ashok321
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BENGALURU: It’s an accepted truth that every country requires muscles according to its size and economic prowess. Since an increase in size in today’s context is almost impossible and entirely catastrophic, an inflating economic prowess becomes the driver to grow bigger muscles. For India, apart from being one of the fastest growing economies, there lies other reasons as well— hostility in the neighborhood and the same neighbors aiding radicalized groups directed towards destabilizing the nation.
Trying to portray itself as a dominant regional power capable of power projection around every stretch of the world, if required, India’s defence budget has gradually multiplied over the years. From advanced gears for the world’s second or third largest standing military to aircraft carriers and nuclear submarine for the naval fleet, the nation does succeed in its attempts.
However, despite being astoundingly powerful, IAF lagged behind its counterparts. The finalized €7.8 billion deal between India and France for the acquisition of 36 Dassault Rafale fighter jets narrowed the gap significantly. To completely seal the gap and attain devastating air superiority in the regional skies, the nation pushes farther and stronger. Moving accordingly to a “multi-pronged strategy” the Indian aerospace is almost ready to accommodate the indigenous light combat aircraft, Tejas. This strategy also includes talks around the American F/A-18 and F-16, and Swedish Gripen-E in contention for the ambitious “Make in India”.
Amidst the talks what’s even more interesting is the nearly finalized deal between India and Russia to co-develop a multi-role fighter, the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). Till now it has been agreed upon that both the partnering countries will chip in about $4 billion each for prototype development, testing and infrastructure build-up. The FGFA is proposed to be armed with stealth, super-cruise and multi-sensor integration.
Last but not the least is the upgrading of existing Sukhoi 30MKIs to “Super Sukhois”. Deemed as the backbone of Indian air space protection, the upgraded Sukhois will serve as India’s primary multi-role air superiority fighter for the years to come. The plan is to equip the fighters with long-range stand-off missiles up to the range of 300 km. The coveted BrahMos armed with nuclear warheads are also under consideration. Other possible upgrades include multiple ejector Rack, AESA radar, more powerful EW and jamming systems, along with high-performance engines and anti-armour missiles. The whole upgradation will be coordinated between HAL and Russian help, and is estimated at around Rs 10,900 crores, with the option to increase the spending to $12 billion if required.
http://www.siliconindia.com/news/ge...Fly-In-Indian-Air-Space-nid-196990-cid-1.html
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