BAE in race for $15 billion orders from India and Japan

LONDON: Britain's premier global defence and aerospace company, BAE Systems is gearing to compete with the world's leading makers of combat jets to secure orders from India and Japan worth up to $15 billion, media reported on Tuesday.

According to a report in 'The Times' daily, both the Indian and Japanese Governments will take a significant step toward replacing their ageing fighters in October, and defence companies are positioning themselves to win the lucrative contracts.

The Indians want to buy 126 fighters to replace their old MiG-21s in a deal worth up to $9 billion, the report said.

BAE, which had earlier bagged a 1 billion pounds worth deal for the sale of HAWK advance jet trainers, is attempting to sell the Eurofighter Typhoon to both countries but Europe's leading fighter is up against American F16s and F18s and Russia's MiG-29.

The report said the Indian Government is considering a wider range of possible replacement aircraft.

It has traditionally bought from Russia, which still offers the most cost-effective fighters, but last year received clearance from the US to buy F16s and F18s.

A BAE spokesperson said that the company on behalf of the Eurofighter consortium, is leading activity to position Typhoon in Japan to meet their FX fighter requirement.

"We are also aware that India has a requirement for 126 multi-role combat aircraft. We await details of what the Indian air force requires and Eurofighter will respond accordingly," she said.