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Nos echamos las manos a la cabeza con nuestra corrupción e ineficiencia pero comparado con aquello esto es el Paraiso
2014-09-07 In this exclusive interview conducted by our partner India Strategic with Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force, the COS provides an overview on how he sees the evolution of Indian Air Power in the joint context.
By Gulshan Luthra and Air Marshal (Retired) VK Jimmy Bhatia
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, took over as Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) from Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne on December 31, 2013.
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The MMRCA Acquisition
IS: What is the latest on the long pending MMRCA deal?
Is there a possibility of the contract being signed in the current financial year? If yes, when would the IAF likely get its first squadron of Rafale jet fighters?
CAS: The MMRCA CNC is presently negotiating various aspects of the contract with the L1 vendor, Dassault Aviation of France. The negotiations are progressing well. The contract for 126 MMRCA is expected to be signed sooner than later in the current FY 2014-15.
IS: In the interim, is there a possibility of the IAF going in for additional Mirage 2000 aircraft as being reported in some sections of the media? Please clarify.
CAS: To make good the existing deficiencies in the Mirage-2000 fleet, a case for procurement of two additional Mirage 2000 aircraft is being initiated by the Air HQ.
IS: Could you give a detailed update on the indigenous LCA (Tejas) program?
When would the aircraft be in a position to achieve full-fledged FOC (Final Operational Clearance)? How will the issue of the first 40 LCAs fitted with the underpowered GE 404 IN engines be sorted out in the long run? Will these be retro modified to Mk II standards or the IAF would remain saddled with Mk Is through their entire service life? Could you also give details of the LCA Mk II aircraft are envisaged for procurement by the IAF?
Other Tactical Aircraft Modernization
CAS: The LCA achieved IOC in December 2013 and this paved the way for induction of the LCA in IOC configuration in IAF. HAL is likely to deliver the first LCA in 2014 and IAF will be in a position to form the first LCA squadron only after receipt of at least four LCA from HAL, which is likely by the third quarter of 2015. The FOC of LCA is scheduled in December 2014.
The first 40 LCA would fly with GE 404 IN engine. The LCA Mk II would be equipped with GE 414 INS6 engine with improved performance. Preliminary Design Review of LCA Mk II was conducted. Four Squadrons of LCA Mk II are envisaged for procurement.
IS: It is believed there is a possibility of the stalled Jaguar re-engining programme being revived. Is it true? If yes, could you give details of the program? How will it affect the overall service life of the aircraft?
CAS: Yes, a case for re-engining of the Jaguar aircraft with F-125 IN engine is being actively pursued. Presently, the case is at Technical Oversight Stage, after which the contract negotiations will commence and we are hopeful of signing the contract in this financial year. Re-engining and concurrent upgrade of the Jaguar fleet will ensure its operational relevance till 2035.
IS: What are your views on the – still on the drawing board – indigenous MCA (Medium Combat Aircraft) program? How does it fit in the already crowded fighter acquisition programs such as the MMRCA, FGFA and of course the LCA too? Also, what time horizons have been fixed for its operational induction into the IAF?
CAS: After having successfully developed the LCA indigenously , the next logical step for DRDO is to design and develop an indigenous medium category fighter aircraft which would replace some of our legacy fleets due to retire in 10-15 years time. Presently MCA is on the drawing board and it is too premature to draw out its induction timelines.
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All India | Written by Sudhi Ranjan Sen | Updated: October 04, 2014 21:33 IST
For Tejas, a Long Way to Go Before it Protects the Indian Skies
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force's (IAF) Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) - Tejas, which has been in the making since 1983 and is expected to join the force by March, 2015, still suffers from some teething problems.
Some of the modifications that IAF has to make on the Tejas include pushing back the cockpit panels by few centimeters to prevent the toes of an ejecting pilot from getting entangled with instruments and aides and adding another 60 centimetres in length to the aircraft body to allow easy access and replacements of critical circuitry.
Apart from these critical changes, the IAF and State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are in the process of shaving off about 550 kilograms from the aircraft, making it lighter and adding more power to it.
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"Training manuals, maintenance manuals haven't yet been prepared," an officer said adding that "the IAF expects the first squadron to be available by 2017-18."
Sources told NDTV that prior to the modifications, pilots with shoe size nine or above would have found it impossible to eject in an emergency.
"The feet would get stuck preventing a clean bail out," the officer said.
Also, critical circuits and parts that could require replacements were placed so deep inside the aircraft body that the turn-around time between sorties varied between two to three hours - considered to be exceptionally long.
"The length of the aircraft was increased to rearrange the circuits and parts to allow easy access and faster replacement," the officer added.
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