An article in the economic times grabbed our attention. This article states that India and Russia might sign the deal for the 'Perspective Multi Role Fighter' by the end of this year. After signing deals worth more than $8 billion Russia is hopeful that a final conclusion would be reached. The article states that the intricate details of the deal from the Russian side has been ironed out and now India has to decide what to do. After the cancellation of India's participation in the MTA (Multi role transport aircraft) project the FGFA deal came close to being cancelled with the Indian side not being happy about the structure, engines, radars and the level of Indian participation in the project. The aircraft was supposed to be powered by new Saturn AL-41 engines but it is powered by upgraded AL-31 engines as the new ones are delayed. Prior to this India was supposed to pay $6 Billion as the development fees, ToT and 3 prototypes. Now India has to pay only $3,7 Billion for three prototypes and complete transfer of technology. India wants the PAK FA to be built according to Indian requirements and would include a good amount of Indigenous and non-Russian technology like it did for the Su-30 MKI.
COMMENTS India should fast track the deal as China within the next three to five years would start fielding it's J-20 Stealth fighters and to counter these the S-400 is simply not enough. Yes S-400 is the most modern and most powerful Anti aircraft,cruise missile system with limited ABM (Anti-ballistic missile) capability but having a fifth generation fighter would not only give India aerial superiority but also good technological know how for the AMCA project. The PMF would give India an upper hand in case of a conflict with Pakistan as Pakistan by then may or may not have fifth generation fighter. It will also give India a technological trump card over the J-20 as Russian aircraft technology is on par with western technology yet some issues do remain which India can weed out themselves smartly by infusing the best of West and Russian technology along with homegrown solutions. @NMLnetwork Image credits: Click on the image |
|