Italy might join MGCS, Italian Undersecretary for Defence says

Rome, 16 June 2020 – According to the Italian Undersecretary for Defence Giulio Calvisi, Italy might join the MGS (Main Ground Combat System) programme. “During recent bilateral talks with the German counterpart, the possibility of allowing Italy to participate in the so-called Main Ground Combat System programme, which aims at the development of a new main battle tank, emerged,” Calvisi said, underlining that the Ministry of Defence is committed to identifying further possible solutions should the project being currently underway by the CIO (Consorzio Iveco DV-Oto Melara) would not meet expectations. The CIO received a development contract worth 35 million Euro for the Mid-Life Update of the Ariete MBT, that will bring to the delivery of three prototypes. The Ariete MBT is currently in service with three tank regiments in the Italian Army, these units fielding a total of 123 tanks. According to the 2019 Army Report the current availability of the Ariete MBT is around 40%.

The upgrade will include the adoption of a new 1,500 hp powerpack, replacing the current one which provides only 1,300 hp, which will bring with it the upgrade of the ZF transmission, mobility on soft terrains being increased thanks to the adoption of new tracks, which increased width will allow decreasing the specific ground pressure, a requirement based on lessons learned i.e. in Iraq, where the Ariete was fitted with the heavier add-on kit available at that time (see the opening photo). Both the commander’s and the gunner’s optronics will be replaced by new generation systems, derived from those adopted on the Centauro II armoured car, the former receiving an Attila D (for Digital) panoramic sight while the latter will get a 3rd Gen Tilde B thermal sight. Also safety will be improved thanks to the replacement of hydraulics actuators with electric ones in the turret. The upgrade will also include the adoption of Larimart’s UIS-379 D Digital Intercom system in place of the old analog one and the fitting for an AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio with SATCOM capability. Should the prototypes performances meet the MoD requirements, the plan is to upgrade 125 more Ariete MBTs to cover the needs of the three regiments and of the Cavalry School.

Should this fail, and should the option to joint the Franco-German MGCS team prove to be not viable, “alternative options are being evaluated in close synergy with the industrial sector; in particular, research is being carried out on possible strategic partners in order to propose a cooperative European project,” Calvisi answered the Defence Commission on 16 June during the Question Time, following his statement on the protection of the national Defence Industry sector.

The search for partners in the MBT field might well go beyond European borders; in a recent document published by the Italian Army a section was dedicated to the “strengthening of the Italian-Israel cooperation”, and it mentioned specifically a cooperation aimed at improving the performances of the respective national armoured platforms, “extending it to possible future commmon projects, such as that of Main Battle Tanks”. The strengthening of the relationship with the US Army as far as new capabilities developments are concerned has also been recently mentioned.

Although a partnership with European nations, with whom chances of conducting combined operations within the NATO or the European Union frameworks is higher, remains the best option, Italy is looking at 360° for the future of its armoured corps main combat asset.

The Bear Hunters

Photos of aircraft that escorted Tu-95RTs and Tu-142 from the Kipelovo AFB during their missions.

1972. F-4J from VF-84 and USS "Franklin D. Roosevelt" (CV-42) in Atlantic. Photo from Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP. Archive of Dmitriy Filonenko.

WSO of F-4E of 57th FIS (Keflavik AFB) is taking photo of Tu-142 of 76 OPLAP (Kipelovo AFB)

RAF Phantom FG.1 escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) over Northen Atlantic, late 1970s. The photo was taken from tail cabin of Tu-95RTs. Phantom's WSO is taking a photo of Tu-95RTs. Archive of Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP)

USN F-4J '103-AG' of VF-102 escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) during its reconnaissance flight of USS Independence (CV-62). Circa 1971-72. The photo was taken by Boris Melenevskiy (392 ODRAP).

USN F-4J '103-AA' of VF-11 escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) during its reconnaissance flight of USS Forrestal (CV-59) over the North Atlantic circa 1974. Credit to Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP).

USN F-4B '103' of VF-14 escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) during its reconnaissance flight to USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) that in cruise of 1973, Atlantic. The names on the cockpit: Pilot LCDR John Allen, RIO LTJG Dax Cnopp. Archive of Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP)

RAF Phantom FG.1 XV583 'B' of No. 111 Sqd. (AFB Leuchars) escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) over North Atlantic. 1970s.

The photo was taken by Tu-95RTs crew. Archive of Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP)

Two USN F-4J of VF-102 escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP during its reconnaissance flight of USS Independence (CV-62). Circa 1974-75. The photo was taken by Boris Melenevskiy (392 ODRAP).

Royal Navy Phantom FG.1 'R-011' of 892 NAS escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) over Atlantic. Circa 1978. Archive of Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP)

RAF Phantom FG.1 XV583 'B' of No. 111 Sqd. (AFB Leuchars) escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) over North Atlantic. 1970s. Archive of Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP).

F-4E of 57th FIS (Keflavik AFB) escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) over North Atlantic. Circa 1978-85. Archive of Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP)

F-14A of VF-102 from USS America (CVA-66) over North Sea during Ocean Safari 85. Photo from Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP. The fall of 1985

USN F-14A '112' of VF-143 escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) over Atlantic during USS 'America' (CV-66) cruise 1977-78. Archive of Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP)

USN F-14A '214/AB' of VF-33 escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) over Atlantic during USS 'America' (CV-66) cruise (circa 1984). Archive of Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP)

Two USN F-14A '214/AB' and '210/AB' of VF-33 escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) over the North Atlantic during USS 'America' (CV-66) cruise circa 1985. Credit to Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP)

USN Р-3B 'LC-81' (BuNo 152761) of VP-8 escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) over North Atlantic circa 1979-80. Photo credit to Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP)

US Navy P-3 and Tu-142M from 76 OPLAP (Kipelovo AFB). Credit to 76 OPLAP archive

F-14A of VF-102. Photo from Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP. Late 1980s

F-14A of VF-102 from USS America (CVA-66) over North Sea during Ocean Safari 85. Photo from Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP. The fall of 1985

24 July 1978. Interception of Tu-142 76 OPLAP (Kipelovo AFB) of crew of Alexander Tsvetkov by the RNoAF F-104G of 331 squadron (Bodo AFB). Archieve of Victor Kibalnik

USS 'America' (CV-66) in Atlantic near Puerto Rico on February 10, 1986. The photo was taken by Tu-95RTs crew of 392 ODRAP. Archive of Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP)

USN Р-3C 'LN-40' (BuNo 156510) of VP-45 escorting Tu-95RTs of 392 ODRAP (Kipelovo AFB) over Northern Atlantic circa 1977. Photo credit to Evgeniy Kalinin (392 ODRAP)

1st Contract Finally In Sight For India’s Own Attack Helicopter

Freshly confident that an elusive contract for India’s first attack helicopter is in sight, India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has ramped up production of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) in Bengaluru. With crucial — and sticky — price negotiations complete, HAL is finally reassured that this one’s in the bag.

If HAL is right, and the contract is closed this year, it will be a full four years after the Indian MoD cleared the acquisition in November 2016, a long time for a program that’s been waiting for years, but fleeting by traditional Indian contracting standards.

Speaking in an exclusive interview to Livefist, HAL chairman R. Madhavan said, “That (the order) will come very soon. We have concluded price negotiations. We are now awaiting financial sanction. By the end of this year, we should see the initial order for 15 aircraft. After that we expect orders for more than 150. In fact, assuming we’re receiving the order, we’ve already begun production of five new aircraft immediately. This will allow us to deliver the aircraft earlier than planned, once the order is confirmed.”

While the Indian Air Force will be the LCH’s launch customer, the Indian Army will receive most of the 165 planned airframes. The two services still haven’t fully sorted out who must operate armed helicopters, with even foreign imports of the AH-64E being split between the two services for now.

The first LCH order has been tantalisingly close but just out of reach for a few years now, though it must be said that HAL is now for the first time convinced that contract signature will take place before the year is out. It has been a tense wait.

Speaking to Livefist last February, HAL’s chief helicopter test pilot Wing Commander Unni Pillai said, “We are awaiting contract signature. The delivery of the first 15 can happen almost immediately. We’ve already made structures for 9 inhouse using HAL money. They only need to be equipped. Will take 6 months to deliver and we can do it before the stipulated time in contract. Will be the first time a delivery is happening well in advance to the users. We expect a total order for 165 airframes. Looking at foreign market very closely too. Very few countries make a cost-effective attack helicopter — few countries can afford the capability. Will compete with China too.”

Unlike virtually every other attack helicopter in the market, the LCH’s biggest designed-in capability is high altitude performance, a key requirement from the aircraft. Prototypes of the helicopter have been deployed repeatedly over the last decade in the super-high altitude areas of Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier.

LCH project pilot Group Captain Hari Nair tells Livefist, “This has to be seen against the backdrop of the Kargil War, it was back then when we had attack helicopters which could not  reach the altitudes because of performance limitations. That is when the Air Force wanted a weapon system with the capabilities of reaching those altitudes and that was the backdrop to the requirements that were framed for this helicopter.  That’s the origin, and we developed using the transmission of the ALH. They have much more than this, they have got improved aerodynamics. There was a challenge in intergrating the wings on the helicopter and retaining the overall performance and essentially the focus was on high altitude. High altitudes in the sense that, much more than what the western helicopters are capable of. Altitudes in the axis of 15000-17000  feet, operating and firing weapons.  So the entire focus was to develop an attack helicopter to operate in those higher altitudes.” 

Group Captain Nair adds, “As a pilot when you fly in that terrain, I am used to flying in certain other helicopters which are still in service with the Indian Air Force. The performance of the LCH gives tremendous freedom of operations. Freedom in the sense of the flight envelop, handling, characteristics, it is very forgiving. It has got a very high transit speed compared to the other helicopters in service today.”

LCH firing an MBDA Mistral missile

At the testing level, weapons trials have been successful, though bureaucratic hurdles have left the LCH (and the Dhruv-based Rudra) incompletely armed. Last year Livefist detailed the inexplicable path that has left the LCH ironically armed with launchers, but without weapons to fire from them. Armed with a chin-mounted 20mm Nexter M621 cannon and 70mm rocket pods, the LCH has ATAM (air to air Mistral) launchers, and will deploy the Dhruvastra twin launcher for the indigenous HELINA anti-tank guided missile. An ongoing effort has also sought to arm the LCH with a foreign-made anti-tank missile, either the Rafael Spike ER or MBDA PARS L3, though that hasn’t resulted in a decision or next steps.

Manufacturing and fabrication work has ramped up at HAL’s facility in Bengaluru. In February this year, right before the Covid19 pandemic hit, HAL inaugurated the LCH final assembly hangar.