IAF has signed deals worth US$ 25 billion (Rs 1,12000 cr) in last 5 years:

[Veeru]

IAF has signed deals worth US$ 25 billion (Rs 1,12000 cr) in last 5 years: IAF Chief N A K Browne

NEW DELHI: As part of a massive modernisation programme, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday said it has signed 271 contracts worth Rs 1,12000 crore in the last five years to procure new weapon systems and platforms.

"A fair amount of changeover is going to take place... We have finalised and signed 271 contracts worth Rs 1,12000 crore from 2006...," Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said here.

The IAF chief was addressing a gathering at a CII function here.

In the recent past, the IAF signed contracts for procuring Su-30MKI fighter aircraft from Russia, C-17 and C-130J Hercules transport aircraft from the US and the SPYDER air defence systems from Israel. The deals signed with the US companies for the two types of transport aircraft alone is to the tune of over USD five billion (Rs 22,000 crore).

Browne said IAF would embark on more capital acquisition programmes during the 12th Plan period starting next year. It will be acquiring 126 Medium-Multirole Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA), the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) being developed in collaboration with Russia and surface-to-air missiles besides undertaking modernisation of its 39 airfields.

He said the modernisation programme includes involvement of the private industry in a big way. Browne said the private industry can help the IAF in maintaining its old aircraft and providing spares support for its older systems.

The private industry, he said, should also try to invest more in research and development and enhance capacity building for absorbing and producing various systems in large numbers.

IAF has signed deals worth Rs 1,12000 cr in last 5 years: N A K Browne - The Economic Times

 

[T90TankGuy]

Its too little and too late. But perhaps better late than never.

why is it late? or too little? are you in a position to judge what the air force needs ,better than the air staff?

 

[perplexed]

You should check the number of sanctioned squadrons and actual current squadrons of the IAF.
IAF's numerical superiority is falling even compared to pakistan's. With increasing chinese threat on borders, it is perhaps too late and too little.

Please start with a solution rather than rhetoric and whining. What will u have IAF do ?

 

[angeldemon_007]

IAF has signed deals worth US$ 25 billion (Rs 1,12000 cr) in last 5 years: IAF Chief N A K Browne

Is it just me or 25 billion is way too much. I mean in 25 billion the whole force could be modernized but nothing much can be seen on ground. Some of the major deals in last 5 years :

1. C130j 1.059 billion $
2. c17 4.1 billion $
3. Mi17 V5 1.34-billion $
4. Spyder $260 million
5. Akash 925 million $ (total order worth 5.18 billion $ but not sure how much account for IAF)

6. su30 4.3 billion $ (2010) + 1.6 billion (2007) = 5.9 billion $ for 82 Su30
7. mig29 upgrade 888 million $
8. mirage 2000 upgrade 2.2 billion $ +700 million $ for weapons
9. aw101 $770 million
10. MAFI project $260 million
11. An32 upgrade $400 million

total till now = 18.802 billion $

Looks like IAF chief might be right afterall... Add the projects or deals that IAF has signed in the last 5 years don't include the one which we haven't signed yet but will sign in a couple of months...

 

[Abingdonboy]

Its too little and too late. But perhaps better late than never.

It seems you're contradicting yourself- saying it's too late is a definitive statement but then saying maybe better let than never?!! Paradox!

You should check the number of sanctioned squadrons and actual current squadrons of the IAF.
IAF's numerical superiority is falling even compared to pakistan's. With increasing chinese threat on borders, it is perhaps too late and too little.

I think you have been reading too much sensationalised media reports of late. The IAF has always maintained a qualitative and quantitive edge over the PAF which still very much exists today. The MKI rules the skies of Asia. And the PLAF could not hope to match the technological superiority the IAF maintains over its larger but outdated fleet. Rest assured the IAF today could meet and foe at anytime. In a few years the IAF will be in a league of their own.

Is it just me or 25 billion is way too much. I mean in 25 billion the whole force could be modernized but nothing much can be seen on ground. Some of the major deals in last 5 years :

1. C130j
2. c17
3. Mi17
4. Spyder
5. Akash
6. su30
7. mig29 upgrade
8. mirage 2000 upgrade
9. aw101

"


I assume there are many smaller and less publicised deals included in this figure. Ie UPG infrastructure at most IAF bases and recently some ALGs UPG of radars/SAMs, UPG training infrastructure, infrastructure creation ie HINDON AFS had significant UPG for C-130 and facilities for 12 were built in anticipation for follow on orders etc and the list you have produced includes som e very advanced and thus expensive tech, what do you expect? Want the best you have to take the huge price tag with it.