MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

The Military Issues & History Forum is a venue to discuss issues relating to the military aspects of the Indian Armed Forces, whether the past, present or future. We request members to kindly stay within the mandate of this forum and keep their exchanges of views, on a civilised level, however vehemently any disagreement may be felt. All feedback regarding forum usage may be sent to the moderators using the Feedback Form or by clicking the Report Post Icon in any objectionable post for proper action. Please note that the views expressed by the Members and Moderators on these discussion boards are that of the individuals only and do not reflect the official policy or view of the Bharat-Rakshak.com Website. Copyright Violation is strictly prohibited and may result in revocation of your posting rights - please read the FAQ for full details. Users must also abide by the Forum Guidelines at all times.
Post Reply
nachiket
Forum Moderator
Posts: 9102
Joined: 02 Dec 2008 10:49

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by nachiket »

Pratyush wrote:It seems that a decision has been made by the government of India to close this stupid program and order 36 additional Rafale.
Even if such a decision had been made it won't happen before the 2024 elections now.
Kartik
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5722
Joined: 04 Feb 2004 12:31

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Kartik »

Pratyush wrote:Some you tube channel.
Which itself doesn't quote the source. I'd wait for a more official source. Anyway Aero India '23 is not far away.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

After two rejections (MMRCA 1.0 and SE), LM is smoking some strong stuff if they truly believe they have any chance with the F-21.

And with the extortion that LM has been doing with the F-16 Block 70/72, the IAF would be well advised to not acquire this geopolitical disaster;

Jordan inks deal for 12 Block 70 F-16s from Lockheed Martin
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/jor ... ed-martin/
20 Jan 2023
The US State Department approved the deal in February, saying the planes and associated equipment would cost some $4.21 billion.
This deal is costing the Jordanian Air Force more than US $350+ million per plane!

Go here for more details ---> https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major- ... 0-aircraft
Luxtor
BRFite
Posts: 216
Joined: 28 Sep 2003 11:31
Location: Earth ... but in a parallel universe

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Luxtor »

Rakesh wrote:Making the same mistake as in the SE contest i.e. upselling to the wrong customer (the Govt), when they should be catering to the real customer (the IAF). After all these years, they still have not learnt their lesson.

Triple missile launcher was there in the SE contest as well, which the Gripen did not have. Why did the IAF not jump at it then? Triple launcher is not a game changer for the IAF.

Political reliability goes a long way and the US has clearly proven, that they are anything but. What is the point of low life cycle cost, when you are politically unreliable? :)

Lockheed Martin bought a F-16 Block 70 cockpit demonstrator to India in the past as well. IAF officers tried it out and were *NOT* impressed.

The F-15EX is the only serious US entrant in the MRFA contest. The other two US entrants (F-21 and F-18SH) have zero takers in the IAF.

I think the IAF not being impressed with LM's F-21 has more to do with habitual dislike of F-16 product line because our enemy pukistan has been a long time operator of the type. LM and the U.S. gov't support for puki use of the F-16 continues unadabted with updates and newer versions of the airframe and improved weapons for it, etc. So if I were in IAF's shoes, I'd do the same. LM - you will not make any money from us with the same product line that you have supplied to our enemy. I'm also not sure why C-130J was purchased when other alternatives were available. We also need to move away from Javelin to an alternative weapon, either indigenous or another source, at this early stage before we get fully entrenched in that system.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

Ajai Shukla is getting giddy over F-35 at Aero India.

https://twitter.com/ajaishukla/status/1 ... ZjiC5Q6vHA ---> Ladies and gentlemen! The F-35 Lightening II joint strike fighter has just landed for the first time in India. Two F-35s have landed in Bangalore and are sauntering across to the display area. Raises the question: is Lockheed Martin readying to offer that fighter to India?

Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

US 5th-generation F-35 fighter makes first landing in India
https://www.ajaishukla.com/2023/02/us-5 ... makes.html
13 Feb 2023
The F-21 – the fighter currently being offered by US aerospace vendor, Lockheed Martin – is regarded by many IAF analysts as technologically outdated. Furthermore, it is widely known that the F-21 is a slightly improved variant of the F-16 Block 50/52, which is an aircraft that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has flown for decades and mastered in every respect.

Hence any move by Lockheed Martin to replace the offer of the F-21 with an offer for the F-35, would be welcomed by the IAF.
First drop the above carrot and then bring out the stick below :mrgreen: I am surprised by Shukla though. During the SE contest, he was one of the key architects in pushing for the F-16 Block 70/72 for the IAF. Now all of a sudden, the F-21 is technologically outdated. What a fall from grace!
Washington has clearly decided that the F-35 is not to be offered to the IAF as a replacement for the F-16. Instead, both aircraft would be positioned to compete.
Buy F-21 first (and cancel Tejas Mk2) and then you can get F-35 (and cancel AMCA).

Why wait for Tejas Mk2 to fly and then start production, when you can get F-21 right now? Same logic for AMCA also.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

The first two tweets below are from Sandeep Unnithan, a defence reporter.

https://twitter.com/SandeepUnnithan/sta ... 32609?s=20 ---> A wise MoD bureaucrat in South Block over a decade ago:

“We will never buy American fighter jets… helicopters, transport planes...YES, but fighters...NEVER.”

Why not?

“Because they will never let you fight the wars you want to.”

https://twitter.com/SandeepUnnithan/sta ... 96641?s=20 ---> This was post the sugar rush of the Indo-US N deal and the $10 Bn + deals for Globemasters, Hercs, Poseidons. Yet to see this ‘no fighter jets’ tenet being challenged.

https://twitter.com/ungliwallah/status/ ... 24385?s=20 ---> That is MoD view, IAF on the other hand must be salivating over the F-35.

https://twitter.com/LightYagami_108/sta ... 43233?s=20 ---> All of our indigenous aircraft use American engines, so his statement doesn't make any sense today. Even AMCA Mk1 will have GE F-414.
Cain Marko
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5352
Joined: 26 Jun 2005 10:26

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Cain Marko »

The massive Air India deal... That's the hafta paid to Anglosphere. Maybe a few sea guardians as well
To buy freedom to buy Rafale for Navy and IAF. Fully expecting 36+54 order at minimum to French ...
Atmavik
BRFite
Posts: 1987
Joined: 24 Aug 2016 04:43

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Atmavik »

^^ Then this is a first where we r paying hafta for a right to pay more Hafta . AI had to buy more planes to compete with ME airlines so I don’t view this deal as hafta. Now if we can get local production of airline parts, Engine or even N sub it will be a coup

As Late Manohar Parikar ji used to say we have to become an integral part of this defense supply chain , now is the time with Froend shoring the buzz word
nachiket
Forum Moderator
Posts: 9102
Joined: 02 Dec 2008 10:49

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by nachiket »

Cain Marko wrote:The massive Air India deal... That's the hafta paid to Anglosphere. Maybe a few sea guardians as well
To buy freedom to buy Rafale for Navy and IAF. Fully expecting 36+54 order at minimum to French ...
Why would Tata sons pay the hafta on behalf of GoI? They are answerable to their shareholders not the Indian government. These kind of conspiracy theories would make India seem like a banana republic. There is no hafta. AI got what they wanted.
vijayk
BRF Oldie
Posts: 8785
Joined: 22 Jun 1999 11:31

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by vijayk »

Defence Core @Defencecore
Big Breaking - IAF to issue the final Proposal in coming 04 months for the procurement of 114 Fighter Aircraft under MRFA program.

(Deputy Chief of the Air Force Air Marshal N Tiwari)
nachiket
Forum Moderator
Posts: 9102
Joined: 02 Dec 2008 10:49

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by nachiket »

This thing just refuses to die doesn't it? Like a cockroach.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

nachiket wrote:This thing just refuses to die doesn't it? Like a cockroach.
Yesterday's announcement of 50 Tejas Mk1As has a direct correlation to the RFP for the MRFA.

Mission 470 (133 Tejas Mk1As + 108 Tejas Mk2s + 126 AMCA + 100 TEDBF) is commitment that had to be given for the MRFA.

The only thing is, it will not be 114 MRFAs...but a reduced number. The MRCBF will also play a vital part in this.

The actual breakdown (MRCBF + MRFA) is what remains to be seen. That is what needs to be figured out.

Screwdrivergiri factory is required not only for MRFA (to serve as a future MROU facility for the chosen MRFA), but also as another line for fulfilling the orders in Mission 470.
nachiket
Forum Moderator
Posts: 9102
Joined: 02 Dec 2008 10:49

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by nachiket »

Now that the IN is thinking of buying 26 Rafales it makes no sense whatsoever to continue this boondoggle instead of adding another 2 squadrons for the IAF to that order to get better terms for everyone. Yet we will waste time in this and then complain about falling numbers.
hgupta
BRFite
Posts: 478
Joined: 20 Oct 2018 14:17

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by hgupta »

I think the hold up is the offset clause for the engine technology. GoI wants the ToT and IP transfer for the engine technology. If it can't get that, IMHO GoI feels strongly that we would be better off going off with developing the TEDBF into the ORCA program which would replace the Rafales and use the GE414 engines as the interim measure and go full speed on the Kaveri program. Last I heard GRSE is only 5kN short of its intended 79kN target. I do not know why GoI continues to drag its feet over the Kaveri program and using the GE404 program as the interim solution. Just do it and bring the TEDBF & ORCA to fruition. That decision should have been made a long time ago. But IAF got in the way due to its shortsightedness and unreasonable stubbornness to consider other alternatives.
ChanakyaM
BRFite -Trainee
Posts: 33
Joined: 22 Feb 2018 05:39

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by ChanakyaM »

Rakesh wrote:When this Air Chief held the rank of Air Vice Marshal,

Focus on Tejas.
Rakesh Ji
Great points as always and right on the money. Hopefully the IAF HQ have the foresight to give the Atmanirbhar programme a chance to take foodhold and thereby contribute to more advances. I am sure with the backing of IAF our industry will step up and deliver what is required.

About the actual threat from Khanna, hopefully our establishment has made a good impact with the US over the commerical aircraft orders. Is it viable and smart to acquire engines ahead of time and stock them if necessary for the Tejas and MK2 or a wasteful effort?
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

ChanakyaM wrote: Rakesh Ji
Great points as always and right on the money. Hopefully the IAF HQ have the foresight to give the Atmanirbhar programme a chance to take foodhold and thereby contribute to more advances. I am sure with the backing of IAF our industry will step up and deliver what is required.

About the actual threat from Khanna, hopefully our establishment has made a good impact with the US over the commerical aircraft orders. Is it viable and smart to acquire engines ahead of time and stock them if necessary for the Tejas and MK2 or a wasteful effort?
Saar, no -ji for me please.

See this post from KaranM in response to the first para of your post ---> viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7848&p=2579784#p2579784

With regards to the second para of your post, a contract has been signed to acquire 99 F404 turbofans for the Mk1A. See below:

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Orders 99 F404s for Tejas Light Combat Aircraft
https://www.geaerospace.com/press-relea ... ght-combat
19 Aug 2021

GE is in negotiation to manufacture the GE F414 for the Mk2 + first two AMCA Mk1 squadrons + TEDBF.

LCA Program Gains Ground with HAL Signing Contract Worth Rs 5375 Crores with GE Aviation, USA for Supply of GE F404 Engines
https://hal-india.co.in/News_Detail.asp ... 0&Ckey=349
17 Aug 2021
The indigenously built Tejas aircraft is one of the best in its class globally, powered by F404-GE-IN20 engines and has been in service since 2004. Ordering of the engines, marks a major milestone in the execution of 83 LCA contract with IAF. The co-operation will be further enhanced with the manufacturing of GE F414 engines in India for the upcoming LCA MkII program.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

Lockheed Martin has released new promo videos for the F-21 (their entrant in the MRFA contest)...

https://twitter.com/LMIndiaNews/status/ ... 25889?s=20

https://twitter.com/LMIndiaNews/status/ ... 46272?s=20
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/LMIndiaNews/status/ ... 02368?s=20 ---> An absolute honour to showcase the F-21 fighter aircraft cockpit demonstrator to the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) Air Marshal N. Tiwari at the Aero India 2023 exhibit today.

Image
Cain Marko
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5352
Joined: 26 Jun 2005 10:26

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Cain Marko »

nachiket wrote:
Cain Marko wrote:The massive Air India deal... That's the hafta paid to Anglosphere. Maybe a few sea guardians as well
To buy freedom to buy Rafale for Navy and IAF. Fully expecting 36+54 order at minimum to French ...
Why would Tata sons pay the hafta on behalf of GoI? They are answerable to their shareholders not the Indian government. These kind of conspiracy theories would make India seem like a banana republic. There is no hafta. AI got what they wanted.
If you think such large deals don't have political wrangling and geopolitical leverage involved, that is surprisingly naive.
Stockholders are hardly the only stakeholder involved here.
Why do you think the white house and #10 made so much noise if it was a purely commercial transaction.
This gives India leverage, doesn't make it a banana republic.
isubodh
BRFite
Posts: 176
Joined: 03 Oct 2008 18:23

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by isubodh »

Cain Marko wrote:
nachiket wrote: Why would Tata sons pay the hafta on behalf of GoI? They are answerable to their shareholders not the Indian government. These kind of conspiracy theories would make India seem like a banana republic. There is no hafta. AI got what they wanted.
If you think such large deals don't have political wrangling and geopolitical leverage involved, that is surprisingly naive.
Stockholders are hardly the only stakeholder involved here.
Why do you think the white house and #10 made so much noise if it was a purely commercial transaction.
This gives India leverage, doesn't make it a banana republic.
Yes, they had options of going to COMAC would have been cheaper but they choose Boeing and Airbus. :mrgreen:
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

To date there has been only media reports of Dassault winning the contest over Boeing. Tomorrow if the reverse actually occurs, where will the above scenario stand?

The Air India order to Boeing and Airbus is the only logical thing to do. They are the only two serious players in the civil aviation business with a wide product range. No one else has the scope or scale to deliver as these two can. And the Tata owned Air India did the smart thing by splitting the order between the two - spread the risk.

There are other avenues for the US to squeeze India on, rather than this deal of 26 MRCBF. And just because Dassault might have won a contest, there is no guarantee that a contract will be signed. This is *OUR* procurement system we are talking about. Anything can happen.

And if a contract is signed, even a slight hint of corruption or impropriety can stop deliveries before they begin (AW101 VVIP deal) or stop mid-way (Bofors FH-77B deal). Blacklist is a favourite word in the MoD.

Pop the champagne till only after all 26 aircraft are actually on Indian soil. That is when the Indian Navy will have her full complement of (interim) naval fighters, till the arrival of the TEDBF. I heaved a sigh of relief only after the 36th Rafale (Serial #RB008) joined the IAF in 2022.

In Indian politics, memories never die and grudges are carried on indefinitely for generations. Our politicians’ propensity to screw things up are legendary (Marut vs Jaguar, Mirage 2000 vs MiG-29, etc) and the nation’s military capabilities suffer in political vendettas.
Cain Marko
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5352
Joined: 26 Jun 2005 10:26

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Cain Marko »

isubodh wrote:
Cain Marko wrote: If you think such large deals don't have political wrangling and geopolitical leverage involved, that is surprisingly naive.
Stockholders are hardly the only stakeholder involved here.
Why do you think the white house and #10 made so much noise if it was a purely commercial transaction.
This gives India leverage, doesn't make it a banana republic.
Yes, they had options of going to COMAC would have been cheaper but they choose Boeing and Airbus. :mrgreen:
They had the choice of going either / or, but they didn't. Going that route would've made much more sense considering economies of scale, which would be a priority had it been a purely commercial transaction.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

IAF’s acquisition of 114 fighter jets to be part of a major procurement plan
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ ... 516620.ece
16 Feb 2023
A mega 500-fighter aircraft acquisition process on the anvil for the armed forces; reaching the sanctioned 42 squadrons will take time and the immediate effort is to arrest the drawdown in strength, says Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari.
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by ramana »

Sorry to burst the bubble but there won't be any MRFA boondoggle.
It will be more than 42 squadrons eventually.
The sooner the top brass understands and plans the force, the better for the country.
ks_sachin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2906
Joined: 24 Jun 2000 11:31
Location: Sydney

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by ks_sachin »

isubodh wrote:
Cain Marko wrote: If you think such large deals don't have political wrangling and geopolitical leverage involved, that is surprisingly naive.
Stockholders are hardly the only stakeholder involved here.
Why do you think the white house and #10 made so much noise if it was a purely commercial transaction.
This gives India leverage, doesn't make it a banana republic.
Yes, they had options of going to COMAC would have been cheaper but they choose Boeing and Airbus. :mrgreen:

Who has bought commercial aircraft from China thus far?
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

ramana wrote:Sorry to burst the bubble but there won't be any MRFA boondoggle.
It will be more than 42 squadrons eventually.
The sooner the top brass understands and plans the force, the better for the country.
Ramana-ji, if Rafale M is indeed the winner of the MRCBF contest...it is game over for all the other OEMs in the MRFA contest. The choice of the MRCBF is the key for any more Rafales for the IAF. A combined IAF-IN purchase will likely occur in 2024, provided Rafale M is given the red rose by the Indian Navy. The Rafale is the only logical choice to end this 20+ year MMRCA/MRFA saga.

Also see this bolded part below.

India to buy Rs 150,000 cr worth of aero engines in a decade: MoD focus on engine technology
https://www.ajaishukla.com/2023/02/indi ... -aero.html
21 Feb 2023
Over the coming decade, India’s military is poised to buy close to a thousand engines for fighter aircraft alone – 228 engines for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA)...
Shukla, despite all his peddling of Amreeki wares, makes an interesting statement. It is likely going to be a twin engine MRFA.

My money is on the Rafale, but not 114 though.
Manish_P
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5415
Joined: 25 Mar 2010 17:34

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Manish_P »

In the immortal words of the youth icon - 'Khatam, Bye bye, Tata, Goodbye, Gaya'

Boeing To End F/A-18 Super Hornet Production In Two Years
Boeing says that it expects to end production of new F/A-18E/F Super Hornets in 2025. It has left open the possibility that it could still be building Super Hornets two years after that for an unspecified "international customer," which is very likely a reference to a potential Indian Navy contract. :mrgreen:

No matter what, by all indications, the company is expecting to stop making new F/A-18E/F before the end of the decade.

The company announced its timeline for shuttering the F/A-18E/F production line, which is located within its facility in St. Louis, in a press release today.

As it stands now, the only orders for Super Hornets that Boeing has left to fulfill are for the U.S. Navy. These jets, as well as examples of the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare derivative, are only currently in service with the Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.
The Hornets no doubt were good birds, and served their masters well. But i guess they were never meant to serve the Indian tricolor.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

The quoted part below is the only relevant and important part of the article, IMVHO.

Make In India Fighter Contenders & Options
https://www.iadb.in/2023/06/15/make-in- ... ons-india/
15 June 2023

By Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd)
All these aircraft have been extensively evaluated during MMRCA selection; as such only the newer sub-systems require a look. Despite much refined DPP-2020, amended in 2022, the only contracts that seem to have gone through have all been G2G deals. All deals with the Soviet Union and Russia in the past were G2G. Also, Americans (P-8I, C-17, C-130, Apache, Chinook and others) and French (Rafale) deals were G2G, too. G2G deals save time, and price discovery is inbuilt. A G2G approach would be the best for the selected fighter for both cost and time savings. Considering the urgency involved, an early decision is operationally most critical.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

Typhoon is part of the MRFA contest.

https://twitter.com/AlexLuck9/status/16 ... 69090?s=20 ---> Germany will block the sale of more Eurofighter Typhoon to Saudi-Arabia, until GER elections in 2025. Transaction is a UK responsibility, but requires consent from industrial partners. Sale of A400M to UAE on the other hand will be approved.

Scholz rejects Eurofighter delivery to Saudi Arabia
https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/asien ... n-100.html
12 July 2023
Pratyush
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12198
Joined: 05 Mar 2010 15:13

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Pratyush »

What nonsense?

Saudi is already operating the Eurofighter.

But with this Germany has insured that India will not procure the Eurofighter.
Manish_P
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5415
Joined: 25 Mar 2010 17:34

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Manish_P »

Pratyush wrote: 13 Jul 2023 08:09 ...
But with this Germany has insured that India will not procure the Eurofighter.
Excellent news for us then, isn't it Pratyush ji :mrgreen:

As an added bonus, this will be seen by the UK-stanis as more evidence of germanic hegemony and will make them even more determined not to go with europe (germany) when their own 6th gen effort (the Tempest) stalls. They will probably just give it up and pick the next american bird :)
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

X-Post from the Russian Weapons & Military Technology thread...
Rakesh wrote: 01 Aug 2023 21:51 Su-75: Why India is the only ray of hope for Russia’s ‘Checkmate’ 5th-gen fighter
https://www.wionews.com/videos/su-75-wh ... ter-620484
29 July 2023
When the MRFA contest dies (in its current avatar), it will morph into a 5th generation contest. And that comedy show will go on for another decade or two. The show (i.e. circus) must go on!
drnayar
BRFite
Posts: 925
Joined: 29 Jan 2023 18:38

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by drnayar »

maybe we should rename the title of this thread to |" The Show MUST go on !" :((
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

Why Rafale could be IAF’s default MRFA option
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comme ... ion-530880
01 Aug 2023
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/169 ... 92164?s=20 ---> Of course, any order for more Tejas Mk1As does not mean that the MRFA tender will not be progressed. In my view, given the current airpower scenario that too will likely see major movement this year.
Bharadwaj
BRFite
Posts: 458
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 11:09

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Bharadwaj »

:twisted: :rotfl:

https://twitter.com/SaabIndia/status/16 ... 11/photo/1
Saab will offer 114 state-of-the-art Gripen E fighters as a part of its response to the upcoming IAF RFP. With Gripen E, India will get next-generation combat air capability and world-class availability - ready to face any threat, any time, anywhere, from any dispersed location.
Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

^^^^ In response to the above tweet from Saab India.

https://twitter.com/Kaiser666Soze/statu ... 32567?s=20 ---> I'm offering 114 state-of-the-art fifth generation single engine fighters as a part of its response to the upcoming IAF RFP. Lemme know if you guys in Sweden wanna build this, I'll share you details for a measly sum of 1 million dollars.

Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18277
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

Post by Rakesh »

From left to right ---> Typhoon, Gripen E, Rafale, Su-35, MiG-35, F-21 and F-15EX

https://twitter.com/VivekSi85847001/sta ... 70904?s=20 ---> Indian Air Force RFI for MRFA Project to procure 114 advanced 4.5+ fighter jets under Make in India with total estimated cost of $25 billion is going to come soon. Sweden's Saab Group has said they are going to submit the RFI for 114 jets under MRFA.

Image
Post Reply