Moscow confused as IAF puts fifth-generation fighter on back burner to buy Rafale

Currently, the Sukhoi T-50 is powered by the NPO Saturn AL-41F1, which only is a souped-up version of the AL-31FP engine that powers the Sukhoi-30MKI

The ongoing MAKS 2015 air show in Moscow features an impressive flying display by the Sukhoi T-50, the fifth-generation prototype fighter's first public outing in two years. But even the rousing applause fails to mask the disappointment of Russian officials at the Indian Air Force's (IAF's) foot-dragging in co-developing the T-50 into a "fifth generation fighter aircraft" (FGFA) that the IAF will buy.

Well-informed sources in Moscow say the IAF vice chief has written a letter that effectively blocks the FGFA project. It criticises 27 different aspects of the FGFA, raising questions that must be answered before New Delhi and Moscow put $2.5 billion each into jointly developing the advanced fighter.

Business Standard also learns the IAF has vetoed a Russian offer to co-develop a fifth-generation engine for the FGFA. This is baffling to the Russians, given the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) long-standing attempts at joint engine development in order to end India's expensive dependency on foreign vendors for aero engines. An internal DRDO estimation reckons that India will import aero engines worth Rs 3,50,000 crore over the next decade.

After the DRDO failed to develop the Kaveri engine to the level where it could power the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), it strived to persuade French engine-maker, Snecma, to co-develop an engine. But Snecma declined to share key technologies, especially those relating to materials that can withstand the hellish temperatures created in the engine's combustion chamber.

Nor has Washington agreed to share these technologies, even after President Barack Obama agreed during his January visit to New Delhi that a "joint working group" would explore US-India cooperation in engine technology.

DRDO and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) officials say the Russian offer of engine co-development fits well with the FGFA project itself, since the engine will power the same fighter. Currently, the Sukhoi T-50 is powered by the NPO Saturn AL-41F1, which only is a souped-up version of the AL-31FP engine that powers the Sukhoi-30MKI. A brand new, more powerful, engine is needed to let the FGFA supercruise, or fly at supersonic speeds while cruising without an afterburner. This is considered essential for a fifth-generation fighter.

Military aerospace experts worldwide believe that, given Moscow's economic distress, the T-50 project badly needs India's financial partnership to move forward. So far, the Russian Air Force has ordered only one squadron of T-50s.

Sergey Chemezov, who heads Rostec, the powerful Russian high-technology agency, downplays India's delay. "As for the involvement with India, there is a certain delay, though this is not something that we (Russia) can be responsible for.

Agra-Lucknow E-way opens with Mirage, Sukhoi landing, taking off

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and rulingSamajwadi Party (SP) president Mulayam Singh Yadavtoday inaugurated the 302-km-long Agra-Lucknow Expressway, which would cut travel time between the two cities by half.

The main feature of the access-controlled greenfield expressway, completed in a record 23 months, is that it has a 3.3-km-long runway in Unnao district, offering landing and takeoff facilities for Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter planes during emergency.

A grand air show featuring six Mirage and Sukhoi figher jets presented a perfect prelude to the inaugural ceremony of the expressway, one of Akhilseh's flagship projects, apart from Lucknow Metro and Lucknow IT City.

Watch here:

(The 302-km-long access-controlled expressway, completed in a record 23 months, has a 3.3 km runway for IAF jets to land and take off during emergency)

Constructed at a cost of about Rs 15,000 crore, the expressway was inaugurated on the eve of Mulayam’s 78th birthday, as promised by Akhilesh to his father.

The six-lane expressway, which could be extended to eight lanes, traverses 10 districts -- Agra, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Kannauj, Kanpur City, Unnao, Hardoi and Lucknow. It would provide seamless connectivity between Lucknow and Agra via the already operational Yamuna Expressway.

Addressing the ceremony at Bangaurmau in Unnao, Akhilesh said the expressway would spur economic activity in the region and pave the way for the ruling SP to return to power in the 2017 UP polls. Akhilesh arrived at the venue aboard his Rath, which has been specially designed for his ‘Samajwadi Vikas Rath Yatra’.Read more.

Wing Commander Pooja Thakur sues IAF

Wing Commander Pooja Thakur sues IAF

Wing Commander Pooja Thakur has moved the armed forces tribunal after being denied permanent commission by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Thakur's lawyer Sudhanshu Pandey told ANI it is wrong on part of the Air Force to deny her permanent commission for which she is entitled.

"The Air Force has on the basis of a policy stated that she is not entitled for permanent commission. The policy is their own local policy as the government did not give any decision about it. They did not offer her permanent commission in 2006 which they should have, but when the High Court passed the order in 2010 they offered her the same," said Pandey.

"At that time, her personal situation was such that she could not decide and that is why she requested the Air Force to change her option. They denied it to her and that is why we have filed a petition," he added.

Thakur's lawyer expressed hope that the court understands their stand and pronounces a favourable judgement.

Responding to the poser as to what does the present policy state, Pandey said, "HRP3 of 2011 states that for permanent commission, you have to show your willingness for once and if you don't give your willingness that time, there is a gap in the policy.

"According to the policy, you will be given chance only once, whereas the HRP of male officers does not have any condition like that," Pandey explained.

When asked about the Centre's stand on the issue, Pandey responded, "The Central Government can always take a decision for officers, who have represented the Air Force, India Army as well as nation. Women like her should be given importance in the nation for her achievements. And according to me, the government should ensure that she is given the permanent commission."

The officer says in a petition that the IAF's decision to deny her permanent commission is "biased, discriminatory, arbitrary and unreasonable".

The Air Force has been asked to respond in four weeks.(more)

Air force, DRDO, pleased with Tejas performance at Bahrain

In a milestone for India’s Tejas light-combat aircraft (LCA), two Tejas fighters travelled from India to performed aerobatics at the Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS-2016) from January 21-23.

This official account comes from the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is overseeing the flight test programme of the Tejas; and from the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the defence research & development (R&D) organisation responsible for the Tejas programme.