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http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/04/27/356054/saab-dropped-from-indian-fighter-deal-shortlist.html

Saab dropped from Indian fighter deal shortlist

27/04/11

Saab today announced the Gripen fighter was not short-listed by India for the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract.

The Indian ministry of defence informed Saab of the decision, but the official short-list has not been released.

Local reports indicate that the short-list includes at least the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon. The status of the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-16IN and Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-35 is not clear.

Although the single-engine Gripen did not make the short-list, Saab has not completely given up on the India's pending order for 126 fighters.

"We will closely monitor the future process and provide additional information if requested by the Indian Ministry of Defense," says Håkan Bushke, president and chief executive of Saab.

The decision is a huge blow to the future of the Gripen. Saab is currently searching for more export orders. The next generation version of the fighter, with a more powerful engine, active electronically scanned array radar and greater fuel capacity, is competing for Brazil's F-X2 contract against the Rafale and the Super Hornet.

India's short-list for the next phase of the MMRCA competition has been anticipated ever since the six competitors submitted proposals last July.

The competition has stressed meeting the Indian air force's operational requirements with the greatest amount of technology transfer possible.
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vivekman · Member Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 1897 Location: BOM

Govt shortlists Eurofighter, Rafale for fighter jets: Sources

New Delhi: The Defence Ministry has shortlisted Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale from among six competitors participating in the $10.5-billion tender to provide the Indian Air Force with Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), say sources.

The Dassault and the Eurofighter, according to sources, are the only participants asked to extend the validity of their commercial bids and have been called to the Defence Ministry on Thursday, the sources add.

Sources also say that the other competitors - Boeing F/A-18, Lockheed-Martin's F-16, UAC's MiG-35 and Saab's Gripen - haven't received a message or a letter.

The MMRCA deal is meant to provide the Indian Air Force with approximately 126 new state-of-the-art fighter aircraft.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/govt-shortlists-eurofighter-rafale-for-fighter-jets-sources-101947
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Boeing makes planes. Airbus makes videogames!

Kabir · Member Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Posts: 791 Location: DEL

Go with the French!

HamiltonAir · Member Joined: 25 Dec 2006 Posts: 937 Location: Bangalore

If they have shortlisted the Typhoon and rafale, I say go for the Eurofighter Typhoon.
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HamiltonAir

ssbmat · Member Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 1710

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/US-ambassador-Timothy-Roemer-resigns/articleshow/8106645.cms

Perhaps a little too coincidental, innit ?

But a good choice not to take in ageing platforms like F16 or even the F18.

Something also tells me that India has been miffed with the US response to 26/11 investigation of Headley and Rana and this is a 'gentle' albeit costly snub.

I'd expect US to similarly react with " Visa penalties" and the like, making things a little difficult for Indian businesses out there.

HAWK21M · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:52 pm Post subject:

Hopefully its the Eurofighter,But considering the threat of sanctions.....Go French.

Wonder whats the US response going to be to the snub.... Wink

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Think of the Brighter side !!!

747-237 · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:00 am Post subject:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/04/28/356106/us-confirms-india-fighter-rejection.html

US confirms India fighter rejection
28/04/11

US officials have confirmed reports that India rejected both American bids for the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract, leaving the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon still in the running for the $10 billion deal.

"We are deeply disappointed by this news," the US Department of Defense says in a statement.

One day after Saab announced India's rejection of its Gripen bid, Boeing also has confirmed that its offer based on an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with improved engines was not selected on an internal shortlist by India's Ministry of Defence.

"Our next step is to request and receive a debrief from the Indian air force," Boeing says in a statement. "Once we have reviewed the details, we will make a decision concerning our possible options."

Lockheed Martin has deferred questions about the status of its F-16IN bid to US government officials.

US defence and government officials have lobbied aggressively on behalf of Boeing and Lockheed for the MMRCA contract. Since 2005, India has signed multi-billion dollar deals for Boeing P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and Lockheed C-130J transports, among other major arms contracts.

But the Indian air force's requirement for 126 multirole fighters was viewed in Washington DC as a prize and a symbol of improving strategic relations between the nations.

"We look forward to continuing to grow and develop our defence partnership with India," a DoD statement says.

The downselect keeps Dassault's export hopes for the Rafale alive as it continues to compete for orders in the United Arab Emirates, Brazil and elsewhere. The Eurofighter consortium, meanwhile, also has a chance to expand its order book as spending pressures grow on European defence budgets.

Indian officials have reportedly set a timeline to select the winning bidder in September.

The RSK MiG-35 had also been in contention for the MMRCA contract, but the Russian company's decision to not bring the aircraft to February's Aero India show near Bengaluru was viewed as an indication of its failure to meet Indian air force requirements.

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The_Goat · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 11:02 am Post subject:

vivekman · Member Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 1897 Location: BOM

747-237 · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 4:59 pm Post subject:

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-04-30/news/29490875_1_fifth-generation-fighter-mig-35-fighter-with-stealth-capabilities

India rejects Russia's fighter jet bid: Official
Apr 30, 2011

MOSCOW: Russia confirmed today that India had rejected its bid to supply its traditional ally with 126 multi-role combat aircraft in a deal worth about $12 billion.

A spokesman for the Rosoboronexport agency responsible for foreign military contracts said India had informed Russia of the decision earlier in the week.

The official added that no formal explanation was given for the decision and that the choice "was the exclusive right of India".
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