According to Russian sources RAC MiG is ready to relocate its assembly line to India if the two countries reach an agreement. After meeting the requirements of the Indian Air Force, the India-based plant could start the export of MiG-35 fighters to potential buyers abroad. Russia already has a rich experience of licensed production of aircraft in India.
Russian Aircraft Corporation (RAC) MiG is poised to field its latest MiG-35 multi-role fighter jet in
the unfolding fray for the Indian skies along with highly-lobbied Western
warbirds, officials at the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the umbrella
holding of the country's aircraft designers and manufacturers, recently
declared.
MiG-35, with NATO reporting name Fulcrum-F, was formally
unveiled on Jan. 27 at the Lukhovitsy plant of RAC MiG, situated 140 km
southeast of Moscow, in the presence of military officials and foreign
diplomats from about 30 countries, which included Indian Air Force, Naval and
Military attaches. The high-tech 3D multimedia presentation was followed by an
impressive flight demonstration of the two-seater trainer/combat MiG-35 jet
that was watched by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and the
foreign guests.
“Sure, we will offer this fighter to India, under Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's Make in India programme,” Rogozin said in response to a
question by this author after the impressive demo flight. “This issue will be
on the agenda of Military-Industrial Conference in New Delhi this spring.”
However, it will not be displayed at the Aero India 2017 airshow
in Bangalore later this month, because two flying prototypes are involved in
intensive systems and weapons trials ahead of the serial production. The
Russian Aerospace Force will get its first fighters in 2019, and export to
foreign buyers is scheduled to commence around 2020.
MiG-35 had taken part in the Indian tender in 2007 for the
acquisition of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), and also
had flown at Aero India 2007 in Bangalore.
For the Indian tender two naval versions of MiG-29K/KUB were
modified and equipped with Zhuk AE and AME radars and christened as the MiG-35.
However, along with the American Lockheed Martin F-16, Boeing F-18, and Swedish
SAAB Gripen, the MiG-35 was not shortlisted. Finally in 2011, the French
Dassault Rafale was declared the winner defeating the Eurofighter 2000 Typhoon
in the Indian MMRCA tender.
As the Rafale deal dragged
on and ended with the signing of contract for just 36 aircraft, RAC MiG sees it
as a chance for a new sortie in the Indian skies. Aware of the Indian Air
Force’s (IAF) requirements of upto 400 aircraft in the long run, RAC MiG
continued development of the MiG-35 and a technology demonstrator went on
public display in 2012 at the centenary celebrations of the Russian Air Force.
It later flew at the Moscow airshow MAKS in 2013 and 2015. And finally, the
latest MiG-35 in its single and two-seater trainer/combat variants was unveiled
to the potential foreign buyers in its full beauty on Jan. 27, 2017.
According to Russian sources RAC MiG can relocate its assembly
line to India if the two countries reach an agreement. After meeting the IAF’s
requirements, the India-based plant could start the export of MiG-35 fighters
to potential buyers abroad.
Russia has a very rich experience of licensed production of a
whole range of aircraft at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited plant in Nasik,
Maharashtra, starting from MiG-21, MiG-23 , MiG-27 in the past and currently
the Sukhoi Su-30MKI.
According to Deputy Director of Moscow-based independent think
tank - Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST), Dr Konstantin
Makiyenko, in 2019 Su-30MKI production would be completed, and the production
of MiG-35 could be easily launched at HAL’s factory in Nasik.
However, Russia is also ready to enter into a partnership with
Indian private sector companies identified by the Government of India. There
was a time when MiG-21 was the top of the line supersonic fighter in the world,
which decisively contributed in Vietnam winning the war against the U.S. and
India winning the 1971 Bangladesh War of Liberation against
Pakistan, which was armed by the Americans. The MiG-21 was rightly called the
fighter of 20th century.
The MiG-35 fighter could have a similar glorious future with the
IAF in 21st century, because finally it is the man behind the machine who
matters.
Vinay Shukla is an
Indian journalist, who has covered Russia for over four decades. Views
expressed in this column are personal. Read more of his articles here.
Source :- Russia & India Report
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