India to buy 166 new fighter jets

[futuro]

India has said it will buy 40 Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets before the end of this financial year [Sukhoi]

India will buy 166 new fighter jets as a part of a drive to modernise its armed forces, the country's defence minister and air force chief say.

Speaking after Aero India, India's largest-ever air show, opened on Wednesday, the country's defence minister said he would soon invite foreign companies to supply it with 126 new fighter jets.




India will also buy 40 Sukhoi Su-30 fighters from Russia before the end of March, the country's air force chief said on Thursday.

Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi said: "We think that in this financial year, we will sign the contract [for the Sukhois]."






Ty said the advanced Sukhoi jets would cost slightly less $40m each and would be delivered within three years.

Aero India - a five-day display of the world's latest military and civilian aircraft - is being held in Bangalore, a city in southern India.

Invitation

A K Antony, India's defence minister, had already said on Wednesday that he would soon invite offers from companies interested in supplying India with 126 new fighter aircraft.

"It [the request for proposals] is almost in the final stage. I can assure you it will be at the earliest," he said at the start of the country's largest ever," he said.

"We feel that the modernisation [of the armed forces] is the most important agenda of the government ... By a strong deterrent only we can prevent even a war."

Antony said that India wants to replace its ageing MiG-21s and British Jaguar planes with more modern models.

More purchases

The defence minister also said the Indian government would procure $8bn to $10bn worth of defence equipment in the next five years as part of its modernisation programme.

India - which already has one of the world's largest air forces - raised its defence spending by seven per cent to $20bn for the year ending March 2007.

News of India's plans to expand its air force has prompted the world's largest aviation firms to flock to the air show to display their latest aircraft.

The 126-plane deal has so far attracted interest from European manufacturers like France's Dassault which is promoting its Rafale fighter, and Sweden's Saab, eager to sell its JAS-39 Gripen.

On display

The Russians are also pushing their cutting-edge MiG-35 fighter which they have brought to the Bangalore air show.

Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin's F-16 are also competing for the contract.

Eurofighter, which is made by a consortium of European aircraft makers including Airbus parent EADS, Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Finmeccanica, said on Wednesday it too would aggressively compete for the Indian order.


http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/745572AF-3EA8-497D-B270-355195D1162D.htm

[aviator]

126 MRCA + 40 Su-30MKi = 166 planes.

For MRCA, most probably it will be Mig-35. But I read this article in IDF .

Dassault Extends India Unsolicited Offer for 40 Rafales

Dassault Aviation within days will submit an unsolicited offer to the Indian government for 40 of its Rafale fighters to get a leg up on the Indian Air Force’s competition for a new multirole jet, and lock down the first export order for the company’s premier product.
The offer was reported Feb. 8 by the Agence France Presse wire service.
Dassault spokesman Yves Robins confirmed the offer, adding “that it was made with the full cooperation of the French government.”
Air Vice Marshal Arun Kumar Nagalia, deputy chief of the Indian Air Force for procurement, said he wasn’t interested in acquiring an all-new platform without competition and in such a small number.
“That is the offer we are making; it is up to the Indian authorities to decide whether they will accept it or not,” Robins said.
Dassault executives submitted the offer in the wake of the Indian Air Force’s decision to order 40 additional Su-30 jets from Russia’s Irkut.
But India’s air chief, Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi, at a press conference Feb. 8 said the Sukhoi purchase was made on a “fast-track” basis because it is a type that is already in the service’s inventory. Any new type would have to be selected through meticulous competition, the retiring air chief said. The Air Force operates eight Su-30 jets, with 32 planes to be delivered that will be built in India by Hindustan Aeronautics.
In the meantime, Dassault will wait to see the Air Force’s request for proposal that would launch the competition for 126 new multirole fighters.
Despite Dassault’s enthusiasm to land its first export order for the Rafale, executives are “reserved” regarding the speed with which the request, and a subsequent contract, will be issued.
The company invested three years trying to establish a production line in India for their popular Mirage line, talks that ended in failure more than two years ago.
To date, Dassault has delivered more than 40 Rafales to both the French Navy and Air Force under several contracts that cover 120 aircraft. Over the next 20 years, the French government has committed to ordering an additional 174 of the supersonic jets.
Although Indian officials appear unenthusiastic about Dassault’s unsolicited Rafale offer, Nagalia has his eye on used Mirages.
“We are actively considering to procure used combat aircraft like Mirages or MiG-29s from overseas to recover the inventory gap,” he said. “Unfortunately, the procurement of 12 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft from Qatar has not been clinched, but we are still exploring this option.”

http://www.defensenews.com/aero/story.php?F=2542156

I dont think that India can afford Rafale too with 166 other aircrafts , also cost of maintaining 3 different new aircraft would be very high . Indian officials are very confused and are also confusing everyone else. :laugh4:

[uppal340]

i think its 126...........

[aviator]

i think its 126...........

126 is MRCA
40 Sukhoi 30MKI

But I dont understand where did Rafale come from ? Thats simply out of our reach.

[Vinay]

126 is MRCA
40 Sukhoi 30MKI

But I dont understand where did Rafale come from ? Thats simply out of our reach.


What do yo mean out of our reach?????

Do you mean the price?????

It cant be much costlier than other western jets.

[lulldapull]

India is buying up some big ticket items. The MRCA deal alone is potentially worth up to $9 billion with spares support etc.....

The IAF will be a huge AF after this deal. Already there are 1000+ combat aircraft operational.

Rafale will be sidelined, as the numbers are too small, not to mention French are notorious for jacked up prices. IMO the Rafal doesn't bring anything big to the table which the OVT/ M-2 already have for half the price. And neihter do the F-16 block-60's or the Super bug.

All will be rejected, except the Migs for being too expensive for their mediocre capabilities.

[aviator]

What do yo mean out of our reach?????
Do you mean the price?????
It cant be much costlier than other western jets.

India is a developing country and it cannot go for fighter aircrafts like Rafale in large numbers. Recently libya announced to buy 18 Rafale for $3.24 bn i.e $177mn per piece.

The IAF will be a huge AF after this deal. Already there are 1000+ combat aircraft operational.

IAF wont be that large either because these deals are for replacement of Mig-21 .When these will be delivered slowly India will ground its Mig-21 and Mig-23 and then slowly Jaguar.

Rafale will be sidelined, as the numbers are too small, not to mention French are notorious for jacked up prices. IMO the Rafal doesn't bring anything big to the table which the OVT/ M-2 already have for half the price. And neihter do the F-16 block-60's or the Super bug.

All will be rejected, except the Migs for being too expensive for their mediocre capabilities.

Rafale is simply awesome aircrafts and Indian pilots like French aircrafts but only problem is price as quantity is required . But Yup Mig-35 will be selected.Better if they are with AESA radar.

[lulldapull]

I think the jaguars and the Bison's will be pushed a little more for another 2-3 years until this MRCA induction is complete. So temporarily the IAF will have at least 1000+ aircraft. There are alone more than 300 Mig-21's in IAF service right now.

Aviator there is no doubt about the mig-29 M-2 or OVT being selected. India is not stupid, to go with the Super Bug or F-16, or for that matter this super expensive Rafale. With an AESA/ PESA retrofit the OVT is highly capable, at far less than these other options.

Btw. the OVT and M-2 both gave stunning aerial displays at Aero India. :) check out my thread in Military images on Aero India.

[Vinay]

India is a developing country and it cannot go for fighter aircrafts like Rafale in large numbers. Recently libya announced to buy 18 Rafale for $3.24 bn i.e $177mn per piece.




I simply refuse to beleive that our country cannot afford Rafale.

But India is buying Aircraft carriers, Sukhois (they are not cheap),

THE NEW INDIA CAN DO WHATEVER IT WANTS TO!!

Now I am not saying that buying weapons is right. We have to take care of our people, rather than buy killing machines. BUT WE CAN BUY KILING MACHINES,

[kabiri]

I simply refuse to beleive that our country cannot afford Rafale.

But India is buying Aircraft carriers, Sukhois (they are not cheap),

THE NEW INDIA CAN DO WHATEVER IT WANTS TO!!

Now I am not saying that buying weapons is right. We have to take care of our people, rather than buy killing machines. BUT WE CAN BUY KILING MACHINES,

Indians MIght have Money but they arent Strong Fighters
The pakistani-indian war proved that

[aviator]

I simply refuse to beleive that our country cannot afford Rafale.

But India is buying Aircraft carriers, Sukhois (they are not cheap),

THE NEW INDIA CAN DO WHATEVER IT WANTS TO!!

Now I am not saying that buying weapons is right. We have to take care of our people, rather than buy killing machines. BUT WE CAN BUY KILING MACHINES,

I still say , it can't . How much rafale do u want India to buy ...40-60 or 126 MRCA must be rafale ? Libya purchased 18 Rafale for $3.24 Bn, so for $9bn India can get only 54 Rafales. Rafales are still out of india's reach . Get over that 'india superpower' dream , all progress is just there is private sector. I wont be going into detail but have a look at this article.........

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/08/news/international/pluggedin_murphy_india.fortune/index.htm

We still have lots of problems , though china can afford them but they cant buy as US had put sanctions against china.

Indians MIght have Money but they arent Strong Fighters
The pakistani-indian war proved that

And you must be a pakistani , right ?

[kabiri]

I still say , it can't . How much rafale do u want India to buy ...40-60 or 126 MRCA must be rafale ? Libya purchased 18 Rafale for $3.24 Bn, so for $9bn India can get only 54 Rafales. Rafales are still out of india's reach . Get over that 'india superpower' dream , all progress is just there is private sector. I wont be going into detail but have a look at this article.........

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/08/news/international/pluggedin_murphy_india.fortune/index.htm

We still have lots of problems , though china can afford them but they cant buy as US had put sanctions against china.



And you must be a pakistani , right ?
No but those Indian Out numbered The **** out of the pakistani's and dident wipe them out that is sad

[Vinay]

I still say , it can't . How much rafale do u want India to buy ...40-60 or 126 MRCA must be rafale ? Libya purchased 18 Rafale for $3.24 Bn, so for $9bn India can get only 54 Rafales. Rafales are still out of india's reach . Get over that 'india superpower' dream , all progress is just there is private sector. I wont be going into detail but have a look at this article.........

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/08/news/international/pluggedin_murphy_india.fortune/index.htm

We still have lots of problems , though china can afford them but they cant buy as US had put sanctions against china.



And you must be a pakistani , right ?


Aviator. Why have you become a communist all of a sudden?

India for 9 billion could thereteticaly purchase 54 Rafales ,s o how is it beyond our reach???


I am not having the Superpower dream. In fact I live in India, and i know the problems here, but NOBODY CAN TELL ME MY COUNTRY CANT DO SOMETHING WHICH IT CAN ACTUALLY DO.

I am not also getting into the debate into the private sector shining,public sector debate, it is a huge one.

[Vinay]

No but those Indian Out numbered The **** out of the pakistani's and dident wipe them out that is sad

Really, and you were talking about ind/pak wars.
Please provide a neutral link that those wars had a victor (not PDF, or any other pakistani link), and I will change my name.

[Ace]

India didnt wipe out pak coz we were stopped by greater powers like USA. USA put heavy sanctions on India and Pak to stop 1965 war.

In '71 USA sent a carrier from the 7th fleet to the indian ocean stop India attacking Pak. we still attacked. also, Russia sent a nuclear sub to tail the carrier, making it clear that US cant attack India without russian retaliation. But the pressure was there all the same. Indian objective in '71 was to liberate bangladesh, not destroy pak. so we stopped after our objective was accomplished

[Arjun]

Indians MIght have Money but they arent Strong Fighters
The pakistani-indian war proved that

The same thought that 1 Pakistani==3 Indians
:roflmao3: :roflmao3: :roflmao3:

Pakistanis in Bangladesh Surrender!
Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora receives Niazi's Surrender in Dhaka
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/1971/Dec16/Surrender1.jpg
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/1971/Dec16/index.html

[Arjun]

No but those Indian Out numbered The **** out of the pakistani's and dident wipe them out that is sad

Very sad indeed. Before that the Pakistani soliders raised their hands and surrendered.:roflmao3:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ef/PakistanPoW.jpg

And your friends who supported you in the war.

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/1971/Dec16/Cartoon.jpg

:roflmao3:

[Andysol]

India can surely afford the best fighter jets the world can offer, may what the price be.

What i would like to suggest is India better goes for the BAe Euro Fighter (with TOT) thats the best in the lot.