Very interesting report with inaccuracies typical of Indian media. The presence of a chase aircraft suggests the test was of a new missile - RVV-SD or RVV-MD - improved Russian variants of the missiles in use with RuAF. (Ukraine inherited older variants) newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/…
There was a report earlier that the RVV-MD would be adopted for launch from Mirage 2000 and even Rafale, besides MiG-29. If true, it would appear that the missile is the @IAF_MCC 's preferred CCM. Abhinandan's PAF F-16 kill probably sealed the choice.
Factoring in the unreliability of our media, it might well be that ASRAAM trials on Su-30MKI are being misreported as Russian missile trials. The @IAF_MCC had earlier stated that the MBDA missile would be integrated with entire Su-30MKI fleet & trials using 2 Su-30MKIs were due!
One day someone will explain to me why the @IAF_MCC is not focused on integrating the RVV-BD (R-37) with the Su-30MKI to blast PAF AEW&CS aircraft out of the sky, the assets that orchestrated the PAF attempt at retaliation on Feb 27!
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Russia Stepping Up Production of Tu-214, Tu-160M
Russia is stepping up the production of Tu-214 up to ten pieces a year. In the future, production may be increased to 20 aircraft annually, according to Sergey Chemezov, General Director of Rostec State Corporation. 1/n
At the same time, the enterprise is increasing the production of the White Swan Tu-160 strategic missile carrier.
Production facilities of the two aircraft at the Kazan Aviation Plant are undergoing large scale modernization and technical re-equipment. 2/n
Until recently, the Tu-214 was produced in limited nos for special customers but still established itself as a reliable and efficient machine. Now the Kazan Aviation Plant has put into production the first batch of aircraft for commercial passenger air transportation. 3/n
The decision to train Ukrainian pilots was made on the eve of Zelensky's visit to Paris on Feb 8.
If a political decision is made, France could supply AFU with a dozen Mirage 2000 fighters, writes Le Figaro.
Here is the catch - France likely doesn't have Mirage 2000 fighters!
On August 31, 2021 India reportedly signed a contract with France for acquiring 24 Mirage 2000 fighters being phased out of French Air Force service. Of the 24, only 8 were reportedly flight worthy. The rest were to serve as Christmas Trees for spares for the @IAF_MCC
Why a NATO / Russia Confrontation Maybe Inevitable
Repeated proclamations by US/NATO leaders that they don't want to become a party to the conflict in Ukraine need to be interpreted as they don't want to become a party to the conflict in Ukraine as of now. 1/n
The proclamations don't rule out an intervention eventually.
The Russian military campaign in Ukraine is carefully calibrated to preserve Russia's ability to fight NATO, should it choose to intervene. 2/n
The slow and deliberate pace of the Russian campaign is largely aimed at reducing human & equipment losses, preserving its strength, therby deterring US/NATO intervention.
Similarly, US/NATO willingness to financially & militarily support Ukraine's war against Russia ... 3/n
Russia continues to develop its Soviet era Su-25 ground attack aircraft. The most modern iteration of the aircraft - the Su-25SM3 - has now been deployed in Ukraine. Besides facilitating use of new weapons, the aircraft features the Russian-made SOLT-25 OLS 1/
SOLT-25 includes conventional & thermal imaging observation channels with a two fold increase in range and a laser rangefinder-target designator that facilitates use of laser homing "smart" ammunition. The system is supplemented with the ability to automatically track targets. 2/
The Su-25SM3 is additionally equipped with an improved airborne self-defense system.
Besides improved capability, RuAF is now using better tactics as a result of which Su-25 losses are now rare.
The Su-25 variants provide ground support under cover of Su-35S and Su-30SM 3/
Some interesting observations on the Russian missile attack against Ukrainian infrastructure on Feb 16 1. None of the 12 Kh-22 missiles launched from Tu-22M3 bombers was intercepted 2. Russian forces are launching cruise missiles at night, instead of day. 1/
The Kh-22 cruises at speeds between M 3.5 to M 4.6 at altitudes upto 40-km.
On launch, the missile climbs to about 40 km, leaving the stratosphere, then vertically dives down on the target, making it extremely difficult to shoot down 2/
One reason why Russia may have switched to night attacks may be to counter deployment of visual observers who can help plot incursions without the need to switch on radars which become susceptible to Kh-31P attack as soon as they light up. 3/
DRDO says Uttam AESA radar will eventually be integrated with IAF Su-30MKI & MiG-29!
On February 14, 2023, Director General - Electronics & Communication Systems (ECS) at DRDO, BK Das, said that the Uttam AESA will be mapped to LCA Mk-1 within 6 months to an year. 1/
The Uttam radar is currently being tested on two LCAs — LSP2 and LSP3 — and one executive jet. (Production variant of the Tejas Mi-1 likely differ internally from the LSP variants.) 2/
According to DG ECS, following successful integration with Tejas Mk-1, the Uttam will be integrated with fighter jets like Sukhoi-30MKI and Mig-29. The integration of the Uttam on these platforms would begin by 2025. 3/