New Delhi: India is aiming to join the big league of avionic super powers in just about seven years, by developing a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, which will match the top powers in the world.
The only operational fifth-generation fighter in the world as of now is the new American F/A-22 Raptor, the most expensive combat jet in history, priced as it is at $258 million apiece.
According to sources, officials from the Defence Ministry, Indian Air Force and the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) have already prepared a blueprint for the stealth fighter jet, which will have a lethal mix of beyond-visual range combat capabilities, reduced radar tracking signature, super-maneuverability and supersonic cruising ability among others.
The jet will be far advanced in comparison to fourth-generation fighters like MiG-29s, F-15 Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, F\A-18 Hornets, Mirage-2000s and the like. The intermediate stage between them and the fifth-generation fighters is represented by Sukhoi-30MKIs, F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, F-16F Desert Falcons, Eurofighter Typhoons and Rafales.
The most potent fighters in India's combat fleet at present are the Sukhoi-30MKI 'air dominance' fighters, being manufactured indigenously by HAL now under transfer of technology from Russia, which can be placed a little over fourth-generation fighters.
The fifth-generation fighter, sources say, will be “50% to 100% superior” to Sukhoi-30MKI in terms of "avionics, radius of turn, accuracy of weapon delivery and other combat capabilities".
India will collaborate with Russia in this multi-billion-dollar programme since it is yet to master the technology behind the manufacture of advanced fighter jets despite the ongoing indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft project.
The decks were cleared for this project on Wednesday with New Delhi making the "final choice" on the matter and Moscow saying the work on signing contracts on the deal could begin soon.
Observing that Russia had started developing the warplane about three years ago, visiting Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Sergei B Ivanov said: "Some time back, India showed interest in joining this project. It took them (India) some time to scrutinise the various options."
"Now, India has informed us that a final choice has been made. We can (now) open up contractual work for Indian accession to the project," Ivanov told reporters at a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart A K Antony after signing four documents.
Although interaction has begun now on the joint development and production of fifth generation fighter jet, the actual signing of agreements could take some more time.
Under the deals signed between the two nations on Wednesday, India will procure 40 additional Sukhoi 30 and 80 MI-171V choppers from Russia. The two countries have also signed an agreement on license production for MiG 29 engines. Ivanov also hinted that Russia won't allow China to export Russian fighter engines to Pakistan. The two sides have also signed a protocol of intent to jointly develop the multi-role transport aircraft
India and Russia have long-running military ties even though in which India has been increasingly turning to the United States and other countries for its military supplies in the recent years. Although about 70 per cent of India's military hardware is of Soviet and Russian origin. New Delhi is now increasingly shifting from the existing buyer-seller approach to joint production. The Indian Government is likely to about $10 billion on arms purchases from 2007 to 2012.
Russia had been hard-selling its fifth-generation fighter project to India for some years now since it desperately needs some infusion of funds in its programme touted to be a rival to the American F-35 Lighting-II Joint Strike Fighter project. The two main Russian aviation majors, MIG Corporation and Sukhoi Design Bureau, submitted their plans for joint development of the fifth-generation fighter with HAL in end-November.
"Both presented their concept papers and blueprints about the aircraft configuration, work share in co-development and cost of development. India might make the choice of its partner public during Putin's visit," sources said.
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