Aerospace Diary

Singapore Air Show » February 14, 2012  by Neelam Mathews France’s Dassault Rafale fighter won India’s $10 billion-plus medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contest for 126 combat jets because its direct acquisition and life-cycle costs were 22 to 25 percent lower than those of the Eurofighter Typhoon. This verdict came from “a top [Indian] defense ministry source” quoted by The Times of India newspaper in Delhi last Friday. AIN believes that the report is credible. Negotiations on the contract should be completed by October, the source added. Although Eurofighter Typhoon bid leader EADS Cassidian issued a dignified statement expressing disappointment but respecting the decision, there has been much consternation from British government ministers over the Indian verdict. Prime Minister David Cameron encouraged India to reconsider, and international security minister Gerald Howarth even suggested that Cassidian and BAE Systems would be submitting a revised price offer. ...

Neelam Mathews Sept 9, 2011 Time- 6:45pm IST The commercial bids for the MMRCA competition for the two final contenders, Eurofighter and Rafale, are likely to be opened in the week of  September 19 or the latest by the end of the month, Aerospace Diary learns. With the monsoon session of parliament soon to close and a calmer time to make decisions that will ensue, is likely to give time for bureaucrats to concentrate of the 126 MMRCA, an official says. The offsets presentations will be seen after the bids open, we learn. Recent reports that have indicated the order might be split in two is unlikely, says an official. That would mean extra costs with two different toolings, MRO etc. Besides, the Indian Air Force has always claimed that it needs to reduce its numerous aircraft models to get a commonality in its fleet, says an OEM.