India likely to buy more than 126 fighter jets
India may keep its options open on purchasing more than 126 multi-role combat jets when it floats an international tender for its largest ever defence deal next week.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: India may keep its options open on purchasing more than 126 multi-role combat jets when it floats an international tender for its largest ever defence deal next week.
Though the initial request for proposals for the deal might project a need for 126 jets, the tender is likely to keep the options open for additional acquisitions at a later stage, top defence sources said.
This could be done to shore up the IAF's depleting fighter fleet, whose strength has plunged at an alarming rate in recent years.
The purchase of additional aircraft at the negotiated price would form part of the tender likely to be sent to six major bidders. The deal is estimated to be worth a whopping Rs 40,000 crore (10 billion dollars).
The proposal to buy additional jets could form part of the tender as financial experts in the defence ministry feel such a move would overcome procedural problems associated with re-tendering and re-negotiating terms for subsequent purchases.
The proposal for inducting 126 jets was drawn up by IAF planners while keeping in mind the country's airpower requirements till 2020 and the need to replace ageing MiG-21 fighters, most of which would be phased out by 2010.
With the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft programme running heavily behind schedule, the planners have had to make adjustments for the purchase of additional fighters to ensure that the nation's airpower capabilities remain at an optimal level.
Though the initial request for proposals for the deal might project a need for 126 jets, the tender is likely to keep the options open for additional acquisitions at a later stage, top defence sources said.
This could be done to shore up the IAF's depleting fighter fleet, whose strength has plunged at an alarming rate in recent years.
The purchase of additional aircraft at the negotiated price would form part of the tender likely to be sent to six major bidders. The deal is estimated to be worth a whopping Rs 40,000 crore (10 billion dollars).
The proposal to buy additional jets could form part of the tender as financial experts in the defence ministry feel such a move would overcome procedural problems associated with re-tendering and re-negotiating terms for subsequent purchases.
The proposal for inducting 126 jets was drawn up by IAF planners while keeping in mind the country's airpower requirements till 2020 and the need to replace ageing MiG-21 fighters, most of which would be phased out by 2010.
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With the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft programme running heavily behind schedule, the planners have had to make adjustments for the purchase of additional fighters to ensure that the nation's airpower capabilities remain at an optimal level.
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