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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
08 June 22. Countering IEDs with novel electronic technologies.
DASA is searching for Counter-IED technologies that use novel Radio Frequency (RF) techniques.
- DASA has launched a new Innovation Focus Area (IFA) called Countering IEDs by Novel Technology and Techniques.
- Seeking novel electronic technologies that can counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
- Between £150k – £400k per proposal
It is vital that UK military and security users can continue to deploy new countermeasures and technologies to outpace IED threat evolution, to protect service personnel, emergency services and the public against the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
To address the UK’s need for IED threat detection, the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new IFA, Countering IEDs by Novel Technology and Techniques. This IFA aims to find and develop innovations that use either the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum or provide an understanding of the RF spectrum in order to detect and disrupt the functionality of IEDs.
Funding available
Between £150k – £400k is available per proposal for this IFA. Proposals are expected to last between 6 – 18 months, and should deliver solutions at a minimum of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 5/6.
The IFA is open for proposals now until further notice.
Have an innovation? Read the full competition document and submit a proposal.
Effective IED countermeasures: Key challenges
An important part of countering an IED threat is the detection of devices along with understanding the electromagnetic environment. This will help inform situational awareness and determine threat from non-threat, and inform the configuration of other countermeasures.
What is an IED?
An IED is an explosive device fabricated in an improvised manner, but with varying degrees of professionalism. An IED typically comprises of the following component types:
- a power source
- wires
- electronic circuitry
- an explosive initiator
- an explosives charge
- shrapnel products to increase fragmentation
- trigger mechanism
- various enclosures
The trigger mechanisms used to initiate IEDs are often adapted from commercial products. Examples could include modified Radio Controlled (RC) toys or the use of communication networks.
Challenge areas
There are three challenge areas of interest for the IFA, and proposals are expected to meet at least one of the below challenges.
Challenge 1
To capture and analyse RF signals using novel spectrum survey techniques, which may include, but is not limited to:
- signal analysis techniques and classification algorithms, which identify and distinguish between multiple technology standards and protocols, while being able to operate across a wide spectrum in real time
- generating methods or data analysis techniques to provide an understanding of the RF environment, which can be used to inform tactical decisions; for instance, the ability to identify abnormal changes in the environment
Challenge 2
Approaches to permanently or temporarily disable commercial communications links and/or the electronics within a Remote Controlled Explosive Device. Examples include techniques that:
- disable communications links to prevent a trigger signal being received. Examples of communication links of interest include those used by push-to-talk radios, wireless doorbells, cellular devices, Wi-Fi and any other readily available communication devices. This may include approaches against the RF signal or the wireless transceivers themselves
- disable multiple communication types simultaneously across a wide spectrum, preventing devices from switching to alternative RF bearers that they may have access to
- disable the electronics within a Remote Controlled Explosive Device, preventing its detonation. Examples include RF techniques to affect the operation of microcontrollers or cause permanent damage
Challenge 3
New or novel hardware and ancillaries (system components), which may include but is not limited to:
- novel antenna concepts to improve performance and lower the RF and visual signature of the service person or vehicle with respect to the ECM system and its ancillaries
- advancements in hardware design, such as tuneable filters, efficient ultra-wide band amplifier designs
- optimisations in size, weight, or power, or efficiency optimisations in wideband RF signal generation technologies (in the order of several GHz)
- novel signal and data processing hardware technologies and techniques, that offer advancements in efficiency, parallelism or dynamic configurability
Read the full competition document to learn more about the challenge areas.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is now available.
FAQ: Countering IEDs by Novel Technology and Techniques (PDF, 391 KB, 4 pages)
Submit a proposal
If you have a solution or technology that may help us discover better ways of countering IEDs and protect service personal and the public, DASA would like to hear from you. Read the full competition document to submit a proposal.
Submit a proposal: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-and-security-accelerator-dasa-open-call-for-innovation/open-call-innovation-focus-areas#IFA034 (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
01 June 22. Team Tempest prepares for ’10-year challenge’ to deliver capability in 2035. The UK industry and Ministry of Defence (MoD) partnership responsible for delivering the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) – of which the Tempest future fighter is a part – is preparing for a critical phase of the programme, with a senior official describing the task as “a 10-year challenge”. Speaking to Janes and other defence media at BAE Systems’ Warton site in late May, John Stocker, Business Development director FCAS, said that with the programme having progressed well since being officially launched at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2018, Team Tempest is preparing for the Outline Business Case 2 key gate to be signed off in 2024, ahead of the Full Business Case following in 2025 to take the programme through to entry into service in 2035. (Source: Janes)
EUROPE
06 June 22. Turkish return to the Western procurement system?
After the controversial, multibillion-dollar purchase of a Russian-made missile defense system, the Turkish government appears to be taking advantage of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine to force a return to the Western procurement system.
“Turkey is a NATO ally and will remain one. The war between our two partners Russia and Ukraine has created a new understanding in favor of strengthening procurement ties with our NATO allies,” a presidential aide told Defense News, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss Ankara’s diplomatic tightrope walk.
The war has once again put Turkey in a pivotal broker position within NATO. Ankara has cultivated ties with both Russia and Ukraine that officials hope will provide dividends in future negotiations. Turkey’s approval is also needed to advance Sweden’s and Finland’s respective NATO membership applications, which grew out of their fear that Russia would work to permanently isolate them from the alliance.
But there is some history to overcome.
In 2020, Turkey paid $2.5bn for the Russian S-400 air defense system. But fearing further isolation and sanctions from its allies, Turkey decided against making the system operational. In response to the acquisition, the U.S. suspended Turkey’s membership in the multinational consortium that builds the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet. Turkey’s down payment of $1.5bn for a first batch of the stealth aircraft, which Ankara never received, remains to be reimbursed.
In March of this year, a senior Turkish diplomat who deals with NATO and security affairs told Defense News that the Russo-Ukrainian war has practically killed all potential Turkish-Russian deals related to strategic weapon systems.
With Russia off the table as a military supplier, Turkish leaders are back to surveying the Western market.
A senior Turkish procurement official said earlier this spring that the Eurofighter Typhoon is one option, involving the sale of about 80 aircraft — a purchase that would give Turkish industry an edge as it builds the country’s indigenous fighter jet in the making, the TF-X.
The Typhoon was originally designed as an air superiority fighter. It is manufactured by a consortium made up of Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo, which conducts the majority of the aircraft project through a joint holding company, Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH. The NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, representing the U.K., Germany, Italy and Spain, manages the project and is the prime customer.
Turkey also has moved to acquire 40 F-16 Block 70 aircraft and upgrade kits for its 80 older F-16s. The Turkish request went to Congress in April. Earlier in May, the Biden administration asked the House of Representatives to approve the upgrade of Turkey’s F-16 fighter jet fleet. A potential deal may include high-tech missiles, radar systems and electronic warfare suites for the planes.
In addition, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed hope in March that the trilateral talks between Turkey, France and Italy to co-produce the European air and anti-missile defense system SAMP/T, built by Eurosam, would resume after the French elections in April. In similar optimism, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said in late March that Italy and France were thinking “more seriously” now on co-producing the SAMP/T systems in Turkey.
Meanwhile, Britain took steps to ease Turkey’s return to the Western procurement system. Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Faruk Kaymakcı said in February that Britain had lifted a ban on arms sales to Turkey, imposed after a unilateral Turkish offensive in northern Syria in 2019. The ease in trade restrictions was kept secret from the public, and some observers say Canada might follow suit.
But most Western restrictions remain in effect. For instance, the Czech Republic, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden imposed full arms embargoes on Turkey since 2019 over its military interventions in Syria. France has placed restrictions on an array of defense and aviation subsystems, and Italy has barred the sale of certain products. Germany has suspended plans to sell engines to power the Altay, Turkey’s first indigenous main battle tank in the making.
“Turkey’s careful balancing act between its NATO allies and Russia has generally been recognized in the West, sometimes with much praise. How Turkey will maneuver between clashing Western and Russian interests in the near future will shape Western appetite for Turkey’s return to their procurement system,” said Ozgur Eksi, a defense analyst in Ankara.
Some Western diplomats think Erdoğan may try to use Turkey’s veto power in NATO for a reset in procurement ties with the West. He said May 13 that his country is “not favorable” toward Finland and Sweden joining the alliance, indicating Turkey could use its membership to veto moves to admit the two countries. The issue was unresolved at press time.
“The Turks appear to be preparing for a tough bargaining process, which may include the transfer of certain weapons system,” said a U.S. diplomat in Ankara.
Russia’s aggression in Ukraine prompted Finland and Sweden to reconsider their traditions of military nonalignment.
Eksi said that because of the war in Ukraine, Turkey would unlikely consider touching major arms deal with Russia that were previously on the table. “That includes any Turkish intention to buy the Russian-made Su-35 or Su-57 aircraft,” he said.
Erdoğan has previously said Turkey was interested in buying the Russian-made fighter jets. (Source: Defense News)
03 June 22. More F-35 Fighters on Dutch Defense Shopping List. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has brought the defense of Europe sharply into focus, and many NATO nations are significantly increasing their defense expenditure as a result. The Netherlands is one of them and has committed an additional €5 bn per year to the military budget, representing an increase of around 40 percent. The future spending plans are laid out in a white paper—“A Stronger Netherlands, A Safer Europe: Investing in a Robust NATO and EU”—that was introduced by defense minister Kajsa Ollongren on June 1.
For the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, royal air force) the main element is the purchase of six more Lockheed Martin F-35As, raising the total number to 52. This will permit the creation of a third full squadron to join the current 313 Squadron at Volkel and 322 Squadron at Leeuwarden. The white paper also notes that “the entire F-35 fleet will be expanded with modern long-range and precision weapons” and that the future use of unmanned fighters is being examined. Long-range engagement and suppression of enemy air defenses are regarded as important aspects of future KLu operations.
The number of General Atomics MQ-9A Reapers will also be doubled to eight to increase maritime and overland intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance (ISR) capacity. The Reapers will also be armed in the future, with that program to enter the parliamentary approval process next year.
For the Eindhoven-based transport fleet, it is planned to replace the four current C-130H/H-30s of 336 Squadron with C-130Js and to add one more aircraft. The single Gulfstream IV used by 334 Squadron for VIP transport is also to be replaced this year. A series of block upgrades is planned for the AH-64 and CH-47 helicopter fleets during the remainder of the decade.
The Defence Helicopter Command’s single squadron of Airbus AS532 Cougars is to be upgraded and modified for the special forces support mission, in line with the re-roling of a battalion of the army’s airmobile brigade into a special operations unit. The Cougars are ultimately to be replaced by a new medium utility helicopter, with that process due to get underway next year. The NH90 helicopter is also due for replacement around the end of the decade, with a requirement slated for issue in 2027. (Source: glstrade.com/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news)
06 June 22. Irish Air Corps could buy second-hand fighters from other European air forces, jet manufacturer says. The government is set to announce its implementation plan for the Irish Defence Forces in the coming weeks. A leading US jet fighter manufacturer has said the Irish Air Corps could buy or lease second-hand aircraft from other European air forces which are now adopting the more modern stealth variants.
In a presentation to a defence summit organised by non-profit policy group Slándáil in Dublin this week, JR Wildridge of Lockheed Martin suggested that Ireland could alternatively get new fighters from his company – including the F16 or the cheaper South Korean manufactured FA-50 jet.
Earlier this year the Commission on the Defence Forces set out a series of recommendations around the Irish Air Corps. In the most ambitious set of suggestions it said that Ireland would get 12 fighter jets to police Irish airspace.
In the coming weeks the government is set to announce its implementation plan for the Irish Defence Forces.
In its findings the Commission noted flights of Russian bombers in particular, which have been conducting so-called training missions down the West coast.
This has been declared a significant danger to civilian aircraft, but the Commission found it also causes significant economic disruption as a result of delayed or diverted flights.
To counter this the Commission recommended the immediate development of primary radar. At present Ireland does not have equipment to detect and monitor every aircraft travelling overhead.
The capability of fighter jets to intercept incoming rogue aircraft was also mentioned in the report. It would be a costly endeavour and take more than a decade to get a squadron to the point of readiness, but this is seen as a critical aspiration.
There is also a recommendation that these fast jets would be in a squadron of up to 12 aircraft.
In his presentation Wildridge made the case for the Irish Air Corps to use the T-50 South Korean aircraft and said this could be done in a cost effective manner.
Wildridge spoke of the first option being the purchase of F-16 fighters, the second was to avail of the cheaper jet trainer FA-50 from South Korea. Both of these aircraft could be purchased from Lockheed, he said.
The third option is to take second hand aircraft from various air forces now moving to the more modern F-35.
“This process of moving these aircraft from one operator to another one is called a third party transfer and it’s going on right now for us to meet the needs other countries with similar needs to Ireland,” he said.
Defence sources believe that if Government are to address the airspace policing shortfall within a decade the most viable option is the “lead in fighter trainer aircraft” – that would be found in the FA-50 Korean built jets.
A security source believes that a squadron of jets could be cheaper than the purchase of a naval vessel.
“T-50 training aircraft or the fully armed FA-50 is €30 m each. Ireland could have a squadron for less than the price of our next naval ship which is costing €300m.
“Any deal would be spread out over a number of years and paid in increments. The current PC-9 must be replaced by 2025 onwards and the T-50 is a leading contender to be the Air Corps next training aircraft. (Source: News Now/https://www.thejournal.ie/)
USA
06 Jun 22. Pentagon calls for new ideas in ‘third wave’ of AI evolution. A new artificial intelligence program attempts to streamline machine learning algorithms to make better warfighting decisions.
A key research and development agency within the Department of Defense is accepting new contract proposals specifically focused on advancing algorithmic processing within Defense’s artificial intelligence projects.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is formally soliciting contracts for its new Enabling Confidence program, a subsect within its Artificial Intelligence Exploration initiative. The AIE focuses on what DARPA defines as its “third wave” of artificial intelligence research, which includes AI theory and application research that examines limitations with rule and statistical learning theories belying AI technologies.
“The pace of discovery in AI science and technology is accelerating worldwide,” the program announcement says. “AIE will enable DARPA to fund pioneering AI research to discover new areas where R&D programs awarded through this new approach may be able to advance the state of the art.”
The AIE’s goal is to invest in “high-risk, high-reward” artificial intelligence topics that will ideally lead to quick prototype development. Technologies fostered within the AIE will primarily be related to Defense’s national security initiatives.
Bryan Jacobs, program manager for the AIE’s Enabling Confidence unit at DARPA, told Nextgov that the AIE program is focused on implementing machine learning algorithms into data processing chains that can compute both accuracy and uncertainty in their output results.
“The problem is that machine learning algorithms do not currently fit well into the modern statistical processing paradigm. Producing an accurate statistical model describing the uncertainty in the results of a machine learning algorithm, for example a deep neural network, is a computationally intensive process,” Jacobs said. “DARPA’s Enabling Confidence aims to find ways to overcome this hurdle so that AI can be fully integrated into statistical processing chains.”
He added that the EC’s focus within the AIE initiative is enabling new technologies that will refine the uncertainty estimates generated by these algorithms, to make better warfighting decisions, such as plotting the trajectory for an incoming fighter jet using data from several sensors or RADARs.
“Accurately estimating, predicting, and extrapolating information from multiple combined sensors and subsystems are all key to advancing AI performance—and in deriving and delivering reliable, actionable intelligence for military operations,” Jacobs said.
The total award value for the combined Phase 1 feasibility study and Phase 2 proof of concept option is capped at $1,000,000. (Source: Defense Systems)
REST OF THE WORLD
09 June 22. Dutton backs Virginia Class, touts off-the-shelf option.
The federal opposition leader has shed light on his preferred pathway for Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine program. Former defence minister Peter Dutton has thrown his support behind the acquisition of US-designed Virginia Class submarines for the Royal Australian Navy under the AUKUS agreement.
According to Dutton, the Virginia Class submarine — currently under consideration by the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force, along with the UK’s Astute Class platforms — became the “obvious” choice.
The federal opposition leader made particular note of the platform’s capability benefits.
“It is capable of launching missiles vertically, and is a mature design,” he wrote in a piece published by The Australian.
Unlike the UK’s Astute Class, he added, construction of the Virginia Class would involve fewer modifications.
“The British option would have involved a new design, which is problematic in any ship build because time and cost blowouts and design faults are inevitable,” he observed.
Notably, Dutton touted the possibility of an off-the-shelf purchase of two Virginia Class submarines before 2030.
“I believed it possible to negotiate with the Americans to acquire, say, the first two submarines off the production line out of Connecticut,” he wrote.
“This wouldn’t mean waiting until 2038 for the first submarine to be built here in Australia.
“We would have our first two subs this decade. I had formed a judgment that the Americans would have facilitated exactly that.”
The two initial submarines would be in addition to a further eight vessels built in South Australia, taking the total size of the prospective RAN fleet to 10.
To appease the British, Dutton suggested the government could have considered expanding BAE Systems’ Hunter Class frigate program or exploring other work opportunities for British contractors.
The opposition leader went on to criticise what he has described as “alarming” comments from newly appointed defence minister Richard Marles, who recently said he is “open” to the possibility of developing a “son” of Collins platform to fill the interim capability gap.
Minister Marles told the ABC addressing the capability gap is his “number one priority”.
“…It’s important to state upfront that there is no more important platform that Australia has in terms of shaping its strategic circumstances than having a capable long-range submarine,” the Minister said.
“It’s why making sure that we have the successor to Collins in place as quickly as possible in a form which is highly capable is critically important.”
Minister Marles said the 2040s delivery timeline for the nuclear-powered submarines is “too far away”.
“I feel confident that within that period we can make substantive decisions which advance the whole question of where we go with submarines, how we get our capability sooner and how we deal with the capability gap,” he added.
But according to Dutton, a diesel-electric platform delivered in the 2030s would be redundant, given China’s progress in the undersea warfare space.
“It is unfeasible because [Minister Marles] wouldn’t have the new class of subs (with old diesel-electric systems) in the water before the Chinese have the technology making them easily detectable and inoperable,” he wrote.
“And as defence leaders here and in the US strongly advised me, Australia doesn’t have the construction workforce, let alone the crew capability, to run three classes of submarines.”
10 June 22. India announces planned acquisition of Next-Generation Corvettes. The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has greenlit a proposal to acquire an undisclosed number of Next-Generation Corvettes (NGC) for the Indian Navy worth up to US$4.6 bn.
The MoD said on 6 June that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had awarded ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ (AoN) status for the NGC programme, which will be headed by a local shipbuilder. Without providing specifics, the MoD further noted that the NGCs will be based on a “new in-house design” and will be capable of performing multiple missions including surveillance, escort, deterrence, surface and underwater warfare, and coastal defence. Local media reported that the Indian Navy plans to acquire eight NGCs, although an earlier request for information (RfI) released in 2016 indicated a buy of up to seven 120 metre-long vessels with a total crew complement of around 158 personnel and a maximum cruising range of at least 4,000 nautical miles. The NGCs are also expected to be equipped with a wide range of weapons and sensor systems, including a main gun in a stealth cupola, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), lightweight torpedoes, an active towed sonar array, as well as a hull-mounted sonar. The vessels will also be able to support a naval helicopter. The Indian Navy is understood to operate around 20 corvette-class vessels, although many of these are approaching the end of their operational lifespans. The service is looking to recapitalise this necessary capability, with Cochin Shipyard earlier in February 2021 awarded a US$1.3 bilion contract to supply six corvette-sized Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs).
Although the MoD has yet to select the prime contractor for the NGC programme, several state-owned shipyards such as Cochin Shipyard, Garden Reach Shipbuilding and Engineering (GRSE), Goa Shipyard, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders are likely candidates given their past experience in building corvette-class vessels for the Indian Navy. (Source: AMR)
08 June 22. DMTC calls for EoIs in Medical Countermeasures.
Melbourne-based DMTC Limited is seeking Expressions of Interest for collaborative project proposals focused on Medical Countermeasures (MCM). The call for EoIs is being issued by Health Security Systems Australia (HSSA), a division of DMTC Limited which aims to build sovereign industrial and research capability in line with Australia’s health security priorities and is working closely with DST Group’s Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF)
Submissions close at midnight on 30 June 2022. An online information webinar with a Q&A will be held at 1200 AEST on Thursday 9 June.
DMTC has named three priority themes:
- Anti-infective therapeutics, including against antimicrobial resistance
- Vaccine products or platform technologies for infectious disease threats
- Medical Countermeasures against chemical threats
Proposed projects need at least one academic research partner and at least one one industrial partner. The organisers do not engage with prospective respondents on an individual basis. However, potential respondents can submit any questions relating to the EOI to at any time. Questions received prior to 9 June will be addressed at the ‘Collaborative Project Proposals in Medical Countermeasures’ Webinar on 9 June.
The webinar will be recorded and made available on the MCM EoI web page. For further information and to register go to DMTC’s EoI web page. (Source: Rumour Control)
06 June 22. US Navy details ‘exportable variant’ CH-53K for Israel. The US Navy (USN) has detailed the ‘exportable variant’ of the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter that was announced for Israel, telling Janes on 6 June that it is to feature newly developed systems and sensors. Responding to a request for information on the ‘exportable variant’ of the CH-53K first revealed by the US Department of Defense (DoD) in a contract notification posted on 20 May, the USN said that while the baseline aircraft will retain the same configuration as that fielded by the US Marine Corps (USMC), country-specific equipment will be developed for export customers on a case-by-case basis.
“The domestic basic CH-53K aircraft, [with its] three T408 engines, are common with any CH-53K export,” a USN spokesperson told Janes. “The avionics, communication gear, and sensor systems would all be developed, negotiated, and exported on a case-by-case basis,” he added. (Source: Janes)
06 June 22. French Dassault vs US Boeing — Mega fighter deal for IAF & Indian Navy could be split. Instead of acquiring 114 fighters in one go as planned earlier, govt looking at going in for an initial order of 54 aircraft for IAF. Navy looking at buying 26.
The Narendra Modi government is looking at splitting the mega deal for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) into two separate orders, even as the Navy pursues its own fighter aircraft acquisition programme, ThePrint has learnt.
Sources in the Indian defence and security establishment said that instead of acquiring 114 fighters in one go, as was planned earlier, the government is looking at going in for an initial order of 54 aircraft for the IAF.
This would involve 18 fighters being bought off-the-shelf from the foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and 36 being built in India through a joint venture under Make In India.
This would be an order that will be placed with the foreign OEM directly.
Asked what happens to the subsequent need for the IAF, the sources said that a follow-on order will be placed to the joint venture and this deal would be in Indian currency.
While sources refused to speculate on whether there would be a global tender that will be issued, the main players for the IAF deal will be American firm Boeing, and Dassault Aviation of France.
‘IAF happy with Rafale jets’
India has already bought 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation and has set up two bases with two separate simulators for training.
In France, each base can cater to 72 aircraft and hence India going in for two separate bases for just 36 came as a surprise and an indicator that more Rafale jets could be bought.
Boeing, which is keen to bag the mega deal, will decide on what to offer to the IAF — F/A 18 Super Hornet Block 3 or F-15 EX — depending on what the final technical requirements are.
In the past, both companies have said in private conversation that any plans to start off a production line in India will depend on the number of aircraft ordered for.
Dassault Aviation had gone on record saying that to start a production line in India, a minimum order for 100 fighters was needed.
However, it is not yet known what the number of follow-on orders will be once the order for 54 is completed.
The IAF is banking on the MRFA along with the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk 1A and the future-generation indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Sources have indicated that the IAF is happy with the Rafale jets and would be content if more of the same are bought, which will be a government decision.
Any future purchase of Rafale aircraft will work out to be cheaper than the 36 already bought.
This is because a large component of the €1,700 m paid for India-Specific Enhancements in Rafale will come down as the majority of the cost was for research and development, modification and certification.
The cost of setting up the base and training will also come down since India had paid for setting up two bases for just 36 aircraft. These bases can easily accommodate more squadrons of Rafale without additional cost.
Also, future Rafale fighter jets will come with no offsets under the new policy of the government, thereby bringing down the cost further.
The Rafale is the 7th addition to the types of fighters that the IAF has — a feat unique to the force in comparison to major air forces in the world.
Navy set to pursue own deal for fighters
It is also learnt that the Navy is looking at procuring fighters for its aircraft carrier on its own rather than tagging along with the IAF.
Earlier, in 2020, then Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh had said the force was trying to work with the IAF for a possible joint procurement.
The Navy, which had an original plan to buy 57 fighters, is now looking at buying 26.
For the naval contract, too, the competition is between Boeing and Dassault Aviation.
Two Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets, on lease from the US Navy, are showcasing their ski-jump from the shore-based test facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa in Goa to project their capabilities to operate from Indian aircraft carriers.
This was done after Dassault Aviation conducted a similar demonstration.
Sources said that all the 26 aircraft will be bought off the shelf. However, given that India will be operating two aircraft carriers by August this year and has faced multiple issues with the existing MiG-29K, the Navy is likely to add more new fighters in the coming years.
If the Navy decides to go in for its own procurement process rather than aligning with the IAF, then the advantage is with Boeing.
This is because its single-seater and twin-seater are both capable of operating from the aircraft carrier, unlike Rafale M, whose twin-seater operates from the shore.
Another aspect that Boeing is pushing for is interoperability. The US firm says the Super Hornets are compatible with systems and platforms that the Indian Navy already operates or has acquired — MH-60 Romeo anti-submarine helicopters, and P-8I Poseidon long-range maritime aircraft.
The aircraft, which can carry more anti-ship missiles than the Rafale M, will become more potent with all assets talking to each other and giving a holistic view of the zone of operations, Boeing has said. (Source: News Now/https://theprint.in/defence)
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