Aditya_V wrote:Regarding eh F-35 debate, no doubt it is a very capable aircraft and will good support structure, but looking at the C-130 and C-17 deals some points are clear.
1. USA seems to charge India the Highest price for same platforms - since we are neither NATO or MUNNA, so F-35 fly away cost for India will be atleast USD 300 million a piece, how can we fund that?
We pay the same FMS costs as all other customers. Any variation is because of the options availed/customization involved.
C-17: Australia just placed a request for 4 C-17s for $1.6 billion. $400M each. Same as what we paid.
M777: The bought the M777 for $4.35 mil each in 2008. Slightly more than what we were quoted.
P-8: Australia just placed an order for eight P-8s for $3.6 billion. We bought eight of them for $2.1 billion, albeit ordered five years ago.
C-130J: India was quoted a price of about $165 mil/unit for the SF configured aircraft in 2007. The same configuration was quoted to Israel at $210 mil/unit (albeit with some modifications for extra fuel and a 5 year service contract).
AH-64E: The FMS request by South Korea for 36 units is priced at $3.6 bn, similar to the Qatari order for 24 units that was priced at $2.4bn. That's $100M per unit. Indonesia and India have been quoted a near identical cost of about $62M each, since only half the aircraft they requested were to be Longbows.
(Please refer to the DSCA documents for breakdown of the above figures.)
Bottom-line is, India has been paying the same prices for US-sourced equipment as everybody else. Unfortunately, the 'akin-to-exploitation' argument gets repeated very often here on BRF. Lets put it to rest once and for all.
2. USA will not outsource any work to India, should be go 100% imports without even flawed TOT deal on Su-30's, atleast where we gain expertise jobs and factories in India.
Tata is already building cabins for Sikorsky, as well as structural components for Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
Meanwhile, our workshare in the FGFA is still valued at a measly 15% despite a $5.5bn R&D with orders potentially running past $30bn.
And our workshare in the Rafale through the MMRCA is a
total zero. They have not committed to sourcing anything from India, and in any case, by the time the Rafale production picks up steam here, the production in France will have closed down.
The MMRCA's offset value is high at 50% (while its been around 30% for FMS contracts), but the French are meeting that requirement by jacking up indirect costs for India. In effect, the Indian taxpayer is funding the differential.
3. Are willing to sign CISMOSA etc. to let uncle and its MUNNA's(incl Pakis) know where these planes will be based.
1. CISMOA is required for comm interlinking and is not required for normal operations. We've replaced the modules on the P-8I & C-130J with BEL equipment and will also do that with the AH-64E, if its ordered. They be replaced on all Indian Rafales & PAK FAs as well.
2. Everybody knows where IAF aircraft are based, and which squadron operates it. And in the coming years, we're more likely to get intel about the Paks from the US, rather than the other way round. Doubly so for the Chinese.
I think irrespective of the quality of aircraft, given American diplomatic behavior it is a Big no no for India.
A brief look at the rate at which the PLAAF is inducting aircraft, and the pace at which its improving qualitatively, is enough to conclude that the quality of aircraft (as well as its cost) will be a pivotal factor and not something that is secondary concern.