Posted on 09/30/2010 7:35:43 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
30 Sep, 2010, 04.03PM IST,PTI
US major GE wins engine bid for Indian LCAs
NEW DELHI: US aircraft engine manufacturer (GE) Aviation today won the bid for supplying engines for the Indian programme and the deal is estimated to be worth over $600 million.
GE pipped its European competitor Eurojet for the deal after DRDO, which is developing the LCA's mark II version, formally announced that the American major's was the lowest bid in the tenders that saw a long-drawn battle for over two years.
"GE was declared as the lowest bidder" by the Price Negotiating Committee headed by Chief Controller for Aerospace systems Dr Prahlada.
"The Prime Negotiating Committee for the alternate engine for LCA Mk 2 has finalised the comparative statement of tenders...After evaluation and acceptance of the technical offer provided by both Eurojet and GE Aviation, the commercial quotes were compared in detail and GE Aviation was declared as the lowest bidder," an official statement from DRDO said in New Delhi.
The committee also had representatives from Defence Ministry, Defence Finance, Aeronautical Development Agency, DRDO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
"Further price negotiations and contract finalisation will follow," the release added.
Though the order could be for 99 engines initially, will have the option of order for another 100 engines in the future.
GE had offered its GE F-414 engine as an alternative to its GE F-404 engines that are fitted in the first batch of LCAs that IAF would receive in a couple of years from now.
Eurojet had offered its EJ-200 engines for the LCA Mk II aircraft that is under development now.
The DRDO announcement comes a day after Defence Minister AK Antony returned here after a two-day visit to the US and met American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defence Secretary Robert Gates among others.
Refresh my memory, please. This is an indigenously built Indian aircraft, right?
Yes, but with considerable US, French and Israeli assistance.
Ping Ponggggg
Seems like the Super Hornet and most interestingly SAAB suddenly have a solid opening.
I see India as a solid future bulwark against the evil of Communist expansionism from the north and east. I am a firm believer that we need to do everything possible to help them build up their economy and military so that we can work together to combat that great evil. They could very well end up being the inheritors of the American experiment in Freedom and Capitalism in future years.
just my $0.02
Still leaves the door open for the Gripen NG, though, which also uses the F414.
My money is still on the F/A-18.
It would appear you are correct. The SuperBug has won. If the Growler is included in this, it will take the bug’s chances from a strong 90% to an almost certain 98%.
For what it’s worth, the Boeing-India website has a page for the Growler. That can’t be created without export approval or if it’s not on offer (unlike the F-15E/SE). Boeing has been talking of a downgraded variant of the Growler which should suffice for most requirements.
http://www.boeing.co.in/ViewContent.do?id=43802&aContent=EA-18G Growler
About chances, Saab suddenly seems to have a big leg-up here. For one, I don’t think the Indian government still has the level of comfort to award a big contract such as the MRCA to the Yanks. Engines, C-17s are one thing, high performance fighters is another thing. The Gripen is a good option on that level-keeps everyone happy while offering excellent capability. Plus if you use the logic the DRDO used for selecting the F414 i.e. price goes to the lowest bidder, the Gripen scores over the/ Super Hornet big time.
A mid-mounted delta with a single vertical tail? Is this 1978?
The F-16 is out simply because Pakistan flies it. The SuperHornet is out because this is supposed to be a Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, and the SuperHornet is now almost as large as an F-15E.
That leaves the Gripen NG winner by default. It's only drawback from being the hands-down favorite is program risk and time to first delivery. Saab hasn't actually built any production versions yet, and have just the one demonstrator flying around.
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