The Indian Navy in an effort to add pace to its modernisation programs is making herculean efforts to engage the global arms manufacturers at DefExpo – 2018. The force has deputed several of its senior ranking officials to not only review offers by these manufacturers, but is also forming specialised teams to engage global vendors in sustained dialogue to air the requirements of the Navy.
One requirement the Navy is working desperately to push forward is for carrier-borne fighters. With the indigenously designed Naval LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) failing to make the cut, the Navy has since the last year been scouting for a replacement platform. The need for these aircraft is growing exponentially as India’s maiden ‘Made in India’ aircraft carrier – IAC – I – inches closer to induction. With the vessel now slated to enter its trial phase as early as 2019, the Navy is facing an uncertain future as no replacement for the N-LCA has been found.
In an effort to address these concerns, the Navy in December, 2016 floated a global Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of 57 Multi Role Carrier Borne Fighter (MRCBF) aircraft. Since the issuance of the RFI, at least four global vendors are believed to have replied to the tender. France based Dassault Aviation and USA’s Boeing Defense with their Dassault – M and F-18 Super Hornet remain the hot favourites for the tender. While Russian based Mikoyan is struggling hard to find a pitching for its MiG-29K fighter, Sweden based Saab is pushing through its underdevelopment Gripen – M for the high stakes tender.
It is quite evident that the Navy has tilted towards twin-engine fighters. However, there exists the possibility of Navy eventually considering single-engine fighters taking into account the higher operating costs of the twin-engine fighters. Senior Naval officials speaking about the procurement program said that the selection process will largely be based on the technical and financial offers. The aircraft, according to them, is expected to operate from both STOBAR and CATOBAR configuration carriers in Air Defence (AD), Air to Surface Operations, Buddy Refuelling, Reconnaissance and EW missions. These MRCBF aircraft once acquired will play a pivotal role in not just guarding Indian coastal waters, but in conducting punitive strikes deep inside enemy territory.
Speaking about the procurement program, Admiral Sunil Lanba, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), had said “The MiG-29K will operate from the INS Vikrant. But, we also need an alternate aircraft now. We are looking for it (foreign fighter), as the LCA is not up to the mark yet. In the present form, the LCA cannot take off with its full weapon load (from an aircraft carrier).”
Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet, a veteran of carrier operations, is believed to be leading the fray given its proven capabilities. One major concern for the Navy in respect to the Hornet was its capabilities in operating from a STOBAR carrier such as the Vikrant (IAC – 1). Boeing has, however, refuted these concerns on several occasions and claims that the Hornet has inherent design features to allow it to operate in STOL configurations.
Life of Soldiers recently interacted with Mr. Thomas Breckenridge, Director, Global Sales, Boeing Defense, Space and Security to gain deeper insights into his company’s offer for the Navy. Mr. Brechenridge while speaking about the tender said that Boeing had indeed responded to the tender with an offer for the F-18 and he further revealed that his company fully supports India’s ambitions for a ‘Make in India’ requirement.
When enquired about the Hornet’s capabilities to operate from a STOBAR carrier he said “Hornet’s capabilities to operate from a STOBAR carrier have effectively been answered by Boeing on several occasions. Boeing has completed extensive analysis and testing on F/A-18s compatibility with Indian carriers. We have assessed that the Super Hornet is capable of launching off a ski-jump carrier and could be operated from Indian carriers. The Super Hornet will not require any modifications to operate from Indian carriers. We have conducted extensive simulations to this end and are confident that the Super Hornet will be able to operate from Indian Navy carriers with meaningful and relevant combat load-outs.”
When enquired about Boeing’s offer under the ‘Make in India’ clause, Mr. Brechenridge said “Boeing has had a presence in India for more than seven decades and is committed to expand that partnership by producing Super Hornets in India, further developing India’s aerospace ecosystem. Boeing’s Super Hornet Make in India model addresses the infrastructure, personnel training, and operational tools and techniques required to produce a next gen fighter aircraft right here in India. Super Hornet Make in India transitions airframe and subsystem manufacture to Indian industry in a deliberate way, representing extraordinary opportunity for technology insertion and growth within India’s aerospace industry.”
Speaking about the advantages the Indian market will receive, he said, “With designed-in stealth and robust capability growth plan, the Super Hornet is the best aircraft to get to India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. Boeing will work closely with Indian industry to ensure they have the very latest technologies, applying lessons learned from the current Super Hornet production line.”
When asked why F-18, he quipped, “With advanced technologies and multi-role capabilities, the Super Hornet is perfectly suited to meet the needs of the Indian Navy now and in the future. The Super Hornet does not only have a low acquisition cost, but it costs less per flight hour to operate than any other tactical aircraft in U.S. forces inventory.”
Trailing the F-18 up close is the Dassault Aviation manufactured Rafale – M, a naval version of the renowned Rafale fighter aircraft. Dassault has claimed that the Rafale – M is one of the most advanced carrier-borne fighters in service and has stated that the aircraft is a true omni-role platform and says that it is well set to answer the requirements of the Indian Navy.
Even though the manufacturer is yet to conduct full-fledged trials of the aircraft aboard a STOBAR carrier, Dassault after sustained simulation trials has declared that the Rafale – M with minute changes to the airframe and avionics is indeed capable of operating from a STOBAR carrier. Serving aboard the lone French aircraft carrier – the Charles De Gaulle, the Rafale’s have been proving their technological might by launching precise and decisive attacks against ISIS strongholds in the Middle East.
With the Air Force set to add 36 Rafale’s to its fleet, the commonality clause promises to level the field for Dassault. Further, several sources with the company have indicated that this commonality in the fleet will also reflect in the maintenance and life cost of the aircraft. Also, the French remains to be the only force operating the same aircraft for both land and naval based operations. Eric Trappier, CEO, Dassault Aviation, had during the Aero India – 2016 revealed that senior officials from France had already given an elaborate presentation to the Indian Navy regarding their aircraft’s capabilities. For Dassault, the Indian Navy’s tender has come at crucial time when the manufacturer was scouting for customers to keep the Rafale line churning. Besides, the Rafale’s will also provide the French aerospace pioneer with an opportunity to make-up some lost ground in the Indian market.
Mikoyan is also working earnestly to back follow-on orders to its MiG-29K aircraft. The company is learnt to have held several rounds of discussions with the Navy to address their concerns. But the Navy, reliable sources say, is still not convinced with both the performance of the aircraft and also the availability rates of the platform. Even though this has dampened the offers of the company, Mikoyan is pressing ahead with its charge. Ilya Tarasenko, CEO, Mikoyan had recently commented that Mikoyan would soon be submitting a detailed proposal to the Indian government, offering both transfer of technology and joint development of MiG-29 K jets with Indian companies.
Even though the contest looks more set for procuring twin-engine fighters, Swedish based Saab has jumped into the fray to offer its Gripen – M aircraft, a marinised version of the Gripen – E fighter. The Gripen – M, however, still is a concept and the company has now paced up the developmental program after receiving the RFI. The aircraft is being developed in United Kingdom with British expertise. Saab, which has already secured certification for the design module of Gripen – M, claims that it foresees no major challenges in developing a prototype aircraft. The company has stated that minimal airframe changes should enable the Gripen – E fighter to operate from an aircraft carrier.
The Indian Navy has, however, traditionally avoided opting for single-engine fighters as fighters operating in marinised environment are more prone to engine faults. Saab when questioned about the concerns claimed that the newer aero-engines are extremely efficient and notes that engine failures with the newer power plants are now a rare instance.
Saab has termed the Gripen – M aircraft as one of the most cost efficient aircraft with the very high availability rate. The aircraft has an extremely small footprint enabling a full squadron of the aircraft to effortlessly embark on even mid-sized aircraft carriers. Saab’s willingness to offer string-free transfer of technology for the aircraft has propelled Gripen to the forefront in the IAF’s RFI. If the Navy and Air Force does opt for the Gripen – M, there would be a synergy and logistical commonality between the IAF and its fleet. Also, the Gripen – M is a single-engine fighter much like the underdevelopment NLCA aircraft and Saab’s expertise can help Indian developmental agencies in conquering their technological hurdles.
Having the aircraft at disposal that have dismal availability rate raises the concerns for the Navy. However, the acquisition of specialized aircraft to replace the existing ones will relatively consume time cause of the technical and financial complexities involved with it. The companies who have expressed their interest in the deal will be looking forward to meet the naval officers at DefExpo to project their capabilities and offerings.
