Strong contenders for Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft

Strong contenders for Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft MMRCA 2.0 Deal. Indian Air Force is trying to overcome the problems of Depleting Squadrons. It is considering many options to increase the no. of Squadrons for two side confrontations against Pakistan and China. The efforts are made to Upgrade the existing fighters and induct the new fighter into its inventories. In the coming years, the MiG 21 Bison fighter jets will be slowly phased out.

The MMRCA 2.0 deal is given importance as it will aid to increase the squadrons of Indian Air Force. It will fulfil the shortage of Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft.

The strong contenders for MMRCA 2.0 deal are:

1. Dassault Rafale

Dassault Rafale is a twin-engine multi-role fighter. India has already ordered 36 Rafale jets which will constitute two Squadrons of Indian Air Force. For the remaining orders of 114 Fighter jets, Rafale is considered as the top choice as Indian Air Force has already invested in infrastructure building and training of Pilots.

Specifications of Rafale

Speed- 1400 Kmph
Combat Range- 1850 Km
Engine- SNECMA M88 Turbofan Afterburner Engines
Weapons-
1. 30mm GIAT Cannon
2. MICA and Meteor Missile
3. Hammer and SCALP high-value Missile

2. F-18 Super Hornet

F-18 Super Hornet is a twin-engine multi-role fighter jet manufactured by Boeing. The Fighter is already in service with the US Armed Forces and is a key Fighter of US Carrier strike groups. As Indian Navy as expressed interest in MMRCA deal for Carrier-based flighters. F-18 Super Hornet is considered as one of the options.

Specifications of F-18 Super Hornet
Speed- 1900 Kmph
Combat Range- 900 Km
Engine- F414 General Electric turbofan Engines with Afterburners.
Weapons-
1. 20mm Vulcan Cannon
2. AIM-9 Sidewinder and AMRAAM 120 Missiles
3. Maverick and Harpoon Anti Ship Missile

3. Mikoyan MiG 35

MiG 35 is a twin-engine multi-role fighter jet manufactured by Mikoyan Design Bureau. Indian Air Force has vast experience of operating MiG Aircrafts from MiG 21 to MiG 29 UPG. MiG 35 advanced version of MiG 29 UPG and is considered as one of the options for the MMRCA deal

Specifications of MiG 35
Speed- 2100 Kmph
Combat Range- 1000 Km
Engine- RD-33MK turbofan Engines with Afterburners
Weapons-
1. 30 mm Gry-Shiponuv Auto Cannon
2. R-73 and R-77 Missiles
3. Kh- 21, Kh-29, Kh-31 & Kh-38 Missiles

4. Sukhoi 35 Fighter

Su-35 is a twin-engine multi-role fighter jet manufactured by Sukhoi Design Bureau. India is operating Upgraded SU 30 MKI fighters assigned as backbone Fighter of Indian Air Force. SU 35 is Upgraded and Advanced version of SU 30 MKI fighters. It is also considered as one of the contenders for MMRCA deal.

Specifications of SU 35
Speed- 2400 Kmph
Combat Range- 1600 Km
Engine- Saturn AL-41 Turbofan engines with Afterburners
Weapons-
1. 1. 30 mm Gry-Shiponuv Auto Cannon
2. R-27, R-73 and R-77 Missiles
3. Kh- 21, Kh-29, Kh-31 & Kh-38 Missiles

5. Saab Gripen JAS 39

Saab Gripen is a Single engine multi-role fighter jet manufactured by Swedish Company Saab Aerospace. The Saab Gripen JAS 39 has enormous potential in all kinds of Air Warfare. Saab Gripen is one of the strongest contenders of MMRCA deal

Specifications of Gripen JAS 39
Speed- 2400 Kmph
Combat Range- 1500 km
Engine- General Electric F414-RM16 turbofan Engine with Afterburners
Weapons-
1. 27 mm Mauser Cannon
2. AIM Sidewinder, AIM 120 AMRAAM & Mica Missiles
3. Maverick and RBS 15 Anti Ship Missile

6. Eurofighter Typhoon

Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine multi-role fighter jet manufactured by British Aerospace (BAE). It is also a delta wing configured platform and is one of the contenders for MMRCA deal.

Specifications of Eurofighter Typhoon
Speed- 2125 Kmph
Combat Range- 1400 Km
Engine- Eurojet EJ200 turbofan Engines with Afterburners
Weapons-
1. 27 mm Mauser Cannon
2. AIM Sidewinder, AIM 120 AMRAAM & Mica Missiles
3. Maverick, HARM and Brimstone Missiles

7. Boeing F-15 EX

Boeing F-15 EX is twin-engine multi-role fighter jet manufactured by Boeing Aerospace. It is known for its dogfighting skills and Air Superiority. This fighter is also a strong contender for MMRCA deal.

Specifications of F-15 EX
Speed- 1400 Kmph
Combat Range- 1200 km
Engine- Pratt and Whitney F100 Turbofan Engines with Afterburners
Weapons-
1. 20mm Vulcan Cannon
2. AIM-9 Sidewinder and AMRAAM 120 Missiles
3. Maverick and Harpoon Anti Ship Missile

8. Lockheed Martin F-21

Lockheed Martin F-21 is Upgraded version of F-16 Fighter. This single-engine multi-role is integrated with new Cockpit displays, New Electronic sensor and Refueling probe.

Also Read: HAL To Manufacture 83 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Worth Rs. 48,000 Crores

Also Read: How the Indian Air Force is overcoming the problems of Depleting Squadrons