Contenders submit bids for Indian MRCA requirement

Six companies have submitted bids to supply the Indian Air Force (IAF) with 126 multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) for around INR420 billion (USD10.5 billion).

Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman Sitanshu Kar said on 28 April that all contenders had put forward their proposals by the deadline of noon that day.

Competing for the contract are: Boeing's F/A-18E/F-IN Super Hornet; the Dassault Rafale; the EADS Eurofighter Typhoon; Lockheed Martin's F16-IN; the Russian Aircraft Corporation's MiG-35; and Saab's JAS 39 Gripen.

All bids detailed the complex technology transfer involved and the 50 per cent offset obligation - an increase on the usual 30 per cent - as well as specifying tie-ups and memoranda of understanding with local defence companies.

The contract includes the purchase of 18 aircraft to be delivered within 48 months of the deal being concluded.

The first of the remaining aircraft, which are to be built locally, is to be delivered within 54 months of the deal being signed, with all 126 expected to be in service by 2020.

Image: MiG-35 at Aero India 2007, Bangalore (Jane's/Patrick Allen) 172 of 447 words