Indian Air Force To Buy 126 Multi-Role Planes

[adsH]

Originally Posted by rafale_2k5

india can be in a position to dictate its terms to the French

Take it or leave it !! French Attitude, you either will or not Buy there weapon systems. France has other Large scale Markets then India, if India would prefer the Russians then Go and get some form them. the French nor the American would ever deny a weapon system solely based on pressure from another. you should of Worked that out By now.


Russia is exclusive to Indian Market Based on Economic reason. that is Absurd they sell weapon systems to China, which is Hostile to India. Russia's attitude towards pakistan is based on the Role played by the Pakistani's in the Soviet Afghan War. Russia would love to See Pakistan Torn apart dismantled, and india is Just cashing onn the Goal.

[vrus]

The Gripen certainly seems good for a fighter to me. I don't think it could be the backbone. There are better planes for that. Check out the Technical Details from here :-

http://www.gripen.com/thegripenfight...997fff747.html

[mysterious]

IAF says it’s not interested in US F-16s or F-18s
By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is not interested in American F-16 or F-18 aircraft as they are prone to human error-related accidents, said sources citing Air Marshal PS Ahluwalia.

Sources said that Ahluwalia, director general of Inspection and Air Safety, gave a presentation to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), where he showed that human error-related accidents in the F-16s had occurred more frequently than in Mirage 2000s.

It was this presentation that clinched the committee’s decision to clear purchase of 12 Mirage-2000-Vs. The committee was also told that the IAF was finding difficulties in managing the 20 different types of aircraft and would not like to add new makes of aircraft that would complicate the inventory further.

However, Ahluwalia also said the IAF would not like to depend on a single supplier. “It may not be prudent to put all our eggs in one basket, but it would reduce the efforts in terms of maintenance practices by opting for a familiar supplier,� said the air marshal hinting that not only the US firm Lockheed Martin’s F-16s and F-18s are not in the reckoning but even Sweden’s SAAB would not be able to sell its Gripen to India.

There is heavy pressure from global defence companies and their governments since India declared its intent to acquire 126 multi-role fighters but only two companies from France and Russia are being considered for the deal on grounds of familiarity, the Dassault Aviation of France offering Mirage 2000-V and Russia’s double-engine MiG-29M/M2.

Ahluwalia said the IAF was currently modernising its 12 squadrons of MiG-21 fighters by upgrading them to MiG-21 ‘Bisons’. “The MiG-21 is our mainstay and is highly efficient and will continue to fill our requirements till 2016,� added the air marshal.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-4-2005_pg7_42

Like I've always said and predicted, its all come down to the Mirages and the Migs because the other contenders wouldn't simply 'fit' well in to the IAF inventory. F-16s and/or F-18s will complicate situation cuz of new logistical setup required (adding another 'type' to the 20 that IAF already operates) while Gripen in addition to the above mentioned reason is a point-defense fighter jet and wouldn't really 'fit' in to IAF's operational needs. Now lets see who wins big, Mirages or Migs.

[adsH]

Originally Posted by mysterious

[b]
NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is not interested in American F-16 or F-18 aircraft as they are prone to human error-related accidents, said sources citing Air Marshal PS Ahluwalia.

Sources said that Ahluwalia, director general of Inspection and Air Safety, gave a presentation to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), where he showed that human error-related accidents in the F-16s had occurred more frequently than in Mirage 2000s.

i do object to that!! F-16 is an evolving AC, it continues to logs larger Flight hours in Hot situations, its is used for Low altitude flying, although the USAF has changed the Low ALTitude-flight policy, the Onboard Computers can handle low altitude flights and can easily allow the Pilots greater Capabilities. the Mirage is still a competitive Platform.

[P.A.F]

looks like the French and Russians remain in the race. don't know how they turned down the gripen though

[rafale_2k5]

Gripen is basically a potent air defence fighter, range two limited , Indias basically looking for a good multi role aircraft wiith good range and payload and for which the mirage2K5/9 fits in smoothly......

[P.A.F]

http://www.the-week.com/25apr10/curr..._article10.htm

have a look at this article.

[ajay_ijn]

Gus do u know when IAF wanted Mirage-2000's in 1984 or 86,They wanted to procure a total of 150 Miarges but ended up with only 40,but HAL had build the assembly line to assemble other aircraft but due to some reason they could not.

Now IAF wants to select Mirage-2000-5 becoz it would be much easier for HAL to build.
If they select F-16,it would be very difficult for HAL.

I wonder why did US offer F-18s.
F-18s are carrier based aircraft and India already got Mig-29k for their carrier.

[gf0012-aust]

Originally Posted by ajay_ijn

F-18s are carrier based aircraft and India already got Mig-29k for their carrier.

India can't use them on her carriers anyway.

- one is too small in deck length and its catapults would not be able to launch them anyway

- the ex Russian carrier doesn't have catapults.

- the ADS doesn't have provision for catapults either IIRC.

[ajay_ijn]

India can't use them on her carriers anyway.

- one is too small in deck length and its catapults would not be able to launch them anyway

- the ex Russian carrier doesn't have catapults.

- the ADS doesn't have provision for catapults either IIRC.

Thats what I wanted to say,
I always wanted Indian ACs to have CTOL rather than VSTOL
if Indian Carriers cannot use then what for US is offering.
For Land Based purpose??
Can we use a Carrier based Plane in an Airforce,I mean for Land Based?
F-18 is truly a gr8 Aircraft.

[gf0012-aust]

Originally Posted by ajay_ijn

Can we use a Carrier based Plane in an Airforce,I mean for Land Based?

Carrier based aircraft are far more robust - they have to be for constant traps and launches. You can use them anyway you like. I could be wrong, but IIRC all of the Euro F-18 users are still tail hooked. The Oz ones aren't.

[Aussie Digger]

Some of the RAAF F/A-18's still have tail hooks, but not all. The pretty blue one at Avalon certainly didn't... AS to the Land based use of "carrier" designed aircraft, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Finland and Malaysia all use F/A-18's and none of them possess a carrier. Spain also uses them, but doesn't possess a carrier capable of operating F/A-18's.

You are right, the F-18 series of fighters have been very good. Along with the F-16, they have really cmented the "multi-role" combat aircraft concept amongst modern airforces. An aircraft that is simultaneously (and equally as) capable of Within/Beyond visual range air to air combat and precision strike missions is truly an asset for an airforce...

[kashifshahzad]

I think India havent decided for which AC's should they go for when they are not gettinh the F-16's they say that they do not need them and when they are getting them they say there is no other plane like F-16's so people let the deciasion come from Indian Govt.

" Grapes are sour"

[Pathfinder-X]

Originally Posted by Aussie Digger

Some of the RAAF F/A-18's still have tail hooks, but not all. The pretty blue one at Avalon certainly didn't... AS to the Land based use of "carrier" designed aircraft, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Finland and Malaysia all use F/A-18's and none of them possess a carrier. Spain also uses them, but doesn't possess a carrier capable of operating F/A-18's.

You are right, the F-18 series of fighters have been very good. Along with the F-16, they have really cmented the "multi-role" combat aircraft concept amongst modern airforces. An aircraft that is simultaneously (and equally as) capable of Within/Beyond visual range air to air combat and precision strike missions is truly an asset for an airforce...

The CF-18 in Canadian forces are basically F/A-18A/B without the tail hooks and added night identification spotlights. There is a plan to upgrade these birds into C/D standard, however the program is running slow due to tight budget from DoD. I guess the reason Aussies, Canadian, Switz, and Finish chose them is because of their flexibility. It is capable of switching its role from air superiority to precision strike in mid-air, which is very appealing to many smaller AF who can't afford the dedicated single mission fighters.

Any upgrade plans for Aussie Hornets?

[Aussie Digger]

Yep the Australian Hornets have been undergoing various phases of the Hornet upgrade Program (HUG) since around 1998. The first phase has been completed and included new mission computers, upgraded EW, additional multi-plex buses etc. The major effect of the first phase of enhancements allowed RAAF Hornets to carry AIM-120C AMRAAM as their principal A2A weapon and increased their abilities in "high-threat" environs.

Phase 2 is still underway and includes new APG-73 radars, new RWR, new digital full colour moving map displays, JHMCS, ASRAAM missile incorporation, new counter measure dispensing systems (it's likely to be the Swedish BOL system), new IR/EO targetting pods (ATFLIR, Sniper XR or Litening AT). A full new EWSP system (including internal jammers) is to be included in addition to the RWR and CMDS. Phase 2 is mostly completed, with the RWR/CMDS, JHMCS and new targetting pods to be fitted and integrated with the remainder of the fleet. 2x Hornets have so far completed Phase 2 and were handed over to the RAAF in March.

Phase 3 will include (i) refurbishment and enhancement of several of the airframe components of the Hornets and (ii) the addition of new "centre barrels) for up to 43 of our Hornets to ensure they reach their life of type in 2015 or further if necessary.

There are also several related programs to the HUG such as the Bomb Improvement program (ie: obtaining Satellite guided munitions; JDAM or Enhanced Paveway II and possibly the SDB) and new standoff weapons ( Taurus KEPD 350, JASSM or SLAM-ER or a combination of these)...

An additional weapons type known as the "Littoral support weapon" is still a requirement for the RAAF, though what type of weapon this is, is a matter of speculation at present as nothing has been formally released about this. I can only presume it will be a weapon type such as Brimstone or Maverick as this is just about the only weapon type missing from the RAAF inventory that the RAAF is likely to acquire...

AS you can see the RAAF HUG is pretty comprehensive and is addressing basically every area of the Hornets combat capability. RAAF Hornets are regarded, thanks to these upgrades (in reports I've read) as amongst the most capable Hornets (of any type) in service... The only thing they lack IMHO is a decent pair of CFT's so that a couple of weapons stations can be freed up...

I presume the Canadian Hornet upgrade will be similar?