Posted on 02/03/2005 5:04:27 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
UK lobbying for selling Eurofighter to IAF
A delegation of cross-party MPs and businessmen from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce are currently on a visit to London.
FROM SHYAM BHATIA DH NEWS SERVICE, LONDON:
The British government is “pushing hard” for India to purchase the Eurofighter for the IAF, a visiting Indian MP has revealed.
Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is co-chair of a delegation of cross-party MPs and businessmen from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) currently visiting London, told Deccan Herald that the issue of selling the Eurofighter, developed jointly by the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, was raised by British Defence Procurement Minister Lord Bach last Monday.
Other MPs who were received by Lord Bach include Shiv Sena’s Suresh Prabhu, BJP’s Ananth Kumar, Anand Sharma and Ajay Maken of Congress, Samajwadi’s Akilesh Yadav and Rajya Sabha MP Lalit Puri.
India recently signed a $1 billion deal to purchase 66 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft from the UK and the idea of future defence deals involving other fighter aircraft has now been raised by British officials and defence exporters in London. “As you know the AJT deal has been finalised and that’s close to a billion dollar deal for 66 jets, but there’s also the issue of upgrading six squadrons of MiG 21s and the UK government is pushing hard for the Eurofighter,” Mr Scindia told Deccan Herald in an exclusive interview.
“From an Indian standpoint what is interesting is the offset that should be given. That was also the subject of discussion with Lord Bach, who is the minister for defence procurement.” Mr Scindia, who believes bilateral trade could be worth $12 billion by next year, stressed that defence technology was just one of many areas of future collaboration that was discussed by the delegation with their British hosts. “India and the UK have shared a very long history and a long relationship over decades and over the last six to seven years we have seen the blooming of economic ties between the two countries,” he explained.
“In terms of trade that is now worth over $10 billion, hopefully reaching about $12 bn next year; also India happens to be the second most important investor in the UK and similarly the UK also happens to be the third most important investor in India.
“We have seen close to 480 UK companies investing and taking positions in India and similarly a large number of transactions taking place from the Indian space in the UK, whether it is Reliance’s purchases of Flag Telecom, or the purchase of CO Pharmaceuticals.
More scholarships Mr Scindia and the other MPs have also asked British officials about what can be done to increase the number of scholarships for Indian students who want to study in the UK.
“Today the number of students coming to the UK has risen exponentially from 1,500 to 15,000,” Mr Scindia said.
Ping!!!
In theory,there's nothing against the Superhornet competing.But in reality,it remains to be seen whether the US offers it & whether India considers it.There are lots of hiccups like release of AESA radars,the AMRAAM missile,software codes to name a few-The Russians,Europeans & Israelis have had no hesitation in being flexible with India.Moreover,the experience of the Indian military with American hardware has be rather sore,with the constant threat of sanctions.All this,combined with the enormous power of the Russian & European lobbies in the Indian defence establishment will torpedo the chances of the SuperHornet.
Isn't that the Iskra that you folks used to manufacture??
I think the IAF replaced it's last Iskras at the end of last year.Their place will probably be taken by the Hindustan Aeronautic's intermediate jet trainer.I think you will be surprised to know that the IAF used the Iskra on a number of occasions in an anti-UAV role,including during the Kargil war of 1999.It was equipped with gunpods & rockets.Another system equipped for the anti-UAV role was the Mi-8 & Mi-17 helos.
We still have many of them.
http://bialoczerwoneiskry.pl/galeria.html
I was under the impression that the Eurofighter was primarily a dogfighter, given its manueverability and supercruise capabilities. Would the UK sell systems like the Brimstone missle, or stand off cruise missles?
The current version only has rather limited air to ground capability,which is one of the main reasons why politicians in Germany & Britain are opposing it.The Tranche-2 variant is expected to be a much better multi-role platform.I think the Brimstone can be exported,given it's capabilities are below the parameters of the MTCR or any other convention.I don't think the UK can unilaterally decide on exporting standoff cruise missiles like the 'Storm Shadow/Scalp' as it also has French & Italian participation in it & the French cannot be expected to be as cooperative if the Rafale loses out.In that case the Israeli Popeye-2 missile will probably get selected(if it's not already with the IAF).Another problem the EF-2000 will face in India will be AAMs-India may have to opt for the Israeli Python-5/Derby combo till the Meteor comes online after 2010 or even go in for the Russian AA-12 Adder.All these practical concerns,along with the fact that the EF-2000 is a multilateral project(increased problems with sanctions/spares),will likely hamper it's chances.The Rafale on the other hand has none of these problems & India could still integrate Russian or Israeli weapons to it (as it has done with the Mirage-2000).Moreover,the French have made plenty of overtures to India on liberalising it's transfer of Tech on naval & electronic systems.
Which one do you favor?
Hard to say for sure.For one,the EF-2000 can arguably be called the best aircraft of the lot(only bettered by the F/A-22),but it has numerous problems-it's multilateral nature,problems with sourcing armaments(probably from Israel or France) & it's tranche-2 variant is not yet developed.The Brits & Germans can also get cranky with sanctions & upgrades-they were not exactly happy when Israel got to upgrade Indian Jaguars.These factors would make me favour the Rafale,which is not exactly miles behind the Typhoon & everything needed for it can be sourced from the French.Besides,the French behave very nicely ,if you throw your bet with them.The IAF rates it's Mirage-2000s as arguably the most efficient fighters it has had till date.
Im not exactly in favour of the Mig-29M though it may be cheaper than the other 2.It's avionics are relatively dated & most importantly,I wouldn't want to keep all my eggs in the Russian basket.India already operates close to 72 airdefence variants of the 29 & the Indian navy is buying a new multi-role versions,the Mig-29K for it's new carriers.The Russians need to earn their contracts,not have it given to them-it will ensure that they supply quality products!!
The Indian fighter contract,initially was for 126 jets to replace the Mig-21/23 & older Jaguars.I don't know whether the numbers required have changed with the competition being changed to twin engined jets(which I must say is based on reports & not on official confirmation).The original plan called for buying upto 40 planes from the manufacturers & building the rest under license,so that will control the costs to an extent.the Mig-29 variants currently in Indian service did have serious servicing problems,though that can be attributed to the fall of the USSR.It has since been upgraded with new radars & the AA-12 missile.
"The early plans were for upto 120 single engined multirole fighters-for which the French Mirage-2005 was the frontrunner,while the Swedish Grippen & American F-16 was also proposed.Now that requirement has been changed to twin engined jets-for which the French Rafale,Russian Mig-29M will probably the frontrunners."
I think the reason for this would be that the requirement for single engined multirole fighters will be fullfilled by the LCA which is expected to be inducted in the IAF by 2008. Just my guess.
Personally I wouldn't like to go for a SuperHornet or the Mig 29M. My choice would be between Eurofighter and the Rafale. Even so I would like to see a few more Mirage-2005 in our inventory.
I think the Rafale is also the favourite choice for our indigenous carrier (ADS).
Mirage-2000/2005 platforms are showing their age,despite their highly impressive record.You don't want to invest in platforms which the French themselves will withdraw by 2020.Besides,India has the money to buy high-end items & why not get it before Singapore or Australia get it(both of whom have been offered the Rafale & the EF-2000)??Besides the Rafale,the naval variant of the LCA & the Mig-29K will probably be given a lookin for the ADS.I think HAL showed innovate & codevelop the LCA with IAI or BAE systems & market it as a fighter to replace Mig-21s/23s & F-5 Tigers.Not everyone can afford or need an F-16 or SU-30.
Where didja hear about the alleged MiG-29 upgrades?
GJ?
Alleged??IIRC,the IAF embarked on a programme starting in 1997 to upgrade it's Fulcrums with new avionics,countermeasures & the ability to fire the AA-12.I think an Indian Mig-29 was the first foreign jet to testlaunch an AA-12 .There is still no air to ground capability & I don't think the IAF is to interested given the limited payload capability of the (earlier generation) of Fulcrums it operates.I think I read in a recent report,that both Russia & Israel have offered upgrade packages for India's fulcrums.Nothing specific on that.
The EF is a typical European all-in-one plane. Examples-Tornado, Rafale, Grippen.......
Red6
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