HeinzG
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2012
- Messages
- 2,040
- Reaction score
- 0
- Country
- Location
by Nilantha Ilangamuwa
(September 20, 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian)
It was the end last year.
“The negotiations were held from the 2nd of November until the 4th of November 2016 in c. Baranovichi at JSC “558 Aircraft repair plant” between: Representatives of the company “Lanka Logistics and Technologies Limited”, Sri Lanka Air Force, Company “Czechoslovak Export Ltd.” on one side and Representatives of JSC “558 Aircraft repair plant” JSC “ Rosoboronexport” , JSC “Company Irkut” on the other side,”
– Record in the minutes of the meeting for the negotiations on SU-39KMI aircraft for Sri Lanka, held in November 2016.
"Why do we need SU30MKI overhauled fighter aircrafts which were earlier used by the Indian Air Force and are now laying in the 558 ARP (Aircraft Repair Plant) in Belarus? 12 out of total overhauling SU30 already ordered by the Government of Angola, other 6 are waiting to be sold to Sri Lanka."
The appointment of current Air Force Commander Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy came in no time; and his predecessor was indeed shocked when he was informed that his service was no longer needed. Former Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala’s retirement has significant implication on geo-political situation in the country.
It is an open secret that, both incumbent and former Air Force Commanders were not in good hands, and both strategically played each other to secure the position. Gagan was expecting the extension but the Ministry of Defence decided not to extend his service, resulting in the new commander occupying the chair.
The official visit to China, by former Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala was significant, where as per the records, he had confirmed the commercial offer by Republic of China to buy the JF17 fighter aircraft jointly manufactured by China and Pakistan.
The information available in the public domain explains the technical background of this fighter aircraft: “The Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder multi-role fighter was jointly developed by China and Pakistan. Development started in 1999. Aircraft made its maiden flight in 2003.”
Sri Lanka’s plan to buy JF17 created headline and immediately the Government of India expressed displeasure and urged Sri Lankan authority to annul the plan. The Indian order did not stop there.
Reliable sources indicated that, the Government of India has suggested replacing the order with HAL Theja, an Indian single-seat, single-jet engine, multirole light fighter. But, the Sri Lankan authorities maintained silence as they could not say no to the offer due to the external political implications. But, the Russian has fortunately offered an alliterative to HAL Theja, where they suggested buying Yakovlev Yak-130. In fact, in the evaluation report by the Sri Lankan Air Force has also recommended YAK130 as the practical solution. Yak 130 known as Mitton in the NATO circle is a subsonic two-seat advanced trainer aircraft.
However, subsequently due to strong protest from India, the Government of Sri Lanka expressed interest in buying SU30. Sri Lankan Air Force had to struggle to find ways to address these technical issues while third party agents’ suggestions were filling the ears of the decision makers.
The Air Force with the consultation of the Ministry of Defence appointed a “committee to compare and contrast the performance of JF17 against SU30MKI to determine the suitability of induction to SLAF fleet.”
The evaluation report was issued in June 2014. The committee was headed by then Air Vice Marshal KVB Jayampathy along with six other SLAF members, Air Cdre AWE Wijesuriya, Gp Capt WMKSP Weerasinghe, Gp Capt RS Wicramaratne, Wg Cdr DBV Weerasinghe, Wg Cdr USL Thotahewage, Wg Cdr AV Jayasekara.
14.The following challenges would be faced when graduating SLAF pilots to the JF 17.
a. The JF 17 and the F7 GS aircraft fall into a category of Light weight fighter. Therefore some similarities could be drawn when manoeuvering the aircraft in combat. In addition the AI radar work and medium range weapons handling shows similarity. In the absence of the trainer, extensive experience should be imparted on the student prior to graduating into the JF17. A threshold limit of 200 sorties on F 7 GS is suggested in this regard. With this the piolet should be sent for extensive simulator training in China or Pakistan prior to introducing them into the JF17.
b. Hands on experience flying the F7 GS would provide a sound foundation for the JF17. However Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) would be different due to the enhanced features.
15. The following challenges would be faced when graduating SLAF pilots to the SU30MKI.
a. An alternative course of training could be sought by inducting a trainer which offers the latest in aircraft design and avionics technology with SHUD/SMFD, fly-by-wire systems. Aircraft such as Lockheed Martin T50 Golden Eagle, Aeramacchi M 346, Yak130, Honglu JL 10 could be considered for this purpose.
b. By virtue of design, the cockpit of the SU30MKI is dual seat, and therefore offers the potential for any aircraft to serve as the trainer. This would assist in-house-conversion training of pilots. However, advance features such as fly-by-wire and trust vectoring would require and advanced level of skill which could be gathered by flying the F7 GS utilizing a higher number of training sorties. In addition, extensive simulator training should be carried out as required.”
The evaluation has clearly noted that the SU30 MKI cannot be worked by the SLAF, and the institution does not have the human resources to maintain such sophisticated overhauled supersonic third-generation fighter aircraft.
“At present most advanced fighter in the inventory of the SLAF is the F-7 GS aircraft. Only the F-7 pilots are capable of handling the Air Interceptor (AI) radar and second generation heat seeking AAMs within a limited battle space with the assistance of a Ground Controlled Interceptor Radar Controller to identify, track, intercept and launch the missile in short range 1 vs 1 air combat,” the evaluation report further indicated.
In the evaluation report, the committee categorically observed the practical difficulties that the SLAF pilots were going to face if they purchased SU30MKI. Here is the observation:
“Both the JF17 and the SU30MKI offer the latest in Avionics and Flight Control characteristics in varying degrees, such as negative static stability characters and enhanced SMFDs, SHUDs. These features enhance the complexity of Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) and Air Apace Management (ASM). Hence, it would not be feasible to graduate pilots directly from K8 Advanced Trainer to either the JF 17 or the SU30 MKI is to transit through the F7 GS. However, the transition from F7 GS to JF 17 will be relatively smooth and gradual when compared with the direct transition to SU30MKI where adaption on new complex environment is inevitable,” the evaluators headed by the present Commander of Air Force, Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy suggested.
Meanwhile observing the Air Force capabilities of neighboring countries, Pakistan and India are committing as follows:
“Pakistani Air Force who is the only operational users of the JF17 as at to date, graduate experienced fighter pilots from F16, Mirage and F7 PG fighters. This is after extensive training on simulators and ground training as the JF 17 does not have its own trainer version yet.”
Whereas, the “ Indian Air Force, who operates a fleet of over 200 SU30 fighters also take in pilots with experience on 3rd or 4th generation MiG 29 and Mirage 2000 Fighters.”
This conclusion again indicated that neither JF17 nor SU30MKI is suitable to purchase for the SLAF.
https://www.slguardian.org/2017/09/sri-lanka-defence-deal-su-30-fighter-part-three/
(September 20, 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian)
It was the end last year.
“The negotiations were held from the 2nd of November until the 4th of November 2016 in c. Baranovichi at JSC “558 Aircraft repair plant” between: Representatives of the company “Lanka Logistics and Technologies Limited”, Sri Lanka Air Force, Company “Czechoslovak Export Ltd.” on one side and Representatives of JSC “558 Aircraft repair plant” JSC “ Rosoboronexport” , JSC “Company Irkut” on the other side,”
– Record in the minutes of the meeting for the negotiations on SU-39KMI aircraft for Sri Lanka, held in November 2016.
"Why do we need SU30MKI overhauled fighter aircrafts which were earlier used by the Indian Air Force and are now laying in the 558 ARP (Aircraft Repair Plant) in Belarus? 12 out of total overhauling SU30 already ordered by the Government of Angola, other 6 are waiting to be sold to Sri Lanka."
The appointment of current Air Force Commander Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy came in no time; and his predecessor was indeed shocked when he was informed that his service was no longer needed. Former Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala’s retirement has significant implication on geo-political situation in the country.
It is an open secret that, both incumbent and former Air Force Commanders were not in good hands, and both strategically played each other to secure the position. Gagan was expecting the extension but the Ministry of Defence decided not to extend his service, resulting in the new commander occupying the chair.
The official visit to China, by former Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala was significant, where as per the records, he had confirmed the commercial offer by Republic of China to buy the JF17 fighter aircraft jointly manufactured by China and Pakistan.
The information available in the public domain explains the technical background of this fighter aircraft: “The Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder multi-role fighter was jointly developed by China and Pakistan. Development started in 1999. Aircraft made its maiden flight in 2003.”
Sri Lanka’s plan to buy JF17 created headline and immediately the Government of India expressed displeasure and urged Sri Lankan authority to annul the plan. The Indian order did not stop there.
Reliable sources indicated that, the Government of India has suggested replacing the order with HAL Theja, an Indian single-seat, single-jet engine, multirole light fighter. But, the Sri Lankan authorities maintained silence as they could not say no to the offer due to the external political implications. But, the Russian has fortunately offered an alliterative to HAL Theja, where they suggested buying Yakovlev Yak-130. In fact, in the evaluation report by the Sri Lankan Air Force has also recommended YAK130 as the practical solution. Yak 130 known as Mitton in the NATO circle is a subsonic two-seat advanced trainer aircraft.
However, subsequently due to strong protest from India, the Government of Sri Lanka expressed interest in buying SU30. Sri Lankan Air Force had to struggle to find ways to address these technical issues while third party agents’ suggestions were filling the ears of the decision makers.
The Air Force with the consultation of the Ministry of Defence appointed a “committee to compare and contrast the performance of JF17 against SU30MKI to determine the suitability of induction to SLAF fleet.”
The evaluation report was issued in June 2014. The committee was headed by then Air Vice Marshal KVB Jayampathy along with six other SLAF members, Air Cdre AWE Wijesuriya, Gp Capt WMKSP Weerasinghe, Gp Capt RS Wicramaratne, Wg Cdr DBV Weerasinghe, Wg Cdr USL Thotahewage, Wg Cdr AV Jayasekara.
14.The following challenges would be faced when graduating SLAF pilots to the JF 17.
a. The JF 17 and the F7 GS aircraft fall into a category of Light weight fighter. Therefore some similarities could be drawn when manoeuvering the aircraft in combat. In addition the AI radar work and medium range weapons handling shows similarity. In the absence of the trainer, extensive experience should be imparted on the student prior to graduating into the JF17. A threshold limit of 200 sorties on F 7 GS is suggested in this regard. With this the piolet should be sent for extensive simulator training in China or Pakistan prior to introducing them into the JF17.
b. Hands on experience flying the F7 GS would provide a sound foundation for the JF17. However Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) would be different due to the enhanced features.
15. The following challenges would be faced when graduating SLAF pilots to the SU30MKI.
a. An alternative course of training could be sought by inducting a trainer which offers the latest in aircraft design and avionics technology with SHUD/SMFD, fly-by-wire systems. Aircraft such as Lockheed Martin T50 Golden Eagle, Aeramacchi M 346, Yak130, Honglu JL 10 could be considered for this purpose.
b. By virtue of design, the cockpit of the SU30MKI is dual seat, and therefore offers the potential for any aircraft to serve as the trainer. This would assist in-house-conversion training of pilots. However, advance features such as fly-by-wire and trust vectoring would require and advanced level of skill which could be gathered by flying the F7 GS utilizing a higher number of training sorties. In addition, extensive simulator training should be carried out as required.”
The evaluation has clearly noted that the SU30 MKI cannot be worked by the SLAF, and the institution does not have the human resources to maintain such sophisticated overhauled supersonic third-generation fighter aircraft.
“At present most advanced fighter in the inventory of the SLAF is the F-7 GS aircraft. Only the F-7 pilots are capable of handling the Air Interceptor (AI) radar and second generation heat seeking AAMs within a limited battle space with the assistance of a Ground Controlled Interceptor Radar Controller to identify, track, intercept and launch the missile in short range 1 vs 1 air combat,” the evaluation report further indicated.
In the evaluation report, the committee categorically observed the practical difficulties that the SLAF pilots were going to face if they purchased SU30MKI. Here is the observation:
“Both the JF17 and the SU30MKI offer the latest in Avionics and Flight Control characteristics in varying degrees, such as negative static stability characters and enhanced SMFDs, SHUDs. These features enhance the complexity of Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) and Air Apace Management (ASM). Hence, it would not be feasible to graduate pilots directly from K8 Advanced Trainer to either the JF 17 or the SU30 MKI is to transit through the F7 GS. However, the transition from F7 GS to JF 17 will be relatively smooth and gradual when compared with the direct transition to SU30MKI where adaption on new complex environment is inevitable,” the evaluators headed by the present Commander of Air Force, Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy suggested.
Meanwhile observing the Air Force capabilities of neighboring countries, Pakistan and India are committing as follows:
“Pakistani Air Force who is the only operational users of the JF17 as at to date, graduate experienced fighter pilots from F16, Mirage and F7 PG fighters. This is after extensive training on simulators and ground training as the JF 17 does not have its own trainer version yet.”
Whereas, the “ Indian Air Force, who operates a fleet of over 200 SU30 fighters also take in pilots with experience on 3rd or 4th generation MiG 29 and Mirage 2000 Fighters.”
This conclusion again indicated that neither JF17 nor SU30MKI is suitable to purchase for the SLAF.
https://www.slguardian.org/2017/09/sri-lanka-defence-deal-su-30-fighter-part-three/
