Will the Russian aviation industry withstand competition in the global market?
In recent months, the Russian military aviation got some pretty painful clicks on her nose. This, of course, is the failure of a number of large tenders in the markets, which have been important since the days of the Soviet Union. In addition, foreigners are in no hurry to purchase new batches of Russian-made aircraft, preferring to save on upgrading existing machines. And sometimes they are simply afraid of Russian planes, too often they fall.
On the one hand, obtaining a certificate by the protracted SuperJet-100 enabled the state to conclude a number of important contracts for dozens of MC-21 and SSJ-100. However, the law of conservation of energy continues to work, and if it has increased somewhere, it means that it has diminished somewhere: thus, the loss in the Indian market, which is traditionally considered to be “ours”, leads to dark thoughts.
Recall that in October last year it became known about the loss of Russia to the United States of America in the struggle for the right to supply India with 22 attack helicopters. Indian authorities prefer Boeing’s American Apache AH-28D Apache AH-64D to Russian Mi-XNUMXH helicopters.
Then France in January of this year won the tender for the supply of Indian Air Force 126 multi-purpose fourth-generation fighter Rafale. The competition was also attended by American fighters F-18 and F-16, European Typhoon of the Eurofighter consortium, as well as the Swedish Gripen NG. Russian-made MiG-35 dropped out of competition in April 2011. Note that the victory of the French partners is not final: the parties will sign the final agreement not earlier than April, and according to some reports, the UK is doing everything to prevent this deal from taking place, and the decision was made in favor of their Typhoon.
Russian MiGs will not save it. Foreign buyers of Russian-made aircraft have recently been cautious, since countries that have Russian MiGs in service have repeatedly complained about the difficulties that arise with the after-sales service of aircraft. According to representatives of the Indian side, Rosoboronexport created many difficulties in the supply of spare parts. The Indian Air Force was forced to bid for the supply of spare parts for Russian aircraft and helicopters.
Also an important point, deterring buyers, is the accident rate of Russian cars. In recent years, more than a dozen MiGs have crashed in India, they are even called “flying coffins”. They are broken in Russia. So, in September 2011, the MiG-31 crashed near Perm, both pilots died as a result of the crash. Earlier, in June of the same year, the MiG-29KUB collapsed near Astrakhan, the crew of the aircraft also died.
Another argument against the procurement of the Russian military aviation industry is the lack of need for it. During the past few years, client countries have not entered into military confrontations, this has enabled them to conserve resources for the MiGs that are in service. Others prefer to upgrade existing aircraft, which is several times cheaper than buying new ones.
Russia for another four years will remain the main supplier of India.
However, all is not lost. Russia hopes that the Ka-226T multi-purpose helicopter will win the tender involving the delivery of 197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters to India. The competitor of the domestic production of the machine in this tender is the helicopter AS550 C3 Fennec, developed by Eurocopter. The winner will be determined soon.
In addition, a large batch of Mi-17В-5 helicopters, which were delivered as part of the 2008 order of the year, were commissioned in India the other day. During the solemn ceremony held in India 17 February, the head of Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaykin said that India has always been and still remains the most important partner of Russia in the sphere of military-technical cooperation, which will continue to develop steadily.
Pending an application from the United States and Russia for the supply of Indian Air Force 12 heavy transport helicopters. The Russian side offers Mi-26Т2, the American side CH-47F Chinook. According to Oleg Panteleev, the head of Aviaport Agency analytical service, these tenders are even more interesting (compared to those that were lost). As a result of 2 tenders, the Indian Air Force may sign contracts worth about 2,5-4 billions of dollars.
In general, this year Russia will supply India with military equipment and weapons worth 7,7 billions of dollars (60% of all Russian exports and 80% of Indian imports).
In the 2012, Russia intends to transfer to India around the 40 Mi-17В-5, 9 helicopters MiG-29К / KUB, 21 Su-30МКИ fighters. In the same year, programs related to the modernization of BPA Tu-142 aircraft, MiG-29 fighters, Mi-17 helicopters and individual systems will continue. In the period of 2012-2015, Russia will remain the leader in arms supplies to India, and it is difficult to judge the further development of the situation (after 2016).
The authority that has been earned over the years will not be lost just like that, but today MiG prospects are foggy. To compete with the fifth-generation modern US fighter aircraft and cheap Chinese-made aircraft is very difficult. The MiG-35 will be offered on the foreign market, but there is no special point in creating a fourth-generation fighter. According to experts, it makes sense to do unmanned technology.
However, Russia has pinned its biggest hopes on the PAK FA (T-50), a promising front-line aviation complex, which will replace the Su-27 and MiG-29 in the Russian Air Force. It is planned to start mass production in 2015 year. Also, in the framework of cooperation with India, the creation of an export version of the FGFA aircraft (fifth generation fighter) is underway.
According to the representative of the agency "Airport" Panteleev, you need to create a lot of aircraft, because if the aircraft is not operated intensively in his country, then its export capacity will not be high enough.
On the one hand, obtaining a certificate by the protracted SuperJet-100 enabled the state to conclude a number of important contracts for dozens of MC-21 and SSJ-100. However, the law of conservation of energy continues to work, and if it has increased somewhere, it means that it has diminished somewhere: thus, the loss in the Indian market, which is traditionally considered to be “ours”, leads to dark thoughts.
Recall that in October last year it became known about the loss of Russia to the United States of America in the struggle for the right to supply India with 22 attack helicopters. Indian authorities prefer Boeing’s American Apache AH-28D Apache AH-64D to Russian Mi-XNUMXH helicopters.
Then France in January of this year won the tender for the supply of Indian Air Force 126 multi-purpose fourth-generation fighter Rafale. The competition was also attended by American fighters F-18 and F-16, European Typhoon of the Eurofighter consortium, as well as the Swedish Gripen NG. Russian-made MiG-35 dropped out of competition in April 2011. Note that the victory of the French partners is not final: the parties will sign the final agreement not earlier than April, and according to some reports, the UK is doing everything to prevent this deal from taking place, and the decision was made in favor of their Typhoon.
Russian MiGs will not save it. Foreign buyers of Russian-made aircraft have recently been cautious, since countries that have Russian MiGs in service have repeatedly complained about the difficulties that arise with the after-sales service of aircraft. According to representatives of the Indian side, Rosoboronexport created many difficulties in the supply of spare parts. The Indian Air Force was forced to bid for the supply of spare parts for Russian aircraft and helicopters.
Also an important point, deterring buyers, is the accident rate of Russian cars. In recent years, more than a dozen MiGs have crashed in India, they are even called “flying coffins”. They are broken in Russia. So, in September 2011, the MiG-31 crashed near Perm, both pilots died as a result of the crash. Earlier, in June of the same year, the MiG-29KUB collapsed near Astrakhan, the crew of the aircraft also died.
Another argument against the procurement of the Russian military aviation industry is the lack of need for it. During the past few years, client countries have not entered into military confrontations, this has enabled them to conserve resources for the MiGs that are in service. Others prefer to upgrade existing aircraft, which is several times cheaper than buying new ones.
Russia for another four years will remain the main supplier of India.
However, all is not lost. Russia hopes that the Ka-226T multi-purpose helicopter will win the tender involving the delivery of 197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters to India. The competitor of the domestic production of the machine in this tender is the helicopter AS550 C3 Fennec, developed by Eurocopter. The winner will be determined soon.
In addition, a large batch of Mi-17В-5 helicopters, which were delivered as part of the 2008 order of the year, were commissioned in India the other day. During the solemn ceremony held in India 17 February, the head of Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaykin said that India has always been and still remains the most important partner of Russia in the sphere of military-technical cooperation, which will continue to develop steadily.
Pending an application from the United States and Russia for the supply of Indian Air Force 12 heavy transport helicopters. The Russian side offers Mi-26Т2, the American side CH-47F Chinook. According to Oleg Panteleev, the head of Aviaport Agency analytical service, these tenders are even more interesting (compared to those that were lost). As a result of 2 tenders, the Indian Air Force may sign contracts worth about 2,5-4 billions of dollars.
In general, this year Russia will supply India with military equipment and weapons worth 7,7 billions of dollars (60% of all Russian exports and 80% of Indian imports).
In the 2012, Russia intends to transfer to India around the 40 Mi-17В-5, 9 helicopters MiG-29К / KUB, 21 Su-30МКИ fighters. In the same year, programs related to the modernization of BPA Tu-142 aircraft, MiG-29 fighters, Mi-17 helicopters and individual systems will continue. In the period of 2012-2015, Russia will remain the leader in arms supplies to India, and it is difficult to judge the further development of the situation (after 2016).
The authority that has been earned over the years will not be lost just like that, but today MiG prospects are foggy. To compete with the fifth-generation modern US fighter aircraft and cheap Chinese-made aircraft is very difficult. The MiG-35 will be offered on the foreign market, but there is no special point in creating a fourth-generation fighter. According to experts, it makes sense to do unmanned technology.
However, Russia has pinned its biggest hopes on the PAK FA (T-50), a promising front-line aviation complex, which will replace the Su-27 and MiG-29 in the Russian Air Force. It is planned to start mass production in 2015 year. Also, in the framework of cooperation with India, the creation of an export version of the FGFA aircraft (fifth generation fighter) is underway.
According to the representative of the agency "Airport" Panteleev, you need to create a lot of aircraft, because if the aircraft is not operated intensively in his country, then its export capacity will not be high enough.
Information