Contenders submit bids for Indian MRCA requirement

[Mubashar_ali]

Six companies have submitted bids to supply the Indian Air Force (IAF) with 126 multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) for around INR420 billion (USD10.5 billion).

Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman Sitanshu Kar said on 28 April that all contenders had put forward their proposals by the deadline of noon that day.

Competing for the contract are: Boeing's F/A-18E/F-IN Super Hornet; the Dassault Rafale; the EADS Eurofighter Typhoon; Lockheed Martin's F16-IN; the Russian Aircraft Corporation's MiG-35; and Saab's JAS 39 Gripen.

All bids detailed the complex technology transfer involved and the 50 per cent offset obligation - an increase on the usual 30 per cent - as well as specifying tie-ups and memoranda of understanding with local defence companies.

The contract includes the purchase of 18 aircraft to be delivered within 48 months of the deal being concluded.

The first of the remaining aircraft, which are to be built locally, is to be delivered within 54 months of the deal being signed, with all 126 expected to be in service by 2020.

Image: MiG-35 at Aero India 2007, Bangalore (Jane's/Patrick Allen)
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© 2008 Jane's Information Group

 

[Owais]

I think their final choice will be Mig35MKi as Indians cannot rely on US. mig35 will be comparatively cheap as compared to other western fighters.

 

[MIG_ACE]

MiG-35 would be a lot cheaper than everything else except the Gripen. But buying that aircraft with Russian avionics would be foolish and integrating Israeli or Indian avionics would cost more money. So its a tough choice.
I agree with Owais though. The final choice is likely to be the Mig-35.

EDIT: I think it would be better if this thread is merged with the "MRCA News and discussions" thread

 

[TALWAR]

I think we should go in for Eurofighter. They are also giving us partnership in their next gen fighter development.

Moreover the European economy is developing faster than US, and its best time to strengthen relationship with them.

US can never be trusted, as the weapon transfer happens under US laws and not Indian laws.

 

[Mubashar_ali]

What about Pakistan. What will we do when India choose one of them when Pakistan policy is "minimum deterrence".

 

[Khalsa]

What about Pakistan. What will we do when India choose one of them when Pakistan policy is "minimum deterrence".

I dont think Pakistan can afford to get into arms race with India. Pakistan will upgrade its defences and try to improve on its missile arenal.

 

[Always Neutral]

F 18 or Rafaele it will be. I am most certain. Russians will learn a hard lesson.

Regards

 

[IceCold]

F 18 or Rafaele it will be. I am most certain. Russians will learn a hard lesson.

Regards

this hard lesson is something which could ultimately result in changing moscow's policy towards pakistan. I just hope russians do get this lesson.

 

[Always Neutral]

this hard lesson is something which could ultimately result in changing moscow's policy towards pakistan. I just hope russians do get this lesson.

Dear IC,

Offcourse they will get it. Russians are very smart and their response will be swift and hard.


Regards

 

[BATMAN]

F 18 or Rafaele it will be. I am most certain. Russians will learn a hard lesson.

Regards

Though it appear Russians are doing all the teaching work for the moment.

Don't get over ambitious uneccessarily. you will be getting the jets and their t.o.t in return of 10billion. Which will eventually be called as indegenous indian product.

Russians have started to know your mentality better, they didn't allowed you to represent brahmos aerospace at Berlin.

Nah.....I don't think that indians can bog down Russia with 10 billion order?

 

[indiapakistanfriendship]

this hard lesson is something which could ultimately result in changing moscow's policy towards pakistan. I just hope russians do get this lesson.

Expect some gimmicks and nothing else, say whatever and skip MRCA, India is and will be the largest defence market for Russians. How many suppliers do you think you can support? Russians already shot their foot by 1. allowing engine transfer 2. representing Mig 35 when the avionics are not ready . I f the Russians still persist then they must be real fools and except in aviation I dont see any areas where they can help you and even in aviation Pakistans procrurement policy is in place and the the cycle is on so Russians have to wait for some time for Pakistan to offer them something. Anyways you would get such equipment for Chinese or the French so it will not matter to India whether it will be Russians.

Cheers