MOSCOW: Russia pins special hopes on the Aero India-2009 show opening in Bangalore.
Aside from being a good selling pitch for Russian producers, such airspace exhibitions, and particularly the present show in Bangalore, give them an additional chance to show off – which is important, considering a current tender to supply 126 fighters for the Indian air force.
The main exhibits will therefore be tender bidders: Russia's MiG-35 Fulcrum fighter jet, U.S. F-16 and F/A-18 fighters, France's Rafale, Sweden's Gripen, and European EADS's Typhoon.
Each bidder has its advantages and disadvantages, but the American and Russian aircraft builders are among the favorites. A point in favor of the Americans, who offer a choice between the latest modifications F-16 and F/A-18, is fine workmanship, existence of upgraded models, an edge in avionics, and close trading ties with India, which offer wider scope for offset deals.
The MiG-35 Fulcrum is the main rival of the Americans: it is an entirely new model built around the MiG-29. It is well ahead of its competitors in flying characteristics, has competitive electronics and most likely a lower price tag than the American counterparts.
A factor in favor of the MiG-35 is that the Indian air force is already using MiG-29s. Besides, MiG-29KUB fighters have been ordered for Indian naval aviation, and India is creating a repair and maintenance infrastructure for the planes of this type, which will make the mastery and operation of a technologically close cousin easier.
Against the backdrop of one Russian and two American fighters, other offers look pale, although a European manufacturer is not unlikely to win – provided it offers India acceptable terms. The chances of France, which has cooperated with India for years, are much better.
Another likelihood considered by experts is a “pie shared” between two or three producers. Given some advantage by way of diversification, this scenario has its drawbacks – different types of aircraft of one class adopted for service do not add to combat efficiency, so this toss-up is the least likely.
In addition to the MiG-35, the show will also feature SSJ civilian airliners currently undergoing tests and a joint Russian-Indian medium-class airliner project. Also of interest is a fifth generation fighter, which India wants to develop jointly with Russia. The jet is scheduled to take to the air this year, and its batch production is planned for the beginning of the next decade.
India is expected to make a certain contribution to its final stages of development and testing, which will guarantee its further role in the manufacturing program, adaptation to Indian conditions, and adoption for service simultaneously with Russia.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.
