India is funding a large number of air force acquisition and modernisation programmes ina bid to outpace its old adversary Pakistan. We assess the service's highest priority projects
The Indian air force's acquisition process appears to be at odds with that of many developed nations. Its highly structured procurement model seems to fly in the face of demands for new systems to deliver a desired capability, rather than adhering to a rigidly enforced list of requirements. But the service – one of the world's largest air arms – is sticking to its multi-tiered procurement approach, which it believes will enable it to counter the offensive capabilities of nuclear rival Pakistan. New Delhi's proven method is to define and acquire its strike assets as light, medium and heavy platforms, with respective weights of around 10,000kg (22,000lb), 20,000kg and over 20,000kg.
A growing fleet of Sukhoi Su-30 heavyweight fighters is at the forefront of the air force organisation, with its initial 32 Su-30MKIs and 18 earlier-model Su-30Ks soon to be joined by the first of 140 being assembled by national defence manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). Two locally assembled Su-30MKIs were delivered to the air force from HAL's Nasik division for evaluation last year, and by 2007 it will be ready to deliver the first fully Indian-built example under an overall Su-30 deal with Russia worth over $3 billion. More than 10 aircraft will be delivered every year from 2009-17, says Sukhoi, with HAL expecting these to use more indigenous technologies than the aircraft now in service.
Powered by two thrust-vectoring AL-31FP engines, the two-seat Su-30MKI will play a vital role in India's future operations and could be equipped with the Indian-Russian Brahmos supersonic anti-ship and land-attack missile. However, the air force has voiced doubts over the 3,000kg missile's suitability for integration with a fighter aircraft, prompting its developers to target a 500kg weight reduction (Flight International, 22-28 February).
In the longer term, HAL is looking at expanding its relationship with Moscow through possible involvement in Russia's programme to develop a lightweight fifth-generation combat aircraft to rival Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Aircraft search
Despite such talk of future co-operation, it was India's search for a new fleet of up to 126 medium combat aircraft that was a hot topic at last month's Aero India air show in Bangalore. The air force recently received information on the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Mirage 2000, Lockheed Martin F-16 and Saab Gripen as potential replacements for its ageing MiG-21 fighters, while the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) responsible for India's Tejas light combat aircraft also announced its intention to promote an indigenous solution. However, given the tight procurement timescale and the ADA's slow progress in advancing the Tejas programme, it is doubtful that the latter proposal along with European efforts to offer newer designs such as the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon will receive much consideration. Underlining the peculiarities of India's current procurement model, air force chief of staff Air Marshal S P Tyagi says the Rafale and Typhoon are unlikely to be assessed as they are too heavy to meet requirements, adding that they are also too expensive.
Despite its development problems, the ADA appears set to secure an air force order for an initial 20 production Tejas fighters, with another 20 options. Three General Electric F404-powered development aircraft have now flown more than 360 sorties, but later production models are expected to use the Gas Turbine Research Establishment's indigenous Kaveri powerplant, if development problems can be overcome.
To be replaced by the future medium combat aircraft, the MiG-21 fleet will complete a radar and communications upgrade next year under a HAL-run programme that has already undertaken the modernisation of 64 fighters. A similar effort is being run for the air force's MiG-27s, with two MiG-27M prototypes making their debut flights last year. HAL is also continuing to upgrade the Sepecat Jaguar fleet with improved navigation and targeting equipment, and by building two-seat Jaguar trainers – it delivered eight in 2004 and will hand over nine more this year. However, some of the air force's aircraft, such as its MiG-25 supersonic strategic reconnaissance aircraft, will not be replaced as they leave service; their duties will be assumed by space-based systems, other high-altitude aircraft and unmanned air vehicles, says Tyagi.
In the training sector, the air force has signed contracts for two new aircraft – HAL's HJT-36 intermediate jet trainer (IJT) and BAE Systems' Hawk 132Y advanced jet trainer. The HJT-36 will replace some of the service's HJT-16 Kirans, and will have advanced cockpit displays and precision navigation systems representative of frontline strike aircraft. Two prototype IJTs have flown over 130 times since early 2003, with initial operational capability planned during 2007, by which time the design's Snecma Larzac powerplant will have been replaced by the more powerful Russian AL-55I. HAL will also build 42 of the air force's 66 Hawk AJTs, with Indian deliveries to start in 2008.
The AL-55 will also power HAL's proposed HJT-39 twin-engined combat aircraft trainer (CAT), which will fulfil the Indian air force's future high-energy combat training requirements. The aircraft's cockpit will offer a high level of commonality with the IJT and LCA, says HAL, which hopes to launch the project after mid-year and to deliver an operational aircraft within a little over five years from launch.
CRAIG HOYLE/BANGALORE
Source: Flight International
