India sends tender to MiG

India Sends RSK MiG Inquiry for Tender Proposal to Obtain 126 Multirole FIghters

India has sent RSK MiG an inquiry for a tender proposal to obtain 126 multirole fighters, announced India’s air force commander, Air Marshal S.P. Tiagi, who is in Moscow at the present time on a week’s visit, the Indian PTI agency reports.

Russia will take part in the tender with the MiG-35 (MiG-29M OVT) fighter. While observing a demonstration flight of this aircraft at a range outside Moscow, Marshal Tiagi noted that the demonstration was brilliant.

According to Tiagi, the tender will begin “in the very near future.” The Marshal refuted information that the fighters may be purchased from several manufacturers. “All 126 aircraft will be obtained from one company,” he emphasized.

During his visit to Russia, the Indian air force commander held talks with his Russian colleague, General Vladimir Mikhaylov, and visited the Sukhoy corporation. According to Tiagi, discussions also were held about the joint development with Russia of the future fifth generation fighter.

After completion of talks in Moscow, the air marshal left for Irkutsk. It is assumed that Tiagi will inspect the 12 Su-30MKI fighters there. After this, the marshal will visit the defense design and manufacturing enterprises located in Peterburg.

Source: 02.06.06, ARMS-TASS

This just makes it official, I guess, that the MiG-35 (MiG-29OVT) will be participating. Hopefully it wins, over ~120 MiG-35s is serious money.