Bangalore, February 6
The Aero-India show is starting tomorrow but it seems the major players in the race for the 126 fighter aircraft Indian Air Force (IAF) order can’t wait to get started. The major players took to the air today itself with a few flying IAF officials to get the head start in the race for the Rs 45,000 crore order.

A late entrant, Boeing, is making sure it gets a first chance at IAF officials at the air show. The F/A-18 Super Hornet took on board a senior IAF official today. The ride, which even saw a touch-and-go manoeuvre at the Yelahanka Air Station’s runaway, was aimed at showing off what the Boeing officials said were the unique capabilities of its aircraft.

Boeing vice-president for International Business Development (Asia Pacific) said the company was aiming at defence contracts worth between $10 and $ 15 billion in India in the next 10 years. He said the 126 fighter aircraft order itself was worth between $ 6 and $ 11 billion. “There is going to be a critical competition and we are not taking any chances”, he added.

The Russians, led by Russian Aircraft Corporation, makers of the MiG, also put up a spirited show flying the MIG-35 through a series of impossible twists and turns. It’s Director of Engineering Center Vladimir I. Barkovsky told The Tribune that this was the first time that the fifth generation fighter was being presented abroad. The aircraft, which also flew “potential customers”, is a generation of the MIG-29K, which is being serially produced for the Indian Navy.

“Now we have improved on the combat effectiveness and the survivability of the MIG-35 through the introduction of new avionics”. The Russians showcased the new radar with active phased array, which is the first for any aircraft in the world. The array radar allows substantial increase in the detection range of aerial and ground targets as well as augmenting the number of simultaneously tracked and attacked targets. The increased vector thrust of the aircraft from a new power plant was also showcased during the flying display.

Increasing the sales pitch of the MIG-35, Mr Barkovsky said the company would produce 80 per cent of the aircraft in India if it won the contract. He said this was very important because most companies would produce just the metal hardware in India. He said the company on its part would ensure the deepest technological transfer as compared to its competitors saying “you will be able to produce the latest optical components, including the optical pod in India”.

Another contender in the race, Lockheed Martin, will be making use of the services of Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata to push its case. Tata is scheduled to fly a twin seat F-16 as a co-pilot with a US Air Force pilot upfront at the aero show on February 9. Company’s Business Development vice-president Robert H. Trice said Tata had evinced interest in flying the F-16. He said Tata was a major supporter for improvement in Indo-US relations and that the company felt it was important to put him on the F-16 in this context. The company would also fly its C-130J transport plane, P-3 maritime patrol aircraft and MH-60R helicopter during the show.

Saab Gripen has also finalised trips with IAF pilots on its JAS-39 Gripen aircraft, also in competition for the IAF order. Though the company is offering a single seat aircraft to the IAF, it has brought a twin seater so that IAF pilots can have a feel of the machine.