Defpro.com reports that the Indian Air Force launched flight trials yesterday of the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, beginning a nearly one-year evaluation of the six contenders vying for a $12 billion order for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft MMRCA). The F/A-18E/F is first up, but the competition is wide open. Boeing's rivals are the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16IN, RAC MiG-35 and Saab Gripen IN. Please vote for your favorite.
Given the US defense industry's amazing success on the subcontinent since 2005, so far I see India tilting in Boeing's direction. But I would not discount the Russians and the French -- India's longtime weapons suppliers -- just yet. Although US officials made a huge deal about signing the end-use monitoring agreement last month, it was interesting to read that the Indian Air Force wasn't so impressed. The very reliable StratPost blog even quoted one IAF commenter suggesting the end-use agreement would expose a Super Hornet or Viper fleet to US spying.
Given the US defense industry's amazing success on the subcontinent since 2005, so far I see India tilting in Boeing's direction. But I would not discount the Russians and the French -- India's longtime weapons suppliers -- just yet. Although US officials made a huge deal about signing the end-use monitoring agreement last month, it was interesting to read that the Indian Air Force wasn't so impressed. The very reliable StratPost blog even quoted one IAF commenter suggesting the end-use agreement would expose a Super Hornet or Viper fleet to US spying.
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