Indo-US Cooperation For Futuristic Weapon System

New Delhi --- The Director, Defence Security Cooperation Agency of the United States Department of Defence, Lt Gen Jeffery Kohler visited India on April 20 - 21 this year to convey the decision of the United States administration to respond to an Indian Request for Information for procurement of a Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
Lt Gen. Kohler informed the Government that the US administration has advised the manufacturers of the F-16 and the F-18 a! ircraft to participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the aircraft when issued by the Government of India. He also conveyed US readiness to enter into a defence supply, co-production and Research and Development relationship in areas of advanced defence technologies. No specific proposals were made.
The Government welcomes the US willingness to collaborate with India in the supply, production, transfer of technology and joint research and development of defence equipment in accordance with rules, regulations and procedures of the Government of India on eventually acceptable terms and conditions.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Rama Muni Reddy Sirigireddy in Rajya Sabha today.



--Upgradation Of Sukhoi-30 Aircraft

New Delhi---Government is planning to upgrade Sukhoi-30 aircraft with latest avionics and weapons.
The upgradation is planned from this year onwards.
The final cost of upgrade will be known after the negotiations are completed.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri SPM Syed Khan in Rajya Sabha today.



--Kaveri Engine For Light Combat Aircraft

New Delhi --- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had undertaken development of Kaveri engine to meet the propulsion needs of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project.
During Aero India 2005 number of manufacturers displayed engine technology. In order to expedite the Kaveri engine development, DRDO has explored the possibility of partnership with other leading manufacturers. Expressions of Interest have been sought from all reputed military engine manufacturers to assess the level of interest in such a proposal.
Gas Turbine Research Establishment, Bangalore, a laboratory of DRDO, has spent Rs. 1159 crore on Kaveri engine till June 2005. Kaveri engine has been planned to be integrated with LCA by March 2007.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri R Kamaraj in Rajya Sabha today.


(Source: India Press Information Bureau; issued Aug. 18, 2005)

This should be huge order of jets.

Some american dude was supp to visit India a few days(cpl of weeks) back to further this...will hunt for info on how that went..

Russia is to field its latest nuclear capable MiG-35 fighter against US F-16 and French Mirage2000 in the tender to be floated for the acquisition of 125 aircraft for the Indian Air Force to replace its ageing MiG-21 fleet, a top Russian official said.

"We will offer our MiG-35 multirole fighters with thrust vectoring control along with transfer of technology for indigenous production in India," Director General and Chief Designer of Russian Aircraft Corporation (RAC) 'MiG' Alexei Fedorov said after display of its capabilities by "MiG-29OVT" at the air show here.

On the sidelines of the international aerospace show MAKS-2205, Fedorov said it has been decided to market the MiG-29OVT with thrust vectoring control (TVC) under the MiG-35 brand.

"It has incorporated all the features of MiG-29M/M2 fighters developed on the basis of MiG-29 frontline fighter and today we can offer top-of-the-line multirole combat aircraft with in-flight refuelling," Fedorov said.

According to MiG Deputy Chief Designer Andrei Karasyov, MiG-35 is capable of delivering all present and future weapons, since it has universal open architecture.

"It would take not more than 60 flights for the Indian pilots to master the new fighter with thrust vectoring," Chief Test Pilot of RAC MiG Pavel Vlasov said after displaying the capabilities of the new aircraft.

"Today new MiG fighter has the super -manoeuvrability similar to Sukhoi 30MKI," he underscored.

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