2º Nothing, if the four partners agree to delete the entire T3B, wich IMO is almost a certainty

Oops!! I wasn’t aware of that clause- and it’s a foregone conclusion that’s what’ll happen- the FT doesn’t half beat the apocalyptic drum sometimes. Apologies to Scorps82 also. 😮

In other news Alenia Aeronautica/ Finmechannica are heading an Italian trade delegation to New Delhi next week, so watch for any interesting leaks or hints regarding EADS’ bid.

“First one back to base gets the targeting pod!!”

Sorry in regard to Your optimism … but is that already “fact” or again only a “wishfull-thinking” if, when and so on, especially since the Indian Flankers will also be modified for their own Astra AAM (which is surely not in the class of the Meteor).

Deino

Around 2015 the IAF will face a decision to standardise on it’s MRAAM, the choice will be Meteor or the successor to the R-77. For various reasons, it won’t be the latter. Astra is slated for LCA, MiG-29K/UPG, Mirage 2000 etc.

Like you intimated, it’s inconceivable the IAF would risk such high value assets such as the ‘Super-30’ and FGFA with an inferior missile (much as that would be on your wish list!). You must’ve heard MBDA’s ‘Taurus’ has already been linked to the ‘Super-30’? Also:

The MBDA has as well provided [RFPs for] its MICA and Meteor missiles to the IAF and pointed that they could be operational in different aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

http://www.indiandefence.com/taurus-stand-off-missile-system-offered-india-20111019/

We’ll know for sure soon. Watch this space, huh? 😉

Technically the AH-64D didn’t win the competition, as the Mi-28NE was eliminated on technical grounds- the former remains the sole bidder:

While this may pave the way for New Delhi to select the Apache, being left as a sole bidder could actually delay the process of ordering the U.S. helicopter since sole bidder programs are extensively regulated under new anti-corruption policies. Selecting the AH-64D will also pave the way for India to receive the AGM-114L-3 Hellfire Longbow anti-tank guided missile for the first time. The failure of the Russian helicopter also means a setback for the two companies counting on providing the weapons for the helicopter – European MBDA Missile Systems and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Both competed on supplying the missiles for the Mi-28N or Ka-52 helicopters, hoping to win a ‘short cut’ into future Indian Army and Air Force programs.

http://defense-update.com/20111025_ah-64d_apache_india.html

Finally some numbers that represent what is realistic instead of those $10 billion figures that have been floating around for ages.

The numbers’ game:

NEW DELHI: The final lap in the marathon to bag the $10.4 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project for supplying 126 fighters for IAF will begin next week.

The defence ministry has issued letters to the two aviation majors left in the fray, the Eurofighter Typhoon (backed by UK, Germany, Spain and Italy) and the French Rafale, that their commercial bids will be opened on November 4.

The other contenders, the American, Russian and Swedish jets, were earlier ejected out of the race after long-drawn technical evaluation and field trials.

It will, however, take two-three weeks to determine the lowest bidder (L-1) after the bids are opened on November 4. “Huge amounts of mathematical and data verification of the lifecycle costs of operating the jets over a 40-year period, with 6,000 hours of flying, as well as cost of ToT (transfer of technology) will have to be done,” said an official.

Final commercial negotiations with the L-1 vendor will then begin before the contract is ready for signing by early-2012. While the first 18 jets will come from abroad, the remaining 108 will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics after ToT from end-2016 or early-2017 onwards.

As earlier reported by TOI, India is likely to go in for another 63 fighters after the first 126 fighters, which will make the entire project zoom well beyond $20 billion.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bids-for-mega-fighter-deal-to-be-opened-on-November-4/articleshow/10480656.cms

Easily enough room for 3 compressed:

So now the evidence of LM’s corruption is the lack of evidence? Who’s grasping at straws now 😉

Corruption is a very serious allegation and very difficult to prove, especially against a defence company -the UK’s SFO will tell you that! (remember BAE Systems and the Saudi Typhoon deal?). I suspect defence dealings in the US are even more opaque.

LM’s problem is that it has become too cosy with, and far too accustomed to, it’s ‘black world’ Skunk Works projects of the good old days. Then it could tell Congress “just sign the cheque and don’t ask any questions!!”along with the formidable product that is the F-22 and evading any meaningful Nunn-McCurdy sanction for the F-35, this hubris just won’t wash this coming decade- which will be a difficult, lean time for (mainly Western) defence contractors.

The financial tide has receded and a bloated LM has been left beached with it’s trunks down, that’s why the F-35 continues to be the target of such animosity, which will likely increase especially if the ‘B’ gets cancelled. Irrespective of the scandalous cost escalation, LM’s saving grace may be the F-35 living up to its billing- which at this point in time, is not a certainty.