The IAF, thus, wants a true multirole force-multiplier which will be equally adept at defending airspace, establishing air superiority and attacking surface-based enemy targets. Active electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars are a must for all contenders and India wants complete, unconditional transfer of technology (ToT) of the total package. The six contenders in the fray are two single-engine fighters - JAS 39 Gripen (S50 million) and the F-16 IN Super Viper (S70 million) and four twin-engine aircraft – Block-II F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet (upwards of S60 million), Rafale (S80 million), Eurofighter Typhoon (S 115 million) and MiG 35 ($60 million).
All these planes are heavy on the use of composites, come with the latest avionics and digital fly-by-wire, net-centric warfare capability and latest electronic warfare systems. All of them have the HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) and Helmet Mounted Cueing system and reduced Radar Cross Section signatures.
While the 4th generation Super Viper and the Super Hornet represent older airframes, they come with proven AESA radars. But the US usually has restrictions on modifications and stringent end-user agreement. The US is also unlikely to part with the AESA radar software codes. Apart from these factors, Pakistan has been operating F-16s, albeit not technologically as advanced as the Super Viper, for close to two decades now. Furthermore, American penchant for imposing sanctions translates into its unreliability as a steady supplier of spares. While the Viper is a proven air-to-air combat platform, aviation experts are sceptical of the Super Hornet’s dogfighting capabilities though they concede it’s a very potent strike aircraft.
The Swedish Gripen, in spite of a modern airframe and advanced datalinks, loses out as it is more in the class of LCA with only seven hardpoints. Another thing that goes against Gripen is the heavy use of American equipment which once again have end-user clause and the supply factor loaded against it. The AESA radars of Gripen and the most expensive aircraft in the fray, Eurofighter Typhoon, are under development. The Eurofighter has all the goodies that the IAF is looking for but its price might push India’s budget to the brink.
The Rafale is an agile French 4.5 generation platform with an integrated electronic survival system named SPECTRA which features a software-based virtual stealth technology. IAF has had good experience with Dassault Mirage and the famously independent French foreign policy will ensure no problems about supply of spares and future upgrades.
Based on the MiG-29M OTV, MiG-35 is equipped with advanced avionic suite comprising of a modern glass cockpit designed with three 6x8 inch flat-panel LCDs and full HOTAS controls, digital map, helmet-mounted sight. The latest Zhuk AE AESA radar is mounted on this aircraft. This radar was developed with modular approach, enabling upgrading existing Zhuk ME/MSE radars, into the phased array equipped MFE/MSFE standard, deployed in MiG-29/Su-27 platforms.
All these planes are heavy on the use of composites, come with the latest avionics and digital fly-by-wire, net-centric warfare capability and latest electronic warfare systems. All of them have the HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) and Helmet Mounted Cueing system and reduced Radar Cross Section signatures.
While the 4th generation Super Viper and the Super Hornet represent older airframes, they come with proven AESA radars. But the US usually has restrictions on modifications and stringent end-user agreement. The US is also unlikely to part with the AESA radar software codes. Apart from these factors, Pakistan has been operating F-16s, albeit not technologically as advanced as the Super Viper, for close to two decades now. Furthermore, American penchant for imposing sanctions translates into its unreliability as a steady supplier of spares. While the Viper is a proven air-to-air combat platform, aviation experts are sceptical of the Super Hornet’s dogfighting capabilities though they concede it’s a very potent strike aircraft.
The Swedish Gripen, in spite of a modern airframe and advanced datalinks, loses out as it is more in the class of LCA with only seven hardpoints. Another thing that goes against Gripen is the heavy use of American equipment which once again have end-user clause and the supply factor loaded against it. The AESA radars of Gripen and the most expensive aircraft in the fray, Eurofighter Typhoon, are under development. The Eurofighter has all the goodies that the IAF is looking for but its price might push India’s budget to the brink.
The Rafale is an agile French 4.5 generation platform with an integrated electronic survival system named SPECTRA which features a software-based virtual stealth technology. IAF has had good experience with Dassault Mirage and the famously independent French foreign policy will ensure no problems about supply of spares and future upgrades.
Based on the MiG-29M OTV, MiG-35 is equipped with advanced avionic suite comprising of a modern glass cockpit designed with three 6x8 inch flat-panel LCDs and full HOTAS controls, digital map, helmet-mounted sight. The latest Zhuk AE AESA radar is mounted on this aircraft. This radar was developed with modular approach, enabling upgrading existing Zhuk ME/MSE radars, into the phased array equipped MFE/MSFE standard, deployed in MiG-29/Su-27 platforms.
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