IIn the past two weeks, China has unveiled a series of high-tech platforms that have surprised the world and established its technological dominance. These include two stealth fighter jets, the launch of an amphibious naval ship, a new “integrated” science research vessel for global deep-sea exploration, a prototype supersonic civilian jet, and a new aircraft billed as the world’s fastest. Includes Shinkansen. The timing couldn’t be more difficult, highlighting the widening technology gap with the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is struggling to maintain its fighter squadron strength as modernization is plagued by delivery delays. It was.
Modernization of the Chinese military
Last week, a video of two stealth fighter jets in a tailless configuration appeared on social media. One of the planes, a large jet with a delta-wing design with three engines, perhaps suggesting long range, flew over Chengdu in Sichuan province and became a hot topic on social media. A video of a second small jet featuring a small twin-engine design with swept wings was released a day later. According to the report, the large jet was designed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, while the smaller jet was designed by rival Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. However, so far there has been no official comment on this development from China or state media.
China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) already has two fifth-generation fighters in its fleet, the medium J-35 and the large J-20, making it the only country outside the United States to have multiple fifth-generation fighters in its fleet. It became a country. With two controversial new fighter jets, which many commentators are calling sixth-generation fighters, China has arguably made a major leap forward in the competition.
A recently released report to the U.S. Congress on military and security developments related to China in 2024 states that the PLA Air Force and PLA Naval Aviation together constitute the largest air force in the Indo-Pacific region. It is said that there are. “The People’s Liberation Army Air Force is rapidly approaching technology typical of U.S. standards,” the report said. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force and People’s Liberation Army Naval Aviation continue to field more fourth-generation aircraft (currently more than 1,300 out of 1,900 total fighters, excluding trainers), and will likely deploy the majority in the coming years. It will be a fourth-generation force, the report added. Additionally, the J-35 and J-20 are being added at an alarming rate, and flight testing for the newest jets is in a fairly advanced state, indicating that they have been in development for some time.
IAF Modernization Plan
The IAF has 31 fighter squadrons against a licensed strength of 42 squadrons and is desperate for new recruits, but it has not had a fifth-generation fighter in its lineup for at least a decade, making it the only major nation to do so. is an outlier.
According to recent reports, Pakistan has approved the procurement of 40 J-35s from China.
In a strange coincidence, just recently the Ministry of Defense appointed a committee headed by the Defense Secretary to look into the overall capability development of the IAF. India has ambitious plans to acquire over 500 fighter jets, the majority of which will be designed and manufactured within India, and the majority of which will be destined for the IAF. However, these are in various stages of development and manufacturing and timely delivery is critical. Of these, LCA variants account for the majority. 83 LCA-Mk1As are on order, but deliveries have been delayed due to delays with General Electric’s (GE) F-404 engines. Contracts for 97 additional Mk1As are under consideration. The LCA-Mk2, a fifth-generation fighter for the Navy, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and the Twin-Engine Deck Fighter (TED-BF) all have very ambitious development schedules, but their complexity and track record should be considered. How quickly will it be ready and ready for implementation?
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is working on the indigenous development of LCA-Mk2 aircraft and AMCA, the Ministry of Defense informed Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence, as per a report submitted earlier this month. “Deliveries of LCA-Mk2 and AMCA are expected to begin within the next 10 years, even upon successful completion of the development cycle.”
It should be noted that the phase-out of two MIG-21 squadrons out of the current 31 squadrons has been extended due to delays in LCA-Mk1A deliveries. Jaguar, Mirage 2000, and MIG-29 are scheduled to enter production by the end of the decade. For example, the first MIG-29s introduced in the late 1980s will begin to be retired by 2027-2028, and by the early 2040s, when most of these types will be phased out, early lots of SU-29s will be retired. Some of the 30 will be retired. I also start going out. The IAF has a total of 272 Su-30s under contract, with a contract to procure 12 additional Su-30MKIs to replace those lost in the accident, as a major Sukhoi upgrade program is in the final stages of approval. It has just been concluded.
Another important acquisition program that has not made progress in recent years is the 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA). This is a foreign jet intended to be manufactured in India with significant technology transfer. 114 A request for information (RFI) on the MRFA was issued to global aircraft manufacturers in April 2019, but there has been no progress since then and it has yet to receive even a preliminary acceptance of need (AoN) from the government. yeah. Given the long timelines in the procurement process and the time it takes to set up facilities in India and deploy the jets, MRFAs are unlikely to be available in large quantities until the middle of next decade.
As recently reported by The Hindu, in the backdrop of controversy over the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets, the government is considering a transparent and non-controversial procurement model for the MRFA.
Underscoring this urgency, IAF Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said in October that the MRFA was “needed as of yesterday”. A larger, more capable LCA-MK2 is under development and is scheduled to make its first flight in October this year, with research and development on the LCA-Mk2 scheduled to conclude in December 2027. “If these schedules are met and the MRFA is signed in parallel, then we’re fine. Things are fine. But if these schedules are pushed back, we need to consider alternatives,” said Air Force Cmdr. said.
In October 2022, then IAF chief ACM VR Chaudhari admitted that even with the LCA-Mk1A, LCA-Mk2, and MRFA, “there will still be 35-36 (squadrons) by mid-decade next year.” .
It is pertinent to note that, with the exception of the time-consuming AMCA, all LCA variants and MRFA are fourth generation or later fighters.
Regarding the LCA-MK1A delay, a representative from the department told a House committee that it was “concerning for all of us.” “The LCA Mark 1 relies on the GE-404 engine. The supply of the GE-404 engine has been coordinated by GE for the past two years. Due to the coronavirus, the supply chain has been disrupted. They have started supplying GE engines since March of this year and have promised that the supply will be stable from next year onwards,” the representative submitted.
The company plans to produce 24 LCAs each year once the engine issue is resolved, and 30 LCAs each year thereafter, representatives said. The agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and GE for the licensed production of F-414 engines in India should be signed within the “next three to four months,” a ministry official said. expressed confidence.
Aircraft engine trouble
Aero engines are likely to remain the country’s Achilles heel, the single major dependence for a very long time. At the current pace, imported engines, either directly or “co-manufactured”, will power all domestically produced jets and helicopters until the end of the century. Licensed manufacturing of the F-414 engine and the new 110KN engine, which will likely be co-developed and co-produced with France for the AMCA-Mk2, means that India remains dependent on France for its most critical components.
It will essentially be between France and the United States. The US will be responsible for part of the fighter squadron, France will recall the fighter squadron and will be responsible for almost all of the helicopter segment as more indigenous platforms are introduced.
This country cannot claim full independence until it is equipped with aero engines that are entirely of its own design and development.
issued – January 2, 2025 8:30am IST
