Modern combat jets by 2020: Antony
February 23rd, 2011 - 3:50 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) Modern combat jets, six of which are in contention for an Indian Air Force order for 126 planes, will be inducted by 2020, even as the Soviet-era MiG-21 fleet which is the mainstay of the force will be phased out by 2017, parliament was informed Wednesday.”Among the proposals (for the modernisation of the IAF, 126 MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) will be inducted by 2020,” Defence Minister A. K. Antony said while answering a supplementary in the Rajya Sabha.
“By 2017, the MiG-21 will be replaced,” he said, adding: “We are also inducting the (indigenous) LCA (light combat aircrafts) the IOC (initial operational clearance) for which has been successfully obtained (from the IAF).
The minister said that due to “historical reasons”, the IAF was hitherto not able to acquire modern aircraft but this situation was now being reversed.
He also rejected suggestions that poor quality of parts were being supplied for the IAF’s fleet of MiG-21, 27 and 29 jets after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
“After disintegration of Soviet Union some factories had gone to countries other that Russia. There was no complaint of quality though there were complaints of time schedules (not being met),” Antony added.
The MMRCA contract is worth $10.4 billion. The US F-16 and F-18, the European Eurofighter Typhoon, the French Rafale, the Swedish Gripen and the Russian Mig-35 are in contention for the order, which might go up to 200 planes.
A decision on awarding the tender is likely later this year.
- Govt to phase-out MiG fighter aircraft by 2017: Antony - Feb 23, 2011
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- Defence ministry panel to consider combat jet deal next month - Sep 22, 2011
- Price talks for 126 jets to begin this month: IAF chief - Mar 10, 2011
- MiG-21 crashes in Punjab, pilot safe - Sep 06, 2011
- Accident-prone MiG-21 to be flown only by experienced pilots: IAF - Sep 01, 2011
- India set to pick $10.4-bn combat plane deal winner - Oct 07, 2011
- The twists and turns of India's biggest defence deal - Jan 31, 2012
- India lost over half of its 872 MiG jets in 40 years - May 02, 2012
- IAF has lost 999 planes in crashes since 1970 - Aug 03, 2011
- Eurofighter Typhoon to fly at Bangalore air show - Feb 05, 2011
- IAF to seal combat plane deal in November - Oct 08, 2011
- Aircraft deal: IAF fears bid losers may complain to CVC - Feb 10, 2011
- MiG-21s being phased out, says Antony (Lead) - Apr 19, 2010
- Indian Air Force phasing out MiG-21s: Antony - Apr 19, 2010
Tags: antony, combat aircraft, combat jets, contention, defence minister, disintegration, eurofighter typhoon, french rafale, gripen, indian air force, light combat, mainstay, mig 21, mig 35, modern combat, modernisation, poor quality, rajya sabha, soviet union, time schedules