Indian Air Force: IAF Guns for 42 operational fighter squadrons by 2022

Which aircraft will win the MMRCA competition

  • Dassault Rafale

    Votes: 48 30.6%
  • MiG-35 Fulcrum-F

    Votes: 18 11.5%
  • JAS-39 Gripen IN

    Votes: 10 6.4%
  • F-16IN Super Viper

    Votes: 1 0.6%
  • Eurofighter Typhoon

    Votes: 55 35.0%
  • F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

    Votes: 25 15.9%

  • Total voters
    157

pppppppp

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No point in getting a new engine upgrade now for these. As MMRCA will come in soon, these can be used by DRDO, HAL, ADA, LRDE for testing their electronic, communication, jamming and missile testing and active decoy equipment before deployment in LCAII and MCA
 

jackprince

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No point in getting a new engine upgrade now for these. As MMRCA will come in soon, these can be used by DRDO, HAL, ADA, LRDE for testing their electronic, communication, jamming and missile testing and active decoy equipment before deployment in LCAII and MCA
WE have about 120+ Mig-27 dedicated to CAS/Land attack role and most have been less than 20 years in IAf service which means they at least can serve another 10-15 years with proper upgrade. Mid-life upgrade is also a very common thing which is done with every aircraft, then why shouldn't with Mig-27? Even Jaguars which are older platform than Mig-27 is getting upgrade. It will be total waste not to upgrade Mig-27s.

Also, MMRCA is gonna be signed in 2010 if it goes w/o a glitch. Then the a/cs won't come at least before 2012-14 and then too with limited number. How will IAF fill the gaps with outdated Mig-27s then if the upgrades aren't done? Also, Mig-27 is specifically designed from Mig-23 for the role of CAS, which is not MMRCA's purpose.
 

rock45

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A 120+ plus of these old attack jet wow there out dated now in today modern combat basically so I don't see how there going to last until past 2020. Form (2) front line squadrons with (1) in reserve figure 20 aircraft in a squadron. Use the remaining 60 for parts, spares, etc. Cut three squadrons and save the money and personnel resources.

Started converting (3) squadrons of personnel from pilots to maintenance personnel to the MMRCA selection ASAP. Pilots going from older Russian 70s design platforms to modern platform will be mixed. People are slow to change in general so some pilots may catch on and other are going to wash out. Setup training programs now using Sims or other training techniques and try to save time and see who or can't convert to modern systems. India's AF may find out that only younger pilots work out best this all needs to be started now. New pilots on the F-22 do a little better then former F-15 pilots because their not caught in old ways.

India has two large training programs to support and plan for one the AF MMRCA and the other the Navy going with the Mig-29k. Maintenance is like 4 to 1 or 5 to1 vs needed pilots so India's Air Force and Navy has hundreds of people needed to be trained. Training is the key India will have slightly better equipment now with any of the selections except the Fulcrum compared China and Pakistan. Training and the level or standard is where India using the western made equipment will raise above basically anything China can produce for years. China could have a radar, engines, and even air to air missiles in late form R&D just a year or so away from going into full production, no one knows. Training and maintenance is where India should focus these two things is what transform the US forces above most in the world.
 

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Training and maintenance will not solve the problem of not having engines and spares for the engines. MiG-27 engines are completely out of production. If IAF doesnt replace them soon, IAF will lose 120 capable CAS planes out of the inventroy. Forever. Sending MRCAs to do basic CAS is a luxury IAF wont be able to afford for another 20 years.

I agree with every word of jackprince's post. Either IAF agrees to replace the engines or goodbye the fleet of MiG-27s. There isnt another option.
 

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Indian Air force gifts MIG-23 fighter to Aligarh Muslim University

Aligarh: Indian Air force gifted MIG-23 fighter airplane to Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. After getting the installation of this Ground attack fighter plane of Indian Air force, Aligarh Muslim University has become the first university in Utter Pradesh and seventh in all over India that has this respect.

MIG-23 ground attack style bomber fighter plane was made by erstwhile Soviet Union in 1970s. MIG-23 became a part on Indian Air Force in 1981 and performed its best service in Kargil war. But due to coming latest technology and frequent engine troubles of MIG-23 Indian Air Force has retired this fighter on 6 March 2009, after nearly 30 years in service. Now this fighter plane is being centre of attention, in Aligarh Muslim University campus.

Prof. Muslim Taj Ahmed, Principal, Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology told that MIG-23 is free gift from Indian Air Force and now is being a symbolic representation of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the Aligarh Muslim University campus.

Taj further pointed out that AMU has a plan to launch Aeronautical Engineering course. Installation of Fighter plane MIG-23 in AMU Campus is an opportunity for engineering students and must be made the most of it. Now in additional, we will request to Armed forces to install the working engine of latest fighter plane so that we can train our student as per the latest need of the technology.

Captain Fareed Mahdi, 1 UP Engineering Regiment, said it’s a moment of pride for AMU and its students. There should be creating a willingness among the students to join Armed Forces. Through this Indian Air Forces MiG-23 aircrafts the study about its parts, technology and design is possible for students.


www.northernvoicesonline.com
 

ZOOM

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Indian Airforce seems to have don't want to dismantle the aircraft completely and send it to Junkyard, definetly some emotional feelings are attached with it. Although, they must be using some important parts of Mig-23s to be used in Mig-27. Rather then simply gifting it to some Universities who rather the showcase them within the confinement of fall walls to be viewed only by the students, IAF must come forward and display the same on various open public places which will enable Indian citizens to know more about it. It will be a major attraction among the kids.
 

EnlightenedMonk

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I hope they got removed the critical stuff such as radars and other avionics before gifting it there... basically, they have to make sure the thing doesn't fly anymore... else, God knows who all might want to learn some secrets out of it in case it is in working condition...

But, I'm sure they thought of all this before gifting it to the University...
 

EnlightenedMonk

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Also wonder, could we have sold this to some nation just to get brownie points out of them ???

I remember from sometime ago when the British made a hue and cry about us giving some stuff to Myanmar but I'm sure that transfer earned us some brownie points amongst the Junta...

Maybe we could have actually transferred the MiG-23s to some African nation and hoped to get some brownie points out of that, maybe some oil contracts by giving it to somebody like Nigeria...
 

ZOOM

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Also wonder, could we have sold this to some nation just to get brownie points out of them ???

I remember from sometime ago when the British made a hue and cry about us giving some stuff to Myanmar but I'm sure that transfer earned us some brownie points amongst the Junta...

Maybe we could have actually transferred the MiG-23s to some African nation and hoped to get some brownie points out of that, maybe some oil contracts by giving it to somebody like Nigeria...
Yes, it wasn't British, rather Eurpeaon Union made a hue and cry for India's effort sell some Dhurv Helicopters to Myanmaries Junta, since French have given a considerable help in its engine development and component modification.

Morever, we cannot sell this Mig-23 or any other jets from IAF to anyother country, since IAF has used them extensivly and heck nearly all of them has been used beyond their retirement age. I don't think any sensible country would want to lay their hand on it even for free, as it is very costlier for them to operationalize such old age jets as far as its servicing is concerned, as their is next to no after sale service is available even from its original manufactures. I guess those countries who are weilding dictatorship regime on common people like Sudan would definetly show some interest in it.
 

EnlightenedMonk

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Yes, it wasn't British, rather Eurpeaon Union made a hue and cry for India's effort sell some Dhurv Helicopters to Myanmaries Junta, since French have given a considerable help in its engine development and component modification.

Morever, we cannot sell this Mig-23 or any other jets from IAF to anyother country, since IAF has used them extensivly and heck nearly all of them has been used beyond their retirement age. I don't think any sensible country would want to lay their hand on it even for free, as it is very costlier for them to operationalize such old age jets as far as its servicing is concerned, as their is next to no after sale service is available even from its original manufactures. I guess those countries who are weilding dictatorship regime on common people like Sudan would definetly show some interest in it.
I'm suggesting we give it away for free essentially... I'm sure nobody would pay us for it... and, we can possibly plant articles in local newspapers in the country about India's solidarity toward their country, their defence and other such assorted niceties...

This goodwill will certainly help us gain contracts, and its much better than giving it away for free to AMU... how many contracts are they going to give the country ??? :D:D:D:D
 

ZOOM

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I'm suggesting we give it away for free essentially... I'm sure nobody would pay us for it... and, we can possibly plant articles in local newspapers in the country about India's solidarity toward their country, their defence and other such assorted niceties...

This goodwill will certainly help us gain contracts, and its much better than giving it away for free to AMU... how many contracts are they going to give the country ??? :D:D:D:D
Rather then scrathing head to give it for free, we can definetly turned them into UAV to test flight various parameters. China has done samething with its Mig-15 copies when they finally phased out.
 

jackprince

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A bit old, but I think it is relevant.

Aircraft Specifications - Bharatiya Vayu Sena


The MiG-27ML forms 7 operational squadrons and is also part of TACDE (Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment). An upgrade program, reportedly similar to the MiG-21 upgrade, is underway and will keep the MiG-27 viable well into the first quarter of the 21st century.

The upgrade is being undertaken by HAL Ozhar Division, the Defence Avionics Research Establishment [DARE] and CEMILAC/DGAQA. The first aircraft to be upgraded is TS-640 which was recieved by Nasik in May 2002. The aircraft was upgraded and first flown by HAL on 25th March 2004 and has been given to the ASTE in April 2004.

The upgrade will oversee the integration of the following technologies and components into the aircraft:-
» VRS Mission Computer
» Laser Designator Pod and New Weapons
» Multi Function Display Unit in the cockpit [MFD665]
» Radar Warning Reciever with Display Unit in Cockpit
» Head Up Display [HUD] with Up Front Control Panel [UFCP]
» Air to Air Refuelling Probe
» Upgraded Radio / Electronic Warfare System
» Laser Ranging and Marked Target Seeker [LRMTS]
» VOR/ILS System
» Solid State Flight Data Recorder [SSFDR]
» Chaff/Flare counter measure Dispensing system [CMDS]

I guess the remaining Jaguars and Mig-27s are the last of the dedicated CAS to be fielded by IAF. Even though a super-sonic and highly advanced multi-role fighters can in deed do perform ground attack role, a CAS aircraft's needs are different which are hard for those expensive modern aircrafts. A CAS a/c needs fly low at slow speed to attack enemy troops with precision while not hurting our ground troops. It is very crucial as in a battle where there's only few meters distance between friendly and enemy. Due to its low altitude and slow speed a CAS a/c needs to be hard enough to take punishment from enemy ground fire and carry on the mission. Mig-27 has armored cockpit, which other multirole fighter have them? also, mig-27 is relatively cheap which means it's lose will hurt, but won't hurt badly.

Also, I think dumb bombs falling from a CAS a/c screaming past the head of the enemy or a good starffing of enemy line does more damage in a raging battle to enemy psyche than a JDAM fired from miles away. Indian war doctrine still relies on it's Armored assets heavily; and Mig-27s could do great work to support them. There would be gunship helicopters to support in coming decades, but until those are inducted in good numbers and pilots are trained good enough; Mig-27s and their experienced pilots are what India have to provide air support to its ground troops.

Don't forget USAF still uses it's A-10s and i haven't yet heared that they are keen to retire them. But they upgrades them in regular interval though. I know people here might say Mig-27 is nowhere close to A-10. May be, or may be not from IAF's POV.
 

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India to carry out trials to procure 197 light utility choppers

Paris (PTI): India is planning to carry out field trials for procuring 197 Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) for the Army and the Air Force in August this year.

"We are planning to carry out the flight evaluation trials for the 197 LUH contract in August this year but the schedule has not yet been finalised. Five vendors are expected to come up with their helicopters for the competition," Indian Defence Ministry officials told PTI here.

The five contenders participating in the contract include the Russian Kazan and Mil, American Sikorsky, Italian Finnmeccanica and European helicopter manufacturers Eurocopter.

The contract, expected to be worth around $3 billion, is one of the few defence contracts where the vendors are required to fulfill around 50 per cent offset obligations.

The offsets clause in the Defence Procurement Procedures makes it mandatory for the companies awarded such deals to invest a certain percentage of the contract's worth back in the Indian defence sector.

In March this year, all the five companies responded to the global Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the Defence Ministry last year.

The RFP was sent to six companies, including American Bell Helicopters, but it had backed out of the race citing the high offset obligations required in the contract.

The RFP was released by the Defence Ministry after it had cancelled a previous contract in December 2007 for similar type and number of helicopters.

The previous contract was cancelled by the ministry after it found that the chopper offered by Eurocopter for the field trials at that time was a civilian version whereas the company had offered a military version for the deal in its bid.

The chopper engine offered in the Eurocopter's bid was also different from the one fitted in the civilian version, which participated in the trials.

"We would be sending a military version of the helicopter for the field trials for the contract," Eurocopter vice-president Rainer Farid told PTI during the Paris Air Show.

The flight trials will test the performance of the choppers in different geographical locations including high altitude, desert and plains in different weather conditions.

Of the 197 helicopters to be procured under the contract, 133 will be given to the Army and the rest would go to the IAF.

The 197 choppers will help the two services to replace their aging fleet of over 350 Cheetah and Chetak helicopters mostly flying in high altitude conditions in air maintenance roles there and for surveillance as well as search and rescue missions.

The Hindu News Update Service
 

Sridhar

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Panel to suggest powerful engine for Jaguar

Ravi Sharma

Honeywell offers F125N, a 43.8-kilo Newton thrust engine

Rolls Royce proposes its Adour Mk821 turbofan

BANGALORE: The Indian Air Force has set up a committee to indicate which new engine will be suited to power India’s frontline but overweight and underpowered Jaguar tactical light strike fighter.

The new, lighter, high performance engine will allow the IAF to improve the Jaguar’s mission performance, especially in medium and high level sortie profiles, undertake missions which are not possible with the existing engine, reduce pilot workload and cut maintenance cost.

Headed by K.V.L. Rao, an aero engine expert and former project director (propulsion systems) with the Aeronautical Development Agency, the committee has been tasked with choosing between proposals from Honeywell and Rolls Royce, both of which have replied to the request for proposal that was sent out as part of the programme for new engines for Jaguar.

The multi-billion dollar programme will see an acquisition of 280 engines, including spare engines for around 120 aircraft. The committee is expected to submit its findings before the end of June.

While Honeywell is offering its F125N, a 43.8 kilo Newton (kN) thrust engine, Rolls Royce, whose Adour Mk811 (32.5 kN) presently powers the IAF’s Jaguars, proposes its Adour Mk821 turbofan.

Of 1970s vintage, the Anglo-French designed Jaguar has been with the IAF since 1979, when the first of the two twin-engine fighter aircraft landed in India. But from the beginning, the IAF, which has over 100 Jaguars — acquired either directly from BAE Systems or built under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited — has persistently complained of a lack of thrust from the aircraft’s Rolls Royce / Turbomeca manufactured Mk804E or Rolls Royce Mk811 engines, especially during critical hot weather and high altitude missions.

According to flight test engineers who were part of the team which oversaw the arrival of the first Jaguars from Britain, the high-hot weather the aircraft would have to operate in in India is the bugbear of the Rolls Royce engines. The IAF even asked Rolls Royce to tweak the engines to enhance its power, but post tweaking and a number of crashes, the IAF had the engines de-rated back to their original specifications.

According to Honeywell — which showcased F125N at the Aero India 2009 air show in February — its engine boasts “improved pilot safety, lower maintenance costs and outstanding reliability.” Officials from Honeywell claim that the modular construction of F125N, with its advanced, dual full authority digital engine control system, would save the IAF $1.5billion in life cycle costs as compared to its competitor. Variants of F125 fly the Aero Vodochody CzAF L-159 and the Boeing DARPA X-45A Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle.

Rolls Royce claims that Mk821 which is built on the proven technology of the Adour aero engines, “offers a low risk route to the twin benefits of greater thrust and lower life cycle costs.” Choosing the Mk821 also offers a high degree of commonality with the Mk871 variant which flies the IAF’s recent acquisition, the Hawk trainer.

The Hindu : National : Panel to suggest powerful engine for Jaguar
 

youngindian

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Panel to suggest powerful engine for Jaguar


this thread already posted in jag section thnx
 

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Massive air-to-air and air defence missiles modernization of the Indian Air Force

Massive air-to-air and air defence missiles modernization of the Indian Air Force : Defenseworld.net

The Chief of staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik exclusive interview

1.Arguably the most critical and immediate decision concerns the choice of a new fighter type to meet the M-MRCA requirement. We understand that technical evaluation of various types is over and is to be followed by flight trails and operational evaluation, before short listing. What is the time table for this process? Can it be fast tracked? When according to plans should the first M-MRCA enter service with IAF?

Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: The Technical Evaluation report is under approval in MoD. The Flight Evaluation of short listed aircraft would commence after approval of the Technical Evaluation report in accordance with Defense Procurement Procedures. A comprehensive trial methodology would be followed for evaluating the short listed aircraft. The entire induction process of the M-MRCA is expected to be completed in the shortest possible time and aircraft are likely to be inducted by 2012-13.

2.Much of the world, particularly the South Asian region, is going through a turbulent time, with volatile shifts in the geo-political scenario. Please comment on the IAF’s ability to respond to unorthodox challenges? Does the IAF contemplate employment of dedicated attack aircraft in difficult terrain as also unmanned (combat) aerial vehicles?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: The IAF is alive to the security situation in the country and its turbulent neighborhood. Let me assure you that IAF has been continuously updating its equipment and training methodology to be prepared to respond to any unorthodox challenges. Employment of air power and selection of the appropriate platform/equipment would be dictated by the prevailing situation and our response would be tailored too meet the threat.

3.At a recent conference on ‘Air Dominance’ issues, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh reminisced that during the 1965 war, the IAF virtually had single radar on the Western Front. Four decades later, how has the IAF closed the gap to detect and identify hostile aircraft and then instantly react to various threats?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: Prior to 1965, the surveillance capability of IAF was very limited with very few sensors. The complete restricting of AD set up was carried out post-1962 and 1965 wars. Air Defense sectors with dedicated sensors were planned to cover the entire western, south-western, northern and north-eastern borders with high power radars. Presently we have extensive radar cover on western and south-western borders. The IAF plans to have complete coverage of the Indian airspace. Towards this, we are also integrating sensors of the sister services as well as civil aviation.

4.What is the present situation on replacement of obsolete Soviet-origin surface-to-air missiles (Pechora and Osa-AKMs) with new generation, quick reaction and longer-range missiles? In what time frame can the IAF bring about paradigm change in air defense systems to secure its airbases and other vital assets?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: IAF is in the process if replacement of Surface-to-air Guided Weapon System (SAGW).Medium Range Surface to Air Missile Systems (MRSAM) are planned to replace the ageing Pechora fleet. These are new generation medium range missile system with better kill envelop, range up to 70 km and elevation coverage up to 18 km. Its induction will commence in the beginning of 2012.Prcurement of Short Range Surface to Air Missile System (SRSAM) is also planned to replace the OSA-AK system. This new generation Low Level Quick Reaction Missile System (LLQRM) would be developed by DRDO jointly with other agencies. This system is currently under development and is likely to be inducted into the service in 2011.By2022, all old SAGW assets would be replaced by state of the art new generation SAGW systems.

5.A contract was signed with RAC MiG Russia in March 2008 for upgradation of the IAF’s MiG-29 fleet at a cost of $964 million. There are reports about grounding if Russian Air Force Mig-29s: has this affected the IAF’s upgradation process and longer term employment of this type?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: The grounding of Russian Air Force MiG-29s has not affected IAF’s upgradation process since IAF had addressed the issue as far back as 2002 when the cracks on the fin root, ribs were first noticed. After the recent accidents in Russia, RAC MiG has suggested one time check of fin root tibs using Non Destructive Testing (NDT) methods. The IAF has been carrying out similar checks on the MiG-29 aircraft. The six IAF D&D MiG-29 aircraft are already in Russia for upgradation. As pre the contract RAC MiG is to carry out extensive life extension checks on these aircraft to extend the service life. These checks would be in addition to t he Life extension checks recommended by the OEM.

6.Operational life of the An-32 medium-lift tactical transport aircraft is being extended for another decade through a process of upgradation in the Ukraine. Considering its residual structural life after its 25 years of service in the IAF what are the plans to identify newer generation aircraft as replacement? Does the joint Indo-Russian MTA program fit in or will the OAF procure more C-130Js?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: Upgradation is an ongoing process and IAF is planning to upgrade the entire transport fleet to be suitable for operations in modern day environment. A proposal is being processed for joint development of the MTA between India and Russia for use by Russian Air Force and IAF. An inter Government Agreement was signed in 2007. The MTA is a larger aircraft that is not being considered as a replacement for An-32 aircraft. Suitable replacement for AN-32 aircraft would be initiated at on appropriated time based on the Long Tern Perspective Plan of IAF.

7.Global tender relating to the IAF’s requirement of attack helicopters was cancelled recently. In view of the urgent need to acquire such capabilities, how long would the re-tendering and evaluation/selection process take? At the same time, HAL is developing the Light Combat helicopter (LCH) to meet an IAF requirement given some years back. Will this complement or compete with the attack helicopter import?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: LCH is a developmental project and these helicopters would be only inducted after the prototype helicopters achieve the Final Operational Clearance. LCH and attack helicopters are in two different classes; therefore, LCH will complement the Attack Helicopter fleet and not compete with it. The RFP for attack helicopters has been issued. Procedures laid down in DPP-2008 would be followed which are very objective, transparent and time bound.

8.The IAF has committed itself on the NAl-developed Saras small passenger aircraft, to be built by HAL at its Kanpur Division. The recent tragic accident at Bangalore has revealed fundamental design defects. What proactive steps are being considered to overcome problems and make the Saras a successful reality?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: A joint Court of Inquiry is in progress to ascertain the cause of the accident and identity design defects, if any. Steps to overcome problems in the Saras project could only be initiated after finalization of the Court of Inquiry.

9.From recent reports, it is seen that further procurement of the Hawk AJT may not come about in view of various technical and logistic difficulties experienced. Is the IAF now looking for a more advanced lead-in fighter trainer for 4th Phase training and thus bring about a qualitative change in its flying training philosophy?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: The induction of Hawk AJT has already brought a qualitative change in the flying training. IAF has taken up for resolution all technical and logistic difficulties experienced and it is expected that all outstanding issues would be resolved in near future. The scheme to procure additional Hawk AJT is at CNC Stage and we hope that commercial negotiations with BARE/RR will succeed. IAF is in the process of modernizing the trainer aircraft fleet based on our Long Term Perspective Plan and future inductions.

10.Even as LCA flight trials continue, it is reported that, beyond the LCA, the IAF and ADA are jointly considering an MCA or next generation fighter aircraft. How does this dove tail with the contemplated plan for joint development of a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), by a Hal-Sukhoi combine?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: The induction of new fighter aircraft in the IAF is based on our Long Term Perspective Plan keeping in view the envisaged threat perspective. Towards this, the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is nearing its development and would be inducted soon. An inter Government Agreement has been signed with the Russians for co-development and co-production of an FGFA. ADA is desirous of utilizing the knowledge and expertise gained in the process of manufacturing LCA to develop a next generation Medium Combat Aircraft. ADA has prepared a concept paper for development of a next generation Medium Combat Aircraft. The IAF is willing to provide full cooperation to all indigenous aircraft development programmes.

11.Following the November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai, there was vehement demand by political parties and sections of the public for ‘surgical air strikes’ by the IAF across the border to target terrorist training establishments. Such public outcry may yet recur in the future. What manner of graduated response can the Indian public expect?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: Our response to this would be based on directions received from MoD. I can assure you that IAF is aware of the security situation and is fully capable to respond to all contingencies, should the need arise.

12.The IAF has also been seeking heavy lift transport aircraft and heavy lift rotorcraft to augment its limited number of Ilyushin Il-76s and Mi-26s. When is selection process for the new type to be completed?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: IAF plans to induct Heavy Lift Transport Aircraft and Heavy Lift Helicopters from 2013 onwards as per our Long Term Perspective Plan. A case to procure there aircraft has already been initiated and it is envisaged that the selection and procurement process would be competed as per our plan.

13.Re-equipment of existing (and number-plated) fighter squadrons with HAL delivered Sukhoi Su-30MKIs continues, but we understand that there are certain cost escalation issues to be resolved on additional aircraft ordered. How will this impact on projected time and force-levels?


Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik: There is the Government of India-approved annual escalation factor to be considered for procurements from HAL. All procurements from HAL, including Su-30MKI are negotiated on the basis of government approved escalation factor. There is no delay in delivery timelines and al Su-30MKI aircraft would be delivered as planned.
 

luckyy

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this is india , nothing "massive" take place here ,
here it always slow with small steps....
 

deltacamelately

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One wonders how long IAF has to keep shopping for aircraft engines before a real and reliable, domestic one can be manufactured. This Kaveri thingy has climbed a gum tree and aint coming down any time soon.
 

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