|
The Indian Air Force has been undergoing a modernization program to replace and upgrade its aging and outdated equipment since the late 90’s to advanced standards. For that reason it has started procuring and developing aircraft, weapons, associated technologies, and infrastructures. Some of these programs date back to the late 80’s. The primary focus of current modernisation and upgrades is to replace aircraft purchased from the Soviet Union that currently form the backbone of the Air Force. ==Upgrades== The Indian Air Force began an upgrade of its MiG-29 fleet in 2007. India awarded Russia a US$865 million contract to upgrade its air superiority MiG-29 into multi role MiG-29UPG standard warplanes, on Monday 10 March 2008. According to the deal, Russia will re-arm the twin-engined MiG-29s with air-to-air missiles, and the upgraded MiGs will feature increased fuel capacity and will include latest avionics. The design is a new modification intended for the MiG-29s used by Indian Air Force. It made its maiden flight on 4 February 2011. The standard includes the new Zhuk-M radar, new avionics, an IFR probe as well as new enhanced RD-33 series 3 turbojet engines. The modernization is part of a $900 million contract to upgrade the 66 fighter fleet.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Upgradation of MIG-29 squadrons )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Russia to complete overhaul of 63 Indian fighter jets in 2013 )〕 Although not initially designed to carry strategic weapons, the Indian Air Force will receive 40 upgraded Su-30MKIs capable of carrying the BrahMos cruise missile possibly by 2020. In addition, there are also plans to integrate the nuclear-capable Nirbhay missile with the aircraft as well.〔(【引用サイトリンク】author=Douglas Barrie, Neelam Mathews )〕 In May 2010, India Today reported that Russia had won a large contract to upgrade 40 Su-30MKI fighters with new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, onboard computers, electronic warfare systems and the ability to carry the BrahMos missile. The first two prototypes with the 'Super-30' upgrade will be delivered to the Indian Air Force in 2015, after which the same upgrades will be performed on the last batch consisting of 40 production aircraft.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Fierce fighter )〕 The exact value of the contract has yet to be disclosed however.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Russia wins large contract to modernize Indian Su-30MKI fighters - media )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Russia wins large contract to modernize Indian Su-30MKI fighters - media )〕 In March 2010, India and France finalized the long delayed deal to upgrade all of India's Mirage 2000H to Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 variant with new radar systems, a new weapon suite, missiles, electronic warfare system etc.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=India inks Mirage deal, France says no to Pak )〕 French claim that the combat-proven aircraft will be upgraded to next-generation fighter level.〔 The first four to six Mirages will be upgraded in France, with the rest 50 or so being upgraded in India by Hindustan Aeronautics under transfer of technology. Under the upgrade, the entire airframe will be stripped down to be re-wired and re-equipped with new avionics, mission computers, glass cockpits, helmet-mounted displays, electronic warfare suites and weapon systems to extend and enhance the operational life of the multi-role fighters by around 20 years. The Sepecat Jaguar remains an important element of the Indian military as, along with the Mirage 2000, the Jaguar has been described as one of the few aircraft capable of performing the nuclear strike role with reasonable chances of success.〔Tellis 2001, p. 533.〕 As the aircraft aged, the avionics were viewed as lacking suitable components for the ground attack mission such as terrain-following radar, GPS navigation, and modern night-flight systems;〔Tellis 2001, p. 546.〕 consequently, several upgrades were carried out in the mid-1990s, including the addition of the Litening targeting pod. India placed an order for 17 additional upgraded Jaguar aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics in 1999 and a further 20 in 2001–2002.〔Wilson and McBride 2009, p. 68.〕 The Indian Air Force plans to upgrade up to 125 Jaguars starting in 2013 by upgrading the avionics (including multi mode radar, auto-pilot and other changes) as part of the DARIN III programme and additionally is considering fitting more powerful engines, Honeywell F125IN to improve performance, particularly at medium altitudes.〔Wilson and McBride 2009, p. 71.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Future of the Indian Air Force」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|