Chinese experts explain why Russia and India are jointly developing FGFA
Recently, Russia announced its priorities in arms exports, where India occupies the main place. At present, Russia and India are jointly developing the fifth generation FGFA fighter. Recently, the Indian Air Force reported that they intend to purchase more 200 machines of this type.
On October 8, at the base near New Delhi, the Indian Air Force organized an exhibition and demonstration flights in honor of the 79th anniversary of the national military aviation. It was announced that the Air Force will purchase 214 fifth-generation fighters, including 166 single and 48 two-seater, with the latest version aircraft being manufactured in the shops of the national aircraft manufacturer HAL.
The editor of the military magazine Mr. Chen Hu (Chang Hu) and his colleague were invited to the studio of the Chinese state television station CCTV. They answered a series of questions.
- What is this FGFA fighter?
- It should be a fighter, designed in accordance with the highest international standards. The technological base of India is very weak, therefore, the bulk of the work will be performed by Russia. In this country, a prototype aircraft has already been developed under the symbol T-50, which is undergoing flight tests.
“Then why Russia cannot sell these fighters directly to India?” Why do we need joint development?
- In fact, the T-50 still has some drawbacks. Russia demonstrated the aircraft at the MAKS-2011 air show. It was immediately evident that the aircraft was designed “roughly”, it is clear a lot of seams and joints. The participation of India can cover significant financial problems in the development of this aircraft. Currently, India is choosing which of the two European fighters - Typhoon or Rafale - will go into service with the Air Force in the number of 126 units. Given the difficult economic situation in Europe, India can succeed in “extortion” in the field of technology transfer. For example, these aircraft have very good avionics, and India can become a “consolidator” of European and Russian technologies in FGFA.
- The Indian Air Force announced that they expect to get this aircraft into service as early as 2017, that is, it will take only six years to develop.
- In fact, the entire technological platform of this aircraft will be created in Russia, but the T-50 is likely to be a technology demonstrator, and the journey to a real combat vehicle may take a long time. The Russian Air Force claimed that this fighter will be put into service as early as 2015, which is hard to believe. Moreover, if the Indian Air Force can get this aircraft in 2017 year, then the rate of equipping this country's Air Force may be even higher than the Russian Air Force. India is likely to become the second testing ground for the T-50.
- It is known that the USA does not export its F-22, then why does Russia allow another country access to the most modern technologies?
- I think, firstly, that India does not pose any threat to Russia, and secondly, the design of this machine is far from the required level. T-50 has some onboard equipment, a lot of new things will have to be created. For example, a digital data line, similar to the American 1553В. Russia is lagging behind in this area, but France can share similar technology with India if the Rafale fighter wins the tender.
So India can consolidate Western and Russian military technologies in a new fighter. India has a special style of military thinking - it wants to get ready, without bothering to develop a new one.
“But India will again be dependent on foreign technologies ...”
“I believe that it will be useful for India to participate in the development of modern aircraft, because it needs engineering experience. FGFA is a rare opportunity to gain experience in this field.
- Thus, India can become the owner of the most modern technologies?
- Yes. This will be a big step forward. India will be one of the few countries in the world that has its own fifth generation fighter.
- If everything goes as planned, after all, India will be able to beat the United States in the number of fifth-generation heavy fighters?
- Right.
- How will this factor affect the situation in the Asia-Pacific region?
- India adopted the 11 5-year plan, during which the fifth-generation 214 fighters should be put into service. In fact, it all depends on the amount of funding the Indian armed forces.
- But in such a short time it is unlikely that many aircraft of this type will be produced.
- Yes.
- There is another question. Currently, India can buy weapons from Western countries, including the United States. But India’s military arsenal is still 70% made up of Russian weapons. Why India continues to give preference to Russian arms?
- First, it is the relative cheapness of Russian military equipment and equipment, and secondly, Russia offers the transfer of more technologies than Western countries. India takes advantage of this by diversifying arms purchases, thereby achieving greater independence in arms sources. For example, she buys the C-130 and C-17 transport aircraft in the United States.
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