India selects EF, Rafale for MMRCA shortlist
- Thread starter SpArK
- Start date
axisofevil
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- May 10, 2009
- Messages
- 3,953
- Reaction score
- -14
Yet we forget the Air France incident and how our Indian ppl were treated. We lack unity and solidarity. Both planes look great but we need to really dissect the issue from more than just the plane itself. France has at times held us hostage to supplies, upgrades, and they are heavily involved in bribing defense officials in the past. With EF we actually stand to become an actual partner in the program with the ability to have access to everything involved in the program, that my friends is more priceless than tech transfer which doesn;t aid our industry.
The question is are we looking to simply become a client state for weapons or are we trying to really make a domestic defense industry a priority? IF we go for EF for the industry sake, we all need to be aware that any successive administration selected to office should and cannot impede the research and development involved there. Otherwise, it will suspected to be corruption at the greatest magnitude.
The question is are we looking to simply become a client state for weapons or are we trying to really make a domestic defense industry a priority? IF we go for EF for the industry sake, we all need to be aware that any successive administration selected to office should and cannot impede the research and development involved there. Otherwise, it will suspected to be corruption at the greatest magnitude.
GORKHALI
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2010
- Messages
- 3,689
- Reaction score
- -9
LM RESPONSE
UPDATE: Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute think tank and a consultant to Lockheed Martin says he has been told by company officials that both the F/A-18 and F-16 have been dropped from consideration by India.
And here's Lockheed's not very informative but perhaps telling statement: "The US Government has informed Lockheed Martin that they have received a letter from the Indian MOD concerning the MMRCA competition. We understand that the US Government is working on a response to the letter from the Indian government. Lockheed Martin remains committed to our relationship with the Indian Air Force, Ministry of Defense and the other Services. Lockheed Martin has several world-class products offering the most advanced and reliable technology we believe is suitable for India's security needs."
Reports out of India today indicate that country's government has narrowed down the list of planes it is considering buying as the next next front line fighter jet and that both Lockheed Martin's F-16 and the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet have been eliminated from the competition.
If that is the case it could mean the days of the F-16 being produced in Fort Worth are nearing an end. Company officials said in their conference call Tuesday they only have orders booked to carry production through mid-2013.
The very good DewLine blog has more here. About the only thing official on the subject at this point is that Sweden's Saab has confirmed that it has been eliminated. But one blog reports it has confirmed that India has asked two bidders, France's Dassault and the European Eurofighter consortium to extend the terms of their bids.
Lockheed has not yet commented to the Star-Telegram. A Boeing spokesman said he had not heard anything official from his corporate ranks.
But Washington defense analyst Loren Thompson, who has many good sources in the world of defense contractors, said he has heard similar but unofficial reports.
"My understanding is the F-16 and F/A-18 have both been disqualified by India," Thompson said. "It may just be a negotiating tactic. They've (India) done stuff like this before."
India has for years been tantalizing fighter jet manufacturers with its plans to spend something on the order of $10 billion to buy 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft.
Sky Talk: Reports say India has dropped F-16, F/A-18 from fighter jet competition
UPDATE: Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute think tank and a consultant to Lockheed Martin says he has been told by company officials that both the F/A-18 and F-16 have been dropped from consideration by India.
And here's Lockheed's not very informative but perhaps telling statement: "The US Government has informed Lockheed Martin that they have received a letter from the Indian MOD concerning the MMRCA competition. We understand that the US Government is working on a response to the letter from the Indian government. Lockheed Martin remains committed to our relationship with the Indian Air Force, Ministry of Defense and the other Services. Lockheed Martin has several world-class products offering the most advanced and reliable technology we believe is suitable for India's security needs."
Reports out of India today indicate that country's government has narrowed down the list of planes it is considering buying as the next next front line fighter jet and that both Lockheed Martin's F-16 and the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet have been eliminated from the competition.
If that is the case it could mean the days of the F-16 being produced in Fort Worth are nearing an end. Company officials said in their conference call Tuesday they only have orders booked to carry production through mid-2013.
The very good DewLine blog has more here. About the only thing official on the subject at this point is that Sweden's Saab has confirmed that it has been eliminated. But one blog reports it has confirmed that India has asked two bidders, France's Dassault and the European Eurofighter consortium to extend the terms of their bids.
Lockheed has not yet commented to the Star-Telegram. A Boeing spokesman said he had not heard anything official from his corporate ranks.
But Washington defense analyst Loren Thompson, who has many good sources in the world of defense contractors, said he has heard similar but unofficial reports.
"My understanding is the F-16 and F/A-18 have both been disqualified by India," Thompson said. "It may just be a negotiating tactic. They've (India) done stuff like this before."
India has for years been tantalizing fighter jet manufacturers with its plans to spend something on the order of $10 billion to buy 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft.
Sky Talk: Reports say India has dropped F-16, F/A-18 from fighter jet competition
axisofevil
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- May 10, 2009
- Messages
- 3,953
- Reaction score
- -14
Shouldn;t be concerned about our enemies aircraft as well. I mean in the even of war with a major player, we will first have to take out their aircraft before we can have a clear shot at taking out their ground structure. I am aware we fight two fronts, but isn;t it easier to develop A2G capabilities?
macho ki macho
BANNED
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2010
- Messages
- 121
- Reaction score
- 0
Economic times confirms this report.
Government rules out Boeing, Lockheed for $11 billion fighter jet order: Source - The Economic Times
Government rules out Boeing, Lockheed for $11 billion fighter jet order: Source - The Economic Times
Some people cant digest the MRCA selection is actually happening.
The Americans have their hands full with billions of dollars in Indian defence contracts already excluding this one;
147 M777 Howitzers, about 10 (additional 6) C-17s, 6 (another optional 6) C 130Js , 8+4 P-8Is, Most possibly the 22 Apache Longbow attack helis, Chinooks transport helis etc.
This is pretty much huge for a relative new comer.
- 512 CBU-105 sensor-fused bombs for US $ 257.7-million
- GE F-414, 99 engines for US$ 600 million
- Harpoon Block II missiles for US $ 170 million
and there are plenty of deals in future like Javelin Missiles etc.
hembo
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2009
- Messages
- 3,395
- Reaction score
- -3
- Country
- Location
Brother.. where have you been??? Both LM & Boeing are out of contention...
A quick question to the aviation experts: Why India has chosen single engine for Tejas? Kaveri would have been good enough if we had gone for a twin engine design? Any specific reason?
Similar threads
