Last Updated: Wednesday, 29 August 2007, 06:17 GMT 07:17 UK
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India invites bids for fighter jets
India has invited defence contractors to enter the bidding contest to supply 126 new war planes in a deal estimated at $10bn.
Industry experts said the Russian-built MiG-35 and MiG-29 aircraft and the US-based Lockheed Martin F-16 and Boeing F-18 were likely frontrunners.
India will also be looking at Eurofighter’s Typhoon, Saab’s Gripen and Dassault’s Rafale and Mirage.
The purchase will replace India’s ageing fleet of Russian war planes.
India has never bought fighter planes from the US before because of frosty relations in the past. But ties between the two countries are improving.
Correspondents say the battle for India’s skies is just beginning and it will be an intense competition between the world’s most powerful aircraft makers.
Under the terms of purchase, the first 18 planes will be bought directly from the manufacturers, while the rest will be manufactured under licence in India.
Russia dominates India’s defence purchases but Delhi’s air force also has British and French-built aircraft.
clear indication that India is trying to move away from flying coffens - migs and decided to go for open bidding! with interesting thing of transfer of technology too. lets see who agree and accepted to that!
I think there will be bias towards ruskie planes due to their entrenched lobby and easier ToT options. IAF hasn't really flown american platforms [no experience] but the ToT part might be a tricky issue if, for example, the indian are looking for F18s which are the most current USN planes.
i was tired by the amount of time it was taken to issue this tender. IAF squadrons are running at an all time low. hope these guys get their ass in gear and not take much time for this.. F-16 and gripen shouldn't be in contention. and MIG would continue to be in IAF for atleast till 2017...(the upgraded one 'bison')
MIG 31??....it is not in contention. i guess MIG 35 is way different than MIG 31 if u r telling this. Mirage 2000 is also no longer in the race. Rafale is!!
What role is india exactly trying to fill with these fighters? MiG-31 could be a good air superiority fighter..
MIG 31 is more of an interceptor( variant of FOXBAT) with a powerful radar and BVR missiles. It is not manouverable aircraft needed for air - air combats (may not be very important in modern world but at the same time it is not proven also whether technology is sufficient when both fighting aircrafts are equally advanced).
IAF is looking to fit these between heavy fighter (su 30 MKI) and light fighter (LCA). If LCA doesn't come on time, these will get even more importance.
it's sad that so much money is being spent on machines of war when farmers, laborers and fixed income seniors are struggling to make ends meet.
true..india is a poor country!!..but there is no other option left. Moreover, this deal will bring benefits as well to the country. 50% offsets for this deal has been set. So this should create more oppurtunities for indian companies and also create employment
