36 Rafale, 3 squadrons of Su-30 MKI and LCA MK-II fighter jets to arm the IAF

[Optimos Prime IA]

I really don't get it ! Why we don't buy S35 and S400 ? Both will help to overcome the shortage we are going through. Modified su35 with latest radar upgrades will will make will make them another success like Such MKI .


On tejas we need to relax our stands .First design an potent airframe and envelop the technologies we already developed and set the stage for mass production . Improvements can get made in years to without any problems with time frame. So once we start developing new capabilities we can use it as an upgrade . Waiting for 100% 4.5 generation aircraft will further delay the process .

Dont expect much from usa. Let carter come and see what we get from them .
I would like navy to go for another vikrant class than expensive emal which will definately take more than a decade to materlise.
As for tejas we will get tejas mk1p with aesa in 2017. So does that mean no foc in 2015?

Very good point you got here . Another vikrant class which shipyard have promised to deliver in just 4 years will be short in the arms for both Airforce and Navy . Migs and missiles from Arabian sea will seriously undermine PAF big time . Giving huge advantage for IAF to place their resources to the eastern front . We have use all the three forces for future wars . Which we are already started to.

And on Tejas ' We know what are all he downfall of the design . Iaf wanted more greater capabilities but yet dint bothered about the airframe changes should be made .This looks like deliberate attempt to pay the way for foreign mall. Which had happened .

 

[monitor]

NEW DELHI: As the number of fighter squadrons steadily dip, India will make do with the 36 Rafale Fighters, three squadrons of the Russian Made SU-30MKI that are in the making and make up the rest of the numbers with the indigenously made Tejas (Mark-II).

"We plan to induct as many as a Tejas Mark-II to make up the number" a senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official told NDTV.

The Indian Air Force requires 42-44 Squadrons of fighters to deal with Western and Northern borders. It has only about 34 Squadrons of fighters. And, it will have to retire about 14 squadrons of Mi-G-21 and MiG-27 fighters by 2022.

Earlier, speaking to Press Trust of India, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that India is unlikely to increase the number of Rafale fighters. The defence minister said that French-made jets were "way too expensive."

The Modi government has also questioned UPA for clearing the French fighter deal which was likely to cost the nation over USD 20 Billion.

"I also feel like having a BMW and Mercedes. But I don't because I can't afford it. First I can't afford it and second I don't need it. So, 126 Rafales was economically unviable. It was not required," Mr Parrikar said.

The proposal to buy 126 French Fighters fell through after nearly decade-long negotiations between India and France. Faced with the dipping number of Fighters, India decided to buy 36 "ready-to-fly" fighters instead of trying to acquire technology from Dassault and make it in India.

"It is a very pragmatic decision considering the shortfall and capability gaps" a senior IAF officer told NDTV.

hey what about FGFA AMCA aren'r they coming or just ifht generation fighter is pipe dream for Russia china India.

 

[tested]

I doubt it. If he is pragmatic and no egoistic, he will leave the Rafale at maximum of 3-4 squadrons and concentrate on making the proper Tejas(Mk.II) and the FGFA, along with preparing the AMCA program to do a better job than the disaster that was the project management of Tejas(and Arjun). The only way to acheive that is to let TATA,Reliance and other private firms with their PRESET quality control and corporate cut throat mentality take a major role in these programs.

Parrikar is doing all that you have mentioned.

Private Indian companies are being allowed in to the defense sector production for the first time.
TATA has already bagged a contract for making 50+ CN-295 transport planes - making it the first time that a private entity is being allowed in aerospace to make planes.

Basically DM is trying to make a competitor to HAL. Abolishing the monopoly that PSU's have on anything related to defense.

They just yesterday cancelled the excise and tax holiday that all PSU's were given so that private companies get a level playing field when bidding for contracts.

Parrikar is perhaps the second most competent person in the entire GoI, second only to Modi. Understands the problem, gets the job done, takes a long term view and without the drama that Modi is generally pre-disposed to.

 

[GORKHALI]

Nothing to do with foreign equipment. Had to do with getting out of hand and trying to exploit the sudden love for defence spending unfairly. The IAF was acting like a spoilt child and Parikar put them in their place.

Well you don't know about Generals and Marshals of India,their love for phoren maal is out in open.

 

[The_Sidewinder]

Parikar will sort things out. I have every confidence in him.

 

[$@rJen]

So.. F*cked up deal... Parrikar should be removed and someone with defence experience should be a DM... what the hell are we going to with just 36 Rafales.... we're not tiny Airforce.. and we've enough nos of MKIs, i don't know what newer capabilities MKIs are going to bring.. and our air force's streanth is Shrinking now not in the future... prototype of Tejas mk2 is not even there.... Stupid Defence minister ever

 

[AugenBlick]

hey what about FGFA AMCA aren'r they coming or just ifht generation fighter is pipe dream for Russia china India.

No body knows whats happening to FGFA?
AMCA....we will only know after ashton carters meeting in this week I think..... but AMCA will happen.

 

[Gabriel92]

So.. F*cked up deal... Parrikar should be removed and someone with defence experience should be a DM... what the hell are we going to with just 36 Rafales.... we're not tiny Airforce.. and we've enough nos of MKIs, i don't know what newer capabilities MKIs are going to bring.. and our air force's streanth is Shrinking now not in the future... prototype of Tejas mk2 is not even there.... Stupid Defence minister ever

These Rafale will be used to deliver the kiss of death. (Strategic forces)
There's no other solution i guess.

 

[AugenBlick]

These Rafale will be used to deliver the kiss of death. (Strategic forces)
There's no other solution i guess.

The french kiss of death my friend.

 

[Bang Galore]

So.. F*cked up deal... Parrikar should be removed and someone with defence experience should be a DM... what the hell are we going to with just 36 Rafales.... we're not tiny Airforce.. and we've enough nos of MKIs, i don't know what newer capabilities MKIs are going to bring.. and our air force's streanth is Shrinking now not in the future... prototype of Tejas mk2 is not even there.... Stupid Defence minister ever

Err....you think the minister is going to generate the money required from his backside...?

 

[$@rJen]

These Rafale will be used to deliver the kiss of death. (Strategic forces)
There's no other solution i guess.

We need Rafale for SAR operations... with ts suite its a one hell of a fighter but with only 36 during war time how many aircrafts will be available do you think???

Err....you think the minister is going to generate the money required from his backside...?

Funds are always there... We're not going to pay 12Billion in a one go....

 

[Bang Galore]

Nothing to do with foreign equipment. Had to do with getting out of hand and trying to exploit the sudden love for defence spending unfairly. The IAF was acting like a spoilt child and Parikar put them in their place.

Difficult to back the IAF on this one. They initially wanted the Mirage 2000 and wanted this number. They have now selected a platform that costs 4-5 times the price of what they wanted and still want the same numbers. The IAF's argument seems almost as if there is no difference between the M2k & the Rafale since both will require about the same numbers.

Untenable.

Funds are always there... We're not going to pay 12Billion in a one go....

Where? ..and $12 billion? Where have been....? They are talking about $8 billion for 36 planes, do the maths & add the costs of ToT and come to a figure....

 

[Peaceful Civilian]

Quantity over quality wins many a time in wars. I would prefer 5 Tejas to a lone Rafale.

What India should do is have 2 to 3 squadrons of Rafale and fill the number with Tejas. I would also say make SAAB the partner in Tejas program. This would make Tejas a potent platform.

Tejas mkII is very good fighter on paper...And after AESA radar , it will become potent fighter. ....You are right, quantity also matters over quality. .... New gen Missile and long range radar matters lot.
Rafale is no doubt very good fighter but 2003 or 2004 was the best time for negotiations and final agreement.

 

[Windjammer]

Parikar knows how to to get things done, The proper way.
Rafael deal isnt finished. It will have a part 2. Sit back n watch Parikar squeeze more from the French.

Instead you may see some single engine/light weight Western fighters being inducted to make up the shortages.

 

[ZooZoo]

Tejas mkII is very good fighter on paper...And after AESA radar , it will become potent fighter. ....You are right, quantity also matters over quality. .... New gen Missile and long range radar matters lot.
Rafale is no doubt very good fighter but 2003 or 2004 was the best time for negotiations and final agreement.

All over in world weapon system is inducted first (with Basic Verification) and Verified and Validated later.In India its opposite.. ALH Dhruv is most tested system in world.. No other Help on earth has been tested as regrously Dhruv has been testes.

Like Beurocracy our testing is also bulky..

LCA can fly, It is enough to qualify for induction. Improvement can be done later...

Instead you may see some single engine/light weight Western fighters being inducted to make up the shortages.

That will never happen in Modi watch.. No light fighter will be bought from abroad..