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US wants India's fighter jet order, dangles F-35 ...

Previously JSF was ruled out by IAF chief.
http://defensenews.com/aero/story.php?id=2543528 .

In a significant move the Indian Navy categorically stated its preference for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) over Boeing’s F/A-18E/F ‘Super Hornet’ offered by the United States. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash, himself a distinguished naval fighter pilot, expressed as much while speaking to reporters after commissioning INS Beas, a Brahmaputra Class Guided Missile armed Helicopter carrying Frigate (FFGH) at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd, Kolkata on July 11, 2005.

The CNS cited the inherent incompatibility of the Super Hornet with the aircraft carriers of the Indian Navy, which incorporate the concept of Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR), in absence of the steam catapults necessary for the Super Hornets for take-off. On the other hand, the Indian aircraft carriers utilise the “ski-jump” that forms an integral part of the STOBAR operations. The Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) version of the F-35B being developed for United States Marine Corps (USMC) can utilise the ski-jump for take-off and would be more suitable for the Indian Navy.

If the F-35 enters service with Indian Navy the CNS is perhaps well aware of the “technological leap” that the IN and Indian aerospace industry would obtain, along with transfer of technology for license manufacture. Incidentally, the top brass of the US Aerospace Giant Lockheed Martin had expressed a wish to see the F-35 flying in Indian Air Force (IAF) colours –– indeed during Aero India 2005 the Company had depicted F-35 models in IAF colours as a promotional measure. Alongside other variants, the F-35B STOVL variant is projected to be developed into an advanced attack aircraft with outstanding Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) capability, to be operated from multiple types of naval platforms ranging from medium attack carriers, British Invincible Class STOVL carriers, Helicopter carrying Landing Platforms (LPH) and even from forward battlefield areas or further interior of beachheads.


Yes but the Indian Navy could if the LCA (N) and the MIG 29 K dont perform well. These could probably operate from the large US LAPD's being bought by the Indian Navy as well. I think the Navy is very astute and keeping all options open and starting their homework well in advance.

Regards
 
Now the basic issue is with the 'ski-jump' that navy uses. Why not change that and make LCA(N) and Mig 29K do the work and probably look at the F-18.
 
Now the basic issue is with the 'ski-jump' that navy uses. Why not change that and make LCA(N) and Mig 29K do the work and probably look at the F-18.

Dear Bull,

Its because both LCA(N) and Mig 29 K are unproven designs yet. The russians never had the money to build it for their own carriers. They built a land ski jump and tested both the MIG and SU naval prototype versions and froze the programmes until the Indian Navy agreed to provide the funds. The SU was too heavy though marginally better. In between the Indian Air Force retired chiefs started writing articles that with in flight refuelling the airforce should buy the heavier SU and provide the Indian Navy the air cover. After prolonged debate the Indian Navy convinced the MOD that the naval battle group needed their own carrier and carrier based aircrafts.

The F 18 will be shorebased and hence the IAF will take charge and that the Indian Navy would not like that.

Regards
 
Dear Bull,

Its because both LCA(N) and Mig 29 K are unproven designs yet. The russians never had the money to build it for their own carriers. They built a land ski jump and tested both the MIG and SU naval prototype versions and froze the programmes until the Indian Navy agreed to provide the funds. The SU was too heavy though marginally better. In between the Indian Air Force retired chiefs started writing articles that with in flight refuelling the airforce should buy the heavier SU and provide the Indian Navy the air cover. After prolonged debate the Indian Navy convinced the MOD that the naval battle group needed their own carrier and carrier based aircrafts.

The F 18 will be shorebased and hence the IAF will take charge and that the Indian Navy would not like that.

Regards

I think F-18 shud be used and operated by the IN and not IAf, why bring in formalities when seconds are important. I also feel a lot of the maritime Jaguares whould be with the IN.

Guess how is it with the USAF and ohter navies.
 
I think F-18 shud be used and operated by the IN and not IAf, why bring in formalities when seconds are important. I also feel a lot of the maritime Jaguares whould be with the IN.

Guess how is it with the USAF and ohter navies.

You are right but each force Chief wants to protect his own lawn. Even the US Marines and the US Airforce are fighting on such issues. Sometime back there were severe rumours that the new upgraded F18 Superhornet had air frame problems. Inspite of the manufacturers issuing several clarifications the rumours refused to die. They then traced the rumour to their own customer ie US Marine Corp which were doing it to ensure that their F 35's were not delayed due to the Airforce demanding their lot of aircrafts to be delivered earlier so that their operations in Iraq were not affected. If that happened then the US Marine Corp would have to buy the new upgraded F 18 as a stop gap 10 year measure.

Guess rivalries exist within all armed forces but you are right.

Regards
 
Navy is interested in JSf alright, but is in no position to procure the same both in enough numbers for any amount of TOT to be monetarily viable or otherwise.

Naval Air wing is just budding alone, Its very long shot and pre-mature conclusion, I say lets see if ADS-2 has CATS in em to begin with.

I care less about F35 in Navy but care more about CATS in ADS-2..
 
Sure the US will sell it to the arabs bt they would be of inferior quality wen compared to those of the Israelis...

The JSF will nevr fly in Tricolor...Period
 
F-35 could only enter IAF, if U.S could market well, and make India, and IAF believe that it could supress the S-300/S-400 Chinese variants threat, but problem is that F-35 don't have so much range, niether IAF or India could dare to think of crossing the whole Tibet plateau, to reach the Chinese mainland.

Baki Lage Raho
 
when order book of f 35 is alreay over booked for next many years why US is so much obsessed to sell it to India or its media exaggeration
 
when order book of f 35 is alreay over booked for next many years why US is so much obsessed to sell it to India or its media exaggeration

Looks at the date bro, it's almost a decade old article. Pay no mind to it. There will be no F-35. Period.
IAF and IN is placing a large order for Rafales. They don't need this crappy f35.

After Rafales and FGFA, there won't be anymore foreign jets.
 
Looks at the date bro, it's almost a decade old article. Pay no mind to it. There will be no F-35. Period.
IAF and IN is placing a large order for Rafales. They don't need this crappy f35.

After Rafales and FGFA, there won't be anymore foreign jets.

yeah right, even talks of making f 16 in india is not a bright idea
 

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