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IAF lines up massive acquisition of aircrafts & weapon systems worth at least $40 billion

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning massive acquisitions of aircrafts, helicopters and other weapon systems over a period of seven to eight years at a staggering cost of ₹2.5 lakh crore to ₹3-lakh crore, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari said on Tuesday. The Air Chief’s announcement was in the run-up to Air Force Day which would be celebrated in Prayagraj on Sunday.

While orders for acquisitions of some of the platforms and systems have already been issued, others are in the pipeline. “Overall value of these contracts will well pass ₹2.5 to ₹3lakh crores...The cash inflow of course will depend on the allotted budget. These contracts will be fulfilled over a period of 7 to 8 years. So we will plan our budget accordingly,” the Air Force Chief stated on Tuesday while sharing the roadmap for addressing the capability deficiency, some of which has been existing for a long time.

Addressing the media, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari elaborated that the IAF is acquiring 97 more Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1As, which add to the existing order to the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 83 LCAs, and at a cost of Rs 1.15 lakh crore. The total strength of LCA Tejas would go up to 180 and they would replace the ageing Mig 21 squadrons that would be entirely number plated by 2025. The Mig 21s will be participating in the last flypast at the Air Force Day on October 8, stated the IAF officials.

According to the Air Chief, the contract for additional 97 LCA Mk-1As will be signed with the HAL which may decide to increase the production lines in partnership with any Indian defence industry or upgrade its own facility to meet the timelines. The LCAs that IAF would induct through the next contract is likely to have some additional features to accommodate technological advancements, Chaudhari told reporters.

Similar contracts
Similarly, the IAF inducted ten Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) last year. “We are looking at signing the contract in the coming year for a total of 166 and 56 out of that will be with the Indian Air Force, and the contract would be somewhere around ₹45,000 crore,” Chaudhari said.

Apart from this, the IAF has already inked a ₹6,000 crore worth deal with the HAL for 70 trainer aircrafts HTT-40, he said while adding that in the pipeline is also upgrade of 84 SU-30 MKIs multirole fighter jets. The value of SU-30 MKI deal is anticipated to be over Rs 60,000 crore, the Air Chief stressed.

A collaborative team from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Indian Air Force would handle the project domestically, and the aircraft would be outfitted with homegrown radars, avionics, and weaponry.

The project has been transferred to the Defence Ministry and is going to be the subject of important high-level discussion.

The upgrade plan would be implemented gradually on the remaining 160+ aircraft, starting with approximately 90 aircraft, bringing them very near to fifth-generation capabilities.

The C-295 transport aircraft has also been added to the Air Force, marking the first private sector joint venture to be established for the production of transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

Over Rs 22,000 crores would be spent on the project, which would fund the domestic production of over 40 aircraft.

The weapon systems such as new generation medium range surface-to-air missile systems, Akash New Generation missile defence systems, Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) Project Kusha, and ballistic missile systems Pralay are also awaiting to fill the IAF inventory which would be largely indigenous.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently cleared five units of Project Kusha, the LRSAM having similar capabilities of the Russian-origin S-400 air defence missile systems. The Air Chief Marshal stated that the IAF has allotted budget for Kusha which would be designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

He also said that supplies of some spares and systems like S-400s have been delayed due to ongoing Russian-Ukraine war. Three S-400 squadrons have come while the remaining two are expected in a year’s time, he stated. To ensure smooth flow of spares and sub-systems, the government has encouraged defence companies of Russia and Ukraine to invest in Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme and a lot of these companies are coming up, some have already signed JVs and spares are being indigenised, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari stated.

The Chief of Air Staff also spoke on the IAF’s preparedness on the threats on Western and Eastern borders, Pakistan getting military assistance from China and Turkey.


@CallSignMaverick @Raj-Hindustani @Cheepek @MirageBlue @mig25 @migflug @INDIAPOSITIVE @Skull and Bones @Hellfire2006 @hari sud
 
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View attachment 960853
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning massive acquisitions of aircrafts, helicopters and other weapon systems over a period of seven to eight years at a staggering cost of ₹2.5 lakh crore to ₹3-lakh crore, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari said on Tuesday. The Air Chief’s announcement was in the run-up to Air Force Day which would be celebrated in Prayagraj on Sunday.

While orders for acquisitions of some of the platforms and systems have already been issued, others are in the pipeline. “Overall value of these contracts will well pass ₹2.5 to ₹3lakh crores...The cash inflow of course will depend on the allotted budget. These contracts will be fulfilled over a period of 7 to 8 years. So we will plan our budget accordingly,” the Air Force Chief stated on Tuesday while sharing the roadmap for addressing the capability deficiency, some of which has been existing for a long time.

Addressing the media, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari elaborated that the IAF is acquiring 97 more Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1As, which add to the existing order to the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 83 LCAs, and at a cost of Rs 1.15 lakh crore. The total strength of LCA Tejas would go up to 180 and they would replace the ageing Mig 21 squadrons that would be entirely number plated by 2025. The Mig 21s will be participating in the last flypast at the Air Force Day on October 8, stated the IAF officials.

According to the Air Chief, the contract for additional 97 LCA Mk-1As will be signed with the HAL which may decide to increase the production lines in partnership with any Indian defence industry or upgrade its own facility to meet the timelines. The LCAs that IAF would induct through the next contract is likely to have some additional features to accommodate technological advancements, Chaudhari told reporters.

Similar contracts
Similarly, the IAF inducted ten Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) last year. “We are looking at signing the contract in the coming year for a total of 166 and 56 out of that will be with the Indian Air Force, and the contract would be somewhere around ₹45,000 crore,” Chaudhari said.

Apart from this, the IAF has already inked a ₹6,000 crore worth deal with the HAL for 70 trainer aircrafts HTT-40, he said while adding that in the pipeline is also upgrade of 84 SU-30 MKIs multirole fighter jets. The value of SU-30 MKI deal is anticipated to be over Rs 60,000 crore, the Air Chief stressed.

A collaborative team from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Indian Air Force would handle the project domestically, and the aircraft would be outfitted with homegrown radars, avionics, and weaponry.

The project has been transferred to the Defence Ministry and is going to be the subject of important high-level discussion.

The upgrade plan would be implemented gradually on the remaining 160+ aircraft, starting with approximately 90 aircraft, bringing them very near to fifth-generation capabilities.

The weapon systems such as new generation medium range mobile surface-to-air Akash missile systems, Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) Project Kusha, and ballistic missile systems Pralay are also awaiting to fill the IAF inventory which would be largely indigenous.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently cleared five units of Project Kusha, the LRSAM having similar capabilities of the Russian-origin S-400 air defence missile systems. The Air Chief Marshal stated that the IAF has allotted budget for Kusha which would be designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

He also said that supplies of some spares and systems like S-400s have been delayed due to ongoing Russian-Ukraine war. Three S-400 squadrons have come while the remaining two are expected in a year’s time, he stated. To ensure smooth flow of spares and sub-systems, the government has encouraged defence companies of Russia and Ukraine to invest in Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme and a lot of these companies are coming up, some have already signed JVs and spares are being indigenised, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari stated.

The Chief of Air Staff also spoke on the IAF’s preparedness on the threats on Western and Eastern borders, Pakistan getting military assistance from China and Turkey.


@CallSignMaverick @Raj-Hindustani @Cheepek @MirageBlue @mig25 @migflug @INDIAPOSITIVE @Skull and Bones @Hellfire2006 @hari sud


Firstly, Indians have been day dreaming about buying fighters for over 2 decades but have been unsuccesful because India does not have any money.

Secondly, India is still stuck in the 20th century tactics like the Russians. These Indian fighters are a good target practice for the Pakistani HQ-16 and HD-9 Air defence systems.
 
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India to get 3 ISTAR aircraft under ₹6,000-crore indigenous project
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The air force has moved a proposal to acquire three airborne intelligence gathering aircraft under a project that will see the development of indigenous sensor technologies and systems. The new airborne intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) platform will be vital to map out battlefields and monitor enemy movements in real time, said people with knowledge of the matter.

The need for an ISTAR platform to provide real time feedback on a battlefield situation or border tensions has been increasingly felt. Along with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), an ISTAR platform will enable tracking of enemy assets across the border, signal intelligence gathering and pinpointing enemy radar and air defence positions.

The decision to go for an indigenous ISTAR comes after the air force cleared the acquisition of more indigenous 'Netra' early warning and control aircraft to its fleet. As reported, six additional aircraft are planned to be acquired by the air force as part of a $1 billion plan to add force multipliers in the air force.
 
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India to get 3 ISTAR aircraft under ₹6,000-crore indigenous project
View attachment 960872
The air force has moved a proposal to acquire three airborne intelligence gathering aircraft under a project that will see the development of indigenous sensor technologies and systems. The new airborne intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) platform will be vital to map out battlefields and monitor enemy movements in real time, said people with knowledge of the matter.

The need for an ISTAR platform to provide real time feedback on a battlefield situation or border tensions has been increasingly felt. Along with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), an ISTAR platform will enable tracking of enemy assets across the border, signal intelligence gathering and pinpointing enemy radar and air defence positions.

The decision to go for an indigenous ISTAR comes after the air force cleared the acquisition of more indigenous 'Netra' early warning and control aircraft to its fleet. As reported, six additional aircraft are planned to be acquired by the air force as part of a $1 billion plan to add force multipliers in the air force.

Indian radar systems are highly inferior to the Chinese ones both in capability and quantity.

Indian AEW&C system only provides 240-degree coverage and surveillance ranges between 250 km and 375 km while the chinese KJ500 has 360 degree covereage and range of 470KM. and track 100 targets.

Indian Air Force receives second indigenous AEW&C system​



China’s Massive Fleet Of Radar Planes And The Strategy Behind It​




Still no canards and low powered engine and radar.
 
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Two mega proposals for aircraft carrier, LCA-MK1A jets lined up for DAC approval
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NEW DELHI: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by the Defence Minister has two mega proposals lined up from the Navy and the Air Force, estimated to cumulatively cost over ₹1 lakh crore, as it is expected to meet at the end of this month. The Navy’s proposal for a repeat order of a Vikrant-like aircraft carrier, estimated to cost approximately ₹40,000 crore, and 97 additional Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-MK1A fighters for the Indian Air Force (IAF), estimated to cost around ₹67,000 crore, are lined up for approval from the DAC, according to defence sources.

Another proposal for major upgrade of 84 SU-30MKI fighter jets at a cost of just over ₹6,000 crore in service with the IAF is set to be taken up by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB), which is scheduled to meet on Friday.

Both the proposals, for a second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC)-II and 97 LCA-MK1A, have already been cleared by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) and are expected to be taken up by the DAC at its next meeting, two sources
, with knowledge of the matter, independently confirmed to The Hindu. The Sukhoi upgrade proposal is before the DPB which is scheduled to meet on Friday while the DAC is expected to meet on October 29 or 30, one of the sources said.

The proposal for IAC-II was cleared by the DPB in mid-September, one of the highly-placed sources said. The IAC-II displacing 45,000 tonnes will see some modifications and newer technologies incorporated in the original design of the country’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant, which was commissioned in September 2022 and will also be manufactured by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

Additional jets
Last week, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Vivek Ram Chaudhari announced that they have moved a case for 97 additional LCA-MK1A jets in addition to the 83 jets on order with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which would cumulatively cost around ₹1.15 lakh crore. This would eventually make 180 LCA-MK1A jets and 220 jets of the MK1 variant.

In 2021, the Defence Ministry had signed a ₹48,000-crore deal with the HAL to supply 83 LCA-Mk1A, a more capable fighter than the current LCA-MK1 in service. As per the contract, three LCA-MK1A are scheduled to be delivered to the IAF in February 2024 and 16 aircraft per year for subsequent five years. Officials said the deliveries of the larger LCA-MK2 jets were expected to commence from 2032 by which time the deliveries of all LCA-MK1A were expected to be completed with the HAL eventually ramping up production to 24 aircraft per year.

Sukhoi upgrade
The long-pending Su-30MKI upgrade will be initially rolled out with 84 jets and will largely be an indigenous effort, sources said. ACM Chaudhari has said that the 84 jets will see the upgradation of 51 systems with an indigenous content of 78%.

A source said that the original equipment manufacturer Russia would be involved in upgrading the fly-by-wire system, integration of systems among others and majority of the upgrades, including radar and avionics, will be indigenous. As part of this, the indigenous Uttam Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is expected to be integrated on the jets, sources said.
 
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Two mega proposals for aircraft carrier, LCA-MK1A jets lined up for DAC approval
View attachment 960944
NEW DELHI: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by the Defence Minister has two mega proposals lined up from the Navy and the Air Force, estimated to cumulatively cost over ₹1 lakh crore, as it is expected to meet at the end of this month. The Navy’s proposal for a repeat order of a Vikrant-like aircraft carrier, estimated to cost approximately ₹40,000 crore, and 97 additional Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-MK1A fighters for the Indian Air Force (IAF), estimated to cost around ₹67,000 crore, are lined up for approval from the DAC, according to defence sources.

Another proposal for major upgrade of 84 SU-30MKI fighter jets at a cost of just over ₹6,000 crore in service with the IAF is set to be taken up by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB), which is scheduled to meet on Friday.

Both the proposals, for a second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC)-II and 97 LCA-MK1A, have already been cleared by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) and are expected to be taken up by the DAC at its next meeting, two sources, with knowledge of the matter, independently confirmed to The Hindu. The Sukhoi upgrade proposal is before the DPB which is scheduled to meet on Friday while the DAC is expected to meet on October 29 or 30, one of the sources said.

The proposal for IAC-II was cleared by the DPB in mid-September, one of the highly-placed sources said. The IAC-II displacing 45,000 tonnes will see some modifications and newer technologies incorporated in the original design of the country’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant, which was commissioned in September 2022 and will also be manufactured by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

Additional jets
Last week, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Vivek Ram Chaudhari announced that they have moved a case for 97 additional LCA-MK1A jets in addition to the 83 jets on order with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which would cumulatively cost around ₹1.15 lakh crore. This would eventually make 180 LCA-MK1A jets and 220 jets of the MK1 variant.

In 2021, the Defence Ministry had signed a ₹48,000-crore deal with the HAL to supply 83 LCA-Mk1A, a more capable fighter than the current LCA-MK1 in service. As per the contract, three LCA-MK1A are scheduled to be delivered to the IAF in February 2024 and 16 aircraft per year for subsequent five years. Officials said the deliveries of the larger LCA-MK2 jets were expected to commence from 2032 by which time the deliveries of all LCA-MK1A were expected to be completed with the HAL eventually ramping up production to 24 aircraft per year.

Sukhoi upgrade
The long-pending Su-30MKI upgrade will be initially rolled out with 84 jets and will largely be an indigenous effort, sources said. ACM Chaudhari has said that the 84 jets will see the upgradation of 51 systems with an indigenous content of 78%.

A source said that the original equipment manufacturer Russia would be involved in upgrading the fly-by-wire system, integration of systems among others and majority of the upgrades, including radar and avionics, will be indigenous. As part of this, the indigenous Uttam Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is expected to be integrated on the jets, sources said.

If LCA is really ready to induct, why is India still plannig to buy MRFA?
 
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Because IAF wants Rafael type aircraft to fill the medium weight aircraft numbers.

Lca is Light . Good for numbers and defence or skirmishes near borders.

Deep strike will be mrfa .
 
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If the JF-17 Blk 3 was being inducted why did Pakistan spend on the J-10C?

Apples and Oranges.

Pakistan is buying J-10C to help China get more customers for their J-10C by showing the venerable PAF as their first customer.

Now that Pakistan became the first customer, KSA, Egypt and other Islamic nations will follow Pakistan's lead.

On the other hand India is buying Rafales because Indian Tejas failed.
 
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View attachment 960853
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning massive acquisitions of aircrafts, helicopters and other weapon systems over a period of seven to eight years at a staggering cost of ₹2.5 lakh crore to ₹3-lakh crore, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari said on Tuesday. The Air Chief’s announcement was in the run-up to Air Force Day which would be celebrated in Prayagraj on Sunday.

While orders for acquisitions of some of the platforms and systems have already been issued, others are in the pipeline. “Overall value of these contracts will well pass ₹2.5 to ₹3lakh crores...The cash inflow of course will depend on the allotted budget. These contracts will be fulfilled over a period of 7 to 8 years. So we will plan our budget accordingly,” the Air Force Chief stated on Tuesday while sharing the roadmap for addressing the capability deficiency, some of which has been existing for a long time.

Addressing the media, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari elaborated that the IAF is acquiring 97 more Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1As, which add to the existing order to the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 83 LCAs, and at a cost of Rs 1.15 lakh crore. The total strength of LCA Tejas would go up to 180 and they would replace the ageing Mig 21 squadrons that would be entirely number plated by 2025. The Mig 21s will be participating in the last flypast at the Air Force Day on October 8, stated the IAF officials.

According to the Air Chief, the contract for additional 97 LCA Mk-1As will be signed with the HAL which may decide to increase the production lines in partnership with any Indian defence industry or upgrade its own facility to meet the timelines. The LCAs that IAF would induct through the next contract is likely to have some additional features to accommodate technological advancements, Chaudhari told reporters.

Similar contracts
Similarly, the IAF inducted ten Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) last year. “We are looking at signing the contract in the coming year for a total of 166 and 56 out of that will be with the Indian Air Force, and the contract would be somewhere around ₹45,000 crore,” Chaudhari said.

Apart from this, the IAF has already inked a ₹6,000 crore worth deal with the HAL for 70 trainer aircrafts HTT-40, he said while adding that in the pipeline is also upgrade of 84 SU-30 MKIs multirole fighter jets. The value of SU-30 MKI deal is anticipated to be over Rs 60,000 crore, the Air Chief stressed.

A collaborative team from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Indian Air Force would handle the project domestically, and the aircraft would be outfitted with homegrown radars, avionics, and weaponry.

The project has been transferred to the Defence Ministry and is going to be the subject of important high-level discussion.

The upgrade plan would be implemented gradually on the remaining 160+ aircraft, starting with approximately 90 aircraft, bringing them very near to fifth-generation capabilities.

The C-295 transport aircraft has also been added to the Air Force, marking the first private sector joint venture to be established for the production of transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

Over Rs 22,000 crores would be spent on the project, which would fund the domestic production of over 40 aircraft.

The weapon systems such as new generation medium range surface-to-air missile systems, Akash New Generation missile defence systems, Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) Project Kusha, and ballistic missile systems Pralay are also awaiting to fill the IAF inventory which would be largely indigenous.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently cleared five units of Project Kusha, the LRSAM having similar capabilities of the Russian-origin S-400 air defence missile systems. The Air Chief Marshal stated that the IAF has allotted budget for Kusha which would be designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

He also said that supplies of some spares and systems like S-400s have been delayed due to ongoing Russian-Ukraine war. Three S-400 squadrons have come while the remaining two are expected in a year’s time, he stated. To ensure smooth flow of spares and sub-systems, the government has encouraged defence companies of Russia and Ukraine to invest in Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme and a lot of these companies are coming up, some have already signed JVs and spares are being indigenised, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari stated.

The Chief of Air Staff also spoke on the IAF’s preparedness on the threats on Western and Eastern borders, Pakistan getting military assistance from China and Turkey.


@CallSignMaverick @Raj-Hindustani @Cheepek @MirageBlue @mig25 @migflug @INDIAPOSITIVE @Skull and Bones @Hellfire2006 @hari sud
Ok ,you better buy ice packs as part of the package:-


1697767799243.png
 
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Because IAF wants Rafael type aircraft to fill the medium weight aircraft numbers.

Lca is Light . Good for numbers and defence or skirmishes near borders.

Deep strike will be mrfa .

we have Rafale which would be used within Indian border, as, win in air and cross Chinese-Pak borders like SU30mki? Rafale won't be as reliable in Dog fight near border regions as compare to SU30mki.
we might have opted Mig35, which would be more reliable on dog fight operations also, no less than Rafale, with so low price similar to LCA Mk1
 
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UAC’s MiG-35 Offering at Aero India Indicative of Indo-Russian Strategic Cooperation ​

One of the main priorities for UAC in the Indian aviation market is developing a unified after-sales service system for Russian aviation equipment, which constitutes significant potential for the Indian Air Force (IAF).


The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is participating in the Aero India 2023 at the Yelahanka Military Air Base from today (13 February) to 17 February 2023. It may be pertinent to note that this marks the first time UAC presents its offerings as a unified company abroad, following its merger with leading design bureaus, Sukhoi and MIG, and plants in Lukhovitsy, Novosibirsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and Nizhny Novgorod.

UAC is showcasing its flagship products, including the uber-sophisticated MiG-35 multifunctional frontline fighter, at the united Russian exposition organised by Rosoboronexport. The MiG-35 is a 4th++ generation fighter that incorporates 5th generation technologies and is designed to engage various air targets and moving and fixed ground targets using guided and unguided armament. The aircraft features versatility, a wide range of weaponry, the capability to operate in any climatic conditions, and decreased cost of operation.

The MiG-35 also offers close air combat in heavy countermeasures environments and can be operated in both combat and training modes in a two-seat configuration. The aircraft is an advanced version of the MiG-29M/M2 and represents the pinnacle of the MiG aircraft family.:-)

The MiG-35 is a contemporary export variant that combines modern systems from the MiG-29M2 with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. According to Airforce Technology, the fighter jet has the thrust vectoring of the MiG-29OVT as an additional option. The MiG-35, which made its maiden flight in 2007, comes in single and twin-seater variants.

 
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we have Rafale which would be used within Indian border, as, win in air and cross Chinese-Pak borders like SU30mki? Rafale won't be as reliable in Dog fight near border regions as compare to SU30mki.
we might have opted Mig35, which would be more reliable on dog fight operations also, no less than Rafale, with so low price, similar to LCA Mk1
IAF's F3Rs low band jammer will be capable of evading lock-ons from Chinese radars of HQ-9 SAM
 
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