By admin 
After the proposals received from America and Russia, the activity regarding the purchase of stealth fighter jets has started increasing. However, India has decided to stick to the condition that the foreign company will have to manufacture the fighter planes in the country itself. In the next few months, India can issue a global tender for the purchase of 114 multi-purpose fighter planes with the condition of Make in India.
Recently, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited America, President Donald Trump had proposed to sell the state-of-the-art stealth fighter aircraft F-35 to India. After this, Russia has also proposed to sell SU-57 to India. Many other companies are also in this race. Like Dassault’s Rafale, Saab’s Gripen E, Boeing’s Super Hornet, Airbus’s Eurofighter Typhoon etc.
India had also sought proposals from various companies in 2018. After this, India received a total of eight proposals, but no decision has been taken so far. Most of the companies are willing to sell aircraft to India, but were not accepting the condition of manufacturing in India. Sources in the Defense Ministry have clarified that the mandatory condition of Make in India will remain in the tender to be issued soon. America’s Lakid Martin manufactures J-35 fighter plane. The US President has proposed to sell this aircraft.
If sources are to be believed, this company will hardly accept the condition of manufacturing the aircraft in India, because Trump is also insisting on manufacturing the aircraft in America itself. Meanwhile, sources say that Russia’s stance can be flexible in this matter. Russia has previously sold Sukhoi to India on the condition of manufacturing.
The challenge of China is constantly increasing
While India is preparing to buy fifth generation stealth aircraft, China has prepared sixth generation fighter aircraft. It is also going to sell 40 fifth generation J-35 aircraft to Pakistan. In such a situation, India’s challenges have increased on a dual front. To deal with the shortage of fighter aircraft, a committee headed by the Defense Secretary will find a solution to this.
Features of the Russian SU-57
- The world’s deadliest and capable of attacking at fast speed.
- It has AESA radar system and can fire cruise missiles.
- Can operate at an altitude of approximately 54,000 feet.
- Its range is approximately 3,000 kilometres.
- The speed of the aircraft can reach up to 1800 miles per hour.
- The modern fighter aircraft is equipped with double engine and single seat.
- Capable of carrying out long range operations in the air.
Features of the American F-35
● Its range is approximately 2,200 kilometers.
● It can reach a high speed of 1,200 miles per hour.
● Use of touch screen, helmet-mounted display systems in the cockpit.
● There are six infrared cameras installed all around.
● The F-35 is a single-seat, single-engine, supersonic, all-weather fighter aircraft.
● Capacity to carry weapons weighing six thousand to 8,100 kilograms.
● Capable of striking at an altitude of 50,000 feet, will not be visible on enemy radar.
Gill Bikram Singh