Jump to content

Sukhoi/HAL FGFA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
FGFA
Role Stealth Multirole/air superiority fighter
National origin Russia / India
Manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (intended)
Design group Sukhoi
Status Cancelled
Primary user Indian Air Force (intended)
Developed from Sukhoi Su-57

The Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) was a fifth-generation fighter concept, based on the Russian Sukhoi Su-57, that was being developed by the joint forces of Sukhoi and HAL for the Indian Air Force. While the programme was earlier called FGFA, the combined project then referred as Prospective Multi-Role Fighter (PMF).[1] The completed FGFA was to include a total of 43 improvements over the Su-57, including advanced sensors, networking and combat avionics.[2][3] The Indian version would be a two-seater with pilot and co-pilot or weapon systems operator (WSO).

It was reported India withdrew from the FGFA programme in 2018, but also hinted that the project could be resumed at a later date, when the Su-57 is fully operational in the Russian Air Force first.[4][5] However, General Director of United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slyusar claimed that the FGFA program was not cancelled and India is still working with Russia regarding to the future aircraft.[6][7] In October 2019, the Indian Air Force Chief of Air Staff RKS Bhadauria stated that the country will not be importing stealth fighters like the Su-57, and will instead focus on indigenous efforts such as the HAL AMCA.[8]

Development

[edit]

Following the success of the BrahMos project, Russia and India agreed in early 2007 to jointly study and develop a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme.[9][10]

On 11 September 2010, it was reported that India and Russia had agreed on a preliminary design contract, subject to Cabinet approval. In December 2010, a memorandum of understanding for preliminary design of the Indo-Russian fighter was reportedly signed between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), and Russian companies Rosoboronexport and Sukhoi.[11]

While the Russian version will be a single-pilot fighter, the Indian variant will be based on its own operational doctrine which calls for greater radius of combat operations. The wings and control surfaces need to be reworked for the FGFA.[12] By February 2009, as per Sukhoi General Director Mikhail Pogosyan, India will initially get the same PAK FA fighter of Russia and the only difference will be the software.[13]

In 2010, a total of 500 aircraft were planned with options for further aircraft. Russian Air Force will have 200 single-seat and 50 twin-seat PAK FAs while Indian Air Force will get 166 single seated and 48 twin-seated FGFAs.[14][15] Under the project terms, single-seat fighters will be assembled in Russia, while Hindustan Aeronautics will assemble two-seaters.[16] HAL negotiated a 25% share of design and development work in the FGFA programme. HAL's work share will include critical software including the mission computer, navigation systems, most of the cockpit displays, the counter measure dispensing (CMD) systems and modifying Sukhoi's prototype into fighter as per the requirement of the Indian Air Force (IAF).[17]

Sukhoi director Mikhail Pogosyan projected a market for 1,000 aircraft over the next four decades, 200 each for Russia and India and 600 for other countries in 2010.[18] Russian Trade Minister Viktor Khristenko said that the aircraft are to be jointly developed and produced with India and both countries will "share benefits from selling the plane not only on their domestic markets, but also on the markets of third countries."[19] The Editor-in-chief of Natsionalnaya Oborona, Igor Korotchenko, said in February 2013 that exports of the jointly designed fighter should help Russia increase its share of arms exports to the world.[20]

Project changes and delays

[edit]

In May 2012, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced a two-year delay in the project's development.[21] Ashok Nayak, who spoke on the record as HAL's chairman before retiring, explained that the IAF have required 40–45 improvements made from the PAK-FA to meet Indian needs. These changes were then formally agreed upon between India and Russia.[21]

The Russian and Indian air forces each planned to purchase about 250 FGFAs, at an estimated $100 million per fighter for an $25 billion total, in addition to the development costs.[21] By October 2012, India had cut its total purchase size from 200 to 144 aircraft. India's initial investment had grown from $5 billion to $6 billion, and the estimated total programme cost had grown to $30 billion in 2012.[22][needs update]

In 2013, it was revealed that the Russian and Indian fighters would be using the same avionics.[23] Alexander Fomin said that "Both sides involved in this project are investing a lot into it, and on equal terms."[24] Russia later admitted to huge delays and cost overruns in the project.[25] The contract has not be finalised, and the IAF has accused HAL of giving away up to half of India's share of the development work.[26][27] India contributes 15% of the research and development work, but provides half the cost.[28]

On 9 March 2015, media outlets reported that the countries agreed to reduce the aircraft delivery time from 92 months to 36 months with the signing of the final agreement. India is also ready to forego a 50:50 work share to prevent further delays from absorption of a new technology; both countries agreed to manufacture the first batch of aircraft in Russia and for subsequent batches to be manufactured by HAL.[29][30][31]

By 2016, Indian interest in the project was fading after Russia cut back their own purchases.[32] On 25 January 2016, it was reported that Russia and India have agreed to develop FGFA and lower investment cost to $4 billion for each nation. They will invest $1 billion in the first year and another $500 million per year for the following six years.[citation needed] In September 2016, the two nations announced a detailed work-share agreement for joint production.[33]

In May 2017, another announcement came out regarding a "milestone" pact to finalise the detailed design for the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and move ahead with the multibillion-dollar co-development project. It is expected to be signed in the second half of the year.[34] Then later that month the project appeared to be lost when the Russians suddenly demanded seven billion dollars that the Indians could not afford.[35] An Indian committee has reportedly been set up to evaluate need for FGFA in light of the price increase and progress on the HAL AMCA project.[36]

It has been reported that India and Russia are studying an upgrade to the Su-35 with stealth technology (similar to the F-15 Silent Eagle) as a more affordable alternative to the FGFA.[37]

Major roadblocks in the programme

[edit]

On 2 September 2017, the Indian Air Force cited demanding maintenance programs, and high maintenance costs as main reasons behind its reluctance to proceed with the project.[38] India prefers to produce its own fifth-generation fighter to maintain parity with China's air force that has recently debuted the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter.[39][40]

On 20 April 2018, it was reported that India had left the project.[4][41][42] India officials reported that they became increasingly disappointed with the project's progress after long years of negotiations, delays, and struggles with Russian contractors. They asserted that they were not satisfied with the capabilities of the Su-57, the foundation for FGFA's development, among many things the degree of low observability allowed by the design being the biggest of issues.[4][43] However, Indian officials did not rule out the possibility of relaunching the FGFA project once the Su-57 is fully introduced into the Russian air force, or later acquiring the fully developed platform.[4]

On 19 August 2018, it was reported that the FGFA program was not cancelled; the General Director of United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slyusar denied the previous reports saying "the topic is not closed" and that Russia and India are still discussing the creation of the fifth-generation fighter.[6][7]

On 9 July 2019, during a meeting with IAF representatives, Russia offered India to resume its participation in Su-57 program. Deputy Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Vladimir Drozhzhin told that "Russia is open to that... We are ready and are proposing this program to our Indian partners".[44] IAF Air Chief Marshall Birender Singh Dhanoa during an interview with Russian Ministry of Defense's official newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star), stated that while Su-57 is currently not being considered for the IAF, but the combat aircraft can be evaluated once it joins active service with the Russian Air Force.[45][46]

Design

[edit]

Russian expertise in titanium structures will be complemented by India's experience in composites like in the fuselage.[14] Speaking to Flight International, United Aircraft chief Mikhail Pogosyan said India is giving engineering inputs covering latest airframe design, Hi-Tech software development and other systems.[47]

By August 2014, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) had completed the front end engineering design for the FGFA for which a contract had been signed with India's HAL in 2010.[48]

Differences for FGFA

[edit]

When complete, the FGFA would've been predominantly armed with weapons of Indian origin such as the Astra, a beyond-visual-range missile (BVR)developed by India. Although in keeping with the Russian BVR doctrine of using a variety of different missiles for versatility and unpredictability to countermeasures, the aircraft was expected to have compatibility with various missile types. It was reported, the FGFA would include systems developed by third parties.[citation needed] It was also to have a different AESA radar, designated N079.[49]

The completed joint Indian/Russian versions of the operational fighters would've differed from the then flying prototypes through a total of 43 improvements.[2]

Russia had agreed to the demand of the Indian Air Force that it must be a two-seater fighter.[50] India had plans for it to be a two-seater with a pilot and weapon systems operator.[51]

See also

[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Menon, Jay. "India And Russia To Ink R&D Phase Of T-50 Program." Archived 2014-02-21 at the Wayback Machine Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, 21 August 2012.
  2. ^ a b Mathews, Neelam. "India's Version of Sukhoi T-50 Delayed by Two Years." Archived 2014-07-07 at the Wayback Machine AIN, 25 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Sukhoi/HAL FGFA an Indian Stealth Fighter". Defence Aviation. 2008-10-27. Archived from the original on 2009-09-02. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  4. ^ a b c d "India withdraws from FGFA project, leaving Russia to go it alone". Jane's 360. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  5. ^ Pubby, Manu (2018-06-13). "DRDO's technology claim fells $9 billion Indo-Russian aircraft deal". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  6. ^ a b "Россия и Индия обсуждают создание истребителя пятого поколения". ria.ru. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  7. ^ a b "India still with fifth-generation fighter aircraft project: Russian defence aviation major". zeenews.india.com. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  8. ^ Siddiqui, Huma (2019-10-05). "Make in India: IAF will focus on the indigenous AMCA for its fighter fleet, says Air Chief RKS Bhadauria". Financial Express. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  9. ^ Kappan, Rasheed (2007-02-08). "Indo-Russian agreement soon on PAK-FA". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  10. ^ "India, Russia to make 5th generation fighter jets". Times of India. 2007-01-24. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  11. ^ "Medvedev Flair Firms Up Indo-Russian Relations". Observer Research Foundation. 2010-12-29. Archived from the original on 2012-09-09. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  12. ^ Unnithan, Sandeep (2008-09-29). "India, Russia to have different versions of same fighter plane". Indiatoday.digitaltoday.in. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
  13. ^ Sweetman, Bill (13 February 2009). "PAK-FA – Full Speed Ahead". aviationweek.com. Penton. Retrieved 13 November 2013.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ a b Shukla, Ajai (2010-01-06). "India to develop 25% of fifth generation fighter". Business Standard India. Business-standard.com. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
  15. ^ Shukla, Ajai (5 January 2010). "India, Russia close to PACT on next generation fighter". Business Standard India. Business-standard.com. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
  16. ^ "Prime Minister Putin's greatest deals". indrus.in. 2011-11-11. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  17. ^ Shukla, Ajai (2010-01-06). "India to develop 25% of fifth generation fighter". Business Standard India. Business-standard.com. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  18. ^ Bryanski, Gleb (2010-03-12). "Russia to make 1,000 stealth jets, eyes India deal". In.reuters.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-21. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
  19. ^ "Russia, India to sign contract for sketching 5th generation jet soon". Itar-tass.com. Retrieved 2010-12-16.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ "Russian aircraft builders successful arms traders". RUVR. RU. 2013-02-18.
  21. ^ a b c Shukla, Ajai (2012-05-15). "Delays and challenges for Indo-Russian fighter". Business Standard India. Business-standard.com. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  22. ^ Luthra, Gulshan."IAF decides on 144 Fifth Generation Fighters." Archived 2013-09-28 at the Wayback Machine India Strategic, October 2012.
  23. ^ Sputnik (6 February 2013). "India to Use Russian Avionics For Future Fighter – UAC Boss". ria.ru. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  24. ^ "Russia Still Has High Hopes for Defense Sales to India". Aviation International News. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  25. ^ "5th-generation fighter plan hits hurdle as Russia hikes cost". The Times of India. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  26. ^ J. Michael Cole. "Russia Delays India's 5th-Gen. Fighter Program". The Diplomat. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  27. ^ "IAF-HAL tiff threatens to shatter indigenization quest". The Times of India. 31 July 2013.
  28. ^ Menon, Jay (21 October 2013). "India Concerned About Fifth-Gen Fighter Work Share With Russia". aviationweek.com. Aerospace Daily & Defense Report. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  29. ^ "Rafale deadlock gives thrust to Russian 5th-gen jet project". The Times of India. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  30. ^ "India Eyes Russian FGFA As MMRCA Deal Delays". defenseworld.net. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  31. ^ "TASS: Russia – India to invest $25 billion in fifth-generation fighter joint project with Russia — media". TASS. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  32. ^ Gady, Franz-Stefan (6 January 2016). "India and Russia Fail to Resolve Dispute Over Fifth Generation Fighter Jet". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  33. ^ Pubby, Manu (9 September 2016). "India and Russia agree on details of new joint production of fifth generation fighter aircraft". indiatimes.com. Times Group. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  34. ^ "India, Russia to ink deal on 5th generation fighter design - Times of India". The Times of India. 7 May 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  35. ^ Raghuvanshi, Vivek (24 May 2017). "Steep price rise hits Indo-Russian 5th-gen fighter project". www.defensenews.com. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  36. ^ Dubey, Ajit Kumar (21 May 2017). "Indo-Russian project to develop aircraft hits roadblock over price, technology". indiatoday.intoday.in. IndiaToday. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  37. ^ Diplomat, Abraham Ait, The. "Could Russia Design a Fifth-Generation Variant of the Su-35 for India?". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ "IAF not in favour of acquiring Russian 5th gen jets, keen on DRDO Make in India project instead". Retrieved 2017-11-10.
  39. ^ Moskvitch, Katia (17 Aug 2017). "Russia joins the stealth fighter club – but how good is the Su-57?". www.imeche.org. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
  40. ^ "Beijing rumored to woo allies with fighter technology". atimes.com. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  41. ^ India Pulls out of Joint Stealth Fighter Project With Russia. Franz-Stefan Gady, The Diplomat. 23 April 2018.
  42. ^ Shukla, Ajai (20 April 2018). "$8.63-billion advanced fighter aircraft project with Russia put on ice". Business Standard.
  43. ^ "India Pulls out of Joint Stealth Fighter Project With Russia". The Diplomat. 23 April 2018.
  44. ^ "Russia offers India to resume development of 5th-generation fighter jet". TASS. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  45. ^ "В Индии назвали условия закупки Су-57". РИА Новости (in Russian). 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  46. ^ "Sukhoi Su-57 not on IAF radar, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa says decision after fighter joins Russian Air Force | India News". zeenews.india.com. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  47. ^ "PARIS: Russia's PAK-FA fighter shows promise". Flightglobal.com. 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  48. ^ "Indian News – India Newspaper – India Latest News – News From India – India News Daily – Current India News". samachar.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  49. ^ Butowski, Piotr. "T-50 Turning and Burning over Moscow". Air International, Vol. 85, No 4, October 2013, pp. 80. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing.
  50. ^ "Indo-Russian Jet Program Finally Moves Forward". Defense News. 15 September 2014. Archived from the original on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  51. ^ "India Fast Tracks 5th Generation Fighter Jet Project With Russia". NDTV. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
[edit]

News reports and articles:

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sukhoi/HAL_FGFA&oldid=1237935092"