Firstly, they wanted a replacement for MiG-21. When Tejas fulfilled all requirements, they kept raising the bar. They wanted more advanced features like AESA radar, Radar Jammers, Mid-air refuelling probes, Onboard oxygen generation, BVR missiles and so on and so forth.
The kickback culture of Congress was hard to do away with. They neglected Tejas altogether and went for a mammoth deal of Rafales. They could not negotiate the contractual terms properly, efficiently and timely.
The dwindling squadrons now present a bleak picture. The lack of accountability transparency and self-effacing egos are too obvious.
Modi has to overcome the backlog of security preparation ,a tough task left for Modi . UPA 's second term was full of Corruption and Manmohan proved to be liability to the country as a PM. really bad luck for India.
Production of MiG 35 in India can be a far better option. As it is the latest technical aircraft and is equivalent multi role ability as French Rafael. Also it is much cheaper than Rafael and also making it ideal for replacing old MiG 21 and MiG 27 fleet. Since MiG 35 is an advanced version of MiG 29, many of its production similarities can be useful. Overall a win win situation.
Everywhere there is a shortage of man power and equipment, look in judicial system or Police or medical or anywhere. So far no compromise is made to increase the DA linked salary, perqs. and pension in all govt. bodies, whereas greater need is to first equip fully, salary and other parts come later on, one can see full team of officers/staff sitting in electricity deptt. or PWD deptt, without any equipment or budget even to repair. What for people are kept, unable to understand. Govt. must first restrict its budget on man power, scale of every position is to be reduced to 2 grades below of present level and perqs. reducted-which are 250% of basic pay at working level including leaves and retiral etc., First focus must be on latest equipment, for which men are kept. At least look at private sector, retiral and perqs. liability is minimum, bring it at par.Will govt. do it?
Re: IAF
by chandra sekar on Jan 12, 2017 06:24 PM
Agreed but more than that stop the freebie culture , remove unwanted subsidies- both nurtured for over 3 decades. This will release a lot of funds.
Ajai Shukla ji, it would be helpful if you would also write about what you think the IAF fleet composition should be given the constraints along with your analysis of the pros and cons. I mean, what is your suggestion based on your analysis? Should we go for building the F-16s since the US has offered to make India the sole producer of latest F-16s? Should we go for the Gripen or Mig-29? Or should we build more Rafales in India?
