SP’s Aviation (SP’s): What is the status of the project related to the induction of the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) for which the Rafale was identified as the preferred platform over two-and-a-half years ago?

Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS): MMRCA induction is an urgent requirement of the IAF for which contract negotiations with Dassault Aviation are in progress. Three Contract Negotiations Sub-Committees on ‘Maintenance’, ‘Offset’ and ‘Transfer of Technology’ have completed negotiations and submitted their reports to the Contract Negotiations Committee (CNC). The Contract Sub-Committee has completed most of the contractual aspects with the representatives of Dassault Aviation and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The IAF hopes that the CNC will expeditiously close all aspects of the negotiations and initiate the process to obtain the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), after which the contract will be signed.

SP’s: Can you give us an idea of the progress so far in the Indo-Russian project to develop the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA)? In what time frame can the nation expect the IAF to transit into the next-generation?

DCAS: An Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed between India and Russia on October 18, 2007, for joint development and production of FGFA. The preliminary design phase was completed in June 2013. Presently, the contract negotiations for research and development phase are in progress. FGFA is a huge project with numerous complexities related to design, technical parameters, work share and costs. The CNC is discussing all these aspects with the Russian side. The research and development phase is expected to run for over eight years and since the discussions on the project are still in progress, it is not possible to provide a definitive induction timeline for this developmental project.

SP’s: What are the induction plans for the 40 Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) Mk I ordered with HAL?

DCAS: Grant of initial operational clearance (IOC) to the LCA in December last year was a major achievement. The IAF is now waiting for HAL to deliver the series production LCA in IOC configuration for inducting them in the first LCA squadron. The first series production LCA is undergoing ground tests. Many other aspects related to pilot publications, maintenance manuals and ground support and test equipment mandatory for LCA induction are nearing completion. The full complement of aircraft for the first LCA squadron is likely to be delivered by 2017 by HAL as per the production schedule. The IAF, the Aeronautics Development Agency (ADA) and HAL are together trying to expedite resolution of outstanding issues and expedite the induction of LCA in IAF. LCA is planned to achieve FOC in December 2014 but it is unlikely before second half of 2015, the production will commence thereafter. The need to arrest any further delay in FOC and the necessity to ramp up HAL’s production capacity are being followed up at the highest level.

SP’s: What are plans for the development of the Tejas Mk II and in what way will it be different from the Mk I?

DCAS: LCA Mk II is at the preliminary design stage. Several lessons learnt during the development and flight testing of LCA Mk-I are being incorporated to achieve better performance from LCA Mk II. The LCA Mk II is being designed to bridge the gap between performance shortfall of the LCA Mk I vis-à-vis the Air Staff Requirements, wherein it will be equipped with a more powerful engine and the aircraft designed with lesser weight and drag profile. In addition, the design of LCA Mk II will resolve many outstanding issues related to the maintainability of the aircraft. The Preliminary design review of LCA Mk II is in progress and many systems have already been reviewed.

SP’s: Is the IAF going ahead with the induction of additional Pilatus PC-7 Mk II from Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland and if so, what are the numbers proposed to be acquired?

DCAS: The IAF’s proposal to procure 106 PC-7 Mk II aircraft under the ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ category is under consideration of the government for approval.

SP’s: If the report in the media that the intermediate jet trainer (IJT) Sitara will have to be redesigned is true, what options does the IAF have to replace the obsolescent Kiran fleet?

DCAS: Many prototype aircraft undergo design changes as part of the design and development process. Several re-designs have already been carried out on the IJT and more are continuing. There are issues with the aircraft in flight profiles related to Stall and Spin and HAL is attempting to resolve these by incorporating various aerodynamic fixes with the help of BAE Systems. The Kiran aircraft can be retained in service till 2019 with life extension. We are closely monitoring the IJT project and are also in the process of considering alternative options to find a solution for intermediate stage flying training in IAF.

SP’s: As the tender for the procurement of 197 helicopters for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force seems to have run aground, what is the possibility of the HAL filling the void with the light utility helicopter that is reported to be under development?

DCAS: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) decided to withdraw the RFP for 197 reconnaissance and scout helicopters (RSH) issued as ‘Buy Global’. The light utility helicopter being developed by HAL is still not available. It is now proposed to include the total requirement of the Indian Army and the IAF for this class of helicopters under one ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ project wherein few helicopters will be bought from a foreign OEM and the balance manufactured in India. This project will provide another unique opportunity for Indian industries to enter the aerospace manufacturing sector that offer great prospects.

SP’s: What is the status of the project to re-engine the Jaguar fleet of the IAF?

DCAS: The project to re-engine Jaguar fleet is in final stages of technical offset evaluation after which the contract negotiations will commence.

SP’s: What has been the response from the private sector of the Indian aerospace industry to the proposed replacement of the Avro fleet of the IAF?

DCAS: The proposal was initiated primarily with a view to promote private sector participation in defence production in pursuance of our Defence Production Policy. It aims to provide an opportunity to private sector to enter the field of transport aircraft manufacturing. The guiding factor for this decision was that it would reinforce the nation’s resolve towards self-reliance by Indian private sector graduating into aircraft manufacturing. The Indian private sector enterprises have expressed their wholehearted support and commitment to the Avro replacement programme and consider it as a programme of national significance and a game changer for military and civilian aerospace industry in India. Response has been received from Tata Advanced Systems jointly with Airbus for the manufacture of the replacement of the Avro aircraft.

SP’s: Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are set to play a greater role in the conduct of warfare in the future. What are plans of the IAF to foray into the domain of UAS?

DCAS: The IAF is already exploiting the potential offered by unmanned aerial systems. The IAF has already inducted UAVs and IAF’s perspective plans include a mix of all classes of UAVs. However, certain niche UAV technologies are limited to very few countries and inherently classified. Hence, we are pursuing indigenous development of UAV for self-reliance in the design, manufacture and exploitation through our indigenous UAV industry. However, till such time indigenous UAVs of different classes are productionised, we may have to procure some from the foreign market.

SP’s: Now that the DCAS is on the board of HAL, what plans do you have to inspire this Indian aerospace major to begin to deliver?

DCAS: The inclusion of DCAS on HAL’s Board of Directors is a welcome move that will undoubtedly enhance the synergy between the IAF and HAL. The presence of the representative of the prime customer of HAL in their corporate decision making chain would promote HAL’s efficiency and better responsiveness to the users.