NEW DELHI: The government has finally given the go-ahead for the much-awaited up gradation of the MiG-21 fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Besides the “age of fleet” factor, three significant developments have forced the Government to take this decision. There has been little progress in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) China is in the process of upgrading its fleet of F7 fighters, and most other nations, strapped for funds due to the global recession, are doing the same,
The decisions is likely to see at feast 100 of the 450 MiG-21s of the IAF refurbished with new and powerful engines, modifications to the airframe and improved cockpit electronics.
Derails have to be worked out on the upgrade package, but likely to be in the pipeline is a better radar, most likely the American APG66, improved sub-systems, possibly multi mission computer and up gunning.
The Phasing out of the 450 strong MiG-21 fleet was to have begun by the end of this year, but because of the non-progress of the ICA project which was expected to produce the replacement, the air force is reconciled to the idea of upgrading the MiG-21s which have formed the backbone of the service in the last two decades.
The uplift, to be undertaken at HAL’s facilities at Bangalore and Kanpur, is likely to extend the life of the aircraft which were inducted into service in the 60’s by 1010.15 years, by which time either the air force finds the cash for suitable replacements, or this will bring smiles to the faces of the IAF top brass-the CIA team delivers. The power plant for the MiG up gradation is likely to be the General Electric F-404 which will also equip the light Combat Aircraft (LCA) prototypes. The airframe of the ageing fighter will also be strengthened, particularly the leading edges, flaps and ailerons and tailerons to make the fighters more aerodynamic, Besides the cash crunch and the MiG’s creeping old age, what seems to have stirred the Government into action seems to be China’s decision to upgrade its F7 fighter, which is based on the original MiG design.
India’s northern neighbor, which recently acquired 24 of the “sexiest” aircraft in the world, SU-27, is looking for a more powerful engine than the F-7’s Wopen for additional power, The GE-404 and the Russian Klimev Design Bureal’s MiG-29 engine are among the power plants they are looking at.
Influencing the decision is also the fact that up gradation seems to be the in-thing at the moment among the world’s air forces which are feeling the pinch of a global recession,
Also, the modernization, while providing a more lethal, faster and long-life fleet, would release money for other more urgently acquisitions, particularly an advanced jet trainer.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 9, 1992
