https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia ... t-program/
A Ministry of Defence official said a formal budget allocation of about $17 billion for the multirole fighters project will be granted sometime next year, and will be launched under the Strategic Partners procurement policy.
Under that policy, the multirole fighters will be manufactured by domestic private defense companies with one of the original equipment manufacturers approved by the government. The process for selecting contractors is yet to begin, but the MoD official said the businesses will be selected within three years.
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No private defense company in India has made fighter jets before, but several have expressed interest in participating in the program, including Tata Advanced Systems, Adani Defence, Reliance Defence, Mahindra Defence and Bharat Forge Limited.
Reliance Defence has created a joint venture with France’s Dassault Aviation, which currently manufactures components for Rafale fighters.
Meanwhile, Tata Advanced Systems has teamed with Lockheed Martin, an American company that produces the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Adani Defence has announced a teaming arrangement Sweden’s Saab AB, which makes the Gripen jet.
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Another Indian Air Force official said a request for information was sent in June 2018 to foreign original equipment manufacturers for the multirole fighters. Among those who have responded to the RFI are: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Dassault Aviation, Saab AB, Airbus Defence and Space, Russian Aircraft Corporation, and Sukhoi Company.
The Indian Air Force plans to induct all 114 multirole fighters within 12 years after the contract is awarded.
The official added that the RFI included the requirement for transfer of technology, including the transfer of design, development, manufacturing and repair expertise. It also included the requirement for the unilateral capability to integrate weapons, systems and sensors. The capability to upgrade the aircraft and a provision on exporting the aircraft is also part of the program. India is also seeking transfer of technology for stealth technology, active electronically scanned array radars, avionics, electronic warfare systems and engines.
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However, Singh, the defense analyst, said any transfer of technology agreement would need to make business sense to the OEM (original equipment manufacturer). “Propriety Items could still be under the control of the OEM,” he said.
), j'avais un pote, flammand, qui disait: "la Belgique, c'est le pays au centre de l'Europe, sponsorisé par ls Etats-Unis"... C'est clair qu'au niveau de quelques excités, mais bruyants, flamands, la logique est un mix de "on prend volontiers tout ce qu'on nous présente, à condition que ce soit américain" et de "on prend volontiers ce qu'on nous présente, à condition que ce ne soit pas français (ou wallon.. bref, pas francophone)"