Imported Single Engine Fighter Jet Contest

[WolfPack86]

Seems like USAF extending F-16 service life until 2048. I think major upgrades will be done for these service life extension for F-16.

 

[Adnan Jumean]

Bahrain is being offered 19 fighters for 2.8 billion dollars it is a rip off

 

[kunal1123]

U.S. Air Force Authorizes Extended Service Life for F-16

New flight hour limit supports F-16 operational life to 2048 and beyond

• Photos(1)

F-16
Apr 12, 2017
An F-16 undergoes durability testing in Lockheed Martin's Full Scale Durability Test facility in Fort Worth, Texas. (Lockheed Martin).

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FORT WORTH, Texas, April 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force authorized extending the service life of the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-16's designed service life to 12,000 Equivalent Flight Hours — far beyond the aircraft's original design service life of 8,000 hours.


Following F-16 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) structural modifications, the U.S. Air Force could safely operate Block 40-52 aircraft to 2048 and beyond. The Air Force and Lockheed Martin also reduced projected service life costs for the Block 40-52 fleet, paving the way for safe, cost-effective F-16 flight operations decades into the future.

"This accomplishment is the result of more than seven years of test, development, design, analysis and partnership between the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin," said Susan Ouzts, vice president of Lockheed Martin's F-16 program. "Combined with F-16 avionics modernization programs like the F-16V, SLEP modifications demonstrate that the Fighting Falcon remains a highly capable and affordable 4th Generation option for the U.S. Air Force and international F-16 customers."

Validation of the extended flight hour limit directly supports the SLEP goal of extending the service life of up to 300 F-16C/D Block 40-52 aircraft. SLEP and related avionics upgrades to the Air Force's F-16C/D fleet can safely and effectively augment the current fighter force structure as U.S. and allied combat air fleets recapitalize with F-35 Lightning IIs.

A second phase, or Part II, of the F-16 SLEP airworthiness process continues with the request for Military Type Certificate (MTC), which will be submitted to the Air Force's Technical Airworthiness Authority in the coming months. Part II seeks to validate further extending the F-16's operational life based on final service life analysis from extended durability testing.

About the F-16 Fighting Falcon The F-16 continues to prove itself as the world's most successful, combat-proven multi-role fighter aircraft, having served with 28 customers around the world. The F-16V, the latest F-16 avionics upgrade configuration, includes numerous enhancements designed to keep the F-16 at the forefront of international security. The F-16 Block 70/72, the newest and most advanced F-16 production configuration, combines capability and structural upgrades into the most advanced F-16 production aircraft ever offered.


For additional information, visit our website: lockheedmartin.com/f16

About Lockheed MartinHeadquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

 

[WolfPack86]

Of course without the bigger carrot of PAKFA/FGFA the chance of AMCA V2 won't be there..

The chief challenge I see is that AMCA as per our discussions like what we had with @abingdonboy is suppose to be a plane with maximum Independence from all sides like Russia, France , USA etc.. when we go to Rostec we in a way go back to Russian dependency.. now that means you don't have faith in your own MIC which you did NT develop my getting some big MII projects and nurturing the ecosystem beyond the just LCA situation.

The single engine has got stuck.. folks say PM modi will meet trump and request but then F16 won't be made in India so it's beyond me, why PM Modi still want to request.. may be some other game in that as well.. Gripen won't get clearance from USA to.operate USA MIC parts.. that's been clearly said.. so unless all that is swapped out, it's difficult..

I did cover the USA issues in the main SE thread.. I firmly think focussing on LCA is the better choice.. but IAF needs lots of medium fighters.. and that means Rafales..

If SE fighter talks happens then I would like PM Modi to talk about F35 and made in USA instead of F16 made in USA.. call me a bit odd.. but I do think if we can have LCA in sufficient numbers, like say 300 jets instead of 123, a 60 odd F35s can be an awesome force multiplier.. but that will mean commiting to a much higher LCA numbers as well.
Above statement written by Parikrama a Indian Defence Forum member talking about the possibility of PM Modi discussing F-16 purchase with President Donald Trump. I am posting link below.
http://*****************/threads/dr...nship-that-we-share.12027/page-15#post-551277

 

[HariPrasad-1]

Now they are offering Block 70 and Block 72.

 

[pmaitra]

India could have acquired some F-14's from the US that were retired long time back.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/0...g-old-f-14s-to-keep-them-out-enemy-hands.html

F-16 is a single engine aircraft that will probably stifle our homegrown LCA. Not too excited with this thread.

 

[TheHurtLocker]

India could have acquired some F-14's from the US that were retired long time back.

F-16 is a single engine aircraft that will probably stifle our homegrown LCA. Not too excited with this thread.

The IAF has the Heavy MRCA category covered with the Su30 MKI, the Tomcat would never even have been considered.

But I agree with the second point though.

 

[pmaitra]

The IAF has the Heavy MRCA category covered with the Su30 MKI, the Tomcat would never even have been considered.

But I agree with the second point though.

The only reason I mentioned F-14 is that they were being retired and we could have gotten a few of them for cheap, but yes, the second point is important. We don't want our baby to die in the incubator. LCA needs as much support from the government as possible.

 

[sob]

India could have acquired some F-14's from the US that were retired long time back.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/0...g-old-f-14s-to-keep-them-out-enemy-hands.html

F-16 is a single engine aircraft that will probably stifle our homegrown LCA. Not too excited with this thread.

I do not think we had that good relations with the Americans at that time.

 

[WolfPack86]

India encouraging global defence companies to set up units:
Washington, Apr 22 (PTI) India is formulating policy to help major global defence companies set up manufacturing units in the country in collaboration with Indian firms, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today.


"Under our changed policy, we are in the future going to concentrate not merely in buying from the rest of the world, but encouraging global defence majors in collaboration with Indian companies to set up manufacturing units in India,? Jaitley said at a reception hosted by Indias Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna.

Jaitley, who holds the additional charge of the Defence Ministry, said the Union Government has made the initial policy changes while some more are being planned.

"Hopefully in the years to come, the impact of this change as far as defence manufacturing policy is concerned would be visible in India. It is receiving a good response from major manufacturers,? Jaitley said without giving any details.

Jaitley was given the additional charge of the Defence Ministry apart from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs after his predecessor Manohar Parrikar was made the Chief Minister of Goa.

Using cricket lingo, he described himself as the "night watchman" for these two ministries.

"One of my principal responsibilities is to look after the finances of the government. There are some additional responsibilities that keep coming,? he said.

"In the US you do not have much of cricket. In India it is our favourite game. In the game of cricket, we call it night watchman,? he said, referring to his dual role.

"The Prime Minister has asked me to fill in that role in some other departments. But my principal requirement is in finance,? Jaitley said.

Jaitley, leading an Indian delegation, arrived here on April 20, to attend the annual Spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

In addition to his meetings and presentations at the annual Spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, Jaitley is also scheduled to attend meetings of other multilateral forums including that of the G-20 finance ministers.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...fence-companies-to-set-up-units/1/935396.html

 

[WolfPack86]

Indian government looking forward to work with Donald Trump Administration, says Union Finance Minister @arunjaitley in US
https://twitter.com/TimesNow?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

 

[Screambowl]

been hearing such things since I am born ..

Till our education depends on western countries, we will remain dependant. India is NOT taking advantage of technical expertise it has in abroad. They are using it only for diplomatic relations. nothing else.

 

[WolfPack86]

Defence manufacturing policy to cut import of combat planes, ships and submarines in the works, says FM Arun Jaitley

The Narendra Modi government is exploring technological and other tie-ups to help India become a defence manufacturing economy, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Friday.

ALSO READ: Arun Jaitley takes up H-1B visa issue; highlights Indian professionals' contribution to US economy

The new defence manufacturing policy will enable India to cut import of combat planes, ships and submarines, Jaitley said addressing an annual meeting of CII in New Delhi.

India is the world's largest arms importer, spending some 1.8 per cent of its GDP on defence. It imports about 70 per cent of defence equipment, a proposition which the government wants to change.

ALSO READ: Not impossible for India to resolve 20 to 30 big accounts: Arun Jaitley on NPAs

"We are in the advanced stages of formulating a policy where we can ensure that instead of just being buyers... on the strength of technological and other tie-ups, India also becomes a manufacturing economy," he said.

Jaitley, however, did not divulge any details of the proposed policy in works and whether it would include tax incentives and state support.

The response that we have from domestic and international industry has been quite encouraging itself, he added.

ALSO READ: Tax on agricultural income: Arun Jaitley says Modi government has no such plan

The government has pledged to spend $250 billion by 2025 on weapons and military equipment.

Jaitley had last week in US stated that the policy will help major global defence companies set up manufacturing units in the country in collaboration with Indian firms.

"Under our changed policy, we are in the future going to concentrate not merely in buying from the rest of the world, but encouraging global defence majors in collaboration with Indian companies to set up manufacturing units in India," he had stated.

With its growing global clout, India-which has topped the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's (SIPRI) list of largest defence importers for the last seven years-is looking at self-reliance in aerospace and defence industry.

Between 2012 and 2016, India accounted for 13% of global arms imports, followed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, China and Algeria, said SIPRI, which tracks global arms purchases.

Between 2007 and 2011, India accounted for 9.7% of global imports, still more than any other country, the group's data show.

India's arms imports rose by 43 per cent, between 2007-11 and 2012-16. India's imports were far more in magnitude than those of its regional rivals China and Pakistan during the last four years, SIPRI said in its report released on February 20, 2017 on international arms transfer.
http://www.businesstoday.in/current...tley-on-arms-importer-india/story/251035.html

 

[mendosa]

Arun Jaitley takes up H-1B visa issue; highlights Indian professionals' contribution to US economy

Do we have any statistic on how much foreign currency revenue the H1B actually brings for our country? And is this revenue bigger than the advantage we will have from stemming brain drain? I literally do not understand, on one side Modi keeps talking about stopping the brain drain and on the other hand they get sweaty palms when the US tightens visa norms.

If it's just about creating a diaspora of Indians in foreign countries, then we can explore Japan, Germany etc. I really don't understand why the foreign office is giving repeated statements about contributions of Indians to US and H1B visa. Let the buggers be sent back and let them contribute to Indian industry and let them spend their hard earned dollars in the Indian market.

 

[WolfPack86]

SAAB Has Heightened Confidence For Gripen Exports

HELSINKI — SAAB has a new elevated confidence that it can export the next-generation JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet to more countries. Group CEO Håkan Buskhe believes the trend toward higher spending on defense, both in Europe and globally, will help create demand and bolster the Swedish fighter’s export potential.
The renewed confidence in the next-generation Gripen is based on SAAB’s belief that future government capital spending on military aircraft will emphasize shorter lead-in and delivery times. The added optimism is also based on wider global interest in the Gripen.
SAAB has estimated prospective export sales for the Gripen of about 300 units over the next 15 years. Based on expanded interest in the aircraft, this number could potentially rise well above 300.
Higher spending by nations on military capability building is a welcome relief for defense groups like SAAB that had feared years of possible decline, Buskhe said.
"There are more reasons to be confident. Apart from the U.S. administration’s desire that all NATO-member countries in Europe should spend 2 percent of GDP on defense, the trend where European countries could spend between 20 to 30 percent of their budgets on new material procurements can change the dynamic in the European market," Buskhe said.
Revenue generated from export orders directly relating to the Gripen, including income from sales to the Swedish Armed Forces, was a pivotal force in strengthening SAAB’s operational cash flow in the first quarter of 2017.
SAAB’s income was boosted by larger advances and milestone payments from customers linked to the Gripen program, including Brazil, SAAB’s first partner country in South America.
SAAB recorded sales of $656 million during the January-March time frame. This was a 9 percent increase compared to the corresponding first quarter result in 2016.
A larger-than-anticipated demand for the Gripen is likely to emerge in Europe as some countries accelerate their fighter fleet replacement programs.
Bulgaria has given the SAAB Gripen C/D lead-candidate status in its program to replace its aging MiG-29 combat aircraft. Bulgaria plans to invest about $836 million in acquiring eight new multi-role fighter aircraft. The Eastern European country, which has reached an advanced stage in its aircraft-type evaluation process, aims to achieve a delivery date of 2022 for the eight aircraft.
SAAB has adopted a strategic regional approach to reinforce the export drive underpinning the development of the next-generation Gripen.
The company recently opened a new office in the Philippines to elevate its presence in Asian markets. SAAB’s reputation in the region gained important traction after it secured a deal in 2008 to deliver 12 Gripen C/D fighters to Thailand.
New export deals in Asia are likely to be modeled on the supply and offer terms that SAAB connected to its aircraft sale agreement with Brazil. Similar terms, which include 100 percent technology transfer, industrial partnerships, and commitments to undertake final assembly of the Gripen-NG locally, have also been offered to India as part of its fighter replacement program.
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2017/04/saab-has-heightened-confidence-for.html

 

[Armand2REP]

Sending the Rafale against the s-400 is folly, the best chance of killing the S-400's radar nodes are lo-lo-lo launches of MKI Brahmos with unlocked ranges of 600km or even Shaurya missile attacks. Why would you waste the Rafale for such a task, the risk is far too great, none of its weapons can penetrate the shield.

Rafale was designed for deep low detectability strike missions. With AASM it would fly in below the detectable horizon and pop a 15km shot and bug out. S400 can't stop that, if we have current intel we can load out Scalp and take them at range.

 

[Immanuel]

Rafale was designed for deep low detectability strike missions. With AASM it would fly in below the detectable horizon and pop a 15km shot and bug out. S400 can't stop that, if we have current intel we can load out Scalp and take them at range.

yada yada,S-400 can be deployed in various configurations and apart from detecting the Rafale at ranges before the Rafale can spot a S-400 big bird on RWR, the S-400 close in has scores of pop-up Pantisirs each with dozen missiles and covering vulnerable low level spots, SCALPs and AASMs are easy meat for Pantsirs. Dont' be ridiculous.

 

[Armand2REP]

yada yada,S-400 can be deployed in various configurations and apart from detecting the Rafale at ranges before the Rafale can spot a S-400 big bird on RWR, the S-400 close in has scores of pop-up Pantisirs each with dozen missiles and covering vulnerable low level spots, SCALPs and AASMs are easy meat for Pantsirs. Dont' be ridiculous.

UAE already has Panstyr and the emmisions have been thoroughly analyzed and added to the SPECTRA threat library... it is not an issue. Big Bird won't detect an LO Rafale before it is dead.

 

[Screambowl]

close this thread.
It's not coming.
Useless to discuss about those technologies which can never be ours. Unless until developed at home.
Let's not fool ourselves. And Make IAF rid of this imported maal.

 

[Screambowl]

yada yada,S-400 can be deployed in various configurations and apart from detecting the Rafale at ranges before the Rafale can spot a S-400 big bird on RWR, the S-400 close in has scores of pop-up Pantisirs each with dozen missiles and covering vulnerable low level spots, SCALPs and AASMs are easy meat for Pantsirs. Dont' be ridiculous.

Now days, you just need a rocket fitted with a receiver and transmitter of high accuracy a supporting radar on ground and air and a long range rocket motor. And it can hit any aircraft be it Rafael, gripen or even F117.

The extensive use of Wafers and doped transistors has miniaturised the weapon system and made it very accurate to read the the analogue data from radars, through ADC circuits.. It won't matter whether IAF has Gripen or Rafael, there is always a counter. What would matter will be how IAF deploys it's electronic warfare capability to locate , dodge and destroy the incoming missile.