The Indian Air Force’s Directorate of Operations (Offensive) has formally called for information from global vendors to support the potential acquisition of lightweight all weather “standoff long-range missiles” for its fighter aircraft, with mid course guidance. The RFI does not specify range or any other parameters, though it indicates the likelihood of series modification for the integration of the missile once selected.
In a separate effort, the IAF has asked for proposals from infrastructure developers to build an integrated air to ground weapons range on 7,000 acres of land. This will be one of India’s largest strike ranges when done.
Hopefully they'll dispense with bullshit like the MTCR guidelines and solicit the JASSM, SCALP or KEPD350 ALCMs. All far longer-ranged and more powerful than the Kh-series ALCMs bought with the MiG-29K.
Do you know how many?
I find this disturbing. It seems every defence requirement can only be met by RFIs! It indicates three things.
– Lack of strategic vision as to how a battle may shape. After all these armament were primarily created on the basis of foresight and requirements of Western military. RFIs of established weapons will ensure that we are forever be at least a decade or more behind as an RFI will only come come about after a product has established itself through usage (post a number of years of development)
– Lack of ingenuity and creative application towards providing solutions for these requirements. Surely Israel with .11% population can't produce higher density of creative minds than India with 13% of world population?
– Thirdly Obfuscation of defence goals as each RFI raises a brouhaha and debate gets directed towards jingoistic (and partially phallic) debates than as to whether the optimum solution has been attained
In any way its a sad testament to our national character and ingenuity.
If we can develop ballistic missiles , i wonder what prevents us from developing these kind of missiles ??
@ Gautam
JASSM 450kg Warhead for 370km
SCALP 450Kg Warhead for 250km
KEPD350 500Kg Warhead for 500km
MTCR is for 500kg Warhead for 300km
i.e except for the KEPD350 , it is not in picture
So what are you getting @ by "Hopefully they'll dispense with bullshit like the MTCR guidelines"
In the past India has been wary of importing ANY missile that's over 300km in range quoting the MTCR. That's the reason the BrahMos is limited to 290km even with a 250kg warhead(The original Russian Yakhont can go over 350km). And why the BrahMos-2 hypersonic missile will also be limited to 300km(the Russian Navy is planning a separate version for itself with 500+km range). There are legal barriers to Russian technology transfer for anything over that limit.
@Gautam
Wouldnt the seller of technology be more @ fault if the treaty is indeed violated??? Shouldn't it be more of his concern??
That is why Russia is also hesitant. But the point is the MTCR is a BS treaty that is routinely violated by the Western countries when they sell missiles to their allies. We should not be so rigid in following it seeking US approval.
Our leaders are trying to make themselves look 'responsible' by following the terms of various treaties we aren't even part of ourselves.
Er, no Gautam, sellers are unwilling to sell products exceeding the MTCR guidelines. The usual ultra-nationalist blather against "our leaders" does not apply in this case.
@ Gautam
please…if you can tell Obama to sell us stuff beyond MTCR…go ahead…
the only reason he might is if u agree to shoot em when n where he says!!!
Then how come US has sold Tridents to UK. Do they don't come under this MTCR. Strange world!