Bhai Zakir
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IAF hopes to build its own combat aircraft within 20 years
The Indian Air Force (IAF) dreams of developing its own combat aircraft in 20 years. At least that is what IAF chief NAK Browne hopes, given the fact that the Air Force has acquired significant expertise in overhaul and upgrade of aircraft.
"The 14 base repair depots (BRDs) have grown in both capability and capacity in a manner that the day is not far when it will be able to develop its own medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA)," Browne said at a press conference in Delhi on Friday.
While the IAF has successfully upgraded Russian MiG-29 fighters at its Nashik-based Ozar facility, the BRD in Chandigarh is the state-of-the-art facility for overhaul of Mi-17 choppers - the backbone of helicopter fleet.
An Air Force contingent marches during the full dress rehearsal for the Air Force Day Parade of October 8 at Hindon
An Air Force contingent marches during the full dress rehearsal for the Air Force Day Parade of October 8 at Hindon
Similarly, the base repair depot in Kanpur is working on An-32 transport aircraft and Viper engines used in Kiran intermediate jet trainers.
"I hope it's a dream but 20 years from now we should produce MMRCA kind of aircraft," Browne said.
The remark is significant as India has struggled to develop its own aircraft over the years. The LCA project has been going on for several decades, and it is not before two years that the homegrown Tejas aircraft will be ready for induction into the IAF.
At a time when the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, which does all the licensed production of foreign aircraft for the IAF, is unable to absorb technology to the satisfaction of the Air Force, the BRDs are carrying out work more efficiently.
Air Force officials said the state-of-the-art facilities developed at these facilities will prove to be a major strength in the coming years.
The HAL's wastage rate is at least five times that of other aircraft manufacturers in the world, they said. The IAF is maintaining a large and divergent fleet ranging from Jaguars and Mirages to ageing transporters and helicopters.
The maintenance of these aircraft have been a challenge for the Air Force. The IAF is inducting several new platforms in the coming years, including 126 French Rafale medium multi-role combat aircraft for which talks are underway.
Read more: IAF hopes to build its own combat aircraft within 20 years | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Read more: IAF hopes to build its own combat aircraft within 20 years | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
The Indian Air Force (IAF) dreams of developing its own combat aircraft in 20 years. At least that is what IAF chief NAK Browne hopes, given the fact that the Air Force has acquired significant expertise in overhaul and upgrade of aircraft.
"The 14 base repair depots (BRDs) have grown in both capability and capacity in a manner that the day is not far when it will be able to develop its own medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA)," Browne said at a press conference in Delhi on Friday.
While the IAF has successfully upgraded Russian MiG-29 fighters at its Nashik-based Ozar facility, the BRD in Chandigarh is the state-of-the-art facility for overhaul of Mi-17 choppers - the backbone of helicopter fleet.
An Air Force contingent marches during the full dress rehearsal for the Air Force Day Parade of October 8 at Hindon
An Air Force contingent marches during the full dress rehearsal for the Air Force Day Parade of October 8 at Hindon
Similarly, the base repair depot in Kanpur is working on An-32 transport aircraft and Viper engines used in Kiran intermediate jet trainers.
"I hope it's a dream but 20 years from now we should produce MMRCA kind of aircraft," Browne said.
The remark is significant as India has struggled to develop its own aircraft over the years. The LCA project has been going on for several decades, and it is not before two years that the homegrown Tejas aircraft will be ready for induction into the IAF.
At a time when the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, which does all the licensed production of foreign aircraft for the IAF, is unable to absorb technology to the satisfaction of the Air Force, the BRDs are carrying out work more efficiently.
Air Force officials said the state-of-the-art facilities developed at these facilities will prove to be a major strength in the coming years.
The HAL's wastage rate is at least five times that of other aircraft manufacturers in the world, they said. The IAF is maintaining a large and divergent fleet ranging from Jaguars and Mirages to ageing transporters and helicopters.
The maintenance of these aircraft have been a challenge for the Air Force. The IAF is inducting several new platforms in the coming years, including 126 French Rafale medium multi-role combat aircraft for which talks are underway.
Read more: IAF hopes to build its own combat aircraft within 20 years | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Read more: IAF hopes to build its own combat aircraft within 20 years | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Anyways I was a bit confused when they said just because they are overhauling some engines they would be able to build a multirole fighter and not talking about the technical advancement.
