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Defence ministry goes slow on downlisting firms for aircraft deal​



Posted: Saturday, Sep 18, 2010 at 0100 hrs IST


New Delhi: Despite getting gentle nudges from the government, the defence establishment does not seem to be ready for an early downlisting of the $10-billion 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract in which companies from the US, France and Russia are in the race. Sources told FE, “The field trial report of the six contenders has been sent to the director-general acquisition’s office, who is expected to make recommendations and send it to the defence acquisition council (DAC) of the ministry of defence (MoD).”

“The DG’s recommendations will not only be based on the field trial report but will also take into consideration the evaluation of the offset proposals of the six contenders. The Offset Technical Committee in the defence ministry has already initiated the process of evaluating the offset proposals,” sources added.

They went on to clarify that they are under no pressure to downselect contenders prior to the visit of the US President Barack Obama, French President Nicholas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni and the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

American companies, Lockheed Martin F-16IN, Boeing F/A-18, French Dassault Rafale, EADS Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen and Russian MiG-35 are in the running for the 126 aircraft deal which is expected to replace the ageing MiG-21s. According to sources, “Vendors who are compliant rule wise, Defence Procurement Policy and Technical offsets will ultimately be opened for consideration. Also, the lowest bidder, designated L1, will be selected as the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA)."


Once the contenders receive the evaluation of the Offset Technical Committee, the contenders for the MMRCA will give fresh offset proposals. After that, fresh recommendations will be sent to the defence ministry. Once the Cabinet Committee on Security gives the nod, negotiations between governments will begin, which could start early next year, sources added. The contenders have being invited to submit their offset plans and the IAF will meet different contenders to discuss flight evaluation reports once the field trials are complete. It may be noted that the IAF is considering “life-cycle costs” and not just the lowest bid for the MMRCA. The contract entails acquisition of 18 aircraft to be bought off-the-shelf and the rest to be manufactured in India under transfer of technology.



Defence ministry goes slow on downlisting firms for aircraft deal
 
The MMRCA Game​

The MMRCA Game


The word MMRCA is again making lots of noise in defense circles as the Flight evaluation test report by the Indian Air Force has been submitted to the Ministry of Defense. The report consists of some 643 test points which were determined by the IAF have been submitted to the Ministry for approval. Old news apart, the biggest debate going around and quite for a while now is who will win the competition and gloat around at air shows and exhibitions. All the experts have made very good commentary on this debate; every debate made by them has some really good points and some really serious criticism.

All the six contenders need this contract as it will determine their future. The F-16 wants to squeeze everything out of it and prove that it is still one of the best platform, the F/A-18SH needs a big contract from outside USA to ensure its future and that of Boeing, Rafael needs to open its export account, Typhoon needs the deal to offset its downsizing by sponsor nations and the entire future of MiG-35 and JAS-39 Gripen depends on winning the contract. MMRCA deal is not only worth a lot in terms of money but also the competitor’s future prospects and how the world sees it post-MMRCA depends on it.

Now we know that the suppliers will do everything to win but who will India choose is a different game all together. IAF needs a fighter which will act as stop gap measure and prevent further force depletion. But the game is just a bit more complicated than that with players like Transfer of technology, life cycle cost, weaponry, politics, etc. playing hard. Now India won’t get everything it wants because it’s not possible to hit a 6 on every ball and dismiss the entire opposition in 10 balls. Like any other captain India needs to choose the right players and right combination to win the game in the best possible manner without creating any controversy.

I have divided the winning formula into three game plans all of them should ensure victory at certain expense.

Game Plan 1: The best beast wins!

The first game plane is relatively simple; India should choose the best platform available to them. In this competition the Dassault Rafael and the Eurofighter Typhoon are probably the best beasts. Both the platforms are quite new and come with the latest in avionics, self-defense systems and weaponry. Both the fighters have very good kinematic performance and are stated to receive new AESA radars. Rafael has its SPECTRA electronic survival system and Typhoon has its advance avionics and flight control system which are said to be best in the business. The only downside to these aircrafts is that they are very expensive to buy.

Game Plan 2: The Political Power play

Politics is the real game changer here. More than often experts, politicians, officials and air force personnel’s have touted this to the star player in game. Looking at the current trend the Americans look the strongest in this area and will probably emerge victorious with their F/A-18SH if the final decision is a political one. Now, the Super Hornet is a very good fighter with deadly capabilities and the best Radar in the competition. It would also mean that India would receive great deal of support in various fields like nuclear science, Research and development, Military cooperation, UNSC permanent seat, etc. from USA. The downside to this is that anything Americans sell comes with several strings attached which the Indian media has put light on several times.

Game Plan 3: The L1 Policy

The third and the final game plan is L1, the lowest bidder wins. IAF wants these fighters as a stop gap measure and they will be demoted to level 2 fighters once 5th generation fighters start entering service which is by 2025. That means the gains of this game will last only a decade hence it makes since to buy a reasonable capable fighters at low cost. In this scenario the MiG-35, Gripen and the F-16IN have a good chance. All three have some very good qualities and they are jack of rest. The MiG-35 will need less of everything as it an upgraded version of MiG-29 with which IAF has absolutely no problem. Gripen is a new platform like Rafael and Typhoon but is cheap, F-16 will allow IAF to understand the threats it faces with PAF (F-16Blk-50 and JF-17) and PLAAF (J-10) having fighters with similar or less capabilities. The downside to this will be that IAF won’t be getting anything worth for long term future and need not necessarily be the sharpest knife.

Conclusion:

India has to choose the fighter keeping in mind its long term and short term objectives. If she wants to buy the best then Rafael and Typhoon are the one to look at, if she wants to achieve its political goals then Super Hornet is probably the best buy and if she wants to just spend less and get the job done then MiG-35, JAS-39 Gripen and F-16 are the aircraft which come cheap.

:cheers:
 
I love f-16 :smitten: if the mod wants rich plane they go for Rafale.


If less price means f-16:D
 
Gripen over Burj Al Arab

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Over Dubai Port


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Over Palm Jumeirah


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I have seen the Mig 35 Fly.... Believe me, I would anytime want to have that Thing In Our Arsenal....
 
I have seen the Mig 35 Fly.... Believe me, I would anytime want to have that Thing In Our Arsenal....

Mig-29 is enough ..

we need to diversify ..

 
Last edited by a moderator:
what are the benefits of Diversification???

Different vendors means more resources, political gains, newer technologies, non dependency on a single supplier, future know-hows from more fields, less favourisms etc
 
The MMRCA Game​

The MMRCA Game


The word MMRCA is again making lots of noise in defense circles as the Flight evaluation test report by the Indian Air Force has been submitted to the Ministry of Defense. The report consists of some 643 test points which were determined by the IAF have been submitted to the Ministry for approval. Old news apart, the biggest debate going around and quite for a while now is who will win the competition and gloat around at air shows and exhibitions. All the experts have made very good commentary on this debate; every debate made by them has some really good points and some really serious criticism.

All the six contenders need this contract as it will determine their future. The F-16 wants to squeeze everything out of it and prove that it is still one of the best platform, the F/A-18SH needs a big contract from outside USA to ensure its future and that of Boeing, Rafael needs to open its export account, Typhoon needs the deal to offset its downsizing by sponsor nations and the entire future of MiG-35 and JAS-39 Gripen depends on winning the contract. MMRCA deal is not only worth a lot in terms of money but also the competitor’s future prospects and how the world sees it post-MMRCA depends on it.

Now we know that the suppliers will do everything to win but who will India choose is a different game all together. IAF needs a fighter which will act as stop gap measure and prevent further force depletion. But the game is just a bit more complicated than that with players like Transfer of technology, life cycle cost, weaponry, politics, etc. playing hard. Now India won’t get everything it wants because it’s not possible to hit a 6 on every ball and dismiss the entire opposition in 10 balls. Like any other captain India needs to choose the right players and right combination to win the game in the best possible manner without creating any controversy.

I have divided the winning formula into three game plans all of them should ensure victory at certain expense.

Conclusion:

India has to choose the fighter keeping in mind its long term and short term objectives. If she wants to buy the best then Rafael and Typhoon are the one to look at, if she wants to achieve its political goals then Super Hornet is probably the best buy and if she wants to just spend less and get the job done then MiG-35, JAS-39 Gripen and F-16 are the aircraft which come cheap.

:cheers:

Ur post is good but this will destroy the purpose of IAF.......
IAF already going to hav 250+ SU30
They want to replace Mig's, Jagiars n Mirages....
Dont u think basic need for MRCA is totally changed and its the worlds toughest thing to make every one happy.......also India would like to block the sales to PAKISTAN from the losing competetor
 
Ur post is good but this will destroy the purpose of IAF.......
IAF already going to hav 250+ SU30
They want to replace Mig's, Jagiars n Mirages....
Dont u think basic need for MRCA is totally changed and its the worlds toughest thing to make every one happy.......also India would like to block the sales to PAKISTAN from the losing competetor

EF, Rafale,F-18- too pricey.
Mig-35 -Politics.
F-16- already a vendor
Gripen- already F-16 and JF-17 is similar.




So block who??:what:
 
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