Indian Navy's RFI for new aircraft could change the MMRCA game

The Indian Navy has issued an RFI for 40 naval aircraft (readYahoo), which unfortunately as per guidelines issued earlier is not available on the internet, so we are restricted in distributing it. Our sources indicate that the Navy may just be looking around for information and may only put in a follow on order with the MMRCA winner, if they have a suitable offering. This may be great news for Boeing's Super Hornet, Dassault's Rafale and bad news for Saab's Gripen and Lockheed's F-16.

In July 2008, 8ak had interviewed U.S. historian Jason Verdugo on why the U.S. should give the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier to India. Part of the discussion was the consideration of fighter aircraft that can be used both on the carriers and on normal military airports. Read that article here.

This reflects badly on DRDO, ADA and HAL as it may indicate that the naval version of the indigenously developed LCA Tejas is failing. Another reason to privatise (not that India needs any more!)?