French Rafale jet beats Eurofighter in $10bn India deal

Jimbuna · 01-31-12, 11:07 AM

I'm a little suprised...I honestly believe the Eurofighter was the better of the two.

Quote:

French firm Dassault has emerged as the lowest bidder for a $10bn (£6.3bn) contract to supply India jet fighters.
Dassault Aviation will now enter final negotiations before signing the deal that will supply India's air force with 126 Rafale aircraft.
Correspondents say this is one of the world's biggest defence deals and is a major setback for rival bidder, the Eurofighter Typhoon.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-16809532

kraznyi_oktjabr · 01-31-12, 11:15 AM

I have to admit that I'm surprised. Apparently frenchmen knew what kind of deal Indians were ready to sign.

Congrats to Paris!

MH · 01-31-12, 12:05 PM

Both aircraft are seem very good but not revolutionary by today standards so it could be down to operating costs.
Seems that French plane is simpler one but has a bit better electronics suite while Typhoon might be more maneuverable with more modern airframe.
Choosing those two according price tag looks logical.

The stealth technology seems to be the future so investing too much in 4th generation fighters might be not so wise.

Herr-Berbunch · 01-31-12, 11:56 AM

And the Swiss went for the Gripen recently, too.

The French are putting it down to India's great history with the Mirage 2000.

At least they're still flying Jags, Hawks, and Andovers

kraznyi_oktjabr · 01-31-12, 12:07 PM

What you think about this:

Indian Navy is currently building new aircraft carrier fleet which they do not yet have aircrafts. Dassault Aviation happens to have carrier version of Rafale available but Eurofighter consortium doesn't have such version of Typhoon.

Could this have played a role in decision?

(Their current aircraft carrier has 12 Mig-29Ks but I don't believe that Indians are going to acquire more of those. They also have carrier version of their indigenous light attack aircraft.)

TLAM Strike · 01-31-12, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraznyi_oktjabr

(Their current aircraft carrier has 12 Mig-29Ks but I don't believe that Indians are going to acquire more of those. They also have carrier version of their indigenous light attack aircraft.)

Not to mention they have more Sea Harriers than the Royal Navy.

kraznyi_oktjabr · 01-31-12, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Not to mention they have more Sea Harriers than the Royal Navy.

Only because they are the best what INS Viraat can operate.

Oh and I did small error: INS Vikramanditya onboard which those Mig-29Ks are meant to be, have not yet been commissioned to Indian Navy. It have been in sea trials and should be commissioned in 2012.

Jimbuna · 01-31-12, 04:55 PM

LOL

Sadly

Takeda Shingen · 01-31-12, 04:59 PM

Ouch. That is going to hurt, as the Typhoon was supposed to be Eurofighter's cash cow.

TLAM Strike · 01-31-12, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraznyi_oktjabr

Only because they are the best what INS Viraat can operate.

They could operate the Harrier II.

In theory they could have operated the YAK-41 or in the future the FA-35B.

All superior to the Sea Harrier Is they fly.

kraznyi_oktjabr · 01-31-12, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

They could operate the Harrier II.

In theory they could have operated the YAK-41 or in the future the FA-35B.

All superior to the Sea Harrier Is they fly.

Damn it! TLAM Strike is splitting hairs.

(Semi)Seriously though, I wouldn't count F-35B. If it (and JSF program) maintain their track record by time it enters full production it will propably cost as much as aircraft carrier itself...

01-31-12, 11:15 AM	#2
kraznyi_oktjabr Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Republiken Finland Posts: 1,803 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	I have to admit that I'm surprised. Apparently frenchmen knew what kind of deal Indians were ready to sign. Congrats to Paris! __________________ You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic. - Dr. House

01-31-12, 11:56 AM	#4
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	And the Swiss went for the Gripen recently, too. The French are putting it down to India's great history with the Mirage 2000. At least they're still flying Jags, Hawks, and Andovers __________________

01-31-12, 12:07 PM	#5
kraznyi_oktjabr Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Republiken Finland Posts: 1,803 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	What you think about this: Indian Navy is currently building new aircraft carrier fleet which they do not yet have aircrafts. Dassault Aviation happens to have carrier version of Rafale available but Eurofighter consortium doesn't have such version of Typhoon. Could this have played a role in decision? (Their current aircraft carrier has 12 Mig-29Ks but I don't believe that Indians are going to acquire more of those. They also have carrier version of their indigenous light attack aircraft.) __________________ You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic. - Dr. House Last edited by kraznyi_oktjabr; 01-31-12 at 12:58 PM.

01-31-12, 04:55 PM	#8
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	LOL Sadly __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

01-31-12, 12:05 PM	#3
MH Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,184 Downloads: 248 Uploads: 0	Both aircraft are seem very good but not revolutionary by today standards so it could be down to operating costs. Seems that French plane is simpler one but has a bit better electronics suite while Typhoon might be more maneuverable with more modern airframe. Choosing those two according price tag looks logical. The stealth technology seems to be the future so investing too much in 4th generation fighters might be not so wise.

01-31-12, 04:59 PM	#9
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Ouch. That is going to hurt, as the Typhoon was supposed to be Eurofighter's cash cow.