Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

The EJ-220 is currently in development.

Andt

Ideal in what way? Pure military reasoning or pure political reasoning?

Seems like the typhoon got a bit of a kiss of death today. Tranche 3 was divided into two parts and orders for the first part placed and at least the UK seems adament they won´t buy more. There have been noice in Germany suggesting they can´t afford all they´re expected to buy which leaves Italy who is more or less in constant chaos and Spain which has been severely hit by the economical downturn. After all, you can only live on fishing, EU-contributions and a booming housemarket for so long... A lessening interest in the eurofighter might mean the indians might be able to make a better deal this side of the pond. Tech-transfer, future ability to upgrade as India wishes and more or less complete local production might be a few perks with this in mind.



On the other hand the F414 will in all likelihood remain in service for longer and more money will be spent to further upgrade it I suppose. I very much doubt there will be full tech-transfer and local production will probably be out of the Q, local assembly perhaps might be an option? Then again, the indians have been hit by US embargos before. If the Hornets are choosen in the MMCA (or whatever the acronym is) that gives some commonality wich would be good from an aconomic point of view. It all comes down to what the Indians deems most important.

Really, would it make sense to select a winner for the MMRCA. That didn't share an engine with the LCA MK2. If, so the only real option is the Typhoon or Super Hornet.

Well, who knows how the indians think? They have so many diffrent aircraft of diffrent vintage already. One might think they would be anxious to reduce the number of supplylines needed. Then again, if they go with the Mig or the Rafaele in the MMRCA there is commonalities with other existing ac in the IAF thus accomplishing that anyway.
But sure, I pretty much agree with you, it must be positive for the Typhoon if they want the eurojet in the LCA and it must be good for the Super Hornet AND the Gripen if they choose GE´s engine.
Problem is, I don´t think they want the typhoon and the Gripen is probably to similar to the LCA, especially if they´ll share an engine. Which leaves the superhornet and GE´s engine in the lead. What it boils down to is if Boeing and GE are willing or even allowed to comply with Indias request for tech-transfer in the MMCRA.

Well, that logic could be applied to Russia and India as well?

But I read in swedish media today that the US offered full tech-transfer for the SuperHornet to Brazil. Dunno if it´s true and what would be included, my guess would be the AESA´s would be excluded at least. If so, maybe the same would be offered to India and then I think that would seal the deal in favor of the SuperHornet and the engine to the LCA.