Gas Turbine Engines

The process for the finalization of the contract for the acquisition of 126 combat aircraft under the MMRCA (Medium, Multirole Combat Aircraft) tender by sealing the deal with Dassault Aviation whose Rafale fighter had emerged a winner by overtaking the five other rivals seems to be acquiring “some speed” .As it is, for more than two years now, the finalization of the deal has been affected from one uncertainty to another over the issues of technology transfer and life cycle cost. And the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is now operating just 34 squadrons against an assessed requirement of 45 squadrons, is badly in need of medium class fighters. Under this deal, while 18 fighters will be made available in fly way condition, the state owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will produce the remaining 108 fighters with the technology to be made available by the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).