Will Parrikar clear single-tender Avro replacement bid?

[Echo_419]

Those in the MOD who oppose should be asked to leave or be transferred elsewhere that has nothing to do with defence. The government has a strong majority and has nothing to worry, unlike the useless regime of until past year.

Moreover, if they perform as per people's expectations, the NDA needn't worry about winning the 2019 election at all.

I pray that Parikkar does this.

Like I said elsewhere, there are enemies within the MOD that need to be cleansed before India can rise as a military power.

Agreed they have both the Balls & the numbers to take hard decisions

 

[sancho]

All I am saying sir, is that given the situation the MoD/IAF now face- a single vendor situation, would you consider it s success or failure if the new DM cleared the deal.

A failure of course, because the aim was not to select a replacement as soon as possible, if so Arun Jaitley could had done it already, but it was to get as many privat industry players to participate and create competition in the defence field, in this case the licence production of a foreign aircraft. That's why Jaitley extended the timelines for the bids and why Parrikar is having issues to take a decision. So if that aim is missed, it's a bad situation that leaves us only with 2 possibilities, either to face the problem and say it didn't worked out as we wanted but the forces needs the aircrafts, so lets move on. Or try to change requirements of the competition to get more alternatives.
For example, as you pointed out (and as I am saying since years) one can increase the potential order by combining similar requirements of other forces (which however the forces must agree too and IN might be a problem here), becaused increase production => increased profit. Another possibility is to let HAL try to team up with a foreign partner, for example Saab which would be a logical choice. Saab offers 2nd hand aircrafts from the Swedish forces for the initial delivery, but since they don't produce the Saab 2000 anymore, they are looking to divert the complete production line to India. HAL already has production capabilities, so could easily build the aircraft, while many other privat partners has to start from scratch. That would at least give one competitor to the Airbus/TATA team up and we can select the best offer at the end.

My only point about the past GoI/DM is that we know for sure they would have let this deal remain in stasis indefinitely as a single vendor situation would have induced an immediate "no" from them.

That's your negative point of view of the former government speaking, ignoring that the current government shows the same aim on avoiding single vendor situations and reportedly even wants to make exceptions in banning procedure if there are no alternatives (not officially confirmed though). You can't do as if that's a new policy only to make them look good. If they take the option to move on, it's a forced solution contrary to what they wanted.

Wrt the MoD remained in stasis claim, take the VIP helicopter competition as an example, which in the first evaluation nearly ended in a single vendor situation (leaving only Eurocopter complying to the requirements), which lead to the requirement changes and a 2nd evalution. We have seen the same in howitzer tenders too, which at the end however mainly were scrapped because of corruption issues within the army.

 

[sancho]

Those in the MOD who oppose

Oppose to what exactly?

The major issue is the insider information that ratan tata got as a board member of HAL, that can be used for alleging corruption. That is the problem and not single vendor situation.
But the C295 is a good platform, might even be used for AWACS.

HAL is not allowed in the tender, so even if Ratan Tata could had got insider infos (don't know about what though), it had no importance for this tender.
Airbus has developed an AWACS version with IAI and their Phalcon radar system, which is based on countries with limited budgets and requirements. For IAF the platform however is not suitable, since it doesn't provide the performance IAF wants in speed or service ceilling.

 

[Krate M]

@sancho it does, it gives tata an unfair advantage over the other competitors. Only saving grace is the single tender situation.

Let's see if they can make another version which is suitable.

 

[Tshering22]

Oppose to what exactly?

For a single tender. Look at the mess that MRCA is in. Word has it that it may be scrapped.

Heavens forbid if this happens, all suppliers will refuse to have any demonstrations or any other commitments.

Airbus has developed an AWACS version with IAI and their Phalcon radar system, which is based on countries with limited budgets and requirements. For IAF the platform however is not suitable, since it doesn't provide the performance IAF wants in speed or service ceilling.

The aircraft that should be replacing Avros should be HAL/IL-214 which isn't due for another 5-6 years, as only when putin comes here, we will have any concrete decision on that.

Till then we need somehting to fill the gaps. Avros are ancient and An-32s have reached the last possible upgrades of their lives.

 

[sancho]

The aircraft that should be replacing Avros should be HAL/IL-214

It's not, MTA is meant to replace the AN 32 fleet with more tactial roles in mind, while the Avros were meant for basic logistical transport roles, that's why the Saab 2000 for example was on offer too.