Indian Air force has different fighter for different roles.
SU 30 MKI is heavy weight air dominance fighter geared mainly to take out enemy fighter and
maintain air supremacy over enemy’s airspace. It is complimented by Mig 29s, which have
been used in operations from aircraft carriers.
For medium role fighter slot, India has finalized on acquiring 36 Rafael jets, with provision
of more jets in future. These aircrafts are meant to penetrate into enemy territory, play
a multitude of roles including high precision deep ground attacks and nuke delivery.
Light jets are mainly meant for defensive role, and are intended primarily to protect
the country’s airspace & carry out low penetration bombing missions.
Being cost effective, these can be used to have numerical superiority in the air.
India currently fields Dassault Mirage 2000, Jaguar and Mig 21 in this category. Dassault
Mirage 2000 & Jaguar has seen mid life upgrades and are still relevant.
India has 245 Mig 21s, which is a very old soviet era aircraft designed in 1960s, and
are not suitable for any upgrade. Hence, it is looking for a new fighter to
supplement the indigenously developed LCA Tejas in replacing the Mig 21s.
There is a sense of urgency in acquiring new aircrafts, as Indian Air force (IAF) strength
levels are depleting due to an ageing fleet of Mig 21s.
India needs 45 fighter squadrons to counter combined threats from Pakistan and China.
Currently, it has only 33 squadrons, where each squadron has about 18 to 20 jets.
The number of jets to be acquired will be around 150 to 200.
3 major aircraft manufacturers are offering to set up a manufacturing base in India, under
'Make in India' initiative. These moves gain significance, as India looks
to fill the fast dwindling fighter squadrons. In this video, Defense Updates is taking a
look at each of this offering. So, let’s get started.
The F18 Super Hornet is twin-engine, multirole
fighter aircraft variant based on the McDonnell Douglas F18 Hornet.
Since it is carrier capable, the Indian navy can use it too.
Thus the aircraft could meet both the Indian Air force (IAF) and Indian Navy’s operational
requirements. It must be noted that, F 18 Super Hornet has
seen extensive upgrades from the original F 18s.
The Super Hornet is bigger (25% larger wing area), has longer range (carries 33% more
internal fuel = 41% increase in mission range), can carry more weapons (has two extra weapons
hard points) than the old Hornets, and it is fitted with the newest electronics.
A single piece of the twin engine, twin seat F-18 fighter jets cost about $65 million.
Lockheed Martin is offering India Block 70
F-16, which is the "newest and most advanced F-16" fighter jet.
F-16 models are denoted by increasing block numbers, to indicate upgrades. Each block
of planes has a variety of software, hardware, systems, weapons compatibility and structural
enhancements and can be tailored for specific customers.
The block 70 includes enhancements such as AESA Radar, advanced architecture, new center
display and is certified to carry latest weaponry. This improves pilot situational awareness
and provides increased operational capability. Single seat F-16's costs around $40 million.
Swedish defense major Saab has unveiled its
next generation fighter aircraft, Gripen E. On May 2016, the company said, this latest
version is being offered to India under the 'Make in India' initiative with transfer of
technology. It has significantly improved avionics system
when compared to previous versions of the Gripen.
The capability to carry more weapons and improved range performance is possible with a more
powerful engine, and the ability to carry more fuel.
The company has not only offered to set up
a base in India but also help in the development of aerospace capability for the next 100 years.
It has also offered to partner in developing the next version of indigenous Light Combat
Aircraft Tejas and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), being developed and designed
by Aeronautical Development Agency of India.
Single seat Gripen E will cost $65 million.
This type of deals could be win-win for both
India & the manufacturer. It makes sense for Boeing, Lockheed Martin
or Saab to open production lines in India, since as per ‘Make in India’ initiative;
they would have to invest back 50% of the total value of the deal.
For India, not only will it create jobs, but also having a production line would be a big
boost to the nascent private aviation sector in India. India will be the hub in which
these aircrafts will be manufactured, and sent to different nations who buy them.
All these 3 proposals involve significant transfer of technology with a substantial
native content. The proposal will also benefit the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft “Tejas”
program, as well as the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
It can be foreseen that once the production
line is established, newer aircraft of these manufactures are also likely to be built in India.
It remains to be seen how this pans out.