{"id":35686,"date":"2018-04-09T16:53:17","date_gmt":"2018-04-09T16:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/04\/09\/indias-air-force-just-started-a-195-billion-fighter-program-sort-of\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:53:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:53:52","slug":"indias-air-force-just-started-a-195-billion-fighter-program-sort-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2018\/04\/09\/indias-air-force-just-started-a-195-billion-fighter-program-sort-of\/","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s Air Force just started a $19.5 billion fighter program \u2014 sort of"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEW DELHI \u2015 The Indian air force has launched a very ambitious $19.5 billion program to buy 110 military fighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is, the country\u2019s Ministry of Defense says it is only a fact-finding exercise and there is no commitment from the government on the program as of now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IAF on April 6 issued a Request for Information or RFI to all major global aviation companies to bid on the 110 fighter buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without mentioning the requirement of single or twin engine fighters, the service is seeking 82 single-seat and 28 twin-seat fighters. The RFI says that, \u201cunder the program, 16 aircraft will bring in fly away condition. The selected overseas original equipment manufacturers … will be asked to set up production line with Indian production agency under strategic partner\u2019s policy\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis RFI only outlines the fighter\u2019s requirements for the service but there is no firm commitment from the government and it is not a firm procurement proposal,\u201d one MoD official told Defense News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global fighter manufacturers Boeing and Lockheed Martin, Dassault Aviation of France, European consortium Eurofighter, Saab of Sweden and United Aircraft Corporation of Russia are expected to submit response in three months.<\/p>\n\n\n\t