luckyyy
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this is rightly MMRCA is meant for , to counter the incoming cruise missiles..
Dassault Rafale, tender | News & Discussions
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this is rightly MMRCA is meant for , to counter the incoming cruise missiles..
the rafter
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US goes all out for Rs 49,000 cr IAF deal - Rediff.com News
The Barack Obama administration has launched a concerted and aggressive campaign on behalf of United States's fighter aircraft manufacturers to push for the 'mother of all deals'-- the $11 billion medium multi-role combat aircraft deal for 126 fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The deal could give the ailing US economy a major boost in terms of both exports and thousands of jobs.
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who met Defence Minister A K Antony and senior officials of the IAF during his India visit, made a strong pitch for the US aircraft at every opportunity, sources told rediff.com. European nations and Russia are also vying for the lucrative deal.
The Indian government is likely to move toward a down-select, where it will short-list two or three candidates and open the commercial negotiations.
Those in the running are the Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin's F-16 Block 60, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen, and the RSK Mig-35.
Even before his trip, as head of a high-tech US trade delegation that visited New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai last week, Locke had met Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar and stressed that the deal was a major priority for the US and President Obama.
On the eve of his trip, when asked by rediff.com how strongly he would push for the deal while in India, Locke had said, "It's of course a high priority for us and of course, we think the world of our American companies that are involved in that proposal."
But we are also going to that event (Aero India 2011 at Bengaluru) to showcase the many other American companies that provide technology and parts and components that are used in India's civil aviation industry," he said.
After he returns, Locke would brief the President on his trip, said sources, adding that President Obama may call Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and make a pitch for the US manufacturers.
In March, senior Pentagon official Ashton Carter will visit India to meet senior officials from the defence ministry and representatives of the armed forces. The MMRCA deal would be a priority on his agenda.
At a recent conference on India-US Defence Relations at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Carter had said, "Without saying anything disparaging about the other entrants, both the F-18 and the F-16s offers include the best technology."
Carter acknowledged, "India will make its decision based upon its own needs and its own assessment and our relationship will go on in the defence field whatever happens."
But he asserted, "Obviously, I hope that we end up being their partners because it would give additional momentum to the relationship."
When he was pressed as to how much advocacy he would indulge in while in India on behalf of the US fighter aircraft candidates, Carter said, "Our people have explained themselves. I don't need to do that. My principal interest at the moment in this and in all of our procurements worldwide is transparency, openness, so that everyone in India can see exactly what's going on and whatever they pick, they'll have picked for their own reasons on the merits. That's the important principle."
In order to sweeten the deal if India decides to go with either one of the US fighter aircraft, Carter made it clear that America would have no qualms about offering India the F-35 Stealth and even co-developing maybe a fifth generation fighter.
He was quick to note, "That's really up to the Indians."
Carter said, "Right now, they are focused on these aircraft, which are really top-of-the-line fourth generation fighters and they are (of) good value and meet the requirements of the MMRCA solicitation."
The Barack Obama administration has launched a concerted and aggressive campaign on behalf of United States's fighter aircraft manufacturers to push for the 'mother of all deals'-- the $11 billion medium multi-role combat aircraft deal for 126 fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The deal could give the ailing US economy a major boost in terms of both exports and thousands of jobs.
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who met Defence Minister A K Antony and senior officials of the IAF during his India visit, made a strong pitch for the US aircraft at every opportunity, sources told rediff.com. European nations and Russia are also vying for the lucrative deal.
The Indian government is likely to move toward a down-select, where it will short-list two or three candidates and open the commercial negotiations.
Those in the running are the Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin's F-16 Block 60, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen, and the RSK Mig-35.
Even before his trip, as head of a high-tech US trade delegation that visited New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai last week, Locke had met Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar and stressed that the deal was a major priority for the US and President Obama.
On the eve of his trip, when asked by rediff.com how strongly he would push for the deal while in India, Locke had said, "It's of course a high priority for us and of course, we think the world of our American companies that are involved in that proposal."
But we are also going to that event (Aero India 2011 at Bengaluru) to showcase the many other American companies that provide technology and parts and components that are used in India's civil aviation industry," he said.
After he returns, Locke would brief the President on his trip, said sources, adding that President Obama may call Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and make a pitch for the US manufacturers.
In March, senior Pentagon official Ashton Carter will visit India to meet senior officials from the defence ministry and representatives of the armed forces. The MMRCA deal would be a priority on his agenda.
At a recent conference on India-US Defence Relations at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Carter had said, "Without saying anything disparaging about the other entrants, both the F-18 and the F-16s offers include the best technology."
Carter acknowledged, "India will make its decision based upon its own needs and its own assessment and our relationship will go on in the defence field whatever happens."
But he asserted, "Obviously, I hope that we end up being their partners because it would give additional momentum to the relationship."
When he was pressed as to how much advocacy he would indulge in while in India on behalf of the US fighter aircraft candidates, Carter said, "Our people have explained themselves. I don't need to do that. My principal interest at the moment in this and in all of our procurements worldwide is transparency, openness, so that everyone in India can see exactly what's going on and whatever they pick, they'll have picked for their own reasons on the merits. That's the important principle."
In order to sweeten the deal if India decides to go with either one of the US fighter aircraft, Carter made it clear that America would have no qualms about offering India the F-35 Stealth and even co-developing maybe a fifth generation fighter.
He was quick to note, "That's really up to the Indians."
Carter said, "Right now, they are focused on these aircraft, which are really top-of-the-line fourth generation fighters and they are (of) good value and meet the requirements of the MMRCA solicitation."
GORKHALI
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They still got some teething problem on software front now earlier it was criticised for very limited range ,and some 18 F 2 were updated by J/APG -1 ...
dbc
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News of Rafale's engine failure at AeroIndia 2011 is true according to the Armée de l’Air (French Airforce) an engine sonde(sensor) needed replacement in a two hour operation performed by a crew of three.
Le détachement français en action sur le salon Aeroindia
the rafter
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Will Russia's MiG abandon the Indian race? | Features & Opinion | RIA Novosti
The Indian tender for 126 MMRCAs (medium multi-role combat aircraft) to replace its ageing MiG-21s was announced long ago, but only now is the real intrigue unfolding. Competition between two main rivals - the United States' F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Russia's MiG-35 has been stiff.
The intrigue heightened after Russia announced its MiG-35 would not be on display at an air show in Bangalore. Many experts took the absence of a "real live" MiG as a sign that Russia was pulling out of the race.
Leading entries compared
The Russian and U.S. fighters each have their own strengths. The Super Hornet's design maturity is indeed impressive. It has been in serial production for over 10 years and carries an active phased-array radar (APAR), which is also in serial production. The United States is also in a position to start manufacturing the aircraft for an Indian order at short notice.
The MiG-35's advantages include India's experience of MiG-29s and the fact that maintenance infrastructure for them is in place across the country, as well as Russia's readiness to share production technology with India.
The MiG-35's main shortcoming is its APAR: it is still in development and this is set to continue for a year or two. Also, despite its MiG-29 origins, the MiG-35 still needs refining before it can go into serial production.
Fundamentally, the only thing the MiG-35 shares with the previous MiG-29 family is its appearance. Its equipment and facilities have undergone a radical overhaul. The aircraft is now capable of using the very latest air-to-surface munitions, making it a multi-role fighter, unlike the MiG-29, which is considered an air-supremacy fighter.
The cockpit, in line with the current fashion, is equipped with multi-functional liquid-crystal display screens, while the HOTAS (hands on throttle-and-stick) system allows the pilot to manage all the weapons systems without taking their hands off the aircraft and engine controls.
Vectored-thrust engines make the plane much more maneuverable, increasing its chances of winning in close combat and avoiding long-range missile fire.
The fact that a two-seat version - the MiG-35D - is available, with the same kind of avionics as the single-seater, means that groups consisting of one- and two-seater aircraft can be formed, which are capable of carrying out highly complicated missions. In such formations the two-seaters become command planes, coordinating the moves of a flight or squadron.
Boeing meanwhile ...
Unlike Russia, which decided not to put its MiG-35 on display in Bangalore, the United States has stepped up its activity and unveiled the latest version of the F/A-18, or the Silent Hornet, upscaled with stealth technology.
These warplanes are kitted out with conformal fuel tanks, enhanced performance engines, spherical missile laser warning (SM/LW), enclosed weapons pads and next generation cockpits complete with internal infrared search and tracking systems.
The aircraft on display at the show is the first to be developed as part of the International Super Hornet Roadmap program, which Boeing announced at the Farnborough air show last year. The fighter is being touted as a new generation in the Super Hornet family, which will feature improved combat survivability, situational awareness and performance for customers.
Boeing's vice president Vivek Lall said that if India signs a contract with Boeing under the MMRCA tender it will be able to obtain this technology. "We are creating a platform which will be combat worthy for the next 30 or 40 years," he said.
This announcement is unprecedented for an American company - until now only the United States' closest allies have been granted full access to this kind of technology. All the others had to make do with what they were sold.
Tender results are expected to be announced this summer. They are particularly important for the MiG: should the MiG-35 fail to get an export order, Sukhoi aircraft will be left in a position of unassailable dominance on Russia's combat aviation market.
Despite the unquestioned potential of Sukhoi platforms and their proven quality, such a monopoly is unlikely to be helpful.
The views expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.
The Indian tender for 126 MMRCAs (medium multi-role combat aircraft) to replace its ageing MiG-21s was announced long ago, but only now is the real intrigue unfolding. Competition between two main rivals - the United States' F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Russia's MiG-35 has been stiff.
The intrigue heightened after Russia announced its MiG-35 would not be on display at an air show in Bangalore. Many experts took the absence of a "real live" MiG as a sign that Russia was pulling out of the race.
Leading entries compared
The Russian and U.S. fighters each have their own strengths. The Super Hornet's design maturity is indeed impressive. It has been in serial production for over 10 years and carries an active phased-array radar (APAR), which is also in serial production. The United States is also in a position to start manufacturing the aircraft for an Indian order at short notice.
The MiG-35's advantages include India's experience of MiG-29s and the fact that maintenance infrastructure for them is in place across the country, as well as Russia's readiness to share production technology with India.
The MiG-35's main shortcoming is its APAR: it is still in development and this is set to continue for a year or two. Also, despite its MiG-29 origins, the MiG-35 still needs refining before it can go into serial production.
Fundamentally, the only thing the MiG-35 shares with the previous MiG-29 family is its appearance. Its equipment and facilities have undergone a radical overhaul. The aircraft is now capable of using the very latest air-to-surface munitions, making it a multi-role fighter, unlike the MiG-29, which is considered an air-supremacy fighter.
The cockpit, in line with the current fashion, is equipped with multi-functional liquid-crystal display screens, while the HOTAS (hands on throttle-and-stick) system allows the pilot to manage all the weapons systems without taking their hands off the aircraft and engine controls.
Vectored-thrust engines make the plane much more maneuverable, increasing its chances of winning in close combat and avoiding long-range missile fire.
The fact that a two-seat version - the MiG-35D - is available, with the same kind of avionics as the single-seater, means that groups consisting of one- and two-seater aircraft can be formed, which are capable of carrying out highly complicated missions. In such formations the two-seaters become command planes, coordinating the moves of a flight or squadron.
Boeing meanwhile ...
Unlike Russia, which decided not to put its MiG-35 on display in Bangalore, the United States has stepped up its activity and unveiled the latest version of the F/A-18, or the Silent Hornet, upscaled with stealth technology.
These warplanes are kitted out with conformal fuel tanks, enhanced performance engines, spherical missile laser warning (SM/LW), enclosed weapons pads and next generation cockpits complete with internal infrared search and tracking systems.
The aircraft on display at the show is the first to be developed as part of the International Super Hornet Roadmap program, which Boeing announced at the Farnborough air show last year. The fighter is being touted as a new generation in the Super Hornet family, which will feature improved combat survivability, situational awareness and performance for customers.
Boeing's vice president Vivek Lall said that if India signs a contract with Boeing under the MMRCA tender it will be able to obtain this technology. "We are creating a platform which will be combat worthy for the next 30 or 40 years," he said.
This announcement is unprecedented for an American company - until now only the United States' closest allies have been granted full access to this kind of technology. All the others had to make do with what they were sold.
Tender results are expected to be announced this summer. They are particularly important for the MiG: should the MiG-35 fail to get an export order, Sukhoi aircraft will be left in a position of unassailable dominance on Russia's combat aviation market.
Despite the unquestioned potential of Sukhoi platforms and their proven quality, such a monopoly is unlikely to be helpful.
The views expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.
the rafter
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AERO INDIA: Boeing comment provokes combat aircraft debate
Saab believes its Gripen IN design will make the shortlist in India's medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contest later this year, despite a contrary prediction made by rival bidder Boeing.
Speaking at Aero India, Kory Mathews, vice-president F/A-18 and EA-18G programmes for Boeing Military Aircraft, said he believed only three of the current six candidates would make the shortlist, and these would all be twin-engine designs.
"That's really a very surprising statement," says Eddy de la Motte, Saab's director Gripen India. "I'm pretty sure there's going to be one single-engine fighter in there as well."
The Swedish manufacturer has submitted a strong technical and industrial bid with a "responsible price" for the 126-aircraft deal, he says.
Lockheed Martin also challenges the Boeing official's assessment of the MMRCA battle.
"The request for proposals actually favours a single-engine aircraft," claims Orville Prins, vice-president Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, referring to New Delhi's focus on the life-cycle costs of its future fighter.
The company is offering its F-16IN "Super Viper" for the requirement.
"We believe this is the finest F-16 that would ever be built," says Prins. "We think it's the ultimate fourth-generation aircraft, with a fifth-generation technology bridge in it."
A key element of the company's bid is the availability of the Northrop Grumman APG-77 active electronically scanned array radar.
Lockheed's experience in setting up multiple foreign final assembly lines for the F-16 during the programme's history means it has "demonstrated that we can do this better than any other bidder," Prins claims.
Prins also rebuffed a suggestion that the Indian air force could scrap its MMRCA process entirely in favour of pursuing a deal for Lockheed's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
"All we have heard from the air force is that they remain absolutely committed to MMRCA," he says.
As well as the F-16, Gripen and Super Hornet, additional candidates for the more than $10 billion deal are the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and RSK MiG-35.
Saab believes its Gripen IN design will make the shortlist in India's medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contest later this year, despite a contrary prediction made by rival bidder Boeing.
Speaking at Aero India, Kory Mathews, vice-president F/A-18 and EA-18G programmes for Boeing Military Aircraft, said he believed only three of the current six candidates would make the shortlist, and these would all be twin-engine designs.
"That's really a very surprising statement," says Eddy de la Motte, Saab's director Gripen India. "I'm pretty sure there's going to be one single-engine fighter in there as well."
The Swedish manufacturer has submitted a strong technical and industrial bid with a "responsible price" for the 126-aircraft deal, he says.
Lockheed Martin also challenges the Boeing official's assessment of the MMRCA battle.
"The request for proposals actually favours a single-engine aircraft," claims Orville Prins, vice-president Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, referring to New Delhi's focus on the life-cycle costs of its future fighter.
The company is offering its F-16IN "Super Viper" for the requirement.
"We believe this is the finest F-16 that would ever be built," says Prins. "We think it's the ultimate fourth-generation aircraft, with a fifth-generation technology bridge in it."
A key element of the company's bid is the availability of the Northrop Grumman APG-77 active electronically scanned array radar.
Lockheed's experience in setting up multiple foreign final assembly lines for the F-16 during the programme's history means it has "demonstrated that we can do this better than any other bidder," Prins claims.
Prins also rebuffed a suggestion that the Indian air force could scrap its MMRCA process entirely in favour of pursuing a deal for Lockheed's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
"All we have heard from the air force is that they remain absolutely committed to MMRCA," he says.
As well as the F-16, Gripen and Super Hornet, additional candidates for the more than $10 billion deal are the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and RSK MiG-35.
Dash
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For the bolded part -
I think its a very valid point, that IAF should actually order more than 1 squads, mainly for 2 reasons.
1. Faster induction.
2. Any issues on tech transfer and subsequesnt delays can be mitigated. If in case such issues crop up you atleast have working squadrons of fighters.
angeldemon_007
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Its true that Dassault is producing Rafale at a low rate, that means they have not set up big production line. How can they increase production when their is no facility on ground. Just for the information, no country will set up a separate production or increase the capacity of present one just to meet the demand of a single country.
If Dassault win a couple of more projects or if India promise to increase the number in MMRCA competition, they we could expect Dassault to increase the production. But dassault will have no problem in India's license production.
People are talking about good ToT in French case. But the truth is French are also not so good. French companies are making fool of offset policy and not to mention the DCNS reluctance to offer technology.
The thing is we don't know whom to trust on ToT except Russia but we are not buying Mig35.
jha
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With No. set to be increased to >200. I hope we get EF+SH combo..
BTW this special screening of Mig-35 to the IAF officials may have some side effects..Some senior people would remember a discussion we had some months back..There was an article which talked about IAF going for some Mig-35 in addition to 126 MRCA and getting ELRAAMs with this..
BTW this special screening of Mig-35 to the IAF officials may have some side effects..Some senior people would remember a discussion we had some months back..There was an article which talked about IAF going for some Mig-35 in addition to 126 MRCA and getting ELRAAMs with this..
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