Sunday Times!! F18SH is Favourite for MRCA

[maverick2009]

From The Sunday Times

June 21, 2009

Eurofighter guns for £10bn Indian deal

BAE Systems is preparing for a dogfight that could result in it landing an order for 130 modern fighter jets for India

Dominic O'Connell

The fortunes of Eurofighter, the much-criticised European combat aircraft, could improve sharply next month when it stakes a claim for a multi-billion-pound contract in India.

India wants to buy more than 130 modern fighters, making the contract one of the largest international arms deals in recent years. Analysts say that with ongoing support deals, it could be worth more than £10 billion.

If Eurofighter wins, it would be a boon for BAE Systems, Britain’s largest defence group, which is part of the four-nation consortium that makes the high-tech aircraft.

The competition for the contract starts next month, when the six planes selected by India begin a fly-off that will consist of a series of trials throughout the subcontinent. The six taking part are Eurofighter, Boeing’s F/A-18, Lockheed Martin’s F-16, France’s Rafale, Russia’s MiG-35 and Sweden’s Gripen.

Defence analysts said the contest would probably come down to a race between the Eurofighter and the F/A-18. “They look like the most likely contenders,” said one source at last week’s Paris air show. The Indian government is unlikely to make a speedy choice, with the trials expected to last for up to a year. …………….......................

 

[maverick2009]

£10 BILLION is like £16 billion$$$

That is wat 126 Tyhpoons cost,

But 126 SH Hornets will cost just $9 billion

Unit cost F18SH E/F $55M each

Unit cost Typhoon $110m EACH

For the record Unit cost SU30MKI under $40m each

 

[ironman]

^^^ Can you post this on MRCA sticky thread instead of starting new.

 

[heartwinlion]

admin can u marge with thread with mmrca thread

 

[Desertfalcon]

I would think the F-16/60 would be cheaper to operate and have the required capabilities. The United Arab Emirates purchased the latest block 60's that seem to meet the same level of capability as the F-18.

 

[sancho]

I would think the F-16/60 would be cheaper to operate and have the required capabilities. The United Arab Emirates purchased the latest block 60's that seem to meet the same level of capability as the F-18.

Cheaper to operate yes, but same level of capability? The F18SH should have more range, can use more external payload, with the engine upg the t/w ratio must be way better aswell and if there is a chance to the Growler version I think it would be a great benefit. Also the same engine for LCA gives an advantage in commonality that F16 can't offer. But the main problem of F16 IN is the less advantage to PAF F16 MLU and block 52+, why spend so much money to buy just a better radar?

 

[asq]

why Indian establishment is willing to pay twice the price of the same caliber of a jet fighter.

May be we should bring in the Tehalka.com to investigate the real story behind this deal.

 

[ouiouiouiouiouioui]

one thing shud be kept in mind which we all miss in our discussion...india now takes as CHINA as a competitor and whichever aircraft is selected will be aiming for the HIMAYALA'S

 

[sancho]

one thing shud be kept in mind which we all miss in our discussion...india now takes as CHINA as a competitor and whichever aircraft is selected will be aiming for the HIMAYALA'S

So no MMRCA on the western borders? Don't think so, China is not the main threat now because it has more advanced aircrafts then PAF. Actually they both will use mainly the same JF 17 and J10, added with F16 on PAF side and J11 on PLAAF side. So to put the new fighters only at Chinese borders won't be a good idea and it will be clearly a mix on both sides. That's why F16IN would have to face F16 MLU and block 52+ too. Imo those and Mig 35 are the first once that have to be shortlisted of the competition, because they don't offer enough advantages.

 

[BSF]

Am I the only one who wants MIG 35 to win ??

 

[sancho]

Am I the only one who wants MIG 35 to win ??

Why do you want it to win?

 

[Desertfalcon]

Why is India not pursuing the Su-35MKI as the aircraft? It already has these and adding something like the F-18 or Grippen would be one more type to get parts for and maintain. Is the IAF not happy with the Su-35?

 

[gubbi]

Why is India not pursuing the Su-35MKI as the aircraft? It already has these and adding something like the F-18 or Grippen would be one more type to get parts for and maintain. Is the IAF not happy with the Su-35?

MKIs are air superiority fighters, an entirely different role class. WHat India is looking for with the MMRCA deal is to replace its aging fleet of MiG21s, Jaguars, Mig27s and the likes. So makes sense as to why we are looking at aircrafts other than MKIs.
And oh btw, IAF is extremely happy with the performance of MKIs in their specific roles! Theres only as much you can buy for a specific role. Lets say for the time being (and this is NOT a comparison in any way whatsoever) the Su-30MKI is to IAF what the F-22 is for USAF!

 

[Contrarian]

Why is India not pursuing the Su-35MKI as the aircraft? It already has these and adding something like the F-18 or Grippen would be one more type to get parts for and maintain. Is the IAF not happy with the Su-35?

Whatever technology is being developed for the Su-35, can be retrofit on the Su-30MKI.

The second but major purpose of the MRCA is to kickstart the aerospace sector in India with infusion of technology. That can come from the west.

Thirdly, we need a Medum Weight plane, Su-35 overlaps with the Su-30MKI, so there is no point in getting that.

Fourth-Buying Russian would make IAF 100% dependent on Russia-you can figure out the rest. India has traditionally maintained a balance with Eastern and Western Fighters.

 

[duhastmish]

Its about the numbers. we need these fighter for quantity not quality for quality - we can go for -pak-fa or JSF . american are more than happy to deliver them.

Here i think Rafael will be best choice it meets all the indian requirments. without going in to slippery american hands.