Thursday, March 31, 2011

IAF refuses last minute offers from MMRCA contenders

Indian Air Force as quoted by PTI says that it will not accept last minute offers from Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) contenders. IAF says that it has evaluated the bids as per the initial offers and last minute proposals like upgrade with more powerfull engines etc is unacceptable.

There are 6 contenders for the10 billion dollar plus MMRCA tender. Lockheed Martin with F-16 IN, Boeing with F/A-18 E/F, Dassault Aviation with Rafale, Saab with Gripen, Rosoboronexport with MiG 35 and EADS with Eurofighter Typhoon are vying the 126 plane contract.

The IAF chief Air Chief Marshal PV Naik had said that the price negotiations are to begin by the end of this month. A price negotiation committe is being set up for the same.

The contract is important for all the six contenders, as defence budgets in their own countries have shrunk. While Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale and SAAB need to win this tender in order to survive, the order also represents a new lease of life for US contenders. The US has produced more than a 1000 of F-16 and F-18 aircrafts, but, this order represent almost 5% to 10% of their total production and that too before they close their lines.

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