Suitable
LCA Replacement of Mig 21
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| The Israeli Kfir modded from French Mirage |
India has already come forward with new improved designs
under the LCA project and has cherished it as the Tejas MK II which have
enhanced designs and technologies making the Tejas more reliable.
MK II will be
fitted with the Cobham IFR probe and Israeli AESA , and will have a enhanced
wing design providing a better degree of maneuverability. Even though the
Tejas is said to be a reliable product it lacks the punch the IAF has demanded
and can compromise the scope of operations the pilots can perform.
The MKII
with all the enhancements promise to provide a very reliable aircraft but with
the LCA Tejas itself to be inducted to the force the MKII is a long distant
project. The security of the force is something that can’t be compromised and
has to be looked after under any circumstances.
With the MK II being a distant
it is crucial other options are looked at and with the flying squadrons
depleting drastically it is time an option is floated at the earliest. Any more
projects on HAL will compromise the work on both the MKII and any project added
to them. Bu what the government can look at is an joint venture with a leading
Aerospace partner who can take the cumbersome work but yet provide a reliable
platform for Indian companies to develop on.
The Swedish Saab is a leading
aerospace community that has provided very reliable aircraft's to leading forces
across the globe but the relationships with Saab and Indian forces is good, but setting up a reliable work station itself will take a long time.
Israeli IAI has been a leading aerospace partner for India and has helped India
develop platforms, avionics, missile systems, propulsion systems and the list
goes on every project executed by the Indian side has had the participation of
the Israeli aerospace industry. Israeli products have been cost effective and
have saved time and works for the Indian side.
With just $50 Million being
shunted out for a single aircraft the development is strongly compromised. To
make costs for this the product developed in JV can be exported to countries
which not only serve economically but also go a long way in the diplomatic
channels. The Latin American countries and various other African countries are
now investing heavily in acquiring modern technologies to their forces.
JV
with Israel
Israel operates F 16, F 15 and the stealth enabled F 35 is currently in the pipeline and will operate them by the end of this decade. Israel operates no light fighter but building a light fighter with the technology they poses is extremely easy and can fill the treasury of Israel. Israel already has completed several export orders under the Kfir program and the countries are operating successfully.
If at all India starts a JV with Israel, India will have no worries in the field of providing avionics and latest technologies to the aircraft. India will still have to develop a power packed engine or again this can also be exported form a foreign firm. With the help of Israel India can then manufacture aircrafts easily back home with all the technology.
The Israeli's might need one or two squadrons of these jets, and we India can manufacture some ten to fifteen squadrons and another few more squadrons can be developed for export.
If India starts with the negotiations and paper work the actual contract materialize by early next year and the prototype can be expected anytime by 2019 and the first operational squadron can be expected by 2023 by time which HAL will e ready to start with the MK II development program.
By 2025, stealth would be seen in almost all advanced countries but not all countries will be able to operate a stealth enabled aircraft. Faced with internal threats African and Latin American countries need reliable light fighters and the export option will always be viable for the program.
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| Sixty UAE Mirage 2000-5 is also an option |
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| The Textron Scorpion cost effective Light Ground Attack only |
Editor Karthik Kakoor
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