India to select one or more fighter aircraft to be built by private sector

[Superdefender]

F 35 is produced in number and already flying.

Yes the final version will take some time to develop.

That is F-35B for Marines, the most incapable of three versions. Author is talking about A (Air Force) & C (Carrier) versions.

 

[Tactical Frog]

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160327/jsp/nation/story_76679.jsp

'Make in India' pitch to sell Swedish fighter for air force
Sujan Dutta

Mikael OlssonA prototype of the Gripen E in the hangar of the company's Linkoping assembly plant. Pictures by Sujan Dutta

March 26: The uncertainty over India's negotiations with France for the Rafale fighter aircraft and the air force's desperation to stall the depletion of its combat fleet have prompted global aviation majors to dovetail their planes into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" campaign.

After US companies Lockheed Martin and Boeing, Swedish firm Saab has now said that it is willing to transfer technology and set up a new company with an Indian partner to make its latest fighter aircraft, the Gripen E, in India. The Gripen E is being built block-by-block and is slated to roll out of its production assembly in May this year.

"Sweden is looking for a market. India is looking for technology. The Gripen E can be the frontline multi-role fighter made in India," said Saab's technical director and product manager for the aircraft, Gideon Sines, to a group of Indian journalists visiting the manufacturing facilities in Sweden. The visit was sponsored by Saab.

Versions of the F-16 Fighting Falcon (made by Lockheed Martin), the F/A-E/F Super Hornet (made by Boeing) and the Gripen C/D (made by Saab) did not make it through the trials conducted by the Indian Air Force for its tender for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) since 2007. The Eurofighter Typhoon and the Rafale were "downselected". Rafale beat the Typhoon by quoting a lower price.

The tender was cancelled last year after Prime Minister Modi announced in Paris that India will purchase 36 Rafale aircraft through a government-to-government contract with France. The negotiations are now stalled again on the issue of price.

France hopes that a team it is scheduled to send to New Delhi later this week will be able to resuscitate the negotiations. France has asked for about Rs 20,000 crore more for the 36 Rafales than the Indian establishment is willing to pay.

Workers at Saab's plant in Linkoping, Sweden, are currently assembling two Gripen E aircraft for the Swedish Air Force before the company executes its export orders for the Brazilian Air Force. Brazil has contracted 36 Gripen E. As part of the contract, Saab is also training Brazilian air force technicians who are being hosted in Linkoping. This is the kind of model that Sweden hopes will be accepted by India.

"We don't have all the answers but we have a plan. We have the Brazilian experience," said Magnus Falk, Saab's vice-president and head of business development. Saab has proposed a joint venture company with an Indian private firm. The joint venture is tentatively named "Indian National Aircraft Company" (INAC).

Mikael Olsson

The makers of the Gripen E say the aircraft is a qualitative improvement over the plane that competed (and lost) for the aborted Indian MMRCA contract.

Company officials permitted photography of a prototype of the Gripen E that is in its hangar in Linkoping - only from its front (nose) end.

Unlike the Gripen C/D variant that was fielded in the trials in India, the Gripen E has a wider undercarriage that folds into its double-delta wings (and not its fuselage). This affords, says test pilot Mikael Olsson, more space for fuel and, therefore, a longer range. The Gripen E also has a retractable probe for mid-air refuelling - a requirement asked for by the Indian Air Force.

The IAF is in the process of acquiring the LCA Tejas - said to be home-grown - that is of the same class as the Gripen in the sense that both are single-engined aircraft. The IAF has contracted 120 LCA Tejas with the GE 404 (US-origin) engine while the Gripen E has a more powerful GE 414 engine tailored for it.

"We have an open architecture system for the Gripen E," says Ulf Nilsson, head of Saab's aeronautics division. "You can integrate your weapons on your system like you do apps on a mobile phone".

Part of the reason for Saab's enthusiasm with the Gripen E for India is New Delhi's decision to order the single-engined Tejas in larger numbers despite the Light Combat Aircraft yet to receive a fully operational certificate.

The Tejas was showcased in a fire power demonstration named "Exercise Iron Fist" in Rajasthan last weekend. The demonstration was witnessed by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. One of bombs dropped by it failed to hit a static ground target. IAF officials said that was for no fault of the aircraft or its pilot but because there was probably something wrong with its Israeli-origin "smart bomb kit".

In Sweden, the IAF's issues over pricing of its choice of the twin-engined Rafale has brought hope for Saab. The Gripen E incorporates US-origin equipment (like the engines and the ejection seat). This makes the IAF a little wary. But Saab officials say that their company's "footprint" in India is so large that the country has enough guarantees.

"We already have tie-ups with the Tatas and the Mahindras spanning joint ventures and projects in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Belgaum and Delhi. Saab Aerostructures (a subsidiary) has been there for 10 years", says Ulf Nilsson, head of the aeronautics business division.

Company officials say that defence contracts take time to mature. "Governments change, defence ministers change," said Richard Smith, head of Gripen's marketing and sales.

The Brazilian contract, signed last year, was 22 years in the making.

(Disclosure: Swedish firm Saab sponsored a visit by a group of Indian journalists to some of its weapons-manufacturing facilities in Sweden. This correspondent of The Telegraph was in the group).

 

[BON PLAN]

The Brazilian contract, signed last year, was 22 years in the making.

22 years in Brazil.... 20 years+ for Hawk in India.

BRICS are taken their time !

 

[smestarz]

22 years in Brazil.... 20 years+ for Hawk in India.

BRICS are taken their time !

And inspite of knowing so much, France has not learnt at all, France is just hopeful that ther boys in IAF will somehow manage to push the deal ...

 

[BON PLAN]

And inspite of knowing so much, France has not learnt at all, France is just hopeful that ther boys in IAF will somehow manage to push the deal ...

English businessmen waited 22 years.... we can wait some months more.

 

[smestarz]

English businessmen waited 22 years.... we can wait some months more.

If you do prefer to wait its good, but then you should stop bitching about India being slow. you were doing that in previous posts..
By the way, with Trainers, we did not have much choices, it was HAWK all the way, but for Rafale, there are already many choices, Rather, the Defence minister is of the opinion that Rafale is not the plane we need at all.

It took India 22 years to take a plane that it really needed. so what would happen to the plane which Defence minister has already stressed that IAF does not really need?

Best that French has a nice nap for two decades and then we see if we are interested..

 

[Lions Of Punjab]

Sign of warming India-US ties? India to soon manufacture F-16 fighter jets

The relationship between India and the US went a notch higher and it resulted in some path-breaking results.

The talks between Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter in Goa last week laid the ground for a path-breaking partnership between the two countries.

Under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) with the US, India will soon get home the technology for fighter jet engines and will also build them within the next one year.

Talks are already underway for setting up state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities for fighter jets in India by top US companies, a move that will benefit India both economically and strategically.

A manufacturing facility for the F-16 aircrafts or the F/A18 super hornet jet fighters is an initiative that was discussed between India and the US under the DTTI, sources revealed.

Both the US fighter jet makers-Lockheed Martin and Boeing-have expressed keen interest to set up manufacturing facilities in line with PM Narendra Modi government's "Make in India" initiative.

Highly placed sources revealed that a top-level team from Boeing held detailed discussions with senior defence ministry brass on the issue on April 12, the final day of Carter's visit to India.

The Indian defence establishment, sources said, has been keen to go for the twin-engine F/A 18 super hornets (Boeing) over the F-16 single engine jets by Lockheed Martin after the indigenously developed Tejas light combat aircraft.

"We have decided to take forward discussions under DTTI more aggressively on key areas such as Jet Engine technology. We will also continue our very useful and productive discussions on cooperation in the framework of the Joint Working Group on aircraft carriers," Parrikar told a media gathering.

"Both of us noted the strong complementarities between DTTI and the Make in India initiative....I hope to work together with Secretary Carter over the coming weeks and months to facilitate synergies between Indian and US companies in high technology areas, and in particular to promote participation of Indian companies in global supply chains," Parrikar said.

For India, having a manufacturing facility for fighter jets means creation of skilled jobs besides creating an ecosystem for components, sub-systems and spare supplies.

"What will add to India's strategic advantage would be that once you have manufacturing line in India, the same can be used for exporting to third countries," said a senior bureaucrat.

"With the aim of encouraging greater participation of US defence industry in the Make-In-India program of the government of India, Raksha Mantri Parrikar informed Secretary Carter about the recently announced Defence Procurement Policy and other reforms in the Indian defence sector. Both sides agreed to encourage their respective defence industries to develop new partnerships in the pursuit of a range of cutting-edge projects. In support of Make in India, the United States shared two proposals to bolster India's suite of fighter aircraft for consideration of the Government of India," the joint Indo-US statement said.

http://www.businessinsider.in/Sign-...re-F-16-fighter-jets/articleshow/51877326.cms

 

[Indx TechStyle]

India to select fighter jet under 'Make in India' by March

Manohar Parrikar pointed out that a Rafale would cost anywhere between Rs 600 and Rs 750 crore each and a Sukhoi 30 and Tejas can be bought together at the same price.

NEW DELHI , May 20 (PTI) The government will zero in by the end of current fiscal a fighter jet it wants to build under 'Make in India' initiative, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikarsaid today, as he expressed confidence that the deal for 36 Rafale jets will be wrapped up in "weeks".

He said India will decide on either Boeing's F18A, Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale or Gripen.

Parrikar said various issues, like cost and necessity among others, will have to be taken into account before selecting a foreign fighter even as he pointed out that Rafales are expensive.

"I cannot tell you the dates but it is very near. It is near completion. Need a few more weeks to fine tune it," he said in an interview to All India Radio.

He said the price was still under negotiation. "You will have to bring down the cost. If you give away the price they demand, our coffer will soon become empty," he said.

Parrikar pointed out that a Rafale would cost anywhere between Rs 600 and Rs 750 crore each and a Sukhoi 30 and Tejas can be bought together at the same price.

However, it is expected that the 36 Rafales will cost about Euro 7.25 billion without armaments. This will work out to be about Rs 1,500 crore per aircraft.

Strongly backing the quality of Tejas, Parrikar said it has the same qualities as Rafale.

Tejas is in light weight category and its range is also half compared to Rafale, but in terms of avionics, electronics and fire power it is no less to Rafale, he said.

The minister said India will select a good fighter by the end of this financial year to be made domestically.

"It is not yet decided which aircraft it would be. It may be F18, Rafale, Eurofighter or Grippen. The decision in this regard will be taken in this financial year," he said.

 

[Navnit Kundu]

India to select fighter jet under 'Make in India' by March

Manohar Parrikar pointed out that a Rafale would cost anywhere between Rs 600 and Rs 750 crore each and a Sukhoi 30 and Tejas can be bought together at the same price.

I'm starting to think India is playing some sort of a prank on all these defense manufacturers by keeping all of them under the hope that they are going to get our contract. The longer these companies stay in negotiations with us, the more leverage we have over them vis-a-vis other international matters like deferring arms sales to Pakistan. After 10 years of negotiating and pondering how come we still have 5 planes in the competition?

 

[prateikf]

Has the MiG - 35 been completely ruled out, given the fact that it was the only one not mentioned by Parikar ?

 

[AnantS]

I believe it will be Rafale for manufacturing. The name of other manufacturers have been included to create pressure on Dassault for more favorable terms.

 

[Neelkanth]

Has the MiG - 35 been completely ruled out, given the fact that it was the only one not mentioned by Parikar ?

MiG 35 is still under testing as I type this, also unproven platform, Not as remotely close to the Rafale's tech (Avionics and all), also the Dreaded RD 33 Engines billowing smoke as a coal fired steam engine in this age. Russia really needs to develop a new engine which they haven't in last 25 years, so Nope, noway this is making its way to India.

 

[Bahamut]

Dreaded RD 33 Engines billowing smoke as a coal fired steam engine in this age

The newer RD 33 has clean signature and no smoke

 

[syncro]

You Indians give too much credit to the military Russian aviation industry... since the end of the Cold War the tiny and peaceful Sweden (10 million inhabitants) has produced more fighters of Russia.

 

[Bahamut]

Not as remotely close to the Rafale's tech (Avionics and all)

It has a better GaN radar and IRST is off the same level as Rafale plus integrating any system is the easiest .

 

[Bahamut]

You Indians give too much credit to the military Russian aviation industry... since the end of the Cold War the tiny and peaceful Sweden (10 million inhabitants) has produced more fighters of Russia.

Sweden has Gripen and Gripen NG while Russia has Mig 29M2,Mig 29K2,Mig 35,Su 30SM,Su 35S,Su 34S,Su 30 MK ,Mig 29 SMT and Pak Fa.Plus how many critical components are made in Sweden.

 

[ezsasa]

Can we assume that all the new squadrons from here on will be dedicated towards the east. If east it would mean the new fighters should be able to traverse both sea and land conditions. Taking it a bit further interoperability with other nation's air forces will also become a critical factor in the selection. Twin engine may also be a factor.

Wouldn't it mean F-18 & rafale have an edge going by the above logic?

 

[BON PLAN]

India to select fighter jet under 'Make in India' by March

Manohar Parrikar pointed out that a Rafale would cost anywhere between Rs 600 and Rs 750 crore each and a Sukhoi 30 and Tejas can be bought together at the same price.

OK.
Nice.

but march of? 2017? 2027? 2037 .....

 

[BON PLAN]

It has a better GaN radar and IRST is off the same level as Rafale plus integrating any system is the easiest .

Tejas Mk 1 will only have a classical antenna radar.

Tejas Mk 2, if unveilled, will have AESA one.

And why this AESA will be better than Rafale one?
Rafale is the first non US plane to received an operational AESA radar (Russian ones are not operational) and it can use the 12 years of experience of PESA radar, as it use the same, and regulary upgraded, back calculator section. That means actual AESA Rafale radar has a 15 years data base and experiment and developpment. The israeli counterpart doesn't have such experience.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

OK.
Nice.

but march of? 2017? 2027? 2037 .....

2017.
Do not troll.

R.I.P. 30 characters rule.