80 Rafale-type jets needed: IAF

[Rangila]

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 3

Facing a crisis of a dwindling fleet of fighter jets, the Indian Air Force (IAF), has formally told the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that it needs at least 80 Rafale-type multi-role combat fighter jets to be battle-ready in the next few years.


This is the first time the IAF has put a minimum number to its needs since the government, in April this year, announced a decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a “fly-away” condition. Initially, the IAF had projected the need for 126 such fighter jets and a global tender was floated, which is now in cold storage after the decision to buy Rafale was announced.


The Tribune, on June 2, had first reported that the IAF was reportedly uneasy with the number of jets ordered. It had prepared a blueprint for the MoD. Sources said the IAF has conveyed the need for five squadrons and estimated a squadron at 16 jets each, instead of the normal number of 18 jets, as the Rafale with its high-end technology is available to fly at short notice and has a shorter maintenance “turn-around”.


This works out to be 80 jets of Rafale or planes of such a type. The number is more in tune with creating minimum facilities for servicing and training of pilots and on ground technicians. “A decision on this has to be taken by the government,” a senior functionary said.


Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had, in an interview to a news agency on May 31, said buying 126 jets, as proposed by the previous UPA government, was “economically unviable”.


Sources said the IAF has said “mere” 36 jets would not meet the shortfall due to the phasing out of fleet of MiG-21 and MiG-27 jets by 2022. There are some 260 obsolete MiG-21s and MiG-27s (Soviet Union-era single-engine fighter jets) in the fleet.


The force had projected an immediate requirement of 126 Rafale-type medium multi-role combat aircraft, and needs 400 jets over the next 10 years.


As of now, the IAF has 35 fighter jet squadrons (having 16-18 planes each) against its projected requirement of 42 squadrons to tackle any simultaneous war with China and Pakistan.


A mixed ancestry and level of technology marks the 640-odd fighter jet fleet, largely imported from Russia over the past 30 years. British and French companies have supplied around 150 planes.


In October last year, IAF Chief Air Marshall Arup Raha had said: “We are left with a few jets as a majority of our fleet is in a phase-out mode. The drawdown has to be tackled by quick induction of medium multi-role and light combat aircraft.”

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) was reportedly uneasy with the government's decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a 'fly-away' condition
• Sources said the IAF has conveyed the need for five squadrons and estimated a squadron at 16 jets each, instead of the normal number of 18 jets
• This works out to be 80 jets of Rafale or planes of such a type. "A decision on this has to be taken by the government," a senior functionary said

 

[Stephen Cohen]

Very good ; for the rest we can add more SU 30 MKI

 

[NKVD]

Very good ; for the rest we can add more SU 30 MKI

They will crash one more MKI to make sure it's give govt a shock

 

[Stephen Cohen]

They will crash one more MKI to make sure it's give govt a shock

So you mean they do it deliberately

 

[NKVD]

So you mean they do it deliberately

Yes ,I mean Sooner or later you will find this fact.there some Foreign paid agents in our armed forces much like corporate penetration in Various Ministries that was Unravelled few Months back

There was sobatage for shutting down LCA back in 2007 which is disclosed by Old LCA project manager recently If you have followed news recently.

God knows how deep it goes arms pimps - paid officers Nexus are very common in our system.

 

[Stephen Cohen]

Yes ,I mean Sooner or later you will find this fact.there some Foreign paid agents in our armed forces much like corporate penetration in Various Ministries that was Unravelled few Months back

There was sobatage for shutting down LCA back in 2007 which is disclosed by Old LCA project manager recently If you have followed news recently.

God knows how deep it goes arms pimps - paid officers Nexus are very common in our system.

But IAF knows that even if the planes are old it will take time to replace them

Why will they crash a NEW Sukhoi

And we are still having many Mig 21 and Mig 27 ; IAF has not crashed all of them

 

[NKVD]

But IAF knows that even if the planes are old it will take time to replace them

Why will they crash a NEW Sukhoi

And we are still having many Mig 21 and Mig 27 ; IAF has not crashed all of them

Because much like Pak Our Gerenal too have a Fetish over western Toys and commission related to it $. they will do whatever in their power to Sabotage to fill there interest and pockets.

Mark my words You will see it in every major projects even PAK FA , AMCA because it's stop corruption .

Crashing MKI will only buy them leverage for what they want

 

[Suman]

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 3

Facing a crisis of a dwindling fleet of fighter jets, the Indian Air Force (IAF), has formally told the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that it needs at least 80 Rafale-type multi-role combat fighter jets to be battle-ready in the next few years.


This is the first time the IAF has put a minimum number to its needs since the government, in April this year, announced a decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a “fly-away” condition. Initially, the IAF had projected the need for 126 such fighter jets and a global tender was floated, which is now in cold storage after the decision to buy Rafale was announced.


The Tribune, on June 2, had first reported that the IAF was reportedly uneasy with the number of jets ordered. It had prepared a blueprint for the MoD. Sources said the IAF has conveyed the need for five squadrons and estimated a squadron at 16 jets each, instead of the normal number of 18 jets, as the Rafale with its high-end technology is available to fly at short notice and has a shorter maintenance “turn-around”.


This works out to be 80 jets of Rafale or planes of such a type. The number is more in tune with creating minimum facilities for servicing and training of pilots and on ground technicians. “A decision on this has to be taken by the government,” a senior functionary said.


Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had, in an interview to a news agency on May 31, said buying 126 jets, as proposed by the previous UPA government, was “economically unviable”.


Sources said the IAF has said “mere” 36 jets would not meet the shortfall due to the phasing out of fleet of MiG-21 and MiG-27 jets by 2022. There are some 260 obsolete MiG-21s and MiG-27s (Soviet Union-era single-engine fighter jets) in the fleet.


The force had projected an immediate requirement of 126 Rafale-type medium multi-role combat aircraft, and needs 400 jets over the next 10 years.


As of now, the IAF has 35 fighter jet squadrons (having 16-18 planes each) against its projected requirement of 42 squadrons to tackle any simultaneous war with China and Pakistan.


A mixed ancestry and level of technology marks the 640-odd fighter jet fleet, largely imported from Russia over the past 30 years. British and French companies have supplied around 150 planes.


In October last year, IAF Chief Air Marshall Arup Raha had said: “We are left with a few jets as a majority of our fleet is in a phase-out mode. The drawdown has to be tackled by quick induction of medium multi-role and light combat aircraft.”

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) was reportedly uneasy with the government's decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a 'fly-away' condition
• Sources said the IAF has conveyed the need for five squadrons and estimated a squadron at 16 jets each, instead of the normal number of 18 jets
• This works out to be 80 jets of Rafale or planes of such a type. "A decision on this has to be taken by the government," a senior functionary said

but when will our govt to a conclusion instead of dillydally dancing movements

 

[NKVD]

but when will our govt to a conclusion instead of dillydally dancing movements

So you mean government should compromise india interest just fullfil IAF blackmail

The contract is poorly drafted By babus of MoD.
Govt cannot make shwift decision without analysing all implications related to this Deal.

 

[Suman]

So you mean government should compromise india interest just fullfil IAF blackmail

The contract is poorly drafted By babus of MoD.
Govt cannot make shwift decision without analysing all implications related to this Deal.

So, do you mean, we live with insecurity? but for how long?

 

[NKVD]

So, do you mean, we live with insecurity? but for how long?

Even buying rafale today won't address our insecurity we already missed the deadline

 

[Suman]

Even buying rafale today won't address our insecurity we already missed the deadline

but that doesn't mean we can delay further. what if china or anyone attacks in 2 to 3 years?

 

[The BrOkEn HeArT]

I always mention that we should go for at least 72 rafale. Only 36 rafale is useless in a big air force like IAF. So Mr. MP should reconsider it.

 

[Rangila]

So, do you mean, we live with insecurity? but for how long?

More than likely yes. Because Pakistan is inconsequential, and it is China which India has in mind. The country with money bags & P-5 status that India lacks.

If only India went one way towards upgrading its Armed forces & leaving its industry & infrastructure behind, does not auger well for a overall progress of India. hence if you balance the books, Armed forces to get, what they can & alway remain at the mercy of MOD funds allocations - As always.

 

[Zarvan]

Yes ,I mean Sooner or later you will find this fact.there some Foreign paid agents in our armed forces much like corporate penetration in Various Ministries that was Unravelled few Months back

There was sobatage for shutting down LCA back in 2007 which is disclosed by Old LCA project manager recently If you have followed news recently.

God knows how deep it goes arms pimps - paid officers Nexus are very common in our system.

Man I love the way Indians on this forum accuse and abuse their Armed Forces. For GOD sake they are not idiots to deliberately crash their fighter jets that too your most important one. Your DRDO is coming with crap which your Armed Forces are not ready to accept.