India’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has issued a request for proposal for nine medium-range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft for the Indian Navy, plus 38 anti-ship missiles. The Navy has taken delivery of the first of eight Boeing P-8I Poseidon jets, and Boeing Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Although the new RFP seems to encourage smaller, lower-cost airframes and weapons, its terms may limit the bids.
The RFP states the aircraft must fly a transit of 400 nm at 300 knots and patrol 400 nm for four hours at a height of 10,000 feet, configured with two missiles with a range of about 50 nm. The MoD has called for a pre-bid meeting with the vendors in early October to clarify queries. “It is confusing. Does the Indian navy want turboprops or jets?” asked one potential vendor.
23/08/13 Neelam Mathews/AINonline
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The RFP states the aircraft must fly a transit of 400 nm at 300 knots and patrol 400 nm for four hours at a height of 10,000 feet, configured with two missiles with a range of about 50 nm. The MoD has called for a pre-bid meeting with the vendors in early October to clarify queries. “It is confusing. Does the Indian navy want turboprops or jets?” asked one potential vendor.
23/08/13 Neelam Mathews/AINonline
