India, Russia to ink pact on aircraft production

[Contrarian]

Fifth fleet of fighter planes on the anvil

NEW DELHI: India and Russia would actively pursue joint development of military systems as a key agenda here when the Inter-governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation meet on Wednesday, but no major breakthroughs are expected, sources say.

Indian defence minister AK Antony and his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov would chair the meeting on Wednesday. Sources said India has indicated its preference for a fifth generation fighter design from Sukhoi Design Bureau for joint development. The issue would be discussed in details and would also figure when President Vladimir Putin arrives as the chief guest on the Republic Day. Sources, however, said that an agreement is not expected during these meetings.

Russia has invited India to jointly develop a fifth generation fighter that could take to air in the next few years. India is keen to take part in such a development, but the details are yet to be finalised. France is also believed to have evinced interest in taking part in the project.

Both MIG and Sukhoi have submitted their design proposals for the fifth generation fighter, but sources said Sukhoi design is being preferred. The two sides would also discuss further a proposal to start joint development and manufacture of military transport aircraft. A final agreement on this too is not expected this time, sources said.

The most significant agreement expected is on the manufacture of RD-33 engines in India, by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, for MIG-29 fighters.

The two sides would discuss possible sale of BrahMos cruise missiles to third countries. The MoU between the two sides on the joint production of the missile clearly says they would sell it to friendly third countries.

Despite the onslaught by Israel, France and other western nations, Russia remains India’s biggest military supplier. Over 70 per cent of the military platforms of India are of Russian make, and some $10 billion worth of import orders are already placed with Russian companies for military supplies. And since 1960 the two sides have done business worth almost $35 billion.
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1075997

 

[Contrarian]

I think the article is wrong and that India would go with the MiG project. The Su project is in its final stages with a TD already there, but the MiG project is still in its earlier stages. I strongly believe that India will chose MiG over Su because:
1. Su is developing a heavy 5th gen fighter-T-50/PAK-FA, it will be expensive, what India needs is a good number of squadrons in the air, not just one squadron of heavy planes.
2. India already has a superb heavy fighter the Su-30MKI. So there is no need to get another heavy fighter, as only limited numbers would be acquired. Thereby compromising the total number of planes. In a country like India you need quantity also.
3. MiG is developing a LIGHT or a MEDIUM 5th gen fighter. This plane is very suited for India as it is light, it would be cheaper, and lighter than the PAK-FA and would be a 5th gen fighter.
4. Due to it being a Light/Medium Fighter, it could be acquired in much greater numbers than the PAk-FA.
5. The MiG project is still very young, India can collaborate on this project, kind of like a JV, and it would be the MCA, which as GoI has defined is a medium combat fighter of the 5th generation. So India builds its MCA, with MiG.
6. Gives greater stragic value to both Russia and India. As if India went for the Su plane, only 1 plane would be developed. Its quite certain that Russia can only finance the development of 1 plane, its having troubles with even that. If India were to go with teh MiG project, then it would give India and Russia 2 planes. A perfect Hi-Low mix of 5th gen aircrafts along with the Su-30MKI.

In any case, the article is saying that no breakthrough's are expected just immediately.

 

[Contrarian]

India, Russia to discuss joint development of fifth generation fighter

BANGALORE, JAN 23 (PTI)

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said today that joint development of a fifth generation fighter is expected to figure in the meeting of Russian-Indian inter-governmental commission on military-technical cooperation and agenda of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India this week.

Speaking at a press conference here, Ivanov said Russia had made certain progress in the development of the fighter in the last three years. Based on the Sukhoi aircraft, the fighter is expected to make its maiden flight in 2009.

Ivanov, who holds the rank of Deputy Prime Minister in the Russian cabinet, said India made its interest known to participate in the fighter programme for some years now.

"As far as I know, recently the Government of India has made a final decision on the design of their (India's own) aircraft (fifth generation)," he said.

Ivanov said he believed the issue (joint development of the fifth generation fighter) would be raised in the Commission's meeting in New Delhi tomorrow, and also included in the agenda of Putin.

Ivanov also said Russia would very actively participate in the proposed tender by India to acquire 126 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, adding, MiG-35 would be positioned in this context.

He said the Russian federation would bring in MiG-35 fighters to India for next month's Aero India 2007 to be held in Bangalore.

"MiG-35 is equipped with superb engine. It can be made in India. HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) can be in-charge of production and maintenance of the engine. This reduces the cost," Ivanov said.
http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=445660
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There you go, another conflicting report. Whether the GoI has made its decision or not!

 

[Contrarian]

OMG! Things seem to finally unravelling:

Cold war allies to let loose killer in the sky

Cold war allies India and Russia will each invest at least Rs 5,000 crore to jointly design and build an advanced military jet to rival the F-35 joint strike fighter being developed by the United states and Britain.

India and Russian governments are likely to sign an agreement to seal the project during the January 25-26 visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, according to sources familiar with the proposed deal. This will be the first time India will partner another country on an aviation project of this scale.

New Delhi and Moscow are aiming for the fighter’s first flight by 2015. After certification by both sides, the aircraft will be produced for the Russian and Indian air forces.

“We have not yet decided on who will partner with the Russian company. It could be either the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Defence Research and Development Organisation or the Indian Air Force or a combination of these,” said one person close to the Indian side of the decision-making process, who refused to be identified because of the classified nature of the deal.

A defence ministry spokesman, Sitanshu Kar, declined to confirm an agreement was imminent, but said the Russian defence officials were in India to discuss the “craft”.

The so-called fifth-generation fighter’s capabilities will include advanced aviation electronics, or avionics, to provide the pilot a detailed three-dimensional picture of the battlefield and improved “stealth” capability to evade radars.

The most advanced aircraft in the Indian Air Force at present is the Sukhoi-30 MkI, a fourth generation fighter, designed by Russia.

The American F-22 Raptor and F-35 JSF Lightning are the only fifth generation fighters in the world today.

Russia’s United Aircraft Building Corporation, a new umbrella organisation that has aircraft manufacturers like MiG, Sukhoi, Illyushin and Tupolev under it, is likely to partner the Indians. Sukhoi Design Bureau, the makers of Sukhoi 30, has been working on the design of the fifth generation fighter for over five years.

India’s own indigenously developed light combat aircraft — Tejas — has been delayed by nearly a decade. It is now undergoing trial flights ahead of certification, upon which 26 aircraft will be inducted into the Indian Air Force. “India is involved with the U.S. in various areas (like the nuclear deal); this could be a way to maintain strategic balance,” said P Rajkumar, a retired IAF Air Marshal, who headed the Tejas programme for two years until 2005.

But the India-Russia move could also be a source of friction as the F35 is a major defence initiative for the U.S. and several other countries. In addition to the US and the UK, seven other countries are partnering on the F-35 project, which got underway in 2001. They include Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Australia.

Israel and Singapore have also agreed to join the programme. Lockheed Martin is the F-35 prime contractor, while Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems are principal partners in the project. The plan is to build 22 aircraft in the first 10year phase, according to the pro ject’s official website.

The proposed Russia-India agreement comes at a time when India is evaluating options to buy 126 multirole combat aircraft from countries, including Russia, the United States and Sweden. New Delhi insists that the sale should include transfer of technology and the right to licensed production in India.

Russia is already the dominant supplier of military hardware to India. The Indian Air Force has a fleet of over 600 fighters — nearly 90 per cent of Russian origin — including the MiG-21, MiG-29, Sukhoi-30 MkI and MiG-27. The two countries in recent years have collaborated on armaments such as the supersonic cruise missile Brahmos for domestic use and export to friendly countries.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1908670,0008.htm

 

[Contrarian]

MAN! Conflicting reports constantly. Cant wait when Putin comes. This article is slightly detailed and is in HT. So has a higher credibility so to speak.

 

[Neo]

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

India, Russia likely to sign 10 deals during Putin’s visit

NEW DELHI: India and Russia are expected to sign 10 agreements during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on Friday.

A senior official said here on Monday that both sides would also discuss cooperation for civil nuclear energy, defence and space, in addition to holding talks on the possibility of jointly developing a fifth generation fighter and a mid-sized transport aircraft. “We have been greatly buoyed by the success of the BrahMos cruise missile (jointly developed by India and Russia). The Russians have submitted a paper on the joint development of a fifth generation fighter and a transport aircraft,” said a Defence Ministry official here.

The official said that around 10 agreements, including a couple on the joint production of a multi-role transport aircraft and the development and the launch of satellites like the Global Navigational Satellite System, were likely to be signed during the visit. The two sides will also talk about cooperation in developing a missile shield for their satellites. Russia has built two nuclear reactors at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, and the visit is expected to see a decision on Russia building four more reactors. Indian Defence Minister AK Antony and his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov will discuss an entire range of issues at the sixth meeting of the Inter-Government Commission on Military Technical Cooperation. Ivanov arrived in Bangalore on Monday, where he will visit defence establishments, and then travel to New Delhi and join the Russian president’s delegation.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\01\23\story_23-1-2007_pg7_41