Flight trials for IAF’s MMRCA tender set to commence

Bangalore: The Indian Air Force's global tender for 126 medium range multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA) lurched ahead another step with the defence ministry issuing letters of invitation for flight evaluation trials to six international firms vying for the contract. The contract, valued at approximately $11 billion, is one of the largest in the international defence market.

The six companies in contention are the European consortium, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), which has offered the Eurofighter Typhoon, the American firms, Lockheed Martin (F-16 Falcon/Block 52), Boeing Integrated Defence System (F/A-18F Super Hornet), Russian Aircraft Corp's MiG-35, Swedish Saab's Gripen (JAS-39) and the French major, Dassault's Rafale.

Ministry officials indicated that it was now up to the IAF ''to speedily complete the flight evaluation and indicate its choice.''

The IAF is scheduled to undertake field trials for all six aircraft types between July of this year and March next. The trials will initially be conducted in the country under local conditions and subsequently - for weapons - in the country of origin.

The evaluation trials will be conducted by various teams composed of test pilots, engineers and maintenance crew, which will drawn primarily from the Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment (ASTE).

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd will also be involved to look at issues concerning technology transfer and industrial partnership. The Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification will also be involved in the selection process.

Commercial negotiations are expected to begin once the IAF completes its evaluation some time in 2010. Under existing terms and conditions the first aircraft deliveries will commence3 only four years after a contract is signed.

The aircraft are expected to be tested at Bangalore, Jaisalmer and Leh to evaluate their functioning under normal, hot weather and high altitude conditions, which these three different locations represent.

Each competing firm will put up two aircraft for evaluation.