Fierce battle for IAF Multirole combat aircraft tender

Bangalore, Feb 6 (UNI) The battle for bagging the order of 126 Multirole Combat Aircraft (MRCA) order from the Indian Air Force is turning fierce by the day, with major competitors pitching hard for what is being termed as the biggest order by any air force during the last 15 years.

Estimated to be worth anywhere between ten and 15 billion Dollars, the order, for which the Request for Proposal (RFP) would be floated later this year, was being pursued by defence aviation majors across the world, including Lockheed Martin with its F-16s, Boeing with its super Hornet F/A-18 E/Fs from the US and the Russian MiG-35.

Aero India 2007, to begin tomorrow, will display these magnificent machines.

The Government had floated in 2004 the Request for Interest for F-16, MiG 29, French Mirage 2000-5 and the Swedish Jas-39 Gripen.

While the Russians have come up with a much improved MIG version MiG-35, being exhibited in the international arena for the first time, Lockheed had brought its F-16, with Boeing also pitching in for the order with F-18 and the Swedish SAAB bringing three of its Gripen.

The 30 per cent offset clause in the new defence procurement policy does not seem to be a hindrance as these aviation majors have put in place strong teams to finalise their bids.

Boeing, which had tie-ups in Australia and Japan for its fighter versions, had indicated in no uncertain terms that it would take up co-production of the F-18 with HAL in India. Even Gripen and Lockheed Martin have echoed the sentiment, looking at India as a major arms buyer over the next ten years.

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