PDA

View Full Version : India teaming with Russia for 5th generation fighter?



Cruality
08-12-2008, 12:47 AM
Found this on another forum regarding new fighter jets being developed. Here's the article excerpt

India plans to fund Russia in order to counter F/A-22 Raptor

Indian Defence Minister, AK Antony is likely to ink a deal on his visit to Russia for the development of a 5th generation fighter aircraft.

Indian government plans to spend $5 billion on such a project to counter the production of a 5th generation fighter aircrafts in the United States Air Force, F/A-22 Raptor and Joint Strike Fighter.

Such a cooperation will enhance military ties with Russia which still stands today since the days of the communist Soviet Union.

AK Antony will visit Moscow to attend the Indo-Russia inter-government commission on military technical cooperation.

India preferred the Sukhoi's PAK-FA, 5th generation fighter earlier this year, which came after years of consultation and discussions over the issue to enjoy air supremacy throughout the world.

It is expected that both sides will firm up a formal declaration regarding the deal during the defence minister's visit.

"An inter-governmental pact will be signed during the visit, though price negotiations and intellectual property right issues will be sorted out at a later stage", an Indian defense official said.

If the deal is inked, the deal will be the largest multi-billion-dollar military deal between the two countries for the development of a 5th generation fighter aircraft which will guarantee air supremacy a long with the already highly capable fighter aircrafts, who already posses significant advantage against American, French, Chinese and European fighter aircrafts.

India and Russia both are looking for a next generation stealth fighter which would adequately match, if not exceed the capabilities of the US Air Force's F/A-22 Raptor, which is already in service, as well as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Lightning, being jointly developed by the United States and the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile air force chief, Air Chief Marshal FH Major has confirmed that the IAF has finalized the technical requirements for the fifth generation aircraft.

"The air staff requirements for the fifth generation fighters have been made. It will take five years for development and it will be 8-10 years before the first fighter takes to the skies," he said.

India plans to contribute to the 5th generation fighter aircraft pro-gramme and gain some valuable expertise for its own defence research and development establishments who struggle to meet the requirements of its air force for a light combat aircraft, LCA.

Sukhoi Design Bureau has already finalized the basic design and features of the aircraft. The PAK-FA is expected to have advanced stealth features, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, thrust vectoring for increased maneuverability and a super-cruise mode to fly at supersonic speed without using afterburners.

According to the Russian defense officials, a prototype of the PAK-FA would make its first flight in early 2009 marking a near era for both air forces of the world.

Such an ambitious collaboration between the two countries is likely to lead other countries such as Pakistan, United States, and China to better prepear their air forces against such a threatening fighter aircraft which will be capable of using "stealth features" and highly advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon systems on a high speed super cruise mode.

As tensions between United States and Russia increase over defence shield in Europe. United States government continues to offer Indian government highly advanced weapon systems, aircrafts, and a nuclear energy agreement, which some believe will adversely effect its major non-NATO ally on the war on terrorism, Pakistan

http://www.defence.pk/news/publish/I...r_20071017.php

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------