IAF to Procure 110 Fighter Jets, Six Global Defence Manufactures Are Likely to Submit Response to Request For Information

Source:-IAF to Procure 110 Fighter Jets, Six Global Defence Manufactures Are Likely to Submit Response to Request For Information

Six aircraft manufacturing companies are set to respond to Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Request for Information (RFI) for procuring 110 fighter jets. These aircraft are to be produced locally. The entire deal will be of worth $ 15 billion.

According to a report published in Hindustan Times, the defence manufacturing companies are which are expected to respond are  Boeing (which makes the F/A-18), Lockheed Martin (F-16), Dassault Aviation (Rafale), Eurofighter consortium of BAE Systems, Airbus Group and Leonardo (Eurofighter Typhoon), Russian Aircraft Corp (MiG 35), and Saab (Gripen).

The same defence contractors had participated in a bid when the UPA Manmoha  Singh government in 2007 issued RFI for procuring 126 jets for the IAF. Later, after coming to power, the NDA government  quashed the deal. The Modi government acquired 36 Rafale jets directly from France government in ready to fly condition. According to the report, the companies are expected to submit their response by July 6.

The global defence manufacturers are required to produce the aircraft in partnership with a domestic company. During the Defence Expo 2018, which was held in Chennai in April, Swedish company Saab has tied up with India’s Adani Group for manufacturing fighter jets for The IAF. Similarly, The United States company Boeing joined hands with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS) for manufacturing the F/A-18 Super Hornet in India during the expo. Lockheed Martin had already tied up with Tata Group to manufacture parts for the C-130J aircraft, and now it is pitching in F-16 fighter jets.

The strength of fighter squadrons of the IAF has reduced to 31 against the authorised strength of 42 squadrons. Most of the ageing Russian Migs are expected to retire over the next few years. The force needs immediate replacement. Lockheed Martin has also offered to transfer entire production like to India, whereas Boeing is also mulling over the transfer of technology to India.

The IAF issued the RFI to procure 110 aircraft in April this year. The RFI is the first step towards the procurement of any defence equipment. The companies will respond to the RFI with the features of their respective aircraft. After the responses, the IAF has to get the defence ministry’s ‘acceptance of necessity’ (AoN).

 

 

 

 

Source:- Latestly

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