With a somewhat odd assortment of outdated air defense systems, mostly of Russian origin, India has a huge need for such systems. In 2012, the Indian army admitted that 97% of its air defenses were outdated, all exacerbated by bizarre procurement processes.
The Indian army is currently implementing several programs, including anti-aircraft artillery, short-range air defense systems and short-range surface-to-air missiles. Work on replacing the 40 mm L / 70 and 23 mm ZU-23-2 guns was suspended after Rheinmetall Air Defense was blacklisted in 2012.
However, Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) is currently upgrading the L / 70, and Punj Lloyd is upgrading the ZU-23-2. BEL also modernized 48 tracked systems ZSU-23-4 "Shilka".
The Defense Procurement Council in 2015 approved the army's demand for $ 2.6 billion for towed 30-mm anti-aircraft guns with a range of 4 km. The Department of Defense issued a request for information to local companies in May 2014 after failing to attract foreign companies. However, this process has almost completely stalled and the request for proposals has not yet been issued. The winner will receive a contract for 1102 guns, which will be produced over 15 years; the first 428 systems will be delivered in the first five years.
Short-range air defense hotness
As for short-range air defense, three applicants were selected for the supply of 5175 missiles and 1000 twin launchers, including the Russian 9K338 Igla-S complex from KBM, Mistral from MBDA and RBS 70 NG from Saab. India wants to have portable dual-launcher systems or vehicle-mounted systems. This activity to replace the existing Igla-M systems dates back to 2010, and tests took place from 2012 to 2017.
In November 2017, the Ministry of Defense announced that KBM's 9K338 Igla-S complex was ranked last on the list of applicants. The Igla-S complex showed itself poorly in some field tests, at least in those in which it participated. The problems consisted of unsuccessful launches and captures of targets, as well as the lack of a good sight. Nevertheless, Igla-S remained in the competition, the Ministry of Defense did not take any punitive measures, and in January 2018, the technical compliance of all three applicants was announced. In May, the head of Rosoboronexport said that "after the opening of tenders, the Igla-S complex turned out to be more economically profitable in comparison with competitors."
A Saab spokesperson highlighted the ease of use of the RBS 70 NG, saying that soldiers can learn to use it very quickly. The company also stressed that its laser-guided missile cannot be jammed. The firm has teamed up with local Bharat Forge to participate in this competition. RBS 70 variants are in service with the armies of Australia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Singapore and Thailand.
An MBDA spokesperson explained: “The MBDA proposal is fully compliant with Indian requirements and best-in-class due to the missile's very high performance in all conditions and against the full range of threats, as well as the highest probability of defeat, as confirmed by tests in India. India has already chosen the Mistral complex for arming its Light Advanced Helicopter and Light Combat Helicopter, so the use of Mistral in short-range air defense missions can give India great cost, logistical and operational advantages."
MBDA also noted that the Mistral fired-and-forget missile "differs in that each of its major subsystems has been significantly modified and improved based on feedback and comments from operators."
The Russian company KBM has been declared the preferred applicant, and at the next stage, negotiations on cost will be held. Then, as the rules dictate, the deal must be approved by the security committee before signing any contract. The signing of the contract was expected at the end of last year, but so far there is no information on it.
Of the purchased quantity, 2,315 missiles will be purchased ready-made, and the rest must be assembled under license at the Indian enterprise Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL). Of these, 1,260 missiles will be supplied to BDL in subassembly kits, 1,000 missiles fully disassembled and 600 pieces will be fully manufactured according to the Seller's documentation.
At the recent DefExpo exhibition, the Russian company presented its new 9KZZZ "Verba" MANPADS, but Indian rules do not allow changing the product at the entrance to the tender. The victory of the Igla-S complex - especially after India ordered the S-400 complexes - could lead to the imposition of sanctions by the United States under the Countering America's Enemies Through Sanctions Act.
In early 2017, the Department of Defense canceled a competition for short-range surface-to-air missiles, opting to purchase two additional locally produced Akash missile regiments. The Indian army needs eight regiments with 20 km rapid-response missiles to replace the 9K33M2 Osa complexes from the Soviet era.
Let's return to the Indian Air Force, which is replacing the 40mm L / 70 and 23mm ZU-23-2, which protect their airbases. This is being implemented as part of the $ 15 billion Buy & Do in India competition announced in December 2017 for 3.5 km long range guns. The total requirement is 244 guns (61 batteries), fire control radars and 204,000 rounds. Only local companies were invited to participate in the competition, although they can unite with foreign partners. The winning platform will be put into service for 7 years and integrated with the Indian Air Force's command and control systems. In October, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAt) announced a $ 550 million contract for its Sky Capture system with an "Asian nation" army. Despite the refusal to name the customer, it is possible with a high degree of probability to talk about India. The IAI solution is a command and control system for anti-aircraft guns, including fire control radars and optoelectronic systems. If necessary, it can control short-range surface-to-air missiles and laser warning systems.
Sky and stars
The high-speed Starstreak missile with a range of 7 km and a speed of more than Mach 3 has proven itself well in Southeast Asia, where three countries have adopted this laser-guided missile developed by Thales UK. In 2015, Malaysia ordered an unnamed number of RapidRover and RapidRanger Lightweight Multiple Launchers Next Generation (LML-NG) launchers for $ 130 million; the cost of the contract included the decommissioned Starburst missiles.
Global Komited is supplying Weststar GK-M1 4x4 vehicles fitted with LML launchers, each with three Starstreak missiles ready to launch. Meanwhile, RapidRanger is installed on URO 4x4 VAMTAC armored vehicles, which can accompany mechanized units without any problems. The system also includes Control Master 200 portable radars and Control View C2 workstations. Malaysia has ordered six RapidRanger units, each with four missiles ready to launch. A crew of three people operates the RapidRanger installation: the commander, the driver and the operator.
In October, Starstreak missile launches were carried out at the Johor test site as part of acceptance tests. These missiles will receive the 32nd artillery regiment, the air defense unit of the Malaysian fleet and the air defense division of the Malaysian air force. The artillery regiment will receive the complex in three configurations, while the rest will receive the RapidRover and LML configurations.
In 2012, Thailand became the first customer for Starstreak systems in the region, ordering a second batch for its army in 2015. These launchers are installed on 4x4 light vehicles.
The command of the air defense of the Thai army is also armed with anti-aircraft guns. Rheinmetall's Skyguard 3 systems were officially put into service in August, later Thailand ordered four Doppler radars with a range of 20 km and 8 twin towed 35-mm Oerlikon GDF-007 cannons in 2015.
The GDF-007 cannon can fire AHEAD (Advanced Hit Efficiency and Destruction) air blast projectiles, which are equipped with 152 heavy tungsten striking elements. In addition, the anti-aircraft artillery arsenal includes the M42 Duster, M163 Vulcan guns, towed M167 Vulcan, Bofors L / 70 and the Chinese 57-mm Tour 59 and 37-mm Tour 74.
In addition to Thailand, guns from the Oerlikon GDF family have also been adopted by several other Asian countries: the Singapore Air Force has the GDF-001 and GDF-003 models: the Malaysian army, the GDF-003 model; the Indonesian army has GDF units; Pakistan has model GDF-005; South Korea bought the GDF-003 model; and Taiwan has about 50 GDF-003 cannons (later upgraded to the GDF-006 configuration) connected to 24 Skyguard radars.
Rheinmetall delivered the first Skyshield modular system with a 35mm revolver cannon to the Indonesian Air Force in 2014. Rheinmetall was awarded a contract for the supply of six systems, ammunition, logistics and integrated MANPADS to protect air bases. Indonesia has installed a cannon on six-wheeled trucks. In response to Jakarta's growing concern over Chinese claims in the South China Sea, the country has installed several Oerlikon Skyshields (photo below) on the islands of the Natuna (Bunguran) archipelago.
The Indonesian army is armed with an eclectic mix of close air defense systems, including the Polish Grom (fitted on Land Rover vehicles), Mistral, Chinese OW-3 and Swedish RBS 70. In 2003, the army also acquired 23mm Giant Bow II anti-aircraft guns from China. … In a training exercise in May 2017, one of these cannons broke down and fired indiscriminately, killing 4 and wounding 8 soldiers.
Indonesia is also armed with Starstreak systems. With an order issued in 2014, Jakarta received enough missiles to power five batteries as part of its ForceShield system. The system was purchased in both configurations: RapidRanger on URO VAMTAC vehicles and RapidRover on Land Rover Defender vehicles.
For the first time, the Indonesian Marine Corps conducted live fires with a new towed anti-aircraft gun manufactured by Norinco in August 2016. The second air defense battalion is equipped with four of these 35-mm twin Toure 90 installations (export designation PG99) and one AF902 fire control radar, but it is possible that some more of these systems will be purchased. The cannon has a range of 4,000 meters and is serviced by a crew of five.
The Philippines is very limited in its short-range air defense capabilities, but as part of its Horizon 2 modernization program, which is being carried out in 2018-2022, the Philippine army wants to receive two batteries of MANPADS. However, the purchase is unlikely to happen before 2021-2022 due to a change in priorities. The Philippine Air Force also has needs for ground-based air defense systems.
In the Singapore Air Force, the SPYDER-SR complexes of the Israeli company Rafael installed on the truck have replaced the Rapier complexes. The missiles of the new complex have a range of 20 km. The first system installed on a MAN truck was shown in mid-2011, and full combat readiness was announced in July 2018. Singapore is also armed with Igla, Mistral and RBS 70 complexes (some are installed on V-200 vehicles). The Igla mechanized complex includes a launcher with six missiles mounted on the chassis of an M113 tracked armored personnel carrier. There are two variants of this complex: the Weapon Fire Unit is equipped with Igla missile launchers, and the Integrated Fire Unit is also equipped with an additional radar. By the way, Vietnam and India are also armed with Israeli SPYDER systems.
Great defense
China is able to offer for export a staggering number of ground-based air defense systems, many manufactured by the Norinco corporation. For example, it is currently promoting its new SWS2 self-propelled anti-aircraft complex. It includes a 35mm revolving cannon and four TY-90 surface-to-air missiles mounted on a VN1 chassis. These missiles with a maximum range of 6 km are used in the Yi-Tian anti-aircraft complex based on the WMZ551 6x6 chassis.
The VN1 is known in the Chinese army under the designation Tour 09; the Chinese military appears to be using the SWS2 variant with a six-barreled 30mm cannon. Images of this type of machine in a training exercise in Guangzhou province first appeared on local news in 2013.
As for the tracked anti-aircraft self-propelled guns, here it is necessary to note the newest model PGZ07, which is in service with the Chinese army. This dual 35mm cannon system entered service in 2011. Air defense vehicles have a target tracking radar in the front of the turret and an observation radar in the rear. The previous tracked installation PGZ95, designed for action in conjunction with the combat units of the Chinese army, weighing 22.5 tons, has 4 25-mm cannons and 4 short-range QW-2 missiles with a range of 6 km.
In the 1980s, China copied the French Crotale missile and gave it its designation HQ-7. The new version has a range of 17 km. Another HQ-6A surface-to-air missile is also based on a European missile, this time on the Italian Aspide. It has a range of 18 km.
The HQ-6A missile is part of the armament system deployed on the LO2000 truck; in addition to these missiles, it is equipped with a seven-barreled 30-mm cannon and a corresponding radar. China also copied the Tor-M1 complex purchased from Russia, creating the NO-17 tracked complex.
The Chinese industry has created several different MANPADS. For example, the QW-2 infrared-guided missile is a copy of the Igloo-1 missile with a range of 6 km. China Aerospace Science Industrial Corporation (CASIC) manufactures the QW family, including the newer QW-3, QW-18, and QW-19; some of them have been sold to countries such as Sudan and Turkmenistan. In addition, the Chinese army is armed with HY-6 / FN-6 and HN-5A / B MANPADS. FN-16 MANPADS, sold to Cambodia, is an updated version with a range of 6 km; in Bangladesh, the FN-16 complex is produced under license.
Movement to the East
The Taiwanese army has been using the Avenger complex based on the HMMWV armored car for more than 20 years, but it will soon be replaced by the Antelope complex developed by the Chung-Shan National Institute of Science and Technology. The Antelope - four Tien Chien I infrared-guided missiles mounted on a Toyota vehicle - is already the standard 9km tactical air defense system. The Taiwanese Army requested a similar system several years ago, but later rejected the request due to a change in the priorities of the Army Aviation units.
Japan is armed with several systems of local development, including 52 tracked ZSU Tour 87 with two 35-mm cannons. Adopted by the Japanese self-defense forces in 1987-2002, the Ture 87 complex is an analogue of the German Gepard complex.
MANPADS Tour 91 developed by Toshiba is similar to the American-made FIM-92 Stinger complex. The Japanese army also uses the same missile in the Tour 93 Kin-Sam complex. It is similar to the HMMWV-based Avenger system; The launcher with 8 missiles ready to launch is installed on the chassis of a Toyota 4x4 vehicle. The Ture 81 Tan-SAM complex, based on the truck, has been modified into the Tan-Sam C complex with improved electronic protection and the possibility of all-weather use. However, the newest short-range air defense system is the Ture 11 (or Tan-SAM Kai II) from Toshiba, in this case 4 missiles are installed on the Isuzu 6x6 truck.
Hanwha from South Korea produces the K30 Biho Hybrid complex for its army. It includes four KP-SAM Shingung missiles (export name Chiron) from LIG Nex1, two 30mm cannons and a turret-mounted radar. More than 200 systems were converted from the original Biho system, which had guns but no missiles. The army is also armed with Chiron missiles, which are part of the MANPADS on a tripod. Equipped with a two-color IR seeker, this missile has a range of 5 km.
In addition, Hanwha has partnered with Hyundai Rotem to produce the Antiaircraft Gun Wheeled Vehicle System, a Biho Hybrid turret on an 8x8 chassis. In 2020, it is planned to take this complex into service. The vehicle weighing 26.5 tons is equipped with an optoelectronic target tracking system from Hanwha with an infrared camera, TV camera and laser rangefinder, capable of accompanying drones measuring 2.5x2 meters at a distance of 5 km.
Also, the South Korean army is armed with the Chunma tracked complex, which is armed with 8 missiles ready for launch with a range of 9 km. The country's army still operates a 20-mm Vulcan cannon, installed on a car or trailer.
CEA Technologies debuted its SEATAS radar at Land Forces 2018 in Adelaide. A short / medium-range AFAR radar mounted on a Thales Hawkei armored car is proposed for Project Land 19 Phase 7B, the purpose of which is to adopt ground-based air defense systems to supply the Australian army.
The NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) anti-aircraft missile system manufactured by Kongsberg and Raytheon was selected for this project in April 2017 as part of the program to create an integrated air defense and missile defense system. The project is expected to be approved in 2019, and the government has issued a request for a tender in which Raytheon Australia is the lead contractor.
A CEA Technologies spokesman said the SEATAS radar is dual-band, but declined to name its range. He stressed that at the moment there is no other non-rotating radar with an electronically steered beam of this size and range. The development of this solution is aimed at reducing the risks associated with the project; the prototype is currently undergoing evaluation tests in the army.
It will also be interesting to see if Australia will install anti-aircraft missile systems on the Boxer Sx8 chassis that the army has chosen for its reconnaissance regiments. In October, Rheinmetall demonstrated its Oerlikon Skyranger cannon (with a 35mm Oerlikon Revolver Gun) mounted on a Boxer chassis, which could be attractive to the country's armed forces.
Last September, Saab Australia received permission to upgrade its RBS 70 military systems to the latest Identification Friend or Foe Mode 5. This upgrade of missiles, the Giraffe AMB radar and command and control system will improve the accuracy of identifying Australian, American and other allied units and topics. thereby reduce the likelihood of an erroneous opening of fire on its own. Given that NASAMS provides medium-range air defense, Saab believes its RBS 70 NG complex has good prospects in Australia.
