Has the Indian Air Force (IAF) competition to buy 126 fighter aircraft had its first casualty? According to reports in an Indian newspaper, Financial Express, the Swedish fighter, which has had a string of international successes, including a recent one to supply fighters to the Thailand air force, has failed the technical evaluation of the IAF. It is now up to the Indian MoD which is conducting the procurement process, to decide whether it wants to call the Swedish fighter for field trials within the next few months. Amongst the six contenders- Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault's Rafale, Eurofighter's Typhoon, Lockheed Martin's F-16, Russian Aircraft Corporation's (RAC's) MiG-35 and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, the Gripen was considered to have the best chance as it most fitted the description of a light and agile fighter, the key reason why the IAF wanted a new generation fighter to replace the MiG-21 aircraft. However, with news that the Gripen has failed at the first round (if the media reports are true), then the field is now left with five contenders. Informed sources told Defenseworld.net that another contender, Eurofighter too was a borderline case in the technical evaluation phase and might not meet the grade. This would leave the field to Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault's Rafale, Lockheed Martin's F-16, and RAC's MiG-35. The reasons why the JAS 39 Gripen failed the test, according to sources, was due to the fact that it was the lightest of the contenders and not really what the IAF wants. The Gripen matches closely to India’s own Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) also called Tejus, which the IAF is committed to buy and induct over the next few years. The IAF does not want its medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) to be similar in performance and features to the LCA Tejus. India is planning to spend $10 billion on its MMRCA purchase. The deal is considered one of the biggest for fighter aircraft anywhere in the world and has attracted worldwide interest and attention. Contrary to earlier defense procurements, the IAF and MoD has put in place a very scientific evaluation process and sources among the bidders said this is up there with countries with the most transparent procurement process. In this context, it would be difficult to see how if the Gripen has failed the technical evaluation, it would be possible for it to come back into the reckoning and be invited for field trials. However, officially there is no word on the progress of the evaluation with the IAF’s stated position that the bids have been received and that the technical evaluation of the bids is on.
Gripen hard to beat in Indian MMRCA contest While there is no shortage of fighter aircraft procurement programmes currently under way, the most eagerly anticipated contest is undoubtedly India's medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA) requirement for at least 126 aircraft. The six contenders have now submitted their proposals: Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault's Rafale, Eurofighter's Typhoon, Lockheed Martin's F-16, Russian Aircraft Corporation's (RAC's) MiG with the MiG-35 and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Arguably each aircraft stands a fighting chance of securing the lucrative USD10 billion contract. India continues to have a close relationship with Dassault, which supplied the Indian Air Force (IAF) with Mirage 2000 fighters in the 1980s. However, given the IAF's emphasis on future upgrades for its MMRCA aircraft, the lack of operators of the Rafale is likely to be seen as a significant issue. The Rafale and the Typhoon could also struggle with the issue of cost. Both are relatively large twin-engined platforms, which will significantly increase operating costs compared with the single-engined MiG-21 fleet it will replace. The MiG-35 is seen by many as a strong contender. India has a very close relationship with Russia, which has provided the majority of its equipment over the past 30 years. However, over the past year India's relationship with Russia with regards to arms contracts has soured. The two US contenders seem well placed in terms of price and capability as India seeks to establish closer military bonds with Washington. However the F-16 is hindered by the fact that Pakistan already operates the type. Furthermore the aircraft is already being phased out by the US Air Force. The Boeing Super Hornet does not suffer from these issues. However, one unresolved issue with regards to both US platforms is the authorisation of technology transfer. Saab holds a strong hand with the Gripen. The aircraft is single engined, which will keep operating costs low, upgrades are already being defined under the Gripen Demonstrator programme and acquisition costs are highly competitive.
The major problem i see with the Gripen winning MRCA deal is 1. Manufacturer nation Sweeden is not going to be a impressive strategic partner for India, In current time frame India needs an impotrant, powerful and wealthy partner, especially when a large amount of money is at stake. 2.The maximum takeoff load of the aircraft does not"completely" meet the requirements of IAF. 3.The probs in TOT and 4. India wont need another LCA.
The Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a 4.5 generation fighter aircraft, Its a light Jet, designed for performance, flexibility, effectiveness and survivability in air combat. Gripen is a multirole fighter aircraft Fit for all types of mission. The Biggest UPS of this jet i consider is the Gripen's ability to take off and land on public roads. ( Can you Believe this ). I will opt for a good number of Gripens for reasons like : # Its Comparatively Cheap ( Cost wise ). # Our Past History with PAKISTAN shows that they stike our Air Strips to immobalise or slow our Air-Advance. # Its at par with the F-16's PAKISTAN Posses in its inventory. Last but not the least. # We cannot keep this JET as an Option for the PAF (Pakistani Air Force). (since no one except China is ready to sell Jets to them)(Their economy is crumbling down, so they got limited resources to buy)(now after joining hands officially with the Taliban, there are chances that probably the US will try n post pone the proposed F16 sale to Pakistan)
The number of jets required is huge & if the shortlisting, negotiations & finally placing order. this whole process will take atleast 2013/14 for the first jet to arrive in india. Gripen has confirmed it will be offering the Gripen IN, a version of the Gripen NG for India. They also committed a complete Technology Transfer ( right from Airframe building). Though the Political Clout may not be that high or big, the machine is surely a class in it self. I Personally think this Order must be split,. Option 1 : Split the Order in 2 lots with 30+ MIG35's & 100+ Gripen's Reasoning for MIG35 : Its a Perfect JET (Though it is still in development) IAF has already got the required infrastructure for catering the MIG Jet, just a few changes will help us maintain & operate the fleet perfectly. Reasoning for Gripen : It will act as an platform for further & fast development of the LCA (Tajes). Since it fells in the same class / Generation. It will come with a complete TOT ( Sweden has not got any record of sanctions on India & hence the experience will be essential even for the MCA. since the cost involved is less, Huge number can be manufactured on license. Option 2 : Split the Order in 2 lots with 30+ Rafale & 100+ Gripen's Reasoning for Rafale : Rafale is a omni role fighter jet, capable of multi-mission tasks, a mean machine & also has an Naval Varient ( can be added up in the The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) (formerly known as Air Defence Ship (ADS)). has a decent range. procurement number will be small / less since it is too costly. I would have surely liked the Super Hornet & the Euro Fighter in the Indian Arsenal, fighting side by side along with the SU-30MKI. but both are too costly & USA has got a very bad record of Sanctions. Incase of EF Typhoon the Order list is already too huge, & the principle countries are still to get what they have ordered. am still not disputing the TOT part (but all the involved countries will have to approve it) as for the Super Hornet, its a tried, tested & Proven aircraft, but USA is still to approve the TOT part. ( not sure if atleast 60% of the Total will be provided ) & finally we must remember one thing, we are looking out for an replacement for the aging MIG 21 & we do not need a heavy jet somewhere close to the SU-30 MKI.
final choice As posted by mr atulsabnis about the split I think option 2 will be more favourable of 30 rafales a 100 gripensthe reason being France after Russia has been the largest and a consistent supplier of arms and a political ally in the international arena and as the IAF has experience of operating the Mirage it wont have any problems in transition of technology and as mentioned in other posts it has capabilities with although not equal but comparable to Su 30 our frontline fighter as of now. The case of GripenNG is that first of all it has low operating costs (single engine) good weapons payload(6000 kgs equivalent to Mirage 2000) and it comes with the offer of total ToT(up to airframe level) so that India can modify it later on that will be india specific, and if noticed the gripen specs nearly match those of the Mirage 2000-5 which was the original choice for the category(until France decided to close the entire production line) moreover with the total ToT clause in the gripen deal it can be very well used as the platform for future LCA developments and MCA developments. As for mig 35,though I am no expert but my observation is that given its range, payload capacity and operating costs it falls behind the two aircrafts mentioned above . And regarding diplomatic relation with Russia I do not think it will be such a huge issue as because we have already ongoing transactions with Russia which is valued more than this ( Aircraft carriers, Akula SSNs, Participation in the PAK-FA program etc)
I think you´re a bit ridicoulus now. "Strategic partner" - what do you mean with that? Will UK/France support India militarily in case of a conflict? Don´t think so. Have UK/France more important partner companies than Sweden. Nope! Sweden are no 1 when it comes to telecom technology power distribution technology automation trucks construction equipment Sweden also have defence technology that suits India perfectly: Fighter aircraft Armored vehicles - CV90 Anti tank weapons Artillery incl advanced ammunition Submarines Sweden is wealthy - we can match most countries when it comes to wealth. Just take a look at our GDP and GDP per capita... the muscovites can compare themselves on that point with countries in africa.... What matters is price and performance. Why buy a "bigger plane" if it doesn´t add anything when it comes to weapons load or range? You only get a bigger radar cross section. The muscovite planes are junk - India knows that looking at the problems with their Mig 29s. Why do the same mistake again? If India goes for muscovite planes, India will get an airforce that are inferior to China's airforce.
I think the best option would be a mix of Gripen and Super Hornet. Same engine plus that India gets a strategic relation with both the US and Sweden.
