India to issue RFP for maritime patrol requirements

[sudhir007]

India to issue RFP for maritime patrol requirements | idrw.org

India is readying requests for proposals (RFP) for two maritime patrol requirements: the navy’s Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft and the coast guard’s Medium Maritime Patrol (MMP) aircraft.

Both requirements are likely to be for six aircraft initially, with options for six more, say industry sources. One source said the initial MMP requirement could be for nine aircraft.

The sources spoke to Flightglobal at Defexpo India 2012, where airframers displayed models of maritime patrol aircraft. RFPs for both requirements are expected in 2012, with one source saying the MMP RFP could be issued in April or May. India issued requests for information (RFIs) for both requirements in 2010.

Unlike the navy’s long-range maritime patrol aircraft requirement, which will be filled by the Boeing 737-based P-8I Neptune, the RFI suggests India will not require the MRMR to have anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, with the aircraft focused on the maritime patrol mission and capable of carrying anti-ship missiles. It will replace India’s 12 Britten-Norman Islanders.



In the 2010 RFI, the navy stated that the MRMR aircraft will require a top speed of 300kt (556km/h) or greater and a patrol speed of 200kt. It will require a full self protection suite, including radar and laser warning receivers, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) surface-search radar and a forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor.

One possible contender for the requirement could include a variant of the P-8I, although Boeing representatives at the show said they want to see the RFP before deciding how to address the MRMR campaign. They pointed out that a P-8I variant would be make sense from a logistical and crew training perspective given that India has already ordered eight P-8Is for long-range patrol.

Other contenders for the MRMR could include the Saab 2000 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), the Airbus Military C295 MPA, and the Israel Aerospace Industries ELI-3360 (based on the Bombardier Q400). A previously issued RFP for the MRMR was withdrawn in early 2009.

Sources say the MMP requirement is somewhat less well defined. “Based on the RFI, the MMP is a really big beast,” says one source from a European airframer.

The RFI called for a diverse range of missions, including search and rescue, anti-surface warfare, environmental monitoring and medical evacuation with three intensive care stations.

“We’re not sure if all the capabilities need to be present all the time, or whether they can be changed in or out,” says the source.

 

[angeldemon_007]

Both requirements are likely to be for six aircraft initially, with options for six more, say industry sources. One source said the initial MMP requirement could be for nine aircraft.

No its mistake. MOD and CCS has already cleared money for 9 aircrafts. SO IN's tender will be for 9 MRMR with option for more while coast guard can 6.

which will be filled by the Boeing 737-based P-8I Neptune, the RFI suggests India will not require the MRMR to have anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, with the aircraft focused on the maritime patrol mission and capable of carrying anti-ship missiles.

I don't think its true because thats not what MOD said. MRMR is going to have ASW capability.
The Indian navy has divided the marine surveillance grid of India in to three regions. The P-8 Poseidons will be used for patrolling the outermost section. Dornier Flugzeugwerke aircrafts, along with the Israeli designed IAI Searcher and IAI Heron (Machatz-1) will patrol the innermost sector. The MRMR drones will fill the gap between the two.

A number of global aircraft and defence companies, including heavyweights like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Saab AB, Dassault Aviation, Embraer SA, and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) are in contention for the huge contract.

One possible contender for the requirement could include a variant of the P-8I, although Boeing representatives at the show said they want to see the RFP before deciding how to address the MRMR campaign. They pointed out that a P-8I variant would be make sense from a logistical and crew training perspective given that India has already ordered eight P-8Is for long-range patrol.

I once heard, Boeing is thinking of changing the P8 platform to reduce cost for global sales. I think atleast for MRMR, they should go for a smaller cheaper platform as this will reduce the price and give them an edge over others otherwise it will lose on account of its high cost.

 

[sancho]

If MoD would be smart, they would combine several deals at once to get the maximum advantage. The C295 for example is a good MR MPA, would suit ICGs requirements as well, BSF has already evaluated as well and like recent reports confirmed, there is a competition of IAF which includes licence production as well. So one aircraft, including licence production for 4 x forces in high numbers.
But the way such procurements goes in India, we will see 4 different evaluations and 4 different aircrafts beeing bought.

 

[angeldemon_007]

^^^
But this is not how things work in India. Just look at the latest news from Brahmos. Now they wanna make a smaller version for Mig29. No missile is made specifically for so many aircrafts, its an inefficient way. If the Brahmos air-launched version was from the very beginning for Mig29, then it would be suitable for alot of aircrafts but no, first they built for Su30, now they will make it for MMRCA, Mig29, Mirage. It will also cost us more.....

 

[sancho]

^^^
But this is not how things work in India. Just look at the latest news from Brahmos. Now they wanna make a smaller version for Mig29. No missile is made specifically for so many aircrafts, its an inefficient way. If the Brahmos air-launched version was from the very beginning for Mig29, then it would be suitable for alot of aircrafts but no, first they built for Su30, now they will make it for MMRCA, Mig29, Mirage. It will also cost us more.....

That is different buddy, Brahmos missile is based on P-800 Oniks and is meant to be mainly a long range anti ship cruise missile used from ground based launchers, subs or other naval vessels, or bigger aircrafts. The size and weight restrictions always made the Flanker version to be the only suitable fighter platform, but even in the initial stages, the plan was to develop a smaller version. Once this was needed to give MKI the capability to carry up to 3 x missiles, instead of just one, but as the long term goal, to fit it to Pak Fa / FGFA, because it lacks the centerline station to carry Brahmos 1. At Defexpo 2010 the IRKUT CEO confirmed that the development has already been started, so the news that it will be integrated to Mig 29K and MMRCA, is just the next step and hints, that the development could be pretty far, since both fighters will be inducted into operational service around 2014/15.
So this is a further development that was well planned, contrary to many procurements, or indigenous developments!

 

[sancho]

Israeli-Produced Naval Reconnaissance

IAI will offer India a naval reconnaissance aircraft based on a Bombardier-produced aircraft. The primary sensor offered with the aircraft is Elta’s EL/M-2022 naval radar

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will offer India its naval reconnaissance aircraft, which his based on an aircraft produced by Bombardier. India is seeking to procure naval reconnaissance aircraft for its navy and coast guard. The proposed deal is for a total of six aircraft, at a worth of several hundred million dollars.

IAI will approach the tender, which is not yet published, and will offer the joint system it shares with the Canadian aircraft producer Bombardier. The aircraft is the product of cooperation between IAI’s Elta division and the aircraft producer, and is based on the Q-400 aircraft...

Israel Defense | Israeli-Produced Naval Reconnaissance