MRCA

   The Indian Air Force Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) Competition, commonly known as the MRCA Tender, is an ongoing competition to supply the Indian Air Force with 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft. The Defence Ministry has allocated 42,000 crore (US$ 9.11 billion) for the purchase of these aircraft. Six aircraft were bid for this multi-billion dollar contract, which has been touted as India's single largest defence deal ever. These represent some of the latest combat aircraft being developed or fielded today.

   Bidders:

1. Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets
2. Dassault Rafale
3. Eurofighter Typhoon
4. Lockheed Martin F-16IN Super Viper
5. Mikoyan MiG-35
6. Saab Gripen NG

Present status:

 TyphoonOn 8 August 2008, the then IAF Chief Air Marshal Fali H. Major informed that technical evaluations were being conducted and claimed that the IAF is all set to conduct field trials of the MRCA bidding aircraft in the second half of 2008. The industry offset proposals from the bidders have been provided to India as of 11 August 2008. The technical evaluation of the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) has been completed by 18 November 2008.There have been concerns that this process would take a few years at least, and getting the aircraft after that would take longer. It is reasonable to expect that the aircraft can be delivered no sooner than 2011.

  In January 2009 SAAB International, proposed to India the transfer of technology if Gripen win the MRCA and make India 'an independent manufacturer' of its own fighter jets. SAAB favored 'extensive transfer of technology' well in excess of 60 % more than requirement of RFI to boost India's indigenous capabilities in fighter jets. It was reported in April 2009 that Dassault Aviation's Rafale has been rejected after technical evaluation of the fighters.However, this has been disputed by IAF.In late May 2009 Times of India has reported that Dassault Aviation has submitted the missing answers to the General Staff Qualitative Requirements drawn up by the IAF, and after serious diplomatic intervention, they are back in the race.

   On 27 May 2009 Indian Air Force completed the technical evaluation of all 6 fighter jets. Air chief marshal Fali H. Major told the press that the reports had been submitted to the ministry of defence. The aircraft will be put through a rigorous testing process at Bangalore, Jaisalmer and Leh. The aircraft will undergo technical and humid condition tests in Bangalore. Desert trials will be conducted in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan and High-altitude and mountainous condition trials will be conducted at Leh in Ladakh.

       RafaleFlight evaluation of the fighters started in August 2009 at Bangalore. The F/A-18E/F and F-16IN completed their field trials by mid-September 2009.The Rafale began trails in late September 2009. As of late October 2009, the IAF has completed the trials of F/A-18, F-16, Rafale, and MiG-35. According to Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, all the aircraft tested so far "are going neck and neck".On 23 January 2010, India's ambassador to Italy stated that the Eurofighter Typhoon was in the lead.

        The Gripen was the last of the aircraft to be evaluated by the IAF. On the 22 March, two Gripens left Bangalore, one to Jaisalmer and the other to Leh, Ladakh. At Jaisalmer AFS, a Gripen would undertake the hot weather trials and also a dummy run and bomb drop at the Pokhran Firing Range. The other Gripen headed towards Leh, would perform high altitude tests involving landing, refueling and restarting engines. Prior to the Gripen, 4 out of the 5 aircraft had issues restarting their engines during trials conducted in Leh. Updated bids have been requested by the MOD on 28 April 2010, according to an MOD official. Meanwhile GRIPEN NG DEMO aircraft has passed its high altitude tests in Leh and also other hot weather tests. Now the process of down selecting will begin. European fighters have become 25% cheaper. CEO of Eurofighter consortorium says that he now has more than 50% chance in the competition.

    The IAF is to complete an evaluation report on the six fighters in July 2010 and will begin to shortlist them based on the air force's evaluations.

Report suggests Rafale and Typhoon have entered the final stage