Eurofighter 
Rafale
Posted on 04/27/2011 9:42:43 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Eurofighter, Rafale make Indian MMRCA shortlist?
Our Bureau
Has India downselected Eurofighter Typhoon and the Dassault Rafale for the $ 10 billion MMRCA fighter aircraft procurement project. Informed sources told defenseworld.net that two of the vendors, Eurofighter and Dassault have been invited to the Indian MoD for further discussions on their commercial bids on April 28. The commercial bids are to expire tomorrow.
None of the other four bidding vendors have been invited so far for a discussion on the continuation of their bids, the sources said. Defenseworld.net reached two of the four vendors who confirmed that they have not received any communication on continuing or resubmitting their bids.
Does this mean that the two vendors have made the shortlist and the other four- Lockheed Martin F16, Boeing F/A 18, MiG-35 and Saab Gripen IN have been left out? A website reported that the four have failed the technical evaluation of the Indian Air Force (IAF) but this could be independently confirmed.
Informed sources said that an official announcement is likely on April 28 or 29 after the final shortlist is announced. If Eurofighter and Dassault have indeed made the shortlist, it means that the two have made passed the technical evaluation of the IAF. Under the Indian system of procurement, the top two qualifying vendors will be invited for commercial negotiations and the one which offers the best terms (lowest price) will be eventually selected.
In informal discussions with defenseworld.net earlier, executives of Eurofighter and Dassault were bullish on their bids stating that the performance superiority of the two European fighters had weighted over the other vendors in the flight trials and technical evaluation.
Eurofighter Rafale
Seems to be popular with fighters among European defense contractors.
Sad as it sounds, this makes sense from India’s point of view. We, the US, have been bad partners for India. We keep selling weapons to the Pakistanis. We put sanctions on India at the drop of a hat. Only GWB seemed to “get it” that India is our NATURAL partner in that region. Of ALL the countries in the world, Indians rank the US highest!! Or in other words our approval rating as a people and nation is the highest in India. Or in other words, dem hindoos love us!
In addition they are a democracy (noisy one!). They have zero beef with the US (sorry! could not resist that). They are a natural enemy of China (just like us)
In the end the Eurofighter will win. They are offering to make India a full partner with full technology transfer. They are also promising never to sell the eurofighter to Pakistan or China
It is a Gen 4.5 fighter. Good enough for that neighborhood for the most part
Everyone is looking away from the US because of the debacle of the F/A (Flying Anvil) 35...
That plus putting the F-22 on the shelf pretty much put us out of the international milcraft market (except for the small number of F-16s and F-15s we “sell” to some).
European assurances on the Eurofighter don’t count for much since they are itching to resume arms sales to the Chicoms. So there is no point in them witholding the Eurofighter, if they can sell other systems.
The F-35 didn’t have any role to play in this unless one assumes that the selecting the F-16 would mean a natural progression to the JSF. Which is dumb to say the least.
The European aircraft were newer and most likely came with more liberal technology transfer guarantees. However that means a higher price as well as likelihood of delays. Unlike the F-16 and F-18 which are mature platforms.
Delta wings supposedly have a lower radar cross section compared to similar conventional configuration. Of course hanging ordnance underneath it doesn’t help.
Sukhoi my friend, how are you? Long time no chat.
That is the whole point of the partnership. All partners have a veto right on Export sales (as opposed to national sales). Conversely they also all benefit mutually with export orders
I can safely predict India will forego any profits on sales of the Eurofighter to China :)
The Eurofighter is just one among many collaborative European programmes. Would a sale to India mean that the Europeans would resist from selling radars and electronics to the Chicoms once the embargo is lifted? That’s a very tempting possibility once you consider the relative sizes of the Indian and Chinese markets.
First official confirmation of a shortlist; must confess it left me with a lump in the throat to see the Gripen folks bow out.
You are correct on that. A sub-system that was not specifically developed for the Eurofighter can be easily sold to the Chicoms.
However, in this case, India is more concerned with the total package.
Keep in mind, becoming a full partner will allow India to set up a FULLY INDEPENDENT assembly line in India with full technology transfer
The biggest benefit is that this allows India to theoretically own an unlimited number of Eurofighters. As the technology transfer is complete, India no longer needs to invite bids or get permissions
Look at the problems with your namesake the Sukhoi-30MKI. A phenomenal plane. First purchased when the Russian economy was down. Now the latest tranche being negotiated has escalated in price. The Russians are trying to loot India
Me too. A very cost effective platform.
Does the IAF really believe the Tejas Mk II will do almost everything the Gripen NG is capable of?
Anyone will fleece you if you walk around inviting people to do so. In addition to the Russians, the French and Brits have also signed pretty lousy contracts with India; the US FMS deals have been better though more expensive in principle.
I think this is a question of the sum being greater than the parts. The Mk2 needs to be 60% as effective as the Gripen NG but it will serve its purpose as long by forming the low end of the air force inventory and by being cheap.
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