Hi,

Source

With both China and Pakistan bolstering their air combat fleets, IAF is now seeking another 50 Sukhoi-30MKI multi-role "air dominance"
fighters to

cater for any contingency on both the eastern and western fronts. These 50 new Sukhois will in addition to the 230 of these twin-seater fighters already contracted from Russia in three deals worth upwards of $8.5 billion.

Having inducted 105 of the 230 Sukhois till now, IAF has already begun to base these jets in the North-East in a clear move to counter China's rapid modernisation of its armed forces. Incidentally, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has been directed to complete the manufacture of 140 of the 230 Sukhois under transfer of technology by 2015 at all costs.

India's "dissuasive deterrence" military posture against China, after all, revolves around the Sukhois as well as the 3,500km nuclear-capable Agni-III missile, which will be ready for operational deployment by 2011, and the 5,000km range Agni-V missile in the pipeline.

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik confirmed to TOI on Thursday that his force was indeed "interested" in acquiring more Sukhois, which will be the mainstay of India's fighter fleet for the forseeable future, to further enhance its combat potential.

Bombarded by a spate of questions on the military equation vis-a-vis China on day the People's Liberation Army showcased its staggering military might to mark 60 years of communism, ACM Naik said IAF's acquisition of combat capabilities was not "country or adversary-specific". While exuding "confidence" that a repeat of the 1962 conflict was simply "not possible", the IAF chief said, "We need to develop certain capabilities which are required or will be required in the future in tune with India's aspirations."

IAF, after all, needs to project power as well as have "strategic reach" from Hormuz Strait near Persian Gulf right down to Malacca Strait, which India visualises as its primary area of geopolitical interest. In its quest to emerge as a "strategic aerospace force", IAF has embarked on a major modernisation drive, which ranges from Israeli AWACS and aerostat radars to American C-130J 'Super Hercules' aircraft.

Peace
-=SF_13=-

I swear, if it wasn't for India, Sukhoi would be bankrupt!

Course, Them dayum communist red sickle bearin' ballerina dancin' Sukhoi's are the bast fighter plane in most of Asia. Better than them f**king JF-17's Pakistan and China is flying. How long is their lifespan, 2-3 months?

give em to them! we need a strong india to keep china on its toes

Out of interest, what happened to that competition thing India was going to have so it would know which fighter it would purchase? I remember the MiG-35, SAAB Gripen and some other planes were in. What happened to that?

India probably has a 8:1 advantage over the poor excuses of mixed metal and plastic Pakistan and China are flying [JF-17]

Originally Posted by Zastava-Arms

Out of interest, what happened to that competition thing India was going to have so it would know which fighter it would purchase? I remember the MiG-35, SAAB Gripen and some other planes were in. What happened to that?

India probably has a 8:1 advantage over the poor excuses of mixed metal and plastic India and China are flying [JF-17]

I guess you are taking about the MRCA tender for which the field trials are going on .. We are talking about two different class of Aircraft here ... And their Roles are different . the tender was for a Multi-Role Combat Aircraft , and these 50 are needed in Air Dominance Roles .

Status as on Today is Boeing's F/A-18 and Lockheed F-16E/F (flown in from UAE) have completed the field trials , Dassault is still on ( Though Reports are that Dassault is out ) ... MiG has flight tested the new Mig 29 OVT ( Also Called MiG 35 ) and the are next in line for the field trials .

the tender for 128 MRCA is on ..... With F-16 and F/A-18 have been extensively flown over the Deserts and High Altitude .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_MRCA_competition

Peace

Which one is India most likely going to purchase? Like, what do you think?

Originally Posted by Zastava-Arms

Which one is India most likely going to purchase? Like, what do you think?

IF you want me to make a wild guess the Chosen MMRCA would be MiG 35

But you never know

Would that be because its Russian, or because it will probably be superior to the western counterparts?

Originally Posted by Zastava-Arms

Would that be because its Russian, or because it will probably be superior to the western counterparts?

Possibly, they'll take the MiG35, because it is of russian/soviet origin which makes perfect sense since the IAF has such a large percentage of gear sourced from these nations already..........

Likewise, the cost factor is likely to be advantageous to India, since the Russians are always cash-strapped.......... Superior?? I'd say the aircraft might be at or near parity, especially in the hands of a class pilot, but better than?? Probably not....