Airbus Enters India's Fighter Jet Race with Upgraded Eurofighter

Airbus is vying for India's massive aircraft procurement deal, offering a dramatically upgraded version of its Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet. India aims to purchase 114 new jets, and Airbus believes the Tranche-5 Typhoon's cutting-edge technology makes it the ideal choice.

This latest iteration of the Eurofighter boasts a powerful AESA radar system, giving pilots unparalleled awareness of the battlefield. The Tranche-5 upgrade also includes updates to the fighter's defensive systems, communications, and pilot interface, designed to boost the pilot's effectiveness in combat.

Airbus is committed to making the Eurofighter a future-proof aircraft. The Tranche-5 model being offered to India incorporates technology developed as part of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) initiative. LTE focuses on advancements in mission systems, pilot interfaces, operational flexibility, and engine performance. These improvements will not only enhance the Eurofighter's capabilities but also position it to play a key role in Europe's Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Beyond technology, the Eurofighter packs a punch. The proposed Indian model will carry a fearsome mix of air-to-air missiles like the AMRAAM, ASRAAM, IRIS-T, and AIM-9L, as well as various laser-guided bombs. This versatility means the Typhoon is adaptable to a wide range of missions. It's also capable of flying long distances with external fuel tanks certified for supersonic flight and can be refueled in mid-air for even greater range.

The Eurofighter faces stiff competition in India's procurement process. Previously, the French Rafale fighter won a similar competition based largely on its lower cost. The Rafale's cost-effectiveness stems from its single-nation development, unlike the multinational effort behind the Eurofighter. A recent report highlights how a lack of new orders for the Eurofighter could jeopardize the jet's long-term production. Airbus is keen to secure this Indian contract to ensure the future of this potent warplane.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a technologically sophisticated aircraft with proven combat experience. With its advanced technology, focus on future development, and powerful weapons systems, the Typhoon is a serious contender to be India's next-generation fighter jet.

 

[Anant]

Order 300 Tejas mk2 and cancel phoren maal MRFA...

The delivery timeline will be same anyway

Plus price of 300 mk2<<<<104..

Nonsense! A single Tejas Mk 1A without weapons or spares is costing us just under 80 million USD, while a Rafale with weapons and the like is not going to cross 250 million USD. The Tejas Mk 2 will be considerably more expensive than the Mk 1A, so there goes your math down the drain.

As for why MRFA cannot be cancelled, I have already stated it on multiple occasions that there are a lot of bottlenecks beyond HAL's control in the production process, and capacity bottlenecks will soon force a reduction in output. You can order 3000 Tejas Mk 2 for all I care, but that doesn't mean you'll get them all in the next 20 years.

 

[Anant]

I’m saying the tender is open as a backup at the very least and mostly to keep our good relationship with foreign countries happy. With Tejas 1 had its flight we scrapped the single engine fighter straight away and they will do the same when Tejas 2 will take flight and the technology is proven. Thinking strategically it suits us to focus on our own indigenous products than spending over $20 billion where we can easily manufacture around 400 Tejas MK2 and more.

20 billion USD would be sufficient for 400 Tejas Mk 2 and more? That works out to less than 50 million USD each. Need I remind you that the recent Tejas Mk 1A order puts them at about 80 million USD each?

 

[Anant]

We don't have $45Bln for 114 Rafale's.

And who told you that they would cost 45 billion USD? Even with weapons and the like, once you factor in bulk discounts, the price isn't likely to go past 25-30 billion USD, even with local production. Shave off another 5-8 billion USD or so if you just buy them off-the-shelf.