Barring Russia’s MiG Corporation, the other five contenders for the $10 billion medium multi role combat aircraft contract performed a series of manoeuvres to showcase their unique capabilities.
As expected, the contenders for what is being touted as the mother of all defence deals put up a stunning aerobatic display in front of the who’s who of the ministry of defence on the inaugural day of the Aero India 2011.
Barring Russia’s MiG Corporation, the other five contenders for the $10 billion medium multi role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract performed a series of manoeuvres to showcase their unique capabilities.
First to perform was a fully-loaded Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet which incidentally was the only aircraft that performed with its weapons platform.
The F/A-18 was followed by the Dassault’s Rafale which made its Aero India debut. Having missed the previous editions of the air show, Rafale displayed all its capabilities during its brief performance which drew a lot of applause from the audience.
Next on line were the Grippen and Eurofighter Typhoon. Although both the aircraft have been seen earlier in the Aero India, for this year’s edition, the Italian Air Force specially flew in two aircraft.
Last to perform was the Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Super Viper IN.
All the five contenders, apart from performing at the air show, let celebrities fly their aircraft. The two US contenders F-16 and F/A-18 Super Hornet roped in US ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer and US secretary of commerce Gary Locke to co-pilot their aircraft.
On February 11, Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor will fly the F-16 as part of the US aviation major’s promotional activities.
Meanwhile, the flight evaluation for the MMRCA deal is under way and, according to defence minister AK Antony, the deal is likely to be inked in the next financial year.
Although the contenders and their government representatives are making all-out efforts to woo India, Antony said performance would be the main criterion for choosing the 126 fighter jets which are expected to give its depleting squadron strength a fillip.
“We don’t have any country-centric policy as far as defence acquisition is concerned. In the MMRCA acquisition or, for that matter, any other acquisition, there will be no political interference. Selection will be based on the user trials and the staff evaluation report,” Antony said.
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