http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/755778.cms

S’pore, IAF to conduct joint exercises

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2004 05:20:58 AM ]
NEW DELHI: Come September, the air forces of India and Singapore will join hands to test each other’s preparedness, as the south-east Asian island nation joins the growing band of countries wishing to go in for joint exercise with the Indian Air Force.

The IAF, which has already earned the respect and admiration of the US Air Force, arguably the best in the world, after the joint-exercise between the two countries at Gwalior earlier this year, will pit a combination of MiG-21s, MiG-23s, Jaguars and Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft against the F-16 Fighting Falcons of the Republic of Singapore Air Force during the exercise scheduled to be held in the first half of September this year.

While the main exercise is likely to be held at the Gwalior air base, the RSAF, according to defence ministry sources, may also get the nod to test their prowess at Pokharan range near Jaisalmer.

Both India and Singapore are part of the multi-national joint exercise being held in Alaska between July 15-30. While the IAF will get a chance to fly their Jaguars alongside the F-16s of the USAF and the RSAF during the exercise, the September show will provide the first opportunity to the Indian pilots and engineers to familiarise themselves with the famed F-16s _supposed to be the one of the most sophisticated and advanced multi-role fighter aircraft in the world, which currently forms the core of the might of the air forces of many countries, including Pakistan.

The bilateral exercise, which is seen as being of immense training value by the IAF, will be the first between the two countries. After the US, UK and France, Singapore will become the fourth country in the world to go in for joint exercise with the IAF.

The IAF is likely to go to France next year for joint exercise _a move that will essentially be a reciprocatory gesture by the former. The French Air Force had participated in a similar show at Gwalior early last year.

Avionics wise, the K should be on par with the batch 3 MKIs. As a designer in MiG said, the 29K is less of a Mig-29 and more of a Su-30MKI sqeezed into a 29’s frame. Especially true if the Bars-29 works out.

Also, the 29’s frame itself will go through a lot of changes like more fuel, etc.

The IN is initially getting 16 Mig-29Ks for OPEVAL purposes. If satisfied, then another batch of 20-30 will be ordered that will incorporate the lessons learned from the initial 16, we’re talking 2015 at this point.

So, even with a range and payload penalty, the performance of the plane would be comparable to latest fighters… at least the IN hopes so. What the IN needs along side the 29K is a good carrier launched, fixed wing AEW/AWACS. Which, I am not sure will ever work out with the Gorshkov layout.

Oh, btw, the ADS is supposed to be 37,000 tonnes. Note that it is tonnes, as in metric tonnes, which is about 41,000 tons (short) and 36,500 tons (long). Naval tonnage is usually mentioned in long tons, IIRC.

Also, looks like a variable geometry wing with the hinge in the rear a la the fictional Switchblade. You can see the wing deployed on the second and third pic.

Those are landing lights

40% or 60% (I forget which one) of the LCA by weight is composite and 95% of its skin surface is composite. A good way to reduce weight. Anyone know what other operational aircraft that has similar amount of composites?

My point wasn’t that the US is “less skilled” individually. My point was that the lone US pilot doesn’t have all the tools that make him an USAF pilot. It’s like a skilled surgeon who doesn’t have all the tools. Can he still perform the operation? Maybe, but in a far less efficient manner. Same with an USAF pilot who doesn’t have the “system” behind him. Can still fight? Sure, but in a far less efficient manner than he ought to.

And I do agree, that with international exercises, politics plays a much greater role than anything else.

That B-2 lookalike is very intrigueing…

Was it supposed to have the same role as the Spirit?

The 3 A-90Bs cost about $1 billion. Not $3 billion. The deal went through when it did was because there was major kickbacks recieved by Pak naval officials. Who btw, were either convicted of corruption or living in the US right now. I forget what happened. Congrats if they were convicted.