cross post from IDF Parikrama:
Few more pointers
- Gripen E chances are far less from the acquisition perspective
- IAF was more keen on readily available Gripen C/D which was bypassed for LCA MK1A.
- Gripen E brings limited things to table contarty to popular belief.
- There are more indications within MOD papers that operational GaN based radar and EW system will be first with Thales than with any other European country.
- The same will be available to customised Indian standard for the fleet of Rafale.
- That has dented a lot of confidence among the Gripen E acquisition coupled with a lead time which is very prolong.
- The PR campaign of India getting GaN tech with Gripen E is as of date "unsubstantiated" as per reports with MOD and "awaiting follow up evidence" asked few months back
- The scope of G2G deal for SE is still not fully ruled out as the whole process has more scope of Single Vendor situation owing to many of the technicalities being not met by SAAB and the process fine tuned to suit the choice of PMO.
- The LCA Mk1A with French help is now taken as plan B subject to France delivering what it says in true essence and spirit.
- There is additional pressure on France as the window of opportunity might get limited with Mk1A program getting delayed.. for all the systems to be in place.
About FGFA
- Negative report emnates from multiple things including the issue of PAKFA Stage 1 being crude from inside.
- PAKFA Stage 2 will require more time to mature.
- A total of 275+ modifications have been talked about FGFA over PAKFA Stage 2 in the file report.. cannot quote details in public...(earlier I said 150+ here but told correct figure to many in private)
- The aforesaid details is going to cost additional investments which Russia won't share and will be under Indian Customization head from Day1.
- But bigger challenge is HAL will not get anything above MKI level work for PAKFA Stage 2 to FGFA plan.
- Certain Key research areas will be outside the scope of India unless India coughs up additional funds.
- There are reports indicating that J-20 might be able to do more damage than previously indicated and in next decade it's maturity will outpace PAKFA program considerably.
- There is a confidential report shared by LM needing more investments in F-35 program to bring it to quicker maturity.
- It talks about a potential scenario where J-20 versus a certain USA Ally (India's very good friend as well) is getting hammerred a lot and this is alarming to the whole NATO.
- In the same paper, the assessment of PAKFA stage 2 is shown from American perspective and they certainly believe the present Fleet of 4.5 gen planes like F-18 ASH , F-15 SE and European Duo Rafale F4 and Gripen E FOC standard will make a strong match to this bird.
- Their contention states that European aircrafts are evolving fast and will soon out match Russian planes completely and will rival LM F-35 program unless F-35 is speeded up.
What PM Modi wants from F-16 deal ?
- Beyond what is written before, what PM NM wants us priority weightage for ordering F-35.
- The second thing which PM NM wants is also termed top priority - transformation package of F-15 To F-15 SE.
- PM NM and MOD/PMO realises that 272 MKI will be there for another 20+ years easily.
- Their planned MLU can be uplifted further if the "SEMI STEALTH" features of Silent Eagles can be incorporated into MKI.
- The systems may not be directly USA MIC based but a spin off using Israel and French systems with Russian tech in Indian MIC is looked at for achieving a transformation package.
- This also provides a breathing space in Heavy Category Fighters which needs a upgrade.
- It is this aspect where PM NM had got disappointment with refusal coming from various USA officials including POTUS citing "difficult to get a deal with Senate"
The same will be asked again soon.. for one more push..
In the meantime, on the insistence of NSA Doval ,French officials have been contacted to take their inputs and possible solutions.. if French team Dassault can provide some credible solution, there is a stronger possibility of looking at a better deal in numbers and fleet optimization.
Of course it's for a competitive price and considerable usage in other Indian products in planned future.
