Airbus eyeing Rs 12,000 cr IAF deal for medium-lift transport planes

[arp2041]

Close on the heels of clinching the IAF contract for supply of mid-air refuellers, European consortium Airbus will now bid for the Rs 12,000 crore global tender to be floated by India for procuring 56 medium-lift transport aircraft to replace its vintage Avro planes.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister A K Antony had in July last year cleared a proposal to procure 56 transport aircraft. The tender, though, is yet to be floated.

“Our hope is that by the next financial year we would be invited to present the RFP (Request for Proposal),”Airbus Military officials said, informing that the aircraft is being tested for further improvement.

Airbus Military has already clinched the deal to supply its A-330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft after it emerged as the lowest bidder in the IAF contract worth over Rs 8,000 crore for procuring them.

So far, the Indian Air Force has only been equipped with Russian-origin IL-78 mid-air refuellers.

Making a strong case for N and its efficacy in Indian Air Force, head of marketing of light and medium transport of Airbus Military Jeronimo Amador vouched for the aircraft’s fuel efficiency and the total life cycle cost.

Talking to reporters at the Airbus facilities here, he said the aircraft has been sold to 17 operators so far with six countries coming with repeat orders.

He said the aircraft can fulfil logistics need for a large country like India with 1500 nautical mile range from New Delhi.

The first 16 transport aircraft, according to the proposal cleared by the DAC, will be procured off-the-shelf from foreign vendors who will have to partner with a local private or public sector firm.

The next 16 aircraft will have to have 30 per cent indigenous component while the remaining 24 planes will have 60 per cent locally-procured and produced items.

The IAF fleet of Avro aircraft, inducted in 1960s, is used for transporting men and material. The aircraft can carry loads up to 7-8 tonnes.

According to Jeronimo, C295 is currently being tested for further improvement as “winglets are slated to be added for improved performance in different phase of flight apart from surveillance versions.”

Airbus claims that its C295 has the largest cargo floor area in its category and can carry more troops, paratroops, containers and pallets than the competitors.

“It is simple and robust and easy to maintain and operate,” Jeronimo said.

Airbus eyeing Rs 12,000 cr IAF deal for medium-lift transport planes | idrw.org

 

[Abingdonboy]

I'd rather see the C-27J clinch this deal.

 

[arp2041]

I'd rather see the C-27J clinch this deal.

A Good Comparison:

http://www.c295.ca/wp-content/uploads/C295-Comparison-Chartmay26.pdf

C-295 >> C-27J.

 

[Abingdonboy]

A Good Comparison:

http://www.c295.ca/wp-content/uploads/C295-Comparison-Chartmay26.pdf

C-295 >> C-27J.

Mate, note this is from Airbus themselves! Of course they will talk up their own bird!


The C-27J has its advantages too, notably significant commonality with the C-130J that the IAF operates.

The C-295 does come with an AWACS version though. I don't know how useful this is to India but if,say, the C-295 was being looked at to fill the IN's shore-based AWACS requirement then it is a better idea to go for joint purchase. Also I believe the ICG and BSF are looking at the C-27J for their own needs.

 

[Skull and Bones]

Mate, note this is from Airbus themselves! Of course they will talk up their own bird!


The C-27J has its advantages too, notably significant commonality with the C-130J that the IAF operates.

The C-295 does come with an AWACS version though. I don't know how useful this is to India but if,say, the C-295 was being looked at to fill the IN's shore-based AWACS requirement then it is a better idea to go for joint purchase. Also I believe the ICG and BSF are looking at the C-27J for their own needs.

C-295 is also ideally suited for Indian requirement for Medium Range Marine Recon platform.

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

Let the IAF chose the best after evaluations

 

[Abingdonboy]

Let the IAF chose the best after evaluations

Naturally but we can debate and weigh up the contenders- that's the fun of it!

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

Naturally but we can debate and weigh up the contenders- that's the fun of it!

Well then !! My choice is Airbus C 295

C 27J might be advanced than it, but the natural distrust of USA during war scenarios are coming up to the mind.

C 295 is also a excellent platform by the way with AWACS capabilities.

 

[RISING SUN]

Both are good I would like both of them inducted in their strong area for dedicated roles + optional support to secondary roles as well. We need a lot of AWACS, recon, special forces, maritime support, air policing planes. But we have to do it keeping the health of economy as well. Machine ko purchase karna hi sab nahi hai, usko maintain karna bhi padega.

 

[Koovie]

Isnt the MTA also in the same weight and lift class????


PS: Ok, the MTA will replace the AN 32s.

 

[indian_foxhound]

C-27J is much better than c295.

 

[anant_s]

Heres my two bit:
C 27J

* Similar to C 130J (engines) and hence far easier to maintain and spare management.
* Easier to train ground crew for plane upkeep.
* US has proved to be very reliable supplier through deals for C 17 and C 130J and would please IAF.

C 295

* EADS has shown its competitive might during MRTT deal.
* Multi role plane. As Rajaraja Chola mentions can be used for AWACS role.

C 295 is also a excellent platform by the way with AWACS capabilities.

* Could pip C 27J in pricing.

However all things considered it looks like C 27J might hold an edge as Indian govt. may not want EADS to lap two deals simultaneously. In any case whichever bird dons the Indian colors, IAF must be licking its lips in anticipation.

 

[jnreno75]

casa 295 pips c27j in pricing....but the c27j pips the 295 in every specification from takeoff weight to the ferry range,except the number of troops it can carry....I"ll love the IAF going for C27j even if the price is higher by 10 million dollars for a plane...the 295s got only a 2600hp engine each whereas the 27j boasts off a 4600hp engine each

 

[sancho]

The C-27J has its advantages too, notably significant commonality with the C-130J that the IAF operates.

Actually that's only a minor advantage, more important for it is the fact, that it's designed for tactical roles comparable to the C130. That's why it has a bigger cargohold to carry even some bigger jeeps, or why it has good take off and landing capabilities. The question however is, what does the potential operator wants to do with it? If you know that, you will have a better idea about which advantages are important and which are not.

IAF replaces older Avros mainly in the utility cargo role, the tactical roles will be filled with C130Js and MTA. So more important than the tactical advantages of the C27J, should be the low cost of procurement and operations of the C295, which capability wise is actually in the AN 32 class anyway.
The US cancelled their C27J procurement, because they turned out to cost as much as their C130s per hour, while the performance is lower.
Add the restrictions that the US will pose for the licence production of their parts in the C27J and you have several reasons why the EADS might back this deal as well.

The C-295 does come with an AWACS version though. I don't know how useful this is to India but if,say, the C-295 was being looked at to fill the IN's shore-based AWACS requirement then it is a better idea to go for joint purchase. Also I believe the ICG and BSF are looking at the C-27J for their own needs.

The AWACS version will not be of interest for India, once because the flight performance is less than the EMB 145 proivides and secondly since it's sold with the Phalcon system and why buy a foreign system when your own is close to be inducted? To patrol the sea area alongside our coastline, the EMB 145 DRDO AWACS is the best and easiest choice and instead dreaming of a bigger plattform and 360° detection, DRDO should develop capable intelligence and should integrate it into the EMB 145 multi intel, as a sigint aircraft. Our forces have the requirement, the Brazilians have the plattform!
BSF has already decided against the C27J and for the C295, most likely because of the mentioned cost reasons, ICG and IN search for MPAs and currently there is no such version available of the C27J. So here the C295 will have advantages too.

 

[Agent_47]

@sancho
What is the total requirement of this class(including BSF,ICG,MPA)?
BSF is running a separate tender?