India’s tryst with design, development and production of an indigenous combat aircraft symbolises the problems associated with the defence industry of third world countries. The initial desire to attain self-reliance in major defence programmes leads to costly development, slippage in schedule delivery, dissatisfaction among the users, and finally to the import of similar systems from advanced countries. The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the most ambitious developmental programme in the history of India’s defence R&D, continues to haunt India’s defence establishment, even nearly thirty years after the programme was sanctioned. The Indian Air Force (IAF), which is struggling with its declining combat strength, is yet to give its final operational clearance for induction of LCA. The programme cost including of an indigenous engine development has in the mean time increased from Rs 560 crore in 1983 when the LCA was sanctioned, to nearly 15,347 crore in 2011.
French helicopters in combat
Security in the Afghan capital of Kabul has seen further tightening in recent weeks coinciding with the start of a Loya Jirga – or grand council – meeting on November 16. The three-day event, involving 2,000 delegates – including some from Iran and Pakistan as well as a handful of women – has the aim of discussing issues such as the extent to which US forces should remain in Afghanistan after 2014. As usual, the Taliban have threatened to kill anyone who attends. One of the major contributors to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan is France, which has been involved since the outset in 2001. In mid-November, Defence Review Asia had the rare opportunity to spend time with the helicopter battalion ‘Mousquetaire 5’ stationed at the international base adjacent to Kabul airport. In a visit organized by Eurocopter and with the support of the French Defense Ministry, we were fully involved in helicopter activities including mission planning, security briefings, flights, maintenance activities and extensive discussions with pilots, gunners and crewmembers.
Air combat NEW DOGFIGHT OVER ASIAN FIGHTERS
During the closing weeks of 2011 the global defence spotlight for new fighter sales turned once again to the Asia Pacific region. For some considerable time, several important fighter bids have been underway and this highly competitive sales battleground has been seen by many as a potential tipping point for customer choice on new fighter procurement. Can the all-conquering F-16 family, and other rejuvenated 70s US fighters, such as the F-18 and F-15, face up to the newer generation aircraft by offering a potent mix of high capability with affordability, or is the curtain for new sales drawing down with fourth and fifth generation combat aircraft crowding in on the scene?
The importance of air power
In retrospect, the year 2011 might well be when the use of air power alone has been decisive in ending an armed conflict. The case study of course is Libya, where even more than in the case of the Balkans a decade earlier, a relatively small number of aircraft with precision-guided munitions managed in a few months to end a brutal civil war. Indeed, the initial reluctance of the United States to become involved in Libya was based on the calculation that coalition nations would need to deploy ground troops at some stage – but the opposite proved to be the case. Developments in technology are making it possible to contemplate winning conflicts with minimal loss of life.
Russian fighters
Two years have passed since Russia’s fifth generation fighter flew for the first time on January 29, 2010. Previously in Defence Review Asia we evaluated the Sukhoi PAKFA and looked into its historical background a year ago. Since then, the number of operable prototypes rose to three, with two more completed at Sukhoi’s KnAAPO plant in Komsomolsk-upon-Amur during 2011. The fourth [T-50-4] is prepared for flying in early 2012. Two more shall follow in the 2012-2013 timeframe. On November 3, 2011 the number of flights passed the 100th mark. Most of them were performed by Sukhoi test-pilot Sergei Bogdan. He has proven his skills on several occasions by safely curtailing test sorties after experiencing engine malfunctions. These took place on the eve of and then during MAKS’2011 air show in August - so far the only public event where PAKFAs showed up.
STRAIT TALK – Dr. Chong-Pin Lin, TAIWAN’S FORMER DEPUTY DEFENCE MINISTER
“The prospect of the USA coming to Taiwan’s aid has become increasingly difficult, and I think we’re now close to the point where the United States might decide not to,” warned Doctor Chong-Pin Lin, Taiwan’s deputy defence minister from 2003-04. He explained this was due to several factors, including economic interdependence between the two great powers, and China’s area access-denial capability. Cyberwarfare and China’s ability to shoot down satellites are also relevant points. “Area access denial relies on the pillar of ICBMs [intercontinental ballistic missiles]. Beijing doesn’t talk about it but Washington understands...And China has a survivable second-strike capability – undersea and other launchers that are mobile – so that it’s hard to knock them out.”
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