GJ-11 Swarming Decoys, Russian Checkmate After FGFA, 114 MRFA, AUKUS for SSNs, US Claims China has over 150 J-20 In Service

After Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) walkout, Russia has plans to lure India for Checkmate

In 2018, India walked out of the proposed development of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft based on the Russian Sukhoi-57 after having major disagreements over the Transfer of the technology and lack of access to the program to evaluate the jet independently without Russian interference.

Russia officially unveiled Checkmate at the MAKS 2021 air show in Moscow, with unusually pointy nose air intake below the cockpit in addition to “internal weapons bay” that has been touted as an export oriented low cost fifth generation fighter jet that can rival American F-35 that too at nearly half the unit cost. Vietnam and India have been identified as a potential export customers for the Checkmate that plans to complete its first flight by 2023.

Russians are relying on a unit price point of $25-30 million to attract India and other export customers.

Multi role fighter aircraft (MRFA): Indian Airforce likely to issue Request For Proposal for 114 jets

Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari after taking charge as the new chief of the Indian Air Force is looking keen in procurement of 114 fighter jets under Multi role fighter aircraft (MRFA) Tender.

Unlike the previous chief who favoured possible procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale jets by India from France, the new chief is keen in a long delayed deal for 114 new jets.

IAF had issued RFI or initial tender to acquire 114 jets at a cost of around 18 billion US Dollars in April 2019 and RFI was still at the evaluation stage after receiving offers from Lockheeds F-21, Boeings F/A 18, Dassault Aviations Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Russian aircraft MiG-35 and Saabs Gripen. Late entries were Boeing F-15EX and Sukhoi Bureau Su-35.

MRFA project will be executed under the provisions of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, the selected Manufacturer will have to comply with requirements of Transfer of technology and Make in India that would aid in our indigenous fighter aircraft development plan.

AUKUS can strengthen India’s strategic autonomy

The AUKUS strategic partnership of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States has created Scare in China as Washington prepares to part with its closely held nuclear submarine technology.

Yet, India’s reaction has been relatively reserved. India is weighing the likely impact of the AUKUS arrangement on its own nuclear submarine program and the prospect of the US helping it build a fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).

Of the four Quad countries, only the US and India have indigenous nuclear submarine programs. So far, India has concentrated on nuclear powered ballistic missile carrying submarines (SSBNs) to complete its triad of nuclear delivery platforms.

India’s nuclear submarine program is based on Russian technology. However, India’s strategic planners are keen to procure SSNs and to lessen the Indian military’s dependence on Russia.

The navy wants six SSNs. France and Russia are the only states offering nuclear propulsion. They can sell what they want, at the price they want. The US decision may have an impact on the monopolistic market for nuclear submarine technology. Even if Washington may not sell to New Delhi, the possibility that it might will strengthen India’s negotiating position with the French and the Russians.

US Sources Claim China Could Have Over 150 J-20 Stealth Fighters in Service as Production Expands — Is It Possible?

Since entry into service in March 2017, when it became the first non-US fifth generation fighter operational anywhere in the world, Chinas J20 heavyweight stealth jet has been surrounded by considerable speculation in Japan and the Western world in particular.

Estimates for the number of J-20 is in service have varied widely, and while only on the 30 of the fighters have been seen based on their serial numbers, the possibility that over 100 are in service, many of them in training units to familiarise the Air Force with complex new fifth generation technologies, has been raised for some time.

Most recently a report from Air Force Magazine speculated not only that China was increasing the scale of production for the J-20, but also that over 150 of the fighters could now be in service.

A figure of 150 J-20 stealth fighters in service, although higher than most estimates, is highly possible for a number of reasons. The F-22 saw a production run of 187 airframes excluding prototypes despite production being terminated just six years after the aircraft entered service. Assuming a similar production rate, a figure of around 150 J-20 fighters having left production lines is highly possible.

China’s Much Hyped Stealth Drone ‘Sharp Sword’ Launches Swarming Decoys At Enemy Warships In A New Viral Video

A video doing the rounds on the internet shows what appears to be a naval variant of the Chinese GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealth drone deploying decoys on a pair of surface warships.

The video begins with one of the supposed GJ-11 derivatives taking off from the deck of what appears to be a Type 075 amphibious assault ship.

The group of six decoys deployed from the unmanned aerial vehicle fly in a formation hovering near two enemy warships. A missile is fired from the enemy warship at the decoys. Eventually, the footage ends with the drones swarming and beaming some airwaves at the enemy ships.

These swarming decoy drones are observed to have an uncanny resemblance to Raytheons ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) series.