India's 200 Plus Fighter Aircraft Buy May Include Twin Engine Aircraft

[Zarvan]

Dassault Rafale
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India’s next big fighter purchase, an estimated 200-250 jets to be made-in-India in association with a foreign partner may include twin-engine aircraft opening up the field to Dassault Rafale, Boeing’s F/A-18 and possibly the MiG-35.

Indications to this effect were available during a press conference by India’s outgoing Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Arup Raha who said yesterday that India may require 200-250 aircraft of the Dassault Rafale type of which 36 have been ordered.

The Indian government wants to make the aircraft in India to fulfil the needs of the IAF and export it to foreign markets. It was earlier reported that the Indian MoD had sought information from foreign manufacturers about their single-engine fighter jets. Consequently, Lockheed Martin and Saab, manufacturers of single engine F-16 and Gripen fighters respectively made their pitches to the MoD.

However, if the Indian MoD has expanded the scope of the offer to include twin-engine fighter jets, then it opens up the field considerably and many involve long-drawn testing, evaluation and contract negotiations.

Perhaps bolstering the contention that twin-engine fighter manufacturers are also in the fray, Michael Koch Boeing’s President for Defence, Space and Security in India, used an Indian publication, Businesline to hardsell the F/A-18, also called the Super Hornet. “The Super Hornets will be built in India in a world class advanced manufacturing facility with the very latest technologies in place.

Koch was quoted as saying that the Super Hornet not only has a low acquisition cost, but it costs less per flight hour to operate than any other tactical aircraft in US forces inventory (read F-16).

That includes single engine fighters, which many would incorrectly assume are cheaper to operate.

In addition, a Russian source told defenseworld.net that his country has received a letter seeking information about a fighter plane and they may pitch in with the MiG-35 if invited to bid by India.

India was to manufacture the fighter jet by a team involving an India ‘strategic partner’ and the foreign manufacturer. Guidelines for what or who constitutes a strategic partner are yet to be released by the Indian MoD.

http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18...May_Include_Twin_Engine_Aircraft#.WGVGIxt95PY

 

[cloud4000]

I think India will go with Russia on establishing a jet fighter production line in India. I base this solely on the deep relationship India has with Russia on this front, with both MiG and Sukhoi. That India already manufacturers Russian jets in India is also a bonus. And I think Russia is also less averse to give India the necessary ToT too.

But let's see.

 

[IndoUS]

FFS just pick Rafale and move on it fkin annoys me when waste time on re-evaluting equipment.

 

[anant_s]

@Zarvan
Sir,
this article looks extremely speculative and it seems several independent statements and/or guesses have been combined to derive at a point that writer is trying to make.
It is looking more and more clear with each passing day that in future, India is going to rely on its fleet of Su 30 MKI and combination of Rafale and MiG 29 with Mirage 2000.
Light weight point defence fighters will be limited to 150-180 (at best) and out of this too, half would comprise of LCA mark 1 (or 1A) when it becomes available.
This leaves us with a grand total of 90-100 (5-6 squadrons) of LWF, that F-16, Grippen and maybe MiG 35 are trying to fill but it too should come at cost of LCA Mark 2. So this is a very limited space for which defence companies are trying to fill in. maybe its a deliberate ploy from government to keep situation looking chaotic as it serves the purposes of putting pressure over HAL and option of buying (through domestic manufacturing route) a proven option.
However in larger context, keeping in mind IN's requirement of a mid weight AC based fighter, Rafale remains best choice and the fact that neither India or France are making any noises, tells India has given some kind of assurance to Dassault for future.

 

[Maravannn]

We hav no money to buy 200 foreign made jets.
We might buy another 18 rafale.That's it.Rest wil be filled by lca.

 

[Ryuzaki]

We hav no money to buy 200 foreign made jets.
We might buy another 18 rafale.That's it.Rest wil be filled by lca.

Do u think fighter jets are bought like you buy vegetables at the market?Payment is done over several yearsmand this deal will have strict local manufacturing clause and tech transfer so that money flows back into the economy,highly skilled jobs are created and we have an industrial base to prepare for AMCA

 

[Maravannn]

Do u think fighter jets are bought like you buy vegetables at the market?Payment is done over several yearsmand this deal will have strict local manufacturing clause so that money flows back into the economy,highly skilled jobs are created and we have an industrial base to prepare for AMCA

No more this ToT,loca manufacturing bs,we r building migs,sukhois since 1960,but it did not help us in significant way in our projects .Time for government to tell airforce to accept lca

 

[Ryuzaki]

No more this ToT,loca manufacturing bs,we r building migs,sukhois since 1960,but it did not help us in significant way in our projects .Time for government to tell airforce to accept lca

Parrikar has on record said that there was no ToT with Sukhoi 30mki deal,only screwdriver.LCA has also been accepted,40+83 are confirmed

 

[Fireurimagination]

Out of the required 200-250 medium weight multi-role fighters, 90-100 will be filled by Rafael otherwise 36+18 with 50% offset clause doesn't make sense. Remaining 100-150 will have to be some cheaper option.

 

[Maravannn]

Out of the required 200-250 medium weight multi-role fighters, 90-100 will be filled by Rafael otherwise 36+18 with 50% offset clause doesn't make sense. Remaining 100-150 will have to be some cheaper option.

For another 100 rafales we need $20-25 billions . Where is money for this

 

[Ryuzaki]

For another 100 rafales we need $20-25 billions . Where is money for this

how did we have money for 100s of Mig-21?How do we have money for 272 Su-30 MKI?(especially when our resources were much smaller)

 

[Fireurimagination]

For another 100 rafales we need $20-25 billions . Where is money for this

Made in India hence cheaper, payment to be done over many years, any which ways FM has hinted substantial increase in defense budget

 

[Maravannn]

how did we have money for 100s of Mig-21?How do we have money for 272 Su-30 MKI?(especially when our resources were much smaller)

Back then we can get jets for $5 millions for 1 jet.Now single rafale is costing us more than $200 million
French weapons r very costly for us.
We cannot afford them large numbers.

Made in India hence cheaper, payment to be done over many years, any which ways FM has hinted substantial increase in defense budget

Made in india does not reduce price.Actually it increases the platform price.Read parliamentary committee report on su 30 mki productions .It states production cost of mki is more in india than russia

 

[My-Analogous]

how did we have money for 100s of Mig-21?How do we have money for 272 Su-30 MKI?(especially when our resources were much smaller)

It is not only about buying but also consider operational cost and it is IAF to decide it is financially feasible to them or not

 

[Fireurimagination]

Made in india does not reduce price.Actually it increases the platform price.Read parliamentary committee report on su 30 mki productions .It states production cost of mki is more in india than russia

This for the experts to workout how they can reduce the cost using the 50% offset. local component sourcing, tie-up with private sector etc. Anyways the $8.8 billion deal which we have signed has offset clause, training, entire life cycle etc etc taken in, this won't be case when the planes are made in India and will substantially reduce cost. Anyways we are getting 36 + 18 = 54 for say 12 billion, another 10 billion will give us 60-70 made in India Rafaels.