The leadership of the Indian Navy is dissatisfied with the Russian carrier-based MiG-29K fighters used on the only Indian aircraft carrier, the Vikramaditya. According to Indian officials, fighter jets break down too often, and each landing on the deck requires a subsequent service, according to Defense News.

The whole point is that Maintenance aircraft was not included in the supply contract concluded with Russia in 2004-2010. And now the Indian military believes that carrier-based fighters are not "durable" enough. Since 2010, according to the Indian military, 40 aircraft engines have been replaced due to defects, and this is 62 percent of the total.

Currently Naval Forces India was informed about the preparation of a new tender for the supply of 57 multi-purpose carrier-based aircraft. The tender has not yet been officially announced, but global manufacturers have already shown their interest in participating in it. These are the American Boeing F / A-18E / F SuperHornet, the French Dassault Rafale M, the Swedish Saab in the marine version of the Gripen and the Russian MiG-29K.

It is worth noting two features of the information received from India. India is a country with a traditionally poor maintenance culture and a world leader in lost aircraft. At the same time, maintenance and piloting errors are the main reason for this a large number aviation accidents and disasters. In addition, the love of Indian officials before the next tender is known to "bring down the price" and speak negatively about the equipment already delivered, expecting a better offer.

Representative of RAC MiG JSC Anastasia Kravchenko said that the published information about allegedly identified serious problems during the operation of MiG-29K/KUB aircraft of the Indian Navy is not true.

Neither we nor our partners have received statements about problems with the operation of Russian MiG aircraft. It is especially strange to see this information after the successful completion of the Malabar-2017 naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal, in which the MiG-29K / KUB, operated from the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier, showed good results. In addition, it should be noted that the aircraft carriers of the Vikramaditya and Vikrant projects are intended for basing Russian aviation equipment, incl. MiG-29K/KUB. All aircraft equipment of the ship, radar and other deck systems Russian production can be used exclusively for the MiG family of aircraft, she said.

As for the replacement of aircraft, this will entail the re-equipment of ships with the complete replacement of all take-off and landing systems, which will require significant time and financial costs. At the same time, during the revision period, the ships will not be operated.

According to representatives of MiG, the real level of awareness of the Indian media source about state of the art Indian Navy: "Let us remind you that the implementation of the contract for the supply of MiG-29K/KUB fighters to the Indian Navy ended last year and all aircraft were accepted by the Ministry of Defense of this country."

Market transport aviation India was practically lost to Russian Federation. The Indian edition of The Calcutta Telegraph reports the first C-17 aircraft manufactured by the American company Boeing arrived for the Air Force of this country. Over the course of 10 years, US-made vehicles should completely replace the Russian Il-76. Last year, our country lost tenders for the supply of Il-78 aircraft and Mi-26 helicopters.

Until recently, India has remained a reliable partner of Russia in the field of arms purchases. Indians paid billions of dollars to our country for military equipment. But in November last year, the Russian Federation lost a tender for the supply of 15 Mi-26 helicopters. They should be replaced by the American CH-47 Chinook from Boeing. Instead of buying six Il-78 tanker aircraft, the Indians preferred to purchase an Airbus A330. total amount damage to our country is estimated at over a billion dollars.

The loss of the Indian market may have a negative impact on Russia's military contracts with other countries. It is quite possible that some states may wonder about the advisability of buying our equipment, even if its longtime buyer decided to change the supplier.

According to the Indian press, the refusal of Russian cars was caused by their technical specifications. Although they are cheaper than Western models, they are more expensive to maintain. As he says Doctor of Military Sciences, General of the Army and former Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force of the USSR and Russia Pyotr Deinekin, the reliability of our equipment is beyond doubt:

— Our aviation technology in terms of reliability it is not inferior to foreign models. This also applies to Il-76 and Il-78 aircraft, and Mi-26 helicopters. In any case, their after-sales service should not be more expensive than the maintenance of American cars. Perhaps we are lagging behind in the efficiency of eliminating defects, which are always inevitable.

But the American dreamliner did not show itself with better side. It hurt many companies that bought it. Yes, they promptly eliminate defects revealed during the development of machines. But they also go a certain way before they reach the required reliability parameters.

Perhaps now the Indian side, with which we have long established a good relationship in the field of aviation, offered not the most best model. The IL-76 has a good modification with excellent economical PS-90 engines, with an elongated fuselage, with modern means navigation. So economic reasons possible.

But I have not seen machines more reliable than those manufactured by Ilyushin. These are the most reliable aircraft, starting with Il-14, then Il-18, then Il-76, Il-86, Il-96. It is not for nothing that our president flies on Ilyushin's planes.

American C-17 - also common in aviation world car. But it was not the cost of after-sales service that could have caused the Indian side to refuse to buy our aircraft.

As for the Il-78 tanker, it showed itself perfectly in operation. The first vehicles entered service with us in the mid-1980s, to replace the M-4. From Il-78, our planes refueled while patrolling to the shores of America. Recently, our Tu-95 strategic airships flew non-stop according to the air watch plan for more than 42 hours. And supersonic Tu-160s flew with refueling from Il-78 for more than 22 hours. In my opinion, these are excellent indicators of the reliability of our aircraft. Another confirmation of the quality of our tankers is the Tu-160 flight to Venezuela.

Mi-26 is generally a king-helicopter. He even evacuated American heavy Chinook helicopters on an external sling. When he needed to be evacuated after a breakdown, not a single car, not a single air crane could lift him. Only the Mi-26 coped with this task. He excels in any task.

"SP": - Perhaps foreign cars are more modern than ours?

- The concept of "old" for aircraft does not exist. The main criterion for an airship is its suitability for flight operation. For example, the Americans are still successfully using the B-52 aircraft, which is already about 50 years old. They just give him new navigation and other equipment. As for the S-17, it is the same age as our Il-76. The A-330 converted into a tanker may be younger than our Il-78, but our aircraft has proven its reliability over decades of operation. This is a good tanker and transport.

So the reason for the refusal of the Indians is not reliability. We took part in the air show on different continents. Our machines have shown high reliability, making flights over very long distances, have proven themselves well in climatic zones from our harsh winters to the hot tropics of South Africa, Malaysia and Chile. I only sympathize with the Indians who are abandoning their historical partners.

Director of the Center for Geopolitical Expertise Valery Korovin the real reason for India's rejection of our aircraft sees in the weakness of Russia on international arena:

- When choosing priorities for the supply of very complex machines, like airplanes and helicopters, the system of relations between countries and the priorities in geopolitics that this or that state chooses play a role. Over the past two decades, Russia has withdrawn from the world stage and taken a position of absolute indifference and neutrality in relation to what is happening on the planet. Even those miserable attempts that are made in relation to hot spots have a touch of indifference. Our statesmen as if they are saying: “Yes, of course, we are against it, but, by and large, we don’t care.” Russia has no ideological development model and, as a result, no geopolitical strategy.

Russia has ceased to present itself as a Eurasian power, as it did Soviet Union. The Russian Federation has come to terms with the role of a regional power, which still needs to be fought for.

We don't have a strategy, so we can't promise anything to anyone. After all, we ourselves do not know what we want and where we are moving. And this state of uncertainty does not suit states like India at all.

This country was part of the Non-Aligned Movement, but was more sympathetic to the USSR. She was not guided by the Soviet bloc because of our rabid atheism. Now the problem of denial of religion is removed in modern Russia, but we still cannot be guided due to the lack of geopolitical priorities. Since we offer nothing to the countries of the world on a global level, then the Indian side has no choice but to agree to American cars and patiently wait for Russia to regain consciousness and set clear guidelines for its allies.

"SP": - To promote its interests in India, Russia lacks only the political will, or do we not have the resources either?

- When we talk about promoting geopolitical interests, then resources are not needed. It's about about ideological priorities, about creating a cultural and civilizational code together with our neighbors. Our people and the peoples of neighboring countries are waiting for the Russian leadership to formulate the geopolitical concept of the Russian Federation as a Eurasian power. Because of its size, Russia will not be able to become nation state. Although Western strategists advise us to dismember the country and enter Europe bit by bit. Some of our politicians are of the same opinion. But at least there is some certainty. Now we are hovering over the abyss between the two edges: our legs are numb, we have no strength to hold on. But we cannot choose one way or another. And looking at such a stretched state, the Indians are not inspired. With a wave of their hand at us, they begin to buy American planes and helicopters.

Photo: Maxim Bryansky/Kommersant

Information about the practically formalized decision of the Indian Ministry of Defense to abandon the joint project with Russia for the development and production of a fifth generation fighter. The titles of the articles make it clear that the reason for the refusal is Russia's technological backwardness.

As happens in such cases, for each audience in this news message there is a zest that creates desired effect perception. For the Western audience, this is a demonstration of superiority over the "aggressive" but backward Russia.

For the Russian public, which is primarily skeptical of the authorities, this is another reason to declare the failure of the current leaders of the state. For their opponents from the pro-presidential camp and conservative, nationally oriented forces, this is a significant blow to their pride.

In addition, there are also citizens of other countries cooperating or considering cooperation with Russia in the military-technical sphere. For them, the message is clear. If such a major importer of weapons as India considered the developments of the leading aircraft manufacturers of Russia unpromising, then what can we say about these and other less technologically advanced and, judging by the conclusions of journalists, unconditionally outdated weapons with the "Made in Russia" label?

Of course, one cannot but admit that in a number of technological areas, including in the military-industrial complex, Russia is experiencing certain difficulties. This open secret is not particularly hushed up even on highest level Russian leadership.

However, the categorical nature of such news suggests a somewhat different background than simply informing about the failure of a military contract.

Is there something wrong

Initially, this news appeared on October 21 on the pages of the American edition of Defense News. The article reports that the command of the Indian Air Force expressed claims to the country's Ministry of Defense regarding the prospects for joint development of a fifth-generation fighter with Russia.

According to an unnamed Defense News source, the Indian military believes that the FGFA project is obviously inferior American aircraft F-35. In particular, claims are made to the engine design, low performance of stealth technologies and non-optimal aircraft profile.

Based on this negative assessment, Air Force representatives allegedly recommend that the Indian leadership withdraw from the joint project with Russia.

Now let's look at the situation more broadly.

First, Western, Indian and Russian media, who published this news, refer exclusively to Defense News. References to any other sources, and even more so to the official Indian authorities, are not given.

Secondly, the American edition refers to anonymous representatives of the Indian Air Force who are dissatisfied with the Russian project. The only named person is a retired officer, and now an expert V. Thakur (Vijainder K Thakur), who just did not support the main idea of ​​the article, but, on the contrary, mentioned the positive aspects of the Russian-Indian project and, in particular, the prospects for installation on future aircraft of a more advanced engine.

Thirdly, the opinion of the head of the Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Suvarna Raju (T. Suvarna Raju), stated on the pages of another publication - the Indian Business Standard, remained unnoticed. HAL is the main partner of the Indian side and sees the development of the new fighter as an excellent opportunity for India to get the most modern technological solutions in the production of military aircraft.

Look for who benefits

In order to dispel the emerging doubts about the correspondence of the information presented by Defense News to the real situation, we turn to earlier reports of the same publication on this topic.

On August 9 of this year, that is, just two months ago, Defense News published an article indicating that India was inclined to continue a joint project with Russia to develop a fifth-generation fighter. The material cited the words of the Indian military and experts supporting the development of the FGFA.

By the way, among them was the already mentioned V. Takur.

The double interpretation of the Indian position is difficult to admit,

because the material contained a direct quote official representative Ministry of Defense of India, said that a special committee led by retired Indian Air Force Marshal Simhakutty Varthaman (Simhakutty Varthaman) recommended MoD to continue the project.

And after such a short time, it turned out that the opinion of the Indian military has completely changed. Given that Indian authorities are notorious for being slow to make big decisions, it's hard to imagine that the fate of a multi-billion dollar project is changing so quickly.

So what could be the reason for the appearance of such material? I dare to suggest that the reason for the current excitement around Russian-Indian cooperation in the aviation sector is not related to the real disagreements between the partners, which, it is worth recognizing, have taken place throughout the 10 years of the FGFA project. The real reason in a different.

This is a banal competitive struggle for one of the largest arms importers.

Similar attempts to discredit Russia by the United States are observed more and more often. If in Europe Washington focuses on “protecting” the European market from energy, gas dependence on Moscow, and under the guise of promoting its shale gas, in India, in addition to energy supplies (where the United States also wants to wedge), the goal is to crush the multi-billion dollar arms market .

And, I must say, in the past few years, the Americans have greatly succeeded in this. They already occupy the second place in the supply of arms to India.

But there are even bigger contracts at stake. For example, discussions are under way on the supply of American MQ-9 Reaper (or Predator B) drones for more than $ 2 billion, and behind them, perhaps more powerful Predator C Avenger already for $ 8 billion.

After the recent significant reduction in the contract for the supply of French Rafale fighters to India, the fight for a potential contract for the supply of about 100 aircraft has again flared up in earnest. In addition to the French, Swedes, Russians and Americans are also active.

One of the main requirements of the Indian side to the future suppliers of fighters is the transfer of production technologies.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" program is forcing foreign manufacturers to share secrets.

In this regard, it is Russia that has a certain advantage, because T-90 tanks are already being produced in India and the assembly of Ka-226T helicopters has begun.

America decided to respond symmetrically.

First Obama, and now Trump, are pushing Lockheed Martin's F-16s and Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to the Indians. Moreover, the F-16 should push the Russian MiG and Su on the ground, and the Super Hornet should become the main carrier-based aircraft for the future Indian aircraft carrier, the construction project of which is being discussed in the Indian leadership.

We must pay tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit of overseas manufacturers. To please the Indian prime minister and fit into the technology transfer program, the Americans are proposing to completely transfer one of the F-16 production plants to India.

True, they do not focus much attention on the fact that the plant worked mainly for export and after the contract for the supply of aircraft to Iraq is completed, it will be forced to reduce production. Instead of resolving the issue of loading the enterprise, its owners considered that it would be more profitable to simply sell it to India and receive considerable royalties in return.

What does FGFA have to do with it? Of course, the F-16 and F/A-18 fall short of the requirements of the fifth generation aircraft. But the US has another trump card up its sleeve. This is the F-35, actively promoted to the allies in Europe and Asia. It is clear that, despite the bombastic statements about a privileged partnership, there will be no talk of transferring this technology to India. However, the already mentioned deployment of F-16 and F / A-18 production could brighten up Indian discontent.

If the answer to the question of who benefits from such an article in Defense News becomes clear, then it’s worth considering why this is being talked about right now. But even here there are no special problems. On October 25, Secretary of State Tillerson visited Delhi.

It is clear that on the eve of his visit to create a certain negative in relation to competitors is a tempting idea. The fact that the prospects for military-technical cooperation will be discussed during the talks hardly came as a surprise to anyone.

Moreover,

The US is actively demonstrating against whom they want to be friends with India.

Tillerson's speech a few days before his Asian tour leaves no doubt that Washington wants to draw India into the anti-Chinese bloc it is building up in Asia.

Stepping on Delhi's sore spot of Indian-Chinese contradictions, Tillerson, in fact, abandoning diplomatic etiquette, openly voiced the task of the US-Indian partnership as a counter to Chinese expansion.

In this regard, along with attempts to discredit Russian weapons, one should expect an intensification of the campaign against Russia as a reliable partner of India.

The logic here is simple. Russia in last years actively approached China, and he, in turn, strengthens the alliance with Pakistan. Therefore, it is necessary to convince India that Russia is playing on the side of Delhi's two main adversaries.

And after that, how can you buy weapons and expand partnerships with such a country? In this regard, Washington is ready to offer itself as the most successful alternative, fortunately, in relations with Beijing, Moscow and Islamabad, the Americans have enough problems for India to start from the formula "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Summing up the above, we can say with confidence that before our eyes another scene is unfolding from the already familiar performance called "Promotion of American Interests" by all available means.

The appearance of an article in Defense News is not accidental and is clearly custom-made. Statement of abrupt change positions in relation to the Russian-Indian project for the development of a fifth generation fighter, most likely, is not due to the emotional hesitation of the leadership of the Indian Air Force, but with a banal order.

An indirect confirmation of this can be the fact that both articles with diametrically opposite conclusions were written by the same author, who used the same words of Indian experts, first with a plus sign, and two months later - with a minus sign.

Once again, the end justifies the means, and an artificially inflated scandal is used to win the competition. And what is it, if not an element of information warfare?