Russia offers next-gen jet with new engine, design

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

Bengaluru, February 16

Russia has upgraded its offer to India on reviving the stalled fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) project by putting on table joint design and development of a brand new fighter jet with a new engine.

Viktor N Kladov, Director International Cooperation and Regional Policy, Rostec, speaking to a select group of mediapersons on the sidelines of the ongoing 11th Aero-India here, said: “We are talking of new design and jointly developed fifth generation fighter jet. It will have a new engine with fifth generation features.”

“We are not talking about the PAK-FA (a Russian built prototype of the FGFA),” Kladov clarified. At present the Russians are flying a plane called the ‘T-50’ built under the PAK-FA (Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) programme. India had some issues with the engine of the T-50. The project has been stalled for the past two years despite India having paid $295 million for a preliminary design.

Kladov said: “We have met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar yesterday in Bangalore and he has promised to resume negotiations soon.”

Parrrikar had on February 14 said the ministry had constituted a team to look into various aspects of the FGFA and it was likely to submit its report within a month. Kladov said the engine being used on the PAK-FA (T-50) was not fifth generation, adding the new jet will not be copy of the T-50.

The IAF was not happy with the AL-41F1 engines being used on the existing T-50. New Delhi had told Russia in 2016 it wanted a new engine and the plane must have super-cruise ability, a 360-degree radar ability, added stealth features among 40-odd other modifications.

All clear for US parts on Gripen

Sweden says has it an initial clearance from the US for selling its Gripen fighter jet to India with American-built general electric (GE) engines, said Jan Salestrand, State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence. Manohar Parrikar had earlier said foreign firms competing for deals under “Make in India” need to get clearances from respective governments to set up manufacturing units in India.

Dassault-Reliance JV

French Company Dassault Aviation has tied up with Reliance to form the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL), a joint venture for the Rafale fighter jet programme. Eric Trappier, chairman of Dassault Aviation France, will be its chairman and Anil Ambani will be the co-chairman of DRAL.

Helicopter ambulance

Airbus has unveiled its dedicated helicopter-ambulance, fully kitted with specialised emergency medical care equipment. The helicopter can be put to use for medical missions only and has specialised equipment for emergency transportation of patients, organs, neonatal and other time critical medical missions. It can accommodate a stretcher and seat three attendants or para-medical staff in the cabin.

DG flies HAL copter

Director General Army Aviation Corps Lt Gen Kanwal Kumar flew the Light Combat Helicopter at the Aero India. The LCH is indigenously developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and 114 such copters are to be inducted into the Army.