MMRCA 2.0 - Updates and Discussions
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I dont see any progress in MMRCA for a few more years due to budget constraints
All the discussions you have are not about reaching a contract, they are about learning about the solutions proposed by foreign companies in order to copy their approach at the national level. In general, this generates national programs that underestimate the difficulties, that are under-capitalized, that take much longer than necessary and that finally are a failure that has cost India 10 years.
Too costly my friend.
All the attempts with GE, RR, Safran... failed. Indian top brass underestimate the real cost of developping and building a new fighter engine. It's maybe the most complicated items of the actual world : it has to be light, to be small, to be fuel efficient, to push hard, to run internally at 1800° when the outside is -50°, to need very few seconds to go from iddle to full after burner, to run horizontally, vertically, under 10G... and to be reliable. For all of that some of the hardest technology must be mastered.
And you need many and many years of R&D, many skilled peoples, many test bench, many materials tests, many simulations... ie many money !
Many more what Indian top brass estimate. That's why it always failed.
Indian Air Force to get 114 fighter aircraft! SQRs gettng finalised
By: Huma Siddiqui | New Delhi | Published: December 6, 2019 6:18:13 PM
Explaining the procedure a senior officer said, “Now that the SQRs for the fighter aircraft are getting finalised, as per the laid down the procedure will go to the technical management committee before being put up in the DAC which is headed by the defence minister Rajnath Singh."
With the SQRs (Services Qualitative Requirements) being finalised for the 114 Fighter Aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the stage is now set for the process for the procurement of these aircraft has started. Explaining the procedure a senior officer said, “Now that the SQRs for the fighter aircraft are getting finalised, as per the laid down the procedure will go to the technical management committee before being put up in the DAC which is headed by the defence minister Rajnath Singh. Once the DAC approves then the RfPs will be to be sent out to the global aerospace majors.”
“Minimum time it will take the process to be completed is not less than a couple of years,” he explained. The acquisition of these 114 fighter aircraft which is under the Defence Ministry’s `Strategic Partnership’ (SP) Model, has seven contenders who have envisaged their interest in the Rs 1.75 lakh crore deal.
Among the European companies including Dassault Aviation of France has offered `Rafale’, the UK based BAE Systems is leading `Typhoon’ bid and the Swedish offer of Gripen E/F from SAAB. From the US-based Boeing Company has offered F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin has offered the F-16V which as reported earlier has been optimised for India. At this year’s Aero India Lockheed Martin had recast its offering as the ‘F-21’. And from Russia MiG-35 is in the race.
In an earlier interaction, Dan Gillian, vice president of F/A-18 and E/A-18 programs at Boeing had said that “If the Company gets contracts from the IAF and the Indian Navy then it was ready to set up a new production facility in India.”
Talking about the growing Indo-US relations, Gillan had said that the defence and security have been on an upswing, therefore there will be no issues related to transfer of technology (ToT).
Both Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin have tie-ups with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS) and Tata Advanced Systems for manufacturing the aircraft in India and creating an ecosystem for the aerospace sector.
Interestingly the US-based Boeing is also in contention with the French Rafale for an aircraft deal for the Indian Navy which is looking for 57 twin-engine fighters for its aircraft carriers.
Indian Air Force to get 114 fighter aircraft! SQRs gettng finalised
By: Huma Siddiqui | New Delhi | Published: December 6, 2019 6:18:13 PM
Explaining the procedure a senior officer said, “Now that the SQRs for the fighter aircraft are getting finalised, as per the laid down the procedure will go to the technical management committee before being put up in the DAC which is headed by the defence minister Rajnath Singh."
With the SQRs (Services Qualitative Requirements) being finalised for the 114 Fighter Aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the stage is now set for the process for the procurement of these aircraft has started. Explaining the procedure a senior officer said, “Now that the SQRs for the fighter aircraft are getting finalised, as per the laid down the procedure will go to the technical management committee before being put up in the DAC which is headed by the defence minister Rajnath Singh. Once the DAC approves then the RfPs will be to be sent out to the global aerospace majors.”
“Minimum time it will take the process to be completed is not less than a couple of years,” he explained. The acquisition of these 114 fighter aircraft which is under the Defence Ministry’s `Strategic Partnership’ (SP) Model, has seven contenders who have envisaged their interest in the Rs 1.75 lakh crore deal.
Among the European companies including Dassault Aviation of France has offered `Rafale’, the UK based BAE Systems is leading `Typhoon’ bid and the Swedish offer of Gripen E/F from SAAB. From the US-based Boeing Company has offered F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin has offered the F-16V which as reported earlier has been optimised for India. At this year’s Aero India Lockheed Martin had recast its offering as the ‘F-21’. And from Russia MiG-35 is in the race.
In an earlier interaction, Dan Gillian, vice president of F/A-18 and E/A-18 programs at Boeing had said that “If the Company gets contracts from the IAF and the Indian Navy then it was ready to set up a new production facility in India.”
Talking about the growing Indo-US relations, Gillan had said that the defence and security have been on an upswing, therefore there will be no issues related to transfer of technology (ToT).
Both Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin have tie-ups with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS) and Tata Advanced Systems for manufacturing the aircraft in India and creating an ecosystem for the aerospace sector.
Interestingly the US-based Boeing is also in contention with the French Rafale for an aircraft deal for the Indian Navy which is looking for 57 twin-engine fighters for its aircraft carriers.
Indian Air Force to get 114 fighter aircraft! SQRs gettng finalised
Tata Lockheed to be ready with F16 wings by October 2020
Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited chief operating officer Abhay Paranjape told Telangana Today, “Our goal is to be ready with the first F16 wing by October next year.
By Y V Phani Raj | Published: 6th Dec 2019; 12:11 am.
Hyderabad: Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL), a joint venture between $50 billion Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), is gearing up to roll out the first F16 wing by October 2020 from its Hyderabad facility.
The company is currently building the prototype for the wings of the aircraft, which flies in 26 countries.
Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited chief operating officer Abhay Paranjape told Telangana Today, “Our goal is to be ready with the first F16 wing by October next year. We are going to make the wings in the existing facility. We are building the prototype now and once we build and prove it, we will go for bidding for orders. We will have a capacity to make 3-4 wings a month in the steady state. We have already completed the 3D modeling for the F16 wings.”
The company will be roping in MSMEs in the country to supply structural components such as wiring and harnesses. “We have gone out with bids and we have selected certain companies that are building parts. First set of parts are going to come in the next month. We will start sub-assembly and then take up assembly by January 2020. Rest of the aircraft will be made in the US,” he informed.
When asked if the company will be serving F16 aircraft to the Indian Air Force as part of the 114 combat aircraft programme, he said, if there is a potential to serve, the company will surely serve. “We are offering the F-21 which is specifically configured for the Indian Air Force. The F-21 provides unmatched ‘Make in India’ opportunities and strengthens India’s path to an advanced airpower future and signals a significant development in US-India relations.”
Wide opportunities
Hyderabad has a strong defence ecosystem for manufacturing. TLMAL in its Adibatla facility near Hyderabad will focus on composites, metal-to-metal bonding and assembly. Using these, the company is going to bid for multiple areas and structures catering to defence, commercial and transport sectors.
The joint venture company, which has 520 employees in Hyderabad, is also building empennages (tail assembly) for C130 J military transport aircraft. Out of 2,300 parts that go into the empennage, about 2,100 are being built indigenously here. The company is building 2-3 empennages each month, and has built about 120 so far for worldwide use.
The company which has created the metal-to-metal bonding facility in Hyderabad is getting ready now to cater to aircraft makers such as Boeing and Airbus.
Fuel tank transport
TLMAL is also looking at building Bulk Fuel Tank Transport (BFTT) to transport fuel or oil (up to 5,000 gallons) for vehicles through C130 J at times of medical emergencies or natural disasters. This is the first design and build programme in India by the private sector. There is demand in India, Africa, Indonesia, Canada and Netherlands. The first prototype will be ready by February-March 2020.
The company will talk to the Indian Air Force as they have 12 aircraft. The company is also providing maintenance support for C130 J.
Going forward, TLMAL is also looking at structural repair, electronics, system and integration repair and harnesses for not only Indian Air Force but for the global defence forces.
Tata Lockheed to be ready with F16 wings by October 2020
Tata Lockheed to be ready with F16 wings by October 2020
Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited chief operating officer Abhay Paranjape told Telangana Today, “Our goal is to be ready with the first F16 wing by October next year.
By Y V Phani Raj | Published: 6th Dec 2019; 12:11 am.
Hyderabad: Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL), a joint venture between $50 billion Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), is gearing up to roll out the first F16 wing by October 2020 from its Hyderabad facility.
The company is currently building the prototype for the wings of the aircraft, which flies in 26 countries.
Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited chief operating officer Abhay Paranjape told Telangana Today, “Our goal is to be ready with the first F16 wing by October next year. We are going to make the wings in the existing facility. We are building the prototype now and once we build and prove it, we will go for bidding for orders. We will have a capacity to make 3-4 wings a month in the steady state. We have already completed the 3D modeling for the F16 wings.”
The company will be roping in MSMEs in the country to supply structural components such as wiring and harnesses. “We have gone out with bids and we have selected certain companies that are building parts. First set of parts are going to come in the next month. We will start sub-assembly and then take up assembly by January 2020. Rest of the aircraft will be made in the US,” he informed.
When asked if the company will be serving F16 aircraft to the Indian Air Force as part of the 114 combat aircraft programme, he said, if there is a potential to serve, the company will surely serve. “We are offering the F-21 which is specifically configured for the Indian Air Force. The F-21 provides unmatched ‘Make in India’ opportunities and strengthens India’s path to an advanced airpower future and signals a significant development in US-India relations.”
Wide opportunities
Hyderabad has a strong defence ecosystem for manufacturing. TLMAL in its Adibatla facility near Hyderabad will focus on composites, metal-to-metal bonding and assembly. Using these, the company is going to bid for multiple areas and structures catering to defence, commercial and transport sectors.
The joint venture company, which has 520 employees in Hyderabad, is also building empennages (tail assembly) for C130 J military transport aircraft. Out of 2,300 parts that go into the empennage, about 2,100 are being built indigenously here. The company is building 2-3 empennages each month, and has built about 120 so far for worldwide use.
The company which has created the metal-to-metal bonding facility in Hyderabad is getting ready now to cater to aircraft makers such as Boeing and Airbus.
Fuel tank transport
TLMAL is also looking at building Bulk Fuel Tank Transport (BFTT) to transport fuel or oil (up to 5,000 gallons) for vehicles through C130 J at times of medical emergencies or natural disasters. This is the first design and build programme in India by the private sector. There is demand in India, Africa, Indonesia, Canada and Netherlands. The first prototype will be ready by February-March 2020.
The company will talk to the Indian Air Force as they have 12 aircraft. The company is also providing maintenance support for C130 J.
Going forward, TLMAL is also looking at structural repair, electronics, system and integration repair and harnesses for not only Indian Air Force but for the global defence forces.
Tata Lockheed to be ready with F16 wings by October 2020
Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited chief operating officer Abhay Paranjape told Telangana Today, “Our goal is to be ready with the first F16 wing by October next year.
By Y V Phani Raj | Published: 6th Dec 2019; 12:11 am.
Hyderabad: Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL), a joint venture between $50 billion Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), is gearing up to roll out the first F16 wing by October 2020 from its Hyderabad facility.
The company is currently building the prototype for the wings of the aircraft, which flies in 26 countries.
Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited chief operating officer Abhay Paranjape told Telangana Today, “Our goal is to be ready with the first F16 wing by October next year. We are going to make the wings in the existing facility. We are building the prototype now and once we build and prove it, we will go for bidding for orders. We will have a capacity to make 3-4 wings a month in the steady state. We have already completed the 3D modeling for the F16 wings.”
The company will be roping in MSMEs in the country to supply structural components such as wiring and harnesses. “We have gone out with bids and we have selected certain companies that are building parts. First set of parts are going to come in the next month. We will start sub-assembly and then take up assembly by January 2020. Rest of the aircraft will be made in the US,” he informed.
When asked if the company will be serving F16 aircraft to the Indian Air Force as part of the 114 combat aircraft programme, he said, if there is a potential to serve, the company will surely serve. “We are offering the F-21 which is specifically configured for the Indian Air Force. The F-21 provides unmatched ‘Make in India’ opportunities and strengthens India’s path to an advanced airpower future and signals a significant development in US-India relations.”
Wide opportunities
Hyderabad has a strong defence ecosystem for manufacturing. TLMAL in its Adibatla facility near Hyderabad will focus on composites, metal-to-metal bonding and assembly. Using these, the company is going to bid for multiple areas and structures catering to defence, commercial and transport sectors.
The joint venture company, which has 520 employees in Hyderabad, is also building empennages (tail assembly) for C130 J military transport aircraft. Out of 2,300 parts that go into the empennage, about 2,100 are being built indigenously here. The company is building 2-3 empennages each month, and has built about 120 so far for worldwide use.
The company which has created the metal-to-metal bonding facility in Hyderabad is getting ready now to cater to aircraft makers such as Boeing and Airbus.
Fuel tank transport
TLMAL is also looking at building Bulk Fuel Tank Transport (BFTT) to transport fuel or oil (up to 5,000 gallons) for vehicles through C130 J at times of medical emergencies or natural disasters. This is the first design and build programme in India by the private sector. There is demand in India, Africa, Indonesia, Canada and Netherlands. The first prototype will be ready by February-March 2020.
The company will talk to the Indian Air Force as they have 12 aircraft. The company is also providing maintenance support for C130 J.
Going forward, TLMAL is also looking at structural repair, electronics, system and integration repair and harnesses for not only Indian Air Force but for the global defence forces.
Tata Lockheed to be ready with F16 wings by October 2020
Tata Lockheed to be ready with F16 wings by October 2020
Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited chief operating officer Abhay Paranjape told Telangana Today, “Our goal is to be ready with the first F16 wing by October next year.
By Y V Phani Raj | Published: 6th Dec 2019; 12:11 am.
Hyderabad: Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL), a joint venture between $50 billion Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), is gearing up to roll out the first F16 wing by October 2020 from its Hyderabad facility.
The company is currently building the prototype for the wings of the aircraft, which flies in 26 countries.
Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited chief operating officer Abhay Paranjape told Telangana Today, “Our goal is to be ready with the first F16 wing by October next year. We are going to make the wings in the existing facility. We are building the prototype now and once we build and prove it, we will go for bidding for orders. We will have a capacity to make 3-4 wings a month in the steady state. We have already completed the 3D modeling for the F16 wings.”
The company will be roping in MSMEs in the country to supply structural components such as wiring and harnesses. “We have gone out with bids and we have selected certain companies that are building parts. First set of parts are going to come in the next month. We will start sub-assembly and then take up assembly by January 2020. Rest of the aircraft will be made in the US,” he informed.
When asked if the company will be serving F16 aircraft to the Indian Air Force as part of the 114 combat aircraft programme, he said, if there is a potential to serve, the company will surely serve. “We are offering the F-21 which is specifically configured for the Indian Air Force. The F-21 provides unmatched ‘Make in India’ opportunities and strengthens India’s path to an advanced airpower future and signals a significant development in US-India relations.”
Wide opportunities
Hyderabad has a strong defence ecosystem for manufacturing. TLMAL in its Adibatla facility near Hyderabad will focus on composites, metal-to-metal bonding and assembly. Using these, the company is going to bid for multiple areas and structures catering to defence, commercial and transport sectors.
The joint venture company, which has 520 employees in Hyderabad, is also building empennages (tail assembly) for C130 J military transport aircraft. Out of 2,300 parts that go into the empennage, about 2,100 are being built indigenously here. The company is building 2-3 empennages each month, and has built about 120 so far for worldwide use.
The company which has created the metal-to-metal bonding facility in Hyderabad is getting ready now to cater to aircraft makers such as Boeing and Airbus.
Fuel tank transport
TLMAL is also looking at building Bulk Fuel Tank Transport (BFTT) to transport fuel or oil (up to 5,000 gallons) for vehicles through C130 J at times of medical emergencies or natural disasters. This is the first design and build programme in India by the private sector. There is demand in India, Africa, Indonesia, Canada and Netherlands. The first prototype will be ready by February-March 2020.
The company will talk to the Indian Air Force as they have 12 aircraft. The company is also providing maintenance support for C130 J.
Going forward, TLMAL is also looking at structural repair, electronics, system and integration repair and harnesses for not only Indian Air Force but for the global defence forces.
Tata Lockheed to be ready with F16 wings by October 2020
IAF personnel at @SafranEngines facility in France since October for maintenance training of the Rafale’s M88 engines. @SAFRAN inaugurated an M88 maintenance training center at the Istres air force base in southern France today. pic.twitter.com/G92WDHiOMm
— Livefist (@livefist) December 4, 2019
India's @DefenceMinIndia Shri @rajnathsingh visited the Naval Air Station Oceana, Norfolk in the USA and observed a static display, and also F/A-18E flight demonstration. pic.twitter.com/FKZcFu2MEJ
— Indian Defence (@IndianDefenceRA) December 18, 2019
Where is ins Vishal? I don't see it even on horizon. If it does it will be 2030-35. If so what's the purpose of TEDBF?
ALL GAS.....
The Bribe is MH 60 and Additional P8 I contract
IAF planning 'swift trials' in Rs 1.5 lakh crore 114 fighter jet deal
NEW DELHI: In the over Rs 1.5 lakh crore deal for manufacturing 114 multirole fighter aircraft, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to compress the time taken for carrying out trials of all the participants to less than a year to ensure that the force gets its new combat aircraft at a faster rate.
Last time, when the IAF carried out trials of multiple fighter aircraft for the scrapped deal of 126 multirole fighter aircraft, the service had taken 18 months to complete the process in the contract which lingered on for several years before getting cancelled due to complications.
"This time, the IAF is planning to hold trials of all the competitors who participate in the tender in less than a year so that time is saved. The fact that most of the systems and avionics of the participating firms have been tested will also help in shortening the time taken from trials," defence sources told ANI.
All the major fighter aircraft manufacturers including Sukhoi and MiG from Russia, Lockheed Martin and Boeing from the United States of America, Eurofighter consortium from Europe and Saab group from Sweden have responded to the Request for Proposal for the deal expected to be the biggest ever in terms of quantity of aircraft and the amount of money to be spent on it.
The Indian Air Force is expected to seek approval of the Defence Acquisition Council for the deal in the next few months for over Rs 1.5 lakh crore under the strategic partnership policy as part of which Indian firms will have to tie up with foreign partners to build the aircraft in India.
The deal is being considered as an important step in fulfilling the shortage of squadrons in the IAF which is looking for fighters to replace the MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27 fighter planes some of which have already been phased out while others are on their way out of service in the next few years.
The Russian-origin Sukho-30MKI with over 12 squadrons in service will be the mainstay of the force while the two squadrons of the Rafale fighters would be the most potent in terms of capability in the next decade for the force which is looking to indigenous routes for the fifth-generation fighter planes.
NEW DELHI: In the over Rs 1.5 lakh crore deal for manufacturing 114 multirole fighter aircraft, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to compress the time taken for carrying out trials of all the participants to less than a year to ensure that the force gets its new combat aircraft at a faster rate.
Last time, when the IAF carried out trials of multiple fighter aircraft for the scrapped deal of 126 multirole fighter aircraft, the service had taken 18 months to complete the process in the contract which lingered on for several years before getting cancelled due to complications.
"This time, the IAF is planning to hold trials of all the competitors who participate in the tender in less than a year so that time is saved. The fact that most of the systems and avionics of the participating firms have been tested will also help in shortening the time taken from trials," defence sources told ANI.
All the major fighter aircraft manufacturers including Sukhoi and MiG from Russia, Lockheed Martin and Boeing from the United States of America, Eurofighter consortium from Europe and Saab group from Sweden have responded to the Request for Proposal for the deal expected to be the biggest ever in terms of quantity of aircraft and the amount of money to be spent on it.
The Indian Air Force is expected to seek approval of the Defence Acquisition Council for the deal in the next few months for over Rs 1.5 lakh crore under the strategic partnership policy as part of which Indian firms will have to tie up with foreign partners to build the aircraft in India.
The deal is being considered as an important step in fulfilling the shortage of squadrons in the IAF which is looking for fighters to replace the MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27 fighter planes some of which have already been phased out while others are on their way out of service in the next few years.
The Russian-origin Sukho-30MKI with over 12 squadrons in service will be the mainstay of the force while the two squadrons of the Rafale fighters would be the most potent in terms of capability in the next decade for the force which is looking to indigenous routes for the fifth-generation fighter planes.
Yet to get AoN. Then RFP-> trials-> bids-> negotiations -> MoF/DAC approval etc. So very long!
It's already been 10 years since the last trials. It won't work out the way they think it would.
But quickening the trials is the easy part. This venture will at least take 3-4 years no matter what, even if negotiations only take 6-12 months.
My estimate from issuance of RFP--
6 months for RFP process to finish
3 months for paper trials
6 months for flight trials
9 months for shortlist
6 months for L1 discovery
Add 6 months for delays
Then comes contract negotiations.
This is pretty much the fastest they can be. Minimum 3 years from the time of RFP release to before negotiations can begin.
The good news is all the competitors will have their jets ready by this time, so there will be very little delays from the vendor side during flight testing.
During MMRCA, from the time RFP was released to the time Typhoon and Rafale were shortlisted took 3 years 8 months. RFP took 8 months to be fulfilled and the IAF took 3 years to evaluate and shortlist 2 jets. Then the MoD took 9 months for L1 discovery. 53 months in total from RFP to L1.
Reducing 4 years 5 months to just 3 years is an extremely difficult task. But this is the only way we will be able to sign a deal before the new term begins. So there's a pretty good chance for the deal to get pushed into the new term, ie, 2025.
The IAF is fine with taking first squadron delivery after 5 years from contract signature. So, if we assume the contract is signed in 2025, then the first squadron will enter service in 2030. Yay!
But quickening the trials is the easy part. This venture will at least take 3-4 years no matter what, even if negotiations only take 6-12 months.
My estimate from issuance of RFP--
6 months for RFP process to finish
3 months for paper trials
6 months for flight trials
9 months for shortlist
6 months for L1 discovery
Add 6 months for delays
Then comes contract negotiations.
This is pretty much the fastest they can be. Minimum 3 years from the time of RFP release to before negotiations can begin.
The good news is all the competitors will have their jets ready by this time, so there will be very little delays from the vendor side during flight testing.
During MMRCA, from the time RFP was released to the time Typhoon and Rafale were shortlisted took 3 years 8 months. RFP took 8 months to be fulfilled and the IAF took 3 years to evaluate and shortlist 2 jets. Then the MoD took 9 months for L1 discovery. 53 months in total from RFP to L1.
Reducing 4 years 5 months to just 3 years is an extremely difficult task. But this is the only way we will be able to sign a deal before the new term begins. So there's a pretty good chance for the deal to get pushed into the new term, ie, 2025.
The IAF is fine with taking first squadron delivery after 5 years from contract signature. So, if we assume the contract is signed in 2025, then the first squadron will enter service in 2030. Yay!
So here we go on a decade ritual of TROLLING SPREE again....It's already been 10 years since the last trials. It won't work out the way they think it would.
But quickening the trials is the easy part. This venture will at least take 3-4 years no matter what, even if negotiations only take 6-12 months.
My estimate from issuance of RFP--
6 months for RFP process to finish
3 months for paper trials
6 months for flight trials
9 months for shortlist
6 months for L1 discovery
Add 6 months for delays
Then comes contract negotiations.
This is pretty much the fastest they can be. Minimum 3 years from the time of RFP release to before negotiations can begin.
The good news is all the competitors will have their jets ready by this time, so there will be very little delays from the vendor side during flight testing.
During MMRCA, from the time RFP was released to the time Typhoon and Rafale were shortlisted took 3 years 8 months. RFP took 8 months to be fulfilled and the IAF took 3 years to evaluate and shortlist 2 jets. Then the MoD took 9 months for L1 discovery. 53 months in total from RFP to L1.
Reducing 4 years 5 months to just 3 years is an extremely difficult task. But this is the only way we will be able to sign a deal before the new term begins. So there's a pretty good chance for the deal to get pushed into the new term, ie, 2025.
The IAF is fine with taking first squadron delivery after 5 years from contract signature. So, if we assume the contract is signed in 2025, then the first squadron will enter service in 2030. Yay!
Nice way of putting Uncle Sam, France, Russia, Britshits on back foot and toe in line with India's interest at UN and other international organisations, like supporting India's entry into UN security council, keep their eyes closed while we whoop backside of Pakistan, etc....