India asks MiG to send RFP for 126 fighters: Tyagi
India has asked Russia's MiG aircraft corporation to send a request for proposal (RFP) for the acquisition of 126 fighters, IAF chief S P Tyagi said here.Tyagi, who watched a demonstration flight of the Mig-35 (Mig-29ovt) fighter at a Russian air force base near the capital told reporters that the demonstration was "brilliant", but clarified that the IAF was looking for an aircraft "to win wars" and not for "impressive demonstrations".
"Any aircraft is nothing but a 'khokha' (shell), but what matters is, what is inside it," the Air Chief Marshal underscored.He said that for the first time the factor of "life cycle cost or ownership cost" was being taken into account while acquiring a fighter."How to calculate the ownership cost was the problem and that's why it has taken more time in taking a decision," Tyagi said and added that the tender would be invited "very soon".
According to earlier reports, Russia's Mig-35 would be facing a tough challenge from the battle-proven US F-16 and F-18.