IAF gets bids for replacing MiGs

The Ministry of Defence is against the IAF’s idea of going for the French Mirage as it may lead to a single vendor situation.

BY BIDANDA M CHENGAPPA

DH NEWS SERVICE BANGALORE:


The Indian Air Force (IAF) is evaluating bids for a mega purchase of 126 aircraft from four foreign aeronautical majors to replace seven squadrons of its obsolete MiG 21, 23 and 27 fighter aircraft.

The contenders are the Swedish Saab Viggen, the Russian Moscow Aircraft Production Organisation, the French Marcel Dassault and the US Lockheed Martin. Delays in induction of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft into squadron service and the intermittent MiG 21 crashes necessitate this purchase.

The various aircraft for sale include the Swedish Saab, the Russian MiG 29M, the French Mirage 2000-5 and the US F-16 Block 50. The IAF is said to be keen on the French Mirage 2000-5 since it already has three Mirage squadrons on its inventory. However, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has insisted against the IAF getting into a single vendor situation, as in the case of the advanced jet trainer aircraft, with only the British Aerospace’s Hawk aircraft eventually being available for purchase.
The Russians have evolved a new MiG-29M that is an improved version of the 1970s vintage aircraft that continue in IAF squadron service. This plane comes without problems of poor fuel combustion, weak avionics, air-to-ground strike. The IAF’s ‘air staff requirements’ or product specifications demand a multi-role fighter capable of an air superiority/ air defence role, and an anti-surface forces role against land/sea targets.

Besides, these new aircraft should be compatible with the IAF’s newly acquired air-to-air refuelling capabilities and use as a ‘force multiplier’ to conduct counter-air operations against enemy airfields, radars etc; also strike roles against targets deep within enemy territory.

These companies have responded to a global tender floated by the MoD and includes license production at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). The French company Dassault’s executives have already inspected HAL facilities that is supposed to produce 12 aircraft per year.

The expenditure covers acquiring the license, setting up infrastructure like production lines, civil construction work, associated facilities that is estimated to be in the region of Rs 30,000 crore. The IAF would ideally like to maintain a 37 fighter squadron strength on its ‘order of battle’ to cope with a two-front threat that pertains to hostile actions either from Pakistan or China. The remainder of the aircraft on its inventory comprise transport and helicopter squadrons.

Which one do ya'll think it should be ?

It's either down to the Swedish Saab or the F-16 I think.
The MiG 29 has poor avionics and a lousy payload capacity. Mirage 2000... another stupid French jet that's past it. I think it's dogfighting ability is the worst of the four presented.
The F-16 is still a very useful jet with a great range and payload, not to mention dogfighting ability.
The Saab's spare parts are from the US actually so it can get a little complicated when your jet is from Sweden and the parts are from America.

it wont be a US equipment, not sure about Saab, but i think it will be Mig-29M because India have good relations with Russia.

I think it could be MIG-29M's or Mirage 2000-5's , MiG-29M's cos India's ties with Russia and Mirage 2000-5's cos of its nuclear strike capabilities.Would be a good combo with LCA and Su-30's.

F-16's wouldn't stand a chance since Pakis know so much bout em

But do the pakis know about F-16I SUFA 's ?

F-16s are the best of the bunch if armed with AMRAAMs. They can take out a Mirage any day.

Mirage 2000. Nice and clean machine. And a good value-for-money.

What will happen the project of LCA?
I think the topic is not realistic.

The mentioned:
The first LCA would be delivered to IAF by 2007.
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Images/Current/LCA/Tejas28.jpg[/url]
http://www.ada.gov.in/index.html

What will happen the project of LCA?
I think the topic is not realistic.

The project of LCA will continue .The LCA will officially remain in development for some time and eventually LCAs will be inducted in the IAF.

But me thinks , The Indian Air Force wants the Mirage 2000-5. It wants a light fighter to complement the Su-30MKI heavy fighter.

I just think the MiG 29 and the Mirage 2000 are pretty lousy choices.

Huh? The Mirage, any Mirage is never a lousy choice for light weight, mainly ground attack oriented fighter role.