News Report: Russia Pitches Aggresively For MiG-29K $12 Bn Indian Deal

A MiG-29K on the deck of INS Vikramaditya

Indian Navy had issued a detailed request for information in January this year for 57 multi-role fighter aircraft to which Russian, French, Swedish and American companies had replied with their intent.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — With an eye on a big ticket deal involving supply of 57 naval multi-role fighter jet for Indian Navy's aircraft carriers, Russian manufacturer MiG has offered to jointly develop the MiG 29 K fighter jets with an Indian counterpart under the 'Make in India' program with complete transfer of technology. MiG is planning to submit a detailed proposal to the Indian government in this regard soon.

The procurement plan currently is in request for information stage. MiG CEO Ilya Tarasenko has claimed MiG-29K aircraft have serious tactical and technical advantages compared to Boeing’s F/A-18.

“We are considering various options for long-term and perspective cooperation, including those within the framework of the Make in India program. The Indian side has sent an RFI to companies that produce aircraft, which is one of the procedures preceding the official tender. MiG corp. has received such a request, now we are preparing our proposal,” Ilya Tarasenko, MiG CEO told to PTI in a written interview.

News Report: India Wants 36 More French-Made Rafale Fighter Jets

India is looking to place a follow-up order for 36 more fourth-generation Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jets for its Air Force.

After four years of negotiations, French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation signed a deal worth 7.87 million euros with the Indian government last September to sell the jets, which are expected to be delivered starting November 2019 and likely ending in mid-2022.

West Bengal, near the border with Bangladesh and Myanmar, will host the first squadron of Rafale fighters, while Haryana, near the Pakistani border, will house the second. Space for an additional squadron of 18 aircraft each is available at both Indian Air Force (IAF) bases, which according to the service "will cut down the induction costs of the 36 additional fighters," the Diplomat reports.

According to the Times of India, the IAF made "some presentations" on the operational need for three dozen more of the twin-engine, multirole fighters, which would be more cost effective than the proposed Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), or Perspective Multirole Fighter (PMF), a stalled co-development project with Russia. 

News Report: India Yet to Decide on Buying French Jets, Signing FGFA Deal With Russia

Russian PAK FA, design base for India's FGFA

Indian authorities currently considering the purchase of French Dassault Rafale fighter jets and the development of the joint Russia-India fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) project have not yet decided on going ahead with either of the options, a source in the Indian Ministry of Defense told the Times of India newspaper Saturday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Media reported on Thursday that the Indian Air Force was planning a new purchase of 36 French Rafale fighters on top of last year's deal on an identical number of aircraft.

"No final decision as yet has been taken on either the 36 more Rafales or the FGFA project," the source said.

The Indian Defense Ministry reportedly maintains that the purchase of French aircraft would be cheaper than the development of the FGFA project with Russia. The possible new purchase of Rafale jets is estimated by Indian specialists at around 60% of the first purchase amounting to $9.39 billion.

News Report: Indian Navy Gets Cracking on Jet Trials for $15 Billion Fighter Deal

Artists impression of the future IAC-1 Aircraft Carrier

The Indian Navy has rushed into the trial of four jets that had responded to its request for information (RFI) as part of a $15 billion deal. The decision to start trial indicates the urgency of the Navy to procure a fighter jet for its aircraft carrier.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – In the first phase of trials, the French Rafale of Dassault Aviation and American F/A-18 from Boeing had taken part in trials on the western coast of Karwar on the Russian-made aircraft carrier Vikramaditya, formerly Admiral Gorshkov.

SAAB and Rosoboronexport will also show their capabilities during the trial to the Indian Navy which has detailed its requirement for the naval fighter in a 55-page RFI, sources said. The four manufacturers had responded to the global RFI issued by the Indian Navy in January this year.

News Report: As Tension Heightens On China Border, IAF Seeks To Hasten Rafale Jet Delivery

India’s conflict with China and Pakistan has reached a tipping point, pressing the need for astute military strategies. In consonance with this situation, the Indian Air Force is looking to expedite the delivery of Rafale jets from France.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa is currently on a three-day visit to France where he will review the production facility of Dassault Aviation where the Rafale multi-role fighter jets meant for India are being built. The IAF Chief is also expected to take a test flight of one the fighter jets.

The IAF is plagued with steady erosion of current fleet with no replacements in sight. The ongoing two-front conflict with China and Pakistan has deepened the concern.

"IAF is eagerly awaiting the Rafale. The Air Chief is likely assessing the possibility of hastening the aircraft supplies and quicker setting of technical infrastructure." Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retired) told Sputnik.

News Story: India begins talks for French Jaguar fighters

Indian Air Force SEPECAT Jaguar (Image: Wiki Commons)

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — India has begun discreet negotiations with France for the purchase of 31 grounded strike fighters previously used by the French Air Force.

The French government made the offer of sale for the Jaguar fighters about six months ago, and India is actively pursuing the opportunity, according to a top Indian Ministry of Defence official.

The offer will be actively discussed during an official visit to France July 17-20 of India's Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, the MoD official noted.

The government official refused to comment on the price offered by France for the Jaguar fighters, but did say India is actively considering acquiring them after proper refurbishment.

During his visit, Dhanoa will inspect the license production of Rafale aircraft for India at Dassault Aviation manufacturing facilities and will fly a sortie in a Rafale aircraft.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Report: French, Indian Companies Form Joint Venture to Develop Military Sensors

France's Thales Group and India's Reliance Defence and Engineering announced their intent to form a joint venture company to integrate and maintain radar and electronic warfare sensors in India.

Reliance Defence will be a majority shareholder with 51% of the new company's shares while Thales will hold 49% of shares in the joint venture. "The joint venture will develop… activity in the Special Economic Zone of Mihan-Nagpur together with an Indian supply chain for the manufacturing of microwave technologies and high-performance airborne electronics," Reliance Defence said in a statement.

"We are delighted to seal this strategic collaboration with Reliance Defence Limited. This joint venture resonates with our strategy to strengthen our industrial footprint in the country by building collaborations with the Indian industry. It reaffirms our commitment to India, and our active contribution to "Make in India"," Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO, Thales, said.

News Story: Lockheed - Trump's 'Buy American' emphasis unlikely to thwart potential F-16 production in India

CGI of the F-16IN developed for the Indian MMRCA contest

By: Valerie Insinna

LE BOURGET, France — Lockheed Martin is still waiting for India to make a decision on its fighter jet competition. However, in the event of a win, the company feels assured its proposal to move the F-16 line to India won’t raise eyebrows with the Trump administration, despite the president’s focus on keeping jobs in the United States. 

Earlier this year, Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin's aeronautics business area, said the company was keeping a close eye on what U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments would ultimately mean for the proposed move, which is seen as a key incentive for getting India on board. 

But during a June 20 interview at the Paris Air Show, Carvalho said Lockheed’s engagements with officials have bestowed some level of confidence that the administration will ultimately be supportive. 

“We’ve briefed various members of the administration on the program, on what that program would mean for the United States and what it means for India, and throughout all of the briefings and discussions that we’ve done, we haven’t seen any resistance to the program by the administration,” he told Defense News. 

“Given that, 'yes,' for a short answer, we are feeling more comfortable with the administration. It doesn’t see this program as an issue.” 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Dassault, Indian partner breaking ground on facility

by Richard Tomkins

Dassault Aviation and Indian partner Reliance Defense & Aerospace plan to break ground next month on a joint venture facility for Rafale jet fighter components.

The investment of Dassault-Reliance Aerospace Limited is part of Dassault's obligations on Make in India commitments under the Rafale fighter jet deal.

The overall deal, worth $8.8 billion, was reached last September for India's purchase of more than 30 of the jet fighters.

"The JV will be used for creating infrastructure at the Mihan (Nagpur) facility, with a ground-breaking ceremony planned for the end of July, India's Economic Times quoted Rajesh K Dhingra, president, Reliance Defense & Aerospace.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Story: Malaysia mulls buying French-made Rafale fighter jets

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Visiting French President Francois Hollande pitched the sale of French-made fighter jets to Malaysia during his brief stay in Malaysia on Tuesday, but Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said they are "not ready to make a decision."

In a joint press conference after an one-hour bilateral meeting, Najib acknowledged that Malaysia is a big procurer of French equipment, adding Malaysia is aware of French-made aircraft Rafale's success in several countries.

Since Malaysia proposed to replace its outdated Mig-29N fighter jets with the so-called multi-role combat aircraft, major defense companies including Dassault Aviation from France, BAE Systems from Britain and Saab from Sweden have proposed their products.

During the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia last week, Dassault Aviation, the maker of Rafale, signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Defense University of Malaysia, part of their lobbying efforts to push the deal. Aerial display using the Rafale F3b was also staged during the exhibition.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Could 'America First' policy upend Lockheed’s F-16 plans in India?

CGI of the Lockheed Martin F-16IN offering for the MMRCA

By: Aaron Mehta

WASHINGTON – As the Trump administration focuses on a pro-American industrial policy, Lockheed Martin is keeping a close eye on what that might mean for plans to build F-16 fighters in India.  

For now, company officials are staying positive about the chances that they will be allowed to go through with a plan to open a production line for the F-16 in India. But they acknowledge that the change in administration may require a shift in plans. 

“We’re working closely with the administration to understand what is [their] policy towards a program like the Indian fighter recapitalization program,” Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of the company's aeronautics division, said in an interview Tuesday.  

“The indications we have heard have been positive. From the Defense Department, from the State Department, the indications are that they are supportive of what the Indian government wants to do. But we’re working with the administration to understand that,” Carvalho added.  

John Rood, Lockheed’s international senior vice president, added that the company has briefed the new administration on the potential F-16 plan, but noted that any timeline for a final decision rests with the Indian government more than the U.S. administration.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Russian defense ministry shows off Su-35S maneuverability

by Ryan Maass

The Russian Ministry of Defense recently demonstrated the flight capabilities of its Sukhoi Su-35S multirole fighter jet.

In a video released by the ministry, an Su-35S takes off from a runway and performs various flight maneuvers.

The Su-35S is a revamped version of the Su-35, a plane built to replace Soviet-era Su-27 fighters. The Russian government and its state-owned aerospace enterprise Sukhoi market the aircraft as a 4++-generation fighter.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Report: Indian Manufacturers Join Race to Cooperate With Foreign Defense Companies

SAAB Gripen Fighter Aircraft

The Indian government’s inviting proposals for single-engine fighter jets with a focus on pushing defense manufacturing in the country opens a potential business opportunity for local firms to partner with foreign defense manufacturers.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' push is beginning to yield results with many Indian conglomerates exploring the possibilities of joint venture with major defense manufacturers from abroad. The latest Indian firm to join the race is industrialist Gautam Adani-led Adani Group, which reportedly is in talks with Sweden's Saab AB for a partnership.

The Swedish firm makes Gripen fighter jets, which reportedly is in the race for India's next multi-billion fighter jet order. The other is Lockheed Martin Corp. of the US, which makes the F-16 jets. Saab has promised to build the fighter jets locally if it wins the order. The Swedish firm participated at the Aero India 2017 air show in Bengaluru.

News Report: Saab Woos India With Offer to Build Fighter Jet Factory in Exchange for Contract

Swedish aerospace company Saab has offered India a new fighter jet factory if the defense organization is able to secure a deal to supply New Delhi with over 200 military jets. Saab is currently neck and neck with US company Lockheed Martin to supply India’s Air Force with 250 single engine combat planes.

With "the world’s most modern" factory for military aircraft, Saab claims that they would be able to manufacture Gripen E fighters both for markets across the globe as well as India. 

In a statement released Friday Saab India chairman Jan Widerstrom said the proposal "is an unrivaled offer that will set new standards in aeronautical engineering excellence for decades to come, should India procure Gripen."

The factory proposal comes as Lockheed Martin awaits approval from President Donald Trump to set up a production line for the F-16 combat craft in India.

News Story: India's budget figures mask a troubling trend

By: Shane Mason

The most eye-catching aspects of the recently released Indian defense budget are top-line growth and diminished spending for procurement. Top-line defense spending grew by 12 percent in fiscal year 2017 compared to the previous budget, making India one of the fastest-growing major defense markets in the world. However, the vast majority of that growth was generated by an increase in personnel costs, and an even bigger increase in pensions. Procurement spending actually declined. This trend of rising personnel costs and shrinking capital funds will decelerate India’s military modernization efforts. 

India’s defense budget in fiscal year 2017 topped $50.9 billion, which means the country now has the fourth-largest defense budget in the world behind the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. The long-term growth in Indian military spending has been remarkable. India had the 13th-largest defense budget in 1995, with spending on par with Spain and the Netherlands. Now India could eclipse British defense spending in a few years, joining the United States and China as the world’s biggest military spenders for the foreseeable future. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Report: India Announces Marginal Increase in Defense Budget for Next Fiscal

Inadequate defense budget for next one year has raised serious questions over Narendra Modi’s ambition to modernize military to counter assertive neighbors like Pakistan and China.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Presenting fourth consecutive annual budget for the nation, India's Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley has allocated an overall $40.31 Billion for the defense service, a marginal increase of 5.7% from previous year. "Marginal increase in defense budget is barely adequate to allow for domestic inflation. It is insufficient to cater for the increase in pay and allowances due to the implementation of the award of the Seventh Pay Commission," says Brig Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd), Senior Fellow at Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

Despite raising high pitch for defense procurement over the years, once again government did not loosen the purse for defense purchases. Government has allocated only $13 Billion for new equipment, weapons, aircraft, naval warships, and Army vehicles. This is approximately 9.5% more in comparison to previous year's budget. Another worrisome factor is Defense Ministry's inability to consume the last allocation completely. According to the Ministry of Finance, close to one billion dollars allocated for defense purchase remain unutilized.

News Story: Indian Navy Releases RFI for New Carrier-borne Fighter

F/A-18E Supper Hornet Fighter

by Neelam Mathews

The Indian Navy has released a detailed Request for Information for procurement of 57 Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF). The move follows the navy’s rejection of the naval version of the indigenous HAL Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for its planned IAC-2 (Indian Aircraft Carrier) that is designed for catapult launch and arrested recovery, and the existing IAC-1, which has a ski-ramp for launch. The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet would appear to be the leading contender, with the Dassault Rafale M another possibility.

The RFI states that the MRCBF should be a day and night capable, all-weather multi-role combat aircraft that can be used for air defense; air-to-surface operations; buddy refueling; reconnaissance; and electronic warfare missions. The life-cycle cost of the aircraft (post warranty) is an important consideration, with two depot-level repair facilities. India wants the transfer of critical technology and the participation in that process by Indian second-tier suppliers and those who can contribute to the supply chain.

The deadline for responses to the RFI is May 17. The Request for Proposal will be released once the RFI is reviewed. The deliveries of the aircraft should start within three years of signing the contract, and be completed within a further period of three years.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Report: Indian Navy Pitches for Three More Multirole Fighter Squadrons

A Navy MIG-29K on Aircraft Carrier Deck

Global military aviation majors to square off as India sets stiff parameters for the selection of 57 combat jets that are able to operate from aircraft carriers.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – The Indian Navy has finally decided to rest speculation whether it will opt for a home-developed combat jet or import them for its aircraft carriers.

It has sought information from global manufacturers for 57 multi role carrier-borne fighters. "Multi role fighters are intended as day and night capable, all-weather multi-role deck based combat aircraft which can be used for air defense, air-to-surface operations, buddy refueling, reconnaissance and EW missions from Indian Naval aircraft carriers," reads document issued for global suppliers.

Apart from some basic guidelines for procurement, Indian Navy has sought answers on the configuration in 55 pages on a range of issues like electronic warfare capability, endurance and payload. Indian government is desirous of license production of the aircraft after acquiring Transfer of technology in the case.

News Story: Russia and India Negotiating Su-30 Combat Jet Support Deal

Su-30MKI (Image: Wiki Commons)

by Reuben F. Johnson

Russia and India are close to signing a long-term support agreement for the fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI combat aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). It includes an improved schedule for the delivery of spares from Russia, local manufacturing of some spares and the creation of logistics hub for the aircraft at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) production facility in Bangalore. India has contracted for the delivery of more than 300 of these aircraft. 

The Su-30MKI is a specialized variant of the Su-30MK-model series and was developed and built at the Irkut factory in Russia. It features several modifications that differentiate it from the original Su-30 design. These include a set of canard foreplanes and a thrust vector control (TVC) module coupled to the aircraft’s fly-by-wire flight control system; the N011M passive electronically scanning array (PESA) radar set produced by the NIIP design bureau in Moscow; and a mix of Israeli, French and Indian-produced avionics.

It is this unique configuration of this aircraft, which is different from the other Su-30MK variants sold for export, that complicates the logistics chain for this aircraft, say Russian aerospace specialists familiar with the program. Indian officials had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the declining availability rates for the Su-30MKI, but have seen improvements in those numbers recently.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: More Rafales for India Still Likely

by Neelam Mathews and Chris Pocock

Contrary to some previous indications, India is considering an additional 36 Dassault Rafales, a senior Ministry of Defence official said. The contract is likely to be signed in 2019 with deliveries to start by 2022, when the existing $8.8 billion order for 36 Rafales is completed, AIN has learned from sources close to the long-running procurement process. The two orders would add five squadrons of new fourth-generation fighters to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

What seems to have been disjointed planning for future fighters in India is now becoming clearer. India has recently been exploring again the local production of a foreign fighter with OEMs under its “Make in India” policy, this time a single-engine design. But that does not preclude buying more twin-engine Rafales, nor their production in India, it seems. Late last year, Dassault chief executive Eric Trappier told the French newspaper Sud Ouest that “we have the will and the strategy to establish ourselves in India.” There is a 50-percent offset stipulation in the first contract for 36 Rafales, that Dassault will partly fulfill by establishing a parts production and support facility with its local partner, the Reliance Group. “This would be [further] developed if other contracts were signed,” Trappier said. In the protracted and eventually abandoned negotiations for the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) requirement, only 18 Rafales would have been produced in France, with the other 108 assembled in India.

The Indian Navy is also likely to view with favor the carrier-capable Rafale-M on grounds of commonality, having recently rejected the naval version of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) because of excess weight and other factors.

Read the full story at AINonline