French Rafale Wins Indian Fighter Tender

Multi-role fighter "Rafale" the French company "Dassault Aviación" declared the winner of the tender for the MMRCA worth 420 billion rupees to supply the Indian Air Force 126 fighters, according to NDTV.

The procedure for determining the proposal with the so-called "Lowest cost» (L-1) has been completed and is told the news agency "Reuters" Defence Minister AK Antony, the final contract is expected to be signed in the next fiscal year (beginning April 1). Negotiations can take up to 6 months. Moreover, the Minister added that the defense establishment is preparing another purchase 80 fighters, and this program may be invited bidders previously eliminated.

Participation in the contest six leading manufacturers of combat aircraft. The finalists of the tender in April last year, were selected French company "Dassault Aviación ', which offered a fighter" Rafale "and consortium" Eurofighter "with the EF-2000" Typhoon ". Company "Saab", "Boeing", "Lockheed Martin" and the RAC "MiG" is among the contenders have been eliminated. Envelopes with two commercial proposals finalists were opened November 4, 2011.

In accordance with the original requirements of the tender, the winner must put 18 fighters in finished form. Another 108 vehicles will be manufactured under license in the facilities of "Hindustan Aeronautics Limited" (HAL) after transfer. The winner of the tender should be reinvested in Indian industry 50% of contract value.

It should be noted that according to sources in the Defense Ministry of India, the price of the fighters, "Dassault" and the "Eurofighter" significantly exceed the government-approved 420 billion rupees. The cost of 126 fighters "Rafale" was 800 billion rupees, the value of EF-2000 "Typhoon" is even higher. So in the coming months we can expect various scenarios relating to the signing of the contract.