Negotiations with Russia on stalled mega projects are finally moving forward as India and France are now close to inking the estimated 8 billion euro deal for 36 Rafale jets, reports The Times of India.
However, defence officials admit that 36 fighter jets will not be enough to stem the country’s declining combat capacity. The Indian Air Force has just 33 fighter squadrons, while at least 42 are required to address a potential threat from China and Pakistan, according to reports.
As part of the ‘Make in India’ inititative, this strategy will progressively crank up airpower ranges by:
- Inducting indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft
- Production of American F/A-18 and F-16
- Production of Swedish Gripen-E
The defence ministry is also working towards putting together the Research and Development design contract with Russia for the Indian “perspective multi-role fighter” – a variant of the Russian single-seat Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) called Sukhoi T-50 or PAK-FA.
According to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, serviceability of Sukhois has jumped to 60 percent now from an alarming 46 percent earlier.
The aim is to achieve 75 percent serviceability. This has been done with an active tripartite dialogue among Russia, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and IAF to ensure better availability of spares and maintenance for the Sukhois. The technical requirements should be finalised this year, with the contract being inked next year.Source to TOI
Upgrading the jets into ‘Super Sukhois’ is on the charts, with advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars and long-range stand-off missiles.
The Sukhois will be in addition to the 36 Rafale aircraft that India is in the process of buying form France.
The latest offer in the Rafale deal, made through French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is 7.8 billion euro, as against the initial offer of 10.5 billion euro, The Indian Express reported, citing sources.
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