NEW DELHI – India is eyeing huge contract of 157 fighter jets for its Navyand Air Force. Reportedly two companies have been shortlisted for thebiggest ever order.
Boeing Co and Saab AB, which are among those vying for a contract tosupply 57 fighter jets for the Indian Navy, expect it may take until 2019for the tender process to enter the next phase, according to companyexecutives.
The naval contract, as well as a less-advanced plan to buy 100 fighter jetsfor the Indian Air Force, represent multi-billion dollar opportunities formanufacturers and for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India”drive to build a domestic production base.
But with the country due to hold a general election by next May, theexpectation is both processes could take time.
Boeing is proposing its F/A-18 Super Hornet and Saab has touted its GripenM concept in responses to a request for information (RFI) on the navalcontract but they are waiting for a more formal request for proposal (RFP)to be issued.
Boeing Vice President Global Sales Defence, Space & Security GeneCunningham said the Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence were evaluating theanswers to the RFI to see if there were any changes to requirements orexpectations before releasing the RFP.
“We see that evolving over the next year or so, then driving to acompetition,” he told Reuters at the Singapore Airshow.
An Indian Navy spokesperson said work was in progress and he expected anRFP would be issued in the months ahead detailing specific requirements.
Dassault Aviation SA has expressed interest in the navy tender with itstwin-engine Rafale M fighter and Russian Aircraft Corporation hasreportedly proposed the Indian Navy buy more MiG-29Ks. The firms did notrespond immediately to a request for comment.
AIR FORCE FIGHTERS
The separate air force contract, expected to be for 100 single-enginefighters, has attracted Saab`s Gripen E and Lockheed Martin Corp with itsF-16, but the contest has yet to reach the RFI stage.
“Hopefully we get an RFI this year,” Saab Head of Asia Pacific DeanRosenfield said. “More than likely, 2019. But it really is dependent on thecustomer and what they do with the election there as well.”
Saab has partnered with Adani to build Gripens in India if it wins eitheror both of the fighter jet contests, while Lockheed has selected TataAdvanced Systems as its local production partner for the F-16.
Lockheed Martin International Executive Vice President Rick Edwards saidhis company was hopeful an RFI on the air force contract would be released”soon” but it remained up to the government.
An Indian Air Force spokesman declined to comment on when the RFI would beissued.