Indo-Russian 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft program: Delays and the possible outcomes

[shree835]

United States Air Force has successfully tested its fifth generation fighter aircraft way back in 1997 and has inducted the same in December 2005. It has a total strength of around 187 operational F-22 fighters. It is the only air force in the world which currently operates the fifth generation jets; however it definitely fueled the fifth generation fighter jet development programs around the world either solo or in collaboration. Russia, India, China and Turkey are reportedly engaged in the development of their own version of the fifth generation fighters.

The Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) or Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF) is a fifth generation fighter aircraft being developed by India and Russia. The FGFA is being developed for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and is a derivative product of PAK-FA. The completed FGFA will include a total of around 45 improvements(expected) over the T-50, including stealth, advanced sensors, super cruise, networking and combat avionics as per the Indian conditions and will be armed with the weapons like ASTRA, a Beyond Visual Range (BVR)missile developed and tested by India.

The need and the delay

Former Defense Minister Antony’s Moscow visit in October 2007 to co-chair the annual session of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on military-technical cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) marked the start of FGFA project with the aim to induct the futuristic stealth fighter by 2016-17. The $295-million preliminary design contract signed in December 2010 was allocated for the 50:50 design and production agreement which was a mere part of the massive US $30 Billion project.

The purpose of having the next generation FGFA is to execute a credible deterrence power and to attain independence is developing the indigenous technology under the transfer of technology agreement. Why waste so much money on an older 4th generation plane, when we can divert that money to develop Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the advanced LCA Tejas.

The IAF currently maintains 34 squadrons of 550+ fighters while the sanctioned number is 42 squadrons. This reduced capacity can have serious outcomes if it faces a two front war situation given the multiple threats that India perceives.

Regular reports of differences between the joint development parties over design and work agreements are further pushing the trial and induction of the fighters. Earlier it was expected to induct the fighters by 2016-17 but the delays and cost-overruns are pushing the dates towards 2019-2020, however prototypes will be coming soon.

Area of concern and the possible outcome

Reduced IAF’s fleet strength means fewer aircraft have to perform more missions to get the work done. Imagine this situation in a two front war scenario. This is where India quickly needs to induct more locally built advanced version of Tejas fighters and more locally assembled Su-30MKIs which are top of the line 4++ generation fighters. On the lines of SU-30, India can take 20-25 of FGFA jets in fly away conditions and rest can be made under license. India has done remarkably well by cutting down the MMRCA deal to 36 Fighters and saved around 18 Billion USD which can be further pooled into the faster development of the Fifth generation fighters like FGFA and AMCA which will form the future force multipliers for the country.

Indo-Russian 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft program: Delays and the possible outcomes | Business Insider India

 

[SQ8]

Out of the 8 posts before mine, there is one with the article and the rest with pointless comments and photos. I think I need to initiate a ban on new members whilst removing the grading criteria for members.

On the topic,

The T-50 is an evolutionary step and not a revolutionary one, which now is being reworked to be revolutionary after realizing that its main rivals and even the F-35 will smear it over the sky due to superior avionics and stealth. That is the source of the delays and rightly so, because the IAF raised this holler recently after touring the aircraft.
They were expecting something close to the F-35 in stealth and sophistication if not the F-22 and found some basic stealth principles ignored in the aircraft based on the Russian thinking that their reliance on IR detection and superior manoeuvrability will make stealth needless. However, even the Chinese J-20 with its rather frontal biased stealth will still have superior stealth to the current PAK-FA, and the IAF expected the FGFA to be the dominant fifth generation fighter in the region; apparently not guaranteed anymore.

The most pragmatic move was the truncation of the Rafale purchase and the ridiculously long drawn MMRCA program along with pushing for the F-35 quietly. At the same time, the Russians are now being strong-armed to fix their end of the FGFA and provide what the IAF wants.. a much more intelligent path for the IAF is finally being taken.

 

[Suman]

Out of the 8 posts before mine, there is one with the article and the rest with pointless comments and photos. I think I need to initiate a ban on new members whilst removing the grading criteria for members.

On the topic,

The T-50 is an evolutionary step and not a revolutionary one, which now is being reworked to be revolutionary after realizing that its main rivals and even the F-35 will smear it over the sky due to superior avionics and stealth. That is the source of the delays and rightly so, because the IAF raised this holler recently after touring the aircraft.
They were expecting something close to the F-35 in stealth and sophistication if not the F-22 and found some basic stealth principles ignored in the aircraft based on the Russian thinking that their reliance on IR detection and superior manoeuvrability will make stealth needless. However, even the Chinese J-20 with its rather frontal biased stealth will still have superior stealth to the current PAK-FA, and the IAF expected the FGFA to be the dominant fifth generation fighter in the region; apparently not guaranteed anymore.

The most pragmatic move was the truncation of the Rafale purchase and the ridiculously long drawn MMRCA program along with pushing for the F-35 quietly. At the same time, the Russians are now being strong-armed to fix their end of the FGFA and provide what the IAF wants.. a much more intelligent path for the IAF is finally being taken.

Bhai saab aap aisa ban karte rahega to koi bhi nahi bachega, sirf Pakistani memembers hee rahega, tum log kisse argue karenge? There have to be people from both sides, phir bhiban karega tho, tumhari marzi, use kya hone walahein

 

[anant_s]

The most pragmatic move was the truncation of the Rafale purchase and the ridiculously long drawn MMRCA program along with pushing for the F-35 quietly. At the same time, the Russians are now being strong-armed to fix their end of the FGFA and provide what the IAF wants.. a much more intelligent path for the IAF is finally being taken.

Sir how do you access F 35 program (considering the program running way over budget and time) vis a vis Chinese J 20 and J 31.
There is one area where J 31 and possibly F 35C can have any chance of encounter is IOR, as both India and China are aggressively pursuing AC program. There already are indicators that India is growing impatient with FGFA program and i don't know what to make out of Russian forces reducing their own orders of PAK FA (atleast in its current avtaar), and this may mean seeing F 35 (in some smaller numbers) in service with India.

 

[Stephen Cohen]

India will get FGFA when it is ready

Since it is getting delayed ; we will get MORE RAFALES and SU 30 MKI

More Rafales will definitely come that is a sure outcome of the delays of FGFA

 

[SQ8]

Sir how do you access F 35 program (considering the program running way over budget and time) vis a vis Chinese J 20 and J 31.
There is one area where J 31 and possibly F 35C can have any chance of encounter is IOR, as both India and China are aggressively pursuing AC program. There already are indicators that India is growing impatient with FGFA program and i don't know what to make out of Russian forces reducing their own orders of PAK FA (atleast in its current avtaar), and this may mean seeing F 35 (in some smaller numbers) in service with India.

The F-35 is pushing a LOT of boundaries(too many for its own good at times). One really has to look at the list of innovations it is bringing to see why. The J-31 does not come close in terms of the level of tech in the F-35.
However, there is a chance that any F-35 India buys will come with strings and at maximum will be on the level of Turkey. India will have to sign the CISMOA as well to ensure that it can receive the aircraft.
One option is to also ditch the AMCA and work with Israel on a joint F-35 buy to essentially have India procure the F-35I version that will let India use Israel as a source to procure advanced electronics and systems that may otherwise be "tuned down" for export customers by the US.