Cassidian plans to ramp up the headcount at its Indian defence Engineering Center to over 200 engineers by the end of next year. This is just the beginning. The economic benefits of our industrial partnership approach are substantial: We estimate that choosing the Eurofighter Typhoon would create more than 20,000 high skilled jobs in India, boosting its domestic defence and aerospace industry.
Which political and strategic benefits can the EPCs offer India?
India’s MMRCA tender is of high strategic importance for its government. It intends to use this large tender for political benefits which will boost India’s long term security. On this count, too, we deliver outstanding values:
Our four European partner governments do not demand end-user monitoring, site-inspections or any other agreements which compromise India’s sovereignty. India is free to use the Eurofighter Typhoon as it sees fit.
Several other reasons make the Eurofighter Typhoon the best choice for safeguarding India’s strategic autonomy and sovereignty. Its choice will elevate India’s strategic relationship with Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy and their armed forces to a completely new level. And it will strengthen India’s domestic defence industry through deep ToT, boosting India’s capability to protect itself with its own technologies.
Why do you think Eurofighter Typhoon is the right aircraft for the Indian Air Force?
I have no doubt that we will deliver un-matched values to the IAF and is uniquely suited to meet its requirements. It is the most advanced multi-role fighter India can buy and the latest technology fighter aircraft on offer for the MMRCA. The aircraft entered into service a few years ago and has a life span of 40 years ahead.
Eurofighter Typhoons delivered to the IAF will be the latest Tranche 3 aircraft with state of the art electronic warfare sensors and communication systems. With its proven multi-role combat capability, this combat aircraft will provide the IAF with air superiority and with sophisticated ground attack capabilities. Eurofighter Typhoon comes with a comprehensive weapons payload, high armament flexibility and the capability to effectively respond in a wide variety of combat missions.
Another key reason why the IAF will benefit from the EurofighterTyphoon is cost: Maintenance, servicing and operating cost can easily exceed the intial purchase price of an aircraft over time. This may render a seemingly economical aircraft very expensive in the long run. Eurofighter Typhoon was designed for low-life cycle costs. Its airframe is made of over 80% composites, incorporating new-age materials like carbon fibre composites (CFC), glass-reinforced plastic, special alloys, etc. and deploys cutting edge component design to boost performance while at the same time maximize life. Longer component life makes the aircraft less maintenance intensive which results in significant cost savings.
What are the next steps of the MMRCA selection process?
The Field Evaluation Trials in which our aircraft demonstrated its multi-role prowess to the IAF concluded earlier this year. They were first conducted in Bangalore, Jaisalmer and Leh. Weapon trials were then held in Germany and in the United Kingdom. Now the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has to analyze the IAF’s flight trials report. It is also studying offset proposals submitted by all vendors. After this exercise, we expect the opening of the commercial bids followed by price negotiations with those vendors which will be short-listed.
How important is Aero India 2011 for the campaign in India?
Aero India is one of the outstanding Air Shows for defence aviation in Asia. During Aero India 2009 Eurofighter Typhoon had a significant presence and we plan to continue with that this year. Aero India brings together vendors, customers and political decision-makers and enables a lively, free exchange of ideas and information. This year’s edition coincides with a critical phase of India’s MMRCA tender and our campaign. This makes Aero India 2011 an extremely important event for us and we look forward to being there.
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