India speeds up $11 bln fighter jets purchase

[karan.1970]

I dont think they will go over 126. Specially with the added orders for mig 29 K

I am betting on F 18 or MIg 35 or may be a combination..

 

[K^se]

I'm going with India will go for the EuroTyphoon, simply because we don't give out the full ToT with any defense agreements, that even includes Israel even we don't give them full ToT we just help them put their avionics into our systems, Fighters, Destroyers, etc..LockHeed F-16 Block 60, or Boeing F-18 S/H won't be India choice, it will be the EuroTyphoon, or if Russia lobbies them to buy their MIG 35..

 

[DMLA]

Specially with the added orders for mig 29 K

What has the navy orders got to do with the airforce? It is a well documented fact that indian armed forces are highly fragmented when it comes to operations and each service thinks/ works in isolation (more or less) not withstanding the charade of joint war games. Navy will never free up its assets for the air force ops! Having said that, I do foresee IAF going for more birds if the fifth generation fighters (programs) get delayed by even a few years!!!

 

[krish]

if f-18 is chosen then the next 100 should be EUROFIGHTER.

no dude the deal is not going to be split there can be only one winner my money is on rafile since this MMRCA is all about buying mirages since french closed the production they offered the rafile which is y rafile is going to win the contest..........................

 

[su-47]

Guys the MRCA wasn't even SUPPOSED to take place. IAF had initially planned to phase out MiG-21 and MiG-23 and replace them with LCA, and then later on replace MiG-27 and Jaguar with MCA. So by the later half of this decade IAF fleet was supposed to have:

LCA
MCA
Su-30MKI
Mirage 2000
MiG-29

But due to delay in LCA, we were forced to use MRCA as a stop-gap measure, lest our air force fall below sanctioned strength. MRCA adds to the complexity of logistics and infrastructure for IAF, since they have to accomodate additional type of aircraft.

So basically one MRCA itself adds to the logistics problem. Even Rafale and Mig-35, whose predecessors we operate will add logistical and infrastructure burden, but to a lesser extent than the other contenders. Imagine the trouble if two MRCAs are chosen. It will really put a lot of burden on IAF, and reduce the effectiveness of the MRCA.

In addition, by choosing two aircraft, we will also lose out on economies of scale. Anyone with some economic knowledge will know the concept of marginal cost. Basically when buying in bulk, each additional unit will cost less than the previous unit. So buying 126 aircraft will not be double the cost of buying 63 aircraft. It'll be much less than double the cost. So cost-wise also, its better to go for one type of aircraft.

Two winners are a very remote possibility. It'll be a terrible decision to buy two types of aircraft.

 

[sancho]

Actually even with the current price f18 is the best if we get ToT:

Its tested, has AESA READY, is cost effective and has excellent ground attck capabilities. Plus is the backbone of USN.

Mki for air dominance and f18 for ground attck makes IAF invincible .

Nobody denies that this would be a good combo, but you also must see the other side!

- least ToT
- EUM
- no source codes, no customisations
- not sanction and pressure prove

If we are ok with these risks, the F18SH will be a good addition to the fleet, if not, there are better choices!

f18 is good plane but orders shuld not be to single plane
order should be 200+ and for two planes

f18 and rafale is good option

MoD said, there won't be a split, so no need to speculate on that again.

 

[Chanakyaa]

Nobody denies that this would be a good combo, but you also must see the other side!

- least ToT
- EUM
- no source codes, no customisations
- not sanction and pressure prove

If we are ok with these risks, the F18SH will be a good addition to the fleet, if not, there are better choices!

MoD said, there won't be a split, so no need to speculate on that again.

Boeing claims they can offer the "level" of ToT xpected in the RFP.

Plus, f18 wasnt supposed to be here but can to grab the indian cash, when it comes to loosing a $12 Biilion Deal , and $35 Billion in the lifespan of a/c They will Think twice on NOT giving ToT .

I am sure a mid path can be agreed.

 

[saurabh]

Nobody denies that this would be a good combo, but you also must see the other side!

- least ToT
- EUM
- no source codes, no customisations
- not sanction and pressure prove

If we are ok with these risks, the F18SH will be a good addition to the fleet, if not, there are better choices!

MoD said, there won't be a split, so no need to speculate on that again.

What would US get not offering required level of ToT??
For them, these are 'almost' outdated tech, they will be moving up to 5 gen level. And if they dont provide the tech, somebody else will.
Only difference will be that the money wont be going in US' pockets!!

 

[sancho]

Boeing claims they can offer the "level" of ToT xpected in the RFP.

Plus, f18 wasnt supposed to be here but can to grab the indian cash, when it comes to loosing a $12 Biilion Deal , and $35 Billion in the lifespan of a/c They will Think twice on NOT giving ToT .

I am sure a mid path can be agreed.

BOEING might be ready to provide it, because they want to make money! US Gov will definetely see things different, especially with our close relationship to Russia. From the Brazilian competition I know that the US improved their ToT offer, but it was stated that it is still not comparable to the European offers.

What would US get not offering required level of ToT??
For them, these are 'almost' outdated tech, they will be moving up to 5 gen level. And if they dont provide the tech, somebody else will.
Only difference will be that the money wont be going in US' pockets!!

Not correct, the F16 and F18 might be old designs, but the techs they have (especially AESA radar, avionics and weapons), are up to date and the most proven once! Just look at who else have an operational AESA radar yet and you will understand why they don't want to share it.
Besides that, they are the only real global power, they define the rules and don't even share these techs with their closest alleys. No source codes for UK in F35 project, no customisation of F35 for Israel, forcing Japan to pay money before they get just infos about the F35 and its techs...
Just one more reason why India should be careful with relying too much on the US. No problem with some MPAs, helicopter, or transport aircrafts, but such a big part of the IAF (126+ frontline fighters), would be too risky, at least in my opinion!

 

[Chanakyaa]

What would US get not offering required level of ToT??
For them, these are 'almost' outdated tech, they will be moving up to 5 gen level. And if they dont provide the tech, somebody else will.
Only difference will be that the money wont be going in US' pockets!!

The APG79 AESA is not Outdated infact None of the Operational 4.5 gen Fighters have It.
Its the Best.

 

[saurabh]

The APG79 AESA is not Outdated infact None of the Operational 4.5 gen Fighters have It.
Its the Best.

APG 77/81...

US already has better tech. Though if they are sure nobody else can't come up with something like APG79 in Europe, than it would make sense. But if typhoon offers same level radar, than what?