Indian Air Force: News & Discussions

[Assassin 2.0]

Many people are speculating that HAL is milking IAF and all but without knowing weapon package it's very easy to make statements.
We bought few apache from US for 1 billion $
But later it's cost was justified when details of weapon package was made clear.

 

[IndianHawk]

So in next 3 years we will get confirmed total of
36 rafale 40 lca mk1 12 su30mki and 21 mig29upg.

== 109 new jets..

 

[ashdoc]

So in next 3 years we will get confirmed total of
36 rafale 40 lca mk1 12 su30mki and 21 mig29upg.

== 109 new jets..

20 lca are already there. So 89 jets .

The contract for 83 tejas MK 1A should be signed Pronto. That will give real numbers.

 

[IndianHawk]

20 lca are already there. So 89 jets .

The contract for 83 tejas MK 1A should be signed Pronto. That will give real numbers.

Ya I covered them since they are a package deal .
Mk1a is getting ready anyway . Tenders are out for cabling etc.

 

[ezsasa]

Sirji rafale was the best choice right now for us right now.

We are waiting for it so eagerly asking for early deliveries this was a great time to buy more of them.

Mig-29 doesn't have a good track record it's engine problems are well documented.

This is just wastage of money.

Most of these items listed in today’s DAC approved list are on expected lines, they would have been done irrespective of China scenario.

And it would take another three quarters for these contracts to be signed.

 

[Knowitall]

Most of these items listed in today’s DAC approved list are on expected lines, they would have been done irrespective of China scenario.

And it would take another three quarters for these contracts to be signed.

The mig-29 deal is such a farce we might as well as not sign it.

 

[ezsasa]

The mig-29 deal is such a farce we might as well as not sign it.

This is probably the easiest way to maintain the required squadron strength and it’s a familiar system.

 

[janme]

So in next 3 years we will get confirmed total of
36 rafale 40 lca mk1 12 su30mki and 21 mig29upg.

== 109 new jets..

12 sukhoi is attrition replacement, we have lost 10-11 Sukhois over the years, this was long overdue, good they woke up now for at least DAC approval.

 

[IndianHawk]

This is probably the easiest way to maintain the required squadron strength and it’s a familiar system.

Mig29 upg is very potent platform with ifr , more payload and range.
And it has robust dare D29 ew suit also with Astra integration and rvv SD they will outrange and supress paki f16 easily.

80 mig29upg are perfect counter for 76 paki f16 .

 

[Assassin 2.0]

Mig29 upg is very potent platform with ifr , more payload and range.
And it has robust dare D29 ew suit also with Astra integration and rvv SD they will outrange and supress paki f16 easily.

80 mig29upg are perfect counter for 76 paki f16 .

I really like the design of Mig-29 it was a beast when it was made ( keeping all engine issue's aside) and still it will be very effective against Chinese as weight to thrust ratio is always positive that will give that jet capacity to fly at high heights with significant payload.
Anyway with the growing use of new sensors and stealth shit.
I somewhat miss 80s era of aircraft's powered with monstrous engine with totally aerodynamic body with total Raw power of thrust and maneuvering .
I personally loved the soviet designs of 80s and 90s.

 

[HawkisRight]

 

[WolfPack86]

Mig-29UPG and Mig-29K fleet to get Astra BVRAAM Next

Recent clearance by Defence Acquisition Council for procurement of 248 Astra Mk1 Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) for the first time has confirmed that next fighter jet which will get the new BVRAAM will be Mig-29UPG fleet and Mig-29K as India slowly moves to integrate indigenous Astra BVRAAM into the entire fleet of fighter jets. The first lot of 50 pre-production Astra Mk1 BVRAAM already has been delivered to IAF, which will be integrated into existing Su-30MKI fleet and another 100 will go to Mig-29UPG which after avionics upgrade and HAL developed Mission Computer will be next to get software upgrade patch for Astra Mk1 integration with the Zhuk-ME electronically scanned slotted planar array radar. Mig-29UPG also got engine improvements and an expanded capability to conduct air-to-ground missions,which also feature an enlarged “hump” behind the cockpit, for extra fuel. IAF will start getting 200 Astra Mk1 for Mig-29UPG and Su-30MKI fleet from 2021 onwards but our previous report (200 Astra Mk1 order soon with two different seekers ) hints at possible two seekers. The Indian Navy also flies MiG-29Ks that have many updated features in common with the SMT and UPG variants will also get 48 Astra BVRAAM which will supplement Russian R-77 BVRAAM. Tejas Mk1A will be third fighter jets which will get Astra Mk1 BVRAAM from 2024 onwards for which IAF might place orders for another 300 lot over 200 currently placed as per information provided to idrw.org. Plans to integrate Astra Mk1 BVRAAM also on Mirage-2000 fleet that has been discussed but it will require French cooperation for source code of the Thales RDY 2 radar for the development of software which will allow Mission computer and Radar to talk to Astra Mk1 missiles for taking out the target.

Mig-29UPG and Mig-29K fleet to get Astra BVRAAM Next – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

 

[JBH22]

Now everyone will make money lol. Russia, Israel, France... Wait, what about US?

Pay Haafta to UNSC powers to get their support. Which partly explains India chaotic defence acquisition as babu will always say spread the purchase like we did for IAF.

 

[Lancer]

Mig-29UPG and Mig-29K fleet to get Astra BVRAAM Next

Recent clearance by Defence Acquisition Council for procurement of 248 Astra Mk1 Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) for the first time has confirmed that next fighter jet which will get the new BVRAAM will be Mig-29UPG fleet and Mig-29K as India slowly moves to integrate indigenous Astra BVRAAM into the entire fleet of fighter jets. The first lot of 50 pre-production Astra Mk1 BVRAAM already has been delivered to IAF, which will be integrated into existing Su-30MKI fleet and another 100 will go to Mig-29UPG which after avionics upgrade and HAL developed Mission Computer will be next to get software upgrade patch for Astra Mk1 integration with the Zhuk-ME electronically scanned slotted planar array radar. Mig-29UPG also got engine improvements and an expanded capability to conduct air-to-ground missions,which also feature an enlarged “hump” behind the cockpit, for extra fuel. IAF will start getting 200 Astra Mk1 for Mig-29UPG and Su-30MKI fleet from 2021 onwards but our previous report (200 Astra Mk1 order soon with two different seekers ) hints at possible two seekers. The Indian Navy also flies MiG-29Ks that have many updated features in common with the SMT and UPG variants will also get 48 Astra BVRAAM which will supplement Russian R-77 BVRAAM. Tejas Mk1A will be third fighter jets which will get Astra Mk1 BVRAAM from 2024 onwards for which IAF might place orders for another 300 lot over 200 currently placed as per information provided to idrw.org. Plans to integrate Astra Mk1 BVRAAM also on Mirage-2000 fleet that has been discussed but it will require French cooperation for source code of the Thales RDY 2 radar for the development of software which will allow Mission computer and Radar to talk to Astra Mk1 missiles for taking out the target.

Mig-29UPG and Mig-29K fleet to get Astra BVRAAM Next – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

So basically 86 MiG 29 UPG's (after the final order of airframes is upgraded and delivered) + 36 MiG 29K's from Navy + 49 Mirage 2000's = 171 fighters against 186 relatively advanced fighters from PAF (76 F-16's - not all of them upgraded or in flying condition, 110 JF-17 Thunders).

Add in any LCA's in service w/ Astra's. And that largely leaves the Flankers & Rafales to take care of China (though we would obviously throw overwhelming force @ Pak early in a conflict to wrap up their Air Force and capture Air Superiority - after which even Jaguars and retired MiG 27's could fly unhindered on bombing missions).

As long as we keep adding planes now, we are in good shape for a two front conflict. China barely has anything that can go toe to toe w/ Flankers and Rafales, their airbase limitations are very well known by now, and they need to commit most of their forces to the East (and some to the Russian border as well).

Once further Rafales, LCA's & MWF's arrive - we'll be in even more solid shape. Flanker upgrade + stealth platforms will further make us an even deadlier force.

 

[IndianHawk]

So basically 86 MiG 29 UPG's (after the final order of airframes is upgraded and delivered) + 36 MiG 29K's from Navy + 49 Mirage 2000's = 171 fighters against 186 relatively advanced fighters from PAF (76 F-16's - not all of them upgraded or in flying condition, 110 JF-17 Thunders).

Add in any LCA's in service w/ Astra's. And that largely leaves the Flankers & Rafales to take care of China (though we would obviously throw overwhelming force @ Pak early in a conflict to wrap up their Air Force and capture Air Superiority - after which even Jaguars and retired MiG 27's could fly unhindered on bombing missions).

As long as we keep adding planes now, we are in good shape for a two front conflict. China barely has anything that can go toe to toe w/ Flankers and Rafales, their airbase limitations are very well known by now, and they need to commit most of their forces to the East (and some to the Russian border as well).

Once further Rafales, LCA's & MWF's arrive - we'll be in even more solid shape. Flanker upgrade + stealth platforms will further make us an even deadlier force.

More importantly we are going indegenious for Numbers. Pakistan can't hope to complete with that.

Astra costs half that of similar foreign bvr. Mk1a/ mwf will cost much much less than equivalent foreign counterparts.

Besides most weaponry will be indegenious from bvr to cruise missiles to anti radiation to bombs lgb etc.

This will make procuring and arming / maintaining similar jets for India almost 40-50% cheaper than Pakistan. That's the true power of indegenation .

Mwf will be more capable than the most capable Pakistani jet unless Pakistan buys junk20 or something stealth which will cost them their liver and kidney to buy and maintain.

 

[IndianHawk]

This deal I don't know if this a joke lol I thought mig-29 was already at upg upgrade. And now there is some new upgrade?

And why the hell is su-30mki so costly we have been manufacturing that jet for such a long time it has got to be cheaper even if there is LCC.

New mission computer upgrade for all mig29 for Astra integration probably .

Su30 deal includes money for spares and fleet wide support issues.

 

[Lancer]

More importantly we are going indegenious for Numbers. Pakistan can't hope to complete with that.

Astra costs half that of similar foreign bvr. Mk1a/ mwf will cost much much less than equivalent foreign counterparts.

Besides most weaponry will be indegenious from bvr to cruise missiles to anti radiation to bombs lgb etc.

This will make procuring and arming / maintaining similar jets for India almost 40-50% cheaper than Pakistan. That's the true power of indegenation .

Mwf will be more capable than the most capable Pakistani jet unless Pakistan buys junk20 or something stealth which will cost them their liver and kidney to buy and maintain.

We have also yet to take stock of various miscellaneous factors:

> India seriously upgrading AD systems (espc. the effects of a few regiments of S400's on the Western border)

> The destructive potential of the Brahmos

> Number of, and locations of PAF bases (very close to border)

> Pakistan desperately struggling for reliable parts and spares (espc. for F-16's), also potential fuel shortage issues

> Superiority of Indian AWACS systems, and the potential for India procuring more force multipliers like AWACS, Tankers etc.

Hopefully if the Gvt takes this episode as a wake up call to increase budget and speed up work; we could really have Pak up against the wall completely in a couple years, all while easily maintaining an intimidating deterrent on the East.

 

[Flying Dagger]

21 New MiG-29UPG jets to be manufactured by HAL in India: CEO, MiG Corporation

Published July 1, 2020 | By admin SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG Ilya Tarasenko, CEO, MiG Corporation has confirmed that talks to sell 21 unused airframes to India is underway and has been fast-tracked under request from India recently, as both sides work to conclude a contract for the sale of currently under storage airframes of the Mig-29s and UPG Upgrade Kits to make them same as the current upgraded fleet of MiG-29UPG in Indian Air Force. Airframes manufactured for a certain export customer were put on cold storage at various facilities of the MiG Corporation after the deal collapsed nearly 20 years ago. Complete fuselage along with wings and other airframes have been inspected by IAF Team last year and was reported back that indeed airframes have been unused and can be used to integrate into a new fighter jet back home. HAL which was in charge of upgrading Mig-29A into Mig-29UPG Standards for the entire fleet of 60 odd jets with IAF, which included new engines and radars along with Multi-Role capabilities for the jets. Tarasenko has confirmed that airframes will be shipped to India and UPG upgrade kit will be used to integrate them in to brand new aircraft with Zero airframe hours which can serve with IAF for the next 30 years
.

What abt the Zhuk AME / AESA radar it's not coming at all ? No sign of it.

Total 80 is a huge no. And will be with us by 2030-35 atleast should get it. Then we have IN Migs too .

 

[Karthi]

117 mn a pop or am I missing something.

May be including the new Weapons and spares .

 

[Karthi]

1.The Meteor is not compatible with platforms that use the R-77.

2. France would probably never allow integration of Meteors onto foreign platforms.

3. It would be costly and difficult to integrate Meteor, even if France allowed.

4. Most aircraft besides the MKI, Rafale don’t have powerful enough radar to take advantage of the Meteor’s range.

5. India recently ordered large batches of the R-77 RVV-AE amongst other missile types.

Engineering studies to integrate Meteor with IAF aircrafts with Indian Avionics were jointly undertaken by MBDA and DRDOin 2016, when the DRDO began in-house development of solid-fuel ducted rocket powered BVRAAM(Desi Meteor). It then emerged that a suitably-modified Meteor BVRAAM containing DRDO-developed avionics was indeed possible to both develop and integrate with the Russia-/Israel-supplied AESA-MMRs, while at the same time not violating the IPRs of the MMR-supplying foreign OEMs. But don't know what prevented them.