Boeing Woos India with Customized F-15EX Jet in Fighter Competition

Boeing is pulling out all the stops to win India's massive fighter jet contract. They're offering a specially-tailored F-15EX Eagle II with upgrades just for the Indian Air Force (IAF), and the chance to use Indian-made weapons. This puts them head-to-head against rivals like the Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon for the lucrative 114-jet deal.

Boeing emphasizes the F-15EX's flexibility. While specific upgrades remain secret, they could involve avionics, sensors, or other systems to perfectly match the IAF's needs. Crucially, Boeing is also open to using Indian weapons systems on the F-15EX – a major boost to India's goal of defense self-reliance.

Boeing highlights the F-15EX's sheer power compared to the Rafale. Nearly as big as the IAF's existing Su-30MKI, it can haul a massive 22 missiles – even hypersonic ones. This firepower, plus its long-range capabilities, could be a major draw.

Cost is another selling point. Boeing claims the F-15EX is notably cheaper than both the Rafale and Eurofighter, both to buy and operate over its 20,000-hour lifespan.

One challenge for Boeing is the IAF's lack of experience with US jets. However, their existing presence in India with C-17s, Apaches, and Chinooks shows they understand the market.

Boeing's customized approach and willingness to integrate Indian weapons make this a bold play. Competition is fierce, but the F-15EX's mix of power, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability could make it a serious contender.

 

[Anonymus]

Best option would be F21 if offered for $75-$80Mln each, much better than $300Mln Rafale., 1/4th price, easy to get 114 to complement MK2 when it is ready, F15 would be a duplicate of SU-30 once we upgrade them to Super Sukhoi.

But iaf need twin engine jets not the single engine jets.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

500,000 might sound like a lot but it isn't, not in a large scale war. The production capacity is welcome but quality control has been a issue in the recent past. Shells can be supplied via intermediaries, just like the Indian companies are involved in selling western electronic components to Russia.

That 500,000 shell stockpile is about to expand drastically. That is one of the reasons Germany is desperately trying to rope in India to supply Ukraine with munitions. Adani's facility is presently capable of supplying 150 million small caliber munitions and at least a million shells, and that is only bound to expand further in future to about 5-10 million shells per annum.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

That 500,000 shell stockpile is about to expand drastically. That is one of the reasons Germany is desperately trying to rope in India to supply Ukraine with munitions. Adani's facility is presently capable of supplying 150 million small caliber munitions and at least a million shells, and that is only bound to expand further in future to about 5-10 million shells per annum.

In that case its better to supply some shells to Germany - through private companies. Its just business, same as when Russia supplies China and Pakistan.

 

[Siddharth Asthana]

This is hands down the best overall fighter in terms of capabilities in the MRFA, but as I always say, mark my words...India will never buy any offensive platform from the USA in the next 15-20 years that is potent enough to change the course of war.

Granted Apaches are there, but look at their numbers, plus it not working at the last moment is not going to make India lose a battle...whereas top-the-line frontline jets getting grounded is a game changer that will alter the course of the war. Hence, fortunately, or unfortunately, India will never buy F-15EX.

Lastly, if there was a magic wand to expedite procurement, I would have gladly settled for 60 Rafale (24 for Navy) and a JV agreement with Russia for Su-57 manufacturing in India in batches by a Pvt player (not exceeding $80m / plane) with increasing Indian content in each batch and higher ToT that would in turn benefit AMCA (eg...India still has no idea how to make gold film coating for cockpit canopy for radar absorption to maintain stealth), LCA (1/1A/2) can't do a cobra manoeuvre due to Indian scientists not yet there in aerodynamic laws to understand how to code for such laws ....and the list goes on....good to have all these in AMCA and the only country that can potentially help us do all or part of it will be Russia....reality

 

[CCPSmasher]

Like it or not US armaments and platforms are battled tried and tested ones.With all amateur and free press press to grind their claims. And Russkie maals are exceedingly good on paper. With all the Russia's technical prowess and their MIC's deep prowess I have been hearing since like 1980s they have come to naught in Ukraine in their 3 day SMO to Kiev. Russia svcks balls. There's no lying in this far fetch claim. But for us, we need stuff that give us our desired and expected results.

 

[War is good for business]

Russia in Ukraine war Airplanes are not doing well.

Please tell us where in Ukraine you found evidence that the Su-30 failed?

 

[War is good for business]

India is presently sitting on a stockpile of at least 500,000 shells and presently has a production capacity of about 1.5 million shells per year if you consider the facilities of erstwhile OFB and the private sector combined.

Given the number of artillery pieces that we have, 500,000 is ridiculously small. That about just over a hundred rounds per gun and hardly enough for a week of war. The storage should be 10,20 or even 50 times that in peacetime.

 

[Ajath]

IAF should go for these Bomb trucks. Can beat the sh.t out of any PAF or Chinese jets.

 

[nakul1307]

F-15EX kamaal ki machine hai Overall, F-15EX will trump over Super Su-30MKI.

Its not f15 vs sukhoi. Its vs rafale

 

[nakul1307]

Pakistan is partnering with a technologically superior China and getting their weapons, we should've done the same with US, atleast for fighter jets.

Techologically superior china is a bit of an oxymoron.

 

[nakul1307]

It will be a geopolitical decison as much as anything. Finally it comes down to rafale, as creating typhoon ecosystem will be expensive. F15 might be explored or used to negotiate better deal. And if Pakis look like getting 5th gen from turkey or china, then we might break mrfa into two and get some su57s as well.

 

[NSR]

F-15EX is known as Bomb Truck in USA and West.
With so many sweeteners, it is very important for India to evaluate the offers and also assess their TOT transfer amounts.

Incorporation of interfaces in F-15EX would be a sure-fire winner.
So many USA and Indian armaments can be mounted on them.

 

[Anand S Jha]

We have deal with China and Poki , US has already given F16 and F15 to Poki , they know the loophole of both the fighter jet .
China is flying j20 and j31 , I know even F35 can't face them .
India need the jet that no one can lock or detect it first . AMCA

 

[Sumit Verma]

Bullshit. Look for the future, do not invest in a gen old technology.

 

[Calvin]

The F15-EX is a good asset to have.. it may be 'older' than some but it's still good, and with collaboration with Israel the IAF can have access to tech that will make it deadly for years yet. India needs an interceptor with a good BVR capability and the Eagle II will give the IAF this. Stealth alone does not guarantee that our pilots will deliver and return safely.

 

[Puneet]

MRFA has to be expedited. Rafale with its ecosystem in place is best suited.

 

[lifeisroblox]

Techologically superior china is a bit of an oxymoron.

Underestimating your adversary seems to be common amongst Indian defence enthusiasts. China is economically second only to the US, so is their military spending, which itself is suspected to be under reported. It's not US vs Russia anymore, it's US vs China. We can't pick Chinese side, so we'll have to pick the American side, since Russia has not been able to catch up.

China is technologically superior than Pakistan, which is why Pakistan is taking their help. They even are superior than us, and have ample room to improve, no matter how much you deny it. While we are, as always, stuck in the planning phase. So forget about improvements.

US is technologically superior than us, we should have taken US help and used the acquired knowledge to improve our defence industry. They would've never have the same control over us as they do over other nations for example Korea or Japan, so we would've had a lot more freedom in developing our own stuff.

Regardless, national interest comes first. And I believe in this world, we do have to take sides sometimes, atleast until we're a $10 trillion+ economy.

 

[lifeisroblox]

"Atmanirbharta" is nothing more than a political slogan. Practically every defence project is mismanaged. From unrealistic requirements of armed forces, funding issues from Govt., underperforming R&D to poor manufacturing standards, little has been achieved.

Rapid industrialisation is the only way to solve issues like this. Need more competent leaders at the top (and all over) for that. Too bad we couldn't utilise the time in the early 2000s to develop that sector.

 

[Pad UwU]

This is better than rafale f3 that we have d@mn it 😺.... We need this faqqing badboy to destroy those chingchongs imagine f15e IN mkii with 3 bramos ng and meteor/astra mki against Chinese navy and air force 😹😹😹🔥🔥🔥

 

[Pad UwU]

Russia in Ukraine war Airplanes are not doing well.

Are you a still a delulu that Ukraine are winning 😹😹😹 show us your evidence bruh🤔🧐
Or get some help 😺😜🙃

 

[WarTech]

This is better than rafale f3 that we have d@mn it 😺.... We need this faqqing badboy to destroy those chingchongs imagine f15e IN mkii with 3 bramos ng and meteor/astra mki against Chinese navy and air force 😹😹😹🔥🔥🔥

While F15 is probably the best fighter offered, politically we have to see what will happen

 

[Pad UwU]

It's come with sanction also focus on Tejas MK2 fill the gap

Tejas mkii are not being seen in sky so hold your beer for now bruh.... And lick some grain of salt😹😹😹😹

 

[WarTech]

Best option would be F21 if offered for $75-$80Mln each, much better than $300Mln Rafale., 1/4th price, easy to get 114 to complement MK2 when it is ready, F15 would be a duplicate of SU-30 once we upgrade them to Super Sukhoi.

Nope, Pak has F16 experience, so they know about its basics. F15 is not much known and far better than F21

 

[Pad UwU]

Where has self reliance led us? AMCA, TEDBF are dreams. Tejas program is going too slowly. And where is the HLFT-42?

Maybe it's not too late we should just jump in GCAP 6gen aircraft if AMCA would go woe and faqup delay 😕

 

[WarTech]

Its not f15 vs sukhoi. Its vs rafale

If we see F15 vs Rafale F3, F15 is far better. But politics is the defining factor so specs doesn't matter