India’s Growing European Air Power Ties: Rafale, C-295 and the FCAS Question

 

Recent chatter suggests India is “joining” the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). 

Rumors about Indian involvement in FCAS intensified after India’s approval to purchase additional Rafale fighters. Analysts suggest that the timing of the Rafale deal has fueled speculation that New Delhi might be looking for broader collaboration with European aerospace programs, potentially including 6th-generation projects.

India’s purchase of Airbus C‑295 transport aircraft from Spain adds another layer to this growing European connection. The deal demonstrates that India is not only procuring advanced combat aircraft like the Rafale, but also integrating European platforms into its operational fleet, potentially easing future cooperation in joint programs.

India currently holds observer status in the Eurodrone programme, Europe’s MALE RPAS project, giving it insight into collaborative aerospace projects without committing to a fighter programme. This formal link has sparked speculation about whether New Delhi could eventually participate in FCAS, the 6th‑generation European fighter system involving France, Germany, and Spain.

Analysts argue that India’s AMCA project, still years from maturity, might benefit from collaboration on advanced technologies, cost-sharing, or operational concepts. At the same time, Europe is exploring partnerships beyond the core nations due to internal program tensions.

These moves signal a broader strategic approach: India is building closer operational and industrial links with European partners, gaining access to advanced technology and joint-development experience, while keeping its options open for the next generation of combat aircraft.

India clears path for 114 new Rafale jets as Air Force modernization accelerates

 

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved an initial proposal to purchase 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets, in a move that signals both urgency and ambition for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Valued at around $280 billion, the deal comes at a moment when India’s fighter fleet has shrunk to just 29 operational squadrons, well below the sanctioned 42, following the retirement of legacy platforms like the MiG-21 and soon-to-be phased-out MiG-29s, Jaguars, and Mirage 2000s.

The timing is critical. Rising regional tensions, particularly along India’s northern and eastern borders, have made fleet modernization a strategic priority. The Rafale acquisition is not only intended to replace aging aircraft but also to bridge the gap until India’s domestic programs, like the Tejas Mk-1A, can achieve full operational maturity. Despite nearly 180 Tejas Mk-1A jets being on order from Hindustan Aeronautics, engine supply chain issues have delayed widespread deployment, leaving imported fighters essential in the near term.

From a strategic standpoint, the Rafale purchase reinforces India’s dual approach to defense: continuing to nurture indigenous aerospace capabilities while ensuring immediate operational readiness with proven platforms. Dassault’s Rafale offers a versatile, multi-role solution capable of both air superiority and precision strike, compatible with India’s evolving doctrine that emphasizes networked operations and flexible response in contested environments.

The decision also sets the stage for a deepening of India-France defense ties, following high-level diplomatic engagements, including French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Delhi. As commercial and technical details are negotiated, this order could become a benchmark for future collaborations, including co-development and potential technology transfers—further cementing the Rafale’s role not just as a purchase, but as a strategic instrument in India’s long-term air power evolution.

In essence, India’s Rafale move illustrates a pragmatic balancing act: modernizing today without pausing the domestic drive for aerospace independence, while signaling to neighbors and global defense markets that the IAF intends to maintain credible, technologically advanced air combat capability well into the next decade.

India Turns to Ex-Ecuador, French and Omani Jaguars to Keep Its Fleet Flying

The SEPECAT Jaguar has long been a workhorse for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Introduced in the late 1970s, this subsonic strike aircraft has performed close air support, deep strike, and reconnaissance roles across decades of operations. Today, the Jaguar remains a critical component of India’s strike capability, even as its airframes age and production lines have long since closed.

Maintaining a fleet of legacy aircraft is never straightforward. India faces the classic challenge of operating a platform for which no new production exists. Engines, landing gear, avionics, and specialized structural components cannot simply be ordered from a manufacturer. To address this, the IAF has relied on a strategy of selective cannibalization from retired airframes, a practice that has become central to sustaining the Jaguar fleet.

Oman has played a pivotal role in this logistics equation. In 2018–2019, the Royal Air Force of Oman retired a number of Jaguars, which India acquired primarily to harvest spare parts. These aircraft were never intended to fly in Indian service; instead, they provide engines, mission avionics, landing gear, and other high-value components that are increasingly difficult to obtain from original suppliers. The Omani airframes effectively extend the operational life of India’s active fleet, allowing the IAF to plan for Jaguar operations well into the mid-2030s.

More recently, attention has turned to Ecuador. Reports indicate that the Ecuadorian Air Force has four Jaguars in storage, preserved since their retirement. India has opened discussions to acquire these airframes, following the same model as the Omani deal: dismantle for parts, integrate into India’s existing Jaguar logistics chain, and maintain fleet readiness. By securing multiple sources of retired airframes, India reduces dependency on a single supplier and ensures the continuity of a complex, legacy supply chain.

The Jaguar is the only aircraft of its type still in operational service with India, and the FMS and original European production lines no longer exist. The only practical way to sustain the fleet is to source retired airframes from other operators, either through direct purchase or through carefully negotiated transfers. India has already done this with airframes from France, Oman, and now looks to Ecuador. Each acquisition strengthens the supply pipeline and secures the ability to operate the aircraft in key strike and reconnaissance roles.

The Jaguars acquired from Oman or Ecuador are purely for sustainment purposes. The IAF is maintaining the current operational fleet size while mitigating the risks associated with an aging platform. This is a practical, low-profile solution that ensures operational continuity without major capital expenditure or the complexity of introducing an entirely new aircraft type.

The IAF’s approach demonstrates a pragmatic application of air logistics in a resource-constrained environment. By carefully sourcing retired airframes, prioritizing cannibalization, and integrating parts into a central maintenance pipeline, India is able to extend the life of its Jaguars for another decade and a half, while simultaneously preparing for gradual replacement by modern platforms in the 2030s.

Spain’s Forgotten Aircraft Carrier: The SAC-220 and the Return of Conventional Carrier Ambitions

 

As Spain quietly re-evaluates the possibility of building a future conventional aircraft carrier, a largely forgotten chapter of national naval history suddenly becomes highly relevant. In the mid-1990s, Spanish shipbuilder Bazán (later IZAR, today Navantia) developed a fully-fledged CATOBAR aircraft carrier design known as SAC-220, a project that was not only technologically mature but actively offered on the international export market.

Three decades later, as Spain once again considers returning to fixed-wing naval aviation beyond the Harrier era, SAC-220 stands as a striking reminder that Spain once seriously pursued indigenous aircraft carrier design — and nearly exported it worldwide.

The SAC-220: Spain’s Ambition to Enter the Carrier Market

The SAC-220 was conceived during the 1990s as a medium-sized conventional aircraft carrier, intended to fill the niche between light STOVL carriers and large fleet carriers. The concept targeted navies seeking affordable access to fixed-wing carrier aviation without the extreme financial and industrial burden of supercarriers.

Technically, SAC-220 represented a mature and coherent design. It featured a CATOBAR configuration, enabling the operation of conventional fixed-wing aircraft using catapults and arresting gear — a capability Spain itself never operated operationally.

Key Technical Characteristics:

• Length: 241.8 m
• Beam: 29.5 m
• Full-load displacement: ~27,000 tons
• Propulsion: CODAG/COGAG
• Power output: 76,000–88,500 hp
• Max speed: 25.5–26.5 knots
• Range: 7,500 nautical miles at 15 knots
• Air group: ~20 fixed-wing aircraft + 4 ASW helicopters
• Sea state: Flight ops up to Sea State 5

Bazán also developed a smaller derivative version — SAC-200, displacing roughly 24,000 tons, aimed at even more cost-sensitive customers.

Designed for Export: Argentina, Brazil, India and China

Rather than serving Spanish requirements, SAC-220 was conceived primarily as an export product. Spain already operated the STOVL carrier Príncipe de Asturias, making a CATOBAR design unnecessary domestically. Instead, Bazán targeted countries seeking low-cost carrier capability.

Argentina

The original conceptual customer was the Argentine Navy, which sought a replacement for the aging ARA 25 de Mayo. SAC-220 would have restored Argentina’s fixed-wing naval aviation capability following the Falklands War. However, Argentina’s severe economic crisis during the 1990s rendered such a purchase impossible.

Brazil

Brazil also evaluated the design as a replacement for Minas Gerais, but ultimately opted for the ex-French carrier Foch (São Paulo) in 2000, acquiring it at a fraction of the cost despite its limited remaining service life.

India

India emerged as a potential industrial partner, with discussions linked to the modernization of Cochin Shipyard. While SAC-220 was examined, New Delhi eventually turned toward Russian carrier solutions and later indigenous designs.

China

Perhaps most intriguingly, China was offered SAC-220 during a period when the PLAN was intensively studying aircraft carrier operations. Despite China’s later massive carrier program, the design was reportedly declined — likely due to financial constraints, technical uncertainty, and Beijing’s preference for absorbing foreign technology through study rather than direct acquisition.

Technical Strengths and Design Limitations

SAC-220 aimed to provide credible conventional carrier aviation within a compact hull, but inevitably faced structural compromises.

Analysts and forum specialists highlighted:

• A relatively narrow beam, limiting deck space
• Single or dual catapult layouts with constrained recovery zones
• Tight margins for high-performance fighters

Despite this, SAC-220 would have been fully capable of operating aircraft such as the F-18 Hornet, A-4 Skyhawk, Super Étendard, MiG-29K, and even E-2 Hawkeye-type AEW platforms, something far beyond the reach of STOVL carriers.

Operationally, it was intended for sea control, limited power projection, and regional deterrence, rather than global strike operations.

Pocket Carrier Logic: Strategic Sense in Small Fleets

SAC-220 belonged to the concept of “pocket carriers” — vessels below 30,000 tons designed to deliver strategic relevance at manageable cost.

Lifecycle cost estimates at the time placed SAC-220 in the $350–400 million range, dramatically lower than contemporary fleet carriers. Even adjusted for inflation, such platforms remain financially accessible compared to full-size carriers.

For medium naval powers, SAC-220 offered:

• Fixed-wing strike capability
• Organic air defence
• ASW and maritime surveillance
• Strategic autonomy

All without the budgetary shock of supercarriers.

Why SAC-220 Failed — And Why It Matters Today

Despite aggressive marketing, no contracts were secured. Economic crises in Argentina and Brazil, strategic hesitation in India, and long-term planning cycles in China sealed the project’s fate.

Spain itself focused instead on the Buque de Proyección Estratégica (BPE) concept, which later became Juan Carlos I, prioritizing amphibious assault and helicopter operations over fixed-wing aviation.

Yet today, Spain once again faces a strategic inflection point:

• Harrier retirement approaching
• F-35B acquisition abandoned
• Increasing expeditionary commitments
• NATO power projection demands
• Rising Mediterranean and Atlantic security pressure

In this context, Spain’s historical experience designing SAC-220 suddenly gains new relevance.

SAC-220 and the Modern Spanish Carrier Debate

Spain is now actively studying the construction of a future conventional aircraft carrier, likely larger than Juan Carlos I and capable of operating fixed-wing aircraft.

Unlike the 1990s, today Spain benefits from:

• A mature shipbuilding industry (Navantia)
• Extensive LHD & carrier design experience
• Deep NATO interoperability
• Industrial partnerships, notably with Turkey and HÜRJET

The SAC-220 design philosophy — compact, efficient, affordable — fits remarkably well with modern Spanish strategic logic.

Rather than seeking a supercarrier, Spain appears more inclined toward a medium-sized conventional carrier, optimized for:

• Mediterranean operations
• NATO task groups
• Maritime security
• Limited expeditionary strike

The SAC-220 was far more than an unrealized drawing-board project. It represented a serious, credible attempt by Spain to enter the elite club of aircraft carrier designers.

Today, as Spain reopens the carrier debate, SAC-220 provides both technical legacy and strategic inspiration.

A future Spanish conventional carrier may not resemble SAC-220 in form, but its design philosophy — efficiency, affordability, and strategic autonomy — remains strikingly relevant.

In many ways, Spain’s future carrier may finally realize a vision first sketched more than 30 years ago.

India to Lease Airbus A330 MRTT from France to Boost Aerial Refueling Capabilities

In a Strategic move amid aging sanker Fleet the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to lease an Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) from the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace) for a period of three years. The decision, approved by India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), aims to strengthen the country's aerial refueling capabilities as it seeks a long-term solution to replace its aging Ilyushin Il-78MKI tankers.

This move marks a major milestone for the IAF, which has struggled for years with limited availability of its current tanker fleet. The lease will allow India to evaluate the A330 MRTT in operational conditions, while also addressing immediate requirements.

The IAF currently operates six Il-78MKI Midas aerial refueling tankers, acquired from Russia in the early 2000s. While these aircraft have played a vital role in extending the range of frontline fighters like the Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000, and Rafale, they suffer from chronic maintenance issues and low serviceability rates, often rendering them unavailable for missions.

India is suffering key issues with the Il-78MKI that include frequent technical failures leading to grounding of aircraft, difficulty in sourcing spare parts from Russia, especially amid geopolitical tensions, and outdated technology compared to modern refueling platforms.

To overcome these limitations, the IAF has long been considering a replacement, with the Airbus A330 MRTT emerging as the preferred choice. However, past procurement attempts have been stalled due to budget constraints and shifting defense priorities. The leasing option provides a cost-effective and immediate alternative to meet operational needs.

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Details of the A330 MRTT Lease Agreement

The leasing arrangement will enable the IAF to integrate the A330 MRTT into its operations without making an immediate full-scale purchase. The details of the agreement include:

Aircraft Type: Airbus A330 MRTT

Provider: French Air and Space Force

Lease Duration: Three years

Status: Finalizing terms, expected to be operational in the 2025–2026 financial year

Pilot and Crew Training: IAF personnel will receive training in France before the aircraft is stationed in India.

By leasing the aircraft, the IAF will gain hands-on experience in operating a modern aerial refueling platform, which could shape its future procurement strategy.

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Complementary Lease of Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

In addition to the A330 MRTT, the IAF has also secured approval to lease a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker from Metrea Aerospace, a US-based defense company specializing in aerial refueling operations.

The KC-135 lease is intended primarily for training pilots and aircrews in aerial refueling operations, supporting joint exercises with allied air forces and enhancing operational flexibility by integrating multiple tanker platforms.

This dual-lease approach will significantly enhance India’s aerial refueling capabilities and allow the IAF to test both platforms before making a long-term procurement decision.

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Future Aerial Refueling Plans: Towards an A330 MRTT Fleet?

While the lease of the A330 MRTT is a short-term solution, India is actively exploring permanent acquisitions to modernize its aerial refueling capabilities. The MoD is considering a formal tender for purchasing additional A330 MRTTs, with the potential for local assembly under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Additionally, India is examining indigenous aerial refueling solutions, such as modifying the upcoming C-295 transport aircraft for limited refueling roles. However, a dedicated fleet of A330 MRTT tankers remains the most viable long-term solution.

Strategic Importance for India

The leasing of the A330 MRTT is a game-changer for the IAF, with far-reaching strategic implications:

1. Extended Combat Reach

The A330 MRTT will allow India to conduct longer-range strike missions, extending the endurance of Rafale, Su-30MKI, and Tejas fighters.

Increased refueling support will boost patrol capabilities over critical regions like the Indian Ocean and the Himalayas.

2. Strengthening Indo-French Defense Ties

France is already a key defense partner for India, having supplied Rafale fighter jets and Scorpène-class submarines.

The lease further solidifies bilateral cooperation in high-end defense technology.

3. Modernizing the IAF's Capabilities

The A330 MRTT offers advanced refueling technology, greater fuel capacity, and higher reliability than the Il-78MKI.

Experience gained with the A330 MRTT will help the IAF transition smoothly to a future fleet of dedicated tankers.

Conclusion

India’s decision to lease the Airbus A330 MRTT from France marks a critical step forward in its efforts to enhance aerial refueling capabilities and modernize its tanker fleet. By bridging operational gaps while evaluating the A330 MRTT, the IAF is laying the groundwork for a future acquisition of next-generation aerial refueling aircraft.

With the combined lease of the A330 MRTT and KC-135 Stratotanker, India is moving toward a more capable, flexible, and reliable aerial refueling strategy, ensuring that its airpower remains at the forefront of regional security dynamics.

India Expands Fleet with 15 C-295 Maritime Patrol/ASW Aircraft Following Acquisition of 56 C-295 Transport Units

India has taken a step towards bolstering its strategic position in the Indian Ocean by finalizing a groundbreaking deal with Airbus. This monumental agreement entails an investment of around USD $3.5 billion for the procurement of over a dozen maritime surveillance aircraft. Spearheaded by Defense Minister, the acquisition council has given the green light for the purchase of nine aircraft destined for the Indian Navy and six for the Coast Guard. This significant move not only enhances the nation's surveillance and interception capabilities but also underscores India's unwavering commitment to safeguarding its maritime borders.

The acquisition comprises 15 maritime patrol aircraft, based on the C-295 transport aircraft, a collaborative effort between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. This fleet, comprising nine surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy and six patrol aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard, represents a formidable endeavor to enhance India's maritime vigilance. Valued at Rs 29,000 crore, this deal stands as a testament to the nation's strategic vision in strengthening its reconnaissance, surveillance, and patrol capabilities across the Indian Ocean. The adoption of the C-295 aircraft, coupled with advanced radars and sensors, positions India as a dominant maritime power in the region.

At the core of this historic procurement lies the 'Make in India' initiative, a visionary campaign by the Indian government to boost indigenous manufacturing. The project, a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus, not only signifies a significant leap in domestic defense production but also sets a precedent for future partnerships in the defense sector. While four of the C-295 planes will be manufactured in Airbus' Spanish acilities, the subsequent assembly and customization, including anti-submarine and surface warfare capabilities, will occur in India. This initiative not only fosters self-reliance in defense manufacturing but also propels the Indian defense industry towards unprecedented levels of innovation and technological advancement.

The new maritime patrol aircraft, equipped with a sophisticated suite of sensors and weapons developed by India's Defense Research & Development Organization, are poised to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. This acquisition, part of a larger Rs 84,560 crore procurement of military hardware, underscores a strategic shift towards strengthening India's maritime surveillance and combat capabilities. Custom-engineered for a multi-mission role encompassing anti-submarine and surface warfare, the maritime versions of these aircraft augment the nation's defense architecture against evolving maritime threats.

The procurement of 15 maritime patrol aircraft signifies a pivotal moment in India's maritime defense strategy. This acquisition, highlighting the synergy between strategic foresight and indigenous manufacturing, not only reinforces India's surveillance and interception capabilities but also heralds a new era of self-reliance in defense production. As these aircraft are integrated into the Indian Navy and Coast Guard fleets, they represent a significant stride in India's pursuit of maritime dominance and security in the Indian Ocean region. The strategic ramifications of this endeavor, extending beyond mere acquisition, bode well for India's defense diplomacy and its standing in the global defense arena.

India Secures $3.99 Billion MQ-9B Sky Guardian Deal, Enhancing Maritime Security

The United States and India have agreed India's acquisition of 31 armed MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones, along with a comprehensive support package. This agreement, valued at up to $3.99 billion, aims to strengthen India's maritime surveillance capabilities and enhance its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities along its vast maritime routes.

The package includes not only the MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones, known for their endurance and payload capacity, but also a series of Hellfire missiles, small-diameter laser bombs, and various sensor and communication systems. It is emphasized that this acquisition will enhance India's ability to patrol and monitor its maritime routes, particularly in the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, where it faces significant security challenges.

The agreement also reinforces the growing strategic partnership between the United States and India, which is a key element in the United States' Indo-Pacific strategy. It is mentioned that the agreement is designed to support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States, strengthening the strategic relationship between the two countries.

Despite concerns about potential regional imbalances that may arise from such arms agreements, the United States Department of State assures that the proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region. Implementation of the agreement is expected to involve logistics and support services from the U.S. government and contractors, as well as personnel training and equipment included in the package.

The agreement between the United States and India in strengths India's defense capabilities, especially in the maritime domain, and underscores the key role of the strategic partnership between the two countries in the context of the Indo-Pacific region.

Spanish Ejército del Aire 14th Wing Based in Albacete will conduct maneuvers in Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, and India during 2024

 

According to statements made by the Chief Colonel of the 14th Wing of the Spanish Air Force last December, as part of a military festivity, the 14th Wing will engage in maneuvers alongside the German Luftwaffe and the French Armée de L'Air in Alaska (USA), Japan, and Hawaii between June and August 2024. This presents a significant challenge for the unit, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Established in 1974 to operate the Dassault Aviation Mirage F-1, one of the most advanced fighters of its time, the 14th Wing was located in Albacete at the decision of the Ministry of the Air. Prior to that, the base hosted the 37th Transport Wing equipped with DHC-4 Caribou aircraft.

The first 4 Mirage F1 arrived in Albacete on June 18, 1975, from the French airbase Mont de Marsans, part of an initial order of 48 units. In 2011, the transformation process to the Eurofighter began, and the wing currently operates around 35 units.

The Luftwaffe will lead these deployments, following a similar deployment in 2022 called Rapid Pacific in the Asia-Pacific region, involving 6 Eurofighters, 4 A400M transport aircraft, and 3 A330 MRTT tanker aircraft. The objective was to practice deployment and interoperability with allied countries from different continents if the need arises.

Initially, the 14th Wing will fly with 4 Eurofighters to Alaska for the Arctic Defender 2024 exercise, alongside 8 German Eurofighters, 12 Tornados, and 6 French Rafales, as well as A400M and A330 MRTT transport aircraft from all three countries.

After participating in this exercise, the next stop will be Japan for interoperability exercises with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Subsequently, the aircraft will move to Hawaii to take part in the RIMPAC exercises organized by the US Navy.

Towards the end of July, the 14th Wing will participate in the 'Pitch Black' exercises in Australia, and the final leg will be in India, with the intention of joining the 'Tarang Shakti' exercises with the Indian Air Force, before returning to Europe.

However, this won't be the first time the 14th Wing has participated in maneuvers in such distant locations. In 2002, the wing took part in the Cope Thunder exercise in Alaska alongside aircraft from the USA, France, and Japan.

India Performs First Flight of Its UCAV Prototype

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India successfully conducted a test flight of the Autonomous Winged Technology Demonstrator, a high-speed Winged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), at the Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range in Karnataka.

The successful flight demonstration of this autonomous stealth UAV stands as a testament to the maturity in technological readiness within the country. With this tailless configuration flight, India has joined the elite league of nations that have mastered winged technology controls.

This UAV was designed and developed by the DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment. The maiden flight of this aircraft was demonstrated in July 2022, followed by six flight tests in various development configurations using two domestically manufactured prototypes. These flight tests led to achievements in robust aerodynamic and control system developments, real-time integrated simulation, hardware-in-loop, and state-of-the-art ground control station. The team optimized avionics systems, integration, and flight operations for the successful seventh flight in the final configuration.

The aircraft prototype, featuring a complex swept-wing platform, was designed and fabricated using locally developed lightweight carbon pre-impregnated composite material. Furthermore, the composite structure, impregnated with fiber interrogators for health monitoring, showcases India's "Make in India" proposition in aerospace technology.

The autonomous landing of this high-speed UAV, without the need for radar/infrastructure/ground pilot, demonstrated a unique capability, enabling takeoff and landing from any runway with predefined coordinates. This was achieved by utilizing onboard sensor data fusion with Indian satellite-based augmentation using GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) receivers to enhance GPS navigation accuracy and integrity.

Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh praised the DRDO, Armed Forces, and Industry for the successful test flight of the system. He stated that the successful development of such critical technologies would further strengthen the Indian Armed Forces.

End of an Era, Indian Air Force retires MiG-21s

On October 3, 2023, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) VR Chaudhari, the head of the Indian Air Force (IAF), announced during a pre-annual Air Force Day press briefing that the phase-out of the MiG-21Bison aircraft is nearing completion. According to ACM Chaudhari, this year's Air Force Day flypast, celebrating the 91st anniversary on October 8, will mark the final participation of the MiG-21Bison.

Currently, there are still three squadrons of MiG-21Bison in operation with IAF: No.3 Squadron Cobras at Nal/Bikaner AFS, No.4 Squadron Oorials at Uttarlai AFS, and No.23 Squadron Panthers at Suratgarh AFS.
The MiG-21's successor is the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Presently, the IAF has two operational squadrons equipped with LCA Tejas Mk1. The delivery of the first LCA Tejas Mk1A is scheduled to commence in February 2024.

The Air Force Commander mentioned that in addition to the previous agreement for 83 LCA-Mk1A aircraft, an order for an additional 97 fighter jets of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-1A will be finalized later this year. "We will enter into an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). They might also distribute some of the work to private companies." It's important to note that the figure of 97 is not intended to decrease the current estimate for the Tejas Mark.

India near to sign deal for 26 French Rafale M for Indian Navy

Following the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Indian Navy will receive Rafale fighter aircraft from France. The Rafale was previously chosen by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its new squadron, and now the Indian Navy is set to acquire the Rafale M to deploy on INS Vikrant.

The Indian Navy rejected the American F/A-18 Super Hornet in favour of the Rafale deal. The Navy tested both fighter jets earlier this year at the Indian Naval Station Hansa in Goa.

The Indian Navy intends to retire 43 obsolete Russian fighter jets, the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB, from its fleet operating out form INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya carriers.

INS Vikramaditya is a Kyiv-class aircraft carrier of the Soviet Union which has been modernized in India. Both these warships are STOBAR aircraft carriers.

businessworld

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will increase the number of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters that can carry the air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic missile

The IAF had approved plans to modify 40 Su-30MKIs to enable them to operate the BrahMos Air-launched Cruise Missile (ALCM).

The Su-30MKI reportedly requires hardening in certain sections of its fuselage to carry the 2.5-ton BrahMos missile on its underside.

The modification is being performed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) locally in India. As per reports, 35 modified Su-30s have thus far been delivered to the IAF, with the service planning to approve the second batch of around 20 to 25 fighters.

The Brahmos missile increases the combat range of the Su-30MKI, enabling the IAF to strike targets at long distances. For example, as part of a test in 2020, a Su-30 armed with the air-launched version of the missile took off from a base in Punjab and struck a target in the Indian Ocean.

The target was struck deep in the Indian Ocean, approximately 4,000 kilometers away, which was considered ‘the longest’ mission of this kind.

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NEWS 2022 March, 12

 Pakistan inducts J-10 'The Dragon from the East' into service

Pakistan on Friday formally inducted the multirole J-10C fighter jets, acquired from China, into its air force to improve the country's combat capabilities

Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed a ceremony held at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base Minhas Kamra in Attock district of Punjab to induct the new jets.

At the induction ceremony, the Pakistan Air Force described the J-10C as the ‘Dragon from the East’. The Pakistan Air Force signed an agreement with China to buy the J-10C in June last year. It claimed the aircraft was “omni-role” and had “matchless manoeuvrability” and advanced electronics and weapons.

While claims of Pakistan buying the J-10 or a variant of the fighter have circulated for over a decade, an acquisition was only confirmed late last year. In late December, Pakistan's Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had announced the PAF would be inducting 25 J-10C fighters as a response to India's induction of the Rafale jets.

theweek

Aircraft additions to US Navy and Marines with new federal bill spending package

The new spending bill includes $900 million for a dozen Super Hornets. It also nixes $10 million the Navy had requested to shut down the production line.

The bill includes $570 million for two CH-53K King Stallion and four MV-22 Ospreys for the Marines.

The bill also has $40 million for two additional MQ-9A Reaper to provide the Marines with greater intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability while spread across greater distances.

The Navy would get $323 million for two additional MQ-4 Triton UAVs, $117.8 million for four F-35B Joint Strike Fighter engines, as well as $50 million to accelerate setup of a maintenance depot for F-35Bs.

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NEWS 2022 March, 6

French Navy 'Charles de Gaulle' aircraft carrier reinforces NATO's activities in Eastern Europe

According to a Marine Nationale (French Navy) statement 'Charles de Gaulle  CSG set sail again yesterday after a few days of port call in Cyprus. Clemenceau22 continues, but the mission evolves to adapt to the current geopolitical situation. (...). The detection capabilities of the E2-C Hawkeye will notably enable the carrier strike group to assess the surface situation at the Europe maritime borders, especially in the Black Sea. Deployed yesterday in CJTFOIR to fight against Daech, engaged today for the benefit of the reassurance of our NATO partners on the eastern flank of Europe, the carrier strike group continues to operate for the protection of France and the European continent.'

The 'Charles de Gaulle' will contribute 3 Combat Air Patrols (CAP) of two Rafale M each, per day. This translates into a nearly permanent (24 hours) presence. In addition, a daily E-2C Hawkeye flight is planned from the carrier, as well as occasion patrols by the two ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) currently based in Cyprus. The Rafale M will be refueled by NATO tankers present in the area. The patrol zones are the skies above Romania, Bulgaria and the Black Sea, sailing in the Mediterranean sea.
navalnews

Dassault plans to increase Rafale production to meet export sales success

Production of Rafale fighters will increase to three per month by the middle of the decade on the back of export sales success from a planned two-per-month rate.

In 2021, Dassault booked orders for 49 examples of the Rafale: 31 for Egypt, 12 for France and six for Greece. .However, those figures do not include blockbuster orders from the United Arab Emirates (80) and Indonesia (42), which were respectively signed in December 2021 and February this year. Greece is also likely to commit to another six aircraft, and France is expected to commit to at least another 42 in 2023, under its fifth order tranche for delivery from 2027.

However, the sharp ramp-up will not take place in 2022, when Dassault will ship just 13 Rafales, down from 25 in 2021, all of which will again go to export customers, Egypt and India.

Deliveries of the Rafale to France have been paused for several years due to some budgetary choices and are only likely to resume from 2023 or beyond.

Last year Croatia also joined the Rafale operator community, signing for 12 secondhand examples from France.

flightglobal

Air Force One replacement facing additional delays

While the Air Force and Boeing have yet to finalize a new schedule for the presidential aircraft replacement program, it now appears that the first new Air Force One plane will be delivered to the service even later than previously expected.

Boeing now expects that it will deliver the first VC-25B a total of 17 months later than originally scheduled.

That timeline has not been accepted by the Air Force and could change as the service negotiates with Boeing on a new schedule baseline. But Boeing’s new projection, which has been conveyed to stakeholders outside of the company, represents a growth from the 12-month delay presented by the company last year.

Boeing has pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the bankruptcy of its now-defunct subcontractor GDC Technics as the major causes of the delay. GDC Technics was under contract to build the interiors of the VC-25B, but Boeing cancelled the contract and sued GDC,.

Any cost increases associated with the delay would be borne by Boeing, due to the fixed-price nature of its $3.9 billion contract with the Air Force. That contract covers the engineering, manufacturing and development work associated with turning baseline Boeing 747s into a presidential aircraft furnished with highly-classified defensive systems, hardened electronics and secure communications gear.

breakingdefense 

Indian Air Force's Mirage 2000H upgrade programme delayed

The contract for the upgrade of 51 Mirage 2000s was signed in 2011. Sources say only about 50% upgrade has been completed & the programme will take another 2-3 years to finish. The nearly USD 2.5 billion plan to upgrade India’s Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft by the end of 2021 is set to miss the deadline, with only half of them having completed the process till now. 

The mega contract for the upgrade of 51 Mirage 2000s, which were used during the Balakot air strikes, was signed in 2011, and the idea was to bring the aircraft, bought between 1982-1985, up to date and give them better firepower, new sensors, latest electronic warfare systems and a life-extension. As part of the plan, Dassault Aviation, the original French manufacturer of the Mirage, was to upgrade two aircraft in France and then two more in India, at the Bengaluru facility of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The rest were to be upgraded by the HAL under transfer of technology. The upgrade includes a new mission computer with higher memory, new radar, advanced navigation and electronic warfare systems, advanced communication and identification systems. 

The upgraded aircraft are also supposed to undergo a massive upgrade of the cockpit, with two lateral displays, glass cockpits, and helmet-mounted displays. As of today, only about 50 per cent of the upgrades have been completed, sources in the defence and security establishment said, adding that the programme will take another 2-3 years to finish. According to the plan, the first 16 aircraft, including the four manufactured by Dassault Aviation with help from Thales, were to be delivered with Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) status. The remaining 35 were to come with Final Operational Clearance (FOC) status. HAL sources said a fatal accident in February 2019 involving an upgraded Mirage during a test flight, and the subsequent Covid-19 pandemic led to the delay. 

The sources added the IAF delayed the delivery of overhauled engines and certain other systems, contributing to the delay. The IAF, meanwhile, says there were issues with the FOC variant, as they were not fully satisfied with certain integration of new systems. Incidentally, the maiden flight of the first upgraded Mirage 2000 was completed successfully by Dassault Aviation on 5 October 2013, following a two-year development phase. This phase included integration of new systems provided by Thales, including the radar, the electronic warfare suite and the mission computer. The IAF had formally accepted the first two upgraded Mirage 2000 I/TI in 2015. 

theprint

India to sign $2.5-billion contract for 56 C-295 transport planes for IAF

Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will jointly execute the project to equip the air force with 56 C-295 transport aircraft under the Make-in-India initiative in the aerospace sector. 

India will sign a $2.5-billion contract his year for the supply of 56 medium transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force to replace its fleet of aging Avro-748 planes, officials familiar with the development said on Tuesday. 

Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will jointly execute the project to equip the air force with 56 C-295 transport aircraft under the Make-in-India initiative in the aerospace sector. Under the contract, Airbus will supply the first 16 aircraft in flyaway condition while the remaining 40 will be assembled in India by TASL. 

hindustantimes

India approved the purchase of 24 MH-60R for its Navy

India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the purchase of 24 Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters for its navy.
A green light from the CCS is the final step before the inking of a formal contract under India’s procurement process.
Deliveries are expected within five years of contract signature. Media reports suggest the deal could be consummated during a visit to India by US president Donald Trump from 24 to 25 February.
The MH-60R will be acquired via the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route and provide anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities, which has also contracted for weapons such as AGM-114 Hellfire, Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, Mk54 torpedoes, and two types of crew served guns.
flightglobal

India concludes price negotiations to acquire 62 C295 transport aircraft

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has concluded price negotiations to acquire a total of 62 Airbus Defence and Space C295 medium transport aircraft (MTA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The MoD's Contract Negotiation Committee (CNC) concluded consultations with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) - which is in a joint venture (JV) with Airbus for the MTA programme - to procure the 62 platforms for around EUR2.8 billion (USD3.15 billion).
They said the aircraft deal - which would include 56 platforms for the IAF to replace the service's ageing fleet of Avro 748M transports, and six for the ICG - is expected to be signed after a new Indian government assumes office following general elections set to begin on 11 April.
The MTA programme envisages the direct import of 16 C295s and the local assembly/licence-building of the remaining 46 aircraft at a facility set up by the JV near Bangalore. In keeping with the 2013 MTA tender, 24 of these will be imported in kit form for local assembly and include a 30% indigenous content. The level of indigenous content is then expected to double to 60% in the remaining 22 platforms.
Delivery of the first locally assembled C295 is expected to begin within 60 months of the contract being signed, industry sources said.
Rahul Bedi janes

France to provide Two Second Hand Mirage 2000 aircraft to Indian Air Force

Seeking to bolster its Mirage-2000 fighter jet fleet, India is getting two of these at a dirt-cheap price of Rs 16 crore per aircraft from France. The two aircraft would be later upgraded to the highest standards by the HAL.
The French are offering the planes at Euro 2 million per aircraft and the cost of transporting the planes to India would be around Euro one million. So, at Euro five million (approx Rs 40 crore), India will get two aircraft with a life of 3,000 hours left in them.
The aircraft would also help in utilising the upgrade kits that had been ordered during the Mirage 2000 upgrade contract with France. India had a fleet of 51 Mirages but the number came down to 49 after the loss of two planes in quick succession around 2012-13.
The two Mirages coming from France would help in making up the fleet strength back to 51.
India is also getting a fleet of 32 Jaguar aircraft, which are supposed to be used as spares to support the current fleet of Jaguar fighters operated by India. The 100 Jaguar aircraft strong fleet would also help in maintaining force levels and combat the delay in procuring jets beyond the 4 plus generation fighter aircraft such as Rafale due to the Congress government impeding the decision-making.
mynation

First Flight of First Rafale for Indian Air Force

As the Rafale deal continues to be at the centre of a political maelstrom, only one of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft will be supplied from France to India until the end of the contract period in April 2022 with India-Specific Enhancements.
The balance 35 aircraft will start being delivered to India beginning September 2019 but they will be incorporated with these enhancements in India itself after the contract period at the rate of seven aircraft per month.
The “delivery of 36 Rafale aircraft in a fly-away condition along with associated equipment and weapons will commence from September 2019 and will be completed by April 2022.”
However, it will be only in September 2022 that the full complement of 36 Rafale aircraft will be available with IAF with the India-Specific Enhancements in place.
Government sources have often claimed that by negotiating a deal where the supply of 36 French jets would be completed by April 2022, it has saved five months off the UPA-era negotiations to meet the urgent operational requirements of the IAF.
indianexpress