IAF Not Keen On Russian Stealth Fighter

[Dazzler]

A multibillion dollar programme to develop and produce a stealth fighter with Russia appears to be in peril, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) against pursuing it as it believes that the platform lacks the desired stealth characteristics and is inferior to US-made F-35 and F-22 jets, said a senior IAF officer familiar with the project.

He clarified there were no plans to go for a US stealth fighter.

In the IAF’s assessment, the proposed Indo-Russian fifth generation fighter aircraft, or FGFA, comes with limited capabilities and design issues at an exorbitant price. “Whether the FGFA programme is on or off will be a political decision. The IAF doesn’t think it’s worth pursuing,” the person quoted above said.

The government is finding it hard to reconcile two different points of view on FGFA.

While the IAF wants the project to be abandoned, a high-powered panel appointed by defence ministry to examine different aspects of FGFA recommended in its report last year that India should go ahead with the scheme.


https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...with-russia/story-17X10snonrs4A6FwOJAxOI.html

“We are spending more time to see what are the merits and demerits of both arguments. But yes, the FGFA is abhorrently expensive, so we are looking at what we are getting for our money,” said a top defence ministry official familiar with the project.

Air Marshal Simhakutty Varthaman (retd), who headed the ministry’s panel, refused comments on his report or the contrary IAF view on the stealth fighter. “I would like to leave it to the defence ministry,” he said.

India has been in discussions with Russia but has not signed a $4 billion research and development contract for FGFA.

“I was never enthused by it and I would go by what IAF has to say,” said Air Marshal Vinod Patni (retd), head of Centre for Air Power Studies and a former IAF vice chief.

 

[Maarkhoor]

I pray they choose F-35 so they doomed and fall in love with American Jet / Trap. ameen

 

[IceCold]

Why would they be when the US is dangling the F-35 carrot. It will not be a surprise if India orders initial batches of either the F-16 or 18 just to get the F-35.

 

[Novice09]

They want the Indian money... but dont want to share the technological know-how... that is the bone of contention...

Su 30 MKI is a classic case where they got the access to western stuff bcos of India and developed Su 35...

Russia is the most trusted and tested friend of India... This issue will be resolved as others did...

 

[Muhammed45]

Bargaining.

 

[Vapnope]

There was this article,
https://thediplomat.com/2018/02/cou...th-generation-variant-of-the-su-35-for-india/
Could Russia Design a Fifth-Generation Variant of the Su-35 for India?
A stealth-capable Su-35 could be just what India needs to keep pace with China and Pakistan.

By Abraham Ait
February 10, 2018


With the future of India’s HAL fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), a program to design an Indian next generation fighter based on the Russian Su-57 fifth-generation air superiority platform, currently uncertain, Moscow and New Delhi are reportedly discussing developing a “fifth-generation” version of the Su-35 for India’s needs. This would provide the Indian Air Force with a fifth-generation air superiority platform at a lower cost that the Su-57 derivative — a capability the country sorely needs in light of the induction of the J-20 heavy fifth-generation fighter in neighboring China.

At Abu Dhabi’s IDEX show, the CEO of Russia’s Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, stated, “We have been negotiating and have signed the intention protocol for the Su-35. Now we are working on designing ideas for this contract and on creating a manufacturing platform for an aircraft of the fifth generation.”

The size of India’s intended order remains uncertain, but could well be over 100 platforms, considering the size of previous orders and the planned size of orders for the FGFA fighter.

Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month.
If reports of development of a fifth-generation platform based on the Su-35 are true, their results could be intriguing and lead to a world-leading fighter. The standard Su-35 design is more than capable of matching the performance characteristics of a fifth-generation fighter — with the sole exception of its lack of stealth capabilities. A fifth-generation variant of the Su-35 could well mean nothing more than modifying the fighter, termed a “4++” generation platform by Russia’s military, to incorporate stealth.

This would hardly be the first time that such a modification had been attempted. With the United States unwilling to export its F-22 Raptor fifth generation platform, Boeing has extensively modified the airframe of its F-15E strike fighter to develop the F-15SE Silent Eagle — a variant of the fighter with a reduced frontal radar cross section and radar absorbing paints. While the F-15E lacks the upgraded avionics, advanced missiles, and supermaneuverability of the Su-35, and cannot be considered “fifth generation” even with stealth capabilities, its stealth variant allows U.S. allies to field low observable heavy fighters — something sorely needed in light of their inability to acquire the F-22 Raptor. Saudi Arabia, currently fielding over 150 F-15 and F-15E fighters, has notably expressed a strong interest in acquiring the platform. The modifications proposed for the Su-35 are likely to be in many ways analogous to those applied to the F-15E to create the F-15SE.

With Russia’s willingness to export the Su-57 as yet unknown, and with several potential clients seeking air superiority fighters with stealth capabilities, a modified Su-35 variant potentially based on a similar concept to the F-15SE could well prove a less costly and highly demanded product. The United Arab Emirates in 2017 entered cooperation with Russia to develop a fifth-generation fighter, and has also shown interest in acquiring large numbers of the Su-35. A stealth variant of the fighter, which would fulfill the criteria of a fifth-generation platform despite being less capable that the Su-57, could well be ideal for the Arab state as well as for India.

In Indian hands the platform could provide the country with the critical advantage it seeks over China’s advanced J-11B and Su-30 air superiority fighters. With Pakistan developing its own light stealth fighter, New Delhi’s need to acquire stealth technology appears greater than ever. The upgraded Su-35 variant is set to cost significantly more than the standard fighter, and come with far higher maintenance requirements. Should it be modified to deploy Russia’s latest missile platforms, such as the K-77 missiles developed for the Su-57 or the 400-kilometer range R-37 interceptor missiles, the stealth variant of the Su-35 designed for India could be a truly lethal, cost-effective alternative to the HAL FGFA.

Abraham Ait is a military analyst specializing in Asia-Pacific security and the role of air power in modern warfare. He is chief editor of Military Watch Magazine.

 

[Maxpane]

So what next?

 

[Muhammed45]

So what next?

Look, says we are not interested in American ones, at the same time. Just a massage, complaining about the cost of this deal. Massage delivered lol

 

[Dalit]

Indians and their pathetic antics. Playing both sides.

 

[Chhatrapati]

We have a lot of guys recommending us about foreign policy. What jets we should buy and so on.

And how to balance relation with US and Russia.

 

[!eon]

It's logical. F-35 is there, flying, taking part in operations. FGFA is nowhere to be seen. No one knows how many more years it will take to be fully functional.

 

[sputnik]

A multibillion dollar programme to develop and produce a stealth fighter with Russia appears to be in peril, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) against pursuing it as it believes that the platform lacks the desired stealth characteristics and is inferior to US-made F-35 and F-22 jets, said a senior IAF officer familiar with the project.

He clarified there were no plans to go for a US stealth fighter.

In the IAF’s assessment, the proposed Indo-Russian fifth generation fighter aircraft, or FGFA, comes with limited capabilities and design issues at an exorbitant price. “Whether the FGFA programme is on or off will be a political decision. The IAF doesn’t think it’s worth pursuing,” the person quoted above said.

The government is finding it hard to reconcile two different points of view on FGFA.

While the IAF wants the project to be abandoned, a high-powered panel appointed by defence ministry to examine different aspects of FGFA recommended in its report last year that India should go ahead with the scheme.


https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...with-russia/story-17X10snonrs4A6FwOJAxOI.html

“We are spending more time to see what are the merits and demerits of both arguments. But yes, the FGFA is abhorrently expensive, so we are looking at what we are getting for our money,” said a top defence ministry official familiar with the project.

Air Marshal Simhakutty Varthaman (retd), who headed the ministry’s panel, refused comments on his report or the contrary IAF view on the stealth fighter. “I would like to leave it to the defence ministry,” he said.

India has been in discussions with Russia but has not signed a $4 billion research and development contract for FGFA.

“I was never enthused by it and I would go by what IAF has to say,” said Air Marshal Vinod Patni (retd), head of Centre for Air Power Studies and a former IAF vice chief.

FGFA deal is closed. All India wants now is to get money adjusted. which is roughly $400 Million.
Not Just FGFA but ain't see any other Russian plane in next 30-50 years will enter in IAF going forward.

France + Israel are New Russia for India. As Also, Russians needs More China then India as well. So they don't hesitate to go cold with India-Russia relation.

India rightly moved in Western camp. As Even if India had not gone with USA, Russia would still gone with China.
F-35 will never come to India. I strongly believe French MRCA Nos will go up significantly going forward.

 

[Arsalan]

So now there are chances that F-35 may gain the status of "Worlds Best Super Jet" and "unbeatable alien tech"

Remember that the title have previously been held by:

Su30
Su-57
Euro Fighter
Mirage 2000
Rafale
F16
and even Bison!

Its all about the "mood" and "interest"

 

[BATMAN]

There's too much division among Indian policy makers.
IAF tilt is in favor of Froogies, RAW is fan of Yankees.

 

[faithfulguy]

There's too much division among Indian policy makers.
IAF tilt is in favor of Froogies, RAW is fan of Yankees.

It look like every foreign interest has a proxy in India. India is not independent after all.