|
|
|
The stars of Aero-India 07 were the MiG twins - MiG-35 and
MiG-29M OVT. The MiG-35 utilizes the basic MiG-29M aerodynamic
design, enhanced propulsion, flight control and avionics. Compared
to previous MiG-29 models, it provides significant improvement
in flight range, maneuverability, and engagement capability
of airborne and ground targets. The Indian Air Force is already
flying 65 MiG 29 fighter jets, which are currently undergoing
modernization under a US$ 400 million program. The upgrade could
include improvement of the fighter's capability of beyond visual
range (BVR) engagement, improvement of the central computer
and avionics, especially in ground attack functionality.
The Indian Navy has recently acquired 16 of the marine versions
of the MiG 29K to be operated from the aircraft carrier newly
acquired from Russia. The first aircraft will arrive in India
in June 2007.
Boeing is offering the Indians joint production of the Hornet,
the first time the company is willing to go that far in international
cooperation. India has always insisted on the local production
of a substantial number of the defense hardware it buys. India's
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is currently producing the
Sukhoi Su-30 and MiG-series aircraft, as well as the British
Jaguar and the Hawk trainer, to begin local production in 2008.
Most recently, India increased its order of Su-30MKI with an
additional 40 aircraft, which could fulfill urgently needed
aircraft replacement at some of the squadrons suffering the
highest attrition, buying some time for the MRCA program to
mature.
|
|
|
| 
Indigenous development of aircraft and helicopters continues
in India. The most prominent, alas longest program is the Tejas
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) family developed by HAL. Currently
the fifth prototype is in final assembly and is expected to
fly in August 2007, to be followed up by the naval version,
slated to fly in 2008. A two-seater trainer version is one of
the seven prototypes planned for the indigenously developed
LCA. Production is gearing up for the low-rate initial production,
with the first of eight Limited Series Production Aircraft (LSP-1)
aircraft completed, making its ground runs at HAL's facility
at Bangalore in February 2007. The remaining seven LSP-1 aircraft
will be delivered by 2008. These aircraft will be equipped with
a foreign engine (GE F-404, same as the prototype's powerplant)
and non indigenous radar. The first aircraft of a batch of 20
production aircraft contracted by the Indian Air Force is scheduled
to start rolling out of the HAL facilities from 2009-10, at
a planned production rate of eight aircraft a year. However,
the program continues to experience delays. Initial Operational
Clearance (IOC) for LCA was recently pushed back o 2010. The
first three prototypes are currently undergoing flight testing
and integration. Three prototypes are currently flying, accumulating
over 500 hours in test flights. Integration and flight testing
of weapon systems is also underway. A model at Aero-India provided
a glimpse of this work, equipped with missiles (R-73) and targeting
pod (Litening).
The Jaguar upgrading program is also underway. 20 aircraft
were upgraded through the Darin-II program, which included upgrades
for the aircraft avionic systems. The aircraft also received
new hardpoints, bringing the total hardpoints to nine, supporting
enhanced weapon configurations. An inertial navigation platform
and a digital map display are now included. While two prototypes
of the subsonic aircraft are flying, the government has also
placed an order for the limited series production of 12 aircraft.
Another indigenously developed aircraft is the HJT-36 trainer
developed by HAL. This Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) is expected
to become operational by 2008.
Our report will cover the following topics:
|
|
|
