India and Russia to ink T-50 fighter contract
- By Lin Liyao
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E-mail China.org.cn, August 28, 2012
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T-50 fighter (file photo) |
India and Russia are likely to sign a US$11 billion contract to jointly research and develop the T-50 fighter, according to DSTI.net, a Beijing-based website focused on defense science and technology.
The contract says that the first prototype of the stealth jet is scheduled to be handed over to India in 2014, and then the fighter will undergo extensive trials at the Ojhar Air Force Station in Maharashtra, western India. Later, the second and third prototypes are expected to be completed in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
According to Indian media, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief N.A.K. Browne visited Russia in early August and expressed his expectations for the new fighter: "We are hopeful that the aircraft will be ready for induction by 2022."
The fighter is currently considered as the Perspective Multi-Role Fighter (PMF). It will be jointly developed by India's state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. and Sukhoi Design Bureau of Russia, and based on Russia's PAK FA program.
T-50 fighters are expected to replace the current MiG-29s and Sukhoi Su-30MKI of the IAF. And according to an Indian defense ministry official, India plans to purchase about 250 of the fighters before 2030, and each aircraft is estimated to cost over US$100 million.
The design phase of the aircraft will be finished by India and Russia later this year. The official said, "A Preliminary Design (PD) contract was signed between HAL and Russia on December 21, 2010, which is used for implementation of design and development section for PMF at a cost of US$295 million. The PD phase will last for 18 months. Full-scale design and research will be carried out under separate contracts, which will be discussed after the PD phase."
The proposed contract for research and development is believed to reach US$11 billion, with each country contributing half. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, three T-50 prototypes are being evaluated under the PAK FA test and development program, while the forth one is expected to be finished later this year.
Recently, SDB started its tests for a new onboard radar system. The X-band active phased-array radar will be equipped on the third prototype of the T-50 fighter, which is proved to be more stable and effective than the existing advanced ones.
The first prototype finished its first flight in January 2010. After that, the IAF had proposed over 40 suggestions to improve its design.
Although the details of the T-50 fighter remain classified, reports say it features advanced stealth capabilities, supersonic cruising speed and an integrated control and avionics system.
However, an official with the IAF said, "The jointly developed PMF draws upon the basic structural and systematic design of the Russian FGFA Technology Demonstrator in order to meet the need of the IAF. The cooperation between India and Russia during the joint program includes the design, research, production and third-party jointly selling of the PMF. "
India plans to develop both a single- and two-seat version of the fighter, and the latter will be used for training as well as special missions. The official also added, "The program includes a two-seat variant and an advanced engine which could provide higher thrust for the aircraft."
India will send multiple scientists and test pilots to Russia and the Ojhar Air Force Station during the research and development phase of the contract, and then HAL will carry out the fighter's manufacturing phase.
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