F-18 Advanced Super Hornet

[Immanuel]

We're definitely going to buy a foreign MMRCA for the Navy though?

For a while it was being said that due to fund crunch + IAC 2's delay + issues w/ F-18 and Rafale fitting on Vikky + development of TEDBF - we may wait for an indigenous solution instead.

Hard to tell now, there is no RFP, perhaps they decide to wait for TEDBF but obviously nothing will happen till money is allocated. Let's see.

 

[omaebakabaka]

We're definitely going to buy a foreign MMRCA for the Navy though?

For a while it was being said that due to fund crunch + IAC 2's delay + issues w/ F-18 and Rafale fitting on Vikky + development of TEDBF - we may wait for an indigenous solution instead.

Here are the weights empty/gross/maxtakeoff in tons:

Mig29k: 11/19/24.5t
Rafale: 10/15/24.5t
F-18: 14.5/21.3/30t

Navy is very unlikely to go with F-18 as far as vikramaditya is concerned....I picked Fa-18 E/F but they are all same ball park range.

 

[Lancer]

Here are the weights empty/gross/maxtakeoff in tons:

Mig29k: 11/19/24.5t
Rafale: 10/15/24.5t
F-18: 14.5/21.3/30t

Navy is very unlikely to go with F-18 as far as vikramaditya is concerned....I picked Fa-18 E/F but they are all same ball park range.

Hmm, Rafale looks like the best choice (was my original choice as well) - thought it doesn't offer a Growler package like F-18.

Other problem is, the F-18 has at least demonstrated a ski-jump and has folding wings. The Rafale M hasn't shown either of those two things. This would be a significant issue for Vikky (and possibly IAC 1).

Given these issues - would make the most sense to go for a TEDBF that can accommodate all these needs.

 

[omaebakabaka]

Hmm, Rafale looks like the best choice (was my original choice as well) - thought it doesn't offer a Growler package like F-18.

Other problem is, the F-18 has at least demonstrated a ski-jump and has folding wings. The Rafale M hasn't shown either of those two things. This would be a significant issue for Vikky (and possibly IAC 1).

Given these issues - would make the most sense to go for a TEDBF that can accommodate all these needs.

Ya, TEDBF weight is in sync with mig or rafale. F-18 would be too heavy for the size of vikky and its range is small even with that weight. It is good for US Nimitz class super carriers but I am not sure its ideal for 40kt carriers. Mig29k/TEDBF are the only choice in my opinion....TEDBF needs to be accelerated for the indigenous vikrant. Rafale will be ideal if it had folded wings as the IAF has Rafales and training and maintenance can be transferrable in war times.

 

[Lancer]

Ya, TEDBF weight is in sync with mig or rafale. F-18 would be too heavy for the size of vikky and its range is small even with that weight. It is good for US Nimitz class super carriers but I am not sure its ideal for 40kt carriers. Mig29k/TEDBF are the only choice in my opinion....TEDBF needs to be accelerated for the indigenous vikrant. Rafale will be ideal if it had folded wings as the IAF has Rafales and training and maintenance can be transferrable in war times.

Bigger (cheaper) deal + mass local production, less fighter types, better logistics - Rafale would've been best.

But without a (reasonably priced) wing solution - only option is TEDBF. Navy doesn't want the MiG's.

 

[omaebakabaka]

Bigger (cheaper) deal + mass local production, less fighter types, better logistics - Rafale would've been best.

But without a (reasonably priced) wing solution - only option is TEDBF. Navy doesn't want the MiG's.

Yes, they may go for F-18 if it becomes political and they gain somewhere else with US favors. Never know but that means more deviation between IAF and IN leading to extra costs and less leverage in negotiations. TEDBF should be prioritized heavily. Actually T/w for Rafale is slightly better compared to F-18 or Mig but they are with in 1st deviation, that means it should be able to take off if F-18 did from skiramp theoretically.

 

[Tumba]

Hmm, Rafale looks like the best choice (was my original choice as well) - thought it doesn't offer a Growler package like F-18.

Other problem is, the F-18 has at least demonstrated a ski-jump and has folding wings. The Rafale M hasn't shown either of those two things. This would be a significant issue for Vikky (and possibly IAC 1).

Given these issues - would make the most sense to go for a TEDBF that can accommodate all these needs.

pretty sure even if we buy F-18 the Growlers wont be allowed for India, Growler is silver bullet in EW/ECM nothing else compares ....
Spectra on Rafale is a kid compared to the capabilities of Growler

 

[Shashank Nayak]

pretty sure even if we buy F-18 the Growlers wont be allowed for India, Growler is silver bullet in EW/ECM nothing else compares ....
Spectra on Rafale is a kid compared to the capabilities of Growler

A squadron of EA-18G Growler for IAF with a couple of squadrons of naval F-18 would be awesome.. Maybe as condition for signing BECA India must ask for Growler...

 

[omaebakabaka]

Why not go for F-35? Growlers may have to wait for 65kt INS Vishal if it ever happens....ICA-1 is optimistically 2025? what do you guys think about ICA-1 commissioning date?

 

[Shashank Nayak]

Why not go for F-35? Growlers may have to wait for 65kt INS Vishal if it ever happens....ICA-1 is optimistically 2025? what do you guys think about ICA-1 commissioning date?

No F-35 .. as we gonna have S-400.. same as Turkey..

 

[omaebakabaka]

No F-35 .. as we gonna have S-400.. same as Turkey..

Turkey is NATO....India is not, am not sure if its like that with us. Any specific recordings from US regarding this in India's case?

 

[Flying Dagger]

Growler is on offer.

pretty sure even if we buy F-18 the Growlers wont be allowed for India, Growler is silver bullet in EW/ECM nothing else compares ....
Spectra on Rafale is a kid compared to the capabilities of Growler

 

[Sarjen]

Growler is on offer.

Source ??

 

[Flying Dagger]

Source ??

Why wouldn't they ? They have provided us with several capabilities like Romeo for Navy or P-8I . This fighter jet deal means a lot to them. All they seek is an entry and cut down a customer of Russian defence.

Anyway, a Lite version was unveiled targeting us.

AERO INDIA: Boeing reveals plans for 'Growler Lite'

Boeing plans to market an EA-18G "Growler Lite" tailored for an "electronic awareness" role rather than attack. The manufacturer believes that offering...

www.flightglobal.com

Though IAF can certainly get a better deal if not usa then courtesy Israel we already have access to them. What we need is a capable fighter jet with enough power and space ( not russian probably as USA will object)

 

[WolfPack86]

In the graphics released by Boeing of F/A-18 offer to #IndianNavy you can see the platform is equipped with AIM-120 and AIM-9 AAM , AGM-88 and Harpoon (not shown in this graphics), and a modified drop tank with IRST. Will #IndianNavy be offered AGM-154, AGM-158 & Taurus ?
https://twitter.com/VinodDX9/status/1310500762431094786/photo/1

 

[WolfPack86]

Boeing offers F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet fighter jet to Indian Navy

Boeing has expressed interest in supplying the F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet fighter jet to the Indian Navy. Responding to queries from BusinessLine, the company said, “We have responded to the Indian Navy’s Request for Information (RFI) for the Multi-role Carrier Borne Fighters programme. The F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet, the frontline fighter of the US Navy, is on offer to the Indian Navy. It will offer the most contemporary war-fighting capabilities to the Indian Navy while enhancing cooperation between the Indian Navy and US Navy.” Pact for Apache helicopters “Today, India has 11 C-17 Globemaster IIIs, eight P-8Is (with four more on order), 22 AH-64E Apaches (with six more on order) and 15 CH-47F(I) Chinooks, all Boeing platforms. In 2020, Boeing also signed an agreement with the Centre for the acquisition of six AH-64E Apache helicopters for the Indian Army,” the company added. The pitch to the Indian Navy has been made by Boeing Defense India (BDI), established in 2017. The current product range extends to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, tankers, unmanned systems, security solutions and services and support. The Block III version of the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet is currently being manufactured for the US Navy. “It can perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum including air superiority, day/night strike with precision guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defence, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and buddy refuelling,” the company said. “More than 700 F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets are in operation today. F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet will offer superior economics in the form of low acquisition cost, operations and high mission readiness. The Super Hornets will be sustained in India, in partnership with the Indian armed forces as well as India and US-based partners throughout the lifecycle of the aircraft,” the company added. Boeing has also launched a promotional campaign to drum up support for its fighter jet; this also includes marketing on social media. Some industry observers are looking at this in the light of the Rafale deal controversy. In 2017, the Defence Ministry had said that it intends to procure approximately 57 Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF) for aircraft carriers of the Navy. The deliveries of the aircraft would need to commence within three years post conclusion of the contract.

Boeing offers F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet fighter jet to Indian Navy – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

 

[WolfPack86]

HAL delivers the 175th ‘F/A 18 Gun Bay Door’ to Boeing

State owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered the 175th gun bay door for the F/A-18 Super Hornet of Boeing Company. The delivery document was handed over to A K Sahoo, Boeing Supplier Quality by Ms Jayakrishnan S AGM (Assy & Exports). Since January 2018, HAL has been maintaining ‘Gold’ rating for 100% quality and on-time delivery Earlier, HAL shipped new configuration FAI Door four months ahead of schedule. Owing to high performance, Boeing has awarded purchase contract for additional 74 Doors in May 2020 for a business volume of Rs. 21.5 crores. State-owned HAL has been Boeing’s long-term supplier in India for quarter of a century and was awarded the contract to manufacture gun bay doors for the Super Hornet in 2007. The F/A-18 Super Hornet, a twin-engine supersonic all weather, carrier-capable multirole combat jet delivering cutting-edge, next-generation multi-role strike fighter capability and is expected to be offered to the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF). US Company has offered to build a 21st century aerospace ecosystem in India for manufacturing the F/A-18 Super Hornet with Indian partners, HAL and Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS).

HAL delivers the 175th ‘F/A 18 Gun Bay Door’ to Boeing – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

 

[BON PLAN]

pretty sure even if we buy F-18 the Growlers wont be allowed for India, Growler is silver bullet in EW/ECM nothing else compares ....
Spectra on Rafale is a kid compared to the capabilities of Growler

Growler is made to help a fleet with hard electronic counter measures.
Spectra is made yo self protect the plane. So a Rafale don't need to be Growler accompagnied. Spectra is a small Growler system.

Nothing else compare.... it's only a high power jamers. Thales self developped the Carbon pod, absolutely comparable to a Growler pod.... but useless once you are Spectra fitted.

 

[FalconSlayers]

pretty sure even if we buy F-18 the Growlers wont be allowed for India, Growler is silver bullet in EW/ECM nothing else compares ....
Spectra on Rafale is a kid compared to the capabilities of Growler

Australian Airforce was sold the E/A-18G Growlers and they operate it, considering we are a member of QUAD, I guess navy will be able to buy it. But I think Navy is waiting for TEDBF coz Indian Navy has always been Pro-Indigenous and they are the reason why our navy is strong, they waste little of our budget by designing developing and making vessels in India only by themselves and PSUs and PPPs.

 

[BON PLAN]

Indian Navy has always been Pro-Indigenous and they are the reason why our navy is strong, they waste little of our budget by designing developing and making vessels in India only by themselves and PSUs and PPPs.

If i remember well, India purchased 4 new russian built frigates 11356 few years ago, no?