Your opinion for India's 126 MRCA's

[jaman_thakkar]

Well I am starting this thread cuz I would like to know what you guyz think abt india's plan to aqcuire 200 MRCA's for airforce and navy....In my opinoin there is strong possiblity that the deal would split into 2 types...one is rafeal and one will be SH..if america approves the nuke deal then something india will have to give them as more business...if congress does not approve this deal than in my opinion the second chice will be MIG-35's...what you ppl think???

 

[Neo]

All options are open but Imho india will most likely go for the Russian design for a couple of reason.
They already use different russian hightech platform like the SU-30MKI and Mig-29, IN will soon start taking delivery of the new batches of Mig-29K.

Russian planes are cheaper than their western counterparts and come with full ToT. India has a history of producing russian designs under licence.

Mig-29OVT will be available within two years. Since IAF already uses this type, training can be cut short pushing the costs.

Super Hornet on the other hand is way too expansive and IAF pilots have no experience with american designs, operational costs are likely to be a problem.
Indian aircraft carriers use Sky-Jump deck which is not suiteable for the F-18E/F since its designed to use catapults to get airborn. Unless IN is looking for a landbase naval fighter the Super Hornet doesn't fit in current doctrine.

But the deal is linked to the 'civil' nuclear deal, anything can happen.

Consider Mirage 2000 out of option, its already old.

 

[Munir]

Since the IAF started complaints about expensive MKI (it was more expensive to build in India then buy from Russia...) they will probably get Mig29. I doubt they will opt for OVT. I don't see any reason for that while already having MKI with same option. They will probably go for the usual mig29. 125 aircraft is a lot and looking at the foreign options it is either new, expensive or risk of manipulation...

 

[Bull]

Neo,the F18 that was rumoured to be for the IN was to be based in the Goa and not on any AC.And the IN seems to be happy to have some land based fighters available.But this deal has got very minute chances of materialising even if the N deal goes of.India wud be happier buying some P/A 8 or soem other force multiliers from US.

Mig 35(mig 29 OVT) looks like the natural choice.Russian and Cheap.

 

[ajaybhutani]

Currently IAF is facing a huge fighter jets shortage in the medium term and the defence planners are getting restless about it. Forcing india to renegotiate even SU contract to get all the 140 local planes by 2012.( instead of 2017) as originally planned.... replacing older SU's by new MKI's from IRKUT factory. If they wanted to go for a russian product they would have already ordered it by now.. the only logical reason for waiting is that they have decided on F/A18 and they are keeping the contract awaited till the Congress nod for nuclear deal comes thru.

 

[jaman_thakkar]

ajaybhutani...pray to god that india chooses either superhornets or rafeals...with MKI+SH or Rafeal+Phalcon combo(not even mentioning M2K's and MIG-29's) IAF will be the most deadly airforce of asia.even deadly than isreali airforce.

 

[jaman_thakkar]

This news will prove that india does not want to go for mig-29's this time...though RFP has been sent to them...

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200606011021.htm

TYAGI has seen the demonstration of mig-35 or mig-29ovt in russia and called its maneauvers brilliant but
HE FEELS JETS ARE FOR WINNING WARS AND NOT FOR impressive demonstrations

a clear indication that the AIR CHIEF DOES NOT WANT MIG-29OVT


'India asks Russia's Mig to send RFP for 126 fighters'

Moscow, June 1 (PTI): India has asked Russia's Mig aircraft corporation to send a request for proposal (RFP) for the acquisition of 126 fighters, IAF chief S P Tyagi said here.

Tyagi, who watched a demonstration flight of the Mig-35 (Mig-29ovt) fighter at a Russian air force base near the capital told reporters that the demonstration was "brilliant", but clarified that the IAF was looking for an aircraft "to win wars" and not for "impressive demonstrations".

"Any aircraft is nothing but a 'khokha' (shell), but what matters is, what is inside it," the Air Chief Marshal underscored.

He said that for the first time the factor of "life cycle cost or ownership cost" was being taken into account while acquiring a fighter.

"How to calculate the ownership cost was the problem and that's why it has taken more time in taking a decision," Tyagi said and added that the tender would be invited "very soon".

According to earlier reports, Russia's Mig-35 would be facing a tough challenge from the battle-proven US F-16 and F-18.

The air chief said that any decision would be taken after studying the merits of a fighter offered to India "at great depth".

He also declared that all the 126 fighters for the IAF would be purchased from a "single vendor".

 

[jaman_thakkar]

Currently IAF is facing a huge fighter jets shortage in the medium term and the defence planners are getting restless about it. Forcing india to renegotiate even SU contract to get all the 140 local planes by 2012.( instead of 2017) as originally planned.... replacing older SU's by new MKI's from IRKUT factory. If they wanted to go for a russian product they would have already ordered it by now.. the only logical reason for waiting is that they have decided on F/A18 and they are keeping the contract awaited till the Congress nod for nuclear deal comes thru.

ajaybhutani...can u provide any link showing that IAF wants to induct all 140 fighters by 2012?

 

[Bull]

ajaybhutani...pray to god that india chooses either superhornets or rafeals...with MKI+SH or Rafeal+Phalcon combo(not even mentioning M2K's and MIG-29's) IAF will be the most deadly airforce of asia.even deadly than isreali airforce.

The request for purchase of 200 MRCAs is to fill the gap thats currently/and wud be present in near future and not to increase the existing force strengths and that being said.I dont see InAF getting better than IsAF.

 

[ajaybhutani]

ajaybhutani...can u provide any link showing that IAF wants to induct all 140 fighters by 2012?

the news came in various indian newspapers a few days ago. essentially talking about replacement of 18 older sukhois in IAF with new MKI's built in irkut factory.. speeding up of the delivery for 140 planes to 2012 and that cost has nearly doubled from initial estimates

 

[ajaybhutani]

link for the delivery schedule
http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/26/stories/2006052604291300.htm

 

[Bull]

link for the delivery schedule
http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/26/stories/2006052604291300.htm

o


good to see something happening with pace in Indian defence.

 

[master_fx]

lol.... a few bombers would do fine....

 

[Neo]

What happened to the lease of Tupovlev strategic bombers?

 

[melb4aust]

What happened to the lease of Tupovlev strategic bombers?

You are talking about TU-160, similar to the US B-1B Lancer, hell of a bomber that is. But why would india need em any way.