India misses MMRCA deadline
India is supposed to complete its purchase of 127 new fighters for its air force today and the decision has to be postponed. This could be disadvantageous to the country as bidders will have to submit new prices and analysts say costs will go up.
Gripen NG will go to India for trials next month
The Indian Ministry of Defense has given Saab a second chance to bring its Gripen NG fighter to the country for testing. But Indian pilots might have a chance to fly the aircraft earlier when they travel to Sweden to witness a live missile firing next week.
Gripen heading to cold and hot weather trials
The two Gripen Ds now in India for trials have finished testing in Bangalore and will head to Pokhran and Leh for cold and hot weather trials.
Gripen NG cannot fly to India for trials, Gripen D dispatched instead
Saab has run into a little trouble with the fighter competition in India as its not able to bring its Gripen NG to the country. The aircraft is currently in Sweden for modifications and cannot leave the country. India had said that the fighter being offered must be the one that comes for trials.
Saab has dispatched two Gripen Ds instead and will ask India for new dates to bring the Gripen NG over for trials.
India speeding up MMRCA competition
Pallam Raju, India's junior defence minister, told Reuters that his people are "speeding up" the process to buy 126 fighters.
India's ambassador to Italy: Eurofighter leading race in MMRCA
India's ambassador to Italy said on Friday that the Eurofighter is leading the race for IAF's multi-role combat aircraft competition. "We have shortlisted four to five countries, then the trial process and evaluation will follow. Eurofighter is one of them, in which Italy is involved, and it's leading the race," ambassador Arif Shahid Khan told Reuters.
Super Hornet for India will have engine upgrade
The GE F414 enhanced performance engine (EPE) engine will be installed on India's F/A-18E/Fs if Boeing's fighter is selected by New Delhi. The key advantage of the EPE is that it offers a 20% increase in thrust.
F-16 gets probe fitted to right conformal tank
In order to strengthen its bid to supply F-16s to India, Lockheed Martin has added a probe refueling system to the right conformal fuel tank. This new probe-and-drogue refueling capability was demonstrated to Indian pilots during flight trials performed in September in India.
Lockheed Martin says the probe refueling capability can be added to any F-16 that is designed to carry the conformal tank.
India could ditch Mirage 2000 upgrade and buy more MRCAs instead
Fed up with French demands of $41 million per plane to upgrade its Mirage 2000 fleet, the Indians are considering buying more of the medium multi-role combat aircraft. While Dassault is reported to be trying to salvage the deal, Israeli companies is seizing the chance and offered to upgrade the jets for half the price. However, the Indians have declined the offers.
Zhuk-AE X-band AESA radar offered to India
Russia's Phazotron NIIR will offer the Zhuk-AE X-band AESA radar for the MiG-35 fighter which is participating in the Indian fighter contest. The company's general director, Vyacheslav Tishchenko, said the radar can track 30 targets and has a range of 148km.
Gripen IN will have 2nd generation AESA radar
The Gripen IN will have a AESA radar with mechanical scanning capability, Gripen International's India director Eddy de la Motte told reporters Wednesday. The radar's source code will also be made available to India.
India sends mixed signals on multi-role medium fighter contest
The Indian government gave two conflicting messages this week on how the winner of its multi-role medium fighter contest will be selected. Officials from the Ministry of Defense had told a EADS executive that the Eurofighter will be given extra credits for its extra performance.
But when questioned by the Business Standard, IAF officials said no extra credits will be given if any aircraft under evaluation exceeds the laid down requirements.
Super Hornet trials in India, more info
According to this news report from India, Boeing will send its Super Hornet to Bangalore for trials with the IAF from Aug. 15-17. Boeing officials will arrive on Friday to finalize the details of the test trials.
Eurofighter sweetens its India offer
India could become the fifth partner in the Eurofighter consortium if it chooses the fighter for its multi-role fighter contest. This means the country will manufacture parts of the aircraft and supply it to the rest of the partners.
Super Hornet to start trials in India next week
Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet will arrive in India next week to take part in trails at three locations. The aircraft will start trials in Bangalore and then move to Leh for high altitude trials before moving to Jaisalmer for summer trials.
Clinton to sign "end-use monitoring" agreement with India
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hopes to an "end-use monitoring" agreement with India when she visits the country next week. Under U.S. law, such a pact is necessary for U.S. firms to bid on India's plan to buy 126 fighters.
The agreement would ensure that the United States have the right to make sure U.S. arms sold to India are used for their intended purpose and that the technology does not leak to third countries.
Vote: U.S. officials forced IAI out of Indian MRCA fighter contest
This story reminds me of the same dirty tricks used by American officials during the South Korean AEW&C contest. The Jerusalem Post reports that Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been forced to back out of a joint partnership with Saab to offer the Gripen IN fighter to India.
The IAI was supposed to supply the radar, communications and electronic-warfare for the Gripen IN and now the Pentagon has forced the IAI to back out of the deal over concerns that American technology in the systems could make its way into India.
Israeli officials believe the real reason could be that the Americans fear the entry of the Gripen IN would force Boeing and Lockheed Martin to offer lower prices for their offerings.
India to start fighter trials in August
Six companies will start sending their fighters to India for the latter's multi-role combat aircraft competition beginning from August. The trials is expected to lasts till April 2010.
New Indian government to speed up MRCA contest
Emerging stronger after recent polls, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government is likely to speed up plans to buy 126 fighter for the Air Force.
Rafale back in Indian competition
India's Defense Procurement Board on Monday decided not to kick Dassault's Rafale fighter out of the IAF's multi-role combat aircraft competition. A Technical Evaluation Committee had booted Rafale out of the competition after the French failed to provide the Indians with information on some equipment and add-ons that the IAF wanted to be in the aircraft.
But the Defense Procurement Board overruled the decision as Dassault had addressed those deficiencies.
French tries to have Rafale re-enter Indian competition
A high-level delegation from France's Air International Development went to New Delhi to convince India to have the Rafale fighter re-enter the MRCA competition. There is still a chance for Dassault as the report to drop the Rafale from the competition has yet to be perused by the Defense Procurement Board.
Rafale still chasing Indian competition
A Thales official who is active with the Rafale bid for India says the jet is still in competition even though an Indian defense official has said it was kicked out.
India to begin fighter jet trials despite looming elections
Indian media have been reporting that a new government could take a fresh look at the deal to buy 126 new fighter jets after elections next month but defense officials brushed aside the speculation. A defense official said the military will go ahead with trials that could begin by end-May.
"The election will not have a bearing on the fighter jet trials, as the Indian Air Force is now working on the modalities before trials and things are moving in the right direction," said defense ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar.
EADS hopes to win MRCA via LCA
EADS' strategy for winning the Indian MRCA contest is to help in the flight development of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. The Europeans are hoping to position its Eurojet EJ200 engine for the Tejas as well. A win for the EJ200 will help boost the Eurofighter's chances in the MRCA contest.
India to start fighter evaluation soon
Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force Fali Homi Major told reporters that the IAF will start evaluating the six fighters contending for its MMRCA contest in April or May. "It is going to be a long process," he said. "Technical evaluation of six top-of-the-line fighter aircraft is a very complex job," he added.
Gripen not out of Indian competition
Saab has denied a media report that its Gripen fighter will not participate in field trials for India's Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition. A local daily said the fighter didn't make the grade with the Indian Air Force’s Technical Evaluation Committee.
UAC optimistic of winning IAF MRCA tender
The president of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is optimistic about MiG-35 Fulcrum's chances of winning India's fighter contest. "The competition is very tough, but we have several trump cards - the MiG-35's superb performance characteristics and the fact that Russia and India share a long-standing partnership in strategic and political cooperation," Alexey Fyodorov said.
Industrial Participation proposals submitted for IAF MRCA
EADS, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, MiG, Dassault and Saab have submitted their proposals on industrial participation with the Indian defense ministry as part of their bids for the Indian Air Force (IAF) MRCA contract.
Finally, LCA planes to get adequate thrust
India will decide by October whether Eurojet's EJ200 or General Electric's F-414 will power its Light Combat Aircraft. The winner of the contest will have an effect on India's MRCA contest as well as those engines are used by fighters being offered to India for the MRCA tender.
Boeing boss: No Indian fighter buy until 2010
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems chief Jim Albaugh predicted that India will decide on its plan to buy 126 new fighter jets "no sooner than" 2010.
Paperwork bogs down aircraft deal
Indian defense officials are complaining about the huge volume of paper they have to read from bidders of its MRCA tender. It will take several months just to read the proposals and sources say the IAF may take up to two years to award a winner.
F/A-18 fighter is IAF's best bet: US Navy
Captain Hal Murdoch, commander of the Pacific Strike Fighter Wing, told a group of visiting Indian journalists at Lemoore that the Super Hornet was best suited for an Indian Air Force (IAF) requirement for a multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA).
India Won't Get Technology Transfer For New Jet Radar: Raytheon
Raytheon says India will get only limited technology transfer permitted by Washington for the APG-79 AESA radar if it selects the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter. 'Our response has been fully compliant with the IAF request for proposal (RFP). However, the extent of technology transfer would be dependent on the permission we receive from the US government,' Raytheon Company's Dave Goold said.
Saab Gripen to tie up with Tata, HAL
Saab Gripen wants to work with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and the Tata Group for offsets for its Gripen fighter aircraft.
Gripen next generation fighter for India - The Independent ChoiceSaab is offering the Gripen NG, called Gripen IN, to India. In New Delhi Apr. 28 Saab, acting through its Gripen International Business Unit, handed-over its compliant response to the Ministry of Defence, government of India Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) for the Indian Air Force. Gripen IN is based on the newly launched Gripen NG, the next generation of Gripen, an enhanced version of the well proven Net Centric Warfare Gripen multi-role fighter, which has unbeatable low acquisition, operation and support costs. Gripen IN provides freedom of choice in weapons and sensors and an unrivalled sustained sortie generation rate through high availability.
Global aviation giants race to meet Indian fighter deadline
Fighter shops are expected to submit their bids for India's medium range multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) competition by Monday. So far only Boeing has submitted its bid on Thursday offering the Super Hornet.
The Eurofighter Consortium has invited India to join the group if they will the tender to build 126 jets for the Indian Air Force.
“We are inviting India to become a partner for the further development of the Typhoon. Exports to third countries from India would be the logical outcome of this partnership,” Eurofighter campaign director Matthias Schmidlin said.
Boeing Delivers Proposal to Equip Indian Air Force with Super Hornet Fighters
Boeing has delivered a detailed, 7,000-page proposal offering its advanced F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to the Indian Air Force as part of India's Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition. The Super Hornet variant being offered to India, the F/A-18IN, is based on the F/A-18E/F model flown by the U.S. Navy and currently being built for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Advanced technology -- such as Raytheon's APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar -- and proven reliability are drawing U.S. and international customers' increasing interest in the aircraft as a cost-effective and lethal air defense.
New defence procurement policy likely in May
India could likely extend the deadline for its multi-role combat aircraft competition after a review this May. Bidders are currently required to submit their bids by Apr. 28.
Boeing says it's on track to bid for India fighter jet contract
Boeing said it is on track to submit a bid for selling 126 combat planes to the Indian Air Force later this month. "We plan to put it on April 28, which is the last date set by the government...or maybe perhaps a few days before," Vivek Lall, vice president and India country head for Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems, said on the sidelines of an industry conference.
Russia offers India aviation secrets in fighter contract bid
Interfax agency reported Friday that Russia will allow the transfer of sensitive fighter technologies to India if the MiG-35 is selected in the MRCA fighter contest. "If the Indian government decides to buy the MiG-35 (fighter), we will transfer to India the key technologies used in these aircraft including fifth generation technologies," manufacturers MiG said in a statement.
F-16, C-130 right choices for India: Lockheed
"The F-16IN is specifically designed to meet or exceed for India's MMRCA requirements and provide even greater front-line capability with bottom line reliability," Lockheed Martin vice-president, business development (India), Orville Prins said.
India to snub German-led EADS as BAE eyes $10bn fighter jet deal
The Indian Government wants BAE Systems and the British Ministry of Defense to take over negotiations from EADS and the German Government on a possible deal to buy Eurofighter Typhoons for its MRCA competition. Both will be asked to take over if the Eurofighter is shortlisted next month.
Boeing 'authorized' to offer AESA radar with F/A-18 fighter
Boeing on Sunday stressed that while the APG-79 has been cleared for sale to India, the technology transfer part has yet to be decided. A Boeing official was clarifying remarks attributed earlier Sunday to Chris Chadwick, president of Precision Engagement and Mobility Systems of Boeing Integrated Defence Systems, that the technology for the AESA radar would also be transferred with that of the aircraft for licensed manufacture in India in case Boeing wins the IAF order.
Boeing to submit bid soon for India warplanes
Boeing will soon submit its bid to supply 126 F/A-18 Super Hornets to the India Air Force. Joe Song, Asia Pacific vice president for international business development at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, said the company will meet a March 3 deadline for bidders.
France reiterates offer of 40 Rafale fighters to India
Dassault CEO Charles Edelstenne who is traveling with French President Nicholas Sarkozy to India currently has reiterated an offer to sell 40 Rafale fighter jets to India. The unsolicited offer was made during the Aero India Show in Bangalore early last year.
"We feel that the process for acquiring 126 fighter aircraft will take some time and we understand the need for additional planes for the IAF. If the Indian government is interested, we are ready to answer," Edelstenne said.
No MMRCA Bid Extension
Both EADS and Saab have been told that their requests to extend the Jun. 9 deadline for offset bids in the Indian Air Force MRCA program have been rejected.
F-16 gets super cruise capability
Lockheed Martin executives told Indian reporters that the Fighting Falcon being offered to India, the F-16IN, will have the ability to supercruise and possess AESA radars. "The F-16 IN is a complete new aircraft and totally caters to India's requirements and there could be no comparison with Block 50 and 60 fighters, being made for other countries," company official Chuck Artymovich said.
U.S. fighter bids for India hit tech-transfer snag
Lockheed Martin and Boeing bids to secure contracts to sell fighters to India is in a limbo because of a split in the Pentagon over how much cutting-edge technology to share with India. "There's advocates and non-advocates" of meeting India's hopes for maximum radar technology-transfer and co-production, said a senior U.S. Air Force official, who declined to be named.
Tech Transfers Nixed For MMRCA Offsets
Potential bidders for India's Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition has just been told that technology transfer will not count toward the offset requirement.
Lockheed Martin to meet deadline for India's war jet deal
Lockheed Martin's vice president Orville Prins told reporters in New Delhi that his company will meet a March 2008 deadline set by India to bid for the sale of 126 fighters. The remarks came amid reports that three of the bidders have sought an extension to the March 3 deadline to submit proposals to the Indian defence establishment.
Dassault to Offer Rafale for India Fighter Deal
Dassault has confirmed a report in business daily La Tribune that it is offering the Rafale fighter jet for India's MRCA competition. Dassault had hesitated before committing to the competition and sought guidance from the French government on the chances of success in India.
Airbus chief optimistic on selling Eurofighters to India
Former CEO of EADS and current Airbus chief Thomas Enders told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa in Delhi yesterday that he is confident EADS will sell Eurofighters to India. "The Eurofighter ranks among the most modern combat aircraft worldwide," he said while accompanying German Chancellor Angela Merkel on a visit to India.
Europe's EADS to bid for IAF tender for 126 fighters
EADS Senior Vice President for South Asia, Allain Letanoux, said his company is all set to bid for India's MRCA competition with the Eurofighter. "We have received the RFP (request for proposals) of the IAF and we will be bidding by the end of the year," Letanoux said.
India Aircraft Tech Proposal May Be Hard To Enforce, Ministry Says
Indian officials are skeptical that technology transfers for its MRCA fighter competition will proceed smoothly especially if an American aircraft is chosen. Transferring technology will be easier for Russian and European firms, they believe.
Request for Proposal for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft Issued
Okay, the Indian government tender for 126 fighters is finally out and there are no surprises in the line up. Six aircraft have been shortlisted and they are the Dassault Rafale, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16, RSK MiG-35 and Saab JAS-39 Gripen.
The winner of the tender will have to meet a 50% offset requirement.
IAF hikes combat jet purchase figure to 200
Indian Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju told reporters that the Indian Air Force could add up to 80 fighters to the planned 126 multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA).
Lockheed tempts India with F-35 access
Flight International examines Lockheed Martin's offer to sell the F-35 stealth fighter to India if it selects the F-16.
US wants India's fighter jet order, dangles F-35 carrot
Buy the F-16 and you get the F-35. That's what Royce Caplinger, the managing director of Lockheed Martin Global Inc., told CNN-IBN news channel on Thursday. Watch the video yourself to hear the man say it.
Gripen offers tech transfer for combat aircraft
Gripen International has indicated that it was willing to provide full transfer of technology to India. The move comes as India prepares to issue RFPs for its MRCA competition.
India clears move to buy 126 fighter jets
India will send out the RFPs for 126 fighters by August after the Defence Ministry gave the green light on Friday. Eighteen aircraft will be bought off the shelf and the rest, 108, will be manufactured under licenses in India.
Race for IAF's $6.5b deal to begin
The RFP for the Indian Air Force's 126 multi-role combat aircraft competition is now ready in all respects. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) together with the Defense Minister are expected to approve it today.
Biggest ever defence tender to float by June end
India's Defence Acquisition Committee will be meeting in two weeks time to finalize the Request For Proposals for the purchase of 126 multi-role combat aircraft.
Tender for 126 planes to be floated in 3 months
Indian Defence Minister A K Antony has confirmed that the Request for Proposals (RFP) for 126 multi-role combat aircraft will be issued before September this year. "It will be out very soon. The outer limit is two to three months and that too is on the higher side," Antony said.
Lockheed Martin eyes aircraft sales to Israel, India
The USAF is discouraging India from buying an Israeli configured version of the F-16 because of interoperability issues. U.S. Air Force's deputy under secretary for international affairs, Bruce Lemkin, told Dow Jones Newswires that the F-16 is also better than the F/A-18 for Air Force-to-Air Force synergies.
RFP for combat aircraft getting finishing touches
Officials from the Indian Air Force and Ministry of Defense is working hard to meet a deadline to release the RFP for 126 multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA). They aim to release it before Mar. 31.
India asks Russian proposal for fighters
Indian Air Force chief SP Tyagi said his country has asked MiG aircraft corporation to send a request for proposal for it MRCA competition. He made the comments after watching the MiG-29OVT demonstration at a Russian air force base near Moscow.
India tempts US with $6bn aircraft deal
India is delaying its Request for Proposal for 126 Medium Range Multi-Role Combat aircraft until U.S. lawmakers complete the process for the Indo-US nuclear deal.
India to buy more fighter jets for forces
India's MRCA competition may increase its requirement of 126 jets at present to 180-190. The additional jets would likely go to the Navy.
France to offer Rafale figher in place of Mirage
French President Jacques Chirac is expected to formally withdraw the Mirage 2000-5 for India's MRCA competition and replace it with the Rafale when he makes an official visit Feb. 19.
French Mirage no more interested in 10-billion dollar IAF deal
Dassault is no longer interested in supplying the Mirage 2000-5 as a candidate for India's MRCA competition. Dassault says it cannot wait anymore for the Indians to make up their mind on whether or not to buy the Mirage as the production line has been closed and it is costly to maintain an idle line.
|
Digg it