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.

 

[beencensured]

US is unreliable but they sure make some of the best jets. And F15 is probably THE best plane all around. You can't go wrong with it, much better than the su30s. Too bad we don't have the best relations with US, I really wished we did.

su-30mki kicks the f15 any day of the week. Now, the upgraded model f-15ex might be better, but then we too are upgrading the su30mki. su-30mki is cheaper and so better for us.

AMCA , su30mki upgrade would be best. f-15ex is waste of resources duplicating maal we already have.

 

[Sandeep]

These jets are flying tanks and are more suited as large combat jets which can be used to bolster our combat jets fighting capabilities. If we get a favourable deal then we could buy just a squadron to bolster our ranks until we start production of Tejas MK2 and AMCA. These jets are very cheap and it will be very useful to use on the LAC and by allowing indigenous weapons it will remove the need to keep buying foreign expensive bombs and missiles.

 

[Pad UwU]

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.

Well said bruh😺👍

 

[WarTech]

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

Joining GCAP would be one of the best decisions along with buying F15. But politics won't allow that.

 

[Pad UwU]

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

I believe it's better if that miracle you envision would focus on manufacturing and upgrading version of iteration of su57 than wasting money on AMCA while directing some money to joining in GCAP for 6gen aircraft

 

[Pad UwU]

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.

LMAO you still believing Ukraine FAKE News of winning against drunken Russian flying shovels 😹😹😹

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

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.

If I am not mistaken the Army destroyed several tones of obsolete ammunition not too far back. Any way that stockpile is about to increase drastically.

 

[Out_for_vendetta]

The sale of artillery shells to Germany is a different issue. India doesn't have large ammunition stocks and limited production capacity, we ourselves might be reduced to begging if China attacks. Have to balance relations between Russia and the West.

"We have limited stocks and limited production capacity" bhai tu Instagram pe reels dekh

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

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.

Not really, this mess was created by Western countries themselves when they deposed the pro Russian government in Ukraine in 2014, by orchestrating the Maidan protests. This war is the result of their interference. Its their disgusting broth, let them finish it. We ought to stay out of the mess.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

F15 EX is a better aircraft suitable for us with total TOT and our weapons. However it would be costly as we will have to build a total new infrastructure to accommodate this. I think we have two options to increase our squadron strength.1) 114 Rafales (MRFA) and 200 Tejas MK2. But this option can be costly considering the price of Rafale and MK2 development cost. Also the is no specific time frame for MK2. 2) Since Gripen and Tejas MK2 are almost the same specification, we can cancel our Tejas MK2 project altogether and order 314 (114+200) Gripen aircraft with 100 percent TOT and all our weapons integration. The funds for Tejas MK2 can be transferred to AMCA and development work started immediately.

 

[Anant]

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

Pakistan only has the F-16. They do not operate F-15s. As for your second claim about the F-35 being incapable of facing the J-20 or J-31, provide some evidence. Finally, if you think AMCA is going to be some world-beating wonder project, then you are very much mistaken, and that too to a great extent.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

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.

Lets start by making a rifle.

 

[WarTech]

LMAO you still believing Ukraine FAKE News of winning against drunken Russian flying shovels 😹😹😹

They might not be winning, but Russia was seen as the second strongest military force while Ukraine was so far behind. All they lost are few territories, while Russia hasn't won the war with such superior force. Idk if the problem is with equipment or training, but still, it's absurd.

 

[WarTech]

Pakistan only has the F-16. They do not operate F-15s. As for your second claim about the F-35 being incapable of facing the J-20 or J-31, provide some evidence. Finally, if you think AMCA is going to be some world-beating wonder project, then you are very much mistaken, and that too to a great extent.

Facts

 

[Akshat]

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

It will be Rafale F4. Probably even F5, depending on how much time we take. I’m certain factors, like armament and cost, Rafale does win. F15 is in another class and does have a lot more raw power though.

 

[Akshat]

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

Well Russia as a whole has failed. So by default the assumption is that everything used by Russia has failed.

 

[Akshat]

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

Has Kyiv being captured? Considering the difference in the 2 countries and Put!n’s own claims of winning in a week, delaying them for so long itself is nothing short of victory for Ukraine.

 

[Akshat]

Show us some evidence.
Russia doesn't need to deploy family jewels just to add to Ukrainian's disasters.

And yet Kyiv is not captured.

 

[Akshat]

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.

Yeah…when Taiwan itself didn’t get F16, already manufactured widely and no training or support is needed, for less than 120 million dollars, without any weapons, we will surely get them for 80 million USD. And when everyone is getting Rafale second tranche for 150 million usd and we are already getting massive discounts, we will buy them for double the price. Sure sure.

 

[Akshat]

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 😹😹😹🔥🔥🔥

Yeah. A Russian missile on F15. And a European one which EU has refused to put on foreign planes. Great imagination.

 

[Akshat]

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.

No chance of Su57. IAF evaluated it against Rafale and found it to be inferior. Remember, IAF had 2 programs- FGFA and MRFA, and decided to close down FGFA. So no chance whatsoever for Su57. Come what may.

 

[Akshat]

Americans are not trustworthy. In time of need they will stop spare parts supply. However superior this aircraft may be, we should have our own Tejas Mk II instead of F XX.

HAL and ADA disagree.

 

[War is good for business]

Well Russia as a whole has failed. So by default the assumption is that everything used by Russia has failed.

Wars are not won merely by hardware. If that was the case then Israel wouldn't have won the Six Day war or the Yom Kippur War or Iraq wouldn't have lost the Iraq-Iran War and most importantly US wouldn't have lost in Vietnam.

 

[Akshat]

Not really, this mess was created by Western countries themselves when they deposed the pro Russian government in Ukraine in 2014, by orchestrating the Maidan protests. This war is the result of their interference. Its their disgusting broth, let them finish it. We ought to stay out of the mess.

Bro, let’s be honest. Putin invaded because he wanted to. No one forced it. The pro-Russian government opened fire on protestors on its own. The then temporary Ukrainian government (after the revolution) of the time had said publicly that they won’t be a part of NATO and will honor security concerns of Russia. Even before the latest invasion, Ukraine had not even filled the form for NATO and no one was even supplying any major weapons. Germany and most of EU was trying to please Put!n like H!tler was pleased. So let’s not be under any delusion.

 

[Sangram]

Tejas MK2 hasn't flown yet. A decade or more (probably more) before its available.

First batch will come in 2028