With issuing new RFI by taking back old one emphasis on government to government process
and shortening the timeline from 3 years to just 1 year overall.
By the second half to end of next year 2018, code of conduct for elections will be in place
and thus goverment of India wishes to close the deal before that timeline.
During Mattis visit, he stressed that owing to commonality of 70% between F16 Block7F
and F35 will lead to easier transition to F35 at a later stage.
Also plan is for just first 90 F16(90 birds or 4.5 squadrons to begin with which can go
to a max of 7.5 squadrons or 150 birds) and option is given to India to upgrade the line
and next produce F35 but under limited technology transfer using Israeli modifications.
Government favours the G2G deal for this particular case with line being setup for 36 F16 per
year to begin with and later changing to 16 F35 and 16 F16.
So F16 Block 7F comes with full localisation and transfer of F13X engine and upgrade to
India under Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).
Mattis also emphasized that PAF operated F16s is entirely different and generation behind
the Block 7F.
In terms of capability, the present 7F is more than twice then what Block 52 so PAF
F16 are further beyond the curve.
Technically both proposals almost give the same in terms of so called proprietary technology
access(other than partial code limitation in specific Gripen parts).
USA government has finally given support to Gripen but expressed strong reservation against
continuing USA support for long time and said if a threat comes to US MIC and figher ecosystem,
preferential treatment will be given to American companies only.
Gripen E/F has sweetened the deal with almost 53% tech transfer agreement but as of today
Gripen E is in 2nd position.
New documents submitted by Saab shows Gripen E/F has drawbacks with engine power to weight
in straight line.
The second problem is Gripen E fully eating out the program of LCA.
Contrary to the belief that Gripen E will might be renamed as LCA Mk2 or position itself
as Mk2, its threat is actually directly to MK1A.
As Ministry of defence pointed that post MK1A one squadron handover, a fresh order of 3-4
more squadrons (60-80 aircrafts) will be placed as well.
There also a report submitted from HAL as well which has opposed Gripen E in similar
language and has expressed great concern for LCA Mk1/Mk1A program curtailment scope.
LCA AF Mk2 will share interiors, upgrades and almost many subs systems with the single
engine MMRCA winner.
This is a big let down for Saab and Gripen E as internal studies have revealed that integration
of Safransied Kaveri comes at a much higher cost, and re certification much beyond just
engine and flight performance and goes deeper into the airframe and entire EW+ systems.
While F-16 & Rafale don't need such modifications.
There are Information warfare and hacking issues in USA planes which have been bought
by some of the countries who sabotaged and changed tech source codes to modify and better
certain specs.
India has a powerful software community so that might be uncovered and reversed any threat
and potential damage but USA wants a "user agreement" to be agreed on before any Make
in India absolving of any such damage caused which is why Gripen E is not already off the
table.
Next 2 weeks will see whirlwind activity with focus on building the consensus for G2G terms
for LM order and F16s procurement.
If the consensus works out as per MOD plan, then by October end some forward announcement
is expected.
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