In April 2018 the Indian Air Force issued a Request for Information (RFI)for 114 jetfighters at a cost of $18 billion. The tender elicited responses from the same six contenders which had earlier bid for the tender that went to Dassault of France, plus another. The new tender calls for procurement of 18 aircrafts in flyaway condition, with the remaining 96 to be built in India under strategic partnership.
Lockheed is now offering its F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 70, while the new entrant is Sukhoi Corporation, with its Su-35.
Air Staff Quality Requirements (ASQR) have been finalised by the IAF for the fighter programme and Acceptance of Necessity (AON) is now awaited from the Ministry of Defence. An Expression of Interest (EOI) will then be floated, followed finally by the Request for Proposal (RFP), the procedures having been delayed by the Covid-induced lockdown....MORE
