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Reply With QuoteThey would probably go with the plane that best fits into their current lineup and doesn't complicate logistics. If this competition ever gets off the ground, my bet would be on the MiG-35.
As most of us know, India is holding a contest for a fighter to serve as a complement to its Su-30MKIs along with LCA (if that comes to fruit). Its also suppose to replace the IAF's aging MiG-21s. The total order I think is 126 (though I heard its over 200 as the Indian Navy is going to buy some for its carrier) Currently, the following canidates are in the bidding:
Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
Lockheed Martin's F-16NG Block 70
Eurofighter 2000
Dassault's Rafale
Saab's JAS-39 Gripen
MiG-35 (MiG-29OVT)
Now, who do you think will likely have the best chance of securing the win? I honestly think that its a race between the Super Hornet and the MiG-35. The F-16NG isn't really liked by India mainly because Pakistan operates it and the IAF doesn't want to operate the same aircraft as Pakistan. Also the Eurofighter and Rafale strike me as too expensive and in the same class as the Su-30MKI, so its out of the contending. The JAS-39 I hear has fallen out of favor (or maybe not) but it has pretty short-legs so it might not meet the IAF's needs, but then again its cheap and a very effective fighter. So that narrows it down to the Super Hornet and the MiG-35. Each has their own advantages. The MiG-35 would be more compatible and easier for India to integrate into its air force and also performance wise is similar if not better than the F/A-18E/F except in range (correct me if I'm wrong jgetti). But the F/A-18E/F has the advantage of having superior avionics including the APG-79 AESA which the Indians are very much attracted too. It also will further and broaden ties with the US politically (giving it access to other US technology). And finally it comes with the advantage that it is compatible with a far larger variety of munitions and can carry such.
So what do you guys think? I favor the Super Hornet in this contest, just because it will allow for the broadening and deepening of an Indo-American alliance and ties. It will open more doors for India in the future, too. That and I wouldn't pass an oppurtunity to get an AESA-equipped fighter. That alone should give you an advantage over all other fighters.
They would probably go with the plane that best fits into their current lineup and doesn't complicate logistics. If this competition ever gets off the ground, my bet would be on the MiG-35.
errmm... I think the Mig-35 (Mig-29OVT) modified with western avionics would probably be the best deal there... unless ofcourse America is willing ToT for their AESA radars...
Nabha Sparasham Deeptam
-Touch The Sky With Glory
and the JAS-39 more or less has the same capabilities as our LCA...... but I still favour the Mig-29OVT with western avionics; like what was done with the MKI... and the Super Hornet only if America agrees to ToT for AESA....
btw, the Navy should defenitely go for Mig-29OVT....
Nabha Sparasham Deeptam
-Touch The Sky With Glory
India and Russia just signed a USD 10 billion defence contract the biggest in their long-standing defence deals in 40 years. The article was in the TOI dated Saturday, Sept. 2nd.
This includes a speedy schedule / changed timeframe for completion of the USD 3.5 billion contract for licensed production of 140 Su-30 MKIs by HAL.
Then orders for T-90 tank related hardware and frigates from Russia and the joint Indo-Russian development of GPS Satellites. Both countries will jointly develop new generation GLONASS-K satellites that will function parallel with the American GPS. By 2010 Russia intends to have a network of 24 of these satellites.
India has 70% arms of Russian-origin, the Flanker was recently purchased by Malaysia, Thailand and Venezuela. The MRCA may most likely be the Mig-29 Smt versions.
and didn't we also just sign some defense agreement with Germany???
Nabha Sparasham Deeptam
-Touch The Sky With Glory
MiG with some western electronics. Cheap, effective, already established logistics, and long standing relationship with the Russians.
"Only Nixon can go to China." -- Old Vulcan proverb.
I've heard that India has given up producing the MKIs locally, because of poor quality indian made components which causes the price of the MKIs double.
Now, India Import Russian kit and assemble them instead...
Last edited by itchynuts; 03 Sep 06, at 11:32.
Indeed choosing Russian based airframes and placing snazzier Euro-American avionics in it may prove to be a popular combination for budget Airforces in the future.Originally Posted by gunnut
"I have this to say to the people of Australia: Kick me, I'm different."
BS. India needs to produce MKIs asap, and has shaved four years off the original plan by choosing to indigenize over the spares run whilst getting subsystems from the OEMs at present.I've heard that India has given up producing the MKIs locally, because of poor quality indian made components which causes the price of the MKIs double.
Now, India Import Russian kit and assemble them instead...
Last edited by Archer; 03 Sep 06, at 13:31.
Karmani Vyapurutham Dhanuhu
My bow is stretched for its task
Its not that easy.
First Russia adheres to different Mil standards (their own proprietary ones). Fusing them with western Mil standard equipment, Mil 1553 Databuses, plus interfaces to Indian eqpt which follow western standards, is time consuming & a ***** to implement, which is why MKI took so much time. I'd wager IAF wants a MRCA asap.
Karmani Vyapurutham Dhanuhu
My bow is stretched for its task
According to these reports..
Sukhoi faces huge cost esclation: CAG
NEW DELHI, MAY 19 2006 (PTI)
Licensed production of multi-role Sukhoi-30MKI fighters in the country is running into huge costs overruns and some of them in the latest batch are flying without some advanced critical airborne systems.
To add to this, the indigenous manufacture of the Russian frontline fighters is working out to more than the cost of imports, according to the latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) placed in Parliament today.
Three critical airborne systems of the fighters-- electronic warfare system, reconissance system and direction finding modular radar have not not been integrated with the latest batch of aircraft delivered by the Russians under the November 1996 contract, the report said.
"There has been sharp slippage in delivery schedules and the fighters delivered had custmization only partly ", the CAG has pointed out.
Rapping the Government for huge cost esclation risks in the project, the CAG said the total cost of 140 aircraft projected by the Ministry in 2000 was Rs 22,122.78 crores at the 2000 price level, while a detailed project report prepared by HAL in july 2005, the amount shown was Rs 39,224.9 crores, almost a hundred price rise.
"Even this is open ended as the 2.5 per cent cost esclation agreed to by India is applicable only till 2007", the report said.
http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=386128The contract conditions for assembly of the fighters have been revised
((GIST.))
((Rosoboronehksport and India have signed an addendum to the contract, which provides for the licensed assembly of Su-30MKI fighters at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd plants. The addendum specifies the aircraft will be completed by 2014 (possibly even as early as 2012) instead of 2017. In addition, India is relinquishing the right to full assembly of the aircraft in India. Reasons for the modifications to the contract were not provided, although some experts believe India wishes to upgrade its air force sooner rather than later.
((Irkut already is sending all the necessary equipment to HAL for construction of the aircraft, 26 full sets of which already have arrived. The contract originally was signed in December 2000, providing for the licensed assembly of 140 Su-30MKI and is valued at 3.5 billion dollars.))
Source: 01.09.06, Kommersant, Correspondent: Akeksandra Gritskova, Konstantin Lantratov
http://www.royfc.com/cgi-bin/today/acft_news.cgi#today
that looks like it's saying the original agreement would eventually lead to full indigenization of mki in the latter years, but since india is looking to get them faster, it's aborting the full indigenization planes.
I'd take Rafale if I was selecting MRCA, but they are a whole lot more expensive than Mig-35s.
that is because India wants these birds ASAP....According to these reports..
Nabha Sparasham Deeptam
-Touch The Sky With Glory
How much would a MiG-29 OVT cost equiped with western avionics? Can someone give me an estimated price and tell me if it would really be better than a Rafale?
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