Bangalore: The Indian Air Force on Monday began
the flight evaluation and performance trials for the six
foreign defence firms which are in race to bag an estimated
USD 10 billion order for 126 Medium Multi Range Combat
Aircraft.
The six companies have been lined up for the exercise,
expected to go on for the next few months. After the tests in
humid climatic conditions here, IAF plans to test the fighter
jets in cold and hot conditions over Leh and Jaisalmer in
Rajasthan respectively.
"In the procedure to evaluate against the requirements of
IAF, the process was begun today by flying Boeing`s F/A-18
Super Hornets," IAF sources said.
Other five contenders are: Gripen, Lockheed Martin`s F-16
Super Viper, Eurofighter`s Typhoon, Russian United Aircraft`s
MiG35 and France`s Dassault Aviation`s Rafale.
F-16 Super Viper is expected to undergo trials here later
this month, sources in Lockheed Martin said.
India plans to acquire 18 ready-to-fly fighter jets, with
the remaining 108 to be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited, headquartered here, under transfer of technology
mode.
Bangalore also houses the Aircraft and Systems Testing
Establishment.
Bureau Report
