Sukhoi PAK FA

[plugwater]

Question is why give 6 billion for developing this twin seater if we are going to get only 48!

 

[nitesh]

^^
Those might be initial numbers, slowly the numbers can be increased

 

[plugwater]

^^
Those might be initial numbers, slowly the numbers can be increased

Since they favor single seater than two, the probability of increasing the no of single seater is more than twin seater.

 

[nitesh]

Since they favor single seater than two, the probability of increasing the no of single seater is more than twin seater.

We can use double seat ones as bombers with comparatively lower RCS, also acting as trainers

 

[ace009]

Ok here is something very interesting, seems IAF is moving away from 2 pilot systems, seems we will see lot of single seat ones

IAF Chief: 214 FGFAs, HAL Tejas Clearance Delayed, MRCA Deliveries by 2014 and more.. | India Defence

So, what does that mean? This raises a tonne of questions -

1. Does it mean the 1 seater planes are all going to be PAK-FA and the two seaters are going to be FGFA?
2. Does it mean that the Russian version and one pilot system is better than the current Indian doctrine for 2 pilots?
3. Does it mean that the IAF is not sure about HALs capabilities of developing/ manufacturing the FGFA and want to cut down on the numbers to reduce uncertainty?
4. Does it mean that the 2 seater FGFA will be more of a deep strike type while the 1 seat PAK-FA will be used for air-superiority?
5. Does it mean that the weapons load will be different for the two variants and they will be used for very different purposes?
6. Does it mean that the IAF has finally put more value on the lives of a trained pilot than on the aircraft? One aircraft lost means two pilots lost.

As Churchill (? or maybe someone else) had said in WW-2 "You can build a plane in a few months, but it takes way longer to train a good pilot."

 

[plugwater]

We can use double seat ones as bombers with comparatively lower RCS, also acting as trainers

Trainers, yes. Both versions are multi role fighter so we can use single seater as bomber too.

 

[nitesh]

Trainers, yes. Both versions are multi role fighter so we can use single seater as bomber too.

It is a big bird, can carry long range bombing with two pairs of eyes scanning the area will be good, but yes with tech advancements, IAF may finally decide to use single seat ones for all purpose.

 

[black eagle]

Why a sudden drop in numbers??? The defence minister earlier said that India will have around 300 FGFAs... Interesting....

 

[Galaxy]

IAF likely to induct 5th-gen fighters by 2017

IAF likely to induct 5th-gen fighters by 2017

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to begin inducting so-called fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), to be jointly developed by India and Russia, into its fleet from 2017, air chief marshal N.A.K. Browne said on Monday.

The IAF will procure 214 FGFAs, of which 166 aircraft will be single seaters, while the remaining will be twin seaters. "The twin-seater variety would be assembled at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)," Browne said.

In December, the two countries had announced a preliminary draft agreement for the FGFAs at an estimated project cost of $25-30 billion (Rs1.24-1.48 trillion today). Browne, however, said the design agreement needs to be finalized and so the final deal was "a long way off".

IAF likely to induct 5th-gen fighters by 2017 - Economy and Politics - livemint.com

 

[vikramrana_1812]

'IAF expanding wings beyond Pakistan and China

SHARE
AND
DISCUSS

113

​

IAF plans to transform itself into a true aerospace power with the capability to rapidly deploy and operate around the globe.​

NEW DELHI: India is gradually building powerful military capabilities in tune with its expanding geopolitical interests, which are no longer limited to the swathe stretching from the Persian Gulf to Malacca Strait, even as the eastern and western fronts are being strengthened to deter the twin Pakistan-China threat.

After the over Rs 3,00,000 crore plan to build a potent three-dimensional Indian Navy for the future, reported by TOI last month, it was IAF's turn on Monday to assert it was on the path to transform into a true aerospace power with the capability to rapidly deploy and operate around the globe.

"No other air force has attempted to modernize at such a fast pace in such a short span of 15 years," said Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, indicating a doctrinal shift in the run-up to IAF's 79th anniversary on October 8.

But he was quick to emphasize this did not mean "an expeditionary force" on the lines of the US Air Force. "We are not going to fight other people's wars. But yes, IAF must have the wherewithal to meet the requirements wherever India's strategic interests lie," said the IAF chief.

As for the two-front challenge, apart from progressively basing Sukhoi-30MKI fighters and missile squadrons in the two theatres, the plan also includes upgrading the Nyoma advanced landing ground in eastern Ladakh, located 23km from the LAC with China at an altitude of 13,300 feet.

"We want a 12,000-feet runway capable of handling fighters as well as transport aircraft at Nyoma. It will give us both defensive and offensive options. After being cleared by the defence ministry, it's now going to the Cabinet Committee on Security," said Browne.

Similarly, learning lessons from the 1999 conflict with Pakistan, the Kargil airstrip will be extended to ensure strategic airlift aircraft like C-17 Globemaster-III and C-130J 'Super Hercules' as well as fighters can operate from there. Moreover, the next six C-130Js, after the first six procured for the Hindon airbase for $1.2 billion, will be based at Charbatia (Orissa) for the eastern sector.

Armed with perspective plans till 2027, IAF is looking at a combat fleet of 250-300 fifth-generation fighter aircraft, 126-200 medium multi-role fighter aircraft and 270 Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, as also over 100 upgraded MiG-29s and Mirage-2000s. The estimated price tag for just these jets comes to over $70 billion.
"Our fighter squadrons will go up to 42 (from the existing 34) by end of the 13th Plan or 2022...We will be comfortable then,'' said ACM Browne.

Then, there are also different types of transport aircraft and helicopters, radars and missile systems, drones and mid-air refuellers in the pipeline to ensure modernization plans dovetail with long-term strategic interests.

 

[black eagle]

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Tikhomirov NIIP AESA radar - a knol by Vijainder K Thakur

Tikhomirov NIIP AESA radar Under development for PAF-FA

 

[A chauhan]

... of which 166 aircraft will be single seaters...

Just a query single seaters mean Pak-Fa T-50 ? or FGFA ?

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Just a query single seaters mean Pak-Fa T-50 ? or FGFA ?

FGFA version of single seater..

More or less look like PAK-FA..

 

[plugwater]

FGFA version of single seater..

More or less look like PAK-FA..

FGFA is two seater.

Pakfa is single seater.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

FGFA is two seater.

Pakfa is single seater.

FGFA is a variant of PAK-FA with Indian Avionics..

It will come in Double and in Single, As per new reports..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

 

[Kunal Biswas]

 

[Kunal Biswas]

 

[Kunal Biswas]