luckyyy
SENIOR MEMBER
- Sep 23, 2010
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old article , year 2005 at the time when MMRCA tendor first floated
The IAF's interest in working with the MiG corp for meeting its fifth generation fighter requirements came to the fore during Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Russia in November. While speaking to the Russian press Mukherjee acknowledged that amongst subjects discussed was the MiG study work on a fifth-generation light fighter aircraft.
Russian endeavors to elicit Indian interest in its fifth generation fighter have been reported in the press for the past two years or so. The assumption was that these endeavors were focused around the Sukhoi T-50. The IAF's interest in the MiG concept came as a surprise. Indeed, Indian interest in the MiG concept has possibly rekindled the interest of the Russian air force too in the MiG design.
AW&ST has reported that while remaining publicly wedded to the Sukhoi T-50 as its next-generation fighter program, the Russian air force is reexamining its future fleet mix, and there have been discussions with MiG over the development of a light fighter. MiG has already carried out wind-tunnel tests of its latest light fighter design concepts. However, these remain classified, indicating at least some level of Russian air force interest.
Why the T-50 does not meet IAF requirements
With India already committed to the heavy Su-30MKI investing in another heavy like the Sukhoi T-50 as it's next-generation fighter program makes little sense.
Committing to heavy and expensive fighters in such large numbers will result in a reduction of the IAF fleet within a given budgetary allocation. What the Air Force needs is a judicious mix of lights and heavy with the relatively inexpensive lights deployed in large number. The sheer geographical extent of the country and its well spread out strategic interest mandate a large fighter fleet that cannot be easily spread thin.
Understanding the Emerging Threat
Pakistan is in the process of acquiring a USS Spruance-class destroyers from the US. These are the largest destroyers in the history of the U.S. Navy. They can cruise far from home for long periods of time. The ship is already equipped to launch cruise missiles. ******************** has reported that the Pakistani navy will reconfigure the ship's existing onboard missile systems to carry Babur cruise missiles which have a range of 500 km.
The implications for India are clear. Any strategic target within India, whether in the North or South, can now be the target of a cruise missile attack. Such an attack could legitimately target a designated defense nuclear facility like a fast breeder reactor or an advanced DRDO establishment like the ATV home base.
In the eventuality of such an attack India will get an adequate warning, perhaps from a Tu-142 long range reconnaissance aircraft or a shadowing naval ship. However, the challenge would be in neutralizing the attack. Deploying missile defenses around strategic targets could help but not assure full protection. The problem with relying on a point missile defense system is that missile can only engage the target seconds before it is hit. Missile batteries have just a few seconds in which to neutralize the threat. In addition, they can be easily overwhelmed by rapid salvo fire.
The time to take out a subsonic cruise missile like the Babur is during the half an hour or so that it will take to reach its target. Fighters equipped with AESA radars and medium range air to air missiles present the best answer. They have a larger window to engage and neutralize attacking cruise missiles. Missiles deployed around the target can then take care of any cruise missiles that slip through fighter defenses.
Conclusion:
The inclination of the IAF and the Indian government to work with the MiG Corp for the fifth generation fighter rather than opt into the Sukhoi led T-50 program is well thought out. A light weight and lower cost fifth generation fighter that can be deployed in large numbers will better address the developing threat scenario than the T-50. Additionally, by championing the cause of the MiG Corp, which has so far been the underdog in the race for developing a fifth generation fighter, the IAF and DRDO have a better chance of honing the new fighter from the ground up to meet IAF specific requirements.
Understanding IAF interest in the MiG fifth generation fighter.
The IAF's interest in working with the MiG corp for meeting its fifth generation fighter requirements came to the fore during Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Russia in November. While speaking to the Russian press Mukherjee acknowledged that amongst subjects discussed was the MiG study work on a fifth-generation light fighter aircraft.
Russian endeavors to elicit Indian interest in its fifth generation fighter have been reported in the press for the past two years or so. The assumption was that these endeavors were focused around the Sukhoi T-50. The IAF's interest in the MiG concept came as a surprise. Indeed, Indian interest in the MiG concept has possibly rekindled the interest of the Russian air force too in the MiG design.
AW&ST has reported that while remaining publicly wedded to the Sukhoi T-50 as its next-generation fighter program, the Russian air force is reexamining its future fleet mix, and there have been discussions with MiG over the development of a light fighter. MiG has already carried out wind-tunnel tests of its latest light fighter design concepts. However, these remain classified, indicating at least some level of Russian air force interest.
Why the T-50 does not meet IAF requirements
With India already committed to the heavy Su-30MKI investing in another heavy like the Sukhoi T-50 as it's next-generation fighter program makes little sense.
Committing to heavy and expensive fighters in such large numbers will result in a reduction of the IAF fleet within a given budgetary allocation. What the Air Force needs is a judicious mix of lights and heavy with the relatively inexpensive lights deployed in large number. The sheer geographical extent of the country and its well spread out strategic interest mandate a large fighter fleet that cannot be easily spread thin.
Understanding the Emerging Threat
Pakistan is in the process of acquiring a USS Spruance-class destroyers from the US. These are the largest destroyers in the history of the U.S. Navy. They can cruise far from home for long periods of time. The ship is already equipped to launch cruise missiles. ******************** has reported that the Pakistani navy will reconfigure the ship's existing onboard missile systems to carry Babur cruise missiles which have a range of 500 km.
The implications for India are clear. Any strategic target within India, whether in the North or South, can now be the target of a cruise missile attack. Such an attack could legitimately target a designated defense nuclear facility like a fast breeder reactor or an advanced DRDO establishment like the ATV home base.
In the eventuality of such an attack India will get an adequate warning, perhaps from a Tu-142 long range reconnaissance aircraft or a shadowing naval ship. However, the challenge would be in neutralizing the attack. Deploying missile defenses around strategic targets could help but not assure full protection. The problem with relying on a point missile defense system is that missile can only engage the target seconds before it is hit. Missile batteries have just a few seconds in which to neutralize the threat. In addition, they can be easily overwhelmed by rapid salvo fire.
The time to take out a subsonic cruise missile like the Babur is during the half an hour or so that it will take to reach its target. Fighters equipped with AESA radars and medium range air to air missiles present the best answer. They have a larger window to engage and neutralize attacking cruise missiles. Missiles deployed around the target can then take care of any cruise missiles that slip through fighter defenses.
Conclusion:
The inclination of the IAF and the Indian government to work with the MiG Corp for the fifth generation fighter rather than opt into the Sukhoi led T-50 program is well thought out. A light weight and lower cost fifth generation fighter that can be deployed in large numbers will better address the developing threat scenario than the T-50. Additionally, by championing the cause of the MiG Corp, which has so far been the underdog in the race for developing a fifth generation fighter, the IAF and DRDO have a better chance of honing the new fighter from the ground up to meet IAF specific requirements.
Understanding IAF interest in the MiG fifth generation fighter.
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