BY : IANS

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking at inducting the first batch of the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) by 2012 to modernise its operational fleet and replace the ageing MiG-21 fighters, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said Tuesday.

'All going well I am looking at the first induction of MMRCA by 2012-13. The delivery begins 48 months after the contract is signed. Evaluation of the aircraft will take at least two-three years,' Major told reporters here at a defence function.

The defence ministry last month floated a global tender for RFP (request for proposals) to buy and co-produce 126 MMRCA from global aerospace majors such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing of the US, Saab of Sweden, MiG Design Bureau of Russia and Eurofighter consortium based in France after getting information on their respective fighter jets.

'The suppliers are given time till March 2008 to submit their bids. We will be taking another two-three years to evaluate the RFPs. Shortlisting of the aircraft and the supplier will take place after that for signing the contract,' Major said on the sidelines of a seminar on Helicopter Technology, organised by the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies & Industries (SIATI).

The cost of the advanced fighters is estimated to be about $10 billion. The contract will include licensed manufacture for 108 fighters by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and offset clauses for supplying sub-systems and components to the winning bidder by Indian aerospace firms in the public and private sectors. The selected manufacturer will have to supply 18 aircraft in flyaway condition in batches.

As part of its modernisation programme, IAF will be phasing out its MiG-21 fleet and other ageing fighter jets after inducting the MMRCA over a period of time in the next decade.

IAF is also looking forward to induct force multipliers such as Phalcon AWACS (airborne warning and control systems) by August 2008 and more IL-78 air-to-air refuellers from Russia next year to strengthen its combat potential.

On the proposed space command, the air chief said IAF was open to involving the other two services - army and navy -- for setting up a joint command instead, as the other two also use the space for their respective operations.

'The setting up of a space or joint command is a complex process and will take time. More than a dedicated military satellite, we want sensors in the sky to see how far we can go or not. The sensors will be able to identify target that may be about 5,000 km away.'

For instance, naval ships sail more than 10,000 km. 'Among the three services, maritime operations by navy require more data and information about the enemy's position on real-time basis,' Major pointed out.

Referring to the recent inter-governmental agreement with Russia for designing and developing the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), Major said such advanced jets would not only make the IAF have the latest fighting machines, but also help the Indian aerospace industry catch up with cutting-edge technology.

Admitting that the decline in the number of squadrons to 32 from the required 39-40 was a cause for concern, Major said acquisitions and modernisation would be stepped up to increase the fleet level and maintain operational preparedness.