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Reply With QuoteThis toss of the coin has Lockheed Martin and Boeing written on the its 2 sides.
Good!!! Dassault deserved it! They were way too passive at marketing their bird. Just look at how much effort Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Mig, Saab and even EF guys put in. I am personally very impressed by the F-16IN that Lockheed Martin is offering, despite all the resentment that bird has in Indian circles. The French just weren't in this seriously. Rafale never made it to AI '09, despite all its competition being there, and if the defense ministry is to be believed, Dassault was not too open at disclosing all the specs of their bird. It was a good decision to disqualify it. The French are too expensive anyways, just look at how long the price negotiations are taking just to upgrade the present fleet of Mirages!
Last edited by Tronic; 17 Apr 09, at 07:29.
Nabha Sparasham Deeptam
-Touch The Sky With Glory
This toss of the coin has Lockheed Martin and Boeing written on the its 2 sides.
And on the sixth day, God created the Field Artillery...
IF they are claiming on ground of technical specifics- I was wondering if anyone could provide insight into what area potentially the aircraft could be disqualified?
Or is India finding any excuse o disqualify companies- as they already have their mind set on an aircraft/aircrafts to test?
p.s- I have to agree with sir Delta on Boeing with the greatest potential going into this bid- with their associations with HAL and offset clauses. Also have to mention the willingness to enhance greater US and Indian co-operation, with the possibility of future military purchases at great prices a plausibility. India has much to gain.
French fighter jet out of race for biggest IAF deal
NEW DELHI: French fighter Rafale has been knocked out of the race for the 'mother of all defence deals', the Rs 42,000 crore project to acquire
126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) for IAF, leaving five jets in the fray now.
Defence ministry (MoD) sources on Thursday said Rafale had 'fallen short' on 'several counts' listed in the GSQRs (general staff qualitative requirements) drawn up by IAF. "It did not pass muster in the technical evaluation of the bids submitted by the six contenders," said a source.
The move is sure to rile France, which like other countries in the contention for what will be the largest global defence contract had mounted a high-voltage campaign for the $10.4 billion MMRCA contract. "We have no confirmation from the Indian MoD... We are extremely surprised since there was no technical lacuna in our bid," said a French official.
Incidentally, India and France are also yet to settle their bitter differences for the upgrade of the 51 Mirage-2000s in IAF's combat fleet despite being locked in negotiations for over two years now. Sources said French fighter manufacturer Dassault Aviation wants well over Rs 12,000 crore for the project, but India is not prepared to pay a penny over Rs 10,000 crore.
As for the MMRCA battle, India will now invite only American F/A-18 'Super Hornet' (Boeing) and F-16 'Falcon' (Lockheed Martin), Russian MiG-35 (United Aircraft Corporation), Swedish Gripen (Saab) and Eurofighter Typhoon (consortium of British, German, Spanish and Italian companies) to take part in the field trials which are likely to begin from July-August.
"IAF HQ is drawing up the modalities for the field trials to begin in around three months," said the source. There will be at least two sets of trials conducted in summer and winter, with the five jets being flown in the snow-capped peaks of Leh, the scorching Rajasthan deserts (probably Jaisalmer) and the humid conditions of south India (probably Bangalore).
The race, of course, is actually quite a marathon. The commercial bids will only be opened, examined and compared after a shortlist is made of two to three top contenders following the extensive field trials and staff evaluation.
With the final negotiations to begin thereafter, the entire process is expected to take a minimum of two years before the contract is actually inked. IAF hopes to induct the first lot of the new fighters — 18 jets will be bought off-the-shelf, while the rest will be manufactured in India under transfer of technology — by 2012-2013.
French fighter jet out of race for biggest IAF deal
NEW DELHI: French fighter Rafale has been knocked out of the race for the 'mother of all defence deals', the Rs 42,000 crore project to acquire
126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) for IAF, leaving five jets in the fray now.
Defence ministry (MoD) sources on Thursday said Rafale had 'fallen short' on 'several counts' listed in the GSQRs (general staff qualitative requirements) drawn up by IAF. "It did not pass muster in the technical evaluation of the bids submitted by the six contenders," said a source.
The move is sure to rile France, which like other countries in the contention for what will be the largest global defence contract had mounted a high-voltage campaign for the $10.4 billion MMRCA contract. "We have no confirmation from the Indian MoD... We are extremely surprised since there was no technical lacuna in our bid," said a French official.
Incidentally, India and France are also yet to settle their bitter differences for the upgrade of the 51 Mirage-2000s in IAF's combat fleet despite being locked in negotiations for over two years now. Sources said French fighter manufacturer Dassault Aviation wants well over Rs 12,000 crore for the project, but India is not prepared to pay a penny over Rs 10,000 crore.
As for the MMRCA battle, India will now invite only American F/A-18 'Super Hornet' (Boeing) and F-16 'Falcon' (Lockheed Martin), Russian MiG-35 (United Aircraft Corporation), Swedish Gripen (Saab) and Eurofighter Typhoon (consortium of British, German, Spanish and Italian companies) to take part in the field trials which are likely to begin from July-August.
"IAF HQ is drawing up the modalities for the field trials to begin in around three months," said the source. There will be at least two sets of trials conducted in summer and winter, with the five jets being flown in the snow-capped peaks of Leh, the scorching Rajasthan deserts (probably Jaisalmer) and the humid conditions of south India (probably Bangalore).
The race, of course, is actually quite a marathon. The commercial bids will only be opened, examined and compared after a shortlist is made of two to three top contenders following the extensive field trials and staff evaluation.
With the final negotiations to begin thereafter, the entire process is expected to take a minimum of two years before the contract is actually inked. IAF hopes to induct the first lot of the new fighters — 18 jets will be bought off-the-shelf, while the rest will be manufactured in India under transfer of technology — by 2012-2013.
Aaaaah... the plot thickens...Originally Posted by Neo_Arch
The French government had also approved the Full transfer of technology for the IAF, including the software codes and Radars, which might be quite difficult to get from the other competitors.
I'd say it has Boeing and Mig on two of its sides.
Despite being a value-for-money package, I doubt the Viper's going to take the crown.
" THe SiLEnt KNighT.
I agree with sir Kommunist, There is a possibility of arms twisting by US govts, however i don't have any proof for this statement, this is my gut feeling. This is one if the biggest deal and US would want this deal to flourish the US industry as this would make lots of money for them.
The French have a independent foreign policy, which is not influenced by other nations, the french have been assisting India's Military since decades ago, they according to me should have a stronger credibility than specially the US. US can impose sanctions against India which I believe the French will never do.
Just thought of something: India has been watching the US becoming friendlier and friendlier with Pakistan, so India may see this as an opportunity to become friendlier with US by "buying american". My guess? Typhoon goes next...
India hasn't been competing with Pakistan for the US' love for 62 years. I highly doubt it's going to start now.
I really think American products are best left alone. They haven't exactly proven themselves to be 'reliable'. With 100+ combat aircraft, I feel that reliability is a leeeetle important.
I was thinking simply in terms of equipement, but also of political/diplomatic support...India hasn't been competing with Pakistan for the US' love for 62 years. I highly doubt it's going to start now.
I really think American products are best left alone. They haven't exactly proven themselves to be 'reliable'. With 100+ combat aircraft, I feel that reliability is a leeeetle important.
I guess they should have brought Carla in to have a chat with Anthony
And has by far the largest price tag.
It made its first flight a year after the Typhoon. It has about as much in common with the Hornet as the Hornet did with the f-5The F-18 (Super Hornet) seems to be albeit old...
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: The Honda Accord of fighters.
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