Indian Air Force : News, Pics and Discussion thread

If Typhoon were ordered India wouldn't necessarily have to take second hand Tranche 1 aircraft, with the Saudi order a number of RAF Tranche 2 Typhoons are to be diverted straight off the production line to the RSAF in order to speed delivery with RAF deliveries being made up later on, I'm sure they would do the same for India.

A more definite answer to your question Harlequin,
First Hawks to arrive by Mid Nov 07:
www.hindu.com...


Coincidently this very article has the air chief claiming that MRCA a/c will start induction into the IAF from 2012 onwards. I had hoped(as I mentioned in prev posts) that active inventory a/c could be temporarily loaned as early as 2010 till production queues caught up. They haven't even finalised the aircraft..


[edit on 2-11-2007 by Daedalus3]

The LCA Tejas makers defend their delays:

www.hindu.com...

thought it prudent to post updates on the MMRCA testing here.

Apparently, 4 out of the 5 aircraft tested (6 in the fray) in one of the 4 climatic conditions didn't perform per expectation.

The condition in question was at (one of?) the highest airbase in the world, where the rarity of oxygen required for engine start and sustained burn was being tested.

Ministry of Defence officials familiar with the MMRCA trials told The Hindu that while they expect no hiccups during the weapons drop over Pokhran, the Leh exercise proved challenging to the other contenders vying for the MMRCA deal.

The officials confided that four of the five aircraft in the MMRCA competition faced problems starting up in the rarefied atmosphere of Leh, and the IAF had to ask the manufacturers to undertake modifications in the aircraft's fuel systems. The Gripen's evaluation is part of the MMRCA flight trials, which started in August last, when the F/A-18 Hornets arrived here. These were followed by another American fighter, the F-16IN Super Viper. In September, the French Rafale flew over Bangalore. It was followed by Russia's MiG-35 and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space consortium's Eurofighter Typhoon flew in March.

Source

Other Links:
www.stratpost.com...

Other environments included Bangalore for humidity/wetness testing, Rajasthan for arid/desert like conditions, and Leh for high altitude testing.

The 6 aircraft are the F-16, F-18, MiG 35, Typhoon, Rafale, and the Gripen.

Now my question is, if 4 out of the 5 failed (presuming that the Gripen as the untried 6th) then which one succeeded at a clean uneventful engine start at ~10500 feet?
Typhoon?

Speculations anyone?

Typhoon and Rafale apparently the unofficial (official actually?) favorites..

www.flightglobal.com...

Hal has produced the first prototype of light combat helicopter..have a look and coment.

The InAF to become the second largest operator of C-17s in the world after the US following the formalization of a 4 billion USD deal for 10 Globemasters.

Projected areas of operation would be in the: 'less connected' North east of the country, where defensive and offensive capabilities are feverently being upgraded to catch up with the Chinese military logistical modernization of the Tibet region.

On a side note: The article I linked reports that the deal will create 22000 new jobs in the state of CT.
So if people think: "They took yer jobss" with all the outsourcing; well maybe there's a reverse investment.

economictimes.indiatimes.com...

Thread resurrection!

Just announced India finally completed their MRCA tender awarding the French the contract for 36 Aircraft.

www.bbc.com...

Im confused, they selected Rafale a number of years ago (maybe 4 years) then MRCA died, then something was signed in January this year and now another signature and announcement for 36 compared to the initial requirement of 126.

I know its the biggest export deal for Rafale but they must have some patience, I would have walked years ago and a great indicator that India are going to be a PITA for paying for the aircraft and causing diplomatic tantrums when they dont get what they think they are after 4 years negotiating!

Incidentally, is it actually worth operating 36 aircraft? What is India's strategy, 50 squadrons of 36 - all different?