even if we discount kind of reporting by ToI (your points duly noted
@RISING SUN @XiNiX ), there are a few facts that we need to consider here:
1. FGFA project was conceived in early 2000s much earlier to Indo US 123 agreement. Geopolitical situations were very different then and India effectively had only one choice or chance of getting a Fifth Generation aircraft viz a T-50 derivative. Russia offered India a chance to work and improve its competencies in aerospace industry by sharing some workload. India had money and at that time it was the best thing India could hope for.
2. After 2008/9 when 123 agreement allowed India to interact with rest of the world in restricted technology areas, our options grew. The fact that US surpassed Russia in less than a decade from there to becoming leading arms supplier tells a lot.
3. The basic platform Su-50 has had several technical issues which IAF had raised and it is becoming increasingly clear to even Indian Government that Russia needs to clarify a road map for settlement of these issues before India commits to joint development and production. Going by recent signals on India willing to buy only 60-70 fighters and subsequently Russia offering Su-50 as stopgap arrangement shows not all is well or going as per plan for the project.
4. One of most discomforting things right now is Russia's own dragging of feet on the project and not concentrating full energies on T-50. Doesn't send good signals to a prospective partner.
The thoughts of India getting or considering F-35 may or may not be true, but fact remains, India needs 4.5 generation fighters to deal with threats in region. China hasn't started to field J-20(or 31) along Indian borders and India needs to makeup for attrition on account of retirement of legacy MiG fighters in next decade for which right now LCA Mark 1 (&IA) / Single engine fighter and Rafale remain best options. with limiting budgets and requirement of AWACS and MAR becoming more and more pressing, it is becoming clearer that India hasn't got a fifth generation fighter as its prime focus. 5 years from now when MKI program would've wound up and picture becoming clearer on LCA / Single engine platform & Rafale getting settled in IAF strategy, maybe we will be in a position to make a proper move on issue of fifth generation fighter. But till that time, expect more window shopping.
well said!
Sir, nobody knows if India has formally been offered F-35 yet.
NATO nations have their orders lined up and we are not even sure when F35 would arrive assuming we sign a contract for F35 (hypothetical scenario) today.
But i suppose India is trying to buy some time, before committing to any future platform.
If Money is only thing smelling, Russia can also sell their engines technology to China...no nations want to create a future competitor...Indians are just delude themselves.
