Contenders submit bids for Indian MRCA requirement
April 30, 2008
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.
