The Indian Air Force Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) Competition, also known as the MRCA tender, is an ongoing competition to supply 126 multi-role combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Defence Ministry has allocated 42,000 crore (US$7.98 billion) for the purchase of these aircraft,[1] making it India's single largest defence deal.[2] The MRCA tender was floated with the idea of filling the gap between its future Light Combat Aircraft and its in-service Su-30MKIs air superiority fighter.
Procurement of the aircraft and equipment are to be carried out in accordance with the procedures laid out in the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)-2011. The DPP provides for a comprehensive technical and field evaluation of equipment being procured to ensure conformity with the Service Qualitative Requirements (SQRs). The DPP also stipulates standard terms of contract to ensure product and maintenance support of the equipment being procured.
On 27 April 2011, the IAF shortlisted two of the six competing fighter jets—Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale.[3] Bids for the two remaining competitors had been received in 2011. A total cost is being determined for each bid.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF; Devanāgarī: भारतीय वायु सेना: Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the primary responsibility of conducting aerial warfare, defending the Indian airspace, conducting strategic strikes inside enemy territory and providing aerial cover to ground troops. It is the fourth largest air force in the world, with a strength of more than 2000 aircraft, including more than 900 combat aircraft and 305 helicopters,[4] and presently operates a total of 34 squadrons.[5]
Most of the IAF's 797 fighter jets are of Soviet/Russian origin. These include the India's indigenous HAL Tejas (LCA), Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29 as well as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. Added to these are the Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar and French Mirage 2000 aircraft, produced under license.
The MiG-21 forms the backbone of the IAF and more than 200 of this type are in operation. These aircraft were acquired in the late 1960s and early '70s, and performed well in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. However, they have been aging, and have mostly become obsolete. Added to that is a poor safety record, which has made their replacement paramount for the Indian Air Force.
The Indian Air Force plays a crucial role in securing Indian airspace and also in India's power projection in South Asia and Indian Ocean. Therefore, modernizing and expanding the Indian Air Force is a top priority for the Indian government.
The minimum sanctioned strength of the IAF is 39.5 squadrons of combat aircraft, with a healthy level of 44 squadrons.[6][7] However, this level was achieved only in the mid-1980s, with the acquisition of the Mirage 2000s, MiG-29s and Jaguars. In addition, at the time, most IAF aircraft were comparatively new, being less than 10 years old. Most of the older aircraft would have become obsolete by the mid-1990s, with the rest needing replacement by 2010. The IAF presently operates 45 aircraft squadrons.[8]
However, these aircraft were not replaced, for reasons mentioned below, which led to frequent crashes and attrition losses. The Force levels have fallen to 34 combat squadrons, a big worry for the IAF. Further phasing out of aircraft has meant that the IAF now operates only 32 fighter squadrons, which represents a serious depletion of force levels. Even with the planned MMRCA procurement, the IAF will reach sanctioned strength only by 2017.[6]
This has led to a threat to India's traditional numerical superiority over Pakistan's air force, and erosion of its position as compared to China, another Asian power. The ratios of aircraft has fallen from 2.79:1 to around 1.30:1 and could potentially fall further to 1.15:1 in the coming years. For the first time, the PAF would be inducting BVR missiles with its purchase of 500 AIM-120C5 AMRAAM missiles. Pakistan's acquisition of 18 F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft from the US, and future JF-17 Thunder production, along with China's much bigger and modernizing air force, has led to further concern from the IAF.
The IAF has prepared a comprehensive Long Term Perspective Plan (LTPP) till the year 2027 for modernization of its fleet to meet the security challenges. The IAF is in the process of inducting various types of fighter aircraft like Medium, Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). Indian government has allocated funding for the purpose.
Due to budgetary constraints — specifically, the economic problems in the early 1990s — the refurbishment of old planes and purchase of new ones was halted. Added to this was the disintegration of the Soviet Union, which led to severe shortage of aircraft spares, which rendered many of them unserviceable. By this time, most of the MiG-21s were reaching the end of their service life and needed to be phased out or upgraded.
This led to frequent crashes of aircraft, cannibalization of aircraft and low serviceability, all of which contributed to the rapid decline of the Force levels. The safety record of the IAF's MiG-21s and other older aircraft has raised concern in the Indian Parliament and media, leading to the aircraft sometimes being referred to in the media as "flying coffins".[9][10] The age of the MiG-21s, and their safety record, led the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to call for their immediate phase out in a March 2002 report. However, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy and Air Chief Marshal A.Y. Tipnis had stated that the aircraft were "fit to fly". Besides the raw age of the aircraft, their maintenance and upkeep had been called into question.[10]
One source estimates that in the nine years from 1993 to 2002, the IAF lost over 100 pilots in 283 accidents.[10] Around 50 pilots have been lost in MiG-21s alone. During its service life, the IAF has lost at least 116 aircraft to crashes (not including those lost in combat), with 81 of those occurring since 1990.[11] This, predictably, led to much anguish and criticism among the Indian public and media, who, in the aftermath of the Kargil War, were much more concerned with the state of the Armed Forces and the emotive issue of loss of pilots.
The attrition was stemmed to some extent by extensive upgrade programs on the MiG-21 (bis upgrade), MiG-27, Jaguar (DARIN I upgrade) and other aircraft in the mid-90s. However, by the early 2000s, this crash rate had risen again, partly because of low-quality spares used, insufficient pilot training, inefficient aircraft health appraisals, all which led to many unsafe aircraft being allowed to fly with old airframes and engines.
An aggressive program of upgrades was initiated. The MiG-21bis aircraft have been upgraded to MiG-21 Bison levels (125 aircraft will be upgraded to that standard), Jaguars to DARIN II standards, and Mirage 2000s and MiG-27s were also upgraded. Along with that, a rigorous process of maintenance and quality control was initiated to ensure airworthiness. Older obsolete aircraft were also phased out. These steps led to the a drastic drop in accident rates, comparable to most other air forces. However, by this time, the Force levels had fallen drastically, which engendered the need to acquire new, modern aircraft.
The MiG-23MF air defence interceptor was phased out in 2007 by the IAF. Further retirements of MiG-23BN ground attack aircraft began in March 2009.[12][13] With decreased aircraft squadrons level, MiG-23s are set to be replaced by MRCA winner.[14]
Other sources blame the accident rate on failures in the pilot training system, due to lack of Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs).[10] This had led to trainee pilots jumping directly from subsonic HAL Kiran aircraft to the unforgiving and challenging Mach-2-capable MiGs. This was exacerbated by severe delays in the acquisition of BAe Hawk 132 AJTs.
This deal for 66 AJTs has been one of the most protracted negotiations in aviation history. Although the IAF projected the requirement in 1984, the deal was signed only in March 2004. This led to widespread criticism of the Ministry of Defence and Defence staff by the public. BAE Systems has delivered the 24th and final UK built Indian Hawk in November 2009.[15] Another 42 are being built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Reports surfaced in March 2009 that India is upset over spares supply related problems for Hawk 132 trainers, and has shelved plans to place follow-on orders.[16]
Added to this was the loss of valuable MiG-21UM trainer jets, which denied pilots training for the MiG-21. The loss of these aircraft in crashes also claimed the lives of highly-skilled instructors.
The IAF had initially planned to replace the MiG-21 fleet with the indigenously-built HAL Tejas (LCA) aircraft by 2006.
Once full funding was restarted in June 1993, the schedule was revised to induction by 2003. However, the target could not be met due to developmental delays and U.S. sanctions following the Pokhran II nuclear tests, which blocked the development of the FBW Flight Control System and the delivery of GE F404 engines — both crucial components of the aircraft. This meant that the IAF would have to take other steps to stem the decline in numbers. The Tejas first flew on 4 January 2001. Final tests were done in January 2011 and the aircraft was to be fully operational by end of 2012. But on 3 October 2011, it was reported that the Tejas' Final Operational Clearance (FOC) has been further delayed to December 2013.
The IAF projected a requirement for about 126 aircraft in 2001, when the strength was at 39.5 squadrons (down from 45). There is an option for an additional 74 aircraft.[17] Initial requirements appeared to be for a 20-ton class fighter aircraft with the Mirage 2000 as the strongest contender. However, the 20-ton MTOW limit requirement has reportedly been removed. Also, considering the delays in the bidding, it is very likely that the LCA would be ready for induction by then. The IAF then would require replacements for its frontline strike aircraft like the MiG-27 and Jaguar, which would be retiring by 2015. India's future 5th-generation aircraft, namely, the Russo-Indian Sukhoi/HAL FGFA and the indigenous Medium Combat Aircraft will not be ready before 2018,[18] and 2025,[19] respectively, thus providing the need for a replacement. Thus, the MRCA tender is more likely to be a medium-weight aircraft (MTOW of ~24 tons). This has led to a renaming of the competition as the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender.
The Indian government is to buy the first 18 aircraft directly from the manufacturer. The remaining fighters will be built under licence with a transfer of technology (ToT) by HAL.[20][21]
The IAF was keen on buying the Mirage 2000-5, after it was impressed by the Mirage 2000's capabilities during the Kargil War. However, due to the upcoming manufacture of the Dassault Rafale and lack of orders, the Mirage production lines were to be closed down. French officials stated that they could be kept open if India had made a firm commitment. However, the Indian Government decided to go in for a multi-vendor tendering process. Requests for Information (RFI) were issued in 2004. The RFIs were initially sent to four vendors: Dassault (Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2), Lockheed Martin (F-16C/D), Mikoyan (MiG-29OVT), and Saab (JAS 39 Gripen).
Due to the tendering process and delay in issuing the RFIs, Dassault decided to remove the Mirage 2000-5 from the bidding process and enter the Rafale in its place. The MiG-35 was entered in place of the prototype MiG-29OVT. Eurofighter Typhoon also expressed interest in entering the bidding, and have entered their aircraft into the competition. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet also joined the tendering.
Six aircraft were bid for the order – the Swedish Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, French Dassault Rafale, Russian Mikoyan MiG-35, and the American F-16IN and F/A-18IN Super Hornet ("IN" are the proposed Indian versions). Previously, Mikoyan and Dassault have been regular suppliers of aircraft for the Indian Air Force and in terms of transfers of technology, licensed production in India, personnel training, supply of spare parts, maintenance and upgrading.
IAF pilots and technicians are familiar with earlier aircraft from those two aircraft manufacturers, and would need minimal retraining. Infrastructural and logistical support for maintenance and spares would also be easier for these aircraft compared to the unfamiliar Gripen, Typhoon, F-16 and F/A-18.
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engined delta-wing agile multi-role fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. The Rafale was brought in as the replacement for the Mirage 2000-5 that was originally a competitor for the tender,[22] after the production lines for the Mirage closed down, as well as the entry of much more advanced aircraft into the competition.
The Rafale has the advantage of being logistically and operationally similar to the Mirage 2000, which the IAF already operates and used with great success during the Kargil War (see Operation Safed Sagar). This would require fewer changes in the existing infrastructure of the IAF, which in turn will reduce cost. Moreover, being 100% French also provided Dassault a distinct edge over its competitors on the issue of technology transfer.[23] Dassault claims that the Rafale has an advantage over many of the competitors because it is not subject to ITAR restrictions.
While not included in the MRCA requirement, the French fighter has more configurations of potential interest for the IAF: a carrier-based version (the Rafale M) and a capability for nuclear strategic strike. Both of these particular versions are in use in the French Armed Forces. At present however the Rafale M uses a catapult system (not present on the initial Vikrant) and the nuclear strike use is earmarked by others jets of the IAF.[24]
The French government has cleared full technology transfer of the Rafale to India, including that of the RBE2-AA AESA radar which will be integrated into the Rafale by 2010[25] and also the transfer of software source codes, which will allow Indian scientists to re-programme a radar or any sensitive equipment if needed.[23] Without the software source codes, the IAF would have to specify mission parameters to foreign manufacturers to enable configuration of their radar, seriously compromising security in the process.
Dassault has also offered to fit the GTX-35VS Kaveri engine into the Rafale, which if chosen, would greatly improve commonality with the HAL Tejas that will enter service into the IAF by 2010. Concerns have been raised about cost issues as well as potential sales to Pakistan, which has also expressed interest in the Rafale. However, no such jets have been sold to Pakistan. India and France have recently agreed to "go beyond a buyer-seller relationship".[26]
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine multi-role canard-delta air superiority fighter aircraft, designed and built by a consortium of European aerospace manufacturers through Eurofighter GmbH.
Eurofighter is offering the Tranche-3 Typhoon for the Indian requirement, equipped with the CAESAR AESA radar. EADS has invited India to become a partner of the Eurofighter Typhoon programme if the Typhoon wins the contract, and will be given technological and development participation in future tranches of the Typhoon.[27] Bernhard Gerwert, CEO of EADS Defense Department, elaborated that if India becomes the fifth partner of the Eurofighter programme, it will be able to manufacture assemblies for new Eurofighters.[28]
In January 2010, EADS offered to include thrust vectoring nozzles (TVNs) with the Typhoon's EJ200 engines for India. Thrust vectoring will improve operational capabilities, and reduce fuel burn by up to 5% and increase thrust while supersonic cruising by 7%.[29]
The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a twin-engine carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft. The MMRCA contract represents a prime opportunity for U.S. defence companies to gain a foothold in the Indian defence market, which is estimated to be about US$100 billion in the next 10 years. Initially, the Request for Information (RFI) was not issued to Boeing, which decided to field the Super Hornet. The U.S. Government allowed Boeing to participate in the RFI, and later gave permission for RFP (Request For Proposal) as well. However, any sale of aircraft would have to be approved by the U.S. Congress.
Initial reactions within the IAF were enthusiastic, although there were apprehensions of support issues in case of future sanctions. The US stated that there would have been some restrictions and pre-conditions for the purchase of the aircraft.[30]
On 24 April 2008, Boeing (through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi) submitted their 7000-page proposal to the Ministry of Defence, before the 28 April deadline for the submission for proposals. The Super Hornet variant being offered to India, the F/A-18IN, is based on the F/A-18E/F model flown by the U.S. Navy and currently being built for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Raytheon's APG-79 AESA radar was offered on the aircraft. There would have been limited Transfer of Technology on the radar, up to the level approved by the US Government. However, Raytheon stated that the level of ToT offered would be compliant with the RFP requirements.[31] Delivery of the first F/A-18IN Super Hornets could have begun approximately 36 months after contract award.[32]
Boeing proposed joint manufacture of the jets with Indian partners. It also planned to offset the cost by setting up a US$100 million maintenance and training hub in Nagpur. This is the first time the Super Hornet has been offered for production in a foreign country.[33] On 14 February 2008, Boeing and Tata Industries agreed to form a joint-venture company. The new entity formed in February 2008, will supply components for Boeing military aircraft, including the Super Hornet.[34][35]
In order to satisfy its offset requirements, Boeing has signed long-term partnership agreements with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tata Industries, and Larsen & Toubro.[32]
India initially sent the RFI for a F-16C/D Block 52+ configuration aircraft. On 17 January 2008, Lockheed Martin offered a customized version of the F-16, the F-16IN Super Viper for the Indian MMRCA contract.[36] The F-16IN, which is similar to the F-16 Block 60, will be a 4.5 generation aircraft. Lockheed Martin has stated that it will be the most advanced F-16 variant developed. It will be more advanced than the F-16 Block 52s that the Pakistan Air Force has acquired.
Lockheed Martin described the F-16IN as "the most advanced and capable F-16 ever." Based closely on the F-16E/F Block 60 as supplied to the UAE, the features on the F-16IN include:[37]
Lockheed Martin offered to sell India the F-35 Lightning II aircraft in the future, as replacements, if the F-16 was chosen.[37]
The capabilities of the F-16 appear to be similar to the Mirage 2000s that the IAF currently operates. The F-16 is also more prone to pilot errors than the Mirage 2000H, which would also work against the F-16.[39]
The Mikoyan MiG-35 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-35) (NATO reporting name Fulcrum-F) is the production version of the latest MiG-29 and incorporates mature development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology, such as glass cockpit and fly-by-wire technology. The IAF already operates MiG-29s, and the Navy has ordered MiG-29K/KUBs for its INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov) and INS Vikrant-class aircraft carriers.
Russia unveiled the MiG-35 at Aero India 2007 in Bangalore, amid Moscow's keen interest to sell these planes to India. This was the first time that the final version of the MiG-35 was publicly displayed at an international air show, and thus, generated a great deal of interest.[40]
Since the IAF already has maintenance and upgrade facilities for the MiG-29, this would mean that the fighter could be brought into service with a minimum of expenditure on infrastructure.[41] A major advantage of MiG-35 is that Russia is committed to transfer the plane's technology, including the new advanced Zhuk radar-AE Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, to India.[42] In the past, Russia has provided customised versions of military equipment such as the Su-30MKI and continued to provide support for equipment during international sanctions. However, Russian product support, especially for the MiG-29 fleet has been inadequate.[43]
Additionally, buying the MiG-35 would mean an almost total dependence on a single supplier for India's entire fighter fleet. Recent Russian demands for renegotiation of earlier contracts, the sale of RD-93 engines (a variant of the Klimov RD-33 that powers the Indian MiG-29s) to Pakistan for its JF-17 Thunder aircraft and concurrently supplying combat aircraft to China[43] has also caused concern in New Delhi.
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen (Griffin or "Gryphon") is a fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. The aircraft is in service with the Swedish, Czech, Hungarian, and the South African air forces. The Royal Thai Air Force has also received the aircraft.
The Gripen was one of the aircraft that the IAF sent the Request for Information. The Gripen participated at Aero India 2007, where one JAS 39C (single seater) and two JAS 39D (two-seater) variants were brought.[44] Gripen International offered the Gripen IN, a version of the Gripen NG (Next Generation) for India's competition.[45] The Gripen NG has increased fuel capacity, more powerful powerplant, higher payload, upgraded avionics and other improvements.[46][47]
| Aircraft: | Dassault Rafale[48] | Eurofighter Typhoon[49][50] | F-16IN "Super Viper"[51][52] |
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet[53][54][55][56] |
JAS 39 NG(IN)[46][57][58][59] | MiG-35 Fulcrum-F[60][61][62][63][64] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country of origin: | France | Germany Italy Spain United Kingdom |
United States | United States | Sweden | Russia |
| Manufacturer: | Dassault Aviation | Eurofighter GmbH | Lockheed Martin | Boeing Defense, Space & Security | Saab | RAC-MiG |
| Length: | 15.27 m (50.1 ft) |
15.96 m (52 ft 5 in) |
15.03 m (49 ft 3 in) |
18.31 m (60 ft 1¼ in) |
14.1 m (46 ft 3 in) |
17.3 m (56 ft 9 in) |
| Wingspan: | 10.80 m (35.4 ft) |
10.95 m (35 ft 11 in) |
10.0 m (32 ft 8 in) |
13.62 m (44 ft 8½ in) |
8.4 m (27 ft 7 in) |
12 m (39 ft 4 in) |
| Height: | 5.34 m (17.4 ft) |
5.28 m (17 ft 4 in) |
5.09 m (16 ft 7 in) |
4.88 m (16 ft) |
4.5 m (14 ft 9 in) |
4.7 m (15 ft 5 in) |
| Wing area: | 45.7 m² (492 ft²) |
50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
27.9 m² (300 ft²) |
46.5 m² (500 ft²) |
30.0 m² (323 ft²) |
38.0 m² (409 ft²) |
| Empty weight: | 9,500 kg (20,940 lb) |
11,000 kg (24,250 lb) |
9,979 kg (22,000 lb)[65] |
14,552 kg (32,081 lb),[56] |
7,100 kg (15,650 lb) |
11,000 kg (24,280 lb) |
| Maximum payload: | 9,500 kg (21,000 lb) |
7,500 kg (16,500 lb) |
7,800 kg (17,200 lb) |
8,050 kg (17,750 lb) |
5,300 kg (15,880 lb)[66] |
6,500 kg (15,400 lb) |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): | 24,500 kg (54,000 lb) |
23,500 kg (51,800 lb) |
21,800 kg (48,000 lb) |
29,937 kg (66,000 lb)[56] |
14,300 kg (36,400 lb)[67] |
29,000 kg (65,076 lb) |
| Powerplant: | 2× SNECMA M88-2 | 2× Eurojet EJ200 | 1× GE F110-132 | 2× GE F414-400 | 1× GE F414G | 2× Klimov RD-33MK |
| Thrust: • Dry thrust: |
50 kN each (11,250 lbf) |
60 kN each (13,500 lbf) |
84 kN (19,000 lbf) |
62.3 kN each (14,000 lbf) |
62.3 kN (14,000 lbf) |
53 kN each (11,900 lbf) |
| • Afterburner thrust: | 75 kN each (17,000 lbf) |
90 kN each (20,250 lbf) |
144 kN (32,500 lbf) |
98 kN each (22,000 lbf) |
98 kN (22,000 lbf) |
88.3 kN each (19,840 lbf) |
| Fuel: • Internal • External |
4,700 kg 7,500 kg |
4,996 kg[68] | 3,265 kg 5,880 kg |
F/A-18E: 6,780 kg, 5 tanks, total 7,381 kg |
3,360 kg[59]
3,800 kg[59] |
4,800 kg |
| External stations:** | 14 (5 'wet') | 13 (3 'wet') | 11 (3 'wet') | 11 (5 'wet') | 10 (4 'wet') | 9 (3 'wet') |
| Maximum speed: • At sea level |
Mach 1.8+ (Supercruise: Mach 1+[69]) |
Mach 2.0+[70] (Supercruise: Mach 1.2) |
Mach 2.05 800 KCAS |
Mach 1.8 | Mach 2.0+ (Supercruise: Mach 1.2[71]) |
Mach 2.25 Mach 1.2 |
| Ferry range: • Unrefueled: • Extl. tanks |
3,700+ km | 3,790 km[72] | 4,220 km | 3,054 km | 2,500 km 4,075 km |
2,000 km 3,000 km with 3 drop tanks |
| Combat radius: | 1,800 km | 1,390 km on air defence with 10-min loiter[73] | 550 km on a hi-lo-hi mission with six 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs | 722 km | 1300 km with six AAMs + drop tanks, and 30 min on station | 1000 km |
| Service ceiling: | 17,000 m (56,000 ft) |
19,812 m (65,000 ft) |
18,000 m (60,000 ft) |
15,000 m (50,000 ft) |
15,240 m (56,000 ft) |
17,500 m (57,400 ft) |
| Rate of climb: | 305 m/s (60,000 ft/min) |
315 m/s (62,000 ft/min) |
254 m/s (50,000 ft/min) |
228 m/s (44,882 ft/min) |
N/A | 330 m/s (65,000 ft/min) |
| Thrust/weight: | 1.13 | 1.18 | 1.1 | 0.93 | 1.18 | 1.1 |
| Thrust vectoring: | None | Thrust Vector upgrade has been offered[74] | None | None | None | May be fitted with thrust vectoring |
| Unit cost: | ~US$84.48 million €64 million |
~US$108 million €80 million as of 2009[75] |
US$50 million[76] | US$55 million as of 2011[77] | US$48 million | US$38.5 million |
| Notes: | ** = Wet stations | |||||
The order is for 126 aircraft with the option to buy another 64–74 more.[78] While there were reports of the direct order being increased to 200, or split between two vendors, Former Chief of Air Staff of the IAF, Air Marshal S.P. Tyagi stated during Aero India 2007 that the number would remain the same, and would be sourced from a single vendor.[79] The first squadron would be directly supplied by the vendor, while the rest would be manufactured under license in India by HAL. He stated however, that as the bidding progressed, this could change.
The Government of India has sanctioned approximately 37,000 crore (US$7 billion),[80] with reports that another US$2 billion might be added to this. This is indicative of the high importance of the order to the respective vendors.
In 2005, in response to allegations of corruption in defence procurements around the world, the Defence Ministry formulated the Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) 2005. According to the DPP, at least 30% of any order over 300 crore (US$57 million) is to be sourced from Indian companies. This would enable Indian companies to gain expertise in defence-related technologies, as well as cycle back a large amount of any order back into the country.
This tender will be the first time that an Offset clause has been included in an Indian defence deal, which led to many changes in the RFP as the Offset policy and life-cycle costs needed to be improved and finalized. This led to delays in issuing the RFPs.
The economic offset for the MMRCA tender was increased to 50% under the DPP 2006. The bidders must confirm the offset details in a separate proposal, to be submitted by 9 June 2008.[78] This brings the value of offsets in the MMRCA deal to almost 25,000 crore (US$4.8 billion).
The initial Request for Information (RFI) for the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) was put out in 2001. At that time the request for proposal (RFP) was expected to be issued in December 2005. Later the RFP was expected to be issued in June 2007.[80] During Aero India 2007, Defence Minister A.K.Antony stated that the RFP would be issued by 31 March 2007. However, Air Marshal A.S. Tyagi, in his last press conference before he retired, had stated that there were delays in issuing the RFP. His successor, Air Marshal F.H. Major had said that the RFP would be issued by June. The delays were said to be due to new factors added into the RFP such as Total Life-cycle Costs as well as fine-tuning the Offset policy, under the new DPP 2005. The Total Life-cycle Cost has been introduced for the first time in Indian defence procurements, and has reportedly been a major source of the delay.
On 29 June, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by the Defence Minister, cleared the process for the procurement of 126 aircraft.[81] The 211-page RFP was approved for release to the respective bidders. On 28 August 2007, the RFP was released to the 6 bidding companies.[82]
The bidders had to give their Formal Proposals within six months from the release of the RFP, latest by 3 March 2008. However, some of the bidders asked for an extension of the deadline, citing complexity of the RFP. The deadline for submission of the proposals was then extended by a month. The Formal Proposals will have to be submitted by 28 April 2008. The Proposals will then be technically evaluated to check for compliance with IAF's requirements and other RFP conditions. After that, field trials will be carried out to evaluate the performance. Finally, the Commercial Proposal of the vendors, short-listed after technical and field evaluations, will be examined and compared, and a winner announced.
After the winner is chosen, there will be further rounds of negotiation to decide the final price, as well as sensor suite and aircraft configuration, along with other factors, like offsets and maintenance. The first 18 aircraft (1 squadron) will come in a 'fly away' condition, while the remaining 108 will be manufactured in India under ToT.[82]
On 8 August 2008, the then IAF Chief Air Marshal Fali H. Major informed that technical evaluations were being conducted and claimed that the IAF is all set to conduct field trials of the MRCA bidding aircraft in the second half of 2008.[82] The industry offset proposals from the bidders have been provided to India as of 11 August 2008.[83] The technical evaluation of the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) has been completed by 18 November 2008.[84]
There have been concerns that this process would take a few years at least, and getting the aircraft after that would take longer. It is reasonable to expect that the aircraft can be delivered no sooner than 2011.[85]
In January 2009 SAAB International, proposed to India the transfer of technology if Gripen win the MRCA and make India 'an independent manufacturer' of its own fighter jets. SAAB favored 'extensive transfer of technology' well in excess of 60 % more than requirement of RFI to boost India's indigenous capabilities in fighter jets.[86]
It was reported in April 2009 that Dassault Aviation's Rafale has been rejected after technical evaluation of the fighters.[87][88] However, this has been disputed by IAF.[89] In late May 2009 Times of India has reported that Dassault Aviation has submitted the missing answers to the General Staff Qualitative Requirements drawn up by the IAF, and after serious diplomatic intervention, they are back in the race.[90]
On 27 May 2009 Indian Air Force completed the technical evaluation of all 6 fighter jets. Air chief marshal Fali H. Major told the press that the reports had been submitted to the ministry of defence. The aircraft will be put through a rigorous testing process at Bangalore, Jaisalmer and Leh. The aircraft will undergo technical and humid condition tests in Bangalore. Desert trials will be conducted in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan and High-altitude and mountainous condition trials will be conducted at Leh in Ladakh.[23]
Flight evaluation of the fighters started in August 2009 at Bangalore.[91] The F/A-18E/F and F-16IN completed their field trials by mid-September 2009.[92] The Rafale began trails in late September 2009.[93] As of late October 2009, the IAF has completed the trials of F/A-18, F-16, Rafale, and MiG-35. According to Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, all the aircraft tested so far "are going neck and neck".[94]
The Gripen was the last of the aircraft to be evaluated by the IAF. On 22 March, two Gripens left Bangalore, one to Jaisalmer and the other to Leh, Ladakh. At Jaisalmer AFS, a Gripen would undertake the hot weather trials and also a dummy run and bomb drop at the Pokhran Firing Range. The other Gripen headed towards Leh, would perform high altitude tests involving landing, refueling and restarting engines. Prior to the Gripen, 4 out of the 5 aircraft had issues restarting their engines during trials conducted in Leh.[95] The Gripen completed its high altitude tests in Leh and other hot weather tests.[96]
Updated bids were requested by the MOD in April 2010. The IAF was to complete an evaluation report on the six fighters in July 2010 and then begin to shortlist them based on the air force's evaluations.[97] A report suggested Rafale and Typhoon were in the final stage.[98] The Sunday Telegraph reported in November 2010 that the Eurofighter Typhoon was leading the competition on "technical terms". Now Indian government will take its strategic decision.[99] On 18 December 2010, the IAF chief stated that the "evaluation of the fighters has been completed and the matter is now with the Ministry of Defence". He was hopeful the deal would be signed by July next year [2011]".[100]
It was reported on 27 April 2011 that only Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale made the cut to the shortlist.[101] Eurofighter and Dassault have been told to keep their commercial bids open till 31 December 2011.[102] The US ambassador in India, Timothy Roemer said that they were "deeply disappointed" by the news, but added that they were reviewing the documents received from the Government of India and were "respectful of the procurement process". He also said that the US looked forward to continuing to grow and develop their defence partnership with India.[103] Officials from SAAB confirmed that the Gripen was not shortlisted but added that they were committed to the Indian market and continue their plans for growth and that they see large business opportunities in the aerospace, defence and security sectors in India.[104]
A US diplomatic cable leaked by Wikileaks has brought forward the fact that US diplomats already held the view that Indian defense trade, in such important deals with the USA, will be subject to scrutiny, owing to the US maintaining a favorable military partnership with Pakistan and due to the sanctions that the US imposed on India after the Pokhran-II nuclear tests. Timothy Roemer, the US ambassador to India, said in an 29 October 2009 cable to Michele Flournoy, a top Pentagon official then about to visit India that "Our ability to seize the opportunities presented by this newly improved environment is limited by the commonly held view that the U.S. will not prove to be a reliable supplier of defense equipment".[105]
After entries from Lockheed Martin and Boeing were not short-listed, both companies requested a debrief to understand why their bids fell short in the technical evaluation. On 11 July 2011 representatives from Lockheed Martin and Boeing attended a government-to-government debriefing between Indian and US officials. The companies stated they accepted the IAF decision in releases.[106][107] In late July 2011, the IAF said that the lowest bidder was to be determined in the "next five to six weeks".[108]
The Air Force is not looking at price. That's not our area of concern. What we want is QRs are focussed on technical aspects, latest technology
On 9 October 2011, despite reports that a winner would be announced in October 2011, Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne stated that India is first approving the finalists' industrial offset offers, and allowing each time to make a final bid. A total cost based on life-cycle cost, purchase cost, and technology transfer value for each competitor will be calculated. The two competing financial bids were formally opened on 4 November 2011.[110][111] On 18 November, Air Chief Marshal Browne said that the winner would be announced by mid-December 2011.[112][113]
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