weapons-agreement-france-and-uk-shape-a-weapons-modernization-program/

https://sldinfo.com/at-the-vortex-of-4th-and-5th-generation-aircraft-integration-the-weapons-revolution/

https://sldinfo.com/building-21st-century-weapons-for-21st-century-operations-key-attributes-of-the-new-weapons-enterprise/

https://sldinfo.com/building-a-21st-century-weapon-the-case-of-the-meteor-missile/

https://sldinfo.com/building-a-laser-weapons-capability-uk-mod-awards-mbda-led-consortium/

https://sldinfo.com/the-weapons-revolution-continues-mbda-shapes-a-way-ahead-for-strike-platforms-in-the-kill-web/

https://sldinfo.com/leveraging-the-legacy-of-the-tornado-the-perspective-of-wing-commander-paul-froome/

https://sldinfo.com/next-generation-missiles-and-airpower-modernization-the-case-of-eurofighter-and-the-meteor-missile/

President Trump, Strategic Choices and Shaping a 21st Century Combat Force

Posted on | by Robbin Laird

2017-03-29 By Robbin Laird

President Trump has come to office at a strategic turning point for US forces.

The forces face significant readiness shortfalls which will take time and money to repair but the key question will be readiness to do what?

The President can shape a flexible 21st century combat force built around modern multi-mission systems, or continue down the path of supporting an air and sea supported ground combat force.

The alternative would be to reshape the ground combat force as part of an integrated air and naval force prepared for 21st century operations.

And such a force needs to be able to pivot across the range of military operations and to do so very rapidly.

Aspirational statements, or good intentions will not build a 21st century combat force.

Putting in place a team which can build out a fifth generation warfare force and resourcing that force will.

Yet choices to be made in the Middle East may predetermine the outcome.

The engagement in a long and sustained ground operation will make any discussion of investment in shaping a high intensity warfighting force largely irrelevant,

Sunk costs in land wars may count as parts of a large % in defense spending but get you nowhere on the path to recapitalizing a 21st century combat force, one which will be directly challenged by North Korea, Russia, and China, not name just three players.

The question of defense budget spending can be eaten alive by operations and readiness shortfalls being made up and not getting to the point of getting the force, which you would really wish to have for 21st century combat operations.

This would require modulating ops tempos by making tough decisions on when and how long to deploy as well directing readiness money into recapitalization.

A recapitalized legacy force or force transformation?

NDIA highlighted this dilemma in part for the Army as follows:

President Trump’s proposed military buildup would pump billions of dollars into Army coffers, but little of that money will be spent to design and develop new weapon systems. Cutting-edge Army projects that the defense industry has awaited for years — the development of a new tank, driverless combat vehicles or ultramodern high-speed helicopters — may not be acquired for decades.

 “The Army’s initiatives to regain and sustain readiness have come at a cost to modernization, Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, Army deputy chief of staff, told the House Armed Services Committee’s readiness subcommittee.

Senior Army leaders — notably Lt. Gen. HR McMaster, who is now Trump’s national security adviser — have called on the military to accelerate development of next-generation systems and to take technological leaps to ensure it is not overmatched in future wars.

That type of aggressive modernization is not in the cards, at least in the next five years, as the Army will have to spend most of its equipment dollars on systems it already has in production.

 “There is no money to invest in long-range projects,” says Hamilton Cook, senior market analyst at the consulting firm Avascent, in Washington, D.C. “The president wants to grow the force by 90,000 troops. That eats up a lot of operational and equipment funding.

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=2438

And in shaping a 21st century high intensity combat force, the question of the integration of new nuclear weapons into the strike force is a key consideration.

The President has promised to address the question of nuclear modernization but this needs to be done not from a legacy triad point of view but from a credibility of warfighting point of view.

The Second Nuclear Age is here and simply rebuilding yesterday’s nuclear force is not going to get the job done.

The danger of course is simply that there is no real force transformation and that investments simply go into legacy equipment and continuing legacy mindsets of how you build, deploy and fight.

One can easily see the future when visiting 21st century force elements, such as the F-35 squadrons or the P-8/Triton squadrons. I have just done so in the United Kingdom and will do so again in my upcoming visit to Australia.

They get the transition and understand it is about shaping a distributed combat force with C2 at the point of attack.

This is simply is not achievable by legacy equipment, legacy operational constructs and thinking.

But will the President put in place a cadre of decision makers who can shape such a force?

This remains to be seen and the costs of not doing so will be very high for the United States and its allies.

Indeed, a number of key allies are moving out on shaping new force structures and new approaches.

Clearly, the US has a unique leadership opportunity, but this opportunity will not be realized by simply rebuilding yesterday’s force.

And the US will be doing so not in a benign combat environment but one ripe with adversaries in the throws of their own force modernization.

There is always the reactive enemy to consider.

In short, we are a key turning point for the U.S. forces as they await key decisions on force modernization.

But simply buying more of yesterday’s platforms and air systems is not going to get us there.

It is about getting on with a force which can deliver on distributed lethality, coalition interoperability and kill webs.

The Last Tornado Student

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
03/28/2017

2017-03-22 By Flight Lt. Nathan Shawyer

The tranquil Saturday afternoon of 17th September 2005 was transformed in seconds.

Aged 14 at my local airshow, Yeovilton, I was introduced to the Tornado GR4 up close for the first time. Stood alongside my Dad, I watched in awe as the two RB199s powered up into afterburner and launched the angry-looking jet thundering down the runway.

The ground was still shaking as the pilot kept the aircraft low after rotate, down the length of the runway before aggressively back-sticking the jet into the skies.

“Awesome!” I tried to shout over the noise.

The memory stays with me – little did I know that just over 10 years later, I would have the incredible honour of being selected as the RAF’s last ever Tornado GR4 pilot.

To promote the Tornado’s phenomenal service over the past 38 years would be to state the obvious.

Having seen continual operations since the Gulf War of 1991 (some quick maths confirms that yes indeed – this was before I was born), the aircraft has adapted to the modern requirements of today’s Air Force whilst maintaining its staggering combat record.

Having spent the core of its life enjoying low level operations, tactics have since evolved into the medium level.

The introduction of smart weaponry may have revolutionised Air-Ground operations, however, the Tornado GR4 through successive upgrades has coped admirably and is still the aircraft of choice in this environment.

This shift in doctrine is reflected in the course syllabus on XV(R) Squadron.

Whilst there is still (thankfully) plenty of time at low level – shows of force, co-ordinating pairs attacks and utilising the incredible Terrain Following Radar, the relevance of Operation: Shader has driven the need to understand and employ roles such as Close Air Support more effectively.

Recognising an ever-more muddled ground picture whilst using the Litening III pod to prosecute accurate, timely and effective attacks has become a training necessity for XV(R) Squadron, with students now graduating ‘Combat Ready’ for the frontline squadrons at RAF Marham.

Whilst there is an understandably serious undertone to the training at RAF Lossiemouth, I cannot shake the enjoyment and thrill that comes with flying the Tornado GR4 – and the immense privilege that comes with knowing I’m the last in a long line to revel in it.

On a claggy winters morning, bursting through the cloud tops, sweeping the wings back and rolling to arrest our rate of climb is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face, even on a Monday.

This satisfaction is enhanced further by having a Navigator – it’s refreshing having somebody along for the ride that isn’t nibbing or criticizing as has been the case for my last few years of flying training!

With effective crew resource management, two heads are most definitely better than one, particularly in a dynamic environment working close to mental capacity.

This teamwork is something I feel the RAF will miss once the Tornado finally bows out in 2019.

As my time on XV(R) Squadron comes to an end, I look forward to my first tour as a junior pilot on the mighty 31 Squadron.

Unfortunately my unique situation does mean that I will be an eternal ‘junior pilot’ with no fresh students behind me to take my place! As I have alluded to above, the enormous honour that comes with this title has not escaped my attention.

Many thousands of aircrew have trained, served and fought on the Tornado force and their dedication is testament to the strength of the GR4 today.

As the drawdown begins over the coming few years, I hope that I myself can participate in an airshow flypast which will stir the emotions of the next generation of RAF aircrew.

Editor’s Note: I am writing from RAF Lossiemouth.  

During my current visit to the RAF base, I had a chance to read the most recent (February/March 2017) Lossie Lighthouse, the Magazine of RAF Lossiemouth.

My visit started on March 19, 2017, and the Friday before was the last flight of Tornados at Lossie prior to going to the final operational base of Marham.

The plane will be put out of service in 2019.

We will have a piece on the Friday ceremony soon, but in the latest issue of the Lossie Lighthouse was a very interesting piece called the last Tornado student written by Flight Lt. Nathan Shawyer, then of Lossie and now a pilot with 31 Squadron at Marham.

The Tornados remain extensively engaged in overseas operations right to the end.

The slideshow highlights Tornados at Lossie and the photos are credited to the RAF.  And the article is credited to the Lossie Lighthouse and is republished with their permission.

For earlier articles on Tornados at RAF Lossiemouth, see the following:

Leveraging the Legacy of the Tornado: The Perspective of Wing Commander Paul Froome

Also, see

Training the Final Tornado Weapons Instructors: Shaping a Way Ahead

Visiting RAF Lossiemouth: “MacRobert’s Reply” and Tornado Thunder

RAF Typhoons Will Deploy to NATO’s Southern Policing Mission

Posted on | by Robbin Laird

2017-03-28 Typhoons from RAF Coningsby will deploy in the defense of Romania and to operate in NATO’s Southern Policing Mission in May.

According to an article published on the UK Ministry of Defence website on March 27, 2016:

RAF Typhoon fast jets will deploy to Romania from May for the UK’s contribution to NATO’s Southern Air Policing mission, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon announced today.

Sir Michael also confirmed that four Typhoons from Royal Air Force 3 (Fighter) Squadron will lead the deployment.

The Defence Secretary agreed the UK’s air policing contribution during NATO defence ministerial talks in the autumn and confirmed the timing of the deployment and squadron name at the International Parliamentary Conference on National Security in London today.

The Typhoons from RAF Coningsby will be based at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase in south east Romania for up to four months, working side-by-side with the Romanian Air Force to police the skies over the Black Sea.

Royal Air Force 3 (Fighter) Squadron has a long history. One hundred years ago it was a fighter scout unit assisting our forces in the trenches, in World War Two it was at the forefront of our air defences destroying nearly 300 V1 flying bomb. More recently it took tours of Sierra Leone and as part of Counter Daesh operations in Iraq and Syria.

The UK is the first nation to provide jets to this NATO mission, which forms part of the UK’s increasing support to our Allies following the recent deployment of British troops to Estonia as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence.

Secretary of State for Defence Sir Michael Fallon said:

“The UK is stepping up its support for NATO’s collective defence from the north to the south of the alliance. With this deployment, RAF planes will be ready to secure NATO airspace and provide reassurance to our allies in the Black Sea region.”

During his speech the Defence Secretary addressed a range of national security issues, including cyber where the UK is investing its growing Defence budget in new cyber capabilities.

This comes as the UK’s cyber capabilities are tested in exercises, including Information Warrior 2017, the Royal Navy’s first ever large-scale cyber war games, designed to test new Artificial Intelligence able to speed up complex decision making, which starts this week.

Sir Michael also confirmed that £1.9 billion will be invested in developing cyber capabilities and skills across all Government departments, in addition to establishing the new National Cyber Security Centre, the Defence Cyber School at Shrivenham, and a Cyber Operations Centre at Corsham.

Sir Michael added:

“Our military is among the best prepared in the world to tackle cyber threats – with capabilities and skills integrated into the Army, Royal Navy, and the RAF. But in such a dynamic environment we must continually test and enhance our skills.

“We’re interested not just in defensive but also in offensive cyber – those who threaten cyber-attacks against us need to know the risk they’re running.”

During the speech at Church House the Defence Secretary also paid tribute to those who lost their lives during last week’s attack in Westminster.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uks-nato-southern-air-policing-mission-to-begin-in-may

RAF Typhoons have been busy global travelers over the past few months, going to Malaysia, Japan, Red Flag and Green Flag.

We have discussed these deployments with RAF squadrons at Lossiemouth and those discussions will be published in the near future.

The photos in the slideshow come from RAF Lossiemouth (with earlier photos as well of their time at RAF Leuchars and are credited to the RAF.

 

 

Russia and Indian Arms Exports: A Missing US Opportunity?

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
03/27/2017

2017-03-20 By Richard Weitz
Along with pressing for fairer trade with Germany and China, the Trump administration should strive for greater commercial opportunities with India, especially in the defense sector.

India’s large defense budget and the country’s vast unmet weapons needs guarantee that India will remain an important arms buyer for years to come.

India will soon surpass the United Kingdom to become the world’s third biggest defense spender, after the United States and China.

Last month, Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said that India will purchase some four hundred military aircraft in the next three-four decades.

Per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia supplied 68 per cent of India’s imported arms during the 2012-2016 period.

The United States lagged considerably behind, providing only 14 percent of India’s imported weapons, with Israel occupying third place at 7 percent.

India is also the largest foreign purchaser of Russian weapons, buying some 38 per cent of Russian defense exports.

At the end of 2016, India’s defense orders from Russia exceeded $4 billion.

In addition to having the advantage of long-established ties and Soviet legacy systems that need upgrades, Russian arms suppliers have been willing to offer more sophisticated military hardware and technologies to India than Western countries.

Still, India is also the lead foreign buyer of Israeli weapons and the second largest purchaser of British exports. Regrettably, India does not even rank in the top five of the foreign purchasers of U.S. defense exports.

Based on planned deliveries and orders, SIPRI expected that Russia would retain its dominant position for at least several more years—unless the Trump administration makes it a priority to support more U.S. defense sales in India.

Presently, three fourths of the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s current fighter fleet are of Soviet or Russian origin (including MiG-21s, MiG-27s, MiG-29s, and Su-30s).

Of note, Russia developed a unique “Indian” version of the Sukhoi Su-30 (known as the Su-30MKI, for “multirole, commercial, Indian”) that will remain the Indian Air Force’s top-line heavy fighter, at least until the Dassault Rafale enters service.

India now has acquired some 240 Su-30MKIs, which have undergone constant modernization. By the end of this decade, the Indian Air Force will possess around 270 of these planes.

In addition, most of the Indian army’s tank force consist of Soviet- or Russian-made T-72 and T-90 Main Battle Tanks. Approximately half of the major surface combatants and combat submarines in the Indian Navy were constructed in Russia or the Soviet Union.

Russia has leased nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) to India to allow the Indian Navy to gain experience with maritime nuclear propulsion—a Project 670 Skat-class (NATO: Charlie-class) vessel in the late 1980s and early 1990s as well as currently a Project 971 Shchuka-B (NATO: Akula-class) multipurpose SSN, formerly known as K-152 Nerpa, which the Indians have renamed as the INS Chakra.

Russia and India recently signed about $10-billion worth of inter-governmental defense deals when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Gao for the October 2016 BRICS summit.

The major deals included systems that no other country seems prepared to yet sell India:

  • four-five Almaz-Antey S-400 Triumf Air Defense Systems (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) regiments (each having 16 launchers and 64 missiles) for as much as $6 billion;
  • four more Project 11356 Admiral Grigorovich class (Indian named Talwar-class) frigates for $3 billion (including new Ukraine-made engines); and
  • 200 Kamov Ka-226T “Hoodlum” twin-engine light utility helicopters (in a joint venture of the majority shareholder HAL Corporation with Rosoboronexport and Russian Helicopters—the latter two as part of Rostec holding corporation) for over $1 billion.

Moscow gave India the right to produce some of the frigates (probably at the HSL shipyard) and 140 helicopters (at a new HAL plant at Tumakuru) under license, as well as service the helicopters.

Russia and India expect to finalize the S-400 surface-to-air missile contract later this year. Russian negotiators are encouraging India to forego the usual 30 percent offset package to speed delivery of the systems—an argument U.S. contractors should also use.

Russia has also agreed to repair, upgrade, and then lease India another multipurpose Project 971 Shchuka-B (NATO: Akula-class) nuclear-powered attack submarine for some $2 billion as well as consider assisting India to develop more nuclear-powered submarines beyond its newly commissioned Arihant-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN).

Russian analysts have argued that Western sanctions have not adversely affected their arms trade with India.

Looking ahead, Russians and Indians aim to take advantage of India’s having joined the Missile Technology Control Regime to conduct joint research and development to extend the range of their jointly developed Brahmos cruise missile beyond 300 kilometers.

Furthermore, Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation has agreed to prolong a 2006 agreement that allowed India to import 470 T-90S tanks and build another 530 under license. India aims to have a fleet of 1,600 T-90 tanks by 2020.

SU-30MKI. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Russia is also offering the Indian Air Force an opportunity to upgrade the Su-30MKI engine from its current Saturn AL-31F engine to the AL-41F-1S engine now on the Russian Air Force’s Su-35 as well as make other upgrades under a possible modernization of India’s Su-30MKI to a future near-fifth generation “Super Sukhoi” configuration, with upgraded avionics, sensors, cockpit, and capacity to launch BrahMos supersonic missiles, at an estimated total cost of over $6 billion for all the 272 Su-30MKIs India has ordered to date.

Depending on the terms of reference, Russia plans to offer this modernized Su-30MKI variant, the MiG-31, the MiG-35 or the PAK FA in the new tender for India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.

Perhaps the most ambitious Russian-India joint defense development project, launched in 2007, is the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), which is co-financed on an equal basis.

The development teams includes Russia’s Sukhoi Aircraft Corporation, India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), and the Indian Aeronautical Development Agency.

They intend to manufacture a plane based on the Russian Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) fifth-generation multirole fighter, designed primarily for air superiority, with stealth, a single-seat, twin engines, and “supercruise” (sustained supersonic flight) capacity.

Besides offering the plane to potential foreign buyers, the IAF plans to buy some 120 of these planes for around $25 billion.

Before finalizing the development contract, however, the Indian government is demanding improvements over the current T-50 prototype, such as a stronger engine.

Furthermore, Indian officials have complained about inadequate technology transfer under the existing Sukhoi-30MKI acquisition, in which HAL only assembles rather than manufactures the planes and at a higher price than the turn-key imported planes from Russia.

They are also disappointed that Indian firms are receiving less valuable FGFA-related contracts than Russian ones even though both countries are contributing equally to the costs of developing the plane.

Indians are still displeased by the slow pace of the project given their urgent need for a more air power to counter China.

The Russian-Indian arms relationship has experienced other problems.

For example, Indians have complained about quality of some Russian weapons, seen by the recriminations over several Su-30MKI crashes, as well as delays, technology transfer restrictions, and rising costs of some Russian arms imports.

Russian defense companies are attempting to address Indian complaints about the lengthy time to obtain spare parts and other maintenance by establishing local logistics hubs, such as for the Su-30MKI, at the HAL facilities in Bangalore.

Even so, these problems with past Russian sales, competition from other suppliers, and efforts to improve India’s indigenous defense industry could lead New Delhi to buy fewer Russian weapons in coming years—if the United States makes a major effort to capture some of these sales.

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Time for a Strategic Move Towards India

 

New Jetty for the New Royal Navy Carriers at Portsmouth Naval Base

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
03/25/2017

2017-03-25 Recently, Princess Anne led the naming ceremony for the new jetty for the new class of UK aircraft carriers.

According to a story on the Ministry of Defence website and published March 20, 2017:

The Princess unveiled a plaque at Portsmouth Naval Base this afternoon (Mon 20 Mar 17) officially naming the vast berth as The Princess Royal Jetty.

It will be home to the Royal Navy’s two new 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.

Formerly known as Middle Slip Jetty, the berth has been upgraded and strengthened to support the carriers as part of a raft of infrastructure upgrades taking place ahead of the arrival of the first ship – HMS Queen Elizabeth – later this year.

Her Royal Highness met some of the workers involved in the jetty’s two-year refurbishment, as well as Royal Navy bomb disposal experts responsible for safely disposing of historic ordnance.

The jetty at Portsmouth for the Queen Elizabeth carriers. Credit: UK Ministry of Defence

A number of wartime devices have been recently uncovered by dredging work in preparation for the arrival of the two new aircraft carriers.

The Portsmouth Naval Base Commander, Commodore Jeremy Rigby, hosted the visit by The Princess Royal. As Commodore-in-Chief for Portsmouth, she is a frequent visitor to the naval base and takes a keen interest in activities there.

Cdre Rigby said:

“It was a privilege to welcome Her Royal Highness back into the naval base to officially name this historic jetty.

“Work continues at a pace to get our naval base ready for the arrival of HMS Queen Elizabeth later this year and the excitement builds as we now enter the final stages of work, testing and training ahead of her arrival.”

The jetty, parts of which date back over 90 years, has been refurbished in addition to the dredging of the approach channel, inner harbour area and berth in order to make them deep and wide enough for the new ships, moving three million cubic metres of clay, sand and gravel from an area the size of 200 football pitches.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin, said:

“The work on The Princess Royal Jetty is a fantastic example of how we are investing in the future of the Royal Navy and is the culmination of £100m of infrastructure upgrades in Portsmouth in preparation for our two new aircraft carriers.

The Queen Elizabeth class carriers, together with our F-35 jets will transform our ability to project power around the world.”

Bespoke navigational lights, a high-voltage electrical supply and specialist carrier-specific gangways, known as ‘brows’, are also being provided as part of the £100m programme of works.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has worked with VolkerStevin and BAE Systems to deliver the package of infrastructure needed for the carriers.

Last week, the giant American supply ship USNS Robert E Peary tested the strength of the new jetty by coming alongside in Portsmouth. The US ship, which despite its mammoth size is still 200ft shorter than the Queen Elizabeth carriers, was the first vessel to use the jetty since its completion.

Gerrit Smit, Project Manager for VolkerStevin, added:

We feel privileged to have played a central role in the delivery of this nationally significant and challenging project. Working collaboratively with the DIO, BAE Systems and other key stakeholders and suppliers has been essential in achieving this key milestone.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/her-royal-highness-the-princess-royal-names-new-jetty-for-navys-giant-aircraft-carriers

During the week of March 19, 2017, while this ceremony was taking place, Second Line of Defense was visiting RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Marham and RAF Lakenheath and getting a chance to talk with the RAF and Royal Navy about building up the infrastructure to generate and support the transformation of the UK military towards new power projection capabilities. 

Among other things this includes new lift and tanking capabilities at Brize Norton, new Typhoon air combat capabilities at Lossie and RAF Coningsby, new C2 and ISR capabilities at the ISTAR fleet at RAF Waddington, which might include the acquisition of the Wedgetail, building a comprehensive F-35 base at RAF Marham while the Tornado finishes its deployments by 2019 and the USAF working its new base for F-35s at RAF Lakenheath.

Throughout all of this requires new infrastructure and the process is well underway.

We will report on these meetings and developments more fully at a later date.,