INDIA- Strategic Command to acquire 40 nuclear capable fighters

[Markus]

Why Strategic Forces Command want the aircraft instead of a heavy/medium bomber?

Bombers are not feasible to drop a nuclear bomb over deep enemy territory unless we have secured enemy skies. It would require escort and will complicate the mission.

Stealth bombers may work but India doesn't have them.

Bombers are still used for bombing missions but here we are particularly discussing about being "nuclear bombs".

 

[Devianz]

We can ask the Russians to include us in the PAK-DA program.
IMO a stealth bomber is better than an unstealthy fighter/bomber or the SFC should look for stealth fighters capable of carrying nukes.

 

[Markus]

We can ask the Russians to include us in the PAK-DA program.
IMO a stealth bomber is better than an unstealthy fighter/bomber or the SFC should look for stealth fighters capable of carrying nukes.

Why invest money in very-expensive stealth bomber projects when cheaper fighters planes can do the same job at lower cost and risk?

 

[Devianz]

We may be able to fly a fighter like MKI into Pakistan but imagine flying an MKI into a heavily protected major Chinese city. Even if we consider Rafale the RCS of a combat loaded Rafale with 3 ext. fuel tanks will be huge and hence the chance of detection and interception via air defence missiles and fighters. For us the best option would be to wait for PAK-FA (can it carry nukes internally?) or buying a strategic stealth bomber and PAK-DA is the only possible option in the stealth bomber regard. Of course it all depends on how determined our military is in on delivering nukes with aircrafts.

 

[Markus]

PAK-DA is not coming anytime before 2025 (and thats the optimistic timeframe).

 

[gubbi]

Army has shown intent in that but IAF is objecting.

IIRC, all fixed wing aircraft would be operated by the IAF, while only rotary wing aircraft can be operated by IA. This has been a bone of contention by air-forces and armies all over the world. I know of no known fixed wing aircraft being operated by any country's land forces.

Army has never shown intent of buying a fixed wing aircraft, IIRC, its for rotary wing aircraft for CAS.

 

[gubbi]

The question is, why does Strategic Command want 2 separate squadrons of 40 fighter-bombers under its command? IAF already has aircraft for this role, why the need for aircraft under a separate command?

 

[Devianz]

PAK-DA is not coming anytime before 2025 (and thats the optimistic timeframe).

Probably 2030+. Russians are low on cash and it's not that big a requirement considering their missile technology is top-notch.

 

[IBRIS]

MIG-31 is the cheapest answer to India's Strategic Nuclear Command fighter need supersonic speed to evade, high altitude 69000Ft ceiling It's got everything India requires.

Let's just be real, no one is going to sell us any of there stealthy nuclear capable fighters accept Pak-FA program. That too will take long to be inducted. Mig-31 can be ordered on short notice and acquired

 

[Mummai_guy]

IIRC, all fixed wing aircraft would be operated by the IAF, while only rotary wing aircraft can be operated by IA. This has been a bone of contention by air-forces and armies all over the world. I know of no known fixed wing aircraft being operated by any country's land forces.

Army has never shown intent of buying a fixed wing aircraft, IIRC, its for rotary wing aircraft for CAS.

Its true that army shown interest to have fixed wing aircraft but IAF objected to it.

Rafale will be the best choice for such operation. Its stealthy and have a deep strike capabilities.

 

[siegecrossbow]

MIG-31 is the cheapest answer to India's Strategic Nuclear Command fighter need supersonic speed to evade, high altitude 69000Ft ceiling It's got everything India requires.

Let's just be real, no one is going to sell us any of there stealthy nuclear capable fighters accept Pak-FA program. That too will take long to be inducted. Mig-31 can be ordered on short notice and acquired

It'll be really interesting if the MIG-31 is converted to a nuclear capable fighter since its job was to HUNT DOWN nuclear capable aircrafts back in the good old Cold War days.

 

[HAIDER]

So, India has no air carrier for nukes. Very interesting.

 

[SpArK]

So, India has no air carrier for nukes. Very interesting.

Ever heard of M2K, jaguar and Mig-27.. all three can carry..

This is just a bonus.

 

[Mummai_guy]

So, India has no air carrier for nukes. Very interesting.

Try to read the news first. MKI, Jaguars and Mirages are well capable of carrying nukes.

 

[gowthamraj]

Why not su-34 bomber. It have heavy range and also self protecting missiles and jamming capacity