Indian Fighter deal news

[GOOSE]

From FlightGlobal -

Saab has announced that its Gripen fighter has not been shortlisted by India for the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract. The Indian defence ministry has informed the Swedish manufacturer of its decision, but has yet to formally announce which aircraft remain in contention for the proposed 126-aircraft deal.
Local reports indicate that the shortlist includes at least the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon. The status of the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-16IN and RSK MiG-35 bids is not clear.

Remainder here - http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... tlist.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[GOOSE]

Confirmation from Saab here - http://www.saabgroup.com/en/About-Saab/ ... programme/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[GOOSE]

RIA Novosti speculation that it's between the Typhoon and Rafale................

http://en.rian.ru/business/20110428/163749641.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[GOOSE]

Indian media extract from Eurofighter Site -

News - Eurofighter, Rafale asked to extend bids

The Hindu, India - NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday asked European consortium's Eurofighter and French Dassault's Rafale to extend the commercial bids for the 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft that are due to expire on Thursday.

The move could be interpreted as ‘down selection' from six competitors in the Rs. 45,000- crore deal that is expected to be finalised this fiscal.

Sources in the government told The Hindu that the Ministry despatched the letter, based on the Technical Evaluation Committee's report.

The commercial bids, which were re-submitted last year by the competitors, need to be extended. Once the bids are opened, the cost negotiation committee would start work.

Offset clause

The calculation would also have to factor in the steep offset clause as determined by the Defence Procurement Policy.

As per the terms of the deal, the competitors would have to show that they have the requisite tie-ups to fulfil the 50-per cent offset clause, which means that half of the value of the deal would have be sourced from Indian companies.

The Indian Air Force had handed over its report to the Ministry last year after rigorous and
extensive flight evaluation trials of the six fighter planes bidding for the deal.

Besides Eurofighter and Rafale, the others in the race are American companies Lockheed Martin (F-16IN Super Viper) and Boeing (F/A-18 Super Hornet), Swedish SAAB Gripen NG and Russian Mikoyan MiG35.

The sources said the Ministry's team undertook an elaborate exercise to determine the offset obligations of the competitors, and once the task was complete, the next stage would be determined on the basis of the technical evaluation.

http://www.eurofighter.com/media/news0/ ... -bids.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[hertsman]

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i= ... =EUR&s=AIR" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The above item from Defense News quotes sources as saying that the Rafale and Typhoon have been short-listed, at the expense of the Gripen, Super Hornet, F16 and Mig 35.

However, Indian defence procurements are frequently protracted, and often accompanied by seemingly conflicting statements from various officials. I would treat this news as encouraging for Typhoon's prospects, but keep the champagne on ice for the moment.

hertsman

[ddodd000]

India goes full steam to finalize $10.4bn jet deal
Rajat Pandit, May 23, 2011, 03.19am IST

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes ... n-jet-deal" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ddodd000]

We have the best product: Merkel on Eurofighter Typhoon
Press Trust of India, Updated: May 31, 2011 18:45 IST

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/we-ha ... oon-109345

[mrlongbow]

Read an article in an asian newspaper recently about the latest on this. The Gripen was better in the turn at certain angles of attack than the Typhoon, the American jets had superior and proven radars, plus a good price. The Russians had the cheapest costs and as for the French it never really said. Typhoon has the best all over though, and can be upgraded etc. If i can find the article again i will. Good views from those in the Indian military. Plus the pilots prefer the Typhoon. Also said was the fact India likes to keep a wide range of suppliers for its weapons and not just one or two. Could be our turn!

[ddodd000]

THE INDIAN FIGHTER COMPETITION AND THE FUTURE OF EUROFIGHTER 06/29/2011 – Second Line of Defense
http://www.sldinfo.com/?p=20614" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EUROFIGHTER AT THE PARIS AIR SHOW: THE INDIAN DIMENSION 06/22/2011 By Robbin Laird
http://www.sldinfo.com/?p=20472" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ddodd000]

Liam Fox promotes Typhoon in India - 08 July 2011

http://www.defencemanagement.com/news_s ... p?id=16844" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ddodd000]

British defence secy promotes Eurofighter Typhoon in India - Sat Jul 09 2011, 13:57 hrs
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/briti ... ia/815188/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

British defence secretary explores business ties with India - Jul 09, 2011
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstyp ... sid=250258" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also the articles refer to 'the forthcoming bilateral Army exercise in the UK during July and August which will see Indian and British troops conduct combined Counter Insurgency training, using the latest British Army training facilities, on Salisbury Plain Training Area.'

[ddodd000]

IAF pushes for opening of aircraft bid process
New Delhi, July 26, DHNS:

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/179 ... t-bid.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ddodd000]

Biggest deal: IAF may buy 189 jets for $20bn - Rajat Pandit, TNN Jul 26, 2011, 04.00am IST

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes ... ssian-fgfa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ddodd000]

Indian Fighter Competition Nears Finals - Aug 11, 2011 By Asia-Pacific Staff New Delhi
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/ ... 355148.xml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Indian fighter showdown approaches endgame, By Philip Ewing Thursday, August 11th, 2011 12:00 pm
http://www.dodbuzz.com/2011/08/11/india ... s-endgame/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ddodd000]

Britain eyes export deals at London arms show.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDe ... 6951&Cat=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ddodd000]

Biggest defence deal proposal okayed - New Delhi, Oct 7, DHNS:
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/196 ... kayed.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bids for combat jets open soon - October 8, 2011 By Correspondent New Delhi
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels ... n-soon-151" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ddodd000]

RAF Typhoon leads the race to secure £7 billion arms deal - The Telegraph By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent 9:00PM BST 29 Oct 2011
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/news ... -deal.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

India eyes 'flawless' Typhoon for 7 bn pounds : Report PTI Oct 30, 2011, 07.49pm IST
http://articles.economictimes.indiatime ... ae-systems" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

“Omnirole” Rafale Steals Lead Over Eurofighter Typhoon in Libyan Operations - Defenceworld.net Our Bureau Tue, Nov 1, 2011 07:34 CET
http://www.defenseworld.net/go/defensen ... id=6202&h=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;“Omnirole”%20Rafale%20%20Steals%20Lead%20Over%20Eurofighter%20Typhoon%20in%20Libyan%20Operations

MMRCA deal: Europe versus France contest begins for world's biggest combat aircrafts - TheTimesOfIndia TNN | Nov 5, 2011, 03.40AM IST
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Euro ... 613429.cms" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Commercial bids open for IAF's $11bn MMRCA tender news - domain-b.com 05 November 2011
http://www.domain-b.com/defence/general ... ender.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ddodd000]

India fighter contract 'may top $20bn' - defencemanagement.com 07 Nov 2011
http://www.defencemanagement.com/news_s ... p?id=17939" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[hertsman]

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/ ... ompetition" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Aviation Week item above quotes Victor Komardin, the deputy director of Russia’s arms export agency, as saying that the expense of both Rafale and Typhoon quotes will make the Indians think again, and then re-run the contest with Russian and Us options back in the game.

It's difficult to know if this is just a bit of sour grapes with an added dollop of mischief making, or if he knows something. A $20bn price tag for 126 jets puts the unit cost in the F35 + class, but we don't yet know if the $20bn is confirmed, or what it includes. Simply dividing the total by the units may be misleading as it could include maintenance, training, spares etc.

However, the Russians are accustomed to dealing with Indian military procurement, and the road to a signed contract is always strewn with obstacles and delays. Will the Indians make a decision soon, or will they prevaricate? Place your bets.

hertsman

[hertsman]

According to Flight Global, India is now due to announce the lowest cost tender, and hence the winner, of their MMRCA contest towards the end of January ... unless ex-comrade Victor has got it right (see my previous post, above).

hertsman