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  • IAF in favour of French or Russian aircraft

    NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 6: Affirming today that the Indian Air Force (IAF) was under no pressure from the government to favour a particular aircraft for an upcoming multi-billion dollar tender for 126 fighters, Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi simultaneously hinted that selecting American fighters would compel the IAF to ‘‘live with it and get used to it’’.

    ‘‘We are used to having a variety of aircraft in our arsenal. Frankly, we will learn to live with it. It is a consideration, but it is not the consideration,’’ he said this afternoon ahead of the IAF’s 73rd anniversary celebrations on Saturday.

    Contending for the deal are the American F-16 Falcon and F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen, the French Mirage-2000-5 and the Russian MiG-29M2.

    Already burdened with operating 26 different types of aircraft, the IAF’s silent submission is that it will much rather buy either from the French or the Russians, since it already operates variants of the Mirage-2000 and MiG-29.

    ‘‘Buying aircraft is an extremely complex issue. One of the issues here is possibly getting used to the aircraft. It is not something we cannot get used to. But it is difficult for an Air chief to deal with such a diverse fleet of aircraft,’’ he said. Requests for proposal (RFPs) will be sent out to the five manufacturers by the end of this year.

    With what is to be a massive frontline fighter strength by 2012 — with the conceptual infusion of mid-air refuelling now virtually complete — the IAF will also be looking to acquire more Ilyushin-78M tankers to augment its existing Agra-based fleet of six.

    Air HQ has also initiated a study to find out how feasible it will be to upgrade its large fleet of Antonov-32 light transporters — it is also in the market for medium-transporters and 80 multi-utility helicopters.

    By 2020, the IAF will have one of the most advanced arsenals in the world with three Phalcon airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft arriving in 2007-08, a full complement of over 100 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters by 2016 and a huge fleet of light quick reaction fighters — including the LCA Tejas — on border bases.
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  • #2
    IAF plans to buy 80 copters for anti-terror operations

    IAF plans to buy 80 copters for anti-terror operations

    The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to buy 80 attack helicopters for counter-insurgency operations, according to Air Marshal A.K. Singh of the Western Air Command (WAC).

    “Along with the acquisition of 126 fighters for our frontline bases, we are also in the market for 80 helicopters,” Air Marshal Singh said.

    The move, senior officials say, confirms IAF chief S.P. Tyagi’s suggestion a few months ago that air power was available to the goverment for use in anti-terrorist operations. As of now, the IAF is used purely in a support role in J-K, for transporting troops and supplies, providing close air support to infantry movements and for surveillance missions with Army formations. Now, the government has decided to experiment with using air power as a pre-emptive force in the state, following a sudden spurt in infiltration attempts and encounters. The IAF is likely to raise more Helicopter Units (HUs) to house the new choppers.

    The government had on Friday cleared the purchase of a dozen indigenously-built Nishant spy drones for surveillance in the border sectors to augment its fleet of Israeli Searcher MKII UAVs.

    That’s not all. The Air HQ has constituted thinktanks to draw up concepts on counter-insurgency warfare in built-up areas, to give the IAF’s new role a detailed operational profile. Israel had even offered to train IAF pilots in urban warfare.
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    • #3
      NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 6: Affirming today that the Indian Air Force (IAF) was under no pressure from the government to favour a particular aircraft for an upcoming multi-billion dollar tender for 126 fighters, Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi simultaneously hinted that selecting American fighters would compel the IAF to ‘‘live with it and get used to it’’.
      After the recent hungama caused by India's vote against Iran, there really couldn't be 'Political' pressure for American ACs. It(going for US AC) might just add to the Left's as well as well as Right's ire against the Government.

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      • #4
        I think the decision will be political. The US and some in EU want to see India as a counterweight to Chinas growing military power in Asia and if India agrees to play this role in the future, the best chances are by US plane-makers.

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        • #5
          My general perception is that Inida will opt for Mirages.

          Saad

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          • #6
            Well most of us siad the same thing. The logistics exist for the two Ms.
            The attack chopper purchase proposal of the IAF is intresting. What are they looking at, any info?

            Cheers!...on the rocks!!

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            • #7
              Originally posted by lemontree
              Well most of us siad the same thing. The logistics exist for the two Ms.
              The attack chopper purchase proposal of the IAF is intresting. What are they looking at, any info?
              could be the russian helis mi 17 or 16 whatever it is called.
              What's the difference between people who pray in church and those who pray in casinos?
              The ones in the casinos are serious.

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              • #8
                garuntee you it will be the new mig-29, dubbed mig-35

                that impressed me!

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                • #9
                  The F-18 was not being considered until Uncle threw it the AESA radar into the race, then the IAF went gaga.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Sameer
                    The F-18 was not being considered until Uncle threw it the AESA radar into the race, then the IAF went gaga.
                    we wont mind F18's at all if they come with complete ToT of AESA. :D. .

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by ajaybhutani
                      we wont mind F18's at all if they come with complete ToT of AESA. :D. .
                      I think the Mig-35 ToT is probably the best offer, just because the ToT offered is probably an offer "with no strings attached". I doubt USA would just give other countries ToT of its AESA radar though.

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                      • #12
                        Uncle will not give tot cheaply thats for sure.


                        The best option is for India to wait for the pak-fa and leap a generation.

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                        • #13
                          Mig 35 is simply a miniaturized model of Su 30 mki. I don't think India would go for it. They are looking for aircrafts to support their navy.. for INS Vikramaditya(Admiral Gorshkov). They might go for Mig 29 OVT. Though, I feel nothing can match F-18 E super hornet. Lockheed Martin is offering the complete ToT.
                          If at first you don't succeed, call it v1.0!

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                          • #14
                            Isnt the MiG-35 the exact same thing as the MiG-29 OVT?

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                            • #15
                              As far as I know its not. Mig 35 has the same frame as that of Mig 29. I might be wrong though.. please correct me.
                              If at first you don't succeed, call it v1.0!

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