Russians pushing Yak-130 to India for training FGFA pilots

[IND151]

According to Sources, Russians have been pushing possible sale of combat trainer Yak-130 to India; IAF already operates British made Hawks for training its pilot in stage-III, Arguments put by Russians is that Current trainer fleet (Hawks) are not capable for training pilots for 5th gen fighter aircraft which India and Russia are developing based on Sukhoi’s Pak-Fa , Indian version dubbed FGFA will be ready by 2018 and will enter production in 2020 .

Yak-130 will have flying characteristics which will mimic the PAK-FA fighter and is a good fit for IAF said Konstantin Popovich, Vice President of Engineering Center of the Yak-130 project of Irkut Corp, which manufactures the combat trainer. Yak-130 which comes with open-architecture in digital aircraft avionics can be altered to mimic other aircrafts including AMCA which is a 5th generation fighter aircraft which India is developing locally.

Yak-130 has ability to replicate the characteristics of several 4+ generation fighters serving in IAF fleet currently as well as the fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50. Aircraft is capable of fulfilling Light Attack and Reconnaissance duties since it can carry a combat load of 3,000 kilograms consisting of various guided and un-guided weapons, auxiliary fuel tanks and electronic pods.

It will be interesting to see if IAF buys arguments put forward by Russians and will go for second line of trainers only for training 5th generation pilots but Defence experts say it is unlikely IAF will go for new trainers any time soon.

@sancho @Capt. Popeye

Russians pushing Yak-130 to India for training FGFA pilots | idrw.org

 

[rockstarIN]

Did we consider Yak-130 before going for hawks? what was the reason for going hawks than Yah-130?

 

[a.kumar]

Did we consider Yak-130 before going for hawks? what was the reason for going hawks than Yah-130?

If i remember correctly Russians then had offered Mig-AT .

 

[Manindra]

If it is possible that HAL develop LCA trainer version like YAK-130 ?

 

[Beerbal]

If it is possible that HAL develop LCA trainer version like YAK-130 ?

No, LCA can't be used for that purpose. For that we need to redesign entire plane..

 

[a.kumar]

If it is possible that HAL develop LCA trainer version like YAK-130 ?

Few years back DRDO had proposed to IAF a lighter LCA (LIFT- lead in fighter trainer) aircraft for training pilots for next gen fighter aircraft , but IAF didn't show much interest .

 

[rockstarIN]

Few years back DRDO had proposed to IAF a lighter LCA (LIFT- lead in fighter trainer) aircraft for training pilots for next gen fighter aircraft , but IAF didn't show much interest .

Given their LCA experience, why should they go with DRDO?

 

[a.kumar]

Given their LCA experience, why should they go with DRDO?

then why even bother with AMCA ?

 

[Killswitch]

Sounds like BS to me. The hawk will do just fine.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

I would bet for Korean T 50 instead of YAK 130.

For me, one good reason to opt for T-50 over Yak-130/M-346 is if your air force is operating FA-50 or TA-50s as well. FA-50 and TA-50s cost Indonesia only $25 million, they're cheap for their role and for most air forces that need a single engined fighter, its good enough to do what they want.. simple interception and light attack and most defensive/peace time needs.. you don't need to use a $80 million Flanker for that when a smaller aircraft can do the same. Save that money for expensive heavier aircrafts you need in a war! In regards to M-346 and Yak-130, they have the same roots but some changes were done.

One aspect that comes to mind is the inlet design, the Yak-130 had FOD covers and doors on the top of the LEX (a la MiG-29). The mechanism and ducting associated with this system produced terrible inlet distortion. Observing flght tests of the Yak-130D in Venegono back in 2000, during maneuvers the pilot had to keep one engine at idle to avoid surge. And the engines still surged frequently. Not a good feature for a trainer - well perhaps it is if you fighters do the same thing ....

That being said, the Yak-130 is in production for the Russian Air Force, while Aermacchi is still courting prospective customers.

With regards to the T-50, the only claim it has is that it is supersonic.

 

[jamesseo89]

I am sure that IAF is interested in all three Hawks which they have, Yak-130 and T-50 Golden too... But its likely that they will go for T-50 and may be Yak-130 will be bought by INAF.

 

[anant_s]

You know when we go to buy vegetables and if purchase is good enough (Rs. 100-150), vegetablewalla gives some Corriander, Ginger and Chilli for free. Now for (FGFA) deal this big value, don't you feel Russia should throw in some 10-12 YAK 130 and couple of Simulators as freebies.
Just saying!

 

[BDforever]

india must not but yak130.. such a waste of money ... yak 130 is not good aircraft

 

[rockstarIN]

I would bet for Korean T 50 instead of YAK 130.

For me, one good reason to opt for T-50 over Yak-130/M-346 is if your air force is operating FA-50 or TA-50s as well. FA-50 and TA-50s cost Indonesia only $25 million, they're cheap for their role and for most air forces that need a single engined fighter, its good enough to do what they want.. simple interception and light attack and most defensive/peace time needs.. you don't need to use a $80 million Flanker for that when a smaller aircraft can do the same. Save that money for expensive heavier aircrafts you need in a war! In regards to M-346 and Yak-130, they have the same roots but some changes were done.

One aspect that comes to mind is the inlet design, the Yak-130 had FOD covers and doors on the top of the LEX (a la MiG-29). The mechanism and ducting associated with this system produced terrible inlet distortion. Observing flght tests of the Yak-130D in Venegono back in 2000, during maneuvers the pilot had to keep one engine at idle to avoid surge. And the engines still surged frequently. Not a good feature for a trainer - well perhaps it is if you fighters do the same thing ....

That being said, the Yak-130 is in production for the Russian Air Force, while Aermacchi is still courting prospective customers.

With regards to the T-50, the only claim it has is that it is supersonic.

No need for T-50

It uses the same engine as LCA-Mk1 almost same configurations.

We are getting 20 LCA-Mk-1 which after initial delays for LCA-Mk2 will be used as trainer for supersonic speed after Hawk training.

 

[Dillinger]

india must not but yak130.. such a waste of money ... yak 130 is not good aircraft

IDRW

No one's buying it.