Year: 2012

Finmeccanica brings wide product line to DefExpo

The Italian defense major will be represented at DefExpo by its group companies AgustaWestland, Alenia Aermacchi, DRS Tactical Systems, Inc. (a division of DRS Technologies), SELEX Galileo, Oto Melara and WASS – in DEFEXPO 2012, exhibiting products, platforms and technological solutions in the field of helicopters, aeronautic, radar systems, naval and land armaments and underwater systems.

BAE Systems plays on mobility at DefExpo

The CV90 Light Tank provides high tactical and strategic mobility, and survivability in any terrain or tactical environment. The BvS10 armored all-terrain vehicle provides an unbeatable combination of mobility, payload and protection. The world’s first 155mm Howitzer weighing under 10000lbs (4218kg), the highly mobile M777, on display at DefExpo this year is the subject of ongoing discussions between the Indian and US Governments in relation to a possible sale.

Boeing’s flightline at DefExpo

“India is a significant market for Boeing and we are committed to working closely with the defense ministry, armed forces and indigenous industry to meet India’s defense and security needs,” said Dennis Swanson, vice president, International Business Development, Boeing Defense, Space & Security in India.

See you at DefExpo 2012

Unsurprisingly, India’s two largest defense suppliers are also the biggest exhibitors at the show. Israel has taken up the most space at the show with 1,293 square meters and Russia brings the largest number of companies to the show, with the count at 37.

BAE Systems ready to help India build Bofors guns

Dean McCumiskey, Managing Director and Chief Executive of BAE Systems’ India operations told StratPost his company would be open to discussing any question of technical assistance the OFB might require, in its attempt to execute the designs and technology documentation transferred to it as part of the old Bofors howitzer procurement.

India approves 9 maritime patrol aircraft buy

The Defense Acquisitions Council of the Ministry of Defense has accepted the necessity for procuring nine Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft for the Indian Navy. The Acceptance of Necessity (AON) this week came after the evaluation of data provided by vendors in response to the Request for Information (RFI) issued almost exactly a year…

Lockheed Martin to announce new F-16 Block 50 variant

Although the design will be based on the Block 50 model, it will incorporate newer features that have, so far, only been included in the Block 60 Desert Falcons flown by the UAE Air Force and were part of the F-16IN Super Viper for the Indian Air Force tender for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft.

44 facts about the MMRCA

StratPost tweeted facts about the Indian Air Force (IAF) tender for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) and the participating aircraft last week. Here they are on a single page, for easy reference. And please feel free to add any more in the comments. They will be updated on this page.

Rafale wins MMRCA: The Cost

A cost escalation of 50 percent (INR 63,000 crore, in this case) or more, requires approval again from the Ministry of Finance, before the Defense Acquisitions Council (DAC) can proceed with it. With the cost of the tender for India safely ranging from INR 83,000 crore to 1,25,000 crore, the revision of the estimated expenditure on the MMRCA would require the approval of the finance ministry.

Rafale wins MMRCA

The French Dassault fighter aircraft Rafale has been selected to be the Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Dassault beat the four-nation consortium’s Eurofighter on price, with the fighter being identified as L1, or the lowest technically qualified bid. StratPost understands that Dassault has been issued a letter from…