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In one of the largest bids put out by Delhi, Bharat is ready to purchase planes. The choices are limited. “Slim pickins” dictate a very thorough review of the technologies available and the decision making is complex.

Unable to build fighter aircraft Delhi is now purchasing planes worth $10 Billion. Bharat is the only country of if a large size that does not make its own equipment and is almost totally reliant on importing planes, ships and tanks. It massive failures in tank production as well as in missiles is the main reason it has ventured to spend big bucks on imports.

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program began in 1983 out of the rising need to replace the MiG-21s, which even then were becoming obsolete but still constituted the most numerous type of aircraft in the Indian Air Force’s inventory. By 1990, the design for a new plane was finalized, with the aircraft adopting a cranked delta wing and tailless configuration powered by a single turbofan engine.
Five years later the designated manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautical (HAL), unveiled two prototypes. However, because of difficulties with its flight-control system, the aircraft’s first test flight was delayed another five years, until January 2001. Since then, two more prototypes have been produced, with a naval variant currently undergoing development.

The real question in the tender is whether Bharat can afford to maintain two sets of maintenance facilities for two very different set of hardware suppliers, one Russian and the other American. The other major question is based on politics. Does Delhi wants to reward a US corporation with $10 Billion or is it being forced to do that for other political benefits elsewhere. Jilting Russian hardware manufacturers may also have negative repercussions on the Indo-Russian relationship. Russia could retaliate in a subtle manner. For example it could drag its feet further on the Next Generation Fighter or the Aircraft Carrier. If it really wanted to get nasty it could put additional pressure on Delhi in many different ways.

The capabilities the Tejas offers do not provide anything new or significant over existing light fighters that have already been flying in foreign air forces for years. In short, it is already obsolete. Asia Times. Anyone want an obsolete Indian fighter? By David Nguyen

The US and Russia dumping Sub-standard military hardware on Japan and India:

• http://www.zimbio.com/World+Politics/articles/1665/USA+Russia+dumping+substandard+military+hardware
• India denied opportunity to design Migs: Buying planes worth $10 billion

• Is India getting junk that flies again? Why is the press silent?

The seduction of the New East India Company overwhelms the senses of those who begin thinking of themselves as a new USA. Has the “East India Company” ever allowed any nation to compete with it and thus eliminate it? The Chinese are smart. Unfettered by the trappings of “democracy” they only allow limited access to the “East India Company”. The Indian nation tipsy by a shrinking $41 Billion call center industry (mislabeled and embellished as the IT industry) does not have the wisdom or the sagacity to see through the game. Too busy cajoling the USA, it has not only forgotten its roots, it is moving towards self-destruction. Like the 18th century India is ready to be pillaged and raped.

Super Hornet F/18: The Indian navy is not equipped for it and does not want it. The Indian Navy wants the F-35s. With a price tag of less than $50 million, Boeing Co. believes its aging F/A-18 Super Hornet is the right plane for penny-pinching times.

Lockheed Martin’s F-16: Lockheed Martin is hedging on its original offer of the F-35s and is asking the Indian Government to purchase the F-16s “which have the latest F-35 technology in it”. The IAF may want this advanced fighter jet, but the question is can Delhi afford it? At about $300 a pop, it cannot buy as many planes as it wanted. Bharat wants to purchase 126 fighters. It can only afford 30 F-35s. A “bait and switch” is being proffered by Lockheed Martin. By dnagling the F-35 in front of the Bharati people, the defense department is slavating. However the F-35 is not part of this “tender bid”, even though Lockheed is tyring to make it so by clever and crafty marketing. Lockheed is a commercial enterprise so there is no question of any transfer of technology to Bharat but Lockheed is careful not to say it bluntly. Coke would never give up its formula. In fact with Minister George Fernandez forced it to do what it cannot, Coca left India.

Saab’s Gripen: It is in the running, but not much is available on the discussions within the Air Force and the Army.

The visitors to this year Aero India will be deprived of having the opportunity to see the maneuvering of fighter aircraft Gripen, one of the six contenders for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme, as the company believes there is too much cost involved in bringing the aircraft to India. People in the industry feel that this can well be a cost cutting exercise by the Swedish company, despite the fact that companies participating in the biennial aeroshow event are seeing a wave of opportunities both in the Indian defence and civilian market. Saab not to bring Gripen aircraft for Aero India 2009, Bibhu Ranjan Mishra / Chennai/ Bangalore February 10, 2009, 0:04 IST

Originally the Tejas was supposed to have been the Bharati version of the Gripen and the F-16s.

When completed, the Tejas will be comparable to the Gripen in its capabilities. But the Gripen has been operating in Swedish squadrons for nearly a decade and has already seen a new upgraded variant, the Gripen-C, being produced. Similarly, another light combat aircraft, the F-16, has been in service for nearly three decades while offering similar capabilities and numerous upgraded variants. The capabilities the Tejas offers do not provide anything new or significant over existing light fighters that have already been flying in foreign air forces for years. In short, it is already obsolete. Asia Times. Anyone want an obsolete Indian fighter? By David Nguyen

Dassault Rafale: This is a long shot and an “also ran”.

Eurofighter Typhoon: Britain’s Eurofighter Typhoon, whose advanced aerodynamics and intuitive controls and avionics have led to studies like the UK DERA rating it as the second-best air superiority aircraft in the world. Its supporting cast includes 1980s era Tornado F3 air defense variants, and upgraded GR9 Harriers from the Royal Navy.
According to press reports, the Typhoon has been rejected by the probably as a result of its poor showing against Bharat’s Su-30 during the IAF 2007 Indra Dhanush Exercise

RSK MiG-35: The Bharati Defense establishment is built on old obsolete hardware. When the USSR was big and strong and Bharat was not, Moscow used to dump its “Flying Coffins” on India and expected many thank yous. There is much bad blood on the Mig-35 between Delhi and Moscow. At first the Russia which was in dire financial straits had informed Bharat that this fighter would be jointly developed. However when push came to shove, Russia now flush with Petro-Dollars decided to go it alone. There are huge issues of Transfer of Technology with Russia not keeping its end of the deal and simply delivering the planes with cans of Tri-Color paint and Bharati IAF decals.

With a colossal $200 Billion foreign debt Beggers Can’t be choosers!

F-35A #AA-1We are not sure why the F-35 and the F-22 are being discussed as part of this MMRCA bid. They are not part of it. In some marketing obfuscation Lockheed showed the F-35 with the tri-colors painted on it, but did not even show the F-16s.