Air Force MRCA Deal: Avionics, Weapons Packages Could Tilt Balance
Dated 15/5/2007
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With the issuing of Request For Proposals (RFPs) for the Indian Air Force 126 Multi Role Combat Aircraft imminent - top Russian, American, European and Israeli aviation/defense firms are lobbying hard to win the mega contract.
The fighter jets that are serious contenders are Lockheed Martin's F-16s, Boeing's F-18 Super Hornets and MiG's MiG-35. The Israeli F-16 variant F-16I Soufa is a dark horse in this race. However its chances have increased substantially considering its effectiveness as a complete package which includes Elbit's avionics and weapons systems.
Ministry of Defence sources had confirmed to India Defence (www.india-defence.com) last week that the 'Soufa' was a serious contender in the MRCA race. It was also re-iterated that the entire procurement process will be a fair and open process with the best suited platform being inducted into the Air Force. What is likely to tilt the scales towards any of the bidders will be the avionics, weapons package and the RADAR systems offered along with the fighter jets.
The F-16's come with the AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Python-4 Air to Air Missiles, while having AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-88 HARM systems installed as Air to Ground munitions. The Israeli F-16I Soufa however has an advanced avionics suite including general avionics computer, colour display processors and interfaces all produced by Elbit Systems. The communications systems include a Rafael UHF/VHF radio and an HF radio, Elta satellite communications and an IAI integrated tactical video data link. The navigation system includes a combined ring laser gyro inertial navigation system and global positioning system (RLGINS/GPS) and a digital terrain system. Rafael developed the algorithms for the digital terrain system. The air-to-air missiles will be the short range Python 4 and Python 5 and the short range to beyond visual range radar-guided Derby, both supplied by Rafael.
Boeing's F/A 18's also bring an impressive armory - In addition to an M61A1 20-mm gun mounted inside the nose of the craft, the F/A-18 carries up to 13,700 pounds (6,227 kg) of external ordnance and has nine weapon stations including two wingtip stations for Sidewinders, two outboard wing stations for air-to-air or air-to-ground weapons, two inboard wing stations that can be used for fuel tanks, air-to-air weapons, or air-to-ground weapons, two nacelle fuselage stations for AMRAAMs, Sparrows, or sensor pods, One centerline station for fuel or for air-to-ground weapons.
MiG 35's Armament consists of 1x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds, Eight weapon pylons for R-27, R-60, R-73, R-77, TV and Laser-Guided Air to ground missiles and bombs. One centerline pylon for external fuel tanks(Details to be confirmed), Up to 2000 lbs of bombs (Details to be confirmed) while its avionics package includes just the Phazotron N-109 radar Zhuk AE.
With the intense competition it is certain that the real contract clinchers will be the top-of-the-line armaments and avionics packages made available to the Indian Air Force by the contenders along with, of course, the degree to which they are willing to commit production and development in India under the Defense Off-sets requirement.
