MRCA News & Discussions (V)

[plugwater]

Fvcking awesome!!! Rafale please

 

[thecoolone]

Eurofighter, Rafale make Indian MMRCA shortlist?

as 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.

http://www.defenseworld.net/go/defensenews.jsp?id=5637

 

[Anshu Attri]

official confirmation from SAAB....
GRIPEN NOT IN THE SHORTLIST FOR THE INDIAN MMRCA


http://www.saabgroup.com/About-Saab/Newsroom/Press-releases--News/Gripen-not-on-the-shortlist-for-the-Indian-MMRCA-programme/
Today defence and security company Saab AB has received information from the Indian Ministry of Defence that Gripen has not been shortlisted for the Indian Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme.

"We are offering India a world class next generation fighter aircraft to a very competitive price and an extensive technology transfer programme. We have received this decision and will closely monitor the future process and provide additional information if requested by the Indian Ministry of Defence. We are confident that the Gripen system is the perfect match for the Indian Air Force as well as meeting the highest requirements for the international markets," says HÃ¥kan Buskhe, President and CEO at Saab.

India is one of Saab's most important markets. For example, Saab recently announced an investment in a research and development centre in India.

"We are committed to the Indian market and continue our plans for growth and see huge business opportunities in the aerospace, defence and security sectors," says HÃ¥kan Buskhe.

Gripen is in service with the Swedish, Czech Republic, Hungarian, South African and Royal Thai Air Forces. The UK Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS) is operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.

 

[Zebra]

Please any one if you can guide me about ,
What will be each A/C price for ET and Rafale , in MRCA deal ?
I mean -the difference of both A/C price , Rafale was somewere 70 million each and ET 100+ mill.
European Consortium is now ready at the price of Rafale even less ?
And Dassault will try to beat Euro- Consortium's price ?
Is that right ?

 

[Zebra]

official confirmation from SAAB....
GRIPEN NOT IN THE SHORTLIST FOR THE INDIAN MMRCA


http://www.saabgroup.com/About-Saab/Newsroom/Press-releases--News/Gripen-not-on-the-shortlist-for-the-Indian-MMRCA-programme/
Today defence and security company Saab AB has received information from the Indian Ministry of Defence that Gripen has not been shortlisted for the Indian Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme.

"We are offering India a world class next generation fighter aircraft to a very competitive price and an extensive technology transfer programme. We have received this decision and will closely monitor the future process and provide additional information if requested by the Indian Ministry of Defence. We are confident that the Gripen system is the perfect match for the Indian Air Force as well as meeting the highest requirements for the international markets," says HÃ¥kan Buskhe, President and CEO at Saab.

India is one of Saab's most important markets. For example, Saab recently announced an investment in a research and development centre in India.

"We are committed to the Indian market and continue our plans for growth and see huge business opportunities in the aerospace, defence and security sectors," says HÃ¥kan Buskhe.

Gripen is in service with the Swedish, Czech Republic, Hungarian, South African and Royal Thai Air Forces. The UK Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS) is operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.

___________________________________________________________________
THANK YOU for your news.

I donot know why but I love Gripen .

 

[Koovie]

Yeah good news! love EF and Rafale!
Anyway, only 5 to 10 years left until GOI will make its final decision.... :-

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Rafele will most likely be the winner EF is too complicated, with too many countries and TOT not clear ;who will agree and who will not for things like Meteor BVR TOT for example??

 

[Anshu Attri]

Govt shortlists Eurofighter, Rafale for fighter jets: Sources

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/g...-rafale-for-fighter-jets-sources-101947?cp&cp

New Delhi: The Defence Ministry has shortlisted Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale from among six competitors participating in the $10.5-billion tender to provide the Indian Air Force with Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), say sources.

The Dassault and the Eurofighter, according to sources, are the only participants asked to extend the validity of their commercial bids and have been called to the Defence Ministry on Thursday, the sources add.

Sources also say that the other competitors - Boeing F/A-18, Lockheed-Martin's F-16, UAC's MiG-35 and Saab's Gripen - haven't received a message or a letter.

The MMRCA deal is meant to provide the Indian Air Force with approximately 126 new state-of-the-art fighter aircraft.


Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/g...-rafale-for-fighter-jets-sources-101947?cp&cp

 

[thecoolone]

Saab dropped from Indian fighter deal shortlist
By Stephen Trimble

Saab today announced the Gripen fighter was not short-listed by India for the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract.
The Indian ministry of defence informed Saab of the decision, but the official short-list has not been released.
Local reports indicate that the short-list includes at least the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon. The status of the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-16IN and Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-35 is not clear.
Although the single-engine Gripen did not make the short-list, Saab has not completely given up on the India's pending order for 126 fighters.
"We will closely monitor the future process and provide additional information if requested by the Indian Ministry of Defense," says HÃ¥kan Bushke, president and chief executive of Saab.
The decision is a huge blow to the future of the Gripen. Saab is currently searching for more export orders. The next generation version of the fighter, with a more powerful engine, active electronically scanned array radar and greater fuel capacity, is competing for Brazil's F-X2 contract against the Rafale and the Super Hornet.
India's short-list for the next phase of the MMRCA competition has been anticipated ever since the six competitors submitted proposals last July.
The competition has stressed meeting the Indian air force's operational requirements with the greatest amount of technology transfer possible.

http://www.flightglobal.com/article...opped-from-indian-fighter-deal-shortlist.html

 

[thecoolone]

Reports that India has dropped F-16 from fighter competition

UPDATE: Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute think tank and a consultant to both Boeing and Lockheed Martin says he has been told by a senior company officials that both the F/A-18 and F-16 have been dropped from consideration by India.

And here's Lockheed's not very informative but perhaps telling statement: "The US Government has informed Lockheed Martin that they have received a letter from the Indian MOD concerning the MMRCA competition. We understand that the US Government is working on a response to the letter from the Indian government. Lockheed Martin remains committed to our relationship with the Indian Air Force, Ministry of Defense and the other Services. Lockheed Martin has several world-class products offering the most advanced and reliable technology we believe is suitable for India's security needs."

Reports out of India today indicate that country's government has narrowed down the list of planes it is considering buying as the next next front line fighter jet and that both Lockheed Martin's F-16 and the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet have been eliminated from the competition.

If that is the case it could mean the days of the F-16 being produced in Fort Worth are nearing an end. Company officials said in their conference call Tuesday they only have orders booked to carry production through mid-2013.

The very good DewLine blog has more here. About the only thing official on the subject at this point is that Sweden's Saab has confirmed that it has been eliminated. But one blog reports it has confirmed that India has asked two bidders, France's Dassault and the European Eurofighter consortium to extend the terms of their bids.

Lockheed has not yet commented to the Star-Telegram. A Boeing spokesman said he had not heard anything official from his corporate ranks.

But Washington defense analyst Loren Thompson, who has many good sources in the world of defense contractors, said he has heard similar but unofficial reports.

"My understanding is the F-16 and F/A-18 have both been disqualified by India," Thompson said. "It may just be a negotiating tactic. They've (India) done stuff like this before."

India has for years been tantalizing fighter jet manufacturers with its plans to spend something on the order of $10 billion to buy 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft.

http://blogs.star-telegram.com/sky_...as-dropped-f-16-from-fighter-competition.html

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110428/main3.htm


IAF next gen warplane will be from Europe
Eurofighter, French Dassault shortlisted for MMRCA deal


New Delhi, April 27
In what is a defining move in the much-talked about $ 10.4-billion deal for the Indian Air Force to buy 126 fighter jets, the Ministry of Defence today effectively shortlisted two European companies.

The ministry today asked the two companies to extend the validity of their commercial bids that are slated to expire tomorrow. The other four contenders in the race have not been asked to extend the validity of their bids indicating that two European companies will form the shortlist for the purchase. "It is shortlisting as only two companies have been invited," a source said.

A total of the six vendors were competing in the tender for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). Sources said the European consortium's Eurofighter Typhoon and the French Dassault's Rafale have been invited extend the commercial bids.

The Tribune was the first to report in these columns on January 11, 2011, saying Eurofighter and Rafale were the top two contenders in the evaluation trails of the IAF.

The other aircraft in the fray - the US Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, US Lockheed Martin Corporation's F-16, Russian MiG-35 and the Swedish SAAB's Gripen - did not come at the top of the technical evaluation. The warplanes were checked and test flown to quantify 643 parameters in the cold climate of Leh and deserts of Jaisalmer. Weapon testing was carried out in the countries of the manufacturers.

Politically, the move is significant. The European consortium comprises Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy. So far, the European nations had been left out of the "slice" of the multi-billion dollar Indian Defence Budget. The IAF is buying transport planes like the C-130-J and the C-17 in bulk from Lockheed Martin and Boeing, respectively. Both are US companies. Boeing will be supplying the long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the Navy while the IAF is buying its choppers, the MI-17-V, from the Russians. Besides, the Navy is getting a couple of warships built in Russia. Also, the two nations have signed contract to co-develop the fifth generation fighter aircraft for an estimated $30 billion.

Italian shipmaker Fincantieri is producing two fleet tankers while French major DCNS is making submarines. The MoD and the IAF also expect that today's move could raise the hackles of the spurned vendors. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshall PV Naik had indicated that by the end of April the shortlisting will be done.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

 

[Armand2REP]

^^ EF armaments are way off... it isn't fitted for any of those A2G munitions.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Any chance of ASMP being part of the package???

 

[SHASH2K2]

Europeans ahead in $10bn race for jets


NEW DELHI: With European fighters surging ahead of the American jets in the hotly-contested race to bag the gigantic $10.4 billion project to supply 126 medium multi-role fighter aircraft (MMRCA), India has now virtually shortlisted or "down-selected" two out of the six contenders in the fray.

Sources said Eurofighter Typhoon (backed by UK, Germany, Spain and Italy) and French Rafale are the ones most likely to figure in the shortlist of the jets which have met the technical requirements, even though US has been hard-selling its F/A-18 'Super Hornet' and F-16 'Falcon' jets. The other two are the Swedish Gripen and Russian MiG-35.

Though there was no official word from the defence ministry on Wednesday, sources said the sealed commercial bids of the shortlisted aviation majors will now be opened for the final negotiations to select the eventual winner in this "mother of all defence deals".

Under the project, 18 jets will be bought off-the-shelf, while 108 will be manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd after transfer of technology.

IAF, on its part, had submitted its flight evaluation trials and staff evaluation reports to MoD a year ago after evaluating the six fighters on as many as 643 technical attributes during the gruelling field trials.

This will be the first time that India will take into account "life-cycle costs" -- the cost of operating the fighters over a 40-year period, with 6,000 hours of flying -- rather than just pitching for the lowest bidder in a defence contract.

The contract also specifies 50% offsets, under which the selected foreign vendor will be required to plough half of the contract forex value back into India.

IAF is keen to induct the first lot of these 126 fighters by 2014 to retain its combat edge. It is left with just 32 fighter squadrons (each has 12 to 18 jets) at present, down from the "sanctioned" strength of 39.5 squadrons. This when Pakistan is getting new American F-16s and Chinese fighters, while China assiduously builds new airbases in Tibet and south China.

 

[nitesh]

Time to close this up.. right?

 

[SHASH2K2]

I dont think so . Let winner be announced .

 

[LETHALFORCE]

The details of the deal are more important then the winner at this point, the one offering more goodies will win it. Does this end the split order rumor???

 

[Armand2REP]

Time to close this up.. right?

Yes, time to move on to the next chapter... next thread.

 

[nitesh]

I agree with Armand here, this thread is more about various people putting there opinions for all the vendors, now was we have to the next thread should be used for discussions. If majority agrees, we will close this one