MoD to open commercial bids for MMRCA contract on 4 Nov
25 Oct 2011
New Delhi: India's ministry of defence (MoD) has invited representatives of the Eurofighter consortium and French firm Dassault - the two shortlisted vendors in the $11bn Indian Air Force medium range multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal – to be present on 4 November when the commercial bids submitted by both companies will be opened in their presence.
While the Eurofighter consortium has the Typhoon advanced fighter in the running, the French firm Dassault has the Rafale as its entry.
Subsequent to the opening of bids, an evaluation process would be undertaken which will lead to a final decision on awarding the contract on the basis of the lowest quote price, among other factors.
According to industry sources, the two shortlisted vendors received a letter from the MoD informing them that commercial bids for procuring 126 MMRCA would be opened on 4 November. The contract has often been touted in global defence circles as the "mother of all deals".
Under Delhi rules, the lowest bidder in a deal, who meets all the specified requirements, is considered the winner.
The MoD had, earlier this month, cleared the way for opening of the commercial bids by approving the offset proposals of both the vendors, Eurofighter Gmbh and Dassault.
The Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault's Rafale were shortlisted after four other companies including American Lockheed Martin and Boeing, Russian MiG and Swedish Saab Gripen were eliminated for various reasons.