Not again!:rolleyes:

A question..when the LSPs arrive in 2007-8..are they going to be further evaluated before a big order is placed and things start moving on??

The LSP is for an IAF eval squadron! They are part and parcel of the induction process.

One of the subs is the Nerpa (K 152), laid down in ’86 and launched in ’98 at 85% completion. No date given on completion- India is believed to have given a down payment of $100 million, and the entire deal is expected to cost nearly $2 billion. Expensive!

Frankly, IMO, the money would be better spent on their ATV.

The numbers appear “off”- in that sense, most reports are, so I wouldnt take them too seriously.
2 Billion is way too much- y’can betcha a bottle of sparkly, that the Indian MOD would go ape before releasing so much dough!
Note the song and dance being conducted over all Indian acquisitions in the millions, as everyone and their uncles sit and peer over the docs with microscopes and yakk endlessly (negotiate) over endless cups of tea!
Seriously speaking- two billion is probably the amount one would expect for all Indo Russo jt development over a multi yr timeframe- projects like the PAK FA, MTA etc- once cleared .

Jonesy,

India is not merely undertaking documented research in netcentric warfare.;)
Its already inducting the same. The IN has already networked its ships sensors, critical data together, they are now working on bringing the weapons stats online. The IAF is already using netted fighters- datalinks etc and the ADGES upgradatinon being carried out is enabled for the same. The IA is already testing a BMS. The Artillery is getting ACCS- c3I for artillery, even ATGM assets are being netted together.
Added to the above are UAV’s and a bunch of other sensors, radars, ELINT etc.
The IAF and IA have already submitted a proposal for a common sat to handle joint data handling etc, its up for approval…
So the sensor network is getting knocked into place. With Phalcons and Indian AWACs , 300 km acquisition and targetting is not such a big deal. They are talking of 1500 km now!

Initial MIG-29 had life of 2500hrs which is extended to 4000 hrs through SMT upgrade. Do you have any data beyond 4000 hrs. I can safely assume retirement around 2010.

2015 is more likely.

Here you go again.

The EP is discussed on various forums. The variables (range and size) are also discussed. So what is wrong with the post?

Its commonly known as “counting the chickens before they are hatched”! Something which we see a lot of. But dont mind me, carry on then! :rolleyes:

India is already working on a technical total life extension- TTL- for the IAF MiG 29’s, on the same line of what has been done for the IAF’s MiG 21’s. The work is being done by HAL and NAL in coop with the IAF’s BRD 11.

The dude is groping for scandal where there is none.

If maintenance problems were indeed an issue then he might care to explain how the IAF had its lowest ever attrition in 30 odd years, yet flew long hours round the clock as testified by events such as Cope Thunder and even such high tempo Ops such as Cope India.

As regards bad blood and similar nonsense, Kiccha as he is popularly known- is a no nonsense, take no prisoners kind of person. That is reflected in his career as a test pilot, plus his hands on involvement in R&D programs. Those people whom the IAF panels found unfit saw fit to approach the court to get their last chance at the brass and thats that.

All in all, Josy Joseph- an ex Rediff columnist, testifies to how singularly ill fitted he is to report on defence issues. In an article on Defexpo, the dude waxed eloquent on evil arms dealers. Oh well!

The Mirage is a front runner for the IAF. They want a reliable, user friendly high tech a/c and the Mirage 2000 is exactly that, its recent unfortunate attrition apart.

Cheers!