Why do you want a 1980s derived engine?

Who said anything about an engine? I was talking about having Boeing set up a flying engine testbed, as depicted in the picture, for GTRE as part of Boeing’s offsets if the IAF orders another 6-14 more C-17s.

I see that subtlety is lost on you.

Here is the latest graph with all of the Mig-29, M2K and Jags retired by 2025 to 2030. Also, assuming the upper end of the LCA and MMRCA production of 140 and 200, respectively.

HAL is having to crank away at around 40 aircraft per year, with a peak of 47 a/c per yr to keep up with retirement. That would explain today’s article about HAL seeking new production facilities because they know that they will need to step up their production rate in the next decade and beyond.

I do not think that M2k, jaguar and mig 29 are going to be operated beyond 2025, LCA and MMRCA may see higher numbers (upto 200 each by 2025), but great job anyways victor 🙂

Why would the IAF pay billions (almost $4B) to give 30 more years of technical life to the M2K and Mig-29 only to phase them out by 2025? If the upg of the M2K and the Mig-29 are complete by 2015, that means that they will soldier on till 2035 to 2040.

The Jags that are getting the $2B worth of new engines will probably soldier on till that time frame as well.

The force composition I depicted shows only 120 Tejas and 126 MMRCA produced. I will make a revised higher end estimate projection later today.

But the big take away from the earlier graph still holds true: The IAF will continue to operate at least 7-8 combat aircraft types for at least another two decades.

Any chance that an offset of the (6+8) options would be a C-17 configured as an engine testbed?

Embaer deepens ties with India defence market

Indeed, Acir Padilha, vice president of marketing and sales for Embraer’s defence unit, confirms the company is finalising a deal for a new aircraft designated the MA-1, which will install signals and electronic intelligence payloads on seven ERJ-145s and target-towing equipment on two others.

Saraswat also noted that the DRDO and Embraer “is going to join hands” as his organisation pursues a broad range of new aerospace projects, which include a 90-100-seat regional airliner and medium combat aircraft that aims to introduce an indigenous fifth generation fighter by around 2020.

“Dialogue [with Embraer on these projects] is ongoing,” Saraswat says.

Looks like the B and I of BRIC are getting closer in aerospace.

Also, I must add that the Mig-29UPG looks pug-fugly!

IAF Super Hercules C-130J begins engine tests……

To answer my own question, I believe that the thing on the chin of the IAF SHerc is not a sensor but the mounting point for this sensor.

FYI, if one points Google Earth to CSL, one can see the IAC in its embryonic state… 😀

Looks like a full court press is being implemented to develop an Indian AIP solution:

EOI to Indian industry for partnership with NMRL (DRDO)to develop a fuel cell AIP prototype.

Additional fuel cell work by NMRL.