O governo da índia convidou o consórcio Eurofighter Typhoon e o Dassault Rafale para discussões no dia 28 ou 29 de Abril, dentro do contrato MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft). As ofertas comerciais vigentes expirarão no dia 28 de Abril
Nenhum dos quatro outros participantes foram convidados. Até o momento não sabe-se se os demais participantes Lockheed Martin F16, Boeing F/A 18 E/F Super Hornet, MiG-35 e Saab Gripen IN estão fora?
Uma informação preliminar indica que os quatro não atenderam às avaliações técnicas da Indian Air Force (IAF), mas esta informação precisa ser confirmada.
A companhia SAAB já emitiu uma nota oficial confirmando que não está no shortlist com Gripen IN. (Ver abaixo.)
No processo de seleção adotado pela Índia significa que os dois selcionados serão confrontados e o menor preço será, com grande probabilidades, o vencedor.
Nota Oficial da SAAB
Gripen not on the shortlist for the Indian MMRCA programme
Today defence and security company Saab AB has received information from the Indian Ministry of Defence that Gripen has not been shortlisted for the Indian Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme.
”We are offering India a world class next generation fighter aircraft to a very competitive price and an extensive technology transfer programme. We have received this decision and will closely monitor the future process and provide additional information if requested by the Indian Ministry of Defence. We are confident that the Gripen system is the perfect match for the Indian Air Force as well as meeting the highest requirements for the international markets,” says Håkan Buskhe, President and CEO at Saab.
India is one of Saab’s most important markets. For example, Saab recently announced an investment in a research and development centre in India.
“We are committed to the Indian market and continue our plans for growth and see huge business opportunities in the aerospace, defence and security sectors,” says Håkan Buskhe.
Gripen is in service with the Swedish, Czech Republic, Hungarian, South African and Royal Thai Air Forces. The UK Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) is operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.
