There has been much comment in the UK media over the past few days of Indian Navy interest in aquiring the retiring FAA SHAR FA.2 fleet after its withdrawal in 2006.
Seperately to this rumours abound that Invincible, now in extended reserve status following the Ark’s recommisioning, will not be returning to commission and could be paid off as early as……2006! She’s technically scheduled to begin a refit in 2003 the purpose of which seems unclear if she’s not going to rejoin the fleet. Further rumours are therefore starting to do the rounds linking these two facts.
Against this the Indian Navy, seemingly no nearer an in service date for Gorshkov than they were in 1995, has a manifestly urgent requirement for a Viraat replacement (Viraat being scheduled to decomm in 2006 oddly enough!) and is already on record as having made approaches to HM Govt about the FA.2’s – which wont be available, in total, for another 4 years.
One thing that is certain is that a refitted Invincible would make a much more economical addition to the IN fleet than Gorshkov and, further, Illustrious would be available at some point around the end of the decade to provide a second deck. Theoretically also, in case of any delay to ADS, possibly even Ark Royal could be made available in 2015 to replace an Invincible some 38 years in service by that point. Alternatively, even if the Gorshkov deal does go ahead, Invincible could be the IN’s second deck allowing for continued SHAR ops alongside the Mig-29K’s (which the Russians are going to have to start churning out fairly quickly if the IN is to have a 30-odd plane Gorshkov airgroup before 2010!).
First off I’m interested in the thoughts of the board, particularly Harry and his colleagues from BR if theyre about?, on India operating Invincible and, perhaps, Illustrious. Are they capable enough vessels for the missions likely to be undertaken by the IN? What size are the current SHAR airgroups aboard Viraat and would an Invincible’s 24 plane capacity be sufficient?
Secondly I’m interested in what modifications the Indians may make to the FA.2’s. Obviously they’ll be transferred with theyre Blue Vixen radar’s but it almost guaranteed that AIM-120 capability will not be as readily transferrable. Do you think we could see R-77’s carried and would anyone like to consider how powerful a dogfighter an FA.2 could be if outfitted with R-73’s!?
Looking forward to your replies!
Regards,
Steve
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May 29, 2002 at 4:27 pm