MMRCA contract winner to become clear in 5-6 weeks
28 Jul 2011
New Delhi: India's choice of the medium range multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) supplier is likely to be made public in the next five to six weeks. The tender has attracted global attention and is worth an estimated $11 billion.
The worth of the tender could shoot up should the Indian Air Force opt to increase the size of the order. The order run is for 126 aircraft with an option to increase the size by an additional 63 aircraft.
''We have completed the benchmarking and submitted the report to the ministry of defence which has to accept it. A technical offset evaluation committee report has also been submitted to the MoD. The lowest bidder will be declared in another five to six weeks,''
''The next step is to call vendors and open up the commercial bids. Of the two manufacturers left in the fray for the medium-multirole combat aircraft, we will [determine the lowest bidder] in the next five to six weeks,'' Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, air chief marshal PV Naik said 26 July.
Under India's defence procurement procedures the lowest bidder wins the deal.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is competing with the French Dassault Rafale for the contract.