Best Plane for Indian MRCA 126 Deal

reply to post by waynos

Yeah I have seen that source to Waynos, it's currently top story on the Flight Global website. I must say I am somewhat surprised as I expected the competition to come down to either the up-rated Super Hornet or Mig-35. Im not surprised at the rejection of the Gripen as nice as it is, it's not a medium sized combat aircraft. The F-16IN likewise, the Indians seemed intent on the kind of combat systems and sensor fusion that the upgraded Super Hornet was offering. However it is heartening to see that the Rafale and Typhoon have been shortlisted as quite frankly either of these aircraft will do the job admirably. A good deal on surplus Tranche3b Typhoons could be made which would help everyone concerned. And lets not forget that the Rafale has a maritime variant so could be operated from the Indian Navies forthcoming carriers, which may be part of broader Indian strategic thinking. Either way this is turning into a very interesting competition.

LEE.

That's precisely what I was thinking, while the Sea Typhoon has been proposed to India, the fact that the Rafale M exists and is in service cannot be anything but a major advantage. I'm not sure how significant the naval role is to this requirement or whether India is looking longer term, but surely a split buy would be an unnecessary expense?

On the other hand I believe that Eurofighter is offering a level of local manufacture, extending into full partnership, that Dassault will not, so I think it's all still up in the air for those two.

Of course, in my last post I did mean F/A-18E

There was also a line, from Boeing, about awaiting feedback (ie justification) from India before considering their options that conjured up thoughts of KC-X etc. Is this now Boeings default position?

Yes gentlemen, the bid has finally taken a turn for the more interesting.. Years of wait and anguish were seeming to culminate in further despair lest the F-xx or Mig-xx were shortlisted. Clearly the saucier and 'newer' a/c have been selected throwing theories of selections being dependent on geo-strategic needs out of the window.

Hope the final decision isn't another year (or 5!) away.. The Rafale is considerably cheaper at the outset, but lacks any foreign operator. Note both a/c showcased operational prowess in the current no-fly-zone deployment over Libya, while the Rafale has operated some more in Afghanistan.

As far as the naval version connection goes, yes the Rafale is 'ready to go' but the navalized Typhoon was advertised as a STOBAR a/c while I believe the Rafale is only catapult launch (?) for now. The Indians are known to prefer STOBAR a/c.

Whatever happens, its a good shortlist and will make for an interesting decision. Remember, nothing stopping both being selected in smaller numbers each; though an unlikely option considering the diversification costs; an illness the Indian AF already suffers greatly from.

Originally posted by waynos
There was also a line, from Boeing, about awaiting feedback (ie justification) from India before considering their options that conjured up thoughts of KC-X etc. Is this now Boeings default position?

It would definitely paint KC-X protests in a different light.


Boeing also better be careful. Too much protesting and foreign governments will stop considering them as a supplier. The US govt are less likely to tell them to get lost (or rather, not even send them an RFI or RFP), but its still possible if there are internal alternatives.