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Alternatives to the Indian program MMRCA
NoTe: Possible bad grammar due to Translation.
Airpower examines some of the alternatives that the IAF could adopt towards an eventual cancellation of the MMRCA
There are great expectations around the world about the likely announcement of the winner of the contest for MMRCA (combat aircraft multitasking medium size), the Indian program that seeks a new fighter to the IAF (India Air Force). The competition, which initially had six aircraft currently is confined to two fighters (Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale).
It was long and tortuous the path of the program MMRCA here. And much of this is due to the complicated process of choosing the IAF, seeking the best alternative considering three basic points unconnected: the performance of aircraft and its technical characteristics, costs of acquisition and life cycle and technological and industrial offsets (offsets).
Unfortunately, given the way the program was structured, we could not get the best of the three points mentioned above collected a single proposal. One of the basic points of the program was the total separation of the technical criteria of economic, with the latter were evaluated after the definition of the performances of the fighters.
Both the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Dassault Rafale may have detached from the technical point of view (considering the criteria adopted by the IAF), but are far from the aircraft with operating cycles and lower acquisition costs. With the formation of a "shortlist" composed of the two most expensive aircraft of all competition, one of the main criteria of the process (the offer with the lowest price) just lost all his strength in this final.
It is likely that even close to a decision, many authorities in India are questioning the selection process. Especially in a time where the program cost increases experienced in the face of falling rupeeagainst other currencies international . According to recent analysis, the value of the program can reach the figure of U.S. $ 20 billion.
Faced with this situation, there are currents within and outside India who advocate the cancellation of the program. Some reviews claim that the IAF will spend lots of money in an aircraft that is not exactly the latest technology and performance in ten years. But if the program was canceled MMRCA, what are the options in India?
The central issue is that the program can not simply be canceled. India needs to replace its older fighters and strengthen its air power. In both situations there is some urgency. Therefore, the possible cancellation of MMRCA should be followed by an action in the short or medium term.
Considering the hypothesis of the cancellation of MMRCA and urgent needs of the IAF, some options have been raised. They are listed below.
Acquisition of Su-30 MKI fighter "Sukhoi Super" - the Sukhoi Su-30MKI is by far the biggest game of the IAF, with a modern aircraft and new construction. In addition, the IAF recently announced that it intends to buy more of these fighters but in a more modern version . The cancellation of MMRCA could be offset by buying more "Sukhoi Super" which, roughly speaking, is an aircraft of the same generation of the two fighters competing for MMRCA. The acquisition of Su-30 MKI would have a much lower cost, as well as a time to get in greatly reduced activity. However, the IAF would focus much of their forces on a single model of hunting.
Acquisition of Mirage 2000-9 fighters - is well known that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) seeking to purchase a new game, provided they find buyers for their existing Mirage 2000-9. These aircraft are without a doubt, the most advanced fighter Mirage 2000 family, incorporating technologies and solutions used in the Rafale. It should be noted that many of the solutions adopted in the "-9" should also be employed in the modernization of IAF Mirage 2000H, whose contract was recently signed with Dassault. Therefore, the purchase of Mirage 2000-9 UAE by India would a strengthening of the IAF in the short term and introduce an aircraft that, technically, is very close to the modernized Mirage 2000H. In this solution, the IAF would incorporate a number of relatively modern fighters, in a very short time and at a price much lower when compared with the acquisition of new fighters. But the downside is the amount this option. The total number of units (over 60) would be almost half of the proposed MMRCA (126).
Employment resources for local projects - the volume of resources for the program MMRCA is substantial (estimated at $ 20bilhões) and the expenditure of resources designed fighters outside India may be questioned by parliament of that country. These resources could be used in local projects as the development of LCA Tejas stealth fighter and the future of India and Russia (FGFA - Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft). Such measures would have strong popular appeal, but are solutions for the medium / long term since both are in the development stage. This decision would make more sense if it were linked to the introduction of a "hunting-cap," which could quickly become active and the amount required by the IAF.
Complementation of the allocation of MiG-29 - The IAF has in its inventory less than 70 MiG-29 that at the time, are suffering a great process of revitalization and upgrading of their systems. Both the number of copies as the update in progress, these aircraft will have a significant power in the IAF next year, behind only the Su-30 MKI. It should be noted that the resources announced for this "up-grade" are quite low, making the cost-benefit extremely attractive. The purchase of more cells used / stored MiG-29 and possible modernization of the same would increase the combat power of the IAF and provide an interim solution ("hunting-cap") with an acceptable cost to the introduction of new fighters as FGFA or Tejas.
Leia mais (Read More): As alternativas ao programa indiano MMRCA | Poder Aéreo - Informação e Discussão sobre Aviação Militar e Civil
