Since 2007, Russia and India have been working together on the FGFA (Fifth-Generation Fighting Aircraft) fighter project. The purpose of this work is to create an export version of the T-50 aircraft, taking into account the wishes of the Indian military. Last winter, information about some of the features of the FGFA project appeared in the Indian media. It was argued that the Indian Air Force has some complaints about the project and is concerned that a number of characteristics of the promising fighter do not meet their requirements. In early September, similar information appeared again. As reported by Jane’s, the Indian Air Force is again making claims to the joint Russian-Indian project.
Jane's edition, citing sources in the Indian Ministry of Defense, reports that a number of features of the joint project do not suit the military and are the reason for the claims. It is argued that the AL-41F1 turbojet engines, an onboard radar station, the level of stealth and the proposed weapons suspension systems do not meet the requirements of the customer in the face of the Indian Air Force. In addition, the Indian military is again concerned about the delay in the development of the project. It should be noted that it is not yet known which parameters of the promising fighter do not suit the Indian Air Force. In addition, Jane's journalists were unable to obtain official comments from the Indian Air Force and HAL.
Previous claims of the Indian side were expressed at the end of spring this year and related to the timing and cost of the project. To these claims, Russian aircraft manufacturers replied that the work is being carried out without serious difficulties, and all existing problems are being solved as soon as possible. Later, information appeared about new claims to a promising project: the Indian military spoke negatively about the features of the operation of the FGFA aircraft, as well as the reduction of India's participation and the refusal to provide some documentation. In addition, it was argued that Russian aircraft manufacturers have not yet informed their Indian colleagues about the reasons for the ignition of the experimental T-50 fighter in June this year.
Of particular concern to the Indian military is the increased cost of the program. It was originally planned that the development of the FGFA fighter jet would cost India approximately US $ 10-11 billion. Since 2007, the estimated cost of the project for the Indian side has increased by about one billion. One of the consequences of this was a change in plans regarding the amount of equipment planned for the order. According to the latest plans, not 220 fifth-generation fighters, as previously assumed, will be purchased, but no more than 130-150. In addition, the possibility of abandoning the 45-50 FGFA trainer with a two-seater cockpit is being considered.
The Indian Ministry of Defense is concerned about the rise in the cost of the project and the insufficient characteristics of the aircraft being developed. At the same time, Indian aircraft manufacturers are expressing their concern. The fact is that at the beginning of the project, in 2007, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) pledged to complete 25% of all project work. According to the latest data, by now the share of HAL has decreased to 13%. Thus, Indian enterprises will have to supply only some radio electronic systems, and almost all the main components of the equipment will be produced by the Russian industry. This feature of the project, as well as the possibility of a further reduction in the share of Indian participation, raises concerns and claims on the part of HAL.
Jane’s reports that the Indian side, which had previously expressed complaints about various features of the joint project, has already received clarifications from its Russian colleagues. So, it is known that the AL-41F1 engines, which have become one of the subjects of claims, are a temporary solution and in the future they will give way to new engines with higher characteristics. A new engine for the FGFA fighter is already being developed, and the existing AL-41F1 will be used only at the stage of the first tests of the aircraft. As for the radar station with an active phased antenna array, its development and improvement continues. By the time of the start of serial production of aircraft, the characteristics of the system will be brought to the required level.
As already mentioned, this is not the first time that the Indian military have expressed their claims to the project of a promising fighter. At the end of last year and this spring, the Indian Air Force already discussed the compliance of the FGFA project with the expectations of the military. Certain conclusions were drawn from these discussions, which were recently reiterated by the source of the Jane's publication in the Indian military department. At the moment, the FGFA project has several controversial features that do not allow the starting customers of the new fighter to calmly fulfill their obligations under the existing contract and wait for the appearance of the machine.
The Indian Air Force Command's concern is not unfounded. Indeed, the FGFA project is currently in its earliest stages, has a lot of "childhood illnesses" and therefore requires a large investment of effort, time and money. The first test flight of the new fifth generation fighter will take place no earlier than the end of this decade, which, to a certain extent, may indicate the degree of development of the project at this point in time.
With the development of the project and the improvement of the components planned for use of the aircraft, all the concerns of the Indian side should disappear, except, probably, the increase in the cost of the project. The development of a fifth generation fighter, even on the basis of an existing aircraft, is an extremely difficult and expensive task, the solution of which requires serious funding.
It is noteworthy that the latest statements by officials and unnamed sources about claims against the FGFA project may have political implications. With the help of Russian aircraft manufacturers, India has been able to modernize its aviation industry in recent years. The latter, in turn, is already developing its own fifth-generation fighter project. According to the latest data, the experienced fighter AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft - "Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft") should take off for the first time in the early twenties. In terms of a number of characteristics, the AMCA is noticeably inferior to the T-50 and FGFA aircraft, but its "origin" as a machine created by Indian engineers can have a serious impact on the final decision of the military.
Another potential competitor to the Russian-Indian FGFA is the American Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter. India has already received an official offer from the United States regarding the possible sale of aircraft of this type. It should be noted that the F-35 is not yet ready for deliveries to the Indian Air Force and, in terms of timing, can be considered a direct competitor to both FGFA and AMCA.
In the context of the renewal of the Indian Air Force's fleet of equipment and the FGFA project, the recent tender for the supply of fighters is sometimes mentioned, the winner of which was the French-made Dassault Rafale aircraft. Recently, proposals have been repeatedly expressed to sign a contract for the supply of 126 Rafale and to refuse to develop a joint Russian-Indian project. However, this proposal is pointless due to the different class and level of Rafale and FGFA. At the same time, French technology can have a positive effect on the state of the Air Force over the next 10-15 years.
Regardless of the reasons for regularly recalling the existing shortcomings of the FGFA project, the development of this aircraft is of great interest to India. As a result of the successful completion of this project, the Indian Air Force will in the future receive a modern fifth generation fighter with high performance. In addition, India does not buy a ready-made aircraft, but takes part in its development, having the opportunity to influence the appearance and technical characteristics. Finally, the planned deployment of the construction of serial FGFAs at HAL's production facilities will help Indian specialists master the new technologies.
Nevertheless, lately, the Indian military has been recalling its claims to the FGFA project with enviable regularity, and the list of these claims is almost never updated. The exact reasons for this are unknown, but such statements are unlikely to help quickly cope with all existing problems and complete the creation of a new aircraft. It should not be forgotten that it is India that is most interested in the successful completion of the FGFA project.
