IDN TAKE: HF-24 Marut: Why The Prodigal Son of HAL Should Return
by Darpan Sanjay Agarwal
BACKGROUND
HAL HF-24 Marut was the first indigenous subsonic twin engine aircraft designed (by German designer Kurt Tank) and developed in India. It was fighter-bomber aircraft in the 1960s. It was the first Asian jet to go into production outside of USSR. A total 147 of the MARUT were produced which saw active role during 1971 war. Later, in the 1980s due to sanctions imposed because after the Pokhran atomic tests the aircraft faced several shortages of spare parts and was finally retired. The jet was phased out in 1990s.
PROBLEMS
IAF is in dire need of upgrade. It is struggling in almost every field a air force should excel for a country becoming a super power.
- It does not have a required number of squadron (down to 33) to keep with the threat emerging from east and west.
- Fifth generation aircraft is nowhere to be seen. (AMCA and FGFA both are stalled)
- It does not long range bombers.(negotiating for 4 Tuplov from Russia)
- Its scavenging to keep the old fleet running (purchasing 36 retired jaguars to keep its fleet operational)
- It does not enough air refueling tankers
- It does not have required AEW&Cs strength
REASONING
The reasons why the prodigal son of HAL needs to return is discussed below point by point.
1. ROLE
Marut was designed as interceptor aircraft but was also capable of carrying substantial weight (4000lbs) of bombs on its metal airframe. Marut had an excellent safety record as compared to the other jets in IAF possession at that time.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Though the proposal by the author may sound rather radical, it offers a certain degree of sensibility and feasibility in its view. It offers a tremendous opportunity for the government to rapidly and at drastically lower cost upgrade the depleted force levels of the Indian Air Force which is currently handicapped to fight a two-front war:
IAF is down to 33 squadrons and the number is going to go down in coming decade since Migs are getting phased out. IAF is losing edge in Asia.
Now, Marut can be brought back obviously with new airframe and new avionics. Marut fits perfectly in Ground support/ Bomber aircraft role for the IAF. As IAF does not have long range bombers, Marut can be easily put in role of a Medium range bomber. Even though Marut cannot cover whole of china, it will have the ability to cover almost all of Pakistan from the forward bases of IAF in Rajasthan and Punjab.
A newer airframe of composite material similar to the one used in Tejas will help the weight to reduce and will help to carry more payload. The advantage of having two engines instead of one will also help in increased range. It also increases the chance of survival.
The aircraft can be dedicated to the infantry support and destruction of key enemy installations (forward bases, dams etc).
2. HELPING HAL-TEJAS REALISE ITS TRUE ROLE
Tejas was designed to replace Mig-21 as the interceptor for the IAF in the first place. The whole idea of portraying it as a multi role aircraft has doomed it. Putting bombs on the light combat aircraft has made it to lose it maneuverability.
IAF should realize it is the perfect and viable solution for the replacements for its interceptor requirement. Tejas also has good record of safety as not a single major crash has occurred in 16 years of testing (2001-present).
Bringing back Marut in the bomber/ground support will not only help IAF get back on its feet but will also take extra load off the Tejas back. It will not help IAF but will also help Tejas to survive and grow.
3. TRULY INDIGENOUS
As the first indigenous fighter of IAF, HAL and IAF both have the opportunity to make it truly indigenous. With the development of the Tejas platform our scientists have gained considerable knowledge and experience. They can quickly develop a superior airframe, incorporate better power plant, avionics and also install a smart weapons package.
AIRFRAME – Believe it or not but Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is pretty good at its job. The agency designs the aircraft airframe such as what should be the air intake size and how the aircrafts aerofoil structure and etc. ADA has also completed design of the AMCA, so I would like to say that designing a twin engine 4++ generation airframe won’t be a bigger task for ADA. In fact they can make it 4.5 g since gaining expertise after completion of AMCA.
POWER PLANT – Gas Turbine Research and Establishment (GTRE) has developed the Kaveri engine (81kn). In 2016 Snecma the engine supplier for the Rafale, reviewed the engine's characteristics and it claimed to the conclusion that the engine was already 70% ready and with just 18 months of further development the engine will be ready for operational use. Tejas missed out on indigenous engine and it too late to incorporate new engine as the airframe would require modifications. Marut is the best test bed for this opportunity. Indigenous engine would put India and IAF into a different league.
AVIONICS – Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is responsible for making avionics for the IAF fleet. It can make Marut a truly next generation aircraft. India’s indigenous AESA UTTAM has already cleared ground tracking tests successfully. The DARIN-III upgrade meant for the Jaguar fleet can also be incorporated in Marut. Electronic warfare suite is also being developed in India. Even if not whole package, most of the requirement can be sourced from within the country.
WEAPONS PACKAGE – DRDO over the years have developed some pretty good indigenous weapons system. Since it a bomber aircraft, the weapons which Marut will carry should also be indigenous. As in time of emergency we can’t depend on other nations to provide us weapons. DRDO has successfully tested many types of bombs carrying different type of payload. The recent addition of successful SAAW (Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon) has made India proud. It has operational range of 100 kms which means it can target most of Pakistan without even entering its air space. It also gives advantage of striking key places in China. A Marut squadron placed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will provide more firepower to the strategic command present there.
CONCLUSION
I understand that thinking of designing a 4.5++ generation aircraft is a step backward, while every other developed nation is on 5th and 6th generation fighter program. By any reasonable yardstick, we can assume that this is the best possible solution for the IAF right now. IAF has still not decided which single engine aircraft it should purchase (F-16 V/s Gripen).
I totally support AMCA but it is far from complete. It will take years before it can go into mass production. Marut can be an intermediate option for HAL to work on Twin Engine aircraft.
If we summaries all the aforementioned observations we can logically bring back the Marut which will help IAF in the following ways:
- Increase the number of squadron and not just in any manner but in role defined goal driven manner.
- Help Tejas to grow and survive
- Create a much better aerospace eco-system
- Increased export opportunity as not everyone can afford a 5th gen aircraft. Both Tejas and Marut in their defined role will provide more opportunity
- A true indigenous product.
Views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of IDN. IDN does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same
