IAF presses ‘reset’ button on modernisation plans to push ‘Make in India’

印度空军重新调整现代化计划，推动“印度制造”

NEW DELHI: With the government renewing its thrust on ‘Make in India’ amidst the ongoing fund crunch, the IAF is furiously re-prioritising its modernisation plans. Much more technology-intensive and imports-dependent than the Army & Navy, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria tells Rajat Pandit that IAF’s major focus is on ‘desi’ fighters and platforms like Tejas rather than `videshi’ ones for now. Excerpts:

新德里：随着政府在资金持续短缺之际继续推进“印度制造”，印度空军正在重新调整其现代化计划的优先次序。印度空军司令巴达里亚接受采访时表示，印度空军目前主要关注的是“光辉”等本土战斗机，而非进口战斗机。以下是采访摘录:

Q: The government has capped expenditure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, while the defence budget is also likely to be slashed. How is IAF tackling the situation?

问：由于新冠肺炎疫情，印度政府已经限制了支出，国防预算也可能大幅削减。印度空军将如何应对?

A: The cap of government expenditure will affect us. But we are looking at ways to mitigate the impact by prioritising our critical requirements. We are putting measures in place to curtail our revenue budget by about 20-25%. On capital expenditure, we are looking at reorganising our plans based on actual budget availability.

答：政府限制开支会影响我们。但我们正在寻找减少影响的方法，将我们的关键需求按优先级排列。我们正在采取措施，将收入预算削减约20-25%。在资本开支方面，我们正考虑根据实际可用的预算重新安排计划。

Q: What is the delay in placing the Rs 37,000 crore order for 83 Tejas Mark-1A fighters with HAL? In the long run, how many Tejas Mark-1 and Mark-2 fighters, as also the proposed indigenous 5th-generation AMCA (advanced medium-combat aircraft), does IAF plan to induct?

问：向印度斯坦航空公司下单生产83架“光辉”Mark-1A战斗机（该订单价值3700亿卢比）一事为什么拖延了?从长远来看，印度空军计划引进多少架“光辉”Mark-1和Mark-2战斗机，以及拟议的国产第五代AMCA(先进中型战斗机)?

A: We had earlier signed the deals for 40 Tejas Mk-1 jets. The contract for 83 Tejas Mark-1A, which is being scrutiniszed by the defence ministry, is likely to cleared in the near future. IAF is looking at inducting 83 Tejas Mk-IA, around six squadrons (18 jets in each) of Tejas Mk-II and six squadrons of AMCA.

答：早些时候我们签署了40架“光辉” Mk-1喷气式战机合同。这份83 架“光辉”Mark-1A的合同正在接受国防部的审查，很可能在不久的将来获批。印度空军正在考虑引进83架“光辉”Mk-IA，约6个中队(每个中队18架)的“光辉”Mk-II和6个中队的AMCA。

The AMCA is a 5thgeneration-plus fighter, which would have a multitude of technologies borne out of the indigenous production of Tejas Mk-II and other contracts under `Make in India’. We expect the AMCA development to take place in a time-frame of next 15 years.

“光辉”Mark-1A的合同正在接受国防部的审查，很可能在不久的将来获批。印度空军正在考虑引进83架“光辉”Mk-IA，约6个中队(每个中队18架)的“光辉”Mk-II和6个中队的AMCA。

AMCA是第5代以上的战斗机，它将拥有多种技术，这些技术来自于“光辉” Mk-II的本土生产以及“印度制造”下的其他合同。我们预计AMCA的开发将在未来15年内进行。

Q: Is the proposed strategic partnership (SP) project to produce 114 fighters with foreign collaboration in India for around $20 billion on hold now?

问：拟议中的战略伙伴关系(SP)项目，即在印度与外国合作生产114架战斗机，价值约200亿美元，该项目目前是否已搁置?

A: Our current focus is on funding 83 Tejas jets. The SP project for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) is an important component of the ‘Make in India’ programme, with significant spin-offs towards establishing a robust aviation ecosystem. MRFA is to be seen under a separate category in terms of performance and technology. The associated transfer and absorption of technology as well as manufacturing in India will energise the indigenous industry. The project is under examination and details will be provided after finalisation and MoD approval.

答：目前我们的重点是为83架光辉战机提供资金。114架多用途战斗机(MRFA)的SP项目是“印度制造”计划的重要组成部分，对建立健全的航空生态系统具有重大意义。在性能和技术方面，MRFA将被视为一个单独的类别。相关的技术转移和吸收，以及在印度生产，将为本土产业注入活力。该项目正在审查中，细节将在最终确定和国防部批准后提供。

Q: By when does IAF hope to reach its target of having 42/43 fighter squadrons instead of the just about 30 now?

问:印度空军目前只有30个战斗机中队，你们希望在什么时实现拥有42/43个战机中队的目标?

A: IAF plans to increase its squadron strength in a pragmatic manner making full use of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The squadron strength will improve based on availability of funding and ability of ‘Make in India’ to deliver.

答：印度空军计划充分利用“印度制造”计划，以务实的方式提高空军中队的实力。空军中队实力的提高立足于资金的可用性和“印度制造”的能力。

Q: The arrival of the first four Rafales in India (of the 36 ordered from France for Rs 59,000 crore in 2016) has been delayed due to the pandemic?

问:印度首批4架“阵风”战机(2016年从法国订购36架，价值5900亿卢比)因疫情而推迟交付?

A: The first four Rafales are expected to arrive in India by July-end now. The delivery of subsequent fighters will follow and current delays due to pandemic will be mitigated in future deliveries.

答：预计首批4架“阵风”战机将于7月底抵达印度，后续的交付将紧随其后，目前由于大流行而造成的延误将在今后的交付中得到缓解。

Q: How is IAF maintaining operational readiness during the pandemic?

问:印度空军如何在疫情期间保持战备状态?

A: Since the begng of the lockdown, IAF has ensured full `air defence’ readiness and optimised training of combat crews to ensure currency and sustenance of combat capabilities.

Our transport aircraft and helicopters have been at the vanguard of the national effort towards maintaining the aerial bridge throughout the country to handle Covid-related tasks, including evacuation of citizens from abroad and supply of medical aid to frie

答:自封锁开始以来，印度空军确保做好了充分的“防空”准备，并优化了作战人员的训练，以保持战斗能力。我们的运输机和直升机一直是全国维护空中桥梁的先锋，承担疫情相关的任务，包括从国外疏散公民、向友好国家提供医疗援助。

以下是印度时报读者的评论：译者：Jessica.Wu

reset Modi

Under Modij India is completely broke. No money for anything, so must press the reset button.

在莫迪的领导下，印度彻底破产了。没有钱，空军必须按重新调整计划。

Devendra Sood

I wish India and PM Modi well for "Make in India." But, nothing will ever happen unless you privatize the defense production out of HAL factories and the DRDO babus.

我希望莫迪总理的“印度制造”取得成功。但是，除非将印度斯坦航空公司和印度国防研究与发展组织的武器装备生产部门私有化，否则不会成功的。

madsmoments Maddheshiya

Luckiest modiji become unluckiest for india.

莫迪是最幸运的，但他对印度来说最不幸的

king

lol...a matter of fact the aircraft is too heavy and has been rejected by the navy already..can you give us an insight how much is spent on research and how many people are employed in the R&D department...

哈哈，事实上，“光辉”战机太重了，已经被海军拒绝了。能告诉我们研发上花了多少钱，研发部门雇佣了多少人吗?

Prasad Ramesh Joshi

Masking Collosal Economic Fiasco under the name of Make In India

以“印度制造”的名义掩盖经济惨败的事实

sam mm

Till now not a.single Rafael is received , wah Modiji wah , what a deal u made

直到现在还没有接收一架“阵风”战机啊，莫迪啊，你这做的是什么交易？

Vikrant Chaudhri

First one was received by Rajnath Singh g

国防部长拉杰拉特·辛格已经接收了第一架“阵风”战机。

sam mm

Lol read the article , reporter asked the question and Air Force Chief has confirmed that it is not yet received, read again

哈哈哈，仔细看文章，空军司令已经确认还没有收到“阵风”，你再看一遍吧

Shri

Hire 100000 smart engineers and put to work on all defence projects. Massive domestic and export markets. Cheers

雇10万名优秀工程师参与国防项目，印度国内武器市场很大，还可以把武器出口到国外。

Arun Verma

So IAF planes will become paper planes...under modi's regime

在莫迪治下。印度空军的战机将变成纸飞机…

Faisal

Modernisation by buying junk made in India?

通过购买印度制造的垃圾来实现现代化?

Anilk Khan

Rakeshji has to loose some weight, or get a bigger size uniform. He looked like a fat little teddybear at the Army Day Parade.

空军司令必须减肥啦，或者穿大一号的制服。他看起来像一只胖胖的泰迪熊。

Hyderabadi Indian

I agree we should become self sufficient in everything.

We have long way to go defence technology is not that easy to develop or acquire.

我们应该在方方面面实现自给自足，但我们还有很长的路要走。国防技术不是那么容易开发或获取的。

ITCell cashmir

All heads of forces are daily giving statement.

部队的首长每天都在发表声明。

Shyam Sunder

It is good that indigenous production is getting more and more emphasis. All these initiatives take time. Congress party and their leaders (read dealers) were happy to buy foreign weapons all these decades as it was very easy to make billions of dollars for themselves

本土生产越来越受到重视，这是件好事，但这需要时间。国大党及其领导人在过去的几十年里很乐意购买外国武器，因为在这个过程他们轻轻松松就能赚到数十亿美元回扣。

Anand Kumar

Winds of change is blowing across the length and breadth of India/Bharat/Hindustan.This is really heartening indeed.Vande Mataram/JAI HIND.

变革之风正吹遍印度的每一个角落。这确实令人振奋，印度必胜！

BJP4India

I reverently hope that the IAF top brass won't bow to to politicians and ensure that IAF gets the best Hardware to combat the PAK & threat

我真的希望印度空军高层不要向政客低头，要确保印度空军获得最好的装备，来对抗来自中巴的威胁。

Madan Mohan Siddhanthi

We neglected our defence in Congress era

国大党执政时代，我们忽视了国防建设。

Yashodhan Muzumdar

This Made in Indi Slogan was given in 1947 and hence india could produce many things locally. A country once an importer of Pin todsy it is exportimg engineering goods.

“印度制造”的口号是1947年提出的，印度可以在本土生产很多东西。

K Mohan Hyderabad city

The days are not far when India would fully cater to its needs and would even export to other countries

印度完全满足自身需求、甚至向其他国家出口的日子已经不远了

Pradeep Kumar C K

Welcome move by Indian Airforce. Much support needed for Make in India initiative across sectors. It will help in reviving economy and create millions of jobs to Indians. Hope this initiative will be successful.

“印度制造”倡议需要得到各部门的大力支持。这将有助于重振经济，并为印度人创造数百万个就业机会。希望这一倡议能够成功。