By Colonel Awadhesh Kumar, Special Forces
The first of the IAF Sukhois 30 had joined in 1997 and were replaced by SU 30 MKI in 2002. Therefore we need to commence planning of the replacement of the Sukhoi fleet with our own Indigenous Advanced Heavy Multirole Aircraft by 2040.
By 2025 our LCA the TEJAS should be entering IAF Squadron service in new MK2 avatar. By that time several Production variant of AMCA ….SHREYAS ? ….should have taken to the sky and HAL gearing up for Limited Series Production.
All the above have to be achieved to enable IAF fight a two front War with full confidence. To achieve the confidence level the third largest economy in the world …..and gearing up for the Second position, will have to provide a minimum of 65 fighter squadrons to the IAF. The oft repeated 45 squadron IAF has to be brushed aside.
With completion of SU30 MKI production line in 2020, we will have 15 Squadrons and most likely three more squadrons of MKI3 version is also going to be added by 2025. However for the two front war, out of 65 Squadrons, the HCA component ideally should be 25 Squadron. So there is need to add seven more squadrons of a new non indigenous single seater HCA with effect 2024 onwards through Make in India. However before our own fully designed HCA starts arriving after 2040, may be at least two Squadrons of Sukhoi MK I may also require to be replaced by this non indigenous HCA. Hence we need to look for 9 Squadrons or 180 x non indigenous HCA for the IAF till our own ADA designed HCA starts replacing the SU30 MKIs.
So which aircraft is the right candidate for the above purpose ? Here comes in an article in the Chinese military’s English-language news site, which has praised the Su-57, of which Russia has only built ten so far, with thirteen more slated for 2020. Though in the same article SU57 has been criticised too.
To play down the Su-57, Russia’s fifth-generation fighter jet, Chinese have compared it with their own unproven J-20 and the US’ F-22 by emphasizing the fact that it has ‘below-standard’ stealth capability. This as per some “ experts” is a significant disadvantage against Chinese and US counterparts. However Wang Yongqing, chief designer of the state-owned Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute, has nothing but praise for the aircraft and says “the Su-57’s overall capability is not bad at all. Having an innovative aerodynamic design and capable of thrust vectoring control, the Su-57 attaches strong importance to supersonic cruise capability and super-maneuverability, and stealth is intentionally a second priority.”
Wang has rightly stated that the Americans concept of next-generation aerial battle stresses beyond visual range attacks. This may not be a solid ground at all. Every one forgets that BVR missiles capable of delivering such attacks have to traverse that BVR distance before reaching the target. In that given time frame the Su-57 with better sensors and radar and super-manoeuvre capability will easily evade the incoming missile. Says Wang “ With long-range missiles taken care of, the final showdown will eventually take place at close range, where stealth loses its meaning and super-maneuverability thrives.”
Wang also says “Another unique design is the world’s first side-facing radars in addition to the front-facing ones. Combined with other radars and infrared sensors, the Su-57 is expected to find enemy stealth aircraft as early as possible.”
It seems now China is actually interested in buying this SU 57 so that, it can be copied by them and then they can field something which will certainly be much superior to their own J20. In fact Chinese have a reputation for copying / stealing technology from other countries. Earlier China had built an unlicensed copy of the Su-33 carrier jet and called it the J-15, of which so many have crashed that China has been forced to develop new fighters for its Naval Aviation.
Though for bargaining purpose it is also criticizing the new SU57 and calling it as Below Standard plane. They forget that their recently unveiled J-20 stealth fighter supposedly so advanced that instead of flying with Chinese-designed WS-15 unreliable engines it has to fly with Russian AL31 engines!!
Reading between the lines it means that SU57 is a very superior aircraft. Superior to even F35. However the cost of development is unaffordable to the Russians. Moscow itself has not committed to buying large quantities of the Su-57, probably because of expense. A Chinese purchase could help subsidize the production, and Russians may have no choice but to share their advanced technologies.
Now this is the place where India should step in just as Narshimah Rao had done during the development phase of the SU30. We already have worked quite a lot on FGFA and therefore there should not be much of a problem taking on the SU57.In case we play our cards well, then we order one squadron off the shelf ie 20 fighters and then Nasik can start manufacturing around 160 aircrafts over a period upto 2040 +, with all contracts for licensed productions obtained at our terms.
Most probably NDA Govt on coming back in May2019 will be doing just that and strengthen the IAF as required for securing the Indian Airspace.
